Better Baby Bums: for diapers that are better for the environment

I try to be eco-freindly, but let's face it, having babies means we consume so much stuff!

One area where I feel like I have partially succeeded in being good to the planet is diapering.

I use cloth diapers most of the time, but I use disposables for nap and bed time and when we are away from home, including preschool. (My motto is: Do what you can, don't sweat what you can't.)

Traditional disposable diapers freak me out a little because of the absorbent gels. One brand is so heavily perfumed that it triggered my allergies and I had to give away a nearly full package. And another brand gave both of my kids rashes.

I love that there are so many eco-friendly choices in disposable diapers these days!

Better Baby Bums is an online store that offers good choices for diapering, wipes, skin care, sun protection, sippy cups, bottles, feeding accessories, teething, toys, and more.

(Canadian shoppers should enter through this link. All other links will send you to the store for US shoppers.)

Better Baby Bums sent me two different brands that they offer to try out on my son. (Boy I wish this was a post stating that he was finished potty training!) I haven't heard of these brands so I was excited to get my hands on them and put them on my little guy's bum.

(Yes, I get excited about diapers. Is that strange?)

Broody Chick 100% Natural and Fully Compostable Diapers

Broody Chick Diapers are the first fully compostable disposable diaper on the market. You could seriously put them in your compost pile.

Broody Chick Diapers are:

• 100% natural and compostable
  
• Chlorine-free
  
• Plastic-free
  
• Plant-based absorbent gel
  
• Packaged in a 100% recycled cardboard box printed with plant-based dyes

Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Diapers

Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly diapers are made in Denmark and have the highest standards for environmental and health standards in the US.

Bambo Nature Eco-Friendly Diapers:

• The absorbent core of these diapers has a cornstarch super-absorbent polymer which is 100% biodegradable.
  
• The pulp used in the diapers is also 100% biodegradable and harvested from sustainable Scandinavian forests.
  
• These diapers are totally chlorine free and whitens the diapers using an oxygen delignification process in combination with hydrogen peroxide or ozone.
• Wetness indicator lets you know when it is time to change them.
  
• The only natural preemie diaper on the market.

My Verdict

I love the Broody Chick diapers. They are both soft and fit really well on my child. I didn't have any issues with leakage, including naptime when he usually wets heavily. The Bambo diapers performed as well as the national store brand I often buy. My only issue was that the size I chose was a little big for my guy. But we all know that diapers fit so differently and the size that works for one brand might not fit in another (he's right on the cusp of two sizes right now).

Both diapers performed as well as other more eco-friendly diapers I have purchased.

If you are concerned about the chemicals in traditional disposable diapers or are looking for diapers that are more eco-friendly, I would definitely consider these two brands or the others offered by Better Baby Bums.

DISCOUNT
Readers of The Full Mommy can receive a 20% discount off their order at Better Baby Bums by using code: greenbum

You will also receive free shipping on orders over $49.99 and a free stainless steel water bottle with orders over $10 while supplies last!

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: BABY BUMS
Prize: $50 gift card from Better Baby Bums
Number of Winners: One (US and Canada)
Entry Question: Besides the two brands of diapers mentioned in this review, what is another diaper brand offered by Better Baby Bums?
Enter By: March 12, 2010
Entry Form: Click here
Extra Entries: (Fill out entry form again for each additional entry.)

1. Tweet about this giveaway: Giveaway $50 Gift Card to Better Baby Bums from @fullmommy http://bit.ly/daIghf (enter by 3/12)
   
2. Tell your friends on Facebook linking to this post.
   
3. Blog about the giveaway linking to this post.
4. Subscribe in a reader.
5. Subscribe by e-mail.
6. RSVP for the #ecowed Twitter Party (March 10)
   

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I received these diapers as part of a Mommy Go Green Blog Tour.

Citizenpip Lunch Kits: Everything You Need For a Hot or Cold Lunch at School

As we walked the back-to-school aisle before my daughter started kindergarten, she picked out lots of different lunch kits with popular characters. But those lunchboxes scared me a little. Did they have PVC? Or lead? Or BPA? Or phthalates? Or any of the other scary chemicals du jour? My head was spinning. I put off buying a new lunch box until I could do a little looking online.

Now that it's colder outside, my daughter wants a hot lunch. Since we don't eat meat, most days of the week I have to pack a lunch for her. But she's been requesting soups and macaroni and cheese. (They do serve cheese pizza every Friday, which she always buys.)

CitizenPip sent us the Soup to Nuts kit, which literally has everything you need to pack your child's lunch:

• 1 insulated lunch bag with nametag and carabiner that easily attaches to a backpack
• 1 stainless steel water bottle
• 1 stainless steel insulated food jar
• 4 BPA-free airtight food containers
• 1 stainless steel fork + spoon set
• 5 100% cotton napkins

What makes them different than the lunch boxes at the big box store? They are "muck-free," meaning that they have no lead, PVC, phthalates, or BPA. Yep, that about covered everything on my list.

My daughter likes that the fork and spoon are larger than the toddler size ones, but smaller than adult. She thinks they are just right and actually wants to use them at mealtime at home as well. (I may have to order a few more sets of the spoon and fork.)

She can easily open the plastic containers which have a tab on each of the four sides. And she can see what's inside because they are clear. The company says the containers are airtight, but out of curiosity, I filled one halfway with water, turned it upside dow, and shook vigorously. It didn't leak.

I have washed and rewashed the napkins several times and they are definitely holding up. Plus, the green color will help hide stains from food residues.

But here's my question: Is my child the only one who doesn't put the lid on containers before shoving them back in her lunchbox? Gah!

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: LUNCH
Prize: Citizenpip Square Meal Kit
Number of Winners: One (US only please)
Entry Question: Name one of the styles of the Square Meal Kit
Enter By: 01/25/10
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Citizenpip sent us the Soup to Nuts kit to pack my daughter's lunches.

Kushies Diapers

We use cloth diapers for our son. Although we do buy some disposables for preschool, trips, and over night, I love that we aren't shelling out a ton of money on diapers with each trip to the store. Not to mention that I'm not contributing as much to the landfill!

We've been using pocket diapers, but I wanted to try the convenience of an all-in-one. Kushies sent me a package of ultra-lite washable diapers. The five pack for boys featured five different boyish prints. I have to admit that they look so good that I often don't bother putting pants over them when he's running around the house.

These diapers are a little different than I am used to . The taffeta outer fabric swishes a little, kind of like track pants. They are slick. The fit is generous and I think that although they are sized (as opposed to diapers that are one size) they will fit for a while. I snug up the waistband with the hook and loop closures for a good fit.

I haven't had any problems with leakage so far and they are definitely easy to use since I don't have to separate the liner like I do with my pocket diapers.

I've been washing them according to directions and then air drying. I do find that the laundry tabs come undone while washing and they stick together. Maybe there's something I could do to avoid this, but I'm not sure what. (Let me know if you have an idea!)

When ordering from Kushies, you can order in different quantities including a trial pack and a five pack. I love the try before you invest option!

Discount: Use code tfm10 to receive a 10% discount on any order from www.kushiesonline.com.

(From Kushies:) The Kushies Ultra-lite All-In-One form fitted washable cloth diaper is easy to use and easy on the environment too. This diaper features five layers of 100% soft cotton flannel with a special absorbent soaker layer inside and a lightweight waterproof shell on the outside. The closure system is hook and loop and the tabs are extended for optimum adjustability and a snug fit. The patented, built in-flap can be folded up for boys or down for girls for extra absorbency. Better for your baby, better for the environment and better for your pocket book.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Kushies sent a package of diapers for me to try with my son.

New Lands' End Canvas Line

I'm a long time Lands' End customer for many reasons. The biggest reasons are that when I take measurements, the clothes usually fit and when I have questions, the people who do the online chat always help.

They've just launched a new line called Lands’ End Canvas, which is "casual, well-crafted clothing that reinterprets authentic American sportswear designed for today’s relevant approach to effortless, lived-in style. The collection is rooted in the legendary Lands’ End heritage, but oriented towards a modern, timeless style that offers possibility."

The line featured clothing for both men and women and their enhanced website offers a personalized and interactive shopping experience.

And of course you get the Lands' End quality and customer service that I have grown to love and rely on.

Now through December 21 you can receive free shipping on any Lands’ End canvas items. Simply enter the promo code DEAL and the pin 1802 at checkout to receive the deal.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I received a tote bag as a thank you for writing about their new line. Though I am a long time Lands' End customer and fan.

A Christmas Bear for Me Personalized Book and Plush from I See Me!

Last Christmas I ordered personalized children's books for my two children from I See Me! My children loved that with each page each letter of their name was added to eventually spell their full name. I paid a little extra to have their middle names included as well.

I can tell you that my kids LOVE personalized items. There is something about seeing your own name in print. And my children don't have popular names so we usually don't find them on ready-made "personalized" items.

This year, I See Me! has a new personalized gift, just for Christmas: A Christmas Bear for Me book and plush bear.

The book shows your child's name in a number of places and even includes a personal letter from Santa.

(From I See Me!:) A Christmas Bear for Me, a beautiful, heart-warming personalized book that makes a child the star in a story about a Christmas wish for a special Teddy Bear friend. This beautifully illustrated book comes with a cuddly, plush bear made by Gund® and a personalized letter from Santa. For boys and girls ages 0-10. $34.95

While you are ordering, spend a few dollars extra for personalized stickers, great for those packages from Santa!

What's great about this company is that organizations can set up a special free shipping code that when used, I See Me will donate $5!

Order quickly, the last day for holiday shipping is Dec 10th. Click on the link below and use code FSW715 for free shipping.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. I have ordered several books with my own money from I See Me! The company is sending this title to me to present to my child this Christmas, but I have not read it yet. I wanted to tell you about the item before the shipping deadline.

SafetyTat: Just in Case Your Child Should Get Lost

Whenever we take our kids to events where they could get lost in a sea of people, I always try to take precautions to ensure that they will get back to me should we separate.

Recently my husband and daughter were at a big box store looking at DVD's. They each turned in the opposite direction without realizing it and shortly after were separated. My daughter found an employee and told her name and her dad's name. The employee took her to the front of the store to page him. My husband began looking up and down the aisles as he made his way to the front where they were reunited before he could even be paged.

I was so proud of my five-year-old for being calm, seeking help, and being able to communicate her and her father's names.

But what if your child can't communicate? If your child is younger or panicked, she might not be able to tell a grown up who she is. And even my child does not have her parents' cell phone numbers memorized yet.

We have a unique situation in that our daughter is diabetic. She wears a bracelet with emergency information, but it only includes my cell phone. My husband often takes her to sporting events at the local arena where they walk among upwards of 100,000 people.

It scares me that she could get lost. In the past I have slipped a piece of paper into her pocket with her dad's name and cell phone number and instructed her to give it to a grown up if she gets lost.

This football season, we have a second line of defense: SafetyTat.

SafetyTat carries a variety of temporary tattoos. The line of original tattoos can be personalized to include two lines of information. The cute designs are perfect for labeling your child. But what I really appreciate is the designs for people with medical issues (including one specifically for diabetes), autism, non-verbal, and allergies.

SafetyTat sent me a set of personalized tattoos specific for diabetic children. We had them write both her name and her dad's cell phone number. For each football game this fall, I applied a tattoo on her arm near her medical ID bracelet. I have to say that I felt a little more at ease knowing that my husband could be contacted more quickly if they got separated and the clearly written word "diabetic" would aid responders in a medical emergency.

They also have a line of Quick Stick Write-On! tattoos that enable you to write the info that you need for that particular day. Great if you have multiple kids or if they are with a different caretaker such as a grandparent or babysitter.

NOTE

I will caution that you should follow the directions for application. The first time I just slapped it on and used a little water. It worked, but not perfectly. Every time after that I actually read and followed the directions with much better results. (And you thought only men did things without reading directions!)

DISCOUNT

Receive a 10% discount off of your SafetyTat order of $15 or more by using the following code (typed exactly as shown) good 11/27/09 through 12/17/09: TheFullMommy

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: TATTOO
Prize: Sample pack of Quick Stick Write-On! tattoos in winner's choice of Boy, Girl, or Multi.
Number of Winners: Two
Entry Requirement: Become a fan of SafteyTat on Facebook
Enter By: December 4, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. SafetyTat sent me product samples to aid in this review.

Adorable Kinders Rag Dolls

When Granza offered to send one of my children an Adorable Kinders Rag Doll, I chose the Landon boy doll for my son. It isn't often that you find cute boy dolls and I think it's important for boys to have loving toys in addition to the rough-and-tumble ones that are usually geared toward them.

Little did I know that my daughter would be so taken with him. If I was choosing for her, I probably would have selected a fancier doll like Mari. What my daughter loves about this soft doll is that she can doctor him up. She has placed a cast from her doctor kit on his leg and zipped him into her rolling suitcase which she says is his wheelchair. She has been taking very good care of him getting him on the mend.

I will say that these dolls seem very well made. They are substantial, yet small enough for children to tote around. And the yarn used for the hair is incredibly soft. They are about 18" tall, weigh less than two pounds, and are safe for ages two and up. They are even made in the USA.

There are 26 dolls to choose from, one for each letter of the alphabet. Alise and Mari are the most popular. Like I said, there are both girls and boys and you will find that there is probably one matching your child's ethnicity and individual looks. The Landon doll most matched my toddler.

In an age of tech toys that "do something" and loud toys that require battery after battery, I appreciate these old school rag dolls that seem to take us back to a simpler time when a kid could just use her imagination and play.

DISCOUNT:
Use coupon code AKBLOG25 for 25% off the entire purchase price on www.adorablekinders.com. Good through December 31, 2009.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: RAG DOLL
Prize: Choice of Adorable Kinders Rag Doll
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: Which rag doll do you like?
Enter By: November 26, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Extra Entry: Become a fan of Adorable Kinders of Facebook and fill out the entry form again telling us you did.

Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Ganza sent me an Adorable Kinders Rag Doll for the purpose of this review.

Sucre: Handmade Holiday Chocolates

I tried to keep the box of Sucré bon-bons I received (free to review) a secret from my husband. Alas, he sniffed them out even from their hiding place waaaaaay in the back of the refrigerator behind some old condiments and leftover soup.

The good news is that I was able to taste each of the three special holiday flavors in the Sugar and Spice collection before my stash was discovered.

• Candy Cane White Chocolate Truffle: Velvety white chocolate ganache infused with bits of peppermint candies in a pure white chocolate shell. Mmmmmm.
  
  
• Eggnog Dark Chocolate Truffle: A mix of traditional holiday eggnog and white chocolate captured in a dark chocolate shell. Yuuummm.
  
  
• Gingerbread Milk Chocolate Truffle: A special blend of holiday spices mixed with milk chocolate ganache, surrounded by a milk chocolate shell. O.M.G. ... perfection.

I love gingerbread and am always disappointed that I can't drink gingerbread lattes--since I don't like coffee. The gingerbread truffle is the perfect consolation prize. So good.

A friend did me a big favor a few days after I received these truffles, and I gave her several as a thank-you. Even without the lovely packaging (I stuck them in a random cardboard box with some parchment paper--sorry, Chef Tariq), the flavors won her over immediately. A box of these truffles would make a really special hostess gift or treat for a friend this winter. Or check out some of the other amazing-looking goodies available at Sucré (handmade marshmallows, anyone? Or how about a collection of 6 artisan chocolate bars?).

From Sucré: Sucré is a New Orleans-based confectioner known for delectable, hand-crafted artisan chocolates, as well as scrumptious pastries and macaroons. Sucré is located in the heart of the Garden District on Magazine Street. This holiday season, a portion of every dollar spent online will go to benefit the LA/SPCA.

Sucré is offering a discount code to Full Mommy readers: $5 off shipping (or shipping for $4.95). Code: SPCA

Mayberry Mom has one gingerbread truffle left and she is not telling anyone where it is. She received a box of truffles and one artisan chocolate bar free from Sucré to taste-test. Please read our disclosure statement.

Mutsy Grow Up! Booster Seat

My toddler was suddenly resistant to sitting in his booster seat. The same booster seat his sister had used. It was a hard plastic booster that was maybe proving to be a little uncomfortable. Maybe he just needed a change or maybe he wanted to feel more grown up. I don't know. All I know is he wouldn't sit in the booster.

Mutsy sent me a Grow Up! booster seat and I figured it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. I don't know if just having a new booster did the trick or if the Mutsy is substantially more comfortable, but he'll actually sit in his booster at the table now.

My older child sat in the Grow Up! one day and commented on how nice it felt. Granted, she's beyond the booster seat days, but she said it was nice and cushy.

The Grow Up! seat comes in six great colors and retails for just under $60 (see discount code below). The five-point harness will keep your little wiggle worm in his seat. It was quite easy for me to attach to our four-legged chair.

(From the company:)
This flexible seat reducer with base allows your baby to sit comfortably on the average grown-up chair. A clever harness makes sure your child can be fastened safely. This bright and modern looking seat is suitable for children up to 4 years of age.

Mutsy has a new stroller called the Transporter. Looks pretty cool. I dare say our stroller days are almost over.

DISCOUNT:
Readers of The Full Mommy can receive a 10% discount off of any order at Mutsy using the code tfm10.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Please read our disclosure statement. Mutsy provided me with a Grow Up! booster to use for the purpose of this review.

Litter Free Lunch Cloth Napkins

I've been trying to reduce our impact on the planet and one way is by replacing some of our disposable things with those that can be reused. Bit by bit we are finding ways to consume and waste less.

As my daughter started school this year I began looking for reusable products for her lunchbox. If you ask her, "every day is Earth Day," and she likes that she is doing good by reusing her napkins. (And yes, almost every single day she tells me that.)

Litter Free Lunch sent me the set of five bright napkins. I've been folding one and packing it with her lunch every day. She uses her napkin and places it back inside. (By "place" I mean she shoves everything back in and zips it up.)

I was a little nervous about white napkins, but I will say that so far they have come clean every time. Even the time that a blob of homemade pink goop was placed in her lunchbox after school and I was sure that the napkin would be permanently stained, but it came clean (probably an equal testament to our plant-based laundry detergent).

After a month of school lunches, we haven't misplaced one yet. You can write your child's name on the tag, but I figure if one gets lost, it's probably because it ended up in the trash can. Yes, the white napkins are stained here and there, but for the most part remain white. We will definitely continue using these napkins for as long as they last and for as long as they get put back into her lunchbox before running out to the playground for recess.

In addition to cloth napkins, Litter Free Lunch also carries lunch bags and stainless steel bottles and containers. Their cloth napkins are made in the USA.

Discount: Buy two or more sets of napkins and get 15% off w/ coupon code "litterfree."

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

Old Navy: Unbelievable Savings, Unbelievable Giveaway!

Have you been checking out Old Navy's Item of the Week? They've been having some pretty terrific sale prices that are hard to pass up. And they hide coupons on the site each Thursday (click around to try to find one).

Beginning Friday (tomorrow), you can stock up on Women's Cable V-Neck and Argyle Sweaters for just $12 each.

As if that wasn't reason enough to go to Old Navy this week, we have a terrific giveaway for you: We have TEN $45 off $100 coupons.

That's right, if you are one of our ten winners today, you could save almost 50% off of your purchase. That's just our way of helping you out with back-to-school shopping for the kiddos or building your own fall wardrobe.

So here's our questions for you: Which do you like more and why? The cable V-Neck or the Argyle sweaters? (Check out Old Navy's Women's sweaters.)

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: OLD NAVY
Prize: We have TEN $45 off of a $100 purchase coupons to give away. (One coupon per winner.)
Number of Winners: 10
Entry Question: Which do you like more and why? The Cable V-Neck or the Argyle sweaters?
Entry Form: Click here (You MUST use OLD NAVY without quotation marks on the entry form as the giveaway title.)

Enter By: 8/27/09 (Enter by midnight EST Thursday, August 27, 2009. This is a quick giveaway because coupons are valid August 28 to September 3, 2009 only.)
Rules: Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways. Only one coupon per blogger. You absolutely cannot sell the coupon to another blogger, on EBay, etc. Winners will be notified by e-mail and the coupon will be sent by e-mail. The Full Mommy is not responsible for any delays and winners must redeem the coupon before the expiration date. No prize substitutions will be offered. Coupons are valid for in-store purchases only.

What, you want more?

(From the M80 Newsroom:)

Old Navy’s “One Day Wonder” sale is back with a stylish vengenance! This time around you get a free graphic tee when you purchase a pair of adult jeans for $19 (regular price is $29.50)!

The sale takes place this Saturday 8/29. If you’re interested, plan to shop early because these are sure to go quickly!

*Select styles only. Excludes Collectabili-tees. Offer available In-Store Only.

Back-to-School: Mabel's Labels

My daughter will enter kindergarten in a few short weeks. When I looked at the supply list, it seemed as if everything needed to be labeled with her name: backpack, lunchbox, binder, gym shoes.

I knew that Mabel's Labels would make this an easy task for us. That's why I chose them for our back-to-school labeling needs.

Of course you could just write your child's name with permanent marker, but seriously, how fun is that?

The Ultimate Back-to-School Combo has everything you will need. It is $39.00 for a pack of 50 Tag-Mates, 40 Skinny-Minis, 16 Shoe Labels, 2 NEW Teeny Tags.

Choose from four color combinations. You even get to choose the icon that will appear with your child's name. My daughter had fun choosing the colors and the icon and seeing how they would look.

The labels are dishwasher and microwave-safe and UV resistant. The clothing labels are laundry safe.

The shoe labels are great. I put them in my daughter's tap shoes and she can easily pick them out in a sea of shiny black shoes.

Look to Mabel's Labels for a variety of labels and stationary products.

DISCOUNT: Use coupon code 7AWPSS for 10% off your Mabel's Labels purchased through August 14, 2009.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Leighann loves labelling everything.

(Mabel's Labels sent me a set of labels so that I could see the quality and try them out.)

50% Off Back Packs at The Children's Place

The back-to-school savings have already begun! Here is the first of I'm sure many great offers as school approaches:

When you spend $30 at The Children's Place stores, you will receive a back pack for $7.50 (retail $15.50). The offer is good from July 14th through July 27th.

They always have such cute head-to-toe outfits!

Bamboo Hugs Hooded Towel

My daughter began outgrowing all of the cute little hooded towels that she received as a baby. It was time to find something a little bigger, and not so babyish.

I also wanted to explore more eco-friendly options. Cotton production is very hard on the environment...it uses a lot of water and a lot of pesticides. Organic cotton is a better option. Pair that with bamboo, and you really have a winner.

Did you know that bamboo is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal? It's also hypoallergenic and acts as a UV barrier.

Bamboo Hugs can be used as a towel, a blanket, and even a stroller liner. They are double layered and are made with 70% organic bamboo and 30% organic cotton.

The people at Bamboo Hugs sent us a Kitty hooded towel. At 43 by 29 inches, it is larger than some of our hooded towels that we received as shower gifts. They also carry baby sets (30 by 28) and big kid sizes (28 by 50).

Not only can you use this towel to dry off after a bath, but it is also great for covering up after swimming.

Bamboo Hugs are available from their website and at a few select retailers.

DISCOUNT: Use code "fullmommy" for 15% off your online order.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: BAMBOO HUGS
Prize: Choice of one Bamboo Hugs Product
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: What's the first name of one of the two Bamboo Hugs ladies? (Hint: read "Our Tale" on the Bamboo Hugs website.)
Enter By: July 13, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

The Newest Hero: Little Capers Tank Dress

How many times am I going to gush about Little Caper's super hero clothes for kids? Well, every time they come out with a new product, I fall in love again.

So now we are up to I think 5 of their shirts. My youngest has started wearing the oldest's outgrown t-shirts with detachable capes. My older one has one shirt that still fits and has been wearing the Big Cape as often as she needs to save the day.

When I saw the latest addition to the super hero lineup, I KNEW my daughter would love it.

Introducing the Tank Dress. Because yes, girls are great super heroes too. In fact, my daughter can save the world and attend a swanky tea party in one fell swoop!

The tank dress comes in Lightning Hero and Pegasus Hero in sizes 2, 4, and 6. It features the same glittery detachable capes as the shirts and the dress itself is 100% cotton.

The tank dresses sell for $38, but if it gets worn even half as much as our other Little Capers shirts, it will be worth it.

They also have two new styles of short-sleeved tees: Blue Dragon Hero and Orange Dragon Hero.

I have been so satisfied with the Little Capers shirts, that I am sure that they made this dress to the same high quality standard. Our first purchase, the Red Star Hero shirt has been washed dozens of times and is now being worn by our second child. It has maintained it's dark color and the decal still looks great (I wash it inside out).

(Updated to add:) I will say that my daughter is a bit tall and the tank dress is just slightly short on her. But she usually wears shorts or leggings under her dresses, so it's not a big deal at all. The largest size is a 6 and I probably could have ordered her an 8.

Read my reviews of the original Little Capers tees and the Big Capes.

DISCOUNT: Use the discount code "Super20" for 20% off anything from Little Capers. The code is good until 7/12/09.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more!

(Little Capers has sent me complimentary items for review, but I first fell in love with the company when I ordered a caped shirt 2 1/2 years ago when my daughter decided at the last minute to be a super hero for Halloween. I have purchased countless Little Capers as gifts, which always wow.)

BioME 5 Organic Kids' Apparel: Animal Alphabet Tee's Your Child Will Be Wild About

I love personalized items for kids because they seems to get such a kick out of seeing their own name on, well, anything. I know that when my daughter was first learning her letters and learned which letter started her own name, she would grin every time she saw it in alphabet books and anywhere in the world it would show up (her initial is an uncommon one). "Look, there's my letter!" she would exclaim.

And if you've been reading The Full Mommy for any length of time, you know I am particularly fond of everything eco-friendly. But sometimes it's difficult to find cute, organic clothing that kids will actually be wild about.

Enter BioME 5. This is a line of organic cotton kids tee shirts that kids will identify with. Why? Because they come in 26 different styles, one for each letter of the alphabet. The big initial includes a subtle photo of an animal that begins with the same letter. The name of the animal is spelled out upside-down from a kid's eye view (when a child looks down towards the hemline, he can see the letters).

I like the gender-neutral muted color palette that the line offers. And I appreciate that some animals are the ones that we typically see in ABC books ("X" is xenops, not x-ray fish).

They come in long and short-sleeves and in toddler sizes 2T, 4T, and 6T. They also offer infant onesies. Too cute!

And not only are the shirts eco-friendly, but they come in biodegradable packaging!

My daughter has been wearing her shirt often and it has withstood several washings. Now I will just have to find a younger kid with the same uncommon initial to hand it down to when she outgrows it. Or maybe I will be eco-friendly and turn it into a bag or pillow.

You can purchase BioME 5 organic clothing from their website and from select retailers.

DISCOUNT: Receive a 20% discount at the bioME 5 site with coupon code FULLMOM good through 8/1/09. All long-sleeve tees are just $12!!!!! And check out their great shipping options! All orders over $25 are free within the US and all international orders over $50 are free!

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! Her BioME 5 shirt would have a lion.

In the Tub: Get Squeaky Clean With Sparklehearts Natural Beauty

I am something of a product junkie. I LOVE new stuff, which makes perfect sense since I write about all kinds of new, interesting things here.

So I jumped at the chance to test out Sparklehearts's Bubbling Blooms body wash. Sparklehearts's target market is young girls. I have such a girl in my home; she will be 6 years old soon (a fact she reminds me of almost daily).

From the Sparklehearts press release: Most girls would wince in disgust if you told them their favorite body wash contained a chemical that is produced by boiling bugs (called carmine.) And, most parents would wince in disgust if you told them their daughter’s body lotion contained sulfates, phthalates and dozens of toxins and chemicals. Enter Sparklehearts, a line of natural, safe and fun beauty products that are girl- and parent-approved.

As you can tell from the illustration, the packaging (100% recycled plastic, by the way) is very cute and uber-girlie. My daughter was very excited, "Ooooo, Mommy, it's so pretty! I want to take a bath right now!" So she did, never mind it was 3:00 in the afternoon.

You wouldn't think that a body wash made without any petroleum products would lather. Well, think again, because the Bubbling Blooms body wash makes a ton of bubbles. I used it as a bubble bath (a couple of squirts under running water was all I needed). The sweet, natural fragrance is not perfumey or overpowering, like other body washes. And it nicely lingered on my daughter's skin after she was dried and jammied.

By the way, my 8-year-old son liked the body wash as well and really liked the fact that Sparklehearts's products are good to the environment. He liked that the body wash "smelled like flowers but doesn't make ME smell like a flower. I am a boy, not a flower."

Sparklehearts products are made from 99.6% natural ingredients that are completely “skinemy”-free, that means no harmful toxins or unpleasant ingredients. Instead, they use essential oils, violet extract, coconut, Shea butter, and green tea extract in their products. So, they not only feel and smell great, but because they’re all-natural they’re actually better for the body.

The kind folk at Sparklehearts are offering a 20% discount on any order to The Full Mommy readers. Just use the code Blog20. AND one lucky winner will get to choose any product from the full Sparklehearts line which not only includes the body wash but shampoo, conditioner, detangler and lotion as well (lucky duck). Oh, and if you do place an order for 3 or more items, you get free shipping.

You better believe I'll be placing my order right now.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: SPARKLEHEARTS
Prize: 1 Free Item of Your Choice from Sparklehearts
Number of Winners: 1
Entry Question: Name another product from Sparklehearts
Enter By: July 2, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Missy who can be read at Misc & Co. where she writes about family, books, music, sewing and whatever else strikes her fancy.

KidCards

My daughter is always making cards. She likes to make invitations and thank you's. I usually just take a piece of printer paper and fold it in half for her to draw and write on. But here's the problem: I don't have envelopes that fit.

Problem solved: KidCards are sets of cards that allow children the creativity of either coloring in a pre-printed design or creating their own pictures within themed frames. And the best part? Matching envelopes!

KidCards sent me the Volume 2: Freehand Drawing Frames. These cards have a themed frame on the cover and children can draw whatever picture they like inside the frame. The set includes birthday, thank you, get well, congrats and friendship designs.

I think it's important for children to learn to express gratitude and these cards are a great tool for helping children express themselves to the ones they care about. Now when my daughter wants to send someone a card, she can use one of her KidCards to get her message across. I can pop it in the envelope and off it goes.

Each set includes 20 Cards per book and sells for $14.99. They also have holiday sets and sets for teachers.

DISCOUNT: Go to www.kidcards.org, click on Buy Online, then enter the Penny Promotion Code "Blogger Bonus" in the box when purchasing 2 or more books, you will get the crayon set AND watercolor paint set for 1 Penny.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: KIDCARDS
Prize: One set of KidCards (choice of volume 1, volume 2, or Christmas)
Number of Winners: one (US addresses only)
Entry Question: Visit the KidCards website and tell us the theme of one of the teacher volumes (hint, there are three different themes, two of which are holidays).
Enter By: June 17, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.



This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She has a daughter how is always making cards for people.

Wet Ones to Keep School Children Healthy

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've no doubt been thinking about the flu (or at least how best to avoid it).

The CDC is recommending hand washing as a first line of defense against infections.

Germs just seem to spread among kids, especially the younger ones who aren't adept at sneezing or coughing into elbows. I know that local guidelines dictate that children wash hands upon entering preschool.

If you can't get to a sink with water and soap, you could consider using an antibacterial wipe such as Wet Ones. Wet Ones clean hands and kill germs. And they can be used on the go on the playground, at sports practice, and on field trips.

To help schools keep kids healthy, Wet Ones has committed to donating half a million canisters of wipes to schools.

One reader of The Full Mommy can win a supply of Wet Ones for their school. That's two containers for each and every classroom!

For more ideas on how to keep your family healthy and to download a $1.00 off coupon for Wet Ones antibacterial wipes, please visit the Wet Ones website.

Wet Ones retail for $2.99 per 40-count canister.

WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: WET ONES
Prize: WET ONES will stock your entire school with antibacterial wipes
Number of Winners: one
Entry Question: Is your child in preschool, elementary, middle, or high school?
Enter By: May 8, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black. She does not like having dirty hands!

Earth Day: Xeko Pals Giveaway

We've told you about the Mission:China Xeko game. Since it's Earth Day, we thought you'd want to see a cute little fuzzy guy who shares the planet with us. Introducing, Hairy!

(From the company:) Hairy is the hairy-eared dwarf lemur from Madagascar—the toy is life-sized (these lemurs are about the size of a softball in real life), and best of all it’s made of a soy-based fabric and filled with soy stuffing (instead of the usual polyester). Each toy comes with a Mission Code, which gives unlimited play of the “Hairy the Nibbler” game at xeko.com. Hairy retails for $16.99.

Get 15% off your order using coupon code GOGREEN between now and 10/31/09. You can even use the code multiple times.

WIN IT!
Prize: Xeko Pals Hairy Lemur
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Title: HAIRY LEMUR
Entry Question: What's another toy from Xeko?
Enter By: April 29, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail.
Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.

(We have not product tested Xeko's Hairy doll, but we thought we would share this great giveaway with you this Earth Day.)