Ju-Ju-Be Diaper Bags

Be fun. Be sassy. Be fashionable. Be happy. Be organized. Be smart.  How? With a Ju-Ju-Be diaper bag, of course.

Ju-Ju-Be diaper bags have a rep for being both functional and fashionable, but their latest design, the Be Light, is taking the diaper bag to a whole new level.

I’m talking about lightening up your load!  Get ready to say “So long!” to those luggage sized diaper bags.  The Be Light from Ju-Ju-Be is just big enough for all the essentials.  With an adjustable strap and a totally reversible design - it’s like getting two bags in one! 

The Be Light comes in 11 groovy color combinations. 

Want to win your own Be Light diaper bag?  Check out Ju-Ju-Be’s Real Mom Giveaway - where each week in their “Pink Room” they giveaway one of their fabulous bags to one deserving mama.  Click here for the scoop.

Go Baby!

Imagine me on a lovely Fall day and I’m out with my boys enjoying a walk in the park. I have band aids, a big box of animal crackers, a few juice boxes in my bag, and I’m feeling pretty good about our adventure. Then all of a sudden they hit me with, “Let’s have a picnic Mommy”? I reply, “Great idea guys!” but immediately I’m frantic, I’m thinking the ground is wet, soon they’ll be wet and dirty and then I’ll be wet and dirty. Yikes. Well, this Mommy will not despair a moment longer. The OutMat by Go Baby was the answer to my outdoor picnicking prayers.

The OutMat is a water-resistant outdoor play mat. It offers a large, soft surface for picnics or playtime. It is also great at the beach… only 279 more days. The beauty of it all is that it rolls right up and zips into its own bag and it is completely machine washable and dryable. My kids even like to carry it. How great is that? It also has an adjustable strap that fits perfectly over the back of a stroller. OutMats come in blue, green or pink with great graphic prints on the inside. The inside is a soft terry cloth to keep things cool and the outside is a poly spandex… not that stiff vinyl that you typical find as a water-resistant backing.

Go Baby also offers an InMat. You saw that coming, right? It’s perfect for baby yoga, tummy time and more. It is soft terry on the inside and suede on the outside and also machine washable. They even have one that looks like a chocolate bar with a nibble taken out of it. YUM! That’s what I call the combo platter… adorable and functional.

Since the cooler weather is approaching, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about the Muffatees by Go Baby… these are FINGERLESS gloves for kids, and moms too! Flashback to 80s Madonna but made from baby alpaca wool from Peru not black mesh with holes from Brooklyn. Just think how much time you’d get back in your life if you didn’t have to stop to get those ten little pudgy fingers in the right holes in the gloves before you walked out the door only for them to take them off the minute they get in the car. Muffatees are the must have of the season in our house.

Go Baby is offering all Peekaboo Picks subscribers 25% off with code: PEEKABOO08

Review by Linda Shapiro. Linda Shapiro is the Co-founder of Moms-for-Profit, now Hybrid Mom Consulting & Media Group, Hybrid Mom magazine and www.hybridmom.com  and she is the Director of Operations for http://longislandny.citymommy.com where hip Long Island moms meet.   Linda lives on Long Island with her husband and two boys.  She loves spending time with her family, the beach, children’s laughter, a good shoe sale, planning parties, and the thrill of the chase!

Fall Must-Have Footwear

As loyal readers know, I have a small obsession with shoes.  And not just for myself.  I’m now obsessed with buying shoes for my kids, after all, baby and toddler shoes are just so darn cute!

So what will my kids be wearing on their little feet this fall?  Here’s a sneak peak into their fall shoe wardrobe:

Ireland just turned 6 months, so I’m having a lot of fun dressing her in those perfect, tiny baby shoes designed for pre-walkers.  How adorable are these ballet inspired booties from IsaBooties?  I’m especially digging the orange and fuchsia combo they’ve named Sherbet - how yummy!

One of my very favorite children’s shoe companies, See Kai Run, just debuted their line of soft-soled booties designed especially for babies aged 0-18 months.  I couldn’t resist these perfectly pink booties named Bunny.  And trust me, Ireland looks as cute as a bunny in them!

And to go with all the chocolate and pink clothes she has in her precious little wardrobe, I’ve picked up a pair of these classic Mary Janes from Robeez.  Robeez is always a sure bet for fresh style and quality - and they fit her little pudgy feet just right!

My son is also sporting Robeez this fall.  I’m a huge fan of the Robeez Tredz line.  So when Aiden outgrew his last pair, we replaced them with these snazzy suede loafers.  My little guy looks so sharp in these little kicks.  They are the perfect fall shoe!

And since we live in the rainy Northwest, rain boots are a must.  I love these from Vincent Shoes.  The modern design and color palette adds a bit of sunshine to any rainy day!

Those are some of the styles you’ll be seeing on my kids this fall.  What will yours be wearing?

BPA Linked to Breast Cancer?

The most common cancer facing women today is breast cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society:

-Approximately 182,460 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2008

-Approximately 40,480 women will die from the disease this year

-At present, there are about two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the United States

Like most cancers, a cause (and therefore a cure) is still unknown.  Media coverage surrounding the dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA), particularly for children, is abounding.  But did you know that BPA, a chemical found most commonly in plastics, has been linked to breast cancer?

BPA can cause normal, non-cancerous human breast cells to express genes characteristic of aggressive breast cancer cells, according to an article published earlier this year by the journal Cancer Research.  BPA can mimic the body’s own hormones, estrogen in particular, and it is the long-term, day-to-day exposure which poses a risk.  We know that plastics are the main source of BPA, which can leech into food and drinks when heated.  Concern surrounding the chemical is such that many retailers have pulled plastics containing BPA off the shelves and California is considering placing it on the Proposition 65 list of hazardous chemicals.

So how can we avoid it?

Know Your Plastics!  The Green Guide has compiled a fantastic list of plastics you should and shouldn’t use and what products contain them.  In general, it’s best to avoid #7 plastics and those that are soft or cloudy. My favorites for water bottles include Sigg’s Aluminum water bottles and Nalgene’s BPA-free water bottles.  For kitchen solutions, I recommend Preserve’s line of kitchen products made from recycled #5 plastic.

Can It!  Canned foods are an often forgotten source of BPA.  Try to buy fresh, frozen or dried fruits and vegetables (rather than canned) and opt for the fresh or frozen variety of soups and other convenience foods.

Heat Responsibly!  In general, it’s best to avoid microwaving food in plastic containers unless the product specifically states that it is safe to do so.  BPA leeches into foods at high temperatures.  We often store our food in plastic containers and transfer to a glass or ceramic dish for reheating.

I have been known to leave water bottles in my car and then go back and drink from them hours or even days later.  The temperature inside of your car can reach upwards of 120 degrees on a hot day.  Avoid leaving your plastic water bottles in the car unless you’re drinking from a water bottle known not to contain BPA like Primo.

For up-to-date information on BPA, check out The Bisphenol A Free Portal.  The Breast Cancer Fund is a resourceful site for information regarding BPA and it’s link to breast cancer.

During October, organizations like NBCAM (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure are raising awareness about the disease.  Be sure to stop by and show your support!

 

Caryn Bailey, aka Rockin’ Mama, is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night. She and her husband backpacked for 8 weeks in Europe before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland. While living out their dream to immerse themselves in another culture, Caryn and her husband Jason found out they were pregnant with their first baby. A difficult pregnancy landed her on bedrest where she discovered the world wide blogosphere and was hooked. This babywearing, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, mama still finds time to sip a cup of tea and shop (albeit online these days)…two of the simple pleasures she enjoys. When she’s not running after her 9 month old son…or her husband…you’ll find her reading or baking. Her passions include health, fitness and all things green.

What’s New in Scrapbooking

For all you scrapbookers out there, here is a fun way for you to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness week.  Check with your local scrapbook store to see if they are holding a special crop for the event.  My local store is holding a “moonlighter” from 5pm to 11pm where we are all getting together to scrap the night away.  There is a cover fee and a portion of the proceeds are being donated to help cure breast cancer.  If your store isn’t having one, why not ask them to?  Or if you’re really ambitious, host your own!  Every little bit helps.

I have a couple of new and exciting things to share with you this week. Some of you may remember How Fast They Grow, the fun interactive scrapbooking site where you build your baby book online. The site is full of sweet and charming pre-made designs and all you have to do is drop in your pictures and memories. Cathy Bennett, the lady behind it all is excited to bring some more delicious designs to you. With the help of Jennifer Sbranti, designer, entertainer and founder of Hostess with the Mostess, they have rolled out 81 new design templates in three new themes.

These new designs steer the site in a slightly new direction by including templates perfect for photos of older children, teens and tweens. Of course they work for sweet little babies too. If you’ve been trying to find a creative way to document your children’s lives but just don’t have the time or ambition for scrapbooking, How Fast They Grow is a perfect, simple and beautiful solution. Oh, and it’s also addicting.

The other fun new product I wanted to share with you is courtesy of Becky Higgins. I’ve featured her products before and she never fails to deliver something amazing. This is her new Kit Of The Month from CK Media and it is all about BABY. There is over $200 worth of products in this amazing and precious kit. A perfect gift for that new mama, especially if she’s crafty. Each piece is reversible, one side for baby girl, the other for baby boy. This extraordinary kit is available to preorder right now. Head over HERE to get your order in before they’re gone forever. Want to see exactly what’s available in the kit? Go to Becky’s blog where she has posted a video to show it all off. Act fast though, these kits sell out very quickly.

 

For the past six and a half years, Rachelle has been living and freezing in Anchorage, Alaska. Born and raised in Carnation, Washington, she has always had a passion for all things creative. Now a stay at home mom of three little darlings, Rachelle whiles away her day playing peekaboo, changing diapers and scrapbooking. Her love of the craft has turned her laundry room into the craft room of her dreams, sent her on whirlwind weekend scrapbooking conventions in Seattle, created a mountain of scrapbooks (none of them finished!) and convinced her husband that it should, in fact, be called “expensive-booking.” Aside from that addiction, I mean hobby, Rachelle also makes cards, decorates and redecorates her house, sews, knits and dreams of being Martha Stewart.

Getting Active for a Good Cause

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. This means that you very likely know, or will know in the future, someone who has struggled with this disease. As a child, I had a neighbor named Carol who fought breast cancer for years, eventually losing the battle.

Thankfully, breast cancer survival rates are better now than they ever have been. In fact, if breast cancer is detected early, a woman has better than a 96 percent chance of surviving! It is my fervent hope that I will be lucky enough to see the total eradication of breast cancer in my life time. In the meantime, there are some fantastic ways to support breast cancer research, and get fit at the same time!

The Breast Cancer 3-Day

One of the most significant and personal ways you can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer is to participate in a local Breast Cancer 3-Day event. This 60 mile walk raises millions of dollars for breast cancer patient support and research programs each year. 85 percent of the proceeds go directly Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the other 15 percent goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund to provide permanent support of breast cancer initiatives.

Many people participate in the 3-Day as a way to celebrate their triumph over breast cancer, or to honor loved ones who have been lost, but even if you’ve never known anyone who has struggled with this disease, you are welcome to participate. Food, beverages, nightly entertainment, and tents are provided.

Want to know more about the Breast Cancer 3-Day? Check out the FAQs and list of dates and locations.

With small children at home, the Breast Cancer 3-Day may be impossible for you at this time. You can still make a difference by choosing products that support breast cancer. If you’re going to buy fitness equipment and apparel anyway, why not support aid the fight against breast cancer at the same time?

Lace Up for the Cure

Check out New Balance’s Lace Up for the Cure footwear and apparel collection. When these items are purchased, New Balance will contribute 15 percent of wholesale values to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a minimum annual donation of $500,000, and a maximum of $1 Million. Surf over to Lace Up for the Cure to find a bunch of cute, useful fitness products that will aid such a great cause.

Pink Pedaling

If you’re in the market for a new bicycle, why not purchase the Forge Athena V in Hope Pink? Partial proceeds from the sale of this beautiful bike are donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation. You can buy this bike now at Target.com.

Every time you buy one of these products, you are standing up to breast cancer. Together, we really can make a difference!

 

Andrea McMann is a freelance writer who lives in Northeast Nebraska with her husband and their children, ages five and two. She believes that mothers, like everyone, are at their best when they feel good about themselves. In the spring of 2007, (while in a fitting room, trying on a bathing suit!), she made a commitment to a healthier lifestyle. She reached her weight-loss goal and (despite a Christmas cookie-related relapse) plans to keep the weight off. She struggles with temptation almost daily, but she takes life one day at a time, rewards herself for each small success, and tries not to give herself a guilt-trip when she lapses. Andrea is excited to join Peekaboo Picks and looks forward to sharing her stories of inspiration, success, setbacks, and self-esteem.  Read more of Andrea on her blog, Chocolate Fingerprints.

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