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Sunday, February 28, 2010

myself belts.

Being in the midst of potty training, I fully appreciate adjustable waist pants and recently ran across myself belts, which I think would be perfect for toddlers-in-training, as well! {Oh, and in case some of you are wondering, the potty training is finally, finally starting to go well!!! So if you're there with me and think it'll never happen, just hold on!! It will! Promise!}

The concept behind myself belts is that the kids can fasten them themselves! They feature a one-handed closure, meaning they can easily navigate this task themselves. And of course toddlers love that - anything they can do without the assistance of Mommy or Daddy is high on the priority in their books {I can't even tell you how many times I hear at my house, "No, I do it myself!!" or "You don't let me do anything!"}.

So although I have yet to get my hands on one of these, I thought I'd lend you a good birthday or potty training gift.... They look to be pretty stylish {and customizable}, as well, which is always a bonus!

You can check them out here.

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Friday, February 26, 2010

{Susan Brown's Baby} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

I was recently given the opportunity to review a product from Susan Brown's Baby. Susan Brown's Baby creates their own line of skincare products for both baby and mom that are:

*fragrance free
*paraben free
*dermatologist tested
*mineral oil free
*tear and talc free
*phthalate free
*hypoallergenic
*animal ingredient free
*animal testing free

It is also a company with a unique background, and one that I'm certain you'll both appreciate and respect. Susan's father, who is a chemist of over 30 years, "has been producing naturally hydrating cosmetic ingredients for some of the best known skin care companies in the world such as Estee Lauder, Chanel, Clinique, L'Oreal, and Neutrogena." Impressive! And in the day Susan's mother would use these ingredients on Susan in the nursery. And the rest is history, as you might say, as Susan and her mother then began using the rich, pure ingredients to create their own line of skincare goodies!

I received their highly popular "Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer." It is an antibacterial fairly clear gel filled with pink and blue Vitamin E moisture beads to keep your hands soft & moisturized while also decreasing bacteria on your skin. When it goes on, you smell what you'd normally smell with such a product - alcohol - but this quickly goes away, and you are left with this most pleasant, soft aroma on your hands. This product would be great for Mom herself and for use on her kids, too, as it is gentle and not overpowering {not to mention, natural & both paraben & phthalate free}. It's the perfect pampering {yet essential!} product for toting along in the diaper bag.


Susan Brown's Baby also carries a multitude of other products for baby including a foaming shampoo & wash, sunscreen lotion, lotion-to-powder and cleansing cloths {among others}. And for Mom, they carry a dead sea salt foot soak, foot therapy cream and many products for stretch treatment & therapy {of which I could totally use some right now, as I'm in my last few weeks of pregnancy!!}. So be sure to check them out, and find some goodies for you and for a haute mama you know could use some pampering!


BUY IT: Visit Susan Brown's Baby to purchase any of their baby or mom products today!
WIN IT: One Haute Tot & Baby Couture reader will win her own Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer {Open to US & Canadian residents only}! Simply visit Susan Brown's Baby to find a product you'd like to try, and then come back here to tell me what it is {1 entry} for your chance to win! Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 18th. Winner to be chosen March 19th, 2010.

Want More Entries??
Once you've completed the mandatory above step, do any of the following for more entries! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Follow our blog publicly on Google Friend (right-hand column, 1 entry)
*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win Susan Brown's Baby Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).
*Enter any of our other giveaways for one entry each (up to 3 entries possible) and leave a comment letting me know which giveaway/s you entered.

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.


Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Thursday, February 25, 2010

NEW Stride Rite {BoysToddler Shoes} 4 Sale.

I have 3 pairs of BRAND NEW Stride Rite Toddler Boys' Shoes (size 7M) for sale. We never got a chance to wear them, due to my son's obsession with Crocs {and our lack of needing any other shoes, as we live in AZ = no snow/"bad" weather = can get away with Crocs year-round}. :) If interested, they're listed on eBay, and the links to bid on them are located under the pictures {more pics on eBay, as well}.

this pair not yet listed, please email me at adamsblankie@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase

to bid on this pair {athletic shoes}, click here.

to bid on this pair {suede}, click here

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


{Seventh Generation} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

I always wondered where Seventh Generation got its name from, and I recently found out. Apparently it was inspired by the Great Law of the Iroquois, which declares, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." This, of course, gives great insight as to the integrity of this company.

I'm sure you've heard of Seventh Generation and are at least familiar with a few of their products, although, I myself must confess, I didn't realize how expansive their line of products was until recently. Along with their household cleaning items, they also carry both a feminine and baby product line.

Here are some remarkable traits of some of the products of this company, which was established 20 years ago:

*non-chlorine bleached products
*recycled products
*phosphate-free cleaning products
*organic products

Essentially, Seventh Generation uses only ingredients that are not potentially chronically harmful to our health and that are environmentally safe. And furthermore, Seventh Generation donates "10% of its profits to non-profit community, health, environmental, and responsible business organizations working for positive change." And I shan't forget to mention that at the time I'm writing this, they have also saved 361,154 trees and 922,000 gallons of petroleum. Not too shabby.

I recently received their Healthy Home Starter Kit on my {somewhat dreaded} "cleaning day" {yes, I have a self-declared cleaning day each week...for now anyway; once baby #2 arrives, that will all change, and cleaning will be done only when it can...here and there}, so I was actually stoked {for once!} to get started cleaning! Whoo-hoo for cleaning inspiration! The Healthy Home Kit includes their Kitchen Cleaner, All-Purpose Cleaner, Glass & Surface Cleaner, Shower Cleaner, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Tub & Tile Cleaner, Brown Paper Towels and their Tote Bag {phew!}. It's an awesome kit to get your own home up to speed on being green {and clean, for that matter!}, not to mention a fabulous Home Warming gift, if I do say so myself.

Now I had already been using their Glass & Surface Cleaner (which is a delightful scent of Ruby Grapefruit & Herbs}, and I fully love its versatility to clean both glass and surfaces alike. This is such a time-saver for a Mom on the dreaded "cleaning day" since you don't have to start with the glass cleaner, then get the surface cleaner {not to mention a different rag} to clean both the glass items and surfaces. Any 2-for-1 product is always a plus in my books {particularly in the bathroom & kitchen, where you can just clean the {chrome/nickel/etc.} faucet fixtures and countertops at the same time}.

The Toilet Bowl Cleaner was next. It's a natural cypress & fir scent, but very mild smelling - not harsh at all. It was pretty clear {due to lack of dyes} and worked like a charm. It also has a nice tapered spout for easily reaching under the toilet bowl rim. Great to use in small spaces like your bathroom, where cleaning fumes can easily overpower you.

Next I tried the All Purpose Cleaner, and tackled my son's potty chair with it. Now, this may be TMI {too much information} for those of you who haven't dealt with a potty chair yet, but this was a task. Don't get me wrong - I rinse it out, and clean it with product after every "number 2," but it still seems to hold that pee smell. So after some good sprays of the all purpose cleaner, guess what? No smells. And when I say NO smells, that's what I mean. My point being, I wasn't just covering up the bad smell with a good one - all smells were simply gone. The All Purpose Cleaner I was sent was actually from their Free & Clear line, meaning it was free of both dyes and fragrances. And I have to say, it was so strange and eye-opening for me to be able to clean something without some overpowering "cleaning" {chemical} smell taking over me and the room ~ loved it!! {Their products from the Free & Clear line would be fabulous for Moms who are sensitive to smell {obviously} or for pregnant moms with ultra sensitive senses. I would have LOVED to have had my hands on this when I was in my first trimester and every single unnatural scent {i.e., chemical-ridden} made me nauseated!}.

Then I moved on to the Tub & Tile Cleaner and Shower Cleaner. Now, I have to say that being as much of a type-A personality as I am, I never let our showers/tubs get that dirty. We squeegee them down after every shower and all.... That being said, that nasty pinkish moldy stuff still manages to hide under certain crevices, and inevitably there are water spots on the chrome and soap scum on the shelves that hold our shampoos and such. So I took the cleaners to them, and all scum, pink nast & water spots came off, and pretty easily, might I add. The Tub & Tile Cleaner had a natural cypress & fir scent, while the shower cleaner was green mandarin & leaf. The scents were oh-so-mild that, for the first time ever, I actually didn't have to turn on the bathroom fan in order to clean out the shower! And when I was done, the room didn't reak of overpowering chemicals!

Finally, I tested out the Kitchen Cleaner in its {again} very mild scent of wild orange and cedar spice. This was great for cutting down kitchen grease and grime, and worked quite effectively around the stovetop.

All in all, I was really quite impressed with the line of Seventh Generation products I was sent. What an absolute revelation to be able to clean without all those overpowering, unnatural chemicals filling the air! And to know it's getting clean, but not harming my family {or the environment, for that matter} while doing so is just that much more of a bonus.


BUY IT: Visit Seventh Generation today to see their full line of products and to make a purchase there (or find a local retailer by you who carries them).

And now for the part you've been waiting for...

WIN IT: Seventh Generation has generously offered one very lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader their own Healthy Home Starter Kit {valued at $38.99}! To enter, you must be {or become} a HTBC blog follower (1 entry). THEN once that requirement is met, please visit Seventh Generation and come back and comment on either one thing you learned about either the company itself or one of their products, or tell me some fact you learned about conservation {1 entry}. Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 17th. Winner to be chosen March 18th, 2010. {Contest open to US residents only}.

Want More Entries??
Once you've completed the mandatory above step, do any of the following for more entries! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Sign up for the Seventh Generation newsletter (upper-right hand corner of their site - 1 entry).
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Become a Seventh Generation Nation member to receive coupons and more! (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win the Seventh Generation Healthy Home Starter Kit @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.


Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

{K & K's Chubby Cheeks} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*


K & K's Chubby Cheeks is a company specializing in fitted cloth diapers, ranging from sized ones to the all-too-enticing One-Size-Fits-All diapers. The diapers are handcrafted by a WAHM mother of 2, who are the inspiration for the company name, as well as, the making of her products, of course.

What is so wonderful about her product is that they have many of the features cloth-diapering moms are looking for: snaps (more durable than velcro), soft fabric, 2 included inserts for adjusting for the wetness factor, one size, and my favorite - adorable fabrics! Having sought out {and tried} many different cloth diapers out there, I will be the first one to tell you that it is DIFFICULT to find cloth diapers in cute prints!! The only bummer here is that since it is not a diaper lined with PUL, you do need to cover the cute print with a diaper cover.

We were lucky enough to be sent the oh-so-adorable K & K's Chubby Cheeks Sherbert Dots cloth diaper {see below}. Ain't it grand?! The exterior is a soft, plush 100% cotton knit and an inner layer of soft creamy sherpa. Hidden within the diaper is another layer of natural cotton french terry. The diaper came with 2 plush inserts - one longer and for overnight use, and the other shorter, and one I plan to use with our newborn {due to arrive soon}! The craftmanship was spot-on, and the edges of both the diaper and inserts were surged for extra security and professionalism.

So my son tried this out {this is really for our baby girl coming soon, and not for him, so shhh...don't tell him boys don't normally wear pink polka dots!}, and it fit comfortably. He's nearly three {and a slim 3 at that}, and we had LOTS of extra room left in this diaper. The diapers do say they are for 10-35 pounds, and I wouldn't doubt if they'd fit even a heavier child. As their own site claims, there's really a ton of stretch in these.

There is a "ruffly" edge at the tops of the front and back of the diaper, as well, as along the legs. And considering you do also need a diaper cover with this it, this is going to be a bulkier choice for baby {think overnight use with looser jammies, or use under dresses with bloomer covers for girls perhaps}.

So, all in all, no leaks, lots of adjustment options and a super cute print translated into a successful diaper for us. It washed up well, and was made very well, too. My only concern was really the bulkiness of it...but this isn't so surprising as most of you cloth-diapering moms know...cloth diapers are just naturally more bulky than disposables. Not too bad a trade-off for saving money, keeping chemicals away from baby's bottom, and saving landfills.

BUY IT: Visit K & K's Chubby Cheeks to buy your own OS fitted diaper, along with soaker pads, training pants and more!

WIN IT: K & K's Chubby Cheeks has graciously offered one lucky Haute Tot & Baby Couture reader a fitted diaper in their size and fabric of choice! {Open to US & Canadian residents only}.


Mandatory Entry: Visit K & K's Chubby Cheeks and come back here to comment on your favorite item AND the fabric of choice you'd pick if you were to win! (1 entry). Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn! Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 16th. Winner to be chosen March 17th, 2010.

Extra Entries: Once you've completed the mandatory entry, you may do any of the following for more entries! Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget your email address, as well!

*Follow our blog publicly on Google Friend (right-hand column, 1 entry)
*Subscribe to our blog (via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Enter another one of our current giveaway (up to 3 - 3 entries possible!) and tell me which one/s you entered (links in upper right-hand corner).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a one-size fitted #clothdiapers from K & K's Chubby Cheeks @adamsblankie! #newmom #pregnancy. Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).


Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Monday, February 22, 2010

Baby Shower{ed}...With Love.

I was so spoiled this past weekend by my lovely friends and family! 3 of my close friends put on just an absolutely beautiful baby shower for me and our baby girl {due to arrive in just a few short weeks! eeeeek!}.

They even captured the essence of the nursery, right along in theme and some of the Amy Butler prints that I used in her room... And I cannot forget to mention the gorgeous food and {one of my favorite things}, "High Tea." Enjoy the eye candy!



Part of the decor that goes along with nursery theme....birds, trees & flowers...{simply} divine.

Mmmm...chocolate covered strawberries...with edible glitter and all.

Instead of games, we had each attendee put together a memory scrapbook page that were to be "Wishes for Baby..." {Adorable.}

Scumptious cupcakes with shimmery cream cheese frosting and adorable pink pearls on top.

my "Prefold" Diaper Cake!

glowing over my new "Trumpette" socks!

fruit and {too-cute} chocolate...need I say more?

some delectable teas...cold & hot.

For some of your own crafty inspiration, tutorials, funny reads and the like, visit my {S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y} oh-so-talented friend, Michaela's blog.

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


{Kid Basix/SafeSippy2} Review.


I know many of us have given a lot of thought into safe bottles for our babies, but what about when they get a little bit older and are using sippy cups? There doesn't seem to be as much emphasis in the marketplace on safe sippy cups for toddlers. But that's where Kid Basix comes into play.

Kid Basix offers safe, non-toxic bottles & cups for children, ranging from their stainless steel bottles to their sippy cups and even sports bottles {that would be great for Mom or Dad, too, by the way}. The Safe Sippy cups are constructed in stainless steel along with plastic parts that are certified to be free of BPA and phthalates. The stainless steel itself is also non-leaching & free of toxic chemicals, unlike some other metal bottles out there.


Safe Sippy2 {$14.95 - see coupon code below for 25% off!!}

We received this modern, hip teal Safe Sippy 2 cup, and as soon as my son saw it, he was asking to use it. Now I must tell you, he is very particular about his cups {and just in general for that matter...takes after his Mom!}, so the fact that he actually wanted to use this cup was the first
bonus for me! So I told him I'd wash it up for him, and he could use it with his breakfast. Then I got to reading about the cup itself and got even more excited ~ now this is some cup, Moms!

For starters, as I mentioned, it's a safe cup, and it's utterly modern and adorable ~ looks just like a cup Mom or Dad would use, so your toddler is sure to feel like a big boy or girl. But there's oh-so-much more! It includes the following features:

*removable handles
*removable insulating sleeve ~ great for helping keep the cold liquids cold, it also has little bumps on it for an easy grip for little hands
*dishwasher safe
*no-spill spout {hooray, for no spills!}
*straw adapator ~that's right, you can convert this bad boy for your little one who loves straws!
*travel cap ~ to help keep that spout clean and free of ickiness
*travel plug {the dark orange piece, shown in above image} ~ prevents fluids from spilling out and making a big sticky mess in the car!

I mean, come on now, how innovative is this cup? I especially love the removable handles because my son is so into having handles on his cups right now..but the beauty? Once he's over that stage and will presumably want nothing to do with handles {you know how toddlers are!}, I can simply remove them. And the fact that you can convert this cup from a typical sippy {that you tip to get a drink from} to one that uses a straw {hence, no tipping} is absolutely ingenious!

I'm so pleased with the cup, I plan on buying the pink version for our baby girl to-be!

BUY IT: To purchase your own Safe Sippy2 {or any other Kid Basix products}, visit Kid Basix. And as a Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader, receive 25% off your entire order with code AB2010 good 2/22-3/14/2010.

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Friday, February 19, 2010

{Barefoot Books} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

Barefoot Books is a company that began with a Mom who worked from home ~ a goal so many of us mothers have today. The company's books really focus on being culturally diverse and expressive and have very vivid pictures & colors along with so much to stimulate your child's imagination! They really are a children's book company that's a notch above the rest, if you ask me.

Their books fall into 1 of 3 categories, "Fun First Steps," "Tell Me A Story," and "One World, One Planet." "Fun First Steps" is for the smaller children and features early learning themes through books, singalong CDs, games & puzzles. "Tell Me A Story" books help feel your child's creativity. These stories aim to balance art and language - with imaginative illustrations and a good message behind the pictures. The "One World, One Planet" books are about making your child not only culturally aware, but also, musically, environmentally and theatrically!

But beyond shopping by those three categories, you can also shop for Barefoot Books specifically by age or topic, along with searching their best sellers and award winners. Not only that, but when you click to look at a book on their site, it also displays other items that are related and recommended to go along with it, which is fantastic for gift-giving! What makes their website an even better tool is that you can "step in" to the books to see actual pages from the books, along with listening to audio clips of the music on their CDs. Additionally, there are community reviews of books so you can see what other people think of a particular book, as well.

I also love that Barefoot Books offers not just books {both paperback and hard cover}, but many other learning tools for your children. They have everything from stuffed puppets {that go along with particular books} and both traditional and block puzzles to CDs and sticker activities. There really is something for every child, no matter how yours learns best!




a peek inside the "Dotty Spotty Doodles" activity/coloring book

Barefoot Books is a company that actually cares, too. And about more than themselves. Barefoot Books offers "Books That Give Back." By purchasing one of these, you are giving money to certain causes like global conservation, for example. Now that's smart. Not to mention a great way to teach your children about giving and not just receiving.

So we received 3 different books, belonging to each of their 3 categories. The first we checked out was "Bear in a Square," which is a cleverly rhyming book that helps your children identify shapes {and colors} in the fun, spirited manner of "Hide and Seek." As each page progresses from finding one blue square on the first, 2 red hearts on the second, etc., it is also a fabulous tool for learning to count! This would be a fantastic book for a 2nd birthday party, I think!


The second book, "Bear on a Bike," tells the journey of a bear who travels via many different methods {boat, bike, raft, etc.} to many different destinations. It is a great tool for discovering different modes of transportation, and to learn just all the wonderful {creative & imaginative} places one can go {both practically and imaginatively speaking}. The lyrics rhyme and are repetitive, which will inevitably lead to your child reciting the book back to you, I'm sure! And the illustrations are vibrantly rich with so many images, your child will not bore and will keep discovering new things on each page with each new reading of the book, I'm certain!


The third book, "I Took the Moon For a Walk," was already a favorite of our son's before we received it, so we were so delighted when it arrived in the mail! It tells the story of a boy's journey at night, all the while reciting its title phrase {"...when I took the moon for a walk"}. Nocturnal animals are presented, helping your children learn just who's awake at night, and all the illustrations are done in a folk-art way. The premise behind the story really relates to children, I believe, as my own son tells me things like, "Hey, the moon followed us" {too cute!}. And with further benefit, at the end of the book, the phases of the moon are shown, along with some noctural creatures and certain traits they have {such as cats being able to see well in the dark}.

And last, but certainly not least, we received the absolutely adorable "Baby's First Journal." It is, in essence, a baby memory book, but so much more! It includes your typical baby book's statistics to fill in regarding when they were born and first visitors, but it also includes a page to be filled out about your child's first bedroom and what a typical day for your son/daughter is like. I love that there is a whole page {actually 2} for each topic, too {see below}. A huge difference between this baby journal and other ones is that the illustrations are so plentiful, colorful and vivid that this book will truly hold their interest and become a treasure for your little one to cherish forever {that is, if you can let it go and give to them to keep for themselves!}.



inside excerpt from "Baby's First Journal"

BUY IT: Barefoot Books is really a gem, and one you should certainly check out! Visit their site today to make a purchase!

WIN IT: Barefoot Books has generously offered one very lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader one book of their choice! To enter, you must be {or become!} a HTBC PUBLIC Google Friend follower. Once that requirement is met, please visit Barefoot Books and come back and comment on what book you would most like to win {1 entry}. Be sure to leave your email addres in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn! Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 11th. Winner to be chosen March 12th, 2010. {Contest open to US and Canada only}.

Want More Entries??
Once you've completed the mandatory above step, do any of the following for more entries! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Become a fan of Barefoot Books on Facebook (1 entry).
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Barefoot Books on twitter @livebarefoot (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a Barefoot Books book of choice @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).
*Enter another one of our current giveaways (3 entries possible - 1 for each) and leave a comment letting me know which other/s you entered.
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.



Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Thursday, February 18, 2010

{Smartipants} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

Smartipants are a clever little diaper, let me tell you. And their history is quite impressive, too, might I add. The designer of the Smartipants is a mother of 4, driven to perfect a reusable cloth diapering system, not to mention she is also the inventor of thee first one-size-fits-all pocket diaper, Wonderoos! {Wow! I wish I had that on my resume!}.

The scoop on Smartipants is that they are, indeed, a waterproof one-size-fits-all pocket diaper. They feature adjustable snaps and stretchy elastic, along with one other fantastic feature I'll mention in a moment! If you've read any of my cloth diaper reviews, you know how much a fan I am of snaps, since they last wash after wash and don't stick to everything. I also love the diaper's snap system to allow for fitting a 7-pound newborn to a 35-pound toddler.


Then there is their patented "Smart Sleeve," my personal favorite feature of the diaper! What is this "smart sleeve," you ask? Well, let's just say that it doesn't make you have to wash your hands and wrinkle your nose upon taking this bad boy off your child in the morning. You can {ingeniously!} leave the insert in the diaper {yes! you heard me right!} for washing time. And, like magic, the insert will remove itself {out of one of the two openings} from the diaper in the wash! Sooooo, no touching icky inserts for Mama! Love it!

On a smaller note, but worth of mentioning, the Smartipants diaper also comes with a paper "wrapper" {see image above} around it that give concise instructions on how to launder and care for the diaper, along with a mini illustration of the diaper and its features. Very hand for gift-giving {or receiving, for that matter}.

So we tried the Smartipants out on my son, and it had an easy, comfortable {fairly trim} fit with no leaks. The fit and leak-factor are always my main concern, of course, as there really isn't much of a point to a diaper if it's not going to keep them dry, right? So, for $14.95 per diaper {which includes a microfiber insert}, it's a great deal!

BUY IT! Visit Smartipants to pick out any one of their seven baby-fresh colors. {You can also save $5 by buying a pack of 3}.

WIN IT! One lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader will win one Smartipants diaper & insert in the color of their choice! {Open to US & Canadian residents only}.


Visit Smartipants and come back here to comment on something you learned AND the color of diaper you'd choose if you won in a comment (1 entry). Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn! Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 10th. Winner to be chosen March 11th, 2010.


Extra Entries: Once you've completed the mandatory entry, you may do any of the following for more entries! Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget your email address, as well!

*Follow our blog publicly on Google Friend (right-hand column, 1 entry)
*Subscribe to our blog (via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Enter another one of our current giveaway (up to 3 - 3 entries possible!) and tell me which one/s you entered (links in upper right-hand corner).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a one-size Smartipants pocket #clothdiapers @adamsblankie! #newmom #pregnancy. Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).
*Follow Smartipants on twitter (1 entry).
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Wednesday, February 17, 2010

{Scholastic Storybook Treasures} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

Scholastic Storybook Treasures is a company that brings your child's classic storybooks alive on video. As their website rightfully boasts, it is "the most award-winning children's series in the home entertainment marketplace." In other words, your kids aren't just being entertained with these {as with many videos} - they're actually learning something, too!

Scholastic Storybook Treasures has a whole range of videos, ranging from classics to others you may not have even heard of before, although from what I could tell, a good portion are award-winners of some sort. For a reasonable $14.95 option, most of these choices have at least 4 stories per DVD, and not only that, but they are generally "themed" {such as "back to school stories," "friendly monster stories," or "Halloween stories," for example}. For $29.95, you can get a package of about 25 stories or so; and then 50 storybooks for $49.95 or 100 storybooks for $99.95.

Beyond shopping by price, you can also shop by age, which is quite handy when it comes to gift-giving, and you're wondering what is appropriate for a particular age.

Now, what is particularly unique about these videos is that they actually span across pages of the real books! So you are not seeing a film in motion, but rather, images from the pages, like your child is used to reading in the books. The camera also zeroes in and focuses on relevant parts to the story {for example, zooming in on the bent tire, when the words are talking about the mangled tire from Curious George Rides a Bike}.

Another unique aspect is that all the words from the book show up at the bottom of the screen in white, and then each word turns yellow as that word is being read by the narrator. And not only does one narrator read the story, but there are many different voices for each story character, many of which are those of famous actors & actresses!

We received the Scholastic Treasury of Bedtime Stories which includes 28 children's stories, including the classic Curious George, Corduroy, Goodnight Gorilla & Harold and the Purple Crayon. This set comes with 4 DVDs, and what I especially liked was how trim and slim they are. Each DVD is about half the width of your typical DVDs {not to mention, they each include about 7 stories!}, meaning more stories for less storage space, which is a huge bonus.



My 2yo son really enjoyed seeing his books "come alive," and I really liked the words lighting up at the bottom {meaning more learning for him!}, and also that they are relatively short videos. So your child can watch a "whole movie," per se, in just 15 minutes or so, instead of sitting in front of the TV to watch an entire {Disney} movie that's over an hour long, for example. They are just about the perfect amount of time to occupy your child while you prepare dinner {or you can do 2 storybooks, for example}, which is quite handy for any Mom.

And one last perk I will mention is that their website also has parents' reviews of their products, along with a "Kid's Corner," where you can print off coloring & activity sheets to go along with your stories! Brilliant and quite creative for putting the whole "story" together, if you will!

BUY IT: Visit Scholastic Storybook Treasures today to buy your own copy {or any other of their many choices!}.

WIN IT: Scholastic Storybook Treasures is generously giving away one Scholastic Treasury of Bedtime Stories {valued at $29.95} to one lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader!


Mandatory Entry: Visit Scholastic Storybook Treasures to find a favorite storybook video you'd like to try; then come back here and tell me what it is in a comment (1 entry). Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn! Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 9th. Winner to be chosen March 10th, 2010.


Extra Entries: Once you've completed the mandatory entry, you may do any of the following for more entries! Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget your email address, as well!

*Follow our blog publicly on Google Friend (right-hand column, 1 entry)
*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Enter another giveaway on HTBC (3 entries possible - 1 for each different giveaway entered - see upper right-hand corner of blog for giveaways!)
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a Scholastic Treasury of Bedtime Stories DVD Collection! www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Monday, February 15, 2010

{Recent WINNERS!}

Congratulations to the following recent {GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!}

Thirsties Duo Diaper
msp******6@gmail.com

J Holton Quilts Cloth Wipes Set
lau******an@gmail.com

I will be emailing the winners soon, if I haven't already!
Please remember that you have 48 hours from being notified to claim your prize, or otherwise another winner will be chosen!
And for the rest of you, there are many other giveaways to enter now and MORE COMING UP!!

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com


Sunday, February 14, 2010

{Peeled Snacks} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

So what snacks are your kids {or you, for that matter} eating today? Are they made with processed sugars? trans fats? or perhaps enriched wheat? Why not treat them {and yourself!} to something tasty and healthy!

I'd like to introduce you to Peeled Snacks, a company that specializes in bringing you fruits and nuts without any added sugar or fat. And what a novelty ~ when you look at the back of the package to check out the ingredients, instead of seeing a laundry list of things {of which you have no idea what they are!}, you see only "bananas" or "cherries," for example. A beauty. You may have seen Peeled Snacks before, as certain local retailers offer them, Starbucks being one of the latest. Their products are packaged in convenient "to-go" sized bags, that are easy to grab from the pantry and of course, allow for the freshest of snacks upon opening. And opening is a cinch, as you merely pull open with fingers, no tools {scissors} required.


The nuts are dry roasted and lightly salted, while the fruits are large chunks and quite moist ~ not the itty bitty dried up stuff you'll find in most trail mixes. They also offer many fruits organically, and for the chocolate lovers {like myself!}, they have rich dark chocolate of 61% cacao {Mmmmmmm}.


So Peeled Snacks sent us 6 separate packs of their fruits to try out: Cherry-go-round, and their 5 other organic fruit choices: pine-4-Pineapple, much-ado-about-Mango, Banan-a-peel, Apricot-a-lot & Apple-2-the-core {cute names, eh?}. They were a hit at our house, for sure. Now my son loves fruit anyway, but it's hard keeping fresh fruit at the house all the time, and these allow for just grabbing and going instead of washing, chopping and sticking in a bowl to take with first. Very convenient.

Our favorites were the cherries {Cherry-go-round} and Mangos {much-ado-about-Mango}, but they were all fantastic, and I really don't think you can go wrong with any choice. Next up, we'd love to try their Plu-what? {white peaches, plums, pluots & cashews} and Shock-olate {dark chocolate, pears, apricots, almonds & walnuts}...they sound simply divine.

I also must add that not only are they one of my new favorite snacks, but they've also been recommended {and eaten, of course!} by such celebrities as Mariah Carey, Liv Tyler & Oprah. As Oprah states, "Because they're packed separately, the nuts stay crunchy, the fruit stays moist, and you get a delicious boost over that 4p.m. energy slump." -The O Magazine

You can purchase your Peeled Snacks online or check their site for local retailers of their products.

And here's what you've been waiting for!!

The Giveaway!

Peeled Snacks is giving the same 6 packs of fruit picks we received to one lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader! {Open to US & Canadian residents only}.


Mandatory Entry: You must be {or become!} a HTBC PUBLIC google friend/connect follower first! Then visit Peeled Snacks to find a snack you'd like to try. Come back here and tell me what it is in a comment (1 entry). Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn! Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 7th. Winner to be chosen March 8th, 2010.


Want More Entries? Once you've completed the mandatory entry, you may do any of the following for more entries! Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and don't forget your email address, as well!

*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible - via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL
(must leave link to your blog in comment - 1 entry).
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a Peeled Snacks sampler pack of fruit picks! Enter at http://hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s).
*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).
*Enter another one of our giveaways {upper right-hand corner} and let me know which one you entered {3 entries possible - 1 for each other current/open giveaway you enter}.

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.


Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com

www.gourmetplay.etsy.com