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Moonjar Moneybox and Financial Tools

Moonjar Kit

It’s a sad day for Rave and Review; just today yet another of our favorite brands has called it quits in light of the bleak economy.  As much as it absolutely pains me to see any brands fail at all, it is especially hard when it is a small family-owned business, as that hits too close to home for me and my family.  I had long prepared this review to coincide with April 15th as my weak tie-in to tax day, but decided that it seemed more fitting to post it now in keeping with the current atmosphere of the office.

Money management wasn’t something we discussed at all when I was growing up.  All of my siblings and I had savings accounts that our mom managed for us, but I never knew the balance or kept track of my deposits in any way whatsoever in all the years I kept that account.  It was two months before I got my first bona fide job, that my older brother took me to get my first checking and savings account.  The lady that signed me up for the account explained how to use a checkbook and register, and it was the first time I had ever seen one.  As sad as it is that my first hands-on experience with money management began at age 15, I really don’t think that my experience is all that unusual.  In fact, I would guess it is much more common than you would imagine.

Having watched my sister teach her children about money from a really young age and seeing how eagerly they absorbed every money lesson, I already knew that’s how I wanted to raise my children as well.  From as far back as I can remember, my niece has always been extremely money conscious and coincidentally, very motivated to work hard to always have a few extra coins in her piggy bank.  This is evidenced in the fact that she can out lemonade stand just about anyone, even in scorching hot temperatures.  When I ran across the Moonjar Moneybox teaching banks I just had to get one for her to help her organize her money in a clear and easy to use way. 

Each Moonjar kit contains three separate removable compartments: one labeled Save, one labeled Share and the last one labeled Spend.  The idea behind the three-part piggy bank is that financial responsibility involves making a plan for how you will allocate your funds each time money is earned or received, and the Moonjar kit helps your child to create that plan and then stick to it.  By far my favorite part of the Moonjar kit is the passbook, or piggy bank register, that comes with each bank and teaches kids how to manage their finances on paper.  As someone who got my first and only real budget balancing lesson from a sweet old lady at the bank, I am adamant that my children will be well armed with this crucial knowledge many years before they can legally hold a job or open a bank account.  With Moonjar, I am certain that they will, and hopefully they will have learned something else from this unique three chambered financial tool: the importance of creating financial goals for yourself and the satisfaction that comes from succeeding at them.       

But, as my niece pointed out, the three part bank also has another very practical application as well, because the bank can actually be separated into three pieces it makes it easy for children to use it individually as well as together as a whole.  The example she gave is that she likes to leave the “Save” portion out for her parents to take to the bank for her periodically, and by separating the compartments it makes it easy for her parents to know what amount goes to the bank.  The opposite is also true for the “Spend” compartment and the fact that if you only take that portion with you to the store, you won’t be tempted to spend more than you had planned on. 

Moonjar also makes other products to help teach your kids about money, including three different “Conversations to Go” games that ask thought provoking questions about money management, travel and other topics that will get you and your children talking.  I love that Moonjar offers children and parents a way to discuss money issues that affect personal finance as well as national issues.  In a time when businesses all around us are failing, Moonjar offers a thoughtful and creative outlet for curious children (and their parents!) to learn about finances.  

http://www.moonjar.com

They also offer customizable Moonjar for your business or organization as well as classroom packs recommended for grades 1-4.

Price: $7.95 for the standard Moonjar, $24.95 for the tin Moonjar and $14.95 for Conversations to go. 

Looks: Colorful and cute, perfect for your budding financial analyst. 

Overall: 5 out of 5 marks.  As something that combines learning about finances with fun, it’s the perfect gift for nieces, nephews and children of all ages. 

Yummie Tummie

“A Yummie Tuck for Your Morning Muffin”

This review is part rant and part rave, because raving about this product made me realize just how much I need to rant about women’s clothing in general.  The rant starts like this: remember when jeans weren’t all super low rise and made of “stretch” materials?  I do.  I remember when the jean size you put on at the beginning of the day was the same size you were wearing at the end of the day.  I absolutely despise that some mornings I feel like I am struggling to get the buttons buttoned and then by the end of the day the same jeans now don’t need to be unbuttoned at all to pull them off.  Maybe it’s just my build, which happens to be curvy, or maybe it’s that there are super secret jeans out there that I need to find out about.  But, whatever the case, I hate getting dressed in the morning and staring at muffin top only to be yanking up my jeans by lunch.  And while I am still working on a jeans solution, Yummie Tummie has at least solved the “morning muffin” issue for good. 

Their line of contoured shapers is unique in that 1) they actually are contoured… like people are and 2) they shape said contours better than any other item on the market.  When my daughter was born, I was left feeling partially pregnant and partially just fat and I tried every body shaping product I could get my hands on to feel semi normal again.  When I first put them on in the morning, they actually seemed to work and I felt better about my fragile body image for a few short hours.  But, as the day wore on I would get more and more uncomfortable.  The shapers with stiff boning were out because they were hot, uncomfortable and, well, bone.  Plus, I found that they wiggled up as I wore them, and would end up poking my already distressed chest until I just couldn’t take it anymore.  So then I tried a shaping panty, which was horrible – hard to get on and off for quick bathroom trips but was ironically prone to rolling down when you were trying to keep it up.

So then I reverted back to my pregnancy Bella Bands and found that they weren’t that effective in offering postpartum support.  Not to mention that without a pregnant belly, Bella Bands will wiggle up and drive you crazy faster than your newborn’s sleeping habits.  And, as if the lack of support and the pulling and shifting wasn’t enough, the Bella Band’s material had a grabbing effect on anything I wore over it, which caused my loose, flowy shirts to be anything but flowy and I felt I looked more like the poster child for static cling.    

And now the rave goes something like this: Not only does the Yummie Tummie solve all of these problems, the solution seems so easy it makes you wonder what all the trouble was in the first place.  The Yummie Tummie has no stiff parts to poke, does not shift, roll or shimmy while wearing and the tummy portion is made of a material that does not cling to other fabrics.  Ahhhh, at last!  Not only does the Yummie Tummie make you look sleeker and smoother, it actually makes you feel better.  The magical tummy panel offers support without ever being uncomfortable…. no, scratch that, it offers more comfort.  While wearing the Yummie Tummie I stand up straighter and feel more confident – even with my super low rise jeans. 

The Yummie Tummie line is marketed as the only shaper/smoother that doesn’t need to be hidden.  You can wear them as undershirts under t shirts, cardigans, sweaters, you name it.  Some styles even lend themselves to being worn alone without a cover at all and some are best just peeking out the top or bottom of a layered look.  I’m not sure I would feel completely comfortable wearing most styles alone, but others are more like shirts than undershirts and could easily be pulled off with the right outfit.

They have a large selection of styles that come in 10 different colors, so there is a Yummie Tummie for literally everyone.  Some have slinky straps, some have sporty straps, some have nursing access and still others are true t-shirts.  Check out their website to see which style suits you best.  Their website is cute and easy to navigate, but is mostly made up of drawings of the different styles.  If you’re like me and require pictures of actual models wearing the different styles, click on the individual items to see more pictures.  Follow their sizing guide carefully and go with your biggest measurement – the Yummie Tummies are not extremely stretchy, as that would defeat the shaping properties of the tanks and tees.  I fell between two sizes and ended up going with the larger size and I’m glad that I did.  The bust panel and hip panel are both made of minimal-stretch cotton and their measurement is even more important to be exact than the tummy panel measurement which has a bit more give to it.  Yummie Tummie even offers extra long length, which is perfect underneath tunic tops for those of average height and a god send to us tall folks who are always bemoaning that nothing ever comes in our size. 

I adore my Yummie Tummie and I have just one compliant - I wish that Yummie Tummie would go into the jean making business and solve all of my wardrobe issues once and for all. 

http://www.yummietummie.com/

See Belly Dance Maternity to see the Nursing Yummie Tummie Tank
 
Price: $62 to $72 for basic styles, which is more than the average undershirt, but less than the cost of replacing all of your skinny jeans and form fitting sweaters.

Looks: Casual to Classic to Chic, and everywhere in between.

Overall: 4 marks out of 5, losing only one point for price.  If I could afford it, I would own the entire line.

Lenora Dame Locket Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Linz who won the

Lenora Dame Cameo Locket Giveaway!

 

 

 

A Valentine's Treat for You - Tatiana Henley Nightshirt from Keep Me

Tatiana Henley Nightshirt

What’s the softest thing you can think of?  This Nightshirt is softer than that.  It’s like a cross between silk, satin, rayon and cotton, without being like any of them individually.  Okay, I realize I’m not making any sense, but that’s because something this soft is literally indescribable.  I know, because I have searched everywhere for a better description of what I am experiencing and the best I can come up with is a jumbled definition of materials that is better left to the professionals to describe.  But that’s never stopped me from trying.

So, what have I come up with in my diligent research, you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  My first stop was the Keep Me website where I saw their entire line of luxurious loungewear and dreamed of someday owning the entire collection all for myself.  But, in the interest of time and limited web capacity, I forced myself to choose just one tantalizing item.  I chose the Tatiana Henley Nightshirt because I loved the double button-down front and thought it would be practical since I am still breastfeeding and I thoroughly despise every nursing nightgown I have ever seen. 

I’m not a huge fan of nightgowns in general, partly because they always seem a bit uncomfortable and partly because they make me feel like I am on Little House on the Prairie.  But, even I was won over by Keep Me’s classic take on the Henley Nighshirt and decided to give it a try.  The item description listed it as “modal spandex”, which meant literally nothing to me.  But the picture made it look soft and slightly rugged, so I thought it would be perfect for all the family snuggle nights we had planned with our new baby.

When the Nightshirt arrived I couldn’t even believe the sumptuousness of the gown and was so eager to try it on.  After what felt like the longest day ever, it was finally time to snuggle.  Once I slipped it on, I couldn’t believe it, but the Tatiana Henley is even more lavish than I had anticipated in my 12 hour daydream. 

It was so soft that I just had to find out what I was wearing and why everything that touched my skin wasn’t modal spandex.  So, the internet savvy gal that I am, I did a quick websearch.  Feeling a bit let down after my Wikipedia search, I did a quick Google search and found that modal is a type of rayon and is often blended with cotton, or as is the case with the Tatiana, spandex.  According to www.wisegeek.com, modal is an incredibly soft fabric that holds up well when washing and wearing:

In many ways, modal acts like cotton, but it also has some significant advantages over cotton.  Originally marketed as "artificial silk," modal is soft, smooth and breathes well. Its texture is similar to that of cotton or silk. It is cool to the touch and very absorbent. One of the advantages of modal over cotton is its resistance to shrinkage, a notorious problem with cotton. Modal is also less likely to fade or to form pills as a result of friction. Its smoothness also makes hard water deposits less likely to adhere to the surface, so the fabric stays soft through repeated washings. Modal drapes well and keeps its shape, even when wet.

So, in a nutshell, it beat cotton at its own game.  One touch of Keep Me’s Tatiana Nightshirt and you will understand what I am talking about; distinctly luxurious and far from uncomfortable or dowdy, Keep Me combines their super soft material with sexy cuts that are anything but ordinary.

www.keepme.com

Visit their store locator to purchase their tops, bottoms, underwear, dresses and jackets locally and internationally.

Price: $97, making it higher priced than a normal nightie, which makes sense because this is not a normal nightie.  This is one of those cases where you just need to see a product to justify its higher price tag.

Looks: Down to earth high fashion that is perfect for sleeping, lounging or just looking pretty.

Overall: 4 marks out of 5, losing a point only for the higher price, but making up for it in that it is a small piece of luxury that you can enjoy every day.

Scout Journey Pack by Petunia Pickle Bottom

Scout Journey Pack Diaper Bag by  

“Urban Chic, not Mr. Mom”

Men have babies, too.  I know; I’ve seen it happen firsthand.  This seemingly obvious fact has apparently eluded baby product manufacturers for decades as they mass-produced thousands of tons of pastel and pink accessories for us parents to carry.  And then Petunia Pickle Bottom, the most unlikely name in men’s baby gear, took pity on our husbands and created them a delectable line of diaper bags that even us ladies will surely covet, which I have seen firsthand as well – every single time we use it. 

The mark of a fine men’s diaper bag is that it should look like a bag.  Just a bag, hold the diaper.  Better yet, it should look like the last thing that bag is carrying is diapers.  Your man should be able to go out with baby-less buddies and have them ogle the diaper bag unbeknownst to what’s inside.  And, Petunia Pickle Bottom absolutely hit that mark with their new Scout line of diaper bags. 

The first thing I noticed about the Scout was that the design is more rigid and squared off than I am used to with other traditional shapeless diaper bags.  The gorgeously heathered industrial strength felt keeps its sleek (14 x 16 x 5.5) shape even when completely empty, which means that when open, the entire contents of the bag are visible.  As you well know from my previous posts about Petunia Pickle Bottom’s Cross Town Clutch, seeing the entire contents of a diaper bag at a glance is an absolute necessity for me.  As busy parents, I have found that it is far too easy to use the last diaper or forget to replace the baby’s medicine when there are two people involved in the daily care of small children.  Being able to take inventory at a glance has literally saved what precious sanity I have left, and made organized parenting not only possible, but the absolute rule in our family.

So why on earth do I sound so suspiciously sentimental about a bag?  And not even a bag I’m allowed to carry?  Because it is indeed a harmonious world when hubby knows the joys of Petunia Pickle Bottom firsthand and understands the love that can exist between parent and diaper bag.  It’s a kind of love that causes you to shout “I’ll get the bag and meet you in the car” and oddball things like “I’ll change her diaper” just so you can experience the luxury of the bag again.  Just like your baby’s smile will never become bland, you will never get tired of a good quality bag.  And, the Scout line is one of the highest quality bags I have seen in a long, long time.  Masculine and rugged, the Journey Pack is a cross between army surplus and sleek sophistication without going too far in either direction. 

And, to think I haven’t even told you about the inside yet.  As good looking as it is on the outside, it is just as functional, if not more so, on the inside with dividers and pockets for all baby and kiddo gear, big or small.  Picture pockets literally touching other pockets which have even smaller pockets inside of them.  It’s like an organizer’s dream and a parent’s best friend all rolled into one.  Silly hubby was at first unconvinced about the sheer amount of pockets and even more skeptical about the amount of room they required in the main interior compartment.  In his defense, the bag is literally all pockets, but is that really a defense?  I honestly didn’t think anyone would ever utter the words “I was concerned about the large number of pockets” but I was wrong.  After even the first use, my naysayer hubby was a firm believer in the magic of a completely divided diaper bag.  Realizing quickly that kids’ stuff is small and that in the wrong diaper bag everything sort of intertwines itself with the entire contents, divided compartments make it possible to not unpack the entire bag every time you need baby’s itty bitty items.

Imagine with me for a minute; you take the Scout Journey Pack out of its soft cotton storage bag and you open the embossed brass clip and squared ring closure and flip the top open.  Front and center on the underside of the flap is a fully washable and water resistant nylon changing pad rolled up and secured with a contrasting heathered felt flap with a rugged-looking scout logo to match the exterior.  Now for the main body of the bag - a section for diapers, a designated pocket for the beautiful antiqued brass embossed wipes case (seriously, it comes standard), a large compartment for food, toys, and other necessities that snaps closed with a magnetic closure, a bottle or pacifier pocket, and still ample room to stuff a blanket, spare clothing and even a small sling in between the pockets. 

And that’s just the main part of the bag.  The front of the bag but still under the main opening flap also has yet another pocket, but this one is unique in the fact that the pocket also has a nylon lined interior pocket (say it with me: pockets in pockets in pockets), which is perfect for tiny necessities for grabbing on the go and both pocket and the pocket’s pocket are secured with another magnetic closure.  Even with the bag latched closed, you can still reach your hand into the front pocket, so it is absolutely perfect for storing a cell phone or other necessities you might need at a moment’s notice.  I can hear you now “enough about the pockets” – let me know where I can get this bag.  I will, as soon as I tell you about the side bottle pockets, which are on both exterior sides of the bag – one for you, one for baby – and can be fully removed so that, in the spirit of refunctioning, you can sport the Journey Pack long after your little ones give up their bottles or sippy cups.  Also cool, and something I hadn’t thought of until I read the instructions, is that the bottle pockets can be snapped into the inside of the bag as well, if you really want the diaper bag to be incognito that day.  And, real quick before I completely lose you – there’s one more pocket on the back of the bag, but personally I think this pocket is more for you.  I’m picturing a magazine, maybe a novel, or even some work if you’re a glutton for punishment.       

I promise I’m done with the pockets now and can move onto the other unique features that will have you ready to buy in no time.  The first is the custom Scout valet clips that secure through the upper exterior sides of the bag and allow easy attaching to strollers, shopping carts and more by combining industrial-looking Velcro loops with durable brass hardware.  Having never used valet clips before, I really didn’t know what I was missing, but now I am a firm believer that all bags should be valeted for easy attaching and reattaching and even easier access while on the go.  As a side note, the Scout valet clips come with their own soft cotton bag for storing when not in use, but we use ours so much that we keep them permanently secured to the bag even when hubby is wearing it and that leaves the cotton pouch for holding extra small goodies we then stuff it in the plethora of pockets on the inside.

A fully compartmentalized bag might be unusual to some, but to me that sounds like a design flaw as far as other diaper bags are concerned and something PPB is on the cutting edge of yet again.  But, if anyone out there is still distressed about the pockets, the interior pockets are all made of a much more flexible and easy to wipe down nylon material that can be pushed aside if you find your pocket fears are justified.  And then you should get yourself a good therapist.  

As a whole, men don’t collect bags the way women do.  Most ladies have at least a few purses and bags they rotate through, but men usually just have one, so they have to choose it carefully.  Consider it chosen.

www.petuniapicklebottom.com and is supposedly available at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, but only the Rubicon Rucksack (the slightly different and more expensive leather version) is listed online.  For now, you should start your search at your nearest upscale baby boutique that sells Petunia Pickle Bottom.  If they don't have it in, you should insist they special order it.  You should also consider signing up for the Petunia Pickle Bottom newsletter so you can hear about sales and events first.

Price: $147, which is the going rate for sanity, apparently.

Looks: Gorgeously rugged and wonderfully detailed.

Overall:  5 marks out of 5, because it’s more than just a diaper bag.  It’s a man bag. 

Check out Belly Dance Maternity for a large selection of Premium Diaper Bags

Baby K'tan Carrier Giveaway!

Baby K’Tan

“Double your positions, double your fun”

Don’t you love it when a product has a solution for a problem you didn’t realize you had?  That’s exactly what the Baby K’tan carrier does for moms like me who rely so heavily on babywearing.  The carrier is 100% natural cotton and has something I have never seen in all of my babywearing history – a sash to fasten the carrier and provide extra security for maximum carrying positions.  The sash alone might be well worth the purchase price because it made me recognize what issues I was having with other carriers that I might have never realized.   

The Baby K’tan is a double sling style carrier that is an all-in-one snuggly solution for parents on the go.  With instructions for 8 separate carry positions from cradle to upright (back and front, forward facing, facing in) and even two hip carries, it is extremely versatile and economical for parents on a budget since it can effectively take the place of multiple carriers.  Another huge plus is that it can be used for preemies to preschool (or 42 lbs, whichever comes first) which means that you can use it for longer than some other style carriers that have more rigid sizing.

You can use the Baby K’tan as a sling on one shoulder only and then also over both shoulders to evenly distribute the weight of your baby.  Being able to change positions frequently and easily makes it the perfect carrier for when you are out of the house all day and doing different tasks.  I also really like the circular connector between the slings, which is easy to grab yourself and pull down to adjust your fit without requiring a babywearing assistant like some other carriers do.  Because it is simple enough to adjust by yourself it makes it really easy to fine-tune the fit according to your function, and redo often over the course of the day.

The Baby K’tan is fairly simple and easy to figure out with minimal instructions and diagrams, which is a plus for all those that claim wrapping is too complicated for them.  You get nearly all the benefits of wrapping without actually having to wrap.  In fact, there are absolutely zero buckles, clasps or buttons on the K’tan, which definitely gets extra points from me for ease of use.  The only real drawbacks to having a semi structured carrier such as the K’tan over a straight wrap is that it does make it harder to share one carrier between two different sized people.  I can see this might be an issue if you are taking turns carrying baby over long periods of time or over the course of a long vacation.  It also means that if you need the K’tan tighter for a certain activity or task you only have the additional sash you can adjust, which is sometimes not quite adjustable enough.     

But, the fact that the K’tan is extremely versatile and can be used as a sling, upright carrier and hip hammock while still maintaining most of the functionality of a multi-hold wrap makes it something that I think most parents will find indispensable.  That, paired with its full machine washability makes it an easy top pick for me in baby carriers.  

As if that’s not enough reason to buy, I’ve got one more for you, taken directly from the Baby K’tan website:

Baby K’tan, LLC is firmly committed to causes that benefit the wellbeing of children with special needs. Accordingly, the Baby K’tan team proudly devotes a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of every Baby K’tan Baby Carrier to the American Heart Association and to organizations that assist individuals and families living with Down syndrome.

http://www.babyktan.com/

Price: $50 - $63, and for a limited time you can use coupon code RAVE for 15% discount on any orders at www.babyktan.com – ends 2/28/09.  See also Belly Dance Maternity to purchase your Baby K'Tan

Functionality: Fabulously versatile, because parenting requires it.

Looks: This might be one of the weaker spots with soft carriers, but something that is hard to do anything about because of the unique fabrics that are necessary for a good, secure fit.  That being said, there are some K’tan styles are better than others and hopefully you can find one that fits your style.

Overall: 4.5 marks out of 5, losing a partial mark for the fact that it is not one size fits all.

Baby K’tan Carrier Giveaway 

Win it!  Baby K’tan was so kind as to offer a medium tie dye carrier to one lucky reader in February. 

How to enter to win the Baby K’tan Carrier:
Visit Baby K’tan’s website and let me know how you would use the K’tan if you won.

If you want extra entries:

Let me know you have subscribed to this blog - 1 extra entry

 Subscribe to Baby K’tan’s fan list - 1 extra entry

Blog about this giveaway with links to this post - 2 extra entries

Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link) - 3 extra entries

 Comment on any of my posts and then come back here and let me know - 1 extra entry per comment, no limit 
 

on February 25th a winner will be drawn and the lucky winner will be notified via email

Valentine's Day Giveaway - Lenora Dame Cameo Locket ($90)

Valetine’s Day Giveaway Ivory Shantung Cameo Locket by Lenora Dame

I tend to be pretty predictable with my jewelry, staying within certain color schemes and designs, which is why I love when a company like Lenora Dame shakes me out of that comfort zone.  Even I was surprised with how much I love their line of jewelry that goes from chunky to delicate and encompasses everything from mixed mediums to Czech pearls and faux finishes.  Looking for something new?  They have it.  Want something traditional?  Yep, that too.  Lenora Dame offers a palatable collection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings with beautiful baubles and pearls that is fashionable but yet still classic.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day - Enter to win an oversized 34” cameo locket from Lenora Dame’s collection aptly titled “Romantic”.  Retail price of locket is $90, and can be ordered by visiting their website where you will see all of their exquisite designs showcased with their beautiful imagery and artistic flair.  The only thing I would change would be to have alternate views of their pieces available that use live models or mannequins so you can better gauge the scale of their pieces.  But, the site is beautiful and their work even more so.  I hope you enjoy their work and their website as much as I do and come back to tell us all about it.

 

http://www.lenoradame.com/

How to enter to win the Ivory Shantung Cameo Locket by Lenora Dame:

Visit Lenora Dame’s website and let me know what you have your eye on in their Romantic Collection other than the Cameo Locket and come back here and tell us about it.

If you want extra entries:

Let me know you have subscribed to this blog - 1 extra entry

Subscribe to Lenora Dame's mailing list - 1 extra entry

Blog about this giveaway with links to this post - 2 extra entries

Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link) - 3 extra entries

Comment on any of my posts and then come back here and let me know - 1 extra entry per comment, no limit

 

on February 10th a winner will be drawn and the lucky winner will be notified via email

For You, or For a Valentine - For the Record

Handmade Photo Brag Books by For the Record

 

“Esty glad it’s handmade?”

 

 

Etsy.  Oh, how I love Etsy, it’s like a year-round craft fair that you don’t feel like a loser hanging out at every day.  As someone who plans my summer around street fairs and farmer’s markets, I found out about Etsy way later than I should have.  And, now that I have, I’m seriously addicted.  I love it so much that I claim I am going to name my second born Etsy as tribute*. 

 

For those of you who have not explored the awesomeness that is Etsy, you should do so.  Now.  And, while you are there, check out For the Record.  It’s a mom-run little Singapore weboutique that sells all sorts of handmade goodness.  I absolutely adore their brag books and photo albums, which are perfect for the new mom or dad, or the new grandparent, or an aunt, or best friend, or… heck, they are great for anyone who has pictures at all.  Beautiful and embellished handmade cloth covers slip over their included pre-made photo albums or brag books and add just the right amount of style and flair to their ready-to-be-customized interiors.  Each album is beautiful and unique, making them far superior to their rather drab competition of mass produced, generic photo albums.  

 

The brag books hold twenty 3 ½” by 5” photographs, which is a bit smaller than the standard snapshots you get back from most photo processors, but perfect for most professional studio sizes.  The smaller size and the fact that the books are flexible means that they are perfect for tucking into a purse or work bag for a quick pick-me-up at the end of a long day or for bragging rights when out with friends.  I would love it if they also created a 4” by 6” album for standard photographs as well, so it is lucky for me that JacQ at For the Record can handle custom orders.

 

For the Record also makes the most delightful baby blankets, book covers and cozies for all of your gift giving needs – be sure to check out all of their handmade and beautiful designs and get some Singapore love shipped right to your door.   

 

www.fortherecord.etsy.com 

 

Price: $28 - $35 for brag books and photo albums, which is a bit more than other albums, but understandably so. 

 

Looks: Adorable!

 

Functionality: Funky and fun, but still extremely functional. 

 

Overall: 4.5 marks out of 5, losing only a half of a point for a slightly higher price.  

 

*There is absolutely, positively no way that I would ever name a child Etsy, boy or girl.

So Easy Baby Food Kit Giveaway - Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Samantha R. who won the

So Easy Baby Food Kit Giveaway!