Rave and Review

Here Comes the Easter Bunny - The Steiff Dossy Bunny

I just love Easter – egg hunts, family dinners, baskets filled with candy, and little kids in their Sunday best – it is the perfect ingredients for a picture perfect day.  Now that I’ve got a little one of my own, of course I’m thinking about what I can fill her Easter basket with and what kinds of Easter traditions I would like to start with her.

 

The first tradition I would like to pass down is the plush Easter bunny sitting atop the Easter basket just like my mom did for us every year.  All five of us kids had one special bunny that would emerge around the holiday and remain out for the weeks after Easter before the decorations were packed up.  I was positive I wanted to do the same thing for my kids, and am so excited that I found a company where I can buy a special bunny as we add more baskets around the table, with each addition to the collection as unique as their recipient.  Of course, I am talking about Steiff, the makers of classic plush animals since 1880.  With their famed “Button in Ear” (or, rather “Knopf im Ohr”) and their supremely collectable nature, Steiff animals are the perfect thing to surprise anyone on your Easter list. 

Since Steiff has introduced the adorable Dossy Bunny for 2010, I thought this was the perfect time to get my little one started on our Easter tradition.  Dossy is the perfect mix of cuteness and realism with her seated pose and spotted fur, and is a good huggable size.  Of course, she is also super soft and cuddly and is perfect for playing Easter all month long.

I love that Steiff has limited edition animals and each of their pieces are created mostly by hand with an attention to detail you just don’t find with other plush companies.  This is the reason I have been a huge Steiff fan since I was little and why there was no other present I thought fitting for our daughter’s first Christmas other than the 2008 release of the Classic Mohair Teddy in pink.  Since that Christmas morning the pink Steiff teddy has had a place of honor on her shelf.  The pink Mohair Teddy has since been joined by a small collection of the Steiff mini mohair animals we’ve picked up in our travels and gave to our daughter for her first big holidays.  I love that each animal is representative of a certain season or specific time and my daughter loves that they are the perfect size for playing with in her doll house and in her fairy garden set.

    

 
Once I found the Steiff website, I had fun perusing the online catalogue and looking up all the little Steiff friends we’ve acquired throughout the years and creating a wishlist for future holidays.  I loved that a good portion of our collection had a specific release date listed, which made it easy to remember when we bought each one and is a great feature if you’ve collected a large number of plush pieces throughout the decades. 

 
If you’re looking to expand or start a Steiff collection, you should start your browsing at http://www.steiffusa.com/

 

To find a retailer near you, you can check out the Steiff Store Locator here - I will warn you that this is by no means a full list of retailers, since numerous stores near me carry the Steiff animals but only 5 come up on this list for the entire state of Washington.  You will typically find Steiff animals in high end retail shops and boutiques, but a large selection can even be found at FAO Schwartz and other big retailers as well as online. 

 

A huge thank you to Steiff for expanding our collection of special critters by sending the Dossy Bunny to be loved and snuggled.  No monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review - we just love Steiff and couldn't resist sharing one of our top Easter picks!

 

Clouds & Stars QuickZip Starter Sheet Set Giveaway

No one likes to change sheets, but when that sheet change needs to happen in the middle of the night and you've only got one hand free, it can be brutal.  But, until QuickZip Sheets from Clouds and Stars came along, there really wasn't an easy way to change a crib sheet quickly.  And, once you see how easy life can be with the Quick Zip Sheets, you will never go back to traditional crib bedding again. 

Because crib mattresses need to fit so snugly inside the crib rails, changing the fitted sheet has always involved taking out the crib bumper, removing the mattress entirely, and then changing the sheet before putting everything back together again.  Imagine if you could instead change the bedding without having to untie and remove everything each time.  Imagine no longer, it’s true – the QuickZip Sheet Sets by Clouds and Stars allows you to leave both the crib bumper and mattress in place and simply zip off the very top of the sheet for quick changes.

QuickZip Sheets are ingenious in their simplicity.  Instead of traditional fitted sheets that stretch to fit around the mattress, two-part QuickZip Sheets are designed to fully encase the crib mattress and stay put securely while still allowing the top to zip off for easy sheet changes, no matter what time of day.  When you first put the sheets on the bed you do have to remove the mattress and bumper, but rest assured that is the last time you will need to take apart the crib bedding.  For the initial QuickZip set up, you simply stretch the base piece over the bottom of the mattress – similar to how a fitted sheet fits, but instead of leaving the back exposed as on a fitted sheet, the top is left exposed on the QuickZip Sheet Set.  The second part of the QuickZip Sheet Set then sets on top of the mattress and zips around the QuickZip Base to create a fully covered mattress.

The great part is that you can easily add a mattress pad underneath the QuickZip top and then if the bedding gets soiled, you simply unzip the top of the sheet and replace it and the mattress pad if necessary.  The zip off sheet has a covered zipper that allows for a soft place for baby to lay and the zipper pull is then tucked away so baby can’t play with it.  The result is a snugly fitted sheet that doesn’t slip, stretch, or slide off as baby moves and allows for easier sheet changes – seriously, does it get any better than that?

Yes, it does!  They offer cotton bedding for cribs, play yards, toddler beds and are now available in twin bed sets, because moms that fall in love with the QuickZip system don’t give it up easily.  The mattress pads are available in different fabrics, including an organic pad that goes perfectly with the Certified Organic Crib Set that we were lucky enough to try.  After our test run with them we really aren’t surprised that the QuickZip Sheets have been collecting awards and creating die-hard fans amongst parents, grandparents and childcare providers.  They have even won the coveted Parent Tested Parent Approved seal of approval in the Green Product category for their Certified Organic Cotton Starter Sheet Set.   

Price: $35 and up for a starter QuickZip set which comes with a base sheet and a QuickZip top.  Clouds and Stars also sells additional QuickZip tops so you can always have a spare on hand.  You can even get 10% off your order by using the coupon code DDD5

www.cloudsandstars.com

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win one of these awesome QuickZip Starter Sheet Sets for a crib or toddler bed.

To Enter: You must visit the Clouds and Stars website and comment below with what Starter Sheet Set you would love to try. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

2) Become a fan of Quick Zip Sheets on Facebook and leave a comment on their page letting them know that Rave and Review sent you.  (2 extra entries - leave two comments with your Facebook name or the wall posting status)

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On April 27th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Winner, Winner!  This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Marci who won a Clouds and Stars starter set!

 
 
This product review was made possible by the Double Duty Divas.  I was not compensated for this review other than a product sample provided by Clouds and Stars who also offered the giveaway to our fabulous readers. All opinions are 100% mine.

Snuggly Pillow Pets - An Easter Giveaway

Since the moment she saw one, my daughter was in love with Pillow Pets.  Since she loves everything soft and snuggly and has developed a huge weakness for stuffed animals, I knew it was only a matter of time until she was begging me to buy her one of the many Pillow Pets displayed at some of our favorite places. 

And, since Easter is right around the corner, I knew it would be the perfect time to surprise her with a bunny themed Pillow Pet for her to snuggle with all year long.  Then, because she has a knack for finding things that are hidden from her, she found her special Bunny Pillow Pet a week and a half early and I just didn’t have the heart to take it back from her.  Yes, I know, I will need to get much, much better at this whole surprise thing the older she gets, but for now it hasn’t been that big of a deal.  She was incredibly excited, we got to see that priceless face when she found it and realized what it was, and now her naps have been filled with snuggly bunnies much to everyone’s delight. 

For those of you who haven’t seen Pillow Pets before, the design is fairly simple - a super soft chenille stuffed animal that unfolds to become a super soft pillow for kids to lay on.  The sides of the Pillow Pets hook together and the four corners of the pillow are then the “feet” of the stuffed friend.  Pillow Pets are all machine washable, which every parent can appreciate, and are made to withstand lots of love by little ones.  With various Pillow Pets available from farm, to aquatic to jungle animals, there is one (or many) for any kid to fall in love with. 

The funniest thing was that at first my daughter didn’t realize that Pillow Pets were not only big, cuddly stuffed friends but also super soft pillows that she could sleep on.  It wasn’t until her bunny had arrived and she leaned back against it like a cushion that I asked her if she wanted it to be a pillow instead.  Once she saw that the Pillow Pet unvelcroed on the bottom and unfolded to become a flat pillow, she was so excited she was speechless. 

Besides being a completely unique gift that I can give my daughter to snuggle and sleep with, she loves playing with her Pillow Pet in between naptimes.  I think we chose correctly in getting her an Easter-themed bunny Pillow Pet, because her favorite part is the long, floppy ears that are also made of super soft chenille.  She loves to rub the bunny ears on her cheeks as she relaxes, and I can’t help but melt every time I see her do it.  

If you’ve got kids you’re buying Spring presents for, you should check out the vast selection of Pillow Pets available, including a special Easter pink or purple bunny that is only available this time of year. 

www.GetPillowPets.com

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win one of these adorable Pillow Pets of their very own.

To Enter: You must visit the Pillow Pets website and comment below with a favorite Pillow Pet your little one would love. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On April 25th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to CrumbDonut who won a My Pillow Pet of her very own!

A huge thank you to Pillow Pets for sending a special friend/pillow just for my little one and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Ashley Petite Shop for Personalized Gifts - Review and Giveaway

Are you looking for an awesome handmade present for a special someone?  If so, you should check out Ashley Petite’s online shop run by two multi-talented sisters who make and sell some of the cutest unique gifts anywhere.  With personalized items for both baby and mama, the Ashley Petite shop is perfect for any occasion and any budget.  

Everyone close to me knows I’m a huge sucker for handmade.  In fact, if something is handmade, I find it nearly irresistible.  There’s something really cool about knowing that the toy, accessory, or jewelry you’re giving or receiving is made just for you and makes it even more special.  So, of course I’m in love with Ashley Petite’s wonderful selection of handmade critters, necklaces, fabric goods, and more that are as unique as your recipient. 

By offering handmade goods made by different artists, Ashley Petite’s selection is constantly changing and evolving, offering you the best baby, children’s, and mamas gifts anywhere.  What started as one grandma’s way of donating in her grandson’s memory has grown into the cutest way to give back to children in need.  A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of Kathy Chereck’s handmade critters at the Ashley Petite shop is donated directly to Angela’s House II which gives parents access to home medical care for medically fragile children.  These critters have become so popular that the demand outweighs the rate at which these little gems can be created, but I see that as a very good problem.  Well, except for all of us that would love to give a dozen of these little handmade animals to our favorite kiddos.

While the critters may be oversold, there is still a huge collection of goodies and gifts available at Ashley Petite that are perfect for giving.  My absolute favorite products at Ashley Petite are the handmade jewelry pieces that every mom, sister, or daughter needs in her jewelry collection.  With stacked pieces, brag tags, charm necklaces and more all personalized with names, dates and even birthstones, they are the perfect gift for your wife (hint, hint), an ecstatic new mom, or even just a best friend.  Destined to become the most beloved piece in her collection, the jewelry at Ashley Petite is amazingly personal and still remains completely affordable on any budget. 

We got to review the Sydney Stacked Charm Necklace in sterling silver, and it hasn’t been taken off since it arrived.  Sturdy and feminine both at the same time, and of exceptional quality that makes it completely comfortable for all day wear, I’m not certain it’s ever going to leave my neck.  My daughter likes to tell me that it’s her necklace, which I will consider cute until she’s seriously asking to borrow it.  At which point I plan on getting her an Ashley Petite special necklace of her very own to keep her family close at all times. 

Since we’re a traveling family, I love that Ashley Petite carries a good number of travel accessories for kids, such as carseat covers and stroller pads that make messes away from home that much more bearable.  Another item we love for traveling is the Seat Belt Pillow, which was created to keep kids comfortable for long car rides and road trips.  Basically a long, 24” x 4” cylindrical pillow made of super soft fabrics that attaches directly to your car seatbelt with three Velcro straps, the Seat Belt Pillow makes it easy for young ones to get comfortable even while snoozing on the road.  They are more compact than a pillow and easier to pack away in the trunk or back window when not in use, yet still big enough so that I was able to use it and it was actually pretty comfortable. 

If you’re looking for a personalized present for you or for a special someone, you should definitely check out Ashley Petite and create a one-of-a-kind gift that is sure to wow.  If you’re lucky enough to live in New York and are looking for a great photographer, you should make your way to the 2 Girl Phototique studio in Union Square and see the many talents of the sisters behind the Ashley Petite shop.  You can see their work here, and set up an appointment to capture all the personality and spunk of your little one in a natural and sun-filled studio.  Gorgeous, right?

Prices: $24 and up for personalized jewelry and $24 for Seat Belt Pillows

Visit the 2 Girl Phototique site or go to http://www.ashleypetite.com/ to select a special present

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a sports design Seat Belt Pillow of their very own.

To Enter: You must visit the Ashley Petite shop and comment below with a favorite product. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

2) Become an Ashley Petite fan on Facebook and leave a comment on their page letting them know that Rave and Review sent you!

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank I have)

On April 20th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to Kristen who won the Seat Belt Pillow!

Kristen C. said:

From their website, I am loving the "Loveys" blankets...b/c my son LOVES tags.

A huge thank you to Ashley Petite for creating a special mama necklace just for me and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.
 

Zigo Leader X2 Giveaway + Coupon Code

We are beyond thrilled to host this giveaway right as Spring 2010 hits, AND we've partnered with some great blogs for even more chances to win!! Starting today, and for the next 2 weeks, enter here and/or at any of the blogs below for your chance to win a Zigo Leader X2! We have several options to enter and each blog below has their own ways to enter, so go visit them all for the best chance at winning this beauty!!

BabyElan {daily}

Jolly Mom

Go Graham Go

Happy Hour Mom

Urban Sherp

Seeryus Mama

Mommies with Cents

Classy Mommy

My Four Monkeys 

Before we get to the fun part...meet Zigo:

Think GREEN, but to a whole new level! An all-natural, healthy adventure everyday, away from the pollution of automobiles. If you've been visiting Rave and Review for a while, you know how much my family enjoys biking together once the weather heats up.  Since biking always includes even the littlest family members, I've been looking at getting an all-in-one bike and trailer for a while.  It's a brilliant way to exercise while getting the kids out of the house and into the fresh air, and it's a great way to stay connected. With an all-in-one bike and trailer, versatility really is key.  Check out all that the Zigo can do!

Ride alone, or with your kids {front or back}, or use in stroller or jogger mode. All-in-one; no need to buy a new bike, a bike trailer, and a jogging stroller... has them all in one spectacular product with so many additional features and accessories available.  View them all here and start dreaming of the possibilities! Zigo Leader X2

Here's what founder Michael Ehrenreich has to say about the history the Zigo invention: "I was sitting on my front porch with my wife and then six-month old son one beautiful summer evening. My wife complained that her feet hurt after jogging with a jogging stroller. I said, "you need to cross-train." She said, "I want a foot massage." The rest is history. Over a period of more than three years and several designs, the Zigo LEADER took form. A fearless group of engineers, industrial designers, and now manufacturing and sales and marketing specialists were added to the growing Zigo family. We hope that you enjoy using your Zigo LEADER as much as we enjoyed building it."

Zigo has remained at the top of my wish list for quite awhile now, but it doesn't need to be that way for you! You can purchase your own and take 10% off with the code ILUVZIGO1. OR, take your chances at winning one with all of us!!

And now for the Giveaway...

To Enter:  Simply head on over to the Zigo website and let us know what you think...how fabulous is this product, a feature you adore, why you need {want} it. After you are done with that one entry, see below for many more ways AND...head on over to all the other blogs above for PLENTY more ways to enter with them!

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (must be verified to count)

2) Become a Facebook MyZigo Fan and leave a comment on their wall letting them know you've entered here at Rave and Review for another extra entry!

3) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com and www.myzigo.com homepage 

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

6) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry)

Open to US and International entries, come one, come all! Deadline to enter is April 5th at midnight {eastern}!

Winner, Winner!  This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered (over 5,000 entries!) and congrats to Nad who won this awesome little green machine!

 

Hoover at the Home + Housewares Show {+ 4 Bonus Entries into Hoover Giveaway}

All of the Rave and Review crew have been in Chicago this past week as guests of Hoover at the International Home + Housewares Show where we got to see firsthand all of the new products for 2010.  Hoover was celebrating the unveiling of their newest vacuums and cleaning units, as well as announcing their partnership with the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers house cleaning services to women with cancer all over the US and Canada.

Everyone knows how tough it is to get up and clean when you have even just a simple cold, so imagine how hard it would be to keep a household clean while fighting cancer.  Knowing what an impact on your attitude and mindset a clean house can have, the Cleaning For A Reason Foundation set out to give that gift to women who are fighting for their lives.  To contribute to the cause, Hoover has generously donated both money and cleaning tools to the help even more women have access to these services.  To get involved with Cleaning For A Reason, you can visit their website and find out which cleaning services near you are participating.  By choosing a cleaning company off of their list of participating cleaning providers or by encouraging the cleaning service you currently use to partner with Cleaning For A Reason and donate their time and energy, you will be helping to make Cleaning For A Reason available to every woman who needs their services. 

We were lucky enough to not only meet the representatives from Cleaning For A Reason, but also to attend a dinner with them and Hoover where we heard about this exciting partnership and what an impact the Foundation has made in its short history.  The representatives from both Hoover and Cleaning For A Reason were also on hand as we visited the Hoover showcase at the International Home + Housewares show.  

Immediately upon arriving at the Hoover showcase, we were introduced to the newest in the Hoover family of cleaning products, the Hoover FloorMate Hard Floor Cleaner with SpinScrub Technology that is designed to clean vinyl, tile and hardwood floors using a 3-in-1 system that vacuums, washes and squeegee dries your floors within minutes.  The demo even included some caked on chocolate and more than a few ounces of Gatorade spilled across the vinyl and hardwood floors.  The FloorMate unit powered through both and left the demo floor clean and shining for the next group of visitors, thus making me wish the unit was making the trip back with us to Seattle.  

Along with the FloorMate Hard Floor Cleaner with SpinScrub, we got to see a variety of carpet cleaners, stick vacuums, canister vacs and more from both Hoover and Dirt Devil, their sister company.  It was really cool to be able to ask the knowledgeable Hoover representatives about all the products and get both demos and hands-on time with each of them.  While none of the vacuums or cleaners made it into my carry on or checked luggage, I've got a wishlist of items that I'm dying to try out. 

Also on display was the Hoover WindTunnel T-Series, which included the WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless Upright that we reviewed a few weeks ago.  If you haven’t checked out the review yet, you should head there before 3/22 so you can enter to win one of these awesome little vacuums for yourself.  As a bonus, you can now get TWO bonus entries into the WindTunnel contest if you comment on this post with a Hoover or Cleaning For A Reason related message and then go to the Hoover giveaway page and let me know you checked out this post (leave 2 separate comments on the giveaway page).  I’m also giving another TWO bonus entries to anyone that is a fan of Hoover on Facebook and lets them know they heard about the Cleaning For A Reason partnership or their showcase at the Home + Housewares show from Rave and Review (leave 2 separate comments on the giveaway page).  That’s FOUR bonus entries you can get!   

My attendance to the Home + Housewares show was paid for by Hoover, which included lodging, transportation and a welcome gift. All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation in any way.  How could you not want to share something as cool as the partnership of one of your favorite cleaning companies with an organization you truly feel is making a difference?

Twist Sorter by PlanToys

Even before I had kids, I loved PlanToys.  They have one of the best selections of wooden toys and developmental toys for kids of all ages paired with classic toy good looks that make them irresistable.  Every year PlanToys introduces the new toys they are set to release throughout the year and this year their line-up does not disappoint.  We were sent the Twist Sorter from PlanToys that is set to hit shelves later this year and have been enjoying it since the moment it was opened.  

 

Before the Twist Sorter arrived, my husband and I completely disagreed on whether or not a shape sorter was a necessary addition to our growing collection of toddler and baby toys.  My opinion was that traditional shape toys with the hollow middle for the pieces to store in are usually bulky and big, and that kids seemed to outgrow them quicker than toys that allow multiple levels of play.  My husband thought that every kid benefited from the simple task of placing shaped pieces in their corresponding openings, and while I agreed, I thought maybe we could find other ways to master the idea of shapes without having a toy that took up a good portion of the toy box and was outgrown quickly. 

 

When the Twist Sorter by PlanToys arrived, I was thrilled that the toy solved all the problems I had disliked about the traditional shape sorter and still had all of, if not more of, the educational toys value that I am always searching for.  Instead of a big sorter that you drop pieces inside, PlanToys has introduced a new puzzle-like version of the classic learning toy that allows your kids to learn their shapes and colors without taking up excess space. 

 

Adding a new twist to the shape sorter toy is the fact that there are 5 moving and changeable parts on the wooden Twist Sorter that allow kids to configure the pieces in various ways to keep both toddlers and older kids interested for a longer length of time.  The first movable piece is the octagon puzzle top that allows you to place it on the shape sorter base in various ways.  Moving the octagon causes the colored portions of the base to show through and creates different dual colored patterns for kids to replicate. 

 

Kids are then supposed to place the 4 wooden red and yellow colored pieces inside the shape cutouts with the correct color side facing up.  What makes this extra fun is the fact that each wooden shape is hinged in the middle and by rotating one side you can create multi colored pieces that allow you to recreate more than just a simple alternate color shape pattern. 

 

The design is great because it takes up minimal amount of room in the toy box (about the size of a board book in thickness) and allows another level of play that takes the classic shape sorter and makes it suitable for multiple ages.  Even I had fun playing with my daughter with the toy for a good portion of an afternoon.  Once she had mastered putting the shapes in the correct location first by looks and then by name, we then moved on to working on flipping the colored sides to match the puzzle base.  When that was old news, we then worked on opposite colors and instead of matching yellow with yellow and red with red, we decided that now yellow would have a red shape on top of it and vice versa. 

 

Since the day that it arrived, the Twist Sorter has been a consistent source of quiet time fun as my daughter arranges and rearranges the pieces for long periods of time.  She still hasn’t gotten much into the advanced play modes, but absolutely loves that she can match and sort all by herself with the pieces in single color formation.  As she grows I know she will have even more fun with the toy and really explore the possibilities, but for now it’s fun to watch her so enthralled with a compact and expandable educational toy that the whole family is excited about.

 

http://www.plantoysusa.com/

A huge thank you to PlanToys for sending the Twist Sorter to review.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Pampers with Dry Max + Liz Lange Diaper Clutch Giveaway {TWO Winners}

I've never been someone with 100% brand loyalty; I just want the best product out there, no matter what label comes on the outside.  So, like every other first time parents out there, a few months into buying diapers, my husband and I got the idea we were going to start using generic diapers to try and save money.  That lasted all of a few days and then we begged people to take the remaining diapers from us so we could go back to using Pampers.  Ironically, Pampers Swaddlers were the first diapers we tried and we all loved them, which makes perfect sense that we assumed that all diapers were going to offer the same excellent leak protection and comfort.

Since then, we have been a Pampers family through and through and even went as far as to pack a whole suitcase of Pampers when we took our daughter overseas and were worried they would be hard to find where we were traveling.  In the past 21 months our family has amassed a shocking number of their “Gifts to Grow” stickers that come on every package of diapers (but still have yet to do anything with them) and have started using their ultra mega boxes as makeshift baby clothes storage until we find someone to pawn off all our pink ‘n’ frilly baby clothing on.

Of course, I was ecstatic when I found out that Pampers was releasing their biggest innovation in diapers in 25 years, and even more so when I found out I was going to get a sneak peak at them.  Set to hit stores today and sold out for weeks in their presale online, these little diapers are already a hot item.  Their press release said that the new Dry Max core allowed them to be even thinner than before and claimed they were their “driest ever”.  Thinner means they fit better in my purse and even better is that they contain 10% less waste to throw away after each diaper change.  Drier… well, that’s what we all want. 

The Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max arrived a few weeks ago and I couldn’t wait to try them out.  Unfortunately, my littlest reviewer was fast asleep and being the impatient reviewer I am, I decided to conduct my own experiment while she slept.  I opened up the package to find the familiar baby powder scent was still there, along with the much loved Sesame Street gang, as well as the signature softness that makes Pampers the littlest reviewer’s favorite. 
But, these diapers were a whole lot thinner than either the Swaddlers or the Cruisers, and yet still offered even more coverage than their diapers before.  Longer in length and fuller coverage in the back where it matters most, the Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max seemed to offer the best of all worlds. 

Of course, I couldn’t actually try them on a sleeping baby, so I did the next best thing.  I got myself 3 cups of water and slowly filled a diaper to watch its absorbency.  After it soaked up all the water, the Dry Max core was huge and bloated, but it never leaked or showed any signs of falling apart.  In fact, a few minutes later the Dry Max core only felt damp to the touch, not wet as you would imagine.  In a test that I would never, ever perform on a truly soiled diaper, I decided to squeeze the diaper and see if it began to leak.  While a few tiny droplets of water did seep out onto the outer edge of the diaper, it was truly minimal when you consider the amount of squeezing going on.   

Honestly, if I wasn’t already a huge Pampers fan, I would be after trying the Pampers with Dry Max out these past few weeks.  We haven’t had a leak or blowout yet, or a chance to really see all these diapers can handle, but I’m going to take the absence of disaster as a good sign.  I loved that they are so much thinner and getting my daughter more used to the idea of underwear, but mostly I'm raving about the lack of leaks even overnight, even considering her toddler-sized thirst.  Starting today (March 15th) you can bet that Pampers Dry Max boxes will be our new storage box of choice.

While our laundry room currently looks like a Pampers storeroom, I must say that the system is working, because at the approximate rate my daughter goes through a box of diapers, she also grows out of a box worth of clothing.  Coincidence?  I doubt it.  While you ponder whether it is the size of the box that determines the hand me downs or the rate at which she can soil her way through a box of diapers that correlates to her growth, I am going to leave you with this awesome giveaway:

And now for the Giveaway...

Two lucky Rave and Review readers will win a week's supply of Pampers with Dry Max and an awesome Liz Lange diaper clutch valued at $50 to carry them in!

To Enter:  Tell me what size diapers you would need for your little one and whether your family is a Pampers family like mine!  Be sure to check out Pampers.com to see availability and more features on the Pampers with Dry Max. You can also order a free sample of the diapers to be shipped to your door by clicking here.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry)

On March 22nd at 11:59pm PST two winners will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winners will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian addresses only.

A huge thank you to Pampers for sending a package of Pampers Cruisers with Dry Max for us to review and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  This post was written as part of a campaign with the PTPA Panel of Moms where real parents tell what works and what doesn't and where Pampers with Dry Max recently was awarded their coveted Winners Badge in their Spring Campaign.  The opinions expressed are solely my own and no type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Kady Paige Blankies Personalized Blankets and More Giveaway

Who doesn’t love personalized products made special just for your little one?  Kady Paige Blankies understands that all parents want the blanket their child falls in love with to have a special meaning, and offers you countless options for customizing your own handmade blanket.  From monogramming and embroidery to your choice of custom fabrics, Kady Paige Blankies works with you to make sure your one of a kind blanket is as special to you as it will be your little one. 

I had fully intended on creating my own custom blanket from scratch through Kady Paige Blankies' Etsy shop, but then I fell in love with one of their pre-made designs they had profiled on the site and knew it would be perfect for my little blankie snuggler as is.  The owner, Jennifer, was great and made communication easy throughout the order process, but the best part was how quickly the pre-made design shipped after everything was confirmed.   

The images posted on the Etsy shop were adorable, but when the blanket arrived it was even cuter in person.  Wrapped with a thick ribbon and all set for gifting, the Kady Paige Blankies package would have been perfect if shipped directly to a new mom, or simply shipped to yourself and then placed in a gift bag. 

We got a chance to check out the satin-backed retro dot blanket in pink and are so happy with both the looks of the blanket as well as the quality.  Instead of cheap and flimsy blankets that don’t last through more than a few washings, Kady Paige Blankies are made with high end fabrics and handsewn to ensure quality. 

The weight of the retro dot blanket is perfect – not too thin and not too thick, but the best part is the satin back of the blanket that makes it so soft and cuddle-friendly.  When you lay it on yourself, the whole blanket drapes around you to make you feel tucked in and warm, keeping away the draft from all sides.  Perhaps that is why my daughter thinks this is the only blanket she can nap with each afternoon and why she insists it accompany her on afternoon car trips.  Seen at right is a picture of a very happy just woken little one all wrapped in her Kady Paige Blanket, which is seen almost daily at our house. 

I was thrilled about the quality of work done by Jennifer at Kady Paige Blankies, and I would absolutely recommend that any new moms, grandparents, and friends check out Kady Paige Blankies when they are looking to create the “wow” gift for your next baby shower or birthday.  In addition to the Blankets and Loveys I’ve been raving about, Kady Paige Blankies also creates their own line of premium baby accessories for a special mom or new baby.  These accessories can be done in fabric to match the one-of-a-kind blanket, or done in a specific pattern to match the mom’s purse or diaper bag. 

Check out Kady Paige Blankie’s Etsy shop here, and see why they have earned a 100% positive rating!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/kadensmommy33

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $25 Gift Card for a purchase of your choice at Kady Paige Blankies!

To Enter: You must visit Kady Paige Blankies' Etsy shop and tell me how you would spend your $25. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

2) Check out Kady Paige Blankies' blog and subscribe to their feed.

3) Become a Kady Paige Blankies fan on Facebook and leave a comment on their page letting them know that Rave and Review sent you!

4) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

5) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

6) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

7) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

8) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

9) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank I have)

On April 13th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Kelly Ann T who won the GC to Kady Paige!

Kelly Ann T. said:

I like the Silky Soft Double Minky Blankie - Lavender and Mint Embossed Paisley because it looks so soft and comfy.

A huge thank you to Jennifer at Kady Paige Blankies for creating a favorite snuggly blanket for my little one and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

A Travel Essential: BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light Giveaway

As a family that travels frequently, I am always searching for items that make traveling with little ones easy and efficient.  Often our travels include planes, trains, and small automobiles, so I have a special spot in my heart for items that are made with space and efficiency in mind.  New on my list of must-haves for every traveling parent is the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light, which is the perfect portable crib and mini play yard for wherever your travels take you, even if it’s just to the family room. 

On our first trip after our daughter had moved to her big crib, we realized that our sweet, snuggly baby was now unable to sleep without flailing wildly in all directions, kicking everyone in her path.  Gone were the days of the three of us sharing a bed when we traveled, because exploring with no sleep is no fun for anyone.  To solve this problem, we tried a pack and play style playpen and were disappointed by the weight, bulk, and the multi-step set up.  Add that to the fact that our daughter absolutely hated them, and we knew we had to find a better solution for traveling as a family.   

One of my first introductions to the Travel Crib Light was through a link to the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light Challenge which shows parents, siblings and grandparents setting up the Travel Crib in mere seconds.  You can read over and over how easy the Travel Crib Light is to set up, but there is something about seeing it in action that is so compelling.  And even more so is the fact that the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib literally needs no instructions, the design is that intuitive and easy for just about anyone to master in minutes.  

And, we mastered the set up in seconds, putting the crib together in one easy movement over and over just because it was fun.  Of course, we had to take the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light Challenge ourselves, timing ourselves setting up the portable crib in our living room.  Our crowning achievement was when hubby set the crib up in 11 seconds… one handed.  Why one handed?  Anyone who has ever held a sleeping baby in their arms and been struggling to find a safe place to set them while they set up bed knows how much this little fact is worth.  The easy set up and clean up makes it perfect for when we’re visiting the grandparents for the day or if she’s coming with me to work for a few minutes, and it’s nice to know that I have a safe and clean place for her to play without having to fully babyproof every place we visit.   

Easy set up aside, the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light has a list of features that make it an essential travel piece and one of our top picks for baby.  Weighing in at only 11lbs and secured in its own sturdy handled carrying case (24" x 19.5" x 3"), the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light is incredibly easy to transport around town or to check as luggage for airplane travel.  We found that there was even enough extra room in the carrying case to fit in some minimal bedding of our own and even a small toy or two. 

The Travel Crib Light is made with high quality and machine washable Oko-Tex Standard 100, class 1 approved fabrics that offer piece of mind as well as being soft and comfortable against your little one’s skin.  Unlike other portable cribs, the BABYBJÖRN base is designed to sit directly on the floor with a stable and supportive bottom that is wider than the top of the crib.  This trapezoid design is to prevent tipping from both inside and outside of the crib and makes it safer for siblings and hectic, multi-kid environments.  With a padded top bar, fully hidden hinges, and a sturdy metal frame that cannot be felt from the inside of the crib, I feel completely comfortable with both small babies and active toddlers alike sleeping and playing in the crib.  The ultra comfortable design is complete with a one-piece waterproof mattress that is both plush and breathable, offering a level of coziness that is unparalleled in traditional travel cribs. 

As surprised as I was to find that the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light is not only incredibly easy to use but also answers all the design flaws we found with other portable cribs and play yards, the truly shocking thing is how much my daughter loves the Travel Crib.  She actually asks to be put in it daily and truly enjoys it once she’s been placed in it.  I think the comfortable mattress paired with the solid base contact makes the crib more comfortable than others and resembles her crib more closely, but also I think she sees the Travel Crib Light as a cozy little hangout where she can relax, read books and play in her special little area.  But, whatever the reason she loves it is fine by me, as long as the end result is a happy toddler and a well rested family of travelers, the details of why suddenly become very unimportant.  

Price: $279.95

http://www.babybjorn.com/

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light!

To Enter: You must visit BABYBJÖRN and tell me another product you would love to own. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Let me know you subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count - leave two comments)

2) Go to BabyBjorn Believers and see if you qualify to join.  Click here to sign up. (2 extra entries for signing up - leave two comments)

3) Become a BabyBjorn fan on Facebook and leave a comment on their page letting them know that Rave and Review sent you or that you have signed up for their BabyBjorn Believers Group!

4) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @BabyBjorn and #giveaway after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

5) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

6) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

7) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

8) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

9) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank I have)

On April 16th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Winners, winners!  This giveaway is closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Alma who won the Travel Light Crib! 

Alma said...

I love the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Active Organic, it looks really safe and it's fashionable. I'd love to own it.

A huge thank you to Baby Bjorn for saving our travel sanity by sending their Travel Crib Light for us to review and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.