Rave & Review

Modular Hauler Deluxe by Mountainsmith

Travel, organized

Travel season is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited.  I’m dreaming of the open road and planning all sorts of fun adventures for the family.  Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get me, hubby, baby and gear to all of our exciting destinations.  Lucky for me, I didn’t have to waste much time figuring because Mountainsmith has already done the work for me.  Their Modular Hauler sets are the perfect thing to help organize our adventures and make traveling with little ones as simple and organized as possible. 

Before we found Mountainsmith, we would all pack in our own bags and then try and arrange it so that all our gear was easily accessible from the trunk.  All sedan owners know that this feat is impossible – because something has to go in the back recesses of the trunk.  Or, at least that used to be true.  Now, with the Modular Hauler System, there is only one bag to put in that prime trunk-front real estate.  Just one bag that contains everything you need to access while on the go in easy to identify colored compartments.  Picture this: no more stacking, squishing and piling the bags in the trunk to fit everything in.  No more digging through the car to find what you need only to have to repack the car once you find it.  That’s right, it’s all the travel, none of the hassle.

It doesn’t seem possible, right?  Something has to be stacked, squished or piled in order to get it all in there, doesn’t it?  Are you sure that you’ll be able to find anything in that big ol’ bag?  And possibly the most important question - will we still get in the road trip spirit if we don’t spend hours packing the trunk?  Relax, naysayers.  Meet Mountainsmith’s Modular Hauler Systems.   

Mountainsmith Modular Haulers make this level of organization not only possible, they make it easy.  They have 2, 3 and 4 cube Hauler Systems to organize any size family or vehicle as well as selling the Modular Cubes individually to fit just about any need.  The Modular Hauler 3 System Deluxe works perfectly for our family and I have no doubt that it will continue to grow with us. 

At the heart of the System are the Deluxe Cubes that fit perfectly into the Hauler and give you all the benefits of multiple bags but without all the trips.  Since the 3 Deluxe Cubes are all fully functional bags on their own, when placed in the Hauler they are an organizer’s dream.   Each Deluxe Cube is color coded for easy identification so you will always know which tote contains what with just a glance.  If you do happen to forget that all the baby gear was in the red bag, Mountainsmith was clever enough to give the Deluxe Cubes laminated mesh tops, and even threw in a clear pocket for labeling or for small items that will remind you of the contents.  

They don’t call these Deluxe Cubes for nothing, these little babies are tough-looking, rugged, reinforced gear haulers with triple layer construction and durability to spare.  Made from 150d ripstop fabric with a thin foam structure that keeps the shape of the Deluxe Cube even when empty and makes for easy loading and unloading.  Each Deluxe Cube has a flat front pocket for storage, tote handles for easy carrying as well as attachment points for shoulder straps or carabiners and loops for hanging.  Hubby is absolutely convinced that if the need were to arise we could haul rocks in our Deluxe Cubes, but even I draw the line somewhere and will let you test that theory on your own. 

Once placed in the 15” x 25” x 15” Modular Hauler, the whole system gets even more Deluxe.  We’re talking waterproof rubber bottom, easy carry handles on all four sides, compression straps, and a reinforced folding internal structure.  The rubber base allows you to set it down anywhere without worrying about what lies beneath, even in a good inch plus of water.  The handles on every side insure that you will always have a place to grab or secure the Hauler if necessary, while the compression straps hold everything in place. And with the internal structure easily folding down when not in use, you won’t have a hard time storing the Modular Hauler in between trips.

Although I really can’t see storing it at all since it’s so useful for all sorts of applications, even just around the house.  It would be perfect for sporting equipment, camping supplies, travel gear or even just organizing your closet contents.  Perhaps even just for hauling large amounts of rocks…should the need arise.

Random Rave: All parts of the system can be used either independently or together, allowing for numerous configurations to fit whatever you’re hauling. 

http://www.mountainsmith.com/

Price: 2 Cube Systems start at $59 and each additional Cube adds $20 to the price.  The 3 Cube Deluxe model with the rubber base that was reviewed here sells for $129

Looks: Like a super rugged and organized version of whatever you’re hauling now

Overall: Perfect for small roadtrips, big camping trips or even just for organizing around the house

A big thank you to Mountainsmith for organizing all our gear for all our many activities

Seattle may have lost their Super Sonics, but they still have their Storm

It was somewhat akin to a pep rally, only on a much larger scale.  I don’t think I’ve seen as much audience participation at a sporting event since my high school was state champions back in the late 90s, and I think there’s a good reason for that.  In most cases, watching sporting events on TV gives you a much better shot of the action than when you’re actually at the game watching it.  But no telecast could possibly have come close to the excitement in the last quarter at the Seattle Storm game on Wednesday.

There were Bam Bams/ThunderStix (much to the delight of the kiddos), there was cheering, chanting and singing, and I don’t think anyone in the crowd actually needed a seat for the last half of the 4th quarter.  Normally, when I’m at a sporting event it will start to drag by the 3rd quarter and I’ll be checking the time and wondering when I will get home to finish off my to-do list, but I didn’t check my watch once during the night.  In fact, it felt like the game was over quicker than normal, which it wasn’t.  I guess that’s what happens when you are having fun. 

And we all were having fun, as a family.  Rare is the activity that can keep adults, almost-teens and babies entertained for almost two hours in plastic chairs, but I will definitely have to include Seattle Storm games in my entertainment arsenal from now on.  For a few dollars more than you would spend on going out to a movie, you can take your kids to see a live basketball game and live entertainment to boot.  In between quarters and during game breaks, they had numerous kids activities and entertainment, including the Seattle Storm Dance Troupe which was comprised of kids of various ages and was very cute to watch.  They also had contests and trivia as well as shirts they sent out into the audience with a giant sling-shot.  Beat that, local cinemas.   

Not only are the games very kid-friendly and family-oriented, I don’t think there’s a bad seat in the Key Arena during a Seattle Storm game, which makes watching the game for kiddos so much more enjoyable.  Even in the gigantic Key, it somehow still manages to feel intimate and the whole event seems really accessible.  Partly that is due to the atmosphere of the arena and the very friendly nature of the Seattle Storm fanbase.  They were a “no, after you” kind of group and the kind of folks that will hand you paper towels when they can see you have your hands full with two kids in the restroom.  

Taking your kiddos to sporting events has been a long tradition in my family, but one that I really hadn’t put much thought into until last night’s Storm game.  I guess I had thought that I would wait until baby was a bit older and able to appreciate it as much as the older kids, but I’m really glad I didn’t.  I don’t think I have ever seen my daughter look this excited, ever.  I think she thought the entire stadium was cheering for her and all her new moves, but I think it was just our section that was egging her on.  I guess there’s just something extra adorable about a baby who will stand and cheer through an entire WNBA game, especially when that kid is having the time of her life.

We were lucky enough to score some tickets to the autograph event after the game, and went to take our place in the signing line after the game had ended.  Unfortunately, we hadn’t thought much about what we were going to get signed until after we had already lined up.  When we decided to get some basketballs for the kids and went to check out the merch booth just a few minutes after the game had ended, we were very disappointed to find that even though they had five people still in the booth, they were not able to let us purchase the basketballs.  Next time we will know to get our merchandise sooner, and now so will you. 

In the end the kids had each of their Bam Bams signed for posterity, or at least until they deflate.  Ashley Walker (#44) and Sue Bird (#10) were on hand for the autograph session, and were very nice in the brief encounter.  They liked baby’s Weezer onesie and were very gracious to all that had lined up to see them, thereby making me a much bigger fan than I had walked in as. 

Speaking as one of Seattle Storm's newest fans, I have to say how impressed I was with the game, the entertainment and then the players.  It’s hard to think of many good role models for young girls these days, but the WNBA is one of those organizations you can really get behind.  Not only is their entertainment appropriate for all-ages, they pride themselves on their extensive charity programs and giving back to the community, which is something I can really get behind.

Here are a few of the programs the WNBA and the Seattle Storm participate in, as well as links to the websites where you can read more: 

• WNBA Cares:  http://www.wnba.com/cares/ 
• Read to Achieve: http://www.wnba.com/community/readtoachieve_020508.html
• Fast Break to Reading Program: http://www.wnba.com/fbtr/
• Go Red (American Heart Association): http://www.wnba.com/cares/goredforwomen_teams_090618.html
• Breast Health Awareness: http://www.wnba.com/bha/bha_2003.html
• Jr WNBA: http://www.nba.com/jrnba/  and  http://www.nba.com/jrnba/discover_homecourt_challenge_2008.html
• Nothing but Nets (partner): http://www.nothingbutnets.net/

Price: $10 and up

Looks: Like a basketball game, of course

Overall: A fun and low-stress activity for adults and kids of all ages.

 

You can stay in the WNBA loop and befriend them on the following social networking sites, as well as get game stats and media spots online at the links below:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Wnba
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wnba
• You Tube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/WNBA
• Widget (grab it at the bottom of this page): http://www.wnba.com/features/connect.html

A family-sized thank you to the One2One Network and the WNBA for organizing the Seattle Storm game!

 

Wet Sack by Generation Baby

It’s finally beach season here in the Northwest and oh boy are we excited since we’re surrounded by miles and miles of coastline that’s only good for skipping stones most of the year.  This long overdue heat means that everyone is flocking to the water park, coastline, or swimming pool to cool off and enjoy time with our kiddos.  Unfortunately, with water comes the inevitable wet mess that follows families home after the water adventure ends.  Generation Baby offers a hip, stylish and contained solution to corralling the wet mess and making water fun… more fun.

The Generation Baby line is all about functionality for parents on the go, and their Wet Sack is their crowing achievement.  Made of durable and waterproof fabrics, the generous sized Wet Sack is the perfect summertime tool for containing wet clothing, diapers and more and keeping the rest of the diaper bag or suitcase clean and dry.  It even comes with a clipped strap that can easily attach to strollers, backpacks and suitcases so your wet gear is easily accessible.  When the Wet Sack gets dirty (and it will, or you’re not using it correctly) you can just throw it into the wash with the wet mess you’re laundering. 

The Wet Sack is completely waterproof, but that should not be confused with water tight.  I couldn’t get mine to leak while holding soiled of wet clothing, diapers or gear, but you should note that it is not designed for actually filling with water for transport.  I filled mine to the top to see how it handled mass amounts of water and it actually performed pretty well, considering the seams are not sealed.  Even full of water, all I could produce was a trickle of water from the corners.  Not bad.

Features (From Generation Baby’s website):
• Machine Washable/Dry on Low
• Phthalate Free
• Lead Free
• Made with Organic Inks
• Made in Canada
• 12" x 13.5"

Random Rave:  The Wet Sack can work conversely as well, offering a contained dry bag for when everything’s soggy, sandy or dirty and you need to keep a few things dry and clean.  This is particularly useful for keeping a small change of clothing and a few diapers in for taking to the beach.  When your little one is ready to go home, you simply change them into their clean clothing from the dry bag and then put the wet stuff inside - now becoming a Wet Sack!

http://generationbaby.ca/ or visit their retailers page to see where to find them near you!

Price: $19.99

Looks: Adorable prints make carrying your wet gear stylish and hip

Overall:  Perfect for beach season, vacations, play dates and more!

Picture Keeper Review and Giveaway

The perfect solution for preserving your priceless memories

A few years ago, I got a frantic call from a friend who wanted me to come take pictures of her son immediately.  It turned out her computer had crashed and with it was the first 3 months of her newborn son’s life.  Of course, she had already deleted those pictures off her camera, never to be recovered again.  With this story, I learned my lesson… sort of.  I started making periodic backups of my pictures and spending a small fortune in burnable discs.  Since the sheer volume of pictures I take monthly can fill up CDs and DVDs in no time, I ended up with huge stacks of discs of all of my pictures I backed up each month.  I then had to figure out how to store those discs in the safest way without completely giving up my office.  When one of those discs was horribly scratched and my pictures were unrecoverable, I learned my lesson again…sort of.  It was then that I came up with the plan to just never delete my pictures off my memory cards in my cameras, a plan that hubby detests (loudly) every time he grabs one of my cameras and the memory card is inevitably full.  Not only is it expensive to buy a ton of memory cards, I’m sure you can imagine that this is a pretty inconvenient plan for impromptu photo shoots.

And then I found Picture Keeper, a photo storage solution that both hubby and I can agree on wholeheartedly.  My elation when I found Picture Keeper was only one notch below jubilant singing, and about 80,000 notches above how I (and hubby) felt about my previous picture backup system.  Picture Keeper is a truly intelligent image storage device, and something that I think everyone with a digital camera (in other words, everyone but my dear sweet grandma) should own. 

So, what is it, you ask?  It is the roughly the size of a hair clip and looks just like a standard USB flash drive.  But, what makes the Picture Keeper so cool, and why I’m absolutely raving about it, is how it works to save all your precious memories.  Instead of putting in a USB drive and then digging through your photo folders to find all the pictures you have taken since your last backup, just hoping you don’t overlook any, the Picture Keeper automatically searches your computer for picture files and then securely saves them.  Yes, automatically. 

When the Picture Keeper arrived, I did absolutely zero reading of instructions, mostly because the little device simply doesn’t require any instruction at all.  You simply plug it in and it does it all for you.  The first time I connected it to my computer it had its work cut out for it, since it had to search through years and years of photos and files to find all of my images to save (see image on left of a portion of those files it preserved for me).  It took a few hours for the device to pull them all and copy them to the Picture Keeper, which was fine because I had done it right before bed and I let it do its thing while I slept.  When I woke up the next morning I saw the message that all my files had been successfully saved.  Since I’m kind of a Nervous Nelly when it comes to irreplaceable files, I searched through the Picture Keeper device and was thrilled to see that every file was there (yes, I inventoried so you don’t have to).  Then I simply unplugged it and put it in my purse - which is incredibly convenient because now I have the ability to bore just about anyone with my years worth of baby pictures or my trip to Spain, all on a moment's notice. Company beware.  

Since the first download, I have done two other backups and am thrilled at the Picture Keeper service.  All I do is plug in the little device and within minutes it has scoured my computer for image files that are new since the last backup and then it adds them to the Picture Keeper.  No time lost going through files and folders searching for pictures, no worrying I missed important pictures, and no wondering if it was properly backed up because the Picture Keeper does all the work for me.  They even have an email reminder service that sends you an optional message reminding you to back up, taking absolutely all of the guesswork out of saving your pictures.

Once the pictures are backed up on the Picture Keeper, they are easily accessible and organized in their original folders and subfolders.  Genius, really.  The Picture Keeper's file saving program is all run off the USB device, so there are no special programs to download in order for the backup to run.  You can even use your Picture Keeper on multiple computers, which was great so I could collect all my pictures on my laptop and desktop and save them all onto the same Picture Keeper.  I was even able to take my Picture Keeper to work with me and backup all the pictures I had stored on my work desktop throughout the years, all effortlessly and securely. 

Random Rave: As cool as it is to save and store all your pictures, I found myself wishing that I had a Picture Keeper for backing up all my other files.  I'm sort of an Excel junkie, and tend to create mass amounts of data sheets that are as near and dear to me as old friends.  Imagine my excitement to find that the Picture Keeper can even be configured to save my entire collection of spreadsheets or word documents, just by changing the advanced settings on the back up.  I'm. In. Love.

http://www.picturekeeper.com/

Price: $29.99 and up, depending on storage capability

Looks: Just like it should be, functional and sleek

Overall: The perfect solution for picture storage.  Automatic, easy and secure - what more could you want?

And now for the Giveaway…

The wonderful folks at Picture Keeper have generously offered a Picture Keeper to one lucky Rave and Review reader!  To enter, just visit the site and find out what size you would need to preserve all your precious memories.  Then just come back here and tell me the size you would like and why you're excited about the Picture Keeper.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!
    1) Subscribe to Rave and Review (1 extra entry, must be verified to count)
    2) Tweet about this Giveaway (1 entry for every Tweet, just post link here)
    3) Blog about this Giveaway (1 extra entry)
    4) Place my logo or link in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link)
    5) Comment on any of my posts and then come back here and let me know (1 entry per comment)
    6) Share this post on Facebook (1 extra entry)
    7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc [email protected] for two bonus entries (I will never, ever contact your email ricipients)
 
Please leave a comment below for each of the extra entries
On August 6th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email

Congratulations to Kiley, the lucky winner of the Picture Keeper storage device.  Kiley said:

"I have your button:
peonieblossoms.blogspot.com"

Sophie the Giraffe and Chan Pie Gnon Friends

Meltdown Averted, Baby Distracted

What would you do for an extra 5 minutes of baby glee during your cousin’s very formal wedding, an impromptu phone call from your boss, or during a meltdown after a long day?  What if I told you that the going rate for glee is under $20?  Sophie and the Chan Pie Gnon Friends have arrived and have brought hours of joy with them.  They are one of our top rated secret weapons for when we desperately need just a few more minutes of silence, and why we are raving about Vulli Toys from France.

When baby was really little, I thought baby toys were rather silly.  Sure, they were cute, but they seemed somewhat unnecessary since baby seemed content to snuggle with my calculator.  In all my many shopping excursions preparing myself for baby’s arrival, I must have seen Sophie a half a dozen times and each time I talked myself out of purchasing her.  Instead, I bought a handful of cheaper teething toys and called it good. 

But once baby arrived, I found that she couldn’t hold teething rings very well and then once she could, she was completely uninterested in them.  Then, a few months after she was born, a salesclerk handed baby a Sophie to play with while we shopped and baby refused to let her go.  We not only ended up leaving the store with Sophie, baby also insisted on carrying her out in hand.

As with all items you place in a small child’s hands, Sophie went directly to the mouth.  But, what really amazed me was that baby completely went to town gnawing on her Sophie, reaching all the way back to her gums where her molars would eventually pop through.  Since her teeth have taken forever to fully emerge, Sophie has proven to be a lifesaver over and over again.

More than just a simple teething toy, Sophie the Giraffe stimulates all the senses:

• Sight:
Sophie’s high contrast coloring is perfect for new babies whose eyesight is still developing.  Sophie is easily recognizable to young children and keeps their attention longer than any other baby toy we have found.
• Hearing:
Sophie has a gentle squeak that baby loves and mama doesn’t mind a bit. It took baby quite a while before she associated the squeak with her immediate actions, but once she did it added a whole new level of play. 
• Taste:
Sophie the Giraffe is made from 100% natural (phthalate-free) rubber from the Hevea tree and is colored using food paint, giving her a distinct and pleasant taste and making her completely safe to chew. 
• Touch:
Her texture is similar to the old school brown rubber nipples and is just as pliable and chewable.  Baby absolutely loves the feel of Sophie and still snuggles her in her sleep. 
• Smell:
The unmistakable scent of natural rubber from the Hevea tree makes Sophie the Giraffe instantly recognizable, even to the youngest babies. 
• Easy to grip:
Sophie’s legs and neck are perfect for babies that are just learning to grasp objects.  At just around 7 inches and very lightweight, Sophie is small enough to take everywhere and big enough to not get lost during your outings. 

How many other chew toys can you say even half of that about?  It really is no surprise to me that since her creation in 1961, Sophie has been wildly popular in France.  Over 20 million happy babies (and parents!) have been delighted by their own Sophie La Giraffe, making it one of the best selling baby toys of all time.  Recently gaining in popularity in the US, Sophie the Giraffe is quickly becoming a staple for parents looking for a natural and safe alternative to conventional teethers.  

Vulli, the makers of Sophie the Giraffe, have guarded the secret of how this amazing toy is made for 48 years and show no signs of giving up their trade secrets.  The bummer is that means there are only a handful of toys made using their traditional 14 step process.  The good news is that Vulli also makes other products, the most exciting of which is a new line of soft and squeezable toys made with the same special formula as their Sophie offerings.  They are called Chan Pie Gnon, which comes from the French word champignon, meaning mushroom and are just as adorable as the original Sophie.  Not quite as easy to hold as the original Sophie La Giraffe but easier for baby to squeak, any of the three Chan Pie Gnon line would be the perfect friend for your baby’s Sophie the Giraffe.  

Still not sure you need a Vulli Toy for your little one?  Visit any one of the Vulli dealers in your area and offer a Sophie or Chan Pie Gnon for baby to hold.  Be prepared to leave with Sophie or Friends in hand.

http://www.vulli-toys.com or http://sophiegiraffeusa.com and available at numerous local stores and boutiques.  See listing of stores here.

Price: $15 for the Chan Pie Gnon series and around $20 for the original Sophie La Giraffe.  It may be a bit more than other teethers, but well worth the money if you consider baby won’t touch any of the 4 other cheaper teethers we purchased for her.

Looks:  Adorable on all counts.

Overall:  If you’re looking for a natural and safe alternative to plastic teething toys or you just love classic toys, Sophie and Friends were made for you and your little one. 

 

Thank you to caliSSON for introducing me to the newest Vulli Toys line.  As you can see, baby's not keen on sharing her Vulli Toys any time soon.

Nutcase Helmets and Little Nutty Helmets Review

Little Nutty, Lotta Safe

If you were to guess what my least favorite thing about biking would be, what would you guess?  No, it’s not spandex, there’s no law forcing me to wear that.  What I really, really dislike are the helmets.  I’m sure we can all agree that no one likes wearing helmets.  We do it because it’s safe, it’s the law, and most of all, we do it because we would never, ever let our kids go without and we feel we should set a good example… at least in one aspect of parenting. 

When we found Nutcase Helmets, we were so excited that we had finally found a full line of helmets that fit the entire family – in personality and in size.  Nutcase Helmet’s mission is simple: bringing personality (and tons of it, at that) to street, snow and wheeled sports of all kinds.  Sure, they have your traditional styles and basic colored helmets available, but what makes Nutcase Helmets so cool is that they have so many other options available as well.  They have by far the most extensive selection of designs and patterns I have seen in any helmet line, making it easy to find one that fits your entire family’s style and individuality.

When I was shopping for helmets a few years back, I made hubby go to 6 different stores looking for one that wasn’t bright red, severely pointed (either front or back) or uncomfortable.  Notice comfort was last on my list, because I really wasn’t expecting much comfort to be found in a hard plastic and dense foam hat.  I finally found the most basic helmet on the market - plain black and boring and completely mismatched with my bike.  My beautiful and adorable bike that has personality to spare was being brought down by a black monstrosity that was just as uncomfortable as I had imagined it would be.

Enter Nutcase Helmets, here to save my bike from black and boringness and make wearing a helmet fun while still being functional.  Their helmets come in a full range of styles and colors, so you’re sure to be able to find the perfect match for everyone in your family.  And best of all, after you fall in love with the looks, you will be absolutely elated by the level of comfort.  On the larger helmets this comfort is provided by the included extra pieces of foam liner in varying thicknesses that allow you to fine tune the fit to make it just right. And on the Little Nutty line of helmets, there is the Spin Dial System which allows you to dial in the perfect size as your child grows.  Even our littlest reviewers kept their helmets on without complaints, which is a far cry from the ear splitting screaming that followed our helmet shopping excursion just weeks earlier.  Better yet, the kids wanted to wear the helmets after seeing us in ours.  Parents, rejoice! 

Nutcase Helmets has a broad range of designs that can please everyone from a 3 year old to the pickiest teen.  From bright and colorful to demure solid colors, you are sure to find a helmet that fits everyone’s personality and matches their set of wheels or sport.  They have retro style patterns, tough looking decals, and the most adorable floral patterns that a baby (or mama) could ever find. 

Random Rave:  There are zero pointy ends on any of the Nutcase designs, which serves two purposes.  1) They are far more stylish than their supremely aerodynamic counterparts and 2) The flat design allows kids to rest their heads comfortably against bike trailers and toddler seats without having to hold their head at an awkward angle to keep it upright.  In fact, one of the quickest ways to get kids to sleep is to pop a Nutcase Helmet on them and ride. 

Random Rave #2: A Multi-Sport Helmet means that you don’t need to purchase and store multiple helmets for your entire family.  Good for bicycling, skateboarding, scooter and in-line or quad skaters, Nutcase Helmets cover just about any wheeled sport your kids can take up. 

http://www.nutcasehelmets.com/

Price: $45 - $50 in the Nutcase Website Online Store, as well as available at numerous local retailers near you

Looks: Unique and original designs for you and all your little noggins.

Overall: Bringing style and comfort to little Nutcases of all ages.