Rave & Review

Valco Baby Tri Mode EX Stroller with Toddler Seat Attachment

My husband and I took stroller shopping for our first baby very seriously.  The ultimate goal was to find one that was easy to use, comfortable for extended distances, and was able to grow with us – all without completely obliterating our buggy budget.  We had a list of requirements that our stroller had to have, but like most expectant parents, the one thing we didn’t factor in was our future family expansions.   

I don’t know of any parents that buy a double stroller when they are shopping for their first baby, and I can see why for a number of reasons.  First, double strollers are traditionally bulky and large, unable to maneuver and handle like a single model can.  Secondly, the idea of pushing around an extra baby seat for months or years before a second baby joins the family seems absurd at best.  Imagine my joy when I realized Valco Baby had a stroller that can truly grow with your family while solving the two problems above. 

Instead of a single stroller that you end up retiring as soon as a second baby is on the way, Valco Baby has created the Tri Mode Stroller that is fully functional as a single active stroller for your fist baby, but then expands and becomes a double stroller when you need one down the road.  Even when converted to a double stroller, the Valco Baby Tri Mode EX handles exceptionally well, is able to fit within narrow areas, and has the same footprint of the original stroller. 

I can hear you now asking “but how is that possible?” and the answer is as simple as it is genius.  Instead of having two seats that ride next to each other or one behind the other and requiring extra width and length when maneuvering, the Valco Baby employs an add on toddler seat that rides above the original stroller seat.  This means that the Tri Mode stroller with the toddler seat handles and moves like a single stroller, but still is able to carry two children comfortably.

Because the toddler seat is removable, you can alternate between having a double or single stroller quickly and easily.  So, when your toddler insists on walking to the store, you can simply put your baby in the main stroller seat and place the toddler seat in the lower storage basket.  Then, when your toddler is exhausted after all their walking, you can quickly remove the toddler seat from the basket and convert the Valco Baby Tri Mode to a double stroller for the walk home. 

Even though my daughter is an only child, she absolutely insists on riding in the toddler seat whenever it’s attached (shown on the right with the optional toddler seat canopy to shield both children from rain and sun).  In fact, once she saw the toddler seat in action, she dropped everything she was doing and asked to be wheeled around the house in the Tri Mode toddler seat.  We actually had to hide the toddler seat in order to get her into the Tri-Mode stroller seat for a walk, but she still continued to ask for the toddler seat on the way to the store. 

Why I’m loving the Tri Mode: I love that Tri Mode by Valco Baby is not a traditional jogging stroller.  Since I’m not a runner by nature, I really didn’t need a full-on jogging stroller for daily use but since we’re an active family that covers a huge amount of ground, a city stroller often didn’t make much sense.   I found myself looking for an all terrain buggy that could easily convert between swivel and fixed wheel settings for when I did go on a run and the Valco Baby Tri Mode EX could not have been a better fit. 

The Tri Mode is a three wheeled stroller that has three different strolling options to give me the most versatility in a stroller while on the go.  Instead of a traditional fixed wheel jogger, the Tri Mode has three different wheel options that are easy to change back and forth with a twist of a knob.  You can choose between a fixed front wheel, 45 degree turning capability or a full 360 degree swivel wheel so you can have the most control over your ride. 

The ultimate in mobility: The Tri Mode wheels can handle virtually any terrain, while giving you one of the smoothest and most fluid handling strollers that I have ever used.  The air-filled 12” tires give baby the most comfortable ride possible while the swivel of the front wheel allows you to make 360 degree turns with almost no effort at all.  In fact, we have found that you can actually make those 360 degree turns one handed, while holding an iced coffee in the other.  One handed operation has become a feature that is absolutely crucial to me the older my daughter gets.  Between the unpredictability of a toddler and every parent’s need to multi-task while strolling, being able to have one hand free really does make all the difference in the world. 

To add to its mobility, the Tri Mode has a shorter frame and a smaller footprint than a full jogger, but is still big enough to grow with your child and give you the base for adding the additional toddler sear as needed.  Speaking of growing with your child, Valco Baby offers numerous stroller configurations for strolling from infant and beyond with an optional infant bassinet, car seat attachments, and even a hitch hiker board for if you have three children to stroll.  Yes, that’s right, the Valco Baby Tri Mode can even become a 3 child stroller down the road.  Large families everywhere are cheering.

A luxury ride for all ages: Even without the optional bassinet attachment, the Valco Baby Tri Mode comes standard with numerous features that make it suitable for even young children.  It has a 5 point harness that would be nearly impossible for a young child to master unlatching on their own.  An infant insert is included with the Tri Mode purchase and can be removed once your child no longer needs the extra support.  The padded main stroller seat can fully recline with a one handed operation and can be adjusted at any angle to accommodate any aged child.  Coupled with the stroller’s smooth ride, the Tri Mode is really the way to stroll in ultimate comfort. 

Large canopy and rain cover: The Tri Mode has a great big canopy that can even be unzipped to extend even further around your baby as well as a mini visor that can be flipped out, which is perfect for Seattle’s unpredictable weather and penchant for rain.  The canopy is also multi-positional and offers a “moon roof” with cover for easy viewing of your little one.  The Tri Mode comes with a plastic rain cover that can envelope the entire stroller for maximum water protection, but I have to say that the extendable canopy is one of my favorite features since I am constantly trying to “wait out” the rain and refuse to go to the trouble of attaching a rain cover unless I’m in a full fledged downpour. 

Features all parents will appreciate: In addition to strolling your kids in maximum comfort, the Tri Mode has some really cool features for parents, like an extra large storage basket that can hold a huge amount of stuff and even has external pockets to help organize your small stuff.  An included tire pump is hidden in a pouch on the underside of the stroller seat and ensures that you are never left stranded on the side of the road with three children.  Another really cool feature for parents on the go is the removable pouch on the back of the canopy that has pockets and storage for all your necessities.  If you have to be away from your stroller, you can simply zip off the pouch and take your valuables with you.

Since hubby and I are both tall, we really appreciate the fact that the Tri Mode handle is fully adjustable in both directions, allowing for a huge range of handlebar heights.  Whether you are in the extra tall range, have a short stature, or find yourself in the middle of the old height bell curve, the Valco Baby Tri Mode is a surprisingly good fit all around.  For couples who have a huge height difference, you will be happy to note that the handlebar adjustment is not only exceptional in range, it is also incredibly quick to adjust on the go.

And, if you’re on the go all day like I am, you will be sure to appreciate that the Tri Mode folds up much smaller than any other all terrain stroller I have ever seen.  Whereas most joggers and walking strollers simply fold in half, the Tri Mode has a double fold system that makes the finished folded stroller much easier to place in a compact sedan.  All wheels are quick release, which makes the compact fold even easier to accommodate in tight spaces, as well as making it easier to keep your trunk clean even when you’ve been walking through the dirt all day. 

Features from the Valco Baby website:

Tri-mode Open 26"W x36"L

Handle Adjusts from 30”H to 44"H

Tri-mode Folded 26"W x29"L x18"H

Tri-mode Folded (wheels removed) 21"W x26"L x15.5"H

Seat Width 12.5”

Seat Depth 9”

Backrest Height 19”

Footrest Length 14”

Height from Seat to Hood 25”

Maximum passenger weight 45 lbs

Stroller Weight 23 lbs

If you are a jogger, speed walker, or merely an all terrain walker, you should seriously consider the Valco Baby Tri Mode as a great stroller option, whether you have one child, two or even three.  When you add up the savings of not having to purchase two (or more) strollers, the Tri Mode is well worth the already reasonable price.  If you still need convincing, just consider it a gift to yourself that will keep you healthy, active and adventure ready….. and a gift your whole family is sure to appreciate too. 

http://www.valcobaby.com/
 
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A huge thank you to Valco Baby for sending their Tri Mode EX and toddler seat attachment for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

After this review was posted, it was brought to our attention that in light of a Consumer Reports independent test, Valco Baby was working on improving the optional Napper Bar that is shown in the uppermost Tri Mode image without the Toddler Seat attachment.  The current Napper Bar does not affect the functionality of the stroller in any way and does not pose any risk to children who are strapped into the stroller with the 5 point harness.  Please visit the Valco Baby website for more information regarding the Napper Bar improvements and how to keep informed of when the new bar is available.   

Basil Stylish Bicycle Bags Review and Giveaway

If you’ve ever done a search for bicycle pannier bags you know how limited the selection is.  If you’ve got a cruiser bicycle or a bike that requires a bit more style and sophistication than the sporty selections available at most bike shops, I am going to save you a few hours of research and send you directly to Basil, a company based in the Netherlands that makes the coolest bike bags anywhere.

Pannier bags are more than luggage for your ride, they are what makes hauling the gear you need for your journey, work stuff, picnic paraphernalia, and more possible without having to wear all that weight on your shoulders.  Since our regular bicycling oftentimes includes grocery shopping and farmers markets and always includes kiddos, having a good bike bag is an absolute necessity. 

For years now I have been lamenting the fact that pannier style bicycle bags for my beautiful ride were impossible to find.  A quick look into bicycle chat rooms will tell you that there are many, many bicycle owners who agree that bike pannier bags are rarely described as stylish.  I had almost given up the hope of a bag as beautiful as my bike until I found Basil and promptly fell in love with numerous pannier bags in their collection. 
Here’s a look at some of our favorite Basil Pannier bags:

The Basil Jada Double Bag - What originally sold me on the Basil Jada was the adorable design.  Yes, I know I require a lot of hauling and handling from my bike bag and shopping for biking accessories based on looks alone is not the best plan, but since cute was an ultimate requirement of mine if it was going to permanently ride with me, I thought I might as well choose my favorite design and give it a whirl.  It just so happens that the grey/white floral print Jada Panniers couldn’t possibly be a better fit for my little beach cruiser bicycle, both in looks and in functionality. 

The Basil Jada is made from water repellent polyester and each bag measures 14.5”*6”*12”.  While they are lightweight when not loaded, the Basil Jada Panniers come packed with features of a serious pannier bag, from reflective strips to pockets galore to store all that little stuff that would easily get misplaced on a bumpy ride in a big bag.  While it does have numerous pockets (5 on each bag, 10 in total) and various storage capabilities including elastic holders to keep items upright and organized, the two main compartments can only be described as cavernous  with 35L capacity combined.  The bottoms of each bag can be rigid with the included bottom insert, or you can fold the rigid bottom up or take it out completely if you’re hauling soft items. 

I have been able to cary obscene amounts of gear with me in the Jada Panniers, adding some serious style without horribly effecting the quality of my ride.  The bag has a cinch-able top that is covered by a double lined flap top with a stiff edge to keep the flap from flying up as you ride.  You can still access all four side pockets of the Jada Double Bag as well as still unzip the very front pockets on both bags when the top is closed, making grabbing little items even easier on the trail.  I love that when the water repellent double lined flap is down it completely covers the top of the bag and the main storage compartments.  So, when the Pacific Northwest weather doesn’t cooperate and I get caught biking through a downpour, the contents of the Jada Panniers stay surprisingly dry.

Basil D’Azur Double Bag - A classic look with a slightly military-esque feel, the Basil D’Azur is anything but your typical bicycle pannier bag.  Made of a thick and robust water repellent canvas with a blue striped inner lining, the Basil D’Azur styling can work on both classic bicycles, city cruisers and European inspired rides, and every thing in between.  The double D’Azur can hold an amazing 40L of gear with a boxy and utilitarian classic styling, which makes it perfect for day trips as well as hauling groceries and more home from the market.  The bottoms of both double bags can be reinforced with the included rigid inserts, or you can keep the bag folded flat against your bike by folding up or removing that insert.  The bottoms of both bags have an even higher level of waterproofness, which is great if you remove your bags at your destination and need to stand them up.

Each Basil D’Azur bag measures 15”*7”*13” and comes with straps to attach additional gear to as well as a huge main storage compartment.  Both sides of the bag has reflective strips for safety, all without compromising it’s great looks for function.  The Basil D’Azur line of Basil bags is absolutely one to check out on the Basil site - there are messenger bags, an amazing D'Azur Weekender bag measuring 17”*7 3/4”*12” with more pockets than you could use in a lifetime, and even more D'Azur products available that can give your bike it’s very own luggage set.  For those of you who bike for weekend trips or even load up for camping, the D’Azur series is absolutely for you.   

Basil Tour XL Double Bag  - For those of you who have a sportier ride to outfit, Basil also makes a line of practical and functional pannier bags that can go from mountain bike to city streets with ease and makes hauling all your gear easy and efficient.  Each Basil Tour XL bag measures 13”*7”*13” and is extra large for transporting everything from work bags to sports equipment and makes these the ultimate city necessity.  They are made from a water repellent 600D polyester and have sporty features like a rounded front for those who tend to kick their bags with their heels when riding vigorously. 

The bag is reinforced and sturdy, which makes it great for hauling just about anything and everything, and it comes with pockets to help organize all that gear while you ride.  The sides and bottom of the Tour XL can even be double reinforced when you use their included side and bottom rigid inserts.  These inserts can all be removed if you find them unnecessary, which allows the bag to fold flat against the sides of your rear rack and keeps them out of the way when you’re not using them. 

When full, the bags can unfold to hold all of your gear and they have a slightly padded top that covers both the top of the Tour XL as well as rounding over the sides to keep the insides of the bag from filling up with water in a downpour and keeps the contents of the bag safe and secure no matter where you ride.  The inside of the Basil Tour XL is covered with a wipe-able material that is easy to clean out and adds to the bag’s water proofness.  Reflective strips on all sides are great to help make the dark bag visible at night, which is great because you just may forget what time it is when you’ve got a whole days worth of gear and toys with you on your journey. 

A note to keep in mind – the Basil Pannier Bags don’t come with much in the way of instructions and trail-and-error may be required in order to fit the bags to your bike or rack.  Since the Basil Pannier bags are secured with adjustable straps and bands, you can get a really nice custom fit to your bike by making minor adjustments here and there as necessary.  Most pannier bags require a rear rack for your bicycle, and Basil bags are no different.  Basil does make their own rear bike racks you can purchase, or you can simply use any old bike rack in your local bike shop.  

To see more Basil products, visit their website at http://www.basil.nl/.  Prepare to spend some time there, they've got one of the largest supplies of bike gear anywhere, all of which I would love to own. 

Where to buy: In the States you can use the Basil retailer locator on their website.

 

HearthSong Wooden Retro Kitchen

When you’re talking classic toys for children of all ages, you are most certainly going to be talking about HearthSong.  They have one of the most amazing selections of toys that inspire the type of child’s play we all want for our kids.  Whether it is imagination inspiring toys that can become just about anything your child can dream up, outdoor toys to burn off energy, or games and puzzles to pass time during the rainy days of spring, HearthSong has a huge selection of gifts at a great price.

HearthSong is the kind of site I could spend all day at, checking out their vast selection of toys and wishing that I had an unlimited toy budget for all the children in my life.  It’s not just that they have all the items that I am searching for; it’s that they have them at a great price as well as HearthSong exclusives that you won’t find anywhere else. 

The site is incredibly easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for quickly and easily.  With headers offering drop down lists and a side bar with numerous ways to search for the perfect gift, shopping can be as quick as you’d like it, or you can spend hours browsing their selection like my daughter and I do.  If you have a particular item in mind, you can use their search function, or you can shop by price, interest or age range, amongst other categories.  These are perfect for the seasoned kid’s toy connoisseur like myself, as well as for aunts, uncles, godparents and grandparents to pick up that one special gift that is sure to be the hit of the party.

Because of its classic toy styling, I was immediately drawn to the HearthSong exclusive Wooden Retro Kitchen that is an adorable take on the heirloom quality wood play kitchen.  The Retro Play Kitchen is beautiful and sure to inspire hours of play, in spite of being the best priced wooden play kitchen I have seen anywhere.  Sold in a set of two with a sink and stove unit and a separate mini refrigerator, the HearthSong Retro Kitchen is a fraction of the cost of other modular kitchens for kiddos.  Instead of selling each piece separately and marking up the price for each, HearthSong understands that no kitchen is complete without all pieces and sells the set at a huge discount over individual pieces.   

Besides being absolutely adorable, the pink and chrome Wooden Retro Kitchen stands out with its ample storage space, something that seems to be lacking in a lot of other kitchens we’ve looked at.  Everyone knows that to truly enjoy your kitchen you need to have food and all sorts of accessories, but most kitchens have little to no storage space for all the fun stuff.  The Retro Kitchen may be tot size and compact, but the sink and stove unit itself has more storage than my little sister’s apartment, which is great because I think we have more stuff to store for our play chef than her and her roommate do combined. 

The sink and stove unit is 26"L x 15"W x 27"H and has a great retro styling that includes a battery operated clock and curved detailing.  Below the removable sink basin is a cabinet that could potentially hold all of our massive collection of play food and then some.  It has a sturdy wooden handle that opens to reveal a cabinet with a removable shelf.  This shelf can be taken out if you store your food in large storage bins or totes, or left in to help organize the many small items that come with fake food sets. 

The oven has the same sturdy handle and is hinged to the side for safety – so little kids cannot step on the oven door to climb - and is as large as the adjoining cabinet.  The oven can accommodate even the largest play cookware, including a large wooden cookie sheet and a 10” round fake pizza stone that has a 4” handle.  The oven also has a removable shelf that is painted to look like an oven rack, so we can get numerous dishes cooking at once.  Above the oven is an awesome stove top that has four raised burners, each with its own wooden knob that makes a satisfying clicking noise as you turn. 

The refrigerator/freezer unit is 16-1/2"L x 14"H x 31"W and includes the same curved styling as the sink and stove unit.  It can hold a massive amount of food, condiments and bins that store all sorts of kitchen goodies, and play perishables.  The door of the fridge has a great condiment holder and egg storage area just like mom’s fridge does, and the main fridge has a shelf to help organize and corral the smaller food items.  The freezer space is on the bottom of the fridge unit and offers yet another large storage space for goods and food. 

Because of the modular design that allows the units to be placed separately, the Retro Kitchen is easy to place in your child’s room, playroom, or even your living room.  And, unlike ugly primary color kitchens, the pink and chrome Retro Kitchen is cute enough to display.  It is big enough to allow two or more children to play at once in the kitchen, as well as storing a whole family’s stash of play food, the Retro Kitchen is the perfect kitchen to grow with your family.  

Having seen firsthand the quality and attention to detail that goes into a HearthSong exclusive, I will absolutely be recommending HearthSong to family and friends who are looking for that perfect gift that will inspire their children and will last through multiple kids.  As well as having great quality merchandise at already low prices, you can find some amazing deals in HearthSong’s sale and clearance section to stretch your toy budget.

And, as if every day low prices and sale prices aren’t enough, HearthSong also offers a $200 gift card giveaway every month that you can enter to win at their website.  If you’re feeling lucky, you should click here to go directly to the contest page.  You can also become a fan of HearthSong on Facebook to keep up to date on all special promotions and discounts. 

http://www.hearthsong.com/

Retro Kitchen Price: MSRP $269, but it is currently on sale for $199

If you're looking for even more classic toys, you should check out our reviews of the following:

Pia Ericksson Thilde Collection * Sophie La Giraffe and Chan Pie Gnon Friends * Darda Racetrack * Lilly Bean Felt Foods * Bodemi Super Hero Capes * Corolle Classic Baby Dolls * Adorable Kinders Rag Dolls * Plan Toys Rwist Sorter * Bambino Grande Pull Sled * Rody Gymnic Horse * Steiff Animals

A huge thank you to HearthSong for sending their exclusive Retro Kitchen to be reviewed and for telling us more about the HearthSong family of products.  All opinions are 100% mine and no monetary compsensation was received for this Rave Review.

 

Spring Wardrobes (and More) for Less at TJ Maxx and Marshalls

 
  
Saving money is top of almost everyone’s list right now, which is why I love that there are so many discount stores near me that I can go to when I’m shopping for holidays, birthdays, or just to get myself something special while keeping our budget intact.  Two of my favorite discount stores are T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, which I honestly had no idea were sister stores until just this last month.  What I did know was that both of the chains were not only chock full of great deals, but also were very well organized and laid out in a way to where you don’t end up digging for hours just to find a deal. 

Case in point:  recently we took a family trip to our nearby T.J. Maxx with the intention of grabbing a few spring clothing necessities as part of their Wake Up Your Spring Wardrobe For Less campaign, but in our quick trip through the store, we ended up with a cart full of bargains that were too good to pass up.  So good, in fact, that I bought ahead a few holidays and scored a birthday present for my daughter, a Father’s Day present for hubby, and a birthday present for my sister.  Oh, and I also got us all a thing or two for the house, a new book to read, and a present for one of our favorite baby sitters… and that’s only on a quick walk-through.  No digging and no searching for that great deal – the finds we walked away with were just some of the dozens we saw throughout the store. 

The experience was very similar at Marshalls, only this time I was flying solo and looking for some pieces for my new Spring wardrobe.  I focused mostly on the women’s section to see what kinds of versatile pieces I could get at a fraction of department store prices and then to the kid's area.  As every other trip to Marshalls has gone in the past, I ended up with a good collection of items that I narrowed down to three name-brand basics I can wear well into Summer and even Fall.  I even got my daughter a little something that was too adorable to pass up.   

Besides all the great deals on clothing, we always seem to find great household items that we can’t leave without at both T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.  From lamps to pictures, and pans to kitchen gadgets, we always have a blast seeing what treasures we can find.  In fact, one item that I never would have thought about getting there but have now gone back multiple times for is luggage.  It started with one carryon years ago and now we have outfitted our entire family with full sets of luggage at substantial savings over purchasing from a department store.   

If you’re like me and need a kick to your warm weather wardrobe or maybe you have a list of people to buy for, you will find some great deals at both T.J. Maxx and Marshalls with all the quality and name brands you’re looking for.  I try to go at least once every season to scope things out for the upcoming holidays and birthdays, but since their selection is constantly changing, I could easily go once a month and see something new each time!  

Visit them online at http://www.tjmaxx.com/ and http://www.marshallsonline.com/

You can even follow them on Twitter and Facebook and share your good deals you find with other fans!

Twitter http://twitter.com/tjmaxx or http://twitter.com/marshalls

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TJMaxx or http://www.facebook.com/Marshalls

Thank you to TJ Maxx and Marshalls for sending a gift card so we could check out their new Spring selections and share with readers.  A few of our purchases are displayed above - except the presents we have yet to gift to the recipient!  All opinions are 100% mine and no monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review. 

April Showers Need Corolle Umbrellas

All of us here at Rave Central are huge Corolle fans, and not just because they have the most adorable dolls and accessories.  When we think Corolle, we think of the utmost in quality dolls that can grow with your children and become beloved members of the family.  With all sorts of birthdays coming up and a special little girl turning two, we are of course thinking Corolle again and incredibly excited about their upcoming Spring promotion. 

This Spring, customers will receive a limited edition Corolle umbrella with any Corolle purchase over $35 from any participating specialty store.  The umbrella is absolutely adorable and sure to brighten any young girl’s day with its pink on pink Corolle design and bright pink handle.  Like everything Corolle, the limited edition umbrella is made with quality features such as large plastic tips covering all umbrella points and a tag that your child can personalize to make sure their umbrella makes it home with them at the end of the day.

These little umbrellas hit stores the week of April 20th.  Remember that supplies are limited, so be sure to shop early to make sure your little one will be taking home this special gift along with their very special doll or accessory.  

To find a retailer near you, simply click here to be directed to the Corolle site stockists.

http://www.corolle.com/  

 
 
A big thank you to Corolle for sending us this special limited edition umbrella and telling us about their Spring in-store promotion.  As always, no monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Therm-a-Rest Mattresses and Accessories

For many people, camping is a solitary activity, a way to get away from everything and clear your mind while out by yourself.  I have always felt just the opposite, that camping is much better if you include good friends.  I found that by getting rid of all the distractions of city life, you end up spending real quality time together.  So, you can imagine my disappointment when every year approximately 72.4% of the people I invite refuse to go on any wilderness expeditions, stating; “I’m sorry, I only sleep in a bed.”  Little do they know, I have that same standard, but yet have been happily camping for years. 

My secret is my Therm-a-Rest Mattress and Pillow, which not only ensure I get a good night’s sleep, they also satisfy a small part of my craving for cool gear.  (As everyone who knows me will confirm, half of my desire to go camping is merely an excuse to go play with all the fun toys and gadgets that have been shrunken down for outdoor use.)  More than just an ordinary sleeping pad, the offerings from Therm-a-Rest represent the latest technology in outdoor sleeping and it’s why they continue to be my go-to company for outdoor comfort. 

The Mattresses: Depending on your sleep style, and how much or little weight you are willing to carry on your journey, there is sure to be a perfect mattress for you.  From casual and pro Summer/Spring campers all the way to the year-round diehard enthusiasts, Therm-a-Rest offers numerous options in different pack weights that are all self inflating and designed with durability and comfort in mind.  We got to try out the ProLite Plus as well as the ProLite Women’s mattress, because I couldn’t sleep in comfort while my wife slept on her old mat.  What makes the ProLite Plus different from the ProLite series is that with only a few ounces more weight it adds warmth enough to extend your camping into the shoulder season.   

Having tried and loved other Therm-a-Rest products before, I was really excited to try out the newest ProLite models and see for myself why these little mattresses are top of serious camper’s wishlists.  After just one trip with the ProLite Plus, I was incredibly impressed by both the comfort and the low weight and pack size as compared to my almost 7 year old model.  While my wife would never be described as the camping type, even she was incredibly impressed with the comfort afforded by a mere inch and a half of cushion in the Women’s ProLite Plus and the extra warmth in the torso and foot areas that kept her warm all night long.  She even went as far as to say that the sleeping portion of camping doesn’t get much better than this, unless of course, you’re one of those car campers that brings along your entire bed when you camp. 

Accessories Galore:  For those of you who adore gadgets as much as I do, you will love that the Therm-a-Rest family of mattresses come with some really cool accessories to really maximize the usefulness of the original purchase.  Some of my favorite accessories in the Therm-a-Rest line have got to be the Trekker Lounger, Trekker Chair, and Compack Chair.  These allow you to convert your mattress into a chair for around your campsite so every bit of camping can be as comfortable as possible.  The Compack Chair is by far the best for overnight hiking trips in that it weighs a mere 6oz and fits over any 20” wide mattress.  Constructed with ultralight silnylon and aluminum poles for the lightest load possible and the smallest pack size ever, you aren’t likely to notice the addition of the Compack to your pack, but will be really glad you have it once you reach your campsite.  For casual campers, the Trekker series might work just fine and give you a few more premium features for the ultimate in lounging.

To me, what makes any of the Therm-a-Rest chairs so great is that they are actually a great way to get some use of your mattress outside of camping.  Using our chair attachments, we have padded up our seats at countless concerts, bleachers at sporting events and hard ground at family picnics.  And best of all, since they are designed to be as light and carryable as possible, it’s never a hassle to bring them along.  Plus, if you get sleepy and there’s enough room, you’ve got a cozy spot to lay out to watch the stars or take a family nap. 

The Therm-a-Rest mattresses can even be covered in their own special sheets and have their own line of down comforters to envelope yourself in for a cozy night’s sleep.  For the ultimate in comfort while enjoying nature, you can’t go wrong with the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillows that will really make you feel like you are at home, no matter where you sleep at night.  We’ve owned a Compressible Pillow for years and would highly recommend them as well.  They are an absolute necessity for car travel, overnight airplane and train trips, as well as hostel travel. 

Knowing that we can use our Therm-a-Rest mattresses and accessories for so many activities makes them worth every penny, but truthfully, even if I used them just once a year in our tent it would be just as valuable.  One of the things I love about camping is that every little thing is an event, whether that is making lunch, searching for the perfect marshmallow stick, or just going for a walk.  It sure would be hard to enjoy all these events after getting no sleep, which is why you won’t catch me outdoors without my Therm-a-Rest mattress.  Now, if I can convince the other 72.4% of my friends to buy one, I can finally have some company on my next camping trip. 

Price: $79.95 - $119.95 for Small to Large in the ProLite Plus, $89.95 for the Women’s version of the ProLite Plus.
Accessories Pricing: Compack Chair $44.95, and the Compressible Pillow $17.95 – 29.95

http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest

A big thank you to Cascade Designs for sending a review sample of the ProLite Mattresses and Compack Chair and Compressible Pillow for us to try out for a few months and review.  We loved the ProLite so much that we purchased the men's version to use on future trips.  No monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

DownEast Basics Review and Giveaway

The snow and ice is finally melting and we’re all thinking about breathing some life back into our closets.  The DownEast Basics new spring arrivals are the perfect place to start to get your wardrobe ready for the warm weather ahead.  With skirts, flutter tops, swim separates and even handbags, DownEast Basics has a full line of spring and summer apparel that can take you from work to play and back again, even on a tight budget. 

Everyone wants to save money wherever they can, but a discount is worth nothing if the quality of the sale item is not worth buying in the first place.  DownEast Basics understands that a good deal has to be good quality, too, and has created a whole line of clothing that is not only affordable, but also incredibly stylish and sophisticated at the same time.  I really love their full line of tops that look flattering and feminine, as well as their classic and trendy handbags that have a much lower price than department stores sell them for. 

Because I’m always looking for a great pair of jeans I can wear during the week and into the weekend, I was thrilled to get my hands on the Tall & Trim Trouser Jeans by DownEast Basics.  Of course, the fact that both “tall” and “trim” are in the product name was initially a selling point, but what completely sold me on the Trouser Jeans was their sophisticated approach to laid-back demin.  With a nautical inspired mid rise cut and a dark wash that can go from day to night, the Trouser Jeans are both fashionable and fun at the same time.  The Trouser Jeans have a flared cut and a wide cuff that make them perfect for dress shoes as well as sandals and sneakers.  And, because I’m truly sick of high-water pants, I love that the Tall & Trim Trousers come in your choice of two inseams.

Of course, I also fell in love with their Platinum Jeans, which comes in four different lengths from 30” to 36”, including short and extra tall (be still, my heart).  After trying out their denim firsthand, the Platinum Jeans are now first on my list of items I will be purchasing for fall. 

I know a lot of people get nervous about buying clothing online and don’t want to worry about having to ship items back if they are not quite right, so I always love a company that has true to size clothing and a good size chart for reference.  It’s especially nice that they include all inseam sizes and talk about the fit of the product in the item description, helping you get the best fit for your body.  If you're lucky enough to live near a DownEast Basics brick and mortar store, you can go check out their line in person, see list of locations here.   

As much as I love the Tall & Trim Trouser Jeans, I really adore that the whole DownEast Basics spring line with their fun and feminine styles for every woman and even some adorable styles for little girls as well.  With completely affordable clothing that looks like anything but discount wear, DownEast Basics offers both the classic pieces every girl should have in her wardrobe as well as the fun new styles that still look elegant as well as incredibly wearable.

http://www.downeastbasics.com/  

To make your shopping even more fun, DownEast Basics is offering a special "Buy 3 - SAVE $15" promotion.  Buy any three mix-and-match swim pieces and save $15 on the entire order now through May 2.  Enter promo code SWIM3 at checkout.  

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win an item from the DownEast Basics new arrivals!

To Enter: You must visit the DownEast site and comment below with what DownEast Basics New Arrival 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 DownEast Basics on Facebook and leave them a message letting them know 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 R&R has)

On May 14th 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 must not have won a giveaway sponsored by DownEast Basics in the past 90 days.

A huge thank you to DownEast Basics for sending their Tall and Trim Trouser Jeans to be reviewed and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

CafePress Review and Giveaway

Who doesn’t like a unique and personalized gift?  I love that on CafePress I literally only need to know one or two movies, TV shows or interests a person has and I can find them dozens and dozens of t-shirts, mugs, household goods and even SIGG Water Bottles that would be a perfect present for good friends as well as the office party secret santa.  I typed in the name of every show I watch and was really surprised by the number of products that came up, but absolutely shocked that I would have worn most of them, if not all of them in most cases. 

Definitely working for CafePress is the ability to choose both the design you would like and also the color of the object the image will be put on.  Most popular shirt designs come in the most boring colors – white or black – so it was really cool that you can change things up a bit and add some color into a good number of their designs.  They also come in a variety of sizes from baby and toddler all the way to adults and maternity, which means that you can get everyone in your family a gift from CafePress.    

We spent a good few hours checking out all the pop culture and media design categories seeing all the shirts made from our favorite shows and characters, but in the end since we were getting father/daughter shirts, we went with a design that wasn’t as pop cultural specific since it was going to be worn by a toddler.  And, since hubby was going to be wearing it well after our daughter outgrew 3T, I let him have the final say on what shirt we ended up with.  We ended up going with a camping shirt, because hubby is 100% convinced camping is going to be our daughter’s favorite thing to do with her dad… you know, besides having him feed her ice cream.  I loved that when I typed in the word “camping” into their search engine, numerous other keywords (hiker, camper, national park, hike, camp, trail, hiking, forest, outdoors, scenic, travel, hobbies, nature, sports) also were searched at the same time, thereby giving us 14X the chance that the perfect shirt was going to emerge in our search. 

The image of what they ended up with is at the right.  We got the blue toddler shirt with green writing and then the grey with green adults shirt, so as not to make them too matchy matchy but still have the same logo and design to make sure that everyone knows who that cute little toddler with the camping shirt belongs to.  Seriously, how could you not love a good father/daughter t-shirt set?

Another thing I love about CafePress is the custom design feature, better known as the “Can’t find it?  Make it!” section that give you full creative license over your design, allowing you to upload photos and more to create that perfect gift for anyone.  If you're looking for a unique gift, you should check out the millions of personalized gifts at CafePress! 

http://www.cafepress.com/

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a mother/child or father/child shirt set of their choice - they don't have to be matching, but they absolutely can be!

To Enter: You must visit the CafePress site and comment below with the products you 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 May 4th 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 Cori Westphal who won the CafePress shirt combo! 

A huge thank you to CafePress for adding a bit more adorable into our lives by sending a special father/daughter shirt set to be reviewed.  No monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.

Naturalizer N5 Comfort Shoes Review and Discount Code

Many of you already know my non-negotiable rule: the only time you will ever find me wearing uncomfortable shoes is when I am a bridesmaid.  That means that roughly 99.999% of the time I will be wearing comfortable shoes, and why I’m so excited about the N5 Comfort Elements collection from Naturalizer.  I am extremely picky about what makes it into my footwear collection, especially when I’m searching for stylish shoes that fit my requirements.  So, when I heard about the Naturalizer N5 Comfort Elements collection that was hailed to be both comfortable and stylish, I had to see it for myself. 

One look at the Naturalizer site and I had a 5 pair wish list that I was dying to try out.  The whole Naturalizer line is extremely practical, but the N5 especially has a whole range of footwear that can fit anyone’s taste.  We’re talking sandals, mary janes, slip-ons, oxfords, dress shoes, boots and office footwear all with N5 all-day wearability. 

So, which style did I choose?  It was a tough choice, but because we’re really thinking Spring here in the NW, I decided to go with one of the open toe designs.  Since most of our traveling happens when the weather’s warm, finding shoes that can go with both skirts and jeans is always a huge priority to me.  The Aurora Dress Sandals from Naturalizer are perfect for all my Summer apparel and even go well into Fall since they easily work with slacks, khakis and jeans just as well.  In fact, even though they are sandals, I prefer them peeking out from under jeans, adding a red pop to my outfits.  

As you would expect from the N5 line, the Aurora Sandals are extremely comfortable and incredibly practical in my days of chasing a toddler.  The outsole of the shoe is nonskid and rubberized so you can wear it anywhere safely, which for me is an absolute necessity.  The thicker heel base is also a little bit bigger than a dollar coin and gives you a wider base to stand and walk on, making the short 1 ¾ heel a whole lot less dangerous for a non-heel wearer like myself.   

The Aurora insole is made with extremely soft leather than cushions your foot with each step and has an inner suede patch throughout the arch of your foot, which means your bare foot doesn’t stick to the leather with each step and gives you a much more comfortable hot Summer option.  Another feature I absolutely love is the elastic sandal upper that gives your foot a custom fit.  As someone with abnormally thin feet, I always appreciate when shoes are adjustable, especially when I can still slip them on in a hurry.  

And, it’s no wonder these Naturalizers are so comfortable.  With years of engineering and design behind them, Naturalizer has taken comfort to a whole new level by bringing on their own reflexologist and mother of three, Michelle Ebbin.  Her goal is to reach out to moms and encourage them to take care of their feet – a body part that is often very much overlooked in our days of caring for young children.  The tips below are ones that Michelle Ebbin has developed to help moms find the most comfortable shoes for their busy days:
 
•  15 minutes of…comfort: When selecting a shoe, you should be able to walk for at least 15 minutes without discomfort or pressure to any part of the feet. Even if you live in heels, you should be able to feel balanced and stable enough so that you are not carrying all of your body weight on the balls of your feet.  Balance ensures that your core is stable and energy circulation can flow easily. Stability promotes stress relief and improved posture.

•  Breathe easy: Every woman knows how annoying sweaty, sliding feet can be. And when your feet can’t breathe, your energy can’t flow. Find shoes with a breathable lining. By keeping your feet cool, and comfortable, you can relieve and prevent energy blockages in the feet.

•  Lighten up and embrace the softer side: Hard, clunky shoes are more than just ugly, they can affect your circulation. The lighter the weight and the softer the cushioning, the less pressure on your feet, which means better circulation.

•  The 2010 shoe mantra – NO BREAKING IN: Flexibility means no “breaking-in” period. Supportive, lightweight shoes lessen the impact of gravity, which can wreak havoc on your feet and your entire body. Buy shoes that feel good straight out of the box.

If you're looking for comfort straight out of the box, you should check out Naturalizer's full line of shoes.  And, to help get you started, Naturalizer has offered Rave and Review readers a discount code to get 15% off the .com and .ca sites (some exclusions apply).  Use the coupon NTWELL -  good thru 6/10/2010.

http://www.naturalizer.com/

I received a sample and discount code from Naturalizer as part of a campaign through Family Review Network.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Yudu Screen Printing Machine by Provo Craft

A few years ago I was lucky enough to see some professional screen printers in action.  I was surprised at the overall simplicity of the process, but also quite impressed with just how cool it all was.  As years of brilliant shirt design ideas came crashing back into my brain, I decided then and there that I had to get my very own screen printing gear as soon as possible.  The first hurdle was when I realized that the impressive four-screen printing rack and drying machine they were using would set me back roughly the price of a used car and took up roughly the same space.  And making matters worse, that wouldn’t even include any equipment for making the screens themselves.  The second hurdle, which proved impossible to conquer, was when my wife refused to let me get a small business loan to start my new t-shirt company. 

My next move was to scour the internet for any and all consumer level screen printing equipment.  What I found was disappointing to say the least, ranging from seemingly random flimsy bits of equipment sold as a kit, to directions on how to build my own setup.  We tried one of the highest rated consumer kits on the market and, although it was fun to see our designs come to life on t-shirts, onesies and more, the kit was overly complicated and required us to build our own light kit for exposing the screens.  That, as well as having major design flaws that made it hard to secure the screens against the item to be screen printed, made it hard to use and a big mess to clean up afterwards.   

Not wanting to waste any more of my time and money with something that may only last through one design, I was absolutely thrilled when a few months later I found the Yudu Screen Printing Machine from Provo Craft.  At approximately 32 x 21 inches and at an MSRP of $299, I knew the Yudu would fit perfectly into both our home, and our budget. 

Why we love the Yudu:
What set the Yudu apart from the other screen printing kits we tried was that it was actually one well built machine with a great all-in-one design.  With high quality pieces that are much closer to the professional screen printing set ups, the Yudu is the only home use screen printing kit I would recommend for those interested in starting out.  The Yudu is made up of three basic pieces: an upper frame to hold the screen, a platen for holding the item you’re printing, and the base consisting of a light table with a drying rack underneath.  This all-in-one design makes it easy to store as well as much easier to use, all without sacrificing quality.

How to use the Yudu:
The first step to screen printing is to create your image, which you can do in a variety of ways.  The simplest way is to use a computer and your choice of design programs and then print it onto a transparency sheet.  Other options include tracing your image onto a transparency using the Yudu’s light table, or creating your image with pieces of paper or anything else with a distinctive enough shape.  On our first effort, we used our Cricut Expression to cut out a large skull and crossbones with a scrolling design to add flourish.  This allowed us to get extra creative with our limited artistic abilities and to get around the fact that we had al overlooked transparency sheets when collecting our screen printing supplies.  To add even more distinction to our design, we distressed the edges of the scrolling design which worked amazingly well to soften the hard lines when screen printing later. 

Step two is to create the screen using your image and an emulsion sheet.  You simply apply the emulsion sheet to the mesh screen of the Yudu with water and then place in the lower drying racks to adhere to the screen.  Once the emulsion is dry, it’s time to apply your design and expose the screen to get your image permanently embedded in the screen.  We simply laid the Cricut shapes on the emulsion screen in the configuration we wanted and then placed it all in the Yudu for exposing.  Once it was exposed, we simply ran the screen under water and the negative image was developed on the screen.  All the emulsion that is exposed to light stays on the screen while everything that is blocked by your image rinses away.   

Once your newly made screen finishes drying, you are ready for the final step – putting your image on t-shirts, paper, and more.  You simply arrange the item to be printed on the Yudu platen – a shirt guide with a tacky or sticky front to keep the object steady.  Then you place your screen into the Yudu’s hinged lid, and pre-fill the screen with paint while the Yudu top is raised slightly.  Once the paint is applied to the entire design, you simply set the screen down on the object you are branding and then squeegee the design right through the exposed mesh of your image.

If you'd like to see a video of the Yudu in action, check out some great how-to videos here.

Experimentation:
At this point you can really make your own rules and go wild with your printing.  If you’re anything like us you’ll be running around your house in no time looking for anything and everything that you might be able to print on.  After grabbing a wild array of items, our next idea was to stop cleaning the screen between colors and instead just mix them up into one wild sloppy pile of ink (termed “nasty style” by our screen printing masters).  It started as an experiment, but this turned out to produce our favorite shirts of all, creating random smears of color and leaving the design rugged and 100% unique. 

We found all sorts of things to screen print on, including t shirts, tank tops, onesies, and even thin shopping bags.  The only things we weren’t able to get a clean image on were items that were bumpy that we couldn’t get to lay flat on the platen even with assistance.  If you are really feeling brave, you can even take the Yudu screen off the Yudu unit and place on larger pieces that won’t fit on the Yudu platen, putting your images on an even wider variety of objects.  We aren’t this brave yet, but haven’t ruled this out for future screen printing parties.

Another way to experiment with the Cricut and Yudu together is to screen print your design and then used cut fabrics from the Cricut (or, vice versa if you would like to screen print over your cut images) to add another dimension of fun to your projects.  These multi-medium designs are another easy way to add multiple colors to your finished piece and even add in prints and fabric designs that would be difficult to create otherwise.  We got to see a sample tote bag that was done at Craftacular in NYC and see an example of a finished piece using both the Cricut and the Yudu.  After seeing that, we all decided that this will be our next Yudu project and we're going to be making totes and shirts for all our our family and friends with our new toys.

Clean up:
When we were finished experimenting and all of our items were printed, we had a kitchen and dining room stuffed with objects laying out to air dry while we cleaned up the screen.  We decided that we were done with this particular design, having already printed half of our closet with the image and opted to use the emulsion remover the Yudu comes with to reclaim the screen and leave it clean and waiting for the next image we dreamt up.  If we had been working on a large project and wanted to use our scull and crossbones design again, we could have simply washed the paint out of the screen and left it until the next screen printing session.

If you happen to make an image you think you may use a lot or just can’t think of parting with, you can always buy extra screens for $19 - $27 to have multiple screens ready to print at any given time.  Having multiple screens is also a great way to make multi color images without having to tape off the screen and wash in between colors.  As an added bonus, having a pre-made screen ready for printing shaves 80% of the time off your screen printing project and makes it so you can screen print quickly and easily without having a whole afternoon set aside. 

Accessories and replacement parts are readily available online and at craft stores nationwide, and I have a wishlist of Yudu accessories I am waiting on my local craft shop to restock.  Number one on that list is a few new screens, because I would love to try out some multi color images that don’t involve random experimenting and be able to keep a few choice screens to use over and over again. 

http://www.provocraft.com/ to see all product descriptions and prices as well as where to buy your own Yudu Screen Printing Machine.

A huge thank you to Provo Craft for sending us the best home screen printing kit ever; you have taken craft day to a whole new level and completely changed the way we think about home screen printing kits forever.  As always, no monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.