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The mamaRoo Moves Like You Do {Review & Giveaway}

Cozy At Home Event - Day 6

The “Baby Bounce” isn’t something that is taught, but rather is something we instinctively know.  This natural movement is the one we use to soothe fussy babies or lull babies into sleep by swaying and bouncing rhythmically and just about every parent does it.  While there are thousands of baby products on the market that vibrate, rock, or swing, I have never seen an infant product that imitated the elusive “Baby Bounce” or moved as naturally as the mamaRoo. 

They say the mamaRoo “moves like you do” and I would absolutely agree.  With 5 different natural motions to choose from in 5 different speeds, you have 25 ways to soothe your baby when you can’t spend all day bouncing.  Add in 5 different soothing sounds, a fully adjustable recline, and the ability to connect your iPod to the base and it’s very clear the mamaRoo is no ordinary infant seat.

This was very apparent even upon opening the box and beginning to assemble the mamaRoo.  With its futuristic good looks and its sturdy base, I expected the mamaRoo to be heavy, bulky and rather difficult to put together.  The mamaRoo proved to be none of these and was actually really simple to get ready for baby.  Within a minute or two we had the mamaRoo set up, zipped up and adjusted, and then we were ready for the real fun.  

 
 

The first thing I did was to select between the 5 different motions and speeds, enjoying the subtle differences between the movements and the various options for soothing.  Instead of the single-motion bouncer, rocker or swing that is really hit and miss as far as which babies like them and which ones hate them, I love that there are numerous up/down and sideways motions on the mamaRoo.  As well as offering a new experience for your babe just by the press of a button, you also have much better odds that your child will actually enjoy the ride. 

Each of those motions has varying speeds, so whether your child is at rest or play, there is a good option for you to select.  I really liked that the mamaRoo actually had a very slow option that most swings and rockers don’t have that is really useful for tiny babies and those who like subtle movements.  Since my daughter preferred the slower moving soothers until she was almost ready to grow out of them, I really appreciate this feature and wish we had owned one with varying speeds such as this when she was young.  The LCD control panel on the base displays the current mamaRoo settings and allows you to verify at a glance that your very curious toddler hasn’t made unauthorized adjustments without your knowledge.  

The other really great thing for small babies is how much you can recline the seat of the mamaRoo, which is ideal for infants with little or no neck control.  Even better is that the recline can be adjusted anywhere along the mamaRoo axis, which gives you complete control over how upright baby is.  And, then when baby falls asleep, it is really easy to adjust the seat to its full recline without disturbing baby and let your little one relax and sway.

Speaking of relaxing, there are 5 different nature sounds that can play through two built-in speakers in the base of the mamaRoo including a “white noise” setting that would have made my sister-in-law so excited when her little ones were infants.  I hadn’t ever been a fan of white noise machines before, but I think that the mamaRoo version is actually quite soothing, and sounds more like fast rushing water than radio static.  Hubby and I both agree that the volume on the mamaRoo is truly awesome because it allows for minute adjustments that range from barely there all the way to rockin’ by a spinning dial that lets you get the noise level just right for baby as well as everyone else in the room. 

And, since we are being considerate of the others in the room, it’s also beyond awesome that the mamaRoo allows you to connect any MP3 player to it so you can play tunes you actually want your kiddo humming along to someday.  While it isn’t a sound dock or anything, the quality isn’t horrible and can actually be adjusted so it can fill a small room with sound.  Since I plan on moving this seat just about everywhere I go for the first few months with a newborn, I am really excited about having an onboard music player that can go with us.  My iPod is all set with parent-approved, children-appropriate music and I’m ready to groove right along with baby.

Because I am going to be moving the mamaRoo from room to room at times, I am really excited that it is much more portable than it looks as well as taking up far less space than I had allotted for it.  Because I am used to the big and bulky swing that took up a huge amount of space and was impossible to move without completely disassembling the frame, the mamaRoo seems like a near travel seat in comparison.  And, I guess since it is so easy to take down and disassemble and can even fit easily in my compact sedan, that wouldn’t be that far from the truth. 

The mamaRoo seat comes in 6 different colors to match your décor or your nursery and is incredibly easy to zip off.  Of course, I am especially fond of the fact that it is machine washable as well as easy to spot clean.  Even the included mobile is easy to clean since the multi-colored balls pop easily out of the holder which also allows you to toss them in the washer as well as making playtime more fun.

In comparing the mamaRoo to other soothers, bouncers, rockers, and swings, I think it’s clear to all that there is something truly special about this little infant seat.  It might be the 4moms amazing medical and professional team that lends their expertise to every baby item they make, or it might be the hundreds of parents that give their feedback on their designs before they ever make it to market.  Whatever it is, the result is superior baby gear that is designed with parents and kids in mind and certainly turns heads.

In fact, my next door neighbor was so intrigued by the mamaRoo that she allowed me to borrow her new baby to fully check it out before our little one arrives.  I'm happy to report that even though he detests being set down and truly hates his swing, he didn’t have any problem at all hanging out in the mamaRoo for quite a while and even let us do a little photo shoot with him in the mamaRoo.  And, because we love our neighbors and want to give them a little bit of hands-free parenting a day, we even let them take the mamaRoo home for the next few days.  After seeing it in action with a little one all snuggled in, it makes me even more excited about all the cool features I know we are all going to enjoy once my little one makes his appearance.  Cozy At Home, indeed.  

Features: The mamaRoo measures 24″ x 20″ x 34 inches and it weighs just 14 pounds.  Accommodates children up to 25 pounds

Price: $199.99 at select retailers and available at 4moms Online

http://www.4moms.com/

While you are visiting the 4moms website, I highly recommend you check out their other awesome products including the Origami stroller which I have heard is coming soon and have been dying to try for months and months now.

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win one of these awesome mamaRoo seats, in their choice of color!

To Enter: Go to 4moms and tell me one interesting fact you learned about them or a feature of another product of theirs you would like to try.  Also, I would love it if you could let me know what color mamaRoo you would like if you win! 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) "Like" 4moms on Facebook

3) Become a 4moms Insider for your chance to earn points in their online store!

4) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @4moms with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/apWha7) 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 (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

6) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each, must have an active link to R&R)

7) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/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 R&R has)

On October 7th at 11:59pm PST a 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 addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to...

#141 Paula Caudill said... Hi, I was surprised to learn that 4moms is actually made up of 5 moms. And I like all the colors, but I would pick black. I hope that I can win this for my grandbaby, he has colic and I think that this might be just what he needs. Thank you so much for being so kind as to offer this in a great giveaway. :D

A big thank you to 4moms Online for sending their mamaRoo for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Citizenpip Stylish and Waste-Free Lunch Kit {Review & Giveaway}

It’s back to school time!  While most teachers provide parents with a huge list of school items that are required for the school year, the one thing that is left off that list is a good, quality lunch box.  In our quest to find products that are perfect for packing lunches as well as for playdates and snacks on the road, we have gone through quite a few lunch boxes and bags in the past few years and were very ready for a complete lunch set that could work for everyone in the family.

Citizenpip is the makers of waste-free, muck-free and incredibly practical full lunch kits that make packing your lunch fun and easy.  Their lunch kits have vibrantly designed soft sided insulated lunch boxes that are filled with all sorts of containers and goodies to help keep your food looking and tasting delicious come lunch time.  We got to try out the Citizenpip Starter Kit these past few weeks and were really impressed by both their adorable-ness as well as how useful they were for snacks and lunches.  

The Citizenpip Starter Kit includes your choice of 4 insulated lunch bags, as well as accessories to keep your lunch smoosh-free and delicious come lunchtime.  These goodies include a stainless steel water bottle, and 4 airtight, leak-proof plastic containers in various sizes that are all free of lead, BPA, and phthalates.  The containers and bottle all fit well together in the lunch box and even have some room left over for extra items like a piece of fruit or an ice pack.   

Because packing healthy snacks is extremely important to me, I find myself struggling to find containers and gear to keep all our nutritious foods contained and ready for easy snacking.  This means that we go through an embarrassingly large amount of plastic baggies each month, a fact that I am really not proud of.  Finding Citizenpip just in time for the start of school has meant that instead of all those disposable plastic baggies, I can now use the various sized reusable plastic containers when I’m packing for four.   

As well as offering full lunch kits, you can also buy each of their unique lunch accessories separately, which is great so you always have a clean set for packing your lunches or if you would like to outfit your whole family’s existing lunch boxes.  I have my eye on their stainless steel insulated food container so I can send hot or cold foods in my family’s lunches. 

THE CITIZENPIP STARTER KIT INCLUDES:

• 1 insulated lunch bag
• 1 stainless steel water bottle
• 4 airtight food containers
• Price: $42 

You can even get a 10% off discount at Citizenpip by entering "raveeandreview10" at checkout

http://www.citizenpip.com/

 

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Citizenpip Starter Kit in their choice of color!

To Enter:  Simply visit Citizenpip and tell me what insulated lunch bag design you will choose if you win.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @Citizenpip with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/c6j9Zh) after following R&R (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 (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each, must have an active link to R&R)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/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 October 1st at 11:59pm PST a 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 addresses only.

Winner, Winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Charlene Kuser who won a CitizenPip Lunch Set!

269  Charlene Kuser said...

Following you on Twitter (@Swtlilchick) and
Tweet:http://twitter.com/Swtlilchick/status/26152584879

A big thank you to Citizenpip for sending a sample Starter Kit for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Introducing All-New Moon Dough For Modeling Fun

If there was one toy that I truly adored all through my pre-school years, it would have to be play doughs.  I didn’t have the fancy molds or even the fancy colors because all of my dough was home made, but I would spend hours making “meals” for all my friends, whether they were stuffed or real.  Even though I remember how much fun I used to have, I must admit that I have been rather hesitant to try play dough type products with my 26 month old.  This is mostly because I remember how messy those doughs could be and how they would stick to the tabletop and leave colored residue.  And, because I love our dining table, I have been extremely resistant to covering it with sticky dough.     

When I heard about Moon Dough, which is the newest creation from Spin Master, the makers of the wildly popular Moon Sand, I thought it might be time to try molding doughs with my daughter and see if she loved them as much as I used to.  After reading that the Moon Dough was hypo-allergenic and wheat free as well as being non-stick and non-staining, I was finally ready to give in and let her at the dough.

We were lucky enough to get to check out the brand new Moon Dough Barnyard.  Setup was quick and easy and we had the barn and silo ready for play within minutes and then we were ready to tear open those bags of dough.  The first thing that was surprising about the Moon Dough was how incredibly light and marshmallow-y the dough is and how unlike traditional dough it is.  In fact, when we first opened it up, the dough was crumbled into bits and pieces and didn’t seem like it was going to be possible to create much of anything.  Surprisingly, it was fairly easy to mold the Moon Dough into shapes and make animals and accessories in the Moon Dough Barnyard.

The Moon Dough Barnyard set comes with a colorful barn complete with silo and internal Moon Dough molds, two completely separate molds for making accessories, and three bags of Moon Dough.  I was really confused at first to see that the Moon Dough doesn’t come in special containers to keep it from drying out but soon found out that they weren’t necessary.  In fact, the claim is that Moon Dough never dries out, which means you can keep it in open top baggies or containers while the kiddos play and even for storage.

The coolest thing about the set is that you can simply push the dough into the mold on the top of the barn, pull the lever down, and wait to see what “surprise” farm animal pops out.  You can get a sheep, cow, chicken or horse, and the remainder of the dough then goes right into the barn’s silo which collects the Moon Dough leftovers, a feature that I love.  It’s easy to imagine that if I had owned a barn that had the ability to make surprise farm animals when I was young, I probably would have planned my day around playing with it.   

The only real issue we ran into with the Moon Dough is that it has the potential to be pretty messy while the kids play, but not in the ways I expected.  Because of the propensity for crumbling of the dough, the colors did mix pretty easily while you play and left dough crumbles all over the play surface.  While the kids didn’t care that the dough was mixed, I was still concerned with how long it was going to take to clean up when we were finished playing.  I was happy when I found that since the dough is so dry, it does sweep up pretty easily and didn’t stick to or stain the play surface at all, which had been one of my big concerns.  

Storage of the Moon Dough is easy since the compound never dries out, but we did put ours into sealed baggies for safe keeping and to keep the crumbles from getting everywhere.  I love knowing that dough inadvertently left out or in the barn’s silo (oops!) will still be good days later and that I don’t have to worry about dough moisture and residue being left behind while the kiddos play.  Since I am increasingly more concerned about allergies and sensitive skin, I also love that Moon Dough is hypo-allergenic and wheat-free, which is great for allergic types and delicate skin.  Although I couldn't find a list of ingredients of the dough itself, the package does warn not to let children eat the dough or get it into their eyes, which does make me extra cautious while my daughter plays.  If you have younger children, this would definitely be an item that was played with during naptime so your younger children didn't ingest any or get the dough everywhere.

You can find Moon Dough playsets at Target, Walmart, Toys R' Us, KMart, A.C. Moore, Michaels, and online at amazon.com and etoys.com.  The Moon Dough sets range in price from $9.99 to $19.99 and $2.99 to $4.99 for refill Moon Dough packs in 8 vibrant colors.  Manufacturer's Suggested Age: 3 Years and Up

http://www.moondough.com/

A big thank you to Spin Master and Team Mom for providing the Moon Dough Barnyard for this review opportunity.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.  

Make the Most of Summer at Seattle Square

Pioneer Square in Seattle is mostly known for it’s historic buildings and rocking nightlife.  Over the past few weeks though, these have taken a backseat to thoughts of Seattle Square, Seattle’s newest outdoor market.  Held every Saturday from 11am – 5pm through the end of September, this market is the best place to see the newest in local artistry, hand made goods, and vintage finds. 

This market has a vibe like no other and it is immediately noticeable upon arrival.  In fact, chances are that before you even get there you will hear the music from one of the different DJs that come down every week to spin records.  This adds a nice musical soundtrack to your shopping experience and is actually one of my favorite aspects of the market.  The simple act of having music playing really brings everything together, keeps everyone in high spirits, and gives the event a real block party kind of feel. 

As you survey the vendor booths trying to decide where to start, you will undoubtedly be pulled to the great scents emanating from the various mobile food carts that line the east side of the square.  From fresh baked goods to various ethnic and regional cuisines, you’re sure to find something to snack on while you shop.  This last week we enjoyed authentic Chinese dumplings, delicious New Orleans style beignets, and a made to order ice cream cookie sandwich.  Yes, all at the same time. And, yes, it was magical; just ask our two year old. 

As you make your way through the vendor booths you’ll notice the selection here is just as eclectic a mix as the food.  A cross between a crafts fair and a flea market with a decidedly urban flair, the Seattle Square Saturday Market is quite possibly our new favorite place to shop.  We have found some of the coolest screen printed designs from our friend, Chad, at Snipe Habitat, beautiful jewelry from a variety of vendors, and some seriously awesome children’s wear from Ricicli and Funnel Cake Boutique for our two-year-old and our baby-to-be.  

In fact, the past few weeks we have scored three recycled (er, upcycled) designs for our children that were all reasonably priced, as well as some really unique toys like crocheted toy veggies and cupcakes and a paper parasol that our daughter is absolutely in love with.  Naturally, we have done a bit of shopping for ourselves as well, and have brought home some handmade cards, a vintage camera pouch, a super cozy shirt, and a knit cashmere hat.  

You should note that Seattle Square is about more than shopping – it’s about spending the day enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere full of activities for everyone.  When you (or your child) get tired of shopping, there is still plenty to do in the square.  Other activities include two tournament sized bocce ball courts, an over-sized chess board, a giant tub of Lego’s, sidewalk chalk, rotating art displays, and of course, dancing to the music. 

If you are looking for more, you can simply check in with any of the awesome Seattle Square coordinators who are onsite during the event.  You will find them walking around the market, chatting with exhibitors and helping guests, or at the information booth wearing the official Seattle Square t-shirt.  I strongly feel that it is because of the event coordinators that make Seattle Square so unique.  I love having someone there to ask questions of (“where is this booth?”… “where can I find?”…) and someone there to make sure the event runs smoothly.  As someone who hops from market to market on the weekends, I am extremely impressed with the higher level of organization of this market, something that means a great deal to me. 

But, you should be warned that you just might be talked into heading into the Seattle Square Facebook Photo Booth where you can dress up and be photographed… and even win some prizes.  Even my wife at 9 months pregnant agreed to take part since this activity is one of my daughter’s favorites and we had to admit it was pretty fun once we were all dressed up. 

If you live in Seattle and haven’t had a chance to check out Seattle Square, you should definitely head down this next weekend and do some shopping, eating and playing.  And once you’re done with all that, you can explore the surrounding neighborhood with all its great shops and some of the oldest buildings in Seattle.  

http://www.theseattlesquare.com/ to find out more about the market and the vendors.  You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on all the Seattle Square happenings.

A big thank you to the Seattle Square coordinators who invited us to the market for a blogger tour and introduced us to numerous awesome vendors.  We had a blast meeting everyone, and even more fun shopping afterwards with a $20 gift card.  All opinions are 100% ours and were not influenced by any sort of monetary compensation but instead by their wonderful hospitality.

Wordless Wednesday: Day At The Park

PTPA Fall 2010 Winners Announced!

The PTPA has just announced their Fall 2010 Campaign winners and there is a bunch of great products that I am now dying to try out.  This season, I've definitely got my eye on IdeaPaint for our craft room - IdeaPaint can turn virtually anything you can paint into a high-performance dry-erase surface, giving your family a place to interact, communicate and fully explore your creativity. Sounds awesome, right?

If you're not already familiar with PTPA, here's a brief overview:  PTPA Media utilizes the expertise of real parents reviewing real products and giving their honest feedback.  PTPA selects the award winning products based on how the evaluators rate the value, functionality, quality and appeal and then awards each with their well-known PTPA Winners Badge, which you have probably seen on a number of products throughout the years.  The great thing about PTPA is that anyone can get involved – you don’t have to be a blogger or even be related to anyone famous to get on their list of parent evaluators and start reviewing products for them.  

Want to learn more about PTPA?  Jump online or click here for information on how to become a PTPA Parent Evaluator (P.S. If you want to spread some love, when you sign up they ask you “How did you find us?”, simply select “Other” and enter Rave and Review - they have a great new referral program so don't forget to refer your friends).

See the full list of Fall 2010 Campaign Winners here

Also, since it's Back to School Season, you should definitely check out their whole list of School Essentials that will take you from Fall to Summer here.

Powermat Wireless Charging System {Review & Giveaway}

Cozy At Home Event - Day 5

In an increasingly connected world, I find that I am constantly searching for chargers for all of our various gadgets and electronics.  We currently have two boxes filled with chargers, a drawer full of cords, and you will find our most essential chargers either in the office, bedroom, or by the laptop.  I’m sure you can imagine that all of that cord clutter is easy to misplace and easily turns a tidy room into a mess. 

Adding to my aversion to cords is the fact that I have a toddler who likes to repurpose and hide chargers and cords that are left at her level (which is everywhere, just so we’re clear).  As well as being quite annoying, it’s also incredibly dangerous and means that I have to be extra diligent in hiding my cord clutter.  Unfortunately, this diligence also makes it hard for me to find what I need, when I need it.  This is especially true after traveling, when our chargers are often left packed or forgotten altogether. 

Powermat has changed all that in our house by making it so we can charge our most essential gear wirelessly…  Yes, wirelessly!  Imagine one spot in your home where all gadgets can call home and where everyone can always find everything they need.  Powermat absolutely makes this possible and it turns once-crowded cord clutter into a sleek looking site where you can always charge as you need it.   

You should note that this isn’t a docking station like you’ve seen before that is merely a nicer looking powerstrip, this is a truly wireless charging mat for all sorts of devices and gadgets.  By simply attaching the Powermat charging modules directly to your gadgets, you can actually drop your gadget on the Powermat whenever you’d like without needing to plug them into a powerstrip or docking base. 

I will admit I was a bit confused about what a Powermat was and thought I was going to need to configure the mat to my devices, or more likely, make my husband learn how to configure the unit for me before I could use it.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was completely wrong about the way the Powermat works and that there is no tech savvy required to use it.  Since it wirelessly provides power by utilizing a charging receiver module that is placed directly on my gadgets, the gadgets communicate with the Powermat all on their own.  Automagically, as hubby would say.  Automagically, indeed. 

I will confess that I still made hubby set the Mat up and connect our blackberry units and his iPhone to their respective coverings as well as the Nintendo DS.  A Universal PowerCube Receiver with 8 interchangeable tips and a USB port is also available to help charge any accessories or phones that don’t have specific Powermat receiver modules.  In mere minutes he was done and had the Powermat all set for dropping and charging for all our various smart phones and music players, as well as getting the Portable Mat Kit ready for our upcoming trip.

Once you drop your device onto the mat, the magnetic connection between the Mat and each device will connect and snap the gadget into place.  You will get an audio and visual confirmation that the device is charging, which helps you ensure that you’ve got the unit properly placed.  As someone who has plugged my phone into an unplugged charger more often than I care to admit, I really love this feature and the fact that it avoids unexpected surprises and dead devices when you go to grab the units off.   

With three unique docking stations on each Home and Office Powermat and Portable Powermat Kit, you can easily charge your smartphones, iPods, and more whether you are at home or away.  This past weekend we got to try out the Portable Powermat Kit when we were traveling and I was really excited that we were able to charge all our necessary tech gadgets easily and without having to search for outlets all over the hotel room.  It works in the same way the Home & Office Powermat does, but folds up and stores in its own case for travel.  Even better was that we were also able to charge my sister’s iPhone for her by using the Universal PowerCube even though she didn’t have a specific Powermat module.

As convenient as it is to simply drop and charge, the really cool thing about the Powermat is that it is designed for optimum efficiency and can sense when your device has reached its full charge.  Once the device has reached its full charge, the Powermat automatically cuts power to the device while periodically checking the battery level. This actually prolongs your device’s battery life by not over or under charging, as well as saving energy. 

One super smart charging device is certainly more energy efficient, tons more convenient, and really the only way to cut down on cord/charger clutter.  After having spent a few weeks enjoying the Powermat both at home and out of town, I would absolutely recommend their wireless charging system to anyone who loves gadgets as much as we do.  You can check out all the various Powermat accessories and mats directly on their website as well as a few select retailers that carry them in store.   

Visit http://www.powermat.com/ to use the coupon above and for more product information as well as to find out where to buy Powermat locally

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Home & Office Mat Powermat (ARV $99.99) with up to three receivers (ARV $29.99 – $49.99 each)!

To Enter:  Either like Powermat on Facebook or follow Powermat on Twitter.  If you don't have a Twitter or Facebook, simply visit Powermat and tell me what chargers you and your family would use the most

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @Powermat with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/9BfePv) after following R&R (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 (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website and/or the Cozy At Home Event Button (2 extra entries for each, must have an active link to R&R)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/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 October 4th at 11:59pm PST a 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 addresses only.

Winner, Winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to...

#8 Shannon said...I'm a subscriber!

A big thank you to Powermat for sending a sample Home & Office Mat and Portable Mat Kit for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review. 

Plow & Hearth Rolling Laptop Caddy

Cozy At Home – Day 4

When I was thinking of companies to partner with for the Cozy At Home Event, there was one that was absolutely at the top of that list.  Plow & Hearth was the first company I thought of for a variety of reasons, and what actually sold me on doing the event in the first place.  Not only does Plow & Hearth carry unique gifts for house and home, they are the true embodiment of making yourself cozy at home. 

From furniture to accessories and everything in between, Plow & Hearth has been one of my favorite catalogs since back before I even owned a home.  Even when I was young, I dreamed about one day owning a cozy home that I could raise my own family in, and I loved to look through the pages of Plow & Hearth and daydream about all the things I would do when I finally had a place of my own.

Throughout the years that vision has been refined a few times, and in some ways may have changed dramatically, but the one thing that remains unchanged is my desire for a cozy and relaxed environment in which everyone feels at ease.  As summer winds down and the weeks pass, I can’t help but think ahead to the holidays and all of the warmth and life that fall and winter brings to our home.  I’m picturing blanket-wrapped snuggle time in front of our fireplace and comfy chairs built for storytime, and honestly can’t wait for the change in seasons. 

One thing that I really wasn’t looking forward to about the approaching cooler weather was how I was going to get comfortable with my toddler and a new baby and still be able to get some work done from the living room.  The fact that I really love to curl up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around me and write on my laptop gets difficult when I always have a baby in my lap or by my side, and I began to search for a solution to make working from home a little easier and more comfortable for all of us.

That search for a solution lasted for months and finally led me to realize I needed to find myself a laptop caddy that I could use to make myself a little more portable in my own home.  I really needed something that could get the laptop off my lap and ideally something that I was able to carry wherever I needed it easily.  I found some really flimsy (but surprisingly expensive) laptop caddies at a local office store, as well as lots of cheap versions of what I thought I was looking for at department stores, but nothing that could be classified as furniture and nothing that was safe enough to have around small children.  I was ready to finally cave and buy one of these lesser versions when I decided to check out Plow & Hearth and see if they had a solution for me. 

It turns out Plow & Hearth did have a solution for me, and it was something that was even better than I was picturing.  The Rolling Laptop Caddy from Plow & Hearth is not a cheap table with rickety legs and a tray that never seems to be level, the Rolling Laptop Caddy is more like a desk on wheels.  Its sturdy construction and its clever design make it perfect for pulling up to a favorite chair or sofa and getting cozy while I work from any room in the house.

Besides having wheels that allow me to easily push it where I need it, an infinitely adjustable tray height that allows me to use it in all of my chairs and even in bed, and plastic bumpers that keep items from rolling off, the Rolling Laptop Caddy also has a split tray top - a feature I didn’t even know I was looking for.  This split top makes it possible to adjust the desk top at whatever angle I need it while still keeping part of the tray top level and able to hold paperwork, small work items, or even a hot cup of tea.  The Rolling Laptop Caddy also has an extremely handy lower shelf that is perfect for when I need to have my printer or scanner handy, when I need to bring my file tote to the living room with me, or just when I want to rest my feet while I work.  This lower shelf is right above the 3 wheels on the base and it sits approximately 6 inches above the ground. 

Unfortunately, my couch is a bit low to the ground and the laptop stand base and shelf are unable to slide completely underneath, which means I can’t use the laptop stand at a 90 degree angle to the couch which would allow me to lay down on the sofa while typing.  Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue, except for the fact that I have to keep my legs elevated as much as I can right now and the only way to do that properly is to lay down. Fortunately, I am pretty crafty and was able to rig the laptop stand by inserting the tray top at a 90 degree angle to the base and then sliding it up to the couch.  It is not as sturdy this way as it is set up correctly, but it’s just for a limited time and it actually works surprisingly well. 

Since the day the Rolling Laptop Caddy arrived in my home, I have used it every single day without fail.  While it’s not my old executive desk with its storage and desk space to spare, it is certainly better than being stuck in my home office all day long, and leagues better than the laptop/paperwork juggle I used to do while I struggled to work on the couch, in a chair, or even from bed.  And now, after finally finding a solution that makes working from home easier on all of us, I really can’t believe that it took me this long to solve all the problems I was running into. 

If you work from home, surf the web, or if you just need a portable desktop that you can wheel with you from room to room in your house, you should check out Plow & Hearth to see if the Rolling Laptop Caddy could be your solution, too.  While you are there, you can even find the perfect blanket or throw to wrap up in, as well as hundreds of other accessories and gear that can keep you cozy at home all year round.  While you’re there, you should definitely check out the Plow & Hearth Blog and read about their Campaign to Reforest America as well as enter to win their $200 monthly giveaway just by signing up for their newsletter.    

Rolling Laptop Caddy Features: 31" x 15-3/4" x 24-3/4"H, adjusts to 34-3/4"H – swivel top accommodates both right- and left-handed users.  Heavy-duty powder-coated steel base, simple assembly required.

Price: $99.99
http://www.plowhearth.com/ 

A huge thank you to Plow and Hearth for sending the Rolling Laptop Caddy and solving my laptop struggles to make working from home as great as it was supposed to be.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

BabyBjörn Organic Original Baby Carrier Giveaway!

As I have said before, the name BabyBjörn is synonymous with the term babywearing and has been for decades.  Their iconic front carrier has been the gold-standard of carriers since they first hit the market in 1961 and is the ultimate must-have of all new parents.  The BabyBjörn Original Carrier Organic is one of the company’s new releases and something that has been eagerly awaited by many parents looking for a fashionable and organic version of their Original Carrier.

The decades of development BabyBjörn puts into each of its products is partially made possible by feedback from parents as well as research from medical experts who help create products that both parents and baby are sure to appreciate.  The BabyBjörn Original Carrier Organic keeps your baby close while your hands may be busy with other tasks (or other children) and gives you hands-free cuddle and bonding time. 

The BabyBjörn Original Carrier Organic can be used either facing inward with neck and head support as a newborn, or outward as your child becomes curious about the world around them.  The carrier can be used from 8-22lbs, and has adjustments that grow with baby to fit newborn and up.  I have heard such wonderful things about the BabyBjörn Original Carriers and the quick and easy on and off as well as their wide, padded straps that distribute weight over your back that makes me really excited to try one with my next baby.  Now, with the inclusion of the Organic line in their product selection, I know many of you will also be just as excited as I am. 

Features of the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Original Organic:
• Carrier can be used from first week for babies at least 21 inches tall and at least 8 lbs
• Leg straps for use with babies 2 months and under to reduce the size of the leg openings
• Carrier can be used up to 22 lbs
• Easy to buckle on, all adjustments made in front
• Fabric complies with the GOTS standard and is certified Oeko-Tex, Standard 100, class 1 for baby
• Made of 100% certified organic cotton
• Machine washable, warm. Wash separately
• Available in walnut, a soft gray-brown color that is sure to make both moms and dads happy 
Price: $89.99

http://www.babybjorn.com/

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Original Organic Carrier!

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

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

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On September 30th 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 now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to Sue E

223 Sue E said...

Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/24981938984

A big thank you to Baby Bjorn for offering this giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no product sample or monetary compensation was received for this post.