Mama Speaks

Kaloo

Yoohoo... Kaloo...

Does your family call them "loveys?" Or maybe "blankies?" Well, I've recently been introduced to the wonderful world of Kaloo, and their "doudous" are as cute as can be. They come in all shapes and sizes, and you're sure to find something for the little miracle in your life.

Thankfully, they don't stop with small toys. Kaloo also has a great line of clothing and baby necessities to meet your every whim. The Naturel Small Sleepsack ($100) is made of all organic material and is so soft. I'd dare say it rivals the softness of a sweet newborn baby's head. The sleep sack or "gigoteuse" has been a European tradition for decades, but has recently gained popularity in North America. What I like best about Kaloo's version: the sweet natural embroidery and the safety ties under the arms to keep baby secure. Due to its round shape, it also provides a lot of room for my squirmy little one to kick around at night. And it's also as functional as it is beautiful. The bottom zipper gives you plenty of room for those late night diaper changes.

Browsing their website, I also discovered that Kaloo feels a great deal of corporate responsibility. They take care of our environment by using recycled packaging for shipping and non-toxic materials in their products. They also believe in helping children around the world- they support Unicef and entirely fund a school in the Himalayan region that reaches 150 children. Kaloo also stands for its employee's rights by implementing a "Charter of Human Rights" for their work force. All in all, they're a company that I am proud to support.

Check out their website for more of their great products and to look for a store near you (or online)!

-Whit.

Babylicious Crib Fringe

Funky. Fresh. Fringey.

The newest creative crib accessory -- Bayblicious Crib Fringe [$66]. It's fun, fresh, and totally unique from your typical crib bedding. With the new 'to bumper or not to bumper' question new parents must ponder over, this is an awesome alternative.

The 100% cotton crib fringe is available in several different colors and patterns, coordinating with many of the Babylicious bedding sets. With 2 different ways to tie to the top crib rail you can mix it up -- on the inside or outside. So whether you're looking for a bumper alternative or a creative twist on the typical crib bedding, I'm sure you'll find Babylicious crib fringe an excellent choice!

-Brittany

Grobag Egg

Innovative. Creative. Egg

The Grobag Egg [$30] is a color changing digital room thermometer -- and it looks pretty cool too! It changes colors to give a visual indication of the room's temperature: Blue - too cold, under 61F; Yellow - recommended, 61-67F; Orange - Warm, 68-75F; Red - too hot, over 75F. The soft-lit glow also provides an excellent 'nightlight'.

After 8 years of nightlights, the Grobag Egg is by far our favorite -- the digital thermometer is just a bonus to us! The Egg comes with a power adapter so there are no batteries to mess with. It's easy, fun, and very useful. You will no doubt enjoy your Grobag Egg, and you might find yourself turning the air up or down just to see it change colors.

-Brittany

Short Stories Press

Telling Tiny Tales

When it comes to personalizing a nursery, kids room or even a space of your own with a piece of art it's nice to have options. Even better is when that artwork can tell a story that's relevant to it's keeper. That's what we love most about Short Stories Press, the brain child of artist and printmaker Laura Zeck.

She's taken tiny pieces of our imaginations, glimpses of our day dreams, images of our lives and used them to tell the story of you. With hundreds of gorgeous hand drawn images to choose from the process can seem a little overwhelming but we promise, it's as easy as getting lost in those day dreams.

First, you choose a layout. Everything from a single card to four image square to a thirty image rectangle. Next (this is where it gets fun) you can either choose each image yourself or select a theme and Laura will create a unique, personalized theme just for you. With each story plate printed by hand your order will take 2-3 weeks to arrive but the wait, and gasp of glee when you see it in person, are well worth it.

BUY

Ambajam Mini Cuddle Blanket

Little Lovey

Whether you've a baby or a toddler we all know the hassle that can come with toting around that favorite lovey or blanket. They get dropped, and misplaced and are always way too big to cram lovingly transport everywhere you go (and of course, they have to go, everywhere you go). So what's the solution? For us, it was Ambajam's Mini Cuddle Blanket [$27].

The double sided "cuddle-up" fleece is super snuggly soft and at 17 inches square is big enough for some serious loving yet small enough that it won't get in the way and can even be easily tucked in a bag should your little one decided they'd like to go it alone. The finished edging and embroidered baby turtle add a whimsical touch and provide babies with some extra tactile stimulation. And with seven colors to choose from you can change it up or find the perfect match. You might even find yourself sneaking in some snuggles, that is of course, if you're little one ever puts it down.

BUY

Olive Kids Personalized Floor Pillows

Pillow Perfect

Bedtime can be a source of contention no matter what age your kids are and if you're anything like me you'll try anything to make the end of the day more enticing. Lovies galore, special books and bedding that you can't resist crawling into. Olive Kids is one of our favorite go-to's for creating kid friendly spaces in the home and their new personalized floor pillows [$60, currently on sale for $48] will aid in happy slumbers.

These oversized plush pillows are certain to bring on a reason to snuggle. The 100% cotton, buttery soft outers feature Olive Kids classic, fun graphics with the name of your choice embroidered below. The outer can be zipped off to wash and encases a gusseted, quilted, 100% cotton cover with sterilized polyester fill. While you'll find this pillow perfect for bed time don't be surprised if it makes it way all over your house. Movie time, game night, magic carpet ride. It will work for everything and then some.

One bit of warning though, I've already been reprimanded a time or two for zonking out on my wee ones pillow, so you might just want to buy two! Allow yourself a bit of extra time too. All pillows are made to order, so will take around 2 weeks to arrive.

Protect-A-Bed

  Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

One third of our lives are spent sleeping however, that bed of yours can be a pretty unhealthy place to be. Especially if you or anyone in your family has asthma, allergies or skin sensitivities. Whether we like it or not there are tiny little critters that lurk where we lie. Dust mites are the most certain and bed bugs are on the rise. Not only do these little guys make our skin crawl but they can cause some serious allergy issues.

The line of mattress, crib and pillow protectors from Protect-A-Bed are here to let us all rest a little easier. The Aller-zip line encases your entire mattress that provides an impenetrable barrier to those bugs and bites. I've personally struggled with dust mite allergies all my life and while my mattress is new and doesn't cause me problems I have a trusty old pillow that is, well old. It's the place I get the best rest but if I use it I wake up stuffy, well, at least that was the case until we I put on an Aller-zip pillow protector.  From that first night forward I've been sniffle free.

Of course, mattresses don't just need protecting if you have allergies. As we sleep, we all sweat and secrete and as we go about our days things get spilled, sometimes on top of our beds. Since mattresses themselves are difficult if not impossible to clean, you should always keep it covered. From this thinest layer of protection to the super snuggly Elite all of Protect-a-Bed's offerings will keep your mattress safe and clean and can be easily machine washed themselves.

The features really are endless. These are the first mattress covers I've found to provide waterproof protection (without that telltale crunch) and breathability (you know, so you don't feel like you're sleeping on plastic wrap). The expandable skirt will ensure they easily fit any mattress depth from 8" to 20" and as we're always concerned about what we're inhaling in our slumber I'm happy to say that all Protect-a-Bed items are tested for harmful substances according to strict Oeko-Tex Standard 100 allowing us all to sleep a little easier.

Win it!
We're giving away a Protect-a-Bed cover in winner's choice of size crib to king! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Protect as your subject and let us know what the original name of the company is. Giveaway ends 12.30.08

Burpie Blocker

This Burp's For You

Every baby must burp- it's a part of life. And fashionable Moms & Dads want to look good even in the less than cute moments of drool and spit up and projectile..., well, you get the picture. The Burpie Blocker keeps your shirt clean and keeps you looking effortlessly stylish. The large-sized burp cloths in mod patterns have a Velcro strap that goes easily around your neck- keeping the cloth in place. No more trying to keep baby and cloth in place and instead getting unsightly, wet surprises down your back or front!

Burpie Blockers are a great size with a nice thickness, perfect for just the right coverage.The Sugar & Spice Ivory Floral [$15] is soft and pleasing for the girls and the Beep Beep Collection is right up a boys' alley. They fold up neatly to slip into the diaper bag without any bulk. Mine has truly come in handy considering all the times I can't remember where I put the burp cloth once I've set it down. Not only does the convenient strap keep it in place, I always know where it is! Of course you don't have to use the strap- no matter how you use it, it makes for a much cuter clean up!

-Steph

Hitting The Road For The Holidays

With gas prices lower than we've seen them in sometime we've gotten word that many families will be hitting the road for the holidays for the first time in a long time. Of course, car rides, especially long ones, with the kids can be less than merry but some small comforts and distractions can go a long way. Our choices for happy, holiday travel:

No Fighting Fun

I Get Around Travel Activity Gift Set by Little Jet Set ($40)
This backpacked set is certain to get any trip started on the right foot. You little one will be occupied for some time reading the "I Get Around" board book. The easy travel journal allows your little one to document their days activity with space for a little bit of art work too. And of course, the stickers, LOTS of stickers to place in the journal or anywhere. This one will keep your kids busy and become a keepsake to boot.

Lap Desk from Room it Up ($28)
Best for kids in booster seats or regular belts this lap desk is the perfect surface on the go. The cushioned bottom will snuggle onto any lap and the sturdy, the smooth top is great for writing, coloring or having a snack and the built in cup holder will hold a standard can or travel cup or doubles as a great place to stash crayons or that trusty iPod.

Ring Flash Cards by Mudpuppy ($12)
With themes covering everything your little one could be into these flash cards offer endless possibilities for fun. One side features a whimsical image and word, the other a question or prompt to explore the picture. You can use them to build a story or as clues for a game of I spy and so much more.

The Comforts of Home, On the Open Road

Zoobie Pets ($34)
The snugglerific 3-in-1 pets are a plush, a pillow and a super soft blanket in one. Certain to become the best travel buddy a kid could have you might find yourself sneaking in some snuggles too.

Travel Rest Pillow ($27)
Sleeping upright and buckled in can be uncomfortable for those of us past the car seat stage. Travel Rest will solve all of that and stay in place while you sleep. This slim and smooth inflatable pillow curves just right and secures into place.

Nap Pack by Crafty Baby ($40)
When you finally reach your destination your little one can cuddle up in a space of their own for a long rest. Perfectly sized for 2-7 year olds this fleece blanket and attached pillow provide the perfect sleep place. While originally designed to fit a preschool mat or kindercot we've found this perfect for home and on the go too.

For snacks on the go check out our latest foodie feature.

Win it!
We're giving away a $25 gift certificate to Little Jet Set! To enter, email giveaways[at]mamaspeaks.com with Holiday Travel as your subject and let you know which one item available from Little Jet Set is first on your list. Giveaway ends 12.23.08

As The Crow Flies by Contexture Design

Flight of Fancy

Whether you crib or co-sleep, have a changing table or change 'em on the fly, a mobile is one of those things that always high on our new baby planning list. Lets face it, the plush, musical mobiles found at the baby store just don't do much for Mama's modern design. But the As The Crow Flies mobile [$42] from Contexture Design will be just another work of art.

Whether you're adding a fun focal point to a minimal space or needing something functional to hold a wee ones attention the gorgeous piece will do the trick. Made of recycled black paper and outdated road maps the laser cut birds and hand folded tree captivate as they spin and spiral throughout your space. The structure is wire and thread so you'll have to be sure this mobile is well out of reach of tiny grabbing hands but flying it high will make it that much more stunning.