Everybody knows somebody who prefers to stay home reading, binge watching their fave series, doing work around the house over going to the happy hour, networking events or clubs!
For that person on your list who can be considered a “homebody”, I’ve carefully curated a list of 13 items to inspire you to get for them in the below infographic and to consider as you’re out and about shopping.
If you want to save the time and aggravation, you can simply click the links in the list below this infographic
I believe firmly that new (and vet) parents really ought to invest in certain premium products and heirloom quality baby-related pieces and products that can and will stand the test in time, and can be used over and over again as new members of the family join.
Such items include the baby glider, crib, stroller, car seat and diaper bag which will endure lots of miles of use and as such, and in my opinion, should be made of the best material, pass the highest value standard and overall be considered a genuine investment — meaning perhaps more money is spent on them. This is true for moms and dads.
Now, traditionally, a lot of men prefer not to carry around a typical “diaper bag” because they are usually styled for a mom and have extra feminine flare to them.
Fortunately for modern Millennial dads and beyond, many brands and companies in recent years have sprouted up to cater specifically to the discerning tastes and needs of dads who prefer sleek, styled yet masculine products for when they’re doing “daddy duty” on the go.
We inspected the Leather and Waxed-Canvas 13″ Laptop Case in black which features a tapered bottom that can be slipped into my husband’s work briefcase yet it is sleek in design on its own that he could stand on its own and be carried to a meeting at headquarters.
We were able to squeeze in a notepad, his laptop, a few pens and his mobile phone, earbuds, keys and wallet in one of the few pouches. The sleeve retails for$145.
If we wanted to go with a complete look, we could slip the sleeve into another item in the Otter Pass executive collection, its messenger bag (retail $245) made up of the same materials with a superb cotton twill interior, featuring an adjustable cotton strap with antique brass finished hardware. *swoon* Did someone say “antique brass*?
It is certainly a signature piece with one exterior back slip pocket, 2 front slip pockets, and 1 front zipper pocket. There is more space to store stuff inside including 2 cell pockets, 1 laptop compartment, keychain
Now imagine a small portable organizer with a fob to hook onto the bag or, better yet, a pacifier. It can stand on its own and hold quick wipes, ID cards, credit and library cards for library story time and every thing needed by a work-from-home or working dad doing weekend duty.
I love this brand because of the transparency about the journey its traveled to bring these wonderful products to modern fathers.
The Austin, Texas-based company is named for a lodge built on stilts above water called Passo do Lontra in Otter Pass, in the wetlands in far west Brazil. It is where its founder Jonathan Goudeau used to frequent with his brothers learning from their dad how to hook piranhas, avoid the reeds where alligators hid, spot spider monkeys at dawn, and listen for the wing-beats of the jaburu, according to the company’s “about us” page.
The company’s name and ideals honors the memory of Goudeau’s dad who sadly perished at the hands of a drunk driver when Goudeau was just 17-years old.
You can sense the connectedness and passion for serving fathers who, according to the company’s mission, are better ready for anything and able to connect with their kids when they are organized and have all the tools they need.
The one-year old brand also has a social conscious and altruistic presence as well. Up until yesterday, December 2, it donated 25% of sales from last Giving Tuesday, November 17 to Refugee groups in Austin, Texas.
I love the brand message, history and more to Otter Pass and plan to keep up with it and have followed it on all its social channels!
You can too keep up with Otter Pass, the brand, the story and the mission on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
I can already see that they are out here supporting free trade and challenging slave labor among dis-empowered communities worldwide! Right on! My kind of company!
Editorial disclaimer: Product and monetary compensation were provided in exchange for this review, however, my opinions are mine and my review of the products are made without regard to the complimentary nature and the fact the review may be sponsored.
This comfy cotton blend lightweight tee shirt is a head turner and conversation starter. Every time this summer, fall and pre-winter I have worn this shirt out and about, I get commentary, people stopping me to tell me they like it and generally hat’s off.
We all know motherhood (and parenthood for that matter) isn’t easy. No one is perfect. We are judged harshly by our partners, kids, society, parents, and everyone in between so owning up and having a sense of humor about it can be endearing!
I get it!
And now you can too! GET YOUR contemporary, durable tee SHIRT HERE!
LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!
and enter code JJSpecial at check out to get your $5.00 OFF brining down the cost of this shirt to just $20 and knowledge that your purchase will support one of your fave parenting sites! ha! j/k But no really!
We are well into Holiday shopping season and Bellyitch has released about 15 of close to 45 Gift Guides that will be published to guide readers looking for that perfect gift for that special someone (or someones ) on their shopping list.
This year, we’ve tried to go BIG and curate some guides for every type of person possible.
This is a growing list but what we have so far. Click to be taken to the itemized list or scroll down to see below for the Graphic that accompanies each list:
Here is what to get to that affluent mom and dad OR that woman and man who have everything they can possibly want so they are incredibly hard to shop for:
Helicopter Ride or Lessons Above a Fantastic City ($1355+ depending on the city)
This latest season of Keeping Up with The Kardashians started with the eldest of the sisters Kourtney Kardashian in tears over being told by sister Kim that she (Kourt)is the least interesting to look at.
That was over 6 months ago when the show taped and since then, Kourtney has ”cougared” her way through at least two different romantic partners who were years her junior and had made up for being told she isn’t interesting by posting a series of super sexy photos in social media.
Before, I think I can fairly say she was the last Kardashian that a lot of regulars folksy moms could relate to. She kept it rated PG and mom-focused.
The reality Tv star’s image rebrand worked to catch the eye of GQ Mexico editors, at least, who feature her in its double winter issue.
And one particular photo shot by Michael Schwartz features the “assets” of the mom of three prominently!
In the photo, the 39-year old wears a long sleeve black turtleneck and no bottoms it appears.
To say the image, posted in IG, took many of her 70 million fans and followers by surprise is an understatement!
While she got a lot of love in the comment section, I can say a significant amount were body shaming ones and women expressing disappointment and stating the image will bring shame to her kids.
I don’t want to contribute too much to them by amplifying them so you can go to her post and read them for yourself.
ETA: This is not the first time, Kourt has posted a nude photo of herself from a fashion spread. She did so in 2017, andwhile preggers in 2014 in Vanity Fair!
Still, this close up one is quite different.
What do you think!? Let’s talk about it in social! Find me @bellyitch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!
Today is Cyber Monday! It’s a day when online retailers offer deep discounted prices to internet shoppers, and traditionally occurs the first Monday after Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year and named so because it’s what causes a lot of shops to go into the black, from an accounting perspective.
While I am usually not a big proponent of guilt -tripping or “shaming” parents, I make an exception when it comes to books.
Reading is very crucial to a child’s success in school and life. From knowing vocabulary words in context when taking a test to simply appreciating the value of words and prose, giving a child the gift of books and instills in them a love and appreciation for reading. This is paramount!
You do not have to be wealthy to expose a child to books as in many communities, cities and towns, library books are free! Online, there are depositories of free classics as well.
For $7.95 a month, there is always the option of signing up for a subscription to Epic! and getting access to thousands of titles that a kid can read online, at the library’s computer, or any digital device like a smart phone, tablet or other screen like a Kindle or Wii –good thing those things are good for more than video game playing!
Here is a curated list of 16 award-winning books that would be great to add to your child’s library if they don’t already have one. These would make great gift books for Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, a birthday, Quinceneara, Bar or Bat Mitzvah and more!
A personalized or custom gift is usually much appreciated by the recipient because he or she knows there was forethought given. Why? You have to order well in advance, usually, any gift emblazoned with someone’s name or favorite saying or image. Therefore, if you’re looking to give someone that type of present this Holiday season, you have to start plotting and planning now!
I curated a list of very cute, unique, one-of-a-kind-esque gifts to consider:
For that Girly Girl who loves to shop, we’ve got your number: Tons of Sales with discounts all Black Friday-Cyber Week long! Whether you’re on the hunt for a perfect gift or gift card, or you’re looking for a gift for yourself, here are the deals to check out this weekend.
Take 20% off sale items with code x20BF. Valid 11/22-11/26.
Kohl’s Take an extra 20% off site wide with code TAKE20. Valid 11/24-11/28.
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Black Friday! Shop 40-80% off everything. Valid 11/22-11/26.
Designer Sale! 40% off fall apparel, sport shop and dress collections. Valid 11/19-12/2.
L.L. Bean
20% Off Apparel and Outerwear . Valid 11/21 – 11/27
Toddlers are so fun to shop for! I’m a big fan of exploratory toys that incorporate learning into play and for this reason, I scoped out some pretty fun, creative, inventive and innovative offerings for your little one in this guide!
To purchase any item on this list click the links (affiliate links included) or use it as inspiration as you’re putting together your list or out and about shopping this holiday season.
100 First Words for Little Geeks – Since they’re way beyond “milk” and “ball,” teach them words they really need to know: dragon, android, cyborg, wormhole, and other vocab you need to get them into sci-fi and fantasy. ($10)
Baby Alive speaks to her mini mommy or daddy in either Spanish or English. Baby Alive‘s realistic, adorable phrases include childhood classics like “Time to go potty!” and “Yay, I did it!” ($36)
Kinetic Sand Beach Sand Kingdom Playset -This feels like wet sand and won’t dry out, even if you leave it out on the table overnight. (But yes, you might have to vacuum it out of the carpet, so invoke your home’s Play-Doh protocol and only allow it on the table.) ($20)
