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Sol Republic’s Shadow Wireless Earphones are great for a Multi-tasking mom (WIN IT $99)

As an active mompreneur who is constantly fighting the

battle of the bulge, I try to squeeze working out regularly into my very busy

and hectic schedule.  I usually mix it up

with Zumba or Barre classes, outdoor and treadmill running, spinning and doing

exercise Apps or DVDs when the gym is closed and it’s too late to go out for a

run.
For most of my activities, I don’t need much equipment to

get moving other than exercise clothes and a comfy pair of sneakers. The only

other must-have is a powerful headphones because the pulsating bass and beats

of music help the time working out go faster. And nothing can ruin a good work

out than being stuck with mediocre earbuds that deliver poor sound quality.
I usually stick with Sol Republic buds and was geeked when

offered a chance to check out that brands new Shadow wireless headphones.
I’ve seen others on people that appear heavy and bulky. No

thanks. But surprisingly these were very lightweight and fit comfortably on the

base of the back of my neck.
To test them out, I used them while running outdoors, on a

treadmill, while doing jumping jacks and while spinning. The collar stayed put during

those rigorous movements. I like the freedom of not having wires to get in the

way and tangled up while running and breaking my stride.
A few times when not balanced they did slip but I chalk that

up to user error.  All other times they barely

shifted. They could be worn all day around the office and used in lieu of those

wireless blue tooth ear pods that have one looking douche bag’ish.
It has a mic because it also operates as a phone.
I imagine these headphones could be used also by a new

mother who may not want to wander too far away from her baby to answer the

phone. With her smartphone within range, when paired with Shadow, her hands are

free and baby doesn’t get tangled in the wires of a traditional ear buds. Sweet!
I  tested out the

range while spinning at the gym. I was able to stream music from my iPhone

sitting which on a table across the room plugged in and charging.  That was a lifesaver because otherwise the

smartphone’s battery would have died and I’d be music less for the rest of the

work out session.
Each side has a section that houses either the battery and

volume and controls. Press on a tiny dot and when you see the flashing blue

light, you know it is on and ready to pair with any device that picks up Bluetooth

objects. When the batter is low, a guy tells you in your ear that the battery

is low to charge.
The manufacturers, based in San Francisco, California,  claim the buds are rain & sweat resistant and they fold neatly up and can be carried in a pocket or in your purse, wristlet or sports fanny pack.
Even after hearing that guy, I was able to use the headphones

for another hour for a total of about 6-8 hours before having to recharge it.
And as I’ve come to expect from this brand, the sound

quality was superb.
I think Sol Republic’s Shadow is worth the $99 investment

and you can pick one up  in Steel Black and Rich Grey at Best Buy which is the only retailer offering it now. Others will beginning in June. 
But you don’t have to wait that long if there is no Best Buy near you. Sol Republic is letting us give away one of these Shadow wireless earbuds to one lucky Bellyitch reader.
Simply enter below now thru midnight next week Wednesday, May 20. Open to US entrants only. 

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Eco-Friday REVIEW: BlueAir ‘Sense’ air purifier for baby’s nursery

 

I am a big believer in minimalist home design and having as little furniture in the house as possible, partially because it limits the amount of surfaces that can accumulate in-home allergens.  Also, I live in a designated “Tree City” which means my town is full of very old historic trees that are great to look and live around but make for a horrible Fall and Spring allergy season when tree pollen becomes a problem.
I have used in-home air purifiers to also limit the irritants that trigger allergies.  Everyone in my home suffers from  allergies, unfortunately.
Given my family’s history with allergies, I was elated to be sent a unit and get an opportunity to test out BlueAir‘s innovative and award-winning air purifier “Sense.”  (retail: $450). Sense filters the air and has an ion particle-charging process that is said to remove 99.97% of harmful airborne pollutants from the room faster.  I tested it out in different sized rooms in my home.
Controls
I could control the level of filtration with a wave of my hand over the black motion-sensor control top. That was neat! With other systems, you may forget when it is time to change the filter, but this unit has a red alert that you can’t miss when passing by. To change, I will need to flip it on its side and remove the filter and change it every 6 months.

 

Eco-Friendly
It’s also eco-friendly and is built with 100% recyclable materials and the makers say it uses less energy than a light bulb to run. With a family of five, our energy bill can get up there so knowing this unit won’t add too much to that cost was great!
Design
It comes in an assortment of soft colors (white, brown, pink, blue, gray) to match any room or baby’s nursery design.  The feet is soft so it won’t damage the hardwood floors in my home. I also loved the fact that the system looked attractive and would not stand out in the room but was attractive and blended in perfectly. I’ve read on the manufacturer’s website that the wraparound grill design also helps create 90% open area to maximize airflow. Aaaah! Perfect.
Maneuverability of the Unit
 It was easy to carry from room to room because of the handles on the side. It wasn’t too heavy to lift either. My 10 and 12 year old could lift it and help me move it from room to room.
Does it work?
 
To me, each room the unit was in felt cleaner and even smelled cleaner. The kids noticed it too. You could breathe easier in the room and it was less stuffy. You could definitely tell the difference and that’s why after testing it out in different rooms in the house, we decided to leave it permanently in the children’s room.
I know it is hard to tell if a baby is suffering from a little cold or allergies, but one thing parents can do to limit allergens is to use little linen and reduce the amount of stuffed animals just sitting around. If you must use them, regularly clean them and put the stuffed animals in the freezer to kill bacteria and dust mites. The other thing they can do is have an air purifier unit like BlueAir‘s The Sense in their baby’s nursery.
The Price
The unit costs $450 which is lower than this brand’s older and previolusly models but is in the middle range of other units of this quality  that also claim to purify, clean and circulate air in a 150 sq ft room 5 times per hour. The replacement filters run about $100 and I wish that price would come down a bit because that can be a bit hefty twice a year cost. It’s a good investment if you have allergy sufferers in your home. You cannot put a price on their comfort.
You can also check out a product video here:

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REVIEW: Celeb favorite SoftBaby is Organic softness for baby

About 5 years ago, we featured organic onesies in our weekly Eco Friday posts for the edification of our Eco-conscious parents who are interested in earth-friendly products. The benefit of organic clothing for babies is that they are gentler to the sensitive skin of newborns and infants that are prone to allergic reactions from clothing.  Outfitting them in clothes made of organic material such as organic cotton may lessen the chances of their skin becoming irritated from harmful pesticides and other irritants found in non-organic materials. 
We got a chance to check out a relatively new organic baby clothing company called SoftBaby, which, according to the designer line, is loved by celeb moms Hayden Panettiere, Drew Barrymore and Ciara.

Here is a review from Bellyitch Reader Reviewer Chelsea who sampled a romper on her gorgeous 8-month old son Michael. Here is her review:
  • Fit – The first question when buying baby

    clothes is does it fit? Great fit is key. Depending on the manufacturer, new

    parents often finding themselves upsizing or downsizing based on the clothing’s

    label to find the right fit for their baby. SoftBaby’s romper was a great fit

    with no age guessing game. My 8 month old fit the 6-9 romper perfectly. There

    was even some room for him to continue to grow.
  • Design and Texture – I loved SoftBaby’s design.

    The unbleached organic cotton with yellow orange deer prints was adorable. The

    romper would be a great baby shower unisex gift to give. Additionally, the

    organic cotton was truly as soft as if it was picked directly from the field.

    The thickness was a summer cotton and it made me wonder if SoftBaby was

    considering having a winter cotton line of clothing as well.
  • Function – 

    Call it the “Great Soft Baby Crawling Suit.”  The cotton moved freely with the baby as he speed

    crawled around the house. Definitely no creasing, stretching or cotton

    stiffness. The down side came when it was time to change Michael’s diaper. The

    romper only had front snaps and no diaper snaps. The front snaps were a bit

    stiff which made me worry that I may tear the fabric. And with no diaper snaps,

    changing Michael required aerobatics on his part and for me to take the romper

    almost off of him.
  • Overall: I would buy

    the romper for myself or as a baby shower gift.

Good thing! Check out Softbaby which sells blankets, bloomers, rompers and bodysuits, starting at $40.

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Review: Kwena’s crocodile oil is great cure all for a pregnant belly,babies and entire family

I believe in the power of a massage. For babies, a gentle massage after a shower is great for several reasons: 1. It feels good and can calm a baby; 2. It reinforces a bond through the touching aspect of a massage connects the parent with the baby and works on strengthening connections; and 3. It lifts and enhances mood through the aromatherapy aspect of the massage if it is done with a fragrant emolient infused with calming scents like lavender, jasmine, mint, lemon or chamomile.
There are various products out there but I recommend going with an all natural balm with minimum chemicals.
I was sent all the way from the Nile in South Africa a few vials of some wonderful crocodile oil in a salve made by Kwena.
Used by the ancient Egyptians, crocodile oil is extracted from the fatty tissues of crocodiles and has been used as a preventative and treatment for a number of human ailments.
The mixture of the oil with grapeseed oil, beeswax  and tea tree oil is the perfect blend and texture for moisturizing hands and other body parts. It was mildly fragrant but not too overwhelming and the absence of excess chemicals means it likely wouldn’t irritate baby’s skin.
The moisturizer was not sticky but silky to the touch and could easily be incorporated into a daily moisturizing routine by a pregnant woman who is fighting stretch marks or trying to prevent new ones form forming in her second pregnancy.
It is said this ancient oil can heal several other skin conditions including burns, cuts, sores, sunburn, lacerations and lesions, ulcers, blisters, irritated skin, diaper rash, insect bites, razor burns, sports injuries, sore muscles, arthritis, sprains, stiffness, joint pain, gout and can help with rapid healing of viral and fungal infections like ring worm and athletes foot, warts, dandruff, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema!
Phew!
The name Kwena  is Sotho-Tswana for crocodile in Southern  Africa. No testing is done on animals and the oil comes from crocodiles farmed for other purposes.
Kerns sells their salve for $32 a 30 ml vial and all orders over $55 are free an shipped internationally.
And it only takes a little bit to do the trick which is good given it’s a bit costly.  You can certainly nurse it. I did with my one 15 ml sample jar which is lasting me several weeks and I still have plenty left over. Good stuff. Highly recommend!
If you can afford to get your hands on this exotic and rare find, you should.

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Repost

Review: The ‘Kid Lid’ protects your laptop from baby and toddler users

In this digital era we live in, chances are most babies will find themselves in front of a laptop viewing an educational  DVD or cartoon while resting on her tummy on a play mat before the age of one. By the time an infant gets to toddlerhood, he would have become a pro at online games. It’s just the world we are living in now.

But babies and kids’ love for laptop videos can be costly if they bang on the keys or spill food or drink inside of it.

Enter the Kid Lid. This innovative product, which retails for $29.99, is essentially a cover for the keyboard portion of the laptop.

The latest iteration of the invention which launched and got funded on Kickstarter last year folds up easily for storage and portable carriage. It also comes in Black. That was the color of our complimentary review copy ($39.99).

Created by a company called Mogolo, The KidLid can be wiped cleaned or placed in the dishwasher even, and is made up of BPA-Free Poly Carbonate plastic. It covers laptops that are 13 or 15 inches in sizes and comes in white, but the black and watermelon colors are also available in the fold up variety. An elastic velcro strap helps keep the lid in place.

I love it and found it to be perfect and functional! Check out a video on the product:

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The New Year Housecleaning Go-To for Tips

The new year also represents a time for people to clean house, throw out junk, and update or reorganize piles of stuff that have accumulated in different corners of their home or office. I’m in the middle of cleaning out my attic this week and I remembered this post from this Spring about my go-to bible for home makers:

When I got engaged back in 1999, a dear law school pal of mine threw me a bridal shower in her quaint Capitol Hill apartment. It was wonderfully organized and I got a chance to check out her very neatly organized home. 

Her secret: The Bible of keeping house, Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House” by Cheryl Mendelson which she gave me as a gift.
It is a nearly 100-page hardback text and includes a comprehensive guide to every section of the home and is easily understood and great for beginners, like I was back then. Even intermediate or advanced home makers will find this resource text helpful.
My dog-eared version of the home-cleaning bible
I didn’t grow up with a mother who passed on homemaking skills and techniques to her children so I was clueless. The book was right on time.
In it, Mendelson explains materials and properties of common household items which is essential for knowing how to care for them and extend their life. She explains when to replace worn out items. Home Comforts  has sections and subchapters like Electricity Safety, The Air in your Castle, Caring for jewelry, Ironing, How to launder Tricky Items and more.
Since I am pretty busy and have been since getting hitched years ago, I haven’t had time to comb carefully through the entire book, yet I use it as a reference guide and turn to it often…especially each Spring during Spring Cleaning time!
If you don’t already have a copy and are considering purchasing a new home or just want to start fresh and learn how to manage your own home, I highly recommend it. It’s available at Amazon.com in Kindle, Paperbook and Pdf now!  And it makes a great wedding or bridal shower gift.

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Bellyitch/Beyond Baby Mamas GRACO Modes Stroller System Grand Prize winner announced!

Congratulations
 to 
Pareece Nasario
on winning the 
GRACO Modes
Click Connect 
3 in 1 Stroller Travel System (Reviewed HERE) in the


Narasio was the best (and only) eligible entry… foreclosing the need to do a run-off!
We are shipping out the prizes to the runner up and other prize winners THIS WEEK!
Thanks to all who entered
CONGRATS!

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Bellyitch/Beyond Baby Mama $1,000 Prize Pack Holiday Giveaway

Each year, Bellyitch has a holiday giveaway targeting its national audience. 

In 2013, and before that in 2010, it was Bellytich’s Favorite Things and in 2012, we gave away 25 gifts for 25 days in December in the 25 Days of Christmas Giveaway. In 2011, we gave away $500 worth of goodies from our entire swag closet in a funny baby name competition. We’ve raffled off diamond push gifts and elegant celeb-fave designer maternity wardrobes and loads of other items generously donated and offered by sponsors.

This year, we wanted to do something a little different and focus on giving back to young moms close to our blog’s headquarters near Washington, DC. Many new moms starting out without an active partner in their parenthood journey struggle and don’t have all they need. Some resort to using used items that may be outdated and unsafe.
That’s why Bellyitch has partnered up with writer, professor Stacia L. Brown, founder of the Washington-DC area-based blog dedicated to the support and upliftment of single mothers of color, Beyond Baby Mamas

The Grand prize this year, the Graco Modes Click 3 in 1 stroller travel system system we reviewed earlier today, valued at $500 (including delivery), is reserved exclusively for a deserving mom starting her family from the Beyond Baby Mamas outreach community. Others may benefit from other prizes as well. 

In addition to this awesome stroller, we are also offering up to anyone nationwide who wants to enter (not just DC area single moms) the following curated from previously featured brands and other items:
The value of all items up for grabs total $1,000, and we are still adding items up until the selection of the winners on Christmas day!

To enter, simply fill out the sweepstakes below. Enter for one prize or all.  However, if you want consideration for the stroller, you will have to (1)  live in the DC, Maryland, Virginia metropolitan area AND enter a comment stating who would use the stroller or who you will gift it to and why that person or family really need the stroller system.
The other prizes are available to anyone nationally!
The deadline is Sunday, December 21 at midnight. Beyond Baby Mama and Bellyitch will select three finalist and let readers vote for their fave finalist up until December 24 and select a winner on Christmas Day, December 25, 2014.  
We will accept entries for the other prizes, not the the top 3 until December 24.
The finalist getting the second highest votes will win the $100 Visa gift card and the third place winner will win the Diaper Bag.
Non top 3 finalists will also be entered to win the other prizes up for grabs on a raffle basis. The winner of those prizes will also be announced next Thursday!
You can enter daily!

Share the word! Thanks for entering! Happy Ho! Ho! Holidays, friends. 
GOOD LUCK!

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GRACO Modes Stroller Travel System Review & GIVEAWAY)

Baby and children’s product manufacturer Graco

sent Bellyitch to review one of its newest stroller systems, the Modes Click Connect 3 in 1 Stroller Travel System  (valued $482) which can

accommodate a newborn to a toddler. It’s versatile, grows with baby and literally can be the only stroller you’d

ever need.
First

off, we start off with a pretty good base product.  Over 12 years ago, I got my first Graco infant car seat and it was

wonderfully constructed, safe and durable and lasted me through several years. It truly is the industry standard

for those seats.  It appears Graco has improved upon older models and taken the best part of stroller systems to come up with this latest product. Here is my review:
·        It took me about 5 minutes to take out all the parts in the box

the stroller shipped in and within 15 minutes I had assembled all the parts

myself with no tools whatsoever.  It was super easy! Most of the parts snapped in easily and the instructions

were quite intuitive.·      From the hospital, a baby will spend most of its time inside the

infant seat. No need to disturb baby when you are going from car to the mall.

Simply snap the stroller into the buggy part of the stroller and go. If it will

be used as a buggy for a brisk walk out in the neighborhood, simply lay baby inside

the carriage part and you’re off. As baby grows out of the infant seat, the

back part easily adjusts and can be used as a toddler and pre-schooler

stroller. The back reclines for those moments when a small kid falls asleep. No

more toppling over or neck strains as with traditional umbrella strollers.·

The stroller easily collapsed with a pull of a lever in the back

and quickly snaps into place with one hand. It can be removed and added into

the trunk with one arm. This is important for when out alone with baby and not spare hands to help you out. The front wheels easily swivel for taking tight corners which is good for maneuvering around crowded and cramped areas.

·      The canopy was made of pretty durable material, not flimsy at all so it looks like it could withstand the test of time. I liked the fact

that my sample was a dark navy because it made it unisex and can be used or

gifted to a mom expecting a baby or either gender.

·

The height is perfect for me who is just 5 foot 3 and my husband

who is 6 foot 3 to push and not have his shins hit up on the base.

·

The boot is very spacious and ample. I was able to stuff into it an

entire diaper bag, a spare blanket, a jacket and had room to spare.

·

The wheels were sufficient though they could’ve been a bit more

rugged so to withstand the test of time or being pushed through dirt, gravel, sidewalks

with cracks in them and other gritty terrain, occasionally.

It’s

a perfect gift for a soon to be or brand new mom because it would be all they’d

need for baby for a very long time.
And this year, we’re giving away our review edition to a deserving mom-to-be or new mom.
Check the blog tomorrow morning for details on the giveaway!

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Style RX Winner ANNOUNCED!

Congratulations to 
JOAN KUBES
She wins a set of Style Rx uniquely designed patterns printed on cotton canvas pill boxes from 
Inspired by Dawn
Each box is valued at $34.
Thanks to all who entered!
Stay tuned for some more amazing giveaways coming up! We’re getting some amazing offers from various products!
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