Berries was there! Were you?

My day started at 7 a.m. and really got going when I piled Buttercup, my mom, and sister into the mini van and drove 2.5 hours to Pheonix for the American Baby & Family Expo. Yeah, I know...crazy, huh?

But I couldn't turn down an invite from Boon Inc. Marketing Director Kate Benjamin to check out the fun.

I've been in Tucson for a month now and know my way around the area pretty well...after all, you can't really get lost when you live in an area with one interstate. ;) But today my good luck ran out and our trip there and back took over 3 hours each due to shut down freeways and detours that led a line of frustrated drivers in endless circles.

But all the swearing under my breath is behind me now and I can sit down for a minute and focus on the fun, the vendors, and the incredible products I got a chance to look at today.

Like this Awesome onsie from Bubby Baby Boutique!

Bubby Baby Boutique has plenty of other sweet stuff for both boys and girls and I am so in love with the fact that this stuff has ATTITUDE! (A onsie that says "Elmo is my Homeboy? A Punk Rock Diva dress? A flippin' Wonder Woman Tee? Come on!)



And with Birthday on the Brain, I had to check out the Maddycakes booth.

For those in the Pheonix area, this is definetely the place to go for the perfectly planned themed party for your little ones.

Michelle's got plenty of experience making birthdays extra sweet, and I only wish she was close enough to help me plan Buttercup's 2d birthday bash! (Hmmmm...I wonder if an Elmo/Princess party would work...)



I can't forget about the Peanut Posh display. Talk about cute! Kickin' ties for your little man and the coolest interchangeable bottle cap barretts I have EVER seen. I can't wait to do a review and contest!











And then of course, there was boon! We had tons of fun with Buttercup trying out the Flair High Chair that a few lucky readers have won here at Berrie Sweet Picks (and I am so jealous...this thing is too cool for words!), and just oohing and ahhhing over the mod baby and kid stuff that I know we all love. (Seriously now...do you all keep coming back for my offbeat sense of humor and gripping writing style or to see what else boon is giving away on my blog? Or do I really want the answer to that? hmmmm....)







It's almost 1 a.m. here and I am exhausted (and I still have a vlog to put together!) but my looking like a newborn kicked my butt tomorrow morning was so worth the fun I had today.

So let me get back to work here and I promise to be back tomorrow with another great contest. Sweet dreams!

Oh and Kate? Buttercup says "thank oooo" to you and boon for your generosity. ;)

boon, splat, scrubble!

Buttercup loves staying in the tub until her little toes prune up, and thanks to the new toys from boon I'm having one heck of a time getting her out of the tub now.

I really can't complain, though. I love boon products, and am relieved to have bath toys options that are safe for my baby girl to play with since each of the new line of boon goodies is BPA, PVC, and Pthtlate-free!

Check out the video of Buttercup getting her splash on with her new favorite splash time toys!



*Scrubbles are just cute and the name makes me all happy cuz I'm easily amused like that. For $9.99 you get three interchangable bulbs witgh tectured attachments that kids can fill with water and then squeeze it out to their hearts content. And the best part? Yeah....they're dishwasher safe. Rock on.

*Splat is just $7.99 and is the most adorable take on a bath time ring toss game I have ever seen. You get one floating post and three fun rings.

*Water bugs also run $7.99 and are as simplistic as they are genius. Three colorful little critters glide across the water until your happy kid scoops them up with the mesh net.

Now, get ready for the drumroll because I have my first contest since my moving craziness took over! The cool peeps at Boon want me to picks three winners and each will get their choice of one of the three toys I reviewed. Entries are limited to U.S. and Canada, please.

To enter the contest, please leave a comment telling me how much you missed me and that your world is now a better place because I am blogging again. (no, really!) Or you can just leave me a comment telling me which boon toy reviewed here that you would like (by name!) to win if your comment is chosen! It's simple, really... just don't forget to leave your email address in the comment or your entry will not count.

Entries will be accepted until midnight (mountain time!), April 7, 2009 and the winners will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* Become a fan of Berrie Sweet Picks on Facebook
* Become a fan of boon on Facebook
* If you are already a facebook fan of either group, let me know in a comment on my fans page for your extra entry for this contest.
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Follow boon on Twitter (nickname: booninc)
* Tweet the contest and leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!
* Vlog about the contest and post at www.newbaby.com!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Pretty in Pink!

I love me some boon and I know you do, too!

And do I have a boon for you! I'm sure you are aware that the boon Flair High Chair is now available in a sweet pink design from Amazon for the little princess in your life.

Aside from the updated boost of color, all the flair that makes the Flair the rockin; high chair that it is are the same:
* a chemical resistant, waterproof pad that removes easily for cleaning
* a five-point harness
* a sturdy pedestal that slides easily under tables without scratching floors (and makes it look just plain awesome)
* a pneumatic lift allowing for height adjustment
* and it's free of all that bad stuff like BPA, Phthalatets and PVC. (And this is seriously the most important consideration, in my opinion.)

So you want one right? In pink and white? Or perhaps blue and white? Or would you prefer the boon signature orange and white?

You tell me...Boon is generously offering one lucky reader a Flair High Chair in the color of their choice to celebrate the new Pretty in Pink chair now available.

To enter, just leave me a comment telling me what color your would prefer if you won!

Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, March 3, 2009 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* Become a fan of boon on Facebook
* Become a fan of Berrie Sweet Picks on Facebook
* If you are already a facebook fan of either group, let me know in a comment on my fans page for your extra entry for this contest.
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Follow boon on twitter (Nickname: booninc)
* Tweet the contest leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

My Little Seat: My Newest Travel Must-Have

Who knew that planning a vacation with a toddler would be so tough? I'm getting ready to see my hubby for the first time in over a month (he's currently working in another state) and Buttercup is coming along for the plane ride and long weekend. This, of course, means extra planning and extra creativity to stretch our packing experience to the maximum, what with all the restrictions placed on what we can bring with us. So I decided to contact various businesses in a search for what I call "Travel Must Haves" for parents.

One item I came across is My Little Seat, an ingenious travel high chair sling that allows parents to turn any chair into a high chair for your child. And it's so small and easy to pack! Check out my vlog review, which I also posted at NewBaby!



I love this thing and highly recommend it to anyone interested in an easily portable high chair that takes up next to no space at all in a diaper bag carry-on! It's also a great idea for saving space, and money, in your own home or just a simple trip to a friend's house who doesn't have kids. You can get your own My Little Seat here or at Amazon.com.

Don't pack up the summer dresses! Just add Skid Pants!

Buttercup and I absolutely love our skid pants from Honeychunks! It's a great accessory to pair with a summer dress or a pair of shorts for a cute and practrical winter outfit!

Functional and cute: Babylegs

I have to say that since Buttercup has been born, I have never been a fan of tights. In my opinion, it's just too much of a pain to have to deal with that extra layer when it's time for a diaper change.

That's one of the reasons I am so in love with the alternative options, including Babylegs. They're cute, they're affordable, they're easier to deal with for diapered and EC babies, and you have so many more options available to you!
(I happen to love these for turning a summer dress into a stylish winter outfit, complete with a long-sleeved onsie or even another a pair of Babylegs and boots!)

Babylegs come in a variety of designs and patterns, and can be used from newborn to as far as your imagination can take you with your kids. Some suggested uses from Honeychunks are:

*Baby legs
*Kid legs
*Kid arms
*Adult arms
*Adult legs
*Soccer layer
*Football layer
*And more!

My only complaint with Babylegs is that they tend to run shorter than other brands out there, so for long-legged kiddos like Buttercup, so you lose out on a bit of leg coverage. But the variety of options cancels out that one little complaint. In fact, now that her legs are so long, I prefer to use them on her arms with a pair of Skid Pants to cover her legs from top to bottom. (For newborns, though, these are a great option!)

Babylegs are available for $12.00 per pair at Honeychunks.

Honeychunks, my favorite little online boutique (run by a waork-at-home Mom), is offering one lucky reader their choice of one pair of Babylegs (everyone say "Thank you!") For a girl, might I suggest the "tickled pink" pattern? Sooo cute!

To enter, visit Honeychunks and leave me a comment describing one item OTHER than babylegs you would like to see reviewed from her store AND which babylegs you would prefer if your comment is selected the winner. Comments must contain both in order to be considered valid.

Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 28 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Tickatoo: I see you!

I love online boutique shopping, and have come to find some of the coolest little web-based businesses with stuff for mom and baby that I wouldn't be able to find at big box stores.

One cute little place tp check out online is Tickatoo.

1) The name is downright cute!

2) Tickatoo is bound to carry something you'd love to get for yourself, a new baby, a homeschooled-child, a breastfeeding mom...and the list goes on!

Well, hang on to your Santa hats, everyone, because Tickatoo is offering one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate goof towards the purchase of any item on the site! It is, however, important to note that this contest is open internationally, and some items cannot be shipped. So here's my public service announcement telling whoever wins to check with Molly over at Tickatoo on what you'd like to use your prize for. ;)

To enter, visit Tickatoo and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me which product you would use your gift certificate for if you won (and yes, you are allowed to change your mind later.)

Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 16 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or an alternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

Sloppy Baby = functional fashion

Anyone who knows me knows how sentimental I am. I've got my Curious George stuffed animal from my baptism; my baby shoes, dresses from Mexico I wore as a child, and the beautiful blankets my grandmother made for me.

And one day, I'll pass it all on to Buttercup. I would, however, like to include a few things that were "just for her" in her little hope chest of memories to look back on one day, and the gorgeously soft blanket and adorable matching burp cloth and bib set we just received from Sloppy Baby are definitely being saved.

Sloppy Baby designs and produces their line of baby gear for the-well, sloppiest-of babies and the hippest, coolest moms--like us (who happen to love machine-washable stuff!)

I have to admit that this one was a very pleasant surprise for me. I mean, I knew that Sloppy Baby was sending us a gift set to review, but not until I melted in comfort when I rubbed the luxe fabric blanket against my face and caress the satin-edge, did I realize how truly special this product line is.

Anyone can make a blanket for a baby or a toddler. But sloppy baby has done more; they've made a little bit of baby bliss that is big enough to cover a smaller baby and small enough for the bigger ones to drag around as their lovies. Dimensions are just 21 " x 21".

And the matching bib/burp cloth set? Yay for that! Now I finally have a bib worthy of covering up her special occassion and holiday outfits that I'm proud to have included in family photographs. And their functional, too. With a 100 percent cotton exterior that is lined with fleece for extra absorbency and the option to reverse it for a new look, it's a great Christmas gift idea for the new baby or new mom in your life.

We received the beautiful Samantha Deluxe Gift set, and I love the chocolate and pink color combination. And best of all, it's all made in the USA.
$68 for gift set.

Joobles...the Fairest of them all

Joobles.

Just the word itself makes me giggle like a little kid.

But the story behind it makes me one proud momma knowing that Buttercup is cuddling with a 100 percent organic knit-toy whose purchase benefits fair trade.

The founders of Fair Indigo have a new line of soft and squeezable pals for your little ones-just in time for the holidays! Meet Mel the Monkey (Buttercup already did. You can see our vlog below!) and his sweet little playmates, all of which are handcrafted in Peru where artisans have hand crafted a menagerie of stuffed animals under fair trade conditions. The company tagline-Responsible, Sustainable, Adorable-is proven time and time again in the environmentally-friendly dyes and organic cotton grown right in Peru!

And if that isn't enough to warm your little green heart, the Joobles are made with cotton grown free of pesticides, insecticidess, herbicides, fertilizers, or other harmful chemicals; workers are paid fair wages; and free breakfasts and school supplies are donated to workers' children!

I mean, really, did you ever imagine that one toy could make such a difference in the lives of so many?

And as I look around our house, I see exactly what I promised myself would not happen: Too much junk. Too many overpriced and forgotten toys and stuffed animals I will gladly give away to charity when the time comes.

But sweet little Mel the Monkey here with his friendly little heart-shaped face and adorable blue limbs and tail? Oh no,...he's staying for as long as I can help it. And I hope to explain to Buttercup why he's so important when she gets old enough to understand.

Joobles retail for $29 each and can be found online at Fair Indigo or at Oompa Toys.

(You can stop holding your breath now because we do have a contest!)

To enter, visit Fair Indigo and click on the Fair Trade button (look for it-it is there!). Your entry will consist of leaving me a comment about what you have learned about the concept and why it is so important to patronize businesses who practice it. You must also include your first and second choice Jooble in your entry for it to be considered valid. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 10 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or analternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest using the term "fair trade" leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

See Buttercup fall in love with Kai

I love shoes. And I have a major addiction to baby shoes.

Seriously, Buttercup has had more shoes in her short life than I probably have purchase in the last 10 years! And while I was totally devoted to a certain brand who shall remain nameless until a short while ago, I am now a total convert to the See Kai Run line of shoes for little feet.

These shoes really are the cutest, most modern, most flexible, and highest quality I have come by in my 18 months of devoted research. And it certainly helps that I love the story of Mom Creates Hip Namesake to Meet Needs Even Hipper Son. Just two years after getting the company up and running, See Kai Run was a hit in children's boutiques across the country and continues to win over parents and tots alike when they try them for themselves.

I hate spending full price on anything clothing-wise for Buttercup, and many of her clothes are hand-me-downs or bargain-basement specials. But I won't skimp on her shoes. It's too important to me to ensure her little feet are given the flexibility essential right now, and See Kai Run shoes are honestly so easy to flex I can bend the shoe in half with one hand without any effort at all! the soles, which are made from an extremely flexible rubber, are perfect for outdoor use allowing for little feet to flex in all the right places, and Buttercup loves the easy on velcro-straps.

For our review, Buttercup and I got to try the beaut-ee-us Elaine Mary Janes ($40), which are absolutely adorable with their mismatched line of silver stars on each shoe. These are perfect for the holidays, and go with everything.

I've had them since October, and so far have used them for family pictures in early November and then again on Thanksgiving. Buttercup will wear them again for Christmas, and then all bets are off and she can use them anytime her little heart desires.

We also got to take a look at the new Smaller line of soft-soled booties made specifically for babies 0-18 months. The Mazi style ($32)arrived on our doorstep and was a perfect choice for my nine-month old nephew, and will fit him for quite a while. My sister loves that her little man has a kickin' pair of shoes with a major dash of style and I love that little Aiden's feet are just as flexible as if he wasn't wearing a thing!

And perhaps my favorite feature of all the See Kai Run shoes is the butter-soft leather used in their design. It looks classy, expensive even, and yet they are priced no higher than many of their competitors who use lesser materials.

Bottom line? I heart See Kai Run. And I know you will, too.

Thanks to my new fave shoe company, I've got a great contest for two winners to win ONE PAIR each of either the regular See Kai Run line and the Smaller line. And it['s winners choice on style and size! To enter, visit See Kai Run and leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what style and size you would prefer if selected a winner. And remember, this is a two-in-one contest for one winner each for the two styles I just reviewed! Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, on December 8 and will ONLY be considered if they include a valid email address. Winner has 4 days to contact me after the announcement has been made, and please-U.S. entries only.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest and leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!
Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

(Oh, and PLEASE forgive the awkward positioning of the photos above. Blogger would not cooperare with me today and I was running out of patience. :-)

Wear your baby in style with SlingEzee!

Anyone who knows me, or reads this blog reguarly knows that I am a big fan of baby-wearing. Since they day she was born, Buttercup has experienced the skin-to-skin contact and soothing beat of her Mama's heart that I think are so vital to her development.

There are tons of options out there, but the SlingEzee is a great option to look into for those of you who prefer the sling-style carriers. Having undergone a very recent redesign to incorporate better ease of use, increased fexibility in sizing, less bulk, added comfort for mom and baby, and beautiful new fabrics, this sling would make a great gift for a new mom and is a great buy at $59.00. Just make sure to pay attention to the sizing options for the best fit and comfort.

We were lucky enough to try the gorgeous Sage Chocolate Damask design, which is honestly nice enough to wear out for an evening with baby attached! I can't even begin to count how many times I was at a dressy event with a drab baby carrier covering my carefully selected dress or blouse.

As with many other slings I have seen, the SlingEzee is made to carry your child from birth through toddlerhood, making it beyond easy to breastfeed discreetly and comfort your child. I would recommend watching the included instructional DVD, as incorrectly positioning the sling can result in discomfort for you and an unsafe carrying situation for your child. But worn correctly, the SlingEzee is a stylish baby-wearin' Mama's baby carrier of choice!

Helping baby get some downtime

You know how a good sleep mask can help a frazzles mom catch some zzz's in the middle of a bright day? Well, one mom took that premiuse and ran with it, confident that her idea for the Downtime Sleepy Hat would work just a well with infants who are learning to differentiate night from day.

The Downtime Slepy Hat is made from a light-weight and breathable, 100 percent organic pima cotton. It also features an adjustable top-knot, essentially allowing you to customize the size of your baby's hat.

And yes, it is in fact a hat that can be work during normal waking hours and is a great on-the-go option for creating a sleep-inducing environment for your child. All in all, I think it is a great idea so I was excited to try it. But, old dogs and new tricks, right?

Buttercup isn't exactly a newborn anymore, so I should have figured that this wasn't going to work for us very well. I managed to get her to the point where she will wear the hat to keep her head warm outside, but as for its use as a sleep-aid, we didn't get very far.

But to be fair to the Downtime Sleepy Hat, I probably wouldn't get very far if I tried telling Buttercup that she suddenly was never allowed to sleep with us again (like she does most every night.) And the point, of course, is that introducing something (ANYTHING)new would take a lot of work.

As for infants though, I believe this product would be quite useful. And I have one nephew, in fact, who could only sleep with something covering his eyes as a newborn. The Downtime Sleepy Hat is available for $22 at Mom4Life.

So are you pregnant now? Have a best friend or sister who is about to give birth or a cooing little newborn at home already? If so, ONE lucky winner has the chance to try this smart little product out for themselves. US entries ONLY! To enter, share one of your own sleepy quirks with my readers (like mine, which is I the absolute NEED to sleep with my own pillow, no matter where I am!) Contest ends at midnight, EST, on November 20 and the winner will have four days from the announcement date to contact me or a new winner will be selected.

As always, extra entries will be available for those who:

* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest and leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!
*You can also snag a bonus entry by browsing the Mom 4 Life site and naming one sleep-aid, other than the Downtime Sleepy Hat, that interests you!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

And that's it! Good luck to everyone who enters.

Snug as a bug for Halloween

It doesn't matter where you live: Fall means colder weather for everyone. And winter in the Midwest means it's pretty much time to pull out the parkas.

I distinctly remember everyone telling me that I would need one of those little snow-bunting thingies for Buttercup to get us through the winter. After all, if I was bundled up from head to toe (thanks to said parka) then she should be, too, right?

Well, yes...and no.

See, I do the baby-wearing thing and with all of the no-fuss that I love about not having to worry about a stroller when I can just pop her in and out of my carriers, I really didn't want to make life harder by involving a bunting that I was going to have to put on and take off each time I got her in or out of my carrier.

That, and I really am not a patient person. So I was not interested in spending 20 minutes bundling her up to have to just reverse the whole process five minutes later when we arrived at our destination.

And heck-before we even get to the snowy stuff, what was I going to do on Halloween? She was only 4 months old for her first one and I got the most adorable tu-tu for her to wear, so did I really want to cover that up with a bulky coat?

Of course not!

And of course, that's wear my Snugabug Warmsie same in. This little cutie takes the place of the standard onsie for the colder months, wicking away moisture and keeping baby warm with a comfortable thermal base layer of 100 percent TempRite polyester. The $36 price covers the Warmsie onsie and pants, made of a solid body and cute (and practical)contrasting ankle and wrist bands to keep the warmth in. Best of all, the roomy seat was made with Baby's diaper in mind (and you all know that Buttercup wears cloth!)

But don't stop reading if your kids are past toddlerhood. Snugabug just expanded their product line to include the Snugz sizes from 3-10. They have also introduced their White Warmth line, a basic choice in white, perfect for layering under anything, anytime. Prices range from $30 for an infant toddler set to $22-$24 for individual kids' pieces.

This is definitely one product I highly recommend for parka-free trick-or-treating, and every other fave outdoor activity from trips to the apple orchard to building snow men.

Padded bum = Happy Baby

How often are practical and cute combined in a baby product that Moms would not only love to give at baby showers, but buy for themselves, as well? (Yeah, not very often!)

But with Gissy Bellas Comfy Crawlers, you get to dress your tot in style while protecting their lil' bums, knees and elbows from the redness and occasional ouchies that come with learning to crawl, scoot, cruise and walk. The fashionable and functional pants have cushy knee, shin and rear pocket foam pads and are made of durable and comfortable fabrics babys (and Moms) love. (An added bonus is the extra roomy seat, which is a dream for cloth diapers!) Oh, and don't wait if you're interested. A few of the fall courdery pants styles are currently on sale for $19.99!

Buttercup looked super cute in her comfy crawlers, which I washed ofen for her to wear while she was in the crawling and scooting stages.

Coorindating T-shirts are sold separately and are currently on sale for $12, but are worth the little bit extra. The long-sleeved shirts will be nice and comfy on babys skin and the padded elbows will help keep them a little bit happier as they learn to explore their new mobility. Choose from corduroy, cotton, khaki or denim.

Blog Bash: Buttercup's Birthday Suit

What to wear for the big day? Whether it's the first birthday or the third, Avannabel Baby has you covered for the cutest, handmade personalized birthday duds you are ever going to lay eyes on.
Seriously.
I searched high and low for a "keepsake" dress for the birthday girl, and after buying and returning about three dresses from major department stores, I finally called the Birthday Suit Search quits when the Monogrammed Kelly Green Gingham Birthday Dress (with a cute pink cupcake!)arrived in the mail.
This sweet little number is just $48.00 and is fully lined in broadscloth and includes pink grosgrain ribbon at the shoulders (which Buttercup only undid three times the whole party before she lost interest.) And the totally cute birthday cupcake applique is just the perfect touch, especially since Buttercup's birthday treat was a pink, gluten-free cupcake! So cute and just the right size for her little hands.
For an extra special touch, why not have the outfit personalized with your choice of monogram or first name for $10 more? For me, that was the proverbial icing on the cake that made this dress exactly what I had been looking for to begin with: A memory to treasure for years to come.
Thanks, Avannabel Baby!


***BERRIE IMPORTANT BLOG BASH PRIZE UPDATE!!!***

Kimberly has been selected as the winner of the $25 Gift Certificate for Avannabel Baby! Be sure to contact me with your address so I can get your prize mailed out to you and keep checking back to see if your name has been drawn for a prize!

What a star!

Buttercup has major movie star potential. Call me an overly-proud Momma, but the girl has a huge Drama Queen Quotient and already sings and tries to snap her fingers while jammin' to her favorite tunes.
And that high note she hits?
Fuggedaboutit.
But no matter how much I might dream of my lil' princess taking the world by storm when she is older, I am perfectly content to cuddle up with her and just bubble with pride as we watch one of her fave DVD's, the too-cute-for-words MeMovies BEE AND ME DVD!
Launched by husband and wife team Stephen Ray and Kristina Zill in 2005, each MeMovie is customized with your baby or young child’s picture and their name. It sounds simplistic, but when you receive the 30-minute long DVD in the mail with your child’s smiling face and top billing as the “Featured Co-Star,” I'm willing to bet you are more excited than your kid is going to be. (I know I was.)
And it gets even better when you and your child hear their name pronounced correctly many times throughout the adorable cartoon. MeMovies customizes “BEE AND ME” for baby’s and toddlers through four years of age with a colorful background sure to capture their attention.
It's cute, it's fun, and I can't wait to post a review of COSTUME PARTY, which is designed for kids four and up.
Stay tuned!

More to chew on

I thought that all of you who entered this contest might be interested to know that I just received an email from Smart Mom Jewelry offering a berrie sweet deal to BSP readers!
Here's the deal: Receive a free matching bangle at checkout with code S-FB. The offer's good through August 30, so tell all your friends dealing with the ...ahem!...joys of teething!

It's a wrap!

How many times have you wished for an extra set of hands since the baby was born? Check out the Moby Wrap, the wish-come-true product for moms on-the-go who'd like to avoid the backache associated with many of the traditional baby carriers on the market.
This little gem was my first baby carrier and will always hold a fond place in my heart. It might have taken a while to get used to and a few practice tries with a stuffed animal to make sure I wouldn't drop Buttercup, but once I felt secure in what I was doing, it was pure love between me and my Moby. And the included directions were a cinch to follow.
Once you have the hang of it, your baby will be secure against your beating heart while you revel in the glory of being hands-free. (Trust me on this; it's a truly glorious feeling to be able to soothe a fussy baby WHILE getting the laundry folded. Talk about multi-tasking!)
Or maybe you'd like to try a day out on the town without a hefty stroller to maneuver in crowded stores? I'll be the first to tell you that it is not only possible, it's truly liberating. I can't tell you how many times we have gone out sans stroller and not missed it for even a second.
Best of all; the 100 percent cotton wrap goes from the washer to the dryer with the rest of the laundry. Pick your favorite color out of 13 available choices to match your personality or wardrobe (I happen to love the Moby Wrap Original 100% Cotton Solid Baby Carrier.) It's affordable and will hold your baby from birth to 35 pounds, which makes it an even better deal in my book.You might even consider purchasing two, so you can always have one to wear while the others in the wash.

Biker (baby) chic

Let's just get right to the point. My lil' Buttercup is adorable. But, as it has been proven to me, it is entirely possible to make her even adorable-er. Note the following pictures of Buttercup with her Papa this past weekend:



See? Abso-freakin-lutely adorable-er than ever. I'd like to think it's the baby biker chic look she is sportin' here with her new duds from Baby Banz Sunglasses.
First off, we have the berrie sweet Baby Banz Wrapz in Pink Floral. Her heads just a wee bit small for it still, but that just means she'll get plenty of use out of my new fave baby accessory, which is now an official summer staple in my diaper bag.
Nothin' says "Cute and Dangerous" like this thing.
Then there are the ingenious Baby Banz in Pink Flamingo. Designed to be worn for kids 0-2 and 2-5 (Kids Banz), these little babies are great for keeping little eye's safe from dangerous UV rays. Just be prepared to stop and answer questions by interested and gushing parents!
So who wants their baby (read: child ages 0-5 years old) to look their adorable-est with some sweet duds of their own? the good people at Baby Banz are offering one Wrapz/Baby (or kid) Banz set to one lucky reader. Basically, you leave me a berrie (read: comment), I put names in a hat and let Buttercup draw, and the last one I fish out of her mouth that I can still read is the winner! (You get an extra entry if you can tell me why I wouldn't want to go with the first one I get out of said baby's mouth...seriously.)
One extra entry is also applicable to anyone who blogs about this contest and comes back to drop the link to the post. And if you don't feel like drawing undo attention to this particular contest, thereby flooding the contestant pool, you can get that extra entry by grabbing the HTML code for my button and adding it to your site! Just be sure to let me know you DID that, 'k?
Contest ends at midnight (EST) June 3, at which point I will put the winner in contact with Baby Banz to determine the size and colors of your choice.
Oh-and my lucky readers are also getting treated to a discount code from Baby Banz. Just enter code BSP10 at checkout for 10 percent off your order through June 30.

Plenty of life in this diaper bag

I remember when I got pregnant that I was convinced one diaper bag would be enough for me.
But what I failed to consider was that the diaper bag would be replacing my purse, and since I am a big fan of alternating my purses, I'd be just as anxious to alternate the diaper bag.
And I did do just that, until my Hoohobbers tote bag arrived, anyway. It has since become my "go-to" diaper bag, and the only time we use anything else is when my husband is with me and knows he'll get stuck holding the bag.
What is the appeal to the Hoohobbers tote, you ask? And exactly why is it worth the $70+ price tag? Well, it's simplicity is the main attraction. It doesn't scream "DIAPER BAG" to everyone you pass on the street.
It's durable and won't yellow or crack, with the nylon bottom providing extra security for lugging around all of the kiddo's extras. And trust me when I say that just because it isn't loaded with tons of pockets that there isn't plenty of room to spare.
I have successfully packed a days worth of bottles, clothes, diapers, and a few toys for Buttercup when she was as young as four-months. And out of every bag I own, this one is the sure fire conversation starter when I am out with girlfriends. I also almost forgot to mention that the straps snap over stroller handles for added convenience.
It's super-easy to spot clean, and since it's 100 percent cotton, a toss in the wash is always safe.
The best part is that there is plenty of life after baby in this sweet lil' bag, so Momma can eventually add to her own collection.
Check out the Hoohobbers Designer Tote Diaper Bag China Doll
for a nice gender nuetral choice.
****
Interested in adding to your own collection? If so, I have one Hoohobbers tote diaper bag up for grabs for one lucky mom! You know the drill! Visit the Hoohobbers page and then leave me a berrie (read: comment) telling me what your fave pattern is. You can even get an extra entry if you write a post about this contest on your blog and then stop back here with the link. Contest ends at midnight on May 30.
Hoohobbers is also graciously offering Berrie Sweet Picks readers a discount code (BLG08) for 15 percent off your purchase through July 15. How sweet is that?