Buzz - Chic Shops Baby

A big thank you to Chic Shops Baby for selecting Purl Mama & Baby as their site of the week! Chic Shops Baby is, as it name suggests, an online guide which talks about chic baby shops for discriminating mamas (and it's also pretty chic itself). It's got a load of useful information including reviews and lots of discounts for its readers. For a 10% discount for Purl Mama use code "chicshops". Now, that is good news!

Now, Where Did I Put My Binkie ?

We love hearing about mom invented products. As they say necessity is the mother of invention and in the case of mom-inventor Teri Breuer the necessity was to find a solution to that age old dilemma - where's the pacifier gone? Plastic clip holders weren't working (where's the clip gone?) and so the idea for Bink Tees was born. How does it work? A ribbon attaches to a pacifier which then sticks to two velcro fasteners cleverly hidden under a patch on the tee. Choose from black or white in a range of designs (think colourful critters, smiley faces and peace signs). Check Bink Tees website for your nearest stockist or online store. $22.

Shady Baby Stroller Parasol

With spring showers all around us (and even the odd snow flurry) it may seem a bit premature to talk about sun protection. But we're ever the optimists and we're hoping that with all this talk of sun Mother Nature will take the hint. And when the sun does shine you'll want your baby to be cool in the shade which is where this UV protected parasol comes in. Its design is retro meets contemporary and it's as functional (and sturdy) as it is stylish. It clips on most strollers, portable cribs, swings or garden chairs and can be adjusted in three places to block the sun from any direction. Choose from pink and brown polka dots or blue sock monkeys. Available online from Shady Baby for $29.99. It's what all the best-dressed strollers are wearing!

Things We Can't Live Without 2: Seventh Generation Diapers and Wipes

If you're looking to green up your baby products why not try Seventh Generation Chlorine Free diapers. Yes, they're disposables but because they're made from chlorine-free wood pulp fluff they don't add to dioxin pollution so they're the most eco-friendly disposables around. (The absence of chlorine also explains their natural, unbleached colour).

The diapers have a non-toxic and non-irritating absorbent polymer - perfect for baby soft skin - with stretchy leg gathers for comfort and resealable closure tabs. All that aside, are they absorbent? You bet. In fact, we've found them better at preventing leaks than other leading brands - even overnight.

OK. We admit it - we're sold. It's our disposable of choice but don't just take our word for it. In a recent poll, Canadian Family magazine awarded the diapers a near perfect 9/10. Is there a downside? Well, the price. There's no getting around the fact they are more expensive than other disposable brands on the market but in terms of comfort, function and eco credentials we think they're worth it.

And the wipes? They're alcohol free and don't contain synthetic ingredients that can irritate baby's skin and we love the fact they're fragrance-free without the cloying scents that so many manufacturers drench their wipes with. Moistened with natural aloe vera, vitamin E and water, they're thick, gentle and they really work. Best of all they're not just for babies. They can also double as pretty good make-up removers for mama.

Click here to find your nearest stockist.

It's Springtime....

... which means spring savings!

Check out the wonderful new spring arrivals at Purl Mama & Baby including gorgeous clothes from Oobi Baby, bpa-free bottles from Green to Grow and luxe picks from Egg by Susan Lazar. Best of all, get 10% off any purchase over the Easter weekend. Simply enter code "easter" at checkout.

And don't forget, every customer during the month of March goes into a draw to win one of two fabulous Mom & Baby Travel Packs from Matter Company valued at $32. So hop on over!

Grow Baby, Grow

Babies grow fast - literally overnight it seems sometimes. So what's not to love about clothes that grow with your child? And we don't mean cutting off a pair of elasticated trousers to make shorts - we had something less Gilligan's Island in mind like Oobi Baby's stylish Capelette.

It's made from knitted cotton so it's perfect for chilly spring days and cooler summer nights. And the best news? It's one size fits most - up to around 8 years (yes, really!). Available in funky chocolate and pink stripes or yummy raspberry and pink stripes for $45.

Or how about this gorgeous ruched dress? It can also double as a sweet top and looks cute layered over a tee and jeans. Choose from strawberry shortcake (pictured), green dots or floral garden. $36. And for boys? Well, that's a bit tougher but there are always those cut-offs!

On the Bottle... With Green to Grow

Who needs another thing to worry about? But for mamas of bottle-fed babies, recent reports about all sorts of toxic chemical nasties in plastics commonly used for bottles - including baby bottles - are enough to drive us to the bottle (of an altogether different kind!).

But there's good news. Green to Grow, a company started by concerned parents Shelley Aronoff and Michael Ritterbrown, have launched a worry-free alternative. Their bottles are Bisphenol-A, lead and phthalate-free (see below) and are made from PES plastic which gives them a natural, light golden colour. They're also safe, extremely durable and heat resistant.

Each bottle comes with a beginner (slow flow, 0 - 3 months) nitrosamine-free nipple made from medical grade silicone that is heat resistant and non-toxic. Another reason to love them? The cute smiley fruit faces and the clever packaging - a stylish take on a milk carton. So that's one less thing to worry about then! Available in either 5oz (150ml) or 10oz (300ml) sizes from $8.49.

Good to know: Green to Grow's nipples aren't vented so mamas of colicky babies who want to try a vented nipple to relieve the symptoms of colic can try Gerber NUK nipples which are fully compatible with all Green to Grow bottles.

For more information on plastics and the bisphenol-A controversy, click here.

Feel the Vibe - Phil&Teds Uptown Inline

Phil&Teds, creators of the innovative E3 Sports Buggy, are set this month to release the hotly anticipated Vibe - the E3 made over. What's new? Well, the Vibe boasts similar sleek urban good looks (only sleeker!) and the same great functionality and ergonomic comfort - for both mama and baby.

New features include a "smart handle" with a single action hand brake hidden within the lightweight aluminium frame, slide-and-lock harness adjustment, a newly designed canopy that rotates and slides easily up and down the frame and a fabric snack tray that attaches to the bumper. Its folding mechanism has also been redesigned so it's now foldable with the double kit on. Fans of the original E3 model shouldn't despair - the classic model will still be available (albeit only in red). So how much of a dent will the Vibe make in your wallet? It's set to retail for $599 (single) with $110 for the doubles kit.

Looking for the perfect diaper bag for the E3 or the Vibe? Check out Mr B's clip-on Double Decker. It's been specially designed for Phil & Teds E3 Sport Buggy and it's been getting rave reviews from mamas. Sick of bags that swing on the handlebars and hit the head of the child in the lower seat or your shins? The Double Decker's clever design gets rid of both these problems by using unique Velcro stroller straps that are set up once and then "live" on the stroller. And for a limited time the Double Decker is available for $50 (reduced from $63). Let's go strolling!

Easter Delight - Save 10%

In honour of the bunny's imminent arrival Purl Mama & Baby are offering a 10% discount off every purchase over Easter*. Simply hop over to Purl Mama, fill your basket with goodies and enter code "easter" at checkout. Egg-cellent!

* offer valid until midnight March 24 2008. And don't forget, every customer during the month of March goes into a draw to win one of two Matter Company Mom & Baby Travel Packs valued at $32

Monkey See, Monkey Do ...

We love Egg by Susan Lazar's spring collection and with it's luxe fabrics, unique prints and Lazar's trademark attention to detail shining through, fans of Egg Baby will not be disappointed. We can't resist the charming monkey motifs on the linen top and the dress and diaper cover - a unique twist to classic styling. Oh, and we're suckers for ruffle cap sleeves as well!

Spring Blooms - Oobi Baby Bloomers

The new - and incredibly gorgeous - Oobi Baby spring collection has just arrived at Purl Mama & Baby. With a great selection of dresses, shorts and bibs to choose from it's impossible to pick our favourite but these vintage style bloomers with their beautiful fabrics and hand finished ruffles have the Purl Mama team dreaming of warm summer days. Even their names conjure up sunshine - Fireworks Floral, Floral Garden, Strawberry Shortcake, Confetti .... Now it's up to Mother Nature!

A is for...Anamalz

As in the award winning range of playful and poseable jungle and farm animals. Made from organic maple and hand-painted with non-toxic paints Anamalz are perfect for little hands. And it's not just Purl Mama who love them. They recently won a coveted 3 star rating - the highest level - from the Canadian Toy Testing Council for excellence in function, design, durability and most importantly, play value. From $6.95.

Things We Can't Live Without 1: Spanx

Love handles? What love handles? If like us your tummy could do with some gentle 'minimising', go under cover with Spanx Bodyshapers. A must have for every new mama they promise to minimise that tummy as well as lift your rear and make inches seem to disappear and who are we to argue? Our favourites? The Slim Cognito range. So say no to waistline spillage and hello to a smooth, slinky silhouette. But don't forget, summer is just around the corner and no, you can't wear your Spanx to the beach so now might be a good time to think about some exercise for that tummy (gentle of course).

Mama - Got Nothing to Wear?

Then click on over to Julou for a quick dose of mama-to-be glamour. The ultra-chic Vancouver-based label has plenty to take you into spring in style and the luxe fabrics are truly feelgood. Our picks? The Velveteen Jacket and the Wrap Dress. But then there's also the Silk Peasant Tunic or the Jersey Smock Top ....

Purl Mama Monthly Giveaway - Matter Company Pack

During March all customers at Purl Mama & Baby will go into a draw to win one of two Matter Company Mom & Baby Travel Packs, valued at $32. Perfect for pampering a new mama and soothing baby, the pack contains six of Matter Company's best selling essentials - all in travel-friendly sizes and packed in a convenient reusable zippered pouch.

Each Matter Company pack contains: invigorating Leg and Back creme to soothe and ease swollen and tired legs, feet and back; a skin-nourishing Mineral Soak; Belly Jelly, a rich, emollient balm; Baby Creme, with an irresistible candy aroma; Baby Body Foam, a gentle, sulphate-free cleanser and Diaper Rash Ointment, a natural , sweet-smelling blend of herbs and oils.


* Terms & Conditions
Entry into the giveaway is open until midnight 31 March PST. Every customer at Purl Mama & Baby will automatically be entered into the draw which take place on 1 April 2008. Multiple entries are permitted. The winners will be randomly selected and will be notified by e-mail on the day of the draw. Details of the lucky winners will be published at purlmama.blogspot.com. Good luck!

Matter Company is a Canadian company which makes an incredible line of natural skin care products. For more information check out their website.