Author: Amy Marquardt

ByKay Mei Tai Classic

9456374375_50dc96416b_bByKay started at owner Kay’s kitchen table as she tried to design herself a ergonomic baby carrier that was not only high quality but also trendy. Little did she know that her project of creating her own carrier in 2005 would result into the international company it is today.

ByKay truly has every carrier you could imagine in the trendiest colors made of the highest quality fabrics.

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If you are new to Mei Tais like I was, let me break it down for you. A Mei Tai is a simple two shouldered baby carrier that has a strap that ties around your waist and a panel of fabric to support baby. This is the perfect carrier for all ages, newborn to toddler.  Mei Tais are designed after a traditional Asian baby carrier and are by far the easiest to use!

The ByKay Mei Tai Classic is the first Mei Tai I have tried and I instantly fell in love. Mei Tais are elegant and simple, they give you the beautiful look of wrapping like with a woven, along with the design of a soft structure carrier minus 20161205_131304-editthe buckles. Don’t get me wrong, I love my SSC but hate having resize it for when my husband wears it. That’s the beauty of a Mei Tai, size doesn’t matter, I can get a great fit and so can my husband without having to make a ton of adjustments. Like I said, I adore the look of a woven wrap, but I have never tried one and to be honest I am intimidated by them. I love that I can get the look of a woven without the learning curve needed.

I’m drawn to how versatile and comfortable Mei Tais are. I get great back support and that the wider straps evenly distribute the weight. Spread the shoulder straps wide on your shoulders and back for a balanced and comfortable fit.20161205_131531-edit

I love nothing more than a cozy front carry and a ByKay Mei Tai can easily be the first carrier you put your newborn in. This carrier will grow with you as your child grows. I loved to front carry my daughter when she was super tiny and still do to this day. When they say a carrier is “sprinkled with sleepy dust” that statement is true for my daughter. I can easilybykay-mei-tai-classic get her to nap, with a cozy front carry, while we are on the go.

Once your baby is able to sit by themselves you can use the back carry position. Learning to get your child from the front to the back can take a little practice, but I feel that learning with a Mei Tai is easier than with any other carrier. Back carrying is great for when your child wants to look around a little more. I often back carry when we go for walks or if my daughter needs extra cuddles while I’m trying to get my housework done.

My new favorite carry is a hip carry. I never thought you could do a 20161205_132358-editcomfortable hip carry in anything other than  a ring sling until I tried a hip carry in my ByKay Mei Tai. Not only do I love the look of this hip carry, it’s super comfortable for myself and my daughter.

20161205_132645-editYour ByKay Mei Tai comes with a booklet that will explain how to safely wear your newborn, how to move your child from front to back and how to do a hip carry, along with step by step photos, which I found extremely helpful.

ByKay is dedicated to the idea that everyone can Carry Their Love. Keeping moms and dads close to their babies to take full advantages for babywearing including skin contact and security while keeping it practical. ByKay has a complete range of ergonomic baby carriers, so there is the perfect fit for everyone.

Avanchy

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Since my daughter was six months old she has been in her high chair at the dinner table. Slowly we introduced foods one piece at a time and I would place it on her tray. It didn’t take long for her to demand a plate and silverware like everyone else at the table. Being a first time mom and not really putting much thought into toddler dishes, I was unprepared and only had my ceramic dishes to offer. Although they were the perfect size, I was waiting for my plate to hit the floor when she was done eating. Nervous to use cheap plastic dishes full of chemicals that could leach into my child’s food, I was on the hunt for dishes that were safe for my daughter and something that would last and not need to be replaced.eating

About Avanchy

plateAvanchy has taken baby dishware to a new level. These beautiful Bamboo Plates, Bowls and Utensils are made not only with your baby in mind but also thinking of the environment. Avanchy products are made with FDA Approved sustainable materials, they are BPA Free, Lead Free, PVC Free and Phthalate Free. Bamboo is the worlds fastest growing plant and can regenerate without the need of replanting making it also one of the most renewable resources on the plant.

The universal toddler sign for I’m done eating seems to be throwing their plate to the floor. Avanchy is one step bowl-and-baseahead and have added a bright silicone base to their bowls and plates.  This will suction to your table or child’s tray, keeping their dishware in place during meal times. The silicone base can be removed for easy cleaning or even used as serving ware.

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Avanchy’s dishware is perfect for my independent toddler. As soon as I placed the bowl in front of her she tried to pick it up. The suction base proved to be stronger than my 16 month old, a major win in my book.

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The Bamboo Baby Training Spoon has a nice silicone tip, which helps food stay on the spoon and is gentle on your child’s sensitive gums and teeth. The handle is ideal for tiny hands trying to navigate feeding themselves. Avanchy also offers Bamboo Baby Training Forks.

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The bowl itself might seem large for a childs bowl, but I have found that the size is appropriate. Any smaller and I think my daughter would fling food out while trying to scoop it onto her spoon.

The Avanchy Bamboo Suction Plate is the perfect size whether you place on a highchair tray or directly onto your table. The plate itself is divided into three sections which is great for keeping food separate for picky eaters or entertaining for those that like rearranging their food while they eat.

I love that the suction base is removable, allowing these dishes to grow with your child.

 Avanchy dishware, designed for your baby, but so beautiful and versatile that you will want to use them too.

KAVU Rope Bag

 

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I am not one to sit at home and I love nothing more than taking my daughter with me on life’s adventures. I am truly passionate about babywearing and love the ease of having her so close to me, while having my hands free. As much as I love babywearing my biggest struggle is finding a bag or a purse that is comfortable for myself and my daughter. I can’t seem to keep shoulder bags on my shoulder along with the straps of my carrier. Cross body purses always seem to be too high, getting in the way of my daughters legs or too long and seem to swing behind my leg while walking. I was talking to a friend of mine about this just the other day. She loves designer bags and has some gorgeous genuine pieces as well as a few knock off purses in her collection. I can never tell whether her designer bags are the real deal or replicas, and I am incredibly jealous of the way that she can pull off carrying just about any bag so effortlessly! As for me though, I’m always on the lookout for something new and exciting. However, one day I spotted a woman out wearing a KAVU Rope Bag. Looking at the unique design I couldn’t help but think that this bag could solve my problems when babywearing.

About KAVUkavu-edit-2

“KAVU is more than a company. KAVU is a philosophy and a lifestyle.” It is “true outdoor wear” that is so fashionable it will be your favorite everyday wear. KAVU started in 1993 and took off with their classic Strapcap, a hat designed to stay on your head during high impact sports. Today KAVU has evolved into so much more. KAVU has a full line of women’s fashion from Shirts, Pants, Dresses, Shorts and Jackets, their women’s line is described as elegance with an edge and I couldn’t agree more. KAVU has a full men’s line for the rugged guy with a eye for style as well as a Kids Line. KAVU helps you complete your look with accessories, such as Wallets, Belts, Sunglasses, Scarves, Gloves, Hats and they have a amazing Bag selection. Take your adventure in style with everything KAVU has to offer.

“Kavu is a Lifestyle. A Life and a Style”

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KAVU’s Rope Bag has perfectly met my need for a bag that can easily be worn while babywearing. Their rope bag hasbabywearing-kavu enough room for not only my belongings (wallet, camera, notebook, chap-stick, phone) but also a days worth of stuff for my daughter (diapers, wipes, hat, snack, water bottle). I would consider the rope bag a medium size, big enough to hold all my stuff but still trim and sleek enough to be snug to my back. The KAVU Rope Bag is full of pockets and compartments, making it easy to stay organized. There are two vertical zip compartments. One allows access to the main part of the bag, which also includes a inside zip pocket. The other allows access to a smaller side pocket. The rope bag has two front pockets, one zips and one velcros; perfect for keys, cell phones, camera or chap-stick. With it’s adjustable rope strap the bag is not only comfortable, the buckle is perfectly placed making it easy to take on and off.

The rope bag is so versatile that I use it as a purse, a day pack, or a diaper bag. Most days it is all three. It is so light and comfortable I often forget it’s on my back. I am easily able to shift the bag from my back around to the front to access it without having to take it off. The wide rope strap evenly distributes the weight across my shoulder and keeps the bag in place, perfect if wearing while biking or hiking.

KAVU has designed the perfect bag for every situation. They have a huge selection of bookbags, duffel bags, totes, purses, rope bags and waist bags all offered in bright colors and beautiful prints. You can match your unique style with a bag durable enough for everyday use.

Kyocera Ceramic Camp Kitchen Knife & Mini-Prep Knife + Bar Board Set

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My family are camping fanatics. We love getting away for the weekend and reconnecting with nature. It’s a brilliant way to forget the stresses of life and connect with your family. We go camping so often that I think we’ve got every type of camping equipment possible – from a portable washing machine to an 8-man tent to a multipurpose shovel! But one bit of equipment I’ve always found difficult to find a high-quality product for is a camping knife. That’s why I was so excited when Kyocera approached me about their new products!

Kyocera Advanced Ceramics knives are preferred by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Ceramic knives are lighter while giving you precise cuts with a razor sharp blade that will retain its edge 10 times as long as a typical steel knife. You will be impressed with the purity of ceramic as your food will never brown and your blade will never rust.

Sabatier knives from KitchenKnives.co.uk have similar features and are also well worth considering if you’re in the market for some high-quality kitchen knives. The Sabatier knives make the top 6 best self-sharpening knife sets (learn more here) and so come highly rated.

Kyocera has so much more than knives, be sure to check out their Ceramic Cookware, Ceramic Peelers, Slicers, Grinders and Graters. Kyocera also has unique gift ideas for those who are hard to shop for, Ceramic Pens, Ceramic Camping Knives, Mill Sets as well as Knife sets that make a great introduction to ceramic products.

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camping-knife-editCeramic Camp Kitchen Knife

Kyocera has taken a step outside and has and is taking the luxury of their ceramic kitchen knives and designed it for the great outdoors. This Kyocera Camp Kitchen Knife is perfect for fruits, vegetables as well as boneless meats and fishes making it perfect for camping or tailgating. This knife is extremely light and has a soft textured handle that makes it easy to keep a good grip. This knife is easy to clean and will never rust making it ideal for outdoor use. The Kyocera Camp Kitchen Knife comes with a heavy duty nylon sheath with a velcro safety strap to keep it in place as well as a belt loop making transporting safe and easy.

Mini-Prep Knife + Bar Board Setprep-knife-green

With minimal counter space in my kitchen I can truly appreciate this Mini-Prep Knife + Bar Board. This set is perfect for lemons, limes, berries and small veggies as well as herbs. Whether cutting up garnishes for cocktails or just preparing a quick snack the Mini-Prep Knife + Bar Board makes these tasks fast and easy with very little clean up. Kyoceras Mini-Prep Knife and Bar Board Set comes in Red, Black, Green and Yellow making it easy to match your kitchen or reflect your personal style. I guarantee you will be impressed with Kyoceras Knives and that this ceramic knife will outlast any other ceramic knife on the market. And if you’re interested in bringing a larger versatile knife check out the kamikoto knife. My friend told me that you can learn more about it at kamikoto reviews.

Easy Cut by Kuhn Rikon

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Kuhn Rikon makes the highest quality kitchen tools from baking, cutlery and basic kitchen gadgets. Professional kitchens choose Kuhn Rikon for their high quality and I love that it’s also available for the everyday home cook.

“The Swiss brand manufacturer inspires the world of cooking with innovative products to prepare, serve and enjoy special moments around the table.”

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Easy Cut

easy-cut-1Kuhn Rikon has made dinner prep so simple with Easy Cut. Easy cut takes the work out of slicing or grating with a quick tug on the pull-mechanism. I often try to get most of my dinner prep done while my daughter is napping, so I absolutely love how quite Easy Cut actually is. It’s so convenient to use, no need to find a outlet to operate. easy-cut

As I’m slowly closing up my garden Easy Cut has been amazing for preparing my harvest to freeze. Easy cut will hold up to 4 cups, making portioning simple and fast. I am able to grate my zucchini, carrots, apples fast and freeze for later; perfect for baking my husbands favorite carrot cake cupcakes (page 12 in the included Recipe Book). Easy cut gives you the option of coarse or fine grating as well as the option of thick or thin slicing.

I am really hoping to learn to can next year and I see my Easy Cut making that a fast process with a fast clean up since you just wipe the lid clean, hand wash the blades and screw mechanism,  the rest is dishwasher safe.

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  • Reversible slicing and grating blades easily cut vegetables, fruit, cheese and much more.
  • Reversible grater disc for coarse or fine grating. Use the coarse side to grate cabbage or potatoes and the fine side for carrots or cheese.
  • Reversible slicing disc slices thick (4 mm) and thin (2 mm).
  • High quality stainless steel blades stay sharp
  • Simple operation: Pull-mechanism rotates blades in container.
  • Blade locking safety feature. When the feed tube is not inserted, the blades are prevented from spinning.
  • Feed tube separator keeps smaller foods in an upright position for accurate cutting.
  • Safe blade storage inside the container.
  • Container is microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
  • Non-slip silicone base holds container securely while operating.
  • BPA free.easy-cut-3

Kuhn Rikon has included a Instruction & Recipe Book. This instruction book has a page about how to care for your Easy Cut as well as How to Operate with photos showing how to assemble and how to use. This book also includes delicious recipes made with the help of Easy Cut.

Do yourself a favor and save time, invest in a Easy Cut.

Levoit Hand Carved Natural Himalayan Salt Lamp

levoit-reviewI’m sure you have heard about them and I’m sure you have seen them, but have you tried one? Levoit has given me the opportunity to test out their Elora Hand Carved Natural Himalayan Salt Lamp. Not really familiar with the science behind Himalayan Salt Lamps, I did my research.

Himalayan Salt has a beautiful pinkish orange color due to the high concentration of minerals. Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water molecules from the surrounding air. So it is believed that salt lamps can trap dirt, pollen and smoke particles and pet dander which are carried in water vapor. Once attracted to the salt, these microscopic compounds remain on the salt and not in the air where you can breathe them in.

The inside of your hollowed out salt lamp will house a light bulb needed to produce light and heat. You need the heat of the lamp to dry the collecting water vapors to continue the hygroscopic effect. So if your lamp is not on, it’s not working.

salt-lampReported health benefits of Himalayan salt lamps include:

  • Improving breathing problems and reducing allergies.
  • Less colds and flu (due to less airborne viruses).
  • Increased relaxation and calmness and less stress.
  • Improved ability to concentrate and work for longer periods around electrical equipment like computers.
  • Fewer headaches and migraines.
  • Reduced symptoms from disorders like rheumatism and arthritis.
  • An improvement in skin diseases.
  • Easier to get to sleep at night.
  • A better overall sense of health and wellbeing.

Not only does it help clean the air, but the heat of the lamp will release negative ions. In a world filled with electronic devices (T.V.s, smart phones, tablets and appliances) electromagnetic (EM) radiation emitted, causing a buildup of positive ions. The release of negative ions from the salt lamp will help reduce positive ions which can cause chronic fatigue and increase stress levels. Stress can be a terrible hindrance to life, so finding something that can be a help to your mental and physical health is brilliant, you can combine this with using such medicines as cannabis to see how it can be a reliever of stress, sites like https://www.ebdelivers.co/shop can help you out with this if you would like to check them out, always consult with a medical professional first. Of course you should also look into where to obtain this based on your location. Depending on where you are based you can buy at ILGM, but check every vendor’s rules and regulations first. One upside of the lamp comparatively – less legalese to combat!

So where should you keep your salt lamp? You will want to keep your Himalayan Salt Lamp close to you so you can take advantage of its beauty, fresher air and negative ions it generates. On your night stand, coffee table, even your desk at work. You could even keep it near to your growing godfather og seeds if you’ve followed the advice above about marijuana. levoit-3

While humans gravitate and respond to beautiful colors, it’s believed that the pinkish orange glow of the salt lamp has a calming effect and reduces stress. The soft glow of a Himalayan Salt lamp is perfect for relaxing and can even improve your sleep.

Why Choose a Levoit Himalayan Salt Lamplevoit-2

So I found a list of things to look for when shopping for a Himalayan Salt Lamp and Levoit has them all!

Color – Because Himalayan Salt is a mineral, colors can vary. The higher quality salt crystals will have richer pink and orange colors. Levoit hand selects all their salt crystals to ensure clarity, shape and color purity.

Size- Levoits Himalayan salt lamps vary in weight from 8-11 pounds. This is ideal for bedrooms, kitchens, offices and small living rooms or lounges. Recommended room size is equal or larger than 10 square feet.

Bulb Wattage- As a general rule salt lamps weighing around ten pounds require a 15 watt bulb. Levoits Himalayan Salt lamp will come with one light bulb installed and one additional bulb.

Base- Because of the weight of Himalayan Salt Lamps a secure base is needed. Levoits Lamps have a beautiful stainless steel base for maximum safety and to ensure longevity. Levoits stainless steel base is specially designed to absorb evaporating water molecules while guarding the wires from moisture.

Shape- Although a polished stone is pretty you will be reducing the surface area. Lovoits roughly chiseled stone will give you the most benefits.

Bonus features that make Levoit stand out over other brands.

Dimmable Lighting – Levoits Himalayan Salt Lamp as a easy touch control dimmer allowing you adjust the brightness of your lamp to suit your mood. Simply tap to turn on, tap and hold to dim or brighten and tap to turn off.

Beautiful Packaging – Whether you buy this for yourself or as a gift, Levoits Hand Carved Natural Himalayan Salt Lamp comes in a sturdy beautiful red box.

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My Experience

I have truly been sold on the beauty and calming effect of my Levoit Himalayan Chrystal Salt Lamp. I have place levoit-1mine on my night stand to take advantage of the relaxing glow while winding down for the night. The dimmer control is very convenient and easy to use with a simple tap of the finger. I am able to have the light bright while we are starting our night time routine and slowly dim it as the night goes on. I can leave it on the dimmest setting and use it my night light.

Although I was surprised at how heavy my lamp really is, it is very sturdy. I do keep my cords tucked away so that my daughter doesn’t pull it off the night stand. I do get sense of warmth from it, but neither the base or the crystal gets to warm to the touch. This is also great if you have little ones who are curious about everything.

Each Himalayan salt lamp is uniquely beautiful making them a interesting and attractive feature to any living space. No matter how many you have, no two will be the same.

Kuhn Rikon Colori Titanium Utility Knife and Stay Clean Scrubber Review

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I have always enjoyed spending my time in the kitchen trying whether making dinner for my family or experimenting with a new recipe. So if spending my free time in the kitchen is my hobby, I want it stocked with the best kitchen products. Kuhn Rikon makes the highest quality kitchen tools from baking, cutlery and basic kitchen gadgets. Professional kitchens choose Kuhn Rikon for their high quality and I love that it’s also available for the everyday home cook.

“The Swiss brand manufacturer inspires the world of cooking with innovative products to prepare, serve and enjoy special moments around the table.”

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Colori Titanium Utility Knife

kuhnI am by no means a professional chef but my husband and I love to spend time together in the kitchen. Thanks to pinterest and Top Chef I have become more adventurous with my cookiing. I have learned that if your going to invest in anything in your kitchen, high quality knives have got to be it. There is nothing worse that struggling to prepare your meal with dull cheap knives. Once I tried Colori Titanium Utility Knife I was ready to replace all my knives. The best part is that Kuhn Rikon is so reasonably priced that I am able to upgrade my knives and other kitchen accessories without breaking the bank.

With a comfortable non-slip handle I’m able to easily maneuver this knife. Here are more reasons this knife stands out not only to professional chefs but to me as well.

  • Ice-hardned Japanese stainless steel blade is long-lasting and ultra-sharp.p220628th
  • Titanium coating protects and strengthens the blade.
  • Elegant, modern design.
  • For de-boning meats and other tricky kitchen tasks
  • Blade stays super sharp.
  • Safety sheath included.

Although it is dishwasher safe it is recommended to hand wash and dry. I hand wash all my knives anyway, since I have a “helpful” one year that likes to assist me when loading our new dishwasher, which we bought after consulting some of the Dishwasher reviews for 2019. I also love that it comes with a Saftey Sheath, since I never know when tiny hands are going to find their way into drawers that they are not supposed to be in; that extra protection gives me piece of mind.kuhn-2

Mamathefox herself said it best ” Kuhn Rikon knives are made with the professional chef in mind, but with the average consumers budget. By making a knife that would be used in a fine dining restaurant available to the average home cook makes them stand out in the culinary world.”

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Growing up we never had a dishwasher and even my first few apartments never had dishwashers, so when I finally got a dishwasher; I used it more for storage than for cleaning. Although I have come a long way and will use my dishwasher I still hand wash majority of my dishes. But, it’s good to have a dishwasher for big loads. I do have a repair guy on speed dial, a bit similar to Brad’s Appliance Company , so if anything goes wrong with my dishawsher I can have someone out to check it as soon as I need. In terms of washing, I have always preferred sponges to wash cloths but I hate how smelly they get and they can breed bacteria. I have tried disinfecting sponges in the microwave, I DO NOT RECOMMEND this! I almost set my microwave on fire.

So once I tried Kuhn Rikons Stay Clean Scrubber, I never went back to the old sponges. They are safe to use on non-stick cookware and all other kitchen surfaces. They are made from non-porous, food-safe silicone and last so much longer than typical sponges. My number one selling point is that they are the cleaner option. Being silicone make them dry faster and wont harbor bacteria. Just throw it into the dishwasher to clean and sanitize!

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As much as I love using this in my kitchen, my mind was blown when I found out I can use it dry to remove lint and hair.

Not only is the Stay Clean Scrubber the best option for my kitchen its the best option for the environment.

Check out our other reviews for Kuhn Rikon

Colori+ Classic Culinary Set

Sandwich Knife Spreader & Corn Holders

Nursing Bra Express

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As I started my journey of breastfeeding my daughter I was clueless when it came to nursing bras. I hit every department store I could think of in search of not only a nursing bra but a nursing bra that fit my needs. It was extremely disappointing and the lack of options, if any options. Shopping online for clothes isn’t ideal for me, but I had no other options. When I found Nursing Bra Express I knew I was in the right place. Nursing Bra Express is so much more than a website to buy nursing bras.

Nursing Bra Express allows you to customize your search by Brand, Feature and Cup Size. With a helpful article walking you through measuring yourself to ensure you are ordering the correct bra. This makes shopping easy, no need look through pages of bras that aren’t going to work for you. They not only have Nursing Bras they have lots of options of Maternity Bras, Nursing Tanks, Postpartum Shapewear and even a whole section for Mom and Baby Care.

“Nursing Bra Express is the best source for Nursing Bras, Breastfeeding Accessories, and Advice for Active Moms.”

It’s obvious that Nursing Bra Express wants your breastfeeding journey to be successful, they have a whole section dedicated to Breastfeeding Support. This section is filled with amazing articles such as Nursing Mother’s Nutrition, Common Lactation Problems, Pumping and Milk Storage and even How Dad Can Help. There is also a Breastfeeding 101 section filled with Breastfeeding Tips, Breastfeeding State Laws and Breastfeeding Resources.

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lace-nunderwire-nursing-bra-qt-blackLace Nunderwire Nursing Bra by QT Intimates

The Lace Nunderwire Bra has taken the “nursing bra” to a new level. With beautiful lace detailing on the bust as well as the bottom trim. Being pretty and feminine isn’t the best part of this bra, the Nunderwire Nursing Bra has removable underwire. Giving you the option of a soft cup or underwire. nunderwire-2

In my past life, before becoming a mom I only wore underwire bras; so when I had my daughter making the change to a “soft cup” bra took some getting use to. Although I have heard that soft cup bras are better for nursing moms with the idea that a underwire can lead to a clogged milk duct, sometimes you need a underwire and this bra gives you that option. The underwire simply slides in under the cup and is snapped in place with a rhinestone snap.

nunderwire-1The Nunderwire Nursing bra has a easy one-handed clasp to drop the cup add to the convenience on nursing on thelace-nunderwire-nursing-bra-qt-backview go. It also has fully adjustable straps and multiple hook closures on the back, making sure you get a perfect fit. Although this bra has no padding, it is structured enough that you wont see the outline of a nursing pad.

This bra will not only have feeling pretty, it will keep you comfortable while nursing and in your everyday life.

racer-back-active-sports-nursing-bra-blackRacer Back Active Sports Nursing Bra by QT Intimates

The Racer Back Active Sports Nursing Bra is one of Nursing Bra Express’ most popular bras. This is perfect for those active mamas or if your just looking for extra support. Although I’m not going to lie this bra is so comfortable you will consider making it your everyday bra. It’s similar to a compression sports bra so if you’ve worn one of those before, you’ll know exactly what it feels like.
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This sports bra has a easy pullover design, so no hook closures digging into your back. I love the racer back with fully adjustable straps, no need to worry about straps sliding down while nursing or while staying active. The Racer Back Active Sports Bra has convenient drop down clasps making racer-back-active-sports-nursing-bra-qt-intimates-black-nursing-clipnursing just as easy as it would be in a traditional nursing bra.

The outside of the bra is a smooth microfiber which will keep your clothes from sticking to it and the inside 100% cotton will keep you cool and dry. The bra itself has padding in it, which I prefer; you wont see any outlines of nursing pads if you need to wear them.

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For most of us, breastfeeding is not a short term goal. So do yourself a favor and invest in not only functional bras but something your going to look and feel good in.

Deuter – Kid Comfort Air

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review-photo The Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is a gem nestled in Northeast Ohio and I am lucky enough to be surrounded by it, it’s literally in my back yard. My husband and I have always enjoyed hiking and once our daughter joined our family we loved taking her with us. With so much information on hiking now, it’s so easy to get out there and reap the benefits. For example, you can find some great hiking tips and advice at Outdoorcommand’s website if you’re new to it or wanting to take a big step in your hiking adventures. She got joy from being outside and seemed to love all of the beautiful views. She got all of the benefits of hiking with none of the effort, so my husband and I set out to find a carrier that minimized our effort and allowed us to continue to enjoy our CVNP with our daughter.
For trail hikes when she was little we used a stretchy wrap or a soft structure carrier. These worked great for us when she was first born. My husband and I weren’t taking long hikes or staying out in the heat too long. As first time parents, our feeling towards infants and the elements was the less exposure the better.
Now that our daughter is one, and we realize that kids aren’t made of glass, this summer we have been spending more time on the trails. As this summer got warmer we quickly realized that our soft carriers were not meant for hiking. My husband sweats enough on his own, add a fifteen pound heating pad to his back, and he might as well jump in a pool. This definitely meant we were due a new hiking carrier. I guarantee though a more sturdy one that won’t make us sweat like crazy, will put our balance off a lot too. However I’ve already sorted that one out by searching up the best hiking poles to use so we don’t topple over!d-5-edit
So when my husband said we were vacationing with his family in the Smoky Mountains, I was on the hunt for an actual hiking carrier. We were obviously excited to be spending time with his family in such a beautiful location, but we needed to consider our daughter. We would be hiking, as the smoky mountains are known for the beautiful trails and scenery, so we did need to work out where we could get a carrier from. Whilst we did that, we were also looking for different places to eat in the national park. Luckily, there are a number of different restaurants in the area. This is good news for us and the rest of our family as everyone will want different meals each night. As soon as we find a hiking carrier, we’ll be able to actually plan some more aspects of the trip, then I can really let myself get excited for our vacation in the Smoky Mountains. The plan was to spend most of the vacation on the trails, so I needed my husband to stay dry for more than a mile. I perused my options on the internet and found The Deuter Kid Comfort Air and I couldn’t be happier it helped make great memories on our vacation and kept my husband comfortable and dry while hauling our little sack of potatoes.

About Deuter

“Years of experience and constant development have made Deuter a market leader”
Deuter was founded in 1898 by Hans Deuter in Augsburg-Oberhausen Germany, making them one of the oldest backpack manufactures in the world. Deuter started out supplying the Bavarian Mail with mailbags and post sacks and providing backpacks for the military. They slowly moved into manufacturing mess tents, belts and more. Since the early 1900’s Deuter has used the experience of alpinist and mountaineers as influence for product development.
Deuter has a patent Aircomfort System allowing moist air to escape from 3 sides and is the most popular back support system in the world. Athletes using the aircomfort system sweat 25% less than using conventional backpacks systems. You don’t need to be a athlete to enjoy the 3D Airmesh lining since every pack they make has either the Aircomfort System, Aircontact System or Airstripes System. With Hydration packs, Day packs, Hiking/ Trekking, Biking, Snowsports, Kids packs, Travel packs Deuter is sure to have whatever your adventure requires whether it be a hike through your local parks or tackling Mount Everest. Talk about one stop shop for hiking gear.
From the quality of my Deuter Kid Comfort Air, I can tell you they’re a company that takes pride in every aspect of their products. I don’t think I’ll ever need it, but Deuter offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all their products. It covers against defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product.

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This Mamas Experience

360x500-6507-kid-comfort-air-grey-green Although the carrier is large, don’t let it fool you; it is not heavy (the website says it’s 6 pounds and I didn’t believe it. No false advertising here. I took it to the scale to see for myself and it does weigh 6 pounds, but it feels so much lighter). The Kid Comfort is comfortable for your child but also extremely comfortable for the person wearing the carrier. Features of The Kid Comfort Air that make the baby hiking experience better:
  • The Kid Comfort Air has a sturdy aluminum frame with a kickstand. The stability it creates makes loading your child safe and easy especially with the side access.
  • A padded 5-point safety harness that will adjust to the size of your childd-4-edit
  • Adjustable seat. You are able to adjust the height and width of the seat.
  • Adjustable foot rest, to add to your child’s comfort, although my daughter didn’t use these much since she on the small side, I see the benefit for longer legs.
  • Two grab handles at the top of the carrier. These handles make getting the carrier on and off extremely easy whether you are doing it by yourself or with the help of someone.
  • Adjustable hip belt.

The carrier itself adjusts to the person wearing it easily, simply pull the hip belt forward and it will securely slide into place. Between the grab handles and the easy to use hip belt we were able to effortlessly switch the carrier between my husband and I on the trails without slowing down. I have always dreaded readjusting my other carriers from my size to my husband’s size. It is is a tedious task that just makes me want to invest in our own carriers. Deuter has somehow designed the perfect hip belt.

d-3-edit This carrier has storage too. Our soft carriers lacked the storage this pack offers. It has a convenient zippered pocket on the hip belt, which was perfect for my camera and car keys. There are two elastic mesh pockets on either side. They came in handy to hold snacks, sunglasses and my daughters sun hat; anything we wanted to be able to grab while hiking. My favorite is a large compartment under the seat. It was enough space to pack extra diapers (and cloth diapers take up a bit more room), wipes, a blanket, a water bottle and even our lunch.

The Deuter Kid Comfort Air added to the pleasure of our trip to the Smoky Mountains. Our daughter was able to go to more remote places with us, and my husband and I were more comfortable hiking with her on our backs. We are looking forward to using it on all our adventures and when our family grows again our next hiking carrier will be a Deuter.