Tag: Shopping

Lotus Trolley Giveaway

Welcome to the You May Win Giveaway Hop!

Enter to win (1) Lotus Trolley Bag set AND (1) Lotus Trolley produce bag set.

Open to: US residents, 18+

Sponsored by: Lotus Trolley Bag

Hosted by: MamatheFox

 

 

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Hop along to each blog for your chance to win awesome prizes!
Don’t forget to come back daily for bonus entries.

Click on each blog title below to enter another great giveaway!
Be sure to come back daily for bonus entries too.
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Green Grocery Shopping

Reusable shopping bags are the way to grocery shop these days. They’re so convenient, and a really smart, easy way to cut down on plastic bags.

Disposable plastic bags are a huge problem to the environment and cutting down on any plastic that we can will be helpful. So, let’s do what we can to help save the environment from plastic bag overusage by getting the Lotus Trolly Bag today!

This bag is seriously such a great product. It makes shopping easy but more importantly, it makes carrying your bags into your home easier.

When you get to the store, hang it on the cart with the short handles and leave it there until you’re ready to check out. Once the groceries are on the line, pull your bag out and place the, on the cart. They easily slide out onto the cart and stay open so you can conveniently place all your groceries in them. When you get to your car, un-Velcro the bags from each other and place them in one at a time. I’m a ‘carry all the bags into the house in one load’ kind of girl; and these bags are perfect for that!

I primarily shop at Costco and Aldi, both of which have large, wide carts. This is a problem with the Trolly Bag because it doesn’t fit in these carts. The bag is only compatible with standard size (in width) shopping carts. For most people, this probably wouldn’t be an issue; but for someone (like me) with more than one child, this holds some challenges. Unless you’re shopping child-free or with just one child, using the shopping bags (attached to the cart) won’t be possible. (One way to allow this to work is grabbing these large carts so your kids have a seat that isn’t in the basket.)

With all that being said though, the bags have a duel feature that really make it great. The poles that connect the Trolly Bag to the cart are removable, making the bags all the more versatile. Just slide the polls right out of the bag, and use them like any other reusable shopping bag. I love this feature. It’s what actually changed my mind about these bags. When I learned that the polls weren’t wide enough to fit in the carts at the stores where I normally shop, I was really disappointed. But now knowing that I can easily remove (and re-enter) the polls with ease, I can and will use the bags more frequently.

The Lotus Trolly Bag comes with four different sized and colored bags, all removable. This means you can use all four at once, or un-velcro the bags and use them individually.

The purple bag is the largest and has pockets where wine bottles fit snuggly in and a carton of eggs fits well. This keeps your eggs safe and your wine bottles secure. The light blue bag is my favorite. It’s very large and it’s insulated, so all your cold items go here. The top of the bag velcro’s shut, keeping the coolness inside the bag; seriously genius. The last two bags are the same sizes; the dark blue and tan bag. These bags are smallest of the bags and are perfect for running into the store and picking up a few items.

All of the bags, except the light blue, insulated one, have mesh bottoms. This is really great because when there are spills from your groceries, the bags will clean easily. This also ensures that there will be pooling of your spills.

The bags are really long/deep, which I love. They hold a lot and don’t take up a lot of space because they’re skinny and tall; as opposed to my previous shopping bags that are wide and short.

I also LOVE the handles on the Trolly Bag. The long, deep handles are my favorite feature. This means I can hold the bag on my shoulder without it ridding up into my armpit. My largest complaint of ‘normal’ shopping bags is that the handles are so short; there isn’t even room for me to put them up onto my shoulder because they are too short. I’m not sure everyone will appreciate the long handles as much as me, but I just had to share my experience and opinion with you!

The reinforced stitching on the handles a huge plus. Seriously, it’s like super stitching. It would really take a lot for these handles to come apart.

The Lotus Trolly Bag is the perfect shopping accessory to take with you to any grocery store. I love to use them without the poles, mostly because it the stores I shop at the most. All that being said, having the option to put the poles back into the bags so I can use them for their [main] intended purpose.

The strong stitching and large, deep feature of the bags really make these bags stand out from other reusable shopping bags. My favorite feature though, the long straps, seriously.

Go get yourself a Lotus Trolly Bag, or give it as a gift. The holidays are just around the corner!

Mom Shopping List – What to Buy Before the Baby Arrives

Image Source: Pixabay

As an expectant parent, you will be surely surprised how much stuff a human the size of a fat rabbit needs. The items, from clothes, pacifiers, diapers to blankets, toys, milk bottles can make even veteran parents feel overwhelmed. How quickly you can pass the hours in a baby shop! But do not worry! Stocking up before your new family member is not as hard as it seems. Although it might be tempting to delay it as much as possible (are there still people out there who hate shopping?), it is best to prepare yourself so you do not get caught empty-handed. This article will help you figure out what to buy for the baby. Here are the things you need to buy before the baby arrives.

Nursery

The first thing that many parents do after finding out the baby is due is preparing the nursery because as much as you enjoy spending time with the kid, everybody needs some alone time. Preparing the nursery is not an exact science, and it all comes down to how much time you are planning to spend. For moms who are breastfeeding, a glider chair with ottomans is ideal because they support long hours of sitting. As for the other items you need for the nursery:

  • A crib and a mattress and bedding for it.
  • A diaper changing table with straps to prevent the baby from falling over
  • A diaper pail
  • A mattress pad, preferably waterproof
  • Laundry bag
  • A toy bin

Outdoors Basics

As for preparing yourself for the time when you will take the baby outside, you will need two important things. First, a stroller with an umbrella. Secondly, they have an ergonomic, foldable design, which will make both your and your baby’s life much easier. You could also invest in a travel bed as it would work like a crib while travelling. You could check sites like https://www.safebabymonitor.com/ for the same.

Other items that you should include in your baby traveling gear are the following:

  • Diaper and wipes case
  • Baby carrier for indoor spaces where strollers are not ideal
  • Diaper bag

Another area where you will need to make several adjustments is the car. Mainly, you will have to buy a reliable car seat, at least a month before the due date for the baby. But do not just buy the first one that you see online – make sure it has been federally approved and that it respects all the safety standards regarding design and construction.

Furthermore, if you can’t figure out how to install the car seat properly, there are many businesses that provide this exact service. And improperly installed baby seat is a safety hazard, not to mention a slight annoyance – just imagine finally walking out of the hospital with your baby only to realize that the car seat is decentered.

Pack a Hospital Bag

Most expecting couples will be told to prepare a hospital bag once the pregnancy hits the 36th-week mark, because the baby could technically arrive at any time from that point forward. Many couples may pack some basic items such as pajamas, a few toiletry products, some extra clothing and nothing much else, which is a really bad idea for several reasons.

When you are in hospital, you will realize that the basic necessities that you have taken for granted for the majority of your life are exactly the things that you miss most because you did not think to pack them. We are talking about things like your favorite soap, a book, a phone charger (Yikes!), wet napkins (you will be sweating a lot), a crossword puzzle (you will get bored with your smartphone sooner rather than later), and generally stuff that will make your stay in the hospital more bearable.

Clothing Items

Once the baby gets out of the hospital, you will want to have several clothing items waiting for you at home because trust us, you will not feel like going on any supply runs during those first few days. These are the basics that a baby needs – although, let us be honest, you will not be able to resist buying more than what is required:

  • A baby swimsuit, assuming you gave birth during the summer
  • Out of the hospital clothes – you do not want to get out of the hospital with the baby wrapped in a towel.
  • A sun hat and a warm winter hat
  • Winter coat
  • Shoes

General Baby Care

Sadly, that soothing baby smell will not last for long – you will be surprised how messy babies can get. So, it is a good idea to buy some general baby care products that will last you for those few first days until you figure out what else you might need:

  • A baby monitor with good features
  • Baby formula
  • Baby shampoo and a body wash
  • A baby bathtub (assuming you do not like the idea of bathing the kid in an adult-sized tub)
  • Baby nail clippers
  • Hooded baby towels
  • Thermometer
  • Nasal aspirator
  • Infant-safe sunscreen

Feeding the Baby

Last but not least, before the baby arrives, you will have to decide whether you will breastfeed or bottle feed. Regardless of your choice in this matter, these items cater to both scenarios:

  • Bottles
  • Baby formula
  • Breast pads
  • Burp cloths and clothes (I think we do not need to explain this)
  • Bottle and pacifier sterilizer
  • Bottlebrush
  • Breast pump
  • Lanolin cream
  • A drying rack for bottles
  • Support pillow for breastfeeding

 

The list of items that a baby needs can intimidate even veteran parents, but as long as you put a little thought into it, nothing can really go wrong. Make sure to read through our list and you will learn how to get everything that you need for that special day.

Toasty toes with Stonz

Who is Stonz

Stonz was created by a mom who loved being outside with her kids. However, she was quickly frustrated by her toddler’s wardrobe malfunctions and the need for a solution to keep him warm.

In 2004 Stonz Booties was launched and has continued to thrive in making innovative warm gear for babies and kids. Stonz is functional, durable, and adorably fashionable.

 

Stonz Products

Toddler Booties

(up to 3 years)

My daughter is approaching 12 months and will be facing her first Ohio winter. Since birth she has been super sensitive to the cold so I knew I needed to find warm shoes for her, especially since she will be walking in snow.

Stonz booties are definitely innovative and I think once you go Stonz you’ll never go back! The shape of the shoe is more like a mitten for the foot. It has a large opening and is super spacious inside. My daughter always curls her toes when I put shoes on, making it next to impossible to put her feet completely in. Even with curled toes, I can quickly slip Stonz on and get her feet flat.

Rather than laces, Stonz booties has two adjustable toggles; one on the ankle and one on the top. It makes for a snug perfect fit every time and keeps shoes on! Not to mention it saves time on wrangling toddlers to tie shoes. While wearing my daughter in the carrier or pushing her in the stroller, I was worry free about her shoes falling off.

The bottom of the boots are made with soft, skid-resistant rubber. It is flexible enough to allow those developing feet feel the ground for balance but durable enough to protect from outside elements.

Stonz booties are made with a cold and wind resistant 600D nylon and lined with a warm fleece. I love these boots are so versatile. They can be worn during chilly rainy seasons as well as freezing cold winter days. Since the shoes are adjustable, it is easy to layer up or down. My daughter was able to wear her booties with just tights as well as over her winter snow suit.

Stonz also sells Linerz that can be added for extra warmth. These are especially great for playing in the snow or long exposure to cold.

All of their booties are specially designed to follow the fashion of your little one. Stonz provides a plethora of different styles such as animals, colors, patterns, and cartoons. We chose the gray booties with a simple bird on the side. The only down side is the design gets squeezed and distorted when the elastic is tightened. I probably would have chosen a solid color or pattern if I had known

 

Overall I was very impressed with Stonz booties! I loved how easy they were to put on but did not run the risk of falling off. Even being made with durable warm fabrics, they remained adorable and in my daughter’s style.

Scout Winter Bootz

For my 2.5 year old son we chose Stonz’s scout winter boots. I will admit at first I was confused at which shoe to get. The 5T-9T through me off, I was correlating it to clothes sizing and thought my son would be too small for these shoes. However, after I used their handy shoe sizing chart I realized it just means shoe sizes 5-9. My son is currently a 7 and we bought him an 8. He can comfortably wear them but has some space to grow into them this winter.

Scout Winter Bootz come in four color options; green, blue, pink, and gray. My son quickly chose the lime green which was a perfect match for his winter and rain coat.

I might be brain washing him into liking green. Or he just gets his great taste from his mama!

We fell in love with these bootz instantly after opening them up. They are wonderful quality with 600D nylon and warm fuzzy fleece. The bottom has a slip resistant sole that is durable and flexible.

The wide opening makes it a breeze to put on and fit pant legs inside the boot.  Rather than laces. an elastic velcro assure a tight snug fit.

Stonz states they are made to keep feet warm up to -22 degrees Fahrenheit. I honestly hope to never be outside when it is that cold but I do know these are Canadian made and Canadians know cold!

We played outside in the ran when it was just over 50 degrees. My son ended up begging me to take his coat off because he was hot. I’ve actually read up on it and found research showing that cold feet can weaken your immune system, thus getting sick more during winter seasons. I’m happy to know my kids’ feet will be staying toasty this winter in Stonz.

Probably the best feature is Stonz boots are lighter than an iPhone!

I was amazed to see my son run fairly normal in his boots; not that awkward clunky march kids do all winter. He was definitely comfortable playing and didn’t slow down from heavy overweight boots. Stonz boots are flexible enough to let his ankles move freely while the elastic straps keep his boots on securely.

Stonz bootz are a great option for your toddler who is active rain or shine..or snow and wind. They protect their feet from the elements while being light enough for them to play freely!

More from Stonz

Yes! Stonz makes products not just for feet! They also make warm, easy slip on mittens to assure your child is warm from finger to toes!

With winter around the corner don’t be caught off guard with icy rain and freezing temperatures. Keep those little toes nice and toasty with durable but light Stonz boots.

Keep your eyes peeled on MamatheFox for a Stonz boots giveaway coming soon!!

Connect with Stonz

 

 

Color Me Lucky Giveaway

Hosted by: MamatheFox

Sponsored by: Binxy Baby

Enter for your chance to win: (1) Binxy Baby hammock of your choice

Open to: US

 

Welcome to the Color Me Lucky Giveaway Hop! Be sure to come back daily to get your daily entries to increase your chances of winning. Scroll down under the form to find more awesome giveaways to enter.

 

Head over to Binxy Baby to see what they have to offer

 

 

 

Visit all the blogs below to enter more giveaways!

Shopping Made Easy

Any mom can testify that shopping with a baby is a difficult and challenging task. If you are thinking of buying a new car as your old one just won’t cut it and live in the UK, you could look into a company like one sure insurance who can assist you in making better choices when it comes to choosing a car and to hopefully save you money. When baby is little and you’re grocery shopping, where do you put them? Do you carry them? Wear them on your back? Keep them in the car seat and put them in the cart? That’s what I used to. Baby number one was in the car seat and inside the cart, where all the groceries go. I can tell you one things for sure – I got really good at placing and stacking groceries so I could fit them all in the cart (without any of them falling on baby!). I love shopping but it can be a pretty stressful task with the baby. I get shopping coupons on websites like PromoCodeWatch.com so I can save a bit of money and they’re great! I prefer shopping online to avoid the stress, but now I’ve found the perfect solution which means I can visit the stores with the baby.

When you’re so used to shopping at the same place, there are customer expectations that you have in mind before entering a store. For example, you expect good customer service from the staff, deals to be offered, plus easy payment systems so you are not juggling money as you are handling shopping and a wriggly baby. That is why I’m glad that some stores are looking to adapt with EFTPOS machine equipment for contactless payments, as well as other technology. These high expectations are not just for the staff through, even the products too! You just want everything to be perfect.

Well mamas, we’ve found the perfect solution to your grocery shopping mayhem – the Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock. This hammock is the real deal. It will make your shopping experience a total game changer; no more playing tetris with your groceries! The baby hammock clips to either side of the shopping cart and hangs elevated leaving the cart basket open for groceries. If it’s cold outside just place the infant carrier right into the hammock and strap it in; that way baby stays warm! The hammock even works for multiples; just put two hammocks side by side.

The leading cause of head injuries for young children is falling from shopping carts. Roughly 24,000 children per year are hospitalized due to these injuries. Placing an infant carrier on the top of a shopping cart is a huge safety hazard. Doing this causes the cart to be top heavy and fall over – while baby is in it! Lisa Pinnell, the founder of Binxy Baby set out to find a solution to these very startling findings. She didn’t want her children to be harmed (obviously) and she wanted her shopping experience with two kids to be more productive and less like a game.


Check out all the features the Binxy Baby hammock offers:

  • Multiple color options that are perfect for any gender
  • Use the hammock from birth until baby can sit up independently
  • Holds up to 50 pounds
  • Velcro strap to properly secure hammock
  • Infant carrier safety strap
  • Secure seat harness
  • Compliant with US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
  • Rolls up for easy on – the – go shopping trips

For more safety information view the Binxy Baby website.

Follow these easy steps for a safe, quick instillation:

Place the plastic ends on the cart

Strap the velcro straps around the sides of the cart (this ensures a safe, tight instillation)

Place baby (or car seat) into the the hammock; buckle and tighten

Connect with Binxy Baby

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The Binxy Baby hammock is seriously the perfect shopping accessory. I love how easy it is to install; just strap it onto the cart. With one hand you can snap it on and strap it around the sides however, I do recommend using two hands just to ensure extra safety and security. The hammock fits on almost any shopping cart too! Our Target has those big plastic shopping carts that are difficult to use some baby products with; but the Binxy Baby hammock fits perfectly. You can use it on any part of the cart too!

The hammock is so great for kiddos to relax in. While baby Penny was in the hammock she was getting fussy, but once we started moving she got quiet right away. It’s almost like an actual hammock for adults!

A really cool feature that the hammock offers is a loop for toys on the security straps. I almost didn’t realize it was there! It’s perfect for securing a teether (or any other toy) to the hammock for baby to keep busy while you shop.


Although the Binxy Baby hammock gives you more room in the cart basket, it is still a little bit of a challenge to get groceries in and out of the cart.

The hammock can be used with babies up to 50 pounds, but it is not safe to put a baby in the hammock who can sit up unassisted.

Seriously mamas, the Binxy Baby hammock is so perfect for mamas of one or multiples. It’s such a lifesaver and really does make shopping with a kiddo(s) much easier. Give it as a baby shower gift or pick one up for yourself!

Rosegal Clothing

Rosegal.com is a hidden nugget that I recently discovered. This website has a HUGE selection of modern and trendy clothing along with accessories and more for crazy low prices. So low I thought it was a mistake at first. There are many clothing retailers online, and you never know what you are really going to get in the mail. I know that I have seen my fair share of horrible photos of misleading clothing companies. When you order your item but something very cheaply made arrives and not even in the right color or fabric. I was honestly super curious to see what the clothing from Rosegal would be like when I got my order. I am honestly tell you I was VERY happy with each article they sent me.

rosegal-front-page

The clothing from Rosegal is not only fashion forward, but in the cuts and colors you want. From daily work clothing, to stay at home mom tee’s to formal ware, they have a huge selection to browse through. They have women’s, men’s, boutique, accessories, shoes, purses, bags, beauty, hair, home and more! Seriously another you would shop for. This site is definitely one you want to bookmark for your new fall pieces and for upcoming holiday shopping. 

jewelry

bags

This Mama’s Experience

I tried several tops from Rosegal and here are my main thoughts. 1 – great value 2 – very modern and hip 3 – okay materiel used. Like I mentioned above there is always the chance that you may get very low quality pieces of clothing from an online retailer. Its the risk you run shopping online. With Rosegal each of my pieces of clothing looks just like I thought they would based on the internet photos.

While they are not made from the fanciest materials (I didn’t expect they would be at such low prices) they were cut and fit perfectly. I am very happy with how each feels too. None of them were uncomfortable or itchy. They are light and I love how they each feel against my skin. I do think they run slightly small, so order a size up. I typically wear a medium but all these tops shown below are a large. Based on the pieces I received I would recommend Rosegal to my friends and family, and of course my readers too.

white-polka-dot-rosegal

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