lo-wren

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Natural Parenting Beyond the Baby Years

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Just under five years ago I was pregnant, expecting my first child, and all alone. My husband and myself had moved out of state just months earlier, for an opportunity to grow in his career. 5 years later, he’s back in the same place, just in a wholly different position, but I digress.

As I was saying, I was pregnant…and alone. Kind of like Naked and Afraid, except without all of the nakedness and wild animals. My mother wasn’t in my life, and my girlfriends were hours away — I had no village to help me. What I did have, however, was a computer with an Internet connection, so I found community online, while researching natural ways to bring my baby into this world and care for him.

I was pregnant and alone. Kind of like Naked and Afraid, except w/out all of the nakedness. I had no village; I found my natural parenting community online.

I discovered the cloth diaper community, which lead to me discovering babywearing, and I soon found myself buying cloth diapers and researching different carriers. By the time my son finally arrived, I was fully immersed in the cloth diapering community, and belonged to several natural parenting groups.

I think I heard about MommyCon in 2012, shortly after my son was born. I purchased my tickets for Philadelphia MONTHS in advance, and eagerly counted-down to the day, blogging along the way. My son was just one year old when we attended MommyCon Philly, and they were in their first year of the conference, working out kinks, growing rapidly, and giving people like me (on my island) community in-person, if only for a day.

Parenting beyond the baby years means that I find lots of photos like these in my phone (despite my phone being locked!)

Parenting beyond the baby years means that I find lots of photos like these in my phone (despite my phone being locked!)

My son’s now four-years-old, and I’m not going to have anymore children, having decided, sometime after my third loss, that it was just too difficult to keep losing babies. These days, I don’t refer to what I do as a mother as natural parenting, because the label no longer really matters (if it ever did). I feed my son whole foods, am the annoying mom who tells her kiddo’s school that he’s sugar-sensitive and under orders from his pediatrician to bring in his own snack (well, at his last school, anyway), and generally assert my control over his diet [before I no longer have control in the teen years]. At four, my son has a solid appreciation for nature, and I encourage him to get dirty and play (discover); one of his favorite things to do is to spend time in the creek, hunting for shells and throwing rocks, a nice hike diversion.

 

 

I still care about the products I use on my son’s skin, and do the best I can to keep toxins out of our home. In essence, I don’t see myself doing anything really different from the majority of parents out there, so there really isn’t a need to categorize parenting at this stage, is there?

Whereas I was concerned about nurturing my son early on, being mindful of his needs as a baby, I now focus my efforts on nurturing his mind, and tending to his needs in a way that teaches him how to be independent. I guess you could call this age the detachment phase of attachment parenting. With my son’s needs not as great as they were when he was an infant and toddler, I now have more time to focus on my own needs and my own identity, apart from being a mother. So, what does MommyCon have to do with all of this?

Well, my friends, MommyCon is really an all-ages parenting conference, with sessions for expecting parents through seasoned parenting vets. MommyCon San Jose is offering sessions perfect for those parents of older children, such as Geek Parenting: Raising Kids on Comics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy (love it!), Let Them Eat Dirt: Saving Your Child from An Oversanitized World, Mom Guilt: Why It Sucks & How to Give It the Middle Finger, and more! And then there’s this:

mmcn-san-jose-halloween-1

Yep! Not only do you get to check out all of the MommyCon San Jose awesomeness at San Jose Convention Center, but you get to take part in a COSTUME CONTEST!

If you’ve not yet purchased your tickets for MommyCon San Jose, you can save $5 from each ticket with code: LOWREN16

Okay, back to the costume contest. Costumes will be judged in THREE categories: Babywearing, Family, and Individual (adult costume). Each category winner will receive an awesome prize, with the Babywearing costume winner receiving an ORBIT CAR SEAT! So, put on your thinking caps, grab your tickets (if you haven’t already), and join in the MommyCon fun!

If you’ve attended your nearby MommyCon event, check out the 2017 event calendar! I’m signed-up to attend MommyCon NYC, but have always wanted to visit Memphis, so… Want to save $5 off of your 2017 MommyCon ticket prices? Use my code: LOWREN17

Interested in buying organics at wholesale prices? I now live in the boonies, so Thrive Market is my go-to for organics and natural products. Use my link to save 15% off of your first purchase, free shipping, and donate one membership to a low-income family through the Thrive Gives program. So many benefits, my friends!

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Blue Apron: The First Two Weeks

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When I was offered a Blue Apron promotional offer, my first thought was that I already had everything under control. I enjoy cooking, and had been doing rough meal planning for a few months, so things were relatively smooth going for me. What could I possibly gain by trying Blue Apron?

Then life hit. In a whirlwind few weeks, my husband was interviewing for a job in another state, we were house hunting, I was canceling camp and school plans here, researching and registering my son for a new school in the area where we’d be moving, and working…a lot. Blue Apron really couldn’t have come at a better time.

Blue Apron has allowed me to focus my energies elsewhere, taking meal planning and food shopping off of my plate so that I can focus on more pressing things (although, yes, feeding my family is important as well). I’ve been using Blue Apron’s meal service for two weeks and here are a few of my thoughts.

blue-apron-open-box

The boxes come insulated, with all of your ingredients packaged for the number of servings you’ve signed up for. This, my friends, means that you’re not wasting stalks of celery, or packs of green onions, tomatoes, or whatever produce that usually goes bad before you can use it. I absolutely love this aspect of Blue Apron. The only thing that would make this easier is if all of the vegetables were already washed, prepped and chopped (but that’s not really practical, is it?).

Blue Apron boxes come packed with exceptional care because the ingredients are top notch. Grass fed, responsibly fished, humanely kept and free range meats are the proteins you receive in these boxes, so you can feel good about what you’re eating. The produce is beautiful, and Blue Apron even includes the little things you may not have readily available in your refrigerator or pantry — ginger root, butter, farm fresh eggs and sauce bases.

So, Blue Apron has been a true help these past two weeks, allowing me to feed my family healthy, flavorful and inspired meals while giving me the time to focus on transitioning for a move.

I’m trying Blue Apron for a month to really gauge the impact it has on my household, so stay tuned for another post with all of my thoughts on Blue Apron meals.

To find out more about Blue Apron meal delivery, head to their website at BlueApron.com. To check out some of the recipes they’re sending and serving, visit Blue Apron on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Interested in checking out Blue Apron for yourself? Click on a Blue Apron promotional offer below:

2 Meals Free on Your First Blue Apron Order

$20 Off Your First Blue Apron Order

*Blue Apron sent me items to facilitate this post, however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Swap.com: Online Consignment Review

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From my first sale, I’ve been a children’s consignment sale junkie! So, when I discovered Swap.com (and no longer had to wait for semi-annual sales) I was immediately sold. Well, addicted may be the more appropriate term (I placed two significant orders within the first two weeks using the site!). I wanted to share Swap.com with all of you, in case you’ve not yet discovered the site.

Save 20% on top of swap.com savings & get FREE shipping with my coupon code!

Not only am I a fan of the recycling aspect of shopping on consignment, but the deals are hard to beat. I receive so many comments on my son’s clothing, and it’s hard to admit that I only spend around $100 per size (yes, I said size, not season). I have a go-to thrift outlet where I’m able to buy most of my son’s clothing (Gap, Polo, J. Crew, Children’s Place, etc.), and I tend to shop on their 50% off days, which means that I get Gap and J. Crew sweaters and cords for my little guy for around $2 a piece (not kidding).

3-outfits

 

The remainder of my son’s shopping I do through semi-annual consignment sales; this is where I go to find high-end shoes, sandals and inexpensive pajamas for my son (we’re still going through a pair of pjs a night). We tend to find a lot of great children’s books at these sales as well, something you can never have too much of! I keep a running list of items I need for my son in the months leading up to each sale, but it’s a little nerve-wracking to make sure that I find everything in each shopping trip [knowing that I’ll need to pay full retail price if I miss something].

Shoes are super expensive, especially when you consider how little time your kiddo is in them (my son wears a new size every 3 months or so these days). I was able to purchase top brands — pediped, See Kai Run, Robeez, Stride Rite — for a fraction of the cost new (think $5-$8 a pair). Score!

Imagine my delight when I discovered online consignment store, Swap.com, and no longer needed to trek 45 minutes to my favorite thrift outlet or wait for a semi-annual sale! I stocked up on my first Swap.com purchase, outfitting my little guy for spring with a few key pieces. I’ve put together a few outfits to show you what I found:
Headphones-$

 

 

I love this fun and funky outfit…and so does my son (who never really cares about his clothes). In fact, he insisted on wearing this outfit for the remainder of the day, and had a blast prancing around modeling it!

 

 

 

Seattle-$

 

I

picked up this outfit in preparation for summer camp — D usually runs around in sweatpant material shorts all summer (or in the buff), so I needed make sure that I had at least 5 different nice outfits (read: not bummy or for fishing salamanders out of ponds) for him to wear throughout the week.

This year is the first time my little guy is attending summer camp, which lasts 5 weeks and runs from 8:30am-3:30pm. The best part about the camp is that it is at a Friends Meeting School approximately two blocks from our house. I’m already beginning to plan all of the things I’ll be able to get done in that time!

 

TwoShirts-Headless-$

This is a fun spring pick and will likely be the outfit he wears for Easter. We channeled my husband’s 1980s preppy look with the layered shirt and popped collar (I’m bummed that I didn’t find a pink Polo shirt this year — that would have totally made the outfit!). The blue chambray pants are long, but the rolled cuffs give the outfit a less formal look — he’ll be wearing these light and breezy pants throughout the summer. The Vineyard Vines shirt my husband scored from the store clearance rack, not from Swap.com, but the clearance price was worthy of mentioning.

The items I did purchase from Swap.com — headphones tee, space needle tee, cargo shorts, chambray pants, polo shirt — I grabbed for a grand total of $19.50. It’s not often you can find quality children’s clothing, three complete outfits, for under $20.

Swap.com’s quality standards are high, and each item came individually packaged in ‘like new’ condition. I’ve been extremely pleased with my purchases so far (my second purchase was comprised of summer shorts and tees for the little guy), and actually send two large boxes to Swap.com for consignment. All of my maternity clothing and all of my little guy’s outgrown summer clothing and shoes are waiting to be photographed as I write this. It’s a heck of a lot easier to pack those boxes than it is to tag and enter 100+ pieces for semi-annual consignment sales! I’ll let you know how my consigning experience goes with them in a future update.

So, if you’re looking to grab brand-name clothing at clearance prices (they have women’s and maternity clothing as well), then you need to check out Swap.com!

Start shopping now — use my referral link to save 20% off of your first Swap.com purchase!

*This post contains a referral link. I purchased items from Swap.com to facilitate this review, all opinions expressed are my own.

A Bevy of Panties

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Just 3 months ago, I wrote a post about panties. These weren’t any ordinary panties, they were period panties. No, not your battered, beaten and stained “time-of-the-month” granny panties, these were stylish, sexy and functional THINX period panties. I took it upon myself to find out if THINX period panties lived up to the hype, and dropped $75 on three pairs of panties so that I could be a guinea pig for you. You see, I know that you, my readers, love reusable menstrual products as much as I do, so I thought I’d throw a little something different in the mix — no cup, no mama cloth, just THINX.

In just 3 months, I've been able to donate $10k worth of pd. panties to organizations helping women. To celebrate, I'm giving 10 people the chance to win!

Anyway, I shared my embarrassing period HERstory, with all of my menstrual mishaps described in gory detail. At the end of the piece, after sharing some of my most embarrassing moments, I gave THINX panties a rave review and shared my referral link for readers to save $10 on their THINX purchase. The thing is, my friends, for every purchase made with my referral code, I’m sent a $10 gift card for THINX panties. Awesome, right?

Well, I’m here to say that much as you feel you can never have too many tampons/pads/cloth, you definitely can have too many pairs of period panties. I mean, how many pairs of period panties does a gal really need for her time of the month? Definitely not as many as I had credit for, to be certain.

Referral gift codes began rolling in, and after I sent period panties (dubbing myself the panty fairy) to every girlfriend of mine who was interested, I continued to accrue gift codes. With the accrual building, I contacted my local domestic violence agency, Laurel House, to see if they were interested and if they would accept them; I was given the go-ahead and began placing orders.

You will not believe how many referrals I began getting a day — sometimes up to 40 in a single day! It became clear to me that I needed to find another organization I could send panties to, and after some research, I found a local chapter of Days For Girls. Days For Girls, if you’re not already familiar, is an organization that provides quality, sustainable feminine hygiene products, allowing women in impoverished areas the opportunity to attend school, learn trades, become educated about reproductive health and so much more! Again, I reached out, and again, my panty offer was accepted.

In just 3 months, I've been able to donate $10k worth of pd. panties to organizations helping women. To celebrate, I'm giving 10 people the chance to win!

Here’s where it gets really crazy, my friends. As of last week, I have donated over $10,000 in period panties to Laurel House and Days For Girls — that’s a lot of panties, my friends! In just three months I’ve been able to give SO much to young ladies and women in need!




MommyCon Atlanta Promo Code

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Alright, my cloth diapering, babywearing, breastfeeding friends, it’s 2016! You know what that means, right? MommyCon events are taking place across the country this year! With the Atlanta event just one month away, I have an exclusive MommyCon Atlanta Promo Code to share with you — who’s excited? Save $5 off of each general admission ticket you purchase with MommyCon Atlanta Promo Code: LOWREN16 (discount changed by MommyCon, effective July 1, from $6 to $5, so that all event promoters offer the same discount, no matter their promotion results).

Looking for a MommyCon Atlanta promo code? Use LOWREN16 at checkout to save $6 on each of your MommyCon (& PLAY, MILK, WEAR) general admission tickets.

Once you purchase your tickets, head over HERE and leave a comment to enter into an exclusive Smart Bottoms Cloth Diapers giveaway for MommyCon attendees!

Giveaway, you ask? Yes! I have something special in store for those of you who use my 2016 MommyCon promo code (LOWREN16) to purchase your tickets. I’m giving away one Smart Bottoms Fantastic Hipster Fox Smart One cloth diaper, as well as 1 Smart Bottoms adult cloth advocacy tee and 1 Smart Bottoms baby tee at MommyCon DC.

Don’t fret if you’re attending MommyCon in another city, I’m also giving away 1 Smart Bottoms adult tee and 1 Smart Bottoms baby tee! Those of you who comment that you’re attending cities other than DC will be entered to win either an adult or baby tee.

Looking for a MommyCon Atlanta promo code? Use LOWREN16 at checkout to save $6 on each of your MommyCon (& PLAY, MILK, WEAR) general admission tickets.

So, here is all you need to do to enter to win a surprise from me: after you purchase your ticket with my MommyCon promo code (LOWREN16), leave a comment on this post shouting out the city where you’ll be attending MommyCon. Pretty simple, eh? The fine print is that the DC winner must be in attendance at the DC event to receive your prize (I’ll be sending the prizes to the other winners) – easy peasy! I’ll draw the winner on August 20 and announce (allowing time for me to draw another winner, if need be).

To enter, after you purchase your tickets (please don’t forget to use my promo code: LOWREN16), leave a comment on this post with the city where you’ll be attending. I will draw the winner(s) at the completion of the DC MommyCon event [that is posted in the comment section]. The fine print is that you must be a US resident, or have a US mailing address, to enter.

Interested in attending a separate event under the MommyCon umbrella? My code will also save you $5 off of each of your general admission tickets for the following events (click image to navigate to each event ticket sale/info page):

Looking for a MommyCon Atlanta promo code? Use LOWREN16 at checkout to save $6 on each of your MommyCon (& PLAY, MILK, WEAR) general admission tickets.

Looking for a MommyCon Atlanta promo code? Use LOWREN16 at checkout to save $6 on each of your MommyCon (& PLAY, MILK, WEAR) general admission tickets.

Looking for a MommyCon Atlanta promo code? Use LOWREN16 at checkout to save $6 on each of your MommyCon (& PLAY, MILK, WEAR) general admission tickets.

2016 MommyCon Promo Code and Smart Bottoms Giveaway

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I had an absolute blast in DC for MommyCon this year, so much so that I’m going to do it all over again in 2016! Because I’m a MommyCon Sisterhood Journalist again this year, I have an amazing MommyCon promo code to offer a discount for you: use code LOWREN16 to save $5 off of your general admission ticket (discount changed by MommyCon, effective July 1, from $6 to $5, so that all event promoters offer the same discount, no matter their promotion results).

Being a MommyCon Sisterhood Journalist means that I will be covering [at least] one of the 2016 MommyCon event venues, and this year I’m torn between attending the DC event (AHmazing venue) again or heading down to Austin, TX just for fun (or maybe attending both).

I got to meet so many of you while “working” (it was more fun than work) at the Smart Bottoms booth in DC, and I got to discover great new products, like Re-Play dinnerware, made from recycled milk jugs. I can’t wait to see all of my cloth diapering friends again next year, both industry experts and cloth diaper users like yourself, and have wisened-up for this trip, in case I head to DC again — no family, just me.

#MommyConDC is a wrap! @chgdiapers @kim_rosas @firsttimemommn @lo-wren @MommyCon @liltulips #clothdiapers

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@laurenbethstevens) on

Long story short? My husband and son came along this year and my son refused to sleep, even though we were careful enough to book a suite. The French doors separating the rooms did absolutely nothing, so I headed to the convention already exhausted and my husband had to entertain my overtired kiddo for the entire day. Fun times!

Use MommyCon promo code LOWREN16 to save $5 off of your general admission ticket

Save $6 with MommyCon promo code: LOWREN16. Leave a comment to be entered into my SmartBottoms giveaway - at least 6 people will win!

Here are the locations for this year’s MommyCon events (click the links to find out more information about your venue):

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

Seattle, WA

Austin, TX

Washington, D.C.

Orange County, CA

Orlando, FL

San Jose, CA

https://www.instagram.com/p/9EPHSmFBs6/

Oh, the giveaway, you ask? I have something special in store for those of you who use my 2016 MommyCon promo code (LOWREN16) to purchase your tickets. I’m giving away one Smart Bottoms Fantastic Hipster Fox Smart One cloth diaper, as well as 1 Smart Bottoms adult cloth advocacy tee and 1 Smart Bottoms baby tee at MommyCon DC.

Fox

Don’t fret if you’re attending MommyCon in another city, I’m also giving away 1 Smart Bottoms adult tee and 1 Smart Bottoms baby tee! Those of you who comment that you’re attending cities other than DC will be entered to win either an adult or baby tee.

So, here is all you need to do to enter to win a surprise from me: after you purchase your ticket with my MommyCon promo code (LOWREN16), leave a comment on this post shouting out the city where you’ll be attending MommyCon. Pretty simple, eh? The fine print is that the DC winner must be in attendance at the DC event to receive your prize (I’ll be sending the prizes to the other winners) – easy peasy! I’ll draw the winner on August 20 and announce (allowing time for me to draw another winner, if need be).

To enter, after you purchase your tickets (please don’t forget to use my promo code: LOWREN16), leave a comment on this post with the city where you’ll be attending. I will draw the winner(s) at the completion of the DC MommyCon event [that is posted in the comment section]. The fine print is that you must be a US resident, or have a US mailing address, to enter.

Please note that my promotional code does not apply to tickets purchased during the pre-sale period.

HALO® SleepSack® Review

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HALO_SleepSack_Logo

I no longer have a baby small enough to fit into a HALO SleepSack®, but I owned and used at least four of them when D was a baby, both cotton and fleece. As a new mom, having read so much about SIDS and healthy sleep, swaddles and sleep sacks were my early go-to choices for D. In fact, D slept in a HALO SleepSack® up until he was two-and-a-half, with the HALO SleepSack® Early Walker (they make sleep sacks with legs for toddlers)!

Since I don’t have a baby to catalogue my thoughts about sleep sacks, I enlisted the help of one of my readers, Sary, and her adorable daughter, Ariana (cutest baby product-tester ever!); HALO sent Sary a Cotton Muslin SleepSack® for review.

HALO-SleepSack-Review

Photo credit: Sary Raquel

Ariana is 4 1/2 months old, weighing 17lbs. and 25 inches long, so Sary ordered a medium 100% Cotton Muslin SleepSack® in Elephant Plaid. As Ariana is becoming increasingly active, Sary chose to order a size medium SleepSack® to give her more room to maneuver (she falls just below the minimum sizing for size medium). You can see that the SleepSack® does not hinder Ariana’s movement at all:

HALO6

Photo credit: Sary Raquel

Sary was initially concerned with the cotton muslin material, thinking it would bunch up as Ariana moved in her crib, prohibiting her from moving freely. However, muslin proved to be an excellent choice, light and breathable, as well as keeping Ariana warm in summer, spring and fall. Sary suggests adding a long-sleeved onesie for colder months, to keep baby warm, but not overheated.

Sary’s favorite feature? The zippered opening, allowing her to do nighttime diaper changes quickly, without waking Ariana:

Photo credit: Sary Raquel

Photo credit: Sary Raquel

Ariana’s favorite feature? The cotton muslin material — Ariana’s teething and loves bunching up the muslin and chewing it. Sary’s suggestion? Make muslin teething toys!

You can purchase HALO SleepSacks on Amazon.

HALO’s website offers more than an extensive product line (swaddles, bassinets and more), you can visit halosleep.com for information about safe sleep, safe swaddling, and a plethora of other health and safety resources. To stay up-to-date on HALO’s latest product information, follow them via social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest.

Sary was sent a HALO® SleepSack®, at no cost to herself, for the purposes of this review. All opinions expressed are her own.

This post contains an affiliate link.

Epic De-Stash and Giving Diapers, Giving Hope Fundraiser

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Cloth diapering provided so much for my little family — a cost efficient way to diaper my son, a gateway into the natural parenting community, amazing networking opportunities through blogging, and many more wonderful benefits. I’ve met SO many wonderful people through cloth diapering, and cloth diapering provided me an outlet for writing in those early days. I remain unbelievably grateful.

ClothDiaperCollage

My husband and I have decided to be a “one and done” family, so it’s time for me to let go of my beloved cloth diaper collection and put them into the hands of others who will use them. If you’ve followed lo-wren for any time, you know that my decision not to have any more children has been a difficult one, marked by several losses and leading me to look deeper into myself than I have ever before. I’m incredibly grateful for my miscarriages, as they have taught me SO much about myself, and led me down a path to building a stronger me. That being said, my miscarriages are, by far, the most difficult experiences I’ve endured.

De-stashEvent

Because the cloth diapering community has given my family so much, I want to give back to an organization that helps cloth diapering families in need: Giving Diapers, Giving Hope. I’ve donated diapers in the past, and will be donating any diapers that don’t sell (or that are not in amazing saleable condition) to Giving Diapers, Giving Hope. In addition to those diaper donations, I will be donating a percentage of the proceeds as follows:

< $500 = 10%

$500+ = 15%

Smart Bottoms has agreed to MATCH my donation amount – how amazing is that?!?

To be completely transparent, the portion of the proceeds not donated will go into my son’s college fund. I sell my son’s outgrown clothing, toys, etc. at children’s consignment sales, and I’ve put all of that money into my son’s account as an easy way to save for the future.

Bidding begins on September 12th at 10am EST

So, what can you expect to find?

  • NIP bumGenius Freetimes in Audrey, Chaplin & Marie
  • NIP Smart Bottoms in Fox, Jax+Jill
  • Carriers – Ergobaby Organic w/ Infant Insert, Maya Wrap Ring Sling, Moby Wrap (brand new)
  • Project Pomona EcoFit jeans & skulls shorts
  • Lots and lots of other used cloth diapers: Buttons, Best Bottoms, GroVia, Smarti Pants, OBGEs, Smart Bottoms, and more!

How will it work?

I’ll be posting an album with photos of all of the items, each with a reserve price. Bidders will post their bid amounts in the comments section beneath the photo of the item they wish to bid on. Highest bidder wins the item.

P.S. I’ve already de-stashed the cloth diapers that didn’t work [for me], so you won’t be seeing any duds 😉

 

MommyCon 2015: Cloth Diapering in DC

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mommycon-2015

I am finally recovering from the whirlwind weekend in DC, celebrating all things natural parenting at MommyCon 2015. I am struck by how much this amazing convention has grown since its first year! Cloth diapering, breastfeeding, babywearing, oh, MY! The vendors are better, more cloth diaper companies are present, and even more natural products are being showcased. And the babies, the babies! Everywhere I looked there were little ones nestled in their mom and dad’s carriers. Ack, the sweetness!

Save $6 on MommyCon 2015 tickets with promotional code: LOWREN15

As a Smart Bottoms Ambassador, I planned to spend most of my time at MommyCon 2015 working at the booth, talking about Jax & Jill and showing people just how amazing Smart Bottoms products are. I met Van from ‘Lil Tulips, the retailer selling Smart Bottoms at the conference, who was an amazing Smart Bottoms advocate, salesperson, and all around great guy. What I didn’t anticipate was just how popular the Smart Bottoms booth would be — we were slammed all day! Word has gotten out, my friends.

While I was unable to attend any sessions, I’d attended them before and can vouch for the abundance of information to be gleaned from them. MommyCon 2015 was really all about cloth diapers for me.

@smartbottoms is bumping! Come see @firsttimemommn & me! #smartbottomsambassador #mommycondc @mommycon

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on

I finally got to meet Bert, Smart Bottoms’ Marketing Coordinator Extraordinaire and the blogger behind First Time Mom, who I’d “known” for the past three years from being in the same blogging circles and working with businesses she’s worked for. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be able to spend time with people you interact with virtually all year long! Blogging and freelance writing can be incredibly lonely, so it’s a treat to be able to interact with peers at events like this.

#MommyConDC #ClothDiaper Resource Center. Maria from @chgdiapers talking to an attendee.

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on

While Bert and I were located right across from the MommyCon 2015 Cloth Diaper Resource Center, where Kim Rosas (Dirty Diaper Laundry) and Maria Moser (Change-Diapers.com) were talking about all things cloth diapers, I didn’t really get the opportunity to chat with them until the convention was over! We did make a point of getting a group photo, as I’ve been in a blogging group with all of them for the last three years. While I got to spend time with Kim at a blogging conference last summer (Blog University), I’d not had the chance to meet Maria, who I’ve been working with in many capacities for years. These are the things that made MommyCon 2015 incredibly fun for me.

#MommyConDC is a wrap! @chgdiapers @kim_rosas @firsttimemommn @lo-wren @MommyCon @liltulips #clothdiapers

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on

I got to meet some of my amazing readers, and even “bumped” into an old colleague who is expecting her first child [in a matter of weeks!]. If you’ve not had the chance attend MommyCon, or are on the fence about it, I encourage you to jump in and grab tickets — you won’t regret it! Not only will you get to meet like-minded parents, and sit in on amazing seminars full of resources (and your favorite “personalities” in the natural parenting world), but you’ll get to talk to the people behind some of your favorite products (cloth diapers).

Save $6 on MommyCon 2015 tickets with promotional code: LOWREN15

MommyCon-Montage

While I’ve had experience with most of the products being showcased during the convention, I did discover a brand that I’m really excited about: Re-Play. I’m planning on sharing a little more about this company when I have more time, but I bought a few products and am loving them! All of their tableware is made from recycled milk jugs, my friends – so cool!

Have you attended a MommyCon event this year? What were some of your favorite takeaways from the conference?

The Ultimate Online Baby Shower: August 2015

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It’s that time again! Time to RSVP, unlock the event calendar and sync favorite products and brands with your own calendar for this virtual event!

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RSVP HERE before reading further

Why RSVP?

– to claim your entry into a drawing for two gift baskets, filled with items from all of the participating brands

– to unlock the calendar of events for The Ultimate Online Baby Shower, allowing you to plan your week with your sampling buddy

FLASH GIVEAWAYS

The Ultimate Online Baby Shower kicks off with fun Flash giveaways held by each of the participating bloggers. Be sure to follow my Facebook page, as I’ll be directing you to each flash giveaway page when they go live.

SAMPLER EVENTS

Several amazing baby companies will be hosting Sampler events on their Facebook pages throughout The Ultimate Online Baby Shower. Sampler events are fun, a rush, and go quickly (be ready); you want to click on the participating brand sampling link as they go live for the chance to receive free products from participating companies (they go FAST). I’ll be giving you prior reminders on my Facebook page so that you can be ready.

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If you’ve not had the opportunity to try Sampler, it’s easy. You’ll have the opportunity to “Wish For” items that interest you, after you RSVP and unlock the calendar.  You’ll navigate to brand pages, click the Wish For It link (in the Giveaway tab) and share it to your Facebook timeline; your friends will then know that you would like them to send the item/Sampler to you when it is unlocked.  The best way to ensure you get the Samplers you want is to ‘buddy up’ with a friend and send them to each other when the event goes live.

THE BRANDS

Ssh! Baby's sleeping! Tune in MONDAY to find out more about @bellabundlesbaby / @bellabundle & @thesamplerapp #UOBS!

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on

BELLA BUNDLES

Bella Bundles’ line of accessories features designs and functionality fit for every modern mom! From bibs to blankets, comfort and practicality are of the utmost importance. The designs are hip, the sewmanship top-notch, and the fabrics incredibly plush. If you’re looking to outfit your nursery and baby’s layette with clean design, Bella Bundles has exactly what you’re looking for.

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SAFETY 1ST

Kicking off the Ultimate Online Baby Shower this year is Safety 1st – you won’t want to miss their flash giveaway! We use Safety 1st child-lock products around our house, and they also make car seats, strollers, in addition to a myriad of other baby gear. I know their giveaway will be an event you won’t want to miss!

 

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HABA

HABA is synonymous with quality in the toy world; made from sustainable materials, non-toxic paints, their toys get two thumbs up from me! I’m loving HABA’s Baby’s First Photo Album — brightly colored designs, soft fabric, and eight 4×6 slots for lots of family photos.

Hey pregnant moms — @basqskincare is participating in @thesamplerapp #UOBS next week!

A photo posted by Lauren Stevens (@lowrenblogs) on

BASQ

I remember being overly cautious with my first pregnancy, changing to natural shampoo and conditioner and tossing many of the household products and toiletries I’d used for years. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t using products that contained chemicals that were not only unsafe for me, but also for my unborn child. Basq skincare takes out the guesswork with their line of skincare products devoid of any questionable ingredients!

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BABY K’TAN

Having worn my own baby, Baby K’tan is a name I know well, but did you know that they make diaper bags as well? Baby K’tan’s SmartGear Diaper Bag features a built-in wet bag (no more forgetting!) with antibacterial lining. While cloth diapering moms will love the built-in wet bag feature, it’s great for any blowout or accident (think potty training).

 

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UBBI

I’ve admired ubbi’s vibrantly-colored range of sleek, powder-coated steel diaper pails, in fact, ubbi’s diaper pail is what put them on my radar. Ubbi makes a full range of products to take you from diapering to potty training, from their diaper pail to training toilets and step stools. Ubbi even has snacks covered, with their Tweat snack containers in fun colors!

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PEARHEAD

Pearhead helps parents celebrate all of the special moments in their little one’s lives, with modern designs and fresh prints. Add a bit of personalization to your journey from pregnancy throughout your baby’s milestones — Pearhead has keepsakes for every personality and taste.

WEE CAN TOO

I worried about what chemicals I came into contact with during pregnancy, which then transferred to my son once he was born. It seems almost everything (including the food we eat) contains harmful chemicals these days, but Wee Can Too art supplies takes out the worry. Made from vegetable dyes, Wee Can Too art supplies are non-toxic and colorful — they look good enough to eat (and you don’t have to worry if your little one does take a bite out of that modeling dough!)!

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BELLI SKINCARE

“Ingredient safety, effective solutions with clinically proven ingredients, and luxurious formulations with aromatherapy to provide a spa-like experience,” the cornerstones to Belli’s pregnancy skincare line. No more reading label after label at the department store or drugstore — Belli skincare takes the guesswork out for you. Belli products are allergy tested, free of paraben preservatives, phthalates, and artificial dyes or fragrances, and made in the USA. Belli products are also teratology and Lactmed screened, ensuring that no harmful ingredients are passed to your unborn baby and infant through use and breastfeeding.

THE LAUNDRESS

We’ve come a long way from having only one laundry option for sensitive baby skin, and The Laundress elevates laundry care with their full range of products. From bleach alternative, to stain solutions and scented drawer sheets, The Laundress provides a full line of allergen-free laundering and care solutions. My cloth diapering friends will be happy to know that The Laundress also offers a Wool & Cashmere wash and freshening spray!

ME4KIDZ

Possibly one of my favorite products in the UOBS is the Me4Kidz cut and scrape kid. I have a three-year-old boy, which means accidents happen all of the time! My son is at the age where there is a bandage preference (boring beige just won’t do), and we don’t “do” licensed characters in my household, which is why the little dudes kit is perfect for us. From antibacterial wipes to cool packs (Cool It Buddy), Me4kidz offers a full range of fun, yet necessary, products for the family. However, the product line isn’t the coolest thing about this brand — products are made from recycled plastic in the USA (to recycle and reuse resources AND keep jobs here) and charitable giving is at the forefront of the Me4kidz business mission (most of their products are assembled by people with disabilities).

 

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As a breastfeeding mom, I was reluctant to introduce my son to the bottle — too early or too late — for fear it would disrupt nursing, and administering medication? Forget about it. However, Adiri’s MD+ Nurser is modeled to function and feel like a breast, making it easier for breastfed babies to receive medication and supplements as an infant. The Adiri MD+ Nurser design mimics a breast, features a dual-chamber nipple to ensure proper delivery, and an air valve to help prevent gas and spit-ups.

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SWEETSATION THERAPY

Organic skincare has never been so…tasty! Sweetsation’s Choco*Smooch Organic Lip & Face Balm is perfect for lips, but I love the fact that it’s great for chapped baby cheeks! I remember the chapped cheeks that came along with teething, and then the battle in the winter to keep my little guy’s sensitive skin from drying and peeling. Made with Argan, Calendula & Sea Buckthorn, the Choco*Smooch stick’s ingredients are safe and little one’s will love the light, cocoa scent!

 

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DAPPLE BABY

I’ve been using Dapple Baby’s cleaning products for a couple of years now. Their cleaning wipes are perfect for giving my son’s train table periodic wipe-downs, and their bottle wash is great for the insane sippy cup collection we have going on here. The best part about Dapple’s cleaning products is that they are dye-free, and made with non-toxic plant-based ingredients — safe for the entire home!

 

 

 

 

RaZbaby

RAZBABY

Their signature RaZ-Berry teether is most likely how you first encountered the RaZBaby brand, I know it was for me! RaZBaby also makes an entire line of personalized Keep-it-Kleen pacifiers and pacifier holders. BPA-free and made with silicone, RaZBaby products are safe (with plastics made in the USA!), and the revolutionary design keeps the nipple clean when not in use or dropped!

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BABY COMFY CARE

Our first encounter with the Baby Comfy Care brand was with their Baby Comfy Nose (we still use it and love it!). Baby Comfy Care has expanded their baby care line to include the Baby Comfy Nail, Baby Comfy Sun, and Baby Comfy Gummy teething jewelry. Baby Comfy Care is a family-run company dedicated to producing practical baby care products that families will love to use!