Put Your Fashion Foot Forward with these Unique Styles from Zaza Couture {Review}

Words cannot describe how much you and your little fashionistas are going to love this next brand of clothing that I was able to review! I contacted Zaza Couture after stumbling across their clothing in an online boutique. It immediately stood out as super fun and totally unique! I always love to see interesting and different combinations of beautiful colors and fabrics, and that’s what Zaza Couture is all about. They have some of the most beautiful color collections that I have seen, and use fabrics and designs you wont see anywhere else. Tereze, owner and designer for Zaza, truly has a gift and a passion for creating stylish and unique children’s clothing. She stays up on what the hottest trends are, and comes up with these beautiful children’s creations. I absolutely love that during each season there are multiple collections to choose from which include a different pattern/color palette, but similar outfit styles. So, no matter what your taste, there is sure to be something to please you! Zaza also offers all types of outfits (i.e. dresses, pants, capris, tops, etc.), and I think it’s safe to say that they can all be worn for special occasions or for every day play. Don’t play too hard, though, because you would hate to mess up these beauties! Since receiving our outfits for review, we have washed and worn them at least five times, and they still look brand new.

I know which outfits to run to if we’re going somewhere special and I need EG to look super cute and be comfortable all at the same time. I also go straight to these outfits for something comfortable to wear around town. We’ll definitely be sad when she grows out of them...but I guess that just means we’ll have to buy more! One of the outfits we reviewed is a dress from the Zaza Couture Spring 2009 Raspberry collection and the top/capri set is from the Zaza Bebe collection (sizes up to 24 months). Two totally different styles, but we love them both!

The Zaza Bebe outfit is a cotton top and capri set. It quickly became a favorite outfit of mine, and EG’s too. As soon as I put it on her, I couldn’t believe just how cute it was! Just a simple outfit change made her look so “special”, though since it was made of cotton, I knew it had to be comfortable too. She could run and jump and play and do just about anything in that outfit, yet when we were done playing we could have gone anywhere. The details on this outfit really helped make it stand out as well. The sweet ruffles on the top are made of a tissue weight cotton and have little satin ribbon accents too. Both the top and pants are adorned with sewn circle details in contrasting colors. No detail was left out, and everything put together makes for a beautiful outfit. The whole design is just darling, and the colors are absolutely gorgeous. The quality is impeccable and every single stitch has survived multiple washes and wears. It still looks brand new! Every little outfit at Zaza has something special to offer, including little details that you wont find anywhere else. Just look through the collections that they offer and you'll find something extra in every piece of clothing they make.

The dress that we reviewed is from the original Zaza Couture line of clothing Spring/Summer 2009 Raspberry collection. One thing I noticed immediately was that the dress was a "slip on" and had no buttons, zippers, or ties. This makes dressing so much easier with a toddler! Anything that you can literally just throw on is fabulous in my eyes. Though a simple slip on dress, it is anything but "simple" or plain. The beautiful floral design features beautiful "non-traditional" colors of mostly neutrals, taupe and a rich raspberry color (hence the name for the collection). The hem of the dress features ribbon detailing that is that little extra something special I mentioned above. The stiff ribbon detailing gives the otherwise simple style of the dress a very nice, girly shape. The fabric on the dress also made it "bounce" so cutely when EG walked or ran! Just adorable and, again, comfortable.

Everything Zaza Couture creates is absolutely beautiful in its own way! I truly believe that they make an outfit for everyone. With the variety of colors, fabrics, and designs there is something to appeal to everyone. And, no matter which outfit you choose, your daughter is sure to feel special every time she wears anything from Zaza. But, be forewarned, every person that you talk to will ask you where you got the outfit and how they can get one. And to tell you how unique Zaza clothing really is, I had one lady at a local shop ask me if EG was wearing Zaza. It really does stand out and people know quality when they see it. I would recommend Zaza Couture to anyone I know!

If you or someone you know has a little girl, then be sure to inform them about these beautiful clothes!

They would make an awesome gift for birthdays, showers, or any special occasion.

I am so thrilled that I was able to try out these clothes and actually talk with the designer and owner. Tereze, thank you for a gorgeous line of clothing and I hope that you continue making them for years to come!

TO BUY: You can find Zaza Couture clothes in many high end boutiques throughout the country. Also, a simple search on the internet will identify online boutiques that carry them. Check out the Zaza Couture website to check out all of the upcoming collections and to learn more information about how to buy. Be sure to take note of the Fall/Winter 2009 clothing (two collections are pictured)!

100th Post...woohoo!

Well, I've made it to 100 posts! I can't believe that I have made it that far in only 6 short months. It really is a major milestone for me, and I certainly could not have made it this far without my wonderful readers, like you! You don't know how much I appreciate your continued support. I love to write this blog "on the side" and sometimes life gets overwhelming, but I appreciate all of you sticking in there with me and staying around. This is something that I have grown to love even more than I ever thought I could. I can't wait to see what the next 6 months hold! I hope to share many more products and ideas with you. Thanks again!

Potty Party! Adorable Ruffle Potty Pants by Snugglebug Baby Boutique {Review and LIVE Giveaway - NO RULES} **CLOSED**

One of my favorite potty training items so far has to be these adorable ruffle leg potty pants from Snugglebug Baby Boutique! If you have started potty training then you know how unattractive some of the basic training pants can be. And, frankly, I don't care if it's underwear or not, it needs to by stylin'! So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon these little cuties. As I'm certain you already know, I get super excited when plain, boring items are given a little pick me up, and these pants are no exception! These ruffle pants are just basic Gerber training pants that have extra padding to help control minor accidents. They start out basic white, but look how Snugglebug Baby Boutique has transformed them...

Almost a work of art if you ask me! Add some beautiful, high quality fabric ruffles to the legs and they already look better. But, the flower adorned initial applique adds the final touch to the cuteness of these pants.

They are adorable for wearing around the house during training and would also make super cute pajama bottoms during the summer. Add a matching t-shirt and your little one will be ready to go (no pun intended...). Nicole at Snugglebug Baby Boutique was super easy to work with and the pants shipped in no time. There are a kazillion ways to personalize these pants; all you have to do is convo Nicole through her Etsy shop and

she'll get you set up. They can be made with just about any fabrics and designs you see in her shop. What little one wouldn't want to use the potty to get to wear these fabulous pants? Even EG knows she's cute when she has them on! At $10 a pair you might as well go ahead and get 2 or 3 pairs. They're really that adorable! Thanks to Nicole for offering such a cute little item to "add a little bit of sunshine" to the often stressful and overwhelming task of potty training.

If you'd like to buy a pair for yourself, check out Snugglebug Baby Boutique. And, while you're there, you might want to check out the other great items she has for sale! Some items I love are the ruffle leg onesies, the cute skirt/top outfits, and adorable baby shoes (all at great prices I might add).

Not sure yet whether or not you want to jump right in and buy a pair? Then see details below for how you can WIN a pair of the ruffle leg pants! Watch out because this one's going to be a little different...

I'm going to mix things up a little bit for this next Potty Party giveaway. I loved these little ruffle pants so much that I am going to give away a custom pair for one lucky reader. The rules are simple:

EDITED 6/16...NO RULES!!

To kick off the posting you can answer this question: What has been your greatest potty training challenge or triumph?

Good luck! Comment #167 is going to be the lucky winner!

Spoil Your Little One (and yourself!) with Bath Time with Products from The Spoiled Mama {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Anne!

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My little one was just so lucky to inherit her mama's super dry skin! Okay, maybe "lucky" isn't exactly the right word, but we both have dry skin nonetheless. Since she has been born she has struggled with eczema, dry patches, etc. on her sweet little baby skin. Because of this, I am always on the lookout for great cleansers that wont dry her out, and gentle everyday lotions. We've found some great ones along the way, and I would love to share with you a new company that I found that makes awesome bath and body products for baby AND mom. The Spoiled Mama is a mom created and owned company. Tamara Johnson, RN came up with the idea for The Spoiled Mama after becoming increasingly frustrated with the available skincare products during her pregnancy with her first child. She was concerned that many of the products contained harmful chemicals and preservatives, so she set out to create products that were safer and also more "luxurious to help Mamas feel 'Spoiled'". I did say that I was looking more for products to EG, and luckily The Spoiled Mama also has a collection of products specifically devoted to baby. In fact The Spoiled Mama has pregnancy, postpartum, baby, and breastfeeding collections. I would have been thrilled to review any products from The Spoiled Mama because everything they create is made with top quality ingredients and designed to be safe for you, your family, and Earth. I was able to try out the Cocoa & Shea Baby Butter and the Swanky & Sweet Lil' One's Wash.

Let me say first that I loved both products! I wanted gentle, organic products that would be safe for EG's skin and I thought these would be perfect. I needed an everyday wash that would not dry out her skin and an everyday lotion that would work well enough to prevent me from having to slather her down with aquaphor after just about every bath (which works quite well to relieve dryness, but stains sometimes and is just a mess!). Let me start with the wash...after reading the description alone I knew it would be perfect for us (if it worked as promised of course :). It is an all-in-one (hair and body) wash that has added moisturizers and is designed to avoid being overly drying. It was advertised to be excellent for eczema and other skin conditions...yay! After receiving it and using it, I have to say that it worked really well. It has a great, light scent to it and lathers up really nicely! The pump was very convenient and I really didn't have to use that much to get EG clean. I LOVE that it is an all-in-one and that I don't have to use a different wash for her hair and body. It rinsed clean (a pet peeve of mine is any kind of soap, etc. that leaves you feeling like you need to rinse 5 times!!) and did not seem to leave EG's skin dry when we were finished with the bath. We've been using Swanky & Sweet Lil' One's wash daily since we've received it and haven't used anything else since!

After the bath it was time to try out the Baby Butter. We always put on an extra moisturizer when EG gets out, but we hadn't yet found a daily lotion that is sufficient enough for us to not have to use something else (i.e. aquaphor) as well. I had high hopes that the Baby Butter would do the trick, and so far it has. We use it right after the bath, it soaks right in, and keeps her skin soft and smooth. I even use it on myself too :) Again, this is a daily use product in our house and we are enjoying it very much. I can't wait to try some of the other products she offers. A few more I'd love to try are the No Nuts About It Rump Gloss (nut free - and who couldn't love that name??) and the Sweet Cheeks Finishing Creme (another gentle baby lotion).

Baby on the way? Then check out some of the products from the Pregnancy Collection including the Massaging Aloe Leg Gel (only $9!), Happy Mornings Sippin' Tea (to help curtail morning sickness by settling your stomach), or the Bump Box (see GIVEAWAY below!!) which includes Tummy Butter and Bump Gloss. There are also some awesome products in the Breastfeeding and Postpartum collections. Some of my favorites here are the Mama's More Milk Please Sippin' Tea, Fix that Sucker Nipstick, and the Postpartum Sitz Bath.

With all of the great products at The Spoiled Mama I just don't know how you'll choose! Any of these would be great for a friend, for yourself, or for your little one. See details below for how to purchase any of the products listed above and how to win the best-selling Bump Box!

TO BUY: Visit The Spoiled Mama's online shop where you can purchase all of the products mentioned above, plus many, many more!!

TO WIN: To enter the Bump Box giveaway, visit The Spoiled Mama and figure out the top product you'd love to have. Then leave a comment below indicating why you chose that product and who you are going to use it on.

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US and CANADA ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit The Spoiled Mama, pick your fav product, and leave me a comment below telling me what it is and who will use it!

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me the link and your Twitter name).
3. Blog about this contest and leave me the link.
4. Follow Mommy Works
5. Subscribe to Mommy Works via reader/e-mail

6. Grab my button, place it on your site, and leave me the link where I can find it.

7. Enter another one of the Mommy Works giveaways and tell me which one(s)

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Friday, July 3. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Monday, July 6.**

Make Feeding Your Baby and Toddler a Breeze with the Baby Dipper Bowl and Spoon {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Heather!

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There are a lot of products on the market right now that claim to make feeding baby easier than ever. I've tried a few and have honestly never been that impressed. We have all sorts of bowls and spoons that we used with EG, and it seems we had the same feeding "issues" no matter what. The bowls would slide all over the table, EG would stick her hand in the bowl, there's always that last bit of rice cereal you just can't get to, etc., etc., etc. Now I'm certainly not saying that feeding a baby is the hardest thing in the world, but wouldn't it be nice to find a product that could make a daily task, like feeding, easier and more enjoyable for everyone? And, not only that, also be helpful down the road with feeding your toddler. Who wouldn't want such a product? Well if you're like me, and will take anything to make your life easier at all, then you should definitely check out the Baby Dipper bowl! As far as baby/toddler feeding supplies go, the Baby Dipper is definitely top ranked in my book. The basic design is a triangular shaped, contoured bowl that helps guide food onto the accompanying spoon (in other words it has a bit of a slope to it inside) and has a non-skid base to allow for one handed feeding. The matching spoon is designed to fit perfectly into all "corners" of the bowl and sit propped on the bowl without falling in when you set it down. The bowl itself also has transparent sides that allow adults and toddlers alike to be able to see the food in the bowl from all angles. I have to say that, after testing it out with EG, it lives up to all of its promises (and my high expectations!)! And if you're wondering about the creator of the Baby Dipper, I can assure you she has plenty of experience with baby/toddler feeding. Barbara is a mom to two sets of twins and has certainly had plenty of experience with trial and error of feeding products. Her frustrations with everything else out there led to the creation of the Baby Dipper. It is most definitely a mom created, mom tested, and mom approved product!

I have to say that I was quite impressed with the performance of this nifty little bowl and spoon. The first thing I noticed was that the bowl itself was of a really nice weight, unlike the flimsy bowls I am used to seeing for infants and toddlers that inevitably slide everywhere and tip easily. The sturdiness of it alone would probably do well to keep it from sliding all over the table while you try to feed your little one. But, the added non-skid base really helps it to stay put. We used it on our wooden kitchen table and it worked great. EG is pretty much feeding herself now, and more than once her plate has ended up on the floor, or almost on the floor, because she's trying to get a piece of food that just wont stick on her fork. The Baby Dipper immediately alleviated this problem by allowing her to easily access all of the food in the bowl, due to the contour and transparency, all without it sliding all over the table. I thought that was awesome! Also, the matching spoon really does fit perfect in the bowl and allows you to get to all of the food. It has a great curve to it as well that makes it easy to hold in your hand (or your toddler's) and helps direct food right where it needs to go. I no longer have an infant to test on (*tear*), but I have no doubt that this would be excellent. If EG can feed herself with no sliding around, etc. then I know this would be terrific for a mom needing a non-skid bowl for easy one handed feeding. The Baby Dipper would allow you to leave the bowl out of reach of your child (rather than right in his/her face while you're trying to get the food out where it's just so tempting!) while you scoop up some food quickly, easily, and steadily. And it also eliminates that final scrape of the bowl! Topping off all of the cool features, when you need to set the spoon down to wipe a face, take a drink, etc. you don't have to worry about the spoon falling into the peas (or carrots, sweet potatoes, or whatever the food of the day is...). The coating on the spoon keeps a pretty good grip on the side of the bowl to prevent slipping and sliding.

I have truly enjoyed using the Baby Dipper with EG and find that it is a great size for baby and toddler servings. I would love to see a divided bowl and a bigger bowl in the future to expand the uses even more! The Baby Dipper would make an awesome shower gift for an expecting mom because goodness knows you can always use an extra hand! The Baby Dipper makes one handed feeding a reality, and allows your toddler to more easily self-feed. Who could ask for more in a product than to do what it promises and do it well? The Baby Dipper does just that and I'd love for you to try it! The set retails for $9.99 and is worth every penny. See details below for how to purchase and also how enter to WIN one of your own to gift or keep for yourself.

TO BUY: You can purchase the Baby Dipper online from Amazon.com or check out the Baby Dipper website for a list of stores in your area.

TO WIN: Visit the Baby Dipper website and tell me something awesome about the Baby Dipper that was not discussed in my review. Feel free to check out Barbara's Twitter, blog, and Facebook page as well! See details below for further entry guidelines.

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Baby Dipper and/or their Twitter, Facebook, and blog and tell me something fabulous you learned!

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me AND Baby Dipper on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me the link and your Twitter name).
3. Blog about this contest and leave me the link.
4. Follow Mommy Works
5. Subscribe to Mommy Works via reader/e-mail

6. Grab my button, place it on your site, and leave me the link where I can find it.

7. Enter another one of the Mommy Works giveaways and tell me which one(s)

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, June 30. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Wednesday, July 1.**

Vintage Inspired Summer Fun - Sophie Dress by Hopscotch Designs {Review, Giveaway, and Coupon Code} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, babybayrs!

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Hopscotch Designs is one of the best little online treasures that I have found to date. I have always had a feeling that I was born in the wrong decade, because I have forever loved everything vintage inspired! LOL! I often search for great vintage-inspired children's clothing, and have found many great shops along the way. But, I have to say that, until now, I had never found any children's clothing that truly sticks to your classic, vintage patterns while combining them with beautiful modern fabrics quite as well as Hopscotch Designs. They create beautiful children's outfits that are the perfect mix of past and present, and I am in love! Here is how they describe their designs:

"There is a common thread that runs through all that we design—fabrics and patterns naturally come and go, but our fascination with the past is the one constant. Our inspiration is rooted in simpler times—long summer evenings, ice cold lemonade, old pick up trucks, and hot apple pie straight from the oven—and we try to capture a little of that in every little girl’s dress, little boy’s shirt, and baby quilt we make. Combining elements of different eras, like sewing patterns inspired by past generations with new fabrics from our favorite designers (Amy Butler, Sis Boom & Heather Bailey, just to name a few) or vintage embroidered pillowcases paired with a more contemporary dress design, is our favorite way to create something a little unexpected and extra interesting. The results are sometimes quirky, sometimes funky, sometimes lovely, and always unique. For us, that’s the fun of bringing the past and present together and making them friends…we think they make a lovely couple and hope you do too!"

I was sent one of their beautiful staple designs, the Sophie dress, to review.

Inspired by a vintage apron, it immediately stood out as one of my favorites. Just looking it at makes me think of the simpler times, long summer evenings, and hot apple pie described above. Aaahhh...how lovely. And, great news, it is just as cute on as it looks on the website. The Sophie dress features frilly ruffled sleeves, a square neckline, and an apron like tie in the back. It comes in several different colors and styles of fabrics, all of excellent quality and name brand designers (i.e. Amy Butler). The dress is beautifully and professionally crafted to last for years. This will most definitely be kept for future children, and I have no doubt that it will stand the test of time. Each dress is created with a main fabric and a complementary fabric used for the trim, tie, and ruffled sleeves. The dress we received was called Sparrow which has a subtle bird design in yellows and oranges. It looks perfect on my little beach baby's tan skin! I felt like EG was in between sizes and I wanted her to get a lot of wear out of this dress, so I ordered a 2T/3T size. It's quite big on her right now, but still looks so cute with the dress tied tight in the back. It is so girly, and I especially love the ruffled sleeves! The dress is also 100% cotton which will keep her cool during our hot Alabama summers. I love this little dress and am so stoked that I was able to participate in a review for Hopscotch Designs. I definitely believe in the quality and wear of their designs, and they come at excellent prices! The Sophie dress typically runs about $38, but Hopscotch Designs has AWESOME sales and you can find them (and other outfits) for as cheap as $20! In fact, the 30s Sherbert Sophie dress is on sale right now for $20!

I can't wait to try more dresses and clothes from Hopscotch Designs in the future! Next on my list are the gorgeous Charlotte party dress and the pink birdie dress. Also, as I said above, they always have excellent deals that make the clothing affordable for everyone, literally. One particularly awesome deal is their monthly Blue Plate Special. The first friday of each month a new item is selected and offered at an extremely discounted price. For example, June's Blue Plate Special (sold out!) was the $45.99 Taylor Dress in Bella which was offered at $13.50...yep, $13.50!! Want to try out their clothing for your little one..for free? Then follow the directions below for information on how you can WIN a Sophie dress! Sophie dress not your style? Didn't win the giveaway? Don't fret! Just visit Hopscotch Designs and use the coupon code "works20" for 20% off your purchase of $50 or more starting Monday June 15 through June 29. Thanks for stopping by!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Hopscotch Designs and let me know your absolute favorite item and why you love it!

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me the link and your Twitter name).
3. Blog about this contest and leave me the link.
4. Follow Mommy Works
5. Subscribe to Mommy Works via reader/e-mail

6. Grab my button, place it on your site, and leave me the link where I can find it.

7. Enter another one of the Mommy Works giveaways and tell me which one(s)

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Thursday, June 25. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Friday, June 26.**

Potty Party! Need a Potty? The Boon Inc. Potty Bench is Just For You {Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Courtney!

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If I had discovered the Boon Potty Bench before we started potty training, I am telling you now that I would have bought it. It's sleek, modern, easy to clean, and can be used well after the potty training is over. The Potty Bench was definitely designed with busy moms in mind and includes space for toilet paper and/or wipes, has a drawer for quick and sanitary cleaning, and when the top is folded down it makes an extraordinarily sturdy step stool (holds up to 300 lbs.!! wow!). Little ones will use a step stool long after the potty training has ceased to reach the sink and brush their teeth, help Mom or Dad in the kitchen, wash their hands, etc. And I'm sure there are plenty of uses for it beyond that. I really can't find anything about this potty that a mom wouldn't love. Lucky for you, our Potty Party is going to close out with this awesome Potty Bench that Boon, Inc. has so graciously offered as a giveaway for one of my readers. Here is the "official" info about the Potty Bench from Boon Inc.:

"The Potty Bench is a training potty featuring two enclosed side storage spaces for organizing potty training supplies, and a pull-out drawer for easy sanitary clean-up. Simply close the lid to use as a large, sturdy stool that supports up to 300 lbs. The sleek, modern design includes a built-in toilet paper holder and a removable soft deflector shield."

See, just like I said, what mom wouldn't love those features? See details below for how you can win a Boon Potty Bench for yourself!

And, I would be thrilled if you would share your experiences with the Boon Potty Bench if you are the winner, because it will definitely be on my list next time...or maybe for Nana's house...hadn't thought about that one! And, if you don't happen to win the giveaway, you can purchase it from Boon Inc. for only $34.99. Not a bad deal at all for such a versatile little potty!

TO BUY: Visit Boon Inc. and purchase directly from their site. Be sure to tell them that Mommy Works sent you!

TO WIN: Visit Boon Inc. and tell me another product that you would love to have or tell me your favorite feature about the Potty Bench. Then post a comment to let me know. See extra entry options below.

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Boon Inc. and let me know what else you love or your favorite feature about the Potty Bench.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me the link and your Twitter name).
3. Blog about this contest and leave me the link.
4. Follow Mommy Works
5. Subscribe to Mommy Works via reader/e-mail

6. Grab my button, place it on your site, and leave me the link where I can find it.

7. Enter another one of the Mommy Works giveaways and tell me which one(s)

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, June 23. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Wednesday, June 24.**

Potty Party! Custom Made, Waterproof Training Pants for Boys and Girls {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Congratulations to the winner, Tylerpants!

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These training pants are hands down one of the top potty training products I've reviewed! In previous posts I have talked about the difficult time we had finding potty training pants that fit well and were waterproof. I did eventually find a store bought pair that did the job well, but I always love things that are hand made and custom fit. If something is custom fit, it's made just for your child rather than the "average" child of the same age. After all, not many kids (or adults!) are "average" in every way! I wasn't really sure that I would actually find what I was looking for, but after searching online through several different stores, I finally stumbled across babybayrs! What immediately caught my eye about her training pants was that they were advertised to be waterproof and custom fit, and they were so stinkin' cute! EG has so many summer dresses, and I needed something that would be practical (in that it had to be waterproof to contain potty training messes) and stylish under her precious little outfits. These training pants were the best of both worlds! So cute, and definitely waterproof. I also needed some pants that would be comfortable for her to wear. The first pairs we tried were so tight around her legs that she would have a mark every time she wore them. It was awful and those didn't last too long in our house! Also, many training pants we tried were so big and bulky that I could hardly get her clothes on over them! So, you see, I obviously had very high expectations for my "ideal" training pants. Luckily, babybayrs came to the rescue and offered me a pair of custom fit training pants for review. They had every characteristic I was looking for and come at a great price of $12 a pair (not bad for something handmade and custom!). Once we received them for review, I was not disappointed. They honestly met all of my expectations and more! I could probably write a book on how much I love them...truly.

First of all, I had to take all of EG's measurements that would be needed for the pants (i.e. waist, thigh, etc.) so that they would fit her perfectly. I had high hopes that I would love the pants and wanted to go ahead and order an extra pair. However, babybayrs suggested that I try the review pair first to make sure that the fit was exactly right. I appreciated that she was so concerned with making sure everything was perfect and that I was a happy customer. The pair actually did fit quite well and they worked like a charm, though we made some minor adjustments to the leg measurements on the second pair (that I did actually end up ordering :). The first thing that struck me was the quality craftmanship of the pants. I could easily see that they were well put together and would last a long time. The inside lining is 100% cotton that was very soft and is what allows your child to feel the wetness during training (super important!). There is an insert of multiple layers of terry fabric for excellent absorption, and the outer layer is made from waterproof polyurethane laminate (PUL). These babies will NOT leak! But, not only that, they seemed so comfortable for EG to wear and there was no tight elastic on any part of her body. All of the openings are wrapped with the cotton fabric so there is nothing anywhere to rub, irritate, or squeeze your little one. The final touch on the pants is the cute little design sewn onto the front - little flowers for girls, and little puppy dogs for the boys. They come in different colors (pink, blue, white) so that you have the perfect pair for your little one to wear under anything. We have a pink and white pair (pictured above) and they are worn just about every day. I wash them every night and they have held up beautifully. The picture above was taken today, and you see how nice they still look after all of that washing and drying! I am so excited to share these with you, and one lucky reader will get their own custom pair of training pants to try for themselves. I am certain you'll want more! See details below on how to purchase and WIN these awesome training pants. Thank you babybayrs!

To enter this giveaway follow the rules and entry guidelines below (US ONLY):

1. REQUIRED: Visit babybayrs and let me know what else you love on her site, or tell me your favorite thing you've learned about the training pants.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and tweet (be sure to leave me the link and your Twitter name).
3. Blog about this contest and leave me the link.
4. Follow Mommy Works
5. Subscribe to Mommy Works via reader/e-mail

6. Grab my button, place it on your site, and leave me the link where I can find it.

7. Enter another one of the Mommy Works giveaways and tell me which one(s)

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, June 30. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Wednesday, July 1.**

Versatile Wet Bag for Potty Training and Beyond {Review and Coupon Code}

If you have a little one - infant, toddler, or even a 'big kid' - then you can use this product from The Pat-a-cake Baby...I promise! Their wet bag is one of my very favorite things that I have been able to review so far! It's pretty much a waterproof, reusable, stylish, cute, washable, and infinitely useful replacement for the common plastic bag. These are excellent for potty training as you will always have a completely waterproof place to put those "accident" clothes and when you get home you can simply throw in the wash along with the clothes. It's even machine dryable! You will certainly be the envy of every mom out there when you show them this awesome bag. I'll let the creator of these super cute wet bags tell you a little more about them...

♥ Pull this out of your diaper bag and you are sure to be the envy of every mom out there! Our wet bags are made with a beautiful cotton outer and a waterproof ProCare interior. They come with a zippered top and are sewn with super durability in mind! NEW and IMPROVED with a handle that snaps! You can attach it to your stroller or anything else to keep you hands free! ♥Why do I need a wet bag? A wet bag is an essential for cloth diapering moms who need a waterproof bag for putting all those ickies when out and about. ♥ But I don't cloth diaper, does it have any use for me? YES and double YES! Ever had a baby blow out when grocery shopping and didn't have a place to put all that soiled clothing? A wet bag is the perfect place for all that soiled clothing and can be thrown in the wash with everything else when mom gets home! ♥ Planning on going to the beach this summer? A wet bag will hold those wet clothes, swimsuits, etc.! ♥ Gifts - These are perfect for any mama or child for any occassion! Each wet bag is tagged with our professional hang tag and garmet label. Gift wrapping available upon request.

After reading about these wet bags I knew I had to try them for my Potty Party! As you all well know, I love everything that can have multiple uses, and these definitely do.

I decided to go with the large wet bag because I knew I would be heading to the pool and the beach during the summer and wanted it to be big enough to carry our bathing suits and wet clothing. I was quite impressed with the size, even knowing the dimensions beforehand! I guess I just didn't realize how much could really fit in there! The large bag is 14.5" x 14.5" and the small bags are 9.5" x 9.5". They are advertised to hold 4-6 and 1-2 cloth diapers respectively, although I truly think those are pretty conservative numbers. We took our large wet bag with us to the beach last week and used it every day...and I mean every. On the days we went to the beach to lay out, play in the sand, etc. I folded it up and put it in my beach bag. It is extremely lightweight and can be folded up to be tiny...it would easily fit in even the smallest bag. While we were out on the beach playing and getting some sun, I used the wet bag to put things in that I did not want to get sandy or wet, like my cell phone and video camera. After we had our fill of the beach for the day, I used the bag to contain our wet and sandy clothes. I didn't rinse them out, set them out to dry a little, or anything. I just threw them in the wet bag, zipped it up, and threw it in my beach bag. We had about a 40 minute drive back to the house each day, and each day the wet bag kept all of the water in and all of the other items in my beach bag completely dry. It really was totally waterproof! One day I even had to pour out some water that had collected in the bag! Just this use alone proved their worth to me for sure. But, of course, we also ended up using it in many other ways. On the days we went shopping I used it to hold EG's extra clothes and underwear in case we needed them. It was great because it gave me a way to keep everything together rather than throwing it in my diaper bag or the bottom basket on the stroller. And, if we had to end up using the spare clothes for whatever reason, the soiled or wet clothes we took off could go right in there without any worries about mess! Fabulous! The new, added snap on the strap was also an extremely useful feature adding to the quality and usefulness of these bags. I could easily snap it around the stroller handle or to the handle of a bigger bag to keep it super accessible. And, finally, having nothing to do with the usefulness of the product (but still definitely important!), these bags come in some of the cutest fabrics you will find anywhere. I chose the Juicy Jungle fabric and it is just adorable! I am certain that should you choose to purchase one of these wet bags, you will never ever regret it. You will be able to use it for years, and will think of new ways to put it to use all the time! Thank you to The Pat-a-cake Baby for such a great product! Want to see more from The Pat-a-cake Baby? Check out their other awesome products, and other "affordable luxuries for little ones", at their online store Baby Cottage Gifts. There you can check out other cool things too like super cute bibs, beautiful stroller blankets, and matching loveys. **You can also receive 15% off your order with the coupon code BABYLOVE** Go now and get one for yourself or a friend!

TO BUY: Go to The Pat-a-cake Baby's online boutique or Etsy shop to purchase. The large wet bags are $25 and the small wet bags are $18. What a deal! You can also use the coupon code BABYLOVE to receive 15% off your order at their boutique.

A Few Business Items {Potty Party, Live Giveaway, Upcoming}

Last Thursday, after a long day's drive, I found myself sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch of a house overlooking the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico where I would spend the next 5 days on vacation. I love the beach and was so ready for some time away after the crazy end of school year. Several words came to mind as I sat there in that rocking chair at the start of my vacation. Peaceful. Relaxing. Beautiful. No internet. WHAT?? No internet! This was something that I had not anticipated. I brought along a laptop anticipating that I could have some quiet, peaceful blogging time each night after everyone had gone to bed. After all, I had one day left of TOTALLY SPECTACULAR potty training stuff to give away for my Potty Party, along with a ton of other awesome things. I could not be without internet for five days! We were staying in a friend's beach house and, to be honest, I really didn't think to ask about an internet connection. I figured at the very least I'd have to plug the computer into the wall. No biggie. Everywhere is wired these days. Little did I know that the beach house was really just about like camping without the bugs. Quite rustic. No TV. No AC (except for a small window unit). And no internet. Now let me say that I am in no way complaining! It was actually kind of nice to get away from everything for a little while. It's not often that you find yourself somewhere without any kind of connection to the outside world (okay, so my BlackBerry did work most of the time, but that doesn't count...). However, because of my unintentional five day blogging vacation I have a lot of catching up to do. Needless to say, I will be extending the Potty Party just one more day until tomorrow. Throughout the day I will have three great things to share with you to end the potty training items: a large wet bag from The Patacake Baby, custom fit training pants from babybayrs, and the piece de resistance...a Boon Potty Bench! I mean, what good is a potty party without a potty? Look for all of that great stuff by the end of the day tomorrow!

On another note, I have some other awesome giveaways already going on right now that I feel were a little neglected due to my unintentional blogging vacay. First, I have a LIVE GIVEAWAY for some adorable initial applique ruffle leg training pants. Silly me, I didn't set a specific starting time and it's already gone on for several days. I'm going to CLOSE the giveaway (at post #75) until 7:00 PM CST tomorrow night, June 10. At that time it will resume and hopefully we'll have a winner! The winner will be comment #167. Thanks to everyone who has entered so far! Check back tomorrow evening and comment away!

I also have another great giveaway going on of CuteyBaby Wall Decals. There are about a zillion different designs of vinyl wall decals, and at least one sheet is bound to be perfect for your little one's room(s)! Ada of CuteyBaby has also offered the winner the option of having their child's name added to the decal sheet of their choice. The entry guidelines are super simple and right now I only have 3 entrants! So...that means great odds for you. Check out the giveaway and follow the directions. And, just for entering, you will receive your own coupon code for 50% off any set of decals; Ada will e-mail you pretty much immediately with your code. That's a savings of $30! So, even if you don't "win" you'll still be a winner for sure! Check it out here.

Finally, in the next several weeks I have a ton more great items to share with you including super cute summer styles for little ones and handy and stylish mom products. Be on the lookout!

Thanks for sticking in there with me guys. I have the best readers ever and thank all of you from the bottom of my heart!! I have received some awards in the last several weeks and will also be working on getting all of that info up. If you've given me an award, I truly appreciate it and thank you so so much!!

That's all for now...see you tomorrow!