ECOSWIM Product Review and Bathing Suit Giveaway

Haute Mom has discovered something exciting and new for the summer season – ECO SWIM swimsuits by Aqua Green. These swimsuits are not only fantastic for moms but they are eco-friendly; how haute is that?

As a mommy of one, and in five short weeks, a mommy of two, long gone are my bikini days (for the most part.) The best part about these suits is the styles. No matter what your body type there is a swimsuit for you. Styles range from bikinis to one pieces that are form flattering no matter what shape you are in. Even if you are happy with your shape, we have all learned that a bikini isn’t always the best choice when chasing the kiddos around the pool. These suits will allow you to flaunt your stuff and still be baby-chasing friendly!

I personally felt comfortable in the Eco Basics Dress and the Eco Kini well into my pregnancy. Both of these suits will be right back on after the little one is born. They are comfortable and will hide all of my post-pregnancy spots well until I can lose that baby weight.

What makes ECO SWIM so different from other bathing suit companies? That’s where the eco-friendly part comes in. The company is doing everything that they can to reduce their impact on the environment during the manufacturing of these suits. This includes things like manufacturing in the USA (which reduces fossil fuels by 96.9 %,) making the swimsuits with recycled materials (including fabric, lining, and elastic,) and using recyclable materials in their packaging.

You get to be haute, comfortable, and save the planet all at the same time!

Because haute mom loves these suits so much, I am going to giveaway one swimsuit, winner’s choice! No matter how you feel about your body, I promise that you will find something to enjoy the rest of the summer in!

All giveaway participants must be a public follower of Haute Mom. Visit the ECO SWIM website and check out the various styles. Leave one comment telling me what style is your favorite, along with your email address.

For extra entries:

“Like” Haute Mom on Facebook

Follow Haute Mom on Twitter

Become part of Haute Mom's circle on Google+1

“Like” Eco Swim on Facebook

Follow Eco Swim on Twitter

Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (leave the link in a comment)

Tweet about this giveaway (tag @Ktenny in the Tweet)

Share this giveaway on your blog (leave the blog post link in a comment)

I can’t wait for one lucky Haute Mom reader to experience an Eco Swim suit! The giveaway will end on 23^rd at 9 p.m. (PST.) The winner will be chosen by Random.org and be contacted via email. Good luck haute moms!

　

　

Nursing Moms!! Milkscreen Test Review and Giveaway

I am still working on weaning Stella and have gotten her down to her to only two nursings a day! Looking back, breastfeeding was definitely required a learning curve.  I can remember those first few weeks of nursing and putting my head back and crying.  Was she latched on correctly?  Was she getting enough milk?  Will it always be so uncomfortable?  And what about the amount of time it consumes at first!?  It feels like in the beginning, all you do is nurse, pump, clean your pump parts, and then it's time to friggin' nurse again.  There were many days and nights where all I wanted to do was drink away my sorrows.  It is just another one of life's cruel jokes on women; we have to watch our drinking if we choose to breastfeed as well!  As though ten months of pregnancy wasn't enough!

There are some haute moms looking out for all us nursing mommies and created the greatest thing since Spanx (also another necessity since baby).  This creation has helped me through many nights (and, ok, days too) when I felt like being a normal person and having a glass of wine or two. Milkscreen is another fabulous  product from Upspring Baby to make the haute moms life a little easier.  They are alcohol detection strips for breastmilk.  That's right!  They are easy to use strips that tell you if that last cocktail was one to many for your precious little one!

I surprised my hubby last weekend and took him to see Prince.  We went early and had a little picnic, with alcohol of course.  I used Milkscreen when I got home to see if the milk I had pumped needed to be dumped.  Check it out!

Pre-partying at Prince

Testing...

Just one dunk into the milk!

Clear means safe milk!  Stella can drink this milk!

I used this for months while I was breastfeeding and never had to wonder about safely nursing Stella.  I would just test my milk right before I was going to nurse or test my pumped milk.  It literally takes less than 5 minutes.  With this, haute moms can go out without worrying about passing up on that glass of wine or cocktail.

Upspring Baby has again generously offered to host a giveaway for a 20 pack of Milscreen!  They have recently come out with a new and improved version and Haute Mom followers get a chance to test it out!  To enter this giveaway you must follow Haute Mom publicly and tell me what your favorite signature drink choice is! Leave one comment telling me this and please include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries!

 

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these

 

• Like Haute Mom on Facebook
• Like Milkscreen on Facebook
• Follow Haute Mom on Twitter Follow Upspring Baby on Twitter
• Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
• Tweet about this giveaway (leave the link to your tweet up to once a day)
• Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post)

Good luck to all you haute moms! The winner will be chosen by Random.org at the end of this giveaway which is Saturday, June 25th at 9 p.m. PST.

 

What to Expect Book Giveaway

It has taken a lot to make it through Stella's 1st year. As a first time mom, I was discovering everything for the first time and hanging on to ecvery word that I heard and read. I was in unchartered territory, experiencing a lack of confidence, which was a feeling I was not really used to.

 

One of the books that helped me make it through was the What to Expect series. So I guess we are talking books no just one. I bought the What to Expect When Expecting as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I can remember sitting in bed at night with mu hubby, reading each week what crazy things were going on inside of my body. We loved the comparisons to the size of our growing baby each week. I got much of my needed information about pregnancy from this book; it became my bible.

 

Weeks before my due date, I ordered What to Expect the First Year. I say ordered because at that point, I was laying in bed with my kankles raised and doing all of my shopping online. Again, I found another winner and cherished this book. It still sits by my bedside where I kept it to use as reference and to read what to expect with each month of Stella's first year of life.

 

As Stella turned one, I have now graduated from the 2nd book in the series, but still know that there is so much more of the unexpected to come. So, I am off to read the next NEW book, What to Expect: The Second Year. I opened to first chapter and jumped right into the familiar layout. Right away it talked about weaning, a place you all know I am visiting right now.

 

What to Expect.com has generously team up with me to host a giveaway to celebrate this wonderful book series. In honor of Stella's 1st birthday, I am giving away the first three books in this series; the same ones I have used and raved about!

 

One lucky follower will receive:

• What to Expect When Expecting
• What to Expect the First Year
• What to Expect the Second Year

 To enter this giveaway you must follow Haute Mom publicly, and leave a comment telling me which book you will enjoy the most. Please include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries! Even of you are entering for yourself and your little one is almost a year, remember, all haute moms know someone who is expecting. Enter for yourself and a girlfriend!

 

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these:

 

-Like Haute Mom on Facebook

-Follow Haute Mom on Twitter

-Follow What to Expect on Twitter

-Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs

-Tweet about this giveaway up to once a day (leave the link in your comment)

-Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post)

 

This giveaway will end Monday, May 30th at 9 PST. Good luck to everyone!





Lazy Sunday - Disneyland!

I was never sure when it would be appropriate to bring Stella to Disneyland but figured we had a few more years to wait. That is until I spoke with my friend and mommy blogger Lisa Robertson over at Babes in Disneyland. She assured me that all ages can enjoy Disneyland and that there were plenty of places for the littlest ones to enjoy. Being that we live 30 minutes away, my husband and I braved it out.

Stella had an amazing time! Watching her face light up as we went on the rides was one of those moments as a parent that I will never forget. Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Stella's personal favorite, Its a Small World. She danced a clapped through the whole thing!

The experience was so amazing that my husband and I bought season passes so that we could take her more often. That is where we spent our Sunday aftetnoon yesterday. I must admit that I had a little help with me on my first couple visits; a book Babes in Disneyland written by Lisa to help families with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

The Babes in Disneyland book is a great guide for how to plan your time at Disneyland and includes tips and hints to the best places in the park for families with little ones. She writes about the services and amenities in each "land" including the most family friendly restrooms and restaurants. The book also has details for guests with special needs including special accomodations and food allergies.

Lisa knows the ins and outs of the park - she is a former tour guide and writer for the Disneyland Resort and continues to work very closely with them. She wrote the book with first time visitors, families who visit the resort infrequently, and those fans that have to switch from sans kids to baby mode (me) in mind. The book is a MUST for making the most of your Disneyland visit!

Stella had a great time!

She just couldn't let her balloon go!

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Walking Wings Review and Giveaway

Now that Stella has reached her "cruising" stage, we are doing a lot of supported walking around the house. She gets a kick out of holding my hands and walking around from one place to another and so did I. That is until I tried to straighten up and felt like a very un-haute old lady.

Upspring Baby, a company that I have shared in the past, has a product that solves this problem called Walking Wings. Walking Wings helps your child learn how to walk hands free and reduces parent back pain from leaning over. The vest allows your child to build confidence while learning how to balance more naturally, something that "cruising" doesn't let them do. The best part is that the vest straps are adjustable to fit to your height, or those of your significant other.

I have been testing it out around the house with Stella and she loves it! It is comfortable for her to wear, easy to put on, and much easier on my back! It is super cute too! What a great idea brought to us by the haute moms behind Upspring Baby.



Here is a video from The Doctors to show you how it works.

Wouldn't you love to try it out? You are in luck because Upspring Baby has generously offered to sponsor a Haute Mom giveaway for one of my lucky followers!

To enter this giveaway you must follow Haute Mom publicly, stop over at Upspring Baby's NEW site and tell me what color you would choose if you win. Leave one comment telling me this and please include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries!

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these

• Be sure to like Walking Wings on Facebook
  because once they reach 100 followers they will be doing another Walking Wings giveaway. That gives you TWO chances to win!
• Like Haute Mom on Facebook
• Follow Haute Mom on Twitter
• Follow Upspring Baby on Twitter
• Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
• Tweet about this giveaway up to once a day (leave the link in your comment)
• Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post

This giveaway is for an amazing product and we are so lucky that Upspring Baby has been gracious enough to sponsor Haute Mom once again! The contest will end on Friday, April 15th at 9 p.m. PST. Remember, even if you don’t need one, all you haute moms know someone who does so enter!

Fashion Friday

This Fashion Friday is featuring something for both moms and the little ones, from the same great designer. Kris Petit grew up as a knitter, weaver, and sewer. Therefore, it was only natural for her to do some knitting when she became pregnant with her daughter, Willa. One of her greatest creations was a pair of knit, angora booties which turned into Yo My Booties, the hautest baby item around. So haute, they have been seen on many celebrity babies.



Stella with her Cotton Candy Signature Booties


Yo My Booties has been described a “Manolo Blahnik’s for tykes” and they are FABULOUS. I got my first pair of Cotton Candy Signature Booties for Stella when I was on The Ellen Degeneres show for Mother’s Day. I have been hooked ever since. Stella has multiple pairs of Yo My Booties and her first metallic pair is on the way. The newest haute items are the Slipper Booties which are designed for 6 months to 5T shoe sizes. They are gorgeous and are a mix of alpaca and angora. Stella cruises around town in her fluffy little booties and they often draw more attention than our cute little baby girl herself. Are you in a cold weather state? Check out the Woolly Mammoth Booties. You will not be disappointed.

Kris along with Violet Marut, both designers and vintage collectors officially opened a showroom and design space called VOK in January of this year. “We wanted to create a showroom with high end designer vintage clothes and blend in our own line” the designers explain. Kris and Violet whose fingers are continually on the pulse of what’s next, bring VOK shoppers an eclectic and unique mix to their downtown showroom. The VOK line has launched with Leather pieces laced in Vintage Embellishments and the Vintage Designer collection ranging from the 20’s to current cannot be found anywhere else. Shoppers will find some of the most sought-after vintage labels at VOK such as Chanel, Gucci, and Dior, to name a few. Haute Moms, this is right up our alley. The stuff they have a TO DIE FOR. After all, we need to match our haute little babes and their booties.  Go and shop now!

 Haute Mom Special: Kris has offered to give all Haute Mom readers a 10% discount of any pair of the Signature Booties. To claim your discount, go to Yo My Booties, select your color and size and then send an email to kristinapetit@gmail.com requesting the Haute Mom discount with your order. For all other booties, go directly to the site and order away! Check for deals on free shipping as well!

Thrifty Thursday

This Thursday I am going to highlight the best place to get haute deals on baby and mom stuff.  If you don't know about this site, haute moms, you have been missing out!  My favortie place BY FAR for great deals is MamaBargains.com.  They are so great that their motto is "Get Hooked" because well, that't what happens once you start using them.  There is a package from MamaBargains.com multiple times a month at my house that the packages are starting to look like they are part of our porch decorations.

Mamabargains.com is the first and only one deal at a time website.  What does this mean?  It means they feature a premium product, one at a time, that is always 50-80% discounted.  When that product sells out, up goes another.  You never know how many deals they will have in one day or just how long a product will last...that's the hook.  This great idea was dreamt up by fellow haute mom Jessica Singer who literally had a dream about a  business such as this one called "Momazon".  Jessica and her husband turned that dream into a reality and in 2008, Mamabargains.com was launched! On top of that, I have had only positive experiences with their service. 

For all you Facebooks users, if you "Like" them on Facebook you will get status updates on what is currently being sold on the site.  I have made many rushed phone calls home to my hubby from the car begging him to get on and make a purchase before it is too late! Most of those updates are put on by Jessica herself.  Mamabargains.com also has an exclusive relationship with Proctor & Gamble.  If you become a Luvs Facebook fan you will get a once weekly sneak peek at one of their deals with the exact time it is going to be sold!  Well worth the Facebook "thumbs up" if you ask me.

Hurry on over to Mamabargains.com and see what they have today...and in an hour...and later tonight.  You literally will be hooked.  Coming soon I hope to be having a giveaway sponsored by Mamabargains.com so get hooked on their site and keep your eyes open over here at Haute Mom for that giveaway!  Happy shopping haute moms!

Fit into the Skinny Jeans! Shrinkx Hips Giveaway!

The struggle of a mom to stay haute always somehow involves weight, doesn’t it? I know one of my biggest fears when I found out I was pregnant had to do with the amount of weight that I would gain (and not be able to lose) during those nine months. If you have read this blog before, you are familiar with my early issues with getting back into my favorite pairs of jeans.

One thing that pregnant women are never told (well, one of the many things) is that part of squeezing back into those pre-preggy jeans may have to do with something more than just weight gain. A pregnant woman’s body begins to release a hormone called Relaxin which actually causes our joints and ligaments to loosen in preparation for childbirth. What does this mean? This means that in addition to the joy of childbirth, the stars are working against the haute mom to fit into all those hip clothes that were worn in the good ol’ days. For most, no matter how much you calorie count, exercise, or breastfeed, your post baby hips may have widened for good.

There is a solution. Upspring Baby, a company of fellow moms, developed a belt called Shrinx Hips to counteract this force of nature that works against us. The belt works with the hormone to actually narrow your hips back down to their pre-pregnancy. Because Relaxin stays in our system for eight weeks before the joints and ligaments harden in place, Shrinkx Hips provides constant pressure to gently guide your hips back to where they belong. It must be worn during the first eight weeks after delivery, is comfortable, and fits either over or under your regular clothing. It has an exclusive design so that you can control the amount of pressure on your hips to work towards the best possible result for you.

I received my Shrinx Hips on The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in May when I was in the audience for her Mother’s Day special (just five days before my due date). Dennis Quaid was a guest (how handsome is he?!) who shared this product with all of us pregnant ladies in the audience because his wife is the haute mom behind Upspring Baby! In addition to modeling the belt (that was a sight), each one of us got to take one home! Click here for a clip from the show! I must say, now that I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, all of my jeans fit snug as a glove just like they did before. My only stubborn area has been my tummy thanks to all that skin stretching, but my hips were never an issue.

See how it works…

So for all of you haute moms out there who just gave birth, are about to give birth, or are planning to give birth again some day, I have a treat for you to ring in the New Year! Yep, I am giving away a Shrinkx Hips thanks to Upspring Baby! It normally retails for $54.99 so we are getting lucky here. Heck, if you know someone who could use this, be sure to enter. What do you have to lose? We can use all the help we can get after having our precious little ones so give it a shot! I did, and I am happily in all of my pre-baby clothes! My Shrinkx Hips is in a safe place awaiting baby #2!

To enter this giveaway you must follow Haute Mom publicly and tell me who you are entering this giveaway for. Are you pregnant, is it for your best friend, or maybe a thing for the future? Leave one comment telling me this and please include your email. You must do this before you complete any of the extra entries!

Extra entries – leave a comment telling me you have done each of these

• Like Haute Mom on Facebook
• Like Shrinkx Hips on Facebook
• Follow Haute Mom on Twitter
• Follow Shrinx Hips on Twitter
• Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
• Visit Upspring Baby and tell me what other product you would like to try
• Tweet about this giveaway (leave the link in your comment)
• Post this giveaway on your blog (leave the link to your post

This giveaway is a good one and we are so lucky that Upspring Baby has been gracious enough to sponsor Haute Mom! The contest will end on Friday, January 21st at 9 p.m. PST. Remember, even if you don’t need one, all you haute moms know someone who does so enter!

Thrifty Thursday (on Black Friday)

Through all of this holiday shopping madness I have decided to continue to focus on good deals that can be found online for Thrifty Thursday.  There were so many of them today and I am especially excited for this new "Cyber Monday" hoopla that I have been hearing about.  Until I actually figure out and sort through all the great stuff that can be bought online all from the comfort of your own home, I have one thing to share that I think is a very haute, creative idea.

Chunky Bling is a new company that sort of found Haute Mom and has one of the neatest ideas around.  Jewelry is the name of the game for Chunky Bling and it is right up the haute mom's alley.  Watches, bracelets, necklaces and rings can all be found on Chunky Bling but the one thing that sets them apart from others is the "Build Your Own Watch" feature.  All of the jewelry items are funky, beaded jewelry and they even have a super cute Christmas one.  You can choose the face of your watch and the style of the beads for the band and you have a hip watch that looks like a beaded bracelet.  I love it because I am not a watch person - but I would totally wear one if it looked like a bracelet. 

The best thing about all of this is the price. The items are very affordable (between $10-$35) which is perfect now that I am a mom.  I don't wear a lot of my nicer jewelry very often because they get pulled, tugged on, and scratched but I still want to be able to accessorize.  They are made with materials built to last including Swarovski Crystals.  I think that when Stella gets older (much older), and wants to start playing around with accessories, this would be perfect for her.  I love the versatility and the price; they allow you to create your own pieces for that Christmas or New Year's outfit that you will be wearing.  I plan on buying a few for some of my favorite haute moms as a fun Christmas gift.  You can find the right piece for any type of personality.

Whether you are buying for yourself or as a gift, I would check this site out.  Again, this offers a fun, hip option to accessories without breaking your wallet or being afraid that the pieces will get ruined.  Save your Tiffany's pieces for a special occasion and wear Chunky Bling day to day!  I received a ring from them that is fun, fashionable, and durable.  It is a perfect piece to accompany a festive outfit or doing some shopping while looking haute at the same time!  Check out Chunky Bling and have fun shopping!

My Chunky Bling ring in Swarovski Crystal -Ebony!

 

Thrify Thursday ~ ReUsies Giveaway

As a new mommy, I am always in awe of the amount of trash that gets generated in my household. I am not simply talking about diapers (but yes, my green friends, I am strongly considering making the switch to cloth now that Stella is 6 months old), but just trash in general. Paper towels, kleenex, baby wipes, BM storage bags, and zip lock baggies fill up the trash cans on a daily basis. I would like to say that part of my hauteness is that I am environmentally friendly, or at least try to be, but I seem to be having a difficult time now. I want to find products that are easy to use, clean, and hug trees all at the same time. The other side of this is a time issue. I barely have time to keep up with laundry much less add more things to wash to my daily list of to-do's.

There is a product that I am enjoying that has cut back on some of the waste my family is generating; they replace zip lock bags which I know is an item that will be in my house for many years to come. ReUsies are these reusable bags that offer an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic zip lock bags. Why do I like them so much? You can wash them by hand, in the dishwasher, or...get this...the washing machine!

Stella's diaper bag is filled with little plastic zip lock bags containing pacifiers, teethers, bottle nipples, and usually a snack for me. Now that I am getting ready to return to work, I will be taking my lunch which requires more zip lock bags. Let's fast forward to when Stella is eating table food (2 more months according to her doctor on Tuesday) and more little bags will be needed. Not only is this generating garbage but plastic bags are not cheap! ReUsies come in two sizes, are inexpensive ($6.95-$8.95), and lead, BPA, and phthalate-free as well! ReUsies are the perfect solution and a well deserved star for this Thrifty Thursday. Not to mention they are versatile and come in a number of fun prints (this haute mom can never resist).

Check out some of the items I've stored in mine!


The best part is that ReUsies has generously offered to host a giveaway for all you haute moms out there! One lucky winner will receive both a sandwich and snack size bag in the print of your choice! Here is a chance for you to save money, lower your garbage production, and look haute while doing it!

To enter you must follow Haute Mom publicly and tell me why you would like to win a set of ReUsies! This is required and must be complete before you do any of the extra entries!

Extra Entries - leave one comment telling me you have done each of these.

-Subscribe to the ReUsies Newsletter
-Visit ReUsies and tell me which 3 ReUsies designs you like best
-Join Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
-Like Haute Mom on Facebook
-Like ReUsies on Facebook
-Change your Facebook status to mention your giveaway by leaving a link
-Follow ReUsies on Twitter
-Follow Haute Mom on Twitter
-Tweet about this giveaway by leaving a link to my site (up to once a day)
-Blog about the giveaway on your own blog - leave me a link
-Grab my button and add it to your blog – leave me a link

This giveaway will end on Friday, December 3rd at 9 p.m . PST. The haute winner will be chosen by Random. org. Good luck to all of you!

Haute Mom Stays Cool

This week has been one of those weeks...and it's only Wednesday. In order to save some money, I am getting rid of our seven month old, leased car and buying a four year old used one. This haute mom loves her car, but we will love the $400/month savings and extra cargo room more. Although this is a wise choice, it has sent me on a wild goose chase of errands and paperwork. I have been back and forth to banks, AAA, the DMV, and back to banks, AAA, and the DMV. And that was just in the last two days.

Normally in these types of situations I get flustered, and now with Stella as my wingbaby, it can be really difficult. She was a total trooper and this mom was able to stay cool through it all. I have to share one thing that made this possible and that was her new stroller. I have been using the Chicco Travel System up until now. I love the system but sometimes find it too big and bulky. Maclaren recently sent me the Quest stroller that claims to be "the lightweight sporty solution" and it filled every promise!

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this stroller and I have tried three strollers already (the Chicco is the only other one that has been lucky enough to make the cut). I am not picky (well, not THAT picky) but I think a stroller is supposed to make your life easier, not more difficult and I haven't found on that truly does that...until now.

Some of the reasons why I love this stroller:

• It's lightweight like an umbrella stroller and weighs in at a little over 12 pounds


• It has a carrying strap, so when it is folded (in an umbrella stroller fold) you can sling it over one shoulder


• It can be folded down with one hand (many others claim the same but we know that unless you have Hulk hands, it ain't happening)


• There are 4 seat positions so Stella has been able to be comfy no matter what her mood is


• The seat is removable and washable. You all remember my diaper blowout dilemma right? Problem solved!


• It is water resistant and comes with a raincover
  
• It offer a UV protected window so that I can see Stella without having to risk her exposure to the sun


• It is appropriate for 3 months and up - and can carry up to 55 pounds. This stroller has a very long usage period. Most of the other stroller where a car seat is not needed start at 6 months. Stella still can't sit comfortably at 6 months in her Chicco stroller without being in her car seat.
  
• It is DARLING! I have the Cath Kidston design which is a vintage-inspired edition in red with white dots.
  

Overall, this stroller fits every need. It is durable, but has the convenience of an umbrella stroller. There are plenty of storage pouches, a basket and it is every but as comfy for Stella as her big Chicco. Although the cost is higher then the average umbrella stroller, I would tell any new mommy to register for this one as her main stroller. It can be used early on with the bells and whistles of a travel system but has the ease of an umbrella stroller which is so important when running errands on your own, like every haute mom does. And there are some super haute designs to really express your inner mommy!

Thrifty Thursday

That's right haute moms - Thrifty Thursday is back! I know I haven't posted one of these in a few weeks but to be honest, I have been waiting for a really great deal to come along! I finally found one in a great little place called Etsy. For those of you who aren't familiar with Etsy, it is a site where people can buy and sell things that are handmade. If you saw my Bib Kerchief giveaway, those were made by an Etsy seller. You can find great items from furniture, to glassware, and of course baby stuff!

I recently received a pair of shoes for Stella on Etsy. I have been having a difficult time with putting shoes on her because all of the shoes seem so uncomfortable on her tiny little baby feet. Frankly, I don't like the red marks that all of her shoes leave on her because none of them fit right and I have all different kinds from Riley Roos to Robeez. These shoes are not cheap either! I definitely like the soft sole shoes since she is not walking yet but I still haven't found ones I love...until now!

Chic Monkey Boutique makes Soft Sole Baby Shoes (among MANY other things) that are as comfortable as socks or booties but with a sole on them. Stella fits into a 6-12 month size and they don't fall off like some of her other shoes but there is still plenty of room for growth. When I take them off of her, there are no red marks or signs that the shoes are rubbing or pinching her feet. Want to hear the best part? They are only $19.95! For this price you can buy a bunch of styles in darling patterns so your baby can be as haute as you are! The sizes run from 6-12 months to 18-24 months which means Stella will be wearing these for years ahead.

Check out Stella wearing her Soft Sole Shoes in Miss Kitty Tuxedo!

What's the best part of this Thrify Thursday? You guessed it! Chic Monkey Boutique is going to give a $25 gift certificate for a pair of Soft Sole shoes (or any other Chic Monkey product) to a lucky Haute Mom follower! So check out Chick Monkey and start making that wish list!

To enter you must follow Haute Mom publicly! Go to Chic Monkey Boutique and leave me one comment telling me which Soft Sole shoes you would put on your wish list! This is required and must be complete before you do any of the extra entries!

Extra Entries - leave one comment telling me you have done each of these.

-Follow Chic Money Blog

-Like Haute Mom on Facebook

-Like Chic Monkey on Facebook

-Follow me on Twitter - www.twitter.com/ktenny

-Follow Chic Monkey on Twitter - http://twitter.com/Thechicmonkey

-Tweet about this giveaway (you may do this once a day)

-Join Haute Mom on Networked Blogs

-Visit Frills and Fireflies and leave a comment about an item you would add to your wish list

-Post the Haute Mom button on your blog

-Blog about this giveaway and link back to Haute Mom

This giveaway will end Friday, November 19th at 9 p.m. PST. The winner will be selected by Random.org. Good luck!

Moby Wrap Review and Giveaway

Haute Mom recently teamed up with Babes in Disneyland for a review on the Moby Wrap during a trip to Disneyland. Moby Wrap is one of my favorite must-haves for Stella. During the first six weeks, the Moby Wrap was the only thing that would calm Stella down during her crying hour. It was a life saver for this haute mom! I have used it at festivals, baseball games, and most recently Disneyland.

Moby Wrap, an award-winning baby carrier, was receommended to me by a fellow haute mom. It is a long piece of breathable cotton that you wrap around yourself (or the wearer) to create a warm, safe environment for your baby. It is light weight and easy to take along or stow away. Moby Wrap is made for babies to 35 lbs and is machine washable. It is one of the most comfortable carriers on the market because you can wrap it to your individual body shape. There are no staps, hoops, belts, or buckles to mess with. Some people may think it is too difficult to wrap but Moby Wrap provides an easy instruction booklet for the intitial wrap and all of the baby holds. I have even used the nursing hold to nurse Stella in public! The best part is that it is very affordable, starting at $39.99!

I have tried a number of different carriers and this is my favorite. Moby Wrap has generously offered to give one of our readers a chance to try this great mommy must have! One lucky haute mom will win a solid color Moby Wrap of their choice!




To enter simply follow this blog and and then head on over and follow Babes in Disneyland! Please leave me one comment when you have done both of these things. This is required and must be complete before you do any of the extra entries!

Extra Entries - leave one comment telling me you have done each of these.

• Visit Moby Wrap and tell me what solid color you would like to win.
  


• Like Haute Mom on Facebook


• Like Babes in Disneyland on Facebook


• Follow me on Twitter - www.twitter.com/ktenny
  


• Tweet about this giveaway (you may do this once a day)


• Join Haute Mom on Networked Blogs


• Join Babes in Disneyland on Networked Blogs


• Post the Haute Mom button on your blog


• Post the Babes in Disneyland button on your blog


• Blog about this giveaway and link back to Haute Mom
  

This giveaway will end Monday, November 8th at 9 p.m. (PST). The lucky winner will be chosen by Random.org. Good luck!

My Favorite Little Must Have Giveaway!

I recently found a small item to help Stella and I through this wet time period we call "pre-teething". It is called the Bib Kerchief and as I mentioned in my sneak preview, these are handmade and sold on Etsy by Bloom by Arissia! What is so good about the Bib Kerchief? The bibs are made for the drooly baby and have a snap close which is so much more comfortable for little Stella's neck than velcro. The bib is small enough that Stella can wear it throughout the day without it being bothersome! The Bib Kerchief is made with 100% cotton on one side and flannel on the other so it is machine washable and super absorbent. Better yet, I don't spend my day playing catch the dribble off of Stella's chin!


The Bib Kerchief is also made to be worn from three months to toddler, up to two or three years old. This, for me, was quite a bonus since most things I buy can't be worn for very long. The prints are stylish and the bibs are reversible! Stella loves wearing hers!


Let's get to the good stuff!! Blooms by Arissia is sponsoring our giveaway by providing two Bib Kerchiefs, both in gender neutral colors. The prints are adorable...on both sides!


To enter you must publicly follow this blog and visit Bloom by Arissia on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/bloombyarissia?ref=top_trail and tell me which item you would LOVE to have! Please leave me one comment when you have done both of these things. This is required and must be complete before you do any of the extra entries!

Extra Entries - leave one comment telling me you have done each of these.

• Like Haute Mom on Facebook
  
  
• Like Bloom by Arissia on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloom-by-Arissia/315568554128?ref=ts
  


• Follow Haute Mom on Networked Blogs
  
  
• Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ktenny
  


• Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link to your tweet. You may do this once a day.
  

Be a HAUTE mom and start a trend! All the other mommies will want one! This giveaway will be ending Wednesday, October 27th at 9 p.m. (PST). The winner will be selected by Random.org. Good luck!

Epicuren Baby Products Giveaway ~ Last week!

Hi all you haute moms! This is just a reminder that the Epicuren Baby giveaway ends this Friday, Oct. 8th! Epicuren Baby uses all natural ingredients that are meant to calm and soothe your little ones while keeping their baby skin soft and clean! You will win one of each of their baby line. Thanks again to Living Out Loud for featuring us as a guest host and hosting all these other great giveaways! Good luck!