05
Nov

Retse Designs: Mom Owned, Kid Designed {Giveaway}

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Cool Baby Kid loves any cool product for babies or kids, mom-owned businesses hold a special place in our heart. As a small business owner myself, I can appreciate the investment of time and money involved. We’re thrilled to spotlight Retse Designs for that reason in addition to their commitment to charity giving back $1 on every sale to the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools to keep art in the classroom. Designing fun, whimsical letter and animal t-shirts such as “A is for Alligator” or “M is for Monkey,” the custom designed t-shirt creator also happens to be first-grader Ellie which means Retse Designs is not just a mom-owned business but a family one which involves Ellie’s brother Gray as well. The all new “S is for Snowman” design (pictured) displays her talent as a budding artist any mom or dad would be proud of! Now it off to gather the crayons to see if we can get our 3 year old to draw in the lines…

Cool Giveaway: One winner will receive Retse design tee of their choice (must be in stock) by visiting Retse Design Store and commenting back here with one fact you learned not in this article.

Extra Entries: Earn additional entries by following Retse on Facebook and/or Twitter. Remember to leave an extra comment for each entry. Earn even more entries and read the contest rules including how to subscribe for winner notification. Ends 11/19/09.



Filed Under: Education Corner, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , , , ,
01
Sep

Putumayo Kids Music: Our Daily Trip Around the World

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As I head back to school this week to teach Language Arts to 8th graders, I’m excited to re-connect with Putumayo Kids, a Cool Baby Kid all-time favorite. While their new CD, Picnic Playground, is a perfect companion to daily dance parties with our 1.5 and 3 year old children, the Putumayo Kids teacher tools remind me of resources I can incorporate into the classroom as well. According to their site, “Putumayo Kids produces music that entertains, educates and inspires cultural curiosity,” and I could not agree more. Since discovering Putumayo Kids, it has become an almost daily part of our lives since we love to dance! Picnic Playground doesn’t disappoint. Taking us around the world, from the USA to Europe and beyond, songs like our favorites Ice Cream by Asheba (Trinidad) and Pomodoro by Bomba (Australia) offers upbeat tunes for dancing while expanding our cultural horizons at the same time.


Originally intended as designated pool music for the kids, we we ended up listening to Caribbean Playground, a CD celebrating Caribbean culture, at our “adult” pool parties too beacuse of its unique ability to appeal simultaneously to kids and parents alike. One of the only companies to be listed as a “What We Love Right Now” in addition to being a CBK *Top Pick* as well as an “Editor’s Top 10 Favorites.” Do we love Putumayo Kids? You bet.
Smart Tip: For a fun island sound listen to Jamaica Farewell (Jamaica) by Desmond Dekke fun island sound and Tambou Dan Tche Nou (Martinique)by Kali for a fast, hip shaking dance tune. Preview Putumayo Kids children’s music on their website.
Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one of two copies of Putumayo Kid’s Picnic Playground by visiting their site and commenting back here after previewing any song from the Picnic Playground CD. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning. Ends 9/15/09.

Filed Under: Adults Only, Big Kids Corner, Family Activities, Toddler & Preschooler, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
07
Aug

PishPosh Mommy: Our Newest *Top Pick* for Moms & Babies

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PishPosh Mommy is the epitome of everything Cool Baby Kid loves. Finding cool picks for moms, babies and kids and sharing them, highlighting talented and inventive mompreneurs and staying stylish in motherhood is what we’re all about. And so are these moms who took their vision to the next level, creating a functional but fashionable carryall unlike anything I’ve seen after reviewing for nearly two years. The PishPosh Carryall allows any purse to be turned into a diaper bag! Both styles, the Pull String PishPosh or Quick Zip PishPosh have multiple pockets on the inside and outside to organize everything baby.

With perfect sizes for bottles and sippies or diapers and wipes, your favorite purse no longer needs to languish in the closet any longer. Organize everything in the carryall, pop it into your purse and you’re on your way. Because your stuff is organized in the PishPosh you can transport it from purse to stroller, stroller to car etc. I actually use it inside my diaper bag (the “Napa Buds, pictured) since I happen to have a pretty stylish one, but last weekend I did pull out a purse for the first time in a few years. (I had to kiddos back to back so it’s been a while since I’m without wipies on my person 24/7.) Because the PishPosh Carryall is stylish, unique and functional diaper bag alternative, we currently use and love it and the company was created by two innovative moms, it’s most definitely our newest *Top Pick* product!

Enter to win a PishPosh Pull String Carryall in Japanese Tea Garden by becoming a Facebook fan or following on Twitter and commenting back here. Don’t use either? Visit their site and comment back here with your favorite style. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning. Ends 8/20/09.

Filed Under: Adults Only, Baby Picks, Gift Guides, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , , ,
03
Jul

Table Topper by Neat Solutions: A Young Toddler Must Have

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After using the Table Topper from Neat Solutions I kicked myself…twice. I’d seen them in my second home since having a baby (Babies R Us) but never purchased them. A plastic table topper which adheres to the table via sticky strips, I could see its value for dining out with a toddler. But since they are expendable, and we dine out a fair amount, I imagined having to re-purchasing them too often for my liking. Big mistake. I spent much of my daughter’s babyhood scrubbing dirty tables with antibacterial wipes and still feeling uncomfortable at her eating off the table or convincing myself she was ready for a plate when, of course, this was not the case. *Crash* Not so with baby #2. This time I take out the Table Topper, watch my son eat without worrying about germs, and then repacking the topper for a 2nd and or 3rd use. Yes, they are re-usable! And because I wish someone told me sooner to use these, I’m doing you that favor. Use Table Topper every time you dine out and the plate will no longer be used like a Frisbee.


Cool Tip: Neat Solutions is the brain child behind other practical solutions such as the Potty Topper, Floor Topper and Disposable Bibs.
Filed Under: Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , ,
02
Jul

GoggleMates: Pain Free Goggle Wearing for Kids {Giveaway}

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Another “Why didn’t I think of that?” product created by a mom that is pure genius. GoggleMate is a must accessory children’s swimming goggles for three reasons:

1. No more hair pulling trying to get goggles on and off. The soft fabric in fun patterns for girl or boy make it super easy to put on an remove goggles without the ouch.

2. They float! Lost goggles are a thing of the past.

3. Lost goggles (or kids) are much less likely with bright GoggleMates attached.

We tested GoogleMates in our own pool with a toddler who definitely does not like the slightest tug on her hair. They worked like a charm and almost made me feel a bit silly I never even considered inventing the myself. Choose from an array of patterns like butterflies and sports and let the water games begin!

Enter to win one of two GoggleMates (purple with hearts or blue sharks) by visiting their site and commenting back here with one place GoggleMates are sold. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning extra entry possibilities. US residents only. Ends 7/17/09.

Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Gift Guides, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , , ,
02
Jul

Blue Sky Rocket’s Trees + ABC’s Educational Prints: The Perfect Compliment to Your Child’s Room {+ Giveaway}

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When I received the Blue Sky Rocket trio of prints, the first thing that impressed me was the quality and workmanship of the drawings. The second thing that impressed me was just how darn cute they are for any nursery or young child’s room. This trio of prints is called “Trees + ABC’s” and shows all of the letters of the alphabet with a cute drawing for each letter. Pefect for those learning ABC’s! It is cute enough to be used as artwork alone but I have a feeling those ABC’s will be coming more quickly at my house. Visit BlueSkyRocket.com for more information and examples of the many products they have such as an entire Mommy & Me section as well as cool Snack Time gadgets and a Bestsellers section making it super easy to shop. It is a great company with an interesting start-up story. I would recommend this to anyone looking for the right little something to brighten up the walls of any boys or girls room or playroom.

Reviewed by Tina, Baby Kid Contributor


These prints come in standard frame sizes for easy framing. They also offer gift certificates making a perfect gift for new baby.

Enter to win a Blue Sky Rocket print of your choice (8 x 10″, 11 x 17″ or 13 x 19″) by leaving a comment on this post after visiting their site with your favorite print design. Click here to read the contest rules and find out how to increase your chances of winning extra entry possibilities. Ends 7/16/09. Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin

In addition to the regular extra entry possibilities, complete any (or all) of the following for even more chances to win. Leave a separate comment for each, please.

  • ‘Stumble’ one of BlueSkyRocket’s products by adding it to your StumbleUpon account
  • Add 1 or more BlueSkyRocket products to your Wishpot account
  • Add 1 or more BlueSkyRocket products to you Kaboodle account
  • Tweet about BlueSkyRocket products with a link to your favorite product (_BlueSkyRocket_)
  • Become a fan of BlueSkyRocket on Facebook
  • Subscribe to BlueSkyRocket’s blog
Filed Under: Baby Picks, Gift Guides, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
08
Jun

iKookie Organic Cotton Baby Bodysuits {& Giveaway}

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Plain and simple, there is nothing like organic cotton for baby. I love the pure softness and quality of iKookie baby clothes for baby’s delicate skin (not to mention it is friendly to the environment of course). Organic cotton is grown and harvested without the use of harsh chemicals and is free of contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides. My little guy loves the iKookie bodysuits, and the lap tee yoga pants set make a great gift as well! You can shop for tees, yoga pants, sleepsuits, blankets and more at iKookie and feel good about nurturing your baby in nature’s purest fiber. Cecelia, the editor of Cool Baby kid, assured me this was one of her favorite companies and that I would love doing this review. She was right…and I know you’ll love iKookie too.

Reviewed by Lynn, Baby Kid Contributor

Enter to win an iKookie onesie in winner’s choice of size and color by visiting their site and choosing your favorite product. Click here to find out how to increase your chances of winning and read the contest rules. Ends 6/22/09. Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid by RSS or email for an announcement of the winner. Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin

Filed Under: Baby Picks, Giveaways Galore · Tagged With: , , , ,
21
May

Putumayo Kids: Our Family’s Favorite for Dance Parties

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Check out the new “What We Love Right Now” sidebar! Putumayo Kids European Playground is our new pick since it’s absolutely a #1 favorite in our house. Almost every day after work we have a dance party. And while I don’t necessarily mind the Wiggles and my kids can deal with “Papa Loves Mambo,” we’ve found a middle ground in Putumayo Kids. A children’s version of the original Putumayo which brings together music from all across the world, each song in European Playground, their newest release, appeals to adult and child alike. From Germany to Scotland, countries around Europe are represented such as Locomondo (Greece) by Den Kanei Krio which is a favorite dance party tune of ours. Change Song by Herbie Treehead (England) is a march around the room beat, though my one year old does more spinning until he’s dizzy than anything else. I would also recommend checking out some of the other Putumayo Kids CD’s, including our absolute favorite song Laba Laba (Nigeria) by Baba Ken Okulolo from the Putumayo Kids: African Dreamland CD. European Playground, with songs like Tarantainas De La Casa Sin Pared by Biella Nuei (Spain) will have you looking forward to daily dance parties too. Giving kids exposure to other cultures (there’s even a teacher’s guide on their site) and having great fun in the process is what make Putumayo Kids a Cool Baby Kid top pick and our #1 favorite right now.

Putumayo Kids receives a Top Pick designation for being one of favorite companies right now and of all time!


Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one of two copies of European Playground by checking out the Putumayo website and leaving a comment with the CD title you’d be most likely to purchase. Contest ended.

Disclosure & Extra Entries: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Get unlimited contest entries, read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions. Be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and additional giveaways.


Smart Tip: Check out some of our other Putumayo Kids reviews.

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Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Family Activities, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , ,
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