Mrs. Moneysaver’s Holiday Gift Guide

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Whew, we’ve finally reached the end of our 2009 holiday gift guide!  I hope the budget-friendly ideas have been helpful.

This last edition is focused on gifts for babies and their parents.  As a mom to a toddler and baby, I like to think I know a thing or two about this product sector.  To change things up a little, you’ll learn a bit about and have a chance to see the products in the video below.  Under the video, you’ll find website, pricing, and purchasing information.

1.  Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags This diaper bag retails from $40 to $70 and is the quite the organizational tool!  You can buy the bag on Amazon, as well as other online retailers.

2.  Sprout Shell-  This 4-in-1 product retails for $40-$48, much cheaper than buying each individual product this converts to separately.

3.   Temple Touch Thermometer Using Rapid Accurate Temperate Establishment technology, this thermometer quickly takes a child’s temperature on the temple.  It’s available at Walgreens for $29.99.

4.  Stork Tunes This CD, which benefits the March of Dimes, is a compilation of songs about motherhood from artists like Celine Dion and Norah Jones.  Stork Tunes is priced at $13.95 on Amazon and StorkTunes.com

The products reviewed above were provided to me by the companies.  The opinions shared within the review are mine and were not provided by the companies.

Organic Girl Review

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Mrs Smith Diaper Bag Review and Giveaway Ends January 14, 2010

Mrs. Rachael Smith after many mornings scrambling out the door with her children, realized she spent too much time worrying about the little details (keys, change of clothes, snacks, etc…) and not enough time focused on the essentials.   Rachael struggling to manage the demands of her 2-year old son and 6-month old daughter realized her current diaper bag was just not cutting it so with some innovation and a little planning she designed a diaper bag with easy access, more efficient storage and versatility. Now, two years later, she proudly introduces the Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag.

With having 4 children and 3 being under 9 I find myself currently toting a few backpacks just to make sure I cover all the bare necessities from a change of clothes, receiving blankets, and snacks for the older children. My older style diaper bag has seen better days and just does not hold the things I need. I also have to admit that as a mom I like chic and my current bag didn’t even have a working zipper left on it a year in.  When I was given the opportunity to review a diaper bag from the company Whoda Thought, I was totally on board. I have entered a few giveaways on other blogs trying to win one of these babies so this was awesome to get sent one for review.
I was sent a Mrs Smith Diaper Bag in Pink Camouflage for review.

Its fun, in-style and a great upgrade for me   I mean I was really getting tired my current situation.  I am not very organized lets say so for me to have the room to organize makes my life a lot easier.

The overall functionality and use of this bag is unbelievable.

Its converts to a backpack very easily. Which I really like but if your a fan of the other way go for it. It holds everything.. and I  mean everything. I cloth diaper and I was able to hold all the diapers I need for the day easily. I really like the extra large flap that the bag has as it makes stuffing it a lot easier.  The handy change table attached also a bonus, as it is hidden in the upper flap. The Drawer a totally smart idea , it makes the bag firm and solid. This is a great addition as it keeps your baby food jars, snacks, and fruit! from spilling everywhere and separated from your diapers.
The benefits of the Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag are unmatched, like the unique pull-

A Giveaway Everyday Review

Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag Giveaway {CLOSED}

I have twins. Twins have a lot of stuff. When we go out, we need a place to put all that stuff.

Enter Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag. I now have a place to put all that stuff.

Shall I list all the things I could fit into my Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag?

Four sippy cups || Six diapers || Two travel wipes boxes || Two sets of extra clothes || Two packs of graham crackers || Four board books || 20 crayons || Two portable coloring placemats || Two bibs || Two bottles of water || Two changing pads || Two snack containers || Two boxes of raisins || Four little dollies || Two toy cell phones || Two sets of utensils || Empty Space

Hey what’s that last thing? Empty space? Yes, there’s even a bit of room to spare!

Mrs. Rachael Smith designed this diaper bag to hold a lot and keep it all within reach, after a harrowing day at the airport with her two small children. The bag is divided into two levels, one on top of the other. The top level closes with two side zippers and a flap with ample Velcro so that if you pack even more in, you can still close it instead of having the flap stick straight up and risk everything falling out. There are other easy-access features such as a key fob on the inside and outside, two Velcro compartments on the outside for your cell phone, and a mesh pocket for your water bottle too.

The bottom level has this amazing removable drawer to keep all your little things organized. No more digging to the deepest depths of the ocean to find their little dollies or their spoons or their crayons.

The most surprising thing to me was that even when it was full of stuff, it didn’t feel heavy at all! The strap was so comfortable to wear on my shoulder or across my body. The strap was also easily adjustable…I wore it so I kept the strap long, but could quickly shorten it to hang on my stroller. Plus you can change the straps to wear as a backpack, which is great for holding two hands at once.

Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags come in lots of patterns to suit any taste, from sleek black to cute flowers to bold animal prints.

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Mrs. Smith designed these bags so that you can experience your day to its fullest instead of focusing on your stuff, so that you can “enjoy the precious moments of the day, knowing the details are in the bag!” For me, mission accomplished. Thanks Mrs. Smith!

News Around the Blogs Review

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

12 Days of Christmas Day 9 Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag

• An insulated bottle holder
• Cell Phone holder
• Insulated pull out drawer for snacks and or toys
• Padded Sunglass Holder
• Mesh Pouch
• Key Hook
• Zipper Pocket
• Sippy Holder
• Washable Full Size Changing Pad

Mom-E-Centric Review

Mrs. Smith’s Bags

If you have every schlepped around with a bunch of baby goods, you know it simply isn’t easy.  But, if you have a great bag, organized, with the essentials, you can make your life much easier.  After all, you want to remember holding your child, not a great big overweight bag.

Mrs Smith’s Diaper bag has specially designed places for:

• Insulated bottle and
  sippy cup holders
• Full Size washable
  changing pad
• Removable pullout drawer
  for snacks and toys.

And you simply can’t go wrong when see all the fabric’s available.  Don’t miss out, gorgeous stuff.

Money Saving Tips for the Keeper at Home Review

Whoda Thought: Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags Giveaway {Ends 11/17}

Have you ever seen something and then said to yourself – “Who would have thought?”  Most of the time, it is on something that might have crossed our minds but we just didn’t think existed.

Those very words came out of my mouth when I entered the site Whoda Thought and found Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags.  I saw her bags and really thought they were cute.  The designs and fabric are adorable and some are even very classy.

Personally I have never been a fan of diaper bags because I find them to be one HUGE bag that things get spilled in, squashed in, and generally speaking – ruined.  The other thing that is horrible about diaper bags is the fact that once you get everything in it, how on earth are you going to be able to find ANYTHING?  Seriously!

I know you know what mean….you need a pacifier right now but you can’t find it because it got hidden under the diapers that the extra clothes are sitting on. By the way as you look, your daughter’s sippy cup starts leaking everywhere because you knocked it over as you were digging for the pacifier!

I have always wished for an organized bag and one that made it easy to carry a lot but not worry about it getting lost.  This is where Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags became the nicest diaper bags I have ever seen – they have a drawer!!

I have never ever seen a drawer in a diaper bag before but I was excited when I saw this!  I received the Pink Camo to review and was thrilled with it.  The top is rather large but not very deep.  You have the drawer on the bottom and many side pockets.

You can fit:
* Two bottles and one sippy cup in their own insulated holders
* Jars of baby food
* Two pacifiers
* Lots of snacks and toys
* Four to five sets of clothing
* Wipes in their own wipes container
* Six diapers
* A washable, full-sized changing pad (is included!)
* And dedicated places for your keys, cell phone, sunglasses, credit cards, cash, ID and water bottle

It really truly does fit all these things!  It is a larger bag so I do not find it convenient to take with me to the church nursery because I really do not need all of those things but I have used it for larger trips and it is perfect.  It really carries an entire day’s worth supplies!  I love it!

The other great thing about this bag is that it can turn into a backpack.  This makes it super easy if you are out on a family trip, in an airport, just about anywhere where you need your hands free.

This is the most versatile diaper bag I have ever seen.  I only wish I had had one like it when my daughter was born.

You can purchase a WhodaThought Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag from Amazon.com.  I love my bag and have received many compliments on it as well as other moms wanting to know where they also can get one.  “Really?  A drawer?  How cool! Who would have thought?” is what I constantly hear when I show them the personality of this great bag.

Canadian Free Stuff Review

Mrs. Smiths Diaper Bag Contest

I recently was given the opportunity to try out Mrs. Smith’s Diaper bag by Whoda Thought. Wow! “Who Would Of Thought” I would get so excited about a bag. It really is a well designed carry-all bag. Not only do I find this bag fashionable and colourful, it is very well thought out. The bag is big on storage, but the vertical design with many compartments actually makes it look smaller than many other bags on the market.

This innovative diaper bag is available in many different colours and patterns. I like that even though you are a crazy mom with screaming kids in tow-you can still be fashion forward and make a statement.

Check out all the available colours and patterns here: http://mrssmithsbags.com/200908

Now for some technical reviewing. At first glance I realized this bag was going to be different. The first fantastic feature for me is a wide comfortable messenger strap. For any of you who recently saw the Dr. Oz Show on “purses” the best style is always a messenger strap. It helps distribute the weight evenly and causes less back pain. Same deal goes for diaper bags! The really neat thing is that the strap can EASILY be removed, threaded though the back of the bag and re-hooked up to be worn in a backpack style. This is great when you want to carry your little one or strap the bag onto your stroller. Whichever way you decide to use this bag it will always leave your hands free. With just a one-handed pull on the top cover, the velcro will open as well as the zippers. There you will find, within reach, a full body length change pad. which is removable and washable. The top is divided into three thermal lined bottle/sippy cup compartments, a back zippered compartment and a front expandable velcro compartment. Ideal for easy-to-reach items and of course diapers!!

Under the top section there is what I like to refer to as the “lower floor”. This is accessible from the outside front of the bag. Just unzip and “voila” there is a hard sided pull out drawer. YES, a drawer all canvas covered with three separate sections! This is perfect for baby food jars, toys or snack containers. They are wide and deep enough for lots of different uses. This is a great place to stash your wallet so you don’t have to take a purse with you. On the back side of the bag there is a full length sewn pocket, with many functional uses, bibs, cloths, receiving blankets or even a colouring book. The sides provide even more storage. What else could you possibly need?? Well, how about a padded sunglass holder, a mesh pouch, a key hook, and oh wait, a place to keep your cellphone. (We all know what a pain it is to root around in a huge bag, juggling the baby, and the phone just keeps on ringing) As well there is one extra draw string pouch just because.

No matter what stage your baby or toddler is at, this bag is going to make your life much, much easier, physically and mentally. No more running though the mall or a restaurant looking like the crazed rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, rooting shoulder deep into the dark Abyss of an old fashioned, unpractical diaper bag. You now will feel free and organized having everything within easy reach.

So, now for where you can actually buy one of these exciting diaper bags.

Prices Starting at $69.99 (U.S.)

www.amazon.com

www.chocolate.cakeclub.com

www.poshpossessions.com

www.bubblebeesparties.com

www.noktup.com

www.peek-a-boutique.com

Ladybugs and Tonka Trucks Review

04

Whoda Thought Mrs. Smith Daiper Bags {Review and Giveaway}

You never need it until you don’t have it. Meaning; Moochie wouldn’t need an extra set of clothes normally. But if I don’t pack them, she’ll need them. Simple right? I thought so too. Tell it to my family. Packing a diaper bag is an art form. One I wasn’t born with.

This bag can also transform into a stylish backpack giving it many diverse uses. The Mrs. Smith bag can hold:

• Two bottles and one sippy cup in their own insulated holders

  Jars of baby food

• Two pacifiers
• Lots of snacks and toys
• Four to five sets of clothing
• Wipes in a their own wipes container
• Six diapers
• A washable, full-sized changing
• And dedicated places for your keys, cell phone, sunglasses, credit cards, cash, ID

So you see for you bag hourders like myself, it’s literally the perfect bag for mommies on the go. I believe there’s nothing this bag can’t do. If only I could get it to do the dishes.

The Nurse Mommy Review

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Win a fabulous Mrs. Smith Diaper Bag!

One thing I learned VERY soon about being a Mom is organization is key! I always considered myself an organized person till I met my little man for the first time. Then it seemed as if my world was turned upside down, and let’s face it, it was! Maybe in the most perfect, cuddly little package ever, but things went crazy there for a little while. Even now, with little man over two years old, I still feel as if I am sooo not organized. It drives me nuts. I am forever digging through my purse for that missing toy, his sippy cup, a diaper…where did I put the WIPES! Do you know how embarrassing it is to try and give someone your email address and pull out a lollypop? Yea, needless to say when I heard of Mrs. Smith’s Diaper bags from Whodathought I KNEW I had to contact them for the review! You want to talk about the most awesome organization tool a Mom of little ones can have? It’s THIS BAG!

First and foremost, this bag is stylish. It comes in wonderful prints and colors! I got this great copper one but I was also DROOLING over the Zebra print bag! You can easily convert this bag from a messenger bag to a backpack if you prefer that option.

The top portion of the bag offers ample space for the little necessities that we mothers need. The pacis, diapers, bandaids, wipes and your wallet and essentials all work perfectly here. Here is the coolest part of the bag in my opinion. It’s the bottom pull out drawer! For us it is just perfect for little mans snacks, sippy, and toys! Trust me this keeps me soooo much more organized, and everyday I use it, I appreciate it more and more! It also comes with a handy dandy diaper pad that my little man and I do not use. We are well on the way with potty training, he rarely has accidents….so any little bit of space I can spare I use!

The Bragging Mommy Review

Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag Review and Giveaway

The benefits of the Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag are unmatched, like the unique pull-out drawer, which can be taken completely out of the bag. In the Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag, you can fit:

• Two bottles and one sippy cup in their own insulated holders
• Jars of baby food
• Two pacifiers
• Lots of snacks and toys
• Four to five sets of clothing
• Wipes in a their own wipes container
• Six diapers
• A washable, full-sized changingpad (is included!)
• And dedicated places for your keys, cell phone, sunglasses, credit cards, cash, ID and water bottle

And you can access all of these items easily! The Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag converts to a backpack by using its own shoulder strap. It’s designed with style and flare, and keeps you organized. The Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag also comes in black for those who also love to be organized, but don’t do pink!

How often do you find yourself digging through your diaper bag in search of that spoon or that lone diaper you KNOW you shoved at the bottom in case you forgot to refill… Search no more! Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags are the perfect solution. This baby bag is essentially split in half- the top half is like a traditional diaper bag, except it’s half the height so it’s super easy to see and be able to find whatever you’re looking for. The bottom half has a pull out drawer, that can be completely removed from the bag. Genius! I have loved using this bag. I keep all the quick essentials on the top for easy access, and the bottom is for extras and my “emergency” items. It fits everything I need for Harrison on-the-go, and even better, it keeps it all organized! This bag is so unique and would make a great gift for any new or veteran Mom!

Things that are Brag Worthy:

• Keeps all essentials easy to find
• Pull out drawer in the bottom of the bag
• Converts from a messenger bag into a backpack (Great for dads!)
• Comes with a changing pad
• Great outside pockets for bottles or sippy cups
• Comes in great patterns and textures, or classic black
• Back pocket, perfect for magazines or papers
• Fits everything you need for baby
• Lots of pockets on the top for easy access to everything
• Lightweight

Be sure to visit www.mrssmithsbags.com to find out where you can purchase your own Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bag!

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Mrs. Smith’s Diaper Bags gets Bragging Rights!