WAHM Review (+ Giveaway): Elly's Diapers *CLOSED*

As work-at-home-mom (WAHM), Annelise states in her own words, she is "a self-taught, trial and error, artist, DIY-er and seamstress."  Which, to me, is quite the inspiration!  Everything I do is pretty much self-taught - though I'm not as talented as she.  ;)

She started making clothes after her grandmother bought her a sewing machine at the age of 12.  Eventually the morphed into handbags and, after her first baby, cloth diapers!  She kept changing the pattern each time she made a new diaper until she got it just right and ended up with "the perfect dipe!"  And I truly love that she gives credit to her husband for making it possible for her to stay at home with kids and run her shop.

Check out what she sent me to review:

I am currently obssessed with giraffe print since that is the theme of the nursery.  ;)

She also sent me a wet bag to review.  Owls are SO in right now and I LOVE this wet bag!  

Easy 5 Stars!

She even has super cute tags on everything.  I love that personal touch!

On the outside of the wet bag...

On the inside of the diaper - tucked inside the pocket so it doesn't bother Baby.  :)

So besides being absolutely adorable, what did I really think of these products?  The diapers that Annelise sells are organic (love it!).  Some of the other features I really love include:

• Double Gussets
• Liner made from incredibly soft bamboo velour - this wicks moisture away from baby, which is really nice.
• The insert includes 2 layers of bamboo double loop terry and an inner layer of bamboo french terry cloth (which means awesome absorbency).
• She uses baby soft elastic for extra comfort and strong snaps that last longer and prevent baby from pulling off the diaper themselves.  :)
• Fits babes from 9-30 lbs

Largest Setting

Largest setting from the top...

Smallest Setting

Smallest setting from the top.

The Giraffe print is set to the smallest setting while the Elephant print (GIVEAWAY DIAPER) is set to the largest setting - comparison pic.  :)

She shoots for perfection and just about meets it!  ;)  I can definitely tell she puts her heart into this.

5 Stars

As noted, the bamboo velour is amazingly soft.  Definitely no worries about placing this on Baby Girl's bum.  Actually, the velour she uses is at the highest Oeko-Tek international standard meaning that the fibers used in this fabric are free of all known harmful substances.  So not only soft, but amazingly good for that precious little bum.  :)

You can SEE the softness!  ;)

5 Stars

Absorbency is amazing!  The insert is a doubler so it folds in half and has two layers in the pocket instead of one.  Because of this and the fact that the insert is bamboo - the Elly Diaper came in 2nd place for absorbency!  The only diaper to beat it was the Wink Diaper I reviewed a couple of weeks ago.  Applecheeks, Blueberry, Glow Bug, and multiple others only absorbed about half of what these two diapers did!  Absorbency was tested with water a tablespoon at a time after the diaper had been prewashed.  It should also be noted that the only two diapers I tested with natural fibers were the Wink Diaper and the Elly Diaper.

Full insert.

Insert doubled.

Yet another where I wish I could give more than 5 stars.  This diaper really deserves it.  :)

The price point of Elly Diapers is pretty average from what I can tell.  At $24.50 for a premium organic bamboo velour diaper, other larger brand organic diapers run either a couple of dollars less or a couple of dollars more.  Just depends on the brand.  However, Annelise does sell her diapers in sets and discounts the price when she does so.

A set of two diapers is just $43 which is a savings of $6.

A set of three diapers is just $64 which gives you a total savings of almost $10!

4 stars instead of 5 for the simple fact that the price is average.  If it were significantly cheaper than most brands I would give it 5.

The customer service I received from Annelise was stellar!  She was always super quick to return my questions or comments, shipping was super fast, and she even includes washing and care instructions.  Which I really appreciate since I am still relatively new to the cloth diapering world and none of the major brands included that kind of thing.

So cute and matchy!  :)

Definitely 5 stars, if not more!  :)

The wet bag is just as nice as the diaper.  She uses what is called Eco-PUL (also in the diapers though I didn't mention it...).  It has all the functionality of regular PUL (the waterproof part) but Eco-PUL is made with a 'green' adhesive that is  solvent free, environmentally friendly, and releases no volatile organics.  How awesome is that?  Just one more way I know Baby is exposed to less chemicals.  :)

I love how bright and cheery the inside is!  :)  

This should give you an idea of size.  The shop notes that it should fit 4 diapers.

Overall, I am super impressed with Elly Diapers.  These diapers and wet bags are awesome!  And perfectly safe for Baby.  Plus, there are so many prints to choose from!  I love options!  :)  Here are a couple of my favorites:

This is one of the prints I mentioned the Annelise when I told her a few of my favorites and asked her to pick.  ;)  So fun!

Love this diaper!  There's just something about little fishies....

Definitely a 5 star shop!  :)

To Buy: Head on over to the Elly Diaper's Etsy Shop and get your very own premium organic bamboo diaper or Eco-PUL wet bag.

To Win: Use the Giveaway Tool below for your chance to win the Elephant print diaper that made a brief appearance or two above:

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Giveaway: Little Tikes Fun House Bouncer

Bri here from Learning to Be 31 - Isn't this the neatest??  I won't need something like this for quite some time but I can just see my Little Sprout playing in there!  :)  I hope you guys enjoy this giveaway!  I love bringing you all fun stuff like this.  Let me know in the comments below what other kinds of giveaways you would like to see!

Sponsored by: LittleTikes.com - Organized by: Mom to Bed by 8 Please take a moment to read Mom to Bed by 8's Little Tikes Fun House Bouncer review and see how a boring summer day can be changed in less than 5 minutes!
Kids can get their wiggles out with the ultra-fun Little Tikes State Fair Fun House Bouncer. This circus-themed set features lion, clown and dog silhouettes on the outside. A convenient exterior storage pocket offers a place to leave shoes. Three distinct areas, including a slide and ball toss area, provide plenty of room for play. High walls keep children within the unit as they jump, for reliable safety. The weight capacity is appropriate for up to three children. Assembling the Little Tikes Bouncer requires just one person, and the unit is constructed with heavy-duty PVC material. Mesh windows help parents keep a close eye on their jumping children. Special thank you to our supporting co-host bloggers: Newly Crunchy Mama Of 3, Memoirs of a Clueless Woman and Everything Mommyhood.

One winner will receive a Little Tikes Fun House Bouncer.

Giveaway ends August 28th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. Excludes Quebec. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck! Little Tikes Fun House Bouncer Sweepstakes Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Bump Update: 31 Weeks

I know some people are super sensitive to the matter - but I really don't mind it when people touch my belly.  

Well...I should clarify - I don't mind it when people I know touch my belly.  Thank goodness I haven't had any strangers attempt it but I still have a couple of months to go.  

Anyways - I guess I just see it as another part of being pregnant and it doesn't bother me.  In fact, the other day, she started moving like crazy and since no one ever gets to feel her move - I said, quick, come feel!  Over rushes Hubby, my mom, and my dad.  Somehow they all managed to squeeze in...but she stopped moving...which is pretty typical.  Dad and Hubby could feel a body part - but she moved it away and that was the end of that.  haha.  But I hope I never forget the image of the 3 of them all trying to feel my belly at once. ;)

Picture time!

Just out of the shower :P

Growing, growing, growing!

This week, baby is the size of a: Head of lettuce.  And my other app notes - she weighs as much as a coconut, which is fun!  ;)

Next appointment: Next Thursday, with my favorite doctor.  And Hubby is coming to this one....hopefully...since he hasn't met her yet.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Gained 3 pounds between doctors appointments, which is about right on target.  I was a little surprised I'd gained that much in 2 weeks since I don't feel it most of the time.  But then thinking on it - it is so much harder to stand for long periods of time - my legs and feet start to hurt pretty quickly - so I guess my body does notice the extra pounds.

Exercise: Really need to focus more on my labor exercises.  I'm doing them but not consistently....  

Maternity Clothes: Done wearing regular shorts.  I think they may still fit - but I may have stretched the one stretchy pair to the point of not being able to wear them next summer after baby.  lol.  So I'm not risking it with the other pair.  And I managed to score a super cute pair of light weight maternity capri's for $1 at the thrift store the other day!  Love finding deals like that!

Sleep: Oye.  Been having a hard time getting comfortable.  I wake up with appendages asleep because I slept on them weird.  Then there are the weird aches in my abdomen from sleeping too long on one side.  And the constant middle of the night bathroom breaks.  So fun!  haha.  But then there are days like last night when I'm so exhausted that I sleep hard.  Really hard.  Only woke once through the night until Hubby's alarm went off which is literally unheard of.  And I slept in until 8!  Can't even remember the last time that happened.  Must have needed it.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Nope.

Movement: Still pretty active.  I feel her a ton.  But any time anyone else tries to, including Daddy, she is pretty persnickety.  lol.  She definitely has her own personality already!  

What I Miss: Same as last week.  Sleep and sushi.  :)

What I'm Loving: How excited everyone is.  We have so many people who love us and care so much about our little Sprout.  I have no doubt she is going to be loved beyond measure by more than just her Daddy and I.     

What I'm Looking Forward To: The baby shower is in just two days!  I'm getting more and more excited.  Going to see people that I haven't in a really long time as well as friends and family I wouldn't want to miss this day.  And I love how excited everyone else is.  :)

Best Moment This Week: Putting the final touches on the nursery!  We still have a little work to do.  I need more decorations.  The dresser needs finished and filled.  Plus, the curtains are only hung temporarily while my mom-in-law is here...I do plan on getting (or rather, DIY-ing) curtain rods.  But I think my favorite part was putting up our giraffe!  Isn't he the cutest??

May end up rearranging because the crib makes for a very tight fit....

I think our giraffe needs a name - any ideas?

Milestones: Brain development is on override this week and we're headed for another growth spurt though I'm really not sure where she is going to fit.  haha.  Yay for a bigger belly!  ;)

Goals:  To-do list from last week is pretty much complete.  Didn't get as much organizing done as I would have liked...but we are working on things little by little.  Parents are moving in this weekend, so a lot of organizing and rearranging will be happening the next few days.  But with two extra people living here...soon to be 3 when my brother gets home...we are going to knock out projects like crazy!  :)

WAHM Review (+ Giveaway): Nicole's Breast Friends *CLOSED*

I am so excited to bring you yet another wonderful organic product!

Nicole realized with her second child that she had foolishly wasted a ton of money on disposable breast pads.  So, she decided to make her own.  And since she is an artist, she had to make sure they were stylish - and eco-friendly to boot!  :)  After 10 years of selling her art professionally with Target & Costco (awesome right!?!), she decided to open up her own shop, selling her new creations.  Which is how Nicole's Breast Friends was born.  She loves catering to mom's that are looking for earth-friendly products for themselves and their babies.  Now her business has expanded from breast pads to include cloth diapers, adorable photo props. and so much more!  Here are just a few of my favorites:

Who knew snails could be so adorable!?!

And isn't this crocheted hat just to die for?

Her diapers look pretty high quality and so cute!

This is a car seat or stroller pad!  Waterproof barrier - genius!

Another awesome side-note - Nicole is an official Zulily vendor (LOVE Zulily!).  Her first sale with them was such a big hit that her nursing pads sold out on the first day!  How neat is that!?!

She sent me two sets of nursing pads - one to keep and review, and one to giveaway to one of you all!

Even the packaging is adorable!

5 Stars!

Granted, they do look a little less cute after the first washing.  But still - they are a lot cuter than disposables!  ;)  Or even plain old breast pads.

A little less frilly is all....

These breast pads are made of 1 layer of natural flannel (oh so soft), 2 layers of organic bamboo cotton (which is naturally antibacterial, awesome!), 1 layer of PUL (waterproof barrier), and 1 outer layer of 100% cotton.  She even has lux breast pads that include a layer of velour for added softness and moisture wicking.  It should be noted that the pads she sent me are for average leakage.  For mommas that have a heavy let down, you will want overnight or extra thick pads.  

The quality is phenomenal.  They are so soft!  And so well made.

Front frilly side...

Back side - what lies against your skin - so soft!

5 Soft and Cozy Stars

5 Stars

As far as her price point, from what I can tell, Nicole is just a teensy bit cheaper than the similar leading brand.  So that's awesome!  Plus, you can order sets which makes them even cheaper.  And her sets are so fun since they are so matchy.  ;)

Love these colors!

5 Stars

I was going to test absorbency for you all.  But as of yet, I have no clue what is good or bad.  And no other breast pads to compare to.  Though I do have a pair of Bamboobies coming in the mail...  But, as you know, I plan on doing an update series after baby and I will definitely touch on absorbency for Nicole's breast pads during that!

Working with Nicole was simple and easy.  She provided adequate information without ever having to be asked.  And it was like talking to a friend, she was very candid and fun.  It's these types of people I really enjoy doing business with!  She even sent a cute little note for me...which I think is going the extra mile.  Love it!

A very much appreciated personal touch!

5 Stars.  Hands Down.  Would give her more if I could.  ;)

Overall, these beautiful organic breast pads earn Nicole's Breast Friends a 5-Star review!  I was very impressed with everything.  And can't wait to use these!

5 Stars

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