MumsTheWurdUnique finds for hip parents and cool kids

I’d like to thank my mom for guest posting!  She’s the recepient of this awesome, magnificant messenger bag.  I told her she was getting it before I got it in the mail.  When I saw it, I had an eeny, weeney ounce of regret, because this bag looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!  I’m going to ask her to take a picture of it, but I don’t think a picture will do it justice.  My mom is NOT a purse carrier, so I knew this would be great for her, and it’s been a HUGE hit, with her & her pals!  Snaptotes offers a classic collection, leather collection, and a mens collection.  If you feel like it, give a shoutout to Noel & Lennon’s grandmum (also known as Neena) in the comments!  

If you mention a child (or a grandchild) a pet or a vacation, people always ask, “Do you have any pictures?”  Show ‘em your Snaptote!

My handy messenger bag has a cushioning case for a laptop, pockets for pens and business cards, and a large flap that displays your favorite pictures.

Best of all, the reproduction quality of the photographs is beyond expectation.  The messenger bag I have is a higher end purchase, but they have so many choices on their website of more moderately-priced items – everything from wallets and dopp kits (so men can carry their treasured photos, too) to purses and pouches.   

My friends at work want one for themselves or friends.  They are so impressed with the quality of the pictures and the features of the bag as a practical carryall.   

Take a look for yourself.  Snaptotes have lots of choices that are sure to please even the pickiest person!

GET A 10 % DISCOUNT ON SNAPTOTES or at PICSTREET WITH THE COUPON CODE “mums08″!!!

PeaceLoveMom is a cool little store that caters to all of us fun moms and our groovy kids.  They have lots, and lots, and LOTS of great T’s, belts, and jewelry that celebrate YOU, the mum!  They also create great shirts and bags and hats for children of all ages, because if it weren’t for them, we would have no reason to celebrate this amazing thing called “Motherhood”.  

Lori, Suzanne, and Karen are the moms that bring the creativity and quirkiness to PeaceLoveMom.  Coming from different backgrounds, they all bring together the common goal to celebrate moms and their kids.  

PeaceLoveMom sent Lennon this ADORABLE WonderBaby Onesie.  Obviously, he looks darling in it.  They also sent us one of their awesome PeaceLoveMom totes, that I gave to my tote-loving friend, Lisa.  Um, little does she know *ahem*, I took it with us to the pool before I gave it to her, and was able to carry all of our “extras”.  It’s big, and good for carting around snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses.  You could probably fit a magazine in it, but your chances of reading that magazine while at the pool with your kids?  None.  Well, now that some of the kiddies have gone back to school, we’re giving you a treat for all your hard work this summer…

PeaceLoveMom wants to give you a t-shirt and one of these great tote bags!   

WIN IT!

Email us to enter: mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com and tell us what you like for you or your kids over at PeaceLoveMom.  Contest ends Saturday, September 10, 2008 at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!

Roo starts all-day preschool next week, which makes this our first real Back to School season. And the first time she’ll actually need a lunch box. She likes our vintage lunchboxes (particularly Strawberry Shortcake and the Chan Clan) but I wanted something a bit more functional and, umm, insulated. And less rusty, to be honest. We found the perfect new big girl backpack and lunch box for Roo at Oompa Toys. And so much more, as you might be able to tell from these pics…

Oompa offers a vast selection of backpacks, lunchboxes and everything else you could possibly imagine to make your kid’s back to school transition as seamless - and FUN- as possible. We are totally in love with Roo’s new Allerhand Rouge Backpack and Lunch Bag. Both have innumerable pockets and cool features (headphone port! reinforced hanging tab! padded straps and valuables pocket!), with special insulation for snacks. Roo was especially entranced by the trash bags that are neatly folded in the pocket of the lunch bag, to encourage good habits. I love the smart thinking behind each easy-gliding zipper compartment and pen/utensil slot. This is definitely a set that will grow with Roo through elementary school, possibly even longer! Oompa is the only US retailer of Allerhand, too, so you won’t be mixing up your kids’ bags at pick-up time.

There are lots of bags at Oompa that are more fun than strictly functional, too. Jasper got the coolest going-to-grandma’s bag ever: the Zid Zid airplane backpack. It only has one open compartment and is too small for books, but it is the epitome of glam rock awesomeness. And all of us are totally smitten with the cuteness that is Pooki & Co. This French brand oozes with adorable characters and gorgeous bright colors and Oompa has Pooki & Co. gear of every variety, from backpacks to plush dolls to room decor. Start them young!

WIN IT!

A backpack of your choice (up to $30 value) from Oompa Toys’ vast selection!

Email us to enter: mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com and tell us what Oompa back to school gear you love. Winner must have US address. Contest ends Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 10 PM CST. Winner will be chosen randomly and notified via email. Good Luck!!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…I LOVE my Bumble Bag. Love it, love it, love it. It has been my most absolutely favorite diaper/toddler bag ever. It’s has withstood many trips to the in-laws, the city, the zoo, the store, etc. etc. You can read more about my Madeline Backpack Hanging Stroller Bag HERE.

Today, we want to give you a chance to win some adorable Bumble Collection Snack Bags!

Meet Hannah:

Hannah is a lunchbox-size snack bag (the larger of the Bumble Collection snack bags) and is pictured here in Pink Paisley.

Meet Haley:

Haley is the smaller of the Bumble Collection insulated snack bags and can easily fit at least three jars of baby food or one bottle. This is Haley in Pink Paisley.

Both snack bags are available in five different colors and designs.

We have the above two snack bags up for giveaway!

TO ENTER:

To enter to win the Hannah and Haley snack bags in Pink Paisley (MSRP: $56), leave a comment on this post. In your comment, let us know what you’ve been using to tote around your little one’s items! Contest ends on Friday, July 18th at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen randomly (not based on comment) and announced on this post after he/she has been notified via email.

Good luck!

I got a new diaper bag. I have had a few, and this is by far my very, very favorite. Rowdy is a diaper bag company that you can trust to bring you cool products, while providing you with the most versatile bag of this kind that I have seen. It’s got all sorts of features, like an insulated bottle holder, a changing pad, and a removable clutch so you can have a “purse” too. What I like most about this diaper bag, aside from it’s rad look, is that it’s enormous. I can carry diapers for both of my boys, along with snacks, drinks, wipes, etc. I have not found one yet that can hold as much as my Rowdy bag!

There are several styles & colors of bags to choose from. I went with the Rocker Convertible in copper, and I am quite pleased with my choice. However, I could have any one of these and been thrilled. They’re all so uber-cool! Rowdy also offers changing pads and blankets. They’ve also got a couple of specials going right now too.

Just because you have a baby doesn’t mean that you have to give up being a groovy person. You just have to seek out cool products so you and your kid stay hip! Take the first step by getting yourself a Rowdy diaper bag!

*To get 15% off of your purchase, enter “MUMS” when you check out!

We recently reviewed Star 50 Handbags and just wanted to let you know what else makes them such a fine company besides having fabulous handbags.

Star 50 Handbags has graciously offered to donate 5% of all sales from the Louisiana Market Sac (pictured to the left) to the Make it Right Foundation (MIR9).

For those of you who are not familiar with the MIR9 project and foundation, here is a summary:

• “Make It Right” was created by Brad Pitt in December of 2006.
• The foundation is inspired by the courage and hope of the residents of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans.The initial goal is to construct 150 eco-friendly homes on 14 square blocks of New Orleans Lower 9th Ward using sustainable materials that are healthy for families and the environment.
• The concept of “The Pink Project” is to reflect the progress of the rebuild in real time.
• The individual pink “components” or “volumes” lay at the site and are assembled as progress is made. When enough donations have been raised to cover one house, 3-4 “volumes” are pieced together to show a placeholder for a house.
• The ultimate goal of the Make It Right project is to build these eco-friendly homes throughout New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
• As of Sunday, February 17, 2008, the money for 78 of the 150 houses has been donated and over 3/4 of the funds for the 79th house have been raised.

I fully encourage you to head over to the Make It Right website and check out the full details of this project. I spent a good four hours or so clicking through the site the other day and familiarizing myself with what is going on down there. I’m actually in contact with the folks at MIR9 to possibly set up a “Team House“, so that when you donate, you can donate through our house and show your support in re-building this devastated area of New Orleans.

Here are some details regarding making donations:

• You can make cash donations or donations of products and/or services.

• You can purchase items for the Donation House (from $5 for faucet aerators to $150,000 for the entire house)
• You can purchase merchandise and the all proceeds will be applied toward building new Make It Right homes
• Donations are tax-deductible

We’d love to read your comments regarding the MIR9 project! Please be sure to let us know if you’d be interested in making a donation (even if it’s only $5!) to the foundation through a “mums” team house. We’re working on getting that set up asap and will contact you with more details if you provide your contact info in you comment.

In the meantime, kudos goes to Star 50 Handbags for supporting this fantastic cause!

WIN IT!

Last but not least, here’s your chance to snag a Star 50 Handbag of your own! We have a New Hampshire Messenger Bag to give away to one lucky MTW reader! This is a very sassy, durable bag that you’ll want to show off while you’re out and about.

To enter, send an email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with “Make It Right” in the subject line. In the body of your email, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the Make It Right project.

Contest ends on Friday, February 22nd at 10PM CST. A winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

Good luck!

If you’re in a handbag “state of mind” then look no further. Star 50 Handbags is right smack dab on the map where you’ll want to be. With each bag inspired by a different state in the union, there will no longer be an excuse not to own at least 50 incredibly luscious handbags!

Right now, Star 50 Handbags has at least 24 fabulous collectible designer bags to choose from and more making their debut very soon! I’m anticipating the release of the Pennsylvania ??? as well as the Montana Treasure Tote. Two of my very favorite states in the union. Colorado would be my third and I’m loving the Colorado Lodge Tote (picture to the right). Some of the handbags are more on the pricey side, ranging in the $100s but that’s what you can expect to pay for one-of-a-kind bags like these. “A modern heirloom” is how designer/owner Amity Cooper describes her line of delicious treats.

Not all of them are out of the “I-need-a-million-handbags now” price-range, however. Take the Alaska Trapper that I’m drooling over right now. She retails for $65.00 and comes in three colors; Trapper Orange (pictured), Hunter Olive or Oil Black.

Recently, you may have noticed that we had a couple different Star 50 Handbags up for grabs during our Holiday Blog Hunt, the sassy “New York Hot Pot” and the glittery “Arkansas Diamond Digger“.

As you get acquainted with each bag on the Star 50 Handbag website, notice at the bottom of the page the “Fast Facts” about each state where said handbag gets her personality. Oh, and don’t forget to tell your hunny-bunny that Valentine’s day is fast approaching…wink-wink, nudge-nudge. =)

*Star 50 Handbags was introduced to the Mums by The Winning Pitch PR.

Clothes, bean bags, doll houses, diaper bags…you might say that Land’s End has a little of EVERYTHING, even for kids! If you’ve never heard of this company, I guess you’ve been living under a rock for the past 45 years. I get their catalog regularly and always enjoy thumbing through it, wondering what I’d pick out if I lived somewhere cooler, or if i actually enjoyed camping. I have, however, enjoyed my fair share of Land’s End products over the years. By far, one of the best purchases I have made in my lifetime is this down comforter that we’ve had for about 7 years now. If you purchase from Land’s End, you’re guaranteed quality and satisfaction forever. How great is that? Very few other companies anywhere offer such a guarantee.

To the left is Noel wearing his corduroy overalls and striped bodysuit. This outfit also came with a three pack of socks and some adorable little loafers, but bigfoot over here is in a 2-3T sock and a size 7 shoe, so they’ll go in the “for Lennon” drawer. Truthfully, this whole outfit will be in that drawer very sooh, but it was just so cute I have to let him wear it as long as possible!

We also received this great bean bag that I already told you about in this post. We all love it! It’s big enough for adults too, so we can all use it!

Now, on to the good news for you! Land’s End wants to give you something! How about a diaper bag?!? We’ve got 3 girl pattern, and 2 boy. To enter, email mumsthewurd[at]gmail.com In the subject line, please put “Land’s End”, and tell us what you love that Land’s End has to offer!

When you email us, please let us know your preference of boy or girl bag. Here’s the skinny on the totes:

Pattern Diaper Bag Tote

• Retails for $34.50
• The colors and styles we’re sending you are the last available in the company. New colors and styles will be available this spring.
• 6 mesh pockets inside to help you stay organized
• Outside pocket to keep items easily accessible
• Cushiony changing pad included
• Full-zip top for extra security
• Sturdy cotton canvas withstands daily use
• 17 1/2″W (top), 12″W (bottom) x13 1/2″Hx6″D
• Spot clean

This contest will end next Monday, January 14th, at 9 PM CST. Good luck!

Versatility is the key for me when (rarely) I look for a new bag. These days, it comes down to “Can it fit a few diapers, wipes, a sippy cup and a snack?”, and in a few months, those demands will include more diapers and a sling. That’s why I was impressed with my new Lexie Barnes Duchess backpack. It’s got space and lots of compartments, so I’m not rooting around trying to find something quickly and it’s nowhere to be found. It’s also got two handy side pockets for bottles and cups! No more leaking cups in the bag here (we’ve had a few “incidents”)!

Lexie Barnes is cool because it’s not your “typical” bag. I don’t know about you, but I could not be more bored when I look around and see everyone and their dog with their “signature” bags. Not only can you branch out from the norm here, you can fit your own accessories and your kids too. Lexie’s got many different styles and patterns to choose from, all of which are tailored to fit your lifestyle-traveler, crafter, blogger, or a combination. The only thing I don’t like about this backpack is that I don’t think you could use it for a long trip-it’s just not quite big enough to fill with books, lots of extra diapers, toys-the essentials for traveling, but that’s what dad’s diaper bag is for ;). The perk of the Duchess? It’s on SALE.

*Don’t forget to check out this post for LOTS of chances to win BIG for the Holidays! Join us as we celebrate with our GIANT BLOG HUNT!*