MumsTheWurdUnique finds for hip parents and cool kids

Sugarplum Dreams is a very lovely online boutique offering everything you could think of for your little one. From Lotions and Potions to Baby and Children’s furniture they’re bound to be a boutique that you have bookmarked. At Sugarplum Dreams you’ll be able to outfit and decorate your baby and your nursery. But don’t stop there! Have older children? Sugarplum Dreams hasn’t left them out. There are tons of imagination building, educational and just plain fun toys!

Not only do they have an extremely wide selection of items for your baby, but they are all about building relationships. They Strive for excellent customer service and welcome all inquiries, from questions about your purchase to potty training, they want to be there to support you in your motherhood journey.

Don’t miss out! Right now through December 31st get 15% off all purchases $50 or more using the code: MUMS15.

Have you noticed that we have another new Mum?  Jaymi, better known as FlipFlopMamma, has joined the awesomeness that is MumsTheWurd!  She is the bomb.  Welcome her!  Jaymi is another babywearing mamma of 3 cool kids that you’ll see from time to time on Mums.  

While we’re on the topic of babywearing, I have to tell you about the pouch from Rockin’ Baby Sling!  Well, first of all, they’re gorgeous!  Secondly, all the pouches and slings are named after songs, and really good songs, at that!  Check their huge selection of slings and pouches.  You are bound to find one that suits your style!  My issue with the pouch has always been that it seems to snug.  Not the Rockin’ Baby Pouch-these slings are generously sized.  My Medium/Large “I’ll Stop the World and Melt With You” fits me on the smallest setting for carrying Lennon, and on the biggest size for carrying Noel (it’s happened a couple times).  Like a sling, this pouch allows you to hold your baby in a variety of ways.  Find a way that is comfortable for both you, and your child, and start babywearing!  Want another reason to buy from these two Rockin’ Mamas?  They give 3% of their profits to Heifer International.

Do you enjoy babywearing, but find that it takes time away from doing certain things, like exercising (as if hauling around your baby isn’t exercise enough…)?  Well, the gals at Chicks-n-Chickens found a way to make it easy for you to get a little workout in while cuddling on your little bundle.  The Chicks Lullaby Exercises is a great way to get a little exercise for yourself, keep your baby close, and get them ready to nod off to dreamland.  I’ve done Lullaby Exercises with Lennon a few times, and it was pretty great.  It was a fun workout, without being too over the top.  I really enjoyed the sleep set, which was very relaxing, and did indeed put Lennon right to sleep!  Want to try it?  

Win it!

Enter here and tell us how you enjoy getting exercise with your kids! Winner will be selected randomly, and contacted via email. Contest ends October 26rd at 10pm (CST).

We are sad to announce that Fooey USA will be closing it’s virtual doors.  However, they are having a closeout sale that you won’t want to miss!  It’s all rad stuff, and it’s super cheap!  My mom got these shorts for Noel & Lennon (they won’t fit Noel next summer) for $8.99!  They are SOOOOO CUTE.  Fooey’s also got the best collection of shirts for kids and infants.  Some are as low as $3.99, people, but they won’t last!  Get over there, and say goodbye to one of the best stores out there.  Fooey, we are sorry to see you go!

On a sunnier note, Ashlee has come up with a new name for her store!  Nonny & Boo, formerly Nest Baby Sling, now offers even more great items, like wraps (that are the coolest EVER), hoodies, and plushies!  As usual, Ashlee’s wares are quite simply the coolest!  Pictured here, are Steph and Ivy in nonny & boo’s bamboo sling.  We have this sling, and Elliott and I share it.  We love it.  The fabric is light, but very strong, and it works well going out in the Texas heat.  We just heart the lady over at nonny & boo, and you will too.

If you’re on Twitter, you may already know Erin Ely.  Erin is a stay-at-home mom, teacher, and researcher, among other things, and she’s got a PASSION for organics.  That’s why she had dedicated herself to selling the some of the highest quality organic products on the market, Miessence.  Check out some of the ingredients: Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Avocado Oils…mmmm…doesn’t your skin already feel soft?  Miessence offers many different kinds of products.  For pregnant mums, there’s the Breast & Belly Balm, which is “completely safe to use during pregnancy, and beyond, to help your skin regain it’s suppleness.”  Their line of awesome baby products contains no perfumes, chemicals, essential oils, allergens, or nuts!  I received some Miessence Baby Cream Wash from Erin, and I must say, I love it!  It will last a long time, as you only need a small amount, and it’s made both of my boys’ skin sooooooo soft!  I also don’t have to worry about what I’m putting on their delicate skin-Miessence is completely safe for even the youngins’!

If you want your family to have products that are good for the soul, good for the environment, and good for you & your skin, visit Erin’s Miessence site and order some of the best organic products available!

Once again, we’re taking you back in time and re-introducing an old friend of MumsTheWurd!  Handpicked Pumpkin is one of our favorite custom baby clothiers.  Cozy, comfortable, and always fashionable, Allison’s clothes are sure to make your little guy or gal one happy explorer.  

I summed up Handpicked Pumpkin last year, and had this to say:

Fashionable clothes do not always equate to comfortable clothes, especially for the littler guys. They are exploring on the floor, and learning to walk, and while we want them to look cute, they also need to have the ability to move around without limitations that I often find with pants and jeans. That is why I am so glad to have discovered Hand Picked Pumpkin! Allison put together her love for unique style hand in hand with this concept, and this amazing children’s clothing line was born!

Here, Noel is sporting his Grady Overall Shorts. This is a perfect summer outfit! It’s comfortable, lightweight, and absolutely adorable. This is one of Allison’s ready-made creations, but you can also custom design ANYTHING in hershop! Whether you’re looking for a signature outfit, comfy bottoms, a gift set for a friend, you’re bound to find something perfect! There are great patterns and colors to choose from, especially if your heart belongs in the 50s and 60s! Polka dots and stripes are the name of the game at Hand Picked Pumpkin, where you’ll find many satisfied customers!

Allison also proudly donates 5% of her end of year profits to several fine charities-if you have one that’s close to your heart, you can email her to nominate your organization!

First of all, when was Noel ever that small???  You better believe I saved those adorable Grady overalls, and I’m already itching for Lennon to fit into them!  Handpicked Pumpkin has also ventured into the realm of toddler clothing too!  Ahhh…now the toddlers can look adorable and be comfy too! 

Allison joined us last night for our weekly MumsCast, and was informing us that not only has she kept all of her manufacturing in the USA, but she’s also kept it local-all Handpicked Pumpkin items are made right in the Chicago area!  

Allison and Handpicked Pumpkin are both awesome!  Be sure to head over and get some duds!

When Ami Roberts, owner of Plum Tot, became a mom, like many of us, she jumped head first into the world of “baby things”. When she saw what was out there, she realized this world wasn’t pretty. Channeling her creative side, she came up with some products of her own that were not only functional, but stylish. Her second baby, Plum Tot, was born!

Ami has a knack for choosing gorgeous fabrics for her bibs, hooded towels, and burp sets, but her real claim to fame is the unique GO Blankie. The Go Blankie serves seven different purposes, and has a water resistant nylon back side to go with it’s soft minky top. “GO Blankie’s innovative design allows it to function as an outdoor play mat, stroller blanket, diaper changer, infant seat cover, baby cozy, front pack blanket, and nursing cover.” With a GO Blankie, you don’t have to worry about hauling around blankets, changing pads, and nursing covers. You’ve got it all-in-one! Isn’t that nice?

For 15% off of your purchase for the rest of July, use the promo code JULYPROMO at checkout!

Lennon wants you to know that his favorite thing about the Go Blankie are it’s tasty ribbons! Lennon also pictured with an Octipi (coming soon!) and his Blueberry diaper, which I will be reviewing in an upcoming cloth diapering post.

Cosmic Bebe is a sweet little t-shirt company started by Julie Stevenson, who was curious about whether or not her little ones were anything like their astrological signs. Do you have a an Aries child who’s The Life of the Party?

I have two Aquarius’ who are definitely Brilliant & Bossy & I am a Tender Hearted Cancer. Although I don’t revolve my life around my astrological sign, or anyone else’s, I, like Julie, think it’s fun to see how closely we resemble the characteristics of our signs.

Check out the Cosmic Collection, and pick out shirts for your baby, toddler, even your favorite mom. Cosmic Bebe tees come in a variety of colors and sizes for all the little stars in your life. Get Cosmic today!

*Through the end of August, 2008, get 20% off of your purchase with the coupon code “mums“

We are excited to tell you a little more about the beautiful Ashlee Allen.  Since she was unable to podcast with us a few weeks ago, we sent her a couple of questions.  Here’s a little info about the Nest mama:

MTW: What inspired you to start nest?

Ashlee: I had always planned to wear my baby but when Xavier was born unexpectedly at 28 weeks I knew babywearing and kangaroo care would be critical. Through our journey I discovered that while there were many carriers I adored, I couldn’t find *the one*, so I made it! Nest as a business evolved from there.

MTW: What did you do before you became a “mompreneur”? How did you get started?

Ashlee: I’ve dabbled in many carrers other than mom - photography, psychology, advertising, yoga instructor, nanny and of course mama. After making slings for many friends and people I’d run into all over the place I realized my life would be easier if I had a place to send people. So after much research, I started designing and thanks to my sewing and my husband’s design skills nest was hatched.

MTW: Without giving away any of your “secrets”, where/how do you find the items for your store?

Ashlee: I lauch new collections in the spring and fall and am always on the look out new styles and fabric. One of my favorite things to do is scout out random fabric shops in person and online and I, of course, pay attention to the current fashion scene for inspiration.

MTW: What are some of your favorite items?

Ashlee: Our limited edition slings are always my favorite, the Heart Nouveau being my current favorite. The hatchlings are super cute and we actually have some items in production that I can’t wait to launch- I’m in love! ***I am too!  This is why we’re waiting to tell you about E$’s Sling!!!***

MTW: Tell us more about Project X.

Ashlee: Project X provides person to person support to NICU familes. As I mentioned before our son Xavier was born at 28 weeks and spent 6 weeks in NICU. It was a really terrifying time for us and the biggest help was talking to other people who had been there. We do a lot of one on one work, but our biggest event is Project Christmas, provinding a traditional Christmas dinner to all of the local NICU’s. We spent Xavier’s first Christmas in the hospital and having just a hint of normalcy would have made all the difference. Since our first year in 2006 we’ve had several sister programs launch in cities nationwide. 10% off all nest profits are donated directly to Project X.

MTW: Tell us a bit about you and your family!

Ashlee: I get to spend my days with my amazing 2 (going on 17) year old X and my super cool, artist husband David. When David’s not tattooing, I’m not sewing or blogging and X isn’t napping you’ll likely find us up to our eyebrows in paint or building some killer lego cities.

See what else Ashlee’s up to here, here, here, and here.

As parents of babies and small children, we have one never ending battle: Make blanket stay.  You’ve been there…it’s a windy day, and the blanket goes flying off of the carseat into the street, or you’re taking a leisurely stroll with your tot on a brisk winter morning.  A cold gust of air comes out of nowhere and sends your kid’s blanket swirling into the air.  She starts crying, dogs start barking…chaos ensues.  Amy Long has taken the stress out of The Blanket Dilemma: Secure2Me!  Secure2Me clips easily onto anything: carseats, strollers, even slings.  Such a great, simple idea!

Weird that I’m blogging about blankets in the middle of summer?  There’s a reason…In addition to the cozy Secure2Me Blanket and Grand Blanket (big people sizes!), Amy also offers the Eclipse Solarveil, which will actually help protect your child from the harmful UV rays!

Want one of these luxurious blankets for yourself?  Get one for 20% off of your entire purchase when you order from the online boutique!  Coupon code: WURD20