v 5 issue 17: Smart Products

From mood lifters to solutions for a gassy tummy, this issue is packed with smart products for your child that will make your life a little easier.

Cover by Robin Long










1 A fabulous idea to help infants, and even toddlers, fit securely into "one size fits all" activity centers, jumpers, and park bucket swings. Hugga-Bebe provides extra torso support through generous padding of the sides and front of its patent-pending system. Velcro side closures hug the padding to the child for an upright boost that fills in the gaps, allowing little ones to safely enjoy otherwise unattainable fun. Enter code: thankyou09 for 20% off.

2 Mama's Moodlifters add a little inspiration and creative playtime to the day through a deck of 32 beautifully illustrated cards. Each card comes with a reflective quote so Mom can take a deep breath and get herself back on track for the imaginative and fun activity listed below. Shifts moods or entertains 2-5 year olds during a sibling's feeding. Enter code: TTW15 at checkout for 15% discount back to account.

3 Non-toxic laminated fabric, bordered and backed by a sturdy oilcloth, is fashioned into a 36" x 44" multi-purpose Splat Mat. Thrown under a high chair or craft area, the mat makes clean-ups a cinch while protecting floors from stains and spills. Available at bambinibliss.com. Enter code: TTW for free ground shipping thru 12/08/09.

4 Cut down on laundry and frequent clothing changes with myBibzy. A 100% cotton onesie comes with an attached terry bib and waterproof underlay. Teething dribbles and messy spit-ups stay off baby's delicate skin & wipe up easily. A plethora of colors available to keep baby hip and dry.

5 The Benji Warming Belly Blanket is a natural solution to ease the uncomfortable feelings of gas and bloating sometimes present in infancy. Stuffed with grain and a hint of lavender, the blanket is warmed quickly and safely in the microwave to provide a warming sensation to baby's tummy. Use on the floor or on a lap as an alternative to electric heating pads.

6 The contoured interior and spoon-shaped lower corner of this triangular bowl helps Mom in more ways than one. Early on, Mom can single-handedly feed baby with one hand free for multi-tasking. As baby grows, the Baby Dipper Bowl's non-slip base and non-traditional design promotes cleaner, self-feeding in toddlers.

7 Prissy Designs makes a simply sweet diaper clutch to stylishly hold baby's bare bottom essentials. Each clutch folds out into a gorgeous attached blanket of fleece with cotton on the reverse. When folded back into a pouch, it easily stores a wipe holder and diaper. The available i.d. holder and key ring make this a perfect grab & go clutch. Enter code: TOTTRENDS for 15% off purchase thru 11/29.

8 The Kids Konserve Waste-Free Lunch Kit comes with all the reusable products needed for containing a healthy lunch. A cotton lunch bag holds the included 16 oz. stainless steel beverage bottle, a food kozy, and 2 stainless steel food containers with covers. And, lets not forget, an organic cloth napkin for clean-up and a recycled aluminum name tag for proper i.d.! Enter Code: TOTTRENDS10 in cart for 10% off.

9 Bring it on dryer...Blind Mice Socks are not only quality socks that won’t fall off but they are mismatched to coordinate with one another so there is no need for sorting socks, they all just go together. Sold in packs of three or five. Say yes to mismatched socks.


Stress Free Thanksgiving
Tips to Keep the Stress Out of Thanksgiving Dinner

Why do people always get stressed at the holidays? Is it the rush to get everything done? Is it wanting everything to be "perfect"? Is it having to deal with family members that know how to push our buttons? Most likely it is a little of each. So how do we have a stress free Thanksgiving dinner? Here are a few simple tips to have a more enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner.

1. Plan ahead - While planning the Thanksgiving meal, do you plan who is going to help? Instead of doing it all yourself, recruit your family to help. Not only will the work go faster, it's more fun working together. Make a list of what needs done before everyone arrives. Give everyone something to do and assign things that are age appropriate to the children. Before you know it, the leftovers will be wrapped in foil and everyone will have had a great time.

2. Covered dish meal - If you are having a large group get together for Thanksgiving, divide the menu amongst all those attending. The host family can provide the main dish (turkey or ham) and the drinks. Each family brings a favorite side dish and dessert. If you want to make sure there is a variety, provide a menu and mark things off as people chose what they want to fix.

3. Simplify - Instead of having a huge feast, prepare a smaller meal. We all tend to overeat at Thanksgiving, so make an effort to make fewer dishes. Not only will the preparation be smaller, so will our waistlines. Another option is to prepare as much ahead of time as you can. Slow cookers can be used to make all kinds of foods, even desserts. Many things can also be made as "freezer meals" and stored for weeks before re-heating them. The less actual cooking you need to do on Thanksgiving, the lower your stress levels will be.

4. Family harmony - While you can't make everyone happy, there are ways to promote a peaceful, relaxing dinner. Use place cards to put the people who tend to bicker further away from each other during dinner. This will help alleviate some of the tensions.

5. Be thankful - Simply taking the time to be thankful for all your blessings can reduce your stress level. Before everyone arrives, take the time to list all that you're thankful for over the last year. Have everyone share their blessings before dinner. Having a better attitude will help everyone enjoy the day more.

Stress doesn't have to ruin the holidays. If you stop to smell the turkey, and plan ahead, you can have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Planning and organization, while not great fun, can help you enjoy things later once all the guests arrive.


Showcase: Bloom putty


Bloom putty is a silicone based, nontoxic, gluten, casein and latex free putty that will never dry out or crumble. It is available in 14 scented varieties, which only organic and natural oils are used to scent, not chemicals, as well as 6 unscented varieties. There’s a Bloom Putty for everyone!



Created to relieve stress, fight boredom, work as a mood enhancer, inspire creativity and imaginations, and help calm and relax, Bloom putty meets many needs.




You can create with Bloom Putty! Squeeze, twist, stretch, break, bubble and pop, bounce, mold, braid, and even pick up comics with Bloom Putty! Bloom putty can even be melted or frozen and will return back to normal every time!



Out of the five human senses, smell has the most influence on mood, behavior, and memory. We react to a scent according to our opinion of it, be it good or bad. Choosing a pleasant scent for your putty means that, as you play with it, the aroma has an immediate, positive impact on your emotions, mood, and behavior. Bloom Putty is a great mood enhancer and sensory stimulator for kids and adults.



Not only is Bloom Putty a great solution for a bored child or tedious day at the office, but it can also assist with memory and concentration. Having some in your hands while studying or working can help you focus and recall, especially when you smell that same scent again. How often do you smell something that reminds you of another time?


Bloom Putty makes a perfect goody bag favor for any event, gift, office desk fidget toy, kids birthday party theme or activity, and fundraising item. Bloom Putty was tested and is proudly made in USA.

Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off through December 15, 2009