Friday, February 18, 2011

Diapers Etc Blog Party


















I've wanted to write a post on cloth diapers for a while now and this was the perfect excuse! The Diapers Etc Blog Party is an event organized by Eco Chic Parties celebrating "the love of cloth diapers" and the re-launch of Diapers Etc's website. I started cloth diapering when I started this blog (about 7 months ago) and it has since inspired me to become more "green" in other areas as well. As someone who never thought I would cloth diaper, I'm truly amazed and excited by how much I love it. Even though I hate doing regular laundry, washing our diapers is weirdly fun and coincidentally that's what scared me the most about cloth diapering! I had met a couple moms though mom's groups who were cloth diapering and I was intrigued but couldn't imagine actually doing it. Still I spent months researching it and asking questions. The more I learned the more I wanted to switch but I just wasn't brave enough to take the plunge.

When I finally did go for it, mainly to save money and partially on impulse (you know what I'm talking about if you're familiar with deal-a-day type websites), I bought a set of 3 GroBaby (now re-branded GroVia) shells and a couple boxes of disposable inserts from babysteals.com. I thought that the disposable inserts would help me "ease" into cloth diapering but what they actually did was throw me into the obsession ;) I ended up selling the boxes of disposable inserts to a friend because once I tried them I decided they were pointless (for me at least) since you're still washing shells and still throwing something away too. Then I bought some of the cloth inserts, also from babysteals, and started cloth diapering at home only. That really did help me "ease" into it. I used cloth diapers at home and disposables while we were out (and overnight until I found a cloth diaper that worked well enough). Once I was used to cloth diapering in general, I switched to full time and we haven't used a single disposable diaper since.

How it all started in our house...














 Starting gradually was perfect for us; it also gave us time to buy diapers slowly over time rather than making a huge investment upfront. I've tried quite a few brands and styles but I've narrowed it down to the perfect stash for us. I use GroVia AI2 diapers during the day at home, Charlie Banana one size for naps and when we go out, and bumGenius 4.0 for overnight. This is my personal cloth diapering "must haves" list:


Win a $25 gift certificate to Diapers Etc! (Open to US only)

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry- Visit Diapers Etc's website and let me know how you would spend your gift certificate by commenting below. (If you sign up for their newsletter while you're there please leave a separate comment for a bonus entry but this is not mandatory) Make sure you include your email address if it isn’t visible on your profile!

Additional Entries- Leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

1. Like Haute Mommy on Facebook

2. Like Diapers Etc on Facebook

3. Like Eco Chic Parties on Facebook

4. Follow Haute Mommy publicly on Google Friend Connect.

5. Follow Haute Mommy on Twitter

6. Follow Diapers Etc on Twitter

7. Follow Eco Chic Parties on Twitter 

8. Tweet about this giveaway: “I just entered a haute #giveaway with @HauteMommyBlog & @EcoChicParties to #win a $25 gift certificate to @DiapersEtc http://bit.ly/g06ROF” (you can tweet once a day for additional entries just make sure you come back here and comment each day)

9. Grab my button and tell me where I can find it.

10. Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to the post.

Giveaway will end March 7th at 11:59pm PST. The winner will be determined by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose a new winner. Good luck!

The haute airplane shell I chose from Diapers Etc


















*This is my personal story/experience with starting cloth diapering. I definitely don't consider myself an expert but would love to be called an activist. I've helped several friends (and online acquaintances) start cloth diapering and I would love to help anyone else who is considering it. Please feel free to email me at hautemommyblog@gmail.com


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And the winner is... Heather! Congratulations!

Heather said... 
I would use it on either a Thirsties duo diaper or BG Elemental.  
March 5, 2011 7:30 AM

Friday, February 11, 2011

LunchBots Giveaway

One of our New Years resolutions was to continue trying to be more "green" and one of the easiest changes is to use reusable food and drink containers. LunchBots offers a haute alternative way to pack lunches/snacks! "LunchBots are stainless steel lunch and snack containers that are healthier than plastic and better for the environment. Both the container and the lid are made from the highest quality, 18/8 stainless steel. LunchBots are safe, eco-friendly, and durable." Their website also has a great write-up: Why avoid plastic? And a cute little commercial ;)



The LunchBots containers are available in four sizes; the Uno, Duo, Pico, and Eco. The Uno and Eco are both single compartment (for sandwiches and larger items) and the Duo and Pico have two compartments. They also have round containers for liquids and a children's dish set. I use the Pico for my son's snacks and it's the perfect size for a toddler! LunchBots are lead-free and dishwasher safe. They also have a fantastic school fundraiser program.

Use coupon code HAUTE for 15% off at LunchBots.com













Win a LunchBots container of your choice!

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry- Visit LunchBot's website and let me know which LunchBots container you would choose by commenting below. (Make sure you include your email address if it isn’t visible on your profile)

Additional Entries- Leave a separate comment for each additional entry.

1. Like Haute Mommy on Facebook

2. Like LunchBots on Facebook

3. Follow Haute Mommy publicly on Google Friend Connect (on the right-hand side).

4. Follow Haute Mommy on Twitter

5. Follow LunchBots on Twitter

6. Tweet about this giveaway: “I just entered a haute #giveaway with @HauteMommyBlog to #win a @lunchbot stainless steel food container http://bit.ly/eQSfRk” (you can tweet once a day for additional entries just make sure you come back here and comment each day)

7. Grab my button and tell me where I can find it.

8. Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to the post.

Giveaway will end February 28th at 11:59pm PST. The winner will be determined by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose a new winner. Good luck!














And the winner is... Saph! Congratulations!
Saph said... 
following you on twitter  
February 18, 2011 10:12 AM

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Haute Handmade Giveaway















Funky Little Chicken is hip. Funky Little Chicken is cool. Funky Little Chicken is some seriously cute art designed to rock your nursery. Created by a mom with a passion and flair for graphic design, and a desire to create a nursery for her "chicken" that was stylish - not babyish, Funky Little Chicken is a collection of art designed to add sophisticated, personalized style to your baby's nursery.

Pixiekids Toys


















Pixiekids Toys are handmade out of Eco-felt, which is felt manufactured from recycled plastic bottles! We believe that toys are more meaningful when they are handmade with love, and ecologically sound. Our mission is to inspire the imagination, promote healthy eating habits, and encourage language development through creative and dramatic play!

Fresh 1 Blankies


















The Original Grab & Go Blankie System. Soft, durable, luxurious blankies at an affordable price. Have you grabbed a Fresh 1 yet? Snuggly blankies are not cheap, so this crafty mom made 6 small ones. Once a blankie became soiled, she would tell her little one, "let's get a fresh one." As her baby girl learned to talk, she would request a "fresh one," referring to a newly washed blankie. Hence the name, Fresh 1 Blankies!


Sweets By Ally


















Sweets By Ally is one of the many talents (and passions) of Made By Moms founder Ally Lazare. Made By Moms connects moms and mom-entrepreneurs. A place to share ideas, ask questions and discover great new products for babies and kids – all made with love and affection by a Mom. Need help getting your online mom business started? Made By Mom's Mom Business 101 can help!

Win a custom nursery print from Funky Little Chicken, an eco-felt hedgehog from Pixiekids Toys, a blankie set from Fresh 1 Blankies AND a bag of butter toffee "cookie" bark from Sweets By Ally! 


How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry- Follow Haute Mommy publicly on Google Friend Connect. (Make sure you include your email address if it isn’t visible on your profile)

Additional Entries- Leave a separate comment for each additional entry.
1. Like Haute Mommy on Facebook
2. Like Funky Little Chicken on Facebook
3. Like PixieKids Toys on Facebook
4. Like Fresh 1 Blankies on Facebook
5. Like Made By Moms on Facebook

Giveaway will end February 6th at 11:59 PM EST (10:59 pm CST / 9:59 pm MST / 8:59 pm PST). The winner will be determined by Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose a new winner. Good luck!

Handmade with Love Winter Giveaway

*This giveaway is part of the Handmade With Love Winter Giveaway blog hop organized by Simply Stacie and is open to US and Canada residents. (Please click the button above to see a list of all 140+ blogs participating in the hop and enter their giveaways too)

And the winner is... Dominique! Congratulations!
Dominique said... 
I follow you on GFC. 
February 4, 2011 1:25 AM