Uncategorized – Page 8 – The Next Kid Thing

aden + anais sale, launch week and a giveaway!

April 3, 2009April 3, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Since I’ve been busy working toward officially launching The Next Kid Thing, I thought I would let everyone know that we’ll be having a launch week! While I continue to figure out the details for launch week, which is tentatively set for April 13-17, I will be doing a lot of cross-promoting on the 2 blogs. So, please forgive me on the occasional duplicate post, but with cross-promoting comes fun goodies!

popup-winter-lime-brown

aden + anais is having a sale on their Winter Warmth and Dream blankets. I first spotted aden + anais, the makers of the gorgeously soft muslin blankets and wraps, at Buy Buy Baby. Their very cool packaging stands out, as do their beautiful blankets. You really can’t have enough soft, well-made blankets for your babe. Not to mention, how perfect are these for shower gifts! To find out more about muslin wraps and what makes aden + anais products so special, be sure to check them out here. Now, onto the sale…the prices are as follows:

Winter Warmth Swaddles on sale for $29.95 (normally $49.95)
Dream Blankets on sale for $39.95 (normally $59.95)
Visit adenandanais.com and enter promo code “wintersale” to receive the discount.

And lucky for you all, aden + anais is giving away one of their winter warmth blankets!

Want to win it?

Visit aden + anais and tell me what style you love. Click here to add your comment to my blog at Babyrific.

for additional entries:

1. Tweet about this giveaway and mention my this new site, the Next Kid Thing. You can use the button below (2 extra entries)
2. Blog about the Next Kid Thing (2 extra entries)
3. Stumble this post
4. Sign up to receive my updates via email.

Contest ends April 13th at noon

Please add a comment for each of your entries over at Babyrific. Please note this contest is hosted at my other blog, Babyrific. Comments added here at Next Kid Thing will NOT be counted.

Sunday Best

April 2, 2009April 2, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With Easter Sunday next weekend, there’s still time to find affordable, practical outfits. I’m all about buying outfits and clothes that can be used beyond that one major celebration. As pretty as that super-frilly dress might be, consider opting for a spring dress that can be used throughout the rest of the season. Many stores are having great spring sales right now, and even better, use those coupons many stores mail out, and you’re bound to find great deals on clothes for everyone. Here are just a few ideas on some versatile options that are out there right now. Happy shopping!

Etsy find: Buttered Toast

April 2, 2009April 2, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

il_430xn62816427 Speaking of Sunday Best, I’ve been on the lookout for a fun, funky kiddie tie for Jack. Of course, Etsy always comes through. This time, I stumbled upon Jessica’s fun shop, Buttered Toast. She makes handmade, unique ties and bowties for the little guys. With all of her selections, you can choose between pre-tied tie, big boy tie and bowtie.
As hard it was to choose which tie to go with, this was my second choice tie. I love Michael Miller prints, especially these bold colors, making it perfect for a Spring outing. For you Anchorman fans, she even has a Ron Burgundy tie–you know, because your little guy is king of a big deal and all. Be sure to check out all of her fun patterns.

I just ordered mine, barely getting it in to ensure we get it before Easter. She does all the work herself, so be sure to contact her if you need yours by a certain time.

Sneak preview of the Next Kid Thing!

March 27, 2009March 30, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

My new website is a product of many things, but most importantly driven by the things that I’m passionate about. Many of you already “know” my story and how none of this was really planned. In case you don’t remember, here’s a quick reminder: A former magazine editor turned freelance writer, I sought, more than anything, a work-life balance. In October 2008, after countless interviews amidst the failing economy and troubled field of print journalism, I decided to end THAT chase and start a new one, on my own terms.

As I wrote my goodbyes to various colleagues, one simple reply changed everything. “Wishing you all the best on the Next Big Thing.” From that moment, I knew exactly what my next big thing was; it was this, the Next Kid Thing. With my professional background, coupled with my interests as a new mom, I strive for the Next Kid Thing to be a blog that follows the latest kid trends with a magazine-type flair. From babies to big kids, from books to apps, from features to reviews, the Next Kid Thing is your go-to source for all things kids and the modern-minded grownups that love them.

Come on in, take a look and be sure to come back often for reviews, news and of course, great giveaways!

Study sheds light on bath products

March 13, 2009March 13, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

There’s a new report out that reveals some daunting information that will make you want to think twice about your babe’s bath products. Oh no, what now, right?

whats-going-on The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics published a report that says several children’s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. This isn’t the first time you’ve probably heard similar information; a study came out in 2008 that focused on organic personal products. However, this new study called, “No More Toxic Tub,” is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children, including baby shampoos, bubble baths and baby lotions. The group says Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens; formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children. The report said that unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.

Just a few of the products tested are:

CVS Baby Shampoo (CVS/Pharmacy)
Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo – Wild Watermelon (Unilever)
American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel – Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works)
Equate Tearless Baby Wash (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.)
Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash (Gerber Products Company)
Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash (Kimberly-Clark)
Sesame Street Bubble Bath – Orange Mango Tango (The Village Company)

To see all of the products tested and results go here. Per usual, there’s no need to be alarmed, so don’t go and toss out all of your bath products. The big picture here is, it’s all about being smarter consumers and to be aware of what you’re buying and using. I mean, who doesn’t want the best for their kid?

Once again, I’ll take the opportunity to tout the awesomeness of natural products. With this latest report, I thought I’d share some alternatives to the more questionable products that were included in this latest study.

These are my top picks:

Big Love for Tiny Love

February 3, 2009March 13, 2009 by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

With the many toy recalls abound, I wanted to share an anecdote about a toy company and customer service.

Like most babies, Jack has more toys than he knows what to with. Back when I was pregnant, I mentioned that like with everything I do, I researched baby stuff. Jeff and I always said that we wanted to be minimalists as much as possible in the baby stuff department, which includes the toys. So, I researched the development baby toys and checked out the toys that won awards. In the end, I registered for a variety of things that I thought would be fun and of course received much more than we could have ever asked for.

We have two favorite toys in the house right now: the Mobile and the Gymini Playmat. Any mom who has these toys or something similar knows how entertaining it is for the tots! As we know from his love for the ceiling fan, we weren’t surprised about his excitement for the mobile. He can spend an hour just staring at the animals rotate to the tunes of Bach and Mozart. The kid huffs and puffs and runs in place as if he’s chasing these stuffed animals dangling in front of him. Now, he’s talking to them regularly.

With his playmat, even though the toys dangling above him don’t move, they squeak and jingle every time he swats his chubby paws at them. He even has this kicking device that goes off like a farm alarm whenever he kicks it. This thing lights up and a chicken and jingle go off very loudly every 3 seconds with the slightest touch of his foot. It’s fun. With his new scooting skills, he’s all over that thing!

Even though Jack’s enjoying these toys for hours on end, it wasn’t like that just a few weeks ago. Actually, neither of these toys were really working. The mobile’s music worked but it stopped turning when Jack was like 3 weeks old. The playmat’s foot peice thing stopped working after the second day. We replaced the batteries several times, made sure everything was connected and still nothing.