Pinks & Blues Product Reviews

mama-to-be

2009-05-18T00:00:00-04:00

When you're pregnant, a lot of attention gets bestowed upon you.

People want to know if they can touch your belly, when your baby is due, and if you know what you're having.

But once your baby arrives, the attention shifts to the little bundle you're carrying or pushing around.

And your attention shifts, too... it's all about baby.

So it's nice to know that while you are pregnant, there's a place online just for you - aptly named A Mother's Boutique.

>You can shop for beautiful maternity clothing, including pants, tops, undergarments, dresses, pajamas and even workout gear - all designed to help you look stylish while pregnant.

And there are also essential items to help you prepare for your baby's arrival, like breastfeeding clothing, nursing bras, breast pumps, slings and breastfeeding accessories.

It really is a one-stop shop for you as you get ready to become a mother.

Yes, A Mother's Boutique truly lives up to its name!

- Audrey

mama find

2009-05-26T00:00:00-04:00

My home is very busy.

With 9 grandkids and 5 granddogs, at any given moment my house can be packed with activity. I love it this way.

Nothing makes me happier than having my family come over... watching my grandkids play wiffle ball in our backyard or fill pots and pans with water on the back deck and having a blast... hearing the clink clink of my granddogs' paws as they chase their human cousins around.

Of course, all this activity outside leads to the tracking in of dirt, grass, dog hair and who-knows-what-else inside.

The door from our back deck has people entering right into the kitchen, so that's the room that bears the brunt of the mess.

I was recently sent a Vroom Solo to review, and it could not have come at a better time.

It has been the most welcome alternative to having to choose between the lesser of two evils every time I have to clean up the kitchen: my big, cumbersome vacuum that is really much better suited for carpet cleaning, or my dust pan and brush, which never seems to pick up everything.

For me, the best part is that when I need to clean up my kitchen, I don't need to go fetching anything.

I (OK, my husband) installed the Vroom Solo in the cabinet right underneath our kitchen sink, and the unit stays right there in place while I use the retractable hose (which pulls out up to 24 feet!) to vacuum up any mess.

And since the kitchen is also where my 9 grandkids and 5 granddogs do a lot of eating, this handy device has been a lifesaver for picking up cereal spills, crumbs on the counter, and even dog food pieces that get tucked into hard-to-reach spaces.

I have found my Vroom Solo to be extremely convenient to use. It is quick and thorough, ready at a moment's notice - so bring on the grandkids and granddogs!

- Sharon

baby find

2009-05-27T00:00:00-04:00

When I was a little girl, I had a music box that played "It's a Small World (After All)".

I loved opening it up and hearing the sweet sound of one of my favorite songs, in that distinct music box sound.

And I love now that no matter how styles and trends come and go, there is something so timeless about a music box.

How perfect are these handmade, hand-painted, vintage inspired wooden music boxes from Tree by Kerri Lee, offered at Uptown Country Home.

Foster your baby’s love of music with these beauties, which are accented with fabric trim, and have the music box’s song lyrics printed on the back.

What a wonderful addition to baby's room.

- Jane

kid find

2009-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

This is something that every family about to embark on a road trip must have - the 52 Travel Activity Kit.

It is the perfect traveling companion for every child.

Inside this amazing kit is a book is filled with 52 travel games, 10 postcards, 6 colored markers for drawing and writing, 48 stickers (which my boys love... just as long as they don't make their way on the windows!), and a ruler.

Whether you're driving, flying or taking a train, your child will love the activities in the 52 Travel Activity Kit. And you will love that your child is learning while playing.

It's funny, the games inside the book are similar to what my parents used to play with us kids when we were traveling.

I know with DVD players in cars and portable gaming systems, times have changed. But there's nothing like bringing it back to the basics.

Conversation. Drawing. And engagement.

Take Activity #1: Superheroes.

Learn what kind of superhero your child would be. Learn what special powers he or she would have.

Let your child's imagination fly.

There are plenty of activities to go around!

- Audrey

dad find

2009-05-22T00:00:00-04:00

Every coffee lover's dream is the perfect cup of coffee.

Translation? That exact amount of sugar and milk or cream.

Each time, every time... nothing less is acceptable.

So what's the key to that perfection?

The MyCuppa Coffee mug.

You'll get it just right each time.

The durable and classic ceramic MyCuppa Coffee mug allows you to mix your perfect cup of coffee just how you like it, simply by matching the color guide on the inside of the mug.

Ingenious. Clever. And oh-such-a-fun-way to start your day.

So whether you like your coffee light, dark - or somewhere in between - get it right each time you get your java jolt.

- Sharon

grand find

2009-04-25T00:00:00-04:00

You consider yourself a pretty bright guy, right, granddad?

So how many times have you needed a great flashlight and not had one?

Never? Wow. You are pretty bright.

For the rest of you, here is the perfect flashlight to light your world. It's the Pelican 2360 2AA LED Flashlight, and it's fittingly offered by BrightGuy, Inc.

What's so great about it is how its size (6.1" with a head diameter of 1") and its weight (4.6 oz. with 2AA alkaline batteries) and no-slip grip make it easy for one-hand activation, while still getting a high-intensity bright white beam. (We at Mom Generations like to say that it's perfect for a woman, too!)

The Pelican 2360 is made of aircraft-grade hard-anodized aluminum for durability. It is water resistant. It runs for 2.5 hours on 2AA (not included) batteries. And it comes with a removable pocket clip.

Let's face it, a flashlight is all about the beam. But handling a flashlight is what brings it to life.

- Sharon

pet find

2009-05-31T00:00:00-04:00

My dogs always shed the most during the summer months.

All it takes is a quick pat with my hand to set the fur flying - literally.

I like to give them nice, long grooming sessions every so often, but I've found that the KONG® ZoomGroom® Grooming Brush works great to keep their coats clean and shiny in between those.

The brush is designed to remove loose hair like a magnet, stimulate capillaries, and promote natural oil production for healthy skin and coats.

It's made of the same durable rubber material as the well-known KONG toys, but it's also very gentle on my pups. I don't worry about hurting them when I'm brushing their fur.

Their excess hair comes off so quickly and easily, and - because of the material it's made of - doesn't stick to the brush.

Plus, if you order it from The Animal Rescue Site, the organization will fund 14 bowls of food for animals living in sanctuaries and shelters.

It's a win-win for all.

- Jane