Thursday, April 28, 2011

Are you a mama who loves to write? Contribute to the Luvaboos Blog!

The Luvaboos Blog is looking for blog contributors!  You don't have to be an Ernest Hemingway to contribute either.  All you need is to be able to type.  If you're a mama and you've tried or used any of the products we carry at Luvaboos, have natural parenting experience or story you'd like to share, tips for how to green your household or lifestyle, etc.  We'd love to have you contribute an article!

Here are some great suggestions for topics if you need some ideas.
  • Product Reviews w/ Photos of any of the products we carry at Luvaboos.
  • Cloth Diapering Tutorials like How to Use a Diaper Sprayer, How to fold prefolds, Suggestions for how to care for your diapers, etc.
  • Stories about why you cloth diaper, What other people think of your choice to use cloth, Does your husband change cloth diapers?
  • How to use and care for Mama Cloth.
  • Why you choose wooden and/or non-toxic toys.
  • Household eco-friendly cleaning tips.
  • Babywearing Testimonies, Baby Carrier/Wrap Reviews, Babywearing Tutorials
  • and much more!
Being a guest contributor is a great way to get a little time in the spotlight and a great way to promote your own personal blog or etsy store, etc.  Each Blog post we share with contain a Bio about the author which will include a photo, a little bit about yourself and any applicable links.

Please contact us for more details and/or to submit your first article!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Rock your household cleaning routine with Rockin' Greens...52 Weeks of Clean!

Rockin' Green has a great little promo going on right now!  You sign up for their 52 Weeks of Clean Campaign and they will either text you or email you rockin' cleaning tips and tricks once a week for 52 weeks!

Each cleaning tip, trick or suggestion will involve the use of Rockin' Green products and will help you gain some much needed motivation and inspiration when it comes to cleaning and household chores.

Rockin' Green has made it super easy to subscribe.  Simply visit this link and sign up for their weekly notifications!

Don't have any Rockin' Green or need to restock yours?  Visit Luvaboos where we have a great selection of Rockin Green products.  You can shop online or visit our store in Rochester NY if you'd like to shop in person!

I don't know about you but any time I can get a reminder about cleaning something the better off I am.  Time flies and next thing I know I went the whole day without getting one thing done that I'd like to accomplish.  I'm definitely signing up for these free text reminders, I think it will be super cool and I look forward to learning all the different ways to use my Rockin' Green since I am no longer washing diapers.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Will you be taking the Flats and Handwashing Challenge? May 23-30

DirtyDiaperLaundry, a popular cloth diaper advocacy and review blog, is hosting the Flats and Handwashing Challenge May 23-30, 2011.

The purpose of the challenge is to promote cloth diapering as an affordable alternative, even for low-income families who may be having a hard time affording disposables and may not even have access to a laundry facility.

The challenge is to use flats and covers during the day for 1 week and use handwashing techniques, no electricity allowed!  Bloggers and families are encouraged to join the challenge and document their experience using flats instead of some of the more modern cloth diaper alternatives.


Dirty Diaper Laundry is going to help you every step along the way and has already begun compiling flats folding technique videos, videos on how to handwash or make your own camp-style bucket washer, and more!

Take this opportunity to kick it old school with flats and covers for one week!  You'll be glad you did!

To sign up for the Flats and Handwashing Challenge and/or to read more about it, click HERE.

To purchase your cloth diaper covers, fasteners and other cloth diaper accessories visit Luvaboos!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Time to replace your inserts?

Something that not a whole lot of moms consider is that cloth diaper inserts do eventually need to be replaced.  Many purchase cloth and feel that they have the whole setup, enough to diaper their babies from birth through potty and then save for future children.  There is wear and tear involved in the use of diapers and inserts and you may not know it but having worn out inserts could be the source of many of your leaking or wicking diapers.

Microfiber-terry isn't called "terry" for nothing, it's called terry because it should be soft and fluffy like a terrycloth towel.  The terry is much finer of course but it should still be there.  The microfiber-terry is what holds the moisture, so while you might be able to double or triple up your old inserts, they just won't be functioning like they should and your diapers are likely to leak or need to be changed more frequently.

If your microfiber-terry inserts are lacking the fine, soft, fluffy terry that they came with then you could seriously benefit from purchasing some new inserts.

Luckily micro-terry inserts are not that expensive and are a small price to pay in order to get yourself back on track with successful cloth diapering again.

Often micro-terry inserts can be purchased for between 2.50-4.00 each and when bought in bulk you can save a lot more.

So if you've been having leaky diapers or feel like your child is wetting through everything too quickly, consider replacing your inserts with new micro-terry.

Luvaboos has a great selection of inserts and doublers to choose from!  Click here for our complete selection!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Tips for becoming a little "greener" this Earth Day!

Earth Day is here and it's a perfect time to increase your shade of green, take it up a notch or two!  There are pretty hardcore ways of living a greener or more eco-friendly lifestyle if you're so inclined, however we're going to share with you some simple every day things you can do to go green or "greener."

Recycle just a little bit more!  Recycling is one the the easiest things to do in my opinion.  In today's age most of us have special bins for our recyclables and even special recycling pickup on designated days of the week.  Recycling is much cleaner than keeping all that funky garbage around and it just make so much more sense.

If you already recycle then try stepping it up a bit.  Add some new items to the list of things you recycle.  Cereal and pasta boxes, egg cartons, and the styrofoam  commonly used in meat packaging are often forgotten and go unrecycled.

Green Your Cleaning Routine!  Try purchasing more environmentally friendly household cleaners or make your own.  Vinegar has a variety of uses.  Mix 1 part water with 1 part vinegar in an old spray bottle and it works great for surface cleaning, mopping, and more!

Switch to un-paper towels!  Un-paper towels are similar to dish towels but frequently made out of inexpensive flannels or cottons.  Fold 12 x 12 squares in a cute basket and encourage their use instead of reaching for a paper towel throughout the day.  You'll find that you're saving money and trees, plus they're way cuter!

Try Mama Cloth or a Green Menstrual Alternative!  Using a Diva Cup or reusable Mama Cloth can save you a lot of money and prevent a lot of unnecessary waste and save your septic system if you have one.  If you're afraid to switch completely to reusable menstrual products try just one day at a time until you're comfortable and have perfected your routine!

These are just a few of the simple ways you can go a little greener this Earth Day!  We hope you'll choose at least a couple to try.  Enjoy!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Featured Product: The Learning Tower!

If your household is anything like mine, then your kids are constantly wanting to help out in the kitchen.  Before I even have a chance to say yes or no they've pulled chairs up to the counter and are climbing on board, eager and ready to lend a helping hand.

Another reason I presume they like to stand on chairs or climb onto the counters is because they like to see what's going on waaaay up there.  I know if I were a little one like they are I sure would be interested in seeing all that I was missing and all that was out of my reach.

The Learning Tower is the perfect and safe solution to this precarious problem.  When your little one's using it you can rest assured that they'll be able to see and help and they won't fall off and hurt themselves the moment your back is turned.  You'll also be able to easily position dangerous objects out of their reach.

Here are some great benefits and product features:

  • Provides safety and versatility not found with traditional step stools
  • Only step stool on the market carefully designed to meet the specific needs of young toddlers 18mos+
  • Fosters a positive self-image and a sense of independence in small children as they climb up and down without assistance
  • Welcomes the child as a helping participant alongside parents and siblings
  • Nurtures a child’s innate desire to be independent and inquisitive
  • Constructed from highest quality layered Birch
  • Platform height adjust s quickly and easily to gorw with your child from ages 18 months up to 6 years
  • Four–sided railings provide support while your child climbs in and prevent falling when inside the Tower
  • Wide 15” X 18” platform lets your child move about without slipping off a step
  • Fits flush against kitchen counters for safe access, allowing your child to get a drink of water, help with dishes and laundry, decorate cookies and join in with other family activities
  • Carefully finished with durable, non-toxic, lead free finish
  • Cleans easily with a damp cloth
  • Tower magically transforms into an imaginative playhouse or puppet theater by throwing a piece of fabric over the top.
  • Playhouse/Puppet Theater Accessory Kit available for extended play
  • Affords adults the peace of mind to work freely knowing their little ones are safely at their side
  • Meet safety standards for ASTM(F96-30) and Home Playground Equipment(F11-48-98C)
  • Has been tested to hold up to 500lbs
For more details and to purchase the Learning Tower please visit Luvaboos.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Are some diapers too cute for poop?

The title may sound absurd, but to those of you who it doesn't sound cray...you'll know just what I'm talking about!

Diapers come and diapers go, some are your workhorse diapers, tried, tested and bulletproof.  You don't care what their color or if they have stains.  Sure, there are cute workhorse diapers too, but there are also some diapers that are just too cute for poop!

I've been there.  I've drooled over diapers that looked so cute, fluffy, soft, luxurios...you name it and they embodied it.  With a little product photography and the right print or color combo some diapers can look downright delicious!  I've contemplated, what is too much to pay for a diaper? Even a diaper that's not waterproof?  I should have at least one in my stash I thought.

And so it happens, you come to own a diaper, or two, or more...that you spent a little more than you should have on or that you think are just so cute and new and fluffy that you time it so that baby will not likely poop in it.

These special diapers may one day become a keepsake or they may just get resold, after you've had a chance to take a bunch of adorable photos of your little one in them, of course!

My "too cute for poop" diapers were a brand that's gone out of business.  Turns out they cost more to make than they could sell for and it ended up leading to their demise.  The brand was Just Ducky Baby and the diapers were divine!

Do you have any diapers you try to keep in the best shape possible, maybe because you have buyers remorse, or maybe because you want to keep them nice and new?  What are they?  Please share your stories.