Category Archives: New posts

Introducing the arrival of the new Mutsy Transporter + a 10% off coupon code!

Age 0-1 year, Age 1-3, Featured Articles, New posts, Strollers, Travel, , ,

I am a huge fan of Mutsy strollers. I’ve been pushing Madelyn, now 3, around in a Mutsy 4Rider (read my Mutsy 4Rider review here) since she was a baby.

I just got a new Mutsy yesterday and shucks if it isn’t a rainy day today so I’m about to open and put it together in the house. I can’t wait for a sunny day.. are you crazy.. it’s a Mutsy!

Mutsy Transporter Stroller


Key features of the Mutsy Transporter stroller

interchangeability This light flexible Mutsy stroller can be used in combination with a Mutsy bassinnett, a seat cover, and different infant car seats. This buggy is characterized by its ease of operation, a height adjustable push bar and its compact volume when folded.
steering The Transporter is very flexible and maneuverable on account of 2 front swivel wheels. Using the catches above the front wheels, the swivel wheels can be locked into position. The height adjustable handlebar thrills my husband to no end because he is tall and needs the handlebar to be out further than I so he doesn’t kick the stroller every time he takes a step.
folding The Transporter can be folded quickly into a compact form. Furthermore, only minimum work is required to fold the Transporter, as you do not have to remove the seat prior to folding the frame.

More information

Netherlands-based Mutsy, recognized for its modernistic stroller designs featuring a distinctive modular, flexible system, introduces the Transporter, the company’s most affordable and lightest weight stroller to date. The new combination stroller is ideal for the cost conscious parent seeking a high quality baby transport solution.

Ideal for parents on the go, the sporty, full-size Transporter can be used in combination with a bassinet (sold separately) or Graco, Peg-Perego or Maxi-Cosi car seat (optional car seat adapters are sold separately). The bassinet and car seat adapter easily clicks onto the frame over the stroller seat, easing mom’s ability to switch between modes. Additionally, the Transporter seat can easily be completely removed for a sleek look as a pram or travel system. Two front swivel wheels offer exceptional flexibility and maneuverability. Transporter can be folded quickly into an extremely compact form with minimal effort. The four quick-release wheels are easily removable, allowing for even greater compactness and lightness when folded. The deep and padded reclining seat and large, protective hood create a comfortable and serene environment for napping or strolling on a sunny day. A foot rest provides comfort for an older child, and a convenient shopping basket is also included. Other features include height adjustable 4-position push bar and back support adjustment.

The Mutsy Transporter is available in Black, Grey, Red and Sand.

Where can I buy it? here at Amazon.com

How much is it? The recommended retail price is $399 and the optional bassinet is $150

COUPON CODE: Get 10% off any order at Mutsy.com with code minsider10.

Musicolor – kids color, play, and listen to their own music art!

Age 3-5, Age 5-7, Arts and Crafts, Featured Articles, New posts, , , ,


Musicolor is such a cool concept.  Both of my kids (10 and 3) love Musicolor and as you know if you have two kids of very different ages, they don’t often like the same toy or game.  Madelyn enjoys the blank ‘Create-a-song’ music cards while Sebastian enjoys coloring, playing, and listening to the detailed cards (pre-printed song discs) that are color-by-number. 

So what exactly is Musicolor and what does it do?
Musicolor is a display of innovative technology mixed with a classic coloring activity. The music player unit is modeled after the classic record player (which my kids have never seen!), the technology, however, is anything but classic.
The Musicolor music player consists of a rotating base and an arm for reading the music discs, much the same as a DVD player reads a DVD. The arm scans over the colored areas of the music disc rotating on the music player, reads the color and translates it to sound. Kids can choose to play their music to the sound of a piano, violin or trumpet.
Using the pre-printed coloring discs, simply color in the spaces according to the letter printed in the area, when you are done, the disc will play the song for the scene you have just colored! If you really want to be creative, use the blank song discs and create your own songs from scratch!

Kids receive the fun and reward of coloring a picture, which is magically transformed into music! A combination of art and music that any child can proudly share with their parents, family and friends!  Three Blind Mice, Hickory Dickory Dock, and London Bridge are just a few songs included in the Musicolor set.

Delta Creative offers kids other great products to bring out their creative side including their rainbow paint set (Madelyn’s playing with hers in the photo to the right) which includes 12 washable tempura paints, 3 paint brushes and a paint tray.  Delta Creative has a selection of Nickelodeon products including the Dora and Sponge Bob stamp sets great for kids 4 and older.

Delta Creative products can be purchased at Michael’s, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, and other art and craft stores. 

Learn more about these and other Delta Creative products here at Delta Creative’s website.

Musicolor commercial:


Madelyn playing with her Delta Creative stamp set

Dyson DC25 BLUEPRINT limited edition review

Cleaning & Cleaners, Electronics, New posts,
Raise your hand if you love cleaning? I don’t see many hands up. OK, now raise your hand if you love vacuuming. I see hands! Yes, they are all in my imagination, but that’s OK, right? Vacuuming is satisfying. I love vacuuming so much that I have a vacuum on every level of my house.. of which there are three.. it’s split level not a castle, bummer.   There’s something about sucking up goldfish snacks, leaves, and tiny pieces of cut up paper that makes me feel good. Unlike most things in life, I am in control when I vacuum, especially with my Dysons.  They do their job and they are easy for me to push around.  What’s not satisfying about that?

My newest vacuum is this beautiful white Dyson DC25 Blueprint, a limited edition, wonderfully satisfying, lightweight, skinny, sleek, upright Dyson Ball vacuum.
As you can see in the photograph to the right and the video below, the Dyson DC25 Blueprint is easy enough for a 3 year old to maneuver.  You’d better watch out because once your 3 year old has her hand at your new Dyson DC25 Blueprint, she’s going to point a finger at you and tell you to “stay back Mommy!”.  The vacuum sits on a ball which is what makes for excellent maneuverability and the ball’s low center of gravity makes steering the vacuum a cinch.. even Madelyn can do it!

I’ve had the opportunity to try out several Dyson vacuums (this is the 4th in our house.. maybe we need to add a 4th level?) and I am as ecstatic about this one as all of the others. The fact that the Blueprint is white adds a new level of “ooohhh” to the mix and the ball.. gosh, the ball makes the entire vacuuming experience easier.   Out of the 4 Dysons I own, the Blueprint is my 2nd favorite because of it’s light weight and manuverability.  My #1 favorite is my Pink Dyson DC16 Root 6  which I use several times a day (really) and have for over a year.  I would love to have the Dyson 31 handheld Animal Vacuum because it has a motorized brush bar that the DC16 doesn’t.  Because we have a split level house we go up and down stairs often so they get dirty quickly and the DC31 appears to be just the right handheld for those much needed quick stair clean ups through out the day.

Here are a few of my favorite Dyson DC25 Blueprint features:

  • The Blueprint is based on the Dyson Ball technology for smooth steering
  • It has a HEPA filter and is certified asthma friendly
  • I love the hygienic dust bin – crumbs, dust, and whatever else the kids squish into the floor are dumped from the bin with one click.
  • On-board tools include a stair and crevice tool
  • Incredible suction – don’t try to talk this vacuum out of sucking up your curtains if you get it too close!

I’m a busy mom and I don’t enjoy cleaning so I take all the shortcuts I can.  My Dyson vacuums help me achieve supremely clean carpets and hardwood floors quickly and efficiently.  And, like I’ve said in my previous Dyson reviews, my husband and son LOVE using the Dysons.  So, moms, all you need to get the boys to help you around the house is a sexy shiny white Dyson, and maybe a beer (or a juice box) and I am confident that you’ll have help in no time!

Here is my review of the Dyson DC28 Animal which is kept on the middle level of our house because the carpets and hardwood on this level get the most use (i.e. nasty).

Here is a short slideshow of photographs of the Dyson DC25 Blueprint

Where can I buy it? Get the lowest price here at Amazon.com.
How much is it? $529

Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program and Giveaway

Books, New posts, ,

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories

I just put Madelyn down for her nap (she’s not sleeping yet by the way) and thanks to Cheerios we read two new books today. The first book from the Spoonful of Stories gift pack is about a little girl named Ruby who has a little issue with manners and must straighten up before she has tea with the Queen who ends up being her Grandma. The second book we read, Sleepyhead, and is a great bedtime story about a little teddy bear that always wants another story, another kiss, another cuddle. Sound farmiliar? The books are written in english and spanish but I’m not brave enough to read them in spanish yet.

About the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories program:

Over the past eight years, Cheerios has given away more than 40 million children´s books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated $3.2 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families. The program is part of Cheerios´ ongoing commitment to helping parents provide their children with a healthy, nutritional and educational foundation.

CheeriosBeginning this month, Cheerios is again bringing books to the breakfast table, by providing six million children´s books free inside Cheerios boxes. The books are for children ages 3 to 8 years old, and include a brand new book in the popular “Trucktown” series, available only inside Cheerios boxes. And for the first time, all five books have been specially printed in both English and Spanish.

This year´s book offerings from Cheerios – all by Simon & Schuster Children´s Publishing – are:

Junkyard Fort, written by Jon Scieszka, and illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long and Dave Gordon: Join Gabriella, Jack, Melvin, Ted, Lucy and the other Trucktown characters as they make their own fort, using things found in the junkyard. Ages 4-8.

Tea for Ruby, written by The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser: Wherever Ruby goes, a bit of disaster seems to follow. But one sunny morning, things change when the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation: would she like to have tea with the Queen? Ruby needs to polish her manners, and quickly. Ages 4-8.

Sleepyhead, written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by John Segal: In this rhythmic bedtime story, a cat is the parent and a teddy bear is the child who doesn’t want to go to bed. All ready for bed with teeth brushed and story read, Sleepyhead teddy tries anything to prolong his bedtime; books and his quilt provide ample fodder for his imagination. Ages 3-7.

Ballyhoo Bay, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Derek Anderson: Mira Bella, an artist who teaches painting and sculpture, loves Ballyhoo Bay and what it offers: sun, sea, sand, and sky. But one gray day a billboard arrives, announcing an impending development that would take all the fun out of the place. Read along to see if Mira Bella and her art can save the day and Ballyhoo Bay! Ages 4-8.

What´s Under the Bed?, written and illustrated by Joe Fenton: Young Fred cannot stop worrying about the scary creature that might be hiding beneath his bed. Finally summoning the courage to peer under his bed, Fred, with his cumbersome glasses, sees that the only thing there is Ted, his friendly Teddy Bear! Ages 3-7.

Learn more about the Spoonful of Stories program here.

GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win a Spoonfuls of Stories gift pack! The gift pack includes a set of the five Spoonfuls of Stories books, a box of Cheerios, and a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
To enter just tell me in the comments below what book character your child is most like and for two entries tell me what your child’s favorite book is in a second comment. For four entries click here to Tweet this post then leave your Twitter user name in a third comment. For example, my son is most like Jack from Jack and Annie. He loves to explore and learn.
Entries accepted until October 27th.

A big thanks to Cheerios and MyBlogSpark for providing us with the free Cheerios Spoonful of Stories gift pack, information, and prize pack. Feel free to tell Cheerios how much you love them for their awesome cereal and Spoonful of Stories program below!

Get Frightfully Green This Halloween

Coupon codes, Guest post: TheFind.com, Holiday, New posts, ,
eco-halloween

Yes, Halloween is only weeks away. Perhaps you are all set with decor, candy and costumes. But if you are like me, there are still costumes to buy, pumpkins to carve and decorations to hang. My daughter is so excited that she wants to buy a pumpkin every she sees one on display. This year we will make our official trip to the organic pumpkin patch the weekend before Halloween. Carving will happen two days before the big night. Last year my daughter was old enough to enjoy the season and we carved our pumpkins way too early and they imploded by the time October 31st rolled around. This year I’m considering purchasing as many eco-friendly Halloween decorations as possible. And recycling things we have around the house for seasonal decor. I have a couple ornate Victorian looking candelabras which I’ll spray paint black paint to make a centerpiece in the dining room. I’ll be cutting out black construction paper silhouettes of black cats and spiderwebs from construction paper and then toss it in the recycling bin afterward. I’ve also found a few eco-friendly Halloween decor and party items that help to reduce waste and support fair trade labor.

Solar Pumpkin Light, $9.45 at The Vermont Baby Store
A sun powered light for your pumpkin. Forget the unsafe candles that contain nasty fumes. This solar pumpkin light is also more economical than battery-operated light too.
*Save on your purchases with Coupon Codes from The Vermont Baby Shop from TheFind.com’s new coupon site

ThemeNaps Halloween Napkins 16 napkins per box, $6.95 at Interior Digs
Made in the U.S.A. from eco-friendly 100% recycled tissue and FDA-approved food grade inks. These fun and modern Halloween napkins come folded in a clear packaged gift box and can also stand up to serve as a table decoration.

Fabric Halloween Treat Bag from Yellow Label Kids, $6.49 at Oompa
Trick or Treat! A perfect alternative to plastic pumpkin pails, this artisan made fabric trick-or-treat bag is made by workers whose are paid a fair living wage.

Fair Trade Trick-or-Treat Chocolates 100 per bag, $25.00 at Sweet Earth Chocolates
Indulge neighborhood trick or treaters to 100% milk or 65% bittersweet, 100% organic and fair trade chocolate coins. The individually wrapped fair trade Halloween candies are wrapped in Halloween colors and have an adorable Halloween sticker. Share your commitment to organic & fair trade with kids both young and old this Halloween.

Half-round Spider web Halloween Door Mat, $59.00 at Treasures4home.com
Make your entryway a fright at first sight with this half-round Spider web Halloween Door Mat. Made of extra-thick 1-1/2″ weave of tough-scrubbing coir fibers (an all-natural material from coconuts). This creepy but fun door mat traps grime at the door. Printed with eco-friendly dyes that are guaranteed to scare up compliments for many years to come.
*Save on your purchases with Coupon Codes from Grandin Road from TheFind.com’s new coupon site.

From our friends at TheFind.com.