Category Archives: Organization

O Yikes! Messenger diaper bag

Diaper Bags, Fun stuff for parents, Organization

When reading my product reviews please keep in mind that I am not paid to write what I write. My reviews are 100% honest and are based on real life experience with product. That being said..

I have so many bags I don’t know what I’m going to do with them when Madelyn and I grow out of the diaper bag stage. Like most women, I have three or so handbags (diaper bags in this case) that I use most often. My three favorites are all in different price ranges. One is <$100, then I have my O Yikes! bag, and I have a >$300 diaper bag that I carry on special occasions which quite frankly is rare.

Oyikes1

I use my O Yikes! Messenger diaper bag when visiting friends, going to the local coffee shop to work ( laptop case + diaper bag), and when we go to the kids Grandmother’s house down the street. Now that I think about it, the O Yikes! is my most used bag these days. There are several reasons for this. The laptop case (sold separately), the accessory bag which usually holds my cosmetics or laptop accessories, the bottle holder that keeps my drink cool, and the trillions of pockets that hold everything I need to travel the world in three days or less. The six inside pockets hold many ‘things’ that I can’t begin to get into here. There are two outside pockets which usually hold a spiral bound notebook and files. There is also a drink pouch on one side that has a drawstring so I can access Madelyn’s sippy cup quickly.
Oh, and the inside key ring has saved me so many times. I am terrible with losing keys.. not when I am carrying this bag!

O Yikes! bags are made to last for years and are multi-functional. We’re not just parents after all. Sure, we have playdates and story time but we also work. It’s nice to carry a bag that isn’t just a diaper bag.

Icon_website2 Messenger Diaper Bags at OYikes

Digital Voice Recorder: $149

Electronics, Fun stuff for parents, Gadgets, Organization

Digitalrecorder
When I received this Sony Digital Voice Recorder to review, I knew right away that it isn’t an ordinary recorder.. and is definitely not like the recorder I had when I was young which is the last time I used one.

Dory from Finding Nemo is a distant cousin of mine and we share the same short term memory loss problem.  My mother will call to remind me to register Sebastian for baseball and she will ask me how I am going to remember what she just told me. Pretty bad.  Now I can record a remind while we are on the phone.. she is finally convinced I will remember.  Being small enough to fit in a pocket, enables me to carry the digital recorder with me anywhere, anytime.  Once a day I download my recordings using the USB cord and cradle.

  • Great for when you think of something important while driving.Digitalrecorder2_2
  • Record your child singing her favorite song.
  • Dad can take it to the PTA meeting so you can listen to everything later.
  • Record your parent teacher conference so you can listen to it again later.
  • Note important dates such as doctor’s appointments without having to write them down while standing at the receptionists desk.
  • You can file messages/recordings in folders directly on the recorder. I have one folder for personal reminders, one for work, and one for the kids.

Another really fun feature of this digital voice recorder is the alarm.  I recorded ‘Wake up Sebastian!’ and set the alarm for 6:20a.m. and he was awakened by me without me in the room. He thought he was hearing things.  Why not record a romantic message for your husband to hear when he walks in the door in the evening.  What a great Valentine’s Day idea!  You just have to know when he will be home so you can set the alarm feature.

This is a great tool for the tech savvy parent.  I have to admit I was a bit intimidated by all of the buttons and functions at first but I learned to use and appreciate them in no time.

Icon_website2_2Sony Style

Lands’ End Pattern Diaper Bag Totes

Diaper Bags, Organization

LandsenddiapertoteLands End is known for their durable clothing and outdoor
accessories and now they have a diaper bag tote sporting the same
durability. Features including a diaper changing pad, six large pockets, and a pocket on the outside to hold mom’s cell phone, pacifier (hopefully not mom’s), and more make this an ideal everyday diaper bag. 

These are quit possibly the most sturdy tote’s I have used. While testing these totes, I packed so much stuff in them, I feel like Mary Poppins.  I was able to put two classic metal jack-in-the-boxes, a full size diaper wipe case, diapers, two sippy cups, a snack bowl, a water bottle, coloring book and crayons, a pair of Madelyn’s shoes, a small doll, and my wallet in one of these. It’s truly amazing. The full zipper closure keeps everything in and the reinforced handles make sure that this diaper bag tote won’t drop off your shoulder any time soon.

Click here to go to Lands’ End Baby and get your diaper bag tote today.

We have two Land’s End Diaper Bag Totes to give away to lucky readers (January 08). Enter the contest here.This contest has ended.   If you don’t win this month, don’t worry we have two more Lands’ End Diaper Bag Totes to give away soon!

SmartShopper: Easy grocery shopping at last!

Electronics, Feeding - baby & kids, Food and Drink, Fun stuff for parents, Gadgets, Organization

Smartshopper The SmartShopper has changed my life. Really.  Before I had the SmartShopper, I dreaded going to the grocery store because I knew that I would be going up and down and all around each aisle more than once to find everything I needed even with a list.  If you saw one of my ‘to do’ or grocery lists you would probably think I have some kind of organizational (lack thereof) disorder.  The first ten or so items are listed nicely, but then I start going diagonally, upside down, and items end up all over the page going all different directions and when I’m done about two hours later (cooking dinner, folding laundry, helping with homework) it is complete chaos.

That is where SmartShopper comes in handy. With SmartShopper, I can have a complete grocery and/or errand list done within 10 minutes and it will even show quantities for each item and whether or not I have a coupon for a specific item. Now that the grocery list is organized into categories/aisles, my husband can do the grocery shopping for me!  He can’t complain that he has to run all over the store ten times to find everything on the list anymore and I can get some work done while he is shopping.  I am so relieved.

SmartShopper works by voice recognition. You simply push the ‘Record’ button and say the name of the item to be added to the list. I have found that 80% of the time, SmartShopper gets the item right the first time. If SmartShopper doesn’t recognize the item you are saying, it will allow you to add a new item yourself. This has come in very handy for things like ‘green popsicles’.. I don’t like purple popsicles in my house and I have to remind Tim that we want only green popsicles.  For each item you add, you can enter the quantity you need. Quantities are available in several formats including boxes, bags, and lbs.  Adding coupons is easy too. Simply click on the item you want to indicate that you have a coupon for and click on ‘add/delete coupon’. When your list is printed you will see a coupon icon next to items you indicated you have a coupon for.

SmartShopper recognizes 2,500 items so chances are you will have a perfect grocery list the first time you use it.  The SmartShopper unit is a compact 7 1/2" x 4" and is only 1 1/4" thick and can be mounted on your kitchen wall, kept on the counter or adhered to your refrigerator with its strong magnet.  I keep ours on the refrigerator so I can quickly add items that I find we are running low on and the items I have already added are listed in alphabetical order so I can easily see if I’ve already added an item by scrolling up or down.

SmartShopper is perfect for families with a nanny who does their grocery shopping, grandparents, and DADS!!

SmartShopper can be purchased at Amazon.com and you can visit SmartShopperUSA.com to learn more.

Franklin Covey – Totes and Binders for mom

Announcements & Stationary, Diaper Bags, Fun stuff for parents, Organization, Personalized

Franklin_bellissima_blog
Who said Mom’s can’t be organized?   I did.. a long time ago. When I was introduced to Franklin Covey’s planning systems, binders, and totes and my thoughts on organization have changed.

I absolutely fell in love with the Bellissima Business Tote the first time I saw it. This
luxurious calfskin tote featuring full-grain leather is divided into two large
compartments and lined in supple suede. Toting my laptop around has never been easier, or more stylish. Much better than my vinyl laptop bag. 

The Bellissima Business Tote ensures that I am comfortable and stylish while toting all of my necessities. If need be, I can carry my laptop, a few diapers, a travel wipe case, diaper cream, and even a few office accessories in this tote.
The interior pockets are spacious enough to hold my PDA, cell phone, iPod, pens, and other everyday necessities.

Click here to learn more about the Bellissima Business Tote and Binder and then click here to enter to win this matching tote, binder and 2008 planning pages to go in the binder!

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Franklin_herpointofview_blog
If you desire a more casual handbag and binder solution, Franklin Covey’s got you covered with their Her Point of View totes and binders.

This line of totes features a magnetic closure, an 11" drop strap, and a spacious interior boasting perfectly sized pockets for carrying your much needed pens, cell phone, and personal items.   The Her Point of View tote is available in several classic colors great for every season.

I am very impressed with the silky soft leather and the flexibility of the Her Point of View tote.  I can’t stand lugging around a stiff handbag.  The brass accents add a touch of style and it doesn’t stop there. The style is brought into the interior of the handbag with a beautiful flower print and a coordinating detachable wristlet.

So what do these totes have to do with organization? Their matching binders of course!  These are the binders we dream of. Soft leather, lots of pockets/storage space, sturdy, room for a lot of planning pages and more. For the moms who might not have an obsessively organized tote, there is the zipper closer and for those who aren’t worried about their tote contents snagging on, attaching themselves to, or leaking on their binder, there is the magnetic closure.  The Bellissima binder is available with a magnetic or zipper closure and the Her Point of View collection features a magnetic closure.

Franklin Covey’s totes and binders are items that will last a lifetime and most of their designs won’t go out of style when the trends change.

Click here to learn more about the Her Point of View Tote, Binder, and planning pages and then click here to enter to win this matching tote and binder and 2008 planning pages to go in the binder!

WEBSITE: Franklin Covey