Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts

Saturday, December 14, 2013

My Little Love Note's 2013 Holiday Gift Guide (First Edition)

'Tis the season to SHOP!! With the holiday season upon us, why not make it easier to gift to the ones we love?! Santa may be the jolly expert, but My Little Love Note curated a list of FAVORITE gifts just for YOU!!

Without further ado, I present my very first Holiday Gift Guide:
Oh, and a little birdie told me that a few of my FANS could WIN products featured on my 2013 Holiday Gift Guide. Which ones will be up for grabs in MLLN's greatest giveaway yet?! It's a surprise!! Keep on following me and stay tuned for ALL will be revealed in January!! J

This NuRoo Nursing Scarf adds fashion, function and customization to breastfeeding. It snap-transforms for tailored coverage AND accessorizes mom's outfit when not in use. Watch the demo video for ideas on how to wear it... the options are limitless!!

Keep colorfully organized with the Lilly Pulitzer 2014 Large Agenda. It's the perfect place for your daily work, personal plans or academic responsibilities. It features 17-months from 2013-2014, color tabs, weekly and monthly views, dates to remember and more. A definite must-have!!

Timi & Leslie's Charlie Bag (in particular Teal) is absolutely gorgeous!! It's made from faux leather (PVC free) and features custom hardware in an antique brass finish. It also comes with extra bonus accessories to keep Mommy stylin' and organized.

Out for a quick errand? The Every-Day Wristlet houses your essentials. You can keep your smart phone, credit cards and even lip gloss on hand at a moment's notice.

A moment of silence please for this handcrafted necklace. Zoe's design is exceptionally elegant. Best part? You can personalize it with your own details.

Tori Spelling, Jamie Grayson and Bill Rancic... need I say more?! Miami's Ultimate Baby Affair is an upscale event ready to "showcase a unique collection of national luxury brands and local trend-setting vendors" to attendees embarking on their journey into parenthood (no matter what stage).


Indulge the man in your life with a design from Blue Steel. Sleek and sophisticated, this Blue Diamond Stainless Steel Ring is made from highly polished silver and blue stainless steel.

A manly way to keep him organized. The Daddy Diaper Pack is the ultimate go-to diaper bag for men. It's perfect for any and all occasions. Plus he won't have an excuse to avoid carrying the baby bag. ;)

Give him the choice of fragrance. With this set, he gets 14 samples of the most sought-after men's fragrances plus a travel bag. When he finds his favorite, he can take the included scent certificate to any Sephora store and redeem it for a full-size bottle at no extra cost.

Who could resist Starbucks? Whether you're a coffee or tea lover, Starbucks is the perfect delicious pick-me-up.


No more struggling with newborn baby baths that don't actually work. Instead you can use a cuddly and convenient way to bathe your baby. It's sure to fit any sink. It also grows with baby and is great for travel!!

Most baby legwarmers only fit 0-12 months, but these actually fit a toddler too!! You can protect baby/toddler's knees and keep their legs warm. Not to mention they're adorably cute!!

Give the gift of learning to the little ones and protect your iPad all in one sweep. Fisher-Price continues to make FABULOUS learning toys for smart devices. This sturdy case includes a set of four smart geometric shapes (circle, square, triangle and star) designed to interact with two of Fisher-Price's learning apps. It also includes a colorful panel that allows the little one to have traditional playtime without the technology. Bring the learning on!!

Curious about cloth diapering? With gDiapers, you can choose cloth or disposable inserts. It's super simple and reduces your footprint. Whether you already LOVE them or want to try them, you can use code "new6805Garcia" to save 40% off the New Friend Bundle, which includes 3 gPants and 2 packages of disposable inserts for $49.99 (regularly $86.45)!!

Girasol wraps allow you to wear baby from birth well into the toddler years. The wrapping options are endless. It just takes a little learning. These beautiful wraps are handwoven in Guatemala and are 100% cotton. One of my favorite colorways is Gleam of Sun, which features an Earthy rainbow with a cherry yellow undertone (weft). 

{Girasol wraps can be found at The Gathering Place's Peapod Essentials, a South Florida shop dedicated to providing the community with eco-friendly resources as well as helping women through Motherhood and beyond.}

The Joovy Tricycoo is a tricycle made for little ones as young as 18 months!! It's the perfect way to introduce them to balance and coordination, one step at a time. It has two phases. Phase 1 allows parent to steer while toddler gets used to the idea of balancing and holding on to handlebars. In Phase 2, the parent push handle and baby surround arms can be removed while the footrest folds up. Either way, your toddler is in for an adventure!!



Baby Weight (book) teaches expectant and new mothers how to incorporate a healthy diet and regular exercise into their busy lifestyles. The book features CoreMama cardiovascular training activities, which focus on the muscles weakened during pregnancy and childbirth. Baby Weight TV (online) features over 70 videos (of all degrees) to help you become a fit mama from the comfort of your home.

The BOB Revolution SE Duallie is the go-to stroller for everyday activities AND not-so-everyday adventures. The swiveling front wheel allows for superior maneuverability, and locks forward for increased stability on rough terrain or when jogging. With the Duallie, the Mom/Dad of two can take both kiddos on any sport experience. What adventures will the BOB Revolution take your family on?

Forerunner 10 by Garmin
No matter what your running experience, the Forerunner 10 is the perfect tool to track your distance, speed/pace and calories. It also identifies your personal records and provides motivation along the way. It's like having your own spirit squad on your wrist!!

Kiki Toddler Bottle (11 oz) by Pura
A safe and environmentally conscious choice for your little ones. The Kiki toddler bottle is 100% plastic free, which eliminates the leeching of harmful by-products. It's also compatible with a wide range of nipples and spouts so it has the ability to grow with your little one from birth well into the toddler years.

The Let's Get Started Package by Sage Spoonfuls
With Sage Spoonfuls, making and storing your own fresh and natural baby food is a breeze. This 19 piece set includes everything you need to begin your homemade food journey. The immersion blender and food processor allow you to puree baby food in just seconds, and storing it is super easy with the included storage system. Don't have many recipes? Never fear, Sage Spoonfuls also includes a recipe book by Liza Huber (owner and creator of Sage Spoonfuls) in this set. 

Made of tempered glass, Wean Green's Snack Cubes are the perfect size for every family member. Yes, that means Mom, Baby and even Fido. The colorful lids are designed with a leak-proof silicone seal, which are removable to ensure no bacteria build up. 100% child friendly, family friendly and environment friendly!!


Aden + Anais is best known for their classic swaddles made from 100% cotton muslin for babies. Enter the  Daydream Blanket, this ones for adults. Four layers of muslin and its generous size (60" x 72") equal the ultimate in quality, breathability and versatility. And just like the classic swaddles, the muslin gets softer with each wash!!

Wonder Bumpers by Go Mama Go Designs
Get your decorating on with Wonder Bumpers!! These innovative bumpers provide safety, serenity and a splash of color to your baby's sleep environment. The sleek vertical design effortlessly zips onto the crib in a downward motion ensuring babies don't have access to pull. Made to fit ANY crib. Truly genius!!

Custom Family Rules Wall Art by My Little Love Note
An inspirational print is the perfect way to add a personal touch to any room in your home. The print is digitally designed by My Little Love Note and printed on acid-free and lignin-free premium cardstock. All elements are customizable. 

Buddies by Scentsy
With these stuff animals, you can add yummy scents to your home discreetly. Just insert a Scent Pak of your choice and bring your Scentsy Buddy to life. You can always change the scents you use by removing the Scent Pak and replacing it with another favorite.

First Year Baby Memory Book by Two Giggles
The First Year Baby Memory Book guides you through the most important milestones of your journey into parenthood from pregnancy up to baby's 1st birthday. These unique baby books are not only super ADORABLE, but are handmade from recycled materials. Each book is customized with your child's name. Want to add more pages to your baby's story? Easy peasy. Two Giggles designs pages until 5 years!!

Happy Shopping!!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Guess Who's Heading to the West Coast?! The Mother of All Baby Showers(Ticket Giveaway)

October is coming to an end, but fall is still in the air. And for this soon-to-be mommy of two, it means the start of baby fairs.

The first Friday of the month, I had the pleasure of attending The Mother of All Baby Showers (MOABS) at the Young at Art Museum in Davie. I had a slightly different experience at this event since I wore two hats. I not only went as a VIP attendee, but I also experienced the vendor side of things as a brand ambassador for Ergobaby.

With Baby No. 2 on the way, it's essential for me to learn about the newest, hottest (and functional) products hitting the baby scene. When I was pregnant with Liam, I knew nothing about anything. Thankfully, I stumbled onto a few events by sheer luck and began my journey into parenthood. I met some really great people who represented fabulous brands and products. The same brands and products, I now use on my son (and sometimes myself.) J Hopefully, I can impart a little wisdom and impact your families in a wholesome way.

First event of the season...

The star of the event: Rosie Pope of Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels. The London-born entrepreneur kicked-off the series of educational sessions where she shared her expertise on all things pregnancy and parenting. After the session, she stuck around for a signing of her book, Mommy IQ: The Complete Guide to Pregnancy.

Hands down, my favorite part of baby fairs- the vendors. It’s the part where expecting and veteran parents alike get to LEARN about baby products/services. You get to see, touch, smell, hear and taste these products. Best of all, you get to ASK questions and leave with samples. MOABS featured vendors galore from big names like Egrobaby, Pediped and Baby Spa to local South Florida names like Shades, Tutti Bambini and Zenarations of Boca.

I spent most of my time at the Ergobaby table. I along with two other brand ambassadors educated attendees about the benefits of babywearing. We demoed the different options of carriers available within the brand. We also helped fit moms, dads and even grandparents into the carriers with the help of a weighted baby. Yes, parents got to realistically feel what it would be like to tote a baby in an Ergo. Can I just say how humbling it is to inspire new possibilities for a family… especially ones that hadn’t considered babywearing as an option?!



PediPed was right next door, which was great since I had never heard of the brand before. Pediped creates shoes for babies and tots made of premium grade, non-toxic materials. As an infant, Liam never wore shoes. We forewent them for socks since the baby shoes available where either flimsy or featured elastic that would cut into his chubby little ankles. Well, PediPed eliminates both of those problems. Their mantra is comfort, quality and style; and they certainly deliver!! Thankfully, a neat purple box with a pair of PediPed shoes were lovingly included in the VIP swag bag!! I can’t wait to try them out when the new baby arrives.
 

Another great (and fabulously green) vendor at the event- Baby Spa, a line of skincare that formulates their products with 98-100% natural ingredients to pamper our children. The collection contains over 30 different botanicals suited for all skin types, which is perfect for our family with incredibly sensitive skin. Guess what the VIP swag bag had?! More samples!! I’ve even scored Organic Ultra-Soft Baby Wipes, which I’m excited to use on Liam. I have yet to make my own wipe formula, so this will be perfect for his sensitive skin (regular wipes give him a heinous diaper rash) in the meantime.

And then there was Shades, a clothing line for kids made in the USA. AH-DOR-ABLE!! Beth creates classic one-of-a-kind designs with a modern twist. What I LOVE most about Shades is that it caters equally to both genders. A designer that doesn’t leave the boys out in the cold, who would have thought?!

What's an event without Tutti Bambini Maternity Concierge?! Miami's ultimate maternity and baby destination was out in full force debuting American designer Jeremy Scott's new collection for CYBEX, The Food Fight Collection. This print is colorful. Correction, it's loud, unique and fabulous!! When the Tutti girls cruised by the Ergo booth, I couldn't resist getting a snapshot with the collection, which includes a stroller, stroller accessories, a car seat, a baby bag and a baby carrier. Want see it for yourself? If your local to South Florida, head on over to Tutti Bambini. They are the only retailer in Florida carrying this exclusive designer series. Trust me, pictures don't do it justice!!

After all the schmoozing, Zenerations of Boca provided loads of pampering with mini spa treatments throughout the night. Of course, no event is without fabulous giveaways. MOABS had over $20, 000 of giveaways up for grabs. Sadly, I didn’t WIN anything but it’s still FUN to try. ;)

The South Florida event may have come and gone, but you still have an opportunity to catch MOABS in Tampa Bay, the DC metro area, Arizona and Philadelphia. For more information and to register head over to The Mother of All Baby Showers website.

Are you in the Tampa Bay area? Here’s your chance to WIN tickets to the Friday, Nov. 15 event held in Glazer Children's Museum from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm!!

Good Luck to All!!





Tuesday, October 8, 2013

MLLN Celebrates International Babywearing Week with an Ergobaby Giveaway!!

When I was first pregnant with Liam, I knew nothing about baby carriers. I didn’t even want one. Mostly because I thought all baby carriers were “crotch danglers,” which are essentially bad for baby’s alignment. I couldn’t imagine myself carrying my sweet boy around while he just hung awkwardly. How could I do that to him?!

Thankfully, my mom kept pushing the issue as most moms do, and I finally gave in to the idea of babywearing. I began educating myself on the ins and outs of baby carriers and babywearing. All I can say is, “Oh my goodness!!” There’s a whole world out there dedicated to babywearing, and if you take the time to look there’s plenty of information for expecting parents and seasoned parents alike.

Lucky for you, I already did most of the groundwork. The main thing to keep in mind when choosing a carrier, regardless of which one you choose, is child placement. You want to make sure your child sits in a natural position like they would when you carry them in your arms whether in the front, on your hip or on your back.

So which carrier did I choose?! Ergobaby hands down!! More specifically, the Ergobaby Classic Carrier in Galaxy Grey.
This is the first ad I saw featuring the Ergobaby Classic Carrier in Galaxy Grey. Wouldn't you fall in love?
Why? When I first saw the Ergobaby carrier, stars shone. Naturally, I fell in love. Not only does it have an out of this world star design, but it holds your baby in an ergonomic, natural seated position while keeping you comfortable. Believe me when I say it’s super comfy, I walked 5ks with Liam in our Ergobaby and we loved it!! It definitely encouraged me to stay active and fit.

The Galaxy Grey carrier is made of 100% soft cotton with a neutral grey exterior. It sports embroidered white stars on one of the shoulder straps and on the side of the waist strap. It also includes a white and grey star print design on the hood and lining of the carrier. The cushy padding featured on the waist and shoulder straps help to evenly distribute baby’s weight between your hips and shoulders. Everything about this carrier is adjustable, so it fits a variety of body types and heights. Ergobaby carriers allow parents to go hands-free while still keeping in style. It’s the perfect way to bond with baby!!

Watch this video to get the low down on the Ergobaby Classic Collection:

My Little Love Note and Ergobaby support International Babywearing Awareness Week (October 7-13, 2013). In fact, October is Babywearing Awareness Month and My Little Love Note is celebrating in a BIG way!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway












Good Luck to All!!






Monday, September 16, 2013

Britax Review Series: Bringing Baby Home in a Chaperone Infant Car Seat

If you were to look up ‘car seat’ in the dictionary, you might find daunting as one of its definitions. Yes, you will also find necessary and safety as well, but between the types of car seats and the features, it’s easy to get lost in all the jargon.

When I delved into the world of car seats, I found quite a bit of information.  Below, you will find a table I created with the basics- things you’ll need to know in order to make the best choice for your family.
Please Note: Presently, laws require children to remain in a car seat until they reach at least 4'9" (or 57 inches). For more information on child passenger safety laws visit Child Safety Laws, and for additional state specific information visit the State Highway Safety Offices.
Believe it or not, you can choose to purchase ONE seat. If you want to invest once, the convertible car seat is the best option as it’s appropriate for children up to 70 pounds (49 inches or shorter), and it provides both rear-facing and forward-facing options.

You do NOT need an infant carrier; however, some parents opt for one because certain models are compatible with most strollers. If your infant falls asleep then you have the option to lift the seat out and pair it with your stroller. Personally, I prefer to wear my baby in a carrier.  Babies’ skulls are quite malleable. You may risk flatting your baby’s head if you keep them nestled in the car sear for extended periods of time.

To bring my baby home, I choose the Britax Chaperone Infant Car Seat in Cowmooflauge. Who wouldn’t want a cow print?! I personally like the distinctive so naturally this print fit the bill; and as luck would have it, I went to The Green Baby Fair (2012) hosted by The Gathering Place and won it in a raffle!! Yes, Liam is a blessed baby!! J (Side Note: This year the Green Baby Fair will be held on Oct. 19, 2013 to purchase tickets here.)

Here’s what sets the Chaperone among the STARS:

Britax is known for its high safety ratings, and this particular seat has an anti-rebound bar attached to the base, which stabilizes the seat by minimizing rotation forces associated with front and rear-end collisions. It also features a head restraint with true side impact protection, which adds an extra layer of energy-absorbing foam to distribute forces from impact as well as keeps the head, neck and spine aligned. 

Britax takes it up a notch by lining the seat with energy-absorbing foam for enhanced comfort and protection. Personally, anything that protects my baby is A+ in my book. I especially appreciate the superior consideration that went into these features.

The next best feature is the premium lower LATCH connectors, which make installation a breeze. It literally took me no more than 5 minutes to properly install, and I’m no handy woman. Check one monumental feat for JAG. Simple and easy!

After it’s installed, securing baby into the seat is easy as pie! The quick-adjust, no-rethread harness repositions for shoulder height without the need to disassemble the straps. I hear disassembly is no fun, and thankfully I’ve never had to deal with it. I love that with the Chaperone, I have one less hassle to worry about. I can even adjust the height with baby snug in the seat. The five-point harness is also tangle-free and provides a secure fit for baby. Although, I have experienced a couple instances where the latches flipped on the straps; I called Britax, and they offered to replace them!

The Chaperone has a height capacity of 32 in. or less and a weight capacity of 30 lbs. The beauty of this seat is that while it can still accommodate my 20 month-old since he measures and weighs within the limits, it can also accommodate a newborn as tiny as 4 lbs. to 11 lbs. with the help of the low birth weight foam insert provided. Keeping the parent in mind, the handle is designed ergonomically contouring to the forearm for ease and comfort. The seat is on the heavier side, so after your child reaches a certain weight you may choose forgo this feature. Trust me on this one. Don’t do it.

As I mentioned before, you can pair an infant seat with a stroller to create a travel system. This seat is no different. It has a stroller compatible design, which works with various Britax strollers utilizing the integrated CLICK & GO adapter system. I chose the Britax B-Ready for our family, which I absolutely LOVE (stay tuned for a future review). It is also compatible with other major stroller brands when used with the adapter strap included with the seat.

Overall, the Chaperone shines like a STAR!! Britax has designed their infant car seat with safety, quality and comfort in mind. Not to mention, it’s fabulously fashionable. You can’t go wrong!! 

Please Note: I (MLLN) was in no way compensated for this review. I'm just showing a little product and company LOVE!!
My Little Love Note and Britax support Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21, 20013).


Watch this video on car seat safety tips from Britax: 


Happy Motoring and Stay safe!!