Balboa Nursing Pillow Review & {GIVEAWAY}

To launch off the
BABY EXTRAVAGANZA 
event I'm excited to bring you

A company that designs contemporary, unique products using luxurious fabrics and distinctive prints. 

Shirley Pepys, founder of Noel Joanna Inc. NoJo) and her son Noel Pepys have teamed up with Dr. William Sears, best known as "American Pediatrician," to create fashionable and functional products to make life simpler for parents and better for babies.

If there's one thing that I know I need after having 2 babies it is a nursing pillow. Especially during those first few weeks & months. Not only does it save your back but it makes breastfeeding a tad easier. Even though this will be my third baby I expect breastfeeding will still be challenging during those first couple of weeks. Each baby is different! And each baby has to learn how to breastfeed. So, I'm super excited to try out the Balboa Baby Nursing Pillow.
And with all of their gorgeous prints, I can be styling as well!

They were so kind to send me a pillow in the gorgeous Suri print which I love!!

Honestly, the picture doesn't even do justice to the print. It is perfect for boy or girl and perfect for that stylish mom (which I like to think is me).

Not only do I love their prints but I love the contoured design! One thing important to breastfeeding is that you have the baby rolled in toward you the mother. So, their contoured design helps to encourage the correct feeding position!! It naturally rolls the baby towards you.

Another thing that I know is A MUST after having 2 other children is that everything needs to be easy care. And that's exactly what their pillow is. The cover is removable, 100% cotton, and machine washable!!

Another thing that is A MUST is simplicity! When you have a hungry screaming baby the last thing you want is complicated. Their pillow is so simple, no buckles or straps. Simply slide it up against you...the baby naturally rolls in...and the rest is up to you!

Other than the gorgeous fabric, one of the first things I noticed was how soft & comfortable the pillow felt. It is firm but yet soft. The perfect place for your baby to lay during a feeding. And perfect for all those times your baby falls asleep after nursing when you just want them to lay there so you can stare at their perfection (what mom doesn't enjoy that).


Balboa Baby also offers a wide array of other awesome products including their adjustable sling, nursing cover (another must), high chair cover, shopping cart cover (which we have & love), stroller liner, & Balboa bags.

 From looking at their site, one of the things I fell in love with was their bags. Such gorgeous prints & with a duffle bag, messenger bag & tote bag you have a perfect set.

Balboa Baby has also generously offered to give
ONE LUCKY FOLLOWER
the chance
TO WIN A NURSING PILLOW
in their choice of fabric!!

WANNA WIN??
**Giveaway open to US Residents ONLY**

Please be sure to "like" their facebook page & follow along on twitter

Wow...65 Years!! Contests & More

Wow, can you believe
Kolcraft is celebrating 65 Years??

Holy jeepers. They're the ONLY baby gear & crib mattress manufacturer that has been family owned & that has never "changed hands". Now that's something to write home about!

And to kick off the celebration  they're hosting 6 months of prizes.

How amazing is that?

They have launched a special website just for the celebration, so HEAD OVER to check out the special 65th anniversary site.

Every 6 weeks they will launch a new sweepstakes!

And June is being kicked off with some pretty amazing ones if I do have to say so myself.
They're kicking it off with the Jeep Family on the Go package. But wait there's more they have baby & family prizes from Sesame Street, Contours, Kolcraft & Sealy. 

You don't want to miss out:

The Grand Prize: Jeep 5-piece luggage set, Jeep Liberty stroller & Jeep 2-in-1 Sport Baby Carrier
(Value $318.98)

First Place: Jeep Liberty Limited Stroller (Value $199.99)

Second Place: Jeep 2-in-1 Sport Baby Carrier & Jeep Travel Anywhere Sport 2-in-1 Booster Seat & Everyday Bag.
(Value $79.98)

Third Place: Jeep 2-in-1 Sport Baby Carrier
(Value $39.99)

Head on over to their sweepstakes page.
And just remember check them out every 6 weeks!

Kolcraft Contours Optima Tandem Stroller Review & SILENT AUCTION- CLOSED~~

Congratulations to JD for being the highest bidder as of 11:59 PM EST.

There's no denying the fact that you need a double stroller with Two Under 2 or twins or even just 2 little ones.  But the only problem is, which one do you get?  And to top it off many stores don't even stock them so you're forced to order online.  But how do you know whether you will like it or not, especially when you've never seen it in person? 

Read reviews of course!

And I'm bringing you just that!

As a Kolcraft Mom I recently received the opportunity to review the newest & most amazing double stroller from Kolcraft....The Contours Optima Tandem Stroller in Berkley print. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was; I was simply like a child on Christmas Day.

Now I'm sure that most of you that have researched double strollers have seen the older Kolcraft tandem models. 

So what's so great about the new one???

Well, it is MUCH LIGHTER at ONLY 37 lbs. 

So, I realize that seems fairly heavy but we are talking a double stroller here.

And now I'm pleased to introduce you to the Contours Optima Tandem Stroller

& all of it's amazing features

First off, I feel that it's very important how well a stroller folds. 

Obviously a double stroller is not going to be as compact but I do have to say I was simply amazed at just how well it folded. 

Much smaller than I would have ever imagined. 

The only downfall to folding is that to make the most compact fold you must remove one of the 2 seats (which is super easy).  It is also recommended that you turn the remaining seat towards you & turn the cup holder in. (once again super easy)
Not a problem but just something extra to remember.

I just love the new Berkley pattern. So fashionable & cute.
Which I must say goes great with Emma's car seat.

Time for a few great features:

• The footrest is easily adjusted with just a push of a button which makes it perfect for any size of child

• A generous size parent tray with room for 2 drinks & an area for keys or what not.

• Removable Front Bars

One thing that I worried about prior to receiving it was the front bars.

I could potentially see them getting in the way with a bigger child.

But they are easily removable so they're no problem at all.

And one of my favorite features...

• the huge basket underneath. 

Now, if I'm going to push a suburban of a stroller around I want it to have a big basket...and the Contours Optima has just that.

And the greatest of features is that there are

6 Seating Options

Yes, seriously 6 different options.

The seats are easily removed with the push of a button & snap right back in place with no problem at all.

• Can accommodate just 1 infant/child which allows plenty of extras storage

(A very nice feature being you may not always have both children;

& who wants to carry multiple strollers in your car)



Check out that storage space



•  Both Facing Forward 
• Facing Away from Each Other (Front seat was reclined  for infant)

• Facing Each Other

• And the super awesome thing is that Infant Seat can fit & fits my Chicco Key Fit with no problem

(holds many infant seats, see website for complete list)

One infant car seat attachment included; may purchase additional piece

• Facing Parent

And of course the "real test"

The stroller amazingly fits both my toddler as well as my infant perfectly.

With the adjustable footrest Maddox's feet rest perfectly.  And with the reclining back Emma is able to lay back & be comfortable.

And you ask, "how well did it push"? 

It pushes very easily. 

I was completely in awe of just how easy it went. In fact it didn't seem any harder to push than my single stroller.

See how well he fits.
(For size comparison he's roughly 35 inches & 26 lbs)

He absolutely loves it.  In fact when I had in the house setup he would try to crawl in it to just watch TV.

It's so great having a stroller that fits both of them!

And I think Emma gave her seal of approval.  Not long & she was fast asleep.


Such a PERFECT STROLLER

Buy It:
You can purchase the Kolcraft Contours Optima Tandem Stroller for $289.99 at Babies R' Us

And now you have the chance to bid on one right here at Houghton Happening's.  Kolcraft is sponsoring a silent auction...and one lucky reader has the chance to get the new Contours Optima Tandem Stroller at a fraction of the price.

 

**SILENT AUCTION for Charitable Cause**

The highest bidder of this auction will win a Kolcraft's Optima Tandem Stroller ($299.99 Value).  All proceeds from this silent auction will be paid to K.I.D.S. (Kids In Distressed Situations)

So not only do you have the chance to bid on an AMAZING STROLLER but the chance to make a difference by supporting an awesome charity.  Plus they're helping providing relief to the victims of the storms & tornadoes that have recently affected the South.  So, here's your chance to make a difference & get an amazing stroller at the same time.

How it works:  Bidding starts at $5 and will increase in increments of $5.  To bid, simply leave a comment, making sure your bid is $5 or more above the previous highest bidder.  The highest bidder will then be contacted via email and will have 72 hours to reply & make their donation to K.I.D.S. (electronic receipt is required as proof).  If the highest bidder does not claim the prize or pay the charity, the next highest bidder will be selected as the winner.

**Because several people have asked...There is NO SHIPPING COST. The highest bidder simply makes their donation to K.I.D.S and Kolcraft will ship out the stroller**

**Auction closes June 13, 2011 @ 11:59 PM EST. Open to US Residents 18 Years Old or Older Only.**

I was given the above mentioned product(s) for my review & host of this giveaway.

I was in no other way compensated.The product itself didn't persuade my personal beliefs or views.

I was under no obligation to write a positive review. The views & opinions are purely my own