Guide Dots - Kids Subscription Art Service

My kids enjoy art, and it's a great way to keep them busy and entertained while I am working. When Guide Dots reached out about trying their new subscription art service..I couldn't say no, especially because my oldest has shown interest in "how to" videos. If this all sounds interesting to you, be sure to grab my $5 off coupon code at the bottom!

What is Guide Dots? 
Using dots spread out throughout a paper roll and online video instruction, kids are able to draw their own masterpieces. It's like having an art instructor in your home!

The lighted tablet helps you to see where the dots are under your drawing paper, and it's basically an advanced dot-to-dot art experience.

Two Levels: Before I give details about each level, you should know that each level comes with a Starter Kit that includes: a lighted tablet for ease of tracing, dual tip markers, box of chalk pastels, eraser, elastic bands for keeping the Guide Dot rolls in place, 2 Guide Dot rolls, binder clip.

Level 2 gets what is mentioned above, but also: oil pastels, watercolors, watercolor paper, 2 paintbrushes.

Level 1: Discover Art, ages 4-7
This the level I went with for my 6 year old and it is perfect for beginners. It isn't too easy, but it also isn't too tough.

Subscription Details:
Level 1 - $89.99: 3 months of Guide Dots which gets you the Starter Kit and 6 total Guide Dots rolls (2 per month). But once you have the Starter Kit, there are other options to subscribe to.
Click here to see the options:


Level 2: Art Confidence, Ages 8-10
I believe this level has children start adding in their own little details here and there.

Subscription Details:
Level 2 - $109.00: 3 months of Guide Dots which gets you the Starter kit & level 2 supplies, and 6 total Guide Dot rolls (2 per month). And just like level 1, once you have the started kit there are other options available that are cheaper.
Click here to see the options:

Subscriptions ship on the 4th of each month.

Ok, ok, so now that you have the run down on the brand, how it works, and what's included, let's dive into our experience using the service!

As mentioned above, we went with Level 1. The month it was sent in included a Guide Dots rolls for a robot drawing, as well as unicorn. Of course, my son went right for the robot. Getting everything set up was simple, you just need to make sure you have a tablet or laptop that supports a USB cable, so not a Fire tablet. I wasn't a fan of giving up my laptop, but sharing is caring sometimes I guess, ha! The kit comes with instructions on where to find the instructional videos on the website, so plug in your lighted tablet, and head to Guide-Dots.com to get started.

The videos go through EVERYTHING, including set up..how to turn on the light tablet, how to get your Guide Dots roll set up, etc. You will need plain white paper for drawing, the kit does NOT come with it. I just used paper from our printer, but next time I'll probably try out card stock so it's a little sturdier. Oh, and grab a sharpened pencil.

The line up of videos was very easy for my 6 year old to follow, and he was able to pause them himself when he needed to finish a step before moving on. Cindra is very good at keeping kids engaged. (Psst, Cindra is also the founder of Guide Dots.)

I wasn't sure how this was all going to turn into a robot, but sure enough..it did! As you draw from dot-to-dot, pulling the roll of paper through and repeating the steps, a picture starts to appear. And the best part is that you can draw it over and over again!

They even have step by step videos for coloring if you want to follow along and not do your own thing. This will put the markers and pastels to work! I suggest putting something down under your picture for coloring as the markers do bleed through. We used a plastic placemat that we have for all of our crafts.

I was pretty impressed with his finished product, and he was quite proud of himself as well. This is one reason I am considering trying out card stock...I'd love to display them in the playroom, but the regular printer paper got a little bent along the journey. I definitely suggest this subscription kit for a fun after school or weekend activity. My son really enjoyed it and we can't wait to try more!

Sound interesting??? SAVE $$$ using code: @thelittlestadventures at checkout at Guide-Dots.com

Thank you to Guide Dots and Cindra for sending us a Started Kit for free to try, we LOVED it.

*Giveaway* The cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush by Smile Brilliant - Review + Giveaway

The cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush by Smile Brilliant

Review + Giveaway

Notice: This post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase a new toothbrush using these links, I will make a small commission.

Fun fact: At 30 years old, I have never had a cavity. And no, I don’t visit the dentist every 6 months like I’m supposed to, nor do I floss more than the 3 days after a dentist appointment because I feel guilty…you know what I’m talking about! I’m a soda and coffee lover, and eat my fair share of sweets, but I’m also a stickler when it comes to brushing my teeth, I can NEVER skip a brushing and I LOVE using an electric toothbrush.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Before Smile Brilliant sent me the cariPRO Ultrasonic Electric Toothbrush, I was already using an electric toothbrush and have been for years. I feel as if this experience has really helped me to be able to compare the differences between a regular electric toothbrush and an ultrasonic. I have used cheap non-name brand electric brushes, and most recently I have been using a Crest Spin Brush. Honestly, I have no complaints except for the fact that I have to replace the batteries in it so often as it does not have a charging station. Though, with that being said, I would definitely recommend the cariPRO over a basic electric toothbrush, and I’d love to tell you why!


WHY ELECTRIC?
For me, I have always felt that an electric toothbrush did a better job at cleaning my teeth than a manual toothbrush. I love getting that after dentist silky smooth feel and having something that rotates on your teeth while you move the brush is doubling that cleaning action. I feel like they reach into places that a stiff manual brush can’t get to.

WHY CARIPRO?
Most electric toothbrushes have a single on/off switch, and that’s it. On to brush, off to stop. The cariPRO has 5 different settings once the toothbrush is on. The toothbrush lights up indicating which setting you are in and is easily changed with the push of a button.

Brushing Modes:
Clean: normal day to day cleaning
White: stronger brushing than the clean setting, good for buildup and stains
Massage: use on the gums after normal cleaning
Gum Care: gentler care for cleaning gums
Sensitive: if you suffer from sensitivity or the Clean mode is too intense, this mode is much more gentle

I often find myself switching between the Clean and Sensitive modes for regular brushing, while using the Gum Care setting for my gums. The back of the toothbrush head has a grooved surface for tongue cleaning as well! I love love LOVE that the toothbrush head is only a single piece, I can't tell you how many times I have hurt my tongue with my Spinbrush because it has a space between the brush head and the moving parts. Seriously, ouch. The cariPRO can't do that because it uses vibrations and not extra moving parts to clean your teeth.

Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes each time, but do you set a timer? I certainly don’t. This toothbrush has a built-in timer that turns off at 2 minutes, but it also pauses briefly every 30 seconds for those 2 minutes, so you know when it is time to switch to the next quadrant of your mouth. I love this feature and so wish that it was a feature that kids electric toothbrushes had…it would be such a great learning tool! And honestly, kids could use the cariPRO, I just don’t think my son could resist playing with all of the features, ha!

Another awesome feature is that on a full charge, the toothbrush can last about 30 days. That means you can take it on vacation and not have to worry about bringing extra batteries (because it doesn’t take them) or the wireless charging dock. It is also waterproof for if you are a shower brusher and it is so incredibly light, even compared to my Spinbrush.

electric toothbrush
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
You have a couple of different options when purchasing your cariPRO toothbrush. Here is a brief look at what each package includes:

Individual Package ($119):
1 cariPRO Ultrasonic Toothbrush
2 replacement heads
1 wireless charging dock

Deluxe Package($129):
1 cariPRO Ultrasonic Toothbrush
4 replacement heads
1 wireless charging dock

Couples Package ($199):
2 cariPRO Ultrasonic Toothbrushes
4 replacement heads
2 wireless charging docks

I have the Individual Package which comes with everything that one person would need, but if you are looking for purchase for you and a significant other, the Couples Package would be your best deal. All packages do come with a 2-year limited warranty and a 60-day trial, so you really can’t lose. While doing some quick researching, I found that some other name brand Sonic toothbrushes start at $220 so this truly is a great value for an Ultrasonic toothbrush.

THE OUTCOME
I have been using the cariPRO for about 2 weeks and I LOVE it. The Spinbrush got my teeth clean, but I really can feel a difference after using the cariPRO and it is wonderful. I’m pretty sure it reaches to new places giving an even cleaner feeling, and I don’t feel as guilty about not flossing (btw, you should totally be flossing!). As mentioned above, I switch between the Clean and Sensitive settings, but I have tried out all of them and can truly see how this is a toothbrush for everyone. 

Want to win one of your own?! Click HERE! And if you can’t wait to see if you’ve won, use code buglittle20 for 20% of cariPRO Toothbrushes at Smile Brilliant!

*I received this product for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Notice: This post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase a new toothbrush using these links, I will make a small commission.

Inglesina Zippy Light: Review

As a family with two young kids we are no strangers to strollers. We mostly use our inline double to accommodate both kids but there are times where a single, much smaller stroller comes in handy. Before trying out the Inglesina Zippy Light, I had searched high and low for a great lightweight stroller. They were all pretty similar in their specs and would easily get the job done, but I will skip those details and get right to why the Inglesina Zippy Light has stolen all my stroller love!

One of the biggest issues with lightweight strollers is the smaller child weight limit, and I wanted something that my oldest son, 4 years old, would also be able to ride in if he were to get tired of walking. The Inglesina Zippy Light has a higher seat weight limit of 55 lbs., my son is just under 40 lbs. so he has quite a ways to go! The stroller itself weights a very light 15 lbs., and folds up one handed almost as small as an umbrella stroller…in fact it is actually shorter than another I owned when folded. I know what you’re thinking, how can a stroller with such a small fold and lightweight be any better than any other light weight stroller? Simply put, because it is! Even with the small fold and lightweight, it opens up into a very roomy stroller. Aiding to the roominess of the stroller is that the seat reclines flat with an adjustable foot rest. Does your umbrella stroller do that?! On our most recent vacation, my youngest son was sleeping upon arriving at Mt. Rushmore, so we deiced to use the stroller. He happily laid there fully reclined, just strolling around until we took him out. He seriously looked SO cozy!

Another great perk is the UPF 50+ sun shade; it unzips and extends for great protection. It also has a small mesh window for air flow or to just peek in on your sleeping baby. The storage basket underneath isn’t huge, but I wouldn’t expect it to be with a small stroller. That being said though, it is a great size, easy to access, and held quite a bit when we needed it to. Unlike some other light weight strollers, the seat cover is soft, padded, and is completely washable…winning! The back of the seat feels so sturdy and that helps me to know my children are comfortable while riding. The Zippy Light also comes with a cup holder that hooks on to the frame, and a tried and true rain cover (I would not suggest having the child ride with the rain cover on as it would probably get way too hot, my child was already in the stroller when I remembered I wanted to take a picture of the just rained on cover, but I removed it right after).

Now I know I already mentioned the small fold, but the Zippy Light also stands freely on its own when folded, which is awesome for storage or when visiting spaces in which you need to fold and stash your stroller; and because of the easy fold and light weight, it’s easy to quickly fold and carry up a flight of stairs if needed. This stroller does have all-wheel suspension, but I wouldn’t suggest using it on bumpy mountain trails because it really wasn’t made for that kind of rough terrain, but it does handle the smoother rough surfaces like brick roads well when you lock the wheels.

Detail Round-Up:

• Stroller weight: 15 lbs.
• Child weight limit: 55 lbs.
• Fully reclining seat back
• Adjustable foot rest
• Large storage basket
• One handed, free standing fold
• All-wheel suspension
• Fully washable seat cover
• Sun protection (UPF 50+)
• Includes: Rain cover, bumper bar
• Infant car seat adaptable

The Inglesina Zippy Light is easily one of my favorite strollers and I have used it on vacation, around my neighborhood, and throughout the Disney theme parks. It is simple to use, convenient, and very sleek looking. It may not be the stroller for taller people (I am 5’5”) as it is easy to kick the wheels, though at my height I do not really run into this problem unless I am really booking it somewhere, which I don’t necessarily plan to do with a lightweight stroller.

This made in Italy stroller does a run a little pricey if you are looking for a basic umbrella stroller, but you can purchase it HERE starting at $349. Other retailers including Buy Buy Baby, Amazon, and Target sell the Zippy Light for the same price. We have the Safari Beige for reference.

*I received this product for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.




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Anchored East Backpack Diaper Bag - Review

As a mom of two kids with the youngest almost completely out of diapers, I probably have more diaper bags than I’d like to admit. Even though we don’t really need diaper bags for the “diaper” factor anymore, we can still pack a mean load for our day to day activities. We live in Florida where most theme parks are less than a 2-hour drive so if we aren’t traveling out of state, you can most likely find us at Disney World. For theme parks, we prefer a backpack because we can ditch the stroller and have everything we need on our backs.

I started using the Anchored East backpack diaper bag back in March and have so many AMAZING things to say about it. There are a few other brands that have the same style, but the price and sturdiness of this bag is hard to beat. The stylish heather grey polyester exterior is water resistant and easy to wipe clean, and the interior lining is also easy to clean. The gold colored zippers and hardware along with the PU (Polyurethane) leather details really makes the bag stand out and look high end. When you’re ready to go, the handles snap closed with a PU leather strap.

Features
One of my favorite features of this bag are the stroller straps, and mostly because they aren’t sold separately! The straps are attached to the bag, meaning you will never accidentally forget them at home, how many times have you done that? They don’t get in the way of carrying as they are on the outside of the shoulder straps and they can be tightened or loosened to attach to almost any handlebar with a snap buckle closure.

Anchored East diaper bag backpacks also include a water resistant changing pad, and although it isn’t as thick or long as some others that I have used, it still gets the job done. Since it isn’t as thick it can be folded down pretty small or even rolled to make more space in the diaper bag if needed. This diaper bag backpack is also filled with so many convenient pockets, one of which is insulated--but more about that below. The shoulder straps are easily adjusted to fit and have a padded mesh material for comfort, as does the lower portion of the back of the backpack.

The bottom of the bag has sturdy luggage feet to help keep the bag off the ground, it doesn’t keep it completely off the ground, but it certainly does help keep it from getting ruined on concrete or other rough surfaces. I really love how the main opening is structured and opens incredibly wide while the bag stands freely for easy packing. According to the listing on Amazon, this bag measures 26x14x14cm.....more than enough space to fit all of your needs, it would be great for cloth diapering too.

All the Pockets!
This bag has a total of 9 pockets; 5 on the inside and 4 on the outside.

Interior pockets: there is a nicely sized zippered pocket, an aluminum insulated pocket that fits my 2 kid’s cups or bottles in various sizes, and the other 3 are open with a bit of elastic on the top. I use these for items such as sunglasses, bibs, sunscreen, etc.

Exterior pockets: the large pocket on the front fits my wallet, keys, and other mom essentials, the 2 pockets on the sides are great for my own water bottles/cups or anything I need to just store quickly while wearing the bag. One side pocket has a small zipper down the side that I wish was an extra small sealed off pocket, but it does give you access to the bigger pocket. The pocket on the back is padded mesh for comfort and can fit a wipes case.

As mentioned above, I do have my fair share of diaper bags, so I do become biased as to which ones I like the most and which ones I will recommend to friends and family. We have another diaper bag backpack that I love, but I have been reaching for my Anchored East backpack most often. Ok, more like ALL THE TIME.

Experience
On my most recent Disney World trip, I took both of my boys (ages 2 and 4) to Magic Kingdom by myself and left my stroller at home…ON PURPOSE. Before you think I am crazy and I continue with my point, it was a wonderful day and my kids were so amazingly well behaved. Since I was flying solo without a stroller to carry our belongings, I packed up my Anchored East bag with all the day’s necessities, including but not limited to: snacks and snack cups, 2 kids jackets, a Lillebaby soft structured carrier when not in use, diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, Mickey ears, an autograph book, etc. I couldn’t believe how much it fit. I wore this bag ALL day (again…no stroller) along with my baby carrier and was very comfortable. I had no shoulder pain, which is amazing considering I was wearing my 2-year-old most of the day as well. The straps aren’t bulky which I think helps with the comfort level, and my husband also had a good experience wearing this backpack around Disney…and husband approval is key!

I discovered Anchored East on Instagram many months ago and I love how Emily, the owner at Anchored East, interacts with others. Finding brands with personable people is huge for me, I like being able to reach out to a company and know that they will respond and supporting other mom-owned businesses is a huge plus. You can find her over at @anchoredeast.co on Instagram, and you can purchase an Anchored East Diaper Bag Backpack on Amazon HERE for only $49.99.

* I received this product for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Life – Fully Dissolving Laundry Detergent Sheets

Laundry stinks, sometimes literally when you have two little kids and a husband who runs every morning. I am ALWAYS doing laundry it seems so finding a safe and gentle detergent is super important. We have a front loading High Efficiency washing machine, so we also must use detergents that are meant for HE washers. A lot to think about just to get our clothes clean! We typically use a liquid detergent, but I have also been switching it up and using these Life Laundry Detergent Sheets. Sheets, you say? Yep! A fully dissolvable laundry detergent sheet, which are so much safer than the pods I have heard so many horror stories about, that can get my clothes just as clean as any other detergent I have used. 

Life Laundry Detergent Sheets are Featured as:

plant based

low sudsing

biodegradable

economical

made with NO benzene

made with NO phosphates

made with NO chlorine

made with NO dyes or fragrances

made with NO optical brighteners

safe in all types of washers

great for travel

How They Work

Life Laundry Detergent Sheets are easy to use, and because you can use them in any type of washer, you don’t need to buy any other detergent if you travel. You can even use them without a washer if needed. Since it isn’t a liquid, you just put the sheet right into the washer drum. Depending on the size of the load you will end up using 1-3 sheets per load. Small and medium loads only require 1, where an extra-large load with heavy stains would require 3. The sheets will dissolve in hot or cold water, so you can use your favorite laundry preference and not worry about opening the washer to see a sudsy mess.

I used 1 sheet for my small load of laundry and the clothes came out clean and smelling nice. They didn’t have a perfume smell as there is no fragrance added, but they certainly smelled clean. These were also perfect to bring along on our vacation as we usually rent places with washing facilities, and rather than having to buy small packages of detergent once we arrived, we just brought our Life Laundry Detergent Sheets. The ingredients are gentle enough to use on the whole family’s clothes, and I know they won’t irritate my children’s sensitive skin. I was quite impressed with how well they worked.

Ingredients

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (cleansing agent: low-moderate hazard - 3)

Lauryl Hydroxysultaine (low hazard - 1)

Laureth-5 Carboxylic Acid (cleansing agent: low hazard -2)

Alkyl Glucoside (low hazard – 1)

Xanthan Gum (low hazard – 1)

Protease Enzyme (low hazard)

Compound Enzyme (low hazard)

Water

Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Extract (low hazard – 1)

Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Seed Extract (low hazard – 1)

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract (low-moderate hazard 1-3 depending on usage)

*hazard ratings from EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database 

Packaging/travel

Life Laundry Detergent Sheets come in a small box with 40 fully dissolving sheets. This makes it the perfect size for travel as they will fit conveniently in any suitcase or bag. Because they are small sheets, you could count out the number your trip would require, and place them into a water tight bag rather than packing the full box.

They are currently available on for prime on Amazon for $7.99 (list price of $9.99).

I received these samples for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

 

Don't Wash It Now, Wash. It. Later.

I know I’m not the only parent out there who is constantly spraying their kid’s clothes before washing them, only for the stain they forgot about to not come out. Am I right, or am I right? On a serious note, I am lucky to have two boys who actually aren’t THAT messy. They like to get into things from time to time, but they really don’t like having messy hands or clothes. The first time I introduced my oldest to finger paints it was almost as if I was sticking his hand into hot lava, he wanted nothing to do with squishy hands. Not all messes can be avoided though. Falling outside in the mud, coloring with markers and forgetting the lid is still off or eating messy meals.

I almost ALWAYS remember (I said almost) to bring both of my kids a change of clothes whenever we leave the house, whether it be out to eat or out to a theme park or just to the in laws…I know that messes and accidents happen. My biggest issue with this though is when I change them, I end up sticking their soiled clothes into the diaper bag—most likely wrapped in a grocery bag of some sort, and the mess just sits and soaks itself into the clothing. If we’re staying overnight somewhere where we don’t have access to a washing machine, those dirty clothes will stay dirty until we get back home to wash them.

When I found Wash. It. Later, I was totally intrigued and of course asked myself…why didn’t I think of that?! I knew that this product would be the newest parent go-to for on the go messes and a diaper bag must have. Wash. It. Later. is a brand started by a mom, Hannah, who is no stranger to messes. She wanted a better option for her kid’s soiled clothes rather than throwing them out or sticking the mess directly into her diaper bag, and she found one!

What is Wash. It. Later.? 
Wash. It. Later. is a solution to those awful set in stains that kid’s clothes get while out and about. They are soak and save bags that allow you to toss in soiled clothing to start treating stains right away. Each bag contains a small all-natural soaking pod (the website states that they are free of harsh chemicals and are hypoallergenic as well), that is activated once water is added. The bags are water tight, and I gave mine a good shake and it didn’t leak at all.

How do they work?
If your child spills something while out to dinner and you are worried about a stain setting in, you place the soiled clothing into the soak and save bag, pour in the necessary amount of water--which is 1-3 cups, carefully seal the bag by folding down the top, and then roll the top of the bag down and secure with the reusable tape. The seal at the top of the bag is permanent, meaning don’t accidentally fold it wrong because you are not unsealing it…the bags are made to be water tight and that they are. Once you have done all those steps, place the bag upright into your diaper bag and wash the garment whenever you get home.

Does it work? YES! The spots were BARELY visible after removing from the wash…so much so that I didn’t bother washing it again, it may have even been my imagination that I thought I saw a bit of red still. I did spray with Shout before washing because keep in mind, this isn’t a stain remover, it just pre-soaks making spots easier to remove.

Because my child is all into bibs these days and won’t eat without them, I experimented at home when all of his bibs were “dirty”. My kids LOOOOVE spaghetti or any other pasta, so I brought out the red sauce for this one. To my delight, my youngest was an absolute mess after eating. It was in his hair, on his face, all the way down to his toes. He clearly knew I needed something good to work with. Before even cleaning his face, I took off his shirt and placed it into the soak and save bag, added 3 cups of water, sealed the bag, and placed it into my diaper bag. In true mom fashion, I brought the diaper bag inside and then completely forgot that his soiled shirt was inside. I remembered the next day and cut open the bag (remember, that seal is forever!) and poured out the water. You could still see the sauce on his shirt, but it wasn’t as bad as it was when I placed it into the bag. I sprayed the visible spots with Shout and put his shirt into the wash with the rest of my kids clothing and to my surprise, the sauce stain was practically gone!

For big messes, I would suggest rinsing the garment first because no one wants to dump out a bag of watery poop the next day. But really, I can’t even imagine how many onesies could have been saved in my kid’s newborn blowout days if I had had these. I would definitely recommend this product to all new parents and all seasoned parents, and they don’t have to just be limited to babies and kids, adult clothes can fit too! You can purchase your own Wash. It. Later. Soak and Save Bags in a pack of 3 for $10.99 on the website HERE.

  

I received this product for free in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Chicco NextFit iX Zip - Review

I have always been intrigued by the safety products that Chicco has to offer and have only ever heard great things about them. I hadn’t used a Chicco car seat until I tried out the Fit2, and after trying out and loving it with my youngest, I was excited to upgrade him to the Chicco NextFit iX Zip. Although he most likely had a couple of months left in the Fit2 before reaching the height limit, I wanted to make sure that I had another option lined up for when he was ready to upgrade to a convertible. When we upgraded my vehicle to a Ford Explorer, our larger convertible car seats no longer fit rear facing and I was most likely going to borrow my parent’s car seat for the time being so I was definitely excited to get the NextFit iX Zip to use and review, especially because I want to make sure I keep my 22 month old son rear facing for as long as possible.

When I first opened the box and took out seat, I honestly thought that it looked big and that it wasn’t going to fit in my SUV just like my other car seats, my husband was skeptical too. Imagine my surprise and delight when I installed the car seat and saw the amount of space between the installed car seat and the front passenger seat, I was even able to slide the passenger seat back quite a bit giving more leg room up front—it was pretty tight from his other seat!

The NextFit iX Zip can accommodate newborns who weigh as little as 5 lbs. with the newborn insert up to toddlers who weigh 40 lbs. in the rear facing position. When your child is ready, this seat can accommodate children in the front facing position up to 65 lbs. and 49” tall. My youngest is MAYBE 25 lbs. so he can be rear facing for a while without reaching the limit, though once 35 lbs. is reached, LATCH can no longer be used and the seat belt will need to be used to secure the seat. When installing the seat in the rear facing position, use the angle adjuster numbers 1-4 and ensure the level indicator is in the correct spot and that baby’s head isn’t falling forward.

Installing the seat using the LATCH system was seriously mind blowing. I have always had to put my weight into my car seats when installing, but not with the NextFit. There are 2 sides to the LATCH straps to tighten, first you pull to tighten the side with the number 1 and then you tighten the SuperCinch side of the LATCH….and let me tell you—it is SUPER. The SuperCinch gets the car seat very tight and secure without a struggle and pulls the LATCH straps tight for you, like a wench system. So easy! If you haven’t tried out the SuperCinch of the NextFit, head to your local baby store to try it out, it is an amazing feature and I am super confident in the rear facing install.

As if the SuperCinch LATCH system wasn’t amazing enough, the Zip part in NextFit iX Zip is also a car seat game changer. The top cover of the car seat zips completely off for easy cleaning/washing and the strap covers come off as well. No need to take out the entire car seat to clean if there is accident or small spill. Some other great features include the side strap pads for the legs/hips that actually stay open on their own to keep the harness straps open for ease of putting baby in the seat. I like these because the straps don’t dig and keep baby comfy. The harness straps tighten with a pull strap on the front of the seat so adjusting for the right fit is always in reach, and the harness is a no re-thread system that adjusts with the raising and lowering of the headrest, which has 9 positions.

This convertible car seat is packed with so many amazing features, I can’t believe I hadn’t tried a NextFit sooner! I would recommend this car seat to everyone, especially parents with compact vehicles as it is a fairly compact seat compared to many others, and parents who have disabilities or issues where tightening car seats may hurt their hands as the SuperCinch system does not require as much effort as a typical LATCH car seat. I LOVE the Chicco NextFit iX Zip, and have yet to find a feature that I do not like in it. You can purchase a NextFit iX Zip car seat on the Chicco website here for $349.99, or at Babies R Us or Target (prints vary by store).

*I received this item for free in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Newlie Co Gail Satchel

I see more and more parents turning to the higher end, more stylish options when it comes to baby products, especially diaper bags. When I received the Newlie Co. Gail Satchel, I instantly fell in love with the color and style. I hadn’t used a satchel style diaper bag before so I was entering new, exciting territory and it fits my love for non-traditional diaper bags perfectly.

The Gail Satchel looks nothing like a diaper bag, in fact it looks more like a high-end leather purse so you would never guess that inside there are more diapers and kid snacks than other normal purse related items. I also wouldn’t call myself stylish AT ALL, but I’m pretty sure carrying this diaper bag ups my level and I have received many compliments on it. The faux leather bag comes in two colors, black or sandalwood, I picked sandalwood because IT IS GORGEOUS, and although it will fit into any season I can picture it being so beautiful alongside all the maroons and mustards of the Fall season.

One of the style features that grabbed me is the turn lock flap closure, it’s not often you find a diaper bag with that kind of detail. Under the flap, there are 3 main pockets-two of which have other various pockets inside. The large middle pocket is zippered which is where I keep my mom essentials: umbrella, wallet, hand sanitizer, mints…basically all the items I don’t want my kids getting into. It could really fit a whole lot more. The other 2 pockets on either side of the zippered pocket are open, but I haven’t had any issues with anything falling out because they are deep. 

Both pockets have a bottle/sippy cup sleeve which is great because each kid gets their own pocket! The front open pocket has 2 slide-in pockets as well as a large zippered insulated pocket. I was asked if the insulated pocket would fit an epi-pen, and the answer was absolutely, it would be perfect for something such as that or even snacks that you want kept insulated. The back open pocket is where the included changing pad is kept which is clipped in to its own little space, and this is where I keep diapers and wipes for my youngest as well. There is a small zippered pocket on the back of the bag which could fit a wallet and keys, or candy…you could fit a secret stash of candy there. There is also a key clip on the inside on the bag which keeps my key safe and not buried, always a great feature to have in a diaper bag.

I really love diaper bags that have multiple uses and can be worn different ways. The Gail can be worn as a shoulder bag, on the arm, or crossbody with the included strap. I find that I wear the bag on my shoulder most often but will occasionally wear it cross body. I do feel that if the diaper bag is too full, wearing it crossbody may feel a little awkward since it is a fairly large bag, but I love it for when I am out with only one child. The strap also gives it a cute stylish look if you keep it attached while wearing it as a shoulder bag.

Newlie Co. does sell their stroller straps separately, but the Gail Satchel comes with a large change pad and the strap to wear it crossbody. I have also used the included strap to hang over the grocery cart handle or stroller, so it is still a convenient diaper bag even without stroller straps.

The Newlie Co. Gail Satchel diaper bag is truly a beautiful bag, as are their other designer bags and the best part is that they do not come at a designer price. Newlie Co. diaper bags and accessories can be purchased online at their store HERE, or on Amazon, Buy Buy Baby, Pish Posh Baby, among others, and you can find stores in your area by visiting the website HERE.

I received this diaper bag in exchange for a review. All opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

xo - Michelle