Author Archives: The Jewish Lady

My Experience with EquiptBaby Bassinet

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Ask any mom and she’ll tell you how hard it is to get out of the door with a baby. Between juggling the little one, a diaper bag, toys, clothes, and a stroller, it can be almost impossible! Often, more than one bag is required, and there are never enough hands to hold everything—especially if mom is alone.

I’ve often wondered why there couldn’t be a better solution. Something small, something that had more than a single use, something convenient. After checking many stores in my area, I found nothing. Luckily, an extensive online search lead me to EquiptBaby, and they generously sent me a sample.

EquiptBaby is a California based company, created by Kristin Hatfield. As a mom, she knows what it’s like to deal with baby accessory overload. In an attempt to simplify her own situation, she designed a compact, portable bassinet that will help other moms, too!

The EquiptBaby bassinet is magnificent. It can be used both inside and out, which is fantastic for those of us with busy on-the-go lifestyles. It requires only one hand to set up and fully expands in two seconds. The bassinet and insert weigh only one ounce each, so it’s light enough to carry without being a hassle.

When it’s sleep time, you simply pull the collapsed bassinet from its bag and shake it loose into shape. Place the sleeping pad—which can double as a changing pad—into the bassinet. The bassinet allows the baby to rest anywhere you are, keeping them within eye and ear range, but still comfortable.

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Taking the bassinet outside is extremely nice. The exterior is created with SPF 50 materials. All-around visibility panels allow peace of mind, plus there is a sun shade for protection and a protective mesh netting that can be pulled down and clipped to the sides of the bassinet, ensuring that no bugs or dirt can access baby.

To disassemble, remove the pad, twist the bassinet shut, and fold into a compact square. The first few times I did this was really challenging, but after I watched their instructional video, it made sense. Printed instructions are available too, but the video worked much better for me.

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Caring for the bassinet couldn’t be quicker; just wipe down with a sponge and warm water. It can be spot treated if needed, but I found it didn’t look worn or raggedy even with repeated use.

I think the bassinet is a great value for the money and can be used for additional babies, further lowering the cost (provided it’s treated well). This would make a perfect gift for a baby shower, Bris, or girl’s naming ceremony.

To find out more about EquiptBaby’s fantastic bassinet, diaper bags, and more, check out their web site.

Starbucks: 30% Off Today!

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Starbucks is offering 30% off your order today, from 2:00-5:00 PM, when you pay with a registered Starbucks card. (Guess who’s getting a Venti Latte…)

American Girl Sale

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

Attention American Girl fans! zulily.com has American Girl dolls, clothes and accessories on sale today, up to 30% off!  Here are some of my favorite sale items:


American Girl Light Skin, Layered Caramel Hair, Blue Eye 18” Doll & Outfit Set
$153.00
$104.99

American Girl School Stripe Dress – Girls
$44.00
$39.99

American Girl Starry Doll Holder
$24.00
$20.99

About American Girl – Centered on celebrating girls and all that they can be, American Girl® is all about products that spark the imagination and teach the importance of friends and family. Made to educate, entertain and inspire, this indispensable book collection features fun crafts, brain-building exercises and problem-solving strategies that will stick with a girl every step of the way.

Help for Petites

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A very nice reader named Rachel emailed me the following comment: “I am barely 5 ft. tall and weigh about 94 lbs. Clothes do not fit right! I cannot find pants or tops that look presentable. On the off chance that I do find something, it can be $100 or more. Can you suggest clothing that fits someone who’s small and is affordable? Thanks, Jewish Lady.”

Rachel, I truly understand your dilemma. I’m also a petite and my sister is around your height but even thinner. Clothes shopping can be extremely frustrating! Because I love fashion, I’ve spent a lot of time browsing at the mall, outlets, boutiques, etc. Finding something that fits off the rack is challenging when most clothing is cut to accommodate larger sizes. Shirts and sweaters have a boxy cut and sleeve/pant length is usually much too long.

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First off, if you’re not shopping exclusively in the petite section, you should be. petite clothes not only have a shorter inseam, they fit better overall. Also, look for natural fibers. Synthetic fabrics never seem to fit/feel right.

You don’t mention if you prefer casual or dressy clothing, but most wardrobes need a solid foundation of classic pieces. Petites, in particular, have to avoid dressing too young. Because we’re so small to begin with, a lot of people think we’re kids and you don’t want to dress inappropriately. I know many petites shop in the Juniors department, but that clothing is poor quality and unprofessional.

Once you’ve decided to stick exclusively with petites, do some window shopping in a store that has good options like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Gap, and Old Navy. All of these stores have regular sales and coupons. If that’s still too expensive, try the outlets. I have many pieces from Banana Republic Outlet that I’ve owned, worn, and loved for years!

Other stores that have a wider petite selection: Express, Nordstrom, Target (online), J.Crew, ASOS, Topshop, and Bloomingdales.

Another idea for petites is to try custom options. Do you sew, or know someone that does? A good seamstress can create items that will fit you perfectly. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you truly can’t find anything in stores, it may be worth it. We have to calculate the cost per wear of an item, not just the initial cost. It’s much better to own a single quality piece and wear it often, than tons of cheap junk that hangs in the closet!

Need additional inspiration? Check out some posts from my style series:

The Ideal Wardrobe – Pants

The Ideal Wardobe – Sweaters

The Ideal Wardrobe – Coats

The Ideal Wardrobe – Shorts

The Ideal Wardrobe – Bras

The Ideal Wardrobe – Jeans

 

Anyone who has additional advice for petites is welcome to comment!