Cloth Diaper Safe Creams

1. California Baby Calming Diaper Rash Cream - Mama warning: may burn baby's bum
2. CJ's BUTTer
3. Coconut Oil - Mama tip: blend in mixer to fluff, will stay fluffed for weeks
4. Delish Yum Bum Butter
5. Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm
6. Grandma El's Diaper Rash Remedy & Prevention
7. GroVia Magic Stick
8. LuSa Organics Booty Balm
9. Scarlet's Hiney Honey Cream
10. Thirsties Booty Love

Our favorites are CJ's BUTTer and all there yummy smells. We love our free samples from Kissed by the Moon. (More on them later) and Coconut Oil. Coconut Oil is easy to by at the grocery stores and can be used for a quick fix.

Tell us what your favorites are!

Shannon

Milly & Tilly Designs

Milly and Tilly Designs is owned by an amazing WAHM. She is going to be releasing a new line of jewlery later this yrear that will knock your socks off. I can't wait to be able to write a review on here new products. Make sure to enter the giveway. Follow her facebook page for up to dates on her new line.

Milly & Tilly Designs Bio

I am an Army Wife, I have been married to my highschool sweetheart for 3 years and we just welcomed our first son into the world Sept 2012. Inspiration for my pieces comes from our lifestyle which I describe as gypsy since we have moved to a new post every year 3 years in a row.

 I first started making jewelry because I could not find anything that fit my style. I love making pieces that tell a part of my life story and I think other people like to have a keepsake piece that says something about their life journey too. I started making paracord bracelets after having my son because I am able to start a new design during nap time and if he wakes up I can easily take a break to play with him. I have always loved doing friendship bracelets so this is just an extension of this love, paracord is very prominent in the military life so it is a way for me to show support for the troops, something near and dear to my heart.

 Custom pieces are some of my favorite to do because I feel connected to the client, I am making a memory for them. I can be contacted via my store facebook page or my etsy store.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MillyTilly-Designs/314999241863546

Etsy:http://www.etsy.com/shop/MillyTillyDesigns
*I will be offering a 10% off cupon code when the blog runs and for 2 weeks afterwards "Cupcake10"

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trouble Shooting: Leaking Cloth Diapers

1. Seal the PUL. When you receive new diapers you want to wash them to prep them. Most new mama's do that step but skip the dryer. You MUST place the diaper in the drying for 20-30 minutes on high to seal the PUL. When the diaper is made the ball point needle will leave small holes around the diaper that can only be sealed by heat.

2. Do you have the correct fit on the diaper? Do you have the rise set at the correct setting (when using OS diapers). Another common mistake. No biggie! Size down to make it a little smaller and fit around the legs. If using a sized diaper you may want to try a different size.

3. How l long did you go between changes? With cloth diapers you should only go 2-3 hours between changes.

4. Do you have enough soaker material? If your child is a heavy wetter you may want to double stuff. Add 2 inserts so you can go 2-3 hours between changes. Or trying an insert made with bamboo or hemp.

5. Detergent build up! If you are not using a "cloth diaper safe" detergent such as Rockin' Green you may have detergent build up. The soaker won't be able to absorb properly if this is the case. So "stripping" the diaper with several hot washes/rinse until all the suds are gone is what you need to do.

6. Your baby's diaper is leaking and only half the insert is wet. If its a natural fiber such as bamboo or hemp your baby/toddler may be a "fast wetter" bamboo and hemp absorb a little slower than microfiber. Try adding a layer of microfiber on top of the insert, this will absorb fast but it will also allow the use of the natural fiber.

Shannon

Pros and Cons to Cloth Diapering

Pro’s
1. Saving tons of money. Did you know the average family spends OVER $2,000.00 in disposable diapers a year. (Not including wipes)

2. No more emergency trips to the store to always buy diapers.

3. You get to reuse them. I plan to use the same diapers I used on baby number 1 for baby number 2.

4. Selling them when you are done. Diapers hold there retail value really well depending on the condition when you go to sell them. (I.e. staining, relaxed elastic, etc.)

5. Saving the environment/landfills. The disposable diapers will outlive your child in the landfill.

6. You start learning about other "cool" products like trainers, reusable swim diapers, unpaper towels, mama cloth, amber necklaces and all the other eco friendly products.

7. You NEVER run out of diapers. (Unless you forget to do laundry.)

8. You gain a new "hobby"- cloth diapers!

9. Your baby will be stylish from head to bum, oh, I mean feet!

10. You gain instant mama friends! You find other people who cloth diaper and love it. You chat and share tips and tricks. Everyone is helpful and friendly and more than willing to answer questions.

11. No more yucky diaper crystals.

12. Easy to use.

13. Little to know blow outs. Especially in newborns and babies ebf.

14. No more rashes.

15. Coordinating outfits with diapers.

16. Your diaper becomes an outfit.

17. Babies/toddlers that have worn cloth diapers usually potty train faster.

18. Dogs don't get into the diaper and rip up dirty/stinky diapers.

19. Fluff mail! It's the best!!!

20. Making your own diapers.

21. Buying from WHAM's to help keep them at home with their little one(s).


Con's
Lets be honest there are a few down sides to cloth diapering. (Most aren’t really reasons not to start or continue cloth diapering though.)

1. Front loaders don't work well with diaper laundry. Even though they are beautiful and everyone I know has one or wants one… they really don’t work as week top loaders.

2. Some family members refuse to learn how to change cloth diapers.

3. It's hard to tell if a baby is wet or not. Cloth diapers are more "squishy".

4. Sometimes it's hard to find jeans that fit. We usually put my daughter in leggings.

5. You have to change every 2-3 hours for most cloth diapers.


Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to add your own pro's and con's in the comments.

Shannon

 

 

Customer Testimonial

 A customer from www.facebook.com/cupcakecovers and www.etsy.com/shop/cupcakecovers recently wrote the following statement about Cupcake Covers and the products that are offered. Here is a wonderful testimonial for a few mama's that has used several of our products.

Bea Writes:


 " I have purchases many items from Cupcake covers including wetbags, wipes and wipe clutches. I also have a set of unpaper towels made by Cupcake covers. These products are made to last! My large wetbag holds up to 30 diapers (OS Pockets) and a lot of my diapers are double stuffed with very thick micro-bamboo inserts (Night Time). I know that even if I dont get around to washing my diapers every other day that I will have plenty of room with comfort. The wipes - Incredible! I have washed these wipes so many times and they are still strong, durable and so so worth it. Cupcake Covers owner, Shannon, is so polite and answered every single one of my questions promptly and she is very very professional. I would recommend cupcake covers for anyone...even those without children. My unpaper towels are amazing! They clean up so nice and I am probably a little bit obsessed with them. Well worth the money! Her prices are so fantastic - its a win win!"

Annonomus: "I won a snack bag, and it is still serving me well. It holds up great. I use it to carry medicine in my son's diaper bag. It is big enough to hold everything I need, but small enough to be tucked anywhere. My son loves to play with it, and it isn't even showing the slightest signs of wear."

Mary: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PqnOXen3zg&feature=plcp I love her product's and have made a video review!"

Annonomus: "Very happy with my customized diaper wet bag!! Not only was I excited I had so many different fabric choices to chose from, the size was custom made for me and I couldn't have found a better price anywhere! I received my order quickly & the bag is durable and has held up through all the washing! Thanks again, I'm a happy customer & fan!"

Lactation Cookies

Lets discuss! Did you know less than 5% of woman cannot produce enough milk for their baby. I have heard time and time again. "I have to bottle feed/supplement with formula because I am just not producing enough."

If you don't feel like you are producing enough try some homeopathic remedies to help with milk productions. My favorites are lactation cookies. You get to each a cookie and it helps you increase your milk supply. Chocolate chip nonetheless.

Lactation Cookies:
1 cup butter (can use coconut oil)
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flaxseed (no substitutes)
2 tablespoons brewers yeast ( no substitutes)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups thin cut oats
3 cups chocolate chip
Optional: peanut butter, cranberries anything, really!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix flaxseed an water together. Set aside for 3-5 minutes.

Cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs. Stir flaxseed mix into the butter mixture. Stir in vanilla. Beat until well blended.

Sift dry ingredients. Except oats and chocolate chips. Add butter mixture to dry mixture. Add the oats and then the chocolate chips.

Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes.

IMPORTANT: eat them all! Do not share. No substitutes. You can find oatmeal, flaxseed and brewer’s yeast at whole foods/ sprouts.

Simplistic Inspirations

I wanted to share with you an extremely talented mama! She has amazing customer service and good hard work ethic and above all is trustworthy. I have purchased several items from her and have never been dissapointed in the quality or the turn around time. She has answered all my questions in a timely manner. I will continue using her to my purhcases and will refer all my friends in family to Kristen.

I have several of her ear warmers, and a crocheted Minnie Mouse hat for my daughter.

A little bit about her and the company:

Behind the Hook:
Howdy, my name is Kristen and I am a SAHM/WAHM. I began my business adventure back in 2005. I had always had a vision and a dream of owning my own business. I decided to get my degree in Business Management. After that was completed Simplistic Inspirations was formed. My business did not formally begin until 2010 after giving birth to my son. I decided I wanted to leave a legacy for my children. It was then I grabbed a ball of yarn and my crochet hook. I am completely self taught with the help from a very special women in my life (Grandma). At the time I was learning I almost gave up several times, but decided to keep going. It is with that I am proud to own Simplistic Inspirations. Never give up on who you are, and the dreams you have for your life. Life is a hard journey, but don't back down from what you are meant to be or do.

About Us:
Simplistic Inspirations provides handmade designs and other items. Design includes unique handmade items that will leave inspirational imprints on your life. Products available include baby headbands, flower clips, baby hair bows, beanies, diaper covers, photography props, and much much more. Some items are ready to be shipped others may take two to three weeks to customize and ship. If there is something you don't see that you would like please contact me to discuss options. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and check us out.

Check her out on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simplistic-Inspirations/165420470188127

Follow her blog:
http://simplistic-inspirations.blogspot.com/

Make sure to Like her on Facebook and tell her Cupcake Covers sent you!