Join the Great Cloth Diaper Hunt!

It’s that time again! We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the seventh semi-annual Great Cloth Diaper Hunt™! And once again, our "mama lisa" tee is part of the Ultimate Grand Prize!

How does the GCDH work? It’s simple! Register online on or after April 15, 2008 and then visit the participating sponsor sites and hunt for the Diaper Decisions™ diaper. Find the diaper and earn entries to 65 random prize drawings, including two Grand Prizes and one Ultimate Grand Prize!

For more details about this great event, please visit the Rules and FAQ pages. See you at the hunt!

Broken Chalk--out of the mouths of school kids

If you know anything about LeShan and me, we're all about the humor. It truly is the only way to get through days filled with diaper changes, endless laundry, mountain ranges of toys, peanut butter sandwiches ground into the carpet, and that's all before 9am. Today's wonderful web wednesday is a site sure to make you smile, quite possibly make you laugh out loud, and maybe even help you survive the finger paint on the wall and gum in the hair. (Yes, it can all happen in one day, trust me!)

Broken Chalk is a blog that brings you "tiny nuggets of teacher treasure." But these treasures aren't mathematical theorems or the writings of Kipling. They are the insights of school children, often wrong, sometimes irreverent, but always funny. The author has this to say about the site:

So this site's about school. It's about how, every now and then, amidst the careful handwriting, the painstaking drawing, just every now and then, something a little different pops up. Something with teeth. I've collected a few of them over the year, and it's time to share them with the world.

My latest favorites include "Co-ordinates" and "Advice to those who may be bullied." Though the site isn't updated on a daily basis, it's still fun to browse though past posts and I'm definitely looking forward to future ones! --Emily

don't flop when it comes to flip flops!

Flip flops are essential to any warm weather wardrobe. So for fashion trend tuesday, we are talking about the most comfortable flip flops out there but are still true to the latest trends. Here's a list of my top 3 favorites:

1) BORN brand sandals. They have a cushion sole that makes it feel like you are walking on air. The soft suede leather on the foot bed helps keep the foot cool and prevent slipping in hot weather. The high quality wears and wears, and the leather forms to your foot, to give it that custom fit.

2) BIRKENSTOCK sandals. They contour to your feet and get even better each time you wear them. They are known for their durability and the soft bed of latex and microfiber is also great for warm weather. The high arch is great for those who like the support.

3) ROXY sandals. These are one of my favorites because they go with everything and are super comfy and very lightweight. I love the hardware on these; it dresses them up but can still be worn as casual flip flops.

We'd love to hear what are your favorite flip flops you just can't live without! --LeShan

so you want to be on TV?

It's been a really long week/weekend with family in town for my little sister's graduation (she just got her Masters in Social Work--you go, girl!) so today's mompreneur monday is short and sweet.

StartupPrincess.com, one of my favorite sites for women business owners, just went through a major redesign and the site looks great! Head on over and check it out. You'll find it easier to navigate and still chock full of marketing ideas, life balance issues, opportunities, and interviews. Today I wanted to highlight "How to Get and Prepare for a TV Interview," and article by Lindsay Adams-Robbins, a TV and film producer whose client list includes HGTV, Entertainment Tonight, and National Geographic.

In this article you'll learn how to:

• create buzz so your company gets noticed
• do your homework prior to the show
• prepare for the interview
  
• follow up after the interview
  

This is one of those articles you'll want to bookmark, print out, and refer to often. StartupPrincess.com is full of helpful tools and resources so be sure and add it to your news feed! --Emily

when life gives you lemons, make lemon scones!

Lemons are perfect when you need a little sunshine in your day. Here is a delicious recipe for food for thought friday that I came across, then tweaked a bit to my taste.

Lemon Scones

2 c flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c sugar

1/4 c chilled butter

1/4 c sour cream

8-10 T lemon juice

1-2 tsp lemon zest

Glaze

2 T white sugar

2 T lemon juice

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes. In medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Slice chilled butter into mixing bowl and mix into flour until it forms coarse pieces. Add about 5-6 tablespoons of lemon juice and the zest. Mix until it forms a ball, separate into two separate balls and slightly flatten to about 1 inch thickness. Cut into quarters and bake. Once you remove scones from oven immediately drizzle the glaze over the top of scones so the outside will stay crispy while the inside is moist.

“Martha Stewart showed up at Manhattan FBI Headquarters to have her finger prints taken and pose for a mug shot. Then Martha explained how to get ink off your fingers using seltzer water and lemon juice.”-Conan O'Brien

Although that most likely didn't happen, it does work, but I'm not speaking from experience. --LeShan

Laughing Starfish Jewelry offers one-of-a-kind nursing necklaces

And yet these necklaces don't look like your typical nursing necklaces. I reviewed Laughing Starfish last week on Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish and I just had to highlight them on today's that's hot! thursday. I've fallen in love with my Laughing Starfish nursing necklace and I haven't nursed my little girl in over 3 months!

For those who don't know what a nursing necklace is or what purpose it serves, it is a necklace “designed to be interesting and fun for little hands while strong enough to be tugged and yanked.” And if it's a really cool nursing necklace it should also be stylish enough to be worn without baby in tow, and Laughing Starfish Jewelry is just that!

My Blue Skies Over Paris necklace entertains my little one without being cheesy. I love this quote from the artist’s site: “It has been my experience … that my children always preferred things that were more adult - as illustrated by the dozens of times I spent hours trying to locate what they did with my car keys while their colorful plastic ones sat ignored in their toy box.” Laughing Starfish’s beautiful necklaces are tuggable works of art (many are limited editions because of the beads) and I haven’t seen one I wouldn’t wear on its own.

I’ve worn my Blue Skies necklace more than other necklaces in my “everyday” collection. The high-quality construction ("tested" by the artist’s own children) means no broken cords or strings or beads flying this way and that. (I can’t say the same for a couple other favorites–casualties of that crazy strength all babies seem to have!)

Each necklace comes gift wrapped and includes the sweetest little starfish charm on the clasp. Besides beautiful nursing necklaces Laughing Starfish Jewelry also has equally beautiful bracelets, earrings and other accessories. A word of advice: make sure you order two lengths of cord for your necklace, a longer one so baby can easily play with the pendant and a shorter one just for you! –Emily

the gratitude campaign

Today's wonderful web wednesday comes from one of those few forwarded emails I actually read. I get a lot of forwarded jokes, videos, and urban legends and often delete them before ever opening them, but this one stood out and I'm glad I took the time to learn more about The Gratitude Campaign. What is The Gratitude Campaign? It is a simple way for you and I to say thank you to the soldiers serving our country:

For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching soldiers in the airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. ... But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.

I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using. Is this limited to the military? Not at all. ...

The email I received had a link to a short yet moving video about The Gratitude Campaign and its "thank you" sign. You can view a short or full-length movie about The Gratitude Campaign or read detailed instructions on how to make the sign. I found it interesting that American Sign Language's current sign for "thank you" is actually a modified version of the one you will see in The Gratitude Campaign. I have to say, I like the original version best--a thank-you should always come from the heart. --Emily

It's a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation.
--Roberto Benigni, Newsweek

earth friendly fashion

You love clothes and you love the environment, but unfortunately they don't always go hand in hand. Many of the processes used to create the fabric are killing the environment like pesticides, and dyes. Today's fashion trend tuesday highlights some eco-friendly fashion in celebration of Earth Day. You can love your clothes and love the enviornment at the same time! These products are made from recycled glass, plastic salvaged from a dump site, bamboo, and organic cotton. Who knew we could be so resourceful?! Just click on the images below to find out where and how you can purchase some neat earth loving wear.

With several websites catching on to this earth friendly trend, georgie tees is also playing a part in featuring organic cotton tees and onesies. Go ahead, hug a (bamboo) tree, after all you just might be wearing it. --LeShan

Can you Help a Reporter Out?

One of the Yahoo! groups I belong to recently passed along a site that might be of interest to other mompreneurs and women business owners out there so I'm sharing it on today's mompreneur monday feature.

HelpAReporter.com was originally conceived by Peter Shankman and started on Facebook, but because Facebook caps group emails at 1,200 Shankman started his own list at HelpAReporter.com. Just what kind of list is HelpAReporter.com? Here's a simple description in Shankman's own words about what you're in for when you sign up:

Each day, you'll receive up to three emails, each with anywhere from 2-10 queries per email. ... If you see a query you can answer, go for it! I built this list because a lot of my friends are reporters, and they call me all the time for sources. Rather than go through my contact lists each time, I figured I could push the requests out to people who actually have something to say. ... I never take queries from that other service, I never SPAM, and I'm not going to do anything with your email other than send you these reporter requests when they arrive in my in-box.

HelpAReporter.com is free (if you'd like to make a donation, Shankman asks you donate to a local animal rescue to "keep the good Karma flowing"). The most important thing Shankman asks: by joining the list you agree that if you choose to answer a request, your answer really will help a journalist and won't just be a way to get you or your client noticed.

HelpAReporter.com also has a service for journalists looking for sources. You can check that out here. Take a few minutes to read a bit more about HelpAReporter.com. Heck, it's free! So what have you got to lose? As long as you're honest and don't abuse the service you may just get that lucky break you're looking for. Peter Shankman believes in good Karma...and so do I! --Emily

simply smitten with Smitten Kitchen

Just try and say that title five times fast! Now that you're tongue's tied in a knot, on with today's post! Instead of a recipe for our food for thought friday I wanted to share a food-related site that not only offers great recipes but makes for great reading as well. Smitten Kitchen has won numerous accolades from a profile in the Boston Globe to a mention on Martha Stewart's show, and I can see why.

Smitten Kitchen gives readers tasty recipes, helpful tools and resources (did you know light cream is 18% butter fat?), and seriously engaging copy (check out her search for purple potatoes). Plus the fabulous photos, often step-by-step, help those of us who may need a little hand holding while experimenting with flourless chocolate walnut cookies. (Who says you have to celebrate Passover to enjoy a decadent flourless dessert?)

Recent recipes also include a lemon yogurt anything cake--just try and keep from drooling when you see the finished product! I'm not big into lemon but that's not going to stop me from trying this cake. By the way, I'm a pretty good cook but not a big out-of-the-box thinker when it comes to recipes so I absolutely love the list of substitutions and suggestions she included with this one. Extra details like those are why Smitten Kitchen is beloved by so many readers. The recipes and writings put gourmet cooking within reach of expert macaroni-and-cheese chefs like myself. --Emily

If hunger makes you irritable, better eat and be pleasant. --Sefer Hasidim

a chocolate a day keeps the doctor away!

Hey all you chocolate lovers! that's hot! thursday is all about healthy chocolate. I'm sure it's not news to you that dark chocolate is good for you. Even those of you who prefer milk chocolate, can more than likely be persuaded to switch over to the dark side. Here are some facts that you may or may not know of the positive effects of adding Dark chocolate to your diet.

Dark chocolate is great for

Lowering high blood pressure
Fighting disease with high amounts of antioxidants
Fighting gum disease
Helping you lose weight because it's a natural appetite suppressant
Helping you sleep better

And the list goes on...

Out of the many brands out there for healthy dark chocolate, Xocai is one of the best. Made with only the best of ingredients, you really notice the creamy and rich texture without a strong bitter aftertaste. Xocai also offers a variety of products that make it easy to eat your chocolate each day, like you need a reason!

After trying this chocolate for about 4 days I was sleeping great and I was satisfied with smaller amounts of chocolate and sweets in general. My personal favorite was the Omega bar with bits of sweet crunchy orange pieces in a creamy dark chocolate bar. It's satisfying for a snack on the run, or even as a light meal. I wasn't hungry after and I had plenty of energy. Give some healthy chocolate a try today and see if it makes a difference in your life, either way it's a win-win situation if you're a chocolate lover. --LeShan

Hostess with the Mostess--a most complete guide to entertaining

I don't even remember how I came across this site but I'm so glad I did! Hostess with the Mostess is a perfect fit for our wonderful web wednesday, as it's a truly wonderful guide for all things entertaining. Claiming to be the "'go-to' guide for everyone from the first-time hostess to the seasoned party guru," Hostess with the Mostesss (or HWTM) is that and so much more.

Hostess with the Mostess helps you throw "celebrations with a modern twist." The site provides "party themes that are clever, contemporary and out of the ordinary - then help[s] you recreate them yourself with detailed how-to's, where-to-buy's, tips, and advice." You'll find an extensive list of party themes for bridal showers, baby showers, holiday parties and other special occasions. And for those who need to brush up on their entertaining skills (and even for those who already have mad party skills), check out Entertaining 101 for decorating ideas, real-life parties, and feature articles. The site also offers fabulous finds, great gift ideas, recipes, and "yummy reads."

If you've got space on your Google homepage or reader, add the Hostess with the Mostess blog to your feeds. You'll get daily updates on party planning, the perfect tools for entertaining, and even surprise giveaways! I love to entertain but rarely have the time, energy, or clean home to do so, but that doesn't stop me from loving Hostess with the Mostess. Someday I'll be that hostess but until then I'll have to personally test out all the yummy recipes so I'm ready to go when it's party time. ;) --Emily

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. --Nancie J. Carmody

e.l.f. (eyes lips face)--simple & luxurious cosmetics on a budget

Today's fashion trend tuesday is for all you makeup junkies, makeup aficionados, and everyone in between. What woman doesn't want "simple, luxurious, problem-solution tools that allow you to showcase and believe in your unique, personal beauty" without breaking the bank? My sister-in-law recently introduced me to e.l.f. cosmetics, a company whose philosophy is "beauty comes from within" and whose goal is "to enable every woman to look and feel her personal best through the perfect blend of both the inner and outer person."

And somehow the company helps women achieve their personal best with seriously value-priced cosmetics. I'm talking $1 for brightening eye color and $1 for their plumping lip glaze. That's $1 without one or even two zeros behind it liked you'd find at Nordstrom or Macy's. From what my sister-in-law says the low-budget price does NOT mean low quality. She raves about her lip glosses and eye shadows. She has yet to be disappointed with anything she's purchased, and at those prices you can afford to try anything! They've got bronzers, concealers, nail polish, eyeliners, mascara, lipstick, lip gloss, mineral makeup and all kinds of makeup brushes and tools.

At e.l.f. you can set up your own beauty profile to see recommended products and specific looks created just for you. Or check out the beauty blogs and beauty secrets for the latest beauty buzz and tips. Still hesitant to try (seriously? at only $1 for most products?) check out e.l.f.'s recent press: CNBC, CNN, Style, O (Oprah's mag), Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Cosmo, In Style, and Seventeen to name just a few. With springtime here and summer around the corner it's time to update your color palette. With e.l.f. cosmetics you can do all the updating you want and still afford a new outfit to go with your new color! --Emily

Now What Baby & Whatever Hollywood update

Today's mompreneur monday highlights an up-and-coming blog, Now What Baby. Started by a mom eager to share "ideas for what to buy, organize, entertain now that you have a child in your life," Now What Baby offers a refreshing take on the typical product review (and I'm not just saying that because Melissa recently reviewed our "sharp shooter" onesie).

Whenever possible Melissa includes a video of her or one of her kids reviewing a product. For example, her "Have You Visited Studio Cherie?" review includes a video of her using Studio Cherie's compact travel bag/pad. And her fabulous review of georgie tees includes a fun slide show of her son striking poses in his new "sharp shooter" tee. Though not all of her reviews include a slide show or video they all make for an enjoyable read. If you love product reviews, add Now What Baby to your required reading list--along with Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish, of course!

And now for an important update! The girls from Whatever Hollywood have made it to YouTube's Top 10! YAY! We originally posted about these beautiful and talented women back in March when they were still in YouTube's Sketchies2 Top 20. Now they're in the Top 10 and We need our vote once again! This time around the girls were required to do a sketch themed around "living the dream," which incorporated the word "indubitably."

I think they did a fabulous job, but you can check it out for yourself by following their easy-to-vote instructions on their homepage. You can vote once a day, so take a minute and support your fellow female entrepreneurs. For some of us, this may be the only vote that counts this year! LOL --Emily

soup that says "muy bueno!"

You'll love this soup as it's great during the cold winter months to warm your insides, and it's great to have during the hot summer with the extras that you can add like cool, creamy avocado and sour cream. It's definitely hearty enough to eat for a meal by itself and makes plenty for leftovers.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T olive oil

2 tsp dried oregano

2 T chili powder

1 28-oz crushed tomatoes

1 10-oz chicken broth

1 1/4 c water

1 can whole corn

1 can white hominy

1 4-oz can chopped green chili peppers

1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed

1/4 c fresh cilantro, chopped

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

Optional:

Tortilla chips or Frito's

Sliced avocado

Shredded jack or cheddar cheese

Chopped green onion

Sour cream

In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, broth and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 min. Stir in corn, hominy, chiles, beans, cilantro and chicken. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Ladle soup into individual serving bowls and top with chips, avocado, cheese, sour cream and green onion.

Here's a thought for our Food For Thought Friday:

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much." -Mother Teresa

TGIF! Have a great weekend from the girls at georgie tees! --LeShan

Patricia Ann Designs has you--and that car seat--covered

I've seen a lot of infant car seat covers but none have tickled my fancy as much as the one I reviewed from Patricia Ann Designs. In my review "Cover your seat in couture" back in April of last year I featured Patricia Ann Designs' reversible pink & chocolate hibiscus cover and stated it would "be the envy of all other moms"--and I was right. Okay, so envy is a strong word but I have received countless compliments on my daughter's stylish car seat cover. So for this week's that's hot! thursday I wanted tell our readers about the car seat cover that still turns heads wherever I go.

Actually this baby has more going for it than style. It's survived being soaked through after I failed to change a diaper during a long drive to Phoenix, and then survived a thorough washing and drying. It's held up remarkably well and still looks brand new after eight months of use. I love how the hibiscus print coordinates with the pink gingham, and I really love the oversized canopy (at least it seems bigger than the one the car seat originally came with). Plus the cover is gently padded for comfort, includes two coordinating seatbelt covers, and a well placed interior pocket for a small toy, pacifier, or in my case Kleenex or car keys!

Patricia Ann Designs' flair for stylish yet functional products extends beyond infant and toddler car seat covers to include shopping cart covers, blankets, bibs, burpcloths, changing pads, and even Moses baskets. And if you're little one is more "blue" than "pink" you'll love the Treasure Island and California Dreamin' collections. Patricia Ann Designs definitely has you covered! --Emily

Instructables--your online show & tell

Today's wonderful web wednesday features a website for all the DIYers out there. Instructables, which calls itself "The World's Biggest Show & Tell," is a site where people who are passionate about everything from art to kids to pets to technology can "share what they do and how they do it."

For example, on today's homepage you can learn how to build a 72-volt electric motorcycle, build a whiskey still, or create handbags using Ikea fabrics. Besides great how-to's Instructables offers links to a variety of contests such as T-shirt Hacks and the Green Science Fair for a Better Planet, (all with prizes), a community blog, and groups for people with related interests (hydroponics, anyone?).

If you've been missing the ol' kindergarten show-and-tell days and are dying to share your knowledge of recycling plastic bags into yarn, then Instructables is the site for you! Now every day can be show and tell...and it's about time! --Emily

cool in the shades

Don't you just love the sun! Even if you have to slather on the sunscreen, there's no denying that time in the sun can cheer up the senses. So for all you sun worshipers today's fashion trend tuesday is all about the shades. Because there are so many styles that are fashionable, picking the right style for you is really about what will flatter your face. Here are some tips to help you find the right pair, depending on your face shape.

1. Round face- Picking a square shape or one with geometric or rectangular shape will help offset the roundness of your face and make it appear longer.

2. Oval face- You get to pick pretty much what ever style you like, because oval works well with all shapes.

3. Heart shaped- You will look best with up-swept, cat-eye shaped glasses. Any lens that is wider on top than the bottom will help balance a wider forehead and narrow chin.

4. Square face- Choosing a round lens will look great as it will flatter your face by adding softness to the strong angles. Also, cat-eye, oval, or rimless sunglasses will soften your features.

5. Long and narrow face- Oversized round frames will help shorten your long features and soften by adding width.--LeShan

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focusing on the "mom" in "mompreneur"

Usually I would have a new post rarin' and ready to go the night before but instead I spent last night watching The Game Plan with my family. (I have to confess I love The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson!) When I first headed downstairs to watch the movie thoughts of all I had yet to accomplish filled my mind and threatened to distract me from enjoying the moment, but I pushed those aside and reminded myself blog posts and product reviews could wait until the morning. And nothing was more important than spending time with the fam. Sure, it was just a movie but it had been a long time since Mom had joined everyone in the newly finished home theater, a favorite family hangout.

I do have a point and it does have to do with our mompreneur monday feature. Look at the word "mompreneur" and you'll notice what comes first. It is not "entrepremom" and I think that's for a very good reason. Those of us who balance motherhood and business ownership often need to remind ourselves being a mom is our most important "job." I am guiltier than most of making time for the computer but not for my kids. And I have found when "mom" follows behind "entrepreneur" everyone, including Mom, suffers. It's only when we focus on what really matters (our family) that everything falls into place. It may mean a few later-than-we'd-like nights but it's worth it if our family feels like they are placed far above our email Inbox on our list of priorities.

As much as I enjoy georgie tees and Boutique Cafe (I'd go nuts without these outlets) I'd hate to wake up someday and realize I'd missed out on enjoying my family. If you're like me and need to be reminded now and then to put family first, let this be your reminder. Today put "mom" first and "entrepreneur" second; you might be surprised how happier everyone is--including Mom. --Emily

Update: Vicki has a fabulous post on her blog Simply Vicki. Take a minute for another reminder about what's most important and read Parenting is Unrewarding? It's a minute--or two--very well spent.

add some spice to your life!

For today's food for thought friday, you'll enjoy this great recipe that's full of flavor and spice and everything nice (healthy). It serves enough to feed a crowd or have plenty for leftovers.

Chinese Barbecued Baby Drumsticks

3 lbs Chicken drumsticks

1/3 C Soy sauce

3 Tbsp. Sugar

2 Garlic pods, crushed

1/2 C Strong chicken broth

Fresh ground pepper

3 Tbsp. Brown sugar

3 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. Ground ginger

Discard the skin from the drumsticks. Mix all ingredients together then add chicken. Marinate in the fridge for about 2 hours, turning if necessary to cover all pieces. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered in a shallow pan with marinade, for approximately 1 hour. Turn once and baste 2-3 times.

*Serve with Stir Fry Vegetables and Rice.

Chinese Proverb:

"To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content."(Confucius) --LeShan

open your mouth and say 'Ah Goo'

Because that's hot! thursday is brand-spankin' new we are still in the process of organizing our product review lineup. Once in a while we'll review something that might not be the latest children's product or celebrity fave but is definitely a must-have for us. And with all the writing I've done for Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish, I'll be highlighting products I've reviewed in the past that I'm still very much in love with--products I still use and swear by. Today's that's hot! thursday is just that, a past Daily Dish review I can't live without!

I originally reviewed Ah Goo Baby's Plush Pad in August, 2007. When they announced the addition of new designs to their lineup I was happy to have them back on the Daily Dish this past February. The Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad combines stylish boutique fabric and a super soft center fabric (both water resistant and washable) with a high-density memory foam pillow covered in a water resistant taslin fabric. It's this high-density memory foam that sets the Plush Pad apart from other diaper changing pads. It not only provides excellent cushion but soothes your baby's pressure points. And its generous size protects baby from those who-knows-who-or-what-was-there-last baby changing stations in the restroom.

We've used our Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad for months as a second changing station on top of our hope chest. The memory foam is more than enough padding for the solid wood underneath and the washable feature has come in handy quite a few times. Even after washing and drying, the Plush Pad's patent-pending design rolls up easily and compactly for travel. We've taken it on vacation where we've used it on an extra-long bathroom counter, and it would be the perfect addition to Grandma's house. (Grandma would no longer worry about her bedspread or newly cleaned carpet; of course if she's cleaning the carpet before your visit she's pretty new at this Grandma thing...)

With its baby-friendly design and mom-friendly fabrics, Ah Goo Baby's Plush Pad is truly a must-have for anyone still doing the diaper thing. The only decision to make is which style to buy. --Emily