Eco Sprout Soap Twitter Party is TONIGHT!!

The Eco Sprout Soap Twitter Party is TONIGHT! New to the Twitter-sphere? NO PROBLEM! I'll show you exactly what you need to do to get in on the 'party' and have a chance to win some awesome prizes! 1. Create a Twitter account. It's free and pretty simple. Just fill out the form and make a login and password and you are ready to go! 2. RSVP for the party here, on Cloth Diaper Geek's blog site. To RSVP, simply fill out at least one entry on the RaffleCopter form. The more entries you have, the better chance you have of winning a prize, but it is not required to fill out more than one. If you are a fan of the main Diaper Parties Facebook page, there's an extra entry already waiting for you! 3. Compose at least one tweet using the hashtag for the party during the party hours. The party runs from 9-10 pm EST (8-9 pm Central) tonight. To compose a tweet, click the blue button at the top right of the Twitter website that has an icon that looks like a feather (or quill pen), and type in a message (kind of like a status if it were Facebook), making sure you include the text: #EcoSproutSoap in the message. The tweet window will tell you how much room you have left for your message in the bottom right of the window. 4. YOU'RE DONE! Easy, right? Just by RSVPing via the RaffleCopter form and tweetingONE message using the hashtag #EcoSproutSoap, you've entered to win some fabulous prizes! You can see the full list of prizes and sponsors on the Cloth Diaper Geek's RSVP page.Diaper Parties will be giving away a Moby Wrap and 2 Rumparooz Cloth Diapers! If you have any further questions or need help, send me a message on Facebook or email me! Happy partying, and I hope to see you there!!

You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop: Planet Wise Reusable Snack Bags Set

Californians are going to the polls to vote on Prop 37, also known as the food labeling law. The Green Moms Network supports Americans right to know if their food contains genetically engineered ingredients and is committed to showcasing natural and organic eating. So, welcome to the You Are What You Eat Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and Marlie and Me . A team of 20 + green mom bloggers are giving away prizes valued at $20 minimum related to eating healthy. You'll find giveaways for healthful, natural or organic foods, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets and more! In addition, the hosts are featuring 3 fabulous grand prize packages from Kombucha Kamp, Cultures for Health, Green Pasture, Real Salt, Sante Bakery, Newman's Own Organics, Lucy's, Learning Resources, Green Kid Crafts and Mary's Gone Crackers! You’ll get bonus entries into the Grand Prize Giveaway for each giveaway you enter in the You Are What You Eat Hop! Click here to enter the grand prize.

As we focus on healthy eating, we also need to think about how we store and transport our healthy foods in. Plastic baggies are convenient, but wasteful. Also, you have to keep buying them!

Planet Wise has solved this problem with their reusable snack and sandwich bags. Diaper Parties is proud to sell Planet Wise products including snack and sandwich bags, nursing covers, diaper covers, wet bags, and more!

Here are some quick facts about Planet Wise reusable snack and sandwich bags:
• Great alternative to plastic baggies
• Waste-free lunches
• Replaces aluminum foil & plastic wrap
• Sandwich wrap doubles as a placemat
• Perfect size for fruit, snacks, sandwiches or leftovers •Fun for all ages!
• FDA Food Safe Material
• PVC, BPA, Phthalate, Latex and Lead Free
• CPSIA Compliant
• Not recommended in dishwasher or microwave.
 **Also, Planet Wise snack and sandwich bags are made in the USA!**

 The winner of this giveaway will get their choice of a 3 bag set.

Set 1: Girly Prints

Set 2: Boyish Prints

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. a Rafflecopter giveaway Make sure and check out the other giveaways as well. Happy hopping! :)

Why I Wear My Babies: An International Babywearing Week Guest Post!

Sarah with her youngest

I'd like to introduce you to a dear Diaper Parties, colleague, Sarah Wallace Lapham. When I signed up for the International Babywearing Week Giveaway, I knew I would ask her for input. She is a mother of five who has worn all her children in one way or another, and has even made her own wraps! She is a Diaper Parties Senior Consultant and Team Leader and is also a Doula and a talented seamstress. Read on to hear her awesome story of how babywearing has helped her in her busy mommy life!

Why do I wear my babies?  That question has been asked to me so many times in many different ways over the past decade.  I am a busy mother of five and I tell them “because I love them and I also love to be able to keep them close and be able to live too!”

My baby wearing life started when my oldest was a newborn.   We received an Infantino Snugli front carrier as a baby shower gift.  I was overjoyed to be able to keep him close and at that point, had no idea that the Snugli was less than “the best choice” to make.  We (husband and I) wore him and noticed his chubby little legs turning blue when he hung there on our walks.  Yet, he was still close and that was good! We were happy, but I just needed to figure a “better way.” 

I was shopping one day and noticed another Infantino product, the Infantino ring sling.  I bought one eagerly and used it for my son until he outgrew it.  Our second child also used this sling.  We used it until it wore out, literally.  Thankfully, we used it correctly – as we would find out many years later that this was going to be a recalled product (known as “the death bag” for improper usage).

Five years went by before we had our baby number three. Yet, when he was only four days old, I decided I NEEDED a new ring sling.  The family and I drove for two hours to get a Maya Wrap ring sling from a distributor in my area of Ohio.  This was our “go to” carrier with him.  I had him in it and I had a hand free for both of the older son and daughter.  This was the time I really realized what baby wearing meant to me.  Baby wearing equated freedom.  I did not need to be tied down to a stroller.  We could go shopping at the grocery store, I could do laundry, and I could clean the kitchen.  I would never go without again. 

With this child, I also found the love of a Mei Tai carrier.  I decided I wanted one by looking at pictures of happy mothers and fathers with their babies.  I found a tutorial on the internet and I was able to copy the fundamental construction of sewing a Mei Tai carrier – ‘Et Voila!’ we had our Mei Tai carrier right before we went to Washington DC for a vacation.  I was over the moon with this Mei Tai, and thrilled that I could jump on and off of the DC Metro trains without the bulk of a stroller.  I could also hold my older children’s hands all the while knowing my baby boy was safe and tied to me.  He would sleep in it or nurse, or be quietly alert as we sightsaw all over the City. 

Now, as I found myself a mom again for a fourth time, my ring sling from my last baby never “got dusty” between my third and fourth.  The moment she came into the world, she was placed in a snug “chest to chest carry” and she rode around like that until she was a big girl and started hip riding.  She loved the ring sling as a baby and young toddler. We even then branched out to water ring slings, for pool or beach usage.

Also at this time I started making slings for people, partly because people would stop me and ask me where I got mine (and there were no easy places to find them locally).  Thankfully, I had been a seamstress for over 20 years at that point and I knew (by reading) the way to make a safe baby ring sling. 

Finally, now with baby number five I found a new baby wearing love.  As all veteran mommies do, I looked for a newer and more exciting way to parent.  With the help of social media venues and the other internet sites in general, I found that I was missing an entire world, and entire facet of baby wearing that I had never tapped into.  This was the world of woven wraps.  I decided at the first moment that I saw them, that I would be a wrapper and really have never looked back.  Wrapping is like “baby wearing nirvana” to put it bluntly and concisely.  I have many wraps in different lengths – which some call “long pieces of pretty fabric.”  But I beg to differ, with these pieces of fabric, I can do nice front and back carries, I can do hip carries and I can turn them into ring slings (either by using a single ring I carry in my purse, or by tying a slip knot in my wrap).  My youngest child is constantly worn now.  I think this makes her a happier, more content child.  She is currently eight months old and she is almost always on my back.  I make the joke that she will learn how to cook early, learn how to wash clothes early and pretty much anything that she sees me do, from the comfort of my back, as she can see everything at “almost eye level” over my shoulder. 

I encourage everyone to try baby wearing at least once.  When done correctly, I am sure you and your baby will love it.  You will have a more relaxed child and you, as parent, will be much more gratified.

I hope Sarah's story has encouraged you to try babywearing if you haven't already! If you do wear your babies, tell me your reasons in the comments!
And don't forget to enter the International Babywearing Week 8 carrier giveaway, here!

International Babywearing Week Giveaway Event!!

It's International Babywearing Week, and to celebrate, we're participating in a huge giveaway event, hosted by Happy Mothering, Eco-Crazy Mom and Green Moms Media. As part of this event, we’re giving away 8 amazing baby carriers! That means 8 of you will win a baby carrier to help you keep your baby close to you!

Our wonderful babywearing sponsors will be providing the following carriers to our lucky winners:

Onya Baby Carrier {$149 value; US/CAN entries}

The Onya Baby Carrier is the only babywearing option that allows you to wear your baby not only on your front and back – but also enables you to convert nearly any adult chair into a safe seat for your baby! It can be used with children up to 45 pounds. Read Happy Mothering's review here.

Kozy Carrier Mei Tai, sponsored by QuirkyBaby {$89 value; US entries}

The Kozy mei tai carrier features a breast cancer awareness pattern in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This versatile two-shoulder baby carrier works for newborns through toddlers and has flexible and adjustable shoulder and waist straps that fit most wearers. Read Happy Mothering's review here.

Ergobaby Organic Lattice Carrier {$145 value; US/CAN entries}

Organic. Ethical. Ergonomic. The Ergobaby Organic Carrier has all the advantages of the Ergobaby Original Carrier, crafted with soft 100% certified organic cotton twill and sateen. The carrier has padded shoulder straps and a waist belt to comfortably distribute baby’s weight between your shoulders and hips. The carrier holds and cradles your baby just the way you do, with your baby’s legs properly supported in a natural sitting position.

Catbird Baby Mei Tai Carrier {$89 value; US/CAN entries}

The Catbird Baby Mei Tai Carrier features a beautifully simple design, with no buckles, straps or wrapping required. It has wide padded straps, a small hood and can be used with babies from 8 to 40 pounds in multiple carrying positions. Read Happy Mothering’s review here.

Snuggy Baby Wrap {$56.00 value; US entries}

Snuggy Baby wraps have everything that you could want in a baby wrap; comfort, support, and style. This baby carrier is completely adjustable so one size fits all. It works between various care givers of all body types. Because you create a custom fit every time you tie it on, the wrap grows with your child, ensuring that they get a comfortable secure fit from the time that they come home until you are ready to stop carrying them (generally around 35 lbs. or 3 years). The decorative panel lets you avoid having the same old boring solid wrap that you see everywhere else, and there are many designs to choose from!

Boba 3G Carrier (Value $120-$125; US entries}

The Boba Carrier 3G is designed for babies and toddlers alike (7-45 lbs.) with many incredible features not seen on other soft structured baby carriers. Available in 4 beautiful patterns and 3 stunning solid color combinations, the Boba Carrier 3G is the perfect option for any baby wearing family! This carrier is made from 100% cotton, comfortably fits heights 5’0” – 6’3”, and has a waistband range of 25” – 58”. Features include front and back carry options, an adjustable sleeping hood, easy adjustments for easier fit & breastfeeding, removable foot straps, adjustable chest straps, multiple pockets for on the go storage, and more!

Lil Peeper Keepers Woven Wrap {$35.00 value; US entries}

Lil Peeper Keepers woven wraps lend needed support far past the snuggly newborn stage, all the way up to the heavy chunker toddler stage! Because of this, woven wraps are the logical choice for a wrap that will work from newborn to toddler. These wraps are ideal for year round use as they are made from very lightweight cotton gauze, offering great comfort for both mom (or dad) and baby. Length: 5.75- 6 yards, Width: 22-25 inches, Fabric content: 100% cotton, Edge: Rolled hem. Many gorgeous colors to choose from!

Moby Wrap, Sponsored by Dinker & Giggles {$44.95 value; US entries}

The Moby Wrap is a versatile, 100% cotton babywearing option that uses your entire back, as well as your shoulders, to carry the weight of your baby. This carrier is being sponsored by Dinker & Giggles, a blog about raising kids naturally, with giggles. Read Alaina's post about the Moby Wrap here.

Are you ready for your chance to win one of these amazing baby carriers in celebration of International Babywearing Week? Simply complete the Rafflecopter form below. The more entries you complete, the more chances you’ll have to win! Please note: you’ll see this giveaway posted on a number of blogs. Please only enter on one blog. Thanks and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This contest will run through October 14, 2012 at 9:01 pm PST (October 15, 2012 at 12:01 am EST). The winners will be chosen the following day and announced on Happy Mothering, Eco-Crazy Mom and the participating blogs once winners have been confirmed. US/CAN entries welcome (each sponsor has individual country requirements). Must be 18 years or older to win. The sponsors provided us with free samples of these products to review or compensation, and we were under no obligation to review them if we so chose. Nor were we under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to Happy Mothering and not to Facebook. Please note that Happy Mothering, Eco-Crazy Moms, Green Moms Media, the International Babywearing Week Giveaway Event and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. We will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 4-6 weeks for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.

The 2012 Choose Your Charity Event!

Welcome to the 2012 "Choose Your Charity" Event!

As you know, I am very excited to be a part of the first "Choose Your Charity" Cloth Diaper Charities event! See my original post about this event here.

You already know I work for Diaper Parties, LLC. I love that our mission is to help families make the choice to use cloth diapers, as well as help with other aspects of their parenting journey, such as babywearing and using natural products for their baby and their home.

Our mission is as follows:

Diaper Parties, LLC strives to educate families about the numerous cloth diaper and natural parenting options available today. Our customers are smart, earth-friendly, and economical, and realize the benefits of using cloth diapers. We offer a wide variety of natural parenting products at the same price as other retailers, but with the added benefit of having an educated and hand-picked consultant that can give you professional advice.

Our new Pay It Forward Campaign fits right into our mission.
One needy family will be selected from nominations/submissions and will receive an entire stash of cloth diapers and accessories. Some of my favorite brands have been very generous and joined us in this effort.

To make this charity event a success, we need votes from you! Choose your favorite cloth diaper charity, and you will be entering to win $300 towards the charity of your choice, as well as a prize for yourself--$200 in diapers and accessories! More info here.

Once you enter, please leave a comment telling me which charity you voted for (you can nominate one that isn't listed) and why! Thanks for your help!

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below! :) Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So Cute It's SCARY!

So, I've been wondering what costumes my family will be wearing for Halloween this year. Last year, we got lazy and didn't even dress our son up. I know, I know, I'm a horrible parent...but he was two, our church canceled their Fall Festival last minute, and we didn't have anywhere to go besides grandparents' houses. At least his first Halloween wasn't a total bust. He was Toad from the Nintendo Mario games. It was pretty epic. We used the costume again at a church youth group party, and my husband dressed as Mario and I dressed as Princess Peach. So fun!

This year I need to come up with a costume for a family of four (or just the kids)--mom, dad, brother, baby sister. I always wanted to do the Rubbles (neighbors from the Flintstones) when it was just my husband, son, and I, but if we did that now, it would look like the Rubbles who just happen to be carrying around Pebbles (or the Flintstones randomly toting along Bam Bam).

Cutest idea so far? S'mores (mom and dad are graham crackers, kids are chocolate bar and marshmallow)! However, I'm pretty sure getting my husband to dress up at all is going to be like trying  to get my son to sit still and not make a sound (aka, near impossible).

That brings me down to getting my toddler and baby costumes. My son is big time into Peter Pan/pirates, so I've gotten him convinced to dress up as Peter Pan (took some convincing for him not to be Captain Hook). My daughter, well, she's a baby, so she will wear what I want her to wear--and I think she'll make an adorable Tinkerbell. :) This will all work out great with the Peter Pan birthday party I'm planning for my son this November. Hopefully I'll have an all-out amazing post on that in the future!

Well, despite what I dress the kids up like, I'd like to have some Fall/Halloween-ish outfits for them to wear to the Pumpkin farm, etc. My son will be pretty easy to put into jeans and a plaid shirt, or to find a cute Halloween-ish shirt (maybe a skeleton shirt, like he had his first Halloween?), but my daughter is a different story. In a land of adorable bejeweled holiday tops and tutus, I've been having trouble finding something that is affordable as it is cute! Even deal sites are pricing these far above what I'd consider spending. (Do people really pay those 'full' prices, or do they make those up? I mean, $70 for a tutu outfit seems a bit much to me.)

Enter cloth diapers. I have thoroughly enjoyed coordinating my daughter's diapers with her outfits (yay for dresses and BabyLegs!), but so far the only Halloween/fall idea I had was to put her in her orange (aka, "Clementine") bumGenius diapers, perhaps underneath a tutu with a black top.

Then...awesome sauce--Diaper Parties got a shipment of the coolest cloth diapers and covers I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of diapers). What makes them so great, you ask?

Ahem...

They...

Glow.

In the dark.

They GLOOOOOOW IN THE DAAAAARK!!!!

I hope you thoroughly understand my amazement now. Not sure you can, though, honestly. It's pretty intense.

Allow me to share the amazing cuteness with you...

(You can click the pictures to learn more.)

One Size diaper cover by Kissaluvs"Booville" print
(This one does not glow in the dark, but it still pretty darn cute!)

One Size diaper cover by Kissaluvs "Spiderweb" print
As you can see, this one glows in the dark!This is the most likely pick for my daughter. 
I'm planning on pairing it with a blackshirt and either a green or orange tutu. *color me stoked*

One Size pocket diaper by Happy Heinys"Halloween" print 
(black with orange snaps and trim)
Available in Aplix closure

One Size pocket diaper by Happy Heinys
glow in the dark "Skull" print
Available in snaps or Aplix closure

The tried and true bumGenius 4.0 One Size pocket diaper
"Clementine" orange colorAvailable in snaps or Aplix closure, 
and a great staple for your clothdiaper wardrobe, during Fall or any time of the year!

So what do you think? Should I stick with the "spiderwebs" cover as my first choice for my daughter? Do you coordinate cloth diapers with your child's costume or other holiday apparel? I know I've seen some cute Christmas diapers before, too, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we get in this year!
Which one of these diapers/covers is your favorite?

Fall Into Green 2012 Giveaway Blog Hop: $25 Diaper Parties Gift Card Giveaway!!

Welcome to the Fall Into Green Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and Happy Green Mama through the Green Moms Network. Each participating blog is hosting a green or eco-friendly giveaway worth at least $25. You can find the list of participating blogs at the bottom of my post.

I am very excited to be a part of this event! This is my first 'hop,' and I'm glad to be doing one that involves being 'green.' My most obvious 'green' lifestyle change has to be our use of cloth diapers. If you've read my previous posts, you know that I love cloth diapers for their monetary savings and re-usability. We are currently on baby #2 with the same diapers from our first child, and they are still working great! :)

When I was given a choice of what to give away for my $25 prize, I started brainstorming ideas for products from Diaper Parties, since we have so many great products for natural, green living. Problem is, we have so many of these products, I couldn't choose! I decided to leave it up to the lucky winner to choose what they would like by offering a gift card. I will try to help you out by previewing some of our great products here. Hopefully this will give you some ideas of what you can buy and of what we offer! Call it a mini-tour of our fantastic website. ;)

Ok, let's start with the categories on the left sidebar of the Diaper Parties website and go from there!

As you can see, there are plenty of products to choose from! 

Ok, so let's start with cloth diapers. (Keep in mind that we have plenty of other products in addition to diapers!)
This giveaway would be great for anyone interested in cloth diapering that is afraid of the investment. There are several products you could buy outright, and some you could use the gift card towards to help cut the cost!
Here are just a few of the items you could buy...

Blueberry One Size Bamboo Fitted Diaper, $25.95
Yes, that means you would only pay 95 cents for this diaper after using your gift card! 

Gro Via Newborn All In One diaper, $14.95
You'd still have some money to spend after this one! Don't they have the cutest prints?!

bumGenius 4.0 One Size Pocket Diaper, $17.95
I love this "Albert" print! The "Lovelace" print is also a personal fave! 

You can always "kick it old school" with flat or prefold diapers.
This Econobum 3 pack has a diaper cover and 3 prefold diapers for just $14.95! 

Want to ease yourself into the transition from disposables to cloth?
The Flip travel pack comes with 2 covers and 18 disposable inserts for $33.95. 

Tired of buying disposable swim diapers? This Bummis cloth swim diaper is just $14.50! 

We have lots of options for each type of diapering system, but these are just a few to give you an idea of what we offer. If you have any questions about cloth diapering, please feel free to email, Facebook message, or send me a direct message on Twitter anytime! Personal consultants are the Diaper Parties difference! I'll be there to guide you every step of the way in your cloth diapering journey at no extra charge. I am here to help you--and I love every minute of it!

We also have a fantastic selection of cloth diapering accessories, such as diaper pail liners, diaper sprayers, cloth wipes, wet bags, potty training gear, and even personalized cloth diaper labels!

Maybe you are a mom (or know a mom) but don't have a child in diapers right now. Time to check out the "For Mom" section! Here is a small sampling of products available to help you in your mommyhood journey!

Aden and Anais' mum+bub hair and body wash, $15.95
key ingredients: pawpaw fruit extract (Carica Papaya), coco-glucoside and Glyceryl Oleate (cleanses and moisturizes) and lightly scented with Australian Sandalwoodfree of: phytoestrogen, parabens, petroleum oils, phthalates, gluten and soy

Ju-Ju-Be "Be Hip" diaper bag, $80.00 ($65 after gift card!)
These bags are amazing!
Think of everything you ever wanted in a diaper bag. Ju-Ju-Be has it!

Planet Wise Reusable Snack Bags, $7.95 each
I can't get enough of their prints! Sandwich bags, sandwich wraps, and window bags also available. 

Baby K'Tan Carrier, regularly $49.95, on sale for $42.45

 

Planet Wise nursing cover, $24.95
--with a handy pocket and it's own pouch for storage and a rigid neckline so you can keep your eye on baby!
We also offer nursing pads and nursing/teething jewelry

Jellystone Designs has some adorable teethers that look like Smart Phones (shown) and chocolate bars!
Just $15.00 each!

Jellystone Designs also has a fabulous line of nursing/teething jewelry for mama!
This necklace is $35 (just $10 after the gift card).

And for the sweetest little customers, look under our "For Baby" section...

Baltic Amber Teething Necklace by Inspired by Finn, $19.95

Hylands Homeopathic Kids' Kit, $32.95

Aiden and Anais Classic Muslin Swaddle, 2 pack, $32.00
Diaper Parties carries retailer-exclusive A+A products, so comparably
the ones you can get in stores would be 200 thread count and ours are 600 thread count!

Not a mom or someone who needs products for mom/children? No worries! This gift card will come in handy for you in our "For Home" section!

LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, $9.45 each
Cut your dryer time and your energy bill naturally!

Eco Nuts Natural Laundry Soap, 100 loads for $12.00!
Do your laundry naturally with soap nuts!

Rockin' Green Melody Room Spray, $9.95
Freshen your rooms naturally!

As you can see, we have a little bit of everything for everyone! Can you understand why I couldn't choose what to give away now?!

Enter via the RaffleCopter form below for my giveaway, then be sure to 'hop' on over to the other blogs to enter their giveaways as well! Have fun, and don't forget to enter the GRAND PRIZE Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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We also have a fabulous Grand Prize for this giveaway hop, sponsored by Maggie Bags. Two lucky winners will each receive The Tote of Many Colors in The Fall of Leaves or Camo – Maggie Bags’ most eco-friendly bag! Made of super durable recycled seat belt webbing, this roomy tote will hold everything you need and want, even that extra pair of shoes! You can also get 25% off at Maggie Bags with code FallGreen good now through November 10 on their Premier Line!

Click here to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway.

The 2012 "Choose Your Charity" Cloth Diaper Charity Awareness Event

You may have noticed the new button on the side of my blog. I'm thrilled to be a part of the 2012 "Choose Your Charity" Cloth Diaper Charity Awareness Event!

I think most cloth diaperers cringe when they see contests to win a year's worth or lifetime's worth of disposables. I know I do! I always think, "They could have helped so many more people for so much longer if they'd given a lifetime supply of cloth diapers!"
I also think that it would be wonderful if there were some type of voucher for needy families. Lots of people who are in programs that help them get food, formula, and other baby supplies would surely benefit from having cloth diapers. Disposable diapers is probably the #1 thing new parents spend money on weekly (or perhaps #2 behind formula, depending on if they are breastfeeding or not).

Well, the good news is, many cloth diaper manufacturers and retailers have answered the tugging of their heartstrings to those families who would like to cloth diaper but just can't afford to get started by forming their own charitable programs! Some charities even provide entire cloth diaper stashes!



One such charity is the "Pay It Forward" campaign from Diaper Parties. A new program, they will be giving away a full stash of diapers and cloth diapering essentials to a family in need. I'm very excited about their sponsors, since my first cloth diapers were from Swaddlebees and I've recently fallen in love with CJ's products (previous review here)!

Many more great cloth diaper charities are listed with details in the "Choose Your Charity" post by the Thinking About Cloth Diapers blog.

Interested in blogging about this great event? Sign up here! There will be prize drawing for participating bloggers! :)

I'll be sharing more details in the coming weeks, both here and on my Facebook page, so stay tuned! :)

~Deidre

Why Diaper Parties?

I recently became a consultant for Diaper Parties! I never thought I'd do any sort of in-home party business because I have never felt comfortable asking people to buy things from me, but I feel like cloth diapers are an investment that saves you money and truly helps people, so this was a perfect fit for me!

It has come to my attention that many people don't quite understand what I'm doing when I say I do "diaper parties." Hopefully this post will help explain what we are, as well as what we aren't.

First, let me begin by sharing our company's vision statement:


Mission Statement: Diaper Parties, LLC strives to educate families about the numerous cloth diaper and natural parenting options available today. Our customers are smart, earth-friendly, and economical, and realize the benefits of using cloth diapers. We offer a wide variety of natural parenting products at the same price as other retailers, but with the added benefit of having an educated 
and hand-picked consultant that can give you professional advice.

What it is: a party where you can earn rewards as a hostess or party attendee...
Many times when I explain what a "diaper party" is, people will say, "Oh, so it's like Pampered Chef or Scentsy, but with diapers?" This is partially true, since I will be presenting products and giving party attendees the opportunity to order at the end of the party. We also offer rewards for hostesses and party attendees based on party sales. This changes monthly, depending on the featured 'brand of the month.'
What it isn't: a 'pyramid' company
Sometimes people assume it's similar to other 'in home' party companies where I work for someone, who works for someone, who works for someone and I have the potential to have others work under me, etc. (aka, "pyramid scheme"). This is not at all true. I work for Diaper Parties, LLC. So do lots of other consultants. None of us get any extra pay for having others work under us. We are all working in our own areas with no one 'under' or 'over' us (besides the main company being in charge). We do support each other by sharing ideas, resources, etc. with each other, but there is no financial 'pyramid' (if there were, I would not have been interested in working for this company). I think having this structure helps people stay honest and be willing to help each other out with resources, etc. unselfishly instead of thinking of how they can get ahead of the next person doing the same parties. We have consultants in many areas, but the main company is careful to keep consultants spread out so that they are not competing with each other.

Now, what about your consultant?
We are here to help you, through education and guidance. Our primary goal is to educate others on the benefits of cloth diapering, as well as our other products, like baby carriers and natural baby and laundry products.
We believe that if we educate people on the benefits of our products, they will want to try them themselves. We aren't making any money to educate customers, but we are hoping that if you choose to use the products we offer, you choose to order them through us. We have the same prices and sales as any other retailer, since the manufacturer sets the prices. The difference is, we are here for you as a personal support team! Any time you have a question, you have a person to ask! You don't have to talk to a computer, send countless emails, or do your own research. We are your personal consultant in every sense!
This is where the major difference between Diaper Parties and other retailers comes in. We are charging you the same price to buy diapers and other products as everyone else, but we also give you personalized service!
*Please realize that this means we are not getting huge commissions off of anything. This is not a company that I'm a part of to get rich from. I do this because I strongly believe that I can help people improve their lives and their childrens' lives through educating them and helping them purchase the products we offer.
**Please also consider that we are taking our own time and efforts to help you become educated about our products and while we aren't looking to get rich, it would be really nice if after we have helped you, you purchase from us. Sometimes consultants spend hours or days helping people only to have them order from somewhere else. Would you do that to a Scentsy or Pampered Chef representative?
Remember, we have the same sales as anyone who carries that manufacturer's products, and we offer free shipping over certain amounts and other incentives with our 'brand of the month' program. You will also earn reward points with each purchase, which can be redeemed for giftcards (aka, free products)!

So, if you are interested in cloth diapers (or any of our other products), contact your local consultant today! We can either do a personal consultation or a diaper party.

A consultation or a party--Which is right for me?
A consultation is great for someone who is interested in getting started with cloth diapers. We can meet with you in person as well as communicate online. We can bring our kit to you to show you the different types and brands of diapers (and some other products we offer) in person. I don't know about you, but it is hard for me to buy something online without having seen it in person first. Especially something that is such an investment like cloth diapers! That's the main benefit of DP consultants--we bring the store to you!
A party would be great for either a group of moms that is seriously considering cloth diapers or is interested in our other products (like designer diaper bags, baby carriers, and baby care products). It would also be great for moms who already use cloth diapers but want to add to their stash and learn about the newest products! OR if you use cloth diapers and have some friends who have shown interest, but just aren't sure about it yet, a party could help them learn more and see how cloth diapers can work for them!
Rewards and incentives are offered for both consultations and parties. These change monthly, depending on our brand of the month. For example, the September brand of the month is Jellystone Designs. This month's incentives for a personal consultation or party will be free products from Jellystone Designs based on the party or consultation sales amounts. Also, those who host or attend  parties will be entered into drawings for free products!

Another helpful service Diaper Parties offers is baby registries! Your consultant can even send you shower inserts to put into your shower invitations. Many times, cloth diapering mamas may need or want to add to their cloth diaper stash, but people who haven't used cloth diapers themselves are intimidated about ordering them for someone else. Take out the guess work with a registry!

If you have any additional questions about Diaper Parties, please feel free to ask in the comments here or on my Facebook page!

CJ's BUTTer Review and GIVEAWAY!!--Winner added!

Image from cjsuniqueboutique.com

The August Brand of the Month at DiaperParties.com is CJ's. CJ's is a mom-run company based out of Colorado. The company began when CJ was looking for a cloth-safe diaper cream. She started experimenting, and, soon afterward, CJ's BUTTer was born! Since then, the company has expanded to include products like "Bug Banisher" and "Wool Wash."

When I first became a consultant with Diaper Parties, my kit included 2 CJ's BUTTer samples. I didn't want to use anything from my kit because I needed it to show at parties, but my daughter got a pretty bad rash when she was only a few weeks old due to being an exclusively breastfed baby and having poop in every diaper, which irritated her already sensitive skin (more on her sensitive skin and something I found that helps, coming soon). I tried using coconut oil, a tried and true cloth diaper-safe cream. It worked, but it was difficult to use since it went from solid to liquid without any rhyme or reason, and it always seemed 'wet' on my daughter's bum.

Finally, I decided to try one of the CJ's samples and just order a replacement for my kit. I am so glad I did this! It was creamy, smelled amazing, and went on easily, absorbing into her skin quickly. The redness was gone within a day, and, crazy as it sounds, I started to look forward to changing her diapers! Every time I change a diaper now, even if it has poo, I smell the CJ's butter and it smells wonderful! It has even helped my diaper pail smell yummy!
{Note: any time a mom says she looks forward to changing diapers, even poopy ones, you should run out and buy whatever product made this happen!}
I know sometimes lotions and creams can actually dry out your skin if it is scented, but I've had no such issues with this cream.

Now, some of you are thinking, "Ok, Deidre, that's nice, but I don't have a baby, so I don't need a diaper cream! Stop right there! CJ's BUTTer is for much more than baby bums. Check out all the other great uses:

Called a”A Miracle in a Tube” by some, CJ’s BUTTer® has been used on adults and children to help relieve …

·         eczema

·         rashes

·         dry/chapped skin

·         rug burns (sore ‘crawler’ knees)

·         mechanics’ hands and cuticles

·         hang nails

·         Lacerations and abrasions from rock climbing

·         rub a small amount on your hands and use as a leave-in conditioner for your curls

More uses for CJ’s BUTTer® include:

·         Use it for black/mixed hair!! Leaves hair soft, shiny and helps alleviate those ‘owies’ when trying to separate locks!

·         Melt a dollop under running bath water for a relaxing, soothing, and anti-inflammatory soak–provides relief for post-partum soreness and hemorrhoids!

·         Provides protection against windburned cheeks/face and helps to relieve windburn!

·         Promotes healing and provides a non-stick barrier when used after a circumcision.

I am pretty sure anyone can find a way they can use this product! I can add the following use: nursing elbows (the dry elbows you get from leaning on your elbows while nursing lying down) from personal experience! ;)

I am almost out of my 1.5 oz. sample now, and will be ordering a full size (4 oz.) tub soon. While I'm ordering, I might as well order someone a FREE SAMPLE while I'm at it, right? ;)

Here's the fun part...giveaway time! I want you to see how outstanding CJ's BUTTer really is, but you have to help me! I am currently in love with the "Viva La Juicy" scent (it smells fruity and just plain delicious). I also like the "Summer Sunrise" scent, but it's a bit perfume-like for my taste (or should I say, "for my smell"...?). CJ's has so many scents, I'm finding it hard to choose which one to get next!

To enter the giveaway, you must 'like' my DPBD Facebook page, then choose the scent you think you would like to try (if you win the giveaway, I'll send you your choice).

Here is the list of scents:
(Love the sometimes hilarious descriptions, by the way!)

Essential oils and EO blends:

All Natural Mango, Sugar & Mint

Caribbean Therapy EO blend (vetiver, bay & lime)

Frankincense & Myrrh EO blend

Intrigue EO blend (orange, lemon, petitgrain)

Lavender EO

Lavender & Tea Tree EO blend

Lemon Grove EO blend

Madagascar EO blend (vanilla & ylang ylang) Elitha’s Employee favorite

Narwhals & Unicorns (lavender & bergamot) *Because it’s MAGICAL!!!*

Sensuality EO blend (ylang ylang & myrrh)

Summer Sunrise (Bergamot EO)–CJ’s favorite

Sweet Orange EO

Tea Tree EO

FRAGRANCES (synthetic):

• Sweet Memories (Awapuhi):  Have you ever encountered a scent that just takes you back to a special time and place?  This Awapuhi (Ah-vah-poo-hee) scent is named for CJ’s mom.  It’s a dreamy, clean scent used in many salon shampoos.  Technically a fruity-floral scent, it stands out from the rest as it is light, airy,  super clean,  and not particularly floral.  Give it a try….it’s simply beautiful—just like mom.
• Lullaby Baby Lotion: This is a gorgeous, soft, irresistible designer baby fragrance! With soft notes of leafy green, peach, melon, coconut and honey, and reminiscent of Johnson’s Baby Magic lotion, this fragrance is a tribute to the softness and innocence of babies.

• Monkey Farts:  You asked for it and we listened!!  For once the rather unattractive name is not an indicator of the quality of this excellent fragrance.  A truly unique fragrance that begins with top notes of fresh banana and juicy grapefruit, middle notes of kiwi, bubblegum, and strawberries; and a hint of vanilla as a base note.
• • My Pixie Pie:  Named after CJ’s pet name for her little girl…A beautiful mixture of cherries, toasted almonds and finished with a touch of vanilla and coconut, this sweet fragrance is aptly named.  BOTTOM LINE:  A princess in pink, with some fairy wings and a tutu, poised and ready to tackle big brother when the mood strikes.
  • Cucumber Melon: A hot afternoon, and a blend that cooled the warm summer day!  This baby is fantastic!!  Top notes of fresh cucumber, ripe melons, apple, and pear lead to a floral heart of muguet, rose, jasmine, and cyclamen. A rich, sweet drydown is provided by oakmoss and vanilla.
  • Honeyed Patchouli:  Okay all you Patchouli haters, you’ve got to try this! All of my testers gave it 2 thumbs up!! The sweet smell of honeycomb wrapped around patchouli twigs. With light notes of candied fruit & lemon peel. (Elitha’s Employee “second-favorite”)
  • Warm Vanilla Cake: Quite simply the richest, most buttery vanilla in the entire universe!  (Mark’s employee “second favorite”)
  • Oatmeal, Milk & Honey: This blend is a perfect marriage of oatmeal, milk, and honey — mellow, soothing, with just a hint of sweetness — the comfort food of fragrance.
  • Coconut Lime Dream: A luscious blend of creamy coconut and tangy lime.
  • Pink Sugar:  This boutique best-seller begins with notes of sweet, sugary lemon drops and pink cotton candy. A fruity-floral middle of red fruit, fig leaves, caramel and raspberry leads to a sweet vanilla-musk base. BOTTOM LINE: Here’s your chance to smell like sugar, Sugar!
  • Bamboo & Lotus Blossom (light and flowery)
  • New Mown Hay — the perfect combination of earthy and sweet! A best seller! It is an unpretentious, down-home blend of fresh hay notes brightened by a touch of citrus and floral. Did I already say unpretentious? Good, because there’s no perfumey, show-offy, big city hijinks in this here scent.
  • Blueberry Crumble–A pleasing blend of plump summer ripened blueberries, and crispy oatmeal topping warm from the oven. Rich and buttery, with a hint of spice and vanilla.  (Mark’s employee favorite)
  • Love Spell–Top notes of peach, mango, strawberry, and mandarin flow into a complex middle of apple blossom, rose, tamarind, and coconut milk. The fragrance is completed with smooth notes of musk, vanilla, and precious woods. Bottom Line: A very likable scent — bursting with juicy peach and mango — perfect for the hot, hot days of summer.
  • Viva la Juicy– golden amber, egyptian musk, citrus, lily of the valley, pink jasmine, and warm woods
  ^My current favorite...but I've only smelled 2 scents!

  Especially for men:

  (LOVE these descriptions, ha!)
  • Fireside:  Super sexy yet subtle combination of cedarwood, sandalwood, leather, rich amber and cashmere musk  BOTTOM LINE: Tom Selleck by the campfire in “Last Stand at Saber River”
  • Green Irish Tweed:  Who couldn’t adore this light, but masculine fragrance type from Creed? A fruity top note of lemon verbena, middle notes of iris & violets & at the base is sandalwood & amber. You will not be disappointed with this refined, gentleman’s scent.   Masculine, yet light enough for your baby boy!! BOTTOM LINE: Cary Grant in “His Girl Friday”
  • Nomad: A rich combination of sandalwood, carnations and musk.  BOTTOM LINE:  Heath Ledger in “Casanova”
  • Sea spice: A truly gender neutral ocean scent sure to please!  Rugged, yet refreshingly light.  Fresh top notes of ozone (“fresh air”) and citrus lead to a soft middle of sea kelp and champagne. This shore essence is completed with soft notes of driftwood, musk, and just a hint of Indonesian clove oil. BOTTOM LINE:  *George Clooney in “A Perfect Storm”
• Tuscan Herb: Intoxicating aromas of fresh-picked tomatoes, red currants, leafy greens and Italian basil, with underlying tones of earth and sandalwood   BOTTOM LINE: Brad Pitt in “Ocean’s Eleven”

This is a Raffle Copter Giveaway. You can log in using your Facebook ID (that's what I do when I enter this type of giveaway). This giveaway is not sponsored by Facebook, CJ's BUTTer, or Diaper Parties, LLC. I am doing this on my own volition because I think if you try this product, you'll love it just as much as I do! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway