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There’s a New Chip in Town!
There’s a new chip in town, the bluum team is bringing you ips! From our own kiddos and the bluum mamas, we give ips a thumbs up! When the many bags of ips arrived to the bluum office they sure didn’t last long. Talk about a satisfying chip that you don’t feel guilty snacking on or packing in your little ones lunch bag. Each one ounce serving of ips contains seven grams of protein, all nine essential amino acids and all other natural ingredients.
Founder Sean Olson was inspired to create these perfectly puffed, crisp “Intelligent Protein Snacks”, ips, by his children’s love of the crispy edges of their morning eggs. Sean took it upon himself to create a chip that was both satisfying and healthy for his family. ips replace the empty carbohydrates and fats with egg white protein, one of the highest quality proteins there is.
ips is a snack allows us mamas and our kiddos to snack healthy without compromising taste, crunch or our own guilt! With a variety of flavors: Aged White Cheddar, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, Cinnamon and Barbecue there are perfectly puffed protein chips for everyone!Happy Snacking!!
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It’s @jillyhollis birthday at @bluumkids! 🎉 @jram910 & @emilyscoggin from the team are having fun!
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Bluum & Michael Kormos Photography Baby Search
Attention mamas! We are currently searching for our next bluum baby star!
We have partnered with the amazing Michael Kormos Photography studio! The shoot will take place in their beautiful NYC Chelsea studio and we couldn’t be more excited. Michael Kormos started off as a landscape photographer but after the birth of his children realized that capturing the moments of childhood, well, was his calling. His studio specializes in freezing these special moments in time - whether that be a toothless, gummy smile, sticky little fingers, or intimate family snuggles. We are in awe of the magic that he is able to capture and we couldn’t be luckier to work with him!
Our search is open to all babies and tots from 6 - 36 months in the NYC/Tri-State area. The photo shoot will take place on Sunday, April 28th at 10 AM and you must me able to travel with your child to the studio. The search will be open from 4.8.13-4.21.13 and the winner will be contacted on 4.22.13. In order to be considered you must complete our entry form below and upload a photo of your little one.
Good luck everyone! xo
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Bathtime Baby: cover your baby with natural ingredients {giveaway}
Bathtime Baby and Kids has quickly become a bluum favorite. Made with mamas and their littles in mind, this skincare line is formulated with organic plant and fruit extracts. Bathtime Baby and Kids has your cutie covered (literally) from head toe: products include everything from massage oil, sunscreen, and detangler. Their entire baby friendly line is paraben-free, propylene glycol-free, and hypoallergenic.We are proud to be working with such an amazing company and offer these safe and natural options to your sweet babes! In honor of Earth Month, bluum is giving a lucky mama the chance to win a bundle of our favorite earth friendly Bathtime Baby products! Here’s what’s up for grabs: {1} Baby Butter, {1} Bathing baby, {1} Silky Smooth and {1} Bottom Balm - valued at $60!
How to enter:
1. Like bluum and Bathtime Baby on Facebook.
2. Tell us why your little one would love to try Bathtime Baby!
3. Leave a comment below for each entry. The giveaway will be open until 4/9. Good luck!
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Notes Mum-Mums & healthy eating choices for your toddler
It’s no secret that the bluum mamas love Mum-Mums! Made with non GMO Japonica rice and no artificial colors or preservatives, these nutritious rice snacks come in a variety of flavors (including our favorites - strawberry and banana) for both babies and toddlers. For babies, they are the perfect food introduction as they dissolve quickly and are a teething life saver (trust me on this one!). For your big kids, you can use the biscuits as an easy snack or incorporate other nutritious food choices and create a delicious meal.
Mum-Mums takes our children’s nutrition and eating habits seriously. I had an opportunity to speak with their registered dietitian, Coleen, who diligently answered many of our bluum mamas most common questions when it comes to toddlers and food choices.
Can you tell us a few of your favorite food introductions for picky toddlers?
A: Picky eaters can be tough, but the key is to aim for nutrient dense foods whenever possible especially if your picky eater will only eat a little bit of food. Nutrient density means getting most nutrients for the calories like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – instead of foods that are high in calories without providing any nutrition like sweets and many snack foods. Also be mindful of color and texture because that is often a hang-up for picky eaters. They may not like peas, but prefer pea soup for example.
Specific foods are difficult to list because all picky eaters are different, but research has found that kids prefer a colorful plate with several options so offering different colored fruits and vegetables along with their entrée can encourage picky eaters to try new foods. Kids are very visual, and it’s easy to get focused on the foods and lose sight of the presentation – which is often just as important to kids.
Are there any foods that toddlers (13-24 months) should avoid?
A: Honey should be avoided for children 2 years of age and under. At this age, it is important to be mindful of potential choking hazards so cut foods into small chunks and slice things like grapes or cherry tomatoes in half. Nut butters can also pose a choking hazard so spread a thin layer instead of a dollop, and talk to your pediatrician if you have a family history of nut allergies or suspect your child may be allergic. The same goes for shellfish/crustaceans- pediatricians now say its ok for a child to have shellfish after 12 months of age (it used to be 2 years) but hold off if your child has food allergies, or if there is a family history of shellfish allergies. It is important to talk to your doctor as nut and shellfish allergies are very severe and can be life threatening.
How often should you try and introduce a food that your toddler has shown disdain for?
Many! Some experts say a child could need anywhere from 10-20 times of seeing a new food before they’ll try it. Here are a few tips for helping that along:
Always serve a new food with something they already like
Try different textures – for example, some kids like only raw carrots instead of cooked
Be sure it is a food the parents are eating too, because they are watching you to learn behaviors
Lucas adores mum-mums (it’s a go to snack in our house)! Can you tell us the nutritional value in these tasty treats?
That’s great! Toddler Mum Mum’s have are about 10 calories a piece, free of fat (both trans and saturated fats), cholesterol free, and are very low in sugar. While I may be slightly partial, these are some of the best biscuits on the market as they are made without additives or artificial ingredients. Plus, they are gluten free and nut free.
Do you recommend serving mum-mums with any other food choices?
Absolutely. As your toddler’s diet begins to expand, Mum Mum’s make great dippers for dips and spreads like hummus, bean dips, mashed avocadoes or guacamole. They also make great mini tea sandwiches with things like nut butter and sliced banana or a healthy bean dip.
A HUGE thank you to Coleen and Mum-Mums for all their amazing tips and wonderful products! Make sure to follow Mum-Mums on Facebook and Twitter for product info and more helpful tips on healthy eating.
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Notes Bluum Customization: What You Need to Know!Bluum has been making some major changes - all geared to improve your experience with us. By listening to YOU, we are constantly improving the selection and quality of the products we are sending to you. As you are now aware, bluum has now expanded from 0-12 months to 0-36 months. We have realized that one size does NOT fit all! Soon, we’re adding special boxes for pregnancy and baby showers, too.
Today, I would like to shed some more light on how we are deciding what goes into your boxes – which we call our ‘expert curation: fueled by you’.
Our wonderful team of expert moms have been diligently working to find products that are relevant and timely for your child. Each and every monthly surprise is selected for you and your child’s needs. In addition, fun monthly themes speak to the main developmental stages your child goes through and are something fun to look forward to.
Bluum is basing the products on your little one’s age and gender and will slowly roll out more features that help you influence the products you are receiving. Those features include developmental needs, milestones and your personal preferences that you will be quickly checking off your list. From the birth of your child to potty training, we respect the vast array of timelines that you all are experiencing and therefore give you more control.
As diverse as you and your children are, so are our bluum boxes: No two boxes are alike! Expect to receive different surprises and products geared just for you! This only adds to the excitement of sharing your monthly boxes with your friends and fellow bluum moms! Let’s get talking!
Thank you for being a part of the bluum family, we look forward to sharing more exciting and improved features with you!
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Petites Frites: chic baby staples
Petites Frites was created by a dynamic parenting duo who set out to create a line of ultra-chic baby accessories. Baby essentials such as bibs and burp cloths can run the gamut from plain, unpractical, to overly “cutesy”. Petites Frites has changed the game with designs that are not only practical, but modern, stylish, and elegant.
In addition to the amazing design aesthetic, Petites Frites is also environmentally friendly, right down to their recyclable packaging. With a tiny carbon footprint (to match your little one’s tiny footsies), all products used in production are sourced locally in Los Angeles. The gorgeous fabrics are made from a custom-developed cotton blend knit using unbleached natural and sustainable fibers. The result is a fabric that is lush, super soft, and perfect for your babies delicate skin. As if this wasn’t enough, every product is machine washable and made to retain their vibrant colors, even after endless wash and drys. Mommy win!
Their baby blankets and bibs are bluum favorites! With a subtle chevron design and stunning color options, you are sure to find a favorite blanket that is perfect for your cutie. At 50” X 50”, it is the perfect size to be used for the crib, stroller, cuddling, and play time. It can also be easily transitioned from a favorite baby blankie to a toddler staple. Their bibs are full coverage and made with two layers of double-ply fabric for extra absorbency.
Bluum is honored to be working with Petites Frites and we can’t wait for you to fall just as madly in love! Make sure to Like them on Facebook and keep up with new products and announcements.
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Oogaa: makes feeding fun and safe! {giveaway}
Innovative and modern - oogaa brings major fun to meal time. Created by designer turned mama, Sam set out on a mission to create a line that was not only adorable, but safe. She found that many plastic utensils used for babies contained harmful chemicals. Most shocking of all was when placed in a microwave, the toxins were released at an alarmingly rapid pace. This was the push Sam needed to create a line of high quality, environmentally friendly products for babies and young children.
Ooga’s products are all made using high grade silicone that is durable, odourless, heat resistant, microwave/dishwasher safe, and fling proof. Oh, and they are all non-toxic, PVC and phthalate free. Talk about awesome! The colors are vibrant and the entertaining utensils are the perfect size for little hands. Extra cool fact: give your little ones some washable markers to entertain them during meal time. Rinse the placemat under cold water after each use, and voila, a new blank canvas!
Lucas loves oogaa and he wants to give our bluum mamas a chance to win a set for your kiddo! What’s up for grabs? The mealtime set and coordinating placemat.
How to enter:
1. Like bluum and oogaa on Facebook.
2. Follow bluum and oogaa on Twitter.
3. Leave a comment below for each entry. The giveaway will be open until 3/1. Good luck!
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ALEX Toys: learn, discover, and create! {giveaway}
Founded in 1986, ALEX toys has been creating quality toys that are high-quality, fun, and open the doors to creativity. Bluum is ecstatic to be partnering with this amazing company! ALEX has it all: plush animals for baby, toys that foster developmental skills, dress up accessories, and even beautiful furniture for your nursery or playroom. We especially love how ALEX encourages creativity through their awesome arts & crafts activities and toys. Some of our favorites include the My Scribble Pad and Tots First Crayons. The triangular shape of the crayons are the perfect size for little hands. Give your little ones these art supplies and watch your little Picasso get to work!
Some of our other top bluum (and Lucas approved!) picks include the Maxville Blocks and the Tots Art Start.
The Maxville Blocks are constructed out of wood and are engaging, colorful, and adorned with the most beautiful graphics. Lucas has an absolute blast building (and destroying). I am also using the blocks to practice colors with him. Wins all around!
Tots Art Start comes filled to the brim with stickers, cut-outs, animals, and crayons, all featuring bright colors and fun patterns. It’s never too soon to start working with your little ones on creating master pieces!
Now you have a chance to WIN an ALEX crafts gift set - both the Maxville Blocks and Art Start included! Valued at over $60, your tot will thank you.To enter:3. Tell us what your child’s favorite arts and crafts activity is.4. Leave a comment for each entry below. The winner will be chosen2/24. -
P.S. I Adore You: Cure the KIDS!
P.S. I adore you is a fantastic daily deal site that is chock full of beautiful treasures from jewelry to housewares. However, there is something extra special about this site. Their mission is to raise awareness and spread the word on childhood cancer.
In the summer of 2010, Chelsea (one of the amazing founders of P.S. I Adore You) found out that her 4-year-old daughter, Cami, had leukemia. Cami’s battle lasted about 3 years and she is now off treatment and officially cancer free! You can read more about Cami’s story here - she is truly an incredible little girl! This is what inspired the birth of P.S. I Adore You. Throughout their battle, Chelsea met many other cancer moms’ and their precious kids who often times didn’t have a happy ending. These are the families P.S. I Adore You strives to help.
One of our favorite brands, Hello Apparel, is taking action and joining forces with P.S. I adore you. Hello Apparel has created a limited edition shirt using the color gold, which signifies childhood cancer. At only $20 each, for every shirt sold now through February 22nd on their site, $6 will be donated to the SLC CureSearch in honor of Cami and her amazing friends.
I can’t say enough about this incredible site and what they are doing to serve our community of children that need our help. We have some great surprises cooking and we are honored to be working with P.S I love you! Make sure to sign up, like them on Facebook, and follow along via twitter and instagram.
We can’t wait to see your little one’s making a difference and looking stylish to boot!
