Baby Bond Nursing Cover Review and 75% Discount

I have been nursing for a little over a year now. When I am at home or around family, I am totally comfortable nursing. However, even after all this time, I am still not overly comfortable nursing in public. I have two of the nursing covers that I am sure you are all familiar with and I don't love them. I don't like covering up my little guy and he doesn't like it either. If I have to lift my shirt up to nurse, it leaves my back completely exposed. Lastly, they draw even more attention to the fact I am nursing.

When I heard about the Baby Bond nursing cover I pretty much begged to try one out! Lucky for me, they let me. Baby Bond covers are a soft sash that come in 3 styles and a variety of neutral colors (nothing to call out extra attention to what you are doing. The sash covers you, but not your baby. It works like a nursing top. You separate the layers of the sash to create an opening for baby to nurse.
The Original and the Flex look the same. They are a closed sash with a terry burp cloth included. The only difference I could see was that the flex had a detachable burp cloth and the original was sewn on. I chose the Couture style in chocolate. The versatility of this style appealed to me. The Baby Bond Couture is a sash that can be worn around your waist to cover you if you need to lift your shirt to nurse or it can be worn as a traditional sash if you can nurse from the top of your shirt. I have used the Baby Bond to nurse my little man on a number of occasions where we have had visitors at our home. However, I have not used it out in public YET. I am having a little difficulty keeping it closed. This isn't a huge problem but I feel like it may fall open and expose something. The video on the Baby Bond site shows that you drop one end of the sash through an opening on the other end and it keeps the ends together. That part isn't working for me when I am using it as a sash. It works great when I am using it around my waist though. I don't think I would have any trouble with the other two styles, but then I couldn't use it as a belly band. I guess I should note that I have a number of wraps and carriers that I have never really been able to figure out. For most of you, I'm sure the Couture will work wonderfully but if you seem to have issues like me, you may want to get the Original or Flex!

My personal struggles at working with the sash aside, I am really happy with this product and I recommend it for yourself or as a nice baby shower gift. My little guy completely prefers the Baby Bond. Daddy and Sissy prefer to be able to see the little guy too. You really do notice a difference when you are able to keep eye contact and communicate. I find my little guy nurses much longer when he isn't hidden away under a cover. Now, when I have company over, I have totally ditched my old nursing covers for the Baby Bond. Once I figure out how to keep the ends of my sash together, I feel pretty certain we will switch to using the Baby Bond out and about as well. It rolls up so compactly that I have already been taking it with me every time. I'm just waiting for the right situation to make the switch.

This product is my favorite type, one that was developed by a mom that saw a need and took action. As an added bonus, it is made here in the USA.

This is the perfect time to try Baby Bond as they are offering a great deal. If you buy one of their products at Babies R Us, you can send a copy of your receipt to missy@babybondnursing.com and she will send you a code to get a second one at 75% off. This way, you can try both styles and see which one works the best for you.

Disclosure - I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Real Pearls Over 75% Off on City Deals, $39

Pearls are timeless. They are appropriate for all ages and always add a sense of class to any outfit. Well, right now, CityDeals has an AMAZING deal for real freshwater pearl jewelry: they are offering a freshwater pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings (a $197 value) for only $49 and if you enter the coupon code "PEARLS" (all caps just like that) you get an additional $10 off! That's only $39 for a full matching pearl set! These are high quality strands of beautiful real pearls. What a great gift idea.

Here are the details:

- Set selections include black, pearl, salmon or lavender - your choice
- Pearl sets are rated at AA+ overall grade (This means that the pearls are high-grade freshwater pearls, representing the top 10% of a pearl harvest. AA+ are the pearls found in finer jewelry stores)
- Shape or Style: Fresh Water (Near round to round)
- Measurements: 7mm - 8mm
- Luster: High
- Each pearl set comes with a certificate of Pearl Identity with purchase, which has been verified by Custom Ring Design.

Get more information on the deal at City Deals or you can see the sets at prizedpearls.com.

Baby Diner Giveaway: Part 2!

A while back I did a review of a product called the Baby Diner. It is a great product that we are still using regularly at our house. The Baby Diner will attach your child's bowl or plate to the table or high chair tray to prevent them from throwing their food. Please read my previous review for more information.

The people at Baby Diner accidentally sent me an extra Baby Diner. I offered to send it back to them but they wanted me to give it away to one of you. So, I am giving away another Baby Diner. Here's how you can win:

Mandatory Entry- Leave a comment letting me know why you love the Baby Diner or why you'd love to have one!
Bonus Entries - Follow Deal Friends on Twitter, Facebook, Google Friend Connect or subscribe via email (these links can all be found on the top right of the blog). Leave a separate comment for each one that you do.
This contest is open to all US and Canadian residents 18 and older. The contest will run through 11:59 pm PST on December 13, 2010. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

Brugo Mug Review and Giveaway: An Excellent Holiday Gift

I am not really a coffee drinker, but I know a lot of people that are. I have been hearing a lot of buzz lately about the Brugo mug and it got me wondering if it may be just the right Christmas gift for a few people on my list. I was anxious to try it out.

I was very excited when my new mug arrived. Yay for purple! Don't worry though, if purple isn't your thing, they have 13 colors for you to choose from. Unfortunately, my new purple mug wasn't mine for long. The moment Sissy set her eyes on it, she claimed it as her own. Therefore, the trial run with my Brugo was done with a 2 year old. I guess that really puts the mug to the test.

We set out to make yummy hot chocolate for our mug. We headed to the kitchen to get everything ready. We heated the hot chocolate just as the package recommends, which is always too hot. It was the perfect temperature to try out the mug. I showed Sissy how to tip the mug to let the hot chocolate flow into the cooling area, we swirled it around and she anxiously took a drink. I was a little nervous as she took that first drink. To my relief, the Brugo mug worked perfectly. No scalded little mouths to tend to. Just a very happy little one enjoying her hot chocolate.

I have been very pleased with our Brugo and as the temperatures have cooled off, it has been used a lot. My least favorite feature is that it is just a bit heavy. However, that is minor in exchange for its convenience. My favorite feature is that it is LEAKPROOF. That means I have been able to throw it in my purse and carry it with me with no worries.

Here are all the things you want to know about the Brugo mug:

• The Brugo has three settings: lock, tip and cool, and sip. Lock will make your mug 100% leakproof. Use tip and cool to allow your drink to flow into the cooling chamber. Sip is for regular drinking of something already at the perfect temperature.
  
• Brugo has a patented technology to keep your beverage at the perfect temperature from start to finish. It keeps it in the "perfect temperature zone".
  
• Brugo was developed by a self-proclaimed coffee addict with a desire to create the perfect mug.


• With Brugo, there is no waiting to enjoy your coffee. Thanks to the perfect temperature zone you can enjoy your drink right away.


• Brugo comes in 13 stylish colors with stainless steel and chrome accents, has an ergonomic grip, a no-slip bottom and double wall insulation.

If you have a coffee lover on your Christmas list, I can recommend the Brugo mug as a gift solution. You might want to order two, because once it arrives, you are going to want to use it yourself. Plus, when you order two or more, they are only $14.95. Add the word LEAKPROOF at the end of your address when ordering to ensure you get the new leakproof mugs.

See the Brugo mug in action on You Tube!

Now the fun part, win a Brugo mug! Brugo has generously offered to give one lucky Deal Friends reader their own Brugo. Here's how you can win:

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Brugo mug site and let me know which color you would like if you were to win (Note: the winner will receive a randomly chosen mug from Brugo!).

Bonus Entries: Follow Us!

• Follow Deal Friends publicly on Google Friend Connect (GFC), Subscribe via email or reader, Like Deal Friends on Facebook and/or follow Deal Friends on Twitter. (See the top, right of the blog for easy links to all of these.)

• Follow Brugo on Twitter and/or like Brugo on Facebook.

• Enter my other giveaways.

• Cast a vote for me on Top Baby Blogs. Clicking on the button in my Blogroll counts as a vote.

There are many ways to enter, do one or do all. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry that you complete. This contests ends at 11:59pm PST on December 13th. Winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. This contest is open to US residents 18 and older.

*Disclosure- I was provided with a Brugo mug free of charge in exchange for my honest opinions on the product.

City Deals Cyber Monday Sale

City Deals is having their own Cyber Monday sale. Some of the notable deals are a $100 voucher for the Best Western in Park City for $44, $60 for a Utah PGA pass, and $99 for a $250 certificate to Furniture Warehouse.

Cyber Monday Deals

American Girl is offering an additional 10% off their last chance items. Supposedly, other items will be up to 50% off.

Mattel is offering an extra 20% off and free shipping, but only until 6 am.

Pottery Barn Kids is taking 20% off stockings and Christmas decor. Many of the items ship free.

Build-A-Bear has 7 bears for $7. You can request stuffed or unstuffed bears. If they are unstuffed, your kids can still take them in to the store and have them stuffed. Free shipping if you spend $50.

Amazon has the Strawberry Shortcake car and doll for $10 with free Prime shipping

BabyLegs, BabyFrenzy, ChicoBag, EarthMamaAngelBaby, GoGagaLife, HappyHeinyStore, KateQuinnOrganics and MobyWrap are all offering 25% OFF using code cyber8.

The Leapster Explorer deal I posted about previously is still valid at Target.

I will continue to update this list with any other interesting offers.

My Apologies...

I apologize for not being on much lately. Our entire family went through a bout with the stomach flu. Of course, as soon as one of us got better, the next person got sick. Now that everyone is better, I don't have a computer. One of my children shattered the LCD display. I am waiting for a new one. In the mean time, I will post when I am able. Sorry everyone!