Yala Designs- Comfort Meets Fashion Review & $50 Gift Card Giveaway

This review review was written by Danielle from Happenings of the Harper Household for our annual Holiday Gift Guide event.

Babies don’t care what their clothing looks like, but they do care what it feels like.  Don’t believe me?  Well maybe they can’t tell you in actual words but their facial expressions and body language speaks loud and clear.  My girls have never been happy in clothing with stiff collars – I will never understand who’s bright idea it was to put collars on baby pajamas. Oh and baby dresses with all the ruffles, lace, and itchy netted material that makes the dress look poofy – Easter is like torture for babies!  And so I listen to my babies and put them in clothing that is super comfortable which is what they want and that is super cute… because what mom doesn’t want their kid to look adorable?  I’m so excited to share a company that has the comfy and cute all wrapped in one – Yala Designs.

Willow received the BambooDreams Bateau Set in Paradise Chevron, but it is also available in five other colors/patterns including boy and gender neutral options.  In fact, we might need to get a few more sets!

I absolutely love chevron and so when I saw these pants I practically died from the cute, hehe.  And since chevron can be a bit “loud” when there is too much I love that Yala paired the pants with a solid long sleeved shirt.  After digesting how cute this set was the next thing I noticed was the softness of the fabric which is 95% Viscose from Bamboo and 5% Spandex.  It’s the kind of soft that you just want to rub against your face and snuggle with til you fall asleep….. or you could dress your baby in it like it’s intended to be, hehe.  Not only is the material amazing because of how soft it is, but also because it is organically grown in sustainably managed forests.

It was quite obvious that Willow was very comfortable in her BambooDreams Bateau Set because she was only focused on playing.  If something is irritating her skin she will mess around with it til she gets it off.  Willow has literally mastered the art of taking off her clothes at only fourteen months old, but she almost didn’t even seem aware she had clothing on.  This could be due to the fact that the bamboo material is so silky soft that it almost feels weightless against your skin.  

Willow was so comfy that she even took her first two steps unassisted while wearing this outfit today!  And after she was done playing she fell asleep and took a nice long nap – comfy enough for play and sleep!

I definitely want to get Willow a bunch more BambooDreams clothing. Luckily Yala Designs carries a large selection including onesies, blankets, dresses, crib sheets, beanies, and more.  Plus they even have clothing for men and women as well as for the bed and bath.  I would love to have an outfit just as comfy as Willow’s…. yup, I’m a tad jealous, hehe.

If you would love to feel just how soft this bamboo is I suggest entering the giveaway below.  One lucky Happenings of the Harper Household reader is going to win a $50 gift card to Yala Designs!  And if you plan to go shopping be sure to use the coupon code “HOUSEHOLD20” which will get you 20% off now through December 3rd 2013. Good luck!

Ready For A Giveaway

One Lucky Reader Will Receive a $50 Yala Designs Gift Card! 

Organic Baby Clothes vs. Non-Organic: Which is better?

The debate rages on as to whether Organic Baby Clothes are really worth investing in, or whether they are in fact nothing more than a gimmick designed to part naïve consumers with their hard-earned cash. Needless to say, opinions vary quite extensively and those on both sides of the fence have their suitably strong points to make, but when it comes to the hard fact on paper it is rather difficult not to side with the organic options.

Sensibly, the only real way to evaluate the subject is to look at each of its facets in turn:

Designs

Right off the bat, organic clothing across the board no longer means dull, dowdy and largely monotone designs – contrary to popular belief. In fact, such is the sophistication of modern production techniques that organic baby clothes are literally 100% limitless in terms of scope for designs and creativity – anything that can be done with non-organic clothes can be done with the organic alternative.

As such, the two are on a level-pegging on the design front.

Durability

There was a time when synthetic fabrics and clothing lines were trusted as the most durable on the market and thus guaranteed to better stand the tests of time. However, this is quite contrary to the modern clothing market where mass-production techniques have led to synthetic lines in general delivering nothing close to the strength and durability of organic lines. In fact, 100% organic baby clothing has been found to last up to five-times longer than non-organic equivalents, adding up the wiser investment of the two by far.

A clear point in favour of organics.

Benefits for Baby

By its very nature, organic baby clothing offers superb hypoallergenic properties, incredible comfort, unparalleled warmth and the complete and total exclusion of harmful chemicals and toxins during the production stages. By contrast, synthetics have the potential to contain traces of dozens of toxic chemicals and treatments, that can be both breathed in by baby and absorbed through his/her skin.

If health and safety matters, organic lines are unbeatable.

Benefits for the Environment

Because the production process involved in organic baby clothes manufacture uses absolutely no harmful or non-organic products whatsoever, the effect on the environment is practically zero. Sadly, mass production techniques used in the creation of synthetic lines see thousands of tons of chemicals and toxins dumped into rivers and streams every single month, doing nothing for the health of the environment or the people who live in it.

Another point in favour of organics.

Costs

Last but not least, organic clothing specialists have proved once and for all that 100% organic lines can be offered for the same low prices as their synthetic counterparts, despite offering a myriad of additional bonuses and benefits. As such, there really is very little reason for siding with the inferior option when organic baby clothes and lined can be found for the same low prices.

Another point in favour of organics and a clear whitewash in terms of the most sensible options for those of a proactive persuasion.

By Paul Woods

Paul Woods is a part-time data analyst working for South Yorkshire Police who dedicates the rest of his time to green issues and challenges surrounding parenthood. He also makes and sells Organic Baby Clothes at a number of local markets with his wife of six years.

Carter's Halloween Boo-tique Outfits & $50 Gift Card Giveaway

My boys are very active and know how to make the most out of every day. Even as babies, they were always on the go. For this reason, I have to be very picky about the clothes I buy them. I want clothes that are long-lasting, made for play, confortable and don't cost me a bundle. This is exactly why I love Carter's! I always find great prices and fashionable clothes for babies and children, which why this is also my go-to brand for baby shower presents and gifts. I have actually saved all of Josiah's Carter's baby clothes for Liam and, after all these years, they still have so much wear left in them, we'll be using them for the next baby, too.

It just so happens that one of my favorite holidays, Halloween, is coming up very soon and Carter's has the most adorable Halloween clothing.The weather is always a bit chilly during the fall season and Carter's clothes are not only soft and durable, but cozy and warm, too! This is the perfect combination for your little one this fall.

Whether online or in-stores, make a statement that’s sweeter than candy with cute and cozy costumes and trick-or-treat tees for your baby’s first Halloween. Costumes choices include a lion, ladybug, pumpkin and more!

Liam wants to be a lion this year, so when we were looking at the Halloween costumes on Carters.com, he picked out this adorable costume. You can just tell from the picture it is super-soft, too.

 Want an adorable costume for your little sweet pea? Look at this adorable Flower Costume from Carter's.

This is such a cute little costume! Wish I had a little girl to dress up in this one.

 Carter’s offers a variety of spooky styles pj’s featuring 2 and 3 piece sets featuring skeletons, spiders, pumpkins and more.  Carter’s ensures warmer and cozier bedtimes this fall. Don’t miss out on 50% off of Carter’s pj shop!

I have several Carter's pj's, including a few Halloween sets, that both boys have worn over the years.The one below has to be my favorite and it has been worn by both kiddos over the years!

Baby Josiah in his Carter's Boo Pj's!

Carter's also has a variety of tees and outfits for boys and girls to celebrate this Halloween! I love polka dots, so this Polka Dot Pumpkin Dress immediately caught my eye!

Isn't this one so cute?

Complete the look with accessories, all those sweet little extras at prices to make you smile!

 

Josiah thinks spiders are the perfect decoration for Halloween, so when I saw this shirt, I knew he would love it!

 Josiah has a variety of Carter's outfits and I just happened to find a picture of him in a Carter's Halloween shirt from a few years ago that says "Daddy's Little Monster". Shop Carter’s Halloween boo-tique for a spooktacular selection of costumes, tees, and playful pjs for babies and kids.

I know I am biased, but isn't he adorable?

Find a store near you so you can start shopping for Halloween outfits, too!

"Like" Carter's on Facebook and follow Carter’s on Twitter to discover the latest great deals, exclusive events and offers for your little ones!

Now that you've seen some of the clothes Carter's has for your little ones this fall season, are you ready for a giveaway? 

One Lucky Children Teaching Mama Reader Will Win A $50 Gift Card To Carter's!