This will be one of those “why didn’t I think of that” moment for a lot of us.

Mommy Jana Brinkhaus and her husband Chris of Massachusetts  created their new spin on a baby bib in 2007 and named it the “myBibzy”  with the intention of offering protection from wetness without the inconvenience of a bib.

What it is, is simply a baby bodysuit with a built in bib!

myBibzy

Baby bibs come with baby clothes at baby showers  like it’s a given that one goes with the other and if you’ve done loads of laundry of tiny clothes with wet or stained necklines then you too get the picture of “myBibzy.”

MyBibzy  is made from 100% cotton and the bib consists of two types of materials.  The outer layer is a cotton knit terry that catches the drools and prevents the wetness from sliding down the front of baby or saturating baby’s top.  Then there’s the waterproof inner layer, which is 25% polyester, 75% vinyl and this keeps baby dry.

Teething babies drool, bottles sometimes leak and there’s the occasional spit up:  “myBibzy” to the rescue!  The terrycloth front dries and the wetness is caught in the inner layer, keeping baby dry.  Sweet!

The myBibzy is made in the USA and is 100% child safe, meeting all material safety standards for use in children’s apparel.  It has both neck and bottom snaps, and a tagless label in the back of the neck for added baby comfort.

Neck and bottom snaps

There are lots of different color options including the standard blue or pink, short or long sleeve, that make this the perfect baby shower gift.  There’s even an organic baby mybibzy!

While the whole idea of a built in bib is just a novel idea (and again, too bad we didn’t think of it) what makes this an even better creation is a personal story that goes along with it.

Jana shared with me that her beautiful baby girl was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes and in an effort to help all children and adults with this disease, the Brinkhaus’ are donating 25% of their profits from the sale of myBibzy to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in hopes of finding a cure.

That story right there – makes one of these right here  – something that should be on your list next time you shop for baby.

myBibzy

You can purchase the myBibzy on the website at www.mybibzy.com or contact them at info@myBibzy.com for further information.

Put one on your gift list or buy one for your own baby and slow the flow of your laundry!

I had a chance to meet artist, designer and manufacturer Scott Wilson at one of New York’s Media Events for New Products last year and was so touched by his genuineness and his line of inspirational shirts.

Scott Wilson

Although he has been in the clothing business for a long time, it was his empathy for a family friend who had lost a child that led him to create the clothing line that he says “inspires from the inside-out.”

After the death of his friend’s daughter, Scott designed a shirt that had a picture of the young lady on the inside above the heart.  This way he felt that his friend would have his daughter close especially when he wore the shirt.

What a lovely idea!

So many people suffer silently on the inside but try and appear strong on the outside.  I love the idea of having a lost loved one’s picture near your heart, yet no one knows but you.  It’s your own  personal tribute and can give you comfort and strength at the same time.

From this idea came the expansion of his line of fashions to include shirts with themes that encourage a positive attitude through Faith, Inspiration, Wisdom and Love.  Scott wants the wearers of his shirt to be reminded that,    ” Wherever we go, good things come from the heart”.

Love Theme Shirts

I particularly love the friendship shirt that says,  “We all need someone to believe in, trust and be there.  I will be that person.”  Can you imagine giving that shirt to someone special?  That person will feel your spirit whenever she wears the shirt.

Then there’s the  inspirational shirt that will help one realize their own potential and work towards goals and aspirations.  That shirt says, “Open my mind’s eye.  Visualize the thing you want.  I will see it, feel it, believe it.”

Message on side panel of gift box

The shirts, made in the USA,  come in women sizes either long sleeve or short sleeve fitted styles;  nine different colors and each shirt individually packaged in its own inspiring, coordinated box.  When you purchase a shirt from either the Love, Faith, Inspiration or Wisdom line, (each theme has several messages for you to choose from) the shirt is folded inside out with the message showing through the top of the box.

Shirt prices are approximately $30 for the short-sleeve or $36 for the long-sleeve and can be purchased in exclusive boutiques or online at www.heartthreadsclothing.com.

I can’t think of a better gift to give a special someone  than a daily reminder to keep hope alive; stay positive, foster love or be encouraged.

What’s next to your heart everyday?  Why not let it be a message of wisdom, inspiration, love or faith?

Shop HeartThreads and leave a message on someones heart or carry your own reminder close, where no one sees it but you.  After all, what you say from your heart is what’s important, isn’t it?

A Dallas, Texas entrepreneur has created a neat way to keep just the right amount of aspirin handy in case you need it.   It’s the Aspirinpod!

Aspirinpod

Patti Frenette, the inventor of Aspirinpod,  developed the product after her her mother passed away from a pre-existing medical condition and  her brother suffered a heart attack.  Believing that she could help people she set out on her mission to invent the Aspirinpod.

Patti Frenette and the Aspirinpod

The Aspirinpod is a small molded-plastic container  that holds one uncoated 325 mg aspirin or four uncoated 81 mg aspirin.  That’s the critical amount of pain reliever that has been shown to increase the survivial of a heart attack if taken immediately at the onset of symptoms.

This tiny pod holds a gift of love that you can give your family to help keep them prepared should heart attack symptoms develop.  It can be attached to  a key chain,  your purse, golfbag, or even kept in your desk drawer or glove compartment.

The gift that saves

With holiday gift giving upon us and the economy creating a more cautious shopping atmosphere here’s something unique, affordable and it shows just how much you care.

Ever hear “It’s the small things that matter?”   Then this miniature heart  is something you shouldn’t be caught without.  Aspirinpod!    Imagine the scenario:  someone suffers heart attack symptoms  and there’s an aspirinpod handy.  The likelihood of decreasing heart damage is at your fingertips.  Thanks Patti!  You’re a lifesaver.

The  heart shaped pod sells for $2.99 and can be purchased online at www.aspirinpod.com.  It’s the “must give” gift of the season.  Do your loved one a favor – gift them with an Aspirinpod.

Get it for the holidays!

Time for Janska brand clothing.  The Janska founders calls their clothes, “Clothing that Comforts.”  I  met Janska founder, Jan Erickson at the Nouveau Apparel Show and who told me her clothing line evolved from a dream.

Nouveau Apparel Show

Jan had a friend who suffered a series of strokes and was unable to dress herself and so the task fell to her caregivers.  Jan noticed how difficult it was for her friend to be dressed and from that concern came the dream in which she envisioned a line of clothing for the elderly, the handicapped or the impaired that would be warm and easy to wear.  Most garments are one size “fits most” and are loose fitting so it can easily slip over or around someone.

“Create something easy to get on, easy to get off.  Fabric that feels and looks great, those were the instructions of my dream”, said Jan, who has a background as a social worker.

Stylish and flattering  her clothes  are made from lightweight Polartec fleece material that is odor resistant and simple to care for.     Jackets such as the Uptown Jacket and capes have roomy dolman sleeves that help make dressing simple.  The pieces all feel light and don’t drag you down with heaviness of most winter coats.

Jan Models Swing Coat

Several pieces have double usage;  the pocket scarf  can also be a hand warmer, the LapWrap shawl keeps shoulders, arms and back warm or slip it across your lap as a blanket to keep your legs warm.

The LapWrap

The LapWrap

The clothes, made in the USA, first debuted in 2003 and now can be found in a number of catalogs that are geared towards fashion or wellness.  There are more than 20 pieces in her line and the MocSocks, moccasin style socks with non skid bottoms that give weightless warmth and the Pocket Cape are among customer favorites. Janska clothing can be purchased online at www.Janska.com and in stores across the United States.

Just envision making life a little easier for someone.  Any garment from her line will be a great gift for the person who needs a little extra help in dressing and staying warm and for all of us who appreciate the versatile styles that provide great snuggle comfort and warmth.

It’s holiday time.  Think Janska…The Clothing that Comforts.

Janska Clothing

There’s a new game in town that allows you to share your “kindness” and watch it multiply into the world  by using a 26 card deck of Boom Boom! cards.

Feeling generous, kind, or very humanitarian?  Perhaps that’s what the creators of Boom Boom! cards were thinking when they launched their universal “kit for a social revolution”  that enables card holders to do a good deed and pass on some good karma at the same time.

“We’re trying to incite a global revolution of kindness powered by Boom Boom! cards,” says Mary Beth Campbell, one of the Co- founders.

Mary Beth Campbell, Co-Founder Boom Boom!

The cards have individual acts of kindness written on them such as “Give five genuine compliments in one day”, or “If someone in line in front of you is short a few cents, reach in your pocket and help them out” and even a “Wildcard” where you can execute an act of kindness of your choice .

“Like a boomerang, we believe whatever thoughts, actions or words you put out into the world eventually finds their way back to you,” she said.

The cards  make a great gift  for yourself or someone you think really wants to see more good deeds and kindness in our every day lives.  Boom Boom! Cards are meant to generate social change  and transform the world one purposeful act of kindness at a time.

Here’s how you play Boom Boom!

Kit: Cards, card sack, pad, pencil

First,  register your deck of cards on the website at www.boomboomcards.com so that a card can be tracked as it moves from person to person or state to state.

Then choose a card and do the act as suggested (buy a stranger a cup of coffee for example); after that leave a Boom Boom! sticky note for the person you Boom Boom’d, either signing your name or leaving it anonymously;next,  log onto the website to share your adventure and finally pass the card on to someone else so that the act can be repeated.

By logging your experiences with the Boom Boom! cards online you are sharing with others your purposeful act of kindness.   The hope is to see your acts of kindness replicate themselves across the globe. This is a new take on “Reach out and touch!”

There are three editions  of cards; the Original Edition, Teen Edition and Sustainability Edition.  It’s a revolution!  Be a part of the Boom Boom! society.  Remember, you get back what you give!

A format for donating to charitable causes through the use of the cards is being planned,  Mary Beth told me when I met her at a media event and she along with co-founder, Helene Scott, were excited about the great feedback after the cards were featured in the Emmy Awards Gift Lounge.

Got kindness?  Get Boom Boom! Cards and share the innate altruism that lives in all of us.  www.boomboomrevolution.com

Along comes a new idea called  Paci Plushies, a line of lightweight plush animals which not only solve the “where’s the pacifier” question but helps baby develop motor skills.

The toy, invented by Stacy Dallman, wife of NHL Defensiveman Kevin Dallman of the LA Kings, was created to solve the disappearing pacifier phenomenon.

Mompreneur Stacy Dallman

Stacy and her husband grew weary of the nightly trips to the crib to find baby Ava’s pacifier and so Stacy got the “bright idea” to attach a toy to it so it would be easier to locate.  Presto!  It worked.  When her son came along she waited until the doctor gave her the OK to let him sleep with it and he also slept straight through the night with his Paci Plushie.

Call it the binky, the nuk nuk or whatever, one thing for sure is that most babies spend a good amount of time sucking a pacifier and most moms and dads spend an equal amount of time looking for the pacifier to keep baby happy.

You can buy the Paci Plushies in girl, boy or neutral gift sets or singly for $13.95 on the web site at www.PaciPlushies.com.  If a new baby is on the way this makes a perfect gift.

While the pacifiers with the button handle work best,  the Paci Plushie attaches to nearly all name brand infant pacifiers with its “hug ring” and best of all, Paci Plushies are machine washable.

When baby outgrows the newborn or infant pacifier, simply detach it from the Paci Plushie and replace with the appropriate size.  When you break the pacifier habit, the baby still has the Plushie as his favorite toy.

Safety was a major concern for Stacy and all Paci Plushies meet or exceed required standards.  The beans inside the body of the toy are contained within a safety bag.  Each Plushie has a reusable cap to keep the nipple clean.

There are eight different Plushies including Milo the Monkey, P-Nut the Puppy and Lovie the Lamb.  In a philanthropic effort to “give back”,  100% of the wholesale proceeds from the sale of Lovie the Lamb are being donated to a foundation that helps ensure children have a carefree childhood.

Knowing how babies and some toddlers are so attached to their pacifiers, losing one is almost not an option for a parent who needs to soothe a fussy baby.  With the Paci Plushie it won’t be hard to find.  Think about easing into baby’s room once he’s asleep to remove the pacifier from his mouth or the frantic search in the dark when baby wakes up without it.  Much easier when you have the Paci Plushie!

When toddlers can find the pacifier themselves because they can locate their favorite Plushie, it relieves mom and dad from the daily “where’s the pacifier now” routine.

Nookums, the New York based company that features trendy products for the childrens market  launched its Spring 2009 line of Paci Plushies pacificer holders but Stacy says a plush “hockey stick”  version could show up soon.

The PaciPlushie was featured in the September 2008 issue of Parenting Magazine and was the winner of the Mom’s Best Award for 2009.

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Mabel's Labels

School just started and the kids are leaving home with lunch bags, book bags, water bottles, gym clothes and other supplies.   Now is the time to use Mabel’s Labels to make sure that everything that goes to school, comes home from school.

In addition to the older kids and all their school gear, Mabel’s Labels are perfect for the toddler who goes to daycare or preschool. You can label the bottles, toys, shoes and  clothes with the super durable, indestructible labels and not have to worry about missing stuff  according to Tricia Mumby, one of the mom owners of the Canadian based company.

Labels, labels, labels

Mumby, whom I met in New York City at a new product event, says they worked on the labels for over two years before they launched the company making sure that the labels could withstand microwaves, dishwashers and  the laundry.

Not only are the iron on clothing labels perfect for school uniforms or gym clothes, but they also have sticky labels for shoes which are meant to fit on the insole and help a preschooler identify his shoes;  Bag Tags are metal tags used for labeling diaper bags, school bags or luggage and the Teeny Tags which are smaller copies of the bag tags can be used on a backpack or lunch bag.

Bag Tags

The labels I liked best and put to use myself are the Skinny Mini’s!
If you have cameras, tape recorders, a cell phone or anything else that could get lost in the shuffle, having a skinny mini is the assurance you need. Hey, even adults need to label sometimes!

Labels on camera, microphone

Kathy Dow mini's

All labels can be personalized with names up to 20 characters and in your choice of colors. For the kids a favorite sports icon or one of the other icons help make identifying their belongings easier.

The company also has what they’ve labeled a “Neat Freak Combo”  that include the Crafter Pack, Cord Control and Curbside labels. You can organize your entire household with this pack.

There’s only a few days left for the September Back to School Combo pack which includes tag mates, 40 skinny minis, 16 shoe labels and two teeny tags for only $39. Check out their website at www.Mabel.ca and place an order that will help you and your kids keep your things coming back home.

Imagine a scene of school kids grabbing at a pile of backpacks, book bags, shoes, water bottles….now imagine Mabel’s Labels.  It can make things a lot easier can’t it?

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Snap Cap Necklace

This jewelry phenomenon is best described by tweeners who are Maddie’s target audience so I enlisted my granddaughters, Jordyn and Madison, to give you their spin on M3GirlDesigns and Snap Caps.  (see video)

As described in the video, Maddie came up with the idea when starting the 6th grade and looking for a way to decorate her locker.   She was 11 years old when she started the company and is the Founder, President and head designer of Snap Caps, while her younger sister, Margot is her Vice President and an assistant designer.   Her mom,   the third “M” in the company name,  is CEO.

M3Girl Designs Pres. & VP

M3GirlDesigns has been featured on television news programs and in magazines including Time for Kids and  TV’s Inside Edition, and is growing at rapid speed.  “We have 25 employees now and have sold well over half a million Snap Caps since we started the business”, Maddie reported.

During her interview with KathyDowDiscovers, I asked Maddie how her friends treat her now that she’s a successful entrepreneur.    “My friends are all very happy for me,” she said.  Asked if being a busy entrepreneur  interferes with being a regular teenager and hanging out with friends, she said, ” We still hang out.  We like to go to the mall, see movies and have sleep overs, just like any other 13 year old girl.”

The Bradshaw girls recently attended the celebrity gift suite at the Teen Choice Awards where they got to meet some of their favorite stars.  (see media pictures on their web site at www.M3GirlDesigns.com).

Their newest collaboration is with the Make A Wish Foundation and they have designed a special Snap Cap collection for that project.  Some proceeds from the sale of that cap will help to grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions.

There are nearly 50 different cap collections including special collections for Easter and Valentine’s Day.  There are different color cords and all Snap Caps are interchangeable and sharable with friends too.  At $7 per cap it makes collecting them an affordable hobby.  The necklace cord also sells for $7.

Tween girls are going crazy over the jewelry line, “They seem to love our products, we’re always coming out with new designs and we will be in several international markets in the coming months”, the girls reported.  Although this is a “girls rock” company,  guys aren’t left out.  There are designs that appeal to boys and they can wear the snap caps on their wrists.

With the the rocketing popularity and sales, there are imitators selling a similar product.  Asked what she thought about that, the bright entrepreneur said, “Imitation is the greatest honor, so I am flattered.  However, it is also frustrating that people copied my idea, I think of it like cheating on a test.” (Well said, Maddie!)

Now leader among “trends for the tween set”, Snap Caps are sold in over 1,000 stores and Maddie says President Obama’s daughters Sasha and Malia have Snap Caps too. 

Asked what she’ll do when she grows up, Maddie’s future plans include becoming either an immigration lawyer, a patent attorney or a publicist.  For now, she’s concentrating on Snap Caps, “I’m always coming up with something new” she says.

This Tween Entrepreneurial story is one readers should share with their own young people.  It’s a success story for kidpreneurs everywhere.  “Follow your dreams, and make sure that whatever you’re doing, you’re having fun,”  Maddie says.

This is an excellent holiday gift and with the shopping season right around the corner, shop early so you can get the design you want.  Visit the web site at www.m3girldesigns.com.

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If there are any men reading,  stop right now because some things we women need to keep confidential and the wearing of products from Bring It Up are among them.

Bring It Up

Bring it Up!  What a great name.  A lot of women find themselves needing a little help at some point in life and if going under the knife is not an alternative then Bring It Up products might fit the bill.  Write this web address down in a safe place:  www.BringItUp.com. You’re more than likely going to find something that interests you.

Take for example the Bring It Up Instant breast lift product.    These are 100% safe and virtually undetectable transparent pieces of adhesive tape that you use to help give your breast a little upward boost.  The product is applied above the nipple, lifting from the top and repositioning the nipple. This gives you a “perkier” look!  Take a look at the demo video on their website at www.BringItUp.com.  Very interesting and convincing. Breast Lifts

Bring It Up

OK, let me admit it.  Dominique Simon, of Bring It Up, sent me a sample and I actually tried it.  While I wasn’t very confident that it would be “strong enough” it actually served its purpose of giving me a boost.  It really did.

This is a clever way to feel more secure when wearing an outfit that is backless or strapless (or even in your swimming suit that doesn’t have an under wire or a defined cup).  But what personally impresses me most is that the breast lifts can be used to help alleviate shoulder pressure when worn by “bustier” women in conjunction with their bra.

Imagine  having something that will  help eliminate those deep shoulder impressions caused by your bra straps.  I’d give these a thumbs up for that alone.  Maybe not something you want to wear everyday, but then again, why not if it works for you?

The company has covered its bases by inventing a Bring It Up Plus size that is designed for women who wear a size D cup or more as well as the regular lifts that fits women who wear  size A to D cup bras.  The  breast lifts are hypoallergenic, waterproof and reasonable in price. The regular lifts comes in packages of  eight for $24 or the Plus size package of three is only $14.

The company has added a nipple cover to its line that affords “maximum coverage, minimum lift.”  The nipple covers, priced at $24, come in a single package and are reusable up to 25 times.

I think they’ve got it just about covered with these products.

But wait, there’s still another product.  The New Breast Shapers are a reusable contour cup that has “Maximum Coverage, Maximum Lift” using the same “lift from the top technology” as the breast lifts.  These are meant to provide a smooth look under your clothes and are for a B cup or larger.

Asked if any “celebrities” were endorsing or using the products, a company representative chuckled and didn’t offer up any names saying it “probably wouldn’t be a good idea” but we can almost bet the secret is out in Hollywood.  The Bring It Up products can be found on the website and in salons, boutiques and department stores.

They don’t stop there, however.  Let me tell you about their “Original  Bring It Up Instant Face Lift”.  These are a little trickier to wear because they have to be concealed by your hair and you have to be pretty self confident to wear something taped on the sides of your face.  BUT, if you can manage that, these facial strips give you just the right amount of “up” needed to take the droop off your eyes or smooth out your face  with small amount of tightening.  Instant Face Lift

I’m all for doing what you need to do to feel better about yourself as you age, and these products lend a hand doing that.  The Instant Face Lift package contains brow lifts which help “open up the eyes”  and neck lifts which help tighten and tone the neckline.

What a great idea, something you can use that isn’t a medical procedure but will help you look better and feel better.  It’s also a good way to “see what it might look like” if you decided to go with a  surgical procedure.  Try these products; pull a little up here or there and instantly you’ve got a more youthful look.

Given all this  information, don’t forget to view the video clip at www.bringitup.com and see for yourself.

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Looking for a clever place to help your school age kid keep a few important things?

KEEPERS

Keepers, a hands free neck wallet is the perfect place for a few dollars, a lunch meal ticket, keys  or ID.

With our kids back to school soon here comes another great product made by a Mompreneur out of Atlanta, Georgia.   Tamara Jones, President of Keepers Bagatelles was problem solving when she invented the Keeper.  The Keeper is  a product of ME TOO! BRANDS, LLC.

Imagine this senario:  Lunchtime at school and the change purse comes out. Through the line and pay for lunch.  Sit down and eat,  finish and take the tray to the garbage.  Dump.

Oops,  everything on the tray slides into the garbage.  The change purse is gone in a blink.   Sound familiar?

Ahhh, if only you had one of those “Keepers.”

Developed by a mom who got tired of replacing the change purses that ultimately went the way of the lunch trash, Keepers Bagatelles is a unique  product that is finding its way around the necks of more and more school age kids this fall.

Product N Press Media Event

The Keeper holds essentials for school kids and also for college students, teachers and sports fans who are finding the hands free convenience a reason to wear the stylish Keeper.  The Keeper can be used as a badge holder for those who carry ID cards that need to be swiped and with the rear ID window Mom’s can tuck away emergency info for a “just in case” moment.

Tamara says more new products are on the way and include  a phone keeper, an aqua keeper and a passport keeper.

Sometimes ladies, keep what you need in a Keeper and leave the handbag behind. There are designs for guys too.

Not just another good idea,  the Keepers are made from sustainable fabrics and sewn in the USA by refugees who have been granted asylum in the United States.

Jones explained that the organization, Threads of Promise, is fulfilling its purpose in helping the refugees ultimately run their own businesses.  The invention of the product,  says Jones, is  helping obtain bottom line goals of awareness of environment issues, social responsibility and, of course, profit.

The Keeper’s official debut was in August, ‘08 and is priced at just $24. This convenient Keeper will hold your essentials in a fashionable way and has been designed with safety in mind;  Tamara created the Keeper with a breakaway safety buckle.

Think soccer or football games when handbags are a nuisance; think field trips when ID and some money are essential; or how about a walk across campus?  There are a number of occasions when a Keeper will work perfectly.  With many different designs available, you’ll find one just right for you or any member of the family.

The company has begun a school partnership program where Keepers Bagatelles will design a keeper in school colors and then donate 10% to the school PTA.

Keepers Bagatelles are available at www.keepers-bags.com. Be sure and get one.  Your support for the Threads of Promise mission will be appreciated.

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Keepers Bagatelles President, Tamara Jones, is donating a Keeper for a KathyDowDiscovers free giveaway!  To enter, just email Kathy@KathyDowDiscovers.com with subject line: Keepers!