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?

We bundle our baby, add a blanket and a wind shield to the stroller and tuck them inside to protect them from the elements of winter before heading out, right?

But what about Mommy?  What happens if she forgets her gloves?  She still has to push the stroller.  It’s even worse, if she had gloves with her but lost them during all the baby shuffling while shopping.

What to do, what to do?  Here’s the answer:  The Mommy Mitten!

It was during a chilly October walk in 2007 that a young entrepreneur mom, Amy Saperstein of New York City,   had a novel idea.  While it was early fall, it was chilly enough for Amy’s hands to get a little cold.  That’s when she got the idea for the  Mommy Mitten!

Amy and the Mommy Mitten

This easy to use, dandy little add on to your stroller,  is fleece lined and will keep your hands toasty while pushing the stroller. The Mommy Mitten is insulated, water resistant and machine washable. It velcros right on to the stroller handle and comes in either blue or pink.

Easily connects to stroller handle

I met Amy when she debuted her Mommy Mitten in New York at The Baby Show last year.  Below her girlfriend Kelly gives me a demonstration showing how chic all mommies can look using the Mommy Mitten.  A really cute idea isn’t it?  And no more cold hands!  That’s what I love about Amy’s invention.

Mommy Mitten Demonstration

There’s an external pocket for your keys, cell phone or pacifier which makes a quick run to the bodega or out for coffee much easier and this time you don’t have to worry about gloves!

A contestant in the “Most Innovative” category of the 2009 Home Based 100 contest by Start Up Nations, The Mommy Mitten is now available on Babies R Us Online.

If there are babies in your life, there’s still plenty of winter to get good use out of a Mommy Mitten.  Buy one for yourself or do another mommy a favor!  Mommy Mittens retail for $29.99.

You can visit Amy’s website, www.mommymitten.com for more information or to place an online order.

The Mommy Mitten, why didn’t I think of that?  Congratulations Amy, first time entrepreneur and you hit a home run with this idea.

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

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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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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Ladies, this is a hot idea and a a cool way to ward off the sun at the same time!

While we know that the sun is great for our health,  we also know that too much of it is detrimental to our skin and so we are conscious of the necessity to shield from the sun.

Enter, Rita Hockenbury of Round Hill, Virginia, who created the Vizini, (pronounced Veye-zeeny) a totally strapless, lightweight sun visor that fits on the side frames of your eyeglasses.  I had the opportunity to meet Rita at a recent media product event and I was impressed with the Vizini and with Rita’s enthusiasm.

Entrepreneur Rita Hockenbury

So why is this sun visor such a new and inventive idea?   The Vizini guarantees that you won’t get “hat hair” because it does not go around your head like the usual visors, but instead slips via loops onto your eye glass frames and so when you put your glasses on, you put your sun visor on.

Revolutionary Sun Visor

No hat hair, no hat headaches and no frowning, squinting or forehead wrinkling.   “This visor is for all those times you blow off wearing a hat because you don’t want to mess up your hair,”  she said.

Hockenbury, who professes to hating hat hair tried her hand at creating the Vizini when she began cutting the bills off of her husbands baseball caps back in 2000 in a effort to shield the sun and stop the squinting but not tangle her curls.

An early start out the gate without much marketing knowledge found Rita spending cash but not earning any.   Disillusionment set in and the Vizini was shelved in her garage for a couple of years before a nagging “unfinished business project” gloom and a push from her kids got her back on the bandwagon of bringing Vizini’s to the market.

Believing she had created a great product for women who are conscious of frown lines, furrowed brows and overly tanned skin, she proceeded with her idea and by 2007 was “ready to rock and roll” by ordering  8,000 units from China.  With stores standing by ready to stock the Vizini, Hockenbury faced her first “new entrepreneur” crisis.

The Vizini’s from China were inferior! With basically  no control over a product made and shipped from overseas,  Hockenbury  faced another roadblock.  She knew she couldn’t meet buyers on schedule.

Her advice today for entrepreneurs who hit the wall;  “Just keep your eyes on what you see in the headlights, don’t look at the whole thing, it’s overwhelming.  Just walk a mile a day, ” she says, meaning you can tackle it a bit at a time.

In January of 2009, the Vizini’s  reappeared better than ever, with a Made In the US tag after Rita found a manufacturer in Virginia.  They are available in more than a 15 colors, at hundreds of stores and are priced at $10.50 each on her web site.

The Vizini works with most eyeglass styles by just threading the earpiece of the glasses through one of two provided loops.   The Vizini won the 2009 Best New Fashion Accessory Award at the California Gift show and Rita has appeared on a  local Florida television show called “What a great idea!”

I particularly love this Vizini  because after a while I get the hat headache and most times I’m wearing my hair in a ponytail so it’s difficult to fit a hat or visor band around that.  A Vizini is on my must have list.  The convenience of storing one in your glove compartment, luggage or purse is a plus.  That way, your Vizini  will  always be handy when the sun is strong and you don’t have a hat.

Hockenbury’s niche for the Vizini are women who want to protect themselves from frowning and squinting, “It’s not a replacement for needing a big floppy hat to wear when you’re in the sun all day,” she said.

The Good News: Hockenbury has graciously offered a few Vizini’s for a free giveaway here on KathyDowDiscovers.com.  Subscribe to Kathy’s List to be eligible for a random drawing and to be updated every time a new product review is posted.

More information on how to contact Hockenbury is also located on Kathy’s List.

Two sisters and moms of 5 between them, did have an idea in 2004 and today that idea is belting out a tune of over $1million in sales nationwide.  It’s called the Myself Belt  and is a one-handed, easy closing belt that  fastens with velcro instead of the usual buckle belt we’ve worn forever.  

Believe it or not, there was no such creature on the market until Danielle Bahr Eason and her sister Talia Bahr Goldfarb put their heads together to fill the market void.

Myself Belt Display

The idea came when Talia was potty training her little boy and needed a belt that both she and her kid could “unfasten in haste when it was time to make waste.”  You can sympathize right? A little one has to go potty(right now) but has a belt on that he or she can’t unbuckle and so the potty dance begins and everyone starts to fiddle in urgency with the belt.  Sometimes you make it, sometimes you don’t.

The Myself Belt means now there’s never a time that you won’t. 

The Myself Belt, with its velcro fastening makes dressing and undressing easy for those ages 2-4 and comes in sizes XS (2 yrs/2T or 18″-20″ waist, 25 to 31lbs) through XL and even in sizes 7/8 or 9/10.  There are more than 20 different styles and the belts start around $15 and include the option to personalize.

The belts come in many different kid friendly designs for both boys (think fire trucks, race cars) and girls (hearts and flowers).  The leather belts are perfect for teens who might experience physical or cognitive issues and even adults who face limitations.   Once you snap one end onto a belt loop, you just feed it thru the other loops and then secure it in front via the velcro.

Race car belt for boys

I hear you, I hear you saying “Why didn’t I think of that?”  Good question because it’s a simple solution to a constantly reoccuring need and it’s almost impossible to think it didn’t exist.

But it didn’t.   Danielle and Talia made the move to market their invention after an exhaustive search which turned up nothing. (It would have been a lot easier to find a belt and buy it then to venture into entrepreneurship, but for these two it paid off big time for them) The Myself Belts are in more than 700 stores nationwide and for lucky readers who need one, I’ve got a girls size M, pink, belt that Talia gave me when I met her last month in New York City and now you can have it. (My girls are too big for it)

Subscribe to Kathy’s List, which gives me your email address and allows me to send you updates on other new products and posts, then email me at Kathy@KathyDowDiscovers.com and say, I need the belt!  Someone will get lucky!

All information on how to purchase Myself Belts or to email Danielle and Talia will be posted on Kathy’s List.