The new Samsung Slash has finally arrived! Weighing in at just 3.0 ounces and measuring 3.8″ by 1.8″ by 0.7″, this sleek and compact slider phone has set message boards buzzing around the nation. It has a large color display, bluetooth, 3.5 hrs of talk time and a week of standby time. We had the opportunity to test it out over several weeks. Since it is so compact and lightweight, it fits into the front pocket of a Palm Case and travels with ease. Despite its size, it has a solid feel to it and looks far more expensive than it costs (an affordable $79.99). We would rate the call quality “good” with the reception being equally good (minimum of 2-3 bars). The Slash can store up to 499 contact entries, with up to five phone numbers, two email addresses and one website per individual. Now you will always have family, friends and business colleagues details available at the touch of a button. On the right hand side of the phone you will find a button to access the speaker mode and we liked this placement. The speaker phone is perfect for when you are aren’t able to hold the phone but need to talk. Bloggers and internet users will appreciate this! A button to access the VGA Camera with 3 resolution options can be found on the right hand side, below the speaker button. We were impressed with the camera! The following images were captured at the High Resolution (640 X 480):

Indoor:

Outdoor:

Additional Features we like:

*Hip ringtones that will have you rocking out when you phone rings!

*Calling use voice commands-this feature worked really well and is ideal for hands free dialing like when you are in the middle of baking or if you are visually impaired or have arthritis.

*Virgin XL-your gateway to media! You can access music, entertainment, and info services. In addition, ringtones, games, wallpapers, screen savers to customize your phone. We were able to surf the web and access our email account with ease, enabling us to stay in touch when we were away from our laptop.

*If you need to kill some time, you can play some games on the phone and download additional ones.

The Samsung Slash is available at www.virginmobileusa.com and over 40,000 retail locations nationwide including Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target and Wal-Mart. To find a Virgin Mobile retailer, visit the Store Locator.

Virgin Mobile has a very cool recycling program which we detailed here. To view the full range of phones available from Virgin Mobile, please visit: www.VirginMobileUSA.com

Boob Design has graciously donated the following clothing for our Summer 2008 Giveaway. The following 4 prizes are up for grabs:

Prize A: Maternity Long Dress & Maternity Blouse with pockets, both are a Size Medium. Oeko-Tex Certified

Prize B: Maternity Top Short Sleeve and a Black Long Sleeve Nursing Top, both are a size Large. Oeko-Tex Certified.

Prize C: B-Flex Maternity Jean, Size 6 in Washed Blue. Straight leg with foldable jersey upper.

Prize D: B-Low Organic Maternity Jeans, Size 14 in Raw Blue. These jeans are super-flattering and comfortable. B-Low jeans feature a straight leg and come in a slimming shade of dark blue.

Congratulations Meg R., Anne P., Sarah H. & Tessa G.

To learn more about Boob Designs Line of Designer Maternity and Nursing Apparel, please visit:

www.boobdesign.com

Tired of carrying around a large, cumbersome diaper bag and looking to downsize? We have the prefect solution for you, the Zosephine Diaper Bag. This medium size messenger style diaper bag is the perfect medium sized diaper bag. We received the Zosephine Diaper Bag in the Minneapolis style to test. For those of you who are looking for a gorgeous orange diaper bag, look no further. This burnt orange color is the perfect bag for summer and coordinated perfectly with the Baby Planet Solo Deluxe Stroller in Terra Cotta.

This well constructed diaper bag has a strong canvas exterior and a nylon interior. The diaper bag flap opens and closes via two magnetic snaps. Lift the flap to reveal a cell phone pocket, which allows the user to easily retrieve the phone when needed. No more hunting around in your diaper bag to find your phone and missing important calls! The interior of the bag is an off white color, making it very easy to find and retrieve items. Two pockets on either side can hold a bottle for baby and a slim water bottle for mom. A top quality heavy duty key hook is sewn into the right side of the diaper bag and will enable you to locate your keys in seconds. This will save you time and frustration! Three narrow pockets in the front hold essentials such as anti-bacterial wipes, baby lotion, a pacifier or a small snack. The large central compartment will hold baby’s essentials, such as a diapers, wipes, an extra set of clothing for baby and a small blanket. The rear pocket separately houses the changing pad which is great for those extra messy diaper changes. A zippered pocket can hold moms valuables. A pocket on the rear exterior of the bag can house a small, thin novel or some paperwork.

The strap is adjustable so you are assured of finding a perfect fit. Since the straps are attached at the rear of the bag, vs the sides, as with traditional messenger bags, this bag falls beautifully against the body, and stays in a comfortable position when you are walking or on the go. It comes with an easy to clean nylon changing pad which measures 14″ x 21″. This diaper bag measures approximately 14″ X 12″ X 5″ (empty) and fit easily in the storage basket of the Baby Planet Solo Deluxe. Available in 4 styles, The Minneapolis, The St.Paul, The Kyoto, & The Seattle.

This high quality bag should last you many years, well beyond the diapering period. With its beautiful modern styling, you will be carrying it around long after the diaper days are behind you. This beautiful bag is handmade in the USA and is PVC free.

*Giveaway*

Congratulations Carolyn D.

For more information, please visit: www.Zosephine.com

Green & Black’s was founded in 1991 in the UK and entered the U.S. market in 2003. Green & Black’s spares no expense in producing the highest quality chocolate and has control of every stage of the chocolate manufacturing process. Green & Black’s sets the stage by starting with premium fine organic cocoa beans (the vast majority of cocoa beans are made from the inferior bulk beans) which are derived from two varieties: Criollo and Trinitario. Instead of including unfermented beans in the chocolate, which is a common practice, Green & Black’s has a policy to only use fermented beans, which produces the best possible flavor. After fermentation, Green & Black’s dries the beans naturally and not via fire, which can product unpleasant smoky flavors. The chocolate is allowed to develop in richness and complexity and this process is not rushed, as with other chocolate manufacturers. All this adds up to superb and an unforgettable bar which will delight the hearts of chocolate lovers everywhere.

Green & Black’s offers a line of ice-cream, baking cocoa, baking bar, hot chocolate and chocolate bars, . We received all 12 flavors which range from White Chocolate all the way through to Dark 85%, with a full range of flavors falling in between. Milk Chocolate fans will be delighted with the milk chocolate flavors which include Milk, Caramel & Almond. Green & Black’s uses a higher level of cocoa mass in their milk chocolates, emphasizing the chocolate over the milk, which really distinguishes them from other chocolate makers. Dark Chocolate lovers can select from Maya Gold, Ginger, Hazelnut & Currant, Cherry, Espresso, Mint, Dark 70% and Dark 85%.

Our testers are dark chocolate fans and the following 6 flavors were favorites among the testers:

*Mint
Dark chocolate shell made from 70& cocoa content, filled with a delicious sweet mint filling. This bar will make the perfect after dinner mint chocolate treat. Both adults and children will enjoy this flavor!

*Ginger
This flavor has just the right balance of crystallized ginger and dark chocolate which is truly rare to find in a ginger flavored chocolate.

*Maya Gold
Inspired by the Maya Indians in South Belize, this one of a kind chocolate bar is truly special. The carefully chosen spice blend and hint of orange are paired perfectly with the dark chocolate, resulting in a taste that will conjure up visions of romantic and exotic destinations.

*Hazelnut & Currant
Crunchy roasted Hazelnut and dark chocolate are the perfect duo which is further enhanced with the sweet currants.

*Dark 70% Heart Healthy (our top pick)
The perfect bittersweet chocolate. Once you have tried this chocolate bar, you will be smitten. Just a small piece of this dark chocolate will satisfy your chocolate cravings.

*Dark 85% Heart Healthy
Rich, creamy and decadent, this bar has a moist and smooth texture. Let this chocolate melt slowly in your mouth to appreciate the blend of chocolate mass, cocoa butter and Madagascan organic vanilla.

Research is showing that dark chocolate (minimum of 70% cocoa content), has heart healthy benefits including the ability to lower blood pressure, keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels and reducing the risk of blood clots. Many dark chocolate bars on the market may meet the 70% cocoa content requirement but are made from non-organic cocoa beans, plus they are loaded with sugar. Green & Black’s sets the standard by using the highest quality fine organic cocoa beans which means that the beans are grown without toxic pesticides. Due the quality of these beans and the careful manner in which the beans are processed into chocolate, the end result is a product that does not need excess sugar to mask the bitterness and poor quality that is found in other dark chocolates. In addition, all the added ingredients are all organic which ensures the purest, healthiest chocolate bar on the market. Chocolate makes the perfect gift for every occasion. You may have been to many wine tasting parties, but have you considered hosting a chocolate tasting party? Green & Blacks offers excellent tips on how to ensure a successful evening of chocolate tasting that your guests will be talking about for a long time!

*To find out where to purchase, please click here.
*UK readers can click here.

Heading out to the grocery store with your baby? Off to meet a friend for a quick cup of coffee? Popping into the library to return some books? There are many occasions when you don’t need to lug that heavy diaper bag while running quick errands. You just need something to hold one or two diapers, a pack of wipes and a changing pad and desire something more stylish than a zip lock bag! We have the perfect solution for you. The TushyGear Travel Diaper Changing Pad from Emily Sandberg Designs. These beautiful, high quality, handmade “totes” can accommodate up to 3 diapers and a pack of wipes. It has a built in changing pad which means that you will always have a soft, clean surface to change your little on (open dimensions 28″ x 12″) . It folds up compactly (12″ x 8″) and ties close with a pretty ribbon. It can be used on its own, or can be stashed in a diaper bag for easy retrieval of your diapering essentials. It is available in a variety of lovely prints, from classic to modern and is proudly made in the USA.

We really love the organic cotton print: Organic Grass, which we received. The organic cotton version is perfect for Green Mamas, and babies with sensitive skin and boasts a super soft organic cotton fabric. The TushyGear Travel Diaper Changing Pad will make a terrific baby shower gift which mom will get daily use of. Purchase at www.tushygear.com.

Jody Graziano Jonas is the founder and CEO of BabyBam Collection. She has a background in design. Jody founded BabyBam Collection after her two sons were born with severe milk allergies – which also caused them to have severely sensitive skin. In fact, her children could not wear traditional clothing fabrics such as cotton, polyester, silk, etc. Jody had always considered herself a “green” parent – and after much research (and trial and error) – she found her children could wear bamboo fabric. She then combined her expertise in design, with her sons’ needs for alternative clothing – and was pleased with bamboo’s eco-friendly qualities (a sustainable resource, can grow up to three feet in one day, reduces baby’s carbon footprint, grown without chemicals or pesticides).

We received the Swanky Gift set which arrived beautifully presented in an eco-friendly gift bag. This luxurious set will make a very special baby shower gift. The set includes the Little Lathers Organic Bamboo Baby Soap (vegan) Lavender Blissful Balm, hooded towel and washcloth set, and baby pajamas. The Little Lathers Bamboo Soap is made from saponified cold-pressed olive oil, wild yarrow, organic calendula, organic aloe vera, saponified castor oil, essential oils and bamboo powder. It is beautifully handcrafted and smells heavenly. The Lavender Balm contains certified organic extra virgin olive oil, wild yarrow, organic calendula, unbleached beeswax, natural vitamin E, lavender essential oil, tapioca starch, and essential oils. It soothes and moisturizes baby’s chapped and dry skin and serves double duty as the perfect cuticle moisturizer for mom and dad. Both items are free of synthetic chemicals, preservatives, petroleum products, artificial dyes, EDTA, TEA, DEA, synthetic fragrance oils, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfates and other harmful chemicals. Also included is a reusable drawstring burlap bag, to store these items. The lush hooded towel features beautiful embroidery on the hood and together with the washcloth, will make bath time a pleasurable event! Last but not least is the ultra soft, baby pajamas which are made from a blend of bamboo and organic cotton. These well designed pajamas feature snaps down the entire length for easy diaper changes. A special touch is the silkscreen on the front which reads “dream believe giggle.”

“I would like thank BabyBam Collection for this beautiful gift set which will make every baby feel special and pampered. The Little Lathers Organic Soap Set is wonderful and I feel confident knowing that it is handmade in the USA from non-toxic ingredients. I wasn’t aware that bamboo fabric existed. I was so pleasantly surprised that bamboo fabric is SO soft and silky and boasts such unique characteristics which makes it very suitable for a baby’s skin. The footed pajamas are beautifully made from 70% bamboo fabric and 30% organic cotton and are simply adorable. The fabric is buttery soft and I know that the fabric will be perfect against my baby’s sensitive skin. The pajamas have snaps down both legs to make diaper changes easier! I really like the graphic: dream believe giggle! The hooded towel is really lovely and has beautiful embroidery with a logo and the words: Little Sprout, which gives it an elegant feel. It’s soft yet absorbent and makes bath time very pleasurable for the both of us!”

Available in size 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 months and 3 accent colors: Blue, Pink and Green. Visit www.babybamcollection.com to purchase.

Prevention Magazine has hailed the exercise ball as the “ultimate piece of belly-flab-busting equipment” based on the results of a recent study out of California State University, Sacramento. The study demonstrated that using an exercise ball in a specific way, recruits twice the amount of muscle fibers as traditional crunches or yoga and pilates. In the August 2008 edition of Prevention Magazine, you will find an exercise program using a ball, which has been specifically designed to tone that belly while offering a cardio workout as well. The take home message being that an exercise ball is a powerful piece of fitness equipment that is finally getting the credit that it deserves. An exercise ball can help you to improve your balance, flexibility, posture and strength and there are many books, DVD’s and classes which can teach you how to safely and effectively incorporate the ball into your exercise program.

Gymnic has a line of versatile exercise balls which are very high quality. Our panel tested the Gymnic Classic Plus and the Gymnic Arte Plus, both of which feature a burst resistant material and are latex free. Burst resistant means that should the ball come into contact with a sharp object, it is designed to deflate slowly, to give the user warning. We recommend choosing a burst-resistant ball whenever possible. Pregnant women and those with balance problems should always look for balls with this burst resistant material for safety. A hand pump which works on either models is available for purchase here. The balls are available in several sizes, with the key being to select one that is right for your height and weight, which enables you to maintain a good posture when sitting on it. The Gymnic Classic Plus is a best seller and is commonly seen in physical therapist units and reputable gyms across the nation. The Gymnic Arte Plus is visually stunning with each ball being a unique piece of art. Both balls come with an exercise guide which features a series of exercises which are rated according to difficulty. This terrific guide was developed in consultation with European Physical Therapists (Physiotherapists). Please consult your health care provider before starting this or any other exercise program.

The versatility of an exercise ball is truly remarkable, making it extremely cost effective. If you have a desk job, consider using the ball for short periods throughout the day, instead of your chair, to improve your posture at the desk! The ball support can be used for extra stability. Shrink your belly by adding a ball to your workout and you will soon be sporting the latest swim wear styles with confidence! Many women report having a more comfortable pregnancy and an easier labor with the addition of an exercise ball. Ask your midwife and doula for tips about how to use the ball during pregnancy and labor. With the addition of the ball support, new moms can sit on the ball with their baby on their lap and gently bounce them and soothe them. With 100% adult supervision, parents can place their babies on an exercise ball (choose an appropriate height) to help baby practice his balance skills. This DVD shows you how!

Items may be purchased by visiting Gymnic USA website or by calling 800-496-6427. International readers can visit the Gymnic International website.

It can’t have been much fun being pregnant when our mothers were pregnant! Back then it was all about hiding the baby bump under huge A-frame tops that resembled tents or “moo-moos.” Thankfully times have changed and now its all about celebrating the bump and showing it off in flattering styles! Enter Bumpstyle, a line of modern maternity tees which are designed to be extra long to cover that maternity waist band and which hug your beautiful bump. The tops are available in one-size-fits-most and are designed to grow with you through every stage of your pregnancy! The ultra soft fabric feels heavenly against your skin and drapes beautifully over your new curves. For that special touch, the tops feature designs from local artists which set these tops apart from any others on the market.

The collection features tanks, short and long sleeves with something for every season. We love the Gladys Knight Bump Tee which is available in black and brown and has a wide 3/4 length sleeve and a wide hip panel for a very elegant and flattering look. Pair with jeans for a modern look, or dress it up with a long skirt or pants for an unforgettable night on the town.

Purchase these gorgeous tops by visiting www.bumpstyle.com and here.

STROLLSOFT®

There is no denying that baby gear is expensive and just one diaper wipeout or food/juice spill is enough to permanently stain the fabric of your baby’s stroller. Many strollers lack sufficient padding in the seat to ensure a comfortable ride for your child. Wouldn’t it be great if you could help protect your baby’s stroller from accidents and provide them with a comfortable padded insert to help them be more comfortable in the stroller? Well you can with the StrollSoft!

The StrollSoft is fully reversible for 2 different looks. Soft faux suede is perfect for summer while the plush faux fur is ideal for the colder months. This product is very easy to insert. The unique design coupled with the velcro tabs will allow parents to insert the StrollSoft without having the thread the straps. Always use with the stroller’s harness.

“The StrollSoft has been a godsend. It provides a wonderful plush surface for my daughter to sit on, providing much needed comfort to her body. It also provides a layer of protection against stains and other messes and can simply be tossed in the machine on a regular basis. Our expensive stroller has never looked better. Every parent needs this product.”

SNUZZLER®

Newborns and young infants have poor head and body control and when placed in strollers, swings, bouncer seats, infant car seats etc will have poor posture if not adequately supported. Poor posture can impact breathing, eating and general comfort levels. The Snuzzler® is an award winning product which is uniquely designed to provide head to toe posterior-lateral support to your baby. The Snuzzler can easily be transferred to various seats without having to thread the straps, which saves time. There is a separate head support which adjusts upward as baby grows for a custom fit. The head support can also be used on its own.

The Snuzzler reverses for two looks and is machine washable. The smooth cotton fabric is ideal for the warmer months and the plush, luxurious velboa fabric is ultra soft to the touch, and ideal for the colder months. This product must be used in conjunction with the products harness system.

“I had tried several different inserts with my baby who is 4 weeks old and none offered adequate support. My son’s head would flop to the side when he was in his stroller, bouncer and swing and he looked so uncomfortable. When I tossed aside the old insert and tried the Snuzzler instead, the difference was immediately apparent. My son’s head and body were completely supported with the brilliant design of this product and his posture had dramatically improved. He was less fussy and we are all happier as a result. Thank you!”

PURCHASING:

*StrollSoft

*Snuzzler

GIVEAWAY

Congratulations Brenda R and Tessa H!

To view additional products, please visit: www.Kiddopotamus.com

June seemed to just fly by! Please find a list of all the articles that we published this month, with links to each article.

*Sage Creek™ Organics
*Naturally by Leading Lady®
*Giveaway: Moby™ Wrap with UV Protection
*Flip Video Ultra Series Camcorder

*FATHER’S DAY 2008 GIFT IDEAS
*Braun Pulsonic® Shaver
*Baby Traveller® Deluxe: All-in-One Diaper Bag & Changing Mat
*New Balance for Men
*Fabe’s All Natural Bakery

*Bumkins Waterproof Bibs
*Super Natural Cooking
*Baby Banz: Sun Protection Products
*Giveaway: Simple by Bebe au Lait™: Organic Nursing Cover

Stay tuned for giveaways throughout the month of July 2008. Thank you for reading!