Jaime, Author at MomStart

Summer is Here, With JoJo Maman Bebe

July 31, 2019 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Samples provided.

Summer is here in the beautiful PacNW, and with the temperatures warming and the rain subsiding (for now), I’ve been able to bring out some of the beautiful and versatile maternity wear I received from JoJo Maman Bebe’s Summer collection. There is nothing like being pregnant through a long, hot summer to make you reconsider the essentials in your wardrobe (as well as consider retiring to the beach!).

While I have reviewed children’s clothing for JoJo Maman Bebe previously, this was my first chance to try out some of their maternity clothing, and because I am such a fan of their kids collections, I was so excited for the opportunity to try something on myself!

I received the following items:

Navy Spot & Stripe Maternity Tankini Bathing Suit

What a sweet little, 1950’s-inspired swimsuit! The halter style offers full support, and the two-piece tankini style is practical and stylish. As with most swimwear, JoJo Maman Bebe recommends rinsing immediately after use to prolong the life of the pieces.

Navy Oriental Print Pleated Maternity & Nursing Dress

This oriental-style floral dress is so elegant, and the material is so soft and silky. As someone who prefers sleeves, these flowy, half-length ones are ideal. This style also transitions to postpartum nursing Mamas with concealed panel openings in the front. I gotta say, I just felt way more glamorous than usual while wearing this gorgeous dress. Summer garden party, anyone?

Maternity & Nursing Keyhole Dress

This dress is so comfortable. The material is soft and stretchy, yet not see-through, a rarity these days (especially with an expanding belly!). I am so excited to try it the way it’s styled on the website, with leggings and boots- more of a Fall look. Currently, it’s 87-degrees Fahrenheit, so I am rocking this dress with some strappy gladiator-style sandals. Did I mention this also accommodates nursing Mamas with hidden panel openings? I love the versatility! My only criticism would be that I’d love it even more if it had pockets.

Navy Stripe Maternity & Nursing Batwing Top

This is one of the softest, comfiest shirts I own. Love the bat-wing sleeve style, hidden panel openings for nursing, and mid-hip length. I’ll definitely be incorporating this into my regular, non-maternity wardrobe. A great casual top that can be layered with a cute cardigan and taken straight into Fall.

Embroidered Maternity Dobby Blouse

This bright white, fully-lined, 100% cotton blouse makes me want to go to some sort of fiesta party; the embroidered floral pattern at the neckline is vibrant as well as beautifully detailed. I love the 3/4 length on the sleeves, and the sweet dobby pattern.

Black Geo Blouson Sleeve Maternity Blouse

This black and white blouse has been a staple in my work wardrobe since I received it. It pairs beautifully with bright trousers or dresses up classic blue jeans.

Duck Egg Blouson Sleeve Maternity Blouse

This is another that I incorporated into my work wardrobe. A fun, fresh blue, the color really works for all seasons, it’s the same blousy style as above.

In addition to these maternity looks, I also received two cute new children’s pieces:

Girls’ Cockatiel Appliqué Dress

I’ve been a huge fan of Jojo Maman Bebe’s clothing for children for several years now, and this beautiful girls Cockatiel applique dress doesn’t disappoint. 100% cotton gingham, with festive cockatiels along the hem, my daughter wore this on Easter Sunday, and it will take her through the summer. I love the attention to detail in the picot stitching and button-adjustable straps.

Girls’ Pretty Floral Blouse

This adorable blouse has a sweet cap sleeve and picot edge stitching. Airy and light cotton, this will take us through summer. I love that this style adds a little bit of fancy paired with shorts or leggings.

I am happy to report from past experience that I know these items will hold up beautifully over time, and I’m so glad to see that JoJo Maman Bebe continues to hold to their high standards for quality and style.

The Holidays are Bright and Cheery with Jojo Maman Bebe!

December 20, 2017 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Samples provided.

It’s time to stand up and cheer, Holiday style with Jojo Maman Bebe is here!

One of my favorite brands, Jojo Maman Bebe has created such a fun line of Holiday clothing as part of their Winter collection. My daughter, Juniper, absolutely loves the cozy reindeer suit – I not-so-secretly really want one of these for myself…

The Robin hat and mittens pair perfectly with the Robin sweater, and provide extra warmth with coats on very chilly days.

The Smocked Tartan Party Dress is festive, yet comfortable- perfect for Christmas!

And the Vintage Cardigan is the ultimate layering piece that will take us right into Spring.

As always, Jojo Maman Bebe pieces are the highest quality, employing classics and whimsy in equal measure, making the styles versatile and timeless.

In any kind of weather, Jojo Maman Bebe keeps you cozy!

December 12, 2017 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Samples provided.

This Fall, we’ve been delighted to try some more clothing from Jojo Maman Bebe. As usual, their collections offer classic styles and whimsical accents. The quality of each and every piece of clothing is superb, and I don’t use that word lightly. I know that my daughter, Juniper, can really wear these pieces. They aren’t the kind of clothes that a parent might feel has to be reserved for special occasions for fear of them being ruined. I can easily machine wash them (I follow the tag instructions for washing and drying) and know that they’ll come out looking just as good as new!

We received the following from the Fall/Winter 2017 Nightwear and Outerwear collections:

Hooded Cable Knit Cardigan

Girls’ Red Duffle Coat

Children’s Fisherman’s Jacket

Fisherman’s Fox Jacket

Your child will be sure to stay cozy this season with these fabulous pieces from Jojo Maman Bebe!

Fuss-Free Fancy Summer with Jojo Maman Bebe

September 21, 2017 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Samples provided.

Summer is (somewhat surprisingly) still in full swing here in the Pacific Northwest, and we are enjoying some extended warm days. This summer found our family traveling, a LOT. We had family reunions, as well as 4 weddings to get fancied-up for!

Wearing the Girls’ Navy Parisienne Party Dress

We were so excited to try out some absolutely beautiful clothing from Jojo Maman Bebe, which made these events even more fun.

Wearing Jojo Maman Bebe’s Country Scene Party Dress

Traveling with a toddler seems to require extra…everything! Extra planning, snacks, clothing, activities. You get the idea.

One of my favorite things about Jojo Maman Bebe clothing is that in addition to their whimsical, classic, and on-trend styles, the quality makes them a breeze to care for, which in turn made them so easy, and “fuss-free” to travel with.

Wearing the Girls’ White Floral Embroidered Top paired with Chambray Shorts and Pretty Leather Sandals

The lining and stitching are impeccably detailed and strong, and all pieces (aside from the leather sandals) are machine washable! These pieces are meant to last, and I know that I will be able to pass them along (still looking beautifully) to a sibling or cousin after Juni outgrows them.

Wearing the Girls’ Peony Broderie Anglaise Dress paired with Pretty Leather Sandals

These are the pieces we received. Get them while they last, and be sure to check out their new Fall collection too!

Just Hatched in Time For Summer!

August 3, 2017 by Jaime 1 Comment

Sample provided for review.

I love bath and other pampering kinds of body products; you should see my collection of lotions 😉

When Just Hatched reached out recently about trying some of their Mom and Baby products, I couldn’t pass it up!

I hadn’t previously been familiar with the Just Hatched brand, and discovered it was born of a Mom’s desire to find better products for her kids (and herself) that didn’t contain harsh and harmful ingredients.

Boy, am I happy I know about them now. Just Hatched products contain, “No Yucky Stuff”, such as Parabens, Sulphates, Gluten (I was surprised to learn that a lot of beauty products contain gluten!) and are NEVER tested on animals.

We received the Sleepy Baby Wash, Sleepy Baby Lotion, TLC Nursing Balm, and TLC Stretch Marks & Scar Gel.

I was excited to use the Baby Wash and Lotion right away, but hesitated because the packaging on the Wash didn’t specify whether it was “tear-free’ like a lot of other products I’d seen. So, I reached out to the company to ask, and they promptly responded:

“Tear free is a term used by companies to promote their products, but this term does not guarantee that there will be no tears or irritation from the product. What it really means is that milder, more gentle ingredients are used, and there’s less chance for tears and irritation…

Just Hatched does not say tear free, but is tear free, i.e. the ingredients used are among the mildest and most gentle available.

However, remember that even water can be irritating, if you get it in the eyes!

I hope this helps :)”

How great is that?! And, I can attest that we’ve been using it since and haven’t had any tears 🙂

What we have had is a delicious smelling child with soft skin. Just Hatched uses natural plant extracts such as, coconut, tapioca, orange flower, chamomile and lavender. I love the consistency and subtle scent of the lotion so much that I’ve even been using it for me!

The TLC Nursing Balm and Stretch Mark & Scar Gel are wonderful staples for any new Mom, and knowing that these are made using the most soothing and effective extracts, like shea butter, calendula, licorice root and aloe vera, brings peace of mind in the midst of parenting.

One last thing to highlight is that Just Hatched products are SO affordable!! You can break the bank buying pricey creams, lotions, and cleansers for yourself and Baby, but you don’t need to. Most of the Lotions and Baby Washes from Just Hatched are under $6! Not only are they all- natural, using “no yucky stuff”, they smell delicious and are affordable. I’d call that a win-win-win..uh, WIN!

I’d encourage anyone looking for some great bath and body products, or even a gift for a new Mom-to-Be to check out Just Hatched.

Splish Splash with Jojo Maman Bebe!

April 19, 2017 by Jaime 1 Comment

Samples provided.

Spring has sprung here in the Pacific Northwest, and in fact, it has been one of the coldest and rainiest that I can remember! Lucky for us, Juniper has been keeping warm and dry with her Floral Fisherman’s Winter Coat from Jojo Maman Bebe.

With a delightful floral print and super cozy fleece lining, this coat has been our go-to all winter long. Not only is the style adorable, this coat really has all the features you want for a versatile coat, such as waterproof exterior, hood, storm flap, and machine washable!

We also received these adorable Wellie Rain Boots. These are still a little bit big for Juniper, but will fit perfectly by the time the next rainy season comes. Constructed of super-soft rubber and lined with moisture-wicking cotton lining, these boots will provide all day comfort for maximum puddle-splashability 🙂 Offered in a wide variety of fun prints, you’re sure to find one that you like for your little one.

Impeccable detailing and thoughtful design is something I have come to expect from Jojo Maman Bebe, and they sure don’t disappoint with either of these items!

Visit JojoMamanBebe.com to check out the full line of fashion-forward children’s clothing!

Bundle up Your Bundle of Joy With 7 A.M. Enfant’s Blanket 212 Evolution!

February 4, 2017 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Samples provided.

I’ve been a fan of 7 A.M. Enfant’s stylish and durable products for children ever since I had the opportunity to try some of their infant outerwear in 2015.

As we ring in the new year, my husband and I like to discuss a few resolutions we’d like to incorporate, or things to work on, in the coming year. One of mine is to get outside more. Although this isn’t a novel resolution, if you live in the Pacific Northwest like I do, the weather this time of year can sometimes dissuade even the most dedicated of outdoor enthusiasts. Heck, if you’ve been around here the last few weeks, you’d know why the option of staying inside with a good book has been most appealing! Brrrrr, to say the least.

All this to say that sometimes it’s difficult to get out of the house when you have to do some serious bundling. Add to the mix a spirited toddler who likes to say the word, “hat”, but refuses to keep one on her head. “Boots” is also another favorite word, but alas, not an accessory she’s willing to wear for very long. The Blanket 212 Evolution from 7 A.M. Enfant makes bundling my toddler SO easy!

What looks like a sleek, beautifully detailed sleeping bag, the Blanket 212 Evolution is a footmuff or baby bunting that provides a waterproof outer layer, expandable length and width (will fit up to preschool age!) thermal filling and is lined with cozy fleece. This item also has an adjustable hood, which provides extra protection from wind and rain in addition to solving my “hat” problem 😉

On a recent bright and chilly 25-degree day, Juniper and I headed out to one of our local museums, and since we had quite a walk from the parking lot to the entrance, I thought it would be best to get her bundled in the Blanket 212 Evolution. With heavy duty velcro openings at the back, the Blanket 212 Evolution was incredibly easy to attach securely to our stroller. Did I mention it also converts to a large blanket? We will be able to use this for years! We got in line and had several people commenting on how cozy Juniper looked, and asking me where they could find one for their child.

Snuggled up in the Blanket 212 Evolution

I absolutely love to find items that are designed for style, function, and longevity, and the 7 A.M. Enfant Blanket 212 Evolution definitely fits the bill. This is going to make keeping my resolution to get outside more a lot easier, for me, and cozier for Juniper. I highly recommend!

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year With JoJo Maman Bebé

November 20, 2016 by Jaime 1 Comment

Samples provided.

As long as I can remember, Christmas has been my favorite holiday. I’m sure I share this sentiment with many, old and young alike. Some of my favorite memories include helping my mom unpack our many boxes of holiday decorations, and getting dressed up in festive wear for Christmas Eve with our family. A scrumptious meal, singing carols around the piano, going to candlelight church service, and of course, opening gifts. The whole season seemed to me a bit magical, and that still holds true to this day.

Since becoming a mother, I have often thought about how I can ignite the spirit of magic and build holiday traditions that our daughter will always remember.

I was so excited to see the Christmas Lookbook from JoJo Maman Bebé this year because my daughter is now at an age to be excited about the holidays, and since she’s now walking, she’s ready for her first real Christmas dress!

JoJo Maman Bebé is a well-known (and loved) UK brand for Maternity, Baby & Child. Just in time for Holiday shopping and festivities, they’re now available in the U.S!

We received the Smocked Cord Party Dress and Patterned Tights as well as the Robin Fair Isle Cardigan. These pieces are just the sweetest, seriously. The body of the dress is made from a beautiful, scarlet-colored, small wale corduroy. Details include a white cotton Peter Pan collar with a delicate scallop trim, and embroidered diamond pattern across the bodice. The tights are a comfortable medium-weight knit, and have grippers on the feet, which is great for early walkers, like Juniper.

The Fair Isle Cardigan is an ultra-soft, washable, cashmere blend with a classic round collar and fair isle style pattern showing plump little winter birds.

Of course, I love that it’s washable, but it’s also super cozy! I kinda wish they carried this sweater in adult sizes… We had a wonderful day recently playing in the Fall leaves, and Juniper stayed nice and toasty with her sweater on.

I absolutely love the timeless quality of these pieces. They are truly so thoughtfully designed and well-constructed, with wonderful attention to detail.

Not only does JoJo Maman Bebé have high-quality clothing for Moms and children, they also carry a selection of wonderfully imaginative toys and accessories. Since Juniper started walking about a week before her 1st birthday, we were looking for a “walker” toy that she could use to improve her balance and coordination with her new skill. We received the Pretty Floral Push-Along Doll Pram, and it has been great- It’s stable and sturdy, and awesome as an early-walker toy.

The pram itself is super easy to put together- I love the simple and whimsical design, and again, the quality is excellent. This is not at all a flimsy piece like some plastic strollers / walkers I’ve looked at. This is definitely sturdy enough to last through years of play, and the rubberized wheel treads are also nice to my wood floors. Juniper loves taking care of her stuffed animals and baby dolls while pushing them around the house.

It’s the most wonderful time of year. Thank you, JoJo Maman Bebé!

Philips Avent: Mother’s Little Helper Part 2: Ta-Da Toddler Cups!

November 14, 2016 by Jaime Leave a Comment

Samples provided.

It hardly seems possible that a year has passed and now I have a toddler…Whaaaa?!

Things have been great and busy and wonderous, for all of us. In the midst of myriad first birthday milestones like learning to walk and getting the okay to switch from formula to whole milk, many people also start to transition from bottles to sippy cups. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests eliminating bottles between 12-24 months (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Discontinuing-the-Bottle.aspx).

Depending on the child, these kinds of transitions can take a while, so we wanted to make sure that we got started.

We had some success serving water in sippy cups during meals, but I hadn’t been able to get Juniper to drink milk before naps or bedtime from one, whether it was heated up (in our trusty Philips Avent bottle warmer) or served cold. I don’t know if it was the texture of the milk (vs. water), the flow rate, or the spout, or what- but she just seemed to think that water is the only thing that can be had in a sippy cup. We tried a couple different styles (straw, plastic spout) but no luck. She’d either spit the milk out or refuse the cup altogether.

After my awesome experience with Philips Avent bottles and breastfeeding accessories when Juniper was a newborn, I jumped at the chance (again) to try out some of their toddler cups.

We received the following:

Philips Avent Straw Cups

These come in both 12oz and 8oz sizes, and feature a twist and sip design, with flexible straw. I had picked a couple of flexible-straw cups from another brand, and unfortunately they leak, so I can really only use them when we’re at home (I won’t pack them in the diaper bag anymore, after what could only be described as a soggy incident) I’ve tried the Philips Avent ones with Juniper in a few different scenarios, and brought them out and about with us and I am SO happy to report that these are leakproof!

My Penguin Sippy Cup

First of all, adorable penguin design…but seriously, a bite-resistant spout (can we say teething isn’t for the faint of heart?) and the two handles make this one a great one for little hands.

Sip and Click Cup

Featuring a soft silicone spout, with leakproof technology, and a snap-top lid, these are going to be great as Juniper gets older and has more dexterity. She’ll be able to flip the lid and drink all by herself (without losing the lid!). You know how toddlers love to be independent 😀

My Easy Sippy

You guys! We have success! This is so far, the only cup that has replaced the bottle at nap and bedtime (in case you’re curious, we brush her teeth afterward, because that is another milestone we’re trying to be consistent with…)

The 8oz size holds just the right amount of water or milk for Juniper right now, and features the same soft silicone spout, with leakproof technology and a snap on lid.

Thanks to Philips Avent for designing such amazing products and coming to our rescue with transitioning to Toddler cups!

Make Your Own Baby Food With The Kiinde Foodii Feeding System!

October 1, 2016 by Jaime 5 Comments

Samples provided.

You know those super-handy squeeze food pouches for kids? Well, Kiinde has developed a great system for creating those pouches yourself! The kit comes with everything you need to prepare healthy and mess-free meals on the go.

Kiinde Foodii Squeeze Snack Filling and Feeding System provides options for feeding directly from the pouch, whether your child prefers the ergonomically-designed snack spout, or the soft silicone squeeze spoon. The pouches can be recycled after use, but the spoon and spouts can be reused – they’re even dishwasher and microwave safe!

Foodii Squeeze Snack Starter Kit comes with:

– 10 Foodii Squeeze Snack Pouches (recyclable)
– 1 Foodii Filler: This is a squeezable filler cup and includes a cap
– 2 Snack Spouts with leak-proof caps
– 1 Squeeze Spoon with leak-proof cap

Contents of the Foodii Squeeze Snack Starter Kit

All components of the Foodii and Twist feeding systems are BPA, PVC, latex, and pthalate-free, and are designed and tested in the United States.

We usually make batches of food over the weekend, so this system has been very convenient, as we can fill a few pouches and have them ready to go during the very busy weeks!

Learn more and get your own Kiinde Foodii Feeding System at Kiinde.com.