Dahlia Cloth Review - New mama cloth line from Buttons Diapers! {Giveaway}

After reading about Dahlia Cloth, don't miss out on the Tula giveaway!

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It's no secret that I'm a big fan of cloth diapers - they've saved our family countless dollars (especially because they were able to be reused for subsequent children, including a niece and nephew!), they feel better for baby and they are just plain CUTE. There are tons of reusable cloth products that are gaining popularity in the recent years, but it wasn't until the birth of my second child where I dove head first into the world of reusable cloth menstural pads.

Why buy reusable menstrual pads? It's pretty much the same reason why you would choose cloth diapers over disposable, and honestly most disposable products period. They save me money, they are soft and comfortable, they can be pretty, they are much nicer to the environment and you will hear this from a lot of cloth pad users - your period is actually lighter. There are many speculations as to why, and one might call me a conspiracy theorist, but part of me wonders if all those extra chemicals in disposable products affect the menstrual cycle to last longer because that means you need more of their products and they get more money. Even disregarding that, cloth is a beneficial alternative because you are now removing that chemical contact with your body. Montsano stays out of my vagina. 

Cloth menstrual pads go by many names; mama cloth, R.U.M.P.S. (re useable menstrual products), moon pads or moon rags. They are useful for women through many phases of life - menstruation, post partum healing, urinary incontience or simply as panty liners. They come in different lengths, shapes and materials. 

Many women get a little bit of an "ew" factor when they think about how they will have to care for these pads. Honestly, it takes almost no special care at all. Depending on how many cloth pads you have, you can wash them all at the same time at the end of your cycle or you may have to wash more often to have what you need. I recommend keeping a small wetbag around to place soiled pads into until you are ready to wash.

If you are currently cloth diapering - just throw them in the same load as your diapers. If you aren't, you can wash them by hand with warm water and air dry or wash them in the washer with warm water and dry them on low. I've washed mine with dark towels or sheets without issue. It's also recommended that you rinse them out prior to storing them in the wetbag to prevent staining and making it easier to wash.  It's really not rocket science! And if you fall in love, which I am sure you will, you'll grow a stash that will hopefully be enough for one cycle so all you have to do is wash them all at the end and put them away for next month.

So when Amy, the owner of Buttons Diapers, whom I know personally and love her line of cloth diapers, approached me with the opportunity to review her brand new line of cloth menstrual pads called Dahlia Cloth, I jumped for joy! I've been a fan of Buttons Diapers for as long as they have been on the market and knew that the attention to quality, price point and useability from Amy and the Buttons Diapers team would be evident in this expansion of their lines. 

The Dahlia Cloth pads come in three lengths - small (8.5"), medium (11") and long (13.5"). The size you will need may depend on what part of your cycle you are using them for and your own body shape. I like to use longer pads for my heaviest days, overnight or post partum. Shorter pads are nice for the start and end of your period. It's nice to have a variety of lengths to choose from, because for me I have some cycles that are heavier than others, and I can adjust which pads I'd like to use that day.

Dahlia Cloth pads are simple to use. Lay your pad down onto your underwear, just like you would for a disposable pad with wings, with the absorbant side facing you. Tuck the wings under your underwear and snap together. You can expect to wear a cloth pad anywhere from a couple hours to up to five during the day, or longer and more absorbant ones for overnight. 

Want to know a cute little secret that I love about Dahlia Cloth? If your baby is also wearing Buttons Diapers, only you would know that you and your baby may be matching that day! When I look at my cloth pad stash a smile crosses my face because I get to choose between many different colored patterns or prints. Dahlia Cloth currently comes in Afternoon Tea (a floral print), Meadow (leaves) and Midnight (black). 

The pad is made up of several different layers that play an important role to being an effective pad that is comfortable and leak free. The top layer (which comes into contact with you) is a soft fleece. The core of the pad is absorbant microfiber. It is backed by leak-proof PUL (poly urithane liner), which are those prints that I mentioned above. PUL Is the same material that makes cloth diapers and wet bags leak proof.  Being a Buttons Diaper user I immediately saw that the same materials are used for Dahlia Cloth. I can rest assured that if these materials can handle the dirty work that my children do to them, they can certainly handle mine! 

I tried the medium and long length pads and saved them for my heaviest flow days. They felt comfortable, didn't slide around in my underwear and never leaked. I can understand the trepidation that a woman feels when trying out a new menstrual product - wondering if they can leave the home in fear of having an embarrassing leak. I can say with confidence that I didn't have any worries about that happening. 

For this review I had a couple of my mama cloth friends chime in on their thoughts of Dahlia Cloth too. Both of these friends are experienced mama users; all three of us actually worked on The Pad Project that I shared about with you in the beginning of the year. Luda is primarily a Cup user but wanted to have some pads for "just in case," and she loved how thin and comfortable Dahlia Cloth felt. Kelsey was so excited to see the beautiful prints on the pads, "It truly makes a difference for me having something beautiful that time of the month. I am a mom of three boys and trust me my pads are the only place I get to see flowers and the colors pink and purple in my house!" Kelsey tends to have a really heavy flow and she found that the large size pads worked great for her during the day and night.

You can purchase them through Buttons Diapers and on Amazon.

Buttons Diapers is excited to offer Pierogie Mama readers with the chance to win a 3-pack of Dahlia Cloth pads, in their choice of length (small, medium, long) and print (Afternoon Tea, Meadow or Midnight). Enter via the giveaway widget below, see rules for details.

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This giveaway is hosted by The Pierogie Mama, the prize is sponsored by Buttons Diapers. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions and images are my own. I received product in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was provided. Please see the giveaway widget for full details and rules. 

Please email me at thepierogiemama@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to see your product featured. 

Catch the Moment Week 5

Our little town had a 12th man flag raising ceremony at noon. I took the girls down to watch the local high school drum squad and cheer on our hawks.

 I taught my first Cloth Diapering class at Grow With Me Boutique, and the owner of Buttons Diapers sat in!

On sunny afternoons I let my girls free range and I love seeing them go bottoms up. Their butts are just so fluffy!

 Penny has requested a "fairy dinosaur" themed birthday party. So each week I'm hitting up the local thrift stores in hopes of finding good deals on these dinosaur models and will start putting together the decorations.. Find all my girly dinosaur pins.

Have you ever seen anything quite so adorable?

 Penny wrote out Valentine's Day cards to the loves in her life, and I made sure that a very special one got sent to Daddy's office (shh it's a surprise!). The first true love a girl has will always be her daddy. No one will ever replace him as the love of her life. 

Since July I've been on hiatus from my contacts because I've got some weird irritation going on in my eyelids that contacts seem to make worse. BOOO. I've been wearing my frames that I've had for ten years and I just needed a new look. Finally - these bad boys. I kind of feel like a mix between Alex Voss and this Tula model mama!

Catch up on previous weeks: 

Catch the moment archives

Follow along on Instagram daily!

Teaching Cloth Diaper 101

This past weekend I taught my first cloth diapering class at my local children's consignment store, Grow With Me Boutique!

Grow With Me Boutique is very quickly becoming the go-to location for anything cloth diaper related - she's stocking up on multiple different brands and accessories so it seemed appropriate to help educate our community about the benefits of cloth diapering as well as show parents how easy it is to cloth diaper.

When I was initially looking into cloth diapering I was so overwhelmed with all the different options and didn't have a location close to me where I could actual hold a diaper to see how they worked exactly. We bloggers try our best to show off the features of each diaper we review, but sometimes you just gotta hold it in your hands and have a person talk to you face to face about what it is. With this in mind, I created my "lesson plan" and Grow With Me set up the event!

I was thinking that a group of 6-8 would be perfect; more than I could ask for. As the date to the class grew closer the attendance count kept ticking up and soon over two dozen were signed up to come!

My goal of the class was to introduce the different styles of cloth and to show everyone that every family is unique so there is no "right" way to cloth diaper. I started by giving a brief overview of the different styles of cloth as well as their pros/cons:

• prefolds and flats with covers
• all in ones
• all in twos
• pockets
• fitteds

I also covered accessories, wash basics and a little bit of trouble shooting. Some of the attendees were already experienced in cloth diapering so it was great to have them share their experiences, such as while I use the dry pail method, two other moms shared that they use wet pails and why it works for them. It was a great open discussion with tons of questions and it made the time just fly by. I was also able to give out samples of Rockin Green, Country Save, Motherlove Herbals, Earth Angel Mama Baby and Planet Wise even sponsored two prizes!

We also had a special guest appearance; my own "cloth diaper community star," Amy the owner of Buttons Diapers. Amy and I have worked together several times, through my own Buttons Diapers reviews and at the Mommie Mixer in 2013. She's somewhat local to me so it was fun to have her come visit and for a couple customers get to meet her.

It had been several years since I've taught a class so it was fun and refreshing to jump in again. I hope I'll get to do it another time soon!

Connect with Grow With Me Boutique 

to find more cloth diapering resources for Snohomish County!

Best of 2014! The Pierogie Mama's most popular posts

Here's a round up of the top posts from the blog this year!

Raspberry Creamsicle Popsicle Recipe

Sbarro Copycat Baked Ziti Recipe

Buttons Diapers Review

Boba Mini Review

Honorable mention.. Ruby's birth story! My baby is almost 10 months and I can't believe what a year it's been.

Merry Fluffy Christmas! Buttons Diapers and Sew Fatty giveaway

This post was originally part of the Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway.

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Yay! This is one of my favorite giveaway hops of the year! I'm really excited to get some extra fluff under (and on) your Christmas tree!

I've been a long time lover of Buttons Diapers - in fact, did you know that I was the first blogger to review them back in 2013? Amy, the owner, and I know each other through my sister-in-law and I was so excited to help Amy get her business off the ground and into the hands of Pierogie Mama readers. Since then, Buttons Diapers has grown to have 12 colors of solid covers, 6 prints, wet bags, flannel wipes and a new addition has been hemp inserts, which I will be sharing with you about in the new year!

Buttons Diapers are an AI2 (All - In - 2) system for cloth diapering. This means that you have a re-usable cover with snap-in inserts. When the baby wets the diaper, just snap out the insert and reuse the cover. If the baby soils it, just toss all of that in the wash. This is a really economical way of cloth diapering because you don't have to buy as many covers as you do inserts! Buttons Diapers recommends a starter pack of 6 covers, 18 day time inserts and 2 night time inserts (the "basic package". This will get you through about 2-3 days of diapers. You can add more to last longer, but I personally recommend always washing diapers at least every 3 days. 

The fit of Buttons Diapers is very versatile as the covers as considered to be "one size" and are made to fit most babies between 9-35 lbs. I've had both of my girls use these diapers as day time and night time options without any problem. Both girls are side sleepers and at first I was curious if the cover would hold up to leaking from the side overnight. It did! Because of the double gusset feature on the legs it holds up really well keeping pee or poop inside. Having used these covers for the last 2 years, and currently 9 months of overlapping 2 in cloth, the elastic has held up and is as strong as it was on day 1. I can't say the same thing about my Bum Genius diapers!

Having fluff under the tree is wonderful in itself, but if you're a cloth mama like me, you like to spread that fluffy cheer every where you go. That's why Pollyanna from Sew Fatty is offering a Pierogie Mama reader a one of a kind cloth diaper Christmas ornament! These are adorable for your tree and I also hung one on my door wreath last year!

Buttons Diapers and Sew Fatty have generously offered one Pierogie Mama a prize pack of 2 Buttons Diapers AI2 covers with 3 daytime inserts and a Sew Fatty handmade cloth diaper Christmas ornament (the print on the ornament may be different from what is shown). Enter to win this fabulous prize pack below!

This giveaway is over. Thank you to all who entered! 

Disclosure: The Pierogie Mama is not responsible for prize shipment. I was not compensated for this post.

Buttons Diapers Covers, Inserts and Wetbag giveaway

This review was originally part of the New Year, New Baby Giveaway hop.

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For the last year I've had the pleasure of working with and sharing about Buttons Diapers. I first met Amy about a year and a half ago at my nephew's birthday party, as she's friends with my sister in law. We later connected as blogger and company and over the past year I've shared about my love for Buttons Diapers many times. 

Buttons Diapers is an "All in 2" system, meaning it is one of the most economical ways to cloth diaper. You start with a few covers and enough snap in inserts to last through diaper changes over several days (I suggest washing every 3 days).

What sets Buttons apart from the rest?

Double gussets at the legs to help keep messes in

Extra elastic at the tummy and back to make a customized fit

Durable snaps

A one size cover that fits babies from roughly 9-35 lbs 

Snap-in microfiber inserts that come in small and large size, day time and night time thickness

The inserts are soft, plushy and extremely absorbent. I love that they have an extra contouring stitch (think: maxi pad)

The ability to "stack" inserts for heavy wetters without creating a massive bum

Adorable colors with lots of gender neutral options! 

Most of all, the affordability of being able to diaper your child from newborn to potty training for $240!

In addition to diapers and inserts, Buttons Diapers rolled out a few new products in the last few months - flannel wipes, bamboo liners, and wet bags.

This travel wet bag comes with a dry and wet pocket - perfect for separating clean from wet diapers. It has a handle with a snap release and is well sewn. Like Buttons Diapers covers, I know that I don't have to worry about leaks. They come in 3 sizes - small, medium and large.

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Try Buttons #clothdiapers, wipes & bamboo liners!

This giveaway was originally published as a part of the 

Pink and Blue Babies Due giveaway hop.

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Have you tried Buttons Diapers yet? These are by far my favorite covers and AI2 diaper solution out there. Why? Because their covers have double gussets, are double layered, elastic on the tummy and back and have snaps to easily snap in their inserts (but fit other inserts really well too!). Oh, and the kicker - their new shell design includes an absolutely adorable embroidered button on the back. I can go on, really.

In addition to the addition of the cute button and new colors for their shells, Buttons Diapers has come out with a couple new products in the last few months.

Flannel Wipes
We made the switch to cloth wipes about 14 months ago and I've noticed a decrease irritation associated with wipes. Rashes come few and far between for cloth diapered children, but most wipes usually left Penny a little red. Plus, being a green minded single income family gave me the incentive of finding any way that will cut down our trash costs and save us money too. Cloth wipes were a simple answer and gave me no extra work because I just throw them in with the dirty diaper in the laundry.

Buttons Diapers now has super soft flannel wipes available. They are single ply, 100% cotton with professional serging. I've washed them over two dozen times without any thread coming loose. Because they are single ply they dry very quickly.

Bamboo Liners
The second new product from Buttons are Bamboo liners. I've never used a liner prior to trying these out, so I was a little curious how I would like it. If your child is very regular (if you get what I mean), these are perfect for quick and easy clean up for diaper changes. Also, certain creams can cause build up in diapers so if you are battling a really bad rash these will help keep the creams from getting into your Buttons inserts. They are perforated to the right size for Buttons inserts (and frankly, most inserts) so it's easy to prep ahead of time and have them ready to go in your diaper change station. 


And simply because I just can't resist sharing cute baby rolls, here is a new little lady in my life showing off her Buttons Diapers fit.

You can buy Buttons Diapers through Amazon or online.

This time around you'll have the chance to win a great prize pack from Buttons Diapers and The Pierogie Mama - 3 covers, 6 day inserts and 1 pack of wipes (a $61 ARV).

This giveaway is over - thanks to all for entering! 

Keep an eye out for more Pierogie Mama Giveaways.

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for an honest review. 

Get some #freshfluff with Buttons Diapers & Woolzies

This post was originally published as a part of the 
Fresh Fluff Giveaway Hop.
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I'm excited to giveaway two products that are no strangers on The Pierogie Mama blog -

Buttons Diapers cloth diapers

Woolzies wool dryer balls

Going the natural route is important to me, but heck, let me admit it - saving money is super important too! That's why these two products are a part of my arsenal. Cloth diapers save an immense amount of money - a full Buttons Diaper system will cost you about $240 from birth to potty training! Dryer balls save you time and money by increasing air circulation in your dryer and physically beating the water off your laundry.

One lucky winner will win a prize pack of a Buttons Diaper set and a box of Woolzies dryer balls!

This giveaway is over - thanks to all for entering! 

Keep an eye out for more Pierogie Mama Giveaways.

Disclosure: The Pierogie Mama, Fresh Fluff participating bloggers 

are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

On The Go Giveaway!

Total Value = $600+

Yummi Pouch - Reusable Food Pouches

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Yummi Pouch Brights - 2 sets - Retail Price: $30

Yummi Pouch Brights (Set of 4) combine style and convenience in an eco-friendly container you can fill with homemade smoothies and blended snacks! Easy to fill and clean through the top zipper opening and enjoyed by drinking from the side spout, Yummi Pouch reusable food pouches are great for kids taking healthy snacks on the go. Includes set of 4 assorted patterns. For more information visit yummipouch.com.

• Set of 4 Yummi Pouch Brights reusable food pouches
• Dishwasher and freezer safe
• BPA and phthalate free
• Great for on the go snacks!
• Hold up to 6 ounces each

Diono

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Radian®R100 Car Seat - Retail Price: $259.99

The Radian®R100 Car Seat offers the adaptability you need to keep your child's car rides safe and comfortable for years. From birth to booster car seat, the RadianR100 fits children in the rear-facing position weighing from 5 to 40 pounds and children in the forward-facing position weighing from 20 to 65 pounds. With longevity in mind, this model converts to a booster seat for kids up to 100 pounds.
Dedicated to giving families safe and enjoyable travel experiences, Diono has more than a decade of experience producing award-winning products. Diono car seats, stroller and travel accessories continue to gain high ratings from industry experts, media and families worldwide for their unique functionality, safety innovations and thoughtful designs. For more information visit us.diono.com.

Tivoli Couture

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Luxury Memory Foam Stroller Liner in Emerald - Retail Price: $49.99
Tivoli CoutureT specializes in Practical LuxuryT solutions for strollers, car seats and baby carriers.
Tivoli Couture stroller liners are unlike any other stroller liner on the market today. Tivoli Couture is the original inventor of the luxury memory foam stroller liner! Our memory foam stroller liners have been evaluated and recommended by a Chiropractor to help with proper spinal alignment and support. We chose memory foam padding because of its orthopedic qualities. Memory foam is known to relieve pressure points and help promote circulation - an important feature for children sitting in their stroller for prolonged periods of time. Tivoli Couture stroller liners also help cushion the ride and help absorb stroller shock; they double as tummy time mats and changing pads - just perfect for busy parents on the go!

Our stroller liners are super trendy and are available in a number of modern designs, colors and prints. They are reversible for style, versatility and year-round comfort. For more information visit TivoliCouture.com.

Imagine Baby

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The Shade - Retail Price: $39.95 (car seat not included)
The Shade by Imagine Baby is an award winning infant car seat canopy that protects baby from outside elements and germs. It also provides baby with a shaded place for napping when on the go. Made from a soft, stretchy micropoly/Lycra material The Shade provides baby with UPF 50+ protection from the sun's harmful rays and fits easily on most infant car seats. For more information visit imaginebaby.com.

• UPF 50 + sun protection
• Water resistant
• Year round use
• Breathable
• Flexible fit on most infant car seats
• Easy care - machine wash cold, line dry
• Fits into any size diaper bag

yoomi

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8oz Feeding System - Retail Price: $37.50
Yoomi was created by Farah and Jim. A mom and dad whose experiences of stumbling around the kitchen in the early hours and begging waiters for hot water when out and about inspired them to look for a better solution. The combination of Farah's inspiration and Jim's engineering skills, together with expert advice and help from friends and family, has resulted in yoomi, the bottle that warms baby feed in just 60 seconds. For more information visit yoomi.com.

lillébaby

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líllébaby® COMPLETET Organic Carrier - Retail Price: $135
The future in babywearing is here! Compare the líllébaby® COMPLETET with any baby carrier and you will see why it deserves its name. COMPLETET in function, comfort, and style, this carrier grows with your family. It includes every carrying position and ensures your baby is positioned ergonomically correct in every setting. It's all about options - it's COMPLETET!
Resonating the Scandinavian values of quality of life, honesty, and a love for nature's beauty, líllébaby strives to make baby products that bring this functional style to parents, anywhere. We wish parents to attain the simple luxury of keeping their baby close while building a natural bond, in perfect comfort and style. Soft, luxurious organic fabrics for treasured moments. Made with 100% soft-brushed organic cotton and lined with luxurious, 100% organic sateen cotton.

Designed with the unsurpassed functionality and comfort of the líllébaby® COMPLETET baby carrier line. The perfect baby carrier For more information visit lillebaby.com.

Buttons Cloth Diapers

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3 cloth covers and 6 daytime inserts - Retail Price: $54
Tangerine, Lavender, & Apple

Buttons Cloth Diapers were born at home. As a husband and wife team, we designed our diapers to be easy to use and affordable for everyone - the way it should be. We believe in keeping our lives simple, even when it comes to diapering.

Buttons Diapers feature soft, leak-proof, and durable diaper covers. The double-gussets around the legs keeps the mess in, so your little one can run, jump, climb, and sleep while your mind is at ease. Elastic at the back and tummy makes a custom fit. The durable snaps allow the covers to adjust to fit any baby (approximately 9-35 lbs.). And, they come in many adorable colors! For more information visit buttonsdiapers.com.

Enter to Win this Fabulous Set of Prizes!

One Winner will be selected October 3rd. Have fun and good luck!

Enter to win this collection of great gear every child needs for on-the-go!

Prize Package Includes:

• Yummi Pouch Brights - 2 sets of reusable food pouches ($30 value)
• Diono RadianR100 car seat ($259.99 value)
• Tivoli Couture Luxury Memory Foam Stroller Liner in Emerald. ($49.99 value)
• Imagine Baby The Shade ($39.95 value)
• yoomi - 8oz Feeding System ($37.50 value)
• líllébaby COMPLETE Organic Carrier ($135 value)
• Buttons Diapers 3 cloth covers and 6 daytime inserts ($54 value)
  
  
  This giveaway has ended. Please check out other Pierogie Mama giveaways!

Disclaimer: The Pierogie Mama did not receive all these products to review, though you can read my previous reviews on Buttons Diapers and Yummi Pouch. 

The Pierogie Mama is not responsible for prize fulfillment. 

Bringing Home Baby with Buttons Diapers and Katie m. Berggren's Painting Motherhood

This post was originally published as a part of the 
Bringing Home Giveaway Hop.
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Does anyone think it's coincidence that September is the most popular month for babies to be born? These kids are part of what I refer to as "holiday love" babies.. And you can guess why! :)

So in addition to preparing for Pierogie #2 (who is due in March 2014), let's celebrate these New Year babies by checking out a couple of my favorite baby related things.

It's no secret that I love Buttons Diapers. I love the simple and cost effective "all in 2" design. Not to mention along with the arrival of the newest member of the Buttons family, Amy and her husband also released new colors in their cover line! I'm totally in love with lavender and tangerine.

Katie m. Berggren is a celebrated artist who captures motherhood in a way that I have never seen before. Honestly, I'm not one to be moved by art terribly often. But friends -  my heart soars, aches and grows whenever I cruise her galleries. That's why I'm so proud to feature one of her prints in Penny's room. Check out my special story behind why this piece means so much to me.

So are you ready for another Pierogie Mama giveaway? One very lucky reader will win both of the prizes below:

• A Buttons Diapers cover with a daytime and night time insert (read my review here)
• and winner's choice of a 12x12 print of painting motherhood from Katie m. Berggren (my review of In Kind here)

This giveaway is over - thanks to all for entering! 

Keep an eye out for more Pierogie Mama Giveaways.

Would you like your product or service featured on The Pierogie Mama? 
I'd love to hear from you! Send me an email and we'll work out the details!

Disclosure: The Pierogie Mama, The Frugal Greenish Mama, Life as Leels and the Bringing Home Baby participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

Monthly Its: Seven 2013

Have you checked out lovely LeLa Studios? Lisu literally has over 50 prints for lunch bags and school accessories! Send your child back to school in September with a one of a kind binder pouch and messenger bag or snag one for yourself so you can be an eco friendly fashionista :) She loves custom orders so if you have something in mind, send her a message.

Have I told you enough times that Buttons Diapers are my favorite diaper covers ever? Penny has been sporting hers all summer - be it as a real diaper or as a swim cover. Either way, it keeps everything in. And her bum looks so cute too :) Amy's sweet Baby I is due this month - so why don't you give her a welcome-baby gift by clicking over onto her site and checking out her affordable diaper system that can get you from birth to potty trained for about $240?

I'm also happy to introduce Misty from Malistah. She makes ah-maze-ing custom journals, cards, invitations and more. When I say ah-maze-ing, please don't take me lightly. Check her out.  For the dog lovers, she makes cards with pugs, poodles, yellow labs - to name a few. I'll be posting a review & giveaway soon, and I am seriously so excited to share how special her journals are. 

So here's what's been coming across my screen lately. Check 'em out, we've got some good reads, tips and recipes.

• We road trip a lot. A lot. Can I say it one more time? A lot. Short trips, long trips, red trips and blue trips. Road trip snack suggestions are always welcome!
• This month Penny has truly transitioned from two naps per day to usually one. Refresh yourself with infant and toddler sleep patterns.
• Summer time is here and Miss Penny runs around bottomless many an afternoon. She's also developed an interest in her potty, and will use it usually each evening as we wind down before bed. Did your child transition out of diapers during the summer? Here's some tips on why it's easier.
• Warm weather doesn't always inspire me to reach for a cup of tea, but this post has me planning to use up my current stash and switch to loose leaf in the fall.
• Speaking of Penny pee, Mama pee is important too. Thoughts on why peeing in the shower is a good thing.
• One time use is sort of the American way, isn't it? One trip to Target proves it all.
• Strawberry season is over in most parts of the country, but here are 40 yummy recipes, and how I freeze ours for smoothies.

Are you a business owner who wants extra exposure of your brand, 

including ad space, social media exposure and more? 

{The Pierogie Mama} is offering a discount on ad space through September,
so act fast and reserve your spot today. I'd love to work with you!

Win Buttons Cloth Diapers #SummerCloth

This review and giveaway was initially published as a part of the 
Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop.
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I am excited to share a fabulous cloth diaper that is very affordable, family owned and is frequently featured on Penny's fluffy bum.

Buttons Diapers is a family owned business by Amy and her husband. A few months ago I wrote my first review on their awesome cloth diapers and recently I had the pleasure of representing the brand with Amy at The Mommie Mixer, a Seattle event for moms to network with local companies. Getting to know Amy has been such a pleasure, and I love sharing about her cloth diapers!

Buttons Diapers are the "all in two" / AI2 style of cloth diapers, meaning they feature a diaper cover with removable inserts that you can snap in. When you change the diaper, as long as the cover isn't soiled, you can just snap in a new insert and go along your merry way. This feature makes this system very affordable because you only have to purchase a few covers and maximize on buying more inserts, which are less expensive.  I recommend 5 covers, 2 dozen day time inserts and 3 night time inserts for a standard AI2 system. For a toddler this will get you washing your diapers once every 3 days or so, if they aren't a heavy wetter. For newborns and heavy wetters you'll want closer to 7-8 covers and 30 or so inserts, since you'll be changing the diaper much more often. But don't worry, the cost savings rack up quickly!

There's a few features that makes Buttons stand out above the crowd - here's some of my favorites:

• Buttons inserts are suuuuuuper soft and feature a contour stitch (very much like a mama-pad, which I feel helps keep messes a little more contained)
• the inserts come in two sizes and thickness - small (for 9-20 lbs) and large (20-35 lbs), day time and night time thickness. The night time inserts feature snaps on both sides so you can layer up if your child wets a lot at night.
• the covers feature double gussets at the legs and extra elastic at the belly button and small of the back. I feel like this goes a long way in making the cover (which is made to grow with your baby from 9 - 35 lbs) fit your baby well as they grow.

The best feature is the affordability. The covers are $11, $3.50 per day time insert and $5 for the thicker night time inserts. So lets assume you purchased 5 covers, 24 day time inserts and 3 night time inserts - from birth to potty training you're looking at spending $154.00!!!  

I *really* wanted to do a cute pink photo shoot, but Miss Penny had other plans.
So instead, here's how Buttons diapers can move and stay leak free with an active toddler ;)

This giveaway is over - thanks to all for entering! 

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Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this post. Thank you Buttons Diapers for sponsoring this giveaway!

Giveaway rules:  This giveaway is in no way associated or sponsored by Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Open to US residents only, aged 18 and over. Winners will be contacted within 48 hours of the end of the giveaway via email. They have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. The Pierogie Mama is not responsible for prize fulfillment, though I will advocate to make sure you receive it! Mama's Baby Cupcakes, Mommy's Favorite Things and the Summer Cloth participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.