Review: Oh Plah! by Roundhouse Design Collaborative

My son is all boy but one thing he is fascinated with is Mommy's jewelry. And while I appreciate that he wants to perform taste tests and play dress-up, I know with traditional necklaces and bangles, this could spell disaster. All I can picture are broken chains and loose beads all over the place, just waiting to be lodged in his airway. (Morbid, I know!) Thanks to a revolutionary new product, I can put those worries to rest.

Look...on her wrist...it's a bracelet, it's a teether, it's a toy, it's...Oh Plah!



French for "here you go!", Oh Plah! was co-designed by moms Caryn Paradis and Jen Pitman, who wanted to create something stylish for moms to wear that would also be captivating for baby to play with. So, they put their heads together and developed a chic, colorful wrist accessory that doubles as a whimsical toy or teether for baby. The bracelet is flexible to fit any size wrist yet durable to withstand those burgeoning teeth. Keeping baby's safety of utmost importance, Oh Plah! is 100% free from paints, lead, latex, PVC, BPA and phthalates and is made here in the USA using environmentally-friendly practices. Roundhouse Design also offers a Full Circle Recycling program, in which they will pray to have your Oh Plah! shipped back to them to have it recycled into new products! This innovative, eco-friendly, multipurpose accessory has received numerous accolades including Dr. Toy's Best Green Product Award and The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval.

Oh Plah! is available in six vivid colors and three unique styles, including:

• Energy - kiwi with windmill design
  
• Simplicity - hot pink with daisy design
• Harmony - blue with birds in flight design
• Serenity - pearly white with daisy design
• Synchronicity - pewter with windmill design
• Whimsy - plum with daisy design
  

Roundhouse Design Collaborative was kind enough to send me their Oh Plah! Harmony bracelet to review.

I just love the fashionable, chunky cuff style. The blue color is really attractive and the design is simple yet modern. It's so versatile I could pair it with a summer maxi dress or a t-shirt and yoga pants. I was afraid that the flexible material would make for an awkward fit around my small wrist. But it fit nicely and stayed put, without sliding around too much. Best of all, because there are no clasps to fumble with, I can just throw it on and go. No fuss, no muss! FYI: this could also make a great nursing bracelet for all of you nursing mamas. Just switch from wrist to wrist so you always remember which side your nursed on last!



Nate is at the age where I could swear he enjoys putting on a public spectacle as I'm trying to run errands. His patience hangs by a thread and his inevitable tantrums can be clocked with an egg timer. There are few times I go shopping these days without leaving utterly embarrassed with an inconsolable child, surrounded by unnerved spectators.

Instead of reaching for junk food or germ-filled keys to keep him occupied, I can just flash my Oh Plah! It may not completely curb the tantrums but it does buy me more time, which is greatly appreciated. The cutout in the bracelet makes it easy for little hands to hold. Nate takes his time examining it, pulling it off my arm, wearing it for a bit and then putting it back on me. It's our fun little game. And if he happens to throw it on the floor or roll it around in gunk, it is super easy to clean with soap and water or a sanitizing wipe.

Here he is on the verge of a tantrum (hence the red eyes), distracted by Mommy's new bracelet his new accessory:



He hasn't really tried to bite it yet (he's not teething at the moment, thank goodness!) so I'm not 100% sure if it could withstand the force of toddler teeth. I suspect toothmarks from large chompers could linger so it may be better suited for gumming or smaller tooth buds. But it does make a good toy for older children who've outgrown the teething phase nonetheless.

Bottom line: Oh Plah! gets a standing O-vation. Its simple, safe design is equally appealing to mommies and babies. Even after my little guy is grown, I'll still be wearing my bracelet. Guaranteed.

BUY IT: You can purchase an Oh Plah! bracelet online at www.ohplah.com (ARV $19.99).

Disclaimer: I received the Oh Plah! bracelet pictured above free of charge from Maggie at Roundhouse Design Collaborative in exchange for my honest review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review and mine and mine alone. As such, your experience may differ.

Review: Hyland's Teething Tablets

It's been a rough couple of days and nights here in Chez Gumdrop. You see, Nate is working on Tooth #9 (and quite possibly #10 concurrently), which just so happen to be his one-year molars. He's been absolutely miserable - fussy and clingy as ever. Considering the size of the lump on his gum, his anguish is understandable. I wince with sympathy, fortunate to have those own painful memories far, far behind me. Aside from wisdom teeth, that is. They must call them wisdom teeth since I'm forever haunted by the searing jaw pain. You learn how to drink the agony away. The flood of memories is all coming back to me. But alas, the "merlot method" is not safe for teething toddlers. No matter how many old-school parental units suggest whiskey as a teething aid.

We're running the gamut of symptoms. Wakeful nights. Slight fever. Constant drool that reeks of the distinct, sweet smell of cutting teeth. Biting. Crying. Screaming. As baby suffers, mama suffers. Both our sanities are at risk. We had it lucky in Nate's first year. Even as he cut his first eight teeth seemingly all at once, he handled it like a pro. Aside from the plethora of saliva, you never would've guessed that he was teething. But molars are a different ball game. They're bigger. Hence, a bigger pain.

I want nothing more than to take the discomfort away from him. Nate doesn't really care for the taste of Baby Orajel and it only numbed the area for about 5 minutes before he was back to crying. And I'm uncomfortable pumping him full of Tylenol or Motrin all day long, for days at a time.

Thank goodness we found Hyland's Teething Tablets.

I first found out about the teething tablets from a fellow mom, who was struggling with her own teething baby many months ago. Her baby girl was only 4 months old and already exhibiting signs of teething. An early bird, much to her mama's dismay. Baby Orajel and Tylenol weren't really relieving the pain and at 4 months, her little girl was too young to try Motrin. So, out of desperation, she frantically scoured her local drugstore for another option and came across Hyland's Teething Tablets. She was a bit skeptical. There's no way a homeopathic tablet could succeed where the more ubiquitous medications have failed. Right? But after just one dose, her daughter was back to her sweet smiling self. She now jokes that she should be paid as a marketing executive for Hyland's since she tells everyone she comes across about the teething tablets.

So what exactly are Hyland's Teething tablets?

Hyland’s Teething Tablets provide a natural, homeopathic formula for symptoms of simple restlessness and wakeful irritability due to the cutting of teeth. It reduces pain, inflammation, fever, drooling and the discomfort of teething. It stimulates your baby's natural healing response to relieve symptoms.

If you're like me, you're always a little weary about the ingredients in homeopathic methods and their potential side effects. Hyland's Teething Tablets are made of:

• Calcarea Phosphorica, a mineral which supports dentition
• Chamomilla, a botanical, for irritability
• Coffea Cruda, a botanical, for wakefulness and diuresis
• Belladonna (0.0003% Alkaloids), a botanical, for redness and inflammation

All of the active ingredients listed above are microdoses and are non-toxic. In fact, if an infant were to swallow an entire bottle of Hyland's Teething Tablets, he or she would not experience any side effects! You can also use the tablets in conjunction with Tylenol or Motrin if you child has a fever.

Hyland's Teething Tablets are free of benzocaine - which means no numbing effect associated with similar products on the market - and contains no artificial flavoring or dyes. They are also sugar and lactose-free! The tablets are small and soft, and dissolve instantly in the mouth. Or, if you prefer, you can administer after dissolving them in a teaspoon of water. This means zero risk of choking.

Unlike Tylenol or Motrin, there is no minimum age requirement for use. Hyland's Teething Tablets can be used on anyone of any age. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine used them when she had a minor toothache and swore that her pain disappeared almost immediately! Another great thing about them: they never expire! So, even if you don't use them much, you'll never have to replace them unless you run out.

Hyland's Teething Tablets have even been recommended by pediatrician, Dr. Jim Sears from The Doctors:

After hearing such rave reviews and researching all the details, we decided to give them a shot. I gave Nate the maximum dose of 3 tablets. As finicky as he is, he actually seemed to like the taste, as he gladly opened his mouth for the remaining tablets. In about 10-15 minutes, I saw a considerable change in his demeanor. He went from crying in a heap on the floor to running around playing and giggling in almost no time. I have to say I was quite impressed. It wasn't until about 3 hours later that some fussiness returned and we repeated the dosage. Again, instant happy boy.

No matter how much I scrutinize it, I can't find any disadvantages with this product. It was a godsend and really saved the day for us. I have a feeling we'll be using more tablets to rescue us in the days to come.

Bottom line: I would definitely recommend Hyland's Teething Tablets to any mama searching for proven, safe relief of teething symptoms. I love that you can use them alone or in conjunction with teething toys, feeders or other medications. You really have nothing to lose here!

BUY IT: Hyland's products are available at select grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores, and mass merchandisers nationwide. To find the vendor nearest you, you can use their handy dandy store locator. The teething tablets retail for $5.99/125 ct.

They have also released a new, paraben-free teething gel, with the same ingredients as the tablets. So you now have 2 choices to combat those horrible teething episodes! You can also visit the website for a printable $1 off coupon for any Hyland's teething product (see lower right sidebar)!

CUTE CONTEST ALERT: Through September 15th, they are conducting a video contest called "Happy After Hyland's". Submit a 90-second video showcasing unhappy "before" and pleasant "after" shots of your teething baby and you could win a Flip Video Ultra Series camcorder (ARV $149.99)! For more details or to enter, click here. Winner will be announced on September 22, 2009.

Disclaimer: I purchased Hyland's Teething Tablets on my own accord and was not compensated in any way for this review. I am in no way affiliated with the Hyland's company.

Review: Smart Mom Teething Bling

One thing you should know about me is that I'm a pretty down-to-earth mom. I no longer paint the town red wearing 4-inch wedge sandals (with a 20 lb. tot, can we say death trap?!) or spend countless hours in front of the mirror perfecting my hair, which will inevitably be tussled by my son's chubby fingers. I hardly wear makeup these days - unless you count tinted moisturizer with SPF - and I've traded the frilly, dressed to the nines working wardrobe for more practical, functional SAHM attire. Yoga pants, jeans, tees. I've become much more simplistic. I guess it just kinda goes with the territory.

But the one thing I missed with my ensembles was jewelry. Sure, I always wear my wedding rings. But I'm a girly girl at heart and I missed the feminity of necklaces and bracelets. Not that I have a huge collection of expensive baubles. There are several more casual necklaces I own and adore but am hesitant to wear. After all, I can count on having them yanked about and slobbered upon. I worry not only about breakage but safety. What if some of the detailing came off in his mouth? The thought was too stressful, too risky, so I shelved the "jewels" away with the intent to dig them out in several years once we had survived the oral fixation stage. Until then, I longed for a way to feel stylish and accessorize without the fear of choking hazards.

I knew I wasn't the only mom out there with this same problem. But thankfully, a couple of mompreneurs have developed a solution for the rest of us. Kendra and Amy of Smart Mom LLC, inspired by babies who like to tug on jewelry, invented Teething Bling. The original, patent-pending Teething Bling product line includes donut and heart-shaped pendants, coordinating bangles and even keychains (we all know how babies are attracted to the clinkity-clank of keys!) in a variety of solid hues and patterns. Stylish for mom and safe for babies!

We use only the highest-quality, phthalate-free, federally approved silicone in our Teething Bling™ line. The material is non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher-friendly! It is the same silicone used in many other popular teething products and SGS test reports are available upon request. Although we stress that this is adult jewelry not intended for children to wear, all of our pendants come with a breakaway clasp as an added safety feature.

This is one product that you can file under the "Why Didn't I Think Of That?" category. Simple yet ingenious. Not hard to see why celebrity moms like Tori Spelling and Angela Bassett have been spotted wearing Teething Bling pendants.

Smart Mom also knows how to give back to the community. A percentage of all retail sales go to http://www.curesearch.org/ and http://www.dressforsuccess.org/. They have also partnered with Scott and Renee Baio to help raise awareness about the importance of expanded newborn testing for metabolic disorders.

I was fortunate enough to win the Jade donut pendant, pictured below, in a giveaway here:



Now, Nate may have just turned one, but he is still unable to resist the temptation to chew on anything within his grasp. I decided to wear it for the first time during our semiweekly grocery store outing.

My first observation was the color - a subdued, speckled blue/green shade. It was cute but no one could ever guess its purpose. Unless they were a fellow Teething Bling mama, of course. The material was pliable, not plastic-y. And the cord had enough length to give me the option of wrapping it twice for a choker style or leaving it long for a more boho look. Me likey versatility.

The moment I placed Nate in the shopping cart, he took notice of the Bling. He immediately grabbed it and checked it out, turning it around and looking at both sides inquisitively. Of course, it didn't take long for it to make its way to his mouth. He chewed on it and shook it vigorously with excitement as I traipsed the aisles, placing the essentials in our basket. The pendant was long enough that I hardly noticed he was playing with it at all. The cord was very comfortable around my neck and didn't chafe the skin as he tugged on it relentlessly. The only times I had to remove it from his grasp was when I had to reach up to a top shelf or bend down to a bottom shelf. Best of all, I didn't once have to consfiscate it after being dropped on the filthy grocery store floor. This made for a happy baby and a happy mommy.

Normally, after 15 minutes or so, my little guy has had enough and fusses to get out of the cart and be held. But the pendant held his attention throughout our entire 30-minute errand. Perhaps this was because it was "shiny and new" but it certainly exceeded my expectations. It also held up well to his eight chompers. I could see some indentations in the pendant if I looked close enough but the speckled design hid them well.

Since then, I've worn my Bling on several quick jaunts and each time, it provided a safe distraction for Nate so I could shop in peace. No temper tantrums from sheer boredom. Any mom could tell you how invaluable that is. And its so cute that I just might wear it beyond the teething phase.

Bottom line: I would recommend Teething Bling to any mom searching for an affordable, safe teething toy for their baby. It would also make a great baby shower gift for those expecting mamas!

BUY IT: Teething Bling can be purchased from the Smart Mom website or any one of its online or retail partners worldwide. Prices range from $13/each for a bangle to $16/each for a keychain to $20/each for a pendant. Gift sets are available for $35/each.



DELECTABLE DEAL: For the month of August, the Peridot pendants (shown above) and matching bangles are 50% off! Pendants are $9.50/each and bangles are $6.30/each.

As if that's not enough to convince you, a portion from every sale this month will go to http://www.baileybaioangelfoundation.com/.

Disclaimer: As I mentioned, I won a Smart Mom pendant as part of a blog giveaway. I was not in any way compensated for this post.