Basura Bags {review & giveaway}
When we find something that’s not only environmentally friendly, but reuses and up-cycles material, we feel like we’ve hit the jackpot! In many countries around the world, so many things are thrown in the garbage and our landfills get larger and larger. Combine that with problems of low or unemployment and the problem is magnified. Basura Bags, a Canadian company, is working hard to help cut down on the number of disposable juice containers and other materials that end up in landfills every day.
Basura Bags are made of recycled juice containers (think Capri Sun), rice bags and banners. They work with a women’s cooperative in the Philippines to collect, sanitize and make these containers into a huge assortment of reusable shopping bags. But they don’t stop just at shopping bags. These women make change purses, lunch kits, school bags and more! By up-cycling these juice containers, they are kept out of the landfills and help these women provide for their families.
I have seen a number of these bags while out shopping or at the grocery store, but didn’t know where they were purchased from. A couple people I know had brought some back from trips overseas. But I wanted one myself as I love anything with bright colours, is unique and great for the environment.
When I had the opportunity to try out a lunch bag, I was excited! When it arrived, mr. bean was in love with all the bright colours and designs. By the nature of these bags, they are water resistant and very easy to wash out. Even when a sippy cup of milk was inadvertently left in one over the weekend, because the bags are not made of fabric, it did not absorb any odour and washed up in the sink quite quickly.
For those of you looking for unique Christmas presents, Basura Bags is a store to check out! Their bags are available for sale on their website .
The Giveaway
Basura Bags is giving three West Coast Mama reader a lunch bag!
Mandatory Entry
Check out Basura Bags and come back and tell us what your favourite item is!
Click on “Enter Here” below to enter this giveaway. Submit an entry for each extra entry you complete in addition to the mandatory entry.
Enter Here
Extra Entries
- Become a fan of West Coast Mama on Facebook.
- Become a fan of Basura Bags on Facebook and let them know West Coast Mama sent you.
- Follow @westcoastmama on Twitter and retweet this giveaway (once per day): Win a lunch bag from Barura Bags & @westcoastmama http://bit.ly/gPCMzf ends 12/10 (Can) #giveaways
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link.
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Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We were not compensated for reviewing this product and my opinions are my own.
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Apricot Culotte {review & giveaway}
Are you looking for something different for your little ones? Something that every other kid a Mom & Baby classes or daycare doesn’t have? Then Apricot Culotte is the online store to check out! Apricot Culotte, a Vancouver based online store, specializes in pre-loved Petit Bateau clothes from France in sizes 0 to 3Y.
Everything is one of a kind, and you are *almost* guaranteed no one else (unless your family or friends are French) will have the same outfit. Where else can find beautiful, high quality clothing for not a lot of money? Need an ultra cute snow suit or a beautiful dress for your little one? This is the place.
Apricot Culotte is split into two parts, Milo’s Closet and Leana’s Closet. What you’ll find here is a large selection of clothing and accessories organized by clothing type (dresses, pants, tops, etc) and then within that you will see what is available by size. Keep in mind that if you find something you 
like in the size you want, grab it because there is only one available.
Buying stylish and unique clothes second-hand is perfect! You get what you would love to buy, but can’t necessarily justify the extra money for that one time party dress or the perfect Christmas jacket. At Apricot Culotte, everything is priced well and you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.
For those of you that like to shop brand new, Apricot Culotte also carries a number of French brands to choose from. Personally, I have my eye on a few different things, but can’t quite decide. I have a feeling mr. bean and miss button will be getting some very cute clothes this Christmas!
The Giveaway
Apricot Culotte is giving one West Coast Mama reader a $25 CND gift certificate to use toward any Milo’s or Leana’s Closet item!
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
Balance Bikes Canada {giveaway}
This is for all you parents who are searching for the perfect Christmas gift for your toddler! Balance Bikes Canada has one of the largest (if not the largest) selection of Balance Bikes in all of Canada. Metal or wood, they have what you need.
So why buy a Balance Bike?
A balance bike is a great way for young children to learn how to ride a bicycle. Besides providing great fun and exercise, a balance bike teaches your child balance, steering, and co-ordination and builds self-confidence. Trikes and bikes with training wheels don’t. Traditional bicycles place too much of the focus on learning to pedal — skimping on developing your child’s motor skills. And tricycles are heavy, clunky and difficult for kids to control.
So what’s new in the balance bike world? The KTM Strider PREBIKE is a must have pick, especially if Daddy or Mommy is a mountain biker too. With one of these, your little guy or girl will have a Strider Mountain Bike style prebike! Check out these details:
Give your kids a head start on learning balance and control of a two-wheeler! The Strider™ PREbike eliminates the need for a tricycle or training wheels and offers your child a vehicle he or she can have a blast riding for years. The Strider™ develops muscles, coordination, motor skills, and endurance… all under the guise of sheer fun!
- Bold KTM Styling: Color matched to the KTM big bikes with dirt-inspired action graphics that get kids excited to be like Dad.
- Super light. Less than 7 pounds (about 1/3 the weight of a typical 12 inch pedal bike with training wheels).
- Unique frame design has integrated Launch Pad™ footrests for gliding and learning advanced riding skills.
- Puncture-proof all-terrain tires with sealed bearings and 5/16 inch steel axles.
- Durable welded steel frame and handlebars
- 1 year warranty against manufacturing defects
- Adjustable handlebar and seat height to fit riders from 30 inches to 44 inches tall (saddle height adjusts from 11 inches to 16 inches from ground)
- Paint certified to be significantly below the CA Prop. 65 limits for heavy metal content, including lead.
- Available in 6 colors (red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and pink)
- Rider weight limit of 50 pounds
Check out this video of the KTM in action!
Balance Bikes Canada carries so much more than just the KTM Strider, they also carry balance bikes from these great brands:
- Kiddimoto
- Glide Bikes
- Kazam
- KinderBike
- Prince Lionheart
- Runners Bike
- and more!
Not sure which one to pick? Balance Bikes Canada has a great bike comparison chart that compares each and every bike they carry. This way you can pick the perfect one for your little one! We’re going with the Strider for Christmas this year!
The Giveaway
Balance Bikes Canada is giving one West Coast Mama reader a $50 CND gift certificate to use toward any item in their store!
Mandatory Entry
Check out Balance Bikes Canada and come back and tell us what bike you would choose! Also, follow West Coast Mama on Google Friend Connect.
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We were not compensated for reviewing this product and my opinions are my own.
Puddlegear {review & giveaway}
It’s the rainy season here on the wet coast and kids love to jump in puddles! Now if your little one is anything like my mr. bean, they LOVE jumping in anything that slightly resembles a puddle. Trickle of water down the side walk? Jump in it. Big puddle that looks like it could swallow him up? Take a running jump at it. Thankfully we have Puddlegear to keep mr. bean dry!
Puddlegear is made in Europe by Abeko. The idea behind this toddler and baby rain gear is for children to play outside but still feel warm, unrestricted and dry in their PVC and Phthalate free rain wear – certified by oko-tex to be free of over 100 harmful chemicals.
We received a set of Jesper Pants and an Albin Jacket in medium blue with a black bottom. When I opened up the package, I could tell right away that the fabric is different than anything I’ve bought before (and I have a lot of rain gear). A nice feature was the reflective tape on both pieces. With night time coming sooner this time of year and a toddler who doesn’t listen the best, this makes him a little safer because people can see him. On the jacket, the hood is detachable and the collar is lined with grey fleece, nice and soft against his skin. The pants have suspenders which is perfect for when he’s rough and tumble at the park. They’ll keep him dry and won’t fall down. The bottoms of the pants have elastics that go over rain boots. Perfect for keeping the pants in place and minimizing any water that could get his pants soaked because the legs have been pushed up.
Sizing is another great feature of the Puddlegear. Instead of the typical month or year style of sizing, they recommend measuring your child so you get the perfect fit. Plus, within each size they’ve built in an 10 cm of growing room so you don’t have to worry about rain gear that won’t last until the end of Spring! So for mr. bean who is tall and skinny, we could get a good fit that wasn’t huge on him. We are loving the extra growth room and hopefully these will last him into next Fall. Even when miss button was here for a visit, she fit the rain gear perfectly too!
Want to buy your own set of Puddlegear for your puddle jumper? Puddlegear is available online or at a number of select retailers.
We would like to thank Puddlegear for sending us the Jesper and Albin rain gear set to try out ! We were not compensated for reviewing this product and my opinions are my own.
Girl Gotch {review & giveaway}
Have you ever looked for comfy girls underwear? That is also nice and *perhaps* not covered in popular cartoon characters? A pretty tall order to fill, but thanks to Girl Gotch (a Canadian company – yay!), you’re covered! When we were asked to review Girl Gotch, I called up little miss button who at 3 years old is potty trained and hates wearing anything “itchy.”
So what did miss button and her mum think?
“My daughter and I absolutely love the Girl Gotch underwear! They look so much more comfortable than the regular store brand I had bought in the past. My 3 year-old insists that they are “softer and nicer” than her other undies and she loved the bright colours. They were pitched against some pretty heavily branded, character underwear and the Girl Gotch won!
The cut is amazing (most importantly NO teeny, tiny, tight elastic waist band that I was used to from her old brand). I will absolutely be getting these for my daughter from now on!
We tried out the Briefs and Boxers; neither are the slightest bit “boyish” and both are super cute and met with toddler approval. The Boxers would be awesome for modesty underneath a skirt or dress, plus they’re just plain adorable. They wash beautifully and the colours haven’t faded at all.”
Want to buy a set for your little girl? How about for some stocking stuffers? Girl Gotch is available online or at a number of retailers across Canada and the U.S. They are available in sets of three in either bright colours (purple, pink, teal) or white. Personally, I wish they were available in mom sizes too because they look so ultra comfy!
We would like to thank Girl Gotch for sending us their Boxers and Briefs to try out ! We were not compensated for reviewing this product and my opinions are my own.
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