Grand Opening @ 6213 Oak - Swag Winners!

Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate our #6213oak grand opening! We truly have the most fabulous customers, and the weekend was such a party!

Not able to come by? Jen Hurst of Kansas city's Momcierge stopped by during the Friday evening preview party, and wrote just the loveliest post (view here). I plan on printing to include in the family Christmas card this year. Kidding. #butnotreally

And a huge thank you to all the vendors who contributed to our grand opening raffle! Their generous donations were the perfect cherry to the amazing weekend sundae!
aden&anais
AppleCheeks
Babee Greens
Bamboosa
Blueberry
Boba
bumGenius
chewbeads
Catbird Baby
Comfy Joey
Gen-Y
GroVia
Ju-Ju-Be
Lollaland
MB Naturals
Nuroo
Sakura Bloom
Sloomb
Smart Bottoms
SuperUndies
Thirsties
Toofeze

Below are the winners!! Congratulations!! You folks will all have a phone call coming from us shortly. xxoo

Boba 4G Carrier: Laura M.
Bamboosa Bamboo Hooded Towel & 5pk Washcloth #1: Rebecca H.
Bamboosa Bamboo Hooded Towel & 5pk Washcloth #2: Liesl
Bamboosa Bamboo Hooded Towel & 5pk Washcloth #3: Rebecca L.
Nuroo Swaddle: Emily B.
Nuroo Nursing Scarf: Brandi D.
Catbird Baby Mei Tai: Megan K.
Comfy Joey Linen Ring Sling: Darcey S.
Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling: Mariah S.R.
GroVia Prize Pack (2 Shells, 2 Soaker Packs, Biosoakers, Bioliners, Magic Stick): Ashley H.
Thirsties Prize Pack (One-Size Pocket, Wet Bag, Doublers): Brenda F.
Aden&Anais Pack #1 (Mini Musy Mate, Single Swaddle): Megan C.
Aden&Anais Pack #2 (Mini Musy Mate, Single Swaddle): Erin C.
Aden&Anais Pack #3 (Skincare set): Becky S.
Aden&Anais Pack #4 (Burpy Bib, Crib Sheet, Organic Swaddle Set): Lauren C.
SuperUndies Ultimate Pack (4 Daytime Trainers, 2 Nighttime Trainers, Mattress Topper, 5 Doublers): Evelyn G.
bumGenius Prize Pack (4.0 Pocket, Freetime All-in-One, Elemental All-in-One, babylegs leggings, detergent sample): Natalie B.
AppleCheeks Microterry Little Bundle: Heather F.
Smartbottoms Prize Pack (One-Size All-in-One, Wet Bag):  Alli S.
chewbeads Jane necklace: Betsey L.
Sloomb Prize Pack (Underwoolies, Training Pant, Lap Tee): Jamie G.
Lolloland Prize #1 (Dish Set & lollacup): S. H.
Lolloland Prize #2 (Dish Set & lollacup): Eryn M.
Babee Greens Natural Wool Shorties: Pip C.
Gen-Y Go Bag: Amanda B.
Jujube Better Be Diaper Bag: Copper S.
Toofeze Teether #1: Susan S.
Toofeze Teether #2: Paige D. 
Blueberry Newborn Pack (Newborn Simplex All-in-One, Newborn Capri Cover): Heather K.
Blueberry One-Size Pack (One-Size Simplex All-in-One, One-Size Capri Cover): Kjirsten S.

 

AppleCheeks Giveaway Details

It's an AppleCheeks Giveaway!

What? Not one but TWO AppleCheeks MicroTerry Starter Kits (each valued $115) are up for grabs

When? All AppleCheeks purchases now through April 30th - Two winners will be chosen at random (literally, at random.org) and announced on May 1st.

Who? Well your fabulous self, of course

How? Simple!

• Spend $20 on AppleCheeks products and you are entered. 

Say what?

• Yes, spend $40 and get two entries. 
• Yes, spend $60 and get three entries. 
• Yes... you get the idea.
• In short, we'll take the dollar total of your order's AppleCheeks items, and divide that total by 20. Rounded down, that number gives you your total entries. Like examples? $68 worth of AppleCheeks gets you three entries. $99 worth of AppleCheeks gets you four entries - whereas $100 worth of AppleCheeks gets you five. We will not be fudging on this one. Our elves are already going to be very busy!

Fine Print and Other Important Info

• This promo cannot be combined with any other specials or giveaways. 
• You can order as many times as you like through the promo (and please do come back and see us when the promo has ended). But, orders will not be combined to bank additional entries. 
• Itsy Bitsy Bums ships to United States (inc. APO) addresses only. 
• Winners names' will be submitted to AppleCheeks who will shout your lucky-duck-ness from the rooftops, and they will also be shipping the prize to you.

 

AppleCheeks: The Skinny on Fit, Absorbency and More

A giant kudos to the ladies at AppleCheeks for continually reaching out to their customers, offering education on everything from supply chain and sourcing to continually updating product materials! As a retailer, it is so helpful to have these tools I can then pass along to you. They recently published two amazing visuals, which you'll find included below (to view either in more detail, click on the image and you will be taken to a zoom-able view). Also included below, my two-minute take on these diapers, as well as a short AppleCheeks shopping guide.

New to AppleCheeks? My two-minute take:

• Fit: Super-soft leg and waist elastics offer a nice fit, particularly on babies with sensitive skin or chubby legs.
• Sizing: The two-size system offers a fit from newborn through large toddler.
• Functionality: Use as an All-in-Two or Pocket.
• Customize! The shells and inserts are sold a la carte, so you can mix and match just what you need! Natural fibers, synthetics, stay-dry, bamboo, lots of absorbency? light absorbency? yup, they have it all!

Ready to give AppleCheeks a try? Here's what to purchase:

• Using as an All-in-Two? Purchase a shell + a couple of inserts (unsure on which insert you'll like best? get a 2pli and a stay-dry). This will let you see how you like using the shell back-to-back. 
• Using it as a Pocket? Purchase a shell + insert (unsure of your preferred insert? try both the stay-dry and 2pli bamboo - OR - already have a bunch of inserts? just buy the shell and stuff your favorite inside the pocket) 
• Want to dip your toe further in the water? Try a Starter Kit! This gives you a day's worth of diapers. 
• Want a full stash of AppleCheeks? Check out the Full-Time Kits! A full stash of AppleCheeks, just ready and waiting for a new home.  

Introducing.... Orange You Glad!

The folks at AppleCheeks have done it again! The newest Limited Edition - Orange You Glad - has officially been released!

We will be getting limited quantities of this new color on each of our orders over the coming weeks. The first round sold out within minutes! Within the next few weeks, as we have shipping confirmation on more, I'll announce on Facebook specific stocking times as I have them. 

And in the fabulous style that is AppleCheeks, the reveal video had to impress! You can check it out here -

Wondering just what on earth is going on? Here's the original -
Note - while the AppleCheeks take is G-rated, this one does have a few shots I'd classify PG (though nothing worse than I've seen in commercials lately - grumble grumble #gettingold)

Sized versus One-Size, How Do I Choose?

When people visit our local store, usually the very first question when they walk in - 'how on earth do I decide?' Fair question, certainly, as we have more than 40 brands staring back at them. I do what I like to call a 'diaper diagnosis,' asking questions about budget, washing frequency, convenience-factor and so on. Once I know a family's priorities, it is then fairly easy to pull down a few options from the shelf that match all of their metrics.  

Well, one of the questions we discuss - do they prefer a sized or one-size diaper? We then review the pros and cons of each - 

Sized

Pros: Sized diapers will always be the trimmest option, sized diapers tend to last through multiple children as the diapers are not used as long

Cons: require two or three purchases from birth to potty training

One-Size

Pros: An economical choice as one-size diapers grow with your baby and ensure you do not need to buy more diapers as baby grows from an infant to a toddler to potty

Cons: thanks to daily wear and tear over two or three years - one-size diapers may not last well through multiple children, most one-size diapers start to fit around 9 or 10lbs - thus necessitating a newborn diaper solution, one-size diapers are bulkier on small babies

As you see, you trade off trimness with a one-size diaper, but you also have a diaper that is going to work from 9- or 10lbs through potty. But with a one-size diaper, what do you do for that newborn period? Sure, there are newborn diaper solutions (enter newborn diaper rental!). But what if you could use a diaper that always was decently trim, started to fit from birth and accommodated even those chart-topping toddlers? Enter a third style of diaper - the two-size diaper.

Two-Size

Pros: trim-fitting, start to fit a smaller weight range than one-size diapers and will go to a larger weight range than one-size diapers (oftentimes at least 35lbs, if not closer to 40lbs)

Cons: when you initially switch from size one to size two - the shift in fit can be shocking (suddenly you go from a diaper that is almost outgrown to a diaper that completely envelops the bum) 

Want to check out some Two-Size diapers? Thirsties and AppleCheeks are two brands that excel with the Two-Size diaper system. Thirsties Duo All-in-One, Duo Wrap and Duo Fab Fitted are all examples of Two-Size diapers, and AppleCheeks entire line is built around the Two-Size fit premise. 

When you think about it, keeping your baby in cloth diapers from birth through potty means you will inevitably be sizing up, even if you go with a one-size diaper. 

One-Size Diapers

1. Newborn Diapers

2. One-Size Diapers

Sized Diapers

1. Newborn Diapers

2. Medium-Size

(3. some larger toddlers will need to go through)

Two-Size Diapers

1. Size One

2. Size Two

One final advantage to a Two-Size diaper system is the overall economic advantage - the less wear and tear your diapers experience, the longer they will last and the higher the resale value. As Two-Size diapers cover a more equitable range (Size One usually going until somewhere around 15lbs, with Size Two picking up wherever One leaves off), your diapers are likely to wear better and show less age. 

With that, IBB-folks, I present you with a third diaper option to consider - the Two-Size Diaper.

TDoJ: AppleCheeks Diapers

On the seventh day of January my true love gave to me - 

15% off AppleCheeks! 

Love this diaper system! 

Why? Here's my laundry list - 

• Impeccable quality 
• Amazing color selection (and two prints, exclusive to AC)
• Fits a wide variety of body types
• Absorbent - the 3pli insert on its own is often sufficient for the average wetter
• Versatile - use as an AI2 or Pocket 
• Made in Canada
• Elastic replacement system - no need to be crafty! Just mail back your shell and let them do the work! (not that I imagine you'll need it - we have a shell that has been in rotation for 22mos and still VGUC!)
• Swim diaper - comfortable fit and slim profile means it will fit well under any swim suit (or is cute enough to stand in as the swims suit)

Wonder if this diaper is for you? Check out Anna's review here (and her little one sporting Raspberry Sorbet, my most favorite diaper color EVER). 

Today only - Spend $100 or more on any combination of AppleCheeks products and get a free Size 1 AppleCheeks wet bag in Coriander (a $12.95 value). No code necessary. Good while supplies last. Not valid on pending or prior purchases. 

My AppleCheeks fluffy mail - March 22, 2010 (and a WAHM fitted at the right, love)

Review: AppleCheeks Diapers

One of my favorite aspects of reviewing cloth diapers is seeing the creative and innovative ways diapers are made!  In many ways, each diaper is a unique work of art; it is the result of many hours of thought, ingenuity and creativity. While some diapers are just variations of other brands, others are truly unique and in a class all their own.  Enter Applecheeks.  These diapers are unlike any other diaper I've tried so far!

The outer shell, or "Envelope Cover" is amazingly versatile, both in terms of fit as well as function.  The two size options cover babies from 7-35lbs, so this is a system you could most likely use until potty training!  The feature that makes Applecheeks truly unique however, is the ability to be a pocket-type diaper--with no unstuffing required--or an AI2!!  And that my friends, is only the beginning of the innovation!

Overview

Brand:  Applecheeks
Style: Pocket, Cover OR AI2
Closure:  Snaps
Sizing:  Size 1:  fits babies from approximately 7-20lbs, Size 2:  fits babies from 18-35lbs
Materials:  Outer is PUL, Inner is super-soft microfleece lining, Inserts are Bamboo/Cotton Viscose
Pricing:  Envelope covers $19, 2 pli insert $8.80, 3 pli insert $10.80, 2 pack stay dry inserts $8, bamboo booster $3.80, stay-dry bamboo booster $6.70
Colors and Prints:  9 vibrant colors and 2 adorable prints


Design
Shell Outer
 One look at the Applecheeks Envelope Cover and you can see that it is unlike other diapers.
For starters, the shape is entirely unique--you'll notice is doesn't have the distinct "T" shape that most front snapping cloth diapers have.  Secondly, the entire perimeter of the diaper is serged, not turned and topstitched.  This accomplishes two things:  1)serging accomodates more stretch, making the cover very flexible and stretchy and 2) serging keeps the edge as trim as possible, so you get a very slim-fitting cover!

 

The front has two rows of snaps, ensuring that you get the perfect fit in both the waist and the legs.  The front panel also has super-soft elastic gathering in the front, which acts as a barrier against leaks and prevents gaping.  The back also has the same soft elastic gathering to guard against blow-outs and contain the nasty messes.  The extra-wide tabs prevent annoying wing droop.

Shell Inner

Take a peek inside the envelope cover and you'll find amazingly soft lining and a pocket opening in the middle of the diaper.  While most pocket diapers have the opening at the front or the back of the diaper, Applecheeks places theirs in the middle, make it hassle-free to stuff the pocket even for wider hands.  This ingenius placement also means that the insert will work its way out in the wash, unstuffing itself so you don't have to!

Insert
I'm just going to slip a little personal preference in here and say that I love bamboo in cloth diapers!  It's soft and holds twice as much as cotton.  This means that you can have the same amount of absorbency with half the bulk!   Plus, bamboo is anti-microbial so it's a healthy choice for babies bottom and in my experience, resists the stinkies better than other fibers.  Naturally then, bamboo is the perfect choice for Applecheeks Inserts!  Depending on the absorbency needs of your baby, you can choose from either 2 or 3 pli inserts and if you need additional absorbency, boosters are available as well (including a stay-dry option!).

 The insert is rectangular and meant to be folded in thirds, giving you either 6 or 9 absorbent layers depending on which pli insert you are using.  Fold it lengthwise for a longer insert and widthwise for a shorter one.

Together

Below:  2 pli insert, folded widthwise and set on top of the Envelope cover to be used as an AI2.

Below:  2 pli insert folded lengthwise and set on top of the Envelope cover to be used as an AI2.

Below:  Insert folded widthwise and inserted into the envelope cover to be used as a pocket.

The following pictures have a 2 pli inserts inserted into the envelope cover

Fit

My daughter is 17 months, 20lbs and approximately 29" tall.   In the pictures below, she is wearing an Applecheeks envelope cover size 2, with a 2 pli insert trifolded inside.  Both the legs and waist are snapped to the smallest setting and are perfectly snug.  The cover fit her well, and I imagine that a size 1 would actually still fit her alright at this point, judging from how much room she has in the size 2 cover.  Because she's smaller, the cover does "blouse" a little, but under jeans you don't really notice it.  It really is a fairly trim fitting diaper.  The blousing isn't a negative issue--it just means that there is plenty of room to grow :)

Performance

The Applecheeks reusable diaper system is fabulous!  I loved being able to use it as a pocket, cover or AI2, depending on what I needed at the moment. 

As an AI2, it is very easy to use and reuse!  Simply lay the insert on top of the cover and put the diaper on.  When it's time for a change, pull the wet insert out and put a dry one in it's place. 

The reason I love being able to use the Applecheeks as a pocket is because it made a great night time diaper--I just placed a Babykicks hemp insert in the center of the insert and wrapped the 2 pli insert around it, then stuffed it in the pocket!  (The 2pli insert wasn't quite absorbent enough for a 10 hour stretch).

If you prefer fitteds for nighttime, the envelope cover can also be used over flats, prefolds, fitteds or contours. 

Regardless of which way I was using the system, I never had any problems with leaks or irritations. 

The versatility of type and material (the option for natural fibers or stay-dry), make Applecheeks an ideal system for those who want to cloth diaper, but aren't sure if they need natural fibers or stay-dry and don't know if they would prefer pocket, AI2's, or covers and prefolds.

You may also be interested in Softbums Omni.

AppleCheeks + Prints = CUTE

As likely anyone who has tried AppleCheeks diapers can tell you, they are luxurious! Seriously, luxury everywhere you look. Super-soft and stretchy leg gussets and waist. Fantastic fit on any size legs. Amazing PUL colors. 

Well, the prints have now arrived! AppleCheeks presents..... 

Delicious

Wild Child

Preorders up NOW! 

For a limited time, save $1.00 off your AppleCheeks print.

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