Welcome To Cloth Diaper Addiction!

If you would like us to review a product of yours please email us at: Kristina{at}clothdiaperaddiction{dot}com Thanks!

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April 25, 2012

Darn Good Chocolate Cake!

Ever need a moment to just sit, relax, and enjoy a special treat?  Well, if you decide to whip up this incredibly easy, amazingly awesome chocolate cake - you can have that moment (or ten!).  It's called Darn Good Chocolate Cake and it's from the The Cake Mix Doctor.  Ever seen these books?  They're awesome!  It's one of my two go-to chocolate cake recipes.  The best part is that you don't need to ice it!  There are chocolate chips baked inside, and when served warm, it's all gooey and wonderful.  Okay, enough drooling - here's the recipe:


Darn Good Chocolate Cake

-1 package plain devil's food cake (by plain, it means the kind WITHOUT pudding in the mix - like Duncan Hines)
-1 (4 serving size) package chocolate instant pudding mix
-4 large eggs
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. oil
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate cake
powdered sugar for dusting

1. Preheat the oven to 350*.  Grease a Bundt cake pan.

2. Combine the cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, warm water, and oil in a large bowl.  Beat with a mixer on low for 1 minute.  Increase speed to high and beat for 2-3 minutes.  The batter should be thick and well combined.  Fold in the chocolate chips - making sure they are evenly distributed.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out with a rubber spatula.

3. Bake the cake for 45-50 minutes - until it springs back lightly when you press it with your finger and it just begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.  Allow it to cool for 20 minutes.  Invert it onto a cake plate and allow to cool just a bit longer.  Just before serving, dust the cake with powdered sugar.

This cake is best served warm.  If you can't bake it and then serve it right away, I highly recommend microwaving the whole cake for a couple of minutes before serving.  Or, if you're enjoying it slice by slice yourself, cut a nice piece and microwave it one slice at a time (15 seconds or so).

Enjoy!

April 24, 2012

Fluffy Rumps Fleece Longies

This past winter I purchased a cute soaker from Fluffy Rumps and love it. Rhonda the owner and I got to talked and she asked me to review a pair of her fleece longies that she was adjusting the pattern on so I said I would love to.  She was so awesome to work with and was able to do custom sizing for my son so that they had a higher rise than normal. I love to use fleece for night time over top of fitteds so have that extra rise on the longies was so awesome. I just went with a simple red color of the longies because its easier to match stuff to.

The longies feature a double sewn in around the 'wet zone' just for extra protection.

One of the things I love most about fleece is how breathable it is. Paired with fitted diapers it is the best option for helping to clear up any butt rashes because it doesn't keep moisture trapped in against baby's bottom like a PUL cover does and its also way cheaper than wool.

The longies that we got from Rhonda at Fluffy Rumps fit perfectly and still do. We haven't had any issues with stitching coming undone, any issues with wonky fleece, nothing at all! They do have the normal wear (pilling) from wash etc but they are still in amazing shape after numerous times of being used and washed.


Fluffy Rumps would like to offer our readers the chance to win a $10.00 store credit! To enter you will need to fill out the form below.

Here are some links you may need:
Fluffy Rumps on FB

Giveaway ends May 1, 2012

I was sent a pair of longies to use and review free of charge. The opinions above are my own and your experiences may differ from mine.

April 18, 2012

BABY by Danish


Hello all!

I was given an opportunity to review a Classic Wet Bag from BABY by Danish.  One word: Wow!  This is a great bag!  The ultra super cute print I picked is called Earthy Owls.  BABY by Danish offers six really sleek designs {check them out here}.



The size listed for these bags is 12 inches (width) by 14 inches (height).  However, my bag did shrink down to 10 1/2 by 13 inches.  The outer cotton is a really thick cotton, and even if you line dry it, there would be some shrinking because of the hot water in the wash.  Rachel (the owner) was prepared for this: "I love the look and feel of our thick duck cotton but unfortunately it does shrink, so I tried to design this into the dimensions of the bag knowing that the bags will be washed.  I actually sized the exterior cotton to be an inch and a half longer than the lining so it shrinks to 13-13.5" to fit the lining after being washed."  Way to be on top of things!  And she's right, even thought it shrunk down some, the lining still fits inside the outer cotton.  And really, the prints are incredibly adorable so it's totally worth it!  I've gotten several compliments while out and about with this wet bag. =)


Now about that inner lining, it's REALLY thick!  I REALLY like it!  I decided to test out the wet bag a little differently than normal - I used it to protect a book, composition notebook, my wallet, and phone while I was at the gym. Even though it was sitting against my super wet towel, everything on the inside stayed dry.  I didn't really expect anything different, but it was fun to do a "reverse test." =)  I have not had any odor issues with this either.  Using it for diapers, everything stays inside.


I found that the bag could hold 4 AIO diapers or 4-5 inserts and 3 shells.  
It's the perfect size for a day of running around.


One really handy feature is the cotton twill handle with poly snap.  Many of the smaller-ish wet bags do NOT have this function and this is a MAJOR perk in my book!  In fact, this wet bag will be spending most of it's days in our bathroom - hanging - just waiting for our used, wet, cleaning wipes to be tossed into it.  I just started doing a lot of natural cleaning in our home and I love being able to use cloth wipes for this purpose - and a hanging bag is a MUST.




PLEASE NOTE: this giveaway will close on April 25, 2012 at 9pm(est). At that time, I will use random.org to choose a winner. The winner will be emailed and have 72 hours to respond, lest a new winner be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a Classic Wet Bag from BABY by Danish for review. All opinions are my own and honest. You may have a different experience. BABY by Danish is sponsoring the giveaway of one Classic Wet Bag. 


April 17, 2012

Alfalfa & the Sprout - Review

I'd been a fan of Alfalfa and the Sprout for quite awhile, oohing and aahing over her adorable up-cycled wool covers. Looking through her etsy shop and Facebook page, you can tell that Alex, the WAHM behind Alfalfa and the Sprout, has quite the imagination and creative side, not to mention talent. The designs she comes up with are incredible.

Alex sent me "Master of Disguise" to review:
Seriously. I "LOL'd" when I first saw it! "Funny mustaches" are all the rage right now, and I fell in love with this silly face! It brought back so many memories of wearing the goofy glasses/nose/mustache as a kid.

Master of Disguise is made from 100% Merino Wool. I can't begin to tell you how incredibly soft this woolie is. It's like silk in your hands. I was worried that the added design would mess with the wool and make it snag, but nothing like that has happened.

The front of the woolie is plain (forgive the wrinkledness mess. I lanolized it and placed it neatly back in Caedmon's "cover basket" to get it ready for pictures, and, well, he thinks it is dreamy-soft too, and is always toting it around and snuggling with it (no. joke.)
Inside you can see the hem lines, as well as the extra "wet zone protection".
Alex made this custom size for Caedmon a couple months ago and it has fit like a dream since day 1 of receiving it. (not the best action shots, but, welcome to toddler-hood!)
There is usually a gap in the back when he squats, but when standing/laying the gap is non-existent.
Trying to get him to be still for a second ;) I love the "shorts" style of this particular woolie.
Side shot. Great coverage all around.
From behind. TELL me that doesn't bring a smile to your face!!

So yes, it is adorably cute, but how does it work? I was seriously so impressed with how well this woolie worked for us. I was nervous - it is very thin, much more so than any of our other upcycled woolie covers. I tried it out during the day several times before trying it out at naps. It was almost a month before I even dared to try it at night time (I need to not be so fearful of wool at night!!) I paired the woolie with a Goodmama fitted and hoped for the best. Twelve hours later...not a leak. I shouldn't be surprised, but I was ;-)

I love that there is information about what makes wool so amazing on the Alfalfa and the Sprout
etsy shop:
Wool is the only fiber that can absorb up to 1/3 of its weight in moisture. Despite that fact, wool does not feel wet. The moisture immediately evaporates into the air. When it is hot, wool keeps the body cool and the heat out. When it is cold, wool keeps the body warm and the cold out. Wool is resilient, maintains it shape, soft, breathable, odor resistant, antibacterial and it is very easy to clean!
I mean, it really is that awesome ;)

Alfalfa and the Sprout has a ton of design choices to choose from! You can click here to see so many of them.

If you've been hesitant to try wool, I encourage you to give it a shot! It really isn't as intimidating as it seems.
You can find Alfalfa and the Sprout in the following locations:
Alfalfa and the Sprout Etsy shop
Alfalfa and the Sprout Facebook page

Disclaimer: I received a "Master of Disguise" woolie for review. All opinions are my own and honest. You may have a different experience.

April 10, 2012

Scentsy


If you've never heard of Scentsy before, Scentsy warmers are a safe alternative to traditional candles. The scents are produced by wickless candles that are heated in warmers using low-watt light bulbs. The bulbs heat the wax to body temperature, so you won't get burned if the wax falls on your skin (this is truth - I'm clumsy and I've spilled the wax enough times, haha!)

You might be wondering what in the world Scentsy has to do with cloth diapering. Well, in our home, it has just about everything to do with diapering! We keep Caedmon's dirty diapers in our hall bathroom, but the wet bag we have, the zipper is broken, resulting in a stinky smell! This also happens to be the bathroom that Benjamin & Keaton use (two preschool boys = more stinky haha!)

Last year I hosted a Scentsy party in hopes of earning some freebies to help freshen up this room in our home. I had tried other air fresheners, but was very unhappy with the end result - either I could still smell stinky diapers or the scent was very chemical-like. I was taking a chance with a Scentsy party - I had never smelled the products, but had friends who raved about them.
Warmers come in various sizes and designs. There are probably as many different Warmers as there are Scents - and there is something for everyone - Floral, food, nature, manly, and more!

When my party was over and all my goodies arrived, I was anything but disappointed! The scents were AMAZING. And the end result was no more stinky bathroom!

I wish I could explain how incredible the scents are! Sugar Cookie, Sticky Cinnamon Bun, and Cherry Limeade are a few of my favorites. Think about what these things smell like...and you have Scentsy!
We have another Warmer in our kitchen (I tend to use this when I'm chopping onions or working with other stinky foods!) but the Warmer in our bathroom literally runs 24/7 (unless we are out of town). The bathroom warmer is a Plug-In Warmer and does an awesome job of scenting up the majority of our home!
If you are interested in purchasing Scentsy for yourself, please visit my friend Penny's website, or feel free to message her through her Facebook page for more information on products, purchasing, or hosting your own party!

Have you tried Scentsy before? Do you use anything to mask the scent of dirty diapers in your home?

Please note, when visiting Penny's website, she is located in Canada. To get correct pricing, please click the "Country/Language" icon at the top right corner of the webpage. Enter US or CAN (where ever you happen to be!) and shop away!

Disclaimer: I received many items from 2 different parties I hosted - Items purchased and earned. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own and honest. You may have a different experience.

April 9, 2012

Newborn Series: Blueberry Mini Deluxe

*This is a preview of the Blueberry Mini Deluxe newborn diaper. *
*After our baby arrives in June I will update the NB diaper series with our experiences of all the diapers we have tried out.*

A little about the BlueBerry Mini Deluxe NB diaper:
-Fits up to 15 pounds
-Has three snap down rise settings
-Inside layer is microfleece
-Mini version of the Blueberry OS diaper

Below you can see the Blueberry NB diaper. I love that it offers the three size setting options on such a tiny diaper. I bought this diaper used from my sister in law after my niece outgrew it. Its brown with pink dots and pink snaps. Here below it is pictured in its largest setting. While reading about this diaper on another blog I found the following comparisons:

Open to the largest setting this diaper is comparable to a size 1 disposable diaper
Snapped to the middle rise setting this diaper is comparable to a size newborn disposable diaper

and snapped down to the smallest rise setting this diaper is compared to the preemie size disposable diaper.This diaper feature two rows of snaps across the waist, and elastic across the back.
Close up of the snaps
The inside is lined with a nice soft fleece to help baby to stay dry.

How I think this diaper will work for us:
overall I think this diaper will be a successful one for us. I normally have bigger babies so having the ability to adjust the rise on this diaper to make it more functional for us is a big plus. Also, because it is a pocket diaper it will allow us to adjust the absorbancy of it easily enough. With the stay dry micro fleece on the inside this might also be a great night time option.

You can purchase a Blueberry Mini Deluxe diaper from Blueberry Diapers or one of their retailers. They are 17.95 new but if you look at the bottom right hand corner of their page you can sometimes find them in their clearance/seconds sales for a better price. You can also occasionally find them used on various swap site but I don't see them that often there.

*This is a preview of the Blueberry Mini Deluxe newborn diaper. *
*After our baby arrives in June I will update the NB diaper series with our experiences of all the diapers we have tried out.*


April 5, 2012

Stink Pot Laundry detergent

Stink Pot Laundry Detergent

I often find myself questioning whether or not my laundry soap could be the culprit to any woes that we have when it comes to cloth diapering. I have tried several different detergents to try and keep my diapers fresh, non repelling, and not get that ammonia stink right after a tinkle.

I am very particular about my laundry(just ask my husband-he isn't allowed to do any) AND my cloth diapers, so any time I get the chance to review laundry soap, I'll admit, I get a little nervous. So does Kynlie. She has sensitive skin and any change in detergent can cause a severe flair up of a little tush. She is my main tester when it comes to all things fluffy.

I was given the opportunity to review StinkPot cloth diaper detergent. I had gone online to read up on it a little bit and was quite impressed with so much, that I knew I wanted to share it with you.

First of all, StinkPot is a family run business. (A huge plus in my book) Laura and her husband started Shower Treat Soaps back in 1997 when their kids were little. Now days, the whole family is involved! Laura makes the soaps all by hand and from scratch, her husband "is the muscle of the operation", her daughter helps with packaging labels and her son helps with all the techy stuff!

After being asked by a lot of cloth diapering mamas, and some rigorous testing, they came up with StinkPot. StinkPot is made from sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, sodium borate, sodium cocoate, a natural chelating agent, and essential oils if requested. It is completely vegan and not tested on animals. There are three scents to choose from: Lullabye Lavender,Sweet Nothings Unscented and Tangerine Dream-which is what I was sent for review.

When I first got my package in the mail, I couldn't wait to smell it! It smelled so yummy! It made me smile every time I had to wash another load of poo'd up diapers! The neat thing about the scent is that it smells so good while it is washing but it comes out completely so your diapers are left smelling fresh.

I have tested StinkPot for about three weeks now and here are some things that I love about it!
-smells great
-easy to open/close packaging
-includes a "scooper"
-only need to use one tablespoon per load
-fine powder formula
-left the diapers feeling extra fluffy and soft
-works with hard/soft/regular water without adding extra!
-the scent wafted throughout our laundry room while washing and my daughter asked "what smells so good?"
-It is made in my home state of Michigan!
-Only 12.99 for 50/100 loads!

Some concerns:
-I had some repelling issues a few days after I switched to StinkPot but I had not done an overnight soak in StinkPot as my original wash with it. (I recommend this when switching between any detergents) I did an RLR treatment and have not had any issues since.
I think detergents on cloth diapers are a lot like shampoo-you have to switch it up once in a while or you get build up. I think that may be the case from the repelling.

You can purchase your StinkPot at this website: StinkPot
There are samples, small, medium, large and extra large sizes! Lots to choose from!

Overall, I am very impressed with StinkPot. I love the fact that Laura's whole family is involved and that she makes each "batch" by hand and scratch. You can tell this family loves what they do and is proud of it! The scents are great as well!



April 4, 2012

Rainbow Rice Fun

Hello!

I know several blogs that do "Wordless Wednesday" and post a super cute picture on Wednesdays instead of a traditional post.  Here's my spin on that. =)  It's the instructions for making Rainbow rice in picture form.  Then you have the pictures of my kiddos at the end exploring it - all self directed!  On their own they: mixed the rice, filled the eggs, hid the marbles, found the marbles, made it rain rice, made musical instruments, filled the jar (together!), and yes - even stood in it! =)  It was really fun to see how the interacted with the objects in pan (I used a 9X13 Pyrex dish).  Give it a shot!  {Written directions are at the bottom of the post.}


















Ingredients

Per color:
1 c. white rice
1 glob food coloring gel
1/2 t. white vinegar

Place 1 c. rice in a zip lock bag or plastic container.  Add a glob of coloring gel with a toothpick and give it a quick swirl.  Add 1/2 t. white vinegar and seal your container.  Give it a REALLY good shake.  Now shake some more!  Make sure the color is evenly distributed.  Pour it out onto a plate of some sort and let dry - preferably overnight (I hid ours in the oven).  Repeat for as many colors as you'd like.  Layer into a 9X13 container or dish washing bin.  Add fun tools and your kiddos and watch what they do!

April 3, 2012

ChicoBag - Review

With Earth Day coming up, there is a lot of focus on reducing, reusing and recycling. I have challenged myself to do much better at reducing the amount of plastic used by our family and brought into our home, namely in the form of grocery bags. I have a ton of reusable bags, but my husband absolutely refuses to use them (he thinks it makes the cashiers mad, haha!) I just plain forget. I keep them in the van. I get to the store. Corral the kids. Get in the store. And then remember the bags.

I was so excited when I discovered ChicoBags. There is so much to love about these bags, particularly the one I received to review. I was lucky enough to receive the Vita Contemporary Agave Flower bag and it blew my expectations out of the water.
 

I actually got excited about using my reusable bags again after receiving the ChicoBag and getting a ton of compliments on it while I was shopping.

The opened size was much bigger than I anticipated.
And, the closed size, much smaller!

The amount the bag can hold is incredible. I have started using this bag for lightweight items (bread, hamburger and hot dog buns, tortilla shells, chips, etc...)

ChicoBag's Vita line (and many others) can hold up to 40 pounds! I have had many cheaper cloth bags rip on me mid-parking lot, but not the Vita bag! To test this out, I loaded this bag up with library books for my kiddos without a hitch!

One of my favorite aspects of ChicoBag's is that they have a small pouch (depending on the line you purchase from, the pouch is either sewn into the seam of the bag, or doubles as a pocket) that the bag fits right into. Inserting and removing the bag is incredibly easy.

The bags are machine washable (be sure to wash on cold and air dry!) 

It would be crazy of me not to mention the awesome colors and prints in all the bags, but specifically the Contemporary Collection

Finally, there is a carabiner attached to the bag so you can always have the bags handy.

The only thing I didn't like, the material of the bags made the shoulder bag slip off my shoulder a lot. When the two straps were touching, it would make one slip. One would stay on my shoulder, but I'd lose the second. I'm curious if the Sling rePETe line would have this problem since there is only one strap, and considering how cross body bags lay on your shoulder.

This one little "con" didn't stop me from using the bag. I honestly have received so many compliments on the bag. Cashiers talk about how they've never seen one so small, so pretty, so convenient, etc.... And all I can say is, "Right?!"

In summary, I've used a lot of reusable bags, and have always had a lot of complaints, ranging from cheap material, too small, too big (so that you overload it and then can't carry it), and on and on.... ChicoBag removes all these complaints. You can tell that a lot of thought went into the design and production of ChicoBags.

If you are interested in purchasing your own fashionable reusable bag, the amazing folks at ChicoBag have offered a generous 25% discount with the code cbbcda25 (please note, this discount is only good for the Fashion Category bags). This code is good through April 30, 2012.

Do you have reusable bags sitting around that aren't getting used?  ChicoBag has an incredible Repurposing Program where you can send in your unused or torn up bags and ChicoBag will find a new home for them, or a new purpose by making the bags into totes, handbags, rugs, and more!

You can find ChicoBag on the following Social Networks:
ChicoBag (on Facebook)
ChicoBag (on Twitter)

Disclaimer: I received for review a Vita Contemporary Agave Flower Ba. All opinions are honest and my own.