Hello, all! Vanessa here with my top 5 favorite products that you can get at the Green Bambino.

1. The Chico Messenger bag! For less than what most people spend on a purse that’s not nearly as functional, this bag fulfills my every need when it comes to carrying all of my junk. Since my only kiddo left in diapers is 2 ½ now and doesn’t requiring changing nearly as often I can stuff a couple diapers, a wet bag, an extra pair of pants (for him..not me..wanted to clarify), all of my junk, sometimes my camera, and two water bottles all in the same bag. And when I have to carry something bigger when we’re out all day if stuffs itself into a nifty little pouch that’s sewn inside of the bag so I can just unfold it for running into the store really quickly. I also love that it’s gender friendly. While my husband probably wouldn’t be likely to carry mine being that it’s purple, I’m considering getting him one in black for his birthday. (If you’re reading this sorry I spoiled your surprise, Honey.) It would be especially handy for him since he’s still a full time student who bikes to class.

2. Earth Mama Angel Baby Mint Herbal Lip Balm. I’m addicted to all things mint or menthol related. Menthol infused tissues? Buy me a box and they’ll be gone in a day’s time. Mint chocolate chip ice cream? It’s a problem. While neither one of these are related to lip balm in any way, I thought it was important for you to know because part of the reason I love this stuff so much is because of the mint in it. It’s also not goopey at all like your run of the mill chap stick or carmex. I’m one of those people that are turned off by odd textures which is why I can’t stomach raw tomatoes. But this stuff i just nice and smooth. It glides on so nicely and I really do think it heals my chapped lips and doesn’t just act as a 10 minute band aid.

3. The Ergo Baby Carrier. I bought my first ergo nearly 7 years ago and it remains one of my favorite products of all time. While I loved my moby wrap and still use my ring sling to carry my giant 2 ½ year old, the ergo is what I use the most often. The support that it gives is unlike any other baby carrier that I’ve tried. And they’re extremely durable. Even with the constant use and abuse my first ergo has seen, it’s still in amazing condition. While some people are scared away by the price, I have never once regretted buying my ergos. I have two of them.. and would have a third in a Petunia Picklebottom print if it didn’t get vetoed on a consistent basis by my money savvy husband. The fact that they last forever, save my back, and have made it possible to chase two children while knowing the third is strapped safely to my back all make them more than well worth the money.

4. Mother-Ease Diapers. All of them. I started my cloth diapering adventure with Mother-Ease fitteds and air flow covers. They still remain some of my favorite diapers many years later. Their Sandy’s Fitteds are some of the softest diapers around, even with all the wear and tear we’ve put them through. And their absorbency was at times the only thing that would give us a full night’s sleep. I think they’re one of the most under rated diapers, just because they don’t have all the fun prints or bells and whistles, but don’t just write them off without trying at least one.

5. Rumparooz Wet Bag. I love this bag! While part of it is vanity’s sake and I have a weakness for robot prints, it’s also because of the way it’s shaped. With it’s round shape, it holds a massive amount of diapers..especially when compared to most other medium sized wet bags. It’s actually big enough that it can hold a full two days worth of diapers for my 2 ½ year old. With the snappable hook loop on the back I can just hang it from a hook in my laundry room and it’s the perfect size for using as a diaper pail, yet it’s small enough to cram into my bag for day trips outside of the house.

Many people think of Green Bambino only when shopping for babies.  Did you know that without a doubt, my favorite product at Green Bambino is for adults?  It’s the Chico Vita Reusable Shopping Bag.  I have many other reusable shopping bags but they didn’t get used because they weren’t very convenient.  I’d get to the store and realize my bags got left at home or they didn’t hold very much so I felt like I had to take 10+ bags to the grocery store.  I originally bought the large Chico Vita Bags to try them out at our local food co-op instead of lugging around a huge plastic Rubbermaid tub.  Well, they worked great for that, but I never imagined they would make everyday life so much easier.  We have two flights of stairs from the garage to our condo’s front door, so lugging in groceries and shopping bags has always been fun (even more so now with a little one), but these bags are lifesavers! They fold down super tiny so I always keep them in my car or purse, and they hold a ton!  One on each shoulder and I can carry everything in one trip while still holding my daughter’s hand.  My only regret is not finding these bags sooner!

My favorite product for babies and kids is Sophie the Giraffe.  Every baby and toddler should have one!  I had not met Sophie until I started working at Green Bambino and in the beginning I honestly didn’t get it – what was so special about this teether?  Many, many customers raved about Sophie and even though my daughter had most of her teeth, I decided to bring her home when she was cutting her molars.  I still can’t explain exactly what it is about Sophie, but she worked wonders for my daughter and I haven’t met a baby or toddler yet that didn’t just love her.  Even long past teething when all the other teething toys have been packed away, Sophie still hangs around and gets played with all the time.

 Many people ask what my favorite diaper is and it’s difficult to pick just one, but the Tots Bots Easy Fit by Bummis is definitely at the very top of my list.

What I like about it:

• Ease of use:  It’s an all-in-one so you don’t have to match up inserts and diapers and it’s as easy to put on as a disposable (great for babysitters and other caregivers).
• Great fit:  One size fits most from 8-35+ pounds. Has never left red marks, and is a pretty trim fit.
• Absorbency:  We’ve never had leaks (Bummis says it absorbs 17.6 oz).  The attached liner gives you the ability to customize the absorbency by folding to create up to 6 layers where your baby needs it most.  We haven’t used this diaper for nighttime, but with the pocket opening  you have the option of adding extra inserts for heavy-wetters or for nighttime.
• Washing/wear:  This diaper washes great, dries super fast, and the laundry tabs & velcro really work.  Our tots bots diapers have been washed as many times (maybe more) than all our other diapers and they still look brand new!
• Other pluses:  Bright, fun colors & prints (as well as white) and a super soft bamboo lining inside.

Cons:

• Because this diaper contains some natural fibers (bamboo) it took at least 8 washes to reach its full absorbency and if you line dry you may want to toss it in the dryer for a few minutes at the end or it will be a bit stiff.

We recently asked our staff members to submit a review of their favorite product. Missy couldn’t limit herself to one, so here’s her three favorite things at Green Bambino:

I have two favorite products in the store.  First, and the reason Morgan hired me, is the GroVia Magic Stick.  Oh, is it ever magic!  It is made with natural soothing and healing ingredients, has a pleasing aroma, is cloth diaper friendly, economic and long lasting, and you NEVER GET IT UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS!  What more could you ask for in a diaper balm!

My other favorite product in the store is LunchSkins.  I don’t know how I packed lunches without them.  Made to European food safe standards, we have them in sandwich and snack sizes.  Packing them is so easy, and the younglings are able to open them by themselves, unlike plastic zipper bags.  They easily wash, save so much money over disposable plastic bags, and are way more fun!

Okay, so I really have three favorites!  I cannot forget Chico bags!  I am a self professed bag lady and have tried nearly every bag out there (my husband, weary of my bag collection will attest).  Hands down, Chico is my favorite.  They are so strong and deceptively voluminous.  The Vitas that we carry will each hold three gallons of milk and still fit over your shoulder.  They fold down easily and can be clipped onto your purse or diaper bag so they are always at the ready.  I try to have no fewer than three with me at all times!

This year, we traveled to my parents’ house about two hours away for Christmas. We were only going to be there for two days and have access to their washer and dryer, so it was easier to take cloth diapers for our son. We only took about a dozen, figuring we could wash each evening if we needed (he’s almost three, but we change as often as we can).

We didn’t really want to take a whole pail liner with us for just 12 diapers, but our other wet bags only hold about 7 diapers. So I brought home one of the new Rumparooz wet bags to test out.

Due to its cylindrical shape, Kanga Care (the parent company of Rumparooz) says their wet bag can hold up to 15 diapers. It also has a snap-on handle at the top to hang from.

I had three things to verify: how many diapers does it really hold, how well does it keep smells contained, and when full, will the snap handle hold up.

I am very happy to report that we were thrilled with the performance of the Rumparooz wet bag! My husband, who was hesitant of owning yet another wet bag, told me he was really impressed with the bag. We got 12 pocket diapers in there without trying. It hung well from a hook in the bathroom, and even when full, the snap handle didn’t seem stressed. And here’s the kicker: we brought home the wet bag FULL of dirty diapers and there was NO SMELL in our car! None! There was only the faintest odor when I took a deep sniff of the outside of the full, zipped bag.

If you are in the market for a new wet bag, take a close look at Rumparooz. They are available at Green Bambino for $18.95 in a rainbow of colors and prints.