Bum Luxury

Monday, April 9, 2012

Meet Me on Monday Week 28

Never Growing Old, the writer of MMOM has taken a sabbatical, but she will be back next Monday to resume her old hosting spot! :) I did do one of the MMOM posts with the author of Acting Balanced, but it was difficult for me to remember to do it. Now, I'm back in the saddle and have checked out her new feature, Monday Quiz About Me and so I'll be joining this week so that I can stay on my horse!

She will have four questions and the fifth one is a question I ask my readers to respond to, so here goes:

1. Which three words would describe you best?

Dedicated, funny, passionate

2. Describe your favorite place in the whole world.

I love the beach and being in the water. Ha! Brad Paisley's song, Water, just came on my player! Perfect! I'm ready for the summer and have been begging my husband to come swimming with me, but he says it's still too cold. Yet, he turned the A/C on today...hmmmm...I say he's a wuss!

3. Sunsets, Sunrises or Full Moons?

Sunsets-Arizona has some of the best I've ever seen. I've only been up for sunrise once-well, one that I watched and that was years ago on the beach and Cancun. Ah, memories! Full moons?? What are we-werewolves?

4. If you were to get reincarnated what or who would you want to come back as?

Well, I like being human, but if I came back as something else, I would probably want to come back as a spoiled dog. A nice lab that gets to eat, play, go on long walks and sleep! :)

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

This is our first baby, Chloe

5. Have you finished your taxes yet?

I have not. We have an appointment tomorrow. I am a procrastinator, but this delay has been my husbands, as my work was all done in late January/early February. :)

Friday, April 6, 2012

First Fluff Friday: Grovia AI2

It's been a few months since I did First Fluffy Friday. To be honest, I haven't forgotten, I've just been so busy with everything else that I've left my blog behind. :( My goal for April is to bring it back and we are going to start with a First Fluff Friday post! I thought you would like that.

I have been using the Grovia AI2 for months. I brought them into Bum Luxury in 2011. I wanted to offer my customers the cutest prints and an AIO option. I also thought having a hybrid option would be nice for those customers that can't commit to cloth 100% of the time.

I chose the Mod Flower print to try on Baby J because I love the simplicity of it and then I added a 2 pack of organic cotton soakers.

This was taken when Baby J was 15 months old.

The soakers are very high quality and thick to hold maximum absorbancy. The soakers are one piece, but they are sewn in a way that allow for the fastest drying time. The top layer is only sewn down on the ends, so the middle can be pulled away. This is similar to the way a Knickernappies LoopyDo or SuperDo insert is sewn. The only problem I have with this design is that it makes cleaning a poopy diaper more difficult. I use a diaper sprayer 99% of the time and poop can get caught in the nooks and crannies of the soaker. Of course, Baby J loves to poop in the Grovia AI2!

I have never had a leak with the Grovia AI2 so it's a great option for nap time or long car rides. I do not like that the soaker is not stay dry because I can tell it irritates Baby Js skin after wearing it. She's always got a little redness after I take it off. Not a rash, just that sitting in a wet diaper look. Using a fleece liner fixes this problem right away. Grovia also now offers a stay dry option for their soakers, too!

The other con to the Grovia AI2 that I have noticed, is that the organic cotton shows stains more easily than a fleece diaper and it is more difficult to sun out. They aren't super obvious, but I know they are there. This is with any organic cotton material, but it bugs me because I like to have the cleanest looking diapers possible!

The shell has two snaps on the inside for the soaker to attach to. The Grovia shells and soakers are the only diapers I have seen with this particular style of snap. That means that other AI2 systems and inserts are not compatible with the Grovia system.

The inside of the Grovia shell has a mesh lining. The mesh lining throws me for a loop. I don't believe that the Grovia AI2 shell can be used as many times as other shells and covers because urine gets on the mesh and then the whole system needs to be washed. I have used the shell twice before washing, but wouldn't use it anymore than that because I know there is urine getting on the shell and I don't want to put that back on Baby J.

This shows the hybrid version of the diaper with the biosoaker inserts.

The outside of the shell is made of TPU. It is very similar to PUL which is what a majority of cloth diaper pockets, AIOs, AI2s and covers are made with for their waterproof parts. TPU uses heat instead of chemicals to forge the two pieces together though which to me means even better for the environment and baby.

I love the Grovia AI2 fit. It is so trim and they are super easy to put on. They seem extremely comfortable for Baby J and I have never experienced any fit issues.

This isn't tight, my daughter just has a very big Buddha belly! Again, at fifteen months.

My overall concern with the Grovia AI2 is price. Compared to many other AI2 options, they are a bit on the spendy side and are more comparable price-wise to a pocket diaper. For a shell and two inserts it is $17.45. The quality of the diaper is definitely why you find the price point to be a bit higher for this system. The organic materials are always going to be more expensive than a synthetic alternative.

If you are interested in getting the system for yourself, head over to Bum Luxury's Grovia page and check out all of your options!

You can also try to win one for yourself here:

Referral Contest

I'm doing a surprise giveaway for my fans! The contest starts now and ends March 31, 2012.

I need your help telling your fans, friends, and family about Bum Luxury!

Here are some ideas:

1. Go to your Facebook personal profile, Facebook fan page, Twitter, and/or blog and post asking them to become a fan of Bum Luxury.

2. Tag our page @BumLuxury (or you can use our link http://www.facebook.com/BumLuxury)

3. Tell them what you love about being our fan.

4. Mention a product we sell that you love.

5. Then post a comment below letting us know you are participating and where you posted (Facebook profile, your fan page, blog, Twitter, etc.)

Contest Rules:

A minimum of 5 referred friends are required to win. They will need to fill out this document with your name.

FREE USA shipping. An International winner will need to pay shipping.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Tuesday Tales: Vinegar

If you have ever had trouble with your cloth diapers, you know that there are hundreds of opinions on the best way to fix your issues. Blogs, baby forums and Facebook are just a few places you can ask and be told what is wrong and what to do about it.

I love Google, but just like your mother told you, don't believe everything you read. Many people think they are experts on wash routines, stripping, ammonia, yeast, etc. Be wary of someone who has tried everything-that means they have had problems!

If you are having stink issues, the first thing you need to do is figure out why. It does take awhile to find the right wash routine for each person because detergents, water variables, washers and size of each diaper load all need to be taken into account. Once you find a wash routine that works for you, any issues you may have had should disappear.

I came across this article: Is vinegar safe for cloth diapers? and wanted to share the main headlines of the article.

Vinegar neutralizes ammonia!

Vinegar helps reduce detergent buildup and breakdown residue!

Vinegar works as an alternative to fabric softeners!

Vinegar helps prevent stains!

After reading this, the author says, "So yes, vinegar is safe for cloth diapers." Hmmm...just because something is able to do these things, doesn't mean it's safe.

Many manufacturers do not recommend using vinegar and it can actually void your warranty. Some companies claim that vinegar breaks down PUL and ruins elastic.

Flip by Econobum washing instructions

The best thing to do would be to determine why you feel that you need to use vinegar. Do you have build up? Are you using too much detergent? Are you using enough? Do you have hard water? Are you rinsing enough after your wash? Do you do a pre-rinse? Is your detergent safe for cloth diapers?

Vinegar is definitely an amazing resource to use in your home, but for the easiest wash routine, simplify and find the right detergent/diaper/water ratio for you and your diapers!

Do you use vinegar in your diaper laundry?

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Monday, March 5, 2012

Meet Me on Monday Week 27

I know it's been a few weeks since I posted a MMOM post. The last host, Never Growing Old, hasn't posted once since the holidays, so now, Acting Balanced is taking up the reins on our favorite Monday posts!

Questions:

1. What is on your bedside table?

I always have a book on my nightstand. Right now I have two, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I finished the fourth book last night so I grabbed the next one just in case I felt up to starting it, however, I was too tired! I also always have my lamp and a glass of water on my nightstand. When I'm asleep, my glasses rest there, too.

2. Hardback, Paperback or E-Reader?

If I am keeping the book, I prefer hardback covers, especially if it's a series. I get paperback quite often when they are on sale. I just got a Kindle for my birthday so I'll be putting that to use here soon!