Monkey Blog

March 28, 2010
This blog has moved

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posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 3:37 AM

March 26, 2010
Sling Safety Warning

Your children's safety and security is our number one priority.

On March 12, 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (USA) issued a general warning regarding suffocation hazards associated with the use of sling carriers for babies. We currently carry only Serena & Lily sling carriers. Serena & Lily is in compliance with all applicable safety regulations for each of its products, including its baby slings. Going forward, Serena & Lily will continue to comply with all applicable standards and regulations, both voluntary and mandatory, as they are developed.

Please review the instructions for use included with the sling you choose to purchase before using your baby sling. Remember, you should always be cautious when using a baby sling for babies younger than four months of age. Your baby's face should be visible to you at all times while in the baby sling, the baby sling's fabric should be kept away from your baby's face at all times, and parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight should use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings. Please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for further details.

Labels: organic, organic slings, safety, serena and lily, serena and lily slings, slings

posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 6:22 PM

November 10, 2009
Voluntary Recall of Maclaren Strollers in the USA

Please note that there has been a voluntary recall issued in the USA by Maclaren Baby. Health Canada has chosen not to recall the strollers because the strollers meet with all Canadian and US regulations.

Maclaren has decided to provide consumers with a retrofit package of sleeves for their stroller to cover the hinge of the elbow joint. Canadian consumers can request the same retrofit package by contact the Maclaren customer service and recall numbers below:

Customer Recall - 1-877-688-2326
Customer Service - 1-877-442-4622

www.maclaren.us/recall

Here is the notice as it appears on the Maclaren Baby US website:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Consistent with our unwavering commitment to child safety we are providing U.S. consumers notice of a voluntary recall of all Maclaren umbrella strollers sold in the U.S. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, we are providing free of charge to all affected consumers and retailers a kit to cover the stroller's hinge mechanism, which poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Maclaren USA's Umbrella Strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee our umbrella strollers meet the maximum safety standards available. The voluntary recall is to alert the operator when opening or closing the stroller of the possible risk of injury.

Safety is our first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to contact us immediately to obtain the kit which consists of hinge covers designed specifically to fit all Maclaren strollers.

Maclaren stresses all operators read the instruction manual prior to use which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations.

Link to CPSC Joint Press Release

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to Marianne at Gingerbread Monkeys.

Labels: maclaren strollers, recall

posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 7:42 AM

October 27, 2009
The Smile that Travels the World

After a humiliating day at school, Lulu is determined to never ever smile again! With the help of a fairy, Lulu finds out that one little smile she gave starts a whirlwind smiling tour. Come take the journey with Lulu around the world and see where her smile takes her. You won't believe where Lulu's smile ends up!

We love to support home grown talent and that it is: talent! Beautifully written by Ellen Jezerinac, the story takes us on a fantastic journey around the world highlighting many wonderful people, monuments, landscapes and cultures, which many children have never seen or heard about. The Smile that Travels the World is a story that appeals to children and adults alike. It reminds all of us that no matter where we are or who we are in the world that each individual has value. It also shows us that even though we may look different, have different customs and live in different parts of the world as human beings we are all the same. We all feel, we all want to love and we all want to feel valued no matter what our age. Anyone, any age can share a smile. It's a small gesture that can change our world.

Illustrated by Ellen and her children, Dario and Daniela. Target age group: 5-8.

Limited time offer: Gingerbread Monkeys Exclusive! All copies are autographed PLUS free shipping! Buy a smile today!

Labels: books, early reading

posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 6:50 PM

October 3, 2009
Newly Hatched - Egg by Susan Lazar

We had been looking for a comprehensive collection of "basics" for infants; to cover the full range for baby's layette, from head to toe. We didn't want something you can find at your local department store...it had to be unique; something normally reserved for boutique-type stores.

Already familiar with Egg and it's superior quality, we started there. As it turns out, we didn't have to look any further. Egg baby uses natural fabrics with clean, simple designs - with no bows and ribbons in sight. From baby blankets to one piece rompers, hats and booties, mix and match separates - even sweaters and jackets, Egg offers a huge selection of items within a reasonable price range. When we selected the pieces offered at gingerbreadmonkeys.com, we did so with "gifting" in mind. Not to say you shouldn't indulge and crack open your own Egg ;-).

Labels: baby blankets, basics, booties, Egg, hats, layette, organic, rompers, Susan Lazar

posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 7:33 PM

Babymel: All in the Family

Storksak's co-founders Melanie Marshall and Suzi Bergman, established Babymel to offer parents an attractive and functional diaper bag at a fantastic price. Storksak, on the other hand, offers a high fashion, highly functional diaper bag that can be used everyday whether you have children or not: baby bag, daily bag. But with the high fashion of course, comes the high price.

Babymel launched its first collection in 2007 with the introduction of the Amanda bag. In Spring 2009 came their innovative Babymel X2 alongside their patent pending strollerstrap. The strollerstrap allows you to easily switch between attaching the bag to the stroller and carrying it over the shoulder.

The Babymel X2 is a new concept for people with more than one child or twins. Babymel X2 is comprised of two separate diaper bags which can be clipped together or separated as needed. Even with twins, I often find I don't need that much "stuff" for quick trips out to the store or to run errands. Just un-clip the one bag and voila: the perfect sized bag for just the essentials: diapers, wipes, my wallet and my blackberry.

Each Babymel diaper bag is equipped with adjustable stroller straps, insulated zip bottle pockets, changing mat, wipe clean lining, and internal elasticized pockets.

Labels: Amanda bag, Babymel, Babymel X2, diaper bag, Storksak

posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 12:16 PM

September 4, 2009
SIGG Bottles Contain BPA

We are, above all, concerned parents who worry about our kids ingesting chemicals that have been linked to cancer and hormone disruption. We thought it would be a good idea to reach out to share the following:

SIGG recently announced that their bottle liners did in fact contain BPA. There are numerous sites and organizations that are covering the recent announcement and subsequent backlash. Here are a few links to blogs that thoroughly present the issue:

Can SIGG Salvage Its Name Post-BPA?

Z Recommends (keyword search: SIGG)

Non-Toxic Kids.net

The key safety issue with SIGG and other aluminum bottles in general is that they require an interior lining. Gingerbread Monkeys offers the Klean Kanteen as an alternative. Klean Kanteen bottles and sippy cups are made of stainless steel and do not require the use of a liner.

Labels: BPA Free, Klean Kanteen, non-toxic, SIGG, toxic

posted by Gingerbread Monkeys at 7:41 AM