Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Review and GIVEAWAY of My Chickadee Designs

So, a couple weeks back  I was very fortunate to receive a gorgeous parcel from My Chickadee Designs - and you might too! Here's what was in mine....

 Carryall - yes, that's a WHOLE hemp indio sitting there!

What better way to seriously road test a nappy bag than tow it on three flights and a three-week trip? Chickadee Designs' carryall (pictured above) held up like a champion.

First challenge: fitting in enough stuff to qualify as Audrey's sole carryon piece of luggage. It may appear sleek and streamlined, but this bag accommodated three complete changes of clothes, a tea towel bib (best thing ever), a wet bag (a fancy, matching wet bag, no less!) several activity books and sheets of stickers, a block set, bag of buttons, bag of pipe cleaners, pencil roll, teething remedy, Nurofen, Panic-stop (ok, that was mine)... a ring sling AND a size 3 turquoise hemp Indio. Holy wowza. 


OH - and my phone went in the incredibly handy front pocket for quick access.
OH - and the iPad went in the padded centre pocket (with zip closure).
WINNING. 

The three sections kept all our stuff clearly organized and saved us a couple of times when fumbling for a quick and dirty distraction. It was the perfect height for above-seat storage and was easily nudged under a seat for a small-plane flight, no complaints or issues. 

Once landed and settled, it was emptied and has become the perfect day bag - capacious enough for a few acquisitions while we're out and about, but light enough to be slung over a shoulder and carried casually.  While we didn't bring the included change mat with us, the matching wet bag has been fantastic for containing wet swimmers and it's lovely to have such well-made matching accessories. Totally blown away by the quality of construction and very happy to be supporting a WAHM! 


Clutch

Hello genius! So many times I see the question: but if you don't have a pram, how do you carry all baby's stuff? The answer is one of these sleek little beauties. 

Audrey likes it so much she's taken to marching about declaring "Bag...shops!" Basically, it's two elastic topped pockets (genius!) and unrolls into a change mat. You could easily fit four disposables or two mcn and a wipes baggie in one pocket, your wallet, phone and keys in the other, roll it up and done. No handbag, no diaper sack. Finito. We may have test driven it and I can verify that even toddlers will fit on the change mat!
Again, totally impressed by My Chickadee Designs' workmanship - impeccable sewing and a fantastic product for harried mums feeling a bit overwhelmed by the stuff one can fit in a nappy bag! 

Mei tai 


Yeah, you can all see how cute this is. And honestly, she could just use a scarf but it's nice to have a carrier that's easy enough for a two-year-old to navigate and get out of when they're done :) 
The long Velcro tabs on each strap make it very adjustable (Audrey is a skinny 2yo and fits the smallest setting well).
Impeccable craftsmanship and sweet thoughtful details really make this for me, like the matching change pocket and sturdy lining that means a tonka truck can be babied just as easily as a Waldorf doll :) I really love this as a sibling gift and just allowing children to emulate thoughtful parenting practices.

NOW, generously, Janina has a 10% off coupon for you ALL with the code keepcalmandcarrythem at checkout, but even better, you can enter a Rafflecopter giveaway for your own carryall, clutch AND carrier (winner's choice of mini/large) in YOUR choice of fabric! Go now! Go quickly!


85 comments:

  1. I would be using the mama stuff, and my 2 year old would be over the moon with her new carrier - a bug improvement on the baby blanket she uses now!

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  2. Nice giveaway !
    If I win, the bag will be for me of course :D, and the carrier for my two daughters of 8 years and 17 months, they will be happy to carry dolls or teddybear like mommy ( no non, I don't carry dolls or teddy, I just carry my daughter of course !)

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  3. If I win i'd use the mama things and my sister (who is quite a lot younger than me) would use the wrap - she'd love it! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  4. I would love this clutch to carry my stuff as well as everything for my boys. I would give my 4 year old the carrier as he loves to watch momma wrap brother.

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  5. oh man this would be amazing. weve got 2 kids in cloth and who get worn constantly.... this would fit a wrap and a meitai and diapers etc... and my 2 year old keeps asking to wear his baby sister... cute but no way buddy! he'd love to carry his puppy in a kid carrier!

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  6. We have 2 boys (8&4) and are due with our first girl in November! We would LOVE this!

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  7. doll carrier for my baby girl. clutch/wrap for me. i haven't tried a wrap yet!

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  8. I'd be using the bags and my two will probably fight over the Mei tai. Though my 4yr old has a wrap, so really it will be my little girl's - we had to improvise torso carries with muslins! ;)

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  9. I would definitively be using the bags- my little baby girl would love to carry around her tigger (i bet) :)

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  10. It shold be great if I win!
    My 2 y.o. little girl will be very happy!
    She love carry!

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  11. Amazing giveaway!
    Wow the things I could fit in this carryall would be endless for me, I am forever adding just 'one more' thing for my 7 month to the small nappy bag I have and my 2 big kids always have something to add! The clutch would come in handy as you can always do with an extra supply of essentials, especially for those quick trips to the shops. The carrier would be for my baby girl when she gets bigger, I have a cabbage patch doll all ready for her :)

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  12. I am desperately hoping I win! My 2.5 year old daughter is carrier crazy and I would love not having to tie them on with a scarf. ;) And it'd be nice for me to have something other than my purse to carry my baby essentials for my 7-week-old with me!

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  13. I would use the carryall and clutch and my boys would share the mei tai!

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  14. I would use this to travel on planes with my baby, to keep the carrier and other things organized.

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  15. With a 2 year old and a 3 month old we need a lot of stuff! I'd love a gorgeous bag that would make taking 2 babes out super easy and not have the need for multiple bags :)

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  16. I would love to win this! I need a new change bag & my toddler wants his own carrier!

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  17. What i would carry in the bag is to much to write down because i always pack way too much but i keep getting in unexpected situations! I am buyng my son who has a cleft palate a tiny wide smiles doll with a simular cleft lip so the mei tai will soon come in handy!

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  18. I would love to win this and would totally use the bag myself. The doll carrier would be for my son.

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  19. My little lady Mckinley would be using the baby carrier everyday!! She begs me to carry her even though she is too big for my sling. I would love to have the clutch and bag to run around town! Sounds like I could fit all of my junk!

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  20. I definitely need a new bag so that would be for me but my 18 month old would love the Mei Tai to carry her teddy bear.

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  21. I would use the bag & change mat & my niece or other visiting littlies would use the meitai until my wee girl is big enough to use it herself (she's only 5 weeks old at the moment!)

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  22. I the mother would be using this for my cloth diapers!!!

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  23. I would use the bag for all of our diapering needs. My daughter would use the baby carrier for her dolls, and I would use the clutch for a cloth diaper or two and some wipes for quick in and out trips.

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  24. My oldest daughter will be using the doll carrier. She loves to be like mommy.

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  25. First off let me just say, thank you for the wonderful opportunity this has presented for all of us mothers! I would use both the clutch and diaperbag for myself and either donate the mei tai to my local BWI chapter or hold on to it until my little guy is old enough to wear his monkey around :-)

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  26. Great review! Since I have a preschooler and a baby, I'd love to just stuff everything into one bag (bonus that there's space for a size 3 wrap, which I usually have to carry separately if not using)

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  27. It would be me using the mommy products, and my oldest son would be using the doll carrier. He has a stuffed monkey that I strap to him using a piece of scrap fabric. He keeps asking to wear brother, but he's still a little too crazy and dangerous for me to agree just yet ;)

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  28. My 3.5 to and 1 yo daughters would probably argue over who get to use the doll carrier first lol!! I'd love the new bag, for sure!!

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  29. We are expecting our third and fourth, so the diaper bag would be put to great use! The carrier would be used by my two sons aged 2.5 and 5 :)

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  30. This looks like a brilliant nappy bag, I would put this to great use if I won it! My son is 6months and it seems like we need to take everything but the kitchen sink with him

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  32. I would use everything for my 4month old & 3yo

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  33. Expecting in September so I would use the diaper bag and clutch. My three year old neice would love the carrier!

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  34. I would love to win this! I carry everything in my nappy bag! ��

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  35. With a 6 month old and a 2 year old I would be using the bag and clutch. Miss 2 would love the carrier, but would have to share with her 2 older siblings.

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  36. Ohh pls i hope i will win these gorgeous items ������

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  37. Mama would be using the clutch and the carry all. I would use the carrier to get my older boys into Babywearing!! :-D

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  38. I'd definitely use the bag for lugging around all the space taking things you need for a cloth wearing baby worn lo! and the change clutch would come in super handy for those quick shopping trips or when out for a walk while wearing, and you can't lug a big bag around :)

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  39. My daughter would get the carrier. Both of our stuff would go in the bag, mainly hers.

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  40. I would love to have the bag as I am currently searching for a good diaper bag! The carrier will be for my little sister!

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  41. i would use the diaper bag, as our bag was a hospital freebie / flimsy and is fraying, and I would love to let my 4yo niece use the doll mei tei or even my 14mo daughter if she wanted!!

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  42. These gooides would be for me, and my 3 little ones would love to share the doll carrier!!!

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  43. I can see that my little girl would love these! Especially since she is all about babies at the moment, about to be a big sister and all!

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  44. if I was chosen as a winner I would be so happy! I would definitely love to sport the carryall and the diaper clutch would come in very handy since I'm always on the go with my 3 little kids. my 3 year old daughter and my 4 year old son would love to play with the baby doll carrier. Every time I wrap up my 5 month old baby boy they're always asking to do the same with their dolls and stuffed animals.

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  45. Me and wondering boy H would be thrilled to use it!

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  46. I would use the carryall & clutch & my daughter would be thrilled to carry her babies around in that adorable mei tai!

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  47. My DD would be over the moon! She'd love to have her own doll carrier. We now use my winter scarf. But that's not as real as this!

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  48. I would love to use this bag and clutch while the mei tai would be well loved by my bestie's 3 yo daughter when we go on walks. She loves to carry her toys just like I carry her "cousin".

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  49. I would love this, the carryall would be perfect for toting around cloth diapers :) The clutch would be great while baby wearing and I'm sure my daughter would love the carrier when she is a little older, she LOVES her dolly.

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  50. Looks fantastic, perfect for cloth!

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  51. I would love to have the bag as I am currently need! and for my daughter too, she loves to carry her toys:)

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  52. Very cute! We have an upcoming trip from Holland to the US which this would be great for! And I can just imagine how my Indio would fit in it! :D Hopefully I could fit in everything for both my 8 month old and my 3 year old in it. :)

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  53. Doll carrier for my 2.5 year old son, bag and clutch for me :-)

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  54. This would be perfect for my daughter and her husband with their almost 21/2 year old daughter and six week old son. My granddaughter would love to carry her baby like Mommy and Daddy carry their baby! They could use a diaper bag that would allow them to have all the stuff for their two children be organized! Winning situation for all!

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  55. My sister-in-law who gave birth to my beautiful new niece on Monday :)

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  56. About to pop in the next week or so. This would be so handy to carry everything for the new born and my little boy (18months) . my little boy would love the carrier as he loves carrying around pussy(a snow tiger cuddly that used to be mine).

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  57. With four little girls in out house, this would be soooo useful! It would hold all the diapers, extra clothes, snacks, and carriers I'd need for all day at the park or the zoo!!!

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  58. My daughter would absolutely love the mei tei for her baby, who comes with us everywhere. I would also love the carry all, as we can't get out of the house for an outing without a TON of stuff....diapers, wipes, extra clothes, sunscreen (hers and mine), sunglasses, drinks, snacks, my wallet and phone, my daughter's baby and blanket, books, etc...this bag would be amazing!!! Plus I hate bringing so many little bags with to accommodate everything, it would be nice to just need one bag.

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  59. This would be excellent for my son's stuff. We are not the sit at home types and often hubs and I are out all day with baby and need enough diapers clothes etc for the day. Organization is also key. My son is too little for a toy carrier but one day he won't be...

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  60. Thanks for the great review and giveaway opportunity! I soooo wish we had one of these for our upcoming trip! We'd def get a lot of use out of it. :)

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  61. I would use the change wallet, My little niece could use the carrier (hopefully intriguing her parents) , and the carry bag would make a great gift for a friend expecting her first child.

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  62. This looks amazing! The boys would be fighting for the mei tei too :) I love it, can I have it please? With 3 kids youngest in cloth nappies, this looks essential!

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  63. Love the doll carrier! So cute!!

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  64. That diaper clutch is just perfect! My 4yo asked for a doll carrier for her birthday which is August 4! This would be awesome!

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  65. I love that bag so pretty and looks like it can fit what I need!!

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  66. I am new to baby wearing which is why I became a fan of your page. So far I'm loving it. I have a 2 month old and have been in search of a diaper bag that fits everything. Based on your review of the "carry all" it seems like this is it. Looks like the clutch is a great organizer too. My 5 year old just asked me to buy her a sling. She wants to model me and asks to borrow and wear mine when its not in use. This would be perfect for her.

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  67. The Mumma stuff I would use. I am always on the lookout for a bag that will fit all of the things I need and this seems to be it. The clutch would be super handy for those quick trips. The mei tai would be awesome for my little sister (who is currently living with me) she is always wanting to me to 'uppy up' her babies on her back :)

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  68. Awesome giveaway! The mum stuff i would use for sure and the mei tai would be a sivling gift for my almost 3year old, he loves to play with his baby dolls and copy mum! His older brother already has a ring sling i made him for wearing his baby brother at family photos a few weeks ago but Gray is to little for the ring sling!

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  69. I would be using the carryall and clutch. I am in definite need of a new bag that will fit mine and my sweet babe's things! I'm sure my boys will be sharing the mei tai...hopefully without fighting over it. ;) I would love to see my 17 month old wearing one of his stuffed animals in it!! <3

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  70. I would put EVERYTHING in one of your bags! All the stuff my twin boys need, plus my own stuff, plus extra food and snacks and drinks for everyone :)

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  71. This looks lovely, so hard to find a bag that holds everything you need, I'd have a lot of use for it.

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  72. I am due with #2 in December and the carry all will be perfect as well as the clutch. Hop in my almost 4 yr old son will want to be like mommy and use the doll carrier when he sees me wearing his new little brother or sister!

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  73. I'd love the bag. I'd be able to fit bubs cloth nappies and other things as well as things for my daughter. And my daughter would be over the moon to be able to carry her dollies like mummy carries baby brother.

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  74. I would love to win these for my daughter-in-law and my granddaughter!

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  75. I would be using these fabulous items with my one year old son. It would be great to get him babywearing as a baby lol!

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  77. I would use the diaper bag and carry all for my baby. The carrier I would likely use as well with the little one.

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  78. Oh mitosis this stuff looks awesome! He description of the bag makes me drool!!!! I would use all of these with my 11 month old, but might save the carrier for future babies or share with a niece. Cute!!!

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  79. Ohhhh this would be amazing! We are expecting in early September, and a diaper bag is still on our "needed" list. Keep hoping someone gets us one off our registry but no luck yet! This will be our first little one so the carrier would be tucked away until s/he is old enough to play with baby dolls, but the bag and clutch-- oh my goodness, they would be lifesavers, as I am unemployed and we are pretty tight on cash until I find something!!!

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  80. I would keep the diaper bag and clutch for our December baby, and would probably give the carrier to my 1 year old niece! :D This looks amazing! ~Elena U.

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  81. My son and I, for sure! We are usually doing interesting diaper changes out of the back of the car, so that clutch would be right handy! And I like to streamline and carry as little extra baggage with us as possible, so one bag is awesome. And I hope to interest him in wearing his "baby" with the mei tai!!!!!

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  82. I'm going to have to be selfish on this one, at least for now, and keep them for myself. I'm due in August with my third and final child and haven't had anything new since the first one and even then a lot of it was hand-me-downs. My kids are all 2 years apart and I kept everything gender neutral (didn't find out the genders a head of time, until this time, boy :D ) knowing I wanted more kids. Don't get me wrong, I prefer to buy second hand, because I'm thrifty like that, and baby stuff is pretty pricey. It would be nice to have some new pretty, shiny things since it's been so long, and then pass them on to another mama, who I know will love them as much as I did. ~Thanks for the opportunity Ceilidh C

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  83. So if you love the sensational feel of these delicate feminine fabrics and adore the way they look maybe you could soon be slipping on a pair of silky French Knickers too. silk sleepwear Stunning and attractive nightwear are also affordable nightwear.

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