The OHbaby! Awards

 The OHbaby! Awards launch today and we've had the great news that Belly Beyond is a Nominee in the Best Online Retailer Category.

And after a quick tally of the product categories it looks like we've got a massive 33 products, spread over 15 categories, that are up for nominations - a really nice endorsement of our carefully selected, and ever-growing, product range.

Best Online Retailer

It's a fantastic line up of some really awesome companies in our category, but if we happen to be your favourite and have done something that deserves it, then we'd really appreciate your vote so please take a moment to vote Belly Beyond!

Vote here

You can answer all the questions or just skip through to 7 for our question if you are in hurry.


Our Product Nominations

• Best Baby Sling / Wrap / Carrier
• Baby Bjorn Spirit Carrier
• Unido Baby Sling
• Popit Wrap
• Dulce & Zoet Baby Sling
• Breeze Baby Sling
• Ergo Baby Carrier
• Best Baby Skincare Lotion
• Made4Baby All Over Baby Lotion
• Best Nappy Balm 
• Made4Baby Botty Barrier Cream
• or vote other with organic Suvana PawPaw Balm
• Best Bathtime product
• Made4Baby Foaming Hair & Body Wash  
• Best baby wrap / swaddle
• Baby Caterpillar Fitted Merino Wrap
• Miracle Blanket
• Aden &; Anais Muslin Wrap
• Best baby / toddler sleep sack
• Baby Caterpillar Sleeping Bag
• Sweet Cheeks Merino Sleeping Bag
• Best Moses basket/bassinet/hammock
• Natures Sway Baby Hammock
• Cariboo Gentle Motions Bassinet
• Best cot brand
• Cariboo
• Best safety product 
• Safe T Sleep
• Best Baby Bag Brand
• Oi Oi
• Isoki
• Skip hop
• Gr8x
• Baby mel
• Best solids feeding product
• Boon Snack Ball
• Best breast pump 
• Medela Swing
• Ameda Purely Yours
• Best stretchmark product
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Stretch
• Best maternity clothing range
• Womama
• Best nursing bra range 
• HOTmilk
• Womama
• Cake Lingerie
• or vote Other, La Leche League

PHEW!  And to clarify, this isn't the full list of all nominees.  This is just the list of all the OHbaby! Award Nominated products that are available at www.bellybeyond.co.nz

About The OHbaby! Awards
The OHbaby! Awards are a prestigious new award acknowledging and celebrating the best products and services in the New Zealand pregnancy and parenting industry.  These awards acknowledge and reward best loved products by New Zealanders. For new parents who have to make important purchasing decisions and there is a lot in the market and a lot to decide about. Seeing the OHbaby! awards gold and silver logos on products and services in the New Zealand market gives them the comfort of knowing that mothers and fathers that have gone before them and used these products have experienced, recommended and loved these products and services.

Cyber Monday Sale - what's in store for bargain hunters?

Woweeee!  Just doing the final set up for our 4 day Cyber Monday Sale which kicks off tomorrow.

Here are just some of the bargains on offer:

Baby Carriers

• ERGObaby Carrriers from $165 
• ERGObaby Performance Carriers only $199 (save $60!!!)
• ERGObaby  Heart to Heart Infant inserts, only $39

 Maternity Underwear & Sleepwear

• HOTmilk Ever After Collection - all 40% off
• HOTmilk sleepwear - up to a massive 80% off

 Nappy Bags

• $50 off selected Skip*Hop Bags
• gr8x nappy bag specials

 NOO

• all Noo 5 piece sets only $34.95 (usually $49.95). 

Toys

• Soft toys from French brand Pooki & Co, from only $7 each!  Perfect stocking stuffers.

Travel High Chairs

• Little Beetle Travel Chairs only $15, or get 2 for $25 - that's a saving of $55!
• Snazzy Baby Chairs - 30% off, awesome buying on this award-winning product.

Maternity Pillow

• Inspired Living Maternity Pillow will be $67.96 - crazy price.

And that's just a hint of the sale range, check it out tomorrow morning on Belly Beyond
Make sure you are on our mailing list because you will be notified FIRST of when the sale goes live.

Cyber Monday hits New Zealand

The overseas shopping phenomenon is hitting New Zealand next Monday 29th November when Belly Beyond, introduce Cyber Monday to online shoppers here.

Make sure you are a Belly Beyond member as our Cyber Monday newsletter will signal when the sale is live so you can be among the first to get to checkout and will ensure you don't miss out on the "once-a-year" deals!  Sign up here

For those of you who have experienced a Belly Beyond sale before, you'll know that when we have a sale, we REALLY have a sale - the biggest complaint we get is that people have missed out on the deals because they go so fast (true story). 

More info coming soon... but in the meantime, save the date.

29th November 2010

www.bellybeyond.co.nz 

FAQ

What is Cyber Monday?

Basically it's one  of the busiest online shopping days of the year overseas with retailers offering mad deals and pre-Christmas offers.  Last year a reported US$887 million was spent by consumers online during Cyber Monday, it's definitely a tradition that shoppers overseas have embraced and know is worth waiting for each year.

Why Cyber Monday?

Legend has it that the idea came about with online retailers taking the best parts of traditional holiday shopping (the amazing deals and bargains) but without the worst of holiday shopping (trying to find a park, fighting the crowds, waiting in queues).

Cyber Monday New Zealand

The Belly Beyond Cyber Monday Sale will replace our Boxing Day Sale this year.  So the best way to describe the upcoming Cyber Monday Sale is just like our mad Boxing Day Sale, only at the end of November - you know us, always doing things a bit differently. 

ERGObaby Year in the Life - 4 months old

Feels like it's been ages since I blogged - probably has!

I can't believe my wee baby is now 4 months old. I sooo wanted to hold onto that itty bitty baby stage, but alas my newborn is now chunky and super heavy baby! He is absolutely gorgeous and the apple of my eye. He is super cuddly and giggles and grins like no other.

He still continues to love his ErgoBaby, altho he really doesn't fit in the Heart2Heart insert anymore. :-(
Sometimes he grizzles when I put him in it, but within a minute he is happy. I still use the Heart2Heart insert if we are going out in the wind and I want some more buffering and wind protection. But he has to have his legs out the side - which is new for me! I liked it when he was tucked away, but now its fun to hold onto his legs and tickle his feet! So many people comment on it and love the design of how baby sits in there, rather than hangs out! I am always quick to mention how fantastic it really is and how it supports baby from Newborn! I cant sing its praises enough!

For my Son's 4th birthday we all packed up and went on the Weka Pass Railway for an adventure. My sister came along with her 5mth old daughter ( dragging her pram behind her) and her Son is a few months older than my 4 year old- so it was a great time with 5 kiddies and 3 Mamas ( Grandma included there too!) I had not been on the Weka Pass train, so didnt know what to expect at any stage of the journey. There were beautiful old carriages and a lovely black steam engine. Funnily enough the carriages were the same as the ones my sister and I used to catch the train to school in - way back in the 1980's! So it was fun being able to choose our red leather seats and flipping them back and forth to get the best view. The kids loved the ride and having William in the Ergo was great. So easy, hands free, no fuss. I sat him on the insert cushion so he was a bit higher up - perfect for snuggling and kissing his wee head. I fed him while we were on the journey and then he slept the rest of the way. When we arrived at the end of the line, we had a birthday picnic lunch. My sister had her pram but it was such a nuisance as it had to be stowed away in a separate area and in the end she never used it! Once again,I was so thankful for our Ergo and how easy and portable it really is!

This past month has really flown by, so much happening with School and Kindy, a new phase of our life as parents. William is growing so fast, its lovely to hear his chatter and laughing. He is so easy too - like most 3rd babies I hear! He is happy where ever we go and just slots in. The Earthquakes have still been happening- in the weekend we had 2 more big ones... a 4.7 and a 4.9 - I really dont like them and they still make my heart race.

My daughter turned 6 on Guy Fawkes day - she loves it that every year on her birthday she gets fireworks! This year it was a bit miserable and we had planned to go to a display at her school but it was raining and postponed till December. And because of the rain the New Brighton Pier display was rescheduled for the next day. Thankfully it was fine so we decide to take the kids to that! At about 8.30pm ( an hour past bedtime) we set off for the beach. Of course... the Ergo was the only choice for bubs. For 3 reasons, 1/ We would be trekking across sand dunes, 2/ It was really,really cold and I wanted him cosy, 3/ I wanted him extra close because of all the noise and bangs from the fireworks.

So perfect really! He had his legs out and so I wrapped a blanket over the outside of the Ergo and tired to keep his little legs warm. He didn't make a peep and fell asleep despite the massive booms as the Fireworks exploded off the Pier. Nearly forgot a photo of me as I was so busy taking photos of the magnificent display.

I'm really looking forward to some great warm weather - I'll have to brave the sun with my white arms andlegs - but what a great excuse to go out for some walks on the beach with William in the Ergo! I'm sure he will love the fresh air and view as well.

:-) Gill

Merino Blankets by Lou & Olly

These stunning merino blankets are the type that will become an heirloom item in your family.

Lou & Olly are beautifully made, NZ merino baby blankets, and are on the top of our shopping list when people say they want something special AND practical for the new arrival.

It's a great gift choice for Grand Parents in particular too because the neutral tones will go with any decor and there is also available in 100% Eco-dyed cotton.



Proudly made in NZ, from the softest of NZ merino.

Lou & Olly - String

Lou & Olly - Blush

Lou & Olly - Grey Marle

A love story - Jack & Joan 70 years

Heidi's grand parents, Jack and Joan, recently renewed their vows after 70 years together.

The NZ Women's Weekly was there for the occasion and their story appears in this weeks issue.

I challenge you to read about this beautiful love story and NOT feel your heart warm and eyes prickle with tears.
 
It's a bit of fun too, playing "where's Heidi?' in the family shot below right - get the magnifiying glass out!

Magic Beans - Find the Bean Competition

Magic Beans are turning two and to celebrate they are running a Find the Bean competition.

Have fun!

Baby Carrier Reviews

Two reviews received in as many days from happy customers who have purchased from our varied baby carrier range.

Unido Baby Sling

I rec'd my Unido sling today and have used it twice already.....I can tell it is going to be brilliant and just what I was looking for.


The fabric feels great and it looks and feels like excellent quality, so I am very happy with it.


Thank you!!

Popit Wrap

I absolutely love my popit wrap! :-) It's so comfortable to wear & my son loves the snuggle time when he's in it & he loves that he can see out when he's in it. I find it fantastic for support as I have a spinal curve & I tried a few baby carriers before I purchased the popit wrap which didn't offer anywhere near the back support I need which the popit offers :-)

Free Trilogy Rosehip Oil - Womama Birthing Wrap Offer

Womama are celebrating their new arrival with a fantastic offer.  Right now you will receive a redemption form for a FREE Trilogy Rosekip oil with every Womama Birthing Wrap purchased at Belly Beyond.  *does not include the SALE birthing wraps sorry

So what is the new arrival?

It's the Ocean Blue colour Birthing Wrap and judging by sales so far it's going to be even more popular than the Black Birthing Wrap, which Womama have made famous world wide.

Skin to Skin

The Midwife approved wrap style promotes skin to skin contact with your newborn baby

Celebrate

Enjoy personal comfort in your own labour and birthing dress for this amazing day of your life

Modesty

You can cover up when you want to be and keep mobile through labour while allowing for easy foetal monitoring if need be.

Natural

Made from certified organic cotton, perfect for labour when your skin can be hyper sensitive and the ideal fabric for next to newborn skin.

HOTmilk new arrival

The new style from HOTmilk has arrived and is available to purchase now and all pre-orders have been dispatched.

This style is called She was Seemingly Unaware or SW to those of us who can't type fast and is the same style as the very popular Awakened By Her Desire, only in the striking black and lilac tones.

The size range of this style is 10B-20H.  So how can the same style bra work for such differing size ranges?  Well the clever team at HOTmilk know that with larger breasts you'll need more support so the strap sizes are sized according to cup size with the larger cup styles having a wider strap.

Here's a photo that shows the differing sizes.  Clever huh?

Parent & Child Show Report

What a spectacular weekend we had at the Parent & Child Show.  So much fun to meet everyone and also to have a chance to catch up with our suppliers and really lovely to get to meet the people behind our fellow online sites - there's a definite sisterhood because we all know the challenges we face as mums and as business women!  So a big shout out to Kate from Naked Baby, Bex from Daisy Baby, Louise from Scamps, Sarah and Katrina from Things for Baby - how late were you up on the Sunday night answering emails?   ;)

What we'll remember:

• seeing how much fun everyone was having in the Little Black Photo Booth (us included!)

•  Meeting Tracey from Cake Lingerie.  Tracey is the creator of the brand, such a sweetie, and boy does she know her boobs (how to fit them into the right size bra I mean!).  There were long queues at times to get into the changing room and get professionally fitted by the expert and every woman who tried on Cake, bought it.
• Hearing about a cockroach scuttling over to check out our stand close-up when Heidi and I were both on a walk-around. 

The most memorable part of the show had to be the Belly Beyond Cake Lingerie Real Mums Fashion Show on the Main Stage on Saturday.  A huge thank you to our model mums, AJ, Jasmene, Alisha, Mandy and Sarah, who totally blew the crowd away with their gorgeous stage presence and confidence.  Takes courage to be on stage in your underwear, no matter how beautiful it may be, and to do so after having a baby and while pregnant is simply amazing - you absolutely rock!!

So without further ado, go and check out the Belly Beyond Cake Lingerie Real Mums at the Auckland Parent and Child Show photos on our Facebook page.

And for my lovely mother who won't join the rest of the world and join Facebook, here are the shots of her favourite granddaughter on stage demonstrating with aplomb, the SKIP*HOP Zoo Back Pack