Momzelle Giveaway

When is a business more than a business?  When it cares about something other than “the bottom line.”  That’s what we love about our TLB sponsors.  Though these companies care about many different social and environmental causes, there is one thing that they all have in common: encouraging families on their breastfeeding journey.  One such company is Momzelle.  Read on as Christine, the woman behind this Canadian TLB sponsor, shares about how Momzelle cares about breastfeeding moms and enter for your chance to win a fun and comfortable nursing top!

Christine Poirier co-founder of Momzelle

TLB:  You make a variety of simple and very elegant tops for expecting and nursing women.  What are some of the values that you incorporate into the design of your clothing?

Christine Poirier:  I design the tops for mothers who love and care for their babies, nursing them night or day, and the tops reflect these values of love and care. The materials are soft and stretchy, meant to be comforting to the mother and to the baby who will be nursing and holding on to it. Freedom is also one of the values that go in the design of the clothing. The tops are meant to provide freedom to the mothers, who can nurse anywhere, and to the babies, who can feed anywhere. The tops have practical and simple nursing openings meant to ease new moms into their new motherly task of nursing.

TLB:  What kind of feedback have you received from the moms wearing your clothes?

Christine Poirier:  The comments we receive are overwhelmingly positive. One of the good things about the Momzelle website is that each product has its reviews posted next to it, with little stars that help choose what’s best. Some moms wonder why they did not get one before, others say that the Momzelle nursing tops are the best nursing tops they own. One of my favorite comment came from a mom who wanted to show her newborn to her relatives in a different state. She had to fly there and she was distressed at the idea of nursing her baby next to a stranger in the plane. She received her nursing top in time for her flight and she said it saved the trip. She was very thankful. This is what we are all about: helping women feel good about breastfeeding, no matter where they are.

TLB:  I know that you like to find ways to support women directly.  What are some of the ways that you are involved in supporting expecting and breastfeeding women?

Christine Poirier:  You should have a a look at our Facebook page! We have over 9700 fans and we post fun breastfeeding pics, jokes and inspiring quotes on a daily basis. That’s the fun bit. On the other serious side, we also have an informative section on our website and blog, where we post articles from my favorite doctor and breastfeeding specialist, Dr. Jack Newman. Outside of the web, I really like to encourage breastfeeding support groups like La Leche League and the activities that they organize. We do so by providing prizes for their events and by sponsoring them. We do the same for events that go across the board, like the yearly breastfeeding challenge (when groups across North America compete in a friendly way to get the most babies at the breast at the same time on the same day).  A couple of years ago, our efforts in supporting breastfeeding women were recognized when we won the “Best Socially-Minded Business Award” from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. We are quite proud!

300 - Nursing band nursing baby

Christine Poirier of Momzelle nursing clothing is giving away a fun and comfy T-shirt to 3 lucky Leakies.

This comfortable Momzelle nursing T-shirt is made of 95% cotton, 5% spandex, comes in your choice of black or fuchsia, and says: “I make milk.  What’s your superpower?.”  Retail Value: $46.00

020- T-shirt with I make milk print black

Currently Leakies can find this fabulous nursing top and other breastfeeding items in the Momzelle website.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from June 4, 2013 through June 11, 2013.  A big thanks to Christine and Momzelle for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@momzelle on Twitter) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway open to US and Canada entries.

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Valentine’s Day Giveaway from Rumina

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rumina, TLB sponsor from way back, would like to make this day a little more fun by giving you a chance to win one of their muli-function tops: the Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank.  In a brief interview below, the sisters behind Rumina, Amanda and Dawn, one expecting her first baby, the other 3 months post-partum, share with our readers some thoughts on how babies change your life, and in honor of the Holiday, they describe both their ideal night out and their favorite cheap date.  Enter for your chance to enter the giveaway below.  

Three women of Rumina

TLB:  Amanda, with expecting your first little one, what aspects of becoming a mother make you nervous?

Amanda:   It would probably be the planning for the unexpected, and how can you really plan for that? I’ve been a planner with set time frames and goals for a lot of big aspects of my life, school, my previous career, finances but the one thing my fiancé and I were not planning at the time was a baby. Now I find myself switching gears and trying to create a plan for our baby and I know that the ideas and expectations I have will probably go out the window as soon as the little guy arrives. I hear they have an amazing ability to completely change your life. As a planner, not knowing what that change will look like makes me a little nervous but I’m also really excited. I know I’ll have a lot of help and support around me to take care of the little guy, and I’m so excited to be a mom. So if there’s time to learn to embrace living in the moment, it’ll be when he arrives.

TLB:  Dawn, three months into adding a little one to your family, how does big brother show affection to his new little sister?

Dawn:  This has been a big change for Bryce.  He has had 5 years of undivided attention from my husband and I.  At first, he would just look at her and ask each day, “is she big yet” as he wants to play!  Now, 3 months in, Bryce has to hug and kiss her before he goes to bed each night and is upset if this is missed.  We have also caught him lightly tickling her and say, “who’s the cutest baby” in a baby voice.  My son has a very good heart.  I know that as the days pass, the bond with them will continue to deepen.

TLB:  Dawn and Amanda, describe your ideal romantic date.

Amanda:  Right now, being 6 months and still childless, I think I would have to stretch the ideal romantic date into an ideal romantic weekend. My fiancé and I live in the Pacific Northwest right on the border of Washington and Idaho, we have beautiful  resorts overlooking the mountains and lakes. I think it would be great to have a nice dinner and splurge on a overnight stay in a room with a view. Then before we jumped in the car for the drive home he would “surprise” me with a pregnancy massage in the resorts spa. Now that sounds ideal.

Dawn:  LOL, date?  what is a date?  I used to fantasize about places like Fiji and my husband and I used to travel all over and dance Argentine Tango… man those were the days.  Now I just fantasize about drinking coffee on a Sunday morning without anyone saying my name for 2 hours.  🙂  Ok, if I was to really think hard, my ideal date would be to go wine tasting either at our local wineries or up in Napa like we used to.

TLB:  Dawn and Amanda, describe your favorite cheap date night in.

Amanda:   Our cheap date night, which doesn’t happen very often even for a cheap date, is usually an outing at the dollar movie theatre. In our area we have a dollar theatre that shows movies usually already available for rental but still cheaper than renting. We usually pick up a few candies and sneak them into the theatre too, we’re those kind of people. It’s nice feeling like its still a date without spending $30.00 just to watch a movie.

Dawn –  Our cheap date night was really a date afternoon.  This was before Beth was born and we just had our son.  When our son was at school, we would steal away to the movies for an afternoon show.  Matinees are much cheaper and less crowded!  (of course, I had to play hooky from my day job)!

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 Dawn and Amanda are giving away one Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank to 3 lucky Leakies! 
Winners choose the style, size and color of their choice!

Here’s what you’re getting in the Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tank: 

One Tank. Three Essential Functions. The perfect layer for a busy mom’s lifestyle, Rumina Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tanks have a built-in bra that allows for effortless pumping and nursing without sacrificing shape and support. No longer do moms have to remember an extra garment to change into to pump, Rumina’s tanks offer all day support under your favorite blouses or shirts. With extra length for fashion and layering, Rumina’s tanks provide complete coverage and the soft knit blend of 90% Cotton and 10% Lycra, stretches and recovers to adjust to a new mom’s changing body. Rumina’s Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tanks take the extra steps and time out of pumping!  Retail Value: $48.00

Styles Full Coverage and Classic Coverage Tanks

Currently Leakies can find Rumina’s Hands-Free Pump&Nurse Tanks, in both Classic Coverage and Full Coverage styles at www.ruminaformoms.com.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from Feb. 14th 2013 through Feb. 20 2013.  A big thanks to Dawn and Amanda and Rumina Nursingwear for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@RuminaAmanda on Twitter) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is restricted to U.S. residents only.

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[BIS.KOT] Stylish Giveaway

I got to meet Ariane and Anouk in October at the trade show.  Along with getting to see, touch, and try on their beautiful clothes, I got to spend time with these two wonderful women.  They are so much fun!  Visiting in their booth was one of my favorite stops at the ABC trade show and I loved just getting to sit with them, chatting while I fed Sugarbaby.  It’s no wonder that their designs have such warmth, style, and quality, it’s just who they are coming through!  Their Nyi cowl neck top is my new favorite breastfeeding top, even better that its design is something I will be wearing long past weaning.  So I’m excited to bring all this quality, style, warmth, and comfortable personality to you in this giveaway.  I wish every pregnant and breastfeeding mom could have the comfort of [BIS.KOT] in their wardrobe.  I hope you enjoy learning about this mom owned and run company as much as I did and I’m certain you’ll love their products.  Also, though not yet available in the USA, Canadian Leakies can check out their line of cloth diapers.  We’ve loved adding a few of the well designed fluff to our stash.

 

TLB:  What should TLB readers know about [BIS.KOT]?

Ariane:  Actually, they don’t have to know anything… they just have to try it!  Everyone that has tried any style from [BIS.KOT] has fallen for it.  Stylish, comfortable, flattering styles which can all be worn during  pregnancy, while breastfeeding and much more!

TLB:  What is the significance of your company name?  It’s a bit unusual but catchy, what’s the story?

Ariane:  [BIS.KOT] is a pure invention… most of the names we give to our brands/products have no specific meaning. We believe that branding is important and the name is part of it.  We usually start with brainstorming, and most of the time we end up very far from where we started. It’s one of the greatest parts of our job : we laugh and have a LOT of fun!

TLB:  Personally I love your Niji cowl neck top, so soft, stylish, comfortable, versatile, and flattering.  What is the inspiration behind your styles?

Ariane:  We love stylish clothing that can be worn any style : up or down. We know that, as a Mom, we shop for them and we forget about us.  Having versatile styles in our closet is necessary and may save the date when having an unexpected dinner out. When looking for new styles, we search the season’s trends, colors, inspirations. We try to get special details on every style we create.

TLB:  Tell us about your families and how you balance life as working moms.

Ariane:  What? Balance? We try, very hard… But our business is like our 3rd baby, it’s part of our life. Even the kids think the office is their second home…  We think about it all the time, when we’re in vacation, we get flash ideas on new styles we could create; while cooking, we think about new promotions; when surfing the web, we read partner’s websites ei TLB…  But, when we are with our families, we give 200% : we play, we laugh, we cook, we do a lot of things. That is also part of who we are : always trying to give more. We do it at work, but we also do it at home!  Organization is necessary in order to have a balanced life… grocery, dinners, laundry, activities, have the kids participate at home helps a lot. A schedule that is easy to follow for the entire family keeps us in track.  We have lists everywhere and it helps us concentrate on our ‘’job’’.

TLB:  What is your favorite breastfeeding tip for a new mom?

Ariane:  According to our own experiences, being surrounding by loving people is a MUST. Your husband, parents, siblings, friends, local support group…  They can help with the baby, with older kids, get you an hour power nap in the afternoon, a dinner you don’t need to cook, or just someone to talk to and have a coffee with…  Breastfeeding support groups are AWESOME. You don’t absolutely need to go out, there are great websites, such as The Leaky Boob. These are great ressources!  Most of new breastfeeding moms think they’re alone in their own situation. You are NOT alone.  Breastfeeding is one of the greatest thing in motherhood, but mom and baby both need to learn : one step at a time.  Many moms encounter some difficulties when starting breastfeeding, we did… but we succeeded! Pain, aches, relactaction… we went through a lot but only have good memories in our breastfeeding journeys.

Ariane is giving away a Hana Criss-cross Shirt  to two lucky Leakies.  This stylish shirt features 3/4 length sleeves and easy nursing access.  Available in black, steel gray, ultramarine blue, and imperial purple.    Retail value $50.00

Currently Leakies can find these and other unique maternity and nursingwear on the [BIS.KOT] website and in some local retail stores and boutiques in Canada.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered, and check out biskotdesign.com for more information on their different clothing collections.  The giveaway is open from November 29, 2012 through December 6, 2012.  A big thanks to Ariane and [BIS.KOT] for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@obiskot on Twitter) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to international entries.

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Mother’s Day Wishes- Momzelle gift card giveaway

New TLB sponsor Momzelle based in Montreal, Canada, offers their Mother’s Day wishes for Leakies in honor of the creator of the company’s dear friend.  Christine, the mom behind Momzelle, shares how she came to start her company as well as her favorite Mother’s Day gift she has received to date.

 

 

TLB:  What should TLB readers know about Momzelle?

Christine:  Momzelle’s mission is to help mothers feel good about breastfeeeding in public. It is a brand of nursing clothing, including nursing tops and nursing dresses, available at select independant maternity and baby stores, as well as online on www.momzelle.com. All of our tops are both stylish and functional, designed with a nursing mother’s needs in mind. They are easy to use, feel great, and most importantly, they allow mothers to nurse anywhere without worrying about what part of their body is showing. This freedom is very empowering.

 

TLB:  How did Momzelle come to be?

Christine:  Momzelle came to be about five years ago, after the birth of my daughter Cécile. I had created a nursing top for myself and my midwife raved about how good it was. She said I must bring the product to market, as all moms needed it. A few months later, with the help of my brother Vincent, I started Momzelle. The tops we designed were a hit right away, receiving amazing reviews from mothers and the media. Starting Momzelle was one of the best things I ever did and it is very gratifiying to know that our work makes a difference in mothers’ lives, allowing them to feel good while breastfeeding in public.

 

TLB:  What was your favorite mother’s day present to receive?

Christine:  My favorite mother’s day present to receive was a little heart shaped candle holder, made by my daughter. It is ugly, but made with so much love that I can’t help being moved when I look at it. I take it out on every special occasions, which pleases both of us.

 

TLB:  What do you wish for all mothers this mother’s day?

Christine:  A friend of mine died of a cancer a year ago and had two little children of a very young age. This mother’s day, I wish to all mothers to be healthy and able to see their children grow.

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Christine is giving away a $25 gift card to the Momzelle online store.  Featuring beautiful and functional breastfeeding tops and dresses, Momzelle has a variety of styles fashionably designed for the breastfeeding mom.  With this giveaway the winner can pick their favorite product using the gift card to shop at momzelle.com.

 

Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered and be sure to visit Momzelle online to learn more about the breastfeeding wear clothing lines and get to know this company that makes it a priority to support breastfeeding moms through their sponsorship of TLB.  This giveaway is open from May 9, 2012 through May 16, 2012.  So grateful for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit the Momzelle Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to international entries.

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Mother’s Day Wishes- Undercover Mama Giveaway

I recently received my first Undercover Mama (2, actually) just last week and love them so I’m thrilled to be sharing this fantastic giveaway with you this Mother’s Day week.  This mom-designed product is unique and practical while being cute and specific.  I had the chance to meet the UCM team last fall and now to have a quick interview with them to share with all of my readers.  You’re going to love getting to know not only their product but the fabulous moms behind the company.

TLB:  What should TLB readers know about Undercover Mama?

UCM:  The Undercover is the stylish & affordable alternative to a nursing wardrobe. It connects to your favorite bra & keeps your belly, sides & back covered when nursing. It can be worn during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and after!

 

TLB: How did Undercover Mama come to be?

UCM:  UCM was invented by Elisa, a mother of 5 (now 6!). It was designed by a real mom, for moms of all shapes & sizes. Undercover Mama is Mom Invented. Mom Owned, & Mom Operated! Our mission is to support moms!

 

TLB:  What was your favorite mother’s day present to receive?

UCM:  A day off from responsibilities to enjoy quality time with my family-highlights: long shower & afternoon nap!

 

TLB:  What do you wish for all mothers this mother’s day?

UCM:  An opportunity to enjoy a peaceful & happy day with loved ones!

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Undercover Mama is giving away one Undercover Mama breastfeeding shirt, retail value of $24.99, to be issued as certificate to redeem online for winners choice of size & color.  From their website:

The Undercover Mama is a strapless camisole that attaches right to any nursing bra.  Layer it under any shirt, keeping your style without having to invest in a whole new wardrobe of nursing shirts.  Essentially, Undercover Mama easily transforms any shirt into a nursing shirt!

With two attachment options included with every shirt, Undercover Mama will work with any nursing bra and you can continue to use it as an undershirt with your regular, non-nursing bras when you are finished breastfeeding.

Let us help you make nursing comfortable and affordable while keeping you covered and maintaining your style.

Undercover Mama can be found at various online retailers and online at undercovermama.com.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered and be sure to visit Undercover Mama online to learn more about the Undercover Mama products and get to know this company that makes it a priority to support breastfeeding moms through their sponsorship of TLB.  This giveaway is open from May 8, 2012 through May 15, 2012.  Deep appreciation to UCM for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit the Undercover Mama Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open only to shipping addresses in the USA and Canada.

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Snugabell Toni Top and Pencil Skirt giveaway

Drawing from her own personal experience as a pumping mom, PumpEase™ and Snugabell creator/owner Wendy Bell has developed a product and company that offers quality support to pumping moms and now has a new line of maternity/nursing wear, the Toni Top line.  Along with a beautiful giveaway opportunity for Leakies, Wendy answers a few questions, sharing her passion, mothering wisdom, and how she overcame a breastfeeding challenge in her own journey.  I’m so grateful for the support of PumpEase™ for TLB and all Leakies and hope you enjoy the interview and giveaway.

Wendy with hubby Mike

TLB:  What should TLB readers know about Snugabell?

Wendy:  Snugabell designs and manufactures maternity, nursing and pumping products for moms that are not willing to sacrifice fashion for function.  Our products include PumpEase, the world’s ONLY fashionable hands-free pumping bra, PumpEase Organic, the world’s ONLY organic hands-free pumping bra and the Toni Top “bump, breast & beyond” clothing line.  Our mission is “to support moms’ decision to breastfeed through education, community and beauty”.  Alongside The Best for Babes Foundation, whom we have proudly supported since 2009, we work hard to help beat The Booby Traps – the cultural and institutional barriers that prevent moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals.

 

TLB:  What inspired you to start your company and as you’ve added the Toni Top and pencil skirt to your product line, what are your plans to continue growing

Wendy: When I was pregnant with my first daughter, a friend of mine asked me if I was going to pump.  I asked her why I would need to (we get a full year of maternity leave here in Canada).  She said that she pumped so that her husband could also feed the baby.  I discussed it with my husband, and we decided this would work well for our new family.  I didn’t have too many pumping sessions under my belt before I was online searching for something to hold the pump flanges for me.  Not only was I bored silly sitting on the couch unable to do ANYthing else, as soon as my daughter was born I developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which made it painful to hold the flanges for any more than a few minutes.  I found a few products, all of which were ugly and none of which I was willing to part with my hard-earned money for.  With my (at the time) nine years experience in the apparel industry, I considered what would make a “better” hands-free pumping bra and sewed the first PumpEase prototype.  After encouragement from family and friends, I decided to do a small manufacturing run and build a website.  It was a no-brainer to produce the PumpEase in pretty prints – women like pretty things whether she is seen in them or not!  I naively thought this product-based business would provide some “passive income” and compliment my service-based CAD Pattern Management business nicely.  Little did I know it would grow to where it has in four short years.

Our plans for the future include continuing to expand the Toni Top “bump, breast & beyond” maternity, nursing and hands-free pumping clothing line beyond our current six styles (3/4-Sleeve Top, Tunic, Dress, Pencil Skirt, Maxi Skirt and Palazzo Pant) and continue to build our international business via distributors.

 

TLB:  How do you balance family and growing your business?

Wendy:  Actually, I don’t strive for balance anymore.  I don’t believe it exists and in fact believe the term “life balance” is yet another dangling carrot designed to make women feel inadequate .  You never hear a man that works 40, 60 or 80 hours a week pining for “life balance”.  My husband and my girls know that I have a business and that it is busy.  Sometimes one or the other gets more or less attention than it deserves and so be it!

 

TLB:  What was the most challenging experience you faced in your own breastfeeding journey and how did you get through?

Wendy:  I had amazing pregnancies, births and breastfeeding relationships with both my girls.  Not to say that I wouldn’t do anything different if I could do it all over again, as I would – I’ve learned *so* much since I’ve started the business.  If I had to choose the biggest challenge I guess it would be the misdiagnosed thrush that I had with my second daughter.  I found out only last year, when I took my CLE training, that it was most likely actually a staph infection (the stats are that 75% of staph infections are misdiagnosed as thrush).  The doctor didn’t take a culture and thus we were treating something that we didn’t have and it took forever to clear it up.

Wendy with her family

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Wendy is giving away a Toni Top and pencil skirt to one very lucky winner.  The Toni 3/4 Sleeve Top retail value = $66.00; Made in Canada; 95% modal, 5% spandex jersey knit.  Toni Top Pencil Skirt, retail value $56.00; Made in Canada; 95% modal, 5% spandex jersey knit, 66% rayon, 28% cotton, 6% spandex rib knit.

The Toni Top is designed for all stages of a busy mom or mom-to-be’s life – from pregnancy to nursing and beyond weaning. It even works for hands-free pumping! When you wear the Toni Top – you feel A-MAZE-ING. You know those garments that once you put them on, you are constantly stroking the fabric? THAT”S the Toni Top. It will quickly become one of THE favourite pieces in your closet.

 

  • get triple bang for your buck – wear the Toni Top during pregnancy, nursing and beyond weaning
  • it features a shaped front hemline that will provide coverage for your growing belly
  • it has no special openings for nursing – just good design – a hallmark of our products
  • it features easy nursing access, providing ample coverage as you gain confidence nursing in public
  • it has a flattering wide-set sweetheart neckline which broadens your shoulders and thus slims your waist
  • it features 3/4 length sleeves to keep you comfortable
  • it’s made from a luxurious modal/spandex fabric that feels heavenly against your skin
  • it features a heat transfer care label thus eliminating irritation to your neck
  • it was designed by an expert – a nursing mom that has over 17 years experience in the apparel industry

The Toni Top Pencil Skirt can be worn with the waistband rolled up to cover your belly or rolled down part or all the way. Rolling the waistband can also be used to control the length of the skirt a few inches – perhaps exposing a little more leg for a night out on the town? Wear the Pencil Skirt with the 3/4 Sleeve Top for a 2-piece dress – so versatile! It will quickly become a staple of your wardrobe.

  • get double bang for your buck – wear the Toni Top Pencil Skirt during pregnancy and beyond
  • it has no unflattering maternity panels – just good design – a hallmark of our products
  • it’s made from a luxurious modal/spandex fabric that feels heavenly against your skin
  • it features a heat transfer care label thus eliminating irritation to your skin
  • it was designed by an expert – a mom that has over 17 years experience in the apparel industry

Currently Leakies can find the Toni Top and Toni Top Pencil Skirt website http://www.snugabell.com/products/toni-top (soon to be on Amazon.com and in retailers this fall).

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 Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered and have fun browsing snugabell.com.  The giveaway is open from April 12, 2012 to April 19, 2012.  A big thanks to Wendy for her ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit their Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to international entries.

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