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One of a Kind

Lena Loves… Babywrappers

March 23, 2011 By Lena

Babywrappers are back on Listen to Lena! Just in time for the Spring One of A Kind Show, let me refresh your memory on why these baby towels are one of my all-time FAVOURITE items for baby!

“Babywrappers are so unique and versatile you will never use another towel again for your baby’s bath. The Babywrapper hangs like an apron around your neck while protecting you from getting a bath yourself! This oversized bath towel was designed to be large enough to completely wrap your baby in it and light enough to comfortably feel your wiggly baby through it. When bath-time is over simply pick her up with your 2 free hands and place her on your chest, wrapping the towel around her. Your baby will enjoy cuddling up against you and will love the feel of the soft absorbent terry cloth towel around her. You’ll be amazed at how easy bath-time can be!”

Babywrappers are the invention of Canadian mom Dina, who found bathtime a challenge in her small bathroom. Inspired to improve her experience, Dina sewed up an apron-like towel that secured around her neck to protect her outfit while baby splashed about. Et voila! With her creativity and focus to bring the product to market, bathtime became easier for moms everywhere!

Because I stocked up on Babywrappers before Ryder arrived, we never had to endure the frustration of drying off a wriggly, slippery baby. But with fellow moms, it was constantly a topic of discussion – how to avoid being splashed, where to put the towel while lifting baby, and most important, how to keep baby warm during transportation from tub to bed/change pad. Babywrappers solve all of these problems!

Click here to see how Babywrappers work.

Babywrappers are available in a large selection of colours and textures, including waffle, gingham, velour, camo and more. They are quite honestly one of the perfect gifts for a mom-to-be – and you can forget all the standard hooded bath towels that are usually on baby registries. They do not work. They will be thrown out. Even after we purchased Babywrappers I received a few hooded towels at my baby shower, and could not believe how they paled in comparison with respect to quality, size, and of course, user friendliness!

Check out some of the newest colours in Babywrappers:

The towels took Ryder through to his first year of life, and then he became too big for them. But that’s okay – they’re perfect for Reid to enjoy – and he does now, every time he takes a bath.

Dina recently introduced 30″x35″ stroller blankets in the same great variety of colours as the Babywrappers; they’re soft, supple and a truly wonderful way to keep baby warm during all those early spring walks. You won’t be able to resist stroking the blanket along your cheek… I am certain they’ll soon become your baby’s favourite blankie. I love having a selection of quality blankets; one for the car, one at grandma’s… really everywhere, now that I think of it!

Visit Babywrappers at the Spring One of A Kind Show from March 30th to April 3rd – just stop by booth Q-16 and tell Dina you heard about Babywrappers on Listen to Lena!


Visit Babywrappers to view the selection of colours and designs, and to shop online.


Babywrappers has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Babywrapper or stroller blanket, in your choice of colour! To enter, simply visit the website and leave a comment here, telling us which one you would choose if you won.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) Like Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4frvd7r)
(4) You may Tweet daily.

I’ll draw for a winner on April 20th. Good luck everybody!

Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: babies, Babywrappers, bath time, contest, One of a Kind

OOAK Christmas Show: Good Times!

December 2, 2010 By Lena

Just four (4) days left to enjoy the One of A Kind Christmas Show in Toronto!

Keeping with tradition, we checked it out last weekend and had an amazing time! Ryder tagged along for the first time ever, and I was a little concerned how he would hold up as we made our way through the aisles. However, he enjoyed himself immensely, and couldn’t say no to all the goodies available for sampling. Here he is in front of the portable puppet theatre booth from Open Door Designs – nothing like a good puppet show to get the party started!

Then I just simply had to pop in on my girls at Foxy Originals, who always have the busiest booth at the show. And no wonder – with literally tons of pieces to choose from, customers were on a gift-giving free for all. I was happy to be introduced to my new favourite necklace – the Cabaret – and proudly showed off some Foxy love as I walked through the show. (Only 3 days left to enter the Foxy Originals giveaway!)

Off to Bamboo Lily, where I marveled at the stunning booth. Gorgeous bamboo clothing, sweet pictures of babes modelling the goods, and a lovely eco-friendly vibe. And the kudos! I couldn’t believe how many satisfied customers dropped by to tell Lillian how much they loved the line – and to make another purchase, of course. I gushed about Reid’s favourite blanket – made of oh-so-soft bamboo and personalized with his name. (Enter to win one of your very own!)

I was also quite thrilled to run into Babywrappers – and had a strong urge to stop shopping and start praising the qualities of the product to everyone who walked by. Seriously, mamas, you NEED this at bathtime! It’s quite simply the best baby bath towel on the market. Ryder was happy to take home a Green Camo Babywrapper and matching face cloths for Reid – although by the way he was snuggling up to it, I’m sure he’ll be declaring “mine!” the moment he sees his little brother bundled up in it. And don’t forget that you can win a Babywrapper here – just 3 days left to enter the giveaway!

We covered the entire show and purchased some one of a kind staples, including delectable Lobster Mousse, personalized tree ornaments, and of course, a gourmet caramel apple from Bruce County Fudge. YUM!

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, visit the show – you’ll be glad you did!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Babywrappers, Bamboo Lily, Foxy Originals, GTA, One of a Kind

OOAK Christmas Show Starts TODAY!

November 25, 2010 By Lena

If you happen to live in the Greater Toronto Area, LUCKY you!

The One of A Kind Christmas Show begins today! It is the stop for all your Christmas shopping, especially if you’re after unique, handmade, one of a kind gifts.

While you’re there, do stop by and say hello to all of the participants in my It’s One of A Kind! features – they’ve all generously donated prizes for YOU to win! (All draws take place December 4th.)

SPA SISTERS – Booth P-30
MATTER COMPANY – Booth R-38
FOXY ORIGINALS – Booth S-38
LUXE DESIGN – Booth T-54
BAMBOO LILY – Booth T-55
DOMISTYLE – Booth X-20
BABYWRAPPERS – Booth X-61

See you at the show!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Babywrappers, Bamboo Lily, Domistyle, Foxy Originals, Luxe Design, Matter Company, One of a Kind, Spa Sisters

OOAK Christmas Show Tix… Winner!

November 21, 2010 By Lena

Thanks to everyone who entered the OOAK Tix giveaway, sponsored by Bamboo Lily! (Have you entered for a chance to win a personalized baby blanket? What are you waiting for?!)

Don’t forget, you can also save $3 off the price of admission when you purchase online and enter code ADjk97x – once again, compliments of Lillian Chiu @Bamboo Lily.

And the winner is… NT! Congratulations!

NT said: I haven’t been in many, many years, so I would love to browse through all the vendors!

Please send me an e-mail and I will forward further instructions to you for pickup. Thanks to everyone who participated, and see you at the show!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: GTA, One of a Kind, winner

Toronto: One of A Kind Art Show

April 2, 2010 By Lena

It’s my favourite time of year. The weather is getting warmer, the birds are singing, and it’s once again time for the Spring One of a Kind Art Show!

I’ve been faithfully attending both the Spring and Christmas shows for years now – it’s just so me. Handmade items, Canadian artisans, unique (ahem, “one of a kind”) pieces and tons of exciting vendors and products. I don’t believe I’ve ever left a show empty handed – on the contrary, I usually have both arms full of goodies (and a very populated Visa statement).

This year, Catherine from Sailorgirl Jewelry graciously sent me a couple of tickets for admission, so I had even more reason to look forward to the event! The show started yesterday and you can bet I was there as soon as the doors opened :)

One of my first stops, naturally, was Sailorgirl Jewelry. I’ve featured Catherine’s pieces on my blog before (I discovered her for the first time at the 2006 show) but quickly realized once again, you really have to see her work in person to appreciate the vibrancy and ingenuity.


I couldn’t resist grabbing the Grass and Sky Sputnik Pendant for myself – the colours just popped out at me and I LOVE the way it so perfectly compliments my persona!

“Can you believe it used to be a faux pas to wear blue and green together? Look how fabulous these colours are! This super cute pendant will make everyone smile just looking at it, you’ll laugh all day long with this on.

My hands made these beads. There is no paint on any of my beads, just glass upon glass upon glass. I use Moretti (Effetre) glass, a little CIM and occasionally Vetrofond. All my beads are kiln annealed, thoroughly cleaned and inspected.”

Next, it was on to The Monster Factory, where I’ve been collecting monsters since 2004. At first, I fell in love with their ugly cuteness, and then I reasoned that one day my children would play with them. I was right – Ryder absolutely loves all his monsters (I think he’s up to 14 – spoiled lil’ kiddo)! So to keep with tradition, we picked up a new one (Mr. Creeps) as an Easter present for him. Now this monster is so new he isn’t on their website yet, so I’ll have to provide his description for you:

“Don’t let Mr. Creep’s self-confidence fool you. He is NOT always right.”

At between $35-$55 a pop, they’re not cheap. But I can assure you that Ryder has bitten, pulled, jumped on and kicked the daylights out of his monsters, and they look as good as new. The quality is impeccable – ALL the Monster Factory plush toys are sewn by hand and reinforced for durability and longevity.

Since Mike is on a curry kick, we also stopped by Himalaya Gourmet and picked up three new sauces: Tikka, Butter and Hot Bengal. I love cheating with Himalaya Gourmet sauces – the flavours are authentic, the ingredients are all natural, and they don’t taste “Canadianized” – something that your average PC and VH sauces tend to do. They’re so close to the real thing, you’ll think you’re at your favourite Indian restaurant.


Of course, we stopped by many other exhibitors and scored a lot of other wonderful handmade products… but in keeping with tradition and not completely revealing my shopaholic ways (my mom will be calling me up in about 2 minutes to ask me what else I bought…) I’ll just end my shopping summary here. However, I will share a few of my favourite artisans to visit:

All Things Jill
BabyWrappers
Bamboo Lily
Bruce County Nut & Fudge Co.
Domistyle Inc.
Foxy Originals
Mally Designs Ltd.
The Bean Ladies
Tracy’s Wine Jellies

The show runs until Sunday, April 4th (open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday). If you’re looking for something to do this long weekend, why not check out the show? You’ll LOVE it!

Click here for more information on the One of A Kind Art Show.

*Update* Fab reader Jennifer found a coupon for $3 off admission to the OOAK show on the Monster Factory website! Thanks for sharing Jennifer – and two days left to enjoy the show!

Click here for coupon.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Canadian Pride, GTA, handmade, One of a Kind

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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