Product Review: 2-in-1 Potette Plus

I have to admit that one of the reservations I had about starting to potty train Vera when she turned 2 was having to deal with her having to pee in the most inconvenient place. I mean, putting her on diapers simply means that I would not have to worry about her doing her business anywhere and anytime. What would I have to do if she asks to go when she in a car or a place that does not have a sanitory toilet?

The 2-in-1 Potette Plus solves this problem that I am sure many moms like me fret about when their kids reach potty training age. Designed as a portable potty and trainer seat all in one, this simple but extremly practical patented design can be used both as a folding potty with a disposable bag and also as a trainer seat for the adult toilet.

When not in use, the potty folds down compactly and an be placed under your stroller or back of the car when on the go. The patented disposable liners are super absorbent (it absorbs up to 150ml of liquid!), leak proof and easy to use. I cannot tell you how many times the potette plus has been a life saver on trips out with my 3 year old. Another plus point is she enjoys peeing on the pottete (esp in the car) so much that this contraption actually helped in the potty training process by making it fun! It is no wonder this practical product is a winner of numerous parenting awards.



Special features of the potette plus include:

-Contoured seat for your child's comfort
-Sturdy well-balanced base helps your child feel secure
-Legs lock into place when opened
-Folds flat so it can fit in a purse or diaper bag
-A great potty to keep in your car, boat, camper or RV
-Uses self-absorbing, disposable liners that discard like a diaper
-Disposable liners hold up to 5 ounces of liquid
-Liners are lightly scented to absorb odors
-Liner handles secure to the potty and tie closed for disposal
-Drawstring carrying bag included
-Comes with three super absorbent, leak-proof and easy-to-use disposable liners
-When used as a travel potty, suitable for ages 15 months and up to 50 lbs.
-Easily converts to a folding trainer seat suitable for children 2 years and up to 50 lbs.
-Non-slip, durable, and comfortable
-Hygienic -- can be used on all toilet seats
-Fold close after use and store
-Dimensions when Fully Open with Legs Extended: 9.875"L x 8.75"W x 4.875"H
-Dimensions when Folded Flat: 9.125"L x 8.75"W x 2.75"H
-Dimensions when Open as a Trainer Seat: 14.25"L x 8.75"W x 2.75"H

The 2-in-1 Potette Plus is now available in a gender neutral sanitory White HERE on Pupsik Studio. Each purchase comes with disposable liners. You can purchase additional liners separately.

For a limited time only, enter the discount code PUPSIKBLOG to enjoy 10% off the Potette Plus and additional liners. Happy Toilet Training!

Chinese New Year Sale

Our 3 days Chinese New Year Sale is now now till Sat 30Jan! Many favourite clothing items from Oobi Baby and Princess Ratbag now on sale at 15% off! No terms attached, just while stocks last! Hop on over here!

ST NICHOLAS GIRLS FUNDRAISER

At long last, after months of hard work, we have finally managed to work with the St Nicholas Alumnae Association to put together a new fundraising project for the school rebuilding efforts! Thank you all who have been patiently waiting!

To keep everyone to date as to how this all came about, this project started a year ago with this post. With the interest this aroused among many old school girls, this project evolved over the course of a year into a fundraising project to help raise funds for the St Nicholas Girls' School's re-building project.

Whether or not you attended pre-primary at St Nicholas, these adorable vintage uniforms will make a wonderful memorabilia for any old school girl since it represents a unique and significant part of the school's history. A lot of time and effort was spent tracking down the correct fabrics to recreate the uniforms. It is available in one size only and will fit most children age 1 to 3.

A very limited quantity has been made for this fundraising effort so please place your order directly from our website HERE.

ALL net proceeds from the sale will go to the St Nicholas Girls’ School PRIME fund. A list of contributors and the donation amount will be submitted to the Alumnae Association at the close of this fundraiser for the purpose of transparency. If you wish to remain anonymous, please indicate your preference at the comment section at checkout. Thank you all for supporting this effort.

Help Spread the Word!


If you wish to help spread the word using the button link above, please cut and paste the entire code below to your blog, facebook or website:

<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.pupsikstudio.com/st-nicks-fundraiser-/st-nicholas-fundraiser.html"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 78px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrJQoLX2CEVdWC-wlM5WmjdLuxuQ7uObQMN9lMK2fvg09PncWvg54OZxOIs5gNalvCId4z4sFnoG7pdYdSxnfEdCM5mAzTtcSAKbbpFHcAyUESUk-2L_9IcjeQQ1-As_zHI0IU8mcgH8/s400/sngs_button.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430904670598617410" border="0" /></a><br />

What are we feeding our kids?

I recently watched the documentary Food, Inc and was shocked at how ignorant I had been about the food choices I have been making. I have never been too fussy about food in the way that if it looks fresh and is priced reasonably, I will usually buy it. This documentary changed this for me and make me think twice when I did my grocery shopping the past week.

Did you know that most of the chicken that you get from regular supermarkets these days are probably from a chicken that has been grown in cages too small for them to move? These chickens are usually kept in perpetual darkness to make them sleep more and fight less. They are fattened with cheap feed and growth hormones so fast that they cannot even stand up and walk.

And in all likelihood, the beef that we get from regular supermarket these days (and even at expensive restaurants) most probably came from a cow that spent much of its life standing in manure. Similarly, these cows are also fattened with cheap feed and hormones that they cannot even walk themselves to the slaughterhouse when the time comes.

If you have not watched this informative documentary, I would strongly urge you to as any summary I can give here will not do the documentary any true justice. If you would like to have an overview of the issues, see here.

Watching Food, Inc made me think really hard about my food choices for the family and how I should be more responsible in choosing food that is not only safe and healthy, but is also responsibly produced, priced and sold. Here are some useful quotes from the documentary.

“There is this deliberate veil, this curtain that’s drawn between us and where our food is coming from. The industry doesn’t want you to know the truth about what you’re eating because if you knew, you might not want to eat it.”

"When you add up the environmental costs, societal costs, health costs, the industrial food is not honest food. It's not priced honestly. It's not produced honestly. There's nothing honest about that food."

“Cows are not designed by evolution to eat corn. They’re designed by evolution to eat grass. And the only reason we feed them corn is because corn is really cheap and corn makes them fat quickly … The industrial food system is always looking for greater efficiency. But each new step in efficiency leads to problems. If you take feedlot cattle off their corn diet, give them grass for five days, they will shed eighty percent of the E. coli in their gut.”

You may think that we as individuals are at the mercy of what is sold to us. In fact, the exact opposite is true. If we choose not to buy food that is not fit for our families to eat, this will send a clear signal to the food producers out there to clean up their act. If you are convinced, like me, that the way our food is prepared and sold to us should be changed , here are 10 simple things you can do to start.

Product Review - Weego Glass Bottles

With all the scary information out there surrounding leaching chemicals in plastics , it is no wonder why many are making the switch to BPA-free bottles and glass despite the relatively higher price tag.

I recently received a Weego glass bottle for my girls to be used as test subjects. The bottle itself is a glass bottle, with a BPA free cap, nipple and a stylish silicone sleeve that is also BPA free. The sleeve is designed to protect the glass from breakage and also makes holding the bottle with wet hands and tiny baby fingers a lot easier.

I really love the look and feel of glass bottles and my 3 year old was so taken in by the funky bright colour of the bottle that just the thought of drinking milk from it made her so excited! For me, what really bought me over (other than the look) was the safety and practically of the Weego bottles. Frankly, I have tested other brands of glass bottles (also with rubber sleeves) before and got put off by when those bottles started to leak. I also found the rubber sleeves with some of the other cheaper brands a pain to remove and clean. With the Weego bottles, the sleeve was a breeze to remove and slipped out of the glass bottle easily in warm soapy water. And since the bottle was sent to me as a tester, I took the liberty of hurling it on the ground several times to see if it would break. It was a thoroughly liberating process doing so and needless to say, the bottles survived the test and my girls are still drinking from them.

This bottle is currently retailing on Pupsik Studio and comes in 6 six unique colors to personalize and identify your baby's bottle (pink, raspberry, orange, yellow, sky light blue, and ocean dark blue). I personally think the price of these glass bottles is reasonable, considering that you are avoiding all the potentially dangerous chemicals in plastics altogether and those boring-looking BPA-free plastic bottles also cost pretty much the same as these stunning glass bottles anyway. What is more, these weego bottles fits perfectly on a Medela Pump, with both the sleeve and bottle being able to go directly in the freezer for storage. All Weego bottles are also compatible with any standard size nipples. Neat!

Now you know your ABCs

	Disney - Alphabet Song .mp3
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Kickstart the year by winning a Pupsik Pouch!

If you are like me and love freebies, you will love this!! We are giving away a Pupsik Baby Pouch over at Der Nen's blog. What a better way to start the year than to win something for you and your baby! Even if you already have a pouch, no harm getting another one especially if it is free! It is a raffle so everyone has a chance of winning (+ there are ways to increase your chances! wink...)

Roll over to this raffle today and join in the fun! Good luck! xoxo

New Year Message

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

I just wanted to start the year with a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have helped Pupsik Studio grow over the past year. I never would have imagined that our little studio which began as nothing more than a personal dream would have grown to a full-fledged business in the course of a year.

As I crawl out of a very, very busy year as a mom and founder of Pupsik Studio, I have taken a pause to look back at our many adventures and lessons we have learnt in 2009. We do not take anything for granted and are grateful for everything big and small... Above all, we are thankful to customers like you who trust us and have chosen us, among so many online stores in Singapore, to shop for your precious little tots.

God willing, we will continue to improve and make the shopping experience at Pupsik Studio more exciting, fulfilling and fun for you. Rest assured, we are commited to making sure that you can look forward to more useful products and services that will make your journey as a parent easier and more beautiful every step of the way.

For all of your support and friendship in 2009, we can never say ‘Thank You’ enough. We hope and pray that 2010 will be a happy and fulfilling year for us all!

xoxo

Su Ling

www.pupsikstudio.com

Happy 2010

Dear everyone reading this right now,

Thank you all for making this such an exciting year for us at Pupsik Studio. Whether you are a friend, family, customer, partner, fan or all of the above, we cannot thank you enough for the support you have shown us over the past year.

We are looking forward to bringing more useful and beautiful things to Pupsik Studio as we discover more parenting gems in the coming year. Meanwhile, here's wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

xoxo heaps,
Su Ling

only the best for our babies
(image from Marthastewart.com)

Vera at play

Oh no, I think Vera has some of my perfectionistic and impatient streak in her.

A Sale A Day

A different sale each day + a Wild Card item to spice things up a little. Don't miss this Sale of the year at Pupsik Studio!

Check our Twitter and Facebook for updates on the hour of each Wild Card sale each day!

Vera's Graduation from Nursery One

Our 3-year old graduated form Nursery One last week and we attended her graduation as proud parents. I have to admit I had no idea what to expect. It was fun to watch and we were pleasantly amused when we saw Vera trotting around on stage in goldilocks curls and make-up, abeit clueless most of the time. We were also pleased that the school decided to conduct most of the graduation performance in Chinese this year.

Product Review - Safetytat

As a kid, my mom used to get me to hold on to her skirt when we were out so I would not get lost. One day, in a stroke of genius (or so I thought), I placed a spool of thread in my mom's handbag and attached the end of it to my finger. I thought that this way, I was sure to find my way back to her should I get lost in the crowd. Needless to say, I got both me and my mom entangled in a cobweb of fine thread in the mall as a result of my "brilliant invention" at the age of six.

Kids these days seem to have it all. Mobile phones, GPS, and now, SafetyTat! Yes, some brilliant soul has invented a waterproof sticker tattoo that you can attach to your child and write your mobile number on in case they got lost. How B.R.I.L.L.I.A.N.T is this??!?There are several type of SafetyTat tattoos to choose from, such as allergy alert, special needs and medical alerts. The tattoos have a medical grade adhesive and are applied without water and have a blank space for you to fill in emergency information with a pen that comes together. The tattoos are vibrant, easily identifiable and the best part is, it can last up to two weeks which means that if you are planning to go on a trip away from home, you only need one (at most two) tattoos.

I was delighted to receive a couple of samples flown in all the way from SafetyTat to try it out for myself and have to say that it is everything it promises to do, plus it is so much fun too! The tattoos are so amazing that it won an iParenting Media Greatest Products Award.

I am doing a pre-order for the Quick Stick Write-On! Boy/Girl Travel 6-pack and Allergy 6-pack for the special price of S$16.90. That is approx $2.80 for each tattoo that will last 2 weeks. If you are interested to order, please place your order HERE!

New Re-usable Cotton Tote

Looking for something to stuff your christmas shopping? This new re-useable, adorable and versatile 100% cotton tote is for you! It comes in 2 adorable prints designed by Pupsik Studio: Matryoshka Elephants and Rocking Horse.

Each handy bag measures approx 28(W) x 37(H) x 9(D) cm and has a 25cm long (50 cm overall) shoulder strap. Can be used to stuff gifts, books, toys, groceries and anything lovely under the sun!

Simply fold down and tuck in the corner of any handbag or nappy bag when not in use. Available here!

Giveaway by Sparkle Thots

I am so excited to announce another fabulous giveaway this week by another of our sponsors, Sparkle Thots. There will not be one but three lucky winners selected by designer Ruth who will each run away with a gorgeous set of (4) Sparkles Colour Therapy hairpins. (see below)

To stand a chance to win these gorgeous hair clips, simply visit Sparkle Thots and pick out a jewelry item that you like. Then come back here and post a comment in this post with your favorite item, and why you like it.

To multiply your chances of winning, you can also do any or all of the following:

1. Visit Sparkle Thot on our design blog Laissezfaire and post a comment with your favorite item there.

2. Fan Sparkle Thots on Facebook, come back and leave another comment with your facebook name.

3. Follow Sparkle Thots on Twitter, come back and leave another comment with your twitter username.

4. Heart Sparkle Thots on Etsy, come back and leave another comment with your etsy username.

5. Tweet or blog about this giveaway, come back and leave another comment with your twitter account or blog link.

The contest will run for a week and end on Monday, November 30th. Three lucky winners will be selected at random to win and announced here on Dec 1st.

psst....Ruth has told me that she will be running a clearance sale starting Wed Nov 25th and there will be a storewide 30% discount so do be sure to visit before everything gets wiped out! Happy shopping and don't forget to come back to post which is your favorite here!

=======

Congratulations to Ashley, Wei and Deb. You are our random winners for this giveaway!

Nadya's First Step

In celebration of nadya's first step on earth, we present this video (above) to dear family and friends! Needless to say, this important milestone was recorded in our "Little Milestones" Kit.

It is interesting how different Nadya's first step was in comparison to Vera(video below taken 2 years ago). Nadya seemed so ready for this moment, even though it was her first. Maybe it is because we never hurried her, unlike Vera, when we literally forced her to take her first step one day after her first birthday when we decided "it was time". I guess we were really anxious back then. This time with Nadya, you can say we are the super chilled parents who simply waited till she was ready on her own. No pressure. Ahh...the benefits of being the second born.

Vera's first step at 12 months -Nov 2007

Become a Pupsik Fan today!

We have just started a new Fan Page for Pupsik Studio. This is by no means a popularity contest. It is just one of the ways of staying in touch with you and hearing what you want from us at Pupsik Studio. We will also use this platform to announce the freshest deals, giveways, contests and other fun stuff we have to offer only to our fans.

Whether you are a mommy, daddy, baby or none of the above, if you love us, Fan us!

xoxo
Su Ling

Juggling Work and Kids

I came across this article by Gaby Hinsliff, who recently resigned from a high flying job as a political editor of the Observer Magazine to spend more time with her two year old son.

I think Gaby Hinsliff's article contains a lot of interesting observations and honest confessions from moms who try and juggle work and family. She writes that "survey after survey suggests a deep-seated, buried misery over the eternal battle between the two. Half of working mothers with children under 15 would stay at home full-time in an ideal world, according to a 2001 survey for the then Department for Education. Eight years on, this month's She magazine reports nearly three-quarters of its readers want to cut their hours. The journalist Cristina Odone's recent think-tank pamphlet, What Women Want, claimed if money were no object only 12% of mothers would work full-time. "

These survey results raise the question: if work truly makes mothers unhappy, what makes some of us do it?

And if the unhappiness of working mothers is well documented, Gaby confesses there is guilt, too, in giving up. She herself wonders if she has squandered the chances she has been given in trading her job title as "Political Editor" for the less glamourous title of "Homemaker". She asks herself, "Is this really what I was raised, educated and trained for?"

I have personally chosen the self-employed option so that I can continue working with more flexible hours after the babies came into my life. Since making this switch, I struggle from time to time when well-meaning relatives and friends ask questions and make passing remarks that go something like:

"Don't you think it is a waste? I mean, you graduated with a Masters degree and scholarship from XYZ University and you are throwing that all away to stay home and take care of the kids? Isn't it a waste?!?"

"I never expected you to do this (quit your job). I mean, you were always so driven!"

I usually am quite shocked by comments like this. I mean, it is not like I am staying home all day watching paint dry. While it is probably not intentional, such comments discredit the important work that moms do at home and reflect on how much value people place on outward success and achievement, particularly in the corporate world today.

Someone also commented to me recently that she felt that in comparison to work, "taking care of children does not bring immediate rewards". While I can see where she is coming from, I do feel that the daily rewards from staying home with your kids come in the form that you do not expect. The joy of hearing their laughter and sharing in their wonder and curiousity for the world around, for instance, is the best reward any mom can ask for.

It has been a year since I quit my full time job and the truth is, I have never been happier, more fulfilled and challenged doing what I am doing now. I feel blessed to have the opportunity of taking care of my kids while pursuing what I absolutely love doing with Pupsik Studio and Laissezfaire. While it has not been a bed of roses and I still struggle on a daily basis with time and juggling both responsibilities from home, at least I have much more flexibility doing what I love and do not have to negotiate with employers for part-time terms and benefits that I think I deserve.

I am not sure if I have found the right mix to balancing children and work and would love to hear how other moms are coping. Has anyone found or is working towards an “ideal” solution to this?

Cardboard-Box Oven Craft

The next time you are tempted to throw out that cardboard box that came with the new TV, think about how you could turn it into a fun craft project for your kid - like this cardboard-box oven by Martha Stewart! Tutorial and video here!

"Under the Sea” at the Singapore Science Centre

Our family was invited by proud sponsors Mead Johnson to attend the premiere of Imax “Under the Sea” at the Singapore Science Centre last week. We love taking the kids to the Science Centre and this is our second trip to the Imax theatre this year.

“Under the Sea” is a new IMAX 3D adventure that transport moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, allowing viewers to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. Our first trip to the Imax theatre to watch “Sea Monsters” was back in June when we Vera was 2-and-a-half ( we didn’t take Nadya then as we were afraid the noise would scare her). Vitali and I enjoyed ourselves tremendously although the show scared Vera so much she fell asleep at the beginning of the movie out of fright.

It is amazing how much difference a few months makes. This time, at almost 3 years of age, Vera was super excited to watch the show. She probably thought the vivid life size sharks, giant octopus, turtles and sea snakes are really swimming to her as she screamed in delight and held on to me tightly to me throughout the show. Here is a trailer from the movie.



The show is fun and interesting for families and kids of all ages, provided they have the patience to sit through a 45 minute documentary and are not easily spooked by big fish eating other smaller fish.

The film features several interesting sea creatures that will capture your child’s attention. However, the documentary style of the show (even though it is narrated by funny guy Jim Carry) may lose very young kids towards the middle. I would definitely recommend this for kids above the age of 3 as an inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change.

The IMAX Under the Sea website also contains educational resources to download for kids by age group. The materials include worksheets, pictures, and even hands-on activities that kids can do to learn about sea animals, geography, the environment, and more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Promotion to the Science Centre and Imax Theatre!

As a leader in pediatric nutrition and a mission to create nutritional brands and products that nourish the body and mind, Mead Johnson Nutrition is collaborating with the Singapore Science Centre to offer a free admission ticket for your child to the Science Centre with every purchase of Enfagrow A+ / Enfakid A+ / EnfaSchool A+. This promotion is available from Enfa A+ milk purchased from any NTUC Fairprice outlets from 5 - 30 November. The coupon also includes discounts to the Omni Theatre. Simply bring along the coupon packaged at the top of the milk can to the Science Centre to redeem your free ticket. Enjoy!

US$75 Giveaway from Beaucoup to readers of Pupsik Studio!

There were 16 people who took part in the giveaway and we have found a lucky winner!Congratulations to Sandy who has been selected by a random generator to be the first person to appear on our list. Sandy wins a US$75 gift card from Beau-coup! ..............

We have a special surprise for you lovely readers of Pupsik Studio!

Beau-coup is offering a US$75 gift card (SGD$100+) to one lucky winner towards anything on their site! Beau-coup carries everything from wedding favors to baby shower favors, birthday party gifts and decorations, and just in time for all the fall festivities Fall wedding & party favors and Halloween party favors!

Their unique party favors are amazing! Check out their Custom Fortune Cookies (US$1.65 each) and adorable baby piggy bank (US$3.50) that are thoughtful and practical gifts for big and little kids alike. A great favor for baby showers or birthday parties! Their gourmet cupcake baking set is bound to make that birthday party extra special for the girls especially! And dare we not forget the boys! These porcelain airplane keepsake box is handpainted and made to look like a World War II plane. It opens up on one side to reveal a cavity big enough for that first tooth or other small trinket.
Also check out these super adorable Baby Bloomer Sachets and Diaper Stacker Sachets! HOW TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY TO WIN A $75 GIFT CARD!

• Post a comment here telling us which item(s) from Beaucoup's website you’d love to get if you win! This is a perfect chance to win a handfull of little party favours for that special baby shower or party you have been planning for that little one! (psst...you can enter here on my design blog site too to double your chance of winning!)

• Giveaway ends Thursday, October 29th at midnight PST. Winner to win a US$75 gift card will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, October 30th . Good luck, everyone!!

xoxoSu Ling

Pupsik Studio

The Giraffe Manor

This is definitely one of my "To-Go Places with the Kids" one day!

Our nursing covers are restocked!

We have finally restocked and added more yummy designs to our range of nursing covers! (above from left) Seapray, Fresh Poppies, Morning Glory, Martini Earth

All our nursing covers are made from 100% cotton designer's fabric handpicked and imported from the USA especially for mommies who love to feed in style. These covers also double up as a light blanket and pram cover on days out. A must-have for every nursing mom!

Click here to get one today!

Happy Birthday Vera and Nadya!

We celebrated Vera's 3rd birthday and Nadya's 1st Birthday at Go Go Bambini's over the weekend. We are grateful to Go Go Bambini for handling all the party details so that we could concentrate on having fun. The girls enjoyed themselves so much at the party house we were worried they would suffer from nightmares during the night with all the running and excitment they had. Thankfully not!

(above) Vera: umm......I could have Fairy bread all day...

Happy Birthday Vera and Nadya!

May you both grow up loving each other and the little blessings each day brings.

xoxo

Mommy and Daddy

Happy Customers are our best form of advertisement!

A lovely customer (Chee Chin) recently purchased a set of bedding fron our store in a lovely Breeze design. As mentioned in an earlier post, I simply love sets! So I was naturally very happy to put this order together. (pic above happily taken before order was sent. Looks a little washed out cos I took the pic in the wee hours of the morning).

Chin had heard about our store from her friend who shared about discovering about how we integrated 2 of her favourite childhood objects: Beansprout pillow "aka chow chow" + Taggies ribbons.

But nothing beats hearing back again from Chin after she received her orders to let me know how pleased she was with her purchase. She even took so many beautiful crisp pictures of the products she got from us (above). The bedding look larger than life compared to the adorable little one in the pic below, doesn't it? Thanks for the lovely testimony and for allowing us to share these lovely pictures you took, Chin! Thanks to Claudia the Panda for sharing about us too! xoxo

Food Face

How fun is this? Perfect idea to make that kiddo eat his greens while exercising his creativity at the same time! This will be perfect for kid's parties or restaurants with a children's theme.