Review on Mama Republic + 2 Giveaways !!!

I came upon Mama Republic quite by chance. Was surfing Facebook with some of the items on my want list in mind when I saw the simply adorable and the softest looking pre-walker shoes I have ever come across! I was instantly drawn to it, partly by the colorful designs and also by the fact that my dear boy has a pair of hard-to-please feet!

 

 

Some background... my boy is a very active and naturally curious baby. Like any baby boy, his curiosity often gets better of him and he wants to try things...MANY things! Ever since he has the strength to pull himself up to cruise, he had been trying to walk. Now all this is fine (apart from breaking my almost broken spine &  lower back from bending over to support his walking) at home.

The big problem comes when we are outside. He is very insistent on getting down to walk yet EQUALLY insistent on NOT wearing shoes - ANY form of protection in fact be it socks, soft-soled shoes or pre-walker shoes. Put them on and he will have them off in the next 10 secs! Trust me, I have tried so many different types and brands and he just pulls them off. Not sure if it wasn't comfortable or too hot, or something but he just pulls them right off *aaarrrggghhhh* How to let him walk outside like this?! I was thus very wary of getting him more shoes to try and even though I am still on the lookout, I was pretty disheartened.

When I first laid eyes on these pre-walker shoes, I was first drawn to how soft and comfortable it looks. The stitching looks fine and unobtrusive (read: no budging thread lines that can potentially scratch or irritate), designs were flat and not 3D (3D designs are cute, yes but also super easy to yank off!) and there were no frustrating shoe laces or 'attractive' Velcro pieces for my boy to play with. Hearing the Velcro pieces being worked to the max can really get on my rather thin and fragile nerves not to mention ear- jarring after the hundredth time...

A check on the price made it more attractive! At $13.90 a pair or $25 for 2 pairs both inclusive of postage is quite the deal! Having bought shoes like $19.90 a pair only to have it tossed aside and refused after one outing truly made me aware that expensive baby shoes doesn't mean your baby will like them... apparently they have no idea of $$$ yet obviously... so...I took a deep breath and got him 2 pairs. Why? Well simply because it was while stocks last and the designs will NOT be repeated. This was sourced specially by the owner of Mama Republic and especially done for them so in a way, its 'limited edition'.  I waited with bated breath (not literally lah) for the shoes to arrive. Seems that I am more excited than my boy lor!

 

It came much faster than I expected and I immediately let him try it on. Then I waited for him to yank it off.... he didn't, YAY!!! He simply looked at me and grinned, then proceeded to try out his shoes tottering around happily. Success!!! I want to be doubly sure and let him tried the other pair which he did so with the same enthusiasm and left it on again, only to pull off when he was tired of walking. I guess he still prefer going barefooted when he is not walking but at very least he left the shoes on instead of it having a mere 10secs lifespan on his feet! My next experiment was when we were in a shopping mall and yes, he happily tottered around in these shoes :) YIPEE! Just a note though, my boy's feet measures 12cm so I got him the 13cm one and it fitted nicely, with just enough space up front for his toes to wriggle. So do get a slightly bigger pair for more comfort fitting. This is how it looks on my boy's feet :)

 

 

 

Curious how the other designs look like? Here's a picture of all the available designs and if you want to get some, read to the end for not one but TWO generous giveaways! I bought the Elephant Parade and the Mickey Mouse :)

 

 

 

Exploring Mama Republic let me discover other treasures. They have custom made wet bags with matching changing mats! These are  approximately 30cm by 35cm with snap buttons handles and 2 waterproof lined zippered compartments. These are priced at a good price of $9 only!  Heh, I love the Blue Owl :P

 

 

Now, who say mothers can't be stylish? Mama Republic makes matching changing mats with the designs of wet bags and you can get these separately at 1 mat for $9. Need a complete set? Mama Republic also has a bundle set of a wet bag + a matching changing mat at only $17! The changing mat measures 48cm by 70cm.

 

 

 

Travel with your baby often? Then you may like another item from Mama Republic - diaper caddy! It has 7 pockets to hold lotions or diaper cream etc. The main body of the caddy can hold between 15 to 24 pieces of diapers depending on size. This caddy makes organization easy as you can see all that you need in a glance when its time for diaper change. Less fumbling around and trying to reach for a certain cream or lotion when holding on to a wriggling baby. Its at a special soft launch price of $25 now :) The colorful polka dot is my favorite! It may even help to keep baby occupied while I change him (I can hope, can't I?)

 

Mama Republic have something for the nursing mothers too :) They have a good range of nursing tank tops, camisoles and nursing dresses :) Mothers-to-be also have chic and fashionable maternity dresses from Mama Republic too! Made me wish I discovered them much earlier! Take a look at all the apparels Mama Republic is offering by visiting their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mamarepublicsg

 

I know how it is like when shopping for such clothes. We want to touch and feel and make sure its comfortable. Then make your way down to Habourfront Centre this coming weekend as Mama Republic will be at the "Mama's Bazaar & Family Fun" organized by Mums@work where all the items will be for sale. You can definitely see for yourself if the items works for you :)

 

This event is on:

Date: 20 & 21 Sept 2014

Time: 10.30am till 7.30pm

Venue: Habourfront Centre

 

Now, time for the giveaways as promised! Mama Republic had generously sponsored TWO pairs of the pre-walkers shoes to be given away to 2 of my readers! See below for photos and details of these fabulous giveaways!

To enter, simply find Mama Republic on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mamarepublicsg), LIKE & SHARE on your timeline,  and that's it! You have from now, till 2359hrs on Sunday, 21 Sept 2014 to enter. Winners will be announced on my blog on Tuesday, 23 Sept 2014, GOOD LUCK!

 

Sweet Pink Owl (12cm) Giveaway

 

 

Birdie Paradise (13cm) Giveaway

 

Visit Mama Republic at www.facebook.com/mamarepublicsg for more photos and details of all their products!

 

The above review is in no way affiliated or compensated in kind or monetary. It is purely a personal review on a product that I have tried (or in this case, my boy tried) and all opinions expressed are purely my own. Photos were provided by courtesy of the online store owner other than that of my own. Link to the post will be provided to the store owner for their reference as well.