Review and Giveaway! Bella Tunno

As I was sitting down thinking about what to tell you about the swanky gear from Bella Tunno, I realized that so many of the products I totally dig for my kids are sort of out of line with the rest of my life. I a pretty basic, jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. Not just because it's easy and comfortable (OK, maybe a little bit of it is because it's easy and comfortable,) but also because I just prefer the look. Overall, our home is pretty simply accessorized. I don't go for really bold colors, with the exception of a couple of red walls, but Nadia's room, that's another story! It's red and pink and bold and fun! The kid and baby products and clothes that always catch my eye are the ones that are not necessarily over the top in their boldness, but are a far cry from the boring rose colored turtleneck, jeans and grandma slippers that I'm wearing right now. Bella Tunno is the perfect example of a company with designs that caught my eye with their playfulness, but intrigued me even more with their dual appeal of also being incredibly functional!

Click on Read More to find out more about Bella Tunno and how you can win some great Bella Tunno gear for your kiddo!

This review has been a long time in the making. I first spied Bella Tunno last summer. Isaac wasn't quite ready for solid foods yet, but I was researching some new bib options. All of Nadia's old bibs were pink, of course, and we needed some new ones. The Bella Tunno laminated bibs seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. I'd always been in love with Dura-Bibs that Melissa uses for Lilly and Max, and thought that the laminated bibs would be worth giving a try because they have the huge advantage of big much more stylish. They are laminated bibs which means that Isaac stays dry no matter how messy he gets, and when we actually decide to brave a restaurant with our two "angels," I can just wipe the bib down before I stick it in my diaper bag. They are long, providing full coverage of Isaac's front. And, most importantly, they are machine-washable. Many of the laminated bibs that I've found, call for just rinsing and hang drying, but that just doesn't cut it for my messy eaters. He gets food everywhere, including the back of the bib. How? I don't know, but he does it, which means eventually the bib just has to go in the laundry because I can't stand it anymore! The laminated bibs have a velcro closure to accommodate even my little chubby man's big neck. Finally, the bibs do sport a pouch in the front to help collect stray cheerios and hunks of banana. Isaac has been wearing the Seeing Spots bib and I'm in love with the mix of stripes and polka dots on a bib for boys nonetheless!

The other product we've been testing is the Designer Diner. Keeping Nadia busy at dinner is the key to everybody's happiness. The Designer Diner is a laminated place mat on one side and a reusable black chalk mat on the other. It's such a perfect product. Nadia can draw away with chalk to her hearts content before dinner, but when the food arrives, we just flip the mat over for dining. We don't even have to do the last minute rush to put everything away to keep it out of the food. After dinner, we just use a wet wipe to clean off both sides, roll the mat up with the chalk in its little pouch right inside, and stuff it in the diaper bag. It doesn't take up an absurd amount of room, and frankly, for the distraction that it provides, it's worth sacrificing a little precious diaper bag space! Before you ask, yes, the chalk is a little messy on the hands, but that's why you pack wet wipes in your diaper bag, right? A quick swipe of the hands and dinner is served!

These are just an example of two of the fabulous and functional products that Bella Tunno sells. You can also find regular cloth bibs with the same generous coverage and funky prints and even a reversible option. (I'd totally get the Urban Garden design if I had another girl.) They have burpies and "binkers" which are velcroed clips you can use to attach your baby's pacifier right to their clothes. Made out of grosgrain ribbon, the binkers are totally in line with Bella Tunno's philosophy of making products that are fun and fancy without ducks and trucks! Finally, you can get a laminated smock for your little artist, or a coordinated gift pack with includes a bib, binker and burpie. The perfect shower gift or new baby gift, especially for the hard to buy for second (or third) baby!

On to my official review. Based on a four-star scale:

Functionality -

• Laminated Bib *** - I like that the bib is laminated for easy on-the-go clean-up, and that it's machine washable. The back of the bib is not laminated, and they just get icky after awhile. The pocket on the bib is not nearly as functional as I had hoped. It lays a little too flat to catch very much food the first few times you use it, but does open up a little over time.


• Designer Diner **** - Wipes off easily, stores neatly, keeps my preschooler busy at a restaurant. What more can you ask for? Plus, we're planning on packing it for our trip in the car this Christmas, too. It will fit nicely on her travel tray or would also fit well on a cookie sheet if that's what you're using as your travel tray.

Style - **** - No trucks, no ducks, no pastels. I love the bold colors and of course, the huge selection of stripes and polka dots. We don't go for the whole delicate little baby image around our house. We go for making a statement and being bold which is what Bella Tunno is all about!

Price

• Laminated Bib **1/2 - $18 is a little more than I would typically spend on a bib for my own kid, but would be more willing to splurge on a funky one for a gift. You do get the laminated bib with the extra perk of machine-washability, but still a little pricey.


• Designer Diner ***1/2 - $22 is not a bad price for a chalk
  mat/place mat. Sometimes your paying for your sanity which is just want the Designer Diner is providing, a calm relaxing meal for the grown-ups, entertainment for the little one. Plus, it's not just a toy for toddlers/preschoolers. While Nadia scribbles on it now, in the future, we can practice writing her name, playing hang-man, the possibilities are endless. It's a product we will be using for many, many years!

Overall Rating

• Laminated Bib *** - These are such a funky alternative to the cutesy bibs we all get as shower gifts, and they let your little one make a statement. The fact that they are easy to wipe off helps keep your diaper bag clean, and the pocket provides a little extra function.


• Designer Diner almost **** - No real flaws to mention. A great keep them busy at dinner or in the car product that is easy to clean and easy to store. A great stocking stuffer or just simple sanity saver purchase!

You can buy all Bella Tunno products directly from their website or use their handy retail store locator link to find a store that carries these great products near you.

(P.S. You can find them all over the world!)

We have an Hot Trax Designer Diner and a Wonder Boy laminated bib to offer one lucky Kid Buy Products reader. To enter our giveaway, please go and browse the Bella Tunno site and find your favorite product and design, not including any mentioned in this post. Come back here and tell us your faves and you'll be entered to win our Bella Tunno prize package. All comments must be received by 11:59 CST on Thursday, December 11th, 2008. I'll choose one winner using random.org. Please read our giveaway rules here. Thanks for reading and best of luck!