When I was pregnant with Gory, I had a lot of problems with my body. I was pre-ecclamptic, and after birth, I had nerve damage in my lower back and legs. So after we had worked ourselves into a routine, I was still really having a hard time carrying his hefty weight around. The kid is really big, and to even pick him out of his crib is a chore. But, as it happens, being a work from home mom, and a mommy to an active 9 year old as well, I had to keep up with a busy schedule while lugging big boy around.
Enter “babywearing”. Lots of my “crunchy” mommy friends SWEAR by baby wearing, and do it religiously. So I went out and got one of those REALLY uncomfortable Infantino things for 15$ at Target. That lasted until I got home, saw that it only went up to 20 lbs, and returned it immediately. Carrying Gory was becoming more and more difficult, and I was about not able to take it. So we splurged, and got an Ergo carrier. Greg loves it, but me, not so much. Gory has to look IN all time time, and being a busy body like he is, he needs to SEE everything that is going on around him, and have eye contact to flirt with the ladies!
So, as is natural for me, I went to Etsy. This is where I found my saving grace, BabyEtte. I think what first grabbed my attention is that Beth’s profile statement sounded EXACTLY like me. She LOVES fabric, and is excited to use it as an artistic medium! Perfect, sounds exactly like me! She is also quite local, just one state away in Fort Wayne, IN. Now, the other thing that sold me on her shop is this statement, which is really, the reason I have resisted slings in the first place:
I feel strongly that a sling should be beautiful. You won’t find licensed characters or juvenile prints here. Your sling is going to cover up most of your outfit (which is good when your shirt has been used as a hanky…I know, it happens) so it should be a style that you would wear anyway.
Your Sling will have the BabyEtte Tag stitched on the inside of the shoulder. That way people will admire you, your baby, and your lovely sling… not the tag. It’s all about you, my friend!
I am a designer, an artist. Fabric is my medium, and what I wear showcases that. Plus, I was really concerned that if I had some loud fabric, with all my tattoos, that I would look like a crayon box had vomited all over me. This is NOT the case with BabyEtte. The designs are classic, and simple. The fabrics that she uses are really versatile, and can really be used with a more dressy affair, or just slummin’ around town.
Now here is the BEST part! BabyEtte was generous enough to send me a Little Black Dress Sling to review for the blog! When I first got the sling in the mail, I was immediately impressed with the actual shipping, and packaging! It came beautifully wrapped, with a handmade, and stitched cardboard sleeve, with a handmade envelope with directions on how to USE the sling! Gory was sleeping, so I fiddled with it a bit in the studio. And of course, Evan was nosey, and wanted to try it out. Gory was woken up, and Evan tossed on the sling, and in Gory went! (for those of you that know us well, this should come as no surprise, Evan hearts Gory hardcore). In all actuality, this sling was perfect even for Evan, because I felt a little safer that Evan would not drop Gory while he was in the sling!
Now it was mama’s turn! I loaded Gory into the sling, and I could immediately tell the difference in my posture, and body! It was like a weight had been lifted off my hips, and placed back where it should have been all along! I love the black cotton design, and at first, I was a bit skeptical about the hole sling idea in general, because I did not want some bulky fabric constricting me, and being all bulky and hot. This fabric is thin enough to actually BREATHE, but strong enough, that it is sturdy, and holds tight! The stitching on the sling is AMAZING, and if you own one of my bags, you will know that decorative stitching is a love of mine! It is used on this sling in the most beautiful, subtle way. The pleating at the top near the rings make it so the sling does not dig into your neck, and it is a comfortable ride! I also love the fact that the tail end of the sling is a little longer, it makes it feel more elegant, and almost sari-like. Plus, it can double as a snot wiper, drool catcher, or blanket when I am holding the Gory monster! Last weekend I went to the sewing Expo all day, and not only did Gory ride in style in his BabyEtte all day, but I was also writing down the BabyEtte website for lots of mamas and daddys at the show. Those of you that have ever been to a sewing expo know that industry insiders KNOW a well made item when they see it, no matter WHAT it is, but I had seamstresses at the top of the field marveling over the craftsmanship on this sling! Made me feel pretty darn good!
Now, on to the coolest thing! Not only did BabyEtte give me one of their awesome slings to try out and tell you all about, but they are GIVING AWAY a
Baby Basics sling to one of my lucky readers! I am also pretty excited about this, because I want to share the BabyEtte love!
How to enter:
Your first entry (this is mandatory) is to go to
BabyEtte’s shop. Tell me what item that you LOVE from their shop, and heart the shop (my personal favorite right now is this amazing
Italian Fashionista Wrap Baby Carrier) come back, and tell me what YOUR favorite is, and your Etsy name, with your e-mail so I can contact you!
Other ways to enter (must be a separate comment for each entry):
Follow this blog
Subscribe to this blog by e-mail
Follow me on Networked Blogs
Grab my blog button, and link me where to find it
Blog about this giveaway, and link me to the blog post! (5 entires)
Follow @BrookeVanGory and tweet about this giveaway (2 tweets a day allowed)
Win a gorgeous @BabyEtteEtsy baby basics sling from @BrookeVanGory #giveaway #babywearing #etsy http://bit.ly/2OFb9L
This giveaway will end November 30th at 8pm cst. Any entries after that time will be invalid. Winner will have 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.
Thank you to BabyEtte and Beth for letting me review this amazing sling, and for sponsoring this giveaway!
i really love the ring slings. the pleated part of them looks so beautiful and they are priced really well i like the team spirit and little black dress colors. I hearted her store and my username is thelightsgodown. my email address is jaimevanaken at gmail dot com
i follow on babyette on twitter (@thelightsgodown)
i'm a babyette fan on facebook
i follow you on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/5787421312
i follow your blog
i have your button on my blog chrisandjaime.blogspot.com
I am in love with just about everything in her shop!I especially love this itemhttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34612526I am desertmaidenbath on Etsy and you can contact me at thecraftingpatchmarket@gmail.com
Oh am I first!?I favorited them (madisonka) and I love their flapper hats.mdec07 yahoo com
DangI guess I might not be first *pout*Come one Random Number Generator! *feeds cookies*I follow your blog!
I thubthrcibe (that means "subscribe")
Following Babyette @mama2moose
I am a BabyEtte FB Fan (you know the name)
Following you @mama2moose http://twitter.com/mama2moose/status/5787808241
Got your buttonLifeHappensDuringNaptime.com
I like the LBD sling! My Etsy name is mommyisrocknroll.laurenisrocknroll at hotmail dot com
I follow @BabyEtteEtsy!laurenisrocknroll at hotmail dot com
love the LBD sling also- and i love that pleated detail! beautiful.brookiellen on etsybrookiellendesigns at gmail dot com
and i follow BabyEtte on twitter @brookiellen 🙂
Tweet http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/5802790994
Tweet 2 http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/5802788219
besides the slings, I love the fleece gnome hat.nancy at 513ventures dot com
following babyette on twitter: nanceattacknancy at 513ventures dot com
babyette facebook fan: nancy wenzel swainnancy at 513ventures dot com
blog followernancy at 513ventures dot com
email subscribernancy at 513ventures dot com
following via facebook networked blogs: nancy wenzel swainnancy at 513ventures dot com
added your button to: http://www.diapersanddimples.comnancy at 513ventures dot com
following on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/statuses/5835236077nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5837954917nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5868649519nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5878192043nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5906851228nancy at 513ventures dot com
I am gunna win, right?! Daily tweet http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/5906887855
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5909736403nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/5915768021
i subscribe to you blog by email!
bonus entry for @ing you first on twitterentry 1nancy at 513ventures dot com
bonus entry for @ing you first on twitterentry 2nancy at 513ventures dot com
bonus entry for @ing you first on twitterentry 3nancy at 513ventures dot com
bonus entry for @ing you first on twitterentry 4nancy at 513ventures dot com
bonus entry for @ing you first on twitterentry 5nancy at 513ventures dot com
im folowing Babyete on Twitter(vicmsclothing) 🙂
Im a fan of Babyete on facebook 😛
and i just follow your blog..Thanx brooke..hope you had good time wth the baby 🙂
Tweet! http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/5924665243
Come on RNG!http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/5924762667
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5927144921nancy at 513ventures dot com
i love the chocolate lollipop shoulder bag on the last page. so pretty!! mamanotes@gmail.com
I follow you ( I wasn't following you before???)
I follow them on twitter
twitter @ bonus entry #1
twitter bonus entry #2
twitter bonus entry #3
I really like the Babywearing Poncho's. I added to my faves on Etsy (That's hearting right?) SnKmommy.j.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
following this blogj.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
babyette twitter follower@SliverStormj.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
babyette fb fanj.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
following you on networked blogsj.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
tweethttp://twitter.com/SliverStorm/status/5927423267j.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
I really like her fleece hats! I hearted on Etsy 🙂 Username daizygrl33 and email is daizy.grl33 at gmail dot com
I follow your blog
I subscribe by email
I follow on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/jdruit/status/5931990786
Bonus twitter entry #1
Bonus twitter entry #2
Bonus twitter entry #3
Bonus twitter entry #4
Bonus twitter entry #5
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5934422370nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5964426121nancy at 513ventures dot com
Tweet http://twitter.com/jdruit/status/5966007519
Tweet! http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/5966845178
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5967695605nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweethttp://twitter.com/SliverStorm/status/5971666009j.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/5981208005
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/5986750200nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweet 2 http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6000620311
tweethttp://twitter.com/SliverStorm/status/6002884164j.mcdilda(@)gmail.com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6003401581
I love the Turquoise Baby Ring SlingEtsy Name: RBrandt87R.BrandtFisher(at)gmail.com
Follow BabyEtte on TwitterUsername: GiveawayFiendR.BrandtFisher(at)gmail.com
Became a facebook fanName: Rachel Brandt FisherR.BrandtFisher(at)gmail.com
Following on twitter and tweetedhttp://twitter.com/GiveawayFiend/status/6011408103Username: giveawayfiendR.BrandtFisher(at)gmail.com
Love the Cocoa Brown baby basics sling! And also the Golden Moss Green Silk Pleated Baby Ring Sling! I heart the shop! Etsy name: emmyloucottones1237 at gmail dot com
fan of baby ette on facebook!es1237 at gmail dot comemily cotton
follow baby ette on twitterhttp://twitter.com/missemmieloues1237 at gmail dot com
subscribe to emailses1237 at gmail dot com
follow your bloges1237 at gmail dot com
follow you on twitter and tweetedhttp://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6036047896es1237 at gmail dot com
got your button!http://littlemissemmylou.blogspot.com/es1237 at gmail dot com
follow you on networked blogsemily cottones1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6039072350nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6040480619
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6048327282tweeted todayes1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6069354582nancy at 513ventures dot com
I couldn't possibly need another sling, lol but great giveaway!! I retweeted it for you!
etsy user name is: hadlbemail is: thegirlandboyblog@gmail.comMy favorite sling is the cocoa brown ring sling. 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
Follow you on twitter. @hadlb
http://agirlandherboy.blogspot.com/ Have your button.
Follow babyette etsy on twitter. @hadlb
Subscribe via email.
I follow your blog.
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6070667043
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6081669373
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6089449065tweeted todayes1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6121223952nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6125713094
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6130673246nancy at 513ventures dot com
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6131323083tweeted es1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6141275524nancy at 513ventures dot com
My fave from the site is the Italian Fashionista Green and Brown Wrap Baby Carrier but the runner up is the So Cloche Fleece Flapper Hat Cream with Red FlowerEtsy: moonpiecreationsemail: chaotickristy @gmail.com
I became a fan on facebookFacebook: kristymoonemail: chaotickristy @gmail.com
Following on Twitteremail: chaotickristy @gmail.comtwitter: @chaotickristy
tweeted http://twitter.com/ChaoticKristy/status/6141983274chaotickristy @gmail.com
following blogchaotickristy @gmail.com
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6142022774tweeted todayes1237 at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6147237341tweeted today againes1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6147888934nancy at 513ventures dot com
I love the Golden Moss Green sling! Gorgeous!phdserts at gmail dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6162014668
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6171128093nancy at 513ventures dot com
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6171591413tweetes1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6178399851nancy at 513ventures dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6192203198
I like the ring sling in pewter.
tweet http://twitter.com/thelightsgodown/status/6199233728
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6202878582tweeted todayes1237 at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/missemmielou/status/6204966346tweetedes1237 at gmail dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6210526008nancy at 513ventures dot com
One last tweet! http://twitter.com/mama2moose/statuses/6210515370
tweeted http://twitter.com/nanceattack/status/6216263660nancy at 513ventures dot com
Tweet http://twitter.com/jdruit/status/6217149484
the baby wearing poncho is my fave! Etsy name is JessieKaitlinjessiekaitlin at gmail dot com
I follow them on twitter
I follow your blog
Fan on fb
Button is on my blog! momalovebug.blogspot.com
I stalk you on twitter and tweeted, too.http://twitter.com/JessieKaitlin/status/6217385639
Oh I have to pick just one?? I love the slings with patterns, and the ponchos are a great idea!
Following on twitter!
Following @BrookeVanGory and tweeted!
I am a fan on facebook
Tweet!! http://twitter.com/JessieKaitlin/status/6218140121I sure hope I win 🙂 I have a ring sling addiction!
tweet! http://twitter.com/jdruit/status/6218093640