Gifts

1) Tell us what inspired you to create Cricket’s Circle?

When I was pregnant with my son Griffin, I found the registry process overly complicated and frustrating. What I wanted more than anything was one master list of what to buy. Instead, I received endless spreadsheets and emails passed from experienced moms to new ones like me. I was overwhelmed and couldn’t find a website (or any source) that simply and explicitly told me what I needed. My need for a quick, stress-free registry process was ultimately what inspired me to create Cricket’s Circle.

2) It can be completely overwhelming to create a baby registry, how does Cricket’s Circle make the process easier for moms-to-be?

Cricket’s Circle is the shoppable, short-answer solution for moms that tells them what they need, what they don’t, and what’s “nice to have.” To keep the process simple, each product category (200+) is narrowed down to the top three recommendations. Specifically registry on Cricket’s Circle is so special because moms-to-be are walked through the buying and registry process based on their stage of pregnancy and actual needs and preferences (lifestyle, price point, health needs, etc). Relevant content and reminders are delivered to her based on what she's added to her registry already and what she still needs.

3) During your own pregnancy, what registry item was the hardest to choose for you personally?

The breast pump and the stroller. Because I live in a city and your stroller is basically your home, car and trunk all in one, finding the right one for your specific lifestyle is essential - the UPPAbaby Vista was perfect for me. I always hoped I could nurse but I didn’t want to jinx myself and be overly prepared by researching, testing and buying a pump ahead of time. Instead, I waited until I was so physically desperate (any mom who has nursed knows what I mean) and had to let my husband go and pick out the pump for me. Fortunately he nailed it and loved my pump (Medela Freestyle Pump) more than anything. And last but not least - not the hardest to choose, but definitely life changing: a hands-free pumping bra. For someone like me who is always on the go, this made a world of difference!

4) As experts that have the #babyregistrysolved, we would love to share your top 3 recommendations for the following registry items:

Stroller

1. UPPAbaby Vista 2015 + Bassinet
2. Baby Jogger City Mini 2014
3. Baby Jogger Vue Stroller

Crib Mattress

1. Lullaby Earth Super Lightweight 2-Stage
2. Naturepedic Lightweight Organic Cotton Classic 2-Stage

Baby Monitor

1. Dropcam’s Pro Home Security System
2. Summer Infant’s Baby Touch Boost Digital Color Video Monitor
3. Motorola’s MBP36 3.5" Color Video monitor

Crib

1. Oeuf’s Classic Crib
2. Babyletto’s Lolly Crib
3. DwellStudio’s Mid-Century Crib

Carseat

1. Chicco’s KeyFit 30
2. Nuna’s Pipa
3. Cybex’s Aton 2

5) Last, but not least - What is your favorite Nine Naturals product?

Considering I’m pregnant right now, I can’t live without the Natural Belly Oil. I’m uber sensitive to scented products so I appreciate the minimal scent more than ever. I also love that if you don’t go overboard with the application, it actually has a dry finish on your skin so it doesn’t feel all slippery and sticky - now that’s a smart product!

Rachel Blumenthal, Founder and CEO, created Cricket’s Circle to solve the what-to-buy conundrum she encountered during her first pregnancy. Rachel began her career in the publicity department of Yves Saint Laurent, developing her aesthetic sensibility and passion for curation. Following YSL, Rachel’s first entrepreneurial venture was as designer and founder of the fashion jewelry brand Rachel Leigh, which after a few short years was available worldwide in over 300 high-end retailers and named one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things.” The brand was licensed to GlamHouse in 2011.

Rachel then lent her hand to Warby Parker, which was cofounded by her husband Neil. When the eyewear retailer – and their son, Griffin – were up and running, she got to work on Cricket’s Circle. A Tufts University graduate, Rachel is a proud and active supporter of Baby Buggy, HELP USA and Healthy Child, Healthy World. Originally from Cape Cod, Rachel now resides in Manhattan with her family.

We all know moms are the CEOs of the household, and we love and appreciate all that they do. For Valentine's Day, our Nine Naturals team has put together the perfect gift guide for the superwoman in your life. From sweets to beauty to wearable fitness tech, these are the gifts to make the lady in your life swoon.

As a new mom or mom-to-be, it can be real challenge knowing what products work the best and are safe for you and your baby. Enter 21Bundles, a monthly subscription box service that all delivers a bundle filled with full size all natural products to your door, tailored to your specific month of pregnancy or new baby's life. We can't imagine an easier way for moms to try new products that are safe for the whole family, but also pamper themselves with a box full of goodies each month! This week, Nine Naturals sat down with Jacqueline Cerone Cardamone, founder of 21Bundles:

NN: Tell us the 21bundles story! What lead to the creation of the Company & what are the 21bundles?

JK: I have been caring for children since I was a child myself. My sister Emily said something in reference to herself once that really resonated with me: “You know how some people just cannot walk past a dog without wanting to pet it? I feel that way about babies.” I, too, cannot walk past a baby without “oo”ing and “ah”ing (if petting wouldn’t alarm mothers, I would surely do just that). It was through work as a mother’s helper (age 10), babysitter, nanny, CLEC, and postpartum doula that my respect for mothers deepened.

I love dads too, but it’s the mamas with whom I work closely. I watch mothers do the toughest and most important job – raising children, and I have always had a desire to lend two helping hands. More recently, mothers that I work with as a postpartum doula were asking me to recommend natural products, and the endless amount of research I have done on the topic started to come in handy. As interest from my clients increased and I read more about the toxins that litter our every day products, I realized I needed to do something to make a difference at scale, which is what led to the birth of 21Bundles.

NN: In your own words, why are natural products so important for the health of pregnant women & babies?

Less than 20 percent of all childhood cancers are due to genetic predisposition, while a high percentage of them are linked to environmental exposures. It’s not only the exposures children have post-birth, but maternal exposure also plays a large role. It was once believed that the placenta protected baby from any harmful chemicals, however we’ve known for a long time now that many dangerous chemicals are transplacental.

Unfortunately, chemicals are highly under-regulated in the United States. New ones are put on store shelves each year, and they do not have to be proven safe before they are made available to the public. Many people make the argument that the potentially toxic ingredient in any one product is too small to make a difference but they fail to mention that women use, on average, 12 products per day. Additionally, developing babies are at their most vulnerable and are more likely to be impacted by small amounts of chemicals than adults. There have been countless studies that show the negative impacts chemicals and toxins in many products can cause, thus why I believe it is of utmost importance that pregnant mamas and babies use safe, natural products.

NN: Tell us how each bundle works and what subscribers can expect in each box?

Generally, during pregnancy months, our bundles are all about replacing every day products that often contain toxins with natural alternatives. One month might be all about replacing your shower items, another is all about replacing bathroom items and another is replacing makeup. Even if mamas are already using natural products, this is a good way to be introduced to a new brand or product that perhaps they haven’t heard of. We also add time sensitive items to help with nausea, heartburn, the itch of stretching skin, etc. We typically include 3-5 full size products, coupons, and a mix of travel size and sample products in each bundle. The retail value of each bundle is always over $40 and sometimes significantly over that. Free shipping too!

NN: As expert curators in all things natural and family, tell us what a typical bundle would include for a women in her second or third trimester?

We send monthly bundles tailored to a mother’s stage of pregnancy or the first year of their baby’s life. As mentioned above, the pregnancy months are primarily all about replacing everyday products that often contain toxins with natural alternatives and to introduce mamas to awesome, respectable brands and products. Below are a couple example bundles:

Month 4 of pregnancy: Lotions and oils to soothe dry, itchy skin

• Foot Cream
• Facial Moisturizer
• Eye Cream
• Heartburn Tea
• Toning Oil
• Belly Balm

Month 9 of pregnancy: Products to prep for the baby

• Birth and Baby Oil
• Post Partum Bath Herbs
• Mama Bottom Spray
• Dish soap
• Diaper Cream
• Rhoid Balm
• Nipple Butter

NN: What advice would you give to women that find it overwhelming to switch to natural products?

When you first start to look into the chemicals that are in everyday products and that are so prevalent in our environments, you may feel overwhelmed and hopeless. I’ve heard “Why bother?” too often for my liking. I get it, but I’d like to urge and beg of anyone feeling that way to not become desensitized. We are in the midst of very exciting times and lots of change in regards to the way chemicals are regulated in the United States. Reputable, responsible brands like Nine Naturals are making it easier for mamas to make healthy choices. We are delighted to include Nine Naturals products in our bundles!

NN: What is your favorite Nine Naturals Product?

It’s hard to choose just one, but I’m going to go with the Citrus and Mint Nourishing Conditioner. It’s lightweight, which is great for use everyday. And it definitely helps to smooth and add shine. Also important to mention- it smells great and the citrus and mint scent helps to relieve nausea so we know our mamas will love using the samples they receive in their bundles!

Use the promo code NINENATURALS to receive 25% off your first month-to-month bundle- a little gift from the 21Bundles Family to you, in celebration of this beautiful line of personal-care products.

Jacqueline Cerone Cardamone wears many hats, including but not limited to caregiver, yoga teacher, CLEC, postpartum doula, aspiring Doctor of Naturopathy, and a founder of 21Bundles, Inc. She lives in San Francisco with her husband Michael, who alongside a childhood friend, JD, is also a co-founder of 21Bundles.

21Bundles delivers monthly bundles of natural products to pregnant and new moms, tailored to their stage of pregnancy or their baby’s age. 9 months of pregnancy + the first 12 months of baby’s life = 21Bundles. Order at any time in that time frame and 21Bundles will tailor a bundle for you!

Flowers, breakfast in bed and chocolates are the hallmark of Mother's Day Gifts. This year, give your one-of-a-kind mom a one-of-kind-gift that she won't be expecting. The Nine Naturals team has curated a selection of our favorite finds for this Mother's Day. These beauty, fitness and fashion gifts are the ultimate functional indulgences she'll definitely want.

For the Beauty-Obsessed Mom:

• Clarisonic Plus: Face & Body - Give her the gift of glow! The best thing any women can do for for her skin is to exfoliate (besides wearing sunscreen of course).
• Jawbone UP - Moms have enough to keep up with. Let the Jawbone Bracelet and App help Mom keep up with her most precious resource: beauty sleep.
• Nine Naturals Vanilla + Geranium Regenerative Pregnancy Belly Butter & Stretch Mark Cream - Indulge in the luxurious scent of Vanilla and Geranium in our Belly Butter, it'll hydrate Mom's skin and fight those pesky stretch marks at the same time.
• Bona Notti Silk Sleeping Mask - Send under eye bags packing with this silk sleep mask.

For the Fitness-Nut Mom:

• Therm-O-Terra Water Bottle - This BPA free reusable water bottle will ensure that water stays cool during a workout and it has a dual feature of also keeping beverages hot (perfect for the morning coffee/tea on the go).
• Athleta Spring Tote - This tote has enough space for everything that Moms have to carry for a workout: gym clothes, sneakers, and the occasional misplaced sippy cup.
• Magic Carpet Yoga Mat by Anthropologie - This yoga mat will help make Mommy and Me yoga a little more colorful.
• Nine Naturals Travel Gift Set - Our set includes all of Nine Natural's best sellers in a gym bag ready reusable tote...never settle for the gym's generic soap again.

For the Fashionista-Mom:

• Tom Ford Valentina Acetate Cat-Eye Sunglasses - Old Hollywood glamour meets the 21st century with these Tom Ford sunglasses.
• Balenciaga Giant 12 Golden City Bag, Green - Call the babysitter! This Balenciaga bag is perfect for spring night out.
• RabLabs Ima Photo Frame - This frame, made of semi precious acetate, is a great gift to give and receive this Mother's Day. Each frame is unique, just like Mom.
• Jenna Fisher Cuff or Natalie Frigo Rustic Pendant - No Mother's Day gift guide would be complete without jewelry. As nice as those birthstone pendants are, give a unique gift with these modern statement pieces.

Daily Candy features Nine Naturals in their list of must-have pregnancy items that will help you and your friends have a smoother pregnancy.

From Daily Candy:

YOU HAVE VICTORIA’S SECRET HAIR.

She can thank prenatal vitamins and hormones for thick, lustrous, bombshell locks. And she can make the most of them while they last (strands start falling out when the baby is about 4 months old) with Nine Naturals’s shine-inducing, pregnancy-safe shampoo and conditioner.

We at Nine Naturals love LOVE with a capital L, so it's no surprise that Valentine's day is a big deal around here. We cannot get enough of these hilarious Valentine's day cards - whether you are expecting and making a baby announcement, or simply sending greetings to a loved one, these cards will have you smiling for days!

1. Clacy Designs Valentines Day Pregnancy Announcement - A classic love poem adapted to show that now there are three!

2) EgyptianfrogDesigns Pregnancy Announcement Valentine Card - How adorable?

3) Jdeluce Funny Valentine's Day for Fathers - A simple Valentine greeting, or the perfect way to let your special someone know that he is about to be a daddy!

4) Jdeluce Funny MILF Valentine's Day Card for Mothers - What mom and mom-to-be wouldn't get a smile out of this? ;)

5) SillieReggie Pregnancy Announcement Card - Is there a better way to Say "I love You" than with a bump?

Nothing creates holiday stress like waiting until the very last minute to do your shopping. But concerns with family and work can definitely make it difficult to carve out gift-hunting time. Luckily, our list of excellent last-minute options will help you find (or make) a great gift in no time flat.

• A monthly wine club subscription. This makes for the ideal gift for those on your list who aren't expecting, of course. It takes just minutes to order a membership online, then quickly grab a card from the thrift store, writing a note to the giftee on what they can expect for the next few months. The authentic French wines of the FIAF monthly Wine Club are très bien.
• A coupon favor book. In a time crunch, cobble together a cute book of coupon favors, one of the more appreciated homemade Christmas presents. All it requires is a printer, some scissors, and a couple template. (Check out this one from Frugal Mama.) Consider including rewards that relieve holiday stress, such as completing your loved one's errands for the day, or giving her a foot massage.
• A do-it-yourself decoupage bowl. Among homemade Christmas presents that are quick and easy, this bowl stands out nicely. Just purchase a chic bowl from a decor store, and cover it with tasteful decoupage made from any paper you have handy. Care2's instructions here are helpful. Note that if painted, this bowl is not suitable for eating or drinking.
• Brownies in a jar. Have time to run to the supermarket? Grab brown sugar, flour, cocoa powder, walnuts (or your giftee's favorite nuts), and a bag of chocolate chunks. Pour them tastefully into a mason jar. Add a bow and handwritten card to complete this simplest of homemade Christmas presents. Don't forget the baking instructions, which you can find here.
• Grace: A Memoir. This enormously popular page-turner ranks high among last minute gift ideas for chic bookworms. Grace Coddington, creative director at Vogue Magazine, details her whirlwind career as a model, a rocky personal life, and -- juiciest of all -- her relationship with Anna Wintour. Or for the tech savvy giftee in your life, get a amazon gift card so that they can buy their favorite e-books and get them instantly!
• Same day delivery gourmet gift baskets. These serve as superb last minute gift ideas, especially when opportunities to shop are running out and holiday stress is high. Cookies by Design creates delicious cookie bouquets, including a tasty gluten-free line, for shoppers across the country. Chelsea Market Baskets in New York City ships great gifts same-day both locally in Gotham and throughout the U.S., while Shari's Berries provides the Los Angeles area specifically with deluxe fruit-filled baskets.
• DIY Beauty. DIY beauty products, like a homemade scrub or a facial mask, that add a touch of luxury and relaxation to the holidays are always appreciated! Check out our Pinterest Board for some great DIY beauty ideas!

Happy Holidays!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year - especially our amazing customers that inspire us to create the best products possible!

To express our gratitude to you, we are offering our biggest sales discounts of the year this weekend! Take advantage to stock up on your favorite products and to buy for friends and family for the holidays!

Love,
Nine Naturals

P.S. - No need to keep these deals a secret! Share the sale with friends with the links below!

A second-time mom probably has all the most important baby gear items left over from her first born, making shopping for her a little bit trickier. Great gifts for the second-time mom are those that make her life easier and put her at ease. See our top Holiday Gifts for the second-time mom:

1) Nine Naturals Regenerative Belly Butter & Unscented Moisturizing Body Cream: Nine Naturals' soothing creams will spoil mom as she welcomes another new baby to her family. Our products use organic emollients like broccoli seed oil and cupuaçu butter to increase elasticity, provide luxurious moisturization and keep stretch marks at bay.

2) Diapers.com Gift Certificate: Diapers and baby wipes in bulk may not be the most luxurious gift, but it will rank among the most appreciated!

3) Amazon Mom's Membership Program: Open to anyone (mom, dad, grandma, helpful friend), the program provides 20% off many essentials for growing families, free two-day shipping, and a 15% baby registry completion discount. Extra benefits include unlimited tv shows and movies streaming from Prime Instant Video & a Kindle book to borrow free each month!

4) Netflix Subscription: Nothing will make a 3am feeding more fun for the mom than a chance to catch up on the last season of her favorite show!

5) Cleaning Service Certificate: With a first born to attend to, a soon-to-be second-time mom can find it difficult to prep the house for baby number two. The gift of a local cleaning service can be a lifesaver. Alternatively, you can use Angie's List to locate a similar house cleaning service near the new mom.

6) Professional Family Photo-shoot Gift Certificate: Help the second-time mom capture her growing family with a gift certificate for a professional photo-shoot. This gift will literally last a lifetime.

7) Food: A gift certificate to a home meal delivery service or websites like Seamless.com or FreshDirect.com will make mealtimes easier. There are a number of companies out there that cater specifically to new moms and new families. They tend to be local - checkout what's available in your area!

8) Massage or Spa Gift Certificate: Pamper the second-time mom with a massage or spa treatment; it will help her relax and rejuvenate before the second baby arrives.

9) Glam Squad: An at home blow out for the second-time mom? Yes please!

What would you give as a gift to a mom in her second pregnancy?

The best presents for an expectant mom are those that help her relax, love her pregnancy, and treasure this special time in her life. Here are Nine Naturals’s top picks for unique gift ideas for the mom-to-be this holiday season:

1) Nine Naturals Pregnancy Travel Gift Set: Complete with a sample size of every essential beauty product needed during traveling, Nine Naturals’ travel gift set makes an ideal treat for the mom-to-be on the go!

2) 7 A.M Enfant Mittens: Perfect for keeping a mom’s hands warm during those early morning walks with the baby stroller.

3) Tory Burch Coley Knit Slippers: Every mom needs another something cozy this winter. These slippers are perfect for keeping those tired, pregnant feet warm and comfy.

4) The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: A compilation the most beloved picture books of the past century, this is a perfect gift for both mom and baby.

5) Porn for New Moms: Featuring shots of handsome dads changing diapers or caring for the baby while mom and her girlfriends enjoy a spa day, this titillating book is filled with images tackling the fantasies of new mothers in an entirely charming and non-graphic manner.

6) Subscription boxes: A carefully curated month-by-month care package geared towards putting the new mom at ease while expecting a baby. Some of Nine Naturals’ favorite subscription boxes included Little Pnuts, Stork Stack, Mommiesfirst, Citrus Lane.

7) Skin Wordwide Organic Sheer Robe: Organic and stylish, perfect for keeping warm at night.

8) Jennifer Meyer “Mum” Necklace: A quaint & quirky spin on the traditional “Mom” jewelry.

9) UrbanSitter Gift Card: A night out for the holidays can be the perfect gift for a new mom. Make it easy with an UrbanSitter giftcard, which lets moms find and book friend recommended sitters.

What would you recommend as an ideal gift for a mom or mom to be?