Clouds and Stars QuickZip Crib Sheets {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Tiffany D!}

From the early days after Big Sister E was born, everything about motherhood was new and exciting (and tiring). As every mother knows, it doesn't matter how much you try to prepare because so much of parenting is figured out as you go along.

When it comes to products that make life with a baby easier, wouldn't it be nice if there was a list of the gear that really are better than the rest? Of course that would be difficult with things like strollers or bottles or baby carriers, because personal opinion would always come into play. But what if there was a product that was truly just an amazing, innovative, universally-appropriate item that any parent would be crazy not to love?

No doubt about it that at the top of that list would be the QuickZip Crib Sheets from Clouds and Stars. Once you've tried these sheets, there's no going back!

Simple, safe and stylish, the two-piece QuickZip Crib Sheet Set has eliminated the hassle from one of my most-disliked responsibilities: changing crib sheets. Even though it is a small task, the amount of effort that goes along with it has always made me cringe. The awkward reach, the yanking at the corners, the mess of the bumper pad... what a pain.

A two-piece set, Clouds and Stars' QuickZip Sheets consist of a base piece that you set the mattress down into for a snug fit, leaving the top open. Then, simply attach the top sheet (which is a flat rectangle the size of the mattress) by zipper and the bed is made. When it comes time to change the sheet, it takes only seconds to unzip the sheet off of the top and replace it with a new one. Unique, effortless and easy - exactly the type of solution that busy, sleep-deprived parents need.

So, is it really that uncomplicated and trouble-free? First, I removed Little Sister B's mattress from the crib and laid it on the floor. It wasn't a problem to lay it into the bottom sheet and bring up the edges so that they just barely come up around the corners.
Instead of using my normal mattress pad (which would have been bulky tucked down into the sheet and difficult to change later), the Clouds and Stars Quilted Crib Pad laid right down onto the mattress and was held in place by the edge of the sheet. The soft cotton top and waterproof back make it perfect for keeping the mattress safe from any sort of accident and the flat design ensure that pulling it off is a snap.

With the base and mattress pad in place, all that remained was attaching the sheet. Starting down at the bottom, I simply connected the zipper and followed it all the way around the the edge.

Clouds and Stars even thought to overlap the zipper at the end so that the pull can be tucked in and kept out of sight or reach from little hands.

Completely straightforward so far, all that was left was to put the crib back together. Due to her age and climbing skills, we no longer have a bumper pad in with Little Sister B, but I know that I would have found great pleasure in retying it on and knowing that it was the last time I would have to deal with attaching, adjusting or fiddling with it.

Oh, the beauty of the simplicity. The zipper was completely covered, so there was no worry about it being uncomfortable and the 200+ thread count cotton was soft and cozy for delicate skin. I loved the snug fit all the way around (with no way for the sheet to come untucked), so not only was the look crisp and clean but there would never be any concern of a loose-fitting sheet causing entanglement danger to a baby.

With the addition of a bumper, the zipper would be hidden completely and no one would be the wiser to the genius invention laying underneath. Because when it came time to change the top I just zipped it right off and threw it in the wash. No fuss, no hassle.

Clouds and Stars, where were you when Big Sister E was a newborn? How is it that I spent years struggling trying to figure out a way to change crib sheets without removing our bumper... only to end up sweating and looking at a bunched up mess? As far as I'm concerned, the moms behind this company have solved one of my most-dreaded and least-liked issues of having a baby. Change a dirty diaper? Sure, comes with the territory. Change a traditional crib sheet? No, never again.

The innovation and convenience of Clouds and Stars' QuickZip Sheets has made this a must-have for any new or veteran mom that I know. Depending on the color and fabric (there are a variety of solids, gingham prints and organics available) the Crib Starter Set starts at $36.99 and includes the top and bottom sheets. Extra zipper sheets or bases are also available for around $18.

But the level of handiness and amount of time saved make these sheets worth every penny. For daily usage they're a great time-saver but for those middle-of-the-night times when your child has an accident or has been sick, these are more than just nice to have, they're a life-saver. Clouds and Stars has already received a long list of awards and acclaim and they can now add me to their file of moms who are big, big fans.

Thanks to their generosity, one person will soon have the opportunity to fall in love with Clouds and Stars as well (or, if you don't use a crib, these would make the best baby shower gift EVER), because..

One lucky person will win their choice of color QuickZip Crib Starter Set AND a quilted mattress pad! ARV $59!

To enter to win: Visit Clouds and Stars and tell me which of their great color choices you would pick OR something new that you learned.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Clouds and Stars on Facebook. 1 more Extra Entry if you leave the following message on their wall: Clouds and Stars is genius! I just entered to win a QuickZip Crib Starter Set at Thanks, Mail Carrier! http://bit.ly/acB4CQ
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Clouds and Stars QuickZip Crib Starter Sheet Set ($59) for amazing convenience! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/acB4CQ #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Clouds and Stars.

Giveaway will end on October 8th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Clouds and Stars for providing a QuickZip Starter Set and Mattress Pad for review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.