Lovaloom Astra Geminidas Review

Lovaloom Astra Geminidas

59% Pima cotton / 37% Mulberry silk / 2% polyamide / 2% polyester / 330 GSM

23 months and 28 pounds 

I've long had an affinity for all things celestial in design. I was really looking forward to seeing the Astra design in person and it did not disappoint. The Geminidas colorway is black and ecru with very subtle golden sparkles. I immediately noted how dense and weighty the wrap is, one of the more substantial I've tested.

In hand there is a medium diagonal stretch, the wrap is soapy, with the black side slightly more soapy than the cream. Medium - high thickness, feels more substantial due to the dense, tight weave. Very flat texture, there is slightly more texture and grip along the inside rails, which are generous and have lovaloom written in the pattern on the cream side only. There is no rough feel from the subtle golden sparkles, just an overall soft and soapy wrap.

For me the Astra design is a whimsical classic. Especially in the Geminidas colorway, black and ecru, you can't go wrong. This is a wrap design and colorway you will not tire of quickly is my guess. In different carries you get a different look and feel, depending on if the large stars or moon are featured more prominently, or the connected constellations. Astra Geminidas is a wrap you can dress up or down, if you need a fun, but special occasion wrap this is a perfect choice.

I found this Astra very easy to wrap with, the soapiness really assists in getting a precise wrap job, but it is also a very forgiving wrap with sloppy carries too. For someone with a squirmy toddler sometimes you need a wrap that you can get your child up in under 30 seconds, but it will also be comfortable for more than 30 minutes! I am currently not a typical wearer with a back injury, so it says a lot for me if I can use a wrap for any period of time past a few minutes. I mostly wore this wrap in double hammock tied in front and it was a dream with my heavier toddler. It also performed well in a ruck, very solid and supportive. This blend was really a downright pleasure to wrap with, weighty yet soft, lots of glide and some wool like properties, though there is no wool content. It wraps very similarly to both Omnifera Wings of Desire, which I have previously reviewed, and Artipoppe Argus Signature Jack.

Astra Geminidas would be on the top of my list for my toddler if I was in the market for a wrap right now. The pattern will appeal to those who love classic and slightly quirky, but the blend is all over a stand out for heavier babies and toddlers. I would give it a pass for a newborn, but as we all know newborns grow up quickly and this wrap will be there for the long haul and long carries. I almost always personally prefer wraps in my base or longer, but this Astra will shine as a shorty too, there is very little stretch while wearing and no sag, so it will be a solid toddler worthy shorty. If  you need grip at all give this one a pass, same if you like an airier wrap, or thin in hand - This will not be the wrap for you. If you love luxurious blends, heavier weight, dense and tight weaves, glide and soapiness, Astra Geminidas is definitely a wrap for you.

Thank you Christina at Lovaloom for letting me experience the stellar Astra Geminidas!

Find Lovaloom's chatter group on Facebook here.

Omnifera Wings of Desire Sandalphon Review

Omnifera Wings of Desire Sandalphon
78% Pima cotton/14% Mulberry silk/8% baby camel / 300 GSM pre wash
1 year and 26 pounds

*Note tested and photographed in March 2016.

Wings of Desire is a weighty wrap and upon arrival I could feel that and that there is also very low texture and a smooth dense feel. The name made me smile as I am a long time fan of the Wim Wenders film of the same name. Wings of Desire Sandalphon on first feel is a high quality, luxurious blend.

Back to the low texture, running my hand over the wrap I didn't anticipate much if any grip while wrapping. There is a low amount of diagonal stretch. Wings of Desire is medium thickness and dense, but holding it up to the sun it shows as less dense and there is a floppiness to the wrap as well, which I felt would translate to easier wrapping.

Wings of Desire Sandalphon will appeal to those who dig retro colors and vibes. The brown is a cool toned milk chocolate and paired with creamy ecru the other vibe here is classy. The wing pattern dominates the wrap, but because of the colors it doesn't look busy or overwhelming.

I wore the wrap with my 1 year old main wrappee in double hammock with a CCCB, ruck tied Tibetan knotless, and FWCC. The low texture translated to almost no grip while wrapping. It's really easy to tighten, but extra care is needed to maintain tension. I did have to adjust my carry a few times, in ruck especially and double hammock. Wings of Desire has no itchiness from the baby camel content, I have previously tried Artipoppe baby camel blends and this is very comparable. Because the wrap is floppy and moulds very well it feels less like a heavyweight, but the width of the wrap keeps me from wholeheartedly recommending to newborn wearers. This wrap will shine as a shorty for toddlers, the cush and support is there, and if you did a carry like ruck or ruck tied under bum and it was very tight you wouldn't have to readjust and could wear for extended periods of time because of how cushy and supportive Wings of Desire is. If you are looking for easy care, or a grippy wrap, this one isn't for you. If you enjoy luxury blends and need a lot of cush for your shoulders this wrap performs well and with a toddler in single pass carry you will be able to carry for extended periods comfortably. We enjoyed our time with the wrap, cushy and bouncy, and full of sleepy dust.

Please check out the Omnifera Facebook chatter group here.

Minako Naomi Prototype Review

Minako Naomi Prototype
44% Egyptian cotton/32% Merino wool/24% Mulberry silk / 292 GSM
1 year and 24 pounds


Unwrapping this beauty I caught my breath. Minako Naomi features a take on the pattern of a peacock feather and it's a worthy interpretation focusing on the downy barbs and "heart". The almost highlighter pink has a beautiful hint of coral and is more vibrant in person, and the soft dove gray compliments it perfectly. I was immediately impressed with how soft this wrap is, the blend here is all luxury and you can feel it.


The stretch is significant and if you are a lover of stretch as I am you will be delighted. In hand it is floppy with a beautiful drape, perfect to cocoon your babe or toddler in. It is rather thick feeling which may feel a bit overwhelming for wrapping brand new babies in, but the softness is so perfect for a new baby, I would not dissuade wrapping a newborn with this prototype. I also didn't anticipate this wrap to be pull prone as the weave is denser and no large floats in the pattern.

Elegant and edgy, for me this is a wrap that comprises both. I envision many wrappers with different styles loving the look of Minako Naomi. I myself don't have a "girly" stash and this Minako Naomi prototype drew me in right away with the colors instantly appealing to me though they are not colors I have sought out to have in a wrap. This is a "feel beautiful" wrap if ever there was one.

I wore Minako Naomi everyday I had it, pretty much eschewing all other wraps for this one. It wraps with ease and comfort. The passes glide with very little effort and tightening was equally easy. If you are a brand new wrapper you may find that tightening will require more effort than with a thinner wrap, but for an experienced wrapper there should be no issue at all. That said I also found the wrap very comfortable and supportive in sloppy carries which is huge for me with a wriggling 1 year old. The stretch aids in tightening and has good recovery while wearing, nice bounce with no sagging. The grip is minimal, but it's there and just right so you have no problem maintaining tension as you tighten. My favorite carries were FWCC and double hammock with CCCB, my CCCB was just right, bigger and supportive, but not bulky. The silk really gives this wrap strength and the merino wool adds a wonderful cushy feeling, on my shoulders this felt perfect even after long carries.

There is really nothing negative here to say. This is the wrap I didn't know I need to have. Out of all the testers that have been thru here, this one is so far my hands down favorite. It's amazing. Personally I love it in my base or maybe a 4, but it will work beautifully in all sizes and from newborn to toddler. There will be some extra care issues because of the silk and wool, but well worth any extra effort to launder.

Thank you Minako for the opportunity to test! I'm excited to hopefully try more, especially vegan friendly blends.


Find Minako's Facebook page here and chatter group here.