Spotlight Saturday Premiers tomorrow!

Welcome to our new blog hop with a twist!  Every Saturday swing by to link up your blog and another blog you want to spotlight!  Did you find a new blog you liked this week?  Is there one you visit on a daily basis?  Well, simply link up your Spotlighted Blog right under yours.  We will Spotlight our favorite blogs of the week in spots 4, 5, and 6.

This is such a great way to get involved in the blogging community, support fellow bloggers, and get some traffic yourself!

How it Works:

1)   Link up your own blog.
2)   Link up a blog you want to spotlight for the week (Ex. “Spotlight: Crazy Daisy”) .
3) Follow your three hosts.
4)   Grab our button and post it on your sidebar or a Spotlight Saturday Post.
5)  Follow as many blogs from the list and leave a comment so they know you stopped by.
6)   Return the favor by following blogs that followed you.

(Be aware that URL’s cannot be duplicated so please have a second spotlight choice in mind. If your blog has already been spotlighted, just spotlight someone else.)

I hope to see you here tomorrow for some spotlighting fun! :)

I’ve been using Swap-A-DVD a lot lately – ever since we canceled cable and I found myself without my daughter’s favorite programs.  No more Winnie the Pooh?  Oh NO!

So I started pricing the DVDs online and was really unhappy with my finds.  Children’s DVDs are SO expensive!  At this rate, I would never have a good collection of my daughter’s favorite cartoons.  I was discouraged.  But suddenly I remembered that my favorite website, PaperbackSwap, where I swap books regularly (I shared information on that here), had a sister site called Swap-A-DVD that allowed members to swap their DVDs for free!  So I headed straight over to see what they had available.

And I was SO delighted to see that they had quite a few different Winnie the Pooh and Little Einsteins DVDs available!  I didn’t really have any DVDs I wanted to swap out (it’s easy and free, though!) so I purchased DVD credits instead.  I bought 3 for $14.85.  Note that it is much cheaper to send out DVDs (thereby earning credits) since all you pay is shipping – you can even use the printable wrapper to wrap your DVDs and that saves money on shipping materials.  It’s SO easy. And 1 credit = 1 DVD.

Oh, and did I mention that if you have a DVD you really want, you can put it on a wishlist and eventually you will get it?  It’s really a great program, one I’m so happy to be a part of.

Sweet Deal: When you sign up, after you post 10 DVDs to swap you will automatically receive 1 free credit!

Are you ready to sign up?

You’ll love it!  Feel free to friend me, JohnsGirl, and let me know in a comment how you like it!  If you have any questions, let me know.  :)

Sign up HERE!

Note:  I am not working with SwapaDVD in any way; however, this is my personalized link and I will get a credit if you sign up and post 10 DVDs.  If you do use my link, THANK YOU!  You are awesome.  :)  But you don’t have to, of course.  Either way, it’s a wonderful site and I LOVE IT!  I hope you do, too!

I first discovered Zoobies Plush Pets about a year and a half ago, and I instantly wanted one so bad!  And not just for my sweet little daughter – I wanted one for me!  I’ve always loved stuffed animals, and I think that whoever thought this concept up is a genius.

Anyone who has ever sighed over their hoard of stuffed animals and decided it’s time to give some away because they’re just taking up SPACE will love these plush treasures.  Why?  Because they are not only soft stuffed animals – they also convert to a blanket and the body can be used as a pillow while the blanket is unrolled!

Thanks to Zoobies, I was able to review the Zoobies Pet I most coveted:  Khimba the Koala and Baby Kai.

Not only is this pet extremely soft (like uber real pet soft!), it comes with a detachable baby koala.  My daughter attached herself to Khimba’s “baby” and has carried her everywhere.

I myself love the Khimba “mommy” because she contains something lovely inside:  a soft and cuddly blanket that I found to be surprisingly large!  I had previously assumed that these pets were for children and that the blanket was child-sized, but was pleased to find that I can easily cuddle up with a book and Khimba’s blanket.  And it is also extremely soft.

Features:

- Microbead stuffed head
- 100% polyester blanket
- Everything is machine-washable
- Blanket zips on/off

Another awesome  feature is that the blankets are easy for children to roll up and stuff back inside the pet’s “stomach”.  This really is the ultimate sleepover toy!

The quality of the Zoobies Pet I received far surpassed my expectations.  I thought that the concept of a pillow/blanket/pet was a terrific one, but I’m so pleased that Zoobies has gone to extremes to make sure that the quality of their products is one of the best you can find!  I highly recommend these pets – they make excellent gifts!

Buy It!

You can order Khimba the Koala and Baby Kai for $32.00 at www.Zoobies.com.

Also find smaller “Baby Zoobies” and large “Jumbo Zoobies”!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the product reviewed above thanks to www.zoobies.com and Chic Execs so that I could share my thoughts and experiences with it with you.  This post is 100% my own opinion and written in my own words, and was not edited or reviewed by anyone.  I do not feel obligated to write a positive review – you’ll always find honest reviews here!

It’s the little blessings in life that make me so thankful.  :)

Like seeing the daddy/daughter bond.

And a little girl so content to be close to her parents, helping with important things.  ;-)

John was listening to praise music in his headphones… Emma heard it and started dancing around, it was so cute!

I dream one day of making my own quilt.  Right now I don’t have the skill or the patience for such a thing, but I hope one day I will have both!  Until then, there is always another option – purchasing a quilt!  Now I have purchased quilt-type bedspreads from department stores, but really – can you beat handmade?  I think not.

I would like to introduce you to Silly Mama Quilts, where you can purchase handmade lap quilts, baby quilts, quilted table runners, quilted bags and purses, and more!

What first attracted me to Silly Mama Quilts were the fabric colors and patterns.  Everything is simply beautiful, and I love the fabrics used!  Here are some of my favorites from the shop:

What We Like About Silly Mama Quilts:

• The shop is mom-run!
• They offer free shipping on all items.
• Customer feedback is 100% positive.
• Pricing is affordable!

Table Runner Review:

Thanks to Silly Mama Quilts, I was able to review a gorgeous quilted table runner.  I received it quickly and was immediately impressed with the quality of the fabrics and stitching.  This table runner is made to last a lifetime, and I have no doubt it will!  It makes a beautiful keepsake and is something I’m more than proud to have on my table.

The runners are all reversible.  I LOVE the fabric on the “back” side of my runner.  It looks so old-fashioned with little children in their country outfits.  I love that I can change the look of the room by flipping the runner over.  :)

The length of the runner I received is 13 x 47 1/2 inches, perfect for our kitchen table or coffee table.  There are other lengths available, but I prefer the long runners.  Though I would be more than delighted to own table runners of different sizes!  My dresser could use one… well, Christmas is coming!  Speaking of which, there are many holiday-themed table runners and quilts as well!

Final thoughts: I am so happy with what I’ve received from Silly Mama Quilts, and would recommend purchasing from there without hesitation.  I’m sure you will be just as happy with what you receive as I am with my quilted table runner!   The quality is exceptional and the sewing work flawless.

Buy It!

Quilted table runners from Silly Mama Quilts range in pricing from $8.00 – $35.00, and come in a variety of patterns and themes.  Remember that shipping is free on all orders!

Silly Mama Quilts Online…

Follow the Silly Mama Quilts Blog
Follow them on Twitter

Silly Mama Quilts is offering a $20.00 credit to their online store to one lucky winner!

{Prize} One winner will receive a $20.00 gift certificate to the Silly Mama Quilts Etsy shop!
{Eligibility} Open Worldwide!

{Mandatory Entry } Visit Silly Mama Quits and look around, then come back and tell me in a comment here what your favorite item is!

Optional Extra Entries – Get 1 extra entry for each unless otherwise noted:
(Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!)

• Follow the Silly Mama Quilts blog/follow Silly Mama Quilts on Twitter (1 extra each)
• For 3 extra entries: “Like” my Kindred Spirit Mommy Facebook Page
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets available – you can use the button in the top right corner of this post)
  
• Stumble/Digg/Facebook, or share this giveaway in some other way (email, etc) (1 extra each)
• Add my button to your sidebar
• Follow my blog, Subscribe to my blog by feed reader, and/or Subscribe to my blog by email (1 extra each)
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit)

• +5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and http://sillymamaquilts.etsy.com.

Giveaway will be closed on August 17, 2010 at midnight PST and winner notified by email and posted on this website (either in this post or in a new winner’s announcement post).  Winner will then have 48 hours to reply to my email or I will have to re-draw another winner.  Good luck, everyone!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the product reviewed above so that I could share my thoughts and experiences with it with you.  This post is 100% my own opinion and written in my own words, and was not edited or reviewed by anyone.  I do not feel obligated to write a positive review – this website is about honest experiences with products!

I am officially in love with BeautyFix.  This exclusive beauty club is THE way to try out the season’s hottest beauty products!  And not only is it FUN, it’s affordable!

If you, like me, have seen pricey new beauty products (that you really, really want to try) on the shelves or at your favorite online beauty product website and have been unsure whether it is:

1.  Worth the money
2.  Really as wonderful as they claim

… you need to become a member of BeautyFix now!

Okay, so what exactly IS BeautyFix?

“Beautyfix.com is an exclusive beauty club dedicated to matching you with the perfect products. Each season, a panel of beauty experts separates the winners from the losers and then suggests the best product matches based on your profile. Your product matches will be divided into 2 categories: Must-Haves and Panel Faves. Must-Haves are products the panel has picked specifically for you. Panel Faves are more of the panelists’ favorites that you pick yourself!”

How it Works…

I personally tried BeautyFix out for myself, and enjoyed the process immensely.  Hello, shopping!

First, you go to www.beautyfix.com, sign up, and take a beauty profile survey.  Next, they give you a list of top-brand new beauty products to choose from based on the results of your survey:

This screenshot is only a sampling of the products available to choose from – there is a great selection!  I was able to choose eight different products (including a free makeup bag), and within a few days I received my package!  It was like Christmas, seriously.  All of these top beauty brands ready for me to try out, and they are all full-size or travel-size products!  Most of what I received was full-size – the cool thing about the choosing process is that underneath each product and above the description it tells you what size product you will be receiving.  So you can pick and choose the full-sized products if you want.  Very cool.

Most of what I received I really loved.  There was only one product I didn’t adore and that’s because I don’t like hair gels much.  It’s the Jonathan hair creme/gel and I was hoping for more creamy – it’s a little stickier than I wanted.  It’s still a good product, just not for my hair type.  I think my favorite product was the Jonathan Create Root Volume brushable root-lifting spray.  I have chronic flat-head hair and this helps so much!

Gives my hair a lift I never have normally!

So, Would I Do It Again?

The answer is YES YES YES!  I absolutely loved my experience with BeautyFix, and the quality (and size) of the products received.  I reviewed the Spring BeautyFix Kit and the Summer BeautyFix Kit is available NOW.  I’m planning on taking part again and am excited about it.  I really loved everything about it – the choosing process, the ease of navigating the website, and the pricing.

Oh, I haven’t mentioned pricing yet?  Well, don’t cringe – you’ll love this!  Especially since I have a coupon code for you.  :)

Quarterly Membership Pricing & Coupon Code!

The price for each BeautyFix package is $49.99, but for YOU I have a special discount code.  Enter the code BFIX5 and get this season’s BeautyFix Kit for only $19.99 – plus FREE SHIPPING!  Seriously, you cannot beat this.  What I received was worth well over $50 (the brushable root-lifting spray alone is $28.00!).  Visit www.beautyfix.com to get started!

BeautyFix Online

BeautyFix Blog
BeautyFix on Twitter
BeautyFix on Facebook

Disclosure:  I was provided with a BeautyFix Kit so that I could share my thoughts and experiences with BeautyFix with you.  This post is 100% my own opinion and written in my own words, and was not edited or reviewed by anyone.  I do not feel obligated to write a positive review – this website is about honest experiences with products and companies!

I’m so excited to be featuring another wonderful mom-run Etsy shop!  I love supporting other moms when purchasing for my daughter, and I love that what I’m purchasing is handmade with care.

And I LOVE buying dresses!

Introducing Auntie Bubbles, home of affordable, fashionable outfits for girls AND boys!

What you’ll love about Auntie Bubbles:

• Auntie Bubbles is mom-run!
• All outfits are handmade.
• All clothing pieces and accessories are affordable at $10-$35.
• There is no extra charge for custom orders!
• They have 100% positive customer feedback.

A Mom’s Thoughts:

I received the Tea For Two in Blue dress in size 2T for review.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  Emma looks so nice in blue, and I love the vivid blue that was used to create this dress.  The comfort level is high – the top part of the dress is a soft, stretchy t-shirt and the rest of the dress flows easily.  It fit Emma perfectly and it is totally no-fuss.  I love it!  It is suitable for special occasions and for play, and it is very well-made and high quality.

I think next time I order a dress from Auntie Bubbles, I will have her make the length of the dress end just below Emma’s knees. This one is not too long at all, but I prefer Emma’s dresses a bit shorter.  AWESOME that you can customize your dress for free!

I’m very happy with my experience at Auntie Bubbles and recommend them highly!

Auntie Bubbles is giving away one of her Twirly Whirly Girly Skirts available in multiple colors and patterns (sizes 6 months to girls sizes) to one lucky winner!

{Prize} One winner will receive a Twirly Whirly Girly Skirt valued up to $12.00.
{Eligibility} Open to the US only.

{Mandatory Entry } Visit Auntie Bubbles and look around, then come back and tell me in a comment what you would love to buy for your little one!

Optional Extra Entries – Get 1 extra entry for each unless otherwise noted:
(Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!)

• Sign up for Auntie Bubbles email newsletter (just send a quick email to auntiebubbles @ ymail . com letting her know you want to be added!) (+2 extra entries!)
• For 3 extra entries: “Like” my Kindred Spirit Mommy Facebook Page
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets available – you can use the button in the top right corner of this post)
  
• Stumble/Digg/Facebook, or share this giveaway in some other way (email, etc) (1 extra each)
• Add my button to your sidebar
• Follow my blog, Subscribe to my blog by feed reader, and/or Subscribe to my blog by email (1 extra each)
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit)

• +5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and http://auntiebubbles.etsy.com.

Giveaway will be closed on August 17, 2010 at midnight PST and winner notified by email and posted on this website (either in this post or in a new winner’s announcement post).  Winner will then have 48 hours to reply to my email or I will have to re-draw another winner.  Good luck, everyone!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the product reviewed above so that I could share my thoughts and experiences with it with you.  This post is 100% my own opinion and written in my own words, and was not edited or reviewed by anyone.  I do not feel obligated to write a positive review – this website is about honest experiences with products!

…and failed!

Apparently I am not strong enough yet.

I made a great effort though, and found something that worked well for us – it’s only that I gave in one night when I was exceptionally tired and Emma was crying pitifully because she wanted her “paci”.  It was sad.  I was tired.  Need I say more?

My valiant attempt involved rubbing a clove of garlic on the tip of the pacifier.  This was during the day.  She put the pacifier in her mouth and immediately took it back out and stuck her tongue out.  Ewwww!  Then she walked away.

Later that night I did the same thing at bedtime and she reacted the same way.  There were a few extra tears, but she went to sleep finally.  I put the yucky pacifier on the changing table that is attached to her crib and left the room.  I was so happy – there was not a peep all night!

I awakened in the morning feeling I had conquered the world – our first night without the paci! So what do I do?  Walk into the nursery to get Emma and start our morning routine… and the pacifier is in her mouth.  What was I thinking to leave the pacifier so close?  And when did she brave the garlicky taste and pop that paci in her mouth – immediately after I left the room the night before or that morning?  I’ll never know if she actually spent the night without the pacifier.

The next day I started again with the garlicky taste.  That night, I gave in.  I think I was feeling defeated when I found her with the pacifier in her mouth that morning, though.

Maybe next time I’ll try cutting the tip off.  That way there can be no giving in (on my part).  We are on our last pacifier.  I have no idea where the rest are (there must be 10 or so hiding around the house!) and I have no desire whatsoever to put one more dollar into pacifiers.

Being a mom requires strength, let me tell you!

If I could have all wooden toys for my kids, I would.  Wooden toys and puzzles promote children using their imaginations rather than relying on push-button instant entertainment, something we have too much of nowadays.  This is one of the reasons I love places like ImagiPlay, toy companies that provide us moms with the best of wooden toys and games!

A Mom’s Thoughts…

Thanks to ImagiPlay, my two-year-old Emma and I were able to test and review three of their toy sets:

First, the Veggie Cutting Set, which retails for $24.99.  This is a very well-constructed set with no flaws – we love it!  Seriously, it’s so nice that the play cutting board is nicer than any cutting board I’ve ever had.  If I purchased a full-size cutting board of that quality it would probably cost $50.00 at least.  It’s heavy and solid wood.  Can you tell I have some cutting board envy?  ;-)  I’ve considered stealing it for a miniscule cheese platter.

Next, the Kitty Alphabet ColorMeUp Puzzle, retailing for $19.99.  Another toy of quality!  My only problem with this puzzle is that it would be way too hard for my two-year-old to put back together – in fact, it was almost beyond me!  My husband helped me put it back together.  *turning red* I really think this is a great puzzle for older children, and the fact that it has a letter of the alphabet on each kitty piece makes it a fun learning tool for toddlers.  If you, like me, are teaching your little one the alphabet then this is a fun way to teach it, having your toddler set each kitty out in the right order or just using the kitty like flash cards.  The puzzle comes all in natural wood color and includes a tiny set of paints so that your child can paint the kitties him/herself.  Such a great set!

Finally, we have the Three Chicks Puzzle, retailing for $11.99.  This is one of my favorites because of the smoothness of the wood pieces and the cuteness.  It is great for Emma because it’s just enough of a challenge for her to put back together.  But it’s also simple to figure out.  Another terrific thinking toy that is cute to set up and play with!

See, they’re really cute in person!  :)

You can find ImagiPLAY toys in most Whole Foods Markets and online on their website, www.imagiplay.com.

Discount Alert!

ImagiPLAY is offering a coupon code to my readers for 35% off your order – enter at checkout best-toy35.

ImagiPLAY Online!

Fan them on Facebook
Follow them on Twitter

ImagiPLAY is generously offering one winner all three of the toys reviewed above!

{Prize} One winner will receive the Three Chicks Puzzle, Kitty Alphabet Puzzle, and Veggie Cutting Set.
{Eligibility} Open to the US only.

{Mandatory Entry } Visit ImagiPLAY and look around, then come back and tell me in a comment what else you would love to buy for your little one!

Optional Extra Entries – Get 1 extra entry for each unless otherwise noted:
(Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!)

• Follow ImagiPlay on Twitter and/or Facebook (1 extra for each)
• For 3 extra entries: “Like” my Kindred Spirit Mommy Facebook Page
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets available!)
  You can use this sample tweet: I just entered to win three (3!) wooden natural toy sets from @ImagiPLAY and @Kindred_Spirit http://bit.ly/952CnL #giveaway
  
• Stumble/Digg/Facebook, or share this giveaway in some other way (email, etc) (1 extra each)
• Add my button to your sidebar
• Follow my blog, Subscribe to my blog by feed reader, and/or Subscribe to my blog by email (1 extra each)
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit)

• +5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and Made By Mardi

Giveaway will be closed on August 17, 2010 at midnight PST and winner notified by email and posted on this website (either in this post or in a new winner’s announcement post).  Winner will then have 48 hours to reply to my email or I will have to re-draw another winner.  Good luck, everyone!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the products reviewed above so that I could share my thoughts and experiences with them with you.  This post is 100% my own opinion and written in my own words, and was not edited or reviewed by anyone.  I do not feel obligated to write a positive review – this website is about honest experiences with products!

I’m a self-proclaimed Etsy addict.  Whenever I am in the market for something that can be purchased handmade from another mom, I first check Etsy, a place where anyone can put their handmade goods up for sale!  My experience there has been very positive, with a few exceptions.  The key to a successful shopping “trip” there is to check the feedback and return policy of the shop you’re thinking of purchasing from.  Then order with confidence!

The shop I would like to feature today is a mother/daughter team-run shop called Made By Mardi.  Here you’ll find handmade goodness intricately embroidered – personalized gifts that any child or new mom would love.

A little bit about the mother & daughter who create all this loveliness:
“We are a mama and grandmama just trying to share some personalized crafts as a passion we love to pay for more hobbies and crafts of our own… and we love to make our customers happy!”

My Thoughts…

Thanks to Made By Mardi, I received an embroidered dress-up doll with three outfits, a super soft personalized minky toddler pillow with embroidered cotton pillowcase, and an ouchy hot/cold pack to review.

Personalized Minky Pillowcase (found here in their store): This is my favorite item received from Made By Mardi.  I love the super soft minky material and the size of the pillow is perfect for my two-year-old.  It would actually be a great accent pillow or a small pillow for a child or teen, too.  I love that they send you the pillow and pillowcase – I wouldn’t want to have to find the right size pillow for myself.  I’m glad they make it so easy!  It’s a beautiful accent in her room, and the embroidery is flawless and whimsical. Please note that they also make and embroider custom cotton pillowcases. I received one of these as well with my daughter’s full name embroidered on it, and I love it!  You can personalize your own minky pillowcase plus pillow for $23.00.

Ouchy Hot/Cold Pack (found here in their store):  These hot/cold packs are perfect for little owies.  They can be placed in the freezer or microwaved for 20 seconds in order to soothe owies.  My little girl loves that this is her personal hot/cold pack and asks for it when she gets hurt.  You can order one for $6.00.

Embroidered Dress-Up Doll Kit: I also received this adorable embroidered dress-up doll with three outfits.  I was able to customize the doll so that she had red hair and blue eyes like my daughter has, and even choose our favorite colors for the outfits.  I love that the dolls are practically indestructible!  I wouldn’t be able to allow my two-year-old to play with paper dolls right now because they would be torn to shreds as soon as she tired of them, but this solves that problem completely.  The outfits stay on the doll via snap, and it’s easy to snap the outfits on and off.  Such a cute and unique gift idea!  Oh, and it also  came in a little personalized bag with my daughter’s name embroidered on it.

I also own one of their embroidered bibs, and I can tell you it is the CUTEST thing ever!  I highly recommend anything embroidered for baby at Made By Mardi.  Personalized gifts are simply the best!

Made By Mardi has 100% positive feedback!

Their return/refund policy: Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If there is an error we will make it right. If your are not satisfied with a product, upon return we will cheerfully refund the purchase price (excluding postage and handling). If an item is defective or unsatisfactory, a resolution (exchange/refund) can be made within 5 business days of delivery. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems please do not hesitate to contact us.

Made By Mardi is offering one lucky winner a $12 Gift Certificate (and free shipping)!

{Prize} Gift certificate (12$) to be used on the Made By Mardi website.
{Eligibility} Open to the US.

{Mandatory Entry } Visit Made By Mardi and look around, then come back and tell me in a comment what you would spend your $ on if you won!

Optional Extra Entries – Get 1 extra entry for each unless otherwise noted:
(Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!)

• “Heart” the Made By Mardi Etsy shop (you need an Etsy account)
• For 3 extra entries: “Like” my Kindred Spirit Mommy Facebook Page
• Tweet this giveaway (daily tweets available!)
  You can use this sample tweet: I just entered to win a gift certificate to MadeByMardi handmade personalized gifts! http://bit.ly/bI59Dl #giveaway
  
• Stumble/Digg/Facebook, or share this giveaway in some other way (email, etc) (1 extra each)
• Add my button to your sidebar
• Follow my blog, Subscribe to my blog by feed reader, and/or Subscribe to my blog by email (1 extra each)
• Follow me on Twitter (@kindred_spirit)

• +5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway with a link to this post and Made By Mardi

Giveaway will be closed on August 10, 2010 at midnight PST and winner notified by email and posted on this website (either in this post or in a new winner’s announcement post).  Winner will then have 48 hours to reply to my email or I will have to re-draw another winner.  Good luck, everyone!

Disclosure:  I was provided with the products reviewed above so that I could share my thoughts and experiences with them with you.  This post is 100% my own opinion and written in my own words, and was not edited or reviewed by anyone.  I do not feel obligated to write a positive review – this website is about honest experiences with products!