a delicious obsession

Calgon Take Me Away Beauty Luxury Gift Set Review

2012-05-25T18:55:00.002-04:00

I'm sure many of you know the brand Calgon. They first started out as a company making water softener. They released their first fragrant bath product in 1946. Advertising for Take Me Away began in the '70s. Since then, they have been creating more bath and body products including body lotion, bubble baths, shower gel and more.

I have never tried any Calgon Take Me Away products, so when I received an email about the Beauty Luxury Gift Set and a chance to try it out, I jumped on the opportunity.

This set includes Nourishing Body Cream (8 oz), Moisturizing Shower Gel & Foam Bath (4 oz), Refreshing Body Mist (8 oz), pouf, and a cosmetic bag. The set is available in five different scents including Tropical Dream, Hawaiian Ginger, Moon Petal Musk, Morning Glory and the one pictured above; Tahitian Orchid.

These products smell amazing. The shower gel can also be used as a bubble bath; you just have to pour it under warm water. It's gentle enough that you can use it every day. It's mineral oil free and pH balanced. The body cream absorbs quickly and it didn't leave my skin oily or dry afterwards. It left my skin feeling smooth and smelling good. The body mist is my favorite; I love to pump a few sprays on me before I head out. I even carried it in my bag for a while. The cosmetic bag is really cute - it's a metallic lavender shade and it's the perfect size for basic make up items.

This would make a great mother's day gift, birthday gift, valentine's day gift, or just because!

Visit the website for retail locations!

kō denmark Body Oil Review & Giveaway

2012-05-25T15:07:00.002-04:00

Some of you may remember the last review I did for kō denmark. It was on their roll on perfume; if you don't remember, you can read it here. I really liked their roll on perfume and when I was asked to review their body oil, I couldn't resist! After all, it also made with natural ingredients!

Anytime I get body products like this, the first thing I have to do is smell it. This doesn't have a strong scent but it seems to get more noticeable if you keep smelling it. It definitely smells natural. You should also know that there are no perfumes in this oil, so the scent is natural.

It's made with jasmine, neroli, and rose flower oils - which leaves skin feeling smooth. It will also help lock in moisture and promote your skin's elasticity. It's certified vegan and made with all natural ingredients. All of the ingredients are listed on the back of the bottle so you don't have to wonder what you're putting on your body.

If you have dry skin or are just a fan of body oils, I totally recommend this one! What could be better then using a natural body oil that leaves your skin feeling soft and has an all natural scent?!

Directions: apply to clean, damp skin to lock in your body's natural moisture.

The body oil is also free of paraben, sulfate, mineral oil and artificial colors.

$42 for 5 ounces

kō denmark has offered one of my readers a bottle of body oil! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

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The Sisters Elemental Bath Salts Review & Giveaway

2012-05-24T21:03:00.000-04:00

The Sisters Elemental consists of three really good friends who met online and when they finally met in person, they realized they created an amazing energy when together. The sisters are Earth, Water, and Fire. They have an Etsy shop where they offer bath salts, soaps, hand & body lotions, and other items.

I love using bath salts. I always find that they leave my skin feeling super soft and smooth. I have used quite a few different brands of bath salts, but none of them have smelled as good as these. Seriously. The smell of these, especially the Sorcerer's Kiss (which is my ultimate favorite!) is intoxicating. I keep sniffing it while I write this review; yea it's THAT good!

Natural Healing: This bath salt is made with comfrey leaf, echinacea buds, uva ursi and elderberry extracts.
Elven Mist: Made with peppermint and lavender essential oils, peppermint leaves and lavender buds. *definitely smells like peppermint!
Sorcerer's Kiss: This one is made with clove leaf, wintergreen essential oils, ylang ylang, sweet orange, hibiscus petals, matter root and beet root powders.
Mind~Body~Spirit: made with lavender essential oils, sweet orange, and ylang ylang.

These bath salts are very unique. I have never seen anything like them before. All of the others that I have tried were just plain or scented bath salts. None of them were made with natural ingredients like these that you can actually see. The results were just as good as I expected. They worked just like any other bath salt, but it makes me feel better that I'm using something natural and the scents are much better in my opinion.

If you like bath salts, I totally recommend the The Elemental Sisters bath salts. I am now wanting to try their other bath/body products!

They have kindly offered one of my fabulous readers with the same four 1 ounce samples that I received! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

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Balance Bars Review & Giveaway

2012-05-24T14:36:00.002-04:00

Balance Bars are delicious nutritional energy bars that are perfect for a quick, healthy snack. They have many flavors to choose from, including their Balance Bare Bars which are inspired by trail mix. These bars are available in three different flavors; Sweet & Salty Chocolate Almond, Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter, and their new Blueberry Acai.

Chris was excited when I gave him something early for Father's Day. He was even more excited when he saw it was something he could eat. I'm happy that he liked what I gave him because it's full of healthy nutrients and honestly, he doesn't eat many healthy foods.

"BARE Balance bars are sweetened with all natural organic agave and brown rice syrup. They contain 15 grams of protein, up to 5 grams of fiber and up to 7 grams of whole grains. They have 200 calories, 19 vitamins and minerals, and are an excellent source of antioxidants. Each 1.76 oz. single serve BARE bar adheres to Balance Bar’s proven healthy 40/30/30 nutritional model (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein, and 30% from dietary fat) to help stabilize blood sugar levels, satisfy hunger and provide lasting energy."

Chris said they were really good and I enjoyed them also. I was impressed with the taste; I didn't expect a nutritional energy bar to be as delicious as they were. It was a great snack to choose instead of chips or cookies. It was filling and gave me a boost of energy. It made me feel good and motivated.

I would definitely recommend these energy bars to anyone who's looking for a tasty, healthy snack to take on the go, or just a quick snack to have at home.

Balance Bars would like to give a Balance Bar Gift Pack to one of my readers to help celebrate Father's Day!

For your chance to win, enter using the Rafflecopter form below! Giveaway ends 6/4!

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Johnson's Baby Cares Blog Tour

2012-05-23T19:00:00.000-04:00

This past Mother's Day was a very important one to me. I had just given birth to a big baby boy in March and he was diagnosed with PKU. Being a Mother meant so much more to me then ever because of this. Even though I have three kids, this is the first time I'll have to deal with anything as stressful as a baby with PKU.

On top of the stress from the PKU, I was also stressing because we were having a tough time financially and couldn't afford to buy baby new clothes. We had tons of newborn clothing, but since he was so big at birth (9 lbs!), the newborn clothing didn't fit him for very long at all and the size 1 diapers weren't fitting much either. We needed help.

I ended up getting some help from a very small local place that gives free pregnancy tests, diapers, formula, and baby necessities. They were very generous with the items they gave to me. I received way more then what I was expecting (blankets, feeding items, bath items, stuffed animal, and more) but I was thankful for everything they had given. I had mainly contacted them for diapers but even though they were generous enough to give a me full size pack, they were only size newborn. There was no way my son would fit into them. I called back the next day and asked if I could come in and exchange them for size 2. They had no problem with it at all. That day when I went up to exchange the diapers I found out everything is donated to them. I already figured it was but it meant so much to me that there are people out there that actually randomly donate items for babies in need. If it wasn't for these other people, I wouldn't have gotten any help.

I wish I could be one of those people to help donate. I want to give back to them because they helped me. It's very important to me about giving back because I know how it feels. I've been there. In fact, I am still there.

The PKU team has been very helpful with providing us with information, special PKU formula, and even the items necessary to gather a weekly blood sample. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be able to afford the special formula for my son. I would still love to give back by giving other parents of PKU children more information about PKU. I wanted to create an official national foundation because there isn't one.

I am so proud of Johnson's partnering with Save the Children. I know there are many other children out there that need help and many even more then I did. Not everyone has the resources that I did so it's going to be harder for them to find help. There are many children that need medical attention that can't get it, there are hungry children who have no sources for food or water. Anytime I see stuff like this on TV, I tear up. It is so sad and I wish I could help them all. I wish I could be the one to take them all in and help them out. I wish these children were happy and healthy.

Johnson's is donating baby "care kits" that are stocked with baby essentials such as lotions, baby washed, diaper creams, shampoos, etc to Save the Children. Save the Children will then distribute them to families in disaster stricken situations.

Johnson's will also donate $50,000 to Save the Children once they reach 500,000 views on their "Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- You're doing OK" video on Youtube.

Find more information at the Johnson's Baby Cares Facebook page.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Baby Magic Calming Baby Bath Review

2012-05-23T18:10:00.000-04:00

I'm sure many of you have heard of Baby Magic. They have been providing the United States with gentle baby products since 1951. This company understands that mothers always want to have a meaningful bonding time with their baby during bath time; because of this, they make their products soften baby's skin, replenish moisture, and leaving baby's skin with a clean scent. They are very well dedicated to the care of your child and you, the parent.

There's nothing better then having a calm and relaxed baby after a bath. I think using a calming baby bath is a perfect way to get baby ready for bed. A relaxed baby is a happy baby. I love getting my son ready for a bath. It is our time to bond and I know he enjoys the warm water. The lavender and chamomile is what makes it a calming and relaxing time for baby. It can even make it more relaxing for mommy too!

Baby Magic's Calming Baby Bath is vitamin enriched and is extra moisturizing. The scent is intoxicating and is instantly relaxing. This bath soap is also tear-free and hypoallergenic, which is very important to me when I'm looking for baby bath products. To make it even better, it's doctor recommended and dye-free.

You can use the baby bath for the skin or hair. It can easily be rinsed off and it will leave baby's skin moisturized, super soft, and leaving your baby with a clean scent that reminds you of, well, baby!

Baby Magic products are made in the US. Their baby hair/body washes and baby lotions are gluten free, and are not tested on animals. All products are paraben free. You can find Baby Magic products nationwide at retailers such as Babies R' Us, Wal-Mart, CVS, and many others including online retailers.

Retails around $3 for 16.5 ounces or $6 for 30 ounces.

Born Free Wide Neck Baby Bottle Review

2012-05-22T09:48:00.000-04:00

Finding the right bottle for a baby can be difficult sometimes. I've went through many different brands of bottles throughout my parenting experience and each time, each baby has liked something different. My son is pretty much stuck on my type of bottle right now but surprisingly, he was willing to take the Born Free Wide Neck Bottle with no problems. *I am reviewing their Classic bottle; the link directs to the glass bottles.

These bottles are 9 oz, so I've decided to wait until he gets a bit older to use them on regular basis. He's only 2 months old right now and eating about 3 ounces at each feeding so we're not needing this big of a bottle right now. It's really nice knowing that I found another brand that he is willing to take though.

The bottles are also made with ActiveFlow; a new venting technology that is designed to help reduce colic. The vent piece is something I have never seen before and I found it quite interesting. This piece also help mimic breastfeeding so you baby will be getting a natural milk flow.

Each bottle comes with a stage 1 nipple and a cover. They are also free of PVC and and BPA, making them naturally safe. They are definitely durable and are dishwasher safe.

Born Free Bottles are available from the online nursery shop Hello Baby. Hello Baby also sells a wide range of other baby and nursery stuff including Baby Toys, nursery furniture, baby travel and baby safety products.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll G!veaway Hop

2012-05-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Shake, Rattle, & Roll Giveaway Hop features a variety of great products for kids of all ages! Once you have entered to win here, be sure to visit all of the participating blogs at the bottom of this post!

Don’t forget to enter to win the Shake, Rattle, & Roll Grand Prize sponsored by Tommee Tippee! You will have the chance to win a Closer to Nature Audio Baby Monitor valued at $149.99!

Visit Formula Mom to Enter the Shake, Rattle, & Roll Grand Prize Giveaway!!

Disclosure: Formula Mom, Tales From the Nursery, and the Shake, Rattle, & Roll bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that fail to fulfill their prizes.

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Please enter my giveaway to win an awesome children's accessory - My Tot Clock! You can read my review here!

My Tot Clock is a really neat children's product that can help children learn when it is naptime, waketime, bedtime, etc. You can set the clock to change colors for each time (nap, sleep, awake, etc). It even plays a morning song when it's wake up time, a bedtime song or story when it's bed time. You can purchase different cartridges that will play different songs and a different story. It can also help your child learn how to tell time! Price: $49.99

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All About Baby G!veaway Event! Ends June 3rd!

2012-05-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

This giveaway event is hosted by me, Danielle @ a delicious obsession! This event is to celebrate the birth of my son, which was in March. I would love to offer my readers the chance to win some of the great baby products I have been given the opportunity to try! This giveaway consists of products that you and your baby will love! Giveaway will run from May 21st through June 3rd. For your chance to win, enter by using the Rafflecopter form below! Good luck!

Prize #1: Winner's choice (up to $30)

Teething Necklace from Amber Slumber - Amber Slumber sells Baby Amber teething necklaces that are made from 100% natural baltic sea amber. They have a huge variety of necklaces to choose from. Very stylish, modern, and beautiful.

Prize #2:

Glow Bug Cloth Diaper - These cloth diapers are very cute and stylish for little boys and girls. Each cloth diaper has several snaps and can be adjusted. You can choose for a girl, boy, or gender neutral.

Prize #3:

Blanket My Baby Personalized Baby Blanket - These blankets are absolutely adorable. They are very soft as well. Get your blanket personalized with your baby's name. Choose which color and font you would like. The blankets are smaller then an average baby blanket. It's more of a cute security blanket.

Prize #4:

Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning DVD - This isn't for baby but your baby can enjoy some one on one time with mommy while you get your belly back in shape after giving birth.

Prize #5:

Mobi WallMate - These WallMate are really neat. A cute nightlight for your children. They light up different colors or you can have set at a steady color. Available in a monkey, hippo, and elephant.

Prize #6:

Mobi AnimaLamp - Perfect to use a desk lamp so your children can get their homework done, use on your changing table for your baby when you're changing those midnight diapers, use in the tent while camping and more! Available in a monkey, bunny, and giraffe.

Prize #6:

Thermal-Aid Bear (Lavender) - This bear can be heated in the microwave and used as a heating pad or put in the freezer for use as a cool pack. Use to relieve headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, fevers, and more. Perfect for kids and adults.

Prize #7:

Baby Magic Calming Baby Bath - Relax your baby by giving him/her a nice bath and use Baby Magic's Calming Baby Bath. Made with lavender and chamomile. Tear free, dye free, hypoallergenic, enriched with vitamins and aloe.

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BloggerPR Kickoff G!veaway Hop

2012-05-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the BloggerPR Kickoff Giveaway Hop! BloggerPR would love to celebrate the launch of their site which is a new support and media group for bloggers. Each participate will have a giveaway with prizes valued at $25 or more! Love entering giveaways? Then enter my giveaway below and then hop down the the list and enter some more! Good luck and have fun!

*This giveaway hop will start May 21st and end May 27th.

The prize for this giveaway is a pair of Pantina Earrings from SayHelloDiamonds! They are made with diamond replicas (4 carats total) which are very sparkly and beautiful. They may be fake, but they have the look of real for a cheaper, reasonable price (compared to real diamonds). Read my review here.

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Feeling Guilty and Angry

2012-05-19T18:50:00.002-04:00

I really need to get this out because I keep saying it to myself and it's making me feel even worse. I've told one person; a lady who I had to talk to when I had my post-partum appointment and some of this I may have already posted before, but right now I don't care.

I'm going to start from the beginning so you can understand what I mean - plus it will help explain my feelings.

Before I got pregnant I would always watch those baby shows on TV. You know, the shows like Birthday, A Baby Story, or the adoption one; I forget what it's called. I really liked watching them. I've watched them before; years ago, but during this time I would feel a certain way once the woman would start her labor, give birth, or finally get to meet the baby she is going to adopt. I felt so happy for them and I'll admit, I shed a few tears as well. Even when I'd see pictures of friends' babies I would get upset and I guess you could say a bit jealous. Especially if their baby was a boy. Because of this feeling, I knew I was ready to have another baby. I wanted my boy. I just had to have my boy. We weren't financially ready for another, but emotionally, I was ready.

At the time I was having problems with my hormones and I was going several months without having a period. When I would, it would last 3 weeks. Obviously we weren't trying to get pregnant, since we weren't financially ready. It wasn't the right time. Because of my hormone problems I ended up going to the doctor and she prescribed me progesterone pills. This forced on a period and actually made me have a normal cycle the next month. That month I surprisingly got pregnant. It was a complete shock, yet I was extremely happy. It didn't matter anymore if it wasn't the 'right' time. I was super excited I was having another baby.

Throughout the entire pregnancy I didn't feel pregnant. I didn't feel it emotionally. You know, it's really a hard thing to explain because at the same time, when I told myself I was pregnant and having another baby, I would get happy and excited all over again. But see, that's the thing. I had to keep telling myself I was pregnant. Each day the following words would go through my head, "I can't believe I'm pregnant".

The day I had my anatomy ultrasound is when we found out we were having a boy. There is no way I can explain to you how strong my feelings were for wanting a boy, but I can tell you that when the ultrasound technician said she was 99% positive it was a boy, my eyes started watering and I lost a few tears.

I know that people say every pregnancy is different, but my last two were quite similar. I was expecting this to be similar as well. However, this one, it was totally different. Probably because it was a boy. Maybe? I went through severe pain from internal hemorrhoids (tmi, I know), I was actually losing weight. I didn't have much morning sickness. Well, I felt more nauseated then actual vomiting like my other two pregnancies. I ended up getting gestational diabetes and my Group B Strep test came back positive (found out right after I was induced). I went past my due date. I ended up being induced. The pain was extremely more painful then I imagined. Baby was born within 1 minute of pushing (40 seconds to be exact). Baby's face was bruised. He was 9 lbs. He ended up getting jaundice and had to be under the lights. And lastly, he was diagnosed with PKU. Everything was just different. When I was getting closer to my due date I was getting more and more excited about meeting my son. As each day passed and I didn't go into labor, I would get angry. The level of anxiousness was skyrocketing.

Now this leads to how I feel guilty and angry. When I look at my son, I feel the love. There is a strong connection between me and my son. Don't get me wrong, I love my girls too, but I didn't feel this way with them. When I look at him and feel how much I love him, it makes me so angry that he has PKU. Yes, this is all about the PKU. His life will never be normal. It makes me feel guilty because technically it's my fault. He got one of the bad genes from me. I feel angry because of how much love I have for him and because this had to happen to my son. When I start thinking about it and I feel angry, it makes me cry. Part of me wishes I hadn't gotten the phone call. Other parts of me wish I never would have gotten pregnant. But I absolutely HATE feeling like that. I LOVE my son to death and am so grateful I have him and I want him to be healthy. So then I am happy I got the phone call because I would have wanted to be aware of what he does have and take control of the situation. I get angry when I think about all the crap I had to go through to have a boy. Why did this have to happen to my son?

When I was first told he had PKU I wouldn't allow myself to believe that it was true. I was trying to find any other explanation as to why his PhE level was high. I kept telling myself that it was just temporary and that eventually his level would be normal and he wouldn't have to be on this life long diet. Even thinking about it right now while I write this makes me want to cry and it sucks because both of my girls are up now and playing right here in the living room. I don't want them to see me cry.

Anyway, I've now given up on researching PKU. I'll never actually be 'okay' with it, but I've [somewhat] made myself believe it's true and he does in fact have it. I think that right now isn't so bad since he is just on a special kind of formula. Any baby his age would be on formula too. When he starts eating baby cereal it won't be any different either because he'll be able to eat what the other normal babies are eating. When it comes to baby foods, it will be limited to only fruits and some vegetables. Then.. when big people food comes into the picture, it will be extremely limited. He won't be able to have any meat, cheese, eggs, milk, nuts (this includes peanut butter), normal bread or pasta, diet products or anything that contains aspartame. To make it easier to understand, he won't be able to have anything high in protein. He'll have to be on formula for the rest of his life and be on the diet for life as well.

That's enough of my rant or whatever you want to call it. I feel a bit better now. Until next time that is.

EdenFantasys Kissable Glamour Powder & Venus Body Scrub

2012-05-19T16:11:00.002-04:00

*Warning: This post contains links to a website that is meant for adults 18 years or older. If you are under the age of 18 please do not continue to read this post or click any link within the post. *

I love fluffy things. This Kissable Glamour Powder really got my attention as well. The fluffy brush and the colors caught my eye and I fell in love. This would be the perfect item to use when you want to have a night of fun and excitement. It's an edible body treatment, so feel free to have some licking fun with it too! It's flavor and fragrance is strawberry (yum!) and it's sold in gold and pink. The packaging is very attractive and I would love to show this off. I know my friends would love this just as much as I do! This is one of my favorite body item on EdenFantasys and can't wait to try it! Price: $19.90

One of my favorite body products is body scrub. I love the way it feels on my skin and it feels even better when I'm finished. There's nothing better then having touchable, soft, smooth skin. I came across the Venus Body Scrub and it's another product I would love to try. The way the product looks would make me want to purchase it. I love the color and the packaging is just attractive. It comes in a variety of scents and they even have my favorite - Cucumber Melon! I definitely have to try this now! It's made with Dead Sea Salt which is great for your skin. Another ingredient is Pumice; which I love. If you use a body scrub, you should know that it can make you skin super soft. Treat yourself to a nice warm bath, rub yourself down with some body scrub, soften yourself up and have a nice night with your partner. He'll love that your skin is touchable and so so soft. Price: $14.99 / 8oz

Looking for other sensual bath products that could lead to awesome, fun night? Check out EdenFantasys! You can find many other bath products that can make your body feel good. You can also view their selection of beauty products, massagers, lingerie, toys, and more.

Scala Collezione Sewn Ribbon Crush Hat Review

2012-05-19T13:31:00.000-04:00

The Scala Collezione Sewn Ribbon Crush Hat (also known as the Tres Jolie) is the perfect hat to wear when you're down at the shore or on the boardwalk. It's perfect for shielding the hot sun and it even offers UPF 50+. What I really love about this is that I can shove it in my bag without having to worry about it getting wrinkled, smashed, or having to reform it to look right or fit my head. That's why it's called a crush hat - it can be crushed without needing to reform it!

The hat is one size fits most, and it fits my head perfectly. It definitely keeps the sun out of my face. The brim is 4 inches and because of this, it's a little difficult to wear with my hair up. I'd have to redo my hair in order to wear the hat properly but for the shade and UPF this provides, it's well worth it.

This hat can be paired with many different styles. It is very easy to piece together and would look good with pretty much anything. I love the bow around the hat; it makes the hat more feminine and makes the hat classy.

You can find this perfect summer at at www.hartfordyork.com. It retails for $30 and is available in 4 different colors - white, tan, natural, and blue (more like teal).

Marika Miracles Slimming Capri Review

2012-05-19T01:02:00.000-04:00

I personally haven't had much luck with products that claim to "slim" or "shape". That is until I had the chance to try the Marika Miracles Slimming Capri. Because of my luck or lack of, I had my doubts before trying these. I was actually a bit afraid to try them because I figured I would be disappointed. When I put them on, I grabbed the stool and took it to the bathroom with me so I could see in the mirror how I looked in them.

The first thing I looked at was my behind. I can't even begin to tell you how amazed I was already by these slimming capris. They were doing what they claim to do! Then I picked up the tag and read that they also feature PowerMesh on the side panel and inner waist band to help with tummy-control. I refitted the capri to see if the tummy-control feature would work for me and sadly it wouldn't. I just gave birth (for the third time) back in March, so my tummy is not in the best of shape. Not like it was before either, but I'll admit that I have a bit of loose skin there. The slimming capri did not help with this. It just rolled down. I think in order for this feature to work properly, your tummy has to be pretty flat already.

Even though the tummy-control feature did not work for me, I still absolutely love the capris. They noticeably slimmed my bottom and legs and it made me feel more confident. I even wore them outside when I got my daughters off of the bus. I continued to wear them throughout the day and I'm even wearing them right now! They are comfortable to wear for the most part, but since they are made with form fitting material and are pretty tight, it hurts a little around the waist after wearing them for a long time and sitting.

There are also contoured curved seams at the back that help contribute to the slimming factor. There's also breathable gusset lining that will ensure dry material while you're working out or after. I also loved that these capris could actually be worn by themselves. The other products I have tried were just shapewear that you wear under your clothing. These are made with a thick material, so they shape and slim very well (the behind and legs).

Sizes small to XL
Price: $60
Color availability: Black

Use the code "MIRACLES" for 20% off any full priced Marika Miracles product till the end of May.

Gevalia Coffee Review

2012-05-18T22:47:00.001-04:00

I am a big coffee drinker. Lately I have been drinking coffee throughout the day. It really doesn't give me the pick me up feeling that it gives most people but I just enjoy drinking it. Drinking coffee should be enjoyable. This is why I take time everyday to have a fika. To help me relax and enjoy my fika, I enjoy a cup of Gevalia coffee.

I'm sure you're wondering what a fika is, so let me tell you! A fika is a Swedish tradition of taking a break during the day to enjoy the pleasures of life. It usually always includes a nice cup of hot coffee. It's been a popular tradition since the 1700s. Having said that, Swedes drink more coffee then anywhere else in the world! That's a big, meaningful tradition they have there!

If you're a coffee drinker, you may already have many fikas yourself and not even know it! If you drink coffee, I encourage you to take a break with what you're doing and actually enjoy your cup of coffee.

Now let me tell you about Gevalia Coffee. I honestly didn't think I was going to care for it much because the one I received was a dark French Roast; I never buy dark roasts. However, I absolutely love the smell. It's aroma is very appealing and smells delicious. It's very smooth and easy to enjoy.

Gevalia coffee was previously only available online; now it's available in store nationwide for everyone to enjoy! It's available in 8 different flavors -

Gavalia Traditional Roast (ground and whole bean) *Medium Roast*
Gevalia House Blend *Medium/Dark Roast*
Gevalia House Blend Decaf *Medium/Dark Roast*
Gavalia French Roast (ground and whole bean) *Dark Roast*
Gavalia Colombia *Medium Roast*
Gevalia Espresso Roast *Dark Roast*
Gevalia Vanilla
Gevalia Chocolate Mocha

Bag sizes are 12.0 oz and are available nationwide. You can also find more flavors at www.gevalia.com. Grab a bag and have yourself a fika!

Neater Feeder Review

2012-05-18T22:24:00.000-04:00

The Neater Feeder is a great pet accessory that will help keep your pets eating area much cleaner. You won't have to worry about your cat or dog spilling water or food on the floor. I definitely know how this is because I have two cats and before using the Neater Feeder, my cats would make a mess with their food and it would end up all over the floor. I'd have to vacuum their area every day.

The Neater Feeder keeps food and water from spilling on the floor by having a wall around the dishes and a filter that separates the water from the food. The water then filters into the lower container.

I was looking forward to trying the Neater Feeder because I thought it was a great idea for a product and it can be useful to anyone with dogs or cats. I was very happy with the product because it did exactly what it was supposed to do. I no longer see cat food around their dishes and I don't find myself stepping in water around the area either. It's been a big time saver for me - I don't have to vacuum their feeding area everyday now.

The Neater Feeder is available in three different sizes; small, medium and large. The cat Neater Feeder is the same size as the small. The price depends on the size. The larger you go the more it is. They are a bit expensive; $59.99 for the large size. However, the plastic is very durable and strong. It should last a long time and stand up to a lot so it could be worth it in the long run. Each Cat Neater Feeder comes with 2 stainless steel 1 cup bowls, non-skid rubber pads, and leg extensions (extra cost).

SayHelloDiamonds Pantina Earrings Review

2012-05-17T23:49:00.002-04:00

SayHelloDiamonds are an less expensive way to go when you're wanting diamond style jewelry. They offer earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and more that are made with jewels that look like real diamonds but are more affordable.

For my review I was sent the Pantina Earrings. They are a bit bigger then I'd like to wear but they look amazing. These diamond replicas are 2 carats each (4 carats total) and the stone cut is Round Brilliant. The backing and post are made with sterling silver and the backing is a butterfly clasp.

The shine and cut on these earrings is unbelievably amazing. It's very nice and elegant. They definitely make you feel like you spent a fortune on them. However, like I said above, they are bit big for my liking. You can tell from my photo how big they are - some people might like them this big and if this is your thing, then I definitely suggest them!

The replica diamonds go through a careful selection process and are chosen by the Say Hello Diamond experts. They analyze the weight, cut and shine of each stone before they consider it a Say Hello Diamond. The replica diamonds are then polished, packaged, and presented to the Say Hello Inspection Team. This team has it's own inspection. It's a 3-step review process, including looking, shaking, and ensuring. They will analyze the appearance and the durability to make sure it's up to their standards.

Father's Day Grill G!veaway

2012-05-15T00:00:00.001-04:00

It's time to give back to DAD! Sponsored by:

Route 249 Mom Does Reviews Jackie's Reviews, Mom Blog Society

It is open to both US & Canada

The giveaway will run May 15th, 12:01 until May 31st 12:01

1 winner will receive their choice of the gas grill or Paypal Cash Value 129.00

$100 Gift Certificate to Omaha Steaks

DAD Branding Iron

Wood Chip Box and an Injector Kit

7-Piece BBQ Set with Apron

$100 Omaha Steaks Gift Card Sponsored by Mom To Bed By 8

Branding Iron and Wood Chip Box and an Injector Kit Sponsored by Dixie Lands Deals

7-Piece BBQ Set with Apron Sponsored by I Love My Coupon Fans & Coupon Queen that Saves the Green

This Fiesta gas grill is spacious enough to meet your grilling needs. It is suitable for preparing a meal for up to four people. With this grill, you will enjoy cooking your favorite meals outdoors.

Fiesta 25,000 BTU 2-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner, Blue:

Porcelain-coated cooking grid
260 sq. in. primary cooking area
175 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack
Two stainless steel burners with 25,000 BTU cooking performance
10,000 BTU side burner
Porcelain/steel heat tents vaporize drippings and reduce flare-ups
Spacious, weather-resistant side shelves
Fiesta gas grill features porcelain-enameled, steel-top lid and base
Easily assembled cart
Color: Blue
Fiesta gas grill model #BP26035-024BL

Kindle Fire 4 Day Flash G!veaway

2012-05-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

WE HAVE TEAMED UP WITH COUPONING4YOU AND A BUNCH OF OTHER AMAZING PAGE OWNERS TO BRING YOU A 4 DAY FLASH GIVEAWAY FOR A KINDLE FIRE.

THIS GIVEAWAY WILL RUN FROM MAY 15TH 12:01 AM EASTERN TIME AND CLOSE MAY 19TH 11:59 EASTERN TIME. SO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR ENTRIES IN THIS GIVEAWAY WILL BE GONE IN A FLASH!

SO IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO OWN A NEW KINDLE FIRE JUST ENTER THE RAFFLECOPTER BELOW

THIS GIVEAWAY WILL BE OPENED WORLDWIDE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brolly Sheets Review

2012-05-14T23:50:00.003-04:00

Brolly Sheets offers waterproof bedding, mattress protectors, chair pads, toilet training aids, and more. If you have a child who still wets the bed, getting a mattress protector or looking into waterproof bedding is a good idea. Even if you have a potty training child who still crawls into bed with you, you'll want to do what you can to protect your bedding.

My 4 year old daughter is pretty much fully potty trained but she still wets the bed sometimes at night. I usually have her change into training pants before bed but sometimes I don't even remember myself to remind her. Because of this I would like to protect her bed (or our bed) so I don't have to continuously change the sheets.

For my review I was sent a Brolly Sheet in blue. The first thing I noticed about this sheet was that it was very thick. I got the sheet in size queen because my daughter was always crawling into bed with me but I ended up using it on her toddler bed. It was still easy to get on; I just folded the sides under her mattress and she was good to go. I wanted to test it that night so I kept her in her underwear. I was woken up in the middle of the night by her saying she had wet the bed. After getting her into some clean, comfy PJ's, I checked the Brolly Sheet; it absorbed very well. The sheet underneath was not wet at all. I don't have to worry about her mattress at the moment because it's a crib mattress and it just wipes clean.

These sheets are made with 100% cotton. They don't use PVC or vinyl. Why? PVC or vinyl can make you sweat more, it's noisy, and it can even release toxic compounds. I have slept on beds before with noisy bedding on it and it's just so hard to get comfortable or move. One of my favorite things about this is that is it noise free. It still comfortable; you'll never know that you're laying on anything different.

The sheet is available in three sizes - Single, Queen, and King. It's also available in a variety of colors - blue, pink, lime, white, and more.

Price: $60.95 (Queen)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pilates on the Mat ~ Book Review

2012-05-14T15:52:00.000-04:00

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pilates on the Mat

by Karon Karter

I've actually done Pilates quite often. It's a very nice way to stretch your muscles and it will also make you feel better in the long run. It can also help you tone up and lose inches off your body if you keep up with it. Pilates are easy exercises that can be done by just about anyone.

This book includes easy-to-follow exercises with some photos to help guide you along the way. It will explain how to do the stretch, what it will help, and why it will help it. It's full of fun exercises that can help you start your morning or unwind at night.

By reading this book you can create a whole routine that will help you get back into shape, relieve your pain, make you happier, and more. It will take you on a journey to help you fit into your old jeans again! There are a lot of things in this book that I did not know and I'm glad I have the opportunity to read it and get the information now.

The book includes 3 "parts" that cover a great amount of topics. You'll find topics such as Join the Movement, Fixing the Frame, Take Your Breath, and more. It definitely has all the information you will need to start your own Pilate routine.

Several series of exercises that target and tone your tush, help you say good-bye to cellulite, and give you slender and sexy arms.
Dozens of step-by-step exercises, from the basics that get you started , to advanced moves that make you sweat.
A primer on the muscles that support you and keep you standing tall, plus advice on how you can work them to your advantage.
A look at how Pilates builds core strength, relieves chronic pain, helps you breathe better nad much more.

Watch for a giveaway in the Get Fit! Health Awareness Event!

Price: $16.65

Summer Snack Idea using Musselman's Apple Sauce - Fruit & Nut Trail Cookies

2012-05-13T18:42:00.000-04:00

When I think of summer, I think of food. There are so many great recipes out there for making great barbeques or other great summer meals but not too many recipes that people label as being a great snack recipe. Musselman's Natural Applesauce can be used for many summer snacks - one of them being Fruit & Nut Trail Cookies. *Photos will be available soon!

This recipe asks for quite a bit of ingredients, but it's well worth it. These cookies are delicious! I ended up making these because my girls' asked if I would make them after reading the recipe cards off. We were able to make 24 cookies, but ours were a bit big. You can make more or less, depending on how big or small you make your cookies.

These cookies are perfect for making and eating during the summer or even spring! Kids will love them and you might too! I really enjoyed them because I personally love trail mix and making cookies with some of the same ingredients is just as good. They will also be good for taking on hikes, road trips, family gatherings, picnic, and more!

Free Custom Sandwich Box from Rudi's Organic Bakery

2012-05-13T18:06:00.001-04:00

Just upload your artwork and not only will it be entered into the Rudi's Sandwich Box Contest but will also be printed on your free custom sandwich box!

Starts May 1st and ends June 30th. Voting starts July 1st!

My Birth Story ~ Baby #3

2012-05-13T12:17:00.003-04:00

{I know this is a bit late as I gave birth 2 months ago but I figured I would get it up now rather then never.}

I was due March 8th but I sure I would go into labor on the 7th. I was already in so much pain from baby being head down and well into my pelvis. It was hard to walk, sit, stand, etc. The 9th had come around and I was still very well pregnant. I had my 40 week OB appointment that day and asked to be induced. The pain was just getting too uncomfortable for me. I didn't feel like this with either of my other pregnancies. Then again, they were girls.

It was too late in the day to be induced that day so they scheduled me for the coming Monday (the 9th was a Friday). Monday just happened to be the 12th, which is the same day both of my daughters were born (they were both born on May 12th.).

I was scheduled to be induced at 7:30am and when I arrived at the hospital they were ready for me! They had everything set up and ready to go. They got me set up with an IV and monitors right away and we just had to wait for the doctor to get there to break my water. My water was broke around 8:40 am and started on pitocin around 9:07 (Chris was posting it all over Facebook as it happened lol). I remember thinking, " now watch, this labor will take forever and I'll give birth on the 13th." I felt as if my contraction would never start. Boy was I wrong! I decided I would wait until my contractions were coming regular and painful before asking for the epidural.

My contractions were irregular and painless at first and then out of no where went to coming every 2 minutes and being painful. I asked for the epidural around 11:50am. At this point they checked me to see how dilated I was (I was 3 cm when I arrived); I was 5cm. My labor was progressing quickly. The contractions were getting extremely painful and seemed like they were coming every 45 seconds. I hardly got a break in between. They were taking forever with the epidural. They finally had the epidural in my back at 12:50 (an hour after I asked for it!) and I had the urge to push. And I did to, but I stopped myself because I was still on my side and my legs were closed.

When I was on my back again I asked the nurse to check me again because I felt I the urge to purse and that it would probably be a good idea to check me again. Let me tell you, the pain I was having was unbelievable. I know there are a lot of women out there who can get through labor without meds just fine and I'm one who can handle a lot of pain but this was just too much. The nurse checked me and said I was complete and ready to push; I knew it.

They got the doctor in and I started to push. I pushed 4 times and he was out. That's 40 seconds!

He was born so fast and was so big that it bruised his entire face. He ended up getting jaundice because of it and had to spend our last night there under the lights.

Name: Christopher William VanSciver Jr aka Boobuh
Birth Date: March 12th 2012
Birth Time: 1:23pm
Weight: 9lbs
Length: 20 inches

Welcome to the world BABY BOY!

Boobuh is now 2 months old and as some of you may know, he was diagnosed with PKU.

Boobuh @ 2 months

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quick Total Body Workouts ~ Book Review

2012-05-12T03:35:00.000-04:00

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quick Total Body Workouts

by Tom Seabourne, Ph.D.

Even before I got pregnant I was wanting to lose weight. It was difficult for me because I didn't know what kind of exercises I should do to target the places I wanted. Of course I could do sit ups or crunches, but I knew there was more to it then that. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quick Total Body Workouts is a great book for showing me what kind of exercises I can do. What I really like about this book is that it shows exercise moves you can even if you don't have exercise equipment or can't go to a gym.

A lot of the exercises in this book I have seen, such as the Scissors, Front/Side Planks, Reverse Crunches, Side Ab-Ups, and more. I've actually done these exercises before, although the Side Planks are a bit hard for me. I don't think I put the weight in the proper place because it's too hard on my arms. It's been a while since I've tried to do it so I will be trying again.

In this book you will find easy ideas for finding time in you schedule to squeeze in exercise, exercises to help shape and sculpt your biceps, triceps, back, shoulders, and chest. You'll also read about firming and flattening, to help with getting six-pack abs; Lifting and toning exercises to help your buns and thighs get in shape too. It also includes tips on finding and keeping the motivation you need to work out enough for it to be effective and to be able to push through the burn, and healthy advice to develop an eating plan that will be fat-burning and energizing.

This book describes each exercise very well and even shows a demonstration of most of them. It explains what to do if you're just beginning and then what to do once you become for advanced. All of the information in the book is written very well and it's easy to understand. It's also laid out in the book perfectly, which makes it easy to read.

Purchase it!

Price: $14.95

Watch for a giveaway in the Get Fit! Health Awareness Giveaway Event coming in July!

Disclaimer: I received the product mentioned above free of charge for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not asked to write a positive review. Any opinions stated in this review are my own and may differ from yours.