Daffodil Mama

Win your own little owl family!

2011-09-26T14:31:00.001-07:00

In my post about Spencer and Whitney (see below) I mentioned how I love her adorable little clay owls. Well you can win your own little owl set! As part of the media blitz that Whitney’s sister is sponsoring, you can enter to win 3 pieces from their adoption blog.

CLICK HERE to go enter the giveaway

(note: this giveaway is not sponsored by me, I just think its awesome at that everyone should go enter!)

Spencer & Whitney: Creating While Waiting

2011-09-26T06:46:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite crafty blogs is Creating While Waiting. The author, Whitney, is an amazingly talented and creative crafter, sewer and photographer. She has such a fun and eclectic style, I can’t help but be happy when I see her creations. Here are a few of my personal favs:

These would be adorable for a baby/kid’s room! Who wouldn’t love to have miniature hot air balloons floating above their head as they drift off to sleep?

How flippin’ cute is this owl family??!? Whenever I try to sculpt, I end up with not-so-cute blobs. I can make a turtle. Yeah, I rock at turtles.

Love the colors and patterns in this quilt.

I think Whitney needs to open an Etsy shop. I would totally buy her little owls and hot air balloons.

Whitney doesn’t just blog about crafting, she blogs about life, the ups and the downs and their journey towards parenthood. Here is a little blip from her about me section:

I started this blog to document my various crafty creations = creating. The blog kind of evolved as I decided to be more open about my struggles with infertility. My husband and I would love to have children, but are learning that it may be quite the journey to get there someday = waiting. So, there you have it. Me in a nutshell. Creating While Waiting. I'm flattered that you would come visit my little nook in the blogosphere where you are sure to find: pictures of my puppy Lizzy and/or handsome husband Spencer, crafty creations, crafty disasters, crafty tutorials, the occasional melt-down, and perhaps a laugh or two. Thanks for stopping by!

Infertility is something we have been through ourselves. Someone who doesn’t know probably looks at our three beautiful children and think that having them has come easily, perhaps even as a surprise. It took 2 long years for us to conceive our second child- a process that included lots of waiting, testing, surgery and a difficult pregnancy. Our struggles seem like tiny pebbles now, but at the time, it was a giant boulder in our lives that just would not budge. It’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, let alone a couple as sweet and wonderful as Whitney and Spencer.

But something wonderful happened this week- Whitney and Spencer have just been approved through LDS Family Services for adoption! spencerandwhitneyadoption.blogspot.com" src="https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/profileImages/26506714/message.jpg" width="400" height="310">(this girl makes me want to grow my hair long)

Their family and friends (yes, I am related to this amazing girl! okay, my brother married her sister, but still, that counts!) are trying to get as many people as we can to check out Whitney and Spencer’s adoption profile. So if you have a moment, please stop by, check it out, share it on facebook, e-mail it to a friend- just pass it on! Help these two wonderful people become parents with just a click or two.

Spencer & Whitney’s Adoption Profile

Spencer & Whitney’s Adoption Blog

Spencer & Whitney on Facebook

Creating While Waiting

{Review} Original Sprout

2011-09-20T11:02:00.001-07:00

About

Original Sprout is a line of natural, high-performance hair and skin care products.

Because their products were created by a master stylist and mother, they bridge the gap between safe ingredients and salon performance like no other.

Our regulated, European Directive Compliant products are:

• Are made by a master stylist and mother, so they are safe and natural, but perform as good or better than high-end salon brands.

• Free of phthalates, phytoestrogens, soy, gluten, animal products, parabens, and propylene glycol with no added dioxanes or formaldehydes.

• Free of skin penetrators & photosensitizers (plasticizers & nanoparticles).

• Extracts are certified organic. The majority of ingredients are plant derived & from natural sources.

• E.U. Directive Compliant with full label disclosure of ingredients.

• Fragrances are made with naturally derived ingredients & are certified FREE of phthalates, lavender, tea tree, PG, DPG, parabens, dioxanes, benzenes, formaldehydes, acetaldehydes, styrene, toluene, chlorobenzene & glycol ethers.

• Products are vegetarian/vegan & biodegradable.

• Can be purchased online at www.originalsprout.com or at a variety of health food stores & salons worldwide

Review

I reviewed a selection from the Worry-Free Luxury Collection which included Miracle Detangler, Natural Shampoo, and Scrumptious Cream.

Miracle Detangler:

Wow, this stuff sure lives up to its name! My almost 3 year old daughter has wavy hair that is always getting tangled. Brushing her hair is always a battle between me and her tangles. I’ve tried other detangling sprays in the past, but they usually weight down her hair and make it greasy. Original Sprout Miracle Detangler left her hair soft and shiny, but not greasy. I now use it after her bath, in the mornings when trying to tame her crazy bedhead and whenever she needs a little touch up.

Natural Shampoo:

A great product for the whole family! I used this gentle shampoo on my 7 month old, almost 3 year old, 5 year old and myself. We all loved it! I love the very subtle scent. I like babies to smell like babies, instead of heavily fragranced soap. After using this on my baby’s thick, curly hair, she just smelled soft, sweet and clean. It was great on my almost 3 year old’s sensitive skin.

Scrumptious Baby Cream:

Left our skin soft and smooth with no greasy residue. It isn’t often that I get to review a product for the whole family, but it was fun being able to get opinions on the Original Sprout products from both the adults and kids in the family.

Coupon Code

Use code FIRST_ORDER_10-U at www.originalsprout.com to get 10% off your first order!

{Giveaway} MelanSol 100% Natural Sunscreen- Ends 9/23

2011-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Great Reasons to Use MelanSol Sunscreen Everyday

It safely reflects UV rays away from your skin, so you can stay out longer.
Natural ingredients condition to help your skin look fabulous.
You can use it on your lips.
It disappears moments after being applied.
It's a great alternative to aloe on a newly sunburn skin.
It helps your skin develop the most amazing natural tan.
There's no gluten- MelanSol® is gluten free.
It's successfully protected climbers to 26,488 ft. elevation.
You get more for your money and without sacrificing purity, quality, or protection.
It protects your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation.
It's a better alternative than chemical sunscreen for exposed cuts and bruises.
The formula is non-whitening on your skin.
You'll be wearing the most naturally protective sunscreen available.
It won't look or feel like you are wearing sunscreen.
It doesn't need to be reapplied every two to three hours--unless you wash or wipe it off
Natural ingredients help rejuvenate and repair your skin.

My Review
As someone with very fair, sensitive skin, I go through a lot of sunscreen. I want to protect my skin from sun damage, but hate the thought of putting so many chemicals and possible irritants on my skin. Until I found MelanSol, I thought that all sunscreens were this way, I had no idea that 100% Natural Sunscreens were even out there!
I reviewed MelanSol’s 100% Natural Antioxidant Moisturizer. It went on smooth and smells great! I love getting spa facials and the way this smells totally takes me back there. I love looking at the ingredient list and only seeing things that I recognize, like green tea, almond oil, lavender, lemon peel and water. I suspect that’s why it smells so great! After using this moisturizer for a week, I can actually tell a difference in my skin. My face is not as dry and its much softer.
MelanSol has a great chart to help you choose which of their products is best for you:

As someone with fair skin, freckles, reddish hair and blue eyes, I am definitely in category I. My husband and kids, however, are category III or IV.
Giveaway
One reader will get a bottle of MelanSol Sunscreen or Moisturizer of their choice
Click “Read More” and follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway.

{Giveaway} Kix Cereal- ends 8/29

2011-08-15T09:14:00.001-07:00

Kix Cereal is proud to say they are still kid-tested, mother-approved^®. This go-to favorite is made with whole grain corn and is an excellent source of iron. It also is a good source of calcium, fiber, and Vitamins C and D, providing your family a wholesome breakfast with nutrients they need to grow.
With slightly sweetened and fun-to-eat, crunchy corn balls, Kix cereal eliminates the need for silly airplane noises to land the first bite. Low in sugar and with no artificial color, flavors or preservatives, Kix cereal brings the same great taste kids have loved for more than 70 years to the table.
Visit Kix online for background history, nutritional content, and special offers. We hope you’ll join in on the conversation and tell us why Kix cereal is “approved” in your household!

Win it!
Enter to win 6 boxes of Original Kix cereal (12 oz). Great for a healthy, yummy breakfast before school!

To enter, click “read more” below and follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter box.

Disclosure: Kix cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

{Giveaway} Fiber One Cereal, Pedometer & iPod holder. Ends 8/23

2011-08-08T08:56:00.001-07:00

The wait is over - brand new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal is on store shelves now! Each crunchy wheat and corn puff square in every bowl of Fiber One 80 Calories cereal has a light honey flavor – a delicious way to start your day. Fiber helps satisfy your hunger and helps you feel full, making it a great tool to help manage your weight.

With 40 percent of the Daily Value of fiber in one 80 calorie serving, Fiber One 80 Calories cereal can help curb your hunger, which can help you stick to your weight loss plan.
With great-tasting Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, there is a new breakfast option that helps you feel satisfied without sacrificing flavor!

Are you hungry yet? If so, look for new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal on grocer’s shelves now! Visit http://www.fiberone.com/ for great information on healthy living and coupons for new products. Also, be sure to check out the Fiber One Facebook page and get involved in the conversation. We’d love to hear how you feel satisfied with new Fiber One 80 Calories cereal!
My thoughts:
Okay seriously, only 80 calories? I’ve been eating Fiber One 80 Calories cereal for a week and I’m hooked. It does a great job of keeping me full and not wanting to snack a lot between breakfast and lunch. The flavor is good too, reminds me of another honey flavored cereal from my childhood… but without all the extra calories.
The pedometer is a great motivator to get moving. I’ve made it a goal to walk more steps each day than the one before (eventually I’ll have to set a specific goal, but this one is good for getting started!). I tuck it into my pocket in the morning and if I haven’t met my goal by the kids bedtime, I get outside and do a couple laps around the neighborhood. Its great because it’s just starting to cool off, the kids are in bed and I love that beautiful twilight time of day It encourages me to park a little further away at the store, get up and get things myself instead of asking the kids to grab them, and I just might dust off that treadmill in my garage once it cools down (we’ll see…)
Win it!
One lucky reader will win a prize pack containing:

1 box of Fiber One 80 Calories Cereal
1 sensor pedometer with USB connector to chart walking progress
1 neoprene iPod/smartphone holder with armstrap

Disclosure:

Fiber One 80 Calories cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark

To enter, click "Read More" and follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter box below!

Comments left on this post will NOT count as entries

Winner- Who’s My Cupcake Board Book Giveaway

2011-07-30T08:31:00.001-07:00

The winner of the Who’s My Cupcake Board Book Giveaway is:

#57: Crafty

Congratulations to the winner and thanks to all that entered!

Alice in Wonderland Themed Baby Shower

2011-07-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

There are so many great baby girl shower themes out there, but I wanted to feature something unique! So I present to you, my ideas for an Alice in Wonderland themed baby shower…

Invitations by AnistaDesigns

Cupcake Toppers by seasonaldelights

Carnival Straws by pinkcherrymama

Pom Poms by soandsuch

Favors by hotpinkchick

Gift by ChiTownBoutique

Banner by livetoshine

Of course your drink of choice must be served in mismatched teacups. Decorate a few top hats from a party supply store for your guests to wear! What would you do for your own Alice in Wonderland shower?

Honey Bee Themed Baby Shower

2011-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

After my owl themed boy baby shower post, I started thinking of other fun themes! Here is my take on a Honey Bee theme. This one is great as it can work for a boy or a girl. Great for a shower where the gender is a surprise or a combined boy/girl shower.

Invitations by UniqPaperCreations

Banner by sosweetpartyshop

Décor by PomLove

Gift by FarmFreshHats

Cupcake toppers by tomkatstudio

Honey Straws by DancingBeeApiary

Favors by AFeltAffair

Of course you would have to serve lemonade to continue the color scheme!

What is your favorite gender neutral baby shower theme? What would you you with a Honey Bee theme?

Owl Themed Baby Shower- Etsy Style!

2011-07-20T15:25:00.001-07:00

With a pregnant sister and sister-in-law, I have baby showers on the brain! I think an owl themed shower for a little boy would be just adorable. Here are a few goodies I found while doing a little window shopping on Etsy:

Invitations by luckybeepress

Cupcake Toppers by TracyAnnPrintables'

Banner by ToadallyCuteProducts

Party Favors by LilyRoseCraft

Gift by littlemissbirdie

What about you? What is your favorite theme for a boy baby shower? Tell me your ideas in the comments below!

{Giveaway} Who’s My Cupcake Board Book- Ends 7/29 CLOSED

2011-07-15T10:46:00.001-07:00

Who’s My Cupcake?

Who’s my cupcake, my honey, my little treat?Who’s my apple, my dumpling, my ginger sweet?

Award-winning author Elissa Guest and illustrator Marina Fedotova bring sweet nicknames like "dumpling," "pumpkin," and more to life in this adorable padded board book.

My daughters and I reviewed this book and loved it! The illustrations are adorable and the text perfectly capture all the deliciously sweet nicknames that mothers everywhere use for their little girls. My 2 year old is Honey Bear, Apple Pie and Pudding Pop. I’m always calling my 5 month old sweet names like Lemon Merengue, Pumpkin Pie and Gummi Bear. I wonder, do they know that they are little girls, or do they think that they are desserts? They are certainly as sweet as sugar sometimes! I know you’ll love reading this book to the little sweets in your life.

Check out Who’s My Cupcake from Simon & Schuster

Win It!

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Who's My Cupcake

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment here telling me about the sweet nicknames you call your daughter/granddaughter/niece/sister etc.

You must do this entry first before qualifying for any extra entries. Please include your e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries (leave a comment for each one you complete- Please note, you MUST leave separate comments for each of these things that you complete, otherwise all of your entries will only count as one entry)

"Like" Simon & Schuster on Facebook (1 entry)
Visit Simon & Schuster and tell me another book you would like to read.
“Like” Daffodil Mama on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall saying you entered this giveaway (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
Tweet this giveaway or share it on Facebook and leave the url (1 entry each-daily)
Follow Daffodil Mama via Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
Follow Daffodil Mama via Networked Blogs (1 entry)
Put my button on your blog (you can find it on the right sidebar) (2 entries)
Subscribe to Daffodil Mama via e-mail, sign up box is in the right sidebar. (current subscribers count too!) (3 entries)
Blog about this giveaway and leave the url of your post in your comment (5 entries)

Giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada . Ends July 29, 2011 at 11:59 PM (CST). A winner will be chosen using random.org and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: This review is based on my own honest unbiased opinion. I received free products to review but was not compensated in any other way for this giveaway.

{Winner} Fresh Baby

2011-06-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Fresh Baby Giveaway is:

#34: Bao

The winner has been e-mailed and has 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. Congratulations to the winner and thanks to all who entered!

My Crafty To-Do List

2011-06-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Mens Polo to Woman’s Bow Shirt

Antique Spoon Plant Markers

Fabric Strip Detail for Skirts and Dresses

Fabric Wall Art

My Crafty To-Do List

2011-06-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Upcycle: Shirt to Purse

Braided No Sew Shirt

Earring Embroidery Ring Tutorial

DIY Popsicle Stick Bracelets

{Winner} Canvas Press Giveaway

2011-06-16T09:30:00.001-07:00

The winner of the Canvas Press Giveaway is:

#41: Beth

Congratulations! The winner has been e-mailed and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Thanks to all who entered!

My Crafty To-Do list

2011-06-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Reversible Boys Vest from Old Trousers

Make a gift bow from a magazine page

Spangled Slippers with Silicone Tile Adhesive

NNecklace/Jewelry Organizer

{Giveaway} Fresh Baby- ends 6/24 CLOSED

2011-06-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

About

Reminiscent of the movie, “Baby Boom”, starring Diane Keaton, Fresh Baby is the inspiration of two sisters, Joan Ahlers and Cheryl Tallman, who live in rural parts of The United States, thousands of miles apart. In raising their children, they could not identify all-natural alternatives for healthy and hassle-free feeding. Drawing upon their own concerns as parents, the two women began developing products for today's busy parents and caregivers with a product line that includes: homemade baby food kits, baby food cookbooks, baby food and breast milk storage trays, breastfeeding reminders, and child development diaries.

Since its inception in October 2002, Fresh Baby has leveraged the ever-increasing consumer interest in natural living and healthy eating to curb the childhood obesity epidemic plaguing the nation. Through the development of products that encourage breastfeeding and developing children's healthy eating habits, Fresh Baby is helping parents proactively respond to this healthcare crisis.

Selected by Entrepreneur Magazine as a “Hot Company to watch in 2004”, Fresh Baby is a company on the move. It’s approach, expertise, and thinking has been tapped by major media outlets, including The Daily Buzz, Fit Pregnancy, Organic Style, Scholastic Parent & Child, The Boston Globe, The Detroit Free Press, and many other print, radio and TV outlets. Fresh Baby has an iParenting award and was one of five finalists in the new product awards at the 2004 Natural Products Show.

We got to review the So Easy Baby Food Kit. If you’ve never tried making your own baby food and want to get started, this kit has everything you need! It includes:

Cookbook: covers introducing solid food, includes over 40 recipes, hundreds of serving suggestions, and is all organized by age. (Hardcover, 118 pages).

Freezer trays: designed for storing baby food in pre-portioned one ounce servings to simplify meal time and reduce waste. (2 trays and 2 lids, spill-proof, stackable, dishwasher-safe).

How-to DVD: offers step-by-step instruction - from selecting the right produce - to making baby food - to serving it.

Nutrition tips card: gives you tips on the best sources of nutrients, introducing foods by age, first aid for choking, and more. (Waterproof Finish)

I love making my own baby food, it saves us money and I know exactly what my baby is eating. In preparation for introducing my daughter to solid foods I bought 1 lb of bananas at my local grocery store for 59 cents (about the cost of just one jar of baby food!). I pureed them in my trusty little food processor and froze them using the Fresh Baby freezer trays. They look just like ice cube trays, but with a fitted top to protect the food.

When we were ready to feed the baby, I just thawed one of my little banana cubes and mixed it with rice cereal and breastmilk. While doing this, I realized that these trays have so many uses! I could steal some of those banana cubes and toss them in a smoothie with some frozen yogurt cubes for a yummy treat for mommy

Anyways, back to the baby… She loved her little banana/rice cereal/ breastmilk concoction!

Included in the kit is a So Easy baby food guide. It has about 40 pages that just list different types of fruits & veggies, when to introduce them to your baby, how to cook them and what to combine them with. We use a food co-op program called Bountiful Baskets where we can get a basket full of 6 fruits and 6 veggies. Often we get new, exciting foods to try, but I have no idea how to prepare them. This book is a huge lifesaver! I would never think of making baby food out of papayas and mangos, but thanks to the baby food guide, I’ll know what do do with them when we get them. My daughter is going to be so well rounded, unlike her siblings who mostly ate bananas, avocados and applesauce.

We’re excited to embark on this exciting journey of making our own baby food and are glad to have Fresh Baby along with us!

Win It!

One lucky winner will receive a So Easy Baby Food Kit, valued at $37.95

Mandatory Entry:

Go visit the Fresh Baby and leave a comment here telling me which product you would most like to try.

You must do this entry first before qualifying for any extra entries. Please include your e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

Follow Fresh Baby on Twitter (1 entry)
"Like" Fresh Baby on Facebook (1 entry)
“Like” Daffodil Mama on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall saying you entered this giveaway (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
Tweet this giveaway or share it on Facebook and leave the url (1 entry each-daily)
Follow Daffodil Mama via Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
Follow Daffodil Mama via Networked Blogs (1 entry)
Put my button on your blog (you can find it on the right sidebar) (2 entries)
Subscribe to Daffodil Mama via e-mail, sign up box is in the right sidebar. (current subscribers count too!) (3 entries)
Blog about this giveaway and leave the url of your post in your comment (5 entries)

Giveaway is open to the U.S. . Ends June 24, 2011 at 11:59 PM (CST). A winner will be chosen using random.org and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: This review is based on my own honest unbiased opinion. I received free products to review but was not compensated in any other way for this giveaway.

Winner: Best Pals Giveaway

2011-06-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Best Pals giveaway is:

#113 Tylerpants

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered!

http://daffodilmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway-best-pals-doll-tea-set-and.html

Crafty To-Do List

2011-06-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Anthro-inspired Necklace

Oilcloth Lunch Sacks

Stuffed Owl

Interchangeable Flip-Flop Back Straps

{Giveaway} Canvas Press- Ends 6/15- CLOSED

2011-06-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

About

Did you ever imagine that the special photo from your wedding or vacation could be blown-up, enhanced and printed with digital quality on beautiful canvas? We do it everyday. In addition, our products resist fading for over 100 years! Part of our process involves the finest sprays, wood frames, inks, printers and canvas materials available. With Canvas Press, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve chosen the best.

We’ve moved around quite a bit since my husband and I got married over 6 years ago and I’ve tried to make each place that we live feel like home to us, no matter how short our time there may be. One of the best ways to do this is to hang cherished family photos in each place. When I was given the chance to review a 16x20 canvas print from Canvas Press I knew exactly what I wanted to have printed on this gorgeous canvas- a photo of our family with it’s newest member!

My mom took this wonderful photo of our family at Sophie’s blessing a few months ago. It’s not a professional photo, but it has all of us in it, dressed nicely and looking at the camera, which is a lot to ask sometimes!

After using a little photoshop magic to edit out the light switches by my husband’s head, I uploaded my photo to the Canvas Press site.

The project designer was very easy to use. Simply upload, crop your photo to the size you’d like and choose the edge style. After cropping your photo, you can choose from enhancements such as black and white, sepia or photo retouching if you need it.

Here is my finished project!

I love the 1.5” edges on this canvas, it gives the photo a 3D feel to it

Win It!

One lucky winner will receive a free 16x20 1.5” Gallery Wrap with free ground shipping. Use it to display one of your own cherished family photos, or create a piece of artwork with one of the many beautiful stock images at Canvas Press .

Mandatory Entry:

Go visit the Canvas Press website and tell me what
photo you would use if you win.

You must do this entry first before qualifying for any extra entries. Please include your e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

Follow Canvas Press on Twitter (1 entry)
"Like" Canvas Press on Facebook (1 entry)
“Like” Daffodil Mama on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall saying you entered this giveaway (1 entry)
Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)
Tweet this giveaway or share it on Facebook and leave the url (1 entry each-daily)
Follow Daffodil Mama via Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
Follow Daffodil Mama via Networked Blogs (1 entry)
Put my button on your blog (you can find it on the right sidebar) (2 entries)
Subscribe to Daffodil Mama via e-mail, sign up box is in the right sidebar. (current subscribers count too!) (3 entries)
Blog about this giveaway and leave the url of your post in your comment (5 entries)

Giveaway is open to the U.S. . Ends June 15, 2011 at 11:59 PM (CST). A winner will be chosen using random.org and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: This review is based on my own honest unbiased opinion. I received free products to review but was not compensated in any other way for this giveaway.

{Giveaway} Best Pals Doll, Tea Set and CD–CLOSED

2011-05-19T09:16:00.001-07:00

About

The Best Pals products were designed and developed by Kathy and Janet Lennon, of the Lennon Sisters. The celebrity sisters, who still perform in Branson and select venues throughout the year, recently saw an opportunity to realize a dream that they had always shared and decided to try their hand at being entrepreneurs as well as performers.

Based on their own lifelong friendship, their love for a pair of handmade ragdolls and their concern for the lack of non-electronic toys in the marketplace, they launched their own children’s product line – Best Pals. The wholesome toys, with a nod back to their 1950’s childhood, were developed especially for parents and grandparents looking to provide their children and grandchildren with high quality toys at affordable prices, with the underlying premise of having and being a trusted friend. With a host of awards from Dr. Toy, iParenting Media, the National Parenting Center, NAPPA and Creative Child, the product has been recognized by parents, educators and children for outstanding play value.

The soft ragdolls are identical to a set of dolls that were given to Kathy and Janet Lennon in 1949, which were handmade for them by their mother and their Nana; the music CDs are comprised of classic childhood favorites and lullabies, and the play sets and paper dolls emphasize pretend play.

My oldest daughter and I had the chance to review some of the Best Pals products- a doll, tea set and CD. We chose the Isabelle doll because it shared the same name and pretty brown hair with my daughter! I was very impressed with the doll when it arrived. I love simple, classic toys and this one was full of vintage charm and quality craftsmanship!

The tin tea set is just the cutest little thing. It looks like something I might pick up at an antique store and put on display out of reach of my kids, but it’s very solidly made so I decided that it was meant to be played with instead of mommy stealing it for herself

As soon as we opened the box, my Isabelle decided she wanted to have a tea party. She put on her “tea party dress” and since it was a beautiful day, we brought everything outside.

This was just the first of many tea parties she has had with her Best Pals doll since she arrived in a mail a few days ago.

We also received a Best Pals Sing Together CD which features Kathy and Janet singing with Janet’s three granddaughters Lia, Ana and Jenna.

Buy It!

Check out all the great, classic Best Pals products at

www.bestpals.net

Win It!

One lucky winner will receive a Best Pals doll, tea set and CD. Valued at $75

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Best Pals and leave a comment here letting me know which of the dolls is your favorite.

You must do this entry first before qualifying for any extra entries. Please include your e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win.

“Like” Best Pals on Facebook(1 entry)

“Like” Daffodil Mama on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall saying you entered this giveaway (1 entry)

Follow me on twitter. (1 entry)

Tweet this giveaway or share it on Facebook and leave the url (1 entry each-daily)

Follow Daffodil Mama via Google Friend Connect (1 entry)

Follow Daffodil Mama via Networked Blogs (1 entry)

Put my button on your blog (you can find it on the right sidebar) (2 entries)

Subscribe to Daffodil Mama via e-mail, sign up box is in the right sidebar. (3 entries)

Blog about this giveaway and leave the url of your post in your comment (5 entries)

Giveaway is open to the U.S. . Ends June 3, 2011 at 11:59 PM (CST). A winner will be chosen using random.org and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: This review is based on my own honest unbiased opinion. I received free products to review but was not compensated in any other way for this giveaway.

Computer Issues, so much fun!

2011-05-02T16:12:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, my computer did this:

So now it is spending a little time with this guy:

I can’t wait for it to get back up and running. I have some great things to share with you all, including a fun giveaway!

My Crafty To-Do List

2011-04-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

DIY Bangles

Teddy Bear Tutorial by HowJoyful @Intsructables

Chicken Wire Screen from Homeroad.net

Refurbished key portrait.

Anthropologie Inspired Fabric Letters

Make a cute tray from an old cupboard

What’s for dinner?

2011-04-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

My mom, sisters and I have a recipe blog called Satko Family Recipes. We share recipes that we’ve tried, some new, some old family favorites along with our comments and alterations. It is a great resource when I’m trying to figure out what to make for dinner! I’d like to share a few of my personal favorites:

Ranch Chicken

This one is from my fabulous sister-in-law, Shari. She has shared so many delicious recipes that have made their way into our regular rotation!

Beef Taco Skillet

Unbeatable Sloppy Joes

I’ll never go back to regular canned sloppy joes now!

Cheesy Fiesta Pasta Bake

An easy recipe posted by my younger sister Laura. The first time I made this, we didn’t have tomatoes or peppers in the house, so I just threw in some salsa instead and it tasted great!

So if you’re looking for something to make for dinner tonight, check out my favorites as well as some of the other great recipes at the Satko Family Recipes Blog!

{Review} Zulily

2011-04-07T07:14:00.000-07:00

Have you discovered Zulily yet? I’ve gotten two awesome deals lately. The first was a pair of See Kai Run shoes for my daughter:

These are the John style shoes from See Kai Run. Technically they’re “boy” shoes, but SKR’s shoes are so adorable, even the boy shoes look cute on my 2 year old daughter. I put these on her with a pair of khaki pants and a little polo shirt and she looked adorable!

Original Price: $40 Zulily Price: $23.99

Just today I got another great deal for my 5 year old son. He loves to cook and has been asking me for a chef hat. Well, today I found a deal on Zulily for this cute set:

This great personalized set was originally $30, the price on Zulily for it was just $17.49. But wait, it gets even better! On Zulily you can invite your friends and when one of them makes their first purchase, you earn a $15 credit. I earned one of these credits, so this set was just $2.49 (plus shipping). Seriously, how awesome is that?!?!

The 1 downside is that shipping takes a while, longer than if you order straight from the seller. The huge discounts more than make up for it though!

So check it out and go order something and invite your friends!

Check it out here:

http://www.zulily.com/invite/khigueria445

I did not receive compensation for this review, I just think Zulily is awesome.