Mommy's Favorite Things

For The Home Giveaway Hop SIGN UPS!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Hosted By: Mommy's Favorite Things & Mama's Baby Cupcakes "For The Home" This Blog Hop giveaway is going to be items that are meant For The Home. Anything that has to do with the home. From decorating to cleaning products. From food to Bedding. Whatever goes in the home. There are lots of options for finding a prize for this wonderful event. Your only mission is to find the perfect prize pack for your blog! Because this is a blog hop, each blog will be responsible for securing their own prize on their own blog. Each prize must be a Minimum of $25. The Prize can be sponsored OR you can self sponsor. Each blog can have more than 1 winner, but each winner must win at least $25 in prizes. Joining this Blog Hop is FREE with Announcement. When: 7/8-7/22 Who: Anybody with a blog can sign up for this one! Sign ups close 7/1 Click HERE to find the HTML for the announcement post and Don't forget to add yourself to the Linky Below! You MUST post an announcement post in order to enter this hop! You can also join the Facebook Group for our events here

Summer Cloth Diaper Giveaway Hop Sign Ups!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:56:00 +0000

Hosted By: Mommy's Favorite Things & Mama's Baby Cupcakes "Summer Cloth Diaper" This Blog Hop giveaway is going to be items that are meant for Cloth Diapering. Whether that be cloth diapers themselves OR accessories this is the hop for it. There are lots of options for finding a prize for this wonderful event. Your only mission is to find the perfect prize pack for your blog! Because this is a blog hop, each blog will be responsible for securing their own prize on their own blog. Each prize must be a Minimum of $25. The Prize can be sponsored OR you can self sponsor. Each blog can have more than 1 winner, but each winner must win at least $25 in prizes. Joining this Blog Hop is FREE with Announcement. When: 6/21-7/1 Who: Anybody with a blog can sign up for this one! Sign ups close 6/14 Click HERE to find the HTML for the announcement post and Don't forget to add yourself to the Linky Below! You MUST post an announcement post in order to enter this hop! You can also join the Facebook Group for our events here

Totally Toddler Grand Prize Giveaway!! Ends 5/27

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Mon, 27 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop! This event is hosted by Mommy's Favorite Things and Mama's Baby Cupcakes.

This hop is focused on items you'd want/need for a child ages 1-6 yrs old. After visiting my giveaway, make sure you use the linky below to take a look at the other 25+ blogs and see what they have to offer for you and your little one! Each blog has a minimum prize package of $25 per winner.

This grand prize package is sponsored by Pediped with 3 pair of shoes in Gender and Size of Choice, and 2 Red Hens for a snack bag set and a Toy Nanny for a total value of just over $200 in prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop ENDS 5/27

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Mon, 27 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop! This event is hosted by Mommy's Favorite Things and Mama's Baby Cupcakes.

Also be sure to check out the Grand Prize featured on Mommy's Favorite Things blog. This grand prize package is sponsored by Pediped with 3 pair of shoes in gender and size of choice, and 2 Red Hens for a snack bag set and a Toy Nanny for a total value of just over $200 in prizes.

These are just the companies that are sponsoring here on Mommy's Favorite Things!

Pictures below are an IDEA of what you can get!

Bummis is offering the chance to win a Swimmi, Sun Hat and Sun tank/shirt of choice! Value up to $54

See Kai Run is offering the chance to win a pair of shoes of choice! Value up to $56

Jelli Fish Kids is offering the chance to win 2 sets of pajamas from the Spring/Summer Line

NurturMe is offering a toddler feeding pack with 11 pouches of toddler food, a spoon, a muslin bag and a couple coupons. Value of $16

Total Value of this prize pack is up to $150

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post Sesame Street Cereal

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:52:00 +0000

Post Cereal has launched a new cereal for the special munchkins in your life! As I’m sure you know, that first photo or video of your child eating on their own is one that will be cherished forever. Now parents can make this moment fun and exciting with new Post Sesame Street Cereal.

Post Sesame Street Cereal comes in two flavors, A is for Apple and B is for Banana. This new cereal is specially formulated to meet a growing toddler’s needs, providing them with 2/3 of their daily whole grains serving with only 1 gram of sugar. Children will be familiar with their furry friends, Elmo and Cookie Monster, who are featured on the front of the box, and parents will feel good letting them eat it. Additionally, the fun X and O shapes are specifically designed for little fingers and the yummy cereal has a soft texture that melts away for safe and easy consumption.

Each box features 2 different educational activities per flavor for you and your little one to enjoy. You can have fun collecting them all!

New Baby on the Way?

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:05:00 +0000

New Baby on the Way? 5 Steps to Get your Finances in Check when Preparing to Start a Family

Having a baby is one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. However, it does come with some hefty financial strain. That's why you should take steps to get your finances in check when you're preparing to start a family. Take a look at these five ways to start planning financially for a baby.

oh man I looked like crud there!!

Find Out About Your Maternity/Paternity Pay

Most employers offer some sort of maternity or paternity leave, which may be paid or unpaid. When you are preparing to have a baby, you should find out everything you can about it so you can plan accordingly. Also, if you're not planning to go back to work after the baby arrives, start budgeting to live on just one salary. That way it won't be such a culture shock when you have to shell out $40 for diapers every week and outrageous amounts on baby formula.

Start Saving Money Now

Even if you have health insurance, there are a lot of expenses associated with having a baby. For instance, your insurance deductible can be as much as $7,500. Plus, the costs can be a lot higher if you need to pay for fertility treatments to get your family started. And, that's just the expenses before the baby arrives.

Open up a special bank account for your family planning expenses. Of course, you can save money other ways, too. Like, don't buy lots of baby clothes and accessories before the baby arrives because you won't use most of them. Plus, you'll get lots of baby supplies and clothes at your baby shower.

Ask for Free Samples and Coupons at the Doctor's Office

Baby supplies cost a lot of money, especially formula. That's why you should get free samples where you can. Your doctor typically has several formula samples that you can try; just ask if you can have some. Even if you want to breastfeed exclusively, you never know when you'll need to use formula. Also, make sure to take home all of the baby supplies you use at the hospital (nasal aspirator, formula, ointments, etc.). It will save you a few bucks.

Learn How to Make Baby Food to Save on Grocery Costs

Your grocery bill can nearly double when you add a baby to the family because you have to buy diapers, formula, and other baby supplies on a weekly basis. So, you can save money by looking for ways to save on baby supply costs. One way is to make your own baby food. It costs a lot less money to mash up a banana than it does to buy a baby jar of bananas. You can do the same thing with carrots, potatoes, and almost any type of food.
These are just a few of the things you should do to prepare financially for your baby. There are many others that we didn't list, such as getting a bigger place or making space for your baby. You can learn more from reading Fisher Investments articles. Do you have any financial tips for people looking to start a family? Leave a comment.

2013 Buick Enclave

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:49:00 +0000

If you're looking for an SUV that is gorgeous, distinctive looking and has decent gas mileage, than the Buick Enclave may be for you!

The enclave averages about 19 MPG. I used this Enclave and only this Enclave for all of my errands during the week I had it and I went through 3/4 of a tank. I did take a decent trip to a large mall, it's about an hour round trip, so that was quite a bit of miles.

For the base price tag of $38,445 this car is fully equipped and comes with a lot of features. The vehicle I received had a tag of $52,160. Some features I have come to love are the large center console, the heated and cooled seats, the back up camera, steering wheel mounted controls and so much more!

This Enclave is very stylish and has many features that everyone in the family can love!!

It has a Power sunroof with 2nd row skylight!

Entertainment System

It also has best-in-class third-row legroom of 33.2", The third row of this SUV is very large!

It has the 2nd row bucket seats and 3 seats in the third row, which means it's a 7 seater!

The 2nd row has Smart Slide which makes it easier for third row access.

It has more Maximum Cargo Room than Mercedes R-Class, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKT, Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7.

The max cargo room for this vehicle is a whopping 115.2 cu. ft.

In case that wasn't enough, the very back also has storage underneath!

This Enclave is equipped with Bose speakers, so you can be sure to have the best sound system on your block.

The mirrors have Side Blind Zone Alert. So if there's a car next to you in your blind spot your mirror lights up! It will tell you!

When you are in reverse and a car is coming behind you it will beep at you and let you know not to continue backing up.

This SUV does a lot in the line of safety. They want to make sure you are as safe as possible while on the road!

Also with the Back Up Camera when you turn your wheel it shows you exactly where you're going and it turns right along with you.

The Enclave is truly a beautiful SUV and I highly recommend it. It has a lot of nice safety features, has plenty of room, gets decent mileage and is just beautiful!

*Disclaimer, I received a Buick Enclave for a 1 week test drive. All opinions here are 100% my own and I was not compensated to write this post, other than receiving the vehicle.

eShakti Review

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:12:00 +0000

I have worked with eShakti before in the past. They had made me a custom peacoat to wear and I LOVE that coat. I still wear it now and that was almost 3 years ago!

This time around I received a GORGEOUS dress for review. I decided to go with their standard sizes this time and see how it fit.

They had the exact same dress without the sequined belt and I chose the sequins because they really make the dress I think.

I received this dress in a size 6. Normally I wear a 4, but based on their size chart the 6 looked best for me. It is a little big, but for the most part it fits me really well.

Even though it's a standard size eShakti STILL customizes each item. When you choose which size you want it then asks you how tall you are and what length you want it at (knee, above knee or below knee) so they still customize the item to you!

Now I'm pregnant so unfortunately this gorgeous dress won't get much use, but I'm so glad I have it in my closet, you never know when you'll be invited to an event where you need to dress up just enough, but not overdo it. This is the perfect dress for that and still looks and feels great for everyday as well!

They are constantly moving products on their site, pulling things out and adding in. So if you see something you really like, I suggest getting it right then and there.

Check out this cute spring jacket!

Price: This dress isn't still on their site, so I don't exactly remember, but I think for custom items they are well priced. But that little jacket shown above is $63.95!

Overall: ***** LOVE my dress!

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from eShakti in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to eShakti for allowing me to review this product

The First Years Review

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:26:00 +0000

I received an item from The First Years for the purpose of this review.

The First Years has been known for many, many years for their innovative products. They always come out with the newest, coolest innovations and the item we received was no exception.

We got the Sipper sippy cup!

They have come up with this wonderfully innovation 1 piece lid.

How many times do you get disgusted by your kids sippy cups? I know that I do, I hate when I pull out the valves and get splashed in the face with juice, or even worse, milk. I love that this is one piece so it cleans easily.

It's also a no spill cup, so this is great!! Even when Emerson throws it, it does not leak at all.

I love that it has the one piece lid. It really can't get easier than that. I just pop both pieces on the top rack of my dishwasher and I'm good to go. No need to pop out icky valves. And it comes 100% clean that way too!!!

Emerson still prefers his straw cups, but when he can tilt a cup I'm ready with this wonderful cup.

They are 9oz each and the 2 pack retails for $6.96 at Walmart

Overall: ***** Love the design, love the concept, just wish my stubborn son would use them.

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from The First Years in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to The First Years for allowing me to review this product

Handmade Rugs

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:28:00 +0000

When you decide to purchase a beautiful handmade rug to accentuate the decor of your home, you have likely taken considerable time to make your choice. These unique and authentic rugs are often considered a family treasure to be handed down from one generation to the next. This is an important reason why your rug should be expertly cleaned by professionals who are familiar with techniques required to thoroughly and gently clean Oriental rugs. Do not despair if your priceless rug has been stained or damaged. You will find the expert technicians at ABC Rug & Carpet Care are able to completely clean and repair it to perfection. ABC cleaning service will come to your home, pick up your rug and return it looking brand new within days. If an unfortunate accident or years of wear have caused threadbare or torn areas in your rug, ABC offers complete restoration services. Their expert rug repair team is able to fill in worn carpets by reweaving the affected areas, replacing fringes and re-surging edges that are frayed. If your rug has lost some of its beautiful coloring, a color overhaul with specialized solutions will have it looking bright and new when it is returned to you. If you feel your treasured rug could benefit from the expert cleaning and repair services of ABC Rug & Carpet Care, you can get more info here: http://abc-rugandcarpetcare.com/

*disclaimer, this post was sponsored and I have been compensated accordingly.

Totally Toddler Sponsor Spotlight- Jelli Fish Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Sun, 12 May 2013 20:08:00 +0000

I received an item from Jelli Fish Kids for the purpose of this review

My last sponsor spotlight for this wonderful giveaway hop is Jelli Fish Kids. They have wonderful Pajamas for children in sizes 2-16. So they have a wide range of sizes. I like this about a company because children can have matching pajamas without the older ones feeling they're too babyish!

We received the Aqua Smile pajamas in a size 6/6X!

They are very big on Avery. She is a comfortable size 6 in items so I didn't expect them to be this big, but they fit more like an 8 I think!! They fall right off her and are about 4" too long, on top of the shirt being huge as well.

So we haven't had a chance to give them a full review, but I'm hoping they'll shrink up a bit in the wash, and if they don't, they'll fit her next year so it's not a huge deal.

But you should definitely order down in these pajamas, unless I just got a pair that runs huge for some reason!!

They have a bunch of cute pajamas for both boys and girls.

Price: The pajamas run about $28 a pair. The Pants for boys (they do make 2 pieces too) are about $18.

Overall: **** because they run SO big, but the material seems great and they seem well made.

TOTALLY TODDLER HOP

For the Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop, Jelli Fish Kids is offering one reader the chance to win 2 pair from the 2013 Spring Summer line! (They choose, you just give them size)

Hop goes live tonight at MIDNIGHT!!

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Jelli Fish in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to Jelli Fish for allowing me to review this product

Totally Toddler Grand Prize Sponsor Spotlight- 2 Red Hens

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:47:00 +0000

Our last Grand Prize sponsor is 2 Red Hens. They make some wonderful vintage items for mother's and their kids!! They specialize in their Diaper Bags, but have other wonderful items there as well.

Let's take a look!

Messenger Bag

Diaper Bag

Shopping Cart Nests

Snack Packs

Makeup bag

They also offer a few other wonderful items.

I'm particularly in love with their Toy Nanny!!

With that Toy Nanny, you let baby play on the mat with their toys, when they're done you just fold it up and all the toys are concealed inside, this is perfect for outside, going to grandma's house or even inside your house to make cleanup easier!! I love that toy nanny, how perfect for little babes!!

All of their items look like very high quality and they use just the cutest fabrics for them as well. Maybe I can get a review item for this babe!! Like a new diaper bag! They are pretty awesome looking!

Price: The Toy Nanny is $50. The set of 2 Snack Bags is $15.

TOTALLY TODDLER HOP

For the Totally Toddler Hop, 2 Red Hens is donating a Toy Nanny and Snack Pack to one winner in the Grand Prize!

*Disclaimer* I was not compensated for writing this post, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you to 2 Red Hens for donating a giveaway prize!

Totally Toddler Sponsor Spotlight- NurturMe

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Sat, 11 May 2013 20:22:00 +0000

Let's face it. Toddlers need to eat!! Toddlers also enjoy food that tastes good, and us parents enjoy when it's healthy for them. That's where NurturMe comes in. They offer food that is dried up in pouches and you just mix it with water, milk, juice or breastmilk to get the right consistency.

We received a sampler pack which included 9 pouches of food, 2 of their new Yum-A-Roo's snacks and a bib!

Just the food and snacks!

Nutrition info on the back and I LOVE that it just has the info for a dry pack and for a pack with breastmilk!

Dry in the bowl

Mixed with water in the bowl

What I like is you can add more or less water based on your children's needs. For a younger baby, more liquid is best to make it more runny, but Emerson likes it thick.

I also love that you can add the dry pouches to other foods. Add a pack of peas to some macaroni and cheese to make it healthier. Add the new Quinoa to applesauce to give some more protein and grains.

The possibilities are endless really. I love these packets though, They're easy to store, easy to travel with you and are perfect for restaurants too!

They have single flavors like Peas, Apples and Sweet potatoes. They also have blends like Banana, Oatmeal and sweet potato and many others. Then the new Quinoa and the new Yum-A-Roo's which come in 4 flavors. Bountiful Bites; Banana, Apple and Broccoli, Caribbean Crop; Pea, Banana and Pineapple, Tropical Twist; Banana, Mango and Pineapple, and lastly Happy Harvest; Pea, Sweet Corn and Apple.

Price: 8 pouches that are 2.5oz servings are $9.49. 8, 4oz servings are $11.99. The Yum-A-Roo's are $2.54 each.

Overall: *****

TOTALLY TODDLER HOP

For the Totally Toddler Hop, NurturMe is offering one reader the chance to win a Toddler Feeding Gift Pack, which includes 11 pouches, a spoon, a couple coupons and a booklet, all in a muslin bag! Value of $16!

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from NurturMe in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to NurturMe for allowing me to review this product

Totally Toddler Grand Prize Sponsor Spotlight- Pediped

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:41:00 +0000

I received a pair of Pediped shoes for the purpose of this review

One thing you all know that I love is children's shoes. I love matching them to the kids outfits and having multiples pairs they can wear at any one given time!

So when it came time to review the Pediped new Spring line, I was super excited!! Emerson need a good pair of sandals for this summer so I decided on the Amazon Nittany Blue for our review!

Love their diamond sole pattern

We got the 12-18m and they fit him pretty well with a little room to grow. They look a little big here, but they are tight enough on his foot that they don't sleep off.

I just love the bright blue color on these shoes. It sticks out, but still matches a lot of clothes and different colors of clothes! I just love these shoes.

I'm in love with Pediped shoes, they are wonderful for baby's (and children's) growing feet, they have a bendable sole and are flexible to support the growing feet. Baby's are born with more bones in their feet than adult have, so as their feet grow these bones fuse together and it takes a lot of work to grow up and be an adult. These shoes support that growth and fusing together.

The sole on these are soft. We got the Originals line which is for infants and early walkers. Emerson is a full on runner, but these are mainly for inside, the grass and when we head to the mall or zoo and he'll be in the stroller/carrier.

When he goes walking outside on concrete or at the park we put him in sturdier shoes and the Pediped Grip N Go would be perfect for this. They have a bit of a sturdier sole, but are still flexible and soft for those feet!

Pediped's sizing is pretty dead on. Emerson has been fit to be a 4.5 in other shoes and these are about a size 5, so they are slightly big, but not excessively so!

They have so many adorable shoes for summer!

I'd love these for Avery

These are also the Amazon, so they would coordinate style wise!

I love these girls Grip N Go's too!

The founder of Pediped has also started a women's shoe company! Brian James Footwear has some adorable shoes for us busy mom's and women!

Price: The Amazon Nittany I received are $37. So worth it!!

Overall: ***** I have never been disappointed with my Pediped's!

TOTALLY TODDLER HOP

For the Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop, Pediped is offering one reader the chance to win 3 pairs of shoes in gender and sizes of choice (they pick style). This will be a part of the Grand Prize giveaway!!

Giveaway goes live Monday the 13th!

Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Pediped in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to Pediped for allowing me to review this product

Announcement!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:13:00 +0000

It's true!! Baby #3 is due January 14th. So 1/14 in 1/14 how cool!

There's no telling when baby will come, Avery was born at exactly 39 weeks, and Emerson was 40w1d, so this baby could come at any time really.

But, both my kids were born on Wednesdays so if this one follows suit, s/he might come on the 8th or 15th!

First appt with the nurse is on Tuesday (14th) and they'll do a blood draw and go over due date and such. Then I see the Dr. on Friday (17th) and he'll make sure my blood levels are right on and do a brief appt.

At the next appt around 9ish weeks I should get an ultrasound and should be able to see the heartbeat!

FlagStore USA

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:28:00 +0000

Buy Annin flags at FlagStoreUSA.com and proudly wave your high-quality, made in the USA flag, joining legions of Presidents, military personnel and other Americans. Annin has been making flags since 1820, and you wish that they could talk. In 1949 an Annin flag flew at the inauguration of President Zachary Taylor, and the practice continues to this day. An Annin flag proudly draped President Abraham Lincoln's coffin. Annin flags are on the North and South Poles and Mt. Everest. US Marines placed an Annin flag atop Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima, and the press immortalized that event in their famous photo. The flag that the firefighters grabbed off a boat in the harbor and raised high atop the rubble on September 11th—yes, that, too, was an American-made Annin flag. Annin flags were proudly featured on a network's “Made in America” nightly news series. You will be in good company flying your Annin flag, as they make over 30 million flags every year. You may choose the Flag of Heroes, an all-weather nylon flag that includes in the stripes the names of all emergency heroes from 911. If you do purchase, proceeds go to various 911 charities. Another Flag of Heroes includes all the names of those who perished in 911, and the proceeds go to related charities. Other choices include different sized flags for states, welcome home military, Armed Forces, Confederate, remembrance and Betsy Ross. You can also get needed accessories such as poles and an oak memorial case.

*Disclaimer, this is a sponsored post and I have been paid as compensation for writing it*

Dickies Jeans

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:27:00 +0000

It can be difficult to find quality jeans these days. With so many different types of brands available on the market today, it is sometimes difficult to determine which brand of jeans you should purchase. This is why you should stick with Dickies carpenter jeans because you never have to worry about making a poor decision when you buy these jeans. Dickies carpenter jeans are among the most durable jeans on the market today. If you are someone who does a lot of outdoor work or is relatively rough on your jeans, Dickies carpenter jeans would be perfect for you. Since these jeans are made of high quality material, you know they will not tear or shred easily. Also, Dickies carpenter jeans are quite stylish and perfect for many occasions. When you own a pair of these carpenter jeans, you will never be embarrassed to be seen in these jeans. The relaxed fit and wide selection of colors ensure that these carpenter jeans will look good on anybody. Lastly, Dickies jeans are very reasonably priced, making them very affordable. Designer jeans can cost a fortune for one pair and generally are a waste of money. With a pair of Dickies carpenter jeans, you know you will get a good pair of jeans that are well made and will last a long time without having to worry about breaking the bank. Even if you buy them online and have to pay for shipping, you will still be saving a lot of money when you buy these carpenter jeans as opposed to other jeans at the mall.

*Disclosure, this post was sponsored and I was paid as compensation for writing it*

Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop Sponsor Spotlight- See Kai Run

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:21:00 +0000

I received a pair of See Kai Run shoes for this review.

I have had quite a bit of experience with See Kai Run before. I've won a couple pair and have reviewed 1-2 pair as well. I've never been disappointed with their shoes EVER!! I have loved each pair we've had (I think this is #4 now.

We received their newer Kai Line and we got their New Sneaker line. We got the Portia.

I love how flexible their shoes are. It allows for perfect growth for children's feet.

Well they don't look quite that new anymore haha!!

These shoes have been holding up great. Avery has been wearing them very often to school (lately daily since it's been so nice out) and they are still practically new, besides being a little dirty of course. These shoes do clean up well though. A damp cloth to the sides and the toe tip is all that's needed. And soaking the canvas material isn't much harder, they dry perfectly too and look brand new again.

I like that the toe is covered by the rubber material. So the material doesn't get ruined. If you have kids then you know that the toe is usually the first to go, the material wears away and gets a hole in it from kids tripping over their ever-growing feet or other daily activities. So this rubber material protects the shoe from coming apart!

Every See Kai Run shoes we've ever had has lasted practically a lifetime! She outgrows them and they still look pretty new. So I know these will be no exception.

We got these in a size 12 and they fit Avery perfectly. This is the size she normally wears so these are true to size.

I also loved these Harper Hot Pink's

They also carry a Smaller line (for both boys and girls) from sizes 0-24 months

and they have the See Kai Run line for 6 months to 3 years. This is for those early walkers and toddlers, it has more of a structured sole

And lastly the Kai line like I reviewed above which is 2-8 years (roughly).

What I particularly love is that most of their shoes have matches in the other lines/sizes. So your babies can have matching shoes even if they are years apart in age!

Price: The shoes I received are $39.50! Let's face it, this is a fantastic price for shoes that are great for your children's feet and also very adorable!

Overall: ***** LOVE See Kai Run and have never been disappointed!

TOTALLY TODDLER HOP

For the Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop, See Kai Run is offering one reader the chance to win a pair of shoes of choice!

Giveaway goes live May 13th!

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from See Kai Run in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to See Kai Run for allowing me to review this product and for offering a giveaway

How to Prevent from Losing a Diamond

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:50:00 +0000

A diamond engagement or wedding ring is something that is worn on a daily basis. Because of this, rings suffer through a lot of wear and tear on an average day. After some time, a diamond may become loose and even fall out of the setting if the proper prevention and care is not taken. Before your investment gets lost on the sidewalk, use the following information to prevent loose diamonds in any important piece of jewelry.

Causes of Diamond Loss

Your rings come into contact with everything that your hands touch throughout the day. Even a small bump can bend a prong that can result in a diamond being loosened. If a prong from your ring is caught on a seatbelt, sweater or zipper, the prong may bend and increase the size of the area holding the diamond, causing it to either become loose or fall out. Even a slight bend of a prong can significantly loosen the diamonds in your ring, because the prongs simply aren’t as hard as the rest of your ring.

Prevent a Loose Diamond

It’s simply not possible to prevent all wear and tear on a diamond ring. Removing your ring while performing certain tasks can help to protect the diamond and the gold or platinum that makes up the setting. Remove your rings when you are performing housework, gardening, washing dishes or participating in vigorous sporting activities.

Another way to prevent a diamond from being loosened is to have a jeweler re-tip the metal of the prongs regularly. This may involve a small charge, but can prevent the loss of an expensive stone like a diamond from loose prongs. Normal wear may weaken your prongs and can be the cause of many lost diamonds.

Deal With a Loose Diamond

When you notice a diamond that seems loose in your ring, getting it tightened and fixed is a simple process that is fairly inexpensive from most jewelers. It’s important to take your ring to a jeweler as soon as you notice that a diamond is loose. Waiting too long can result in the loss of the stones, which are virtually impossible to find.

If a diamond is loosened, discontinue wearing the ring immediately. If you continue wearing the jewelry, the diamond may fall out, and you will never know where it landed. Protecting your ring means leaving it in a jewelry box or plastic bag until it can be taken to a jeweler.

What to Expect

Fixing a diamond in a piece of jewelry is a fairly simple task. The costs are reasonable, and most jewelers can give you a time frame of how long it will take before you will have your jewelry back. Some jewelers may even be able to tighten the diamond while you are waiting.

When choosing a jeweler to tighten your diamond, choose a reputable one with experience in the field. Stones can be chipped or tarnished by those who are untrained in working with these precious gems. If you are concerned about the repair costs from an experienced jeweler, obtain a copy of your homeowners insurance to determine if the repair costs are covered under your policy. Some insurance companies will pay for a lost stone or the repair of a loose diamond in a piece of jewelry. Don’t take chances with a piece of jewelry so precious to you.

Article courtesy of Shane Co.

Pink Lemonade Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:19:00 +0000

I have been eyeing the Pink Lemonade Shop for a while now. She sells cloth pads that are so soft and amazing looking and I knew I had to have my hands on some. I haven't received any new cloth pads in about 18 months so I really wanted to try some new ones.

Hers are all topped with minky and are so soft!

I received the Purple Floral liner (6"), a Black and White Damask 9" and then a Pink Owls 10" pads.

All 3 stacked on top to show the size difference.

All 3

The backs are fleece.

This is the largest owls and the smallest purple floral

These pads are constructed with Minky on the top, Bamboo Fleece in the middle as the absorbent layer and then Windpro Fleece on the back which is not just water resistant, it is also grippy so the pad won't slide around in your underwear.

The pads are super soft and comfortable right against your most sensitive parts. They are pretty absorbent, don't leak and best of all they don't stain.

I usually wash my pads at the end of my cycle (or sometimes I'll wash them twice), I wash them in hot water and some of mine get stains, but these ones have been wonderful against staining. I hear that's a quality of minky though.

Even though the minky is silky it still absorbs. I thought that minky would let everything pool on top and then leak off, but I was wrong. It absorbs just as well as any other material. That part surprised me, but then again they wouldn't be selling minky pads if they pooled!!

These pads are made very well, the stitching is all fairly straight, the snaps are on well and they are just perfect.

I use the 6" for my first day and last day, my very light days. The 9" one I use at all times during my cycle and the 10" I use for overnights or on really heavy days.

I do use the 9" and 10" pads as backup for my reusable cup that I use, but the 6" I use on it's own on my light days.

All the pads do what they're supposed too and I haven't had any issues with them at all.

Price: 10" are $10.25, 9" are $9.25 and the 6" are $5.25

She also has 7.5", 8", 11" and post partum pads as well. And she offers sets.

Overall: ***** Great company, decent prices too!

*Disclaimer* I received an item directly from Pink Lemonade in exchange for a review. I was not paid to try out these products*

A big thank you goes out to Pink Lemonade for allowing me to review this product and for offering a giveaway

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Totally Toddler Giveaway Hop Sign Ups

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Hosted By: Mommy's Favorite Things & Mama's Baby Cupcakes "Totally Toddler" This Blog Hop giveaway is going to be items that are meant for toddlers. Anything from 1-about 6. There are lots of options for finding a prize for this wonderful event. Your only mission is to find the perfect prize pack for your blog! Because this is a blog hop, each blog will be responsible for securing their own prize on their own blog. Each prize must be a Minimum of $25. The Prize can be sponsored OR you can self sponsor. Each blog can have more than 1 winner, but each winner must win at least $25 in prizes. Joining this Blog Hop is FREE with Announcement. When: 5/13-5/27 Who: Anybody with a blog can sign up for this one! Sign ups close 5/6 Click HERE to find the HTML for the announcement post and Don't forget to add yourself to the Linky Below! You MUST post an announcement post in order to enter this hop! You can also join the Facebook Group for our events here

Legal Dictionary

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Sun, 05 May 2013 23:51:00 +0000

LexisNexis has long been known as a great place to find the latest academic papers and journals, but it goes beyond helping undergraduate students write their research papers. In their store, they offer every resource a student might need to succeed academically. Law students looking for the newest legal dictionary need look nowhere else, as LexisNexis provides the top legal dictionaries at very reasonable prices. They even have a comprehensive legal dictionary of their own, available in their online store. Purchasing a textbook or other academic resource from the website is as simple as finding the title and clicking "add to cart." The website includes several eBooks as well as physical textbooks. If you do need a physical textbook, they occasionally offer promotions for free shipping if you get your books early. Order by the end of May for the coming fall and you could save a bundle on shipping! If you know you'd be able to use the items you find in their store, but they're not essentials and you can't afford there, there is an option to make a LexisNexis wishlist. Family members and friends who want to get you a gift or help you out with your studies can view your wishlist and purchase the items on it for you. Professional and high-quality textbooks of all kind can be found inexpensively on the LexisNexis website, so if you are looking for something, head over to their store and check out their prices. Order quickly and you can save on shipping!

Conscious Box Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:19:00 +0000

If you've been following me here for a while, which I know a lot of you have, then you'll also know just how much I adore Conscious Box. They love their customers so much and are willing to got eh extra mile to please them and that's one reason why I love Conscious Box.

I love that they send boxes each and every months with WONDERFUL and healthy samples from a ton of different companies. I love that they give you a chance to try out a brand without spending a ton of money in case you won't like it. And I LOVE how they treat their bloggers. As you might know, I've done at least a handful of giveaway for Conscious Box to date and the opportunities just keep coming. I love their customer service and they're willing to please!!

So without further ado, here is another lovely giveaway from Conscious Box!

*Disclaimer, I was not compensated to write this post and all opinions are 100% my own

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Cleaning for Grizzly Bears

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:27:00 +0000

We have had a crazy-weather winter so far, but the signs of spring are finally upon us! April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring a sense of renewal and, for some, a desire to clean house (both figuratively and literally). After all, there’s a reason it’s called “spring cleaning” and not “winter cleaning” or “fall cleaning”. But for those of us still stretching, yawning, and pulling ourselves out of hibernation, the idea of tackling the leftover messes of the previous season can seem daunting. To help awaken the sleepy grizzly bear in us all, here are some tips for welcoming spring into your cave:

Let There Be Light!

After the time changes and the temps begin to rise, the first thing I do is open every window in the house to let in fresh air and light. Those first cool, spring breezes refresh and motivate as they enter the house, while also allowing all of the dust that’s settled over the last few months to make its timely exit. However, it’s probably a good idea to spend a little time cleaning your window screens before doing this so that you’re not letting in the bugs and other creatures that are now out and about, too!

Photo Credit: www.chiotsrun.com

Room for Improvement

The next step of spring cleaning is to go through your home, room by room, and take some time to sift through anything that has accumulated over the past year. I like to grab some empty boxes and separate items into three categories: Keep, Sell, and Store. Chances are if you haven’t used something since LAST spring, you probably aren’t going to need it anytime soon. These items can be sorted into the Sell and Store boxes, depending on what value they hold for your family. Some items I usually try to sell are things like clothes that don’t fit anymore or are out of style, toys that the kids have outgrown, and stuff like old CD’s, DVD’s and video games that are taking up space. One way to get rid of some of these items, and make some cash in the process, is to use an online service like Music Magpie. They’re very user-friendly and will take most of the music, movies, and games that you just don’t need anymore.

Get Your Hands Dirty

As the song goes, “To everything there is a season… a time to plant, a time to reap.” Now is the time to plant, and to me, nothing compares to the invigorating sensation of digging my hands in the soil and planting the seeds that I know will bloom into beautiful flowers. When you’re done revitalizing the inside of your home, it’s a good idea to step outside and, literally, smell the roses. If your thumb tends to be more pink than green, don’t fret – there are lots of great tips and tools at your local gardening center to help you pick, place, and plant the foliage that best suits your yard.

Once you’ve aired out your interiors, picked through the remnants of the previous year, and laid the foundation for this year’s garden, it’s time to grab a glass of lemonade and sit outside to breathe it all in. Enjoy the mild weather while you can, because before you know it, the summer heat will be here!

Nevada Payday Loans

noreply@blogger.com (Heather M) — Thu, 02 May 2013 01:57:00 +0000

When an economy tanks, lenders button up and don't lend money easily. Those with assets with which to finance disaster recovery or other need can't always get a loan. Even consumers with sterling credit can't get loans sometimes because the lenders see too much risk in the transaction. They don't want the responsibility of selling a house, car, boat or stocks and bonds to replace money lent to the consumer. In a tanked economy, there might be little to no return on the investment. What to do? If a consumer wants to upgrade the house preparatory to selling, for example, s/he might take out a payday loan since s/he can't get help from a lender. Usacashservices.com offers Nevada Payday Loans offer installment loans, tax services and title loans in addition to payday loans. Repayment costs only $10 per week and can be made online or in a USAcashservices store. If repayment is difficult for the consumer, the company will work out an extension. Where there is a will, there is a way. Consumers with no way to capitalize on their assets may choose this line of financing as a way to beat the risk factor. These loans can be available to the consumer within an hour in the case of a prepaid Visa card or the next business day if funds are direct deposited. The consumer need only submit payroll information plus bank account information to the company to be approved. Now the only risk is selling the house!

*Disclaimer, this is a sponsored post paid for by the sponsor.