{so much reviews}

Ten Years of Tea

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:27:00 +0000

Tea Collection is celebrating ten years of fun, globally inspired children's fashion, and they've created a Tenth Anniversary Collection of favorite pieces for your little ones. 10% off with code UAF710.

God Gave Us Love {children's lit review}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:11:00 +0000

"Choosing love is always right."

God Gave Us Love is a sweet board book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren, with illustrations by Laura J. Bryant. It's less a story than a conversation between a polar bear grandfather and his granddaughter about the nature of Christian love.

"I think this is God bringing out the best in us," whispered Little Cub. "I think God is giving us love right now."

It touches on faith and family and choosing love even when we are frustrated. The narrative lacks, but the teaching is good, and it opens the door to a worthy conversation with preschoolers about what it means to demonstrate God's love to the people around us.

"Grampa, could we ever do something to make God not love us?"
"Nope. He always hopes for the best in us. He sees a bit of himself in us. And that bit is love.

I like that explanation of the imago dei in child-like terms and its reassurance of our worth as God's beloved. What a fabulous lesson to set in young hearts.

The pictures are playful and appeal to little eyes. The text engages my four year old, but even a baby would appreciate the animals, and the study board pages will stand up to many reads.

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Review copy provided by WaterBrook Multnomah.

When God Created My Toes {children's lit review}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:31:00 +0000

The painted illustrations in When God Created My Toes are beautiful and the rhymes sweet. The family in the book appear to be multi-racial, perhaps Asian, which I found to be a welcome departure from the white faces that are standard in much children's media. The young dad with the hipster-looking glasses was fresh type, too.

The book is appropriate for very young preschoolers. There is no narrative and the pictures are simple. The family's home is also simple, which I appreciated. The rhymes reinforce the idea that God created each of us, and the little girl imagines God delighting in creating each part of her:

When God created my hand
Did my fingers snap?
Did he help me clap?
Did we cheer for angel bands when God created my hands?

It does entertain the apocryphal idea that children originate in heaven, which I found a little off-putting. I probably wouldn't purchase a copy myself, but my kids are enjoying it. It is a sweet little story that reminds kids that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a creative God who loves them.

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I received a copy from from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group but was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Review: Couples Who Pray {Rushnell / DuArt}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 04:37:00 +0000

I knew that Couples Who Pray was not the book for me from its very first sentences claiming that prayer is the key to achieving what men and women desire most of all: great sex and meaningful communication, respectively.

Those kind of gender stereotypes make me crazy. Can we please stop reinforcing the idea (especially in Christian circles) that women are not as into sex as men? Not only it it not true, but it has a way of making women feel like really enjoying sex is somehow unfeminine or wrong, which is not what God designed for us at all.

The final promise on page one for those who follow their 40 Day Prayer Challenge set off more red flags: "your gauge of happiness will absolutely soar!" Isn't prayer firstly about growing in intimacy with God, not the benefits returned to the pray-er, especially ones as fleeting as happiness? In scripture, God's promises of blessing and joy are rarely the same as those our culture defines as happy.

The authors, Louise Duart and Squire Rushnell, married in 2000, just two years before Jim and I, and we hardly feel qualified to write a book on marriage! Theirs is also a second--and third--marriage, and while I don't mean to come down on divorcees, I do think their writing a marriage primer is a bit premature and presumptuous. It is based on a speaking series they did called Everything I Know About Wrecking Relationships I Learned in My Last Marriage, and while I get their angle, they didn't sell it for me.

They use the acronym LAUGH (laughter, appreciation, understanding, God, honor, support) to demonstrate their Six Steps To A Happy Marriage. None of the steps are from scripture or have anything to do with love, sacrifice, or humility. The book read more like spiritual self-help than anything truly rooted in biblical principles. I'm trying to remember if Jesus was even mentioned at all.

The authors have an entertainment background. Rushnell was an ABC exec and Duart is a comedienne who now speaks for Women of Faith. The book follows the 40 Day Prayer Challenge experiences of nearly two dozen couples, most of whom work in the entertainment industry or Christian publishing, including famous names like Denzel Washington, Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford, and Rick Warren.

I found their focus on fame to be a little strange. Some of the couples had never prayed together, and part of the book is focused on why we should pray, presumably to convince the uninitiated. The target audience can't be Christian couples looking to grow, since it doesn't have the depth to encourage or strengthen believers. Prayer is always framed as an intimate way to grow closer to your spouse. While marital intimacy is important, the authors misrepresent prayer as something of a utilitarian exchange rather than a spiritual discipline designed to change our hearts and draw us closer to God's.

Certainly, couples should pray together, and I applaud the authors for trying to encourage couples to strengthen their marriages through the prayer, but I cannot recommend this book. Its themes are ultimately rooted in self-help and vague religiosity instead of core gospel truths and scripture.

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I received a review copy from Book Sneeze and was not otherwise compensated.

the happiest mom & parenting magazine {giveaway}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:36:00 +0000

***contest closed. congrats to courtney!***

meagan francis, blogger at the happiest mom, released a book of the same name: The Happiest Mom: 10 Secrets to Enjoying Motherhood. she sent me a copy to check out, and i am pleased to pass my copy along to you (if you don't mind a few peanut butter smudges!)

the book is a light-hearted and quick read, pleasantly arranged with cheery artwork. the chapters are short and to the point, each exploring one tip, like "take the easy way out," "trust your gut," "look out for #1," and "love your love life."

the advice is friendly and practical, a welcome reprieve that distinguishes itself from the pack of parenting tomes written by "experts"--the kind that have a way of whipping new moms into an exhausting and idolatrous pursuit of The Right Answer. francis' approach is much more low-key. sisterly, even. bonus: the book comes with a tear-our card for a free year of Parenting Early Years. i planned to use this myself until i remembered that i don't even read the magazines i already subscribe to--so it's a twofer giveaway for you:)

there is nothing groundbreaking here, but i suspect there are a million moms who need this kind of permission to discover what works over what's "right." it would be a good read for a brand new mom or the worrying type in hot pursuit of perfection and feeling shamed to be coming up short.

want a copy? just leave a comment saying what makes you a happy mom (or what steals your happy.) if you aren't a mom and still want to read/give, say something else. i'm not picky:) make sure i have a way to get in touch with you if you win. entries close wednesday, may 18 at 11:59 PM, and random.org will chose a winner from among comments. good luck!

if you're visiting {so much reviews} for the first time, welcome. you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter, on facebook, and twitter. i hope you'll follow this blog or subscribe: i'd love to keep in touch:)

Life to the Full: {DaySpring Giveaway}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 06:12:00 +0000

**this giveaway is closed. congrats to comment #8, bitterroot mama!**

DaySpring is not the crunchy business i typically feature here, but as their blog (in)courage is a tremendous ministry and community for women, i am more than happy to share them with you--and offer a fun giveaway:)

when i went the the relevant conference last fall, (in)courage sponsored a hospitality lounge, and that's where i was introduced to DaySpring's Life To The Full Collection. i was more than a little smitten with the cheerful colors and hopeful scripture messages. i even got to go home with the water pitcher i won in a giveaway:

the scripture comes from john 10:10,

"I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full."

what a promise to be reminded of each time we share a meal together! (in)courage sent me a matching place setting to review at the just the right time: our wedding dishes are slowly chipping and breaking, and i knew these four plates would be fun to mix and match.

they are truly beautiful, as well as sturdy and microwave/dishwasher safe. my kids use them without incident (so far:) i think i like the breakfast plate best of all. so elegant:

my only complaint is that the dinner plate is a little too big; at 12 inches it won't fit inside my cupboard!

the regular price for the Life Collection - 4 Piece Place Setting ($48.96) is more than a bit out of our budget. however, it is on sale now for $40, and they're offering an additional 30% off the entire Life Collection with the coupon code LIFE30, which makes a four piece place setting a far more doable $25.67.

i'm not running out to buy service for eight--i am still a green blogger!--but i did spring for one matching setting. (see, i liked it enough to pay, too;) an early birthday present in anticipation of winter's end and the return of color.

(as of last week, they were still running a site-wide 25% coupon code: LOVE25. you can only use one code at a time, and i do not know if it is still current, but it's worth a try:)

DaySpring and (in)courage are generously offering a $35 gift code to a lucky {so much reviews} reader. just leave a comment [with contact info] telling how you make meal times special or incorporate scripture into your home, or what you'd buy at DaySpring if you won.

that's it. easy peasy:)

entries will close friday, march 18 at 11:59 PM, and random.org will chose a winner from among comments. good luck!

if you're visiting {so much reviews} for the first time, welcome! you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter, on facebook, and twitter. i hope you'll follow this blog or subscribe: i'd love to keep in touch:)

DaySpring provided me with one place setting, and I was not otherwise compensated to write this review. as always, opinions and content are mine alone. this post contains affiliate links.

hazelwood necklaces: natural eczema relief

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:06:00 +0000

My preschooler and toddler wear jewelry. We're not making a fashion statement; believe it or not, their necklaces are medicinal.

Bear with me, I promise we're not crazy-town!

James went through a biting phase at around seven months, which made breastfeeding extremely frustrating--until i bought a baltic amber teething necklace from Inspired by Finn. He stopped biting right away, and teething never seemed to bother him again. We didn't even notice that his molars had come in!

Babies do not chew on the necklaces. Instead, the succinic acid in the amber supposedly is absorbed transdermally as skin warms, and its analgesic properties help to numb local teething pain.

I know--it sounds like voodoo. And I don't care because it works on my kid.

I actually just bought one for myself to wear when I have headaches or mouth pain. I haven't tested it out yet, but it is pretty:)

When I read that Inspired by Finn also makes hazelwood necklaces for eczema relief, I figured it was worth a shot, too. Dry winter heat made Dylan's eczema come back, and her little wrists were scaly and itchy.

The hazelwood is supposed to neutralize acidity in the body, and they claim that they can improve reflux, heartburn, and ulcers as well as skin problems, including eczema, acne, and rashes. They even suggest that they help with morning sickness in pregnancy--something I definitely will keep in mind for the future.

We ordered the necklace, it came in the mail--quickly--and I put in around Dylan's neck.

I kid you not, within 24 hours the skin on her wrists had almost completely cleared.

She didn't itch or anything. Seriously, this thing was like magic.

Granted, her eczema outbreak was on the milder side. It was localized and not bleeding, but it was still very uncomfortable for her, and she's usually pretty tough about pain. The necklace seemed to clear it up as well as prevent further breakouts or worsening. Our home is still heated daily yet her skin remains healthy.

Dylan has been wearing her necklace for almost two months. It fell off once, and she didn't wear it for about two weeks, and sure enough, her wrists began to dry again with those tell-tale patches.

It should be worn in the bath, because getting the wooden beads wet is supposed to hasten the body's absorption. It should not be worn in the pool, which we've forgotten at least once.

Unlike the amber necklaces, whose benefits last forever, the hazelwood necklaces eventually expire, in 4-12 months, depending upon the body's acidity, according to the website. I would definitely buy another should her eczema return.

Plus, they're pretty cute. My hippie babes:

If your child is teething or suffers from eczema--or if you want a necklace for for adult-sized troubles--Inspired by Finn is offering the coupon code POST for 15% off orders; just enter it at check out.

I purchased all my necklaces myself, the hazelwood one at a discount available to reviewers. The opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review. I just love sharing natural remedies that actual work (and supporting handmade, natural businesses.)

FREE SHIPPING at Ten Thousand Villages {fair trade}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:16:00 +0000

i love when this deal comes up--now just in time for valentine's day. you can get free shipping on beautiful goods like jewelry, housewares, textiles, and even toys made by artisans across the world who were paid a fair wage for their work. amazingly, you'll pay less for the fair trade real deal at Ten Thousand Villages than for knock-off imitation imports (or rather chinese imports made to look like they were made by african artisan) carried elsewhere.

the coupon code GROVE is good for free shipping on online orders and expires 2/1/11.

this is not an affiliate link. i just love this store (which is actually a non-profit organization) and wanted to share the love. happy shopping:)

Two Years of Kiwi Magazine for $4

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:12:00 +0000

kiwi magazine is a fantastic parenting resource with a natural living focus. i love it and was so happy to read about this great offer through Mamapedia Sweet Deals. the articles cover everything from whole foods for picky eaters, natural remedies, and green cleaning tips, plus all the ads are from earth-friendly companies, for things like organic food, cloth diapers. great, right?

just enter coupon code 1YEARKIWI2 for a $2 one-year subscription or 2YEARKIWI4 for a $4 two-year subscription.

thanks to faithful provisions for this great deal lead.

15 % off Melissa & Doug toys

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 23:55:00 +0000

because we live far from family and ship most gifts anyway, i do a lot of our shopping online. plus, we live in a semi-rural area without access to a variety of stores, and as anyone who's ever ventured out with two toddlers knows, shopping with tiny people is a task best avoided if humanly possible.

CSN is an online network of 200 stores carrying everything from briefcases to baby toys, and i've purchased some great gifts from them in the past. i've had my eye on a wooden train table as a joint christmas gift for james (1) and dylan (3) this year. CSN stocks quite a few, their shipping on many bigger ticket items is free, and their discounted prices are often comparable to amazon.

tonight, jim is actually out picking up a used train table we scored on craigslist (even better!), but i'm keeping CSN in mind for pieces to round out our train set in the future as the kids grow.

they're running a special on melissa and doug toys right now--buy two and get 15% off with code MD15 until midnight 12/11. (click the picture below to get to a page listing of over 700 solidly constructed melissa and doug items that this code is good on.)

i think i'm going to use my CSN gift card toward accessories to get our new-to-us vintage kitchen aid(!) in working order. so exciting:)

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this post is sponsored by CSN, but the content, as always, is mine.

studio dayspring christmas cards giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:03:00 +0000

**this contest is now closed, and pinkdaisyjane is the winner!**

dayspring was one of the sponsors of the relevant blogging conference that i attended in october. they sponsored a lovely lounge and a bunch of giveaways while we were there. (i won an incredible nativity that i was so excited to pull out as soon as we got home from thanksgiving. so much pretty.)

i jumped at the chance to review their cards because i am TERRIBLE at sending christmas cards and figured this may be the only way our family actually gets them out!

last night we got our computer back (after 15 days) and i was finally able to get to work. studio dayspring has dozens of templates for all kinds of photo cards for christmas, new years, invitations, or anything else, and if you choose their "U-Design" tab you have even more creative freedom.

a bit of advice--i had trouble preventing my images from bleeding into the other image boxes, so if you create a multi-photo card, you may want to crop them down to faces before you begin.

here's a nice example of a template dayspring offers:

i love how they turned out: the template with its unusual color palate, the space for multiple images (because you're crazy if you think a decent picture exists of the four of us at the same time!), and the freedom to add whatever message, text, and verse i chose. i can't wait to get them in the mail:)

edited to add: i'm also really impressed with studio dayspring because after i ordered the cards and posted here, they contacted me to say that two of my pictures were pixelated. i sent them the original files, and they fixed it for me. what great customer service!

(lesson: don't use a photo from facebook or your blog--the quality is not the same!)

studio dayspring is offering one {so much reviews} reader a coupon code to design (and ship) 50 flat 5x7 cards absolutely free--a $62 value!

to enter, simply leave a comment (with your email address if it's not on a blogger profile) about christmas cards. do you send them? make them? forget them? do you design them as soon as your summer vacation is over, or are you up late nights in december wrestling with fonts and cropping like me? do you not mess with photo cards or prefer a letter?

the winner will be chosen by random.org on monday december 6, so you still have some good time to design, ship, and send. good luck!

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dayspring provided me with complimentary cards but I was not otherwise compensated to write this review.

if you're visiting here for the first time, welcome! you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter. if you'd follow this blog, subscribe, or follow me on twitter, i'd love to keep in touch:)

deal sites for christmas gifts

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:30:00 +0000

i love checking out the discount sites that post new deals on the daily--especially for finding gifts. these are a few of my favorites.

zulily carries lots of children's clothes, and they often have beautiful organic lines. today they even have fuzzibunz cloth diapers for $11.99! they often have fun, green toys or nursing apparel for moms. a warning, their shipping can be SLOOOOOW, but they're guaranteeing shipping by christmas, so you're still in good shape.

totsy is another (smaller) discount site with items for baby and child. wooden toys, clothes, and sometime organic bath care are among their featured items.

eversave is a one-deal-a-day-site similar to groupon. in some cities (like philadelphia), eversave posts local deals, but for pittsburgh so far it's all been deep discounts from online retailers--which is even better for me, since we aren't that close to downtown anyway. they'll discount shoes, bags, gift baskets, jewelry, kids stuff--it runs the spectrum--but they tend to feature interesting boutiques for their daily deals, and the items are often earth-friendly.

happy gift-giving:)

BYOC--bring your own container {greentainer giveaway!}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:36:00 +0000

*this contest is now closed. congrats to comment #8, Em--you are the winner!*

carrying around reusable water bottles and coffee mugs is pretty second nature, but in the past year, jim and i have stepped it up a notch. i have a cloth napkin and reusable tableware stashed in my purse, and jim brings his own container if we treat ourselves to take-out dessert from a local restaurant.

(cheesecake or tiramisu is a delicious and much cheaper indulgence than dinner out!)

i've become increasingly wary of plastic. we're using more and more pyrex (which you can find affordably at secondhand shops), but they don't always have lids, and glass is not always ideal for meals away from home.

enter greentainer and their stainless steel portables.

greentainer sent me a large round container with clips and their smaller snack set. they are meant for solid foods--so no soup--but i've packed yogurt with great luck. the ones with clips are easy for little hands to use, and greentainers without clips close a little tighter.

this one holds 20 ounces and has a little tray, giving it a second level and adding to its storage capabilities. with a 5.5 inch diameter, the large is not truly all that large, but it is more than adequately sized for a sandwich and a side.

the snack set is ideal for veggies and dip. the compact container holds 7 ounces (with a 4.7 in diameter) and the smaller one, which fits inside, holds 2 ounces. i have the little one in my diaper bag now for cheerios on-the-go.

i love that i don't need to worry about glass breaking or plastic leaching. one downside would be that you couldn't microwave in them, but i try not to microwave in plastic anyway, so that's no different. you could always bring your leftovers to work in the greentainer and transfer it to a plate to microwave, which is more civilized anyway:)

i am very pleased with my greentainers. they are safe, easy to clean, and fairly made in india. i love learning about plastic-free ways to reduce waste, especially since food on-the-go can generate so much waste if we aren't mindful.

if you'd like to order your own, greentainer is offering a free shipping code (SOMUCHREVIEW10) through 12/6. their shipping is exceptionally fast, and they take care to package with minimal waste.

greentainer is also offering one greentainer--winner's choice--as a giveaway to a lucky {so much reviews} reader. For a chance to win, just leave one comment saying how you are reducing waste in your household with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger.)

that's it. if you want to follow this blog, subscribe, or follow me on twitter, i'd be more than happy to keep you in the loop for giveaways, coupon codes, and green reviews, but it's not compulsory for entries;)

good luck! (winner will be chosen by random.org on friday november 26.)

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greentainer provided me with a sample but I was not otherwise compensated or compelled to write this review.

If you're visiting here for the first time, welcome! You can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter.

love these: 50% off sturdy recycled totes at Reuseit

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:32:00 +0000

i love these bags, and they are half off at Reuseit until friday, 11/12. i have two (that i purchased myself.) they are really strong and fold/squish up small for storage. (four Reuseit bags will hold an entire grocery cart of goods.)

they're also really helpful for stashing last minute stuff on car trips. they are my favorite reusable bag by far--MUCH sturdier than anything you'd pick up cheaply at a store check-out. if you think about it, flimsy, poorly made "reusables" aren't all that green if they fall apart and end up in landfills before long. a nice bag (for $7.99 today and tomorrow) is a worthwhile investment in more sustainable living.

now through sunday, 11/14, the coupon code GIVE20 will net you an additional 20% off an order of $50 or more.

so much pretty! organic fair trade deals & coupon code

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:40:00 +0000

eversave has a great save today: $12 for $35 worth of gorgeous, organic kids' clothes and toys at wild dill. great for gift giving!

and ten thousand villages has a coupon code for free shipping thru 11/15: FESTIVE.

enjoy!

the eversave link is a referral link, and i'm not affiliated with ten thousand villages--just a superfan;)

1/2 off organic coconut peanut butter (thru 10/31)

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:50:00 +0000

a while ago, i won a giveaway of Tropical Traditions organic coconut peanut butter.

ohmygoodness, it is good stuff. as in tastes-like-Jesus-made-it-good.

the only ingredients are organic coconut and organic peanuts. it can be a little tricky to spread, but it is worth the extra effort because it is so stinkin' delicious.

i just ordered 52 ounces of the stuff because i am in love. and because it is 50% off through tonight, 10/31.

plus, the coupon code 291010 [good through monday november1 at midnight] will get you an additional 15% off a purchase of at least $16.

if you decide to place an order, if you choose "referred by a friend" and enter my user ID 5959208, you will get a free recipe book detailing the health benefits of coconut oil (and i will get a product, too.)

our family bakes with coconut oil instead of canola or vegetable oils [which are heavily processed and genetically modified], we often saute with it, and we enjoy it in smoothies as well. if you've never cooked with coconut oil and are interested in reading up on this heathful fat, check out this post from Sorta Crunchy.

i am not affiliated with Tropical Traditions; i'm just a believer in eating real fats and a satisfied customer who is happy to pass long a good deal (and maybe snag a referral goodie, too:)

great wooden toy deals

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 17:40:00 +0000

totsy is an online deal site featuring products for babies and kids. now through monday, they have some great wooden toys at wonderful discounts--great for christmas gifts!

they have some beautiful dollhouse furniture, too, and i am a little sad that my sweet daughter is a little too young yet, but maybe they would be perfect for a little one in your life.

i am a totsy member, the the link is my referral link. if you sign up under me, i get store credit. once you sign up [membership is free], you can share deals with your friends too:)

real food / holistic health book sale

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:59:00 +0000

stephanie over at Keeper of the Home is running a great book sale featuring titles from a number of real food bloggers. 25% of the proceeds are earmarked for a filipino orphanage and another 25% is going toward the stephanie's fundraising to adopt a child.

from making whole foods affordable to recipes for healthful snacks and herbal healing, there is so much great information available in these books. you can learn natural ways to care for your family and take care of needy kids at the same time. it's a double win:)

sale ends monday night, november 1st.

free shipping at ten thousand villages

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:40:00 +0000

if you are lucky enough to live near a ten thousand villages store, you probably know all about their beautiful hand-crafted and fairly-traded goods. if you don't live near one, they have a free shipping coupon code for online orders. i'm planning to use it to get a jump on christmas shopping.

the code is DECKHALLS and expires 10/31/10.

30% off at Destination Organics

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:45:00 +0000

destination organics has a huge inventory of all-natural skin care and beauty products for women, men, and babies that are safe and earth-friendly, and for the next two days, everything is 30% off with the coupon code FALL2010.

1/2 off safe baby buys at Greeno Bambino

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:46:00 +0000

this sweet deal comes from Eversave and is good today only: $13 for $26 worth of eco-friendly, non-toxic products for kids and babies.

they carry pvc-free bibs

cute wooden toys

bpa-free bottles and feeding gear

all-natural bath and body items, organic clothes, and more.

offer ends midnight tonight.

disclosure: i earn referral credits if friends join through my link. if you join, you also get a $5 credit, so deals abound for both of us:)

Boiron winner

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:35:00 +0000

comment #2, christie, won the boiron camilia giveaway. congrats!

Natural Teething Relief from Boiron {and Giveaway}

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:55:00 +0000

After months of gnawing everything in sight, my nine month-old finally has little teeth poking through--six at once!

James is a pretty pleasant, easygoing kid, so when he seems cranky, I assume his gums are bothering him. I've been giving him Boiron Camilia, and it seems to offer him quick relief. When he's uncomfortable, it can be hard to get him to nurse. He's restless and flairs around wildly, but soon after a dose of Camilia, James stops fussing, nurses, and is able to sleep better.

I love homeopathic medicine, especially for my kids. Camilia is natural and contains no dyes, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, no side effects, no recalls(!), and it works. Camilia also has no sugar or alcohol, and there is no risk of overdosing.

Boiron's Camilia liquid doses come in sterile, pre-measured plastic. (Another homeopathic teething brand, Hyland, sells tablets.) Although I'm not a huge fan of the extra packaging, I do appreciate the ease of use and the way their product travels easily. (Hyland's product works similarly, but their packaging is not baby safe: my toddler got into a bottle!)

James never refused or spit out a Camilia dose, which I consider a triumph, considering he'd never had anything other than breast milk the first time I offered it.

After Tylenol and Motrin recalled nearly their entire stock of infant and children's products earlier this year, it is a relief to find a trustworthy, natural alternative that works for teething pain and discomfort.

Boiron is giving away a box of Camilia for one {so much reviews} reader to try. For a chance to win, just leave a comment saying how you handle teething troubles with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger.) Good luck! (Winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday August 11.)

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If you're visiting here for the first time, welcome! I hope you'll subscribe to {so much reviews} and never miss a giveaway, coupon code, or green review. You can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter.

Boiron provided me with a sample but I was not otherwise compensated (or compelled) to write this review. As a mama, I just wanted to share something that works for our family and keeps our babe happy:)

great deal on charlie's soap

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:21:00 +0000

even though we've been making our own laundry soap, when i saw this deal, i didn't want to pass it up.

amazon has 2.64 lb bags of charlie's soap for $9.80. (the list price is $15.49.) one bag does 80 loads, since you only use 1 Tbsp. it's ideal for washing diapers since it rinses so clean, and there are no dyes, fragrance, or fillers to irritate sensitive skin. it's good stuff and so much more natural than the stuff marketed for baby laundry.

non-toxic toys from CSN

noreply@blogger.com (suzannah | the smitten word) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:05:00 +0000

if you're searching for a coffee maker, crib, or almost anything else, CSN's 200+ stores are stocked with things for house and home.

their store, all children's furniture, has a great selection of earth-friendly toys that can be accessed just below the navigation bar: clicking "go green" will direct you to their eco-friendly products.

how cute is this little guy?

this Challenge & Fun Keptin-Jr doll is made from organic cotton terry and jersey and stuffed with cozy wool.

CSN carries a variety of Plan Toys, including doll houses and adorable furniture.

isn't this the sweetest dollhouse playground? it's non-toxic and made of rubberwood.

even though my daughter isn't all that enamored with blocks, i love them, especially brightly colored ones like these from Boikodo, which meet european as well as US safety standards:

CSN's shipping is fast, their prices are competitive, and they occasionally send coupon codes to email subscribers for even better deals. it a nice place to order a gift or something for your home.

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this post is sponsored by CSN.