The Review Stew

Nielsen-Massey Organic Vanilla Extract Review and Giveaway

2012-06-01T09:06:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite ingredients to use when baking and cooking is Vanilla! I love that Nielsen-Massey offers ORGANIC Vanilla so my food not only tastes great, but is fully organic too...even down to the very last drop of Vanilla used!

At Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, they have been crafting the world's finest vanillas and flavors since 1907. Their products can be found throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand and are enjoyed by restaurant and bakery chefs, manufacturers of premium foods, gourmet food shops and grocers and discriminating home consumers looking to enhance their fine cooking and baking.

Their Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract offers the same outstanding flavor and high quality as our traditional extract but features only certified organic ingredients. Made using their proprietary cold extraction process, this is an exceptional "all-purpose" vanilla that's ideal for general cooking and baking. Add this sweet, creamy and mellow extract to any recipe in which you desire the undeniable flavor and aroma of pure vanilla.

One tablespoon of vanilla extract is equivalent to one vanilla bean.

It is available in 2-, 4- , 8- and 32-ounce bottles. This product is certified USDA Organic by QAI (Quality Assurance International). This product is also Kosher and Gluten-Free Certified as well as All-Natural and Allergen-Free.

Ingredients: Water, Organic Alcohol (35%), Organic Vanilla Bean Extractives.

But keep in mind Nielsen-Massey Vanillas isn't just for baking! They add depth to marinades and sauces, and add a signature taste to summer cocktails. Try this smoky Nielsen-Massey BBQ sauce recipe:

Make sure to try this recipe this summer for a family barbecue!

Buy It: You can purchase the Nielsen-Massey Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract at fine groceries, department stores and specialty and gourmet food shops.

Win It: Nielsen-Massey is generously offering (1) 2 oz bottle of the Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) 2 oz Bottle of the Neilsen-Massey Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Neilsen-Massey for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

I Am Running My Baby Weight Off in Kinvara 3 Shoes!

2012-05-31T10:48:00.000-05:00

I come from a big track, running and cross country family, but I was the odd one and have HATED running my entire life...

...until I had my first child and hadn't lost the baby weight even after a year!

I decided drastic change was needed and I got my butt on the treadmill and outside and went from only being able to walk to running for over an hour at a time! I gradually began to love the adrenaline rush, the weight dropping off like crazy, and the stress relief! I couldn't believe it but I became a running fan! I have run several races including a 5K and 10K and I love it!

Now that I just had my second baby, I am chomping at the bit to get back to running! I can't wait to see the baby weight GO AWAY and it is the only time in the day I get FOR ME! :)

The other reason I am so excited to get back to running is my new running shoes that have given me that little extra push and ambition to find the energy to get off my butt during the day - the new Kinvara 3 from Saucony! With shoes this awesome, it makes me EXCITED to run and run IN THEM!

Recently, Saucony unveiled the all-new Kinvara 3, the third update to the brand’s award-winning natural motion running shoe. The Kinvara 3 weighs only 7.7 ounces (based on a men’s size 9)and is a performance training shoe with a 4mm heel-to-toe offset that positions the runner’s foot during impact in a way that creates a greater range of motion than traditional running shoes (with a 12mm heel-to-toe offset) for the Gastrocnemius-Soleus-Achilles tendon system, allowing for a more powerful running stride.

This shoe features so much technology, but yet so little shoe. They've redesigned the look of their most popular shoe, but kept the fit, feel and ride consistent with its predecessor. The upper now features FlexFilm™, a strong yet pliable material innovation that adapts to your foot and provides a lightweight, seamless feel. Inside the shoe, anatomically-contoured memory foam heel pods secure a perfect fit.

In the midsole, ProGrid™ technology provides a unique blend of responsiveness and cushion, and the heel crashpad has been beveled for an even smoother ride as the runner transitions through the gait cycle. Finally, after examining wear patterns on hundreds of test shoes, the outsole was upgraded through the addition of placements of carbon rubber for enhanced durability.

Both my husband and I received a pair of Kinvara 3 shoes! I received the Women's purple and gray pair and my husband received the Men's blue and white pair! I love the colors they have available! They are fun and flashy and you are sure to find a pair that matches your running personality! :)

As a runner, I love how lightweight these shoes are! When I took them out of the box, my husband and I couldn't believe how light they were! These are by far the lightest running shoes I have ever seen that also have great cushioning!

However, just because they are lightweight doesn't mean the material isn't durable or comfortable! I have ran many miles in these shoes already and they still look brand new and still just as comfortable as the first time I slipped them on!

These shoes are pretty narrow so I do wish we would have got the wide pairs that are available for our wide feet but overall I love everything about these shoes and they have conformed to my feet the more miles I run in them! Both my husband and I run in these shoes frequently and have no complaints!

These shoes are lightweight but yet still have A LOT of support and width for good balance and stability. And they have a lot of support and width without being bulky and heavy!

The shoes really adapt to your feet and they have really thought of everything with this shoe! If you are looking for a lightweight but yet supportive running shoe, you have got to check out the Kinvara 3.

They say third time is the charm and I think that definitely applies to the Kinvara 3! They definitely got it right this time!

Buy It: You can purchase the Kinvara 3 at select specialty run retailers in men’s sizes 7-13, 14 and 15, and women’s sizes 5-12. The suggested retail price of the Kinvara 3 is $100. To find a retailer near you, call 800-365-4933 or visit www.saucony.com.

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* Thank you to Saucony for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

GroVia Newborn All-in-One Cloth Diaper Review and Giveaway

2012-05-31T08:05:00.000-05:00

I am trying to get back into the cloth diapering mode with my two month old. It has been awhile since I diapered any baby and my daughter is so tiny, I didn't have any cloth diapers that fit her! I am slowly building my newborn diaper supply up and one of the first places I went to look for newborn diapers is one of my favorite online natural baby stores - Thanks Mama! They have such an amazing selection of diapers and other natural items and I have loved the Happy Heiny's One Size Pocket Diaper and the Organic Playpen Sheet I previously received from Thanks Mama! I knew they would have just what I was looking for and I was RIGHT!

Thanksmama.com is dedicated to bringing the best cloth diapers, training pants and swim diapers on the market at the best value. They have many cloth diaper packages that have volume discounts built in, many come with complementary products and make shopping for cloth diapers in bulk easy. Cloth diapers for parents that are new to cloth are also available; they are great for trying different types and brands of cloth diapers. Thanks Mama has knowledgeable customer service that would be happy to help with any questions or concerns.

Thanksmama.com is a family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

I generously received the GroVia Newborn All-in-One Cloth Diaper. This diaper is designed specifically for newborns with a super absorbent, organic cotton inner with a soft layer of water resistant TPU outer.

Simply snap on baby and go. It's that easy!

This GroVia Newborn diaper is one of the BEST diapers I have used with my children of any size or brand!!

This diaper fit my newborn daughter perfectly and it was SO EASY to put on! I love that their are no inserts to stick in or snap on (or to lose!).

I just simply grab this diaper and stick it on! It fits my daughter's tiny waist and legs perfectly and I love the fun design!

It features:

Adjustable rise snaps for a trim fit
Certified organic cotton inner
Soft layer of water resistant TPU
No cover needed
No stuffing, no doublers

I love the snaps! They are so easy to snap and they also help adjust the diaper to grow with my daughter!

The diaper washes easily and dries quickly! I couldn't ask for anything more in a diaper! I always reach for this diaper when it is clean and I always want to do wash so it is clean! :)

Isn't my daughter adorable in it? :)

If you want to be up to date on everything cloth diapers, know about current promotions, want to read and participate in discussions about natural parenting, modern family fun and challenges, green living; not to mention participate in weekly Giveaways, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties and Contests, make sure to follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +.

Buy It: You can purchase the GroVia Newborn All-in-One Cloth Diaper for $10.46 on the Thanks Mama website.

Win It: Thanks Mama is generously offering (1) $20 gift certificate to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) $20 Thanksmama.com Gift Certificate
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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* Thank you to Thanks Mama for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Eat A Good Nature's Path Breakfast Every Morning!

2012-05-30T09:02:00.000-05:00

We L-O-V-E breakfast in our house!

Breakfast is such an important part of the day for health, energy, and weight loss and we love have to eat a good, hearty, and organic breakfast every morning!

The brand I find us eating every morning is Nature's Path Organic foods ranging from their oatmeal for my son, their toaster pastries for me, and their breakfast cereal for my husband! They have such an amazing variety of organic foods and I proudly give them to my family knowing they are healthy and organic!

Founded by Arran and Ratana Stephens in 1985, Nature’s Path Organic Foods® was formed because of their passion for creating healthy, delicious, organic breakfast food. It’s Nature’s Path’s reason for being, which explains why it is the number one organic cereal manufacturer in North America.

We received some delicious items (in this cool suitcase looking package above) from Nature's Path Organic to try and they were honestly all a hit!

The Optimum® Blueberry Cinnamon Flax Cereal was my husband's favorite and it was gone before I could try much! However, I did sneak a bowl one morning and it was so sweet, cinammony, and crunchy - the perfect mix! I love the added blueberry for some fruit and I felt great eating this cereal at the start of my day because it was nutritious and organic!

We also received the Apple Cinnamon Hot Oatmeal, Strawberry Toaster Pastries and Peanut Butter Crunch granola bars! I love that these foods taste like other similar mainstream products...but WITHOUT all the JUNKY ingredients that other products contain! The Toaster Pastries are my special treat for breakfast or snack and I absolutely love the sweetness and taste! I also snack on the granola bars for a little boost throughout the day!

There are just so many great products from Nature's Path - you have got to head over to the Nature's Path website and check out their amazing organic selection! If you are looking to switch over to organic foods but don't want to compromise taste or give up your favorite non-organic foods, I bet Nature's Path offers an equally delicious ORGANIC alternative!

Buy It: You can purchase all Nature's Path products at local retailers near you!

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Nature's Path for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Can you find the Pretty Little Lies?

2012-05-29T10:17:00.000-05:00

Last year, my sisters and sister-in-law got me hooked on a little show called PRETTY LITTLE LIARS! I am sure you have heard of it because it is a very captivating and fun show and if you haven't, you are really missing out!

I am so excited that the second season of Pretty Little Liars will soon be out on DVD (on June 5 - my birthday!!)! In the weeks leading to the release of Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Second Season on DVD there is a fun little challenge called 'Find the Pretty Little Lies' which will entail video clips from the second season. The challenge will be to guess who said specific lines or to find hidden characters from within the season for a chance to win Heather Belle Bags, Accessories and DVDs Signed By The Cast.

It is really fun and gives you a great chance to remember great moments and scenes from Season 2 along with a chance to win great prizes!! So hurry over and challenge yourself...and check out all the great prizes! YOU could WIN them!

Also, make sure to grab up Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Season on DVD on June 5 from the wbshop: http://bit.ly/KOAkwO

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* I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Pretty Little Liars.*

MyBinding.com Laminator Review and Giveaway

2012-05-29T08:22:00.000-05:00

I love doing crafts and projects with my son! He also loves to match animal flashcards, trace his letters and color lots and lots of pictures!!

The only problem that I have is that I have no way to save them or preserve some of his best work or his flashcards so he can use them over and over again! Once he uses them a couple of time, they get crumpled, bent or ripped and I am forced to throw them away.

I have always wished for a laminator more times than I can count and recently MyBinding.com became my fairy godmother and granted me my wish!!

MyBinding.com is an Oregon-based family-owned company. They specialize in binding machines and supplies, laminators and supplies, 3-ring binders, whiteboards, and so much more. Their large warehouse space is full of products ready for immediate shipment and they offer free shipping on all orders over $75. MyBinding.com also staffs a customer service department, ready to answer questions, recommend products, take orders, and anything else you might need.

I generously received the awesome GBC 9" Creative Laminator which is specifically designed for home, school, or small office use, and has the great quality GBC brand behind it! This laminating machine offers a 9" wide throat that is designed for use with 3 MIL and 5 MIL laminating pouches that are up to 8.5" x 14" (legal) size.

The best part about the GBC 9" Creative Laminator is that it is economical making it a great option for a home user who wants to create craft projects, signs, bookmarks, placemats, drink holders, luggage tags, ID badges and stickers.

9" throat for use with a variety of pouch sizes
Laminates up to 5 MIL pouches
Warm up time is approx. 6 minutes
Operates at a fixed speed of 10" per minute
Photo quality lamination

I love how small and economical this laminator is so I can fit it in our craft corner without taking up a lot of room. However, it does a great job laminating all my letter sized projects including my son's artwork, signs I make, educational materials, recipes and pretty much anything I want preserved and protected!

I can't wait to save all my son's future artwork with this laminator and also make all our educational materials like flashcards, letter sheets, and tracing sheets last more than one or a couple uses! A laminator is perfect for protecting EVERYTHING from a two year old's touch! :)

Buy It: You can purchase the GBC 9" Creative Laminator and other sized laminators from MyBinding.com

Win It: MyBinding.com is generously offering (1) GBC 4.5" laminator to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) GBC 4.5" Laminator
from MyBinding.com
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to MyBinding.com for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Shoplet Sanford Writing Pens Review

2012-05-28T10:42:00.000-05:00

Some of my favorite office supplies companies is Sanford and their Sharpie products! I use a Sharpie almost on a daily basis for various products around the house and it is important to have a good one on hand when it is needed for projects, crafts, CD's, and other things!

Shoplet.com offers a great selection and I recently received three great items from Sanford: the Paper Mate InkJoy 700 RT Ballpoint Pen, Sharpie Premium Pen, and the Sharpie Gel Highlighter.

The Paper Mate InkJoy 700 RT Ballpoint Pen is sold in a set of four and gives the best in effortless writing. I LOVE that it starts quickly without dragging, requires minimal pressure from the hand and delivers crisp, clean lines every time. I love how they write and it is now my choice of ballpoint pen every time I am looking for one!

It also combines an hourglass shape with rubberized grip to provide comfort and control. This pen definitely writes better than most pens I have owned before so I LOVE that there are four in a package!! I can put one in each room I am usually looking for a pen in!

The Sharpie Premium Pen offers a smooth, high-quality writing experience and delivers clean and concise lines that are permanent and smear-resistant.

Like I mentioned, I use Sharpie markers often so I loved that this Sharpie was a pen and had very fine print. It is great for using to write titles on burned CD's, writing messages on cards and crafts, and using for almost anything!! It is definitely the best permanent marker I have ever used!

The Sharpie Gel Highlighter is SO COOL! It features gel stick technology which provides the strongest smear protection across pen and marker inks and ink jet printouts. It won't dry out if left uncapped or bleed through paper. It works great on all paper surfaces, including glossy or thin papers and conforms to your handwriting style and writes as long as a traditional pen-style highlighter. The highlighters also features twist bottom to advance gel stick.

I have never used a gel highlighter and so it was so weird at first using these! But it was so fun and weird to use these because they were so different from other highlighters! They went on so smoothly and I love that they don't dry out if I forget to cap it and it never bleeds through the paper! I definitely recommend these highlighters if you highlight things frequently!

Next time you need new ballpoint pens, highlighters, or permanent markers, check out the Sanford products from Shoplet.com.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Shoplet.com for their products for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Bob The Builder: Adventures By The Seas

2012-05-25T17:11:00.000-05:00

Join Bob The Builder™ And His Can-Do Crew For Building Fun In The Sun!

BOB THE BUILDER:

ADVENTURES BY THE SEA

Available On DVD, Digital Download And On Demand

May 22, 2012 From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

Bob and his Can-Do Crew are making waves and having fun in five new, sea-themed adventures in construction in Bob the Builder™: Adventures by the Sea, sailing onto DVD, Digital Download and On Demand May 22, 2012 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. From facing fears, correcting mistakes, doing good work and always getting the job done, Bob’s the man and when you’re on his team, life’s a beach!

Bob the Builder™ and his machine team "sea" lots of new ways to work together to get jobs done in and around Fixham Harbor in these five exciting stories. Scoop must make a creative seaside rescue to get the lighthouse lens shining again! Scratch realizes that admitting mistakes is the best way to be cool; the team comes to the rescue when Muck’s sandcastle compromises their big job. Scrambler shows that the key to bravery is admitting your fears. Bob and the Can-Do Crew get the job done and find success by the sea with sand, water, sun and friends!

Episodes include:
· “Scoop’s Sea Rescue”
· “Pineapple Scratch”
· “Muck’s Beach Tower”
· “Here Comes Muck”
· “Scrambler Gets Clean”

DVD BONUS FEATURES
· “Digger with a Heart of Gold” Music Video
· “Mixin’ It Up” Music Video

My son LOVES Bob The Builder and this was the first DVD he saw with him in it! He LOVED it and wanted to build just like Bob the rest of the day!

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to HIT Entertainment for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Give Your Dad the Unique Gift of StubHub Tickets!

2012-05-25T12:06:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to share with you today one of the most unique, but yet, fun and personal Father's Day gift - the gift of tickets to a sporting event, concert, or other event of THEIR choice! StubHub is the world’s largest ticket marketplace and they have got the perfect ticket for any father!

If your father, husband, or special man in your life is a big sports fan, StubHub has got the perfect sporting event ticket packages. StubHub has teamed up with Premiere Global Sports to provide amazing event packages, designed to put you and Dad in the center of the action, with fantasy perks like VIP parties, preferred lodging, exclusive meet and greets, behind-the-scenes activities, and more. These packages would be perfect to take Dad to an experience he’ll never forget. For example, if Dad is a huge golf fan, they have packages for the 2012 U.S. Open in San Francisco, which would include overnight stays at the luxurious Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, as well as tickets to the event and transportation. As the final round of the tournament falls on Father’s Day, and what a great way to share that experience with him.

If you’re on a budget or want to give Dad the freedom to choose his favorite event, then give him a StubHub gift certificate – you choose the price and Dad chooses the event. You can easily purchase gift certificates online, print a regular hard-copy gift certificate or send a gift announcement letting your dad know you have purchased tickets to his favorite game or concert.

If you’re a last-minute shopper, don’t worry, StubHub reinvented the ticket space and created its FanProtect Guarantee, so tickets are guaranteed and often available until the very last minute before the event. With this in mind, you may want to consider purchasing tickets to a MLB game or take Dad to Broadway to see Magic/Bird, about his favorite basketball players and are timed perfectly with Father’s Day.

I absolutely loved looking through their awesome selection of concerts, sporting events, and other fun events on the StubHub website. My husband was so excited to be able to pick ANY event he wants - he said it was one of his favorite Father's Day gifts ever!

StubHub also has some great tips for your Dad for getting the best deals on tickets:

· Specifically for concerts and music events, you will get the lowest ticket prices if you buy 1-2 months prior to the event.
· If Dad wants tickets to his favorite game, StubHub encourages last-minute ticket buying because prices often decrease right before game time. However, if Dad considers seating location a priority, he’ll want to purchase tickets sooner, as seat selection is always lower when buying last-minute.

StubHub says give Dad something he can do, and a gift he’ll always remember, instead of ties or cufflinks that will just collect dust in his closet!

Buy It: Head to StubHub's website to buy tickets for your favorite Dad or to give him a StubHub gift certificate!

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to StubHub for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Snack on Stretch Island Fruit Co. Fruit Strips This Summer!

2012-05-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

Pound for pound, fruits are among the healthiest foods a person can consume, offering numerous benefits (from antioxidants to vitamin C to potassium to fiber) in huge quantities that other foods cannot match. However, it can be frustrating when a favorite fruit is out of season, driving up prices and impacting the freshness, and taste quality.

One simple way to enjoy a wide variety of fruits no matter what the season, and in a form that won’t ever brown or bruise, is by stocking up on plenty of Stretch Island Fruit Co. Fruit Strips. These all-natural leathers provide one half serving of fruit and contain nothing artificial. They make a delicious and nutritious snacking option when the fruit you crave is not in season.

They have great variety of flavors including, Stretch Island Orchard Cherry, Harvest Grape, Autumn Apples, Mango Sunrise, and Summer Strawberry!

These Fruit Strips are perfect for throwing in the picnic basket this summer, eating on road trips and family vacations, and throwing in the diaper bag for a nutritious and delicious snack! Plus, they aren't messy like fruit can be!

All these fruit strips are:

½ serving of fruit
100% natural
No artificial additives
Real-fruit purée
No added sugar – all sugar comes naturally from fruit
Try all seven mouthwatering flavors.

I love that they don't add any sugar so I feel good giving my son these for snack! I don't like to share too often though because I really like to eat these myself! It makes it easy for a busy mother of two children under two like me to get my fruit servings and eat quickly! :)

If you are looking for a healthy, delicious, and quick snack this summer for you or your kids, turn to Stretch Island Fruit Co. and their seven varieties of Fruit Strips!

Buy It: You can purchase all Stretch Island Fruit Co. Fruit Strips on the Stretch Island Fruit Co. website.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Stretch Island Fruit Co. for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Give Any Expecting Mom a Bundle of Joy!

2012-05-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sending surprise packages to expectant moms in the mail with items they need for pregnancy and for their new baby seems to be the new trend! And I can see why! Everybody loves to receive packages in the mail and to feel loved, especially pregnant or new moms who are so tired, under appreciated, and overwhelmed!

Bundle of Joy is the latest company to showcase their fabulous bundles and gifts for expecting moms! They are a company started by six like-minded Harvard Business School students who got together to try to make pregnancy even more fun!

As you all know, pregnancy can be a lot of ups and downs and their “Blissful” and “Bountiful” bundles are gift baskets full of products selected to address some of the unique needs of pregnant women and products that are just exciting to use and consume.

I received the Bundle Of Joy's most extravagant bundle - the Bountiful Bundle - and it is perfect for the mother-to-be who who deserves to be pampered with a lavish collection of the best, highest-quality products on the market.

This bundle included lotions, tea, and my favorite - chocolate! These are all items that all pregnant woman need and CRAVE during pregnancy! :) They all smelled great, are high quality and are great for pampering all the achy body parts of a pregnant woman!

I love that with Bundle of Joy, you don't have to buy a monthly membership like I have seen with other gift companies and they also offer two different priced packages for all budgets!

The only thing that would make this company and bundles even better is if there was an eco-friendly, natural, and organic bundle. I know many pregnant woman (me included!) really care about what goes in their bodies and on their skin during pregnancy (and beyond!) so I think it is super important to offer that!

If you are looking for a unique and special gift to make an expecting mother's day extra special and feel extra love, then give a Bundle of Joy gift bundle to any expecting mother-to-be in your life!

Buy It: You can purchase the Bountiful Bundle for $85 including shipping and tax and the Blissful Bundle for $45 including shipping and tax from the Bundle of Joy website.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Bundle of Joy for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Book Review: Wish You Were Here by Beth K. Vogt

2012-05-24T13:47:00.000-05:00

About the book:

Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong. The huge wedding. The frothy dress. And the groom. Still, kissing the groom's brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison's life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a "Runaway Bride" complete with stealing, er, borrowing her best friend's car doesn't seem to solve her problems. Can Allison find her way out of this mess? Maybe she just needs to stop orchestrating everything. Allison prefers being the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.

About Beth:

Beth K. Vogt provides her readers with a happily ever after woven through with humor, reality, and God's lavish grace. She's a non-fiction author and editor who said she'd never write fiction. She's the wife of an Air Force physician (now in solo practice) who said she'd never marry a doctor-or anyone in the military. She's a mom of four who said she'd never have kids. Beth has discovered that God's best often waits behind the doors marked "Never." She writes contemporary romance because she believes there's more to happily ever after than the fairy tales tell us. Beth earned a journalism degree from San Jose State University and met her husband Rob when he knocked her down at a karate studio. They've been married for 31 years. They have four children, ranging in ages from 28, 25, 23 and - thanks to a funny thing happening on their way to the empty nest-a 10-year-old. The Vogt Team, which now includes a "daughter-in-love" and "son-in-love," enjoys hiking and camping in Colorado. Read more about Beth at her website: http://bethvogt.com

My Opinion

This was another great contemporary Christian fiction book and I really enjoyed reading it and being reminded that God has a plan and we should trust him...even when things seem to be going all wrong!

Because of books like this one, I am starting to really enjoy and seek out contemporary fiction books to read instead of my usual historical fiction favorites!

To see what other readers thought, check out this link: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13480251

Buy It: You can purchase Wish You Were Here for $10.98 on Amazon.com

Win an iPad2 from @BethVogt!

Celebrate with Beth by entering her Wish You Were Here Giveaway!

One "happy" winner will receive:

A brand new iPad with Wi-Fi (The must-have, do-everything gadget!)
Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt (Swoon worthy.)
$15 iTunes Gift Card (Music, books, apps, & more.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 6/4/12. The winner will be announced 6/6/12 on Beth's website!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Beth's giveaway
on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Litfuse for their book for review! Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

DryBees Hybrids Diaper Review and Giveaway

2012-05-24T12:28:00.000-05:00

My daughter is T-I-N-Y so it has been really hard to get back into the rhythm of cloth diapering her because no diapers I had fit her!

I soon got sick of all the disposable diapers I was going through and all the waste I was creating so I set out to find a cloth diaper that would fit a small newborn like mine!

The minute I saw the DryBees All In One/ Pocket Hybrids diaper from Greenie Beanie Bottoms, I hoped it would make a great fit for my daughter. The size small that I received said it fit 6-16 lbs so I hoped it would fit my 8 lb newborn daughter but also last for many more months...especially at the slow rate she is growing! :)

The DryBees All In One Hybrid Diapers are made from the same pattern as the traditional DryBees pocket style diapers, but these have their own three layer microfiber insert enclosed within the body of the diaper and leg casings for a sure fit.

I love the microfiber material because it dries quickly but absorbs a lot! Also, I love that it is both an All-in-One diaper because the soaker is sewn in but also a pocket diaper because it has a pocket for an additional insert if needed...thus the Hybrid name! These unique qualities makes it the perfect solution for the heavier wetter, day trips or night time use.

I love the deep purple color I received and I love the great selection of colors they offer! Picking out the perfect color for your child is the best part about cloth diapering! :)

However, sadly this diaper was WAY too BIG on my 8 lb daughter. It says a small should fit a 6 lb and up but this diaper was really big on my daughter's legs and waist. You can see in the pictures above that the legs are really big and would leak if she would wear it right now. Also, the waist is too big as well because they do not have overlapping closures.

As you can see above, it is quite a bit bigger than other diapers that fit her right now.

When my daughter fits in this diaper, I will LOVE it because it is so easy to put on - just like a disposable. Plus, if you need extra protection, like at night and naptime, then you can add additional layers into the pocket! Just beware of the sizing. It will not fit a newborn...at least not one as skinny as mine! :)

Buy It: You can purchase the DryBees All in One/Hybrid Diaper for $16.95 on the Green Beanie Bottoms website.

Win It: Green Beanie Bottoms is generously offering (1) DryBees Hybrid Diaper (in your choice of instock size/color) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) DryBees All in One/Hybrid Diaper
from Green Beanie Bottoms
(in your choice of instock size/color)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Greenie Beanie Bottoms for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Jill Miller - Coregeous: A Strong Core a Beautiful You

2012-05-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

As an athletic trainer, I am always on the lookout for great exercises and workouts for injury recovery and rehabilitation! I found a really unique workout DVD for all people who are recovering from injuries or want to overcome core and abdominal weakness caused by underuse, over-training, injury, or scar tissue.

Coregeous with Jill Miller (Yoga Tune Up) is a specialized layer-by-layer strength building program that helps you to overcome core and abdominal weakness caused by underuse, over-training, injury, or scar tissue. It restores facility and function to your entire torso by improving biomechanics, mobility, and stability to the multiple tissues surrounding, supporting and enveloping your spine and core.

4 Main Sequences Include:
- Core Re-Form provides a deep tissue massage to release knots and trigger points while activating connections to key respiratory muscles that support your spine and core.
- Get COREganized establishes proper spinal alignment and breathing patterns by using all of your ''Coreso'' muscles to improve access to the innermost abs including transverse abdominals, diaphragm, iliopsoas, obliques, and more!
- InCOREporate builds a strong lower back and revitalizes the muscles of the ribcage to stitch the seams of your torso together from top to bottom. Awaken your quadratus lumborum, lattisimus dorsi, serratus anterior and more!
- Get COREgeous challenges your balance and engages all of your core muscles to master stability, agility and fluidity while challenging your balance in different gravitational planes. The entire body works together as one seamless unit.

Plus, you get 3 Specialty Sequences with this DVD:

Tubular Core Activation establishes proper breath mechanics, while Abdominal Massage improves overall circulation and locates abdominal knots and adhesions that prevent functional core reactivity, and Abdominal Churning shows you the spellbinding possibilities of ''coreso'' mastery.

The only drawbacks for me for this DVD is that you do need props: Stability Ball, YTU Therapy Balls, Soft Sponge Ball, Yoga Block are recommended. However, what is great is that they offer alternatives if you don't have the money or time to buy these more expensive props. You can substitute with tennis balls, blanket, and large book!

If you are recovering from an injury and what a great workout that retrains your muscles and core, try out Coregeous!

Buy It: You can purchase Coregeous for $19.95 on the Yoga Tune Up website.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Fit PR for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars

2012-05-24T09:24:00.002-05:00

Embark On Fantastic Adventures With Barney™ And Friends In An All New Tee-Riffic Transportation Exploration!

BARNEY: PLANES, TRAINS & CARS

Available On DVD, Digital Download And

On Demand May 15, 2012

From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

Come along for a dino-mite ride filled with laughter, friends, fun and song with preschool favorite Barney™ and his playground pals in Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars, arriving on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand May 15, 2012 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Let your child’s imagination be their guide as they trek to places near and far by air, ground, rail and sea – all without ever leaving the comfort of your home – in these four new, transportation-themed adventures.

Trusted by moms and adored by children, Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning on television and online and through live events, home entertainment, toys and publishing. The Emmy® award-winning series, Barney & Friends™ is one of the top-rated preschool shows today, airing on PBS KIDS® and Sprout®.

SYNOPSIS

Beep beep! Toot toot! Make way for Barney™ and friends as they embark on fantastic adventures to places near and far. Using planes, trains, cars, boats and their imaginations, Barney engineers fun with songs and stories about exciting places. He shares important safety tips with kids such as buckling seatbelts and more. Join Barney for some Tee-riffic transportation exploration!

Episodes Include:
“On the Road Again”
“Airplanes”
“The Magic Caboose”
“Way to Go”

DVD BONUS FEATURES
· Barney’s Color Train Read-Along
· Barney’s Loop De Loop Counting Game

VOD/DIGITAL BONUS FEATURE
· “Glad To Be Me” Bonus Episode

Barney once again takes my son on a great adventure that he talks about for days! He loves to watch Barney use his imagination and visit exciting places! I love that he makes everyday things like wearing a seat belt and other safety precautions seem fun for children so they never argue about doing it again!

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to HIT Entertainment for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Coastal.com Sunglasses Review

2012-05-23T12:36:00.000-05:00

Spring is here and so is the warm weather! Summer comes in June and so does Father's Day! What does that all equal...that sunglasses make a GREAT gift idea for any father this Father's Day!

And what better place to shop for them than Coastal.com, the planet’s biggest online eyewear company. Coastal empowers its customers to easily browse, try on and buy eyewear online—saving time, money and sanity. They have over 1,000 styles of frames on their site, and if you're a first time customer the first pair is free!

I received two great pairs of name brand sunglasses: Ray-Ban 3421 00471 and Oakley Grapevine Polished Black sunglasses from Coastal.com for my husband for Father's Day! Except I just couldn't wait until Father's Day to give them to him...and he was so glad I didn't!! :)

Whether you’re playing sports or lounging on a patio with the guys, the Ray-Ban 3421 00471 sunglasses will be your go-to look of the summer. The frame front is made of dark gunmetal and it’s paired with glossy black acetate temples for a cool, sleek look. They even offer adjustable nose pads to offer the perfect fit.

This Ray-Ban pair is my husband's favorite pair of sunglasses ever! He looks sleek, professional, and fashionable with them on (and quite handsome, if I do say so myself!) and they fit great! He likes to wear this in the car driving, outside lounging on the deck, and pretty much ANYWHERE! He definitely recommends these for all men!

The Oakley Grapevine Polished Black sunglasses offer strength with a sporty vibe. The comfortable fitting design is solid and lightweight and the lenses curve on a wide angle to provide better peripheral vision. The black gradient lenses offer 100% UV protection while optimizing impact resistance.

Here's the problem with these Oakley's - we think they are more aimed for women. They didn't say anywhere on the site if they are men's or women's and from the picture alone you couldn't quite tell. However, once my husband put them on, he started to look like a celebrity....woman. These glasses have the over sized frames you see on many celebrity women and they sat higher on his face. He was really sad once I started making fun of him because he loved the way they fit and felt! They were really comfortable to wear and he loved to wear them while riding on his motorcycle because they stayed on and fit great! Now he wishes the site would have said whether they were women's or men's so he wouldn't have gotten made fun of at work! :) However, he definitely recommends them for women! :)

Overall, I loved the selection of sunglasses for men from Coastal.com. They offer great, name brand sunglasses for a great price and they would make a great gift idea for any father this Father's Day...especially with summer right around the corner!

Buy It: You can purchase the pairs I mentioned above and many more great pairs of sunglasses from Coastal.com

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Coastal.com for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Good Karmal Caramels Review

2012-05-23T10:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know...it must seem like all I eat is Candy and Sweets...

I sure WISH that was true! :)

Especially when it comes to eating Good Karmal caramels! These caramels are seriously the best caramels I have ever eaten...and each one is wrapped with a quote to help inspire my day!

I received the “Sweet Baby” Caramel Gift Basket (to reward myself for my 12 hour labor seven weeks ago!) and what a reward it was! My husband wasn't allowed any of these delicious caramels because I wanted them all for myself. After all, he didn't have to waddle around for 9 months (ok, maybe I only waddled for about three, but still!), have a 12 hour labor and push a baby out of his body, right?

In this super cute basket, they take their melt-in-your-mouth, salted and flavored caramels and sweetened each one with tiny footprints and quotes about babies and parenting. They were quite inspiring as I went through the tough first six weeks with my daughter. Not only did I get to eat my stress away, but I got a great quote while doing it! :)

The basket was so cutely wrapped in a keepsake basket hand-woven from the leaf of the Pandan tree, a completely renewable resource. And they even threw in a couple of other samples for me! THANK YOU GOOD KARMAL!

Now these are not just plain ole' caramels...they come in several varieties and it is really hard to say which one was my favorite! Vanilla, Sea Salt, Chocolate Sea Salt, Café Caramel, Caramel Apple, and Chipotle - don't they all sound heavenly! I think if I HAD to choose, I would choose Vanilla or Sea Salt - they were just so darn good!

And to top it all off, they are based in Bozeman, MT which is about 30 minutes from where I was born in Livingston, MT! I am so proud to support them and spread the word about a great Montana based company! I LOVE Montana!

If you want to have a melt-in-your-mouth, deliciously sweet, and inspirational caramel, look no further than the amazing varieties of caramels from Good Karmal! They have great gift baskets to choose from and these would definitely make great baby gifts! Every new mother needs to eat her stress away with delicious caramels...at least that is my opinion! :)

Buy It: You can purchase all Good Karmal caramels and gift baskets from the Good Karmal website.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Good Karmal for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Personalized Organic Baby Lovie Review and Giveaway

2012-05-23T07:20:00.000-05:00

Baby Blankets...

Is there anything better??!!

I just love the feel of a super soft, super cuddly organic blanket! I just don't feel like you can ever have enough for your baby and they make great gifts!

The newest fad for baby blankets seem to be the tiny little blanket called a Lovie! You see celebrities' children with them and Pediatricians even recommend them as a security object! My son had one with a little bear on it and now my daughter has a super cute organic Lovie with her name personalized on it from Blanket My Baby!

I absolutely love how soft this Organic Baby Lovie is and that it is made from organic cotton fleece and organic cotton flannel! Absolutely perfect for cuddling and your baby will never want to let go once they get it in their hands!

I love how Blanket My Baby personalizes almost all their blankets with your baby's name! I got to choose my favorite purple color for my daughter's name along with the font and I LOVE how it turned out!

I can't wait for my daughter to love this Lovie when she is a little older as much as I do. I have no doubts she will cling to this Lovie every night as she falls asleep and it will last for many years as a comfort during traveling and at bedtime!

It is the perfect size (14" x 14") for being easy to take anywhere and they are proudly made in the USA which makes me proud to support them!

If you are looking for a security object for your baby, look no further than this organic Baby Lovie from Blanket My Baby! Not only is it super safe with its organic cotton material, super soft, and super perfect for any baby's sensitive skin and touch, but it can have your baby's name put right on it too so you will never lose it! :)

Buy It: You can purchase the Swaddle Designs Organic Baby Lovie for $19.95 on the Blanket My Baby website.

Win It: Blanket My Baby is generously offering (1) PERSONALIZED Swaddle Designs Lovie or Angel Dear blanket of your choice to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) PERSONALIZED Swaddle Designs Lovie or Angel Dear Blankie from Blanket My Baby
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Blanket My Baby for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

PJ's Organics Burritos Review

2012-05-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

I must admit that I don't particularly enjoy cooking.

However, what my family eats and what goes in their bodies is of the utmost important to me.

That poses a problem, huh?

Therefore, I must cook...because I want to only feed my children and husband organic and healthy food! And I actually am starting to enjoy cooking for my family (after 5 years!) because I love to see them enjoy the food I make while knowing it is healthy and organic and great for their bodies!

However, there are days I DO NOT WANT TO COOK! That has seemed to happen a lot lately with a newborn. I am exhausted and the last thing I want to do is figure out a meal, plan it and make it at the end of a long day. And heaven knows, I don't get out of the house to get to the the grocery store...so I never have any ingredients I need either!

This is when I turn to one of my new favorite easy, but healthy and organic meals - PJ's Organics Burritos.

PJ’s Organics is the original and unique brand of healthy, organic frozen burritos. Featuring authentic Mexican seasoning and flavors, this tasty food creation comprises healthy ingredients while flawlessly maintaining its rich flavor.

In 2007, PJ launched the first and only brand of organic meat burritos – using only organic ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. And hand-crafted. They're one of the few businesses that make their own tortillas – and we’ve been hand-rolling everything before it was fashionable. That is why I am trust them to make meals for my family when I just can't find the energy! And GMO's, pesticides, preservatives...won't find them in any of their burritos!

My son especially loves these Burritos in our house! They makes such an easy, quick meal that gives him vegetables, meat, and protein in every bite! Plus, all the ingredients are organic so it is just like I made it for him...without all the work on my part! I will leave that to PJ's Organic! :)

They are easy to heat and, as you can see below, my son LOVES them! He literally asks to have a PJ's Burrito every day. Hmm...does he not like MY cooking? :)

I love the nice selection of different flavors including Traditional Chicken, Steak and Cheese, Skinny, Five Layer, and even a Breakfast Burrito! The only thing I wish for is a Vegetarian option. I am not a big meat person so I would love just a good old beans and cheese version!

So next time you are feeling a little lazy or overwhelmed...or just plain sick of planning meals, turn to PJ's Organic burritos to still give your family a healthy, filling, and organic meal just like you would! It is like having a personal chef in the house that makes the burritos exactly how I would!

Buy It: You can purchase PJ's Organics products nationally at supermarkets and natural food stores. Look for them in the frozen food section of the natural products area.

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to PJ's Organics for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends

2012-05-22T10:22:00.000-05:00

Experience The Epic Adventures And Tales of Friendship That Started It All!

THOMAS & FRIENDS®: ENGINE FRIENDS

CLASSIC COLLECTION 2-DISC SET

Available On DVD, Digital Download And On Demand

May 15, 2012 From Lionsgate And HIT Entertainment

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Aspiring engineers will thrill at over 20 favorite Thomas & Friends® episodes on two DVD discs when Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends, came to DVD, Digital Download and On Demand May 15, 2012 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Thomas, Toby, Percy and more favorite engine friends take you back to first meetings, learn about cooperation and discovery and realize the best adventures of all are the ones you can share with friends. Thomas fans won’t want to miss this timeless collection of Sodor’s finest moments of friendship on the tracks.

DVD SYNOPSIS

All aboard for some of the most memorable stories of friendship from the Island of Sodor! Join Thomas and his friends and learn how the Steam Team first came together; how Percy became Thomas’ best friend, and how every engine tries to be Really Useful! The greatest destinations are often those closest to home…as long as you have your Engine Friends.

Episodes include:
· “Thomas and Bertie’s Great Race”
· “Trouble in the Shed”
· “Saved from Scrap”
· “A New Friend for Thomas”
· “Granpuff”
· “Sleeping Beauty”
· “Make Someone Happy”
· “A Bad Day for Harold”
· “Twin Trouble”
· “Edward the Really Useful Engine”
· “Rusty Saves the Day”
· “Emily's New Coaches”
· “Thomas and the Rainbow”
· “Thomas and the New Engine”
· “Thomas and the Statue”
· “Follow that Flour”
· “Toby's Afternoon Off”
· “Edward Strikes Out”
· “Hide and Peep”
· “Emily and the Garbage”

DVD/VOD BONUS FEATURES
· Sir Topham Hatt’s Scrapbook
· Picture Puzzle Fun
· Who Am I? Trivia Game
· Gordon’s Memory Game
· Which Island Picture is Different?

This DVD was fun to watch Thomas always is and my son loves to watch Thomas and learn lessons along with him on Movie Sundays as he eats his popcorn! :) He talks about the lessons he learns from Thomas all week and I love that he is learning great lessons instead of bad ones like other movies and shows teach kids these days!

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to HIT Entertainement for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

The Candy Store at Target Collection Review and Giveaway

2012-05-22T08:01:00.000-05:00

It is so no secret that I have a sweet tooth...and so does my husband! :) I'll admit it is one of our major weaknesses - we just can't pass up a good chocolate, caramel, or candy!

However, sometimes it is hard to find good quality sweets without having to buy online or pay high shipping charges. Plus, it seems like they just don't make candy like they used to when I was a child!

Luckily for me and my husband - and all you sweet tooths out there - Target has a new exclusive The Candy Store collection available for six weeks starting May 6. All the candy ranges in price from $3.49 to $9.99 so it is really affordable! Plus, they have a great range of candy and many of them are reminiscent of candy from your childhood and will bring back many memories including Bit-O-Honey, Necco Wafers and malted milk balls to assorted taffy, swirl lollipops and pretty tins of almond butter toffee and dark chocolate sea salted caramels.

We received several great candies to try including the Toffee, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels, Taffy, Sour Stars, Gummy Strawberries and assorted Nostalgic Candy. I love the old fashioned containers based on the iconic The Candy Store's glass jars in San Francisco.

They also offer the giant lollipops I remember getting from my Grandma when I was little! I LOVED getting those and I remember loving that they lasted so long!

My favorites from this collection were the Sour Stars and the Chocolate Covered Pretzels!

Best of all, this collection is found right at a Target near you so it is easy to bring back those happy childhood memories and share them with your children so they can create their own! They are all affordable, fun and delicious!

Win It: Target is generously offering (1) Giant Target Candy Prize Pack including 6 candy jars and 4 lollipops in assorted flavors to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) SIX Candy Jars and FOUR Lollipops (in assorted flavors) from the The Candy Store at Target Collection
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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* Thank you to Target for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Hyland's Homeopathic Products Review and Giveaway

2012-05-21T10:12:00.000-05:00

When did your child start teething?

Lucky for me (NOT!), my son acted like he was teething starting at month 3 but didn't actually get his teeth until he was 9 months old! It was nice not getting them until he was a little older...however, that also meant he got 4 teeth within weeks of each other and it was really not fun for Mommy or my son! I think I am still a little traumatized from those months and I am DEFINITELY not looking forward to teething time with my daughter!

As you know, I don't give my children most mainstream medicines or foods. I am really particular about what goes in their bodies and on their skins. If it isn't natural and/or organic, it probably isn't in my house.

Therefore, when teething time and sickness come around, I don't give my children anything that isn't natural including products with Benzocaine, artificial dyes and colors, alcohol and sugars...which eliminates most drugs and medicines sold in stores and given by doctors! It can be hard but I have a couple of natural and homeopathic companies I really trust when these tough times come around to help heal and soothe my children.

One of my favorite brands for teething time is Hyland's! When my son started teething about 2 years ago, I called up my mom begging her for a solution for teething pain so I could help my son! She recommended teething tablets. They don't numb (she tried numbing products one time on herself and found it was terrible and vowed she would never give that to her children!) but work naturally with the body to soothe and take away pain!

I immediately headed to the store and found Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets and have never looked back! They were so soothing to my son during those rough teething months and I recommend them to every mother who is searching for teething pain solution for their child! I have always heard great feedback and a lot of genuine thanks for my suggestion!

I also feel great when I give Hyland's products to my children because they develop homeopathic formulas with the highest quality natural ingredients following the strictest standards for preparation. With a century of commitment to homeopathy, Hyland's tradition of excellence consistently provides quality and integrity in every homeopathic product.

I am so excited to see, and now own, Hyland's homeopathic Cough Syrup and other cold/cough and allergy products for babies and toddlers. My son suffers from some seasonal allergies and Hyland's Sniffles 'n Sneezes 4Kids and the Hyland's Allergy Relief 4Kids works wonders for my son!

Some of my other favorite products from Hyland's is the Cough Syrup, Tiny Cold Tablets, Vitamin C Tablets, and Infant Earache Drops for babies! What a great range of products - and all safe and free from harmful ingredients that are in most mainstream products!

Buy It: You can purchase all Hyland's products from local retailers including Walgreens, CVS, and Target!

Win It: Hyland's is generously offering (1) Basket of Hyland's Products (includes Hyland's Sniffles 'n Sneezes 4Kids, Hyland's Allergy Relief 4Kids, Cough Syrup, Tiny Cold Tablets, Vitamin C Tablets, and Infant Earache Drops, and Teething Tablets) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Basket of Hyland's Products for Children
(includes Hyland's Sniffles 'n Sneezes 4Kids, Hyland's Allergy Relief 4Kids, Cough Syrup, Tiny Cold Tablets, Vitamin C Tablets, Infant Earache Drops, and Teething Tablets)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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* Thank you to Hyland's for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Have You Ever Hacked A Computer?

2012-05-21T09:34:00.001-05:00

In Season 5 episode ‘Chuck Versus the Hack Off’ we really get to see some of our humble hero’s computer hacking skills. In this episode directed by Zackary Levi, Chuck aka The Piranha must bypass the security systems allowing the team to infiltrate and grab the computer super virus, the Omen virus.

As a blogger and website owner, I have had to "hack" my own site and figure out how to solve many "issues" and problems that arise with my site. I have been forced to learn computer and website lingo and knowledge such as html code, templates, and other concepts that were VERY foreign before I started blogging. After having to fix and add things many times to my website, I surprisingly feel pretty comfortable working with html code. When I show my husband what I am doing, he just gives me a really confused look and says it looks like a foreign language! It REALLY DOES look like jibberish and it takes a lot of patience to figure it out! I must say I am surprised and happy to know what most of it means now and that I was able to fix my blog issues on my own...by trial and error and lots of "Googling" and researching of course! :)

To learn more about how Chuck hacks into the computers to save everyone from the Omen virus, make sure to use Promo Code c5wbwrd for 20% off + free shipping to buy Chuck: The Complete Fifth Season on DVD or Chuck: The Complete Fifth Season on Blu-Ray from wbshop.

Was there a time where you had to call upon certain computer skill sets to complete the task at hand?

Did you end up getting the job?

Were you a bit surprised in how well you did?

If you love this review and my site...

* I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for 'Chuck.'*

Book Review: My Stubborn Heart

2012-05-21T07:19:00.000-05:00

About the book:

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light...whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

About Becky Wade:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances with Avon Books, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her kids, then recently returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She felt led to move to the genre of contemporary Christian romance and couldn't be more thrilled with it.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

Learn more at: www.BeckyWade.com

My Opinion

Let me just start by saying, I LOVED THIS BOOK! It really was a page turner, a love story, and a great Christian contemporary fiction novel all in one! The characters were great and easy to like and I loved the way they all interacted with each other!

I usually like historical romance books but this contemporary romance was just as good for me! I loved the story line, the Christian elements, and, of course, the Romance!

I definitely recommend this book for all Christian romance lovers! You won't want to put it down!

Click here to see what other bloggers thought of this book!

Buy It: You can purchase My Stubborn Heart for $11.19 on Amazon.com

Celebrate with Becky by entering her My Stubborn Heart Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 5/24!

One fortunate winner will receive:

A Brand New Nook Simple Touch™ with GlowLight™
A $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate
A copy of My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on May 24th. Winner will be announced at the "My Stubborn Heart" Author Chat Facebook Party on 5/24. Becky will be hosting an book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!

So grab your copy of My Stubborn Heart and join Becky on the evening of the May 24th for a chance to meet Becky and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 24th!

If you love this review and my site...

* Thank you to Litfuse for their book for review! Disclosure - This book was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

TeethMe Box Review

2012-05-18T10:04:00.000-05:00

Like most new moms, exhaustion is one of the biggest hardships after having a baby. The nights of no sleep, constant breastfeeding, and endless rocking really takes its toll. I don't know how many times I have wished for breakfast, lunch and dinner to show up on my doorstep with a big bow on it at exactly meal time everyday! Have you had this same dream before...or is it just me??

Well, I can't get dinner on my doorstep, but thanks to TeetheMe.com I can get a box of baby products delivered right to my door!

When you subscribe to TeetheMe, a monthly box of 4 to 5 products for your child aged newborn to 3 years old, will be stork delivered straight to your door in our signature TeetheMe Box. It really saves on trips to the store to get baby toys or baby products and who doesn't like a present on their doorstep every month??

TeetheMe really takes the guesswork out of the seemingly endless amount of baby products on the market and they only send you the most innovative, practical and unique products available. The items in each box are hand picked by savvy moms and are based upon the child’s age. Don’t worry, they will not be sending a 2 year old the latest swaddle blanket!

In my box for April, I received the items pictured above. My favorite item was the Teething Bling. I remember with dread my son's teething months and I definitely am not looking forward to those months with my daughter. The Teething Bling will definitely come in handy and I can't wait to see if it helps (well...I still would surpass those months if I could...)

If you want to brighten a new mother friend's day or your own each month, along with getting a great box of the latest and greatest baby toys/products, then check out the TeethMe boxes!

Buy It: You can purchase a 1 month TeethMe box for $24 or a monthly membership for $24/month on TeethMe.com

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* Thank you to TeethMe for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*