The Review Stew

Snuzzle Me Cover Review

2012-02-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

If you have been reading my reviews for awhile, then you know how I L-O-V-E products that have multiple uses!

My latest and greatest versatile product is the Splendipity Snuzzle Me Cover and it will be perfect for using with my new daughter. I can't wait until she arrives to put this to good use!

The Splendipity Snuzzle Me universal cover works great for Car Seats, Carts, and More! Snuzzle Me has you covered by providing multiple uses, with one simple, affordable solution!

They use their Ultra-Soft Cotton Technology manufacturing process that ensures all fabrics are touchably soft, as well as safe, non-toxic and gentle enough for baby’s delicate skin. All universal covers are 100% organic, environmentally friendly. They are also machine washable and reversible.

Use Splendipity as:

Shopping Cart Cover
Nursing Shawl
Car Seat Shade
Swing Cover
High Chair Cover

My Opinion

Ok, can you believe this product??? Not only is this amazing Snuzzle Me Cover SO VERSATILE, but it is made from organic cotton! Two of my most favorite and most important features combined in ONE product - how lucky am I and how lucky are YOU that Serendipity has created such an amazing product!

I just love that this super soft organic cotton will be close to my daughter's sensitive newborn skin and I can't wait to use it as a car seat shade. I remember with my son that we always tried to drape blankets over the chair when he was sleeping - but it would keep falling off or wouldn't cover enough area to block out the sun! I never have to worry about that again or struggle with blankets because I have this amazing Snuzzle Me cover!

Another use I can't wait to try is to cover shopping carts and high chairs! I am sort of a clean freak/germaphobe so whenever my son touches shopping carts and high chairs at restaurants, I always cringe and picture how many germs he is picking up! Now I never have to worry and cringe again when we are out and about because this Snuzzle Me Cover can be used for car seats and high chairs too!! Yah!!! :)

If you are looking for a baby product that has it all and does it all, then you have got to check out the Snuzzle Me cover from Splendipity! Whether you just want a nice, soft organic cotton car seat cover or something to be between your child and the germs on high chairs and shopping carts, then the Snuzzle Me cover is for you!

Buy It: You can purchase the Snuzzle Me cover for $42.97 on the Splendipity website.

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

Fisher Nuts Sliced Almonds Review and Giveaway

2012-02-10T07:47:00.000-06:00

So how many of you are still keeping your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier? I know I have been struggling to keep mine this year...especially with all these pregnancy cravings! :)

Well, Fisher Nuts is here to help us this year! While nuts may not be the lowest calorie item on the menu, they’re at the top of the chart for being a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. With plenty of flavor and crunch to go around, they’re also a great addition to healthy salads, yogurt and oatmeal.

So, to help start the year off right, Fisher Nuts is offering you some Nutty New Year’s recipes!

I have included links to two of my favorite recipes that Fisher gives us to use with Sliced Almonds:

Asian Chicken Salad and Crunchy Cranberry Granola

They are both really easy to make and will help you with your healthy New Year's Resolutions!

My Opinion

The Sliced Almonds from Fisher add a unique flavor to many of your favorite recipes. Rich and mild with a delicious crunch, the premium almonds are the perfect accent to any dish!

I have used these almonds in many recipes - both baking and dinner - and they are so easy to use and so fresh because of the zip lock seal! I love that they are already sliced - just throw them into any recipe and you have a tasty crunch with added vitamins, minerals and healthy fats!

Buy It: You can purchase the Fisher Sliced Almonds at many local retailers!

Win It: Fisher is generously offering (2) Fisher Sliced Almonds bags (a 10oz and a 16oz) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(2) Fisher Sliced Almonds bags
(a 10oz and a 16oz )

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Amoralia Nursing Bra and Brief Review

2012-02-09T10:38:00.000-06:00

One of the most difficult parts for me while being pregnant and nursing is finding a comfortable, well-fitting nursing bra that still looks feminine at the same time!

Amoralia has put a huge smile on my face lately because I have found all three characteristics in their nursing bra!

Amoralia creates beautiful maternity and nursing lingerie, nightwear, and swimwear. You can immediately tell that all their products are Made with Love!

I generously received the nougatine Nursing Bra.

Winner of Junior Pregnancy & Baby's best nursing bra, it's not surprising that this glamorous bra has been their best-seller for over 4 years! As supportive and comfortable as it is pretty and feminine, it's been given the nod by Kelly Preston, Sam Cameron, Rachel Weisz and Karen Elson (to name just a few).

Features:

soft stretchy satin and lace to adapt to your changing shape
cups fully lined in soft cotton for total comfort and greater absorbency
straps are either 12mm wide or 15mm wide in the larger sizes (DD upwards)
6 row hook & eye closure to ensure that you can wear it throughout your pregnancy and breastfeeding
fully machine washable at 40 degrees

I also received the matching nougatine brief. There will be no more mis-matched sets with this flattering and comfortable lace brief.

Features:

soft stretchy satin waistband, that's curved at the front to sit below your bump
generous on the back to be flattering and prevent VPL
satin on the front is overlaid with lace
see-through lace panel on the back adorned with a little button rose
soft cotton-lined gusset for comfort

My Opinion

I seriously have the worst luck finding a comfortable nursing/maternity bra that really fits well without riding up, popping out, or any other breast problems that I don't need!

Since I had to order this bra online without trying it on, I was SUPER nervous that it was just going to be another nursing bra I threw to the back of the drawer.

Wow, was I ever wrong and, thus, EXTREMELY HAPPY!! The minute I put this bra on, I knew why it has won so many awards and been the best seller for Amoralia! It was SO COMFORTABLE, super cute and fit like a glove! It is honestly the only bra I have felt comfortable in since I got pregnant (besides my sports bras!). I love wearing it around, it supports my ample chest, and best of all, it is really sexy and feminine which is always a HUGE bonus...especially when I am feeling huge and ready to pop! :)

The only problem I have with this bra is that the lace on the front causes a texture with tighter shirts and really shows through. I can't really wear this bra with tighter shirts because I look all bumpy on top! However, I know Amoralia does offer other nursing bras that are just cotton on the front and smooth so they don't show through on shirts!

The matching briefs were also really cute and really comfortable. They fit perfectly underneath my big belly and I love that I have a cute matching pair of lingerie to wear while I am pregnant! I could have used a little more material in the back to cover a little more area...but I will just attribute that to pregnancy weight gain and my "big butt" genes! :)

I recommend Amoralia Nursing/Maternity Bras and Briefs for all pregnant and nursing mamas! If you are looking for a SUPER comfortable and supportive nursing bra, then I definitely recommend the nougatine nursing bra! It is the best one I have ever worn or owned!

Buy It: You can purchase the nougatine Nursing Bra and Briefs on the Amoralia website.

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

If I Sang a Silly Song DVD Review and Giveaway

2012-02-09T07:53:00.000-06:00

It's a Silly Song Telethon! Larry hosts the biggest, the silliest, most excellent countdown of Silly Songs in the history of Silliness! Find out the #1 songs from first and second decades of VeggieTales Silly Songs, voted for by you - the fans!

Larry the Cucumber hosts “The Silly Song Telethon” and counts down the top favorite silly songs of all-time... voted for by the fans!! The fun continues with a surprise introduction of a never-before-seen, new Silly Song chosen by Larry the Cucumber from thousands of fan submissions!

Includes 20 great Silly Songs:

I Love My Lips
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
Belly Button
His Cheeseburger
Endangered Love
The Water Buffalo Song
The Song of the Cebu
Dance of the Cucumber
Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps
Monkey
The Hairbrush Song
Biscuit of Zazzamarandabo
The SUV Song
Lance the Turtle
Gated Community
Where Have All The Staplers Gone?
Sippy Cup
Pants
Pizza Angel
Goodnight Junior

Plus an All New Silly Song! Witness the debut of an all-new, sure-to-be-favorite Silly Song picked from thousands of fan submitted entries!

My Opinion

If you love the classic fun songs that have been sung in VeggieTales movies for years, then you are going to want to pick up and watch the If I Sang a Silly Song DVD!

My favorite song from all the years of VeggieTales movies is The Hairbrush Song! My son and I sing it all the time and we were so excited to see that it was included in the If I Sang a Silly Song DVD along with so many other fun and silly songs!

If you love the silly songs from various VeggieTales movies, then you are going to love this great DVD that contains all your favorites! Your children will love learning and singing these fun songs for years to come and it could make a perfect Valentine's Day gift for your children this year!

Buy It: You can purchase If I Sang a Silly Song beginning February 7th, 2012 for $12.99 wherever DVDs are sold.

Win It: VeggieTales is generously offering (1) If I Sang a Silly Song DVD to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) If I Sang a Silly Song DVD

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Say Hello Diamonds Earrings Review

2012-02-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for a special gift of jewelry this Valentine's Day for that special someone, but are on a tight budget, then you have got to check out my new favorite jewelry site: Say Hello Diamonds! Say Hello Diamonds have the Look of Real but with the Price of Faux! Their jewelry is absolutely stunning but the price won't stun you! :)

Each replica diamond goes through a rigid selection process by Say Hello Diamond experts. These specialists analyze the weight, cut, and shine of each stone before it can be called a Say Hello Diamond. Each replica diamond is polished, packaged, and presented to the Say Hello Inspection Team. From there, the inspection team begins a 3-step review process; Look, Shake, Ensure. During this process they analyze the physical properties and test the durability of each diamond replica. Replica diamonds that meet the rigid criteria set forth are lucky enough to be called, Say Hello Diamonds.

They were featured on the Today Show and sold over 15,000 pairs of these earrings!

I generously received the beautiful Pantinas earrings!

Easily the top selling Say Hello Diamond product, the Pantina earrings stole the show on Jill's Steals and Deals and allowed women across the country to shine like a star without sacrificing their savings. The 2 CT Say Hello Diamond speaks and shines for itself, Say Hello to the Look of Real.

Product Details:

Stone Length = 8 MM
Stone Width = 8 MM
Stone Depth = 3 MM
2 CT Per Earring
4 CT TW
This Product is Sterling Silver

My Opinion

Now I wouldn't describe myself as a girly girl, but I do like a bit of bling every once in awhile! :) These Pantinas earrings are absolutely stunning - they are simple but gorgeous and will fit beautifully with almost every outfit out there! You will get compliments left and right when you walk out of the house with these earrings on!

They are so shiny and if I didn't know which company they came from, I would have definitely thought they were real diamonds...except for the fact that I could never afford such beautiful real diamond earrings! :) That is the greatest part about Say Hello Diamonds! You can wear beautiful diamond jewelry without carrying around the burden of the price!

If you are on a budget this Valentine's Day, but still want to buy a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry, then you have got to check out the Say Hello Diamonds selection! Their necklaces and earrings are some of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen and their prices make me happy too!

Buy It: You can purchase the Pantinas for $195.00 on the Say Hello Diamonds website.

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

Hallmark Recordable Storybook and Blooming Expressions Review and Giveaway

2012-02-08T07:37:00.000-06:00

Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for us to think about those we admire -- kids, spouses, friends, teachers, and anyone else who plays a special role in our lives. To help you celebrate the season, Hallmark has recently launched new products just in time for Valentine’s Day that will help you shower those you admire in your life with care!

· Blooming Expressions- This new product allows you to deliver love, again and again, to the important people in your life. For Valentine’s Day, surprise someone special with a flower that blooms at the press of a button. Show your love in a fresh new way by unveiling sentiments like “I love you” and “There’s only one you!”

· Recordable Storybooks- Hallmark added several new titles to its popular library of Recordable Storybooks in time for Valentine’s Day. Love you Forever and Under the Same Moon are both sweet stories about life-long love and love across the miles. They join other popular Hallmark Recordable Storybooks like Counting Kisses, All the Ways I Love You and Guess How Much I Love You.

· Greetings- Hallmark.com offers fun ways for kids (and adults) to put their unique touch on Valentine’s Day greetings. For kids, there are new Classroom Valentines that allow them to upload their photos and become the star of the card! New designs include Star Wars, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Disney Princesses. And if you’re heading to a Hallmark Gold Crown Store anytime soon, we have some fun new innovation and paper craft greetings for Valentine’s Day this year that you’ll want to check out. There are cards that light up, cards that play your favorite songs and some really unique paper craft designs.

My Opinion

One of my favorite new products from the last year are the Recordable Storybooks from Hallmark! My son absolutely L-O-V-E-S them and seriously opens up and listens to his "special books" (as he calls them!) at least once a day! He loves to hear mommy's voice as I tell him some of the most cherished and loved books out there!

That is why I am so excited that Hallmark just released new storybooks, especially Love You Forever, which I have been reading to my son since he was born! It is one of his favorite books and now I can record my voice to read it to him, even when I am not around! He has been asking for me to read this book to him since he saw it arrive in the mail but I am trying to wait to give it to him for Valentine's Day! :)

I also love their new Blooming Expressions! What a fun gift idea, especially for flower lovers like me! These flowers never wilt or die but always have an encouraging message bloom out of every flower! These make a perfect gift for any loved one this Valentine's Day - they can be reminded of your love every time they push the button and watch their flower bloom!

If you are stumped on a great gift idea this Valentine's Day, check out Hallmark's new products - their recordable storybooks are great for all children and their Blooming Expressions are great for any loved one on your list!

Buy It: You can purchase the full garden of Blooming Expressions and all Recordable Storybooks at local Hallmark Gold Crown stores and select Hallmark retailers.

Win It: Hallmark is generously offering (1) Hallmark’s Valentine’s Day Care Pack (including 1- Blooming Expression and 1-Recordable Storybook) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Hallmark’s Valentine’s Day Care Pack
(Including 1- Blooming Expression and 1- Recordable Storybook)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Beba Bean Knit Cape Review

2012-02-07T10:21:00.000-06:00

I am on the major hunt for cute clothes for my baby girl because I just realized I have nothing cute and girly for her! I found one of the cutest clothing items from Beba Bean and I can't wait to put it on her after she is born!

At Beba Bean, they thoughtfully design the very best in baby products ensuring every gift you give is thoughtful, adorable and memorable - including the bestselling Pee Pee Teepee™, baby clothing, infant blankets and swaddlers, baby toys and baby shoes. Their focus is creating the most loved baby gifts and the soul of their business is the celebration of childhood.

Every piece they design has a personal touch. They always take into account the things they love about children and how to make life easier for every parent. You will only find the highest quality products. Much care is taken to ensure that they only use fair trade factories, and every item tested and approved.

I generously received the Knit Cape in Ivory. For your little riding hood, they have launched this new line of adorable hooded capes with striped inner hood detailing.

This cape is easy to get on and off and is adorned with a vintage wood toggle button detail. One size fits 6-24 months. Measures 21" X 10", 100% cotton, machine wash, tumble dry low.

My Opinion

Isn't this cape not the cutest??!!

This Knit Cape is made very well and will hold up against wear and washing over and over! I love how soft and comfortable the cotton is and the neutral color will match with so many cute outfits and dresses to keep my little daughter warm, but fashionable at the same time!

The striped hood adds a little color and design (along with extra warmth) and the little wooden button just finishes off this cute cape perfectly! I will totally enjoy dressing up my little "White Riding Hood" when she arrives! :)

If you are looking for innovative, fun and cute baby products and gifts, make sure you head over to Beba Bean and check out their amazing selection of baby products and clothing!

Buy It: You can purchase the Knit Cape in Ivory for $31.00 on the Beba Bean website.

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

Julia's Child Book Review and Giveaway

2012-02-07T08:09:00.000-06:00

Cookbook author Sarah Pinneo delves into the delicious world of fiction with her hilarious first novel, JULIA’S CHILD, being published by Plume in February 2012.

Julia Bailey is a mompreneur with too many principles and too little time. Her fledgling company, Julia’s Child, makes organic toddler meals with names like Gentle Lentil and Give Peas a Chance. But before she realizes her dream of seeing them on the shelves of Whole Foods, she will have to make peace between her professional aspirations and her toughest food critics: the two little boys waiting at home. Is it possible to save the world while turning a profit?

Perfect for foodie and all-natural mamas, JULIA’S CHILD is a warmhearted, laugh-out-loud story about motherhood’s choices: organic vs. local, paper vs. plastic, staying at home vs. risking it all.

Author Sarah Pinneo, like her character Julia, understands the work vs. stay at home decision. Sarah was a Wall Street dealmaker for ten years before making the transition from breadwinner to bread baker. Now a food journalist, and co-author of The Ski House Cookbook, Sarah blogs on her home page at sarahpinneo.com, and at Blurb is a Verb on SheWrites.com. She lives with her family in Ludlow Vermont, and Hanover, New Hampshire.

Advance Praise for JULIA'S CHILD:

"Pinneo skewers the cult of the child with an insider’s eye. A witty, well-plotted fiction debut." --Publishers Weekly

"Pinneo, a cookbook author who used to work on Wall Street, has seamlessly blended her two interests into this cute fiction debut. Well written, well paced, and very absorbing." --Library Journal

"Peppered with real recipes and the kind of convincing details expected from a food writer. [A] foodie take on I Don't Know How She Does It."--Kirkus Reviews

My Opinion

I'll be honest...I was a little skeptical about reading and enjoying this book at first because I usually prefer historical and romance novels!

However, I felt like the character, Julia, and I had a lot in common with the way we live and what we feed our families and I was intrigued by the unique storyline! I definitely wanted to give it a shot!

As I read the first chapter, I was immediately drawn in by the amusing way the author Sarah Pinneo writes and also by what the character goes through as a natural, organic-eating mother and advocate!

I definitely related to so many stories from this book and I even shared bits with my husband because I just couldn't keep the amusement and correlations between myself and the character to myself! Plus, this book made me feel like there are other women out there that do struggle juggling it all like I do - motherhood, work, and putting your family and children's health above all by ensuring that you are feeding them healthy, organic, wholesome food for their meals!

I recommend Julia's Child for all women that live an organic, healthy lifestyle and find it important to feed their family organic food! It is also a great read for any mother who struggles to juggle it all and loves a good laugh!

Buy It: You can purchase Julia's Child for $10.20 on Amazon.com

Win It: Sarah Pinneo is generously offering (1) Julia's Child book to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Julia's Child novel

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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* Thank you to Sarah Pinneo and KMS Public Relations for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Bormioli Rocco Review

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just for those who are romantically involved. The single and happy girl, for instance, should consider rounding up all of her unattached girlfriends and having a “Ladies Night In” celebration using beautiful Bormioli Rocco dinnerware and wine glasses!

Bormioli Rocco, founded in 1825 in Italy, is a pioneer in the domestic and catering glass sector that has grown from a single entity into a group of business and multinational production units. With widespread presence across the retail and foodservice channels, Bormioli Rocco has an extensive range, from wine glasses to barware, dinnerware and serve ware and a variety of products in food storage and canning. With a range of colors and designs, all items are fashioned to accommodate a variety of different requirements and styles.

Restaurants are going to be completely packed so consider having a potluck and have a relaxing evening at your place serving a delicious dinner on Bormioli Rocco’s’ chic and modern Nettuno dinnerware, especially these beautiful bowls and plates - a conversation starter all on their own!

Enjoy each other’s company as you laugh and talk over wine or cocktails. Serve your wine in the elegant Riserva Bordeaux Wine Glasses or the Premium Barolo Glass. For those who prefer cocktails, serve them in the Nettuno Double Old Fashioned Glasses.

My Opinion

I had never heard about Bormioli Rocco dishware until I received some beautiful dishes from them! Now I will never forget that name or that company because their dishes are absolutely beautiful and unique!

They are perfect for entertaining guests or your loved one this Valentine's Day and they are a beautiful accessory to any delicious meal!

My favorite item is the Premium Barolo Glass. I have always loved wide rimmed wine glasses like these and I can't wait to deliver this baby and enjoy a nice big glass of wine in my beautiful new Bormioli Rocco Premium Barolo Glasses! :)

If you are looking for a unique, but beautiful new dish set or set of wine glasses, then you have got to check out the Bormioli Rocco collection!

Buy It: You can purchase Bormioli Rocco Premium Barolo Glass (Set of 4) for $41.99 on Amazon.com, Bormioli Rocco Nettuno Dinner Plates, Set of 12 (Available in blue and clear) for $97.56 on Amazon.com, and the Bormioli Rocco Nettuno Small Bowls, Set of 12 (Available in blue and clear) for $62.04 on Amazon.com.

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

The Mill Fudge Factory Review and Giveaway

2012-02-06T08:04:00.000-06:00

If you are fudge lover, then you are going to LOVE this review and giveaway from The Mill Fudge Factory! They have the perfect gift packages of fudge for gifts this Valentine's Day and they put love and care into each fudge variety they offer!

The Mill Fudge Factory artisan fudge has a distinctive flavor inspired by their own Scottish family recipe. With a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and just the right balance of sweetness, their fudge comes in twenty-five delicious flavors.

Their fudge is a different style than most commercial fudge, for a few reasons:

It's an artisan fudge handcrafted with the finest natural ingredients.
They don't use any corn syrup, instead they use a little honey. This makes it very satisfying and not overly sweet.
They don't use any artificial ingredients. It's based on their grandfather's recipe from Scotland.
It's butter based instead of cream so it has a very smooth finish that melts in your mouth, but has more substance to it than some frosting-like fudge.

I generously received the Hand Dipped Chocolate Covered Fudge Heart.

These are heart shaped Belgian Chocolate fudge hand dipped in Belgian milk chocolate or Belgian white chocolate. There are two 4 ounce hearts included in every gift box. It arrives boxed beautifully with a free red ribbon.

I also received the Valentine's Gift Sampler.

It includes four flavors combined with a Valentine's quote and free red ribbon to make the perfect Valentine's gift!

Strawberry Fields Forever - Our classic penuche fudge infused with real strawberries and layered with white chocolate.
Chocolate Raspberry - Our signature chocolate fudge infused with real raspberries and finished with our raspberry topping. NO artificial flavors or colors here! Raspberry and chocolate, the perfect partnership.
Belgian Chocolate - Made with dark Belgian chocolate (62% cocoa), this fudge represents the perfect balance between intense chocolate satisfaction and a smooth easy-to-eat chocolate fudge.
Original Penuche - The simplest flavor we make with only four ingredients! Cabot butter, cane sugar, milk and pure honey melt together to create a deeply satisfying caramel experience. All flavors come wrapped individually and weigh approximately 4 ounces each.

My Opinion

Fudge is a favorite treat in our house and it makes a great gift for Valentine's Day!

The Mill Fudge Factory offers a unique fudge from other popular fudge companies because their fudge contains no corn syrup, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors - so it is ALMOST guilt-free! :)

I also love that all their fudge is handcrafted in small batches so you know you are getting the care and attention that delicious fudge should have! It is like eating fudge from your own kitchen!

I generously received two great products from The Mill Fudge Factory that are also great Valentine's Day presents: the Hand Dipped Chocolate Covered Fudge Heart and the Valentine's Day Gift Sampler!

These were both DELICIOUS, but if I had to choose my favorite fudge flavor it was the Belgian Chocolate. It was just the perfect mix of sweetness and dark chocolate (my favorite!). It did not last long in our house! :)

My husband is a huge fan of strawberries and white chocolate so he LOVED the Strawberry Fields Forever fudge.

If you are looking for a rich, delicious fudge without all the icky ingredients other fudge companies include in their fudge, then head over to The Mill Fudge Factory website and check out 25 of their delicious varieties! I don't think you can go wrong with any of them!

Buy It: You can purchase all 25 delicious varieties of The Mill Fudge Factory from their website.

Win It: The Mill Fudge Factory is generously offering (1) $15 gift certificate to TWO lucky winners!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) $15 The Mill Fudge Factory Gift Certificate
(Two Winners!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump Review

2012-02-03T10:18:00.000-06:00

When I think of high quality breast pumps, one of the first brands to come to mind is Ameda! I am so excited to share with you one of Ameda's best pumps - the Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump!

Ameda provides the highest quality breastfeeding products and education. Their mission is to help empower mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals by providing products and tools that support mothers as they start breastfeeding and make breast pumping easier. We know how much breastfeeding matters.

Perfect for mothers working full time as well as those who just want a fast and easy pumping experience, the Purely Yours Ultra gives the flexibility, convenience, and sophisticated styling you deserve.

Features include:

CustomControl™--Dual suction and speed adjustability allows moms to choose from a total of 32 combinations—for the best comfort and milk flow every time
Proven Airlock Protection™ means our diaphragm barrier keeps the air from your pump from coming in contact with your milk. You don’t have to clean the narrow tubing, and your milk stays purely yours
CustomFit Flange System™—The Purely Yours Ultra includes three of the most commonly needed flange sizes for a good fit at your very first pumping and later as your body changes. Four other flanges sizes are also available separately
3 Power Sources—AC adapter, 6 AA batteries, car adapter
Lightweight and portable—Motor weighs just 1 lb.

The Ameda Purely Yours Ultra™ Includes:

(1) Purely Yours Breast Pump
(1) Dual HygieniKit Milk Collection System (without BPA and DEHP)
(1) Ultra Suede/Faux Leather Tote
(2) 30.5 mm CustomFit Flanges
(2) 28.5 flange inserts
(1) Cool ‘N Carry Milk Storage Tote with 3 cooling elements
(1) One-Hand Breast Pump adapter
(1) Milk storage guidelines card
(1) AC power adapter
(6) 4 oz./120 mL bottles with 2-piece lock-tight caps
(1) Instructions for use

My Opinion

I have mentioned before how hard breastfeeding was for me with my first child. I eventually had to quit and it broke my heart!

I think one of the essential components to successful breastfeeding is a great breast pump! I now feel confident in the fact that I own one of the best with my new Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump! Just owning it has given me high hopes for breastfeeding this time around and it will be carried with me wherever I go, including the hospital so I can build up my milk supply right away!

This pump has so many amazing features that makes it top of the line!

My favorite feature is the dual suction and speed adjustability that allows me to choose from 32 combinations. This will really help me get the most milk in each pumping and make it comfortable while doing it! I had a lot of trouble getting even 2 oz. from both sides last time so I can't wait to see how much I get with this Ameda pump!

One of the features that really sets this Ameda pump apart from others is the diaphragm barrier that keeps the air from the pump from coming in contact with your milk. You never have to clean the narrow tubing and your milk stays purely yours! I remember having to always clean my tubing the last time with my last pump and it was such a hassle!

My last favorite feature is the portability and options for use! You can either plug it in or use it on the go with batteries, plus it comes with a great leather tote that can easily carry the pump wherever you are going while still looking fashionable at the same time! No one has to know you are carrying around your breast pump! :) The Cool ‘N Carry Milk Storage Tote will also keep your pumped milk cold until you get home!

If you are looking for a quality and effective breast pump, this Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump is the one to try! I have always heard amazing reviews from family, friends and hospitals about Ameda and their breast pumps and I can't wait to use it after my new daughter's birth!

Buy It: You can purchase the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump for $299.00 on the Ameda Online store.

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

Vicks Starry Night Humidifier Review and Giveaway

2012-02-03T08:08:00.000-06:00

In my opinion, one of the most vital accessories that should be in every room during the winter is a humidifier! It has helped my son (and family!) breathe, have less dry skin and sleep better at night throughout his whole life! With my daughter on the way, I wanted to get a quality humidifier to put in her new room. I found just the perfect one with the Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier!

If you don't believe my personal testimony on humidifiers, then listen to the AAP! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a cool mist humidifier throughout the winter months to help relieve congestion and coughs for youngsters.

Now, thanks to Vicks and new technology, tots can fall fast asleep beneath a vast sky filled with glowing stars – and they’re easier to count than sheep! The Vicks Starry Night Humidifier releases cool moisture into the air, providing temporary relief from cold and cough symptoms. The humidifier’s built-in, independently controlled projector can be turned on and off, making it ideal for all ages while also saving energy – just flip the switch off once their tired eyes have closed.

The Vicks Starry Night cool mist humidifier features a projector that comforts your child while creating a calm night perfect for children of all ages.

Produces cool, invisible moisture
Easier breathing and a good nights sleep
Soothing Vapors Scent Pad Heater for comforting non-medicated scent
2 speed settings for comfort.
Quiet operation for comfort during the night.
A run time of 18 to 24 hours.
The projector is independently controlled and runs independently from humidifier.
1.0 gallon tank capacity.
Recommended for medium sized rooms.
3 year warranty.

My Opinion

Like I said, I am a huge fan of and always recommend humidifiers to all parents during the winter months (especially during the winter!)!

I love our new Vicks Starry Night Humidifier because it not only fits perfectly in our star themed nursery, but it is perfect for keeping my little girl's skin from getting too dry and will help her with any colds she may get in the early years!

The stars are so fun and just add such a fun aspect to this humidifier! I haven't seen that before on a humidifier and I love how soothing it can be. It is also great as a night light during late night feedings! It is easy to turn on and off independently of the humidifier!

I also like that it is a cool moisture humidifier so I never have to worry about my children getting burned! You also have the option of adding a scent pad for a comforting non-medicated scent.

It is easy to fill and lasts 18-24 hours which is not super long, but that means it only needs to be filled about every two days if you are running it only at naps and bedtime!

If you are looking for a soothing humidifier, night light, and dry skin soother all in one product, check out the Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier! Your child will love the stars and you will love the results! :)

Buy It: You can purchase the Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier for $54.99 from the Vicks online store.

Win It: Vicks is generously offering (1) Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Vicks Starry Night Cool Moisture Humidifier

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

The Pampered Chef Kitchen Products Review

2012-02-02T10:13:00.000-06:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, The Pampered Chef is showcasing the products/recipes they “love” right now and I can't wait to show you the products I LOVE too!

The Pampered Chef is the premier direct seller of high quality kitchen tools and part of Berkshire Hathaway. At in-home Cooking Shows, guests see and try products, prepare and sample recipes, learn quick and easy food preparation techniques and get tips on how to entertain with style and ease — transforming the everyday into the extraordinary.

The Pampered Chef is committed to developing multipurpose kitchen tools, providing expert cooking tips and creating simple recipes that enhance shared mealtime and suit busy lifestyles. With a product line that includes more than 300 offerings – from entertaining to cookware, cutlery to cookbooks, stoneware to pantry products, we have the simple and affordable solution to get your meal on the table.

My favorite recipe from The Pampered Chef for Valentine's Day is the recipe for Triple Chocolate Truffles! Don't they look amazing??!! You can see the full recipe here on The Pampered Chef website. You can use many Pampered Chef products to make this recipe easy and fun to make!

My Opinion

I am a HUGE fan of The Pampered Chef and their kitchen products! In fact, for one of my bridal showers I had a Pampered Chef party and received so many awesome kitchen products for our first home!

That was about 5 years ago and The Pampered Chef have come out with so many new and innovative products that I don't know how I have lived without! Some of my favorite products are highlighted below!

I have used all of these products since I received them (many, many times!!) and they are great for casual cooking or for making all the special Valentine's Day treats you are planning!

One of my favorite The Pampered Chef products is the Bamboo Spoon Set. I had been asking for and needing new wooden spoons for cooking for SO LONG and I love to use natural bamboo products whenever possible! This Spoon Set is definitely quality made, durable, and I love the variety of size and shapes that these spoons come in! Best of all, they don't scratch my nice pans!!

The Silicone Oven Mitt was so great for getting hot pans out of the oven! I have a bunch of hot pads that are burned, stained, and just plain ugly...and worst of all, they don't protect my hand against heat! I needed one that works! This Silicone Oven Mitt keeps my hand cool up to 480 degrees and has a nice comfy cotton/polyester inside! It was a little big for my hand which made it hard to grip some things, but it is great for my husband to use! :)

The Drainer is a dream come true for me! I didn't even know there was such an amazing product for draining things out there! I use this Drainer for draining meat, pastas and anything that I used to struggle straining! I never have to dirty a lid, try to do it with a spoon or watch good food go down the drain! It is easy to hold while draining and it works great!

The Large Scoop has been an item on my list of things to get for a long time now! I always wished I had one every time I made muffins or cupcakes! It seriously does make baking muffins (see it in use while making my blueberry muffins above!) easier because it takes a perfect scoop and comes out quickly and easily into the muffin tin!

The Stackable Cooling Rack makes cooling cookies, muffins and any baking good easy to do with little mess! I love how the legs come out of the bottom to cool the baked goods but fold up easily to store! The material is durable and I know this rack will last me a long time!

The Easy Read Measuring Cups are one of my most favorite items I received from The Pampered Chef! They make measuring out ingredients so easy to do! They are easy to read, stack up nicely for storage in my limited cupboard space and I don't lose them like I do smaller measuring cups! And as you can see (below) even my son loves using them! :)

Buy It: You can purchase all The Pampered Chef products I mentioned above (plus lots, LOTS more!) or find a consultant on The Pampered Chef website.

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

Valentine's Day Crafts & Three Little Angels DVD's Giveaway

2012-02-02T08:09:00.000-06:00

Get Crafty for Valentine’s Day!

Inspired by LITTLE ANGELS

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment presents LITTLE ANGELS, the fresh, faith-based, animated educational series for children and their parents, available on DVD on February 14. From executive producer Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”) comes LITTLE ANGELS, created exclusively for preschool-aged children to teach not only practical learning skills, like ABCs and numbers, but also to introduce them to spiritual, moral and ethical principles in a fun and entertaining way.

You can check out more info about the Little Angels DVD's and print off some fun printables here!

The Little Angels are quite the creative bunch and with Valentine's Day on the horizon, why not grab the kids and create some fun arts and crafts? This guide will provide parents with fun and simple ways to create Valentine's Day crafts with their kids, including do it yourself V-day cards and creating your own heart shaped pillows!

And Don't Forget To Enter at the bottom of this feature to win a copy of 3 Little Angels DVDs!

MACARONI JEWLERY

Making jewelry from macaroni is both fun and easy, especially for Valentine’s Day! All you need is some rubbing alcohol, red food dye, dry macaroni, some bowls to mix in, and string. Once you’ve mixed the rubbing alcohol and food dye to the perfect shade of Valentine’s red, drop the macaroni in and let it soak until you like the hue. Take the macaroni out of the dye, and let it dry, then use yarn or string to make necklaces, bracelets, crowns, and more for the perfect Valentine’s Day accessory!

HOMEMADE VALENTINE’S CARDS

All you need to make extra special homemade Valentine’s Day cards is some colored paper (remember to stock up on red, white and pink!), markers, glue, scissors, and anything you might want to add in (like glitter, beads, candy, etc.). Help your kids cut out heart shapes in their paper, and think of fun sayings to write on the cards. Decorate the cards with fun drawings, or glue on fun treats like lollipops or Sweethearts. These truly custom Valentine’s are both fun to make and receive.

HEART ORNAMENT

These adorable ornaments are fun and simple to make, and they double as an inexpensive Valentine’s Day decoration! All you need is yarn, cornstarch glue, water, a heart shaped cookie cutter and parchment paper. Firs,t make your cornstarch glue by combining cornstarch and water over medium heat until it is thick and translucent. Once the glue has cooled enough to touch, cut your yarn into foot long piece, and place your cookie cutter on your parchment paper. Then, push a piece of yarn into the cornstarch glue until it’s coated, and then remove any excess glue with your fingers. Next, lay the yarn inside the cookie cutter. Repeat until the cookie cutter is filled with a thin layer of yarn, and then press the yarn flat and gently lift the cookie cutter off and allow the yarn to dry.

EASY VALENTINE’S COOKIES

These cookies are fun to make and, with a little help from mom and dad, easy for the kids to help with! You need vanilla wafer cookies, peanut butter, melted chocolate chips (both white chocolate and milk chocolate), red and white colored sprinkles, pink and red gummy candies, red, white and pink decorating frosting and lollipop sticks. All you have to do is coat one side of your cookies with peanut butter and place a lollipop stick on top of it, followed by another cookie. Then, dip your cookie stick into your melted chocolate (either white or dark), covering completely. Use the remaining ingredients to decorate! Once you are finished decorating, place the pops on wax paper and refridgerate until dry.

HEART SHAPED PILLOWS

This craft is well-suited for slightly older kids, or may take a little more participation from mom or dad. To make cute heart shaped pillows, you need fabric of your choice, a needle, thread (in a color that matches your fabric), cotton batting, and straight pins. First, lay your fabric down flat and fold it over twice so that it is doubled up. Next, cut out half a heart shape in your folded fabric (when you open it you should have two hearts that are the same size). Next, lay your hearts together so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out, and use your straight pins to secure the two pieces of fabric together. Then, stich around the edges of your hearts until you’re about two inches from closing it. Remove all the pins, and turn your fabric inside out so that the right side is visible. Next, gently stuff your heart with your cotton batting until it is full, and then stitch the opening closed.

Win It: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is generously offering (1) Pack of 3 Little Angels DVD's (LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s, LITTLE ANGELS ANIMALS, and LITTLE ANGELS 1,2,3’s) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Pack of THREE Little Angels DVD's
(LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s, LITTLE ANGELS ANIMALS, and LITTLE ANGELS 1,2,3’s)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Stages of Beauty Treatment Cream Review

2012-02-01T10:59:00.000-06:00

Ever wondered why the skincare products you used to love just aren’t as effective anymore? Me too!! But Stages of Beauty has recently let me in on the secret and I can't wait to share it with you!!

Jasmina Aganovic, MIT-trained Chemical & Biological Engineer, wanted to know as well. Increasingly frustrated with the skincare products she tried, she began researching the needs of skin throughout the aging process and the best ingredients to fill those needs. Her research revealed dramatic changes that occur in the skin in each decade of a woman’s life. For a snapshot of the changes, consider:

* In our 20s, our skin is besieged by free radical damage (from our hectic lifestyles, sun-worshiping, and so much more). Twenty-something women need skincare ingredients like antioxidants to repair skin and protect it against future damage and premature wrinkles.

* In our 30s, we see our first fine lines and wrinkles, collagen and elastin decrease, and skin tone becomes duller and more uneven. Skincare ingredients must address the fact that our skin regeneration now takes twice as long! * In our 40s, we face a new foe: thinning skin. Skin in its 40s demands ingredients to improve elasticity, tone, and firmness as well as ingredients to target signs of photo-aging and sun sensitivity.

* In our 50s and beyond, our skin experiences a rapid decline in surface immunity while the natural moisture barrier degrades, leading to thinner and drier skin. Skincare ingredients must be hydrating, firming, and reinforcing to battle the effects of our bodies’ changing hormones!

Based on her research, Ms. Aganovic hand-picked the highest quality natural ingredients scientifically formulated skincare lines for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s+. The result is Stages of Beauty – the first-ever skincare brand exclusively designed around the principles of skincare by age!

My Opinion

I generously received the RADIANCE treatment cream because I am in my 20's (barely)! This lightweight cream is the 24/7 damage control skincare choice for the woman in her 20s. With continued use, it is proven to help repair the skin and prevent the premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The Radiance Treatment Cream:

Fights Free Radicals
Reduces Discoloration
Soothes Puffiness
Hydrates
Evens Skin Tone

This lotion feels like silk going on my skin and makes my skin feel like velvet afterwards! I have noticed a significant difference with the hydration of my skin and the reduction of wrinkles and puffiness (even though I am pregnant, tired, and suffer from very winter dry skin!)

I love that a little of this Radiance cream goes a long way because this amazing cream will last longer for me!!

Best of all, all Stages of Beauty products are 100% fragrance free, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and contain no synthetic dyes, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, GMOs, or petrochemicals. Stages of Beauty is also cruelty-free and does no animal testing. That is so important to me, especially since I am pregnant and every thing I put on my skin can be absorbed by the baby!

I love how they have designed specific products with specific ingredients for different age brackets because it is true - as we age our skin changes and so should our facial products!

If you are looking for a great moisturizer and facial cream that will provide significant results, then you have got to check out Stages of Beauty and pick your age appropriate product today!

Need another opinion? Then make sure to check out another Stages of Beauty Review from another big believer (and lover!) of Stages of Beauty products!

Buy It: You can purchase the Radiance Treatment Cream for $52.99 (30 mL) or $74.99 (50 mL) on the Stages of Beauty website.

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

Book Review: Sweeter Than Birdsong

2012-02-01T08:57:00.000-06:00

Music offers Kate sweet refuge from her troubles…but real freedom is sweeter.

In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance--and use it to mask her flight.

Ben Hanby, Otterbein College’s musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing—and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage—and her voice—if she is to sing a new song for their future.

Sweeter than Birdsong is a stirring novel of hope and faith inspired by real historical people and events.

My Opinion

This book was the second book in the A Saddler's Legacy series (the first one was Fairer than Morning). I read the first one, but it really had nothing to do with this book. The characters from Fairer than Morning were the parents in Sweeter than Birdsong. So don't worry if you haven't read the first one - it won't affect this book or confuse the story line for you!

I loved the main character in this book, Kate Winter, because I could really relate to her. She is very shy and not good in public speaking situations (that pretty much describes me perfectly!) but she learns when she finds something she really cares about and is passionate about (slavery), then she has no problem speaking her mind! Her experiences with freeing slaves helps her overcome her shyness to stand up for what is right!

Along the way, she meets Ben and their romance is slow-going and cautious but based on their faiths!

This book was a little slow for me in parts, but overall I really liked the storyline! I love that this series is based on a real-life family (the Hanby family from Ohio) and a lot of events are based on true stories!

Buy It: You can purchase Sweeter Than Birdsong for $10.87 on Amazon.com

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*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.*

SwaddleDuo Review and Giveaway

2012-02-01T08:10:00.000-06:00

A must-have for every new mom is a good swaddling blanket! SwaddleDesigns offers the perfect multi-use blanket for every new baby!

Founded by Lynette Damir, RN, in 2002, SwaddleDesigns was the first company to introduce the large square swaddling blanket to the US and many countries around the world. SwaddleDesigns is known for their premium quality fabric, fabulous colors and prints, decorative edge, and the innovative 123 Swaddle® instructional label that helps new parents master the art of swaddling. SwaddleDesigns swaddling blankets are perfect for swaddling and have many uses such as a privacy throw for breastfeeding moms, a tummy time play mat and a cover over the stroller.

SwaddleDesigns® recently introduced the new SwaddleDuo™.

SwaddleDuo offers two premium, yet different, baby soft cotton swaddling blankets - two swaddle blankets in a wonderful gift box:

The Ultimate Receiving Blanket® is a lightweight premium cotton flannel blanket – for moderate to cooler environmental temperatures
The Marquisette Swaddling Blanket® is a very lightweight openweave cotton blanket – for warmer environmental temperatures

With the SwaddleDuo, parents will be prepared for a variety of environmental settings - cool, moderate and warm

SwaddleDesigns Cotton Marquisette is similar to muslin but is made from premium quality yarns. SwaddleDesigns Cotton Flannel is made from premium preshrunk domestic cotton.

SwaddleDesigns strives to help new parents care for their baby by providing accurate and up-to-date information, so parents may make informed choices. SwaddleDesigns Safe Sleep Program includes recommendations from the AAP and the NIH as the company strives to increase awareness of Safe Sleep practices and help parents reduce risk of SIDS.

My Opinion

I generously received the SwaddleDesigns - Organic Ultimate Receiving Blanket in Pastel Kiwi Dots & Stars with Pastel Kiwi Trim! I absolutely love that they offer organic blankets because it is so important to me to only put organic materials on and near my baby!

This Organic Receiving Blanket features:

Baby soft organic cotton flannel with GOTS certification
42 inch square with signature trim
Optimum size and shape for swaddling and much more
Multi-use and versatile - sunshield, playmat for tummy time, privacy throw for breastfeeding
Easy to follow swaddling instructions sewn on the edge of the blanket
Designed by a nurse and winner of multiple awards
Made in USA

This blanket was so soft and I love the generous size! The colors and shapes are gender neutral and will fit perfectly in our new daughter's nursery!

I also love the easy way that SwaddleDesigns helps parents remember what temperature is right for your baby: “The SwaddleDesigns Goldilocks Guide™" that helps parents remember that baby should not be too hot, or too cold, but just right ~ comfortably warm.”

My favorite part about SwaddleDesigns Blankets is that they all include swaddle directions on the tag in case you have a "mommy moment" and forget during your lack of sleep phase! :) Plus, SwaddleDesigns has a great “How to Swaddle” guide and pictures on their site and more information regarding sleeping environments and the benefits of swaddling.

Buy It: You can purchase the SwaddleDuo (available in 17 styles) for a MSRP of $38 on the SwaddleDesigns website.

Win It: SwaddleDesigns is generously offering (1) choice of Pink or Blue SwaddleDuo in the Classic Peace Love Swaddle style to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) SwaddleDuo
(in the Classic Peace Love style in Pink or Blue)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

DVD Release: What's Your Number?

2012-01-31T10:04:00.000-06:00

20 and Counting…

WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?

An Outrageous Romantic Comedy

Arrived on Blu-ray and DVD January 10 as an All-New Unrated

Ex-tended Cut

Summary:

Ring in the New Year with a fresh and funny tale about dating, relationships and life as Anna Faris (Scary Movie Franchise, The House Bunny) and Chris Evans (Fantastic Four, Captain America) come together in a hilarious quest for “the one” in WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? Unrated Ex-tended Cut, debuted on Blu-ray and DVD January 10 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

After reading a magazine article that insists if a woman has slept with at least 20 people that they have already missed Mr. Right, marketing executive Ally Darling (Anna Faris) begins to panic, thinking that she will be alone forever. With the help of her hunky new neighbor (Chris Evans), Ally starts tracking down all her ex-boyfriends, hoping to find her real true love while she helps him escape his latest fling. Hilarious hijinks and adventure ensues as Ally goes on her wild search for the best “ex” of her life, only to find what she is looking has been right in front of her all along.

Featuring hysterical supporting performances from Chris Pratt (Moneyball, “Parks and Recreation”), Joel McHale (“The Soup,” “Community”) and Andy Samberg (“Saturday Night Live,” Hot Rod), WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? is based on the book “20 times a Lady” by Karen Bosnak and will be available as a Blu-ray combo pack and single disc DVD.

This movie was a funny chick flick! It would be a good movie to sit down with your girlfriends and watch on a girl's night out! It does get a little raunchy and risque in parts but overall I liked it! :)

Buy It: You can purchase the Blu-ray combo pack and single disc DVD of What's Your Number for an average retail price of $29.99 and $19.99 respectively.

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

God Loves You Very Much DVD Review and Giveaway

2012-01-31T07:52:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to share with you one of the newest VeggieTales DVD's: God Loves You Very Much!

This fun and family friendly film features stories that demonstrate how God cares for us in all kinds of situations! VeggieTales: God Loves You Very Much is the follow-up title to the smash-hit VeggieTales DVD, God Made You Special.

This release includes nearly 90 minutes of family-friendly content and features three fan-favorite VeggieTales stories that teach other valuable lessons about love, Gideon: Tuba Warrior, The Ballad of Little Joe and Rack, Shack & Benny. The title also includes an all-new “story-song” called Does He Love Me?, as well as other bonus features and activities.

My Opinion

VeggieTales is the favorite genre of movie in my house with my son! He literally asks to watch a VeggieTales movie everyday!

So when he saw that we received a new VeggieTales movie, he couldn't wait to watch it! :)

And of course, he LOVED it! It has all his favorite characters in it and, best of all, it includes FOUR different stories in the one DVD! It is great for when I only want him to watch a short story!

Best of all, it gives an amazing message: that God cares for us!!

Buy It: You can purchase God Loves You Very Much for $12.93 wherever DVDs are sold.

Win It: VeggieTales is generously offering (1) God Loves You Very Much DVD to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) God Loves You Very Much VeggieTales DVD

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Isabella's Cookie Company Review

2012-01-30T10:11:00.000-06:00

If you have a sweet tooth like me, then you will definitely love this review on Isabella's Cookie Company and their delicious Chocolate Sugar Rush cookies that are only available for a limited time in honor of Valentine's Day!!

Isabella's Cookie Company produces a variety of cookies that combine wholesome ingredients with an exclusive baking process to create scrumptious treats that satisfy every sweet-tooth. For Valentine's Day, they offer custom themed confections that can be made in a number of flavors and truly capture the essence of this love-filled holiday.

They pack their cookies and baked treats with all sorts of rich confections that will satisfy the most discriminating sweet-tooth! They have mastered the art of combining the finest wholesome ingredients with their trademark baking process to generate the most unique handmade baked creations you have ever tasted, free from any artificial ingredients or preservatives! Their signature packaging and attention to smallest detail enable us to provide their customers with the service they deserve.

I generously received the Chocolate Sugar Rush cookies! These were recently introduced as a sweet addition for Valentine's Day. Available from January 23rd through February 17th, this scrumptious cookie is the perfect gift for your special someone!

The Chocolate Sugar Rush Cookie is love at first bite. A new take on an Isabella's Cookies favorite, they took their original Sugar Rush cookie, added chocolate to it & then covered it with creamy chocolate frosting & pink sprinkles to make for a treat that is soft and sure to sweeten up anyone's Valentine's Day.

My Opinion

I am a huge sweets fan, but honestly I am not a huge fan of chocolate, especially with baked treats! (Weird, I know!:) So when I saw these Chocolate Sugar Rush cookies from Isabella's Cookie Company, I was a little hesitant to try them!

However, my doubts were immediately extinguished the minute I took a bite! The cookie was SO soft, chewy and sugary delicious! The frosting (my favorite part!) was soft and sweet too and made the cookie a perfect treat for my sugar cravings!

I reach for these cookies every time I get a sugar craving and they immediately satisfy me! I actually love the chocolate taste and am glad I received these ones to try! :) If the Chocolate Sugar Rush cookies taste this good, I can only imagine how great the regular Sugar Rush cookies taste!!

Best of all, I feel pretty good eating these cookies because they don't contain any artificial ingredients or preservatives!! I love that a cookie company cares about satisfying our sweet tooths without compromising our health! :)

I DEFINITLY recommend these limited time Chocolate Sugar Rush cookies for a great Valentine's Day gift for the sweet tooth on your list! They will definitely thank you over and over again as they take each bite!

Buy It: You can purchase the Chocolate Sugar Rush cookies for $6.50 (for the Bites size) on the Isabella's Cookie Company website.

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

Sage Spoonfuls Review and Giveaway

2012-01-30T07:49:00.000-06:00

One of my biggest goals with my next child is to make most (if not all) the nutritious, organic baby food that my new daughter will eat! Sage Spoonfuls has come to my rescue and will now make that goal very achievable!

Sage Spoonfuls provides all the tools you need to make healthy, delicious and affordable food for your baby.

As parents, we only want the best for our children. By feeding them homemade baby food, we are not only giving them the most delicious and nutritious food—we are laying a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy food choices. You don't need to be a chef, have a lot of time on your hands, or a kitchen full of fancy equipment to make and store your own baby food—in fact you'll be shocked at how easy it is with the Sage Spoonfuls system. By spending just 1 hour every 2 weeks, you can have a freezer stocked with healthy and delicious baby food, made from safe, natural ingredients. Instead of going to the store to buy baby food, you can simply "go shopping" in your freezer!

I generously received the The Homemade Lifestyle Package. This package includes the entire Sage Spoonfuls collection in one package! This package gives you everything you need to live a homemade lifestyle with ease and makes a wonderful baby shower gift!

The package includes:

- "Sage Spoonfuls Book—Simple Recipes*Healthy Meals*Happy Babies", by Liza Huber
- The Sage Mommy Tote – big, roomy, & convenient, for on-the-go moms
- On-The-Go Cooler – perfect for visits and day trips
- Freezer Pack – keeps your homemade baby food fresh and cold for up to 12 hours
- Pocket Guide – learn about age-appropriate foods, foods to avoid, organics, infant CPR and more
- Immersion Blender and Food Processor – purees a month’s worth of baby food in just seconds!
- 12 BPA-free 4 oz Storage Jars with 60 Labels – make and store your baby’s food in large batches
- 2 Stackable Storage Trays

All products are BPA, Lead, Phthalate and PVC free!

My Opinion

Like I mentioned, I REALLY want to exclusively make my daughter's baby food this time around. With my first child, my son, I was in the "first baby daze" and did the best I could and made my own baby food when I could! However, I still bought my fair share of organic baby food from the store.

What irks me is that I know I can make it cheaper and quicker and make it as healthy and diverse as I want!

That is why I was so, so excited to learn about and receive the Homemade Lifestyle Package from Sage Spoonfuls! It has everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, you need to either get started as a novice food maker or reach your goals of exclusively feeding homemade baby food!

My favorite item is the Food Processor! This is the item I lacked with my last child and my last attempts. It was such a hassle to get my blender out and it took a lot longer than it does with this awesome food processor and immersion blender! Plus, I can use the food processor for so many other things, including the regular cooking I do for my family! It is small and compact so it fits in my small kitchen (with no cabinet space!) but super powerful and easy to use!

I also love the cooler and ice packs! This solves the problem of traveling and how to keep your baby eating healthy on the go but keeping your food cold at the same time!

The Sage Spoonfuls book was also really helpful because it helped me remember about what food is good for what age and even included a good reminder on Infant CPR (which is really great for my husband who has never taken the course!)!

If you have a desire to save money, make your baby food cheap and healthy, and save yourself shopping time, then you have got to check out all the Sage Spoonfuls products, especially the Homemade Lifestyle Package! It includes everything you need to be your baby's personal chef and build a great healthy eating foundation for them for the rest of their lives!

Buy It: You can purchase the Homemade Lifestyle Package for $159.99 on the Sage Spoonfuls website.

Win It: Sage Spoonfuls is generously offering (1) Homemade Lifestyle Package to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

(1) Sage Spoonfuls Homemade Lifestyle Package
(worth $159.99!!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Organo Gold Organic Coffee

2012-01-29T11:07:00.002-06:00

Every day Americans gulp down a staggering 400 million cups, with more than half of Americans above the age of 18 partaking in a caffeine hit every day. Are you one of those people who enjoy a warm cup of coffee on a daily basis? Then make sure to read on about Organo Gold!

These days, you hear a lot about the bad effects of caffeine and people are rightly concerned about the effects all this caffeine has on their health. Is it good for you? Well, if it’s Organo Gold coffee, then yes it is!

The 100% Arabica bean coffee is mixed with the reishi mushroom, which has been used in Chinese healthcare for more than 4,000 years with unparalleled success. It makes their immune system stronger, enabling them to fight off common colds which otherwise get them down. As well as that, it has a pep boost similar to caffeine but without the comedown. People’s general demeanor can be improved through this miraculous mushroom.

Why is it called Organo? Well, that’s because the entire product is 100% organic, which you know I LOVE! In today’s world where everything is overprocessed, it’s important to know the history of a product.

What to learn more about Organo Gold and share it with others?? Well the good news is that Organo Gold is a network marketing company and it allows you to make money by sharing these products with others and getting paid when they consume the products! Become a Organo gold distributor today and get paid EVERY TIME someone drinks a cup of OG COFFEE!

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*This post is brought to you by Organo Gold. All opinions are 100% mine!*

Bagrationi Wine Review

2012-01-27T09:58:00.000-06:00

If you are looking to celebrate Valentine's Day with a delicious celebratory wine or are just looking for a great gift for the wine lover on your list, then let me introduce you to the Sparkling Wine from the Country of Georgia!

Bagrationi 1882, a historic sparkling wine producer from the country of Georgia in the Black Sea region of Eastern Europe, has recently announced its entrance into the U.S. wine market. For the first time in the New World, wine enthusiasts can now experience these unique sparkling wines from the very place where winemaking was born. With the introduction of Bagrationi 1882, wine consumers in America can now enjoy the favorite sparkling wine from the world’s oldest wine growing region.

Bagrationi wines, from one of the world’s oldest wine-growing region (7,000 + years), are grown in Georgia at the same latitude as N. Spain, S. France, Italy, and California. They’ve been around since 1882 (now that’s longevity!), and produce four tasty sparklers (Classic Brut, Classic Extra Dry, Reserve Brut and their premium Royal Cuvee).

My Opinion

As you all know, I am a HUGE wine fan! But what you might not know is I like SPARKLING wine even better! There is just something extra special and celebratory about a little bubbly! :)

If you are looking for a great celebratory wine to make a toast with to your loved one this Valentine's Day, you have got to turn to Bagrationi Sparkling Wine!

You will feel like you are in a different country far, far away when you drink this wine from Georgia! It tastes great - fruity and light - and it will be a great addition to any V-day dinner!

Buy It: You can purchase Bagrationi sparkling wines at price points ranging from under $10 to $35 and are available in your local wine retailers and online.

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

Little Angels DVD and Fun Printables

2012-01-27T07:33:00.000-06:00

Presented by Executive Producer Roma Downey A Fun New Educational Series Filled with BIG Adventure Arrives on DVD February 14

Discover the joy of learning and friendship with this season’s most heavenly new collection! From executive producer Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”) comes the first three volumes of a fresh, fun and inspiring educational series that children and their parents (and grandparents too) can enjoy together in LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s, LITTLE ANGELS ANIMALS, and LITTLE ANGELS 1,2,3’s, soaring onto DVD with Digital Copy February 14 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Roma Downey stated, "For many years I had the privilege of playing an angel on television, bringing a message of God's love to millions of Americans. As a mother, I have longed to be part of a project that would help to bring that same message to children by not only teaching them the foundations of education - but also providing strong examples of good behavior. Little Angels does just that. It offers critical learning skills through the lens of timeless and age appropriate Bible stories. I only wish this series had been available when my kids were younger!"

LITTLE ANGELS is an animated DVD series and has been created for pre-school aged children to teach practical learning skills like ABCs and numbers. The series is presented in a captivating and entertaining format that will help parents to teach their little angels a big love of learning while also providing hours of fun to enjoy together with exciting DVD extras.

Pre-school twins Alex and Zoe are blessed to have eight Little Angels watching over them – literally! These Little Angels live on the ceiling of their bedroom, painted there so they are the first things the kids see when they wake up in the morning and the last thing they see before they fall asleep at night. The angels come to life when the children need them most, helping guide them through the challenges of their young lives.

Featuring a great deal of interactive DVD extras including charming music videos and downloadable activity sheets, plus a downloadable bonus digital copy of each lesson that will allow for learning on the go, the LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s, LITTLE ANGELS ANIMALS, and LITTLE ANGELS 1, 2, 3’s DVDs are a great value moms can feel good about sharing with their little angels. The DVD series is timed perfectly to be available just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Below find some really fun and educational activity printables to celebrate the release of Little Angels!

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My Pregnancy Journal: Week 31

2012-01-26T15:45:00.000-06:00

I don't usually write too much personal stuff about my life on this site, but I haven't shared much about my current pregnancy with my little girl and I saw this fun Linky post over at Happenings of the Harper Household and I just couldn't resist! :)

Plus, I just got some good photos of my big pregnancy belly while on vacation so I thought I would share (hope you appreciate it because I don't necessarily LOVE showing off belly pics! LOL :)

Your pregnancy: 31 weeks

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

About me & Baby Girl this week….I will be 31 weeks on Sunday!

Symptoms:

Tired, tired, tired...it is starting to feel like the first trimester all over again! Ughh..
I am also feeling HUGE but that could be from the extra weight I gained from eating all you can eat ALL DAY on our all-inclusive vacation last week! :)
Food is not sitting so well in my stomach anymore...
Getting sore if I sit too long but thankfully no swelling yet!

Weight Gain: Gained too much last week is all I am going to say. Still in a healthy range though - have gained about 21 lbs so far.

Cravings: I am always craving good pasta...like the Mac & Cheese from Noodles & Co. and Olive Garden!! And as always sugar is my biggest weakness..cookies, Dairy Queen, and the delicious chocolate covered almonds my sweet hubby bought this week!!

Food Aversions: It is pretty random...anything I ate in the first trimester I don't really want ever and I just never want to cook because I don't like all the smells!

What made me cry this week: My son is such a big boy and hit huge milestones this week! I couldn't handle all of them and broke down early this week!

We made the transition to his big boy bed in his new room, moved all his stuff out of the nursery, and he did such a great job sleeping in his big bed! (He looks so tiny in his big twin size bed!!) It was way easier (for him!) than I thought it would be and it just reminded me how blessed we are too have such a good boy! Then today he wore underwear to bed and stayed dry! Our empty nursery makes me sad but excited that we can start decorating for our little girl!

Medical Stuff: My midwife is really annoying me lately. We have started clashing when it comes to certain medical interventions and she even dared to make the comment this week at my appt., "Do you have a death wish?" Who says that??!!!!

I am still sticking to my guns and sticking with my philosophy that I want to have this pregnancy with as little medical intervention as possible, as naturally and as close as God intended pregnancy and birth to be as possible, and not let her get me worried, depressed or stressed! I am definitely picking a new midwife next time or hopefully having a home birth (please hubby!!!)

Thoughts from my son: He is super excited especially now that he is in his big boy room and the nursery is empty. He keeps telling me we need to get some stars to hang in his little sister's room and today he helped me sort his old clothes to see if there is anything we can use again. Plus, he will randomly make comments while he is playing like, "I gotta pick this up so baby sister doesn't choke on it!" and he loves to kiss my belly and tell his sister he loves her!

Something I am excited about: I am excited to finally have no plans for the next couple months. These last couple months have been so busy with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and our vacation! I am ready to hide away, get huge, and get this baby's room ready! :)

We are down to SINGLE DIGIT weeks!

Thanks for letting me share! :)