Tips for Stain Removal + Win your own Frigidaire Affinity Series!

The following is a guest post sent to me by the Frigidaire team. I must be honest--the only reason I opened the email is because new appliances by Frigidaire make me drool. I have a vision of having a beautiful laundry room some day, and I want a washer and dryer from them to be a part of it! Well, I started reading what they had sent me and I was impressed enough to share it with you as well. So without further ado, here are some great tips on getting cleaner clothes and how to get tough summer stains out (I'm thinking that we can all pretend we have the new Affinity series to do our laundry and then apply the principles below to the machines that we ACTUALLY have). Be sure to check out the last section of this post as it tells you how you can help get money donated to Save The Children, and also how to enter for a chance to REALLY own your own Affinity washer and dryer!

 

10 Steps to Cleaner Clothes for Frigidaire  

by Tara Aronson

1. Immediately rinse or blot away spills on your clothes with cool water to prevent stains from setting.
2. Read fabric care labels before you wash. Your clothes will last longer if you know how to treat them.
3. Sort laundry by color, wash cycle needed, and water temperature required. The Frigidaire Affinity’s Permanent Press cycle washes with warm water and less agitation, resulting in less wear and tear on your sturdy jeans, khakis, and sweaters; the Delicates cycle uses cold water and light agitation to gently clean swimsuits, workout clothes, and lingerie.
4. Before washing stained garments, pretreat or prewash the spot using the Affinity’s Rinse & Spin cycle. If at first you don’t succeed, wash, wash again.
5. To keep snags and lint to a minimum, zip zippers, button buttons, empty pockets, and brush away lint before tossing duds in the hamper.
6. If your clothing is heavily soiled, your load large, or the water cold, add extra laundry detergent. Use the Affinity’s Heavy Duty cycle for sturdy but really dirty items like jeans and towels; choose the Sanitize setting to use the hottest water available to get rid of germs and grime as thoroughly as possible.
7. Check wet garments for remaining stains, and re-treat as needed before drying. Heat will set stains.
8. Dry only full loads. Tumbling a handful of garments prolongs the drying time by reducing the tumbling.
9. Fold shirts and T-shirts to prevent wrinkling. If the shirt has buttons, button it at top, middle and bottom. Lay facedown. Fold both sides of the shirt so they meet in the back, with the sleeves aligned with the side folds. Fold the tail up to the cuffs, making a straight line at the bottom. Then fold in thirds crosswise. For T-shirts: a child’s T-shirt needs only one crosswise fold in half; an adult’s should be folded into thirds.
10. Fold shorts and pants by aligning the inseams and outer seams of the legs and fold so that a crease forms at the front center of the legs. Fold in half or in thirds, depending on the size of the garment.

5 Summer Stain Tips for Frigidaire

  by Tara Aronson

Smudges, drips, drops and smears – no matter what their source, the key to keeping them from ruining your favorite shorts or T-shirt is to take quick action – before it gets a chance to dry. For most fabrics, this means blotting up the excess or rinsing the discolored area with cold water (hot can set a stain.) 

Don’t rub: this spreads the spot and grinds it deeper into the fabric.


Summer spills are especially tough. Here’s how to remove the five most common:

1. Crayon.
Scrape off as much of the colorful surface as possible using a plastic picnic knife. Apply laundry detergent directly on the stained area. Gently rub the detergent into the fabric then let sit several minutes. Launder using the hottest water the fabric can handle - or the Sanitize setting of your Frigidaire Affinity washer. Dry as usual.

2. Iced coffee.
Sponge the stained area with cold water. Apply a pretreater to the blight. Wash as usual and air dry.

3. Grass.
Prewash the garment in warm water in your washing machine –the Rinse & Spin cycle on your Affinity washer – and a laundry detergent containing enzymes. Launder as usual (normal setting) with detergent and chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric. If the garment’s care label instructions advise against it, use oxygen (color safe) bleach instead. Dry as usual.

4. Juice.
Soak for a minute or so in cold water. Remove excess water, and then apply a pretreater directly on the stained area. Wash with detergent as usual. Air dry. Do not place in the dryer until the blight is completely gone – otherwise the stain is likely to set.

5. Chocolate (or chocolate ice cream).
Prewash the garment in warm water with a laundry detergent that contains enzymes using the Affinity’s Rinse & spin setting. Launder as usual, using the washing machine’s Normal setting. Dry as usual.

Make a Difference And WIN your own Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer!

When people visit http://Facebook.com/Frigidaire and share their personal Adventures in Clean, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children, as part of its $750,000 commitment to the cause. It’s simple to share your Adventures in Clean – just upload a photo and the online app turns it into your very own movie poster! Plus, to help spread the word, everyone who participates will be entered for a chance to win a new Frigidaire Affinity® washer and dryer featuring Ready Steam™.

Disclosure: I was entered to win $50 or something (I can't actually remember, haha) by sharing this post with you. What I am really hoping to do though, is to enter the Facebook contest there and win a washer and dryer. ;-) Oh, and of course, the opinions mentioned are all mine. 

DIY: T-Shirt Scarf in 11 Steps

 Step 1: gather old t-shirts

 

Step 2: cut off the hem of the t-shirt

 

Step 3: cut t-shirt horizontally into 1" strips from bottom of shirt until you reach the armpits

Step 4: Cut off sleeves

Step 5: cut off the hem of the sleeves

 

Step 6: Taking all of the hems, make one cut in each so that you now have a strip of fabric instead of a ring. Then, cut the strips into 5" long pieces

 

Step 7: Take one t-shirt ring, and stretch it out so that it goes from looking like the top strip to looking like the bottom strip

Step 8: take the now stretched out t-shirt loop and wrap it around your hand (the palm part) and slide it off so that your fabric loop is now stacked in a circle.

Step 9: repeat steps 7 and 8 with all of the t-shirt loops

Step 10:  using one of the 5" strips of hem fabric, tie two of the t-shirt loop stacks together.

Step 11: repeat step 10 until your scarf is the length you want it!

All done! Wear it proudly, you look both classy and fun in this scarf. :) This is also a great way to make a t-shirt garland for special occasions--and it's so easy to clean because all you have to do is throw it in the wash!

Swimsuits I Want

At some point, all of my extremely hard work is going to pay off (or so I tell myself). I am currently on day 21 of Insanity (check it the video below) and have yet to see any results. It's getting to be very, very depressing. I do actually think, though, that my thyroid is out of whack and affecting this weight problem as I have had symptoms for YEARS that have gotten worse since having my second baby. We're talking a body temp in the 96-97f range, water retention, adult acne, brittle nails, fatigue, etc.. Pretty much EVERY symptom of hypothyroidism. Why am I not on medication? Because I have never been able to test "positive" on the blood work scale. :-\ So I am left now to killing myself and not being able to lose a single pound (example: I did the full 10 day Lemonade Diet a few years ago and lost nothing. NOTHING after not eating for 10 days! Now, I am doing the most intense pure cardio workout that I could find and have lost NOTHING again!), being saddened by the fact that I'm 26 and still have problem skin, and can NOT get rid of extra fluid regardless of what I drink or eat. Boo.

Ok, I'm done with the pitty party. If you're a medical practitioner that would prescribe me some Synthroid based on symptoms rather than blood work though, please let me know ASAP! Or if you aren't, I'm open to all suggestions below. :)

Anyway, I randomly found Hapari Swimwear today online and I really want one of their swimsuits now. They claim to be a great brand for moms (we all know how that "mom" body is!), offering more support where you need it, coverage in the right places, but cute styles and prints to boot! My eyes are wide as I contemplate the possibility of looking good enough in a swimsuit that I can actually walk out into public while wearing it...

So once my body responds to my slave driving and I have the time to go tanning so you can't see through my pale skin, these are the styles that I like most:

My FAVORITE

 The look of comfort:

Feminine AND flattering!

<3 the print and cleavage support (haha)

 

Nursing Mamas Can Be Sexy, Too!

One of the biggest things new mothers have to combat after giving birth is their new body image. For 9 months, your body changed and developed into something entirely different than it was before. Beautifully encasing a growing baby, your body is (for most) easy to cherish during that time. Then the baby comes and it's as though your body morphed into something not-so-desirable in the snap of a finger. All of the sudden, you realize that you're overweight, have a very flabby belly, your thighs and butt are larger than they were before, and your boobs aren't nearly as perky.

While I am the first to say that mother's bodies are beautiful and the media has it totally wrong to consider the only form of beauty to be unhealthily thin models with large curves in very defined places (and forget stretch marks, or puffy eyes, right?), I am also the first to understand how hard it is to accept our new bodies once we become mothers. It's pretty tough to be sleep deprived, give of yourself so much in every way to those around you 24-hours a day, and somehow still feel beautiful.

After LoveBug's birth, it wasn't an option for me to do anything but breastfeed. I was so committed to it that I practically lived with my breast pump at all times since I had to work full time +. With breastfeeding also came the nursing bras...and boy, are they ugly! What is it with frumpy looking old-lady-beige colored nursing bras? Why didn't it occur to someone that us nursing moms need an extra boost of self confidence? I once heard a male coworker state "why would you need to wear a sexy bra after you're married? No one will see it..." I rolled my eyes.

It took me a very, very long time to find sexy nursing bras on the market that fit me (size 32huge--how would it make YOU feel if even Victoria's Secret didn't even carry your size?). Most of them are very expensive (at least to the cheapskate that I am), but I think they are totally worth it. So ladies, throw out your frumpy beige bolder holders, and stock your drawers full of these:

Hot Milk Lingerie

http://www.hotmilklingerie.com

From New Zealand, they sell matching bra and panty sets, include 3/4 cup size for pregnant and nursing mamas. Not only this, but they also have a few lingerie "nightie" selections, some pj's, and a camisole.  Bras average around $60.00 and sport dramatic names like "Her Midnight Charm Was Striking" and "Tamed By Her Sensuality." Oh, yes. I snagged an "Awakened By Her Desire" bra over Black Friday and am happy to report that the fit is pretty good, and it's a very sturdy bra. I thought the lace overlay was cheesier in real life than in the photo, but it's still 100x better than the beige. The nursing enclosure, like most nursing bras, leaves a strap in place where the cup would be when you open the nursing flap.

Cake Lingerie

http://www.cakelingerie.com

From their website: "Cake was born in 2008 when its founder; Tracey Montford yearned for beautiful lingerie during her pregnancy. All she could find was matronly, high cupped, uninspiring and unflattering product which did nothing for her self esteem and pride, during this period of vulnerability" ...Can it be said any better than this? This company is one that really gets it. In fact, they began a "Real Mums, Real Fit" campaign, using NO models and doing NO touch ups for stock photos. How much closer to awesome can a company get?! Their bras also retail for around $60 and matching panties are also available with 2 styles to choose from per bra. One exciting thing is that they're just about to launch a new line, and it looks pretty delicious (yes, pun intended).

My husband got me their "Plum Pudding" bra for Christmas and I have to say that it is the BEST fit in a bra that I have EVER had. I only wish that I had gotten a larger band size, but the cups are awesome! They're actually round and hold their shape which I can't say for most other bras (it seems that most are oblong one way or another). I also love that when you drop the nursing flap/cup, there is no strap that crosses your breast. It's just like a regular bra that will drop the cup on your command. Super comfy, very well made, and cute as all get out. I am hoping for another one come Valentine's Day and our anniversary. ;-)

The Organic Woombie Review & Giveaway

The Woombie is an infant swaddler made with soft and eco-friendly fabrics that's VERY easy to use. They've been making headlines in the mainstream "baby" market, and we were lucky enough to snag one for a review and giveaway on Life More Simply! If you aren't to familiar with the idea of swaddling an infant or of what the Woombie is all about, read what they say on their website at http://www.woombie.com:

Why Swaddle My Baby?

Swaddling is performed for many different reasons. Most importantly, it prevents the Startle Reflex, caused by a immature nervous system. By 6 months of age, most babies outgrow their need to be swaddled and can sleep "arms free". Other reasons for swaddling include a feeling of comfort and warmth when arms and legs are gently confined to the body's "core" as in the womb, where they spent 9 months growing. Babies also lack finer motor skills and hand/mouth coordination for the first few months of life, making self soothing nearly impossible- and many times, very frustrating after multiple attempts. Swaddling helps to cease the urge of "busy hands" from traveling to the mouth and face where scratching and Rooting can occur.

Quick Facts:

• The Woombie was created in 2006

  The Woombie is offered in 10 styles and 4 sizes
• The Woombie is a proud winner of the PTPA Best Product 2010 Award, PTPA Award, Creative Child Award & Moms Best Award.
• The Woombie allows for mobility and swaddle at the same time, allowing natural movement.
• Woombie products conform to CSPIA guidelines and have been tested in a CSPIA accredited laboratory for safety and compliance.
• Sizes should be ordered in accordance with weight, not age.
• Rolling is a sign to stop swaddling.
• Swaddling should always be done with baby laying on his/her back & using a sleep positioner if your Pediatrician recommends one per their specific guidelines.
• Woombie products are made in an Eco Friendly fashion which does not cause harm to the environment. Organic and natural products are used whenever possible to maintain the health of your baby.

Our Thoughts on the "Organic" Style Woombie:
This is by far the easiest swaddler you will find. No wings or velcro to figure out how to attach--just lay the baby in, zip, and go! The organic fabric is super soft, and held up well with washings though the logo did get a little wrinkled. One thing I loved was that the chin strap part is extra soft so you don't have to worry about it digging into the baby. The style of the swaddler is also super cute with soft, bright colors--and the company also just came out with a "delux" line of the Woombie which offers more flair by adding decorations.

Our son fit the newborn size pretty snugly at 12 pounds, which was helpful in restricting his movement. Baby Monkey started rolling over when he was 6-days-old and the Woombie really can't be used when a baby's on their belly, so it was nice that he couldn't really roll over while swaddled in it. Since he does sleep much better on his belly than back, we did try the Woombie on him while laying on his belly, but he wasn't able to lift his head very well to move around so I think their recommendation to not use on a baby who can roll is a good one. It's important to breathe, after all!

One disadvantage to the organic style is that your baby's arms can't really be out if the Woombie is to stay on correctly. Since Monkey insists on sleeping with his little hands touching his face, he didn't like full body swaddling. I have noticed that they offer a lot of other styles that allow freedom of movement for the hands, so I think that would be a better choice to go with.

Overall, I think this is a product worth investing in. It is easier and obviously stays together better than a blanket swaddle, and is so much faster and less cumbersome than other marketed baby swaddlers. While my particular child didn't sleep as well in it because of the hands issue, I do know other babies who basically CAN'T sleep unless they're in a Woombie! Most parents, I think, would really appreciate having one of these in their newborn's layette.

Buy It! Visit www.Woombie.com to view their huge selection of products and colors!

Win It! The company is generously giving one of my readers a Woombie of their choosing! Please visit their website and let me know which style, color, and size you would like to have. Be sure to leave a comment for each entry and include your email address in each comment. Contest will end on or after November 1, 2010, at 7pm EST.

Extra Entries:

•  "Join" the Woombie Facebook site and post this message on their FB wall: I just entered to win a Woombie at http://LifeMoreSimply.blogspot.com!
• Subscribe to Life More Simply through email, feedburner, Google Friend Connect, or any reader (1 entry per way)
• Follow Life More Simply on Twitter or "like" us on Facebook (1 entry per each)
• Spread the word about this contest by tweeting about it, posting on Facebook, blogging, emailing some friends, or sharing on a message board somewhere (make sure you include a link)!
• Sign up to Design America's Next Diaper

 Disclosure: The Woombie sent me an organic Woombie for review. No monetary compensation was received for this post.

Help Design America's Next Diaper!

Ooh, big news folks: Life More Simply is going to launch a diaper and clothing line.

Oh yes.

When? Not entirely sure of the "you can buy it" date yet, because everything's still in the works.

We need mamas and papas all over the nation to get on board in helping to design this diaper line, so go ahead and join the Review Panel by clicking HERE, then tell your neighbors, friends, and everyone else you do and don't know on the Internet so they can sign up too.

Why join, you ask?

Because you get FREE diapers and clothes, HUGE discounts, and will be the first-to-know about everything!  

Click here to learn more: 

http://lifemoresimply.blogspot.com/p/life-more-simply-review-panel.html

ecoSTORE USA Laundry Liquid and Wool Wash Review

 ecoSTORE USA contacted me quite a while ago to do a review for them. After checking out their website and seeing how dedicated they are to making cleaning products (home, pet, and person) that actually live up to their claim of being natural and "green," I obviously said yes--send me some stuff to try! Like all of other reviews you're reading on here, it's way overdue. The good news for you is that during your long waiting period, their prices have lowered and they are currently running a special where if you buy any two household products, you'll receive a Pure Oxygen Whitener for free. And then there's the free shipping for orders over $25.00 which is nice, too.


This company has taken the problem of household chemicals seriously. It's worth your time to read through the information they have available on their website. Here's just a snippet of what they report (backed by research):

• According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers accidental poisonings occur in the home every 30 seconds.
• The National Safety Council has reported that more children under four die of from accidental poisoning than are killed by guns.
• A report by the EPA to Congress determined household cleaners three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air pollution.
• Women who work from home and are more frequently exposed to household toxins and poor air quality are 50% more likely to develop cancer.
• Newborn infants have trace levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies, passed on by their mother’s exposure.

Makes you think...what's in your cupboard?

My favorite thing about ecoSTORE USA actually has nothing to do with their products, but with their origins. Check it out:

The original customer base of ecostore NZ was comprised of mostly ‘Greenies’ and organic gardeners. However, it was not long before testimonials from other parents (many of whom were unaware of the benefits of eco-friendly products) began to pour in with wonderful news of their children's allergies and eczema clearing up. Many noted that any respiratory issues were healing, and many lingering chronic conditions were disappearing.

WOW! Their products sound like an internal cleanse that starts on the outside! I love it. And I love that they are from New Zealand since I'm pretty sure that's where I was supposed to have been born and where I would love to visit or move to some day. :-) Enough background though. On to the review!

I chose my items based on the fact that I was almost out of laundry soap and didn't even own any wool wash to clean my ever growing stack of wool and delicate articles that were dirty. There are other products I'd love to try, too, though, like their Baby Nappy Balm, Baby Sleepy Bath, and their hair care line (I hate regular store bought hair products!).

 

 

Laundry Liquid Ingredients:

• Palm and Coconut based non-ionic and anionic surfactants
• Fatty acid derivative
• Mineral hydroxide
• Certified organic Eucalyptus oil  

My thoughts: at first, I was taken back by the small bottle and Vicks-Vapoo-Rub smell. After using it, though, I was amazed how many loads I actually got out of the bottle. You really use only a very small amount of the soap to clean a load of laundry--and your clothes just come out smelling clean (not like a medicine cabinet). The soap passed all of my tests, including that it didn't cause any colors to run, rinsed completely out (thus not requiring any softener), and didn't cause a noticeable build up on my cloth diaper stash. It's a winner! The best news is that it does all of this with only having a small number of ingredients. Simplicity is a beautiful thing in my book.

Wool Wash Ingredients:

• Anionic and non-ionic surfactants (from glucose and coconut oil)
• Plant based alcohol and solvents
• Citric acid
• Water 

I actually enjoy the smell of this wool wash. While it still has a slightly medicinal smell to it (must be those plants that do the cleaning!), it also has a fruity note to it, making it more delicate and lovely. It's a great product, making wool diaper covers and clothing that was stiff when it went into the washer soft and snuggley when it came out.  Very easy to use, doesn't require a lot to get the job done, and has great packaging to boot with a very fun photograph on the front of the bottle. Once again, I love the short ingredients list!

Check out their website to find more information or to make a purchase at http://www.ecostoreusa.com!

Note: thanks, ecoSTORE USA for giving me the products for this review! No other compensation was received and though late, the opinions are all mine. :-)

Evita Dress Review & Giveaway from A Mother's Boutique!

A big thanks to A Mother's Boutique for being a big sponsor of the Baby Mama Shower!

You've probably noticed (and hopefully clicked on) me mentioning A Mother's Boutique throughout this month. Not only have they played a big part in me being able to bring this Baby Mama Shower event to you, but they are also playing a big part in the daily life of mothers through providing a place to find high quality clothing and breastfeeding accessories for pregnant and nursing mothers as well as some cute breastfeeding advocacy wear for babies. :-) Everything from underwear and bras to swim and eveningwear for every stage of early motherhood can be found at A Mother's Boutique with free ground shipping for orders over $60.00!

Some of my favorite items include:

The Organic Nursing Hoodie for $79.00 that comes in three different colors and doesn't even look like a nursing shirt. If you've ever tried to nurse while wearing a traditional hoodie, you too know that it becomes cumbersome very easily thanks to the bulk. I'd LOVE to have a hoodie made for nursing!

The Cichlid top on sale for $47.00. It's good for both pregnancy and nursing which is a huge bonus in my eyes, and it's fun as all get out. I don't know if it'd look as good on me in real life as it does the model, but it's fun to dream. :-)

 

Another super fun item is the breastfeeding advocacy wear that sports slogans like "The Milk Factory" for moms and "Born to Nurse" for babies. :-) Click here to check it out.

Their Front Twist Tankini by Anne Matthew for $63.00. I was tempted to snag this for the product review, but Judy, the owner of A Mother's Boutique, asked for a photo of me wearing whatever it was I chose to review. Well, I'm thinking that me in a swimsuit right now would NOT help make people want to buy anything from her store, so as much as I want the suit, I passed it up to spare you the image. ;-) So enjoy it on Anne Matthew to the side there. She looks great in it, doesn't she?

 

It comes in two colors and choices of bottoms...and you just lift the empire waist part of the top to nurse! I haven't ever tried to nurse when we've gone swimming simply because my chest is always too big so my suits are too tight and, well, getting the suit on to begin with is enough trouble without tryint to nurse on top of it. Since I've never tried a nursing swimsuit, I can't tell you how well it works, but I can definitely tell you that I want to find out!

What I did get a chance to review is also made by Anne Matthew: the Evita dress in crimson. It's a simple yet elegant dress that works for both the office and a night out--and it looks beautiful both during pregnancy and after with the ability to easily nurse your baby while wearing it! All you have to do is push the V-neck part aside and whola--nursing is easy while helping to keep you covered and without stretching your dress out. I've found it very easy to get on and off (important when you're 30-weeks pregnant and have a toddler who sticks to you like glue), falls around your figure nicely, and is easy to nurse from. I would recommend choosing a size larger than you think you'll need if you're a "lumpy" sort of lady. I've managed to sprout some love handles during this pregnancy (with my daughter it was the thighs and butt, this time it's the waist...what's a woman to do?) and notice that you can definitely see them when I wear this dress. I've modeled it for my sisters and husband who swear it is really just fine, but self concious me, I would just suggest that you go with a size bigger if you don't want all of the curves highlighted. :-) That picture to the side is of me wearing the dress at 29-weeks pregnant. Cute basketball-belly, right? I really like how the dress makes the bump look cute!

The dress is made of rayon spandex but is as soft as organic cotton, so the feel is great. I find that it can work for both chilly and warm weather and drapes very nicely over a pregnant belly. For $99.00, I think it's a decent price too, considering that you can wear it during pregnancy, nursing, and afterward--and look and feel great in it at any stage! I've even worn it with a dressy pair of pants underneath and have loved that look as well. We all know how important and difficult it can be to feel pretty during pregnancy and nursing, so don't underestimate the power of a nice dress. Five colors and a wide range of sizes ensure a good fit AND a flattering color to you as well.

A Mother's Boutique also offer a selection of "sale" items including all sorts of both regular and imperfect items that you'll want to check out, as well as a nice and informative blog which I've enjoyed going through. When you place an order, please expect great customer service. Judy was a joy to work with--quick shipping, great with answering sizing questions, and just all around pleasant and knowledgable!

Buy It! Visit http://mothersboutique.com/ and use the code "BABIES" for $5.00 off your $50.00 order.

Win It! A Mother's Boutique is giving away TWO $25.00 gift certificates to their store! Each will be chosen by random.org, so if you enter more than once, you might win both. :-) To enter, please visit http://mothersboutique.com/ and tell me what one of your favorite items in the store is and why. Be sure to leave an email address and separate comment for each entry! The winners will be chosen on or after May 7th, 2010.

Extra Entries:

• Follow A Mother's Boutique on Twitter  or Facebook (one entry each)
• Follow Life More Simply through Blogger/Google Friend Connect
• Subscribe to me in a reader/Feedburner
• Subscribe to me through email
• Tweet about this contest with a link @LifeMoreSimply. Tweet 1x/day!
• Follow @LifeMoreSimply on Twitter (check the sidebar link) (2 entries)
• Become a Facebook fan of Life More Simply (check the sidebar link)
• Blog about this contest! Tell your friends on a parenting forum! Just spread the word and tell me how you did! (1 entry per way)
• Grab any of my buttons and put them on your blog (1 entry/each).

Note: A Mother's Boutique provided me with the Evita dress to write this review. No other compensation was received for this review and I was under no obligation to write anything positive. The opinions are all mine!

Blush Topless Undershirt Review & Giveaway!

A big thanks to A Mother's Boutique for being a big sponsor of the Baby Mama Shower!

Blush Topless Undershirt Review & Giveaway

Blush Accessories is a company formed by two women who had a problem once-upon-a-time: their shirts just didn't cover their bellies. Their solution? A Topless Undershirt that's like a tube top but worn around the waist. The narrower top and widening bottom allows you to place the shirt wherever you need to on your abdomen without having it fall down around your hips, and the variety of colors and prints they offer make it so you can match any wardrobe with the "layered" look that I'm so fond of. Made of a poly/rayon/spandex blend, there's a lot of room for stretching and support regardless of your body shape. My favorite thing about the company, though, is the slogan that I just saw on their Facebook page:

Be Bold. Wear Blush.

Cause there is only one set of cheeks we want to see.

What Blush Says...

FOR EVERYONE If you love the look of layering without adding the extra bulk and straps, this is a product for you. Unlike a tank top or long shirt, it does not have straps which cause your undershirt to constantly ride up. It stays put without having to always readjust. Without straps, you are not limited to where the length of your shirt falls. You can adjust to any length, whether you want it to go just over the top of your pants or all the way down to your thigh. For all your favorite shirts that have shrunk in the dryer, don't throw them away! Just add a {topless undershirt} and you still have the length of the shirt you bought it as.

My Thoughts...

I was sent a chocolate colored top to review and have worn it quite a bit since receiving it a few months ago (yeah, this review is waaaaaaaay overdue...). Having worn it during the last few months though has really allowed me to see how it'll work on a regular body changing into a pregnant body (30 weeks today, baby!) which is important since you can use this as a way to simply lengthen your shirts, as a way to cover your abdomen and back during nursing, or to help cover a pregnant belly when those maternity shirts just aren't long enough anymore (who decides the length of maternity shirts, anyway?). Versatility is very important to me when I buy a piece of clothing, especially with being pregnant, nursing, and knowing that eventually I will be normal again. :-) So my first thought about this shirt is that it really serves many purposes, making it worth the money. Nursing? No problem! I found this was a great way to provide warmth AND modesty while nursing my daughter and without the hassel of moving, unsnapping, or putting something on to do so. I do think that late in pregnancy you'll want the next size up from what you normally wear, though, as you can't just pull it down as far as you need to cover the watermelon-belly look.

I love the selection of colors, prints, and textures they have for their shirts (two have a lacey bottom)! As a person who doesn't believe in having a ton of clothes, the Topless Undershirt is a great way to expand your wardrobe by mix-and-matching the undershirt with different "regular" shirts but without having to buy more clothing. Even though this shirt has a lot of stretch, I was actually surprised to read the "ingredients" in the makeup because it feels just like a soft cotton shirt feels.

Obviously, I've washed this shirt many times by now. Regardless of that, I've seen no fading, stretching, or other signs of wear. The only thing I'd actually want to see Blush offer is an even longer shirt that one could put under her arm pits rather than under her chest. I'm a cold person and it'd be nice to have that little extra layer around the "nursers," as my daughter calls them. ;-)

Buy It! Blush Accessories is offering a 20% discount when you buy 2 or more undershirts from them. So pick your favorites or order with a friend! Just enter the code "welovebloggers" on their website at http://www.toplessundershirt.com/

Win It! Blush Accessories will be giving one of my readers a Topless Undershirt in the size of her choice (sorry, can't pick the color)! To enter, you need to do two things: become a Twitter follower and Facebook friend of Blush. Yes, two things, but the shirt is great, so get on it and then tell me you did so here! Be sure to leave an email address and separate comment for each entry. Contest ends May 7th, 2010.

Become a friend of Blush on Facebook: Blush Undershirts

Follow Blush on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BlushUndershirt (they have a lot of deals they disclose on Twitter, I noticed!)

Extra Entries:

• Visit their website at http://toplessundershirt.com/ and tell me your favorite color/print
• Follow Life More Simply through Blogger/Google Friend Connect
• Subscribe to me in a reader/Feedburner
• Subscribe to me through email
• Tweet about this contest with a link @LifeMoreSimply and @BlushUndershirt. Tweet 1x/day!
• Follow @LifeMoreSimply on Twitter (check the sidebar link) (2 entries)
• Become a Facebook fan of Life More Simply (check the sidebar link)
• Blog about this contest! Tell your friends on a parenting forum! Just spread the word and tell me how you did! (1 entry per way)
• Grab any of my buttons and put them on your blog (1 entry/each).

Note: Blush Accessories provided me with the sample to do this review. No other compensation was received and I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

BabyBond Nursing Cover Review, Giveaway, & Discount Code

BabyBond Nursing Covers were designed by Missy, a mother who understood the importance of eye contact and communication with her children while she was nursing them. Frustrated by the available nursing covers that covered the baby's face while nursing, she developed the BabyBond Nursing Cover. Made in the USA and of 100% cotton fabric, these nursing covers come in three different styles and in a variety of colors.

What BabyBond Has To Say...

BabyBond™ nursing accessories cover mom, not her baby. Mom is able to maintain her modesty. Baby remains uncovered benefiting from the infinite opportunity to make eye contact, interact, and communicate. After all, dining is social.

Original Style

                                                                                                

BabyBond Original™ is worn like a sash, functioning like a nursing top. Nurse from the top of your shirt. Separate the layers of fabric to achieve latch on. Double panel keeps breast covered above & below. Belly & back remain covered with your own shirt. Built-in 9 x 12″ double layer terry velour burp cloth. Stores in matching pouch.

Couture Style

BabyBond Couture™ is adjustable creating a custom fit as your body changes after baby arrives. A hybrid between nursing top and belly band, it can be worn to nurse from the top or the bottom of your shirt so it works with your entire wardrobe. When worn like a sash, it functions like a nursing top. When worn like a belt, it functions like a belly band. Rolls up into self-storing pouch.

Flex Style

BabyBond Flex™ is worn like a sash, functioning like a nursing top. Nurse from the top of your shirt. Separate the layers of fabric to achieve latch on. Double panel keeps breast covered above & below. Belly & back remain covered with your own shirt. Removable 9 x 12″ double layer terry velour burp cloth. Able to attach any cloth or wear without cloth attached. Stores in matching pouch.

"I believe every experience is a learning experience and that breastfeeding offers infinite opportunity to interact and communicate with your baby."

(Missy Reder, owner and designer of BabyBond)

My Thoughts...

The two things that struck me most about the Couture BabyBond Nursing Cover I tried were that it was elegant in packaging and that it rolls up very small (each cover comes with a matching pouch). The portable size makes this the cover that I now keep in our diaper bag--it takes up hardly any room and is easy to find when I need it! I found that this was really any easy cover to nurse from and that my daughter much prefers it over our regular nursing covers that hide her face. It's nice to not have to juggle nursing and a little person's hands trying to pull the cover away at the same time!

I would definitely suggest that you practice with your BabyBond before trying it for the first time in public. The Couture style can be worn as either a belly band to cover your abdomen and back while lifting your shirt to nurse, or as a sash that you wear over your shirt and just separate the two layers of the BabyBond to nurse through. The belly band way is easy to manage, but to figure out exactly how to use it in the nursing way is a little tricker. Thankfully, there's a picture instruction guide sewn right into the BabyBond so you never have to wonder if you're doing it right! Once I got the hang of putting it on the correct way, I found that it's quick and easy to do.

Being able to see my baby while she's nursing is huge. Let's face it--other nursing covers, even though they have that "peep hole" in top, are tricky to really look in to, and also tricky to even keep in place once your baby doesn't want to be covered any more. My daughter is particularly social and covering her up is a real chore, so I was thrilled when I discovered BabyBond's website and they agreed to a review. Due with my second child on June 30th, I plan to use my Couture cover from the start instead of a usual nursing cover. It will be much easier to teach a newborn to nurse when I can really interact with him without a piece of fabric in the way!

Buy It!

Each cover is $35.00 but you can enter code "simply" for 25% off of your order until 4/17/2010. Visit http://www.babybondnursing.com/.

Win It!

BabyBond is giving one of my readers a FREE nursing cover in the style and color of her choice! To enter, please visit http://www.babybondnursing.com/ and let me know the style, color, and SIZE of the cover you'd like. Be sure to leave your email address and a separate comment for each entry. Contest ends April 14, 2010 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries

Follow me on Blogger or Google Friend Connect

Subscribe to me via email

Fan be on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Tweet about this contest with a link and @lifemoresimply (1 entry/tweet per day)

Blog about this contest (2 entries)

Grab the Baby-Mama Shower button (2 entries)

Grab my regular button

Otherwise spread the word and tell me how you did!

Good luck and be blessed!

A sample nursing cover was provided to me by BabyBond for this review. No other compensation was received and the opinions are all mine.

Undercover Mama Review, Giveaway, & Discount

Undercover Mama provides a unique solution for nursing moms: the ability to turn any nursing bra into a nursing shirt. This may seem to good to be true, but it does work and I can vouch for the inginuity of this product after having tried it for myself! I received a Undercover Mama shirt to review a few months ago and it's become a main staple in my wardrobe since then. Living on a budget and in a cold climate, I need nursing shirts that will cover me, keep me warm, and be affordable. We all know how expensive and uncomfortable some nursing tops can be, but with this shirt, I've been able to wear all of my "regular" shirts and still nurse without becoming exposed in the process. AND it's comfortable--even at 26 weeks pregnant!

What the company says...

Undercover Mama functions as an undershirt, keeping your back, sides and belly covered as you nurse. It has no straps and attaches directly to the outer flaps of any top-opening nursing bra. Undercover Mama remains attached while in use. You will feel like you are wearing a regular cami under you shirt, but when you need to nurse you still just have to undo the flap on your bra and Undercover Mama opens with it- No extra flaps or hooks to deal with each time. Undercover Mama's generous length make them great to layer under your shirts and allow you to nurse comfortably.

More of my thoughts...
I really have nothing negative to say about this product, nor can I think of a way to improve upon it other than to keep making the shirts and add some more colors and fabric selections for us to choose from! :-) I tested a white shirt for this review and found that it's not see-through, hasn't pilled, stretched, or become "worn" looking during the last few months. It's also very easy to attach to your bra and doesn't come undone on its own. This product is quite obviously the invention of a real life nursing mother who got sick of cutting holes into her under shirt and of buying over priced nursing shirts. Here's how it works:

Buy It!

Visit http://www.undercovermama.com/ and use discount code SIMPLY for a 10% discount good through April 30, 2010. This can be combined with the free shipping promotion when you buy more than one shirt! The shirts are $20.00 each which I think is a great deal considering that it allows you to turn your already-made wardrobe into nursing wardrobe without having to make any additional purchases.

Win It! Undercover Mama is generously offering for one of my winners to receive an Undercover Mama shirt for only the cost of shipping ($5.00 for the US or Canada)! To enter, please visit their site and tell me the color and size of the shirt you'd like to receive if you won. Be sure to include your email address and a separate comment for EACH entry. Contest ends April 14th, 2010 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries:

Grab the Baby-Mama Shower button for 4 extra entries

Grab my regular Life More Simply button for 3 extra entries

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter for 2 extra entries each

Subscribe to me (1 entry)

Follow me on Blogger/Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
Tell some friends about this contest and let me know (include address or whatever) (1 entry)
Tweet about this contest with a link (@LifeMoreSimply) (1 entry/day)

Good luck and be blessed!

Thanks to Undercover Mama for providing me with a shirt for this review. Opinions are all mine and I received no compensation for this post.

Organic Beginnings Review & Giveaway

Organic Beginings agreed to be a part of our First Birthday Bash! and I am so glad they did. I had only seen their clothing online and was interested in what the real-life quality would be like. They are also doing a giveaway for my readers, and I saved it for last because it's a pretty decent sized one. :-) Organic Beginings is a small mom designed and operated business that creates brightly colored organic clothing for little ones.

Using "primarily cotton, bamboo, wool, silk and flax (linen)" fabrics, all of their clothing holds the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification.

LoveBug tested each of the items (and in these colors) below. Overall, I love the roominess of the clothing. It's perfect for cloth diapers and should fit for quite a while. The fabric is much softer than non-organic cotton clothing, and it's all holding up through many washes. I also haven't had any problem with the colors bleeding or fading, and they look nicer in real life than on Organic Beginings website. Another great thing I've noticed is that the prices for the clothing items is really good, considering the usual cost of organic clothing. The main items (pants, onsies) are all $15.00 each! As well as clothing, Organic Beginings offers some organic blankets and burp cloths in beautiful prints.

The pants are cut with a roomy bottom area, so I don't have to jiggle my baby into them to fit them over her bubble but. :-) I like that. I do find with the bright yellow color that it doesn't match every shirt in the cupboard, but you could easily enough buy a matching t-shirt from Organic Beginings if you're concerned with that. $15.00

The bodysuit is probably my favorite item in the bunch. It's so hard to find good onsie-styled t-shirts that actually fit over cloth diapers, so I'm very pleased that this one does. It also isn't cut too wide through the shoulders, which I often find to be problematic. Organic Beginings uses only nickle free snaps for the bottom, so it's easy and safe to use! $15.00

Okay, I LOVE the "blueberry" color that they sent this kimono styled bodysuit to me in! It's vibrant and beautiful at the same time...I need to show you a picture of LoveBug wearing it! The best thing about the kimono bodysuit is that you don't have to put it over your child's head. You just lay it on the floor, wrap it around the baby, and snap it up. The worst thing is that if your child is real wiggly and you aren't exactly sure where each snap is, it's very difficult to put on (I'm telling you from experience to not try to learn how to use this bodysuit while your kid is screaming and trying to run away). Just make sure you practice. $15.00

The knotted baby hat. At first when I opened the package, I wasn't quite sure what to do with this tubular shaped thing that I thought might be a hat. Then I remembered what the photo looked like from their website, and tied a knot. :-) Amara's not a big hat fan, so I wasn't able to keep this on her for long. I think it'd be nice if it was a little bigger--then you could get it on your child easier and just roll up the bottom to adjust the fit if necesarry. Otherwise, I think it'd make a nice newborn hat. Help keep heat in without making them too hot. It's also nice and soft, and of course, has a cute knot it in the top.   $10.00

Buy It!  Visit http://www.organicbeginings.com/ to snag some of their clothes. They just released a new *adorable* onesie that says "I am Organic"! And it's only $10.00. Love it!

Win It! Organic Beginings is giving one of my readers 1 pair of pants, 1 bodysuit, 1 kimono styled bodysuit, and 1 knotted hat! Let me know what size and color you'd like each item in (you can mix and match). Visit their website to find sizing and color details. You must be a subscriber or follower of mine to win. You also must leave a valid email address and separate comment for each entry. Contest ends January 29th, 2010 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries:
* Sporting my regular button
* Sporting my V-Day button
* Emailing some friends with a link about this contest, CC me in: lifemoresimply @ yahoo.com
* Faving me on Technorati, Digging me, or otherwise voting me up somewhere
* Spread the word through a social network (like Facebook) with a link!
* Blog about this contest
* Tweet about this contest with a link (1x/day)
* Otherwise spreading the word--tell me how!
* Entering another First Birthday Bash! contest (limit one extra entry per contest).

This review is based on free product samples sent to me by the company. The opinions expressed are entirely mine.