Dyson Ball DC24 Vacuum Giveaway!

Mom Powered Media proudly presents the Dyson DC24 Giveaway

Dyson "The Ball" DC24 Vacuum
Impress yourself with your beautiful floors when you use the Dyson DC24 All-Floors Lightweight Upright Vacuum. Ultra lightweight and compact makes vacuuming with this machine effortless. The Dyson "Ball" technology turns the vacuum on a dime with no loss of suction, combined with the patented Root Cyclone technology makes this one extreme powerhouse of clean.

Dyson "The Ball" DC24 All-Floors Lightweight Upright Vacuum Includes:

• Bristle brush
• Product manual

Product Features: 

• Clear hygienic dust collection bin - empty the bin with a push of a button
• Lifetime washable HEPA filter - requires no maintenance and lasts for the life of the vacuum
• Fingertip brush control - turn brushbar on and off at the touch of a button
• Motorized brushbar - powerful bristles remove dirt and pet hair from carpets
• On-board tool storage - brush, stair and crevice tools store right on your vacuum so they're always on hand
• Reversible wand - for dual usage
• On-board tool storage - brush, stair and crevice tools store right on your vacuum so they're always on hand
• Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

ABOUT DYSON

Many vacuums use filters to trap dirt, which can cause clogs and suction problems. But Dyson, maker of the world's first cyclonic bagless vacuum, features technology that uses centrifugal force to separate dirt out of the airflow, so the vacuum doesn't clog. Dyson proves no loss of suction using the IEC 60312 Cl 2.9 test standard. As the only vacuum to be certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and featuring Clean Exhaust Air, it's easy to see why Dyson is an excellent choice for all your floor surfaces.

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. 

Win pizza for a YEAR with Freschetta's Rally For Real Pizza Contest!

Win pizza for a year! 

There is not much I love more in life than frozen pizza. And I am totally serious when I say that. For my entire life, my family has known that I will be making the frozen pizza, and will be eating 1/3 of the cheese off the top of the pizza while it's still frozen. I don't know why. It's just a thing I do and I love it. Yum. Lately, frozen pizza has taken on a whole new meaning to me...you see, I'm a single mom of two toddlers, work full time, believe in HEALTHY living, and am also taking a difficult medical college course load. Pizza is kind of like a lifesaver to me---my kids will eat extensive amounts of it, and I can incorporate lots of veggies into it! We absolutely LOVE the Schwann brands of frozen pizzas, and particularly Freschetta! This is one campaign that I can get behind purely for the fact that my mouth is watering right now. So enter this contest, people, and if you win, please invite me over for a pizza party!

Event Details:

Date -	February 27, 2012 - March 30, 2012
What -	Rally for Real Pizza
Where -	From the comfort of your own home
Details -	www.Facebook.com/Freschettapizza

The makers of FRESCHETTA® products are asking fans to take a stand for FRESCH® pizza! Fans are able to submit a photo to a Rally Mosaic on our Facebook Fan Page for a chance to win FRESCHETTA® pizza. Each week, we will select 100 winners to receive 5 FRESCHETTA® pizzas. On March 30, we will select 10 winners who will receive a year supply of FRESCHETTA® pizza. You can find all the delicious details surrounding this campaign on the message board in FreschettaFreshConnection.com. 

I just uploaded my photo to the mosaic, and it literally took a few seconds.  The neat thing is, you can enter every week that the contest is going on! On top of that, they have a Twitter #pizzarally event going on as well. Same opportunity to win pizza for a year or a pizza party pack! You can enter that contest by visiting their Facebook page and clicking on the "Twitter #pizzarally" link. All you have to do for that is change your Twitter badge to one of the options they give you, follow @Freschetta, and tweet "@Freschetta I’m Rallying for Real Pizza. Join the #PizzaRally (http://bit.ly/ziA7Vl) for a chance to win pizza for a year." They will be picking winners every day for this timeframe, and then giving away EVEN MORE during a live Twitter party on March 20th from 7-9p.m. EST.

Good luck and be blessed! 

Disclaimer: I occasionally receive compensation in the form of products for posts. However, the opinions I share are solely my own. I have the possibility of winning prizes for posting this. And yes, I am hoping for the PIZZA prize. :)

Yoplait Greek Yogurt gift pack GIVEAWAY!

Greek yogurt. Yes, we know that it comes in seemingly every entree at a Greek restaurant, but now it also is available through Yoplait (how much easier is it to eat out of a cup instead of scraped out of a pita?). I was excited when I heard this as it gave me hope that their yogurt would be more affordable than the competition, thus allowing me to buy greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt. Why would I want to do that, you ask? For one, it's excellent as a topping for a variety of main dishes since it's thicker. Secondly, the protein content is higher than regular yogurt (because of the different straining process, if I remember right--don't quote me on that!).

Unfortunately, I have been unable to try the Yoplait brand because the stores around me apparently don't carry it yet. Of course. :-\ BUT...that doesn't mean you can't try it for free! Read the info below (provided by MyBlogSpark), and then enter to win a Yoplait Greek yogurt below!

Now with 14 to 17 grams of protein in each cup, the new and improved Yoplait Greek yogurt is a perfect choice for a snack in between meals. Protein is an important component of a healthy diet, serving as a building block for strong muscles and maintaining healthy bones. With twice the protein than regular yogurt** and a thick and creamy texture, the new Yoplait Greek yogurt helps satisfy your hunger - meaning you can feel good about choosing this tasty, fat-free snack.

New Yoplait Greek is available in six delicious flavors like Blueberry, Strawberry, and Peach (each with fruit on the bottom) or Honey Vanilla, Key Lime, and Plain - all with zero percent fat and at least 14 grams!

The good news doesn’t stop there. Yoplait Greek is making it delicious, easy and free to eat a better snack through the Yoplait Greek Better Snacking Sweepstakes on Facebook†. Just visit the Yoplait Greek tab at Facebook.com/Yoplait starting March 21st through May 31st, 2011 and enter to win a Yoplait Greek snack pack and other cool prizes. Winners will be chosen daily. You can also visit Yoplait.com/Greek for more information and yummy recipes.

Visit Yoplait on Facebook and “Like” the brand to enter to win more fun prizes from Yoplait. Feel free to post details of the Yoplait Greek Facebook Sweepstakes as your Facebook status to share with your friends. Also, be sure to “Follow” Yoplait on Twitter to keep up with the latest news on your favorite products.

Buy It! Visit http://bit.ly/greekcoupon to download a printable coupon for $0.35 towards the purchase of the new Yoplait Greek yogurt today!

Win It! One winner will be chosen to receive a fun Yoplait Greek gift pack that includes a coupon organizer, a magnetic customized meal planner board, a mini pocket fold-up tote, an electronics case, retractable ear buds, a magnetic shopping cart note holder and a pen. To enter: leave me one of your favorite or unique uses for yogurt (a recipe, household, health use, etc.) plus your email address in a comment. Contest will stay open at least through Sunday, 5/22/11.

Additional Entries: leave a separate comment for each entry.

• subscribe to me in any way (email, Twitter, Facebook, Google Friend Connect, any reader, etc.) = 1 entry each

• spread the word about this contest WITH a link (Facebook post @LifeMoreSimply, Tweet @LifeMoreSimply, email some friends, blog about it, etc.) = 1 entry each way per day 

Note: thanks to MyBlogSpark and Yoplait for providing the review and giveaway products! No other compensation was received for this post.

Medela Breastmilk Labeling & Storage System Review & GIVEAWAY!

Medela has a new Breastmilk Labeling & Storage System that is designed to make the whole "what bag do I use?" part of pumping and breastfeeding less complicated. Here's what they have to say about it from http://medela.com:

A new Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System — one that helps parents and caregivers track, label and organize breastmilk bottles in the refrigerator or freezer — is now available from Medela.

The all-in-one system includes one organizer tray, two labeling lids and two 5-ounce breastmilk bottles. The organizer tray provides dedicated space to protect up to six breastmilk bottles or storage bags, and keeps them organized and upright in the refrigerator or freezer. It also features a convenient handle that allows parents and caregivers to easily move the tray around or remove it for cleaning.
To help parents identify the freshest breastmilk and avoid waste, clearly marked “in” and “out” arrows identify which breastmilk bottle is “next in line” for a feeding. Twist-and-lock labeling lids — also available separately in a pack of six — allow parents to select a day of the week and time of day (a.m., p.m. or midday) to track when milk was pumped, or a “feed by” day for other caregivers.

“For moms who are separated from baby and pump frequently, it can be difficult to properly store and keep track of breastmilk bottles to make sure baby is getting the freshest breastmilk,” said Brian Warren, new business development manager at Medela. “The Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System helps mom, dad or a caregiver keep breastmilk bottles in one place, with clear indicators of when breastmilk was pumped for more organized feedings later.”

The organizer tray and labeling lids are compatible with all Medela polypropylene breastmilk bottles (not for use with glass bottles). Like all Medela products that come into contact with breastmilk, the bottles and the tray are Bisphenol A-free. The organizer tray is also compatible with Medela’s Pump & Save breastmilk bags (sold separately). It is 100 percent reusable and dishwasher safe.

The Breastmilk Labeling and Storage System will be available in independent and mass retailers starting in January 2011 at a retail price of $15.99. Breastmilk labeling lids (a pack of six) are also available separately at a retail price of $9.49. To find Medela retail stores visit http://medela.findlocation.com/. 

My Thoughts...
I was pretty excited about this concept when I first heard about it. I always have the problem of my family not knowing which bag of frozen or fresh milk to start with, and something always ends up going bad before it gets used. :( Even if you date bags, people don't always have the time to read them before pulling one. The tray that Medela designed has an "in" and "out" section so that you will in theory just move the bottles around the ring from "in" to "out" as they get used and you put more in. This will always keep the oldest milk moving forward.

It would be a better system if the "in" section was raised slightly so that the milk actually slid down towards the "out" section and you didn't have to physically push the bottles around. Medela says you can also use this with the bags instead of bottles, but when I put frozen bags of my milk into the organizer tray (I use the Lansinoh brand, but they are the same size as the Medela pumping bags), it didn't actually function so well because the bags didn't fit too well. I thought about solving this problem by letting the milk freeze in the bag as it sits IN the tray instead of it laying flat in the freezer before I move it, but then you may still have a problem moving it around and taking it out since the shape would remain the same as when you first put the milk bag into the tray. So plan on using bottles. :)

The bottles themselves are pretty cool. I don't like that they're a soft plastic, but the lids are great in that you can snap up the top part and spin it around to designate which day of the week and what time of day you pumped that particular milk. No sharpies needed, and the bottles should screw on to any standard pump so you can pump right into them. They're also big enough to express into by hand, which is what I did last night since I was too lazy to hook my pump all up.

Overall, I think it's a good concept but still needs a little more work to make it worth the money. Maybe I should contact Medela about being an inventor for them...

Win it!
Medela and BSM Media are giving away one of these Breastmilk Labeling & Storage Systems to a reader. Here's how we're going to do it...the first person to comment here and email me her name and mailing address (lifemoresimply at yahoo.com) wins! Don't forget to do both steps: comment, email. If someone has already left a comment below, feel free to also do the same because you never know if that person really did complete the second step. Good luck!

Enjoy Lighting (flameless candles) Review & Giveaway!

I was really excited to review a set of flameless candles from Enjoy Lighting. Being a mom of little ones and also a firefighter (as well as having transported numerous burn patients before), I'm always a little paranoid about having open flames in the house...so a candle without flames is something very appealing! I have checked out these sorts of "candles" at friends' homes before, and I must say that Enjoy Lighting flameless candles are top of the line. Definitely.

I have no complaints about these candles. They are BEAUTIFUL, look and smell real, and I love, love, LOVE the timer ability that you can use! It's really made my living room feel extra homey and peaceful to see flickering ivory candles and I'm always picking them up to smell the vanilla scent.

My HUSBAND even thinks they are fantastic. His quote is "when you're having mad, passionate sex, you don't have to worry about knocking over a burning candle and burning the house down. Great buy!" Yes, that's the man I married, and yes, this is the first review I've done where he wanted his opinion to also count. So I guess that these candles are not only good for home decor, but are also good for spicing up the ol' marriage bed. Ha!

Features and Benefits

• Available in 3x4”, 3x6”, 3x8”, 4x6”, 4x8”

• Astonishingly realistic 100,000 hour Triple-LED flickering light source.

• Available with Multi-Hour Timer Mode or Dim/Bright Mode.
 
• 300+ Hour Battery Life

• Requires 4 ‘AA’ Batteries

• Realistic Melted Edge

• Distinct Vanilla Fragrance

Multi-Hour Timer Mode

• Operate manually or set timer to run for 4, 6, or 8 hours

• Candle will automatically turn on each day and the set time and off after the selected number of hours

• Perfect for hard to reach spaces – Set it and forget it!


Buy It! Enjoy Lighting candles are available at a lot of places, including Target, BonTon, and Michael's! I think these make fabulous Christmas gifts and my vote is to through these into someone's stocking this year (gently, of course; they are made from real wax).

Win It! Enjoy Lighting is giving one of my readers a set (3) of her own candles in the Ivory color. To enter, leave me a comment below with a link to your favorite candle(s) from their website. Include your email address and a separate comment for each entry. Contest will end Friday, 12/17/10 at noon, EST.

Extra Entries:

 (after the above is completed --leave a separate comment for each one):

1) Follow Life More Simply on Google Friend Connect

2) Subscribe to Life More Simply via email.

3) "Like" our Facebook page.

4) Follow us on Twitter (LifeMoreSimply).

5) Blog about this contest ---3 entries!

6) After you've "liked"/"friended" Life More Simply on Facebook, put this as your status: " I just entered to win  a set of Flamless Candles from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/39fjvm8! " (my name will come up in BLUE if you did it right). 1 entry/day.

7) Tweet this message (up to two times a day for 1 entry each): Win a set of flameless candles from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/39fjvm8 #giveaway #contest #home

8) Spread the word on a parenting forum, message board, or any other way and tell me how you did it with a link!

9) Sign up to Design America's Next Diaper:  http://lifemoresimply.blogspot.com/p/life-more-simply-review-panel.html


10) Take our survey (4 ENTRIES!): click HERE 

Disclaimer: Enjoy Lighting provided me with products for review and giveaway. I received no other compensation and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. Opinions are all mine...and my husbands. 

Right On The Walls Review & Feature

I love simple, inexpensive, fast, and clever decorating ideas, thus vinyl wall art melts my heart. My son inherited our John-Deer green library room as his nursery, and we decided to keep the paint color because we loved it so much. Being a small room though, it really needs something else to kick things up a notch and make it lighter and brighter. We've tried to achieve that by using white trim and accessories (although his furniture is very dark), and thought the "Group Of Pine Trees" vinyl wall art from Right On The Walls would be a fantastic addition to his woods-themed room (yes, my son has baby deer on his crib set!). Below are before and after photos. I ordered the "small" size of the trees (11" wide x 24" high each for $45.95) in the white color.

BEFORE:

 

  
AFTER:

I have been so happy with my order from Right On The Walls! Not only did it come VERY fast and in good shape, but they included a neat scraper tool to help you smooth everything onto the wall. After I got the decorations up, I put it in my kitchen and have been using it to scrape food off of dishes--very effective. :-) You also receive a small decal to practice with. I didn't use it (a turkey!) but did find it useful in understanding the directions included. I have used other brands of vinyl wall art in the past and this is the best selection and quality I've seen. Not only does Right On The Walls offer a million different pieces of art, but you can customize all of them to be whatever colors you want!

The only thing I found is that you may spend a lot more time putting the vinyl up than what they tell you it should take. There were a lot of small pieces to the trees set that I had to take more time on so that nothing ripped apart and so I set things smoothly. It looks awesome though, and I've been busy showing off our "artwork" to everyone who visits my home. :-) I can't wait to buy some more!

Buy It! Visit www.rightonthewalls.com to view their HUGE selection of wall decorations including glow-in-the-dark ones, chalkboard ones, and clocks! To receive 15% off your purchase, enter this code at checkout: BR15DCT

Win It! Right On The Walls is giving away a $40 gift code to one of my readers. You can put this towards something more expensive, or let it pay for the entirety of your vinyl wall art! To win, tell me what you will use the $40 for from www.rightonthewalls.com. Be sure to include an email address and leave a separate comment for EACH entry! Contest will close on or after December 8th, 2010 at midnight, EST.

Extra Entries:

 (after the above is completed --leave a separate comment for each one):

1) Follow Life More Simply on Google Friend Connect

2) Subscribe to Life More Simply via email.

3) "Like" our Facebook page.

4) Follow us on Twitter (LifeMoreSimply).

5) Blog about this contest ---3 entries!

6) After you've "liked"/"friended" Life More Simply on Facebook, put this as your status: " I just entered to win  a $40 gift code to Right On The Walls from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/rightonthewalls! " (my name will come up in BLUE if you did it right). 1 entry/day.

7) Tweet this message (up to two times a day for 1 entry each): Win a $40 gift code to @RightOnTheWalls from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/rightonthewalls #giveaway #contest #home

8) Spread the word on a parenting forum, message board, or any other way and tell me how you did it with a link!

9) Sign up to Design America's Next Diaper:  http://lifemoresimply.blogspot.com/p/life-more-simply-review-panel.html

10) Go to http://www.facebook.com/RightOnTheWalls and leave this message on their wall: I love vinyl wall art and just entered to win a $40 gift code to Right On The Walls from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/rightonthewalls

11) Vote for Rebekah Hess or take our 5-question survey to get a TON more entries!  http://lifemoresimply.blogspot.com/2010/11/extra-ways-to-win.html

Win a Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes Prize Pack!

Gathering the family around the dinner table to enjoy a home cooked meal is a great way to unwind, but there aren’t always enough hours in the day to prepare an entire meal from scratch.

To find a delicious side dish that’s easy to prepare and tastes homemade, look no further than Betty Crocker’s® Boxed Instant Mashed Potatoes, which are made with 100% real potatoes. With a just-like-mom’s taste, Betty Crocker Boxed Instant Mashed Potatoes go from stovetop to table in just eight short minutes. Based on a scratch recipe, the Homestyle Creamy Butter variety will have your family thinking you spent hours in the kitchen the next time you serve up a hearty helping. If you prefer an extra kick of flavor, give the Roasted Garlic variety a try. And with two pouches in every box there’s plenty to go around. Be sure to try the Au Gratin flavor variety, too! For more information, visit BettyCrocker.com, and be sure to follow Betty Crocker on Twitter and “Like” the Facebook page to keep up with all of the latest news on your Betty Crocker favorites!  We're giving away a prize pack that includes two boxes of Betty Crocker Boxed Instant Mashed Potatoes (one Roasted Garlic and one Homestyle Creamy Butter), a serving bowl, a trivet and a serving spoon.  In addition, you can visit http://www.myblogspark.com/uc/main/4775/ for $0.55 off one package of Betty Crocker Boxed Instant Mashed Potatoes ! I was able to sample the same prize pack that MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker is giving to one of you, and I have to vouch for the amazingness of it. The potatoes taste great and are EASY to make (although I would rather see an all-natural product), but the bamboo bowl--wow! It's really well built and BIG. I'm loving it. :-) Win It! Leave a comment below telling me a favorite mealtime tradition you have--or an idea for a new one! Be sure to LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS in every comment. Contest ends 11/20/10 at noon, EST. Additional entries (after the above is completed --leave a separate comment for each one): 1) Follow Life More Simply on Google Friend Connect 2) Subscribe to Life More Simply via email. 3) "Like" our Facebook page. 4) Follow us on Twitter (LifeMoreSimply). 5) Blog about this contest ---3 entries! 6) After you've "liked"/"friended" Life More Simply on Facebook, put this as your status: "I just entered to win the Betty Crocker prize package! http://tinyurl.com/39jr3hv @Life More Simply" (my name will come up in BLUE if you did it right). 1 entry/day. 7) Tweet this message (up to two times a day for 1 entry each): Win a Betty Crocker prize package from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/39jr3hv (ARV $45) #giveaway #contest #food 8) Spread the word on a parenting forum, message board, or any other way and tell me how you did it with a link! 9) Sign up to Design America's Next Diaper:  http://lifemoresimply.blogspot.com/p/life-more-simply-review-panel.html *Note: MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker supplied me with the product for review and giveaway. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are all mine.*

Bubbles Couture Diaper Review & Giveaway!

 Meet Bubbles Couture, maker of the cutest diapers in the world.

 

Handmade in Canada, these cloth diapers are both luxurious and adorable, and as far as I know, are the only diapers designed by an actual fashion designer. By using cotton embellishments on PUL, your child's bum is taken to a whole new level while also being comfortable thanks to the VERY soft plush or suedecloth inner lining.We were sent the above diaper, a style named "Woof!" along with a matching bamboo insert.

What we think: You already know that I think it's an exceedingly adorable diaper, and also super-duper comfy on my little one's bottom because of the soft lining. The elastic doesn't leave marks unless it's truly too tight, and I never had a problem with the snaps coming undone. The insert is the thinnest I think I've ever seen and so is easy to stuff into the pocket opening and doesn't bulk up the diaper. Even when I double the inserts, they stay snugly in the pocket and I've had zero wicking problems! Overall, this diaper wins out because it's so fashionable and soft.

Cons to this diaper include that the leg adjustment system is tricky. You adjust the legs by reaching into the elastic casing that's left open and pulling on the elastic. Along the elastic, there are snaps put through so that you can pull a snap through the opening and it can't slide back in unless you push it into the casing. The good thing to this is that it really isn't going to un-size itself once you set the elastic where you want it. The bad news is that it's hard to pull through and I'm worried that I'll stretch out the elastic in the process. When adjusting the waist snaps, it can also look a little funny since it wont always look symmetrical to the other snap placements. I think this is just due to the triangular design.

I also found that I really needed to add a microfiber doubler to use with the bamboo insert for my toddler daughter. Otherwise, the appliqued decorations on the diaper would start to soak through.

Other stuff...We also received a can of their organic diaper rash balm. It's certainly the most unique I've seen! Instead of being made with the typical ingredients like zinc oxide, it has things like clay, vanilla and lavender essential oils--and is all vegetarian and hand made! I liked that it went on smooth, but there is a little grit to the texture from the clay. While it didn't clear up any diaper rashes over night, it didn't make them any worse, and it didn't irritate any little bottom skin, either. It does smell a little like play doh. :-)

Buy It! Bubbles Couture just released a whole new bunch of diapers in their line up! Check them out on their website at http://bubblescouture.ca. Diapers retail for about $45.00 (USD), so they are a bit pricey, but really are a special treat for your fluff stash!

Win It! Bubbles Couture is giving away a diaper, insert, and diaper rash balm to one of my readers! *You MUST be publicly following this blog in order to win. Just click the "Follow (with Google Friend Connect)" button in the far right hand column near the top of this page. Problems? Send me an email and I'll help you out! lifemoresimply@yahoo.com.* Contest ends 12/2/10 at noon, EST.

To win, leave me a comment below telling me what print diaper you want--be careful, because what you choose is what you'll get if you win! Be sure to include your email address in EVERY entry and leave a separate comment for each entry as well.


Additional entries (after the above is completed):
1) Tell me WHY you want to win this.

2) Subscribe to Life More Simply via email.

3) "Like" our Facebook page.

4) Follow us on Twitter (LifeMoreSimply).

5) Blog about this contest ---3 entries!

6) After you've "liked"/"friended" Life More Simply on Facebook, put this as your status: "Bubbles Couture cloth diapers are the cutest! I just entered to win one at http://tinyurl.com/2adshlq from @Life More Simply" (my name will come up in BLUE if you did it right). 1 entry/day.

7) Tweet this message (up to two times a day for 1 entry each): Win a Bubbles Couture cloth diaper from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/2adshlq  (ARV $45) #giveaway #contest #clothdiaper #baby #green


8) Spread the word on a parenting forum, message board, or any other way and tell me how you did it with a link!

9) Sign up to Design America's Next Diaper:  http://lifemoresimply.blogspot.com/p/life-more-simply-review-panel.html

*Note: Bubbles Couture supplied me with the product for review and giveaway. No other compensation was received and the opinions expressed are all mine.*

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.

Pink Together & Gift Pack Giveaway

It's that time again--the month of October, dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. One of the hard things about this is that while it seems like we're all affected somehow, we don't always know where to turn for support or how we can help make a difference when we may not have the money to give towards awareness and research. That's where PinkTogether.com comes in. It's "an ever-growing community of hope of more than 680,000 breast cancer survivors and supporters" that gives the opportunity for people to share stories and encouragement, and also to send virtual flowers to others. MyBlogSpark let me know about the Pink Together initiative along with the following information:

On this site, you can also read the empowering stories from the 2010 Pink Together Survivor Ambassadors, five incredible individuals whose courage in the face of breast cancer serves as a source of inspiration:

• Ebony Steele – This three-year survivor serves as a National Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s® Circle of Promise, an effort focused on fostering breast cancer awareness, support, empowerment and action among African American women.

• Eli Arroyo-Allen – A two-year survivor, Eli is the founder of the Loving Life/Amando La Vida program supporting Latina women with breast cancer.

• Ginger Johnson – A mother and four-year survivor, Ginger is the director of Happy Chemo!, whose mission is to bring happiness to those dealing with the negative effects of chemotherapy and cancer.

• Libby Pomroy – Libby is a two-time, 15-year survivor and a General Mills employee.

• Nicole Vazquez – This three-year survivor is a Komen breast cancer activist in the Latino community.

These Survivor Ambassadors and their empowering stories will also be featured on the Pink Together Facebook fan page and YouTube channel, and on special pink packaging on your favorite General Mills’ brands like Cheerios® Cereal, Green Giant® Frozen Vegetables and Nature Valley® Granola Bars. If you or someone you know would make a great candidate for next year’s Pink Together Survivor Ambassadors, please visit PinkTogether.com for more information. To encourage personal connections in the online community, General Mills will donate $1 (up to $20,000) to Komen for each inspirational story submitted, encouraging comment posted, or virtual flower of support sent on PinkTogether.com, and for each shared message of hope posted on Pink Together’s Facebook fan page during the month of October (up to $5,000). This $25,000 is in addition to the $2 million donation General Mills has committed to Komen to advance breast cancer research and support education and community outreach projects.

In an effort to help people get involved in Pink Together, I have a "Connecting for a Cure" gift pack to give away to a reader from General Mills/MyBlogSpark! It includes a Pink Ribbon car magnet and key chain, travel mug, and drawstring backpack, along with coupons for free packages of one Big G cereal, Green Giant Frozen Veggies, Macaroni Grill Dinner Kits, Fiber One Bars and Progresso Soup. ARV approximately $50.00. I was sent one of these gift packs to review and, like usual, the items are good quality and the food is obviously delicious! You can view and purchase these and other breast cancer "pink ribbon" items at ShopKomen.com, where 25 percent of the merchandise purchase price benefits Komen. 

Win It! Each of the following will get you one entry into this contest. Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry and an email address in each comment you leave! Contest will end on or after October 28th, 2010 at noon, EST. 

• Visit PinkTogether.com and send someone a virtual flower (1 flower=1 entry)
• Submit a story at PinkTogether.com and leave the link here
• Post an encouraging comment at PinkTogether.com and leave the link here (1 comment=1 entry)
• 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)!

 Disclosure: General Mills provided me with the gift packs through MyBlogSpark. No monetary compensation was received for this post.

Two BIG Secrets

I have two big secrets, and seriously, I am bursting at the seams. So instead of holding it inside me any longer, I'm going to tell ALL of you whom decide to read this blog post...

Secret #1: I received the AWESOME, all natural, best-2nd-birthday-present-EVER, "Complete Kitchen Center" from Guidecraft in the mail yesterday! This is a $370 + shipping item that I received in exchange for an upcoming review.

Okay, why am I so happy about this that I could throw up while I giggle? Because my daughter LOVES to play pretend and this is going to be her birthday present (turning two on October 31!). But it gets even better for you, because I'm going to be giving one of these away in November! WOWOWOW!

Secret #2:  I am starting my own business. Really. I can't tell you everything, but it involves organic fabrics, a hybrid diaper system, clothing for little ones, and lots of beautiful love. HOWEVER. I need two things to help get me started (well, three, including a large sum of money from any investors who may be interested!): a Snap Press, and a website designer.

Here's how you can help get me a snap press as well as win KAMsnaps.com gift certificates and your choice of over $3000 worth of other prizes:

Win a $20 @KAMsnaps.com gift certificate towards snaps, pliers, or a press, plus your choice among over $3000 worth in prizes including Ooga Booga fabric and designer jewelry/handbags. Go to http://bit.ly/bwXrGR to enter.

It's very fast and easy to enter, but I really need you to put me down as your "referrer" when you enter, because if you win, then I win, too! Please write: Rachel E., lifemoresimply at yahoo.com for the referrer's information.

The second way you can help me get my business going is by helping me with my website. I just purchased my own domain name and will be moving this whole blog over to www.LifeMoreSimply.com as soon as I get the time to figure out how to do so. I want to overhaul everything, though, and get a "shop" set up on the same domain for my business. If you do website designing, send me an email at lifemoresimply@yahoo.com with "website design" in the title! Since I need to pinch every penny possible, I am hoping to find a brilliant person who will do the job in exchange for some PR from me that would include permanent links for them in my shop and my blog, as well as a blog post where I rave about how wonderful you are. The first person whom I like that contacts me can have the job. Unless April from http://www.aprilshowersblogdesign.com/ reads this and wants the job. Then she gets it because, well, she rocks.

Wow, I sure do feel better having gotten my secrets out!

Three Things To Know About

Build-A-Sandwich and end childhood hunger in America!

This virtual version of the beloved school lunch ritual of swapping sandwiches will benefit Share Our Strength®, the leading non-profit organization ending childhood hunger in America.

Building and swapping virtual sandwhiches is back! When people visit Hellmann's® Page on Facebook®, they'll have the opportunity to create a sandwich on the application and, for every sandwich built, Hellmann's® will make a donation to Share Our Strength®.  What's more, when they share a sandwich with a friend, an additional donation will be made as part of Hellmann's® $75,000 commitment to support Share Our Strength®.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/hellmanns to build your sandwich! (it's fun, I promise.)


Learn About Ragu's new pasta sauce and get great recipes!

To help make sure your kids get the veggies they need (and the meals they love) Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce now has 2 servings of veggies in every half cup! Available soon in major retailers nationwide, the healthy, great tasting Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional pasta sauce that is already a kitchen staple has a new, naturally thicker recipe.
Healthy, delicious and now with a naturally thicker taste the whole family will love, Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce is a perfect component to pulling together quick and tasty meals during this busy time. And Ragú® wants you to be among the first to try out their great new recipe! To be one of the first to taste Ragú® with 2 servings of veggies in every half-cup visit them on www.facebook.com/ragusauce to find great recipes.
 
 
Win an Electrolux Perfect Steam Washer/Dryer AND Help Beat Ovarian Cancer in the process!
 

As Moms, we pull a lot of things together, from weekday meals to our little ones' back-to-school wardrobes. However, usually what suffers is our own wardrobe, as we pull wrinkled garments over our heads to make it out the door on time! Luckily, Electrolux and brand ambassador Kelly Ripa are partnering with some fashion-savvy bloggers to host a special fashion show to help raise awareness and funds to support ovarian cancer research. Unfortunately, I am not one of those bloggers (must be I need to work on my fashion sense...maybe spit-up and baby pee on my jeans and t-shirt, or EMS work uniforms aren't considered "hot" enough by the world's standards?). Unfortunately, I am also not Kelly Ripa who apparently gets to have all of the awesome Electrolux and Fridgidaire products that hit the market...BUT, both you and I have a chance to WIN our own Perfect Steam washer and dryer!!!!

Since September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, this fashion-focused event couldn't have come at a better time! This fun and innovative fashion show will demonstrate how Perfect Steam™, and a little fashion ingenuity, can take any garments from "Rumpled to Runway".

Please, even if you already have a Perfect Steam duo, visit www.kelly-confidential.com anyway. Not only is the game fun, but for every time it's played, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund! Help cancer die!



 
Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú® prize package, a Perfect Steam washer and dryer, and a Hellmann's prize package in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place, but I am really hoping I win all three things. :-)

RiNGLEY Natural Teething Toys Review & Giveaway!

RiNGLEY teething toys are awesome for three reasons: 1) made of all natural products-- untreated wood and organic cotton; 2) combines two textures to meet baby's biting needs: terrycloth friction and the smoothness of the hard wood; 3) can be used wet or dry. I was sent one of these to review and it quickly became a staple diaper bag item. While we do use a baltic amber necklace on my daughter to alleviate teething pain, she still has the need to chew on things while teething and has absolutely loved the RiNGLEY. Since receiving it, we have thrown away all other teething toys and now refer to our RiNGLEY as "The Bite Toy." It is a fabulous product and one that I think should honestly be in every parent's tool bag. Why I never thought to invent my own, I don't know.

Their website says it best:

RiNGLEY is the original Canadian natural teether that combines two efficient teething tools: untreated Maple wood and 100% organic cotton terrycloth.

RiNGLEY provides two very different textures that enable children to satisfy their teething needs. Made free from dye and without harmful chemicals.

RiNGLEY provides babies and toddlers with two safe and efficient textures that enable children to satisfy their teething needs.

RiNGLEY's design allows your child to easily grip the ring and cloth. It can be used wet or dry and easily reaches around a child's gums and teeth.

RiNGLEY was designed with a child's development in mind. Since infants learn through tactile stimulus, touching and putting things in their mouths, the need for a product made without harmful chemicals and dyes is important. RiNGLEY is an organic and natural toy for babies to chew and teethe on.

RiNGLEY comes in four styles: knotted, straight, junior and ball. Handmade in Toronto, Canada.

The four styles range in price from $16.00-$20.00 and all can be unattached from the wooden ring (velcro type enclosure) to ensure washing abilities. We received the "junior" style to review (see photo at the top of this post) and have found that it's the perfect size for little hands and mouths, and a fun shape for even playing with (my daughter really enjoyed playing with the knots). We've been using it for months now with no signs of wear. If the knots come undone, you simply re-knot the end. I LOVE this teething toy and am so glad I found out about RiNGLEY! You won't regret buying this for your own child or as a gift for another child. It's the perfect way to provide a natural product to help your child cut his or her teeth!

Buy It! Visit www.ringleynaturalteethingtoys.com. I also found that you can get the straight style for a penny cheaper on Amazon. :-)

Win It! Check out RiNGLEY's selection on their website and let me know which style you'd prefer. Be sure to include an email address and separate comment for each entry! Contest will end Monday, 8/20/10, at 3pm EST.

Extra Entries:

• Follow me in any way; one entry per following method (Google Friend Connect, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
• Subscribe to me via email
• Blog about this contest with a link and photo (3 entries)
• Grab my button (3 entries)
• Email some friends about this contest or my blog and CC "lifemoresimply @ yahoo.com"
• Tweet about this contest with a link (max 2x/day, at least 2 hours apart). Include @lifemoresimply.
• Spread the word on a natural parenting forum or elsewhere and include the link here

So Easy baby food kit Review and Giveaway!

We as moms know that it's probably better for our babies to eat homemade baby food rather than prepared or processed baby food. Unfortunately, many parents are skeptical of their ability to prepare baby food —how to do it, if they’ll have enough time, and if it’s really worth the effort. It’s all become a simple thing to understand and accomplish though, since two moms have teamed up to provide you with the “So Easy Baby Food Kit.”

In the kit, you’ll find a 22-minute DVD that will teach the auditory and visual learner everything you’ll need to know in order to make baby food. Not only are you instructed on the actual preparing of baby food, but safety, nutrition, food storage, and health are all encapsulated in the “how to make baby food” disc. I thought it provided a clear, easy to understand, and not-obnoxious way of teaching families about infant food preparation.

Secondly in the kit is a “Personalized Guide to Making Baby Food at Home” 118-page spiral bound cookbook. It covers a lot of information but isn’t at all overwhelming and even includes space for you to document the early eating and feeding memories of your baby! Contents include:

·         Feeding Memories and Fun

·         Healthy Eating Habits

·         Benefits of Home-Prepared Baby Food

·         Introducing Solid Foods

·         Dietary Essentials for Your Baby’s Diet

·         Making and Serving Fresh Baby Food

·         Kitchen Tools

·         Safety Basics

·         Food Choices

·         Fresh Baby To Go

·         Managing Your Time—30 Minutes Per Week Is All Fresh Baby Takes

·         Fresh Baby Recipes (from “the perfect start” to over 12 months)

On top of all of that, you’ll also receive two high quality freezer trays. I like these better than the ice cube trays I’ve previously used for making baby food because these have lids, and are sturdier. They are BPA and phthalate-free…and are dishwasher safe to make your life easier!  While these aren’t a necessity to making your own food, they are definitely nice to have on hand.

The last thing this kit includes is actually one of my favorite components: a nutrition tips card. It’s the size of a regular sheet of paper and is laminated to protect the colorful print and illustrations. Not only does it contain quick to find information about nutrients, what foods should be introduced when, and a little bit about preparation, but it even contains safety information like first aid for choking. This card should be in every parent’s kitchen if she has young children!

Overall, I think this is a great product. Many people want to prepare their own baby food but are intimidated or don’t have the time to read a book about it. The Fresh Baby food kit honestly makes it as easy as can be. It’s a great starting point, easy to understand, and nicely arranged and professional. Great for the first-time food maker or as a baby shower gift!

You’ll also want to check out their website as it’s packed with lots of information including a blog, ideas for both toddlers and babies, and downloadable free recipes. http://FreshBaby.com.

BUY IT! Visit Freshbaby.com or Amazon.com. Retail cost is $37.95

WIN IT! The ladies at Fresh Baby are generously giving one of my readers her own Fresh Baby So Easy Baby Food Kit. To win, please visit their website and find something interesting to share here that no one else has shared yet. You must also be a subscriber of mine somehow (Google, Feedburner, Facebook, Twitter…you know, just pick one and tell me which one so I can verifty!). Contest will end on 8/29/10 at noon, EST. You MUST leave a separate comment with a valid email address in EACH entry! If the winner lives outside of the US, she may be responsible for shipping costs. Good luck!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

·         Grab an entry for each way that you follow Life More Simply: Blogger (Google Friend Connect), Feedburner, Email, Twitter, Facebook.

·         Three entries if you have my button (leave me the address)

·         One entry if you sign up for Fresh Baby’s email list

·         One entry per other current contest of mine that you’ve entered.

·         Two entries if you email 4 friends about this contest (CC “lifemoresimply(@)yahoo.com”)

·         One entry per tweet about this contest (max: 3 tweets per day, at least one hour apart): #win a So Easy Baby Food Kit from @LifeMoreSimply! http://tinyurl.com/freshbaby

·         Three entries: Spread the word on a parenting forum/message board/etc. (leave the link)
 

 Note: this review is based on a free sample provided by Fresh Baby. The opinions are all mine and I received no other compensation.