$10 Credit to OneStepAhead

Being a recreation therapist (ok, I work as a Paramedic right now, but that RT degree knowledge hasn't left me!), I have a few rules for toys in my house: they must inspire. This means that the object should encourage my child to imagine, manipulate, learn, and grow. It should challenge, but not overwhelm. Be interesting, but not be solely entertainment. I also generally throw in there that batteries are plastic aren't allowed, but somehow toys still make their way into our home that make noise with no participation from a human! :)

I have long coveted OneStepAhead products because as a rule they are good quality, imagination producing, age and developmentally appropriate toys and household necessities for little ones. I recently ordered a few Christmas gifts from them which came quickly and look awesome! Plus, it didn't break the bank because I hooked up with their deal programs. So without further commentary, here is how YOU can also take advantage of saving a lot of money on their quality products.

1) Sign up for their $10 credit. You will receive $10 off on your first order of $65 or more, PLUS, you will continue to receive a $10 credit for every friend whom you refer who does this. Click here: http://onestepahead.extole.com/a/clk/4fSjH

2) After you sign up for that and are on their website, sign up for their "Daily Deals" program. They don't actually send them every day (or else my SPAM picks up their emails), but you can get amazing discounts on one product at a time. The deals change every day, but I scored their Dyson Ball Vacuum for like 60% off a few weeks ago--Christmas for my boy!

Happy shopping and money saving!

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers Review & Giveaway

While my children have been primarily cloth diapered, I am finding that my son's skin actually does better in disposable diapers as of late. Clearly, the thought of those harsh chemicals and the non-biodegrading ingredients in most disposable diapers does NOT thrill this mother, so I was pretty interested when contacted about trying Seventh Generation's Free & Clear diaper line that they just revamped. Here's what I think:


1) One diaper fits a variety of sizes. I tested on both my toddler (overnight) and my baby (daytime/overnight) with no problem for each. The diapers hold up well and didn't leak.


2) They are not real attractive. No cute prints, and the color is a cream off-white, so it looks kinda gross when soaked with you-know-what. But then, who really looks at a used diaper, anyway?


3) No rashes! AND I didn't have to feel badly about putting them against my lovies' skin because they are so much gentler than regular disposable diapers. :) :) :)


Here's a little info from MyBlogSpark, who provided the sample for me to try and is also providing a package for one of my readers to try:

What Seventh Generation leaves out is just as important as what they put in. Free & Clear diapers do not include chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum based lotions. In an effort to contribute less overall landfill waste and continue to ensure a premium standard of absorbency, the new Free & Clear diapers have been redesigned with a lighter-weight core. With processed chlorine-free wood pulp in Free & Clear diapers, Seventh Generation also makes certain that no chlorine is released into the environment during the totally chlorine-free (TCF) whitening process of the diapers and training pants.

Seventh Generation has also reduced the size of the diapers’ plastic packaging, meaning that each pack now contributes even less overall landfill waste than before. In fact, Seventh Generation Free & Clear diaper packaging can now be recycled at local supermarkets where plastic bag recycling collection boxes are available. 

My vote? YES! Please buy these diapers instead of regular disposables. Can't afford them? I'm not promising anything and I HAVE NOT talked to Seventh Generation, but overall, they seem to be a great company to work with and I wouldn't be surprised if they would send people coupons for the asking. 

Win it! The first person to do the following two things will snag a FREE package of Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers:


1) Leave us your best (or worst?) diaper story below. It had better be worthy of winning diapers! Feel free to tell us why you do or don't use cloth, free & clear diapers, etc.. INCLUDE your email address.


2) EMAIL me your full name, phone number, and mailing address, plus what size diapers you want!


Good luck and be blessed!


Disclosure: MyBlogSpark and Seventh Generation provided samples for this review and giveaway. I was not otherwise compensated for this post and the opinions expressed are all mine. :)

Veggie Tales 'Twas The Night Before Easter DVD Giveaway and Review!

Big Idea's newest 50-minute "Easter" themed video is an entertaining, colorful, and positive addition to any child or adult's easter basket. Falling in line with other Veggie Tales' movies, this one is well made with clean computer graphics, comprised with a story line that captures the interest of little ones, but also dotted with pop culture humor for older siblings and mom and dad making it a film for the whole family.

Here's the description according to Amazon.com:

It's Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade (Petunia Rhubarb) is hunting for a way to help others. On a tip that the old town theater will be shut down, Marlee cooks up a plan to save the stage and make a difference through the power of musical theater. With a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20-foot robot rabbit - Up With Bunnies is hatched! There's only one thing missing the star of the show! When news spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava (Melinda Doolittle) is arriving to perform in her hometown church s Easter service, Marlee gets worried.  Concerned about the competition, she schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee s dreams   or will she discover the true meaning of Easter and what helping others is really all about? Find out in this hare raising adventure!

As soon as we got the DVD, my two-year-old couldn't wait to watch it. The next time I did let her watch the TV, this is what was on...and the next time after that, too! She loved the music and action, even if the plot may have been a little beyond her. I enjoyed the parallels to modern things, such as American Idol, but even more so, the polyphonic musical parts that were so intricately designed!

The only thing I was disappointed in is that the video eluded to Easter having a deeper meaning than bunnies and chocolate, but it never was really elaborated on. Now, I can't say that this ruins the movie for me, though, because I don't think that people taking Christianity and trying to combine it with the actual holiday of Easter really works...so I guess I kind of appreciate that this movie promotes more than the materialism of Easter but then leaves it up to parents to determine explaining what relationship they want between Christ's death and resurrection and Easter. For my family, this video provides a great opportunity to talk about what Easter means in our modern day culture, how many Christians attempt to blend Easter with the resurrection, and then how this all relates to what we do in celebrating Passover and the resurrection separate from Easter.

Any way you look at it, this is a positive item you could put into an Easter basket, so add it to your list for Sunday! Not only can you buy it in stores, but you can purchase it on Amazon.com. If you want it real quick, Amazon.com has an instant buy or rent feature for this movie that allows you to download it and view it on your computer or TV.

Win it! The first three people to comment here with their email address and then also email me with their full name and mailing address will each win a copy! A big thanks to Big Ideas and EMG Promotions for providing DVD's for this review and giveaway. :)

Check it out!

Twas the Night Before Easter Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_EbQLOhDRQ

Silly Song – “The Hopperena”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_7rbspKE20

Homepage:
http://veggietales.com/nightbeforeeaster/

Purchase the DVD:
http://store.veggietales.com/twas-the-night-before-easter-veggietales-dvd.html

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!

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. ;-)

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. 

Norah Jones "...Featuring" album review

...Featuring is a star-studded collection of Norah Jones' collaborations spanning her entire career.  The result serves as a kind of parallel history to her four albums, which have sold over 40 million copies worldwide.  

“A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries,” says Norah. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”

Songs on …Featuring range from classics recorded by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, and Roy Orbison to new material by such wide-ranging innovators as Ryan Adams and Q-Tip.

The track listing for …Featuring is as follows:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies 
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo 
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones 

10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward 

My thoughts...

First off, I love Norah Jones and was really excited when I saw the opportunity to get my hands on this album. Her smooth voice, defined piano background...you name it, I'm in love! Overall, I thought this was a really interesting album. There is a huge array of different styles on it, from the traditional jazz we know and love to rap/hip hop stuff. It's neat to hear how Norah can pull of so many different musical genres, and to think of how she's interacted with the other renown musicians featured on this album. I wasn't so happy with some of the underlying messages of the songs, though. Some have sexual and violent messages woven in which I didn't feel were appropriate for my kids to listen to in the car. So just be ready to fast forward if you need to. :-)

Buy it! Click here to purchase Norah Jones' new album, ...Featuring.

Disclaimer: One2One network provided me with a free album for this review. No other compensation was received and I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

 

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.

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. :-)

Win in the 1800Flowers.com Birthday Smile Sweepstakes and on Life More Simply!

Enter to win the Birthday Smile Sweepstakes with 1-800-FLOWERS.COM at www.birthdaysmilesweepstakes.com. You can enter to win awesome prizes including Birthday Floral Cupcakes, Gift Cards from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, and even a 4day/ 3night trip to the Grammys!

Just visit www.facebook.com/1800flowers or www.twitter.com/1800flowers for details on how 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will be celebrating Birthdays in your area.  

 Who doesn't love flowers? Well how about for FREE! 

Come back to Life More Simply on October 29th, 2010 to read a review of this flower birthday cake  and to find out how YOU can win a $40.00 gift certificate to 1800Flowers.com!

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!

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

Fisher Price EZ Bundle 4-in-1 Baby System Review

 Fisher Price just released a new baby system: the "EZ Bundle 4-in-1". It's designed to give you all of the basic infant and toddler sitting equipment with an interchangeable design that saves space and, may I add, also works with your budget by having the entire package cost the same as one of these products could cost separately. My family lives in a 1,100 square foot home which gets pretty tiny when you consider there is one toddler and one baby (equaling way too much space-consuming baby equipment) and two adults (one is an artist and one is a musician, thus pianos, drum sets, and guitars fill the basement and living room while what could be a bedroom houses an art studio). Needless to say, we need to simplify things as much as possible space-wise so that we can walk through our home. :-)

Basically, you get a box that contains one seat which can snap in and out of the supporting units to create the following apparatuses:

EZ Bundle swing compared to our regular one

EZ Bundle high chair compared to our regular one

Infant Swing
• 6-speeds for variety
• 3-point restraint
• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad
• Approx. 0-6 Months, Maximum weight: 25 lbs.
• Use Swing from birth until child becomes active and attempts to climb out of the product.

High Chair
• 5-point restraint
• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad
• Approx. 6-24 Months, Maximum weight: 50 lbs.
• Use High Chair only with a child who has enough upper body control to sit up unassisted.

Newborn Seat
• Great for feeding or napping!
• 3-point restraint
• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad
• Approx. 0-6 Months, Maximum weight: 25 lbs.
• Use Infant seat from birth until child is able to sit up unassisted.

Toddler seat
• Holds toddlers up to 50 lbs.!
• Comfy stain-resistant seat pad
• Approx. 18 Months & up, Maximum weight: 50 lbs.
• Use Toddler seat only with a child capable of getting into and out of the product unassisted.

The EZ Bundle impressed me on a few different levels. The first is that I thought it may be of rinky-dink quality because of the price, but I've found it to actually be very sturdy. In fact, I had to read the directions to put it together (which I normally refuse to do). Another thing that I like about it is that it's aesthetically pleasing with a modern but not overpowering print for the seat, and nice curves and lines for the seat bases. One of the best things is that I can use it for both my son (8-weeks-old) and my daughter (21-months-old) thanks to their weights, and it's quick and easy to switch the seat back and forth between the baby appropriate and toddler appropriate bases. The seat really does just snap into any of the units, and is no problem to get back out of that unit when you want to again.

Some things I'd like to see in this system is a musical component on the swing, and a dangling toy option that clips to the bar above the swing so the baby has something to look at (I remedied this by attaching my own toys we have). It'd be great if they could also find a way that allowed you to set the swing to move either forward-backward or side-to-side, but I imagine such a thing would have to shoot the price up. And lastly, of course, I'm always up to finding alternatives to plastic. Again, though, you'd have to sacrifice cost and flexibility which are two integral things to the EZ Bundle 4-in-1 Baby System. One thing to watch out for when you use the system is that the swing seems to lay and swing back pretty far. Be sure to ALWAYS buckle your baby in, because I think it'd be possible to fall out the back of it if another sibling pushed you too far or something.

The EZ Bundle would be something I suggest people get because it's just as good as many other similar products but costs a lot less. If you don't have all of the pieces assembled all of the time, it does also save on space and is highly portable if you want to use it on a road trip. Rarely is my husband excited about me receiving something in the mail to review ("takes up space"), but this time he actually said "great! Now we can get rid of all of our baby clutter!" after I explained the system to him. ;-)

This review is based on free products I received with no other compensation. I was under no obligation to give a positive review and the opinions are all mine.