Tie Buddies Review and Giveaway

Mahayla will be 3 years old next month! My little girl is growing up and getting ready for school. Mahayla will be starting private school in August. That means school uniforms and shoes with laces. One of our summer goals has become teaching Mahayla how to tie her shoes. Only if there was a product out there to help. Wait! There is....Tie Buddies!Tie Buddies help your child learn how to tie their shoes faster. Tie Buddies are available in two design combination's, a fairy and her wand and race cars. You simply thread the Tie Buddies onto the shoe laces, follow the instructions, and make up a story for your Tie Buddies characters. The pull tabs are easy to use for small clumsy hands. The more times they practice, the better they get, and eventually you can remove the Tie Buddies.

My Thoughts: My advise is to follow the instructions to the tee. The instructions say to have 3.5" of lace between the Tie Buddy and the last shoe eyelet. This was the hardest part to me. Mahayla only wears a size 6 toddler shoe. They generally don't have 3.5" or more of lace left over after they are completely laced up. I had to find her a pair of tennis shoes that had longer laces for these to work. Some shoe laces are also difficult to thread through the holes of the Tie Buddies. The thinner the lace the better. We made up our "Tinkerbell" story to go along with her Tie Buddy characters (Fairy and Wand). She still hasn't quite got it down but it is much better than before when she would just wad up the laces and call them tied. Overall, they are a quality product and do help with learning to tie shoes once you get all the right measurements and laces needed.


Buy It: Tie Buddies are available for sale online for $8.99 (plus S&H)

Win It:  Tie Buddies is offering one of my followers a Tie Buddies set of their choice. Leave me comment about how you taught your child how to tie their shoes.

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• Make a purchase from Tie Buddies for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 7/3/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Jengd (Comment # 8) for winning the Tie Buddies Giveaway!

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Tie Buddies who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Jeep Liberty Renegade Baby Walker Review and Giveaway

It's hard to believe that Tre' is quickly approaching 6 months old! Boy how time is flying. When Mahayla was 6 months old she spent a majority of her time either in her Jumperoo or her walker. She always had to be on the move. Tre' is following in her footsteps. He likes to be constantly moving or standing up. He loves playing in his Jeep Liberty Renegade walker! He likes honking the horn and trying to run over his big sister!

The Jeep Liberty Renegade walker is durable and sturdy. I don't have to worry about this walker collapsing or tipping over when Tre' is playing in it. The seating area is made from plush, foam-filled, easy-to-clean material for comfort and support. The seat is easily removed for washing and trust me you will need to wash it! Tre' is teething and the seat is always covered with baby drool when he is done playing. All the toys are within his reach. The side mirrors spin and the electronic steering wheel honks, roars an engine, and plays music to keep Tre's attention (and drive us nuts). The wheels swivel for easy mobility. I also like that the wheels have a rubber coating on them so they don't scratch up my wood floors like Mahayla's walker did. Best of all, this walker has 3 height adjustments so he won't grow out of it too quickly. The Jeep Liberty Renegade is available in two color combination's: Everest (beige and light green) and Storm (red and black).It also has a cup holder/snack holder for when he gets older. Right now we use it to hold his pacifer. My only two critiques for this product are that they need to have a volume control for the electronic steering wheel and perhaps they could add some flashing lights. This is my little man below....isn't he so handsome!

Founded in 1946, Kolcraft has become one of most recognized and trusted names in babies and childrens products. Kolcraft has partnered with Sealy, Jeep, Sesame Street, and Contours to bring top of the line, affordable, and safe products to our homes. There are definitely "must haves" when you are having a baby.  Whether its a bassinet, crib mattress, high chair, pack-n-play, strollers, walkers, or activity centers ;Kolcraft has those "must have" baby products!

Buy It: You can find Kolcraft's products at all of your favorite retail stores and online like Target, Walmart, Babies R' Us, Amazon, and Burlington's Baby Depot. The Jeep Liberty Renegade walkers suggested retail price is $ 64.99.

Win It:  Kolcraft is offering one of my followers a Jeep Liberty Renegade walker for themselves ($65 value)! Leave me a comment telling which other Kolcraft product you think is a "must have" for new moms.

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• Make a purchase from Kolcraft for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 7/3/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Carol (Comment #23) for winning the Kolcraft Giveaway!
 

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Kolcraft who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Children's Clartin Coupons

I have 8 (eight) coupons for Children's Clartin that are for $3 off. Mahayla isn't able to take Clartin so if any of you are interested send me an email (randsmountney@msn.com) with your address and I will mail them to you.

Daisy Rock Review and $75 GC Giveaway

In an already strained economy, communities are being forced to cut funding for school music and art programs. Many value athletic programs over music robbing our children of a much needed part of their education. Those music programs that are still operating often require its participates to purchase their own instruments which can be extremely expensive. This requisite would eliminate lower income students from participating in music programs and private lessons too are expensive. We began teaching Mahayla the importance of music education before she was a year old when she got her first drum set.

Daisy Rock Guitars mission is to empower girls by helping them develop confidence and enjoy music. 
The Daisy Rock Guitars are a line of high-quality instruments that are attractive, affordable, and are a perfect fit for girls. Daisy Rock girl guitars are available in acoustic, electric, acoustic-electric, short scale and basses. These specialty girl guitars are also available in 11 colors and available in different sizes based on need. Daisy Rock also sells related accessories such as guitar straps, cables, guitar bags, gig bags, and apparel.

Buy It: Daisy Rock guitars can be purchased online and at select music stores across the country. Daisy Rock girl guitars start at $79.95.

Win It:  Daisy Rock is offering one my readers a $75 Daisy Rock Gift Card!  Leave me a comment telling me what you would purchase with your gift card.

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• Make a purchase from Daisy Rock for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 6/12/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to lilshuga2001 (Comment #129) for winning the Daisy Rock Giveaway!

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Daisy Rock who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Creativity for Kids Craft Kit Review and Giveaway

One of my fondest memories as a child involved doing arts and crafts with my mother. Today I still enjoy creating things and making handmade presents for people. Growing up without a lot of money, this was often the way we exchanged gifts. I still feel that it is better to get a handmade gift from someone versus a store bought gift. I know that when that handmade gift is given, it was well thought out, it holds a piece of the person who made it, and it was made just for me! Now that Mahayla is almost 3, I've started to do more arts and crafts projects with her. I love seeing her light up when she see's the finished product of what she has created. It's also wonderful that she wants to share her projects with others and often she gives them away.

Creativity for Kids craft kits by Faber-Castell are wonderful kits that have something to offer people of all ages, gender, or interest. Faber-Castell is committed to providing our children with quality, innovative, and thought provoking products to inspire healthy creativity and imagination. Creativity for Kids has a wide variety of safe and fun products to inspire children's curiosity and encourage self expression through art.Whether your child likes princesses and fairies or rockets and robots, there is a Creativity for Kids craft kit for them. I got the Butterfly Bedroom kit for Mahayla. The kit came with 3 pre-made tulle butterflies, 4 glitter paint pens, and rhinestones and a tulle swag. With supervision, Mahayla painted designs on the wings and placed rhinestones on them. The butterflies come pre-strung to hang from the ceiling or you can use the enclosed hanging tabs to put them on the wall. Either way they make fun, easy to make, affordable, and stylish decorations for your child's room.

Buy It: Creativity for Kids kits can be purchased online and at arts and crafts retailers across the country. Kit prices start around $4.99.

Win It:  Creativity for Kids is offering one my readers a Butterfly Bedroom Kit ($13.99 value) for themselves! Leave me a comment telling me which other kit you would like to have.

Additional Entries: 

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• Make a purchase from Creativity for Kids for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 6/12/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Butterfly_024 (comment # 41) for winning the Butterfly Bedroom kit from Faber-Castell. 

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Faber-Castell who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

EcoSmart Natural Bug Killer Review and Giveaway

Our dog, Hunter, is 16 years old and we have been battling resistant fleas. Hunter has been on Frontline for years but we've noticed over the past couple of years it's just not touching our Florida fleas. Having small children in the house makes it difficult to treat pest effectively because all the products are filled with toxins and carcinogens. EcoSMART is the world leader in safe, eco-friendly natural home pest control and home and garden pest control products. 

EcoSMART is the only 100% safe insecticide proven to work and they carry the only insecticides that are
"EPA exempt" in the US. Made from natural ingredients and essential oils, EcoSMART is safe for use around pets, children, and won't contaminate water supplies. No strong chemical smells or toxic residue to worry about. EcoSMART carries a full line of products to manage insects, weeds, and disease. How does your household pesticide measure up?

 

Buy It: EcoSMART can be purchased online and at major retailer across the country. EcoSMART bundles start around $23.

Win It:  EcoSMART is offering one my readers one a value bundle of their choice. Leave me a comment telling me which value bundle you would like to have and why.

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• Make a purchase from EcoSmart for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 5/29/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the Continental US (except Alaska & Hawaii) Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Hannah (Comment # 32) for winning the EcoSmart Bundle!

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to EcoSmart who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

OrganicKidz Review and Giveaway

Before my maternity leave came to an end, we had to tackle the issue of switching from breast to bottle. With Mahayla, bottle training was a nightmare. I think we probably bought every bottle and nipple on the market. This time I was going from experience and just purchased the same bottle system that worked with Mahayla. I recently came across a new bottle by OrganicKidz and it is awesome!

OrganicKidz specializes in stainless steel baby bottles. Not only are these baby bottles stylish, they are good for the environment and safe for our children. OrganicKidz stainless steel baby bottles are BPA free, PVC free, Phthalate free, and bacteria resistant. These bottles are designed to grow with your child. These highly functional bottles can be easily converted to sippy cups when you purchase the OrganicKidz sippy lid and a sports spout is also in development. The lid doubles as a measuring cup and they are compatible with most nipples.OrganicKidz baby bottles are available in several different styles and sizes and also available in both wide or narrow neck.

OrganicKidz has won several industry awards including the iParenting Media Award, Mom's Best Award winner, JPMA 2009 Innovation Award, and was recognized as the "Top Green or Organic Product" by Disney.

Buy It: You can purchase your OrganicKidz baby bottle and sippy cup accessories online and at fine retailers across the country.

Win It: OrganicKidz is offering 2 of my followers their own OrganicKidz stainless steel bottle. Leave me a comment telling which OrganicKidz bottles you would like to own.

Additional Entries: 

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• Make a purchase from OrganicKidz for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 5/29/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Kim (Comment # 33) and CinnamonLaine (Comment # 43) for winning the OrganicKidz bottle giveaway. 

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to OrganicKidz who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Running Slow.....

I'm running slow on posting new giveaways lately and I wanted to apologize. My full-time job right now is like two full time jobs so I've been extremely bogged down. No worries though! I will post some new giveaways hopefully this weekend. I've got some awesome reviews and giveaways coming up....like a Jeep baby walker from Kolcraft and a $75 GC to Daisy Rock!

Check back soon!

Two Weeks to Nourished Skin Dove Difference Challenge and Giveaway

I never knew how bad some body washes and soaps can be for your skin. All regular body washes cause or contribute to dry skin damage. Current body washes actually damage proteins and lipids in the skin’s outer layer which can lead to the loss of moisture. When skin lacks proper moisture, dryness, tightness and irritation/redness can occur. Some existing body wash are focused on minimizing protein damage and alleviating visual symptoms of moisture loss by adding heavy moisturizing ingredients that sit on top of skin. While these additives help mask dry skin damage, they do not address the deeper problem of lipid damage. 

The new Dove Body Wash collection contains NutriumMoisture™ technology that cares for surface skin ten layers deep. Unlike other body washes, this first-of-its-kind body wash technology takes a dual approach to healthy, nourished skin by preserving both proteins and lipids during cleansing. Only Dove contains NutriumMoisture™, a breakthrough formula of soybean oil and natural lipids.

I recently was contacted by Dove to review their new line of body washes with NutriumMoisture. I received a bottle of Go Fresh Energize body wash in grapefruit and lemongrass scent.  I love the scent of this body wash! It is so refreshing and clean smelling. My skin is always so dry and flaky but after using the Dove NutriumMoisture products my skin feels soft and revived!

Buy It: Dove NutriumMoisture body washes are available at your local drug stores, chain retailer, and grocery stores for around $5 a bottle. I encourage you to take the 2 week Dove challenge and see which NutriumMoisture body wash is your favorite.

Win It:  Win a Dove Difference Challenge kit for yourself! Leave me a  comment telling which of the Dove NutriumMoisture body washes you would like to start your challenge with!

Additional Entries:

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Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 5/8/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Janet Faye (Comment # 3) for winning the Dove Giveaway!

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Dove who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.

Curious Chef Review and Giveaway

Mahayla loves helping me cook. I think her favorite thing about helping mommy cook is getting to lick the cake batter off the spatula when we're done (my favorite part too). As hard as she tries to help, the cooking utensils just are not made for little hands. Curious Chef makes uniquely designed kitchen utensils for our budding chefs.

Curious Chef's products help foster children's imagination and curiosity all while spending quality time with family. Some of my fondest memories as a child involved baking with my dad. Curious Chef's products allow for children, under guidance, to explore culinary possibilities.I want to stress that Curious Chef's utensils are real kitchen utensil! They are dishwasher, heat safe, and made with BPA free materials. I especially love the cooking kits available from Curious Chef. Their pizza party or ice cream sunday kits are great for sleepovers or birthday parties. We received the Curious Chef foundations kits and it has all the utensils necessary to make great family cooking memories.

The Curious Chef 27 piece foundations kit comes with everything pictured. All of the utensils (minus the rolling pin) fit into the mixing bowl for easy storage. Mahayla looks so cute in her apron and hat! She really loves using this set. Whenever I start cooking, she grabs her apron, her mixing bowl, and pulls up a chair.Buy your Curious Chef set today and start making more wonderful memories!

Buy It: Visit Curious Chef and explore their selection of cooking kits and utensils.You can order your child the 27 pc foundations set for $59.99.  Cooking kits start at $19.99. Individual utensils prices start at $3.99.

Win It: One winner will receive 2 (two) utensils of their choice from the foundations set pictured above. Leave me comment letting me know which two utensils you would like to own.

Additional Entries: 

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• Follow Curious Chef on Facebook or Twitter
• Make a purchase from Curious Chef for 5 additional entries

Please leave a separate comment for all that you do to ensure you get all possible entries! Remember to include your email address on your comment! Contest ends 5/8/2010 at 10pm EST

Sorry, Open to residents of the US Only

Contest Closed. Congratulations to Goodwitchglenda (Comment #13) for winning the Curious Chef Giveaway! 

Disclaimer: This was not a paid post. Honest opinions were used. The opinions are solely my own and may vary from others. Thank you to Curious Chef who supplied the products for the review and giveaway.