This winner brought to you by random.org.... there were 60 entries and the winning entry is:
Comment #36 is:
- now following you!
- August 21, 2009 11:41 AM
Monday, August 31, 2009
Winner of my first giveaway! (Valco Diaper Bag)
This winner brought to you by random.org.... there were 60 entries and the winning entry is:
Comment #36 is:
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Review and Giveaway! See Kai Run shoes-CLOSED!
I have to admit, when the ultrasound technician told me 2.5 years ago that our first child was a boy, one of my first thoughts was "oh darn, no cute clothes or shoes." I feel very strongly about the importance of cute shoes- I've even been known to plan my outfits around my shoes rather than the other way around.
Thankfully, I discovered fairly quickly that cute boy shoes do exist, in the form of See Kai Run shoes. We got our first pair as a hand-me-down from friends, and I was hooked from the first moment that I slipped the red leather shoes on my son's feet. He quickly outgrew both those shoes and the ones that I purchased to replace them. Kids' feet grow so quickly!
I knew I loved the look of See Kai Run shoes, but since Ethan was a (very) late walker, I hadn't had the chance to test out the quality of the shoes on a mobile kid. I contacted See Kai Run about letting me review a pair of their shoes now that Ethan is busy running around and climbing and jumping and doing all the typical toddler boy activities. We were sent the Coleman shoes from the See Kai Run line. Even my husband, who could not care less about shoes, thought these were very nice looking, and he made a comment that they would "add color" to our son's wardrobe.
As for Ethan, he is totally obsessed with his shoes. When I bring them out, he happily sits down and lets me put them on, which is a highly unusual behavior for my son. Yesterday he wore the shoes to the fair and kept putting his feet up on the tray of his stroller so that he could gaze at his feet while he rode. These shoes are great quality too, very sturdy without being bulky. Ethan's a little accident prone and tends to fall over when he's wearing shoes, but he's not had that problem while wearing these particular shoes. Stylish and practical- what more could you ask for in shoes!
See Kai Run has a great selection of shoes for kids from 0-3 years. For the littlest kids, the Smaller line offers some adorable choices, and the See Kai Run line has stylish shoes for kids 6 months-3 years of age. The Eleven line has some nice looking shoes that fit kids up to 8 years of age.
You have a chance to win shoes! (one entry per person) (open to US/Canadian mailing addresses only)
See Kai Run is generously offering one of my readers their choice of a pair of shoes from either the Smaller or See Kai Run lines.
Mandatory entry:
Visit the See Kai Run website and let me know what pair of shoes you would pick from either the Smaller or See Kai Run lines. Please make sure you include your email address in your comment (if your email is visible on your blog profile, you don't need to leave your email address).
Extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each):
1) Follow my blog and leave a comment letting me know that you're now a follower! (if you're already a follower, leave a comment letting me know that you already follow)
2) Sign up for the See Kai Run newsletter and come back and let me know that you signed up and the email address that you signed up with.
3) Become a fan of See Kai Run on Facebook.
4) 5 extra entries (please leave 5 separate comments)! Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and the See Kai Run homepage.
Giveaway will end at 9 PM Pacific time on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009. Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be emailed immediately after I draw a winner. Results will also be posted in a blog post. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before I choose another winner. Good luck!
Disclaimer: I was given a pair of shoes to test for my review, but was not compensated in any other way. The opinions here are my own.
Congrats Jenn! You won!
Thankfully, I discovered fairly quickly that cute boy shoes do exist, in the form of See Kai Run shoes. We got our first pair as a hand-me-down from friends, and I was hooked from the first moment that I slipped the red leather shoes on my son's feet. He quickly outgrew both those shoes and the ones that I purchased to replace them. Kids' feet grow so quickly!
I knew I loved the look of See Kai Run shoes, but since Ethan was a (very) late walker, I hadn't had the chance to test out the quality of the shoes on a mobile kid. I contacted See Kai Run about letting me review a pair of their shoes now that Ethan is busy running around and climbing and jumping and doing all the typical toddler boy activities. We were sent the Coleman shoes from the See Kai Run line. Even my husband, who could not care less about shoes, thought these were very nice looking, and he made a comment that they would "add color" to our son's wardrobe.
As for Ethan, he is totally obsessed with his shoes. When I bring them out, he happily sits down and lets me put them on, which is a highly unusual behavior for my son. Yesterday he wore the shoes to the fair and kept putting his feet up on the tray of his stroller so that he could gaze at his feet while he rode. These shoes are great quality too, very sturdy without being bulky. Ethan's a little accident prone and tends to fall over when he's wearing shoes, but he's not had that problem while wearing these particular shoes. Stylish and practical- what more could you ask for in shoes!
See Kai Run has a great selection of shoes for kids from 0-3 years. For the littlest kids, the Smaller line offers some adorable choices, and the See Kai Run line has stylish shoes for kids 6 months-3 years of age. The Eleven line has some nice looking shoes that fit kids up to 8 years of age.
You have a chance to win shoes! (one entry per person) (open to US/Canadian mailing addresses only)
See Kai Run is generously offering one of my readers their choice of a pair of shoes from either the Smaller or See Kai Run lines.
Mandatory entry:
Visit the See Kai Run website and let me know what pair of shoes you would pick from either the Smaller or See Kai Run lines. Please make sure you include your email address in your comment (if your email is visible on your blog profile, you don't need to leave your email address).
Extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each):
1) Follow my blog and leave a comment letting me know that you're now a follower! (if you're already a follower, leave a comment letting me know that you already follow)
2) Sign up for the See Kai Run newsletter and come back and let me know that you signed up and the email address that you signed up with.
3) Become a fan of See Kai Run on Facebook.
4) 5 extra entries (please leave 5 separate comments)! Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post and the See Kai Run homepage.
Giveaway will end at 9 PM Pacific time on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009. Winner will be chosen by random.org and will be emailed immediately after I draw a winner. Results will also be posted in a blog post. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before I choose another winner. Good luck!
Disclaimer: I was given a pair of shoes to test for my review, but was not compensated in any other way. The opinions here are my own.
Congrats Jenn! You won!
- I subscribe to SKR Newsletter
Friday, August 28, 2009
Stay tuned to this blog
I've been sending emails this week and contacting a number of companies that I love, and am so excited to announce that I will be having giveaways starting soon from some fun places including See Kai Run, Baby Bistro Brands and LTD Chix. Stay tuned!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Review: Bath Luve
I have seen the Bath Luve advertised on a number of blog giveaways, but always thought it was a silly, unnecessary baby item. And then I won one over at this blog. Tonight I finally put the product to the test, during Vivian's first real bath! We've been doing a sort of modified sponge bath/dunking in a small tub for her, since we didn't buy an infant bathtub. Today I decided to put my newly purchased toddler tub and Bath Luve to the test.
I got the bathtub full of warm water and wetted the Bath Luve and then put Vivian in the tub... and it was instant happiness. SERIOUS happiness. She actually laughed for the first time!!! I tried to tape her laughing, but she tends to stare at the video camera instead of behaving, so it didn't work. But I did get some photos of her happiness.
I think this is a great product- babies love being warm and in the water, and this helps them enjoy their time in the bath even more. The bath luve comes in a cute frog, duck or fish design. Go check out their site!
I got the bathtub full of warm water and wetted the Bath Luve and then put Vivian in the tub... and it was instant happiness. SERIOUS happiness. She actually laughed for the first time!!! I tried to tape her laughing, but she tends to stare at the video camera instead of behaving, so it didn't work. But I did get some photos of her happiness.
I think this is a great product- babies love being warm and in the water, and this helps them enjoy their time in the bath even more. The bath luve comes in a cute frog, duck or fish design. Go check out their site!
Review: Joovy Ultra-light Caboose double stroller
When someone announces a second pregnancy, many of the same questions arise as with a first baby: "when's the baby due?" "are you going to find out the gender?". And then there's a question that's new..."what kind of double stroller are you going to get?"
Seriously, I'm pretty sure we spent more time researching double strollers than we did picking out a baby name. I take that back, I am 100% sure that we spent more time on the stroller than the baby name.
First I read the blogs. Then I questioned my friends. Then I scoured the parenting magazines. And we went to Babies R Us to test drive the (VERY) few double strollers that they had. And we thought we had made up our mind to get the double version of the Peg Perego Aria OH, since that was the single stroller that we had been using and liking with Ethan. However, I ended up getting a great deal on an infant carseat and the carseat that I purchased was not compatible with the Peg Perego systems unless I wanted to invest in the conversion kit. Which, being cheap, I did not want to do.
So back to the drawing board for us. We were hoping to move before Vivian was born (ha! Now I'm hoping to move before kindergarten), so we put off making a decision as long as we could, since I knew that what I would want in a stroller for the city differed from what I would want if we lived in the suburbs. When it became evident that we were not going anywhere anytime soon, I started looking at strollers that would work well for city life.
The main thing that I was looking for was a lightweight stroller that folded up fairly small and that allowed my toddler a place to sit, since he wasn't even 2 when Vivian arrived. Finally, we decided on the Joovy Sit and Stand Ultralight Caboose.
Pros: 1) It weighs in at only 21 pounds, which is about half the weight of most double strollers. I'm only 5'1", and we have to lift up to put things in our trunk, so weight was a big issue for me.
2) The back offers a nice little bench seat with a seatbelt for Ethan to sit on, and when he gets older, he can stand back there.
3) The front was compatible with our infant carseat and many other brands of seats as well. When Vivian outgrows her infant seat, she will get to sit in a nice seat in the front that has a 5-point harness.
4) The stroller is super easy to open and close
5) The sun/rain shade is great, expanding separately to cover both the infant and the toddler. I'm really happy with this feature.
6) There are nice straps to secure the infant carseat in place, so I feel that she's very secure.
7) The stroller was very easy to assemble.
8) Steering is a dream, even when the infant seat is on the front and it's front-heavy. I have no problems at all steering the stroller with one hand at the grocery store and it navigates smoothly around obstacles and turns really well. I occasionally have to still use my single stroller and I am always frustrated with its poor steering after getting used to the great steering on my double stroller.
Cons: 1) The basket underneath is pretty small and is really hard to get to with the infant carseat in and the toddler in his seat. I usually put heavy things like milk down there, then hang the rest of the groceries from hooks on the front of the stroller.
2) The stroller doesn't store standing up like our single stroller did. We have to store it on its side. It's still pretty small and doesn't take up a huge amount of space, but it's more than we like to give up in our tiny home.
3) This is not an issue for us, since Ethan likes to sit leaning forward, but when the infant carseat is in, or when the child in front is in the seat and reclining, the child in back doesn't have a lot of space when sitting down. Again, not something that is a problem for us, but it might bother some people.
4) With the infant seat in, the stroller, being a tandem set-up is fairly front-heavy. I get a little concerned about this when I'm crossing streets that have any sort of incline, since the stroller will start to drift downhill. It's not a problem, but I do have to be very cautious and be sure I have a firm grip with both hands. This wont be as much of an issue once Vivian is in the regular seat.
I ended up getting a great deal on this stroller on walmart.com, getting the all black model for about $150. It sells most places for closer to $240, but does go on sale on various websites and stores on occasion, so deals can be found!
Seriously, I'm pretty sure we spent more time researching double strollers than we did picking out a baby name. I take that back, I am 100% sure that we spent more time on the stroller than the baby name.
First I read the blogs. Then I questioned my friends. Then I scoured the parenting magazines. And we went to Babies R Us to test drive the (VERY) few double strollers that they had. And we thought we had made up our mind to get the double version of the Peg Perego Aria OH, since that was the single stroller that we had been using and liking with Ethan. However, I ended up getting a great deal on an infant carseat and the carseat that I purchased was not compatible with the Peg Perego systems unless I wanted to invest in the conversion kit. Which, being cheap, I did not want to do.
So back to the drawing board for us. We were hoping to move before Vivian was born (ha! Now I'm hoping to move before kindergarten), so we put off making a decision as long as we could, since I knew that what I would want in a stroller for the city differed from what I would want if we lived in the suburbs. When it became evident that we were not going anywhere anytime soon, I started looking at strollers that would work well for city life.
The main thing that I was looking for was a lightweight stroller that folded up fairly small and that allowed my toddler a place to sit, since he wasn't even 2 when Vivian arrived. Finally, we decided on the Joovy Sit and Stand Ultralight Caboose.
Pros: 1) It weighs in at only 21 pounds, which is about half the weight of most double strollers. I'm only 5'1", and we have to lift up to put things in our trunk, so weight was a big issue for me.
2) The back offers a nice little bench seat with a seatbelt for Ethan to sit on, and when he gets older, he can stand back there.
3) The front was compatible with our infant carseat and many other brands of seats as well. When Vivian outgrows her infant seat, she will get to sit in a nice seat in the front that has a 5-point harness.
4) The stroller is super easy to open and close
5) The sun/rain shade is great, expanding separately to cover both the infant and the toddler. I'm really happy with this feature.
6) There are nice straps to secure the infant carseat in place, so I feel that she's very secure.
7) The stroller was very easy to assemble.
8) Steering is a dream, even when the infant seat is on the front and it's front-heavy. I have no problems at all steering the stroller with one hand at the grocery store and it navigates smoothly around obstacles and turns really well. I occasionally have to still use my single stroller and I am always frustrated with its poor steering after getting used to the great steering on my double stroller.
Cons: 1) The basket underneath is pretty small and is really hard to get to with the infant carseat in and the toddler in his seat. I usually put heavy things like milk down there, then hang the rest of the groceries from hooks on the front of the stroller.
2) The stroller doesn't store standing up like our single stroller did. We have to store it on its side. It's still pretty small and doesn't take up a huge amount of space, but it's more than we like to give up in our tiny home.
3) This is not an issue for us, since Ethan likes to sit leaning forward, but when the infant carseat is in, or when the child in front is in the seat and reclining, the child in back doesn't have a lot of space when sitting down. Again, not something that is a problem for us, but it might bother some people.
4) With the infant seat in, the stroller, being a tandem set-up is fairly front-heavy. I get a little concerned about this when I'm crossing streets that have any sort of incline, since the stroller will start to drift downhill. It's not a problem, but I do have to be very cautious and be sure I have a firm grip with both hands. This wont be as much of an issue once Vivian is in the regular seat.
I ended up getting a great deal on this stroller on walmart.com, getting the all black model for about $150. It sells most places for closer to $240, but does go on sale on various websites and stores on occasion, so deals can be found!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Review: Skinies Nursing Tank
Since some of you are new to my blog, you might not all know that I am the mom of a 2-year-old son, Ethan, and a 2 1/2-month-old daughter, Vivian. Go here to read more about us! I am been blessed to have a fairly easy time with breast-feeding, and was able to nurse Ethan until he decided he preferred bottles at about 9 months of age. So far things are going well with Vivian too, so I plan to continue breastfeeding her until she's about a year of age.
The only challenge that I've had with feeding both kids is that I am fairly well endowed and also fairly modest (disclaimer, yes, I know it's natural and that I'm feeding my baby and should be able to do it wherever, but I personally am not comfortable with that). So, nursing in public is something that I've never felt I could do easily. Ethan refused to have a nursing cover over him, so when I was feeding him I was always having to look for a separate room or run to the car.
Fortunately, Vivian is more tolerant of the cover, so I've had a bit more freedom with her. But I've still had the problem that I'm too cheap to buy real nursing tops, so am wearing my regular shirts, and when I'm feeding and pull up my shirt, my entire back is exposed to anyone behind me. And with all my post-pregnancy lumps and bumps.... that's just not a pretty sight.
So I was THRILLED! to win a Skinies Nursing Cami over at The Life of a College Stay-At-Home Mom. This funky-looking shirt is worn under the clothes and turns anything into a nursing top. Now, when I need to feed Vivian, I just reach under my shirt through the openings on this cami and pull down the flaps on my nursing bra and my back and side are still covered. People passing by are protected from the sight of my stretch marks and I'm covered and Vivian is fed and all are happy.
The other thing I love about this cami is that it also serve the purpose of a regular camisole, making my regular shirts a little more modest (which I need with breastfeeding breasts, they're always trying to pop out of my shirts) and the cami is fairly tight, so serves as shapewear for my problem areas as well. I've had two pregnancies in two years, with both ending in c-section, so my mid-section is a bit of a mess and shapewear is a great thing to have!
And I really love the product insert that comes in the package for this cami. The people at Skinies suggest other uses for the cami, one of which is "take it to your plastic surgeon and show him where your breasts used to be!" Cracked me up :)
Friday, August 21, 2009
Go check out these other giveaways!
Here's a link to a bunch of great giveaways going on on other sites.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Review and giveaway! Scrabble tile pendant-CLOSED
A few months ago I discovered a new obsession on Etsy, Scrabble Tile Pendants! I got two of my favorites from an online Etsy shop called Giggles and Grins. Dawn features some great pendants at her shop.
Dawn has generously offered to give one of my readers their choice of pendant with a chain.
(This review originally published on my other blog)
Last week I bought two of these necklaces, this time from the Etsy store called Giggles and Grins Boutique. When I saw these two pendants I knew I needed to have them- they were just too pretty. And I was thrilled when they arrived in the mail, since they were both just as pretty in real life. The pendants were $5 each, and came with free chains. I'm really not crazy about this type of chain, but the pendants are easy to switch out and put onto another necklace, and I have plenty of those around, so that's a simple fix.
If you're looking for a fun, pretty accessory to brighten up your outfits, go check these pendants out! Giggles and Grins has a huge assortment of pendants to choose from, you will find something you like!
To enter:
Leave a comment on this post with your favorite pendant from Dawn's site.
Extra entries:
1) Follow my blog or leave me a comment saying you already follow
2) Make Dawn's shop one of your favorites on Etsy
3) Leave a comment on a post on my other blog and come back here and let me know which post you commented on!
Entries accepted until 9 PM Pacific time on Monday, September 28, 2009. US/Canada mailing addresses only, please.
Congrats to winner: Michelle!
Dawn has generously offered to give one of my readers their choice of pendant with a chain.
(This review originally published on my other blog)
Last week I bought two of these necklaces, this time from the Etsy store called Giggles and Grins Boutique. When I saw these two pendants I knew I needed to have them- they were just too pretty. And I was thrilled when they arrived in the mail, since they were both just as pretty in real life. The pendants were $5 each, and came with free chains. I'm really not crazy about this type of chain, but the pendants are easy to switch out and put onto another necklace, and I have plenty of those around, so that's a simple fix.
If you're looking for a fun, pretty accessory to brighten up your outfits, go check these pendants out! Giggles and Grins has a huge assortment of pendants to choose from, you will find something you like!
To enter:
Leave a comment on this post with your favorite pendant from Dawn's site.
Extra entries:
1) Follow my blog or leave me a comment saying you already follow
2) Make Dawn's shop one of your favorites on Etsy
3) Leave a comment on a post on my other blog and come back here and let me know which post you commented on!
Entries accepted until 9 PM Pacific time on Monday, September 28, 2009. US/Canada mailing addresses only, please.
Congrats to winner: Michelle!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Review: My new love, my Becky Oh purse
Don't hesitate to join in to giveaways with hundreds of entrants, someone has to win, and it might as well be you! Case in point, last month I signed up for a giveaway over at Fabulous Fun Finds. This giveaway had 500+ entrants, since the prize was a custom purse from Becky Oh. And I won!!!
I won this purse- isn't it gorgeous! I am a HUGE purse person, but lately have been carrying diaper bags all the time, so haven't done much purse shopping. So I was SO excited to win this prize.
Even my husband, a typical guy, commented on how pretty the purse is. I went out alone tonight (to the grocery store!) and was carrying my new purse and smiled every time I saw it. Isn't it amazing how something so small can make you so happy? Go check out Becky Oh's site if you're in the market for a fun new purse!
I won this purse- isn't it gorgeous! I am a HUGE purse person, but lately have been carrying diaper bags all the time, so haven't done much purse shopping. So I was SO excited to win this prize.
Even my husband, a typical guy, commented on how pretty the purse is. I went out alone tonight (to the grocery store!) and was carrying my new purse and smiled every time I saw it. Isn't it amazing how something so small can make you so happy? Go check out Becky Oh's site if you're in the market for a fun new purse!
Review: Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain
A few months ago, I signed up to be a member at BzzAgent. A few weeks ago I got my first product to review, the Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain.
I've been wearing this on and off for a few weeks now, and it's been a good product. I rarely have occasions in my mom life that require makeup, so I hadn't really put the product to the test until this weekend, when I was at my brother-in-law's wedding. I am SO happy I had this lip stain. It really is easy to put on, the applicator looks like a marker, so it's kind of fun and weird at the same time to put on. And it smells and tastes good, which is always nice when putting on makeup.
Have you ever attended a formal event with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old? Do you have any idea how much I did NOT have time to be reapplying makeup? This lip stain saved me- I put it on before we left my in-laws' place pre-wedding and it stayed in put all the way through the wedding and the wedding banquet. My lips looked great in all the multitudes of photos that were taken, even though I didn't have time to put on makeup (heck, I barely had time to breathe!). I also like that this doesn't dry out my lips and it's really lightweight.
If you're looking for a good stay-put lip color, try this one out.
I've been wearing this on and off for a few weeks now, and it's been a good product. I rarely have occasions in my mom life that require makeup, so I hadn't really put the product to the test until this weekend, when I was at my brother-in-law's wedding. I am SO happy I had this lip stain. It really is easy to put on, the applicator looks like a marker, so it's kind of fun and weird at the same time to put on. And it smells and tastes good, which is always nice when putting on makeup.
Have you ever attended a formal event with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old? Do you have any idea how much I did NOT have time to be reapplying makeup? This lip stain saved me- I put it on before we left my in-laws' place pre-wedding and it stayed in put all the way through the wedding and the wedding banquet. My lips looked great in all the multitudes of photos that were taken, even though I didn't have time to put on makeup (heck, I barely had time to breathe!). I also like that this doesn't dry out my lips and it's really lightweight.
If you're looking for a good stay-put lip color, try this one out.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Welcome to my new review blog (with giveaway!)-CLOSED
Since I like to review items that I have either purchased for use with my kids or have received as a giveaway prize, but I also like to drone on and on about stay-at-home momhood, I decided the time has come to start a new blog!
So, to help welcome you all to this new blog, I'd like to have a giveaway. Today's prize is a brand new, in the packaging diaper bag by Valco Baby. It's in the bubblegum pink color. I received this as a gift, but never used it since I already have a multitude of diaper bags.
To win, please leave a comment below with your contact info (if it's in your blogger profile, you don't need to leave it). For an extra entry, join my google friends (link on the right side of the screen) to follow this blog publicly and leave a comment letting me know.
Winner will be chosen by random.org around 9 PM PST on August 31.
Giveaway open to US/Canada mailing addresses only.
Thanks, and welcome!
So, to help welcome you all to this new blog, I'd like to have a giveaway. Today's prize is a brand new, in the packaging diaper bag by Valco Baby. It's in the bubblegum pink color. I received this as a gift, but never used it since I already have a multitude of diaper bags.
To win, please leave a comment below with your contact info (if it's in your blogger profile, you don't need to leave it). For an extra entry, join my google friends (link on the right side of the screen) to follow this blog publicly and leave a comment letting me know.
Winner will be chosen by random.org around 9 PM PST on August 31.
Giveaway open to US/Canada mailing addresses only.
Thanks, and welcome!
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