Sunday, February 28, 2010

Winners & Contests

Thanks to all my wonderful sponsors...because I get to review amazing products, and many times offer giveaways to my readers!

Congratulations to the latest winners of Sassyfrazz contests!! Thanks for entering the contests and visiting my site!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Women : Plus 2 giveaways!
#9: AF_wife said...
Well being a young military wife.. my girlfriend and I have experience deployment together. We always are there to give each other advice but since I couldn't give her advice on this because I haven't had to experience yet, I am there for her when she needs to talk. We go to dinner and take our dogs on walks!
#26 mail4rosey said...
We like to go to the movies, hurrah for girlfriends or I might never get to see a good chick flick now and again!

New Zealand Menu: Try it out, and be entered to win HUGE (plus a giveaway)
#5: Molomatic said...
This is making me hungry! If I went today I'd order the Coconut Fried Shrimp Salad.

Triaminic can help with the cold and flu season! (plus a giveaway)
#7: lezanac said...
When my kids are sick they get to watch whatever they want on TV while their brothers and sisters are at school

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings: Review & 2 giveaways!
#5: Joyful Noise said...
I love it when my kiddos do something funny and make me laugh when I am least expecting it!
#8: Anonymous said...
I have been blessed with healthy children today. One of my boys has a chronic illness. We feel so blessed on the healthy days. denise

Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family (review & 2 giveaways)
#11: Keyomi said...
my family memories are always of everyone sitting around a large room and laughing their heads off until everyone takes turn going to the bathroom to pee coz they cannot control it anymore. and the worst was when my grandad peed his pants! i was too young to remember what was so hillarious but till this day..no one has forgotten it! :)
#19: Mommy to a lil lady[bug] said...
Evryday my daughter enlightens me with a funny story or says something thats just so funny!When I asked her if she wanted dinner she said I would be delighted to!

Nowali Moccasins (review & giveaway) New for Spring!
#29: Aileen said...
I like the Nowali Spring Flowers moccasin the best.

All winners will be notified by e-mail, and will have 3 days to claim their prize. I have the option to choose a new winner if I don't get a response from the winner. All prizes won will be shipped from the sponsor of the giveaway, unless otherwise noted. I will not be held accountable for the guarantee of delivery.

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR THE CURRENT CONTESTS:

***Perfect Nursery Product Pack from Q-Tip (Plus a gtiveaway) ~ Ends March 4th, 2010! (2 packs of Qtips and a silver elephant piggy bank)

***Candlewick Press books (review and 4 BIG giveaways) ~ Ends March 4th, 2010! (4 winners will receive a selection of Candlewick books)

***Rainbow Brite is back (review and giveaway) ~ Ends March 11th, 2010!

**Plus I have more contests coming up....THIS WEEK....keep watching! :)

Rainbow Brite is back (review and giveaway)

I am a gal from the 70-80's era, and I love that the toys that I grew up with an loved are making a come back into our children's lives. I never owned a Rainbow Brite doll, but my sister did. I loved Rainbow Brite, and I really loved her little sprite, Twinkle.
Rainbow Brite and her friends, Tickled Pink and Moonglow brought good cheer, fun personality and color into a world of imagination. Now, 2010, Rainbow Brite and her friends are coming back!
Coming back with a makeover, Rainbow will delight children with her imaginative adventures, with spreading positive messages of courage, kindness and hope.

Rainbow Brite has a fun FREE interactive website displaying the theme song, coloring pages, games, wallpapers, puzzles and more! I love that the website is free and very kid-friendly. All the clicking is directed by a glittery wand, and my daughter loves that!

I received a Rainbow Brite Adventure Pack CD to review from Mom Select. The CD was a great introduction to Rainbowland! The CD is packed with six puzzles, coloring pages, pictures to design and print, Rainbow's Theme Song, Rainbow Rescue game, and more! You will be introduced to Rainbow, Tickled Pink and Moonglow...along with their horses and sprites. You can read about each character in their Bio's. We enjoyed the CD, and I will be giving away a few CD's at the end of this post.

Another exciting thing coming soon, the newest Rainbow Brite fashion doll collection will be available in February 2010 at Toys R' Us and Target (please check website for availability http://www.rainbowbrite.com/). Watch out for Rainbow Brite, her two loyal friends Moonglow and Tickled Pink, and their companion horse friends: Starlite, Shimmer and Sunriser. Go check out the website with your children and meet Rainbow Brite and the entire gang, while exploring the Rainbow Brite website and doll collection.

Enter to win:
Mom Select sent me extra cd's that I can giveaway, and I am hosting a giveaway for you to win! There will be FOUR winners in this giveaway! This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States, and the contest is open until midnight March 12th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about a favorite toy you had~ Did you own a Rainbow Brite, or one of the other characters? Tell us about it!
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you may have wanted when you were younger (for toys). Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Mom Select. They have provided me with a free cd pack to review and information to share with my readers. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Colors are FUN!!

Spring is on the way, and kids can learn about the colors with Barney, Thomas, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Kipper and friends on the all new DVD released from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment: Colors are FUN! (February 9, 2010).
This DVD was really fun for my kids, and they love learning about colors. I think that these DVD's promote and teach great things to preschoolers, and they are entertaining to watch, as well.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Your child’s DVD library is about to get even more vibrant! Colors Are Fun!, a plucky palette of stories featuring preschool favorites Barney, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Fifi and the Flowertots and Kipper. Each “colorful” episode features fun adventures and timeless tales of helping others, friendship and imagination.

DVD SYNOPSIS
A colorful adventure awaits! You’ll be painted from head to toe in delight when you join your favorite pre-school friends in these exciting adventures. Come along with Barney and find out how bright the sunshine is when colors dance in the air, join Bob the Builder as he discovers rich cave paintings, and collect colorful items for a magic show with Thomas. These adventures will show you the true colors of friendship and fun!

Episodes include:
Barney – “Colors”
Bob the Builder – “Scrambler and the Colorful Cave”
Thomas & Friends – “Smoke and Mirrors”
Fireman Sam – “Seeing Red”
Kipper – “Rainbow Puddle”


DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
· Bonus Episode: Fifi and the Flowertots – “Blueberry Surprise”
Available in stores and online now: Lionsgate & Amazon for a SRP pf $14.98.
This review was provided from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. They have provided me with a free product to review and information to share with my readers. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Zhu Zhu Pets are coming to play on your DS!

Zhu Zhu Pets are being brought to life through an adorable Zhu Zhu Pets™ video game for Nintendo DS™COMING SOON!!
Those collecting the furry little animals won’t want to miss this! Baxter, an exclusive Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamster baby, will come packaged as a Collector’s Edition with the initial release of the Zhu Zhu Pets™ video game for Nintendo DS™. This Collector's Edition will be produced in limited quantities and will be available only until they sell out. Available for the regular price of $29.99, Zhu Zhu Pets fans get more than they could ever imagine - an amazing, adorable game and a rare Zhu Zhu Pets baby hamster that fits perfectly into the collection. Zhu Zhu Pets for Nintendo DS allows players to care for and play with their favorite toys virtually. Players will race their hamsters through different mazes to collect carrots, coins and new hamster friends and babies. It's an endlessly enjoyable game that lets you have fun with Zhu Zhu Pets anywhere!

Saying "Thanks a Million" with Banquet meals!

Banquet meals (frozen dinners) are great for on the go, something quick and easy, to bring to work, or just to enjoy. When I was little, I ate many of the chicken pot pies...and it was a treat! I think that Banquet meals and entrées taste great, and they are super easy to prepare. I really like the big bag of chicken nuggets or strips (and so do my kids).

Banquet has been producing frozen home dinners for over 50 years, and they have been feeding so many people! Banquet dinners are great to keep in the freezer for those times when everyone is gone, and you need to make something for yourself. Sandwiches don't seem all that appealing, and fast food can be pricey. Banquet meals are affordable, and good tasting.

Banquet meals also come in handy when life takes a busy road, and you really don't have the time to prepare a big meal...For nights like these, it helps to have some great rescue meals on hand, like Banquet frozen entrĂ©es. Dinner that the whole family will enjoy is on the table in minutes. Banquet offers more than enough single-serve dinner varieties so each family member is covered – whether you have kids who are picky eaters and only like Macaroni & Cheese or Chicken Fingers, or adults who prefer more sophisticated options like Chicken Pasta Marinara, Sweet and Sour Chicken or Creamy Pasta Carbonara. I like that Banquet can give you options to meet the likes and tastes of many family members.


As a way of saying "Thanks a Million" to their loyal customers over all these years, Banquet is giving away more than $1 million worth of redeemable cash prizes this February through April. February 8, Banquet frozen dinner meals came out with the "Thanks a Million" logo on the box. Each of these specially-marked packages will contain a special game piece, either one of over 16,000 redeemable cash prizes worth anywhere from $10 to $100,000, or a Banquet coupon. What's better than that? A quick dinner on the table in minutes and a chance to find the equivalent of the "Willy Wonka" golden ticket! That would make my day!! So, go to your local grocery store, or a superstore, and pick up a few Banquet meals!


I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Banquet and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

March for Babies (Kmart is raising the awareness and money)!

Kmart is once again teaming up with the March of Dimes to raise funds to help improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This is the 27th year that Kmart will be partnering with the March of Dimes and their 18th year as a national sponsor of the March for Babies walk.

“Our long-standing partnership with Kmart has helped to improve infant survival and health in the U.S.,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “In the time that Kmart has supported the March of Dimes, the rate of infant death has declined dramatically. The dedication and generosity of Kmart’s associates and customers has helped us to support the needs of families across the country.”

Kmart, the March of Dimes longest standing corporate supporter and largest contributor to its mission, has raised $79 million on behalf of the organization over the past 26 years. In 2009, Kmart associates raised a record $8.3 million through donations from customers as well as friends and family to benefit the four million babies born each year in this country.

“The annual March of Dimes drive has a special place in our hearts here at Kmart,” said Bruce Johnson, interim chief executive officer and president for Sears Holdings. “Premature births affect both our customers and employees. Many employees in our Kmart family have personally dealt with a premature birth in their own families, so it means a lot to everyone at Kmart to be able to make a difference in the lives of families across the country and give their babies a chance for healthy lives.”

Kmart hopes to set a new fundraising record this year as it passes the $80 million milestone and help even more families. Kmart customers can help the March of Dimes improve the health of babies by making a donation of $1, $5 or $10 at any store cash register through May 31. Funds raised through Kmart stores support the complete range of March of Dimes efforts for mothers and babies, including:
· Funding new and innovative research to save babies from birth defects, premature birth and other leading causes of infant death and disability
· Providing support to families with a baby in newborn intensive care in 90 hospitals nationwide
· Local chapter grants to help women get prenatal care and have healthy pregnancies

March for Babies, the nation’s oldest and best-loved annual walking event, will take place this spring in more than 900 communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Support for March for Babies is part of Kmart for Kids, the umbrella program for Kmart’s philanthropic initiatives, which focuses on improving children’s health and wellness.

“The dedication of Kmart associates to rally around our March of Dimes efforts extends both in stores and in the communities where we work and live,” said Johnson. “I’m proud to share that last year more than 1,750 Kmart associates walked in marches across the country. Their personal commitments to giving babies in our country the greatest gift of all – a healthy life – is incredible.”

For more information on how to donate or find the nearest March for Babies, visit www.kmart.com or www.marchforbabies.org.

About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, County Living and Route 66. For more information visit the company's Web site at www.kmart.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation Web site at www.searsholdings.com.

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The walk starts here at marchforbabies.org. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Candlewick Press books (review and 4 BIG giveaways)

I love reading books to my children, and we really enjoy this time to spend together soaking up stories. My kids and I recently had the opportunity to review a few books from Candlewick Press, and we really had a great time going through the stories. Here are the story books that we reviewed: The Patterson Puppies and the Rainy Day (by Leslie Patricelli), A Walk Down Sesame Street (pop-up book celebrating 40 years), Yummy: eight favorite fairy tales (by Lucy Cousins), The True Story of Goldilocks (by Agnese Baruzzi and Sandro Natalini) and Swan Lake Ballet Theater (by author Jean Mahoney and illustrator Viola Ann Seddon).

The Patterson Puppies and the Rainy Day is an adorable story about 4 little puppy siblings stuck indoors and needing something to do. Using their big imaginations the little puppies turn their living room into a beach with the ocean waters. Playing at the beach became so much fun! The music was playing, the pups were in their swim suits, and they even had a snack with water in their tea cups. With water spilling from the tea cups, one of the pups had a grand idea...let's add more water to make a real ocean! Well, you can imagine where this went...
The Patterson Puppies and the Rainy Day sparks the imagination and brought lots of giggles from my children as we read this story together. What was really comical about this book was the descriptions of the puppies very much resembled characteristics of my own four children. TOO FUNNY! I think your kids would enjoy this book! We sure did! $14.99 U.S./$17.50 Canada
Leslie Patricelli lives in Seattle, Washington, with her husband, their two children, and two kitties. She sketched out her first children’s book, YUMMY YUCKY, when her then one-year-old son was putting everything in his mouth. "After hearing myself say ‘yucky!’ or ‘yummy!’ for months on end, this book seemed to write itself," she says. "Talking to and watching my young children all day gave me a voice and inspiration for these books. I write down what I say to them and what they say to me."

A Walk Down Sesame Street Pop-Up book is a great pop-up and my kids really enjoyed seeing Bert and Ernie play their instruments in the laundry room and finding the matching socks in the dryers, slimy reusing an apple as a playhouse, counting the cookies on the tray, looking through Big Bird's "B" book, seeing Super Grover fly through the air to rescue a kitty, and hearing about the rhyming words on Zoe and Abby's pages. This is a great book full of learning letters, counting, rhyming and matching. Plus, Elmo greets everyone on the first page as a big pop-out! This is a new favorite.
Yummy is a book compiled of eight fairy tales. The stories are the original stories, and I was surprised about how a few turned out. Nonetheless, this is a cute book. Here are the stories in this book: Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip (I had never heard this story before), Henny Penny, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Little Red Hen, The Three Little Pigs, and The Musicians of Bremen. $18.99 U.S./$22.00 Canada
Lucy Cousins is the author-illustrator of many books for children, like Maisy the mouse. Lucy Cousins lives in Hampshire, England.

Have you ever heard the True Story of Goldilocks? This book is about what happened before the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears came to be. The True Story of Goldilocks is about Goldilocks Papa Bear and Mama Bear loving Goldilocks, and Baby Bear not liking her, and in fact he was very impolite and naughty. After Goldilocks had enough of Baby Bear's tactics, Goldilocks taught him how to be GOOD. However, Goldilocks got tired of being good, so she let her hair down and sent a fake invitation to the bears tricking them into leaving so she could have the house to herself. Thus, the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears came to be. $14.99 U.S./ $17.50 Canada
Author-illustrators Agnese Baruzzi and Sandro Natalini met while studying in Urbino, Italy. They have gone on to create a number of children’s books, including THE TRUE STORY OF LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.

The book, Swan Lake Ballet Theater, is an amazing story book where kids can be creative, anduse their imaginations to put on their own play with the props, people and stage settings all within this board book. The book can be transformed into a stage where you can take the included scenery and ballet characters to act out the play Swan Lake, plus an audio CD with the music from Swan Lake. Included is a full color book about the story and how you can put the play together. There are 9 dancing figures, scenery, back drops, and a supporting cast. My kids really enjoyed this book, but it isn't a book for littler ones to play with. However, telling them the story with the stage before them, is a fun way to do story time.
$24.99 U.S. /$29.00 Canada This book is geared toward ages 6 and up.

Jean Mahoney, the author of The Nutcracker Ballet Theater and The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Theater, says she finds the first moment of light and music in a performance to be an inspiration. She lives in Southampton, New York.
Viola Ann Seddon grew up surrounded by the performing arts, ballet, and opera. She is the illustrator of The Nutcracker Ballet Theater and The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Theater. She lives in London.

ENTER TO WIN!!
Candlewick Press has offered to sponsor a giveaway of an assortment of books, including the ones I reviewed. There will be FOUR winners in this giveaway!
This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States, and the contest is open until midnight March 4th, 2010.
To enter, go to the Candlewick Press website and check out all the books. Comment here about which ones sound interesting to you.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you found over at Candlewick Press. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Candlewick Press. They have provided me with books to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Perfect Nursery Product Pack from Q-Tip (Plus a gtiveaway)

One of the baby necessities that I have found to be essential is Q-tips. Q-Tips are great for so many things, not just for cleaning out the ears. I love the "Perfect Nursery" Product pack that I got to review. I think that this set makes a great shower gift for babies.
“Perfect Nursery” Product Pack is two baby pack Q-Tip filled boxes: one farm themed and one safari themed. I think these boxes are a great addition to a nursery with the fun designs and adorable looking storage for the much needed Q-Tips. I really like that the Q-Tips are easy to take out with the way the box slides out of the container. There are so many uses for the Q-Tips, and here is a list of ways to use them to care for your baby:
• Q-tips cotton swabs are great for cleaning and applying ointments to a baby’s delicate skin. Made with 100% cotton, Q-tips cotton swabs have the most soft cotton at the tip*, making
them gentle enough to use for baby care. Plus, Q-tips cotton swabs are disposable and biodegradable when composted, making them friendly on the environment, too.
• Dip a Q-tips cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to clean around your newborn’s umbilical cord. Q-tips cotton swabs are a must-have tool for baby care, especially around hard to reach
areas like the belly button, around the nose and outer ear.
• Moisten a Q-tips cotton swab with warm water to clean your baby’s outer ear, folds of the neck or between the toes.
• Always remember that Q-tips cotton swabs are not to be used for cleaning inside the baby’s ear canal (or yours!).
*From the end of the stick to the top of the swab

Wendy Bellissimo, celebrity nursery designer, has 10 great ideas for creating the perfect nursery:
1. Be Your Own Designer: Go through
magazines, catalogs and visit baby & furniture stores to see the looks available. Choose a style that feels most natural to you so the nursery can become an extension of your home. Then create your own book or board of clippings, fabric samples and photos for inspiration. Start the design process well before your due date so that you have time to relax before the baby’s arrival. 2. Save the Paint for Last: Select your nursery furniture and fabric before you paint. It is easy to find a paint shade to match your furniture/fabrics and not always the other way around. Keep in mind, furniture and fabrics do not all need to match – a great mix of textures that complement each other can add a truly custom, "designer" feel.
3. Don’t Sacrifice Style for Functionality: It is easy to create a beautiful, organized space in the nursery to care for your baby (without the piles of diapers and a mess of toiletries). Place a basket or fabric covered box (from an arts & crafts or paper store) on the changing table or shelf above and fill with diapers, Vaseline® petroleum jelly, diaper cream and rubbing alcohol. One nursery essential you won’t have to hide is the new Q-tips® Baby Pack! They are available in two adorable nursery animal designs and are functional (with a new sliding drawer that keeps Q-tips® cotton swabs protected for baby) so they can always be within arm’s reach.
4. Add a Personal Touch: Give your nursery a personal touch by adding framed covers of your favorite childhood books or classic black & white or sepia photos of you and your significant other when you were babies.
5. Create A Sleepy Time Sanctuary: We all need our beauty rest, so it is important to create an environment that’s peaceful for your baby to sleep. Create a calming atmosphere with soothing colors and softer tones rather than bright or harsh colors. Then, use accents to add pops of color without being too overwhelming. Be careful not to make the room too dark or too quiet at nap time. This way your child will be able to fall asleep in any environment, which is great when you are traveling or when new siblings arrive! You can also play soft, soothing music or lullabies to help the baby fall asleep.
6. Room to Grow: Choose design options that can grow with your child – consider color palette, furniture style, storage options and a play/reading area. Look for a dresser with drawers and cabinets, rather than a standard changing table and simply secure a changing pad on top. Once your child outgrows diapers, you will have a beautiful piece of furniture with drawers for clothing and cabinets for toys that are within reach for your child.
7. X vs. Y: Not finding out the sex of your baby? No worries! Design a gender-neutral nursery with yellow, green, white or crème and simply add touches of blue or pink accessories when the baby arrives – these simple changes can be made to anything from the receiving blanket to the changing pad. These color options also give you the flexibility to use the bedding over again for a new sibling.
8. To Theme or Not to Theme: Nursery themes such as safari, princess or transportation are a great way to create a fun, lighthearted statement. A themed nursery can still be done tastefully if the items are selected in moderation. For example, if you are doing a safari-style mural, keep bedding and fabrics neutral so the room doesn’t look overdone.
9. Accessorize: A few must-have accessories for any nursery are books, books and more books! You can also add a silver piggy bank and a few irresistibly soft stuffed animals that will quickly become your child’s best friends! Even my celebrity clients still go for the traditional accessories – they bring us all back to that magical time of childhood.
10. The Essentials: When designing your nursery (large or small), you should always keep these essentials in mind – a crib, rocker, changing table/dresser, light dimmer switch and books within the little one’s reach. If you do not have enough space for a bookcase, a basket for the floor will do the trick perfectly. Your little one will be crawling around before you know it and handing you their favorite book at bedtime.


ENTER TO WIN!!
Mom Select and Q-tips has offered to sponsor a giveaway to my readers! What you have the opportunity to win is the NEW Q-tips Baby Packs in two designs (safari & farm animals) and an adorable silver elephant bank to display in baby's room - another nursery design essential!

This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States, and the contest is open until midnight March 4th, 2010. To enter, comment about what you consider nursery essentials or "must haves" for the perfect nursery.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you think is a baby necessity. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Mom Select and Q-tips. They have provided me with the perfect nursery pack and elephant bank to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Check out Bloom's Alma Crib for your baby!

I wish that I would have had this style crib for my kids when they were born. Since I am not sure if we are done yet, I would like to keep the Alma crib in mind for the possibility. I think this crib looks amazing, and would save on space, and fit into our lifestyle with baby close to us.
Bloom's Alma crib is a mini crib and is much smaller than a standard-sized crib, and it is made to fit next to your bed for co-sleeping accommodations! I like that feature. The mattress is organic and there are two adjustable platform levels for the mattress.

FEATURES :
--patented no-tools-required rapid assembly
--compact-fold construction for easy storage and transport
--two adjustable mattress platforms
--four lockable castor wheels (removable if desired)
--organic custom-sized mattress sold separately
DIMENSIONS :
19.5" L x 37.25" W x 32.75" H; folds to 9.75" W
CARE INSTRUCTIONS :
--to clean, apply solution of water with a small amount of a mild, non-toxic detergent to crib surface with a damp cloth
--to avoid damaging the legs, do not push or drag crib if optional castor wheels are not attached
AGE :
birth to 24 months, max 50 lbs.
MATERIAL :
--solid birch wood construction
--low VOC baby-safe finishes
5 BEAUTIFUL COLORS AVAILABLE : cappuccino, coconut white, frost grey, gala green, and harvest orange.
AFFORDABLE: $400
EASY TO FIND: On the Giggle website and select retailers across the US.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Nowali Moccasins (review & giveaway) New for Spring!

During the cold winter months it is so nice to be able to cover my baby's feet with Norwali moccasins. I love these soft leather moccasins made in Sweden (partially because my ancestry is from Sweden). I was able to review these super sock/shoe moccasins last year, and I loved them so much! I was thrilled to check out the new spring line now available!
Cole got the new Frogs style in size 22/23, which is 18 month-2 years old. We chose the blue colors, but the Frog style is also available in brown.
Cole loves the little frog on his moccasins, and it is fun teaching him what a frog is. My other kids hop around like a frog when we talk about his moccasins. I am sure Cole will hop in his Norwali's sometime. These moccasins are so adorable, stay on baby's feet, and they are so easy to slip on. There is double elastic on the heels of the moccasins, so they stay on their chubby little feet, too. I love that the moccasins help promote good walking, because it is like the tot's are walking without shoes on, but their feet stay warm.
The bottom's of the Norwali Moccasins are non skid, so Cole can walk pretty quick across our hardwood floors without slipping and falling down. Knowing little ones can make a mess out of their attire, I love that the Norwali moccasins are machine washable! That is awesome! Plus, each traditional Swedish moccasin is hand-stitched, and made with yarn and foxing materials that meet the Ă–ko-Tex Standard 100, an ‘eco’ standard which ensures they contain no harmful dyes or substances. That is also great reassurance and quality!
I highly recommend Norwali Moccasins for your little one. These adorable moccasins come in many sizes: 6 month to adult size 11! The new spring line has four new styles to choose from: Dots & Stripes-(Available in Pink or Red) Frogs-(Available in Blue or Brown), Sailboat and Spring Flowers. All four of these moccasin styles are available in 6 month to 2 years, however the Spring flowers is also available up to size 4. SO CUTE! You need to check them out!
Cole loves his new Norwali Moccasins, and his mom is happy to keep his feet warm this winter in these adorable moccasins! You can check out these great moccasins on the Norwali website, and you can purchase the style of your choice ($26.95). Nowali.com is offering free shipping on orders over $50 right now, so it is a great time to order!
About Nowali
Nowali began in central Sweden in 1950 and the company is still located there today. Nowali products are sold around the world for the past 60 years. The U.S. market has been especially successful as American moms appreciate the combination of great quality, whimsical designs and a proven brand name. One of the comments often heard at Nowali is, “I remember those from when I was a kid!”
ENTER TO WIN!!
Norwali has offered to sponsor a giveaway for my readers! This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States, and the contest is open until midnight February 26th, 2010. To enter, go to Norwali.com, and pick out which style you like best, and comment here about it!
The prize is for the winner's choice of one of the new styles.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you discovered at Norwali.com. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**
This review was provided from Norwali.com. They have provided me with a pair of moccasins to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Mom Central Valentine's Day Gift Guide & giveaways!

Mom Central is offering their second annual Valentine's Day Gift Guide and they have prizes for
men, women, and kids! Not only is the gift guide a great resource for your gift buying ideas, you can enter to win giveaways each week for each of the featured products!! Week one ended on Sunday, but you still can enter to win great prizes!

Here are a few of this weeks prizes:
Serenity Smartbox , Teleflora ,VTech DS6151 Phone (I want this one!!)
and I would love to win the Wilton bakeware because I know my kids would have a fun time baking with me using these!
I can't wait to see what is coming up for the gift guide & giveaways!!

Head on over to Mom Central to see what is recommended for those on your lists...and while you are there, sign up to win!!
I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central. Mom Central entered my name in a random drawing to win a gift to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Baby on the way? WIN A 7-night VACATION!!

Baby on the way? Before baby arrives, win a getaway to pamper yourself and enjoy some downtime. Bright StartsT (http://www.brightstarts.com/) is giving away a luxurious 7-night babymoon vacation to three lucky couples. Relax and reconnect at an incredible U.S. Virgin Islands destination - St. Croix, St. John , or St. Thomas.Your babymoon includes:
·Airfare for up to four from anywhere in the continental U.S.
·Seven night's hotel accommodations
·Spa treatment for the mother-to-be
·Dinner for up to four people
·$500 spending cash
·Choice of activities

Sweepstakes ends November 30, 2010. One winner will be chosen each 4-month giveaway period. Enter to win at Brightstarts.com and visit Brightstars Facebook for details.

Fresh Organics~ perfect Valentine's gift to pamper!

Valentine's Day is soon approaching and there is still time to get that special person in your life a gift of love. I recently reviewed two bath products from Fresh Organics, and I was thrilled! I got to try out the Bubble Bath Petals and the Bubble Bath Roses.
The Lavender Vanilla Bubble Bath Petals smell wonderful and when you run them under bath water, they will dissolve into a creamy bath bubble. I thought that the petals dissolved so easy. I really like that the petals are made with organic white tea, so I know that this product is safe for my skin, too. This container is 3 ounces, and I would say that you could get quite a few bath relaxation pamperings out of this. The smell of the lavender is so relaxing and smells simply wonderful!

I also got a Heart Shaped container filled with roses and petals. There were 12 roses and petals all around them. While I held the roses under running water, I got the feeling that I was giving myself a gift. I am a romantic, so this gift box was right up my alley. As with the lavender bubble bath petals, these roses completely dissolve under water and you smell a garden of roses. I think that the Fresh Organics Bath Roses is a perfect Valentine's gift, or a gift to give someone to brighten their day.

Normally priced at $11.99 each, the Bubble Bath Roses are now available for just $8.99 through Feb 12th. Hurry to order in time for Valentine's Day!!
Please note, be careful on choosing your shipping option to make sure get your roses delivered in time. Fresh Organics also has Free UPS Ground Shipping on orders $34.99 or more.


About the Company:
After struggling with their son's allergies and skin irritations, Jeff Wilkinson, a chemist, an herbalist and business woman sought out to design and create organic body care products. They teamed up to develop Organic Baby and after 3 years of development, Fresh Organics was born in 2008 and is co-owned by Jeff and Anna Lonsdale.
The company operates as a small extended family of parents who all share the same spiritual values as well as a passion for creating a green, eco-positive business. We hope to expand our offerings to include many other useful products to help families live a little greener in the coming years. But good things start small and we believe that with hard work and faith, our company will grow while still keeping it Fresh and Organic!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Not So Fast~ Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families (book review)

Today’s frenzied families find themselves fragmented in this high-speed, fast-paced, goal-oriented society. Even while racing to second jobs, appointments, lessons, practices, games, and clubs, we crave an antidote. How do we counteract the effects of our over committed culture? Replenish our depleted selves? Restore our rushed relationships?

For those readers whose every hour is rush hour, author Ann Kroeker explores the jarring effects of our over busy culture and offers refreshing alternatives. Bypassing the fast lane, Kroeker’s new book, Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families (David C Cook, August 2009), urges families to discover how simplifying and slowing down can help restore strained relationships…and souls.

“We’re raising our kids in a high-speed, high-pressured, 24/7 world,” says Kroeker. “Pushing children to get ahead, we cram everything possible into our days to maximize their chance at success. We’re overloaded, overextended, over committed, and over-caffeinated. And we’re paying a price: Our relationships are anemic; our health, in jeopardy. Half-awake and half-hearted, we can’t sustain this pace.”

In Not So Fast, Kroeker relates her own story of how embracing a slower everyday pace has resulted in a richer, fuller, and more meaningful family and spiritual life. With practical ideas and insight that will spark creativity and personal reflection, Kroeker offers hope that families struggling with hurried hearts and frantic souls can discover the rejuvenating power of an unrushed life.

Not So Fast includes two practical features for those moving toward a more reflective and peaceful life—a life that makes room for knowing and loving God and people. At the close of each chapter, the “Slow Notes” section offers slow-down solutions to apply immediately. In “Live from the Slow Zone,” readers will hear inspirational stories from those who have learned to reap the rewards of life in the slow lane.

“For everyone who yearns for the benefits of a slower life, I want to point to Jesus and say, ‘Start here. Start with the One who offers true and lasting peace. Look to His Word. Meditate on that. Learn from Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light,’” writes Kroeker. “I wish we could see that the root of meaning and peace that we’re seeking is found not in a yoga pose or a mind-emptying meditation session, but in a rich relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Author Bio

Author of The Contemplative Mom, Ann Kroeker is an acclaimed writer and speaker committed to encouraging and inspiring families as they face the demands of daily living. A contributor to the award-winning Experiencing the Passion of Jesus, she has written for numerous corporations and her articles have appeared in a variety of publications including Decision, The Student, Christian Home and School, and Indianapolis Woman. Ann and her husband, Philippe, have been married 18 years and have four children.

Not So Fast is available from Amazon.com and Christianbook.com

This review was provided from B&B Media. They have provided me with a bookto review and information to share with my readers. I was given the book for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

HOPE UNLEASHED: serving God through words and actions (book review)

Some Christians are skilled at proclamation, while others specialize in social engagement. But the only way to really get the job of evangelism done, and give people something real to hope for, is to find that sweet spot of bold declaration and clear demonstration of the good news. In his new book, Hope Unleashed: Serving God through Words and Actions (David C Cook, August 2009), Andy Hawthorne inspires Christians to serve others through acts of kindness without compromising the gospel message.

“The famous words of Francis of Assisi are being bandied around everywhere: ‘Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words,’” writes Hawthorne. “The only problem is, I don’t really feel that this quote from the great man describes the heart of what we should be doing at all. A much better way of describing evangelism to me would be: ‘Preach the gospel at all times with your actions and with your words.’”

As a young man committed to bringing the Christian message to youth in his hometown of Manchester, England, Andy Hawthorne was shocked when a missions partner told him he shouldn’t just preach the gospel but also engage in community projects. What did washing someone’s car have to do with the gospel? But Hawthorne enacted the idea and today his mission organization, Message Trust, has been praised internationally as bringing hope and change to the roughest, poorest neighborhoods of Manchester.

“It’s right that you can’t get a ten-ton truck across a one-ton bridge, and that if we try and bring our great juggernaut of gospel proclamation into the community without any bridge maintenance, it’s all going to collapse,” Hawthorne says. “However, it’s equally true that if we build a beautiful, highly polished bridge of kindness, service, and generosity, and yet never bring the truck across the bridge, we haven’t got the job done either. For me, the secret to success in any ministry is to genuinely combine the two.”

Written in a warm, passionate, nonreligious style, Hope Unleashed is filled with practical ideas and strategies for Christian missions based on word and deed. While sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences in ministry, Andy draws principles from Scripture that will both inform our actions and keep us mindful of the need to “give a reason for the hope that is within us.”

Author Bio
Andy Hawthorne is a British evangelist, author, and founder of the Message Trust, an award-winning Christian mission organization dedicated to bringing the gospel message to the poorest neighborhoods of Hawthorne’s hometown of Manchester, England. A popular speaker at Christian conferences, Hawthorne is also a regular contributor to Youthwork and Christianity magazines. He is the author of Diary of a Dangerous Vision and The Smile of God.



Hope Unleashed is available from Christianbook.com and Amazon.com

This review was provided from B&B Media. They have provided me with a bookto review and information to share with my readers. I was given the book for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Christianish, what if we're not really following Jesus? (book review)

"In a world where too often evangelicals take the easy road of shrinking back into our own subculture, Christianish is a must read." ~Stephen McGarvey, executive editor of Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com

Somewhere between cold faith and hot pursuit lies lukewarm spirituality. And in the median between the wide path and the narrow road we find the middle ground of the spiritual walk. It's something not quite Christian. More like... Christianish. Christianish may feel like authentic faith. Yet it's often easy to settle for the souvenir t-shirt the appearance of a transformed heart instead of taking the actual trip through true life change. We find ourselves settling for a personal faith that's been diluted by culture and other people's takes on spirituality.

Christianish tells the story of one man's journey to move from the in-between to a life that's centered on Christ. Through stories and insight, Mark delivers a compelling look at what our faith is all about. Readers will be encouraged to become true Christ-followers, and to just ditch the ish.
About the Author
Mark Steele is the president and executive creative of Steelehouse Productions where he creates art for business and ministry through the mediums of film, stage, and animation. Mark is the author of Flashbang: How I Got Over Myself. He lives in Oklahoma with his wife, Kaysie, and their greatest productions: Morgan, Jackson, and Charlie.
Read Mark's blog at halflifediealready.com

Christianish is available from Amazon.com and Christianbook.com

This review was provided from B&B Media. They have provided me with a bookto review and information to share with my readers. I was given the book for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

The Cross: Arthur Blessitt (book review)

38,102 Miles
38 Years
1 Mission
Arthur Blessitt walked his 38,102nd mile in Zanzibar, on June 13, 2008. Zanzibar is off the coast of Tanzania. Arthur had started his 38 year journey in 1969 carrying a twelve-foot cross as he walked December 25th, 1969. He successfully carried a large wooden cross into every nation and major island group of the world!

Follow Arthur's journey from his initial call from God to carry a cross from Hollywood, where he was known as "the minister of Sunset Strip," across America to its capital, Washington, DC.

Accompany Arthur as he hacks his way through the Darien Jungle from Panama to Columbia. You'll join Arthur and his son, Joshua, as they take the cross to South Africa in 1986. Enter into the stories of how God used them to bring people spiritual, physical, and relational healing during the final tumultuous days of racial apartheid. Trek with Arthur and his wife, Denise, as they cross desert sands to take the cross to Saudi Arabia when the nation was closed in the various regions of the former USSR just weeks after its collapse. You'll be amazed by how people in all cultures respond to the cross.

As Arthur has traveled around the world, he has found the cross to be a universal symbol of God's love that breaks down the barriers of language and culture. He writes, "Perhaps I'm the only person in history who has been physically shaped by the weight of the cross. But the changes the cross has brought to my physical body are not important. What is important is how the cross has changed my life, and the lives of so many others, from the inside out!"
Blessitt’s journey has attracted worldwide attention, and his story has been covered by ABC News, Christianity Today, Variety, and a host of other noted media. The Cross offers Blessitt’s perspective on the most fascinating moments such as meeting with Yasser Arafat on two different occasions, once after walking through a battle between five different armies with his twelve-year-old son. Blessitt was also able to share the message of Jesus with Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. On another occasion, he was beaten and jailed along with a group of Spanish pastors under Francisco Franco’s fascist regime.

Blessitt has befriended presidents, held audience with kings, and spoken before crowds 500,000 strong, however, his ministry was never about seeking the spotlight. More often than not, he has sought “the least of these”—the nameless victims of war, the obscure tribe on a hidden island, the oppressed people forgotten by the rest of the world.

The power of Blessitt’s cross has not only changed the world, it has transformed him. “Many people have dreams and visions of doing mighty things for God and making an impact on the world. That was my prayer also.”

About the Author
Arthur Blessitt has devoted his life to carrying the cross in every nation. When he isn't traveling, Arthur speaks nationally and internationally. He is married to Denise and has seven children.

Available at Amazon.com and Christianbook.com

This review was provided from B&B Media. They have provided me with book to review and information to share with my readers. I was given the book for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

"Make Love, Make War" ~ living a life of radical worship! (Book Review)

In his first book, Make Love, Make War: Now Is the Time to Worship (David C Cook, August 2009), award-winning songwriter Brian Doerksen challenges Christians to make their lives an offering of radical worship.

Brian believes that God is calling us to both love and to battle, to spread peace and wage spiritual warfare. We do this through how we live, how we serve Him, and how we protect and fight for what matters most. For Brian, music was his answer to this provocative call.

Now, Brian shares the stories and inspirations behind some of today's most acclaimed songs of worship, including "Come, Now is the Time to Worship," "Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)," and "Refiner's Fire." Brian shares rich truths and insights that informed twelve of his greatest songs, and offers special tips for aspiring songwriters. Readers will be encouraged to wage spiritual war and share His love through a life of radical worship.

An acclaimed songwriter, recording artist, author, conference speaker, and pastor, Doerksen believes God is calling us to love and to battle—to spread peace and wage spiritual warfare. “Each is essential to our daily spiritual walk,” writes Doerksen. “We do this through how we live, how we serve Him, and how we protect and fight for what matters most. One of the ways I make love and war is through music.”

“I believe that we know love and war are at the heart of everything inside us, and everything going on all around us,” says Doerksen. “We sense that there is nothing that Satan hates more than the worship of Yahweh by those who are faithful to the Lamb. He spends more than a little energy convincing us that there really is no war going on, and that the sum total of our lives’ calling is to be nice. But God is provoking us to rise up and fight. The war He calls us to make is always for the sake of love!”
Author Bio
Brian Doerksen has always had a passion for expressing worship through music. He is an award-winning songwriter of some of today’s most popular songs of worship. He is currently developing a musical of hope based on Luke 15 called “Return.” Brian, his wife, Joyce, and their six children reside in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.
Available at Amazon.com & Christianbook.com.

This review was provided from B&B Media. They have provided me with books to review and information to share with my readers. I was given these books for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family (review & 2 giveaways)

I think most everyone would admit to having a family that is dysfunctional, right? Most everyone has stories about their in-laws, kid-crazy stories, relatives (in general), family vacations, sibling rivalry, and more. Chicken Soup just came out with a book fit for families to share the funny, heart warming and inspirational stories about all kinds of families and their dysfunctions. "Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family," (released October 2009) has the famous Norman Rockwell painting on the back, and a picture displaying today's family ~may resemble your own. Chicken Soup commissioned a painter to create a loving spoof of the famous Rockwell painting on the front cover.
All in the Family shares 101 stories covering topics such as: family horror stories (Michael Kilpatrick, sharing the story of his little brother, Stevie, falling through the "two holer") and loss stories (Carol Huff sharing a story of cleaning her childhood home after her parents passed away). All in the Family is a great book for laughter and tears, and one to be shared and passed around your family. I recommend this book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family (Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Amy Newmark and Susan Heim) $14.95 available in book stores and/or online now.

WIN IT!
I have the opportunity to host a giveaway on behalf of Chicken Soup for the Soul! There will be two winners. This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until February 12th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about a funny family story.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about family memories. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer 2 giveaway books to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

"God Has Never Failed Me..." & "The Buzzards are Circling..." : Stan Toler

Celebrated author of over 70 books, Stan Toler has touched countless hurting people with his timeless stories of hope and encouragement. Discover Toler’s best-selling books as David C Cook introduces the updated editions of two of Toler’s most beloved collections—"The Buzzards Are Circling, But God’s Not Finished With Me Yet," and "God Has Never Failed Me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times" (David C Cook, August 2009).
On the landscape of life, buzzards are inevitable—those challenging events and situations that encircle us, eyeing us as prey and swooping down to cause hurt and heartache. A late-night phone call delivering bad news. Losing a job. Struggling with bankruptcy. No matter what form these buzzards take, the pain is universal.

In The Buzzards Are Circling, But God’s Not Finished With Me Yet, Stan Toler takes a lighthearted look at some of life’s more serious subjects. Drawing from his own personal struggles, Toler offers a generous dose of encouragement for the troubled heart, helping readers find hope, joy, and peace, even in the most trying of circumstances. In chapters such as “When the Fountain of Youth Has Rusted” and “I Know I’m Lost, but the Scenery Is Spectacular,” readers will find the strength they need to shoo away any buzzards and face life’s difficulties with the security of knowing that God is in control.

In God Has Never Failed Me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times, Toler gives a humorous twist to the challenges that place us in faith’s waiting room. Though we know that God’s provision is always on time, we’ve all had close calls waiting for His help. For anyone who has ever felt frazzled, stressed, confused, hurt, angry, undone, or any other emotional response to the difficulties and uncertainties of life, Toler serves up a delightful combination of poignant and hilarious reminders that God is still at work in the world.

Filled with heartwarming stories and humorous anecdotes, this charming collection offers hope and peace for the weary, waiting heart. Toler combines a rich blend of spiritual truths with humorous insights as he reminds God’s children of His unfailing love. Through it all, readers will discover a God who is always faithful, worthy of our trust, and never late with His help.

Author Bio
Stan Toler is senior pastor of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was recently elected as the 39th general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene. For several years he taught seminars for Dr. John Maxwell’s INJOY Group, a leadership development institute. He also serves as the executive director of the Toler Leadership Center, located on the campus of Mid-America Christian University, and is the co-founder of BGW Forward in Faith. Toler has written over 70 books, including his bestsellers, God Has Never Failed Me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times; The Buzzards Are Circling, But God’s Not Finished With Me Yet; God’s Never Late, He’s Seldom Early, He’s Always Right on Time; The Secret Blend; Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry; Total Quality Life; and his popular Minute Motivator series.
The Buzzards Are Circling, But God’s Not Finished With Me Yet $14.99, and God Has Never Failed Me, But He’s Sure Scared Me to Death a Few Times $14.99 both available at Christianbook.com and Amazon.com.

This review was provided from B&B Media. They have provided me with books to review and information to share with my readers. I was given these books for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Monday, February 1, 2010

OxiClean Max Force Power Paks and OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick Pre-Treater

Being a mom of a pre-teen, a pre-schooler, a toddler and a baby, we go through a LOT of laundry. The laundry room is always busy with our washer and dryers running, and our kids really "wear" their clothing. Our pre-teen is pretty good on his clothes, but he is nearing those puberty years, and stains under the arms may increase and be tough to get out. Our baby, is the biggest stainer of clothing currently, and he has made cleaning a challenge.
I was excited to try out a brand new product from OxiClean (coming out on shelves this month)~ OxiClean Max Force Power Paks and OxiClean Max Force Gel Stick Pre-treater.
I was very impressed with these two items. First of all, you should all know that I am a busy mom and my husband is very busy as well. We don't always stay on top of putting a stain remover on our kid's clothing before throwing them in the wash machine. Plus, my husband has been doing a good share of the laundry (since I hate it) and he doesn't think of pre-treating clothing that has stains. So, when I threw an OxiClean Power Pak in the load of laundry, I was amazed at how much it helped our clothes. The whites and colors became more vibrant after the load was finished. I like how easy it was to add the packet of the Power Pak...no mess, no drips, and no powders. All you do is throw the Power Pak in the drum of the washer, and your clothes will look so much better!

The Gel Stick Pre-Treater works best on tough stains – even ones that set-in on clothes for a week! Just rub the gel into the fabric and let it sit for a few minutes before throwing it into a normal load of laundry. I was happy to see that the Get Stick Pre-Treater even got blood out of a shirt! That product gets my thumbs up!

Each of these new products contains OxiClean's "4-in-1 stain fighting power" so whether grease, oil, blood, or dirt, appears on clothing, you know that dabbing with OxiClean will leave the garment looking new again after just one wash.

I am happy to promote these two products and I think that they would be great products to keep on hand to use with your laundry!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of OxiClean and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings: Review & 2 giveaways!

Our economy is really going on a downhill slope lately, and so many people are being affected with loss of hours of pay, loss of jobs/homes, and just feeling the emptiness of the pocketbook. Chicken Soup for the Soul released a new book: Count Your Blessings which is a great book that will help lift your spirits. Count Your Blessings is filled with over 101 stories to give you a reminder that tomorrow is a new day, and there is always something to be thankful for. In Count Your Blessings you will be touched by stories about heading into each day with a positive attitude, how to express gratitude, having & keeping the faith, finding happiness during adversity and MORE! This book is so inspirational, as are all the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. The contents of "Count Your Blessings," has 10 sections compiled of approximately 10-11 stories. Here are the titles of the main sections: Expressing Gratitude, Back to Basics, Recovering from Adversity, Silver Linings, The Joy of Giving, Attitude is Everything, I've Got What I Need, Thank My Lucky Stars, A New Perspective and Having Faith.
One of my favorite quotes from this book is this, "Every survival kit should include a sense of humor." ~Author Unknown I like that thought, because with laughter and smiling present, it is a lot harder to be down and negative.
I recommend this book to you. I think that the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings book is a perfect read for our economic downfall and hard times. This book is very inspirational and moving.
WIN IT!
I have a second copy to offer as a giveaway to my readers, from Chicken Soup.
This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until February 10th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about something you like to do that puts you in a better mood, or gets your mind moving in a positive way.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about how your life has been blessed. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**
This review was provided from Chicken Soup for the Soul. They have provided me with a book to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway book to giveaway to my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.