Real adventures from a mom of 3.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

I promise I will be getting caught up very soon

I am so very sorry, I know that A few giveaways have ended, and I haven't emailed the last 2 winners, I won't be redrawing, because it is my fault. I have family in town for the long weekend from our of state, and it's important to me, to spend as much time with them as we can. I hope you can understand, and I promise to get back to normal posting very soon. tomorrow night look for a long list of winners!

Gryphon House Publishing Review

In 1971, Leah Curry-Rood and Larry Rood, guided by a respect for the work of teachers and parents of young children, started a company called Gryphon House, which began as a distributer of quality children’s books. In 1979, Gryphon House expanded the business to include the distribution of teacher resource books.

Gryphon House became a publisher in 1981. We published two books that year. One of the original books, Bubbles, Rainbows, and Worms, is still in print.

We currently have a backlist of nearly 200 titles, including beloved authors like Pam Schiller, MaryAnn F. Kohl, and Jackie Silberg. We are proud to be growing our list year after year. In 2010, we will publish more than 15 new titles, and begin exciting partnerships with Between the Lions™ and Nemours.

The face of Gryphon House has changed over the years, but we still strive to publish and distribute the highest-quality books for educators, parents, and caregivers.

I got the chance to review :

L is for Lion

Between the Lions is an award-winning PBS KIDS® series that helps children gain literacy skills through games, songs, and stories! Now, withL Is for Lion, parents and teachers can expand on what children love about their favorite show with activities that make learning letters easy and entertaining.

Each letter of the alphabet has two full pages of activities and ideas, including:

Foods to enjoy that begin with the letter
Games or activities that reinforce the shape or sound of the letter
A song, poem, or tongue twister featuring the letter
Suggestions of books to read

Since I spend a lot of time working with my kids on learning, we mastered numbers, and I've been struggling to teach my 4 year old letters, but L is for Lion has helped me with ideas, and we have come along way in a short time.

We also got :

The Budding Chef

Curious kids will delight in the 50 fun-filled recipes in The Budding Chef! Full of great ways for parents and their budding chefs to have fun together, this introduction to cooking is brimming with kitchen adventures and is perfect for kids aged 3 to 6. The easy-to-follow instructions and easy-to-find ingredients helps parents share their love of cooking in kid-friendly ways while creating special moments that they—and their child—will cherish forever. With a cup of wonder, a teaspoon of laughter, and a scoop of fun, these recipes bring parents and children together to share magical moments!

What child doesn't love to help in the kitchen. My 4 year old when ever I'm cooking asks to help, but sometimes that just isn't possible, I truly love this book because it provides us with things that are perfect for her, and less frustration for me, so cooking with the kids is actually fun.

Check out these and other great books at Gryphon House Publishing.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Lebibble review

The idea for Le bibble® came while feeding my three-month old daughter a bottle that had leaked out from under the cap all over her neck and clothes - and for the hundredth time. Originally, I thought that I must have been doing something wrong. But, no matter how I put on the cap, it always leaked. Fed up with the mess, I decided to make something myself to absorb the dribbles.

So I designed Le bibble® (bib + bottle) - a bib fit for a bottle. As baby bottles could also use a makeover, I factored in style and creative design both as a matter of mom self-expression and to have a little fun.

I also wanted to eliminate a separate feeding issue we had. My daughter always finished her bottle with just enough chin dribble to require wiping but not so much to necessitate a burp cloth. I gave Le bibble® an absorbent organic underlay to easily wipe little chins so to save mom from having to put down the bottle and search for a burpie.

After making an interesting hand-sewn prototype, I decided I should borrow a sewing machine from a friend and learn the craft. Hundreds of fabrics and samples later, I had the ‘official’ prototype. My daughter became the Le bibble® test pilot.

And then the unexpected: my daughter was constantly playing and holding onto Le bibble®. She was immediately attracted to the vibrant colors and soft fabric. To make it a little more interesting for her I designed a protruding logo tag as a kind of cloth handle. Soon every time she had her bottle, her little fingers went directly to the tag to touch and twist. She soon came to use Le bibble® to pick up, hold and maneuver the bottle. Le bibble® worked!

Le bibble® collection, Le Lucie, is all about color! You’ll find ten bold, bright premium cotton designer print Le bibbles®, each with a super-absorbent double layer organic cotton underlay for wiping away dribbles. From hot pink to cornflower blue, we have something sure to please any baby, and mama, too!

About the size of a hair tie from the 90's, but not quite as stretchy. defiantly a great accessory for the baby bottle, a way to choose your own style. Available in both both boy and girl colors, they make a great idea to go with a baby shower gift. I love the little bottles Le bibble come in as well, my older kids use it as a doll bottle. I would also like to point out Le bibble features are:

- One size fits all bottles
- 100% cotton designer fabric
- Double-layer certified organic birdseye cotton underlay for wiping dribbles
- Machine Washable, Reversible
- Patent Pending
- Made in the USA

Friday, May 27, 2011

Emani Minerals

Emani Minerals was established in 1998 with one main objective; to provide clean. green and high quality performing cosmetic range that exceeds the height standards of the professional make up industry, while remaining suitable for everyday use. Emani combines natural pigments and certified organic extracts with the latest science and technology to push the abilities of makeup.

A noticeable healthier complexion in 4-6 weeks
Emani bases work with the skin care and not against it
Free of harmful dyes and harsh chemicals
High performing and long lasting by utilizing natural silicone technology
Paraben free and talc free
Vegan and Gluten Friendly
Cruelty Free, PETA approved
100% recycled paper used on 98% of Emani packaging
Makeup artist approved

Make up is something I wouldn't ever leave the house without, before I ever had kids. Now I try really hard to put it on everyday but some days things are just to crazy. I do very much love the fact that I can do my make up in no time, and still have a great look with Emani Minerals.

I love the selection Emani has to offer, for Face, Eyes, Lips, and Cheeks. I had the delight to check out a Mineral Foundation, Mascara and an Eye shadow, and love them. The Mascara I guess I'm allergic to something in it, because it did cause a burning, when I was washing it off. The foundation was light, and Seemed to last all day. The Eyeshadow blended easily and looked really nice.

Planet Wise Snack Pack Review and Giveaway Open To US and Canada Ends 6/15

Planet Wise Inc.™ is a privately owned family corporation; founded by Nicki Maynard and later joined by husband Jesse. As a husband and wife team, we are working together to ensure the highest quality products while following responsible environmental and social business practices.

How Does Planet Wise Inc™ Help the Environment?

To reduce our environmental impact, all products have been thoroughly researched and are all PVC-free and lead-free (a surprising fact is that many zippers have been painted using paint that contains lead). All the products we have developed are reusable and have been designed to replace disposable items which help to reduce waste that ends up in the landfills. Planet Wise Wet Bags™ have been designed to be useful for every age - from young children in diapers to the mature adult -and for transporting shoes, cosmetics, swimwear, or gym wear. Planet Wise Snack Bags™, our newest addition, are made with environmentally friendly FDA food safe material. Also, our packaging is printed on recycled/recyclable paper using soy-based ink.

How Is Planet Wise Inc™ Socially Conscious?

Community and family has always been a leading value for Planet Wise Inc.™. Multi-generations are employed as well as fellow neighbors. Employees are given the opportunity for flexible schedules allowing them to work around family time and school schedules. To further promote family values, employees are welcome to bring their young children to work with them.

How Does Planet Wise Inc.™ Do It?

During development we carefully researched raw materials and chose as many USA-made materials as possible. While abiding by this high standard of quality, we also continually strive to keep the price affordable for all families. All products are manufactured in a locally women-owned facility helping to support the local economy and reduce our environmental impact. All business decisions, either big or small, are evaluated with our planet’s health and social harmony in mind.

If you have been a long time follower you should remember how I told you , there are many company's that make reusable bags, and that each company has their own way that makes them great, Planet wise is no different, for example They have these neat little bags with a window to them so you can see what's in it.

Window Bag

And they come in 13 different fabric choices. All are current popular prints to..

Sandwich Bags

Snack Bag

Planet Wise also makes

A Sandwich Wrap

Planet Wise are awesome, and well known for other products like

Wet Bags

Pail Liners

and

Changing pads

I know that the snack line holds up great, and the Cloth diaper community raves about Planet Wise so I can only guess how well this great bag holds up

Swim/Diaper Bag

Buy it:

Planet Wise is available On their Website or Select retailers.

Win It:

Planet wise has offer 1 reader, a window bag, sandwich wrap and snack bag in your choice of prints.

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* Disclosure: The author, manufacturer, or representing PR provided a product to review. No compensation was provided. The opinions expressed are my own personal and honest thoughts. *

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Pretty Women Review and Giveaway US ONLY ends 6/10

THE SCENT OF A PRETTY WOMAN
Barbara Orbison Introduces Pretty Woman Perfume To Celebrate the Pretty in Every Woman.

“Pretty Woman” immediately arouses warm, upbeat feelings, bringing to mind that iconic Roy Orbison song and conjuring up images of that favorite fairytale movie. And now, the power of that name will translate to an enchanting new fragrance from Roy Orbison’s wife Barbara. This signature perfume, due in stores in (September – early fall) promises to be a “scentsation,” capturing the hearts of consumers everywhere.

Like the notes of a song, the notes of Pretty Woman Perfume open to reveal a delightful melody of florals, spices and woods. It is a complex blend of hundreds of individual floral and spicy notes. Its crisp, luminous bergamot top note evolves to reveal a full, vivacious middle note accord of stargazer lily, red rose and carnation. The fragrance’s base note accord of fresh amber, patchouli, vanilla, atlas cedar and sacred incense combine with a lingering everlasting warmth and harmony.

“It has been a life-long dream of mine to create a perfume that speaks to women everywhere,” comments Barbara. “I believe that within every woman there is a pretty woman and my signature fragrance helps bring that out that inner beauty, confidence and spirit so they feel strong, empowered, sensual and pretty.”

Barbara has been involved in every step of the development from conception to launch. She worked closely with perfumers to formulate the exact scent she desired. She selected the bottle from prestigious fashion houses in Paris and worked closely with the graphic designers to craft a package and label that reflects the pure, elegant essence of the fragrance.

Pretty Woman Perfume is currently launching in specialty retailers including Planet Blue, Plaza Beauty in New York’s Plaza Hotel, Clydes in NYC, and Fred Segal.

I love the name of this perfume, and it comes in a delightful bottle. I was very happy to get this, and the first thing I did was try it on. I little on both wrists. But sadly with my body chemistry, it just wasn't something I felt pretty in. My sister however loves it, and it smells sooooo great on her. I know she was super happy to get to take home the bottle . I know she will feel very pretty wearing it, and it makes me happy to bring her that joy.

The Pretty Woman Candles are divine though. I love the Smell of Pretty woman in the bottle, and the candle, I am also super sad it just wasn't a smell for me.

Want your own Pretty Woman perfume or candle?

Buy It:

You can buy Pretty Woman perfume and products Here