As the mother of not one, but TWO babies in cloth-diapers, a heavy duty GIGANTIC wet/dry bag is a necessity for us. Especially for a weekend trip! I have tried other wet bags in the past, and while I have found some that I really like, none of them were the extra-large size my family would require for traveling. I always found it to be quite a hassle to bring multiple, smaller sized wet bags for diaper storage on longer outings. This is precisely why I love the Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry Bags. They are attractive, high quality, and are absolutely HUGE! They even feature 2 separate zippered compartments that allow you to safely store both clean and soiled diapers in one bag! For my family and all the baby gear we have to tote with 2 little monsters, this is a major added plus for us. Each bag is sewn and sealed for no wicking or leaking plus an added zippered dry pocket on the front including two handles so it can be easily hung on a doorknob and/or carried! The perfect solution for parents who cloth diaper and use day care - keep all your cloth diapers in one place and easy to transport back and forth. Also great for when you are traveling for the weekend or if you don't want a traditional diaper pail. Both your clean or dirty diapers, towels, clothes, etc can be carried in the same bag. The clean or dry items in the front "dry" zippered pocket and the dirty or wet items in the zippered "wet" section keeping moisture and odors in. These are also great for the environment. Cloth-diapering reduces waste by helping diapers stay out of landfills. Did you know that a diaper can take up to 500 YEARS to biodegrade? Not a pretty picture, if you take into account how many babies there are in the world and the amount of diapers they'd go through in the period of a year....These bags make cloth-diapering easier and more convenient. You can also wash and reuse this bag, which is definitely more Earth-friendly than using plastic bags for diaper storage. Take a look at these awesome features! This, my friends, is why Planet Wise products are in my humble opinion, the Rolls Royce of Wet Bags! Oh, I should mention, the measurements on the Hanging Wet/Dry bag are 16.5"x27" and holds approx. 20-24 cloth diapers. That is a LOT of room, people! Most "large" wet bags only hold around 8-10 diapers if the dipes are double-stuffed. Maybe not even that many, depending on the brand. This one truly does hold 24 cloth diapers. And they ALL have 2 microfiber inserts in them! (With the exception of the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap.)Don't believe me? I'll PROVE it. Take a look at a small portion of my beautiful stash: I absolutely LOVE this bag! Here's why YOU should love them, too!
These awesome bags are:
In the meantime, head on over to Planet Wise and drool over their beautiful fabric choices. HOW TO CONNECT: You can learn more about the awesome products at Planet Wise on their website. You can purchase these bags on their website as well as at these fine retailers, using their handy store locator! You can also connect with Planet Wise on Facebook and on twitter to stay in the know when it comes to new products and promotions! FYI: Doing so NOW will put you ahead of the game once the giveaways begin! ***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***
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There is one thing I love as far as home decor goes that as a mama of 2 babies well under the age of 2 I have been missing terribly.... The warm glow and intoxicating aroma of some beautiful, flickering candles. In my opinion, nothing promotes intimacy and good conversation more than a room full of candles. I have a ton of them in many different styles and scents. A personal favorite was of the jarred variety....But all of these wonderful candles are sitting on a shelf, collecting dust. Sure, I have a few in higher up places like on the fireplace mantle and on top of dressers, but I have not been able to light any candles on end tables or the coffee table in almost a year! Why? Because of the safety hazard they present to my toddler. Pretty much as soon as she started "toddling" and exploring anything she could touch, the candles went away. I couldn't leave them out, because my Sophie-Monster is super-curious and as quick and destructive as the Tazmanian Devil, and leaves a wake of destruction in her path to prove it! She also has absolutely NO FEAR. After all, this IS the same child that broke a toy and swallowed a button battery. On Mother's Day, of all days. Enough said. So obviously, Sophie and candles DO NOT MIX. I was very excited to get a chance to try a flameless candle experience by Enjoy Lighting. I have used other flameless candles before, like the one put out by a famous, not to be mentioned fabric refresher spray company. I found them to be unreliable, and the scent faded from the paper "covers" very rapidly. Not to mention, they are flimsy! Luckily, this is NOT the type of product Enjoy Lighting offers. Not by a long shot! Why are Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles different? First of all, these candles look so real, you'll try to blow it out. Seriously. After all, Enjoy Lighting is home of the first and most lifelike flameless candle. With Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles, you can enjoy the warm atmosphere and ambiance of candlelight without the unwanted fire risks or replacement costs. With styles, colors and fragrances to match any decor, flameless candles make the perfect decorative addition to any room. What's our secret? Our real wax candles have 3LEDs precisely placed and programmed to create a flickering effect that casts dancing shadows just like a real flame...These candles are even made from real wax, not some generic looking plastic! Just look at the candles I received for review. I received 2 of the Orange Distressed Pillars – Pumpkin Spice Fragrance. Random Fact: The distinct scent of Pumpkin has been proven to be an aphrodisiac for men! That and lavender! Strange but true....So needless to say, these beauties will be taking up permanent residence in my boudoir....With hectic schedules and 2 babies and a preteen, I'll use all the help I can get in the romance department! Here are some features and benefits of these particular candles from Enjoy Lighting: Distressed Color Pillars • Available in 3x4 & 3x6” • Astonishingly realistic 100,000 hour Triple-LED flickering light source • Available with Automatic Timer • 300+ Hour Battery Life • Requires 2 or 4 ‘AA’ Batteries • Realistic Melted Edge • Distinct Fragrances I really love these flameless candles. They are incredibly realistic in appearance and feel, and they smell absolutely wonderful! I have these "burning" in my room right now, and the room has a light, yet distinct scent of freshly baked pumpkin pie! The smell is noticeable but not over-powering. The flicker feature of the LED bulbs is also a very nice touch. In darkness, these candles cast shadows and play tricks of light on the walls, just like a conventional candle would! I honestly believe that unless you told someone these were not "real" candles, no one would be able to tell without examining them closely. Now that, my friends, is pretty darn impressive if you ask me! Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles come in many varieties, textures, and scents. There are classic white unscented candles, perfect for everyday. There are also distressed candles in a variety of scents and colors, as well as mottled textured candles, holiday candles, and even great accessories. There is something to suit every style in this wonderful collection! I plan to use these candles when Dan and I have our celebratory Birthday Dinner. (Provided we can convince our dear, dear friends and God-Parents of our babies to watch the kids for an evening!) Dan's birthday is only 10 days after mine, so we like to have one day to celebrate both of our birthdays together. This year, I'd love to keep it low key. Maybe head out for a few drinks at a nice establishment we discovered on our anniversary, followed up by a romantic dinner (or dessert) by candlelight! Doesn't that sound romantic? I sure think so! These are truly a wonderful way to enjoy the ambiance and cozy feel that candles can provide...You know, the kind of atmosphere that relaxes you after a long day? The way you felt BEFORE children took over? You can get that feeling back with these safe, flameless candles. Until someone is hungry or has a bad dream, at least! Hey, as a mom, I'll take whatever relaxation that I can. And with Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles, I can do so without worrying that my house will burn down or that my daughter might scorch her precious little fingers! Hey, who said being a parent had to mean sacrificing style? Want some exciting news? The generous folks at Enjoy Lighting will be including some fabulous flameless candles in my For The Home prize package in my upcoming Birthday Bash Event! This package is valued at HUNDREDS of dollars! One winner takes all! How exciting is that?! So be sure to mark your calendars, because on June 1st the fun begins! In the meantime, here's how you can learn more about Enjoy Lighting and the wonderful products they offer. HOW TO CONNECT: You can learn more about Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles on their website. You can purchase these products at several fine retailers, including one of my faves, Target! For a complete list of retailers within the US, Canada, and online, go here. You can also follow Enjoy Lighting on Facebook and on twitter to stay in the know about new products and promotions! FYI: Doing so NOW will put you ahead of the game once the giveaway begins on June 1st! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** The next awesome product I will be including in my Birthday Bash event is something truly decadent. As a matter of fact, it is almost sinful! I love a nice glass of champagne on special occasions, and for my 30th birthday in June, I plan to indulge and treat myself to a little bubbly. Hey, you only turn 30 once, right? But this year, my whole champagne drinking experience will be all the more memorable. More elegant. Why? Because I will be adding a little something extra to my drink. What? Simple! I am going to add Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup. Have you ever heard of edible flowers? I have, but I had never tried them until sampling this unique product. They add a touch of class to your champagne, and are beautiful to look at. These awesome little "confections" taste wonderful, too! What a good excuse to crack open some bubbly, the little flower sits in the bottom of the glass, all the bubbles stream off and subtly unfurl the flower, at the end of the drink you can eat the flower it has a delicious raspberry & rhubarb flavor. My husband especially liked this, as rhubarb is one of his absolute favorite flavors! Look at how pretty these are: Isn't that beautiful? I know this sounds foolish, but I feel like I should be drinking this at a trendy New York nightclub or at a 5 star restaurant. Sipping one of these feels luxurious....Like I'm being pampered, in a sense. After all, women love being spoiled, especially with beautiful things! These delightful drink accompaniments come in jars of 11 and 50 flowers, so you can shop for small gatherings or a larger celebration! Included is also a little cocktail recipe booklet with some great ideas on how you can experiment and enjoy your Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup! Not only can you get the Original Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup, you can also choose the Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup! Here's a little more about this special edition product: A tribute to the eternal romance of the rose, this jar contains the essence of 2 dozen Bulgarian Roses and 15 handpicked Wild Hibiscus Flowers. Using the same Wild Hibiscus Flowers as our original product, but with 36% (15 flowers) in each jar our Wild Hibiscus Flowers are preserved in harmony with Bulgarian Rose Oil . Bulgarian Rose is the most costly, high quality rose oil on the market and adds a wonderful floral aspect to a glass of bubbly without taking over. With a tantalizing scent once opened, the exquisite aroma of roses will subtly transport you to a delightful place. Upon serving the delicate flavor and beautiful Wild Hibiscus Flower will transform a simple glass of bubbly into a extraordinary and ultra-sophisticated experience. Doesn't that sound absolutely to-die-for?! This sounds absolutely perfect for a wedding, an anniversary, or just a romantic dinner for two. You could probably even put a ring in one of these flowers, guys! (If there are any male readers,lol) Ladies, you can make your men read this post. I think a ring in the flower proposal would be super-romantic! I cannot wait to celebrate my 30th birthday and enjoy these delightful treats. Hopefully I will have friends around who'd like to enjoy them with us! These are simple, elegant and beautiful. I will truly feel like a Queen drinking champagne with Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup. Guess what?! One of my very lucky readers will be getting the chance to try these, too, during my Birthday Bash event! How cool is that?! These will be offered as a part of my For The Home prize package, worth HUNDREDS of dollars! So mark your calendars for June 1, 2011 when the fun begins! In the meantime, let me tell you how to connect and learn more about these edible flowers! HOW TO CONNECT: You can learn more and purchase Wild Hibiscus Flowers on their website and on Epicure Pantry, where both the Original and Rose varieties are available. You can also follow Wild Hibiscus Flower Company on Facebook to stay on top of recipes, new products, and promotions! FYI: Doing so now will put you ahead of the game once the giveaways begin! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** Summer vacation is almost here! I know my 11 year old is literally counting down the days until he gets to sleep in, ride his bike all day, and loaf around on the couch watching TV as long as his mother will let him! Summer time is also a time for fun, family getaways! I would like to share five getaway activities that I think are an absolute MUST for any kid to experience at least one time in their childhood. Some may require a road trip and some may be right down the road. It's not about the destination in my eyes...It's the company that you keep and the memories that are created. MY TOP 5 SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES:
So these are my top 5 destinations for the summer! I'd love to hear about yours? What are some of your best summer memories? Where does your family enjoy visiting?
***Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here. *** ***Warning: Some of the content may offend some readers and links contained in this review take you to a website that is intended for adults 18 and over!*** Since we're all still here on May 22, 2011, I figured what better time to post my review of Foul Mouth Shirts! This company is the maker of hundreds of funny, shocking, and often offensive t-shirts. I am not easily offended, though, and believe in the freedom of expression that we are allowed in this great nation. I DON'T think everything should always be politically correct, and don't mind saying it like it is. That's why I LOVE Foul Mouth Shirts! This awesome company makes a shirt for every occasion, and there is no sugar-coating here! These shirts make a statement, that's for sure! Just look at the shirt to the left. Some of you may feel it is in poor taste, and that's understandable. I however find it hilarious. And I AM a Christian! (Just not one that buys into Doomsday prophecies made by crackpots out looking to make a quick buck by exploiting the faith and vulnerabilities of his followers!) I saw this shirt and thought it was hysterical! Those of you who know me KNOW I am not easily shocked, and I also use words that would probably make a sailor blush! Here is more about Foul Mouth Shirts from their website, which I have edited for language. After all, this IS a family friendly blog! About Foul Mouth Shirts: At Foul Mouth Shirts, it's our mission to do our part to stand up those who say offensive speech isn't protected by the First Amendment. We believe it's every American's right to say exactly what's on their minds in any way they wish. Our offensive shirts aren't for hypocritical, whiney, politically correct people. They're for red-blooded Americans who want to stand up for their rights to say F-you to the PC elites who hold their noses so high in the air a sprinkler might drown them. So, what will you find at Foul Mouth Shirts? Our incredible inventory of novelty shirts includes some awesome selections in these categories: Weed t shirts - If you live for 4:20 and want the world to know about it, our collection of novelty shirts is right up your alley. We've got the gear you need to show your support for legalization and more. Attitude shirts - Got an attitude? We've got the right novelty shirts for you! If you just want to tell the world to fuck off or proudly announce your status as a Class A BI**H, we've got you covered. Our selection of offensive t-shirts is assured to offend at least someone you know and lots of people you don't. F@ck shirts - If you love the word as much as we do, let everyone know. Our offensive t-shirts in this category let everyone know you embrace this word and you're not afraid to use it - even in polite company. F-yeah! Beer drinking shirts - If you think beer should be its own food group, we've got the novelty shirts for you. Political shirts - Get your political message out without the correctness. These offensive shirts enable you to say whatever is on your mind whether you're a conservative, liberal or don't even belong to a party. The First Amendment gives you the right to say anything you want. Our offensive t shirts just help you along the way! Twisted religious t shirts - Remember, we're equal opportunity offenders here at Foul Mouth Shirts. This category of novelty shirts is sure to get you in trouble at most churches, and synagogues in the world. Browse our collection of offensive t-shirts and you're sure to find just the right message to offend someone special in your life. Now, if for some reason you can't find an offensive shirt that says what's on your mind, you can custom order a design and say whatever you want! Just order online and we'll ship your novelty shirts right to your door. We even deliver to some international addresses, too. My Review: I received the shirt of my choice from Foul Mouth Shirts, and I cannot post it here, because my mother would see it and probably faint! Yep. It's offensive, and I LOVE it! I do have to say that the quality of these shirts is top notch. The cotton used in their tees is super-soft, durable, and made to last. The images printed on their shirts are also very well done. I have worn and washed my shirt many times, and there is no cracking or stress marks on the image at all. As a matter of fact, my shirt looks brand new still! There is no pilling or fading in the cotton this tee is made of, and the color has not faded one bit. (I chose a pink shirt. Who says a girl can't have an attitude and remain feminine all at the same time?) The stitching on the shirt is also very well done, with no loose threads or crooked edges. While there is no way I can get away with posting images of the shirt I chose to review, here are some other funny shirts you can find at Foul Mouth Shirts: This is just a VERY small sampling of the many, many designs you can find at Foul Mouth Shirts! And the great part is, you get to choose the color of the shirt as well as the fit! They have girly tees, different tank tops, men's shirts, long-sleeved tees...The possibilities are endless! They even make totally custom shirts so you can say whatever happens to be on YOUR mind! Please remember, these shirts are MEANT to offend at times, so you may find some shirts that are in conflict with your particular values. These high-quality statement tees are created to celebrate our freedom of speech and expression, as guaranteed by our Constitution, and there are shirts to suit all viewpoints and opinions.You may not agree with everything on the site, but that's the beauty of being an American: We are allowed to express our views in any way we'd like! (As long as it's not a felony,lol) Head on over and check out their funny shirts. I am willing to bet that once you pick your jaw up off of the ground, you're bound to find something perfect for you, too! BUY IT: You can purchase these and HUNDREDS of other shirts on the Foul Mouth Shirts website. You can also connect with them on Facebook and on twitter. WIN IT: One lucky follower will receive the shirt of their choice from Foul Mouth Shirts! Please complete the mandatory entry FIRST and make sure to leave a valid e-mail address. I cannot contact you if you win without one! MANDATORY ENTRY:
This giveaway will run until 11:59PM EST on June 5, 2011. My winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified by e-mail. They will have 48 hours to respond or I will have to choose another winner. Thanks for entering and good luck! ***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** Okay, I just HAVE to share this with you all...I was on Facebook earlier, and I saw the most ADORABLE Chicago Bears outfit that is lovingly hand-crafted at Bleu Bird Designs! We are big time Bears fans here, and are always on the lookout for cute Bears gear to dress our babies in! Living in Virginia, this is not the easiest of tasks. Sure, I can buy NFL licensed items online, but none of them have the femininity and personality of these pieces. I am sitting here drooling wishing I could win the lotto so I could afford to buy these precious outfits for my Sophie! I now have one more item on my Baby Wish List! Okay...Maybe 3 or 4...Bleu Bird Designs carries so much more than just team spirit wear, and it is all absolutely gorgeous! Take a look at some of my personal favorites: Aren't these too cute for words? And this is just a small sample of the handmade garments Bleu Bird Designs has to offer. Don't like the Bears? (Blasphemy!!!) They carry Spirit Wear for several other teams as well!
Go check out their Facebook fan page and see what treasures you can find! ***Disclosure: This is NOT a review. I did not receive a product to review, so I cannot attest to the quality of these items. I wanted to share based on the appearance of these items alone. I felt that these unique garments might be of interest to my readers. I cannot be held responsible for any issues you may have from these products, as I have not physically handled or used them myself. If you do purchase something, I would LOVE to hear your opinions!*** Just had to share...What can I say? I love my babies! Okay. So tell me this isn't one of the coolest things you've ever seen! This is a SodaStream Fountain Jet, an at-home soda factory that allows you to make your own delicious soft drinks easily, painlessly, and on demand. I have recently given up most sodas. I kicked a horrid caffeine addiction that I struggled with for more than half of my life. That being said, I will enjoy an occasional caffeine-free diet soda, and I also enjoy sparkling waters and other caffeine-free soft drinks. I try to limit my "regular" soda consumption to 1 REAL soda per week. That's all. And I have been extremely successful in this endeavor. While I have cut-back on my regular soda consumption, my husband has not. He enjoys drinking plenty of soda, and we were spending TONS of money at the grocery store on 2Liter sodas. I'm talking up to 8 of them per trip. That's a lot of money, and a LOT of waste. That's why I was so excited when I first discovered a revolutionary at-home soda maker that produces great tasting beverages and helps reduce my family's carbon footprint. Not to mention, the SodaStream is also extremely economical. The flavor refills are VERY inexpensive, and one bottle makes several liters of soda! There are TONS of different flavors to choose from... With Soda Stream, you will find all your favorite varieties, like Cola, Lemon-Lime,and Dr. Pete (tastes just like Dr. Pepper) as well as unique flavors like Black Currant Pear and Cranberry Raspberry. There are even energy drinks, lemonades, teas, and even green tea and sparkling water varieties! I happen to LOVE the sparkling waters, by the way. I have had the pleasure of trying several varieties, and they are all refreshing and very tasty! And since these sodas are made on-demand, you will never have to worry about flat soda or an abundance of empty bottles again! Did you know that plastic bottles are a MAJOR environmental hazard? It's a known fact that the vast majority of plastic bottles are not recycled and wind up in landfills. Here's why investing in a SodaStream is actually BETTER than recycling: (from the Soda Stream website.) How Does SodaStream Help the Environment? SodaStream is an "Active Green" product, meaning that consumers are actively reducing their CO2 footprint every time they make soda or sparkling water at home instead of buying it from the store. The more the system is used on a daily basis, the more CO2 footprint the user actively saves. (This differs from "Passive Green" products, which use green-friendly production processes, but their products are not inherently helping the consumers save on their daily footprint.) Because SodaStream uses water straight from the tap, the system makes traditional store-bought beverage bottles obsolete. That means less plastic manufactured, less plastic waste is created, and fewer bottled beverages must be transported from manufacturers to distributors to stores to homes. Globally, 206 billion liters of bottled water were consumed in 2008 (Zenith International Global Bottled Water Report, 2008). The energy required to make water bottles in the US only, is equivalent to 17 million barrels of oil (Container Recycling Institute, 2002). According to the US Recycling Institute, more than 80% of bottles in the US do not get recycled and end up in landfills. Also, an estimated 4.7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were produced in the process of replacing the 134 billion bottles and cans not recycled in 2005. Using your own home carbonation system means:
So I can finally feel GOOD about my impact on the environment! I shudder to think of the thousands of plastic bottles that are sitting in a landfill somewhere because of MY family. With my SodaStream Fountain Jet, this is a thing of the past. Not only can I make delicious soft drinks whenever I want to in the comfort of my own home, I can teach my children to be more environmentally conscious and respect the world that they live in by reducing waste and minimizing their carbon footprint on the earth. We only have one planet, and we should take it as our personal obligation to care for it to ensure a better world for future generations. I should also mention that the SodaStream will not effect your electric bill, since this ingenius machine uses absolutely no electricity at all! That's great news for me, since my entire household is run on electricity, and our bills can get pretty large...especially during the winter and summertime! Another nice thing about the SodaStream is that it is SO simple to use! Even my 11 year old can handle the task of making some wonderful soft drinks with this machine! Adult assembly is required, as there is a highly pressurized carbonator that must be inserted into the machine before using. From there, it's smooth sailing. The soda making process can be achieved in just a few simple steps.
See, easy-peasy! It really is that simple! With the SodaStream, there is no guess-work involved, and the instructions are so simple to understand, even a caveman could do it!
My family loves our SodaStream Fountain Jet. Honestly, we don't know how we've managed so long without one! No more flat sodas, no more running to the store because we're out of tasty beverage...It's also great because if we have company, we can offer them a HUGE selection of refreshments to choose from rather than just one or two different kinds. My absolute favorite flavors are the Sparkling Naturals Black Currant Pear, the Diet Lemon Lime, and the Green Tea Pomegranate Peach! Yum! One thing is for sure, your taste buds will not get bored with so many awesome flavors to choose from! I also love that this machine is totally eco-friendly. Even the carbonators are refilled and reused! This product gets an A+++ from my family. And the best part? SodaStreams are located both online and at THOUSANDS of retailers, so supplies are not hard to locate! Don't you want to try one for yourself? Guess what? One VERY lucky follower will get a SodaStream Fountain Jet and Starter Pack as a part of my For The Home package during my Birthday Bash event! So mark your calendars for June 1st, cause that's when the festivities begin! This and my other 2 prize packages are all worth hundreds of dollars EACH, and contain some really fabulous prizes! In the meantime, here's how you can learn more about this awesome system! HOW TO CONNECT: You can purchase SodaStream units and supplies on their website as well as several retailers near you! You can also follow SodaStream on Facebook and on twitter and be the first to know about new products and promotions! FYI: Doing so NOW will put you ahead of the game once my giveaway event begins! You can also see the SodaStream in action on their YouTube channel! Also, check out the SodaStream Ms.Fizz Blog! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** As many of you have probably already figured out, I am a HUGE beauty junkie. As I have stated in past posts, I have more bath and beauty products than any woman probably has a right to...They have taken up a linen closet, underneath 2 sinks, as well as fill a WHOLE bookshelf. And then there are some randomly scattered throughout the house, hiding in the most unlikely of places at times. So I would definitely call myself a beauty connoisseur of sorts. Just call me the Imelda Marco of "girly" products! So as you can imagine, I have tried myriads of different products over the years. There was a period, up until my mid-20's, where I didn't pay attention to what went in to the products I put on my face daily. But from about 25 on, I began looking at products that utilize ingredients derived from nature. After all, if you can't pronounce it, it probably shouldn't go on your face. Did you know that many "skin care" products, over time, are actually BAD for your skin? Things like parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and sodium laurel sulfates are very common additives to beauty products. Don't believe me? I challenge you to go into your bathroom and check 10 labels. I will be SHOCKED if at LEAST 7 out of 10 commonly used products don't contain one or more of these ingredients. I'm not going to get into too much detail about the potential risks of these products. If you'd like to learn more, just Google "Dangerous Skin Care Ingredients." I guarantee, it will be an eye-opening experience! So now that I am a MONTH away from turning the dreaded 3-0, I am leaning more towards natural skin care products. Not only are they better for the environment due to lack of chemicals and other factors, they are also better for the skin. I have discovered some wonderful products while on my Natural Beauty journey, and I would love to tell you about an AMAZING eco-friendly company that offers superior quality all-natural beauty products: Sibu Beauty. For those of you who follow fashion or beauty news, Sibu Beauty is a name you're probably familiar with. After all, they are quite a big name in skin care and beauty right now. And for good reason! Sibu's products are unique in the fact that this fair-trade company that utilize the "holy" fruit, Sea Buckthorn. This beneficial plant grows wild in Tibet, and has been long recognized as a potent and effective ingredient for health and beauty treatments. I had never heard of Sea Buckthorn until I starting seeing Sibu Beauty's name everywhere...So I researched it. Let's just say that Sea Buckthorn is creating a beauty revolution....About 13 centuries in the making! Here is some more information about this little-known plant in the Western world: The first written documentation of sea buckthorn dates as early as 13 centuries ago in a Tibetan book of healing arts called Sibu Yi Dian. Nearly a third of its pages are devoted to the revered holy fruit, the sea buckthorn. Its medicinal uses for healing and overall health and beauty have long been legendary. And throughout history, in various parts of the world, the tart, brilliant orange berry has been used to rejuvenate, revitalize and restore, both inside and out. Sea buckthorn from the Greeks to Genghis Khan Genghis Khan powered his army and their horses on sea buckthorn for stamina and recovery from combat. The botanical name, Hippophae L. is derived from the Greek word "hippo," meaning horse. Sea buckthorn was used to strengthen ancient Greek horses and restore their coats to a brilliant luster. And women throughout the ages have used sea buckthorn to protect them from the ravages of the sun and the elements. Founded on tradition and now based on extensive scientific research, sea buckthorn is one of the biggest functional whole food rediscoveries of the 21st century. Traditional health-related uses for the sea buckthorn berry include:
I was lucky enough to get to review a few of these phenomenal products, and I would love to tell you more about them! Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser Deep yet gentle cleansing is the foundation of effective facial care at every age. This all-natural balancing facial cleanser gently removes dirt, impurities and make-up while maintaining a healthy balance in your skin without compromising its natural protective nutrients. This lightly exfoliating facial cleanser will leave your face fresh, clean, and perfectly balanced. Your skin will look and feel radiant. Features and Benefits:
Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum Experience the ultimate in skin hydration. This light, non-oily serum will flood your skin with moisture an help deeply hydrate your face ad next to eliminate the tight, dry feeling caused by dehydration. Infused with vitamins and sea buckthorn extract, this serum fortifies the skin against the aging process and helps repair damage at a cellular level. Hydrating Serum: Promotes youthful skin tone and texture Fights age without damaging chemicals Brightens complexion and evens out skin tone Helps protect against environmental stress Naturally stimulates collagen production All I can say about this serum is WOW. And I am a long-time fan of facial serums. I have tried and loved many. This is no exception! This serum has a light, non-greasy feel, and absorbs into the skin quite rapidly. No film, no residue...Just soft, balanced skin. It also has a crisp citrusy scent that I happen to love. (Yes, I have a bit of an obsession with smell-good-stuff!) I use this serum daily, and have noticed a big reduction in blotchiness and uneven skin tone. My skin appears more even and more "tight" which as we age, is important in maintaining a youthful appearance. Two enthusiastic thumbs up for this wonderful product! Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Night Cream Enhance your skin’s nightly natural repair process with this advanced all-natural renewal formula. Designed to protect your skin’s natural lipid barrier and stimulate your natural skin cell renewal cycle, our sea buckthorn night cream will help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while helping to noticeably reduce the visible sun damage. Wake up with intensely hydrated and replenished skin. Features and Benefits:
Overall, I have absolutely no complaints about these products. They do what they say they'll do, and they do it well. These products are gentle on the skin and luxurious feeling, and I have to say, I have noticed a definite improvement in my overall appearance since I began using these products. I look more refreshed, awake, and my skin has a young, almost dewy appearance. But the amazing effectiveness of these products is not the only reason I am happy to give my seal of approval to Sibu Beauty. This is also a company with morals and ethics. In their endless endeavor to keep you looking beautiful, they also strive to protect and respect the earthʼs fragile resources. They have implemented processes to use precious natural resources responsibly and with minimal impact on our beloved planet. Sea buckthorn berries are a naturally sustainable resource growing wild at the source in Tibet. Sibu Beauty's trade practices promote equal and sustainable relationships between their company and the villagers who harvest and process our berries. This includes fair wages, processes that are environmentally sustainable, and healthy, safe working conditions. Against a backdrop of pristine Himalayan mountain peaks, Tibetan villagers cut a trail through the thick morning fog past ancient monasteries, journeying to the wild groves of sea buckthorn. Just as sea buckthorn berries are revered for their life-giving health properties, they are also venerated as a life sustaining financial resource. Often, entire families work in some capacity in the chain of harvesting and processing. The brief harvest season can provide enough money so that villagers can sustain themselves during the harsh winter months in the Himalayas when resources are scarce. There is an air of celebration to the harvest and processing season. Perhaps itʼs because workers are paid a fair wage the same day as the harvest and processing. To date, these dedicated, hard-working villagers have received consistent salary increases each year. From the harvest to the shelf, Sibu Beauty strives to run a responsible business with reverence for both people and the planet. Now THAT is beauty from the inside out. That is beauty I can feel GOOD about. I am pleased to announce that the very generous folks at Sibu Beauty will be offering one of my VERY lucky followers not 1, not 2, but ALL 3 of these fantastic products during my Birthday Bash Celebration. This will be a part of my For Mommy prize package, valued at HUNDREDS of dollars! Stay tuned, because on June 1st, the giveaways will begin! In the meantime, let me tell you how you can connect with this wonderful company!
HOW TO CONNECT: You can purchase these and many other wonderful Sea Buckthorn products on the Sibu Beauty website. You can also follow Sibu Beauty on Facebook and on twitter to be among the first to know about new products and promotions! (FYI: Doing so NOW will put you ahead of the game once my giveaways begin!) While you're at it, head on over and follow the Sibu Beauty Blog! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** Sophie in the Tea Collection Campanillas Banded Dress If there is one universal truth held by mamas of little girls worldwide, it would be this: We LOVE to dress our little princesses up in adorable, feminine outfits. Whether it be tutus or pettiskirts, boutiquey-style dresses, or cute leggings and tunics, we moms want our daughters to shine like the little divas that they are! I especially love designer baby clothing that is a step above the typical outfits you'd expect to find at the local super-center. Sure, I will shop for baby clothing at those places, but I prefer to always have at least a few extra special pieces of clothing that say "Hello, World! Look at me!" That's why I love Tea Collection. You could call their clothing a guilty pleasure of mine! Tea Collection offers beautifully made children's clothing that is modern yet traditional all at once. Their designs are rich and adventurous, and always the center of attention. Tea designs distinctive apparel inspired by the beauty they discover in their travels around the world. From the iconic art and architecture of Barcelona to the graphic boldness of Brazilian street graffiti, they interpret their discoveries into beautiful, modern and consummately wearable children's clothing for ages 0-12. These styles are not only adorable, they are comfortable, too! The wonderful folks at Tea were kind enough to send me several of their gorgeous pieces for review. Above, you see the Campanillas Banded Dress, which is inspired by the vibrant culture found in Barcelona, Spain. This dress is a soft, light-weight cotton and is very high quality. It has an airy feel to it, and Sophie just loves wearing this dress. She even grabs at the skirt and "talks" to the floral pattern on this dress! I love the colors, too. This is definitely a dress that commands attention! When we took the kids to the playground one day, several other moms asked me where I found this striking dress. But then again, would you expect any less from Tea Collection? Sophie in the Mila Embroidered Dress Another dress I received was the Mila Embroidered Dress. This dress surely is a treat! It is 55% linen and 45% cotton, and has a very high-end, boutique type feel to it. This is also inspired by Tea's travels to Barcelona. Its embroidery and shape are a tribute to the unusual roof sculptures and curved balconies of Gaudi's Casa Mila. Ruffle sleeves add a dressy touch for special occasions. One thing I love about this dress is the rich, brown color which as you can see, compliments my Sophie perfectly! I also love the cut and shape of this unique dress. It is pleated at the bust, and hangs beautifully, creating a structured yet graceful effect. The back of this dress has 4 buttons which allow for easy dressing and undressing. The intricate embroidery seen along the bottom of this fabulous garment is a beautiful floral design, featuring a rich goldish-green hue for the leaves, a deep orange for the vines, and a nice shade of rose or mauve in the beautiful flowers. Tea pays close attention to even the tiniest of details, and it shows in this fun yet classic dress. This dress is also machine washable, so don't be afraid to let your little girl frolic and play in this garment. It is durable, and it will come clean! We love this dress on Sophie, and feel that this is the perfect dress for all seasons. One great thing about the clothing at Tea Collection is that most of it can be layered. So during the warmer months, Sophie can wear this dress as is. But as fall approaches, I can easily add a long-sleeved tee and some tights or leggings and completely reinvent her look! Sophie in the Jardin Playdress Take a look at this simple yet elegant dress! This one is definitely the perfect outfit for trips to the park or botanical gardens on a warm summer's day! It's the Tea Collection Jardin Playdress! This lovely little dress is also inspired by the gardens of Barcelona. It has an allover floral print in a gravel and white color, and the collar of the dress is a beautiful shade of rose, perfect for any girly-girl in your life! This also features a small pocket on the front of the dress, perfect for any flowers your little girl might pick while fluttering like a butterfly through a meadow. Or, if your little angel is anything like mine, BUGS she might find while exploring the great outdoors. I kid you not, Sophie found a beetle of some sort while playing at the park, killed it, and put it into the pocket. Luckily, we saw her do this and her little victim didn't get unwittingly thrown into the wash! This wonderful dress is made of Tea's exclusive light-weight jersey cotton, and has a modern, airy feel to it. This dress is 100% cotton, and is machine washable. Looking pretty in the Etched Print Ruffle Dress I also received the Etched Print Ruffle Dress, which I am absolutely in love with...and I mean LOVE, with a capital L-O-V-E. The beauty of art is that it can be created out of almost anything and on any surface. Create an easel full of etchings in this fun and feminine ruffle sleeve playwear dress. Pair it with gypsy pants or skinny leggings, or wear it as-is; your little darling is sure to be the envy of all her playmates in this high-fashion, whimsical design. This dress comes in Black Plum, a deep, rich purple. It almost reminds me of eggplant or a fine red wine, like a Pinot Noir. Purple is this mama's favorite color, so I was thrilled to see it in my "goodie bag" from Tea! This dress is 100% cotton and has ruffle sleeves and an elasticized waist-line. This pretty little number also has pleating from the neck down, and is beautifully detailed. I should also mention that this dress is SUPER easy to put on and take off, as the neck is elasticized as well. No buttons to fumble with, and no wiggly baby to have to struggle with. I swear you can get this dress on your child in less than 10 seconds. Don't believe me? You should order this fantastic dress and time it for yourself! My daughter HATES sitting still, especially when it's time to get dressed, so the ease of this garment gets an A++ from me! If you're not yet convinced that you MUST purchase some of Tea Collection's gorgeous designer garments, let me show you a few of my absolute FAVORITE items they are currently offering. We'll call these my "Drool-Worthy Wish List". So now you've seen MY favorite items from Tea Collection. As you can see, while Tea offers some of the most precious dresses around, they are much, much more than that. They offer mix and match sets for girls and boys, sweaters, shirts, one piece designs, even pajamas! These designer children's clothes are sure to get loads of compliments from parents and other children alike! I am willing to bet that these fabulous garments will quickly become your child's favorite ensemble, due to their fun and colorful designs, their durability, and their comfort. Not only are they special to the eye, they promote an important message: We are quickly becoming a global society, and no matter what color your skin is, no matter what race, religion or creed, we are all valuable and have something beautiful to contribute to the world in which we live. Now those are values I, as a mother, am proud to pass along to my babies!
I am thrilled to announce that Tea Collection will be contributing a $50.00 Gift Certificate during my Birthday Bash event, beginning June 1st! They will be a part of my For Baby package, worth HUNDREDS of dollars! One very, very lucky winner will take all! Just think of it as an instant baby shower! Are you excited yet? I know I am! In the meantime, let me tell you how you can learn more about these wonderful, global-inspired fashions! HOW TO CONNECT: You can purchase Tea Collection items on their website, as well as at several fine retail locations. You can also follow Tea Collection on Facebook and on twitter to stay in-the-know about their latest additions and promotions! FYI: Doing so NOW will put you ahead of the game once my giveaway event begins on June 1st! You can also follow the Tea Collection Blog! ***Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** |
PR Friendly Mama!
I'm Brandy, a happily married, proud Mom of 3 amazing kids. If you're interested in building a working relationship, please feel free to e-mail me at: NewlyCrunchyMamaOf3@gmail.com Links We Love :Archives
June 2023
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