I can't believe it's the end of July already. Where has the summer gone? Maybe it went by so quickly because we've been so busy with preparing for our move to Ohio. We've done all of the house-hunting, coordinated job transfers, and even put a contract on a home and gotten all of the inspections done. This has all taken place in the past month and a half. Now we're packing, finalizing details, and setting everything up to make our move go as smoothly as possible. Thankfully, I have a wonderful family and have had a lot of help coordinating everything. We can't wait to live in my hometown and be right down the road from so many family members. This will be a welcome change, since here in Virginia we don't really have a large family support system. So now, on top of moving in less than 2 weeks, I need to get started on back to school shopping for my 12 year old son, Kyle. I'm pretty excited, since he will be going to one of the same schools I went to when I was a kid in Ohio! It's a great school, and I know he will be very happy! Now I just need to get all of his supplies like clothing, stationary, shoes and everything else a new school year requires. I have to admit, it's all just a bit overwhelming right now! Thankfully, I have a bit of a head start and have gotten a new backpack for him, thanks to the folks at Ideal Uniform Store. They recently asked me to check out all their online store has to offer and see for myself what great back to school offers they have. I must say, I was quite impressed by the high quality brands like French Toast and Jansport and also by their massive selection. Ideal Uniform Store is a family owned and operated company that has been around for 85 years! They specialize in school uniforms, ballet clothing, Scouts apparel, cheerleading uniforms and even medical scrubs! They also carry backpacks, shoes and accessories to complete the look! So even if your child isn't required to wear a uniform to school, Ideal Uniform Store is sure to have something for you. Their prices are amazing, too!
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Okay, so we all know that breastfeeding is always the best possible option for feeding a baby. Breast milk is chock full of nutrients and antibodies that help baby thrive. But what happens when a mother isn't breastfeeding? This can be out of choice or due to inability to nurse. Personally, I tried to nurse all of my babies. Kyle, my oldest, wanted no part of it. Even after several weeks' worth of attempts and speaking with a lactation consultant, it was a no-go. Sophie, my 2 and a half year old, would simply fall asleep at the breast and didn't feed well. I remember trying to rouse her and get her to suckle. I tried skin to skin contact and even undressed her to keep her alert. This was not successful. Xander, my 1 and a half year old, started out much more eager to nurse. He ate and ate and ate. I was thrilled! But then he ended up getting the flu that passed through my household and ended up severely dehydrated. He wouldn't feed at all, and we had to take him to the emergency room, where he got an IV of fluids. Since he was so congested, he had a hard time latching on. We tried and tried, but the only comfortable way to get milk was by using a bottle. While my kids couldn't nurse for the above reasons, I did pump like crazy. After a while, I joked that I felt like a dairy cow! They received breast milk for several months, which I am very happy about. But let's face it: Even the most frequent of pumping doesn't produce the yield that a nursing baby does. Eventually, I had to supplement with formula, and then completely switch over. Sometimes I feel bad about this, since I really wanted to nurse exclusively. But my kids are very healthy, and I feel good about the fact that I was able to provide them with breast milk for as long as possible. With so many formulas to choose from, it's easy for a parent to feel a bit confused about which one to choose for their baby. All formulas must meet strict quality standards to be sold, and all provide adequate nutrition. But did you know that the absolute best option would be choosing a formula that is made from organic ingredients? This is so important, since conventional formulas can contain things like preservatives and GMO's, which aren't ideal for a baby's consumption. This month, Earth’s Best® introduced Earth’s Best Organic® Sensitivity® Infant Formula; the first FDA approved infant formula in the organic segment for parents with a fussy baby. Formulated with an easy-to-digest blend of carbohydrates that are gentle on babies’ tummies, new Earth’s Best Organic® Sensitivity® Infant Formula provides parents with a unique organic whey protein formulation similar to breast milk. The formula is lower in lactose easing fussiness and gas for babies with sensitive stomachs. As with all Earth’s Best Organic® products, the organic ingredients used in the infant formulas are produced without the use of potentially harmful pesticides or and made with NO genetically engineered organisms (GMO's). The dairy ingredients come from cows that are not treated with growth hormones, steroids,or antibiotics. Earth’s Best provides a great article with tips from Dr. Harold Raucher regarding choosing an infant formula. You can view the tips here: http://www.earthsbest.com/content/infant-choosing-formula. ***Disclosure: As an Earth's Best Blogger, I receive occasional products and info to facilitate my posts. No other compensation is provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.*** You may recall a few months ago, I featured an awesome product called My Friendship Bracelet Maker by the Choose Friendship company. (If you'd like to refresh your memory, you can check out my review HERE.) My son has had a blast making bracelets for all of his friends, and has gotten quite skilled when using this tool. He has made several different patterned bracelets, each to reflect the recipient's individual style. And let's face it: At 12 years of age, being unique is very important as kids discover their own identities. I love Choose Friendship and everything they stand for. Not only do they create truly innovative products that allow kids to tap into their creative sides, they also do a great deal to combat a common problem that youths face today: Bullying. Choose Friendship has launched a great campaign to help kids stand together and appreciate each other rather than put each other down. Bullying is an epidemic, and one I see on a daily basis. My son has been bullied since Kindergarten, and has struggled with self-esteem a lot because of the way he's treated by his peers. This is part of the reason we're moving to Ohio in a couple of weeks. He deserves a fresh start. I wanted to share some exciting news with you: the brand new Circle of Creativity kit from Choose Friendship will be sold by the daughter of the company founder, Julie Crorey, on QVC this weekend! This amazingly creative and flexible product has already won the Mom’s Choice GOLD award, so I know it is going to be awesome. It will only be sold on QVC next weekend, not at stores, so this is the only chance people might have to get their hands on one of these! Tune in on QVC shopping channel, Saturday, July 21. At 1 PM during Sneak Peek Toys. If you miss it, you can see it at 6 PM during the Gifts for Grandkids segment, to see the brand new Circle of Creativity bracelet and lanyard making product from Choose Friendship. Visit www.qvc.com to purchase online. Please check out the Friendship Bracelet Maker’s Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/MyFriendshipBraceletMaker I have a confession to make. I am a foodie. Sure I won't eat onions, seafood, eggs, (unless they're IN something such as baked goods. Recognizable eggs are a no-no!) most sweets, turkey, pumpkin pie, and the list goes on and on....I imagine I probably frustrated my parents when I was a child with my "Will Not Eat" list! While I am more than likely among the pickiest eaters in the world, I am very passionate about food. I love taking a seemingly ordinary dish and putting my own unique spin on it. I also love experimenting with different textures and flavor profiles. We watch the Food Network all the time to get creative ideas for our meals. Some of my favorite chefs include Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, Marcus Samuelsson, Alex Guarnaschelli, Anne Burrell and Michael Symon. Since love to cook, and I care about what goes into the foods I feed my family. I do my best to shop locally sourced, organic foods whenever possible. Nothing beats some farm fresh produce! When it comes to prepared foods, I always look for as many natural ingredients as possible. Why? Because REAL tastes better, and is better for my family. Speaking of real, did you know that Hellmann's is committed to being using 100% cage-free eggs in their products by the year 2020? This is a huge endeavor, and one that I admire. Not only does it ensure less cruelty to the chickens providing the eggs, it will also ensure the best quality products, overall. I am happy to support a company that is so proactive about supporting better standards of living for the farm animals who contribute to their products. I use Hellman's products in my cooking all of the time! My husband especially likes my jazzed-up cole slaw! (I add chopped sweet peppers to the mix for added flavor.) My 12 year old son, Kyle, loves the Turkey & Avocado BLT seen above. You can get the recipe HERE. To raise awareness for this new initiative to use cage-free eggs and real ingredients, Hellmann’s collaborated with Chef Tim Love to create a video series that offers food lovers everywhere a behind the scenes look at one of the nation’s most celebrated food festivals – the 30th Annual FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen which took place in June. The brand is also excited to host a sweepstakes for a chance to win various prizes including a Grand Prize trip to next year's FOOD & WINE Classic. I know that everyone could use some extra cash! With our upcoming move, I know we could, at least! Well here's a giveaway exclusively for Mom Blog Society members that will give you just that! Signing up is easy, and you'll get great opportunities as a member. Plus, you might just win a $100 Amazon Gift Code OR $100 Cash! (Winner's choice!) Get Your MBS On!Calling all bloggers new and experienced, MBS wants you to join us, Mom Blog Society Blogger Network!
Mom Blog Society is a knowledge base for moms, by moms. We feature bloggers from around the world. Our vision is to utilize the power and potential of the Internet to connect people and groups around the world as never before. At Mom Blog Society we pride ourselves on the unique solutions we developed to bring like-minded individuals together. Mom Blog Society is much more than a networkers starter kit-it's a team of advisers, colleagues, and cheerleaders ready to support our members every step of the way. We bring a fresh and original perspective to the term "blog networking". Mom Blog Society believes that every mom blog is essential to the blogging world. Therefore, we strive to promote our members and encourage each and every member of our site to speak up and tell the world what's on their mind! Mom Blog Society was founded in 2011 by LaDonna Dennis and Jackie Pate, mom bloggers since 2006. LaDonna & Jackie started Mom Blog Society because we believe every mom blogger deserves the "Society Spotlight"!
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I don't know about you, but I LOVE products that smell delicious. It's actually quite an obsession with me. My "smell good stuff" as my husband calls it, literally dominates our home. I have 2 bookshelves full, as well as a jam-packed linen closet and underneath 2 sinks. I have quite the collection of bath products, perfumes, hair treatments and cosmetics. Maybe I need a 12-step program to help cure my addiction! One of my absolute favorite retailers for all things girly has got to be Bath and Body Works. I love their lotions, lip glosses and shower gels. Their body sprays are also fabulous. They smell amazing and are not overpowering, making them perfect for everyday use. CouponCabin.com works directly with Bath and Body Works and more than 3,700 other retailers to offer incredible savings on quality goods. Their Bath and Body Works online and printable coupons save shoppers $8.34 on average. Users can grab a code quickly (less than 90 seconds on average), or sign up for CouponCabin Rewards to earn points toward gift cards. CouponCabin has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, O, The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Good Morning America, MSN Money, Good Housekeeping and Yahoo! Finance, among many others. They're my go-to site for savings! Coupon Cabin also has a mobile app to help you find discounts on the go! The CouponCabin Mobile app really is a single coupon app that does it all! Learn more about having the power of saving at your finger tips. Since we're moving to the Akron, Ohio area in a few short weeks, we are making big plans for our new home. One of the things I am most excited about is finally having a decent backyard for my kids to play in. Of course, this also means upgrading our outdoor play equipment, too! Naturally, Step2 is my brand of choice when it comes to outdoor toys. I have my eye on the Clubhouse Climber in particular! Or perhaps the Adventure Lodge Play Center...Decisions, decisions!
While I drool over these products and try to decide which I'd love to see at our new home, I would love to share a great Christmas In July deal with you so you can save loads of money on your favorite Step2 products! All Step2 Items (with the exclusion of clearance, combos, and Infantino items) are 12% off! This awesome deal will be going on July 17, 2012- July 31, 2012. This is a great time to get your children their favorite outdoor toys that they have wanted all summer! Use the coupon code S2JULY12 at checkout at Step2.com. Anyone who knows me in real life knows I am allergic to everything. Okay, that is a gross exaggeration, since I have no known food allergies. I am also a very picky eater, so I could very well have a reaction to some foods that are already on my "do not eat" list. But the things I am allergic to, I am deathly allergic to. Take pets,for example. I am horribly allergic to most animals. Cats? Forget about it. If I come into an environment that is home to felines, I literally break out in hives, my eyes start to itch and my throat closes up. Add to that sneezing, wheezing, and absolute misery, and you can surely see why I am not a cat person. The same goes for the vast majority of other animals. I remember having this God-awful rabbit fur coat when I was a kid, and it caused me to have allergy attacks as well. My parents thought it was cute, so I had to wear it anyway. Dogs are a problem, too. Any breed that sheds, whether it be a short or long coat, causes me to have bad reactions. For this reason, we have a hypoallergenic Yorkie named Trouble. My husband would much prefer a larger, more "manly" dog, but he's witnessed my allergies first-hand, and accepts the fact that this simply isn't an option. If pet allergies weren't bad enough, I also have seasonal, pollen allergies that can cause the same horrible reactions. I spend a good chunk of the spring, summer and fall in a medicated funk just to combat my allergies. Thank goodness for the newer, non-drowsy medications that are available now! Unfortunately, my kids seem to have inherited my bad luck when it comes to these types of allergies. My 12 year old son in particular. He is also allergic to cats and to pollen. Sometimes it gets so bad that I have to send children's allergy medications with him wherever he goes. Now I realize that as far as childhood allergies go, we're quite fortunate. Pet and pollen allergies are quite manageable in comparison to more life-threatening allergies that many kids have. I used to work in my local elementary schools, and several of my students over the years have had allergies to gluten, dairy, peanuts, shellfish, bee stings, and even oranges. (Yes, there was a little girl who couldn't have oranges. This was a new one to me!) When dealing with childhood allergies, especially in a group setting, it's imperative to know who has allergies and what steps need to be taken when they're triggered. Some allergies can be fatal, so this is nothing to take lightly! Most teachers and caregivers become quite familiar with their students' needs and take the proper steps to ensure a child won't be exposed to something that can be potentially harmful. But what happens when there is a substitute teacher, new staff, or even volunteers who don't know the individual children as well? This is where AllerMates can save the day! AllerMates are fashion-forward, fun accessories that can help adults visually identify kids with allergies. These come in the form of adorable wristbands, dog tags, and even t-shirts! The best part, in my opinion, is that since these tools feature friendly, cartoon-like identifiers, kids won't feel singled out when wearing them. Their friends will probably be envious and want one of their own! Who says safety measures can't make a fashion statement?! As the mother of 2 toddlers, I am always looking for unique, fashionable clothing for my little ones. I am a huge advocate of self-expression, even from an early age, and I allow my toddlers to help pick out their clothing. I like my kids' clothing to reflect their own larger-than-life personalities, and I like the sense of pride they feel when they choose an outfit, all by themselves. (Usually from an assortment of pre-selected clothing to avoid complete and total clashing, of course.) Sophie, my 2 and a half year old, is a very girly girl, but she has a bit of an edge to her. She is a Princess, through and through, and she knows it. (I'm sure Daddy's constant spoiling certainly doesn't help!) Sophie loves to wear frilly dresses with bold, bright colors. She also likes somewhat of a punk-rock look, such as animal prints and black paired with neon pinks. A contradiction in tastes? Perhaps. But that's what makes Sophie the special little girl that she is. On the other hand, my 1 and a half year old, Xander, is very mellow and laid back. He is easy to please and generally doesn't have a care in the world. (Unless he's tired...Then it's a total Jeckyll and Hyde routine.) Xander isn't at the point yet that he cares much about fashion. He proves this quite well when he tries to wear Sophie's furry pink hat, which is cute, but not at all gender appropriate. So while his own style develops, I try and dress him in cute, trendy clothing. Granted, with a boy, there's usually less selection available than for a girl. Sure, I am guilty of buying basics like onesies, sleepers and socks at big box retailers, but I much prefer to build their wardrobes around pieces that are more special. You know, pieces you can't readily find on the rack at a mass market retailer. This is why I love smaller, generally family owned, children's boutiques and specialty stores. Where I live, these shops simply don't exist. So I search the web far and wide, and I have found some amazing options. I'd love to tell you all about one of my new favorites, Small Concept. This great boutique is owned by an amazing lady named Julie. She has been an absolute pleasure to work with, and truly devotes herself to her business. At Small Concept, each customer is treated like a friend, and the entire staff is always there to make sure your experience always meets or exceeds expectations. Gone is the impersonal feel you find when shopping at a large chain store. Small Concept is all about family, and this is exactly how they'll make you feel. Once you shop there, you become a part of the Small Concept family. This is precisely why I love smaller businesses. The personal attention and little touches make all of the difference! Welcome to the Hot Fluff Cool Baby Cloth Diaper Giveaway! This awesome cloth diaper stash starter event is sponsored by Greenie Beanie Bottoms and hosted by Just Add Cloth, along with over 75 wonderful and influential bloggers who all love cloth! Cloth diapering is a great way to reduce our waste, help our planet, and save money. Cloth diapers are Hot items and Cool for your baby! Not only are cloth diapers more breathable in warm weather, but they make adorable accessories in Summer! Starting your stash can be daunting, so this prize from Greenie Beanie Bottoms is a great way to get a variety of diapers to try out. Greenie Beanie Bottoms is an online retailer of cloth diapers, accessories, amber teething jewelry, and reusable menstrual and nursing pads.They offer totally free shipping for all orders in the U.S. and low flat rate shipping to Canada.
Now on to the prize! Our Hot Fluff Cool Baby cloth diaper prize comprises everything you need to get started with cloth!
One lucky winner will receive:
2 Happy Heinys One Size pocket diapers 2 Wahmies Deluxe One Size pocket diapers 2 Drybees All-In-One cloth diapers 2 Oh Katy One Size Pocket diapers 2 Tweedle Bugs One Size pocket diapers A dozen Tiny Tush Perfect Wipes A Knickerknappies Hanging Diaper Pail /wet bag 2 Pairs Agoo baby leg Warmers A jar of LuSa Organics booty balm 5 Fold-to-Fit Bamboo inserts by the Cloth Diaper Company 2 Happy Heinys One Size diaper covers That's 10 pocket diapers in winner's choice of colors and closures, two wet bags, 12 cloth wipes, two pair baby leg warmers, diaper cream, two diaper covers, and five bamboo terry cloth inserts!Bringing the grand prize total to over $300!! With 15 diaper changes and accessories to match, this is a great beginner stash for anyone just starting out in cloth diapering. This giveaway runs from 12:01AM July 16 through 11:59PM July 31, EST. It is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Must be 18 or older. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Entering means you agree to the terms and conditions stated in the form. Entering is easy! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below. a Rafflecopter giveaway *The participating blogs are not responsible if sponsor fails to provide prize. Bloggers did not receive review items or compensation for this event. |
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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
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