Teething Gift Guide: Little Sapling Toys! (Plus Discount Code!)

Look at these fabulous toys created and started by Nick and Kimber.  Little Sapling Toys is a family owned business, and I love that they are family owned.  You know that when you make a purchase you are helping support them.  I love how Little Sapling Toys are just Classic toys that are perfect and safe for a child.  Simple is nice. 

These toys are made from Hard Rock Maple wood (non-splintering), which is a great choice when it comes to looking for naturally healthy toys for your kids.   These are handcrafted, and made with your child in mind!  I love how there is a way in which my daughter could easily grasp these toys!  I also love their engraving and personalization option! 

Little Sapling Toys offers some great finds for any baby and toddler.  They not only have teethers, but they have toys that spur a child on to develop learning skills.  From ABC blocks to Toys in the shapes of States!  I also love their one teether that is the hand sign for "Love".  

Listed below is my wish list from Little Sapling Toys!  Enjoy this great find!

Natural ASL "I love You Hand"
Very neat and thoughtful!

Natural Elephant Teething Toy

Alphabet Blocks
Such a great classic and awesome natural colors with the wood!

Organic Wooden Car

YES!  We need to bring more of these toys back!
I remember when these were a bit more common!

Sapling Stacker Toy

Awesome learning toy!  I know that I would love sitting down and
showing my Sophie how to stack these!

Where to Buy:  Little Sapling Toys on Etsy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/littlesaplingtoys

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/littlesaplings

Blog: http://www.littlesaplingtoys.blogspot.com/

My readers get a discount!! 

 Use Code: SOPH10 for 10% off
Use this code until May 1st 2011

Thanks so much to Little Sapling Toys for the pictures and the discount! :)

Bunchees Baby Bottle Bibs Review

Bunchees Baby Bottle Bibs was created and invented by Monica Jones of Ritzy Bitzy Designs. Inspired by the problem of milk flowing down or seeping from the bottle down into the necks and clothes of a nursing baby, she set about to solve this issue! Entering her idea into the Huggies Mom Inspired Grant program, Huggies chose to grant her funds to go chase her vision. Bunchees Baby Bottle Bibs materialized as her answer to this milk dilemma!

Life Before Bunchees Baby Bibs:
I often would have to tuck in a little burp cloth between her chin and neck. This method worked great, until she moved, or fussed. There are times where she struggled against lifting up her chin! She was just about the business of MILK NOW! Sophie’s neck would store milk up….ugh. Not fun. I would find chunks of lint and milk underneath those flaps of skin! I would do my best to clean them, but sometimes I did not do a great job and she would get red underneath there from moisture. Also, her clothes would get wet sometimes and have milk stains.

My Review and Thoughts with Bunchees Baby Bibs:

After giving these Baby Bibs a quick rinse and hang dry, I went to feed my daughter her bottle. I knew after it dried that it was a nice microfiber ideal for absorbency. I could not wait to see how it would work out with Sophie! I stopped breastfeeding at about 7 months, and started gradually giving her the bottle.

1. Bunchees Baby Bibs helped me have a fun time bottle feeding! No fighting with burp cloths! With these Bunchees Baby Bibs, I really had no worry of fighting with Sophie to get something underneath her chin! Using Baby Bibs is very easy! For one thing I did not have to keep worry about picking up a fallen burp cloth—inside the Blue or Pink part of the Bunchee is an elastic that just stays on tight to the bottle.

2. I liked that I could use any of my bottles for it—it stretches a good ways.

3. Great Fabric Choice for Absorbency and Softness. Even after the Bunchee was a bit wet from a quick wash, it absorbed the milk dribbles! The design of the Bib has three flaps. I could use the flaps to tuck right underneath the chin and to where the milk would dribble out of her mouth. The flaps I am finding are just about the right size for her chin. The Microfiber was an excellent choice for it was soft to Sophie’s skin.

4. These Bunchees made me really happy that I did not have to change her clothes or do laundry as often. I liked that I did not have quite as many burp cloths in the laundry to do. A Bunchee is so small and dries quite easily. Even if it is wet, you can squeeze out whatever water is left, and it is only damp. Believe it or not a wet Bunchee can actually absorb a bit better than a dry one. Or maybe it just absorbs just about the same. J

Ok...here she just grabbed the bottle, and started just guzzling the bottle down.  The Bib is not tucked under neath her chin.  Normally, one of the flaps would be tucked under to catch that little drainage seeping down!  So Here you can see that those flaps would be great to just easily tuck under the chin! 

Daddy is feeding her now, and as you can see the Baby Bib is under her chin with the help of Daddy's fingers. :)

You can purchase one of your own at : http://ritzybitzy.com/

I will post more pictures up...my camera's cord is missing...so once I track down the cord I will post up pictures of Sophie and the Bunchees working together! :)

Disclosure: I received a Bunchees Bottle Bib for free in order to try the product and form an opinion for this review. No other compensation was received. The opinions expressed above are that of myself. Thank you to Ritzy Bitzy for allowing us to review your products!

Teething Gift Guide Day 1: Tweet Baby Designs

Look at these beautiful teething necklaces from Tweet Baby Designs! 

Tweet Baby Designs has a wonderful large selection of Fabrics to choose from as well as
some wonderful handmade items.

"Pink Swirls"

"Warm Lotus"

"Cherry"

"Rich Honey Baltic Amber Necklaces"

She also makes Felt Flowers...so very cute and trendy!

"Pretty Petals Flower Clip-Grass"

Oh and Beautiful Fabric Flowers!

 "ORGANIC Grey and Yellow Hair Clip"

Why I Am Back in Mary Kay: To Feed the Hungry

So Lately, I have been getting so many moments where I would see a commercial or flyer to help a child in need! Last night as I was watching television the channels rested on a Haiti Commercial featuring adults and children fighting the war of HUNGER. I could not turn the channel, my heart was just pulling for wanting to donate money for their cause!

I know it has been a while since this disaster in Haiti, but they are still in need of help. Right now my income is zero, and I have decided get back into selling Mary Kay skin care products. I signed up last year in hopes of getting out of my "shell of shyness" and now, I know I am more bold and confident.  Now, I have a new purpose and goal in mind, that this business be geared towards feeding the hungry and needy.
Now with the devastation in Japan I just feel such a need to really get in gear to help! I also had family members who resided there for a time, and thankfully they moved a couple of years ago.  Yet, knowing I have friends and family that are near Japan and have lived in Japan I just cannot be stagnant...I want to do something to help.

There is so much need for prayer and help! So, right now my husband is generating enough money to keep an apartment over our heads and to pay bills, and I thought it would be great for me to get back in working. What I have right in front of me that I can do, is Mary Kay.  I decided to get my Mary Kay Business going for a purpose to be able to give. Since my husband is paying the bills, I think my contribution to this family would be in the giving and contribution part. There is so much need—people need this and would really like this.
This is my personal purpose and reason for me doing Mary Kay:
My heart is to be able to Give to Others in Need.

I commit to giving at least 30% of my sales profit towards helping feed the hungry or contributing to a charity. My goal is to move into doing 50%, but I have to see

I was thinking of the Proverbs 31 Woman….Though I cannot sew or spin wool to make clothing, I can look at merchandise, see that it is good, and turn it into something that can generate income towards those in need, and right now it is to those in need of food. 

"She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. 
She girds herself with strenth, and strengthens her arms. 
She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
She extendeth her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy."

Excerpts from Proverbs 31, New King James Version.

Make your Donations Directly to Help.

Here are some websites to where you can make your own contributions.

Haiti:

Haiti Earthquake Relief

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/haiti-earthquake-appeal/index.aspx

Japan:

American Red Cross

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief 

Other:

Collaboration of Official Donation Sites: http://www.redcross.org/en/otherdonationsites/

Life OutReach International, James Robison: http://www.lifetoday.org/

Other Humanitarian Causes you can donate too:  CBN World Reach 

Information on Scams:  Beware of Scams

There are a lot of scams out there, so when searching for places to donate, please just be careful! :)



MyClyns Review

I got to try out a Germ Protection Spray from MyClyns. 

What is it? 

This Germ Protection Spray is a revolutionary germ protection spray that can be used on anybody (including kids) that is safe for people and effective in combating germs.  What you do is if someone has come into contact with the presence of germs this spray can be used to kill these microbes that enter through eyes, mouth, and nose.  Also, if you have a cut you can use this as an antibacterial!  I love it.  I have not had any scrapes or cuts in our family yet, but I like that this can be used as one of my first aid actions.  Their Cleansing Agent is Super-Oxidized Water.  :)

My Experience was quite neat. 

I tried it on myself with my eyes open....reading the box it said it should not hurt the eyes.  The spray contents do not even sting!  I tried it on my little girl, and she did cry or even whine!  She just simply smiled at me and blinked!  Well, at other times she looks at me funny and wonders why mommy just spritzed her!  I use it on myself whenever someone has the sickies and well, inevitably they touch or sneeze around me or touch something.  I kind of whip this baby out and give myself a quick spray.  Not that I am a germaphobe.  :) 

I also learned more about cleansing agents:

My Thoughts:

  It is quite convenient.  It slips into my purse, and with it being in the shape of a pen, I can find it handy and ready to go in times of need.  It is only 3" tall as in one "pen" or spray bottle it has about 6.0mL of solution (60 sprays) in it.  It is also alchohol free, non-toxic, and non-burning.  The only thing that would deter me is the price...it is about 9.99 for one of these sprays--So I would have to budget this one in, yet I know it is a good investment.  I do not have much that can kill 60 pathogens of which are E. Coli and MRSA--but with this Germ Sprayer in my pocket I know that I am armed and dangerous myself! 

So yes, I believe this is a good thing to invest in.  Not to mention it feels great knowing that I am using a product that EMS, Law Enforcement, Military, and other Professionals are using!  I am a mom geared with MyClyns Germ Spray.  It's great that I can battle my own family germs with something that the government uses! (hehe).

Where to get your own or learn more about it:  MyGermSpray.com
I love having it on hand.  As a mom, I am always looking for something that works to keep our children safe as well as be friendly and safe for us to use. 



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Review of Deda Studios: Fused Glass and Smelly Jellies!

DeDa Studios

http://www.dedastudios.com/

Have you ever heard of Fused glass or Smelly Jellies?
You are going to love Debbie and her daughter's artwork and Smelly Jellies!  I Do! 

About Deda Studios.
Deda Studios is a mom and daughter business, Debbie and her daughter Dawn (DeDa!).  Ever since they could remember they were truly "artists at heart".  I asked her a question about how her business got started, and no matter which way I try to piece it together, I think nothing can beat her orginal response.  So, here it is in her words! :)

Debbie:

My daughter and I have been crafting in all mediums since she could color as a small child. I have always been an artist at heart. I spent many years at a career and I am finally able to do what I truly love. I am a proud mother...when Dawn was in 7th grade her painting of David Bowie was  displayed at the Wisconsin Capital ... she received honors from the Governor Tommy Thompson!  I can still remember the entire day even though it was many years ago.  

I have always had a passion for glass...when I was younger I worked with stained glass.  Then I attended  two workshops and fell in love with fused glass.  I am basically self taught.  Many of my favorite pieces are total mistakes.

Being the stay at home mom of three children my daughter began making Smelly Jellies.  A very "GREEN" way to scent your home. Last summer she decided to start DeDa Studios...and started being active in art & craft fairs and farmers markets. This winter we began focusing on Etsy, Facebook, our blog, and our website.  Our "Guess the Bottle" Contest on our blog is a huge success.  Every Wednesday I post a slumped piece of Bottle Art and everyone tries to guess what type of bottle it is. 

Now for the Smelly Jellies.

I picked out Lily of the Valley (something I have never smelled before) and Jasmine.  When I received it, Oh did it smell like home.  I had a bush in our old house growing up, and it was a very fragrant jasmine bush.  Every evening when I got home I was greeted with this breeze lightly scented with jasmine!  I was excited that this Smelly Jelly had that same scent!  It was not over powering that it made me sick--it was like I was back home walking up the hill to get home!  I LOVE IT!  The Lily of the Valley has such a nice quality scent too.  I usually hate using febreeze or airwick because after a while it just gets me sick--but these two scents were perfect and I am absolutely happy with them.  :) 

These are long lasting scent jars. They last about 3-6 months.  Need I say they last better than candles?  I love candles, I light them in my home, but in about 2 weeks I have just about used 2 packages of my votives!  These Smelly Jellies are defintely not bad to have around to get your rooms smelling nice!  One or two are great for small spaces. I keep one in our bedroom and one in our bathroom.
She does refill the jars when you run out for half the price!

Did I mention what a great price they are set at?  They cost only $3.00 each! 

I did a bit of research, and these little air refresheners can be reused for years.  I guess you just got to know how to take care of them!  Hehe I did not do well, I kind of overfilled the jar with too much water and lost a tiny bit.  I think this is a great way to be a bit more Greener.  You can reuse the jars, and they really are a  greener way of scenting your house! 

Fused Glass and Bottle Art

I did a little bit of research on what fused glass was, and it is a beautiful art form of melting glass together in a kiln. With heat one can melt down and fuse together different pieces of glass to make some really unique and one of a kind piece of art. Debbie and her daughter ----started up a business because of their passion and love of art. They incorporate this method of fusing glass together to make very practical and lovely items. Items such as Bookmarks, Magnets, Hair Pins, Clips, and bracelets! They also sent me a "slumped" bottle that has been used already as a spatula holder and at the beginning, a little knick nack holder. I am using this "slumped" glass bottle right now in the kitchen, and am thinking about using it to hold some butter! I love its versatility and how it recycles and stretches out glass bottles. Is not this an awesome way to recycle and reuse glass?! I love the creativity!!

Debbie at Deda studios sent me a gorgeous bracelet!

 It caught my eye as I was browsing her website, and the beautiful colors jump out!  Pictures don't do it justice!  The fused glass baubles or beads are pretty tough, they are not too fragile as one may think. I LOVE the varigated colors! They have little glints of sparkles in some, others are clear and have a deep hue to it. I know that when she asked me to pick a color---I just could not choose! I am so happy with this multicolored bracelet! I think it’s just a FUN bracelet to wear anywhere!

I love this bookmark! It’s just perfect for me, it is big enough to keep the pages, and just something that kind of grabs my attention to remind me to "READ!". I just had fun with this one, you know?

Here are some pictures of my little one sporting the fused glass hair pins Deda Studios sent us! :)  I loved how the colors sort of illuminated and glistened in the sun.  The colored glass shone their colors magnificently when we went to church and the sun was out!  I loved it!  The contrast of colors were great.  I did not have my camera--sorry! :)  But I did kind of just took some pictures of Sophie using them.  The colors are something that I really like because glass seems just to have a whole other tone of hues and colors!

 

Winner of the Steady Hand Giveaway! :)

I have emailed the winner, and waiting for a confirmation :)



Computer Break Down!

Looks like we have to buy a new computer!  A virus of somekind has toasted our hard drive!  We took it out to a computer fix it shop.  They checked it out and said that it would run, and then turn off.  They said it was going to cost more to fix the problem, and purchasing a new one would be our best bet.  I guess it was time since our computer was about 7 years old, about? 

My husband and I are out looking for a new computer, and thanks to Coffee Oasis for providing a temporary internet source for my blogging needs....I just thought I would write a note letting you all know! 

I am in the process of justs rewriting some reviews so that once I get another opportunity I can just type!
Thanks for your patience! :)