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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

A New Mohawk Home Rug - Review & Giveaway

*I was not paid for this post but provided with a Mohawk Home area rug for the purpose of review and my honest opinion. The following is my thoughts and review....
I've been slowly working on my living room/dining room makeover. One project leads to the next and it is coming along so well! I'm loving the new look of our house. Our house is small so the last few years we have been bombarded with kid clutter and trying to make the best use of our space. Now that the boys are getting a bit older, I actually have time to do a few projects.

I started with my new toy cabinets to reduce the clutter, then moved my computer to my new coat closet office. Those two things alone set the ball rolling for so many more improvements. Now that my living room was a living room again my old dull worn out area rug was an eye sore.

Lucky for me there is a fantastic company Mohawk Home with tons of fabulous area rugs to choose from. I had the opportunity to work with them and finish the update of my living room. They have so many rugs in fact I had the hardest time choosing the perfect rug.

Because of the boys and our animals it was very important to get something that wouldn't show stains easily. That pretty much eliminated all the light colored rugs. I had a color blocked rug before, so I really wanted to step outside of my comfort and get something a little bit different. With all of my new design elements in the room I was pretty sure I found the perfect fit in the Endicott Black Area Rug.

The black ties in nicely with my black wall decals and black entertainment center and I thought the tan leafy colors would go well with my hardwood floors. I also thought the red berry accents in the rug would be just the right touch of color pop to tie in with my curtains and other red accents around the room. It is a little scary ordering online and hoping the colors will be the same once you see it in person. The rug is even more beautiful in person and much more vibrant. I would say the berries are more of a burnt orangish/red color, not a true red or barn red, but they still accent perfectly. I couldn't be more happy with my choice.

Once rolled out the rug had a few curled edges but by the next day or two it had completely flattened out which is normal. I don't have a pad under mine, just a small no slip strip. If you want a super cushioned rug you would probably want to get a pad. We think the rug is comfortable and perfect for us without but Mohawk does recommend a pad.

Mohawk rugs are affordable and can be purchased at many well known retailers. I found the Endicott Black rug at Home Depot and the 5x8 size needed for my living space is just $97. You can find different rugs at each retailer so it is important to check them all out in your search. You can find a link to each retailer here.

On of my favorite features of Mohawk Home is that their products are still made in the USA! As you know that is getting harder and harder to find. Mohawk Home is a team of hard working people who consider themselves family. They take pride in their work and being able to provide us all with affordable products that are still made right here on US soil. Given the chance I would purchase USA made every time.

Mohawk Home also offers carpeting, hardwoods, tile, laminate, luxury vinyl and commercial flooring as well. An all around solid company with just about anything you need to freshen up your space. You can find more about Mohawk and inspirational ideas, coupons and more by following their social media. Facebook, Twitter and of course inspiring ideas on Pinterest!

WIN IT:
It wouldn't be fair to brag about my new rug and not offer you the chance to update your space as well right? Thanks to Mohawk Home, one of you lucky readers will win a rug of your choice up to 5x8 size and under $100 value! All you have to do is enter below! Please take a minute if you can to tell Mohawk Thank You on their Facebook page!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Braces Then, Invisalign Now

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ok, so raise of hands here who had braces growing up? (hand up) Chances are if you were a child of the 80's & 90's you or someone close to you had braces at some point or another.

I got braces on my 7th grade year and off at the beginning of my 9th grade year in school. I was lucky I didn't need them super long and lucky that my parents for one cared enough to get me braces and two could afford them. At the time many of my friends were also getting braces so although they weren't exactly awesome to have, I wasn't alone in the matter either.
Here are some things I remember from having braces:
• the nasty crayon tasting molding paste (gahhhh)
• painful at first
• many appointments to adjust
• broken brackets
• cut lips from sports/activities
• food getting stuck
• rubber bands
• head gear (another gahhhhh)
• choosing colors
• no gum/apples/corn etc.
• flossing nightmare

For those of you who never had braces, it sounds wonderful doesn't it? :) haha. It wasn't horrible by any means but anybody who had braces was sure counting down the days until they came off. I still have a permanent retainer glued in my mouth. But I do have straight teeth. Yay!

So as technology advances in all other aspects of life, it does in orthodontics as well. Oh where was Invisalign and Invisalign Teen when I needed them?

Invisalign and Invisalign Teen uses a series of clear aligners made of lightweight plastic that sit on the teeth. Yes I said clear, gone are the days of metal mouth and the dreaded headgear! The clear aligners are nearly invisible and can be removed so kids or adults can eat, brush, floss and smile as if they didn't have braces at all! (oh what a dream that would have been!)


Invisalign usually requires less office visits and no "emergency" visits for those dreaded broken wires or brackets and costing nearly the same as traditional metal braces I know the choice I would have preferred. Invisalign hands down.


There are more than 2 million Invisalign cases in treatment or completed worldwide. From very simple to very challenging, Invisalign offers a full spectrum of clear straightening treatments for most types of orthodontic issues. Take the Invisalign Smile Assessment to find out if Invisalign is right for you or your child.

Have any of you used Invisalign? I'd love to hear about your experience! And if you haven't you can find out what others think by following Invisalign on Facebook.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Stoplight Golight Timer Review & Giveaway

*I was not paid for this post but provided with a Stoplight Golight Timer for the purpose of review and my honest opinion. The following is my thoughts and review....

Everything revolves around time when you have kids. How long til we get there? What time to wake up? How much longer in time out? Well you get the picture. Everything revolves around time, yet our children are too young to be able to tell time and really grasp how long something will take.

Enter the Stoplight Golight Timer from BeeZee Kids. I was searching for not only a time out timer for Big Brother but also a solution that would make waking (and staying) in bed in the morning more fun. Big Brother knows he is suppose to stay in bed until he sees the 7, however he is slowly starting to creep out earlier and earlier.
I wasn't finding anything that quite fit the bill, until I came across the Stoplight Golight Timer. Simple for parents to use and easy for kids to visually see and follow the lights. Perfect.

About BeeZee Kids
The Stoplight Golight Timer was developed by sisters who of course are moms. Having trouble with their own children staying in bed in the mornings until a decent time they knew they needed a time indicator that was easy for young children to understand. A couple days later at a stoplight, one of their two year olds said, "Red means Stop, Green means Go!" And the idea was born.

We have been using the Stoplight Golight Timer for everything. The best part is that it can be used with batteries or plugged in. No limits to where you can take and use the timer. Time can be programmed for 0-15 hours and 0-59 minutes and you can choose if you want the alarm to go off or just the lights. And one of the very smart features that only a mom would consider is the side buttons. One button must be pushed while changing the time and functions. Of course eliminating any sneaky children changing up the time or alarms.


Set the timer to your desired time and the light turns red. STOP. When the time is up the green light turns on. GO. Such a simple and effective tool for children. (The yellow light is for looks only. It was purposely left that way as to not cause confusion for kids as well as eating up battery power if used with batteries).
It works great for time-outs. No more, "How much longer do I have mom?" questions or crying. When they see the green light they are good to go. We have also been using it for quiet rest time in the afternoon. I can set the timer for Big Brother (with no alarm) and he can easily monitor his time. It has been a big battle eliminator for us. 

Other great uses for the timer could include:
• Bed times/Wake times
• Nap times
• Brushing Teeth
• Reading
• Practicing an instrument
• Getting ready for school
• Video game/Computer time
• TV time

The Stoplight Golight Timer is only $29.95 and can be purchased straight from their website. You will definitely get your moneys worth from this timer if you have children.

Stop by and show your support for the Stoplight Golight Timer on Facebook. I know I've searched high and low for a smart kid and parent friendly timer and this is it!

WIN IT: 
I love this timer and have one in my hot little hands to give to one of you as well! 
All you have to do is enter below! Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Affordable Overnight Diaper Solution with Parent's Choice

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Parent’s Choice Overnight Baby Diapers.

Little Brother has always been a heavy wetter. So although we use cloth diapers during the day, I could never find a solid leak proof night time solution. Regular diapers are sometimes still not enough for night. And as Little Brother gets older the problem only gets worse.

Changing sheets every morning and thinking my baby will be sleeping wet in the night is not something I want to mess with. Thankfully there is Parent's Choice Overnight Baby Diapers.
Parent's Choice overnight Baby Diapers are super absorbent and meant especially for overnight and long trips. Treated with vitamin E and aloe to keep their skin protected as well as an enhanced dryness layer, in hopes they will rest a bit longer.
The overnight diapers come in a variety of sizes. From size 3 (16-28 lbs) to size 6 (35+ lbs). Many children will need the larger sizes as they continue to need diapers for night time only after they have been potty trained. It is not unusual for kids aged 5 and even 6 to still need some sort of overnight protection, especially boys.
I have been very impressed with the quality of Parent' Choice Overnight Baby Diapers. They have not once leaked on me and the velcro tabs stick super tight. No chance they may come undone by tossing and turning little ones at night. These diapers are also very thin and lightweight for baby. No extra bulk for nighttime. 

I am beyond pleased with the Overnight Baby Diapers. We are all on a budget these days and when you find something that is affordable and that works, well that makes for one happy Mama! So what is the price on these bad boys? Just $13.97 a box at Walmart online. The quantities vary depending on the size you purchase.

A dry rested baby is a happy baby. A happy baby makes a happy Mama! Win. Win.
Night time protection for babies is an important consideration for parents as their little one grows. Ordinary diapers may not have enough absorbent capacity to handle multiple voids over long periods of time with older babies. When wet mornings become the norm, parents start looking for more protection to guard against overnight leaks.

Parent’s Choice Overnight Baby Diapers are super absorbent for overnight and long-trip protection. This is an overnight diaper at prices that everyone can afford!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Parent’s Choice Overnight Baby Diapers.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Something Special for Mom Giveaway Hop - Cushe Footwear Giveaway #specialmom


The month of May is a special time to celebrate Mothers. Whether you are a mom yourself or you're doing something special for your own mom, the Something Special for Mom Giveaway Event is for YOU! 

A great group of bloggers have come together to show you special items you might like to receive or give as gifts this month. You'll be able to enter to win these great products from May 10th-26th thanks to the Blogging Mamas Network

 Be sure to hop around to all of the participating bloggers, in the linky below this giveaway, as they have some great prizes to share with you! Make sure you also enter the Grand Prize - a $250 Gift Card to Mía Mariú! One lucky Mama is going to look so pretty with all that eco-friendly makeup! Mia Mariu Giveaway
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Mother's Day is all about the joys of being a Mother and the moments we wouldn't trade for anything. As most of you know we often focus more on our families and rarely take time to pamper ourselves. 

My giveaway will give one lucky Mom the chance to pamper herself with a pair of new shoes of her choice from Cushe! 

I had the opportunity to review the Molokai in red and I absolutely LOVE them! You can read my full review here and see why Cushe has the most amazing shoes!
Happy Mother's Day to you all! Thank You for your support and Good Luck!

According to Jenny, So Easy Being Green, the Blogging Mamas Network, and the Something Special for Mom participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cushe Molokai Shoes Review & Giveaway

*I was not paid for this post but provided with a pair of Cushe Shoes for the purpose of review and my honest opinion. The following is my thoughts and review....
We all love shoes that are comfortable right? You can just tell the difference when you slide your feet in to a comfortable pair verses a not so comfortable pair. My feet are tricky and finding shoes that are just right and don't hurt my feet can be a challenge. A few months ago I had the opportunity to work with Cushe, and living up to their name their shoes are very very comfortable.

I had the opportunity to review the Cushe Quilty Conscience Boots this Winter and I loved them! Fast forward to their new Spring/Summer styles and oh my gosh I couldn't wait to try out another pair!

So here in all their glory are the Cushe Molokai in my most very favorite color red! These are new this year and what I love about Cushe and all of their shoes are that they are unique. Down to every last detail you can be sure you won't find a similar pair on the market.

The Molokai are part of the Love Me & Leaf Me line and and are a fabulous day or evening shoe. They are made from a premium waxed suede and breathable canvas lining. The unique leaf design on the sole and in the foot bed just add to the character and "coolness" factor.


My feet were in heaven when I slipped these on! Soft comfortable support but no super high arch or anything that hurt my feet. A great amount of cushioning and fit very true to size. The ankle straps are a silver sparkle and add a little pizazz to these shoes. You can dress them up or down depending on your outfit. I'm getting many compliments each time I wear them.

Now I know red might be a little bold for some, I personally love them, but they also come in black ink, sand and brown. More traditional colors that you could pair with just about any outfit.

The Molokai retail at $85 and can be purchased directly from the Cushe website.

Cushe wasn't a name brand I recognized when I first started working with them. However I now see them at many of our local stores. Once you try any Cushe brand shoe and feel how comfortable and stylish they are, you will be seeking out your next pair!

Here are a few of my favorites for this Spring/Summer. Cushe carries both men and women's styles.
About Cushe
Cushe was born in the summer of 2004. Based in UK, the Cushe team aspires to only deliver the types of shoes they love to wear themselves. Unique and exciting choices that are a little bit different than the majority of shoes that dominate the footwear market. They don't follow trends, but challenge the boundaries of footwear design.

You might want to head on over to their Facebook page for more details and lots of laughs. These friends at Cushe have a great sense of humor as well as awesome shoes!

WIN IT: Now I know my red Molokai shoes are pretty awesome! And because Cushe is also awesome they are letting me give a pair of shoes to one of you lucky readers! Any shoe of your choice! Whoever the winner is, is going to have a hard time choosing that's for sure! The giveaway will start tomorrow in the Something Special for Mom Giveaway Hop! I figured a pair of new shoes is always special for us moms :) The giveaway will run from May 10th-26th! So make sure to come enter! Good Luck! ENTER HERE!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Mama Love Giveaway Hop #mamalove - CanvasPop Giveaway

Welcome to the 2nd annual MamaLOVE Giveaway Hop hosted by MamaNYC! This year we are celebrating together the joys of parenting and motherhood! We know it can be a challenge to find a special and unique gift for mom, so our hope is to present some amazing Mother’s Day gift ideas, which you can also have a chance at winning! Each participating blogger is featuring prize(s) valued $25.00 or more. This event begins on May 9th and runs until May 15th at 11:59PM (EST). After entering my giveaway make sure to "hop" to the other blogs at the bottom of this page and enter their fantastic giveaways as well! Good luck and Happy Mother’s Day!
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For my giveaway you have the chance to win a gift any mother 
would love to have and treasure for years to come...
a 16x20 photo canvas from CanvasPop!

This is the canvas I was so lucky to review. I nearly cried when I opened the box! It surpassed all my expectations and is amazing quality! You can read my full review here and find out what makes CanvasPop unique in what they do!

Now enter away and Good Luck!
Happy Mother's Day!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Kissaluvs Pocket Training Pants Review & giveaway

*I was not paid for this post but provided with a pair of Kissa's Pocket Training Pants for the purpose of review and my honest opinion. The following is my thoughts and review....
So we are on the potty training band wagon. Having done it once before I'm not overly excited to stress and make Little Brother start before he is ready. He is curious and interested a bit because of Big Brother, so it will be interesting if he really picks it up quickly as they say most siblings will do.

As we already use cloth diapers the next step for me was to check into cloth training pants. I absolutely adored the styles offered by Kissaluvs. We were excited for the opportunity to review the Kissa's Pocket Training Pants in brown. Inside is a super cute cotton flannel dinosaur print. They come in either 2T (20-32lbs) or 3T (28-40lbs). We reviewed the 3T and I have to say the weight range is pretty spot on.


We were also able to review the Kissaluvs Booster Doublers to stuff the pocket with and customize our level of absorbency and training level.

There is a lot to love about the Kissa's Training Pants. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Made in the USA
• Pull up or snap on/off
• Waterproof, durable PUL outer
• Doubles as a pocket diaper when stuffed

I really love the fact that you can purchase these ahead of your potty training schedule and use them as a pocket diaper. They already have two layers of microfiber sewn in, yet with the pocket opening you can add as much additional absorbency as needed to make it a diaper too. I used it both with the boosters and without and didn't have any leaks at all. I love that you can add as much or little as you need depending where you are in the training process. The fit was great and with the 4 snap settings you can adjust the legs and waist to fit as needed.

You can see here that Little Brother loves his new training pants and the cute designs inside them make them fun for toddlers to want to wear them.

So will these make potty training super simple and super quick? I sure hope they do! But time will tell as we are in the beginning stages. I do know that they serve their purpose to get the ball rolling for potty training and provide an easy and clean way for mom (me) to clean up any accidents. And for that I am thankful.

The Kissa's Pocket Training Pants are also very affordable. Suggested Retail is $14.95 and I promise you will get your money's worth either as a diaper or training pants.

About KissaLuvs
KissaLuvs is a family-owned and operated company and uses local and US suppliers whenever possible. Their number one goal is consistent quality. You can be sure that any and all KissaLuvs products will be made to high standards. They have a lifetime snap guarantee and want to make you and your baby happy!

In addition to the cloth trainers they offer a fantastic selection of one size diapers, fitted diapers, cloth wipes, boosters and inserts, pail liners, wet bags and more. One stop shopping for all your cloth diapering needs. I have one of their wet bags as well and love it!

WIN IT: New to cloth diapering or haven't had a chance to try out KissaLuvs? Well now is your chance! Right now you can win a fabulous package of diapers in the Fluffy Mail Giveaway Hop going on now! Giveaway ends May 15th and you can win the following...

1. Hybrid/Contour Unbleached fitted size M/L
2. Organic Cotton/Hemp unbleached fitted size M/L
3. Fleece Unbleached Fitted
4. Two Cloth Wipes
5. Two covers, one baby blue & one pink

Stop by and say hello to KissaLuvs on Facebook! Tell them I sent you and thanks for the fantastic giveaway! I love supporting small family businesses and especially products that are made in the USA!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

1 year Bloggoversary - PlasmaCar Giveaway

 WIN A PLASMACAR
Giveaway ends May 25th, 2013
Happy Bloggoversary to me! I've been blogging for just over a year now, wow the time goes fast! This has been a wonderful opportunity and so much fun for me and my family. I've met some wonderful people and made some fantastic new friends.

Thank You to all of you for your support and following my randomness :) Special thanks too for so much love and support last year in my Rally 4 Jillie giveaways. So happy to report little Jillie and her family are back together and she is in remission. Your support meant so much to me and to her family. More than you will ever know. It was a great feeling to do something so important and for good with my blog.

So enough of the sappy stuff and on to the fun stuff your waiting for! With so many wonderful sponsors this past year I'm super excited to share with you another one, PlasmaCar! They are helping me celebrate and giving you the opportunity to win a PlasmaCar of your own! Just in time for Summer fun in the sun!

You can see my full review of PlasmaCar here. By far one of our most favorite toys to date! Kid and adult powered fun, no batteries or gas required.

Thank You so much for your support and good luck! Here is to the start of another wonderful year of blogging fun! :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway