CSN Stores review

Anyone with a toddler knows that it sometimes gets difficult finding new and exciting ways for them to release all their energy. One great, and really fun outdoor activity: swing sets! I live in the Pacific Northwest, and this time of the year we don't get a ton of sunshine so when it peeks out, we rush outside and soak it up! This is my dream set:

CSN stores is a great place to go if you're in the market for a new swing set or other toys or anything, really! I love CSN, I've ordered from them a couple times now and have always been satisfied. The shipping is fast, products are high quality and customer service is superior. Check it out, you will not be disappointed!

*In exchange for writing this post, I was given a $35 CSN gift code with which to use to purchase future review items.

Maternitique review and giveaway 2/9 **CLOSED**

 

While searching for maternity boutiques online, I came across Maternitique. This is a great store, offering everything from skincare safe for pregnancy to clothes, post partum supplies and nursery items. Most all the products are natural and/or organic so you can feel completely confident purchasing from Tara (the owner). This store is so unique and diverse, I love all the items she carries.

I consider myself pretty environmentally conscious and I'm on a quest to live a greener life. So, how is it that I haven't really thought about choosing greener choices for facial care? I'm super careful about all the products I use with my daughter, but I don't often stop and think about myself. I don't really know, but I'm glad that Tara sent me the products she did because I really needed them! And now I'm determined not to go back to drugstore products again.

I was sent the Novena Organic Citrus Blemish Lotion and the Belli Acne Clearing facial wash.

Let me tell you: these products could not have come at a better time! I didn't have acne or skin issues with my first pregnancy, but this time around it's different. I feel like I'm in high school again, darn hormones!! These products have been a Godsend, they pretty much cleared up my skin problems in a week. I know things can change, but I'm feeling really good about the way my skin looks right now.

The facial wash is a gel so it goes on smoothly and simply. It has a really mild lemon scent, which my sometimes queasy stomach really appreciates. You can use it as a regular facial wash or leave it on for 5 minutes as an intensive anti-acne facial mask. All of the ingredients are safe for use during pregnancy so you don't have to worry about any harmful effects on your baby.  And the best part, it REALLY works! I love this stuff!!

The citrus blemish lotion is a miracle worker! This stuff cleared up my nasty acne in a week. And it's ORGANIC, that's got to make you feel good. Like the facial wash, it has a really nice, light scent (grapfruit-berry). Just two pumps at night is all you need to turn your skin around. It rates very low on the Environmental Working Group's cosmetic database. I always check the EWG's database to find out the safety of skincare products before I use them.

I hope that you find Maternitique as special as I did and consider purchasing your maternity needs from her!


Buy it


Of course you can buy Smartmom products from their website, and select retail partners.

-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Maternitique!
How to enter:

Each action counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.


**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Maternitique and let me know something you'd like to have!

Extra Entries

*like the Maternitique Facebook page (2 entries)

*sign up for the Maternitique newsletter

*follow Maternitique on Twitter
*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries! Leave 3 separate comments.

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries!

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!

The fine print
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end February 9, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail, then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the products mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

                                                                                   

Soda Stream review and giveaway! 2/9 **CLOSED**

I am a huge soda drinker and really would drink way too much of it if I didn't know what was good for me.  So, when I was given the chance to review a Soda Stream home soda machine I was thrilled!  This machine is so cool. It's eco friendly, helps you save money and is super easy to use.
From the Soda Stream website:

The advantages of SodaStream's Home Carbonation System include:

Convenience: No need to carry heavy bottles from the store. The SodaStream system is simple to use and requires no batteries or electricity.

Environmentally-Friendly: SodaStream is an "Active Green" solution that minimizes the huge eco-footprint caused by the manufacture, transport and waste of plastic bottles.

Variety: SodaStream offers over 100 flavors to suit everyone’s taste. Regular, diet, natural, fruity flavors, ice tea, energy drinks, sport drinks, tonic and many more.

Space Saver: No need to store bottles of beverages or empty bottles for recycling in your home.

Personalization: Make drinks just the way you love them… more bubbles, less bubbles, sweeter or lighter, even create your own flavor!

Family Fun: The system is quick and easy to use. It's fun for everyone and kids just love it!

Value for Money: Great savings compared to pre-packed carbonated water and beverages.

Satisfaction Guaranteed: SodaStream drinks makers are of extremely high quality and include a money-back satisfaction guarantee and Lifetime Warranty to our customers.

Like I said, I love, love, love soda, but we all know that many soda brands are filled with tons of artificial chemicals, sugar and other unhealthy ingredients. The Soda Stream flavors are a little healthier than traditional soda. There's even an all natural line of flavors that contain no preservatives or artificial ingredients and actually taste delicious. And, my favorite flavors of all are the Mywater Flavor Essence syrups, which are unsweetened and just give your water a little hint of flavor. I guess you could compare it to Talking Rain. It's so yummy and will really get you drinking your water.

I received the Fountain Jet home soda maker for review. I really like that there are no cords or batteries, so I can put the machine anywhere. It's slim, compact and fits right in. Although I received the black model, there are 3 different colors and a ton of different machine models. The Fountain Jet comes with 2 reusable 1-liter bottles and a carbonating cartridge that makes 60 liters of soda or carbonated water.

It's so super simple to use. Really, you just fill the bottle with water, put it on the machine, push the button three times and then add flavor (if you want). That's it! You have fresh, homemade, healthier soda. I even brought it over to my grandma's house for our family Christmas get-together so the whole family could have their own sodas. They loved it.

You can find the Soda Stream machine that's right for you here. You can also find all the accessories such as syrups, bottles and carbonating cartridges on the Soda Stream website or at select retailers.

Buy it


-or-

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a Soda Stream fountain jet home soda maker starter kit with 2 flavors of your choice, yay!
How to enter:

Each bullet counts as one entry unless otherwise stated. Leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address. You must complete the mandatory entry before you are eligible for any other entries.

**Mandatory Entry**

Visit Soda Stream and let me know something else you think is really cool about them.

Extra Entries

*Follow me publicly through google friend connect-counts as 3 entries

*Subscribe to my blog by email, through feedburner-counts as 3 entries

*Grab my button and tell me where it is posted

*Blog about this giveaway, link back to my site and leave me the URL of your blog post

*NEW!!! Like my brand new Facebook page- counts as 5 entries!!!!


The fine print
This giveaway is open worldwide and will end February 9, 2011 at 9PM pacific time.

Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail,  and then must respond within 48 hours or else a new winner will be chosen.

I was not paid for this review, and received no compensation. I was provided the product mentioned for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own and completely truthful.

Winners!

Here are the winners of the giveaways that ended this past week, congrats, everyone has been emailed.

Ecomom winner:

Congratulations to MommyFerg02



Smartmom Teething Bling winner:

Congratulations to Alliejean

Nachomama winner:

Congratulations to Tina


All winners have been emailed and confirmed. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Husky tools 13 Piece Power Tek Precision Screwdriver review

I was recently contacted by a representative from Husky tools and given the opportunity to review the 13 piece Power Tek Precision screwdriver set.

I love this screwdriver. Most of the tools in our home "belong" to my husband and he keeps them in the garage. It's not always handy for me to go out there to retrieve a tool when I need it. The Power Tek precision screwdriver is slim (like a really thick pencil), has an easy touch forward and backward button and 12 different attachments. Since I usually only use a screwdriver for small, precise-type jobs around the house, like tightening screws in the baby gate or changing batteries in one of Emma's toys, the size and shape of this screwdriver are perfect! I keep it in the "all purpose" drawer in the kitchen so it's always handy.

The Power Tek comes in a neat case that holds all of it's parts conveniently in one place and it's guaranteed FOREVER, how's that for value! This is the perfect "mom's" tool. Check out all the other tools that Husky has to offer and I'm sure you'll find something you can use!


*I was provided the product mentioned above for review purposes. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own and completely truthful.

Ahhh, a new year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I know we did. It was Emma's second Christmas, we got to visit with many different family members, and went to Christmas eve service at church for the first time. I really want to teach Emma the TRUE meaning of Christmas so we started reading about baby Jesus a while ago and reading the Christmas story. If you ask her what Christmas is about, she'll even say "baby Jesus", it's so cute.

It's a new year now and that means a fresh start. I like fresh starts, you can do whatever you want, move on, start over and make things new and better. So, what will 2011 be like for me? Of course, I can't know for sure, but I can hope for the best. A few things that I'm looking forward to :

My daughter is turning 2 in February. I know every mom says this, but I really can't believe how fast it's gone by! These two years have been a whirlwind of emotion, ups and downs, discoveries and milestones. There is no greater joy for me than watching my daughter grow and develop!

I'm turning 32, yikes. That's pretty much half way to 35, which is half way to you-know-what!

I'm having a baby!!!!!!! This will likely be the most exciting event of the year. Emma's little sister or brother is due in June and I'm super excited to be attempting natural labor with a midwife this time!!

My husband and I have finally found a church that we both like and have been going regularly for a few months now. Emma likes it too, she's always really excited on Sunday morning and calls it "baby Jesus time". I'd really like to get more involved and possibly join a small Bible study or women's group.

I used to garden quite a bit, but haven't really done any the past couple years. I really want to plant a garden this spring. I think it'll be a great activity for Emma and I and an awesome learning opportunity. She even got little Dora gardening gloves and tools for Christmas!

Endless possibilities! I can do whatever I want, really, I can. And you can, too. I don't really make "resolutions" but I do like to set goals. I want to eat better, sleep more, pray more, get organized, spend less, read more and be more communicative with good friends.

What are you looking forward to in 2011? Really, I'd love to know!

Really cool fluffy giveaway event over at 29 Diapers! Hurry, last 2 days!!

Hopefully you've been following the awesome fluffy giveaway event over at 29 Diapers and this will just be a reminder for you. But, if not, then you better get over there and check it out! There are only 2 days left and the final giveaway, on Christmas eve is really quite unbelievable:

[an autographed copy of my book Ecofrugal Baby: How To Save 70% Off Baby’s First Year, a 3-pack of Happy Heinys pocket diapers, a pack of Bummas cloth wipes, an Itzy Ritzy wet bag, Zoe Organics diaper balm, a gallon of Allen’s Naturally detergent from The Little Seedling boutique, a Weleda baby toiletries starter kit, Episencial wash, soothing cream, and face balm to pamper both mom and baby, AND 2 Thirsties Duo Wrap diaper covers with 4 Duo Hemp Prefolds–that’s a $285 value!] *taken from the 29 Diapers website*

Wow, who wouldn't want to win that??? I know I sure do!!!! So, head on over and enter, or better yet, don't (more chances for me to win) :)