Upcoming CSN Stores Product Review & Giveaway

I love to shop as everyone in my house knows (thankfully hubby is in Kuwait so he doesn't know if I am or not although he did find my blog so he might be reading and if he is, just kidding ... wink wink).  When I shop, I shop online and offline and tend to gravitate more to online shops just because I'm so busy with having young children and a grand baby on the way.  I had the pleasure to work with CSN Stores in the past and not only enjoy the customer service but I love how their network of stores are set up and provide such a vast array of products.  Their network seems to continue to grow in a one stop shop for all and I'm loving it.  From bathroom vanities to baby products to furniture to fashion and so much more, I enjoy shopping and checking out all they have to offer.

We are a military family and with being of such, we move every three years.  We went from Hawaii to Georgia and it appears our next stop is the Lonestar state which is no big deal for him since he's originally from there.  Since we have to move again, we need to sell our house and one of the opportunities is to review a new kitchen faucet.  This great Victorian Goose Neck Kitchen Faucet with Porcelain Lever Handles and Plastic Side Spray is not only elegant but will look amazing in my kitchen.

    

I bet you didn't know CSN Stores had so much to offer did you?  Guess what?  It gets even better as not only will I provide a review on this great product but there will also be a giveaway!  You'll have to check back to see what the giveaway will be!

Funny Things Kids Say

My almost three year old looked at me and said "you have boobies."  She then looked down at herself and said "my boobies are gone."


Yesterday, I was looking at my wedding pictures and she said to her sister, "oh Mommy is a princess!"

I remember another time with my oldest many, many year's ago when she was in elementary school telling her teachers that I was Secretary of the State.  In actuality, I was a secretary for the state of Indiana.


I decided that my mind isn't as sharp as it was so I need to start writing these things down as they are too cute to forget!

Etsy Treasure Chest: BonitaBellita Yellow Flower Hairband 6/25

With summer comes great fashion accessories we can wear and love!  Having hair accessories can be fun and playful and why should the little one's have all the fun?  Etsy Treasure Chest is hosting this great giveaway of a BonitaBellita Yellow Flower Hairband.

  

If you want to know what inspires BonitaBellita and her beautiful creations or to enter this giveaway, click here.

Hurry to enter as the giveaway ends 6/25 and this would be perfect for summertime!

Strider Sports: Teaching Your Little One to Ride Without Training Wheels

I just experienced amazing customer service from a company that I had never heard of until a couple of week's ago.  My oldest is old enough that I don't recall how she learned how to ride a bike and I suppose that is bad but between working and being younger at the time, you tend to forget some things.  Now I have a seven year old who is itching to learn how to ride a bike coupled with a two year old who thinks she's 10 and has to be just like her sister.  So how do you teach a child how to ride a bike? 

Do you let them have at it and just wipe the tears away and clean the wounds or do you push them along and keep guiding them to learn how to peddle and balance?  Those are at least the two methods I grew up with and remember countless scrapes and band-aids along the way.  Not now thanks to the wonderful Strider Sports, International company.  I will disclose ahead of time that I will be providing a post on a product review but I felt compelled to share this tip on how to teach your little one to ride to be a series in more post with the summer months approaching as well as updates on their progress.  My participation in no means has influenced this post and it was completely my own decision to post because I'm so excited to try it and share with others who are in the same situation since I do know many of my readers have small children.


Here is the tip from Strider:

1. Remove the pedals and the training wheels.  
2. Set the seat at a height where the child can touch with both feet flat on the ground.
3. Have the child ‘strider’ it around for a couple days.  As soon as the child is able to glide with her feet off the ground and balance, it's time for step 4.
4. Put the pedals back on and raise the seat back up.  

Basically the training wheels focused on pedaling and following those first three steps allows the child to focus on balance.  Once she learned how to balance, it's put together and combined, it will allow the child to ride!


I love this tip and can't wait to try it out!  Stay tuned for more information, updates and a product review and giveaway for Strider's No Pedal PREbike!

I ensured she was ready to advance to step 1 by having her peddle.  As some of you know, sometimes peddling isn't a natural instinct and they have to learn which way to peddle.  I didn't raise her seat yet as once I remove the peddles and training wheels, it will be perfect height.  I'm so inspired by Strider Sport's help to teach her and her sister on how to ride without training wheels.

Build-A-Bear: New Zoorrific Collection , Chance to Win Sweepstakes & $10 Off

Build-A-Bear has so many great things going on right now and my kids love them!  I won a $25 Build-A-Bear gift card and I can't wait to turn it over to my little ones to make their own special animal.  The limited edition Zoorific animals are so cute and timely with family vacations including trips to the zoo.  Here are a few:

  

Enter also to win a trip to Orlando from now until June 30 by clicking here.  

Another great thing I like about Build-A-Bear is their dedication to the military.   Each branch of the military is represented and since Father's Day is coming, what a cute gift it would make especially for those deployed like my husband.  We have been purchasing Build-A-Bear animals for quite awhile and to date, everyone is in great shape and no tears or holes.  I love the quality and the choices available and especially favor the Hello Kitty ones that I will be getting for my expecting daughter once she learns the gender.

Get $10 OFF orders $40 or more at Build-A-Bear Workshop® use coupon code BABW10 at check out Click here!

Spruce Up Your Yard Fourth of July $25 Home Depot GiftZip.com Card Giveaway 6/29 CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...


DEB!


An e-mail was just sent and Deb has 48 hours to respond before the next winner is chosen by random.org.


Thanks to all those who entered and remember GiftZip.com for gift card purchases!


A new promotion is forthcoming so stay tuned!

GiftZip.com is perfect as a last minute gift idea or just as a more efficient, greener way of giving gift certificates from popular retailers such as Amazon, Target, and iTunes. Simply click on your retailer of choice and GiftZip.com takes you directly to their secure, electronic gift card.  How easy is that?  I sometimes struggle with trying to find the right gift for someone that has everything so giving a gift certificate can be easy.  Other times, giving an eGift card is even easier since so many people are online and if they are like me, enjoy shopping online sometimes more than in person.

  

These are the most popular eGift cards on the planet. Whether it's a gift card for him, or an eGift card for her, there are gift certificates everyone will enjoy no matter the age. A gift certificate is a great choice for a gift for a retirement present, or even for a new baby.

No matter the occasion, there is gift card that will fit perfectly. Maybe you need to buy a gift card for an anniversary, birthday, or even a graduation, there is a great electronic gift card choice for it. Forget to get a gift until the last minute for a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, or wedding? Agift certificate will be a life saver!

Need to buy a good birthday, wedding or baby shower present someone very environmentally conscious? An eGift card is the way to go! They don't use plastic, and there are notransportation or packaging costs. eGift Cards are Eco-Friendly Gift Cards. Don't know what to get the kid who is heading off to college? Get them a gift certificate and let them choose what they want.


The site is really nice and broken down in easy to find gift ideas whether you need a gift for a man, a woman, a gourmet lover, sporting goods, unique and so much more.  It really makes the whole gift giving process so much simpler!

  

Pink Power Moms: Honoring Moms and Their Inspirational Fight Against Breast Cancer

Bright Starts™ wants to help these women and support their cause. We invite you to Become a Fan of Bright Starts™ on Facebook and Be a Giver. Through the month of June, Bright Starts™ will donate $1 for every new fan that joins us during the campaign to benefit Pink Power Mom charities. These moms will appreciate your help and support.

Giveaway Party at Village of Moms

About Village of Moms:


Valerie is a Christian, a wife, and a stay-at-home mother of 2 trying to do what’s best for my family, but I needed a little help, of course. This blog is a “1-Stop Shop” of resources and advice for the working and the stay-at-home mom who need a little help (like myself). It features you, a mom and a reader, so if you have something to say or some advice to give, please contact me! I really do encourage guest blog posts of any topic that you think might help other moms out there.


Ready for a giveaway party?  Village of Moms has a party that you will love!

Look at all the great giveaways:

June 13 – BabyLegs (Ends 6/27)

June 14 – Boon Scrubbles (Ends 6/27)

June 15 – BornFree Trainer Cup (Ends 6/27)

June 16 – Fresh Organics (Ends 6/27)

June 17 – Posh Little Tutus set (Ends 6/27)

June 18 – Beyond Weddings (Etsy Shop) Personalized Minky Pillow (Ends 6/27)

June 19 – Sassy Baby (Ends 6/27)

June 20 – Kidorable umbrella (Ends 7/4)

June 21 – Seventh Generation Free and Clear Kit (Ends 7/4)

June 22 – BioKleen products (Ends 7/4)

June 23 – Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil (Ends 7/4)

June 25 – Earth Mama Angel Baby $25 e-Gift Certificate (Ends 7/4)

June 26 – EccoBella Natural Cosmetics (Ends 7/4)

June 27 – The Name is Product ~ hair pomades (Ends 7/4)

Powermat Wireless Charging System Review/Giveaway 6/19 - CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...


HBOMB!


An e-mail has been sent and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected by random.org.  


Thanks to all those who entered and Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Are you ready for something pretty amazing and ultra or I should say uber cool (my oldest would be rolling her eyes at me and calling me a geek now)?  You don't even have to be a gadget geek to love this one!  As part of my participation in the Mama Buzz group, I received a complimentary Powermat Wireless Pad and accessories to power up our iPods, iPhone, Nintendo DS Light and other accessories in exchange for an honest review.  I didn't fully grasp what an opportunity this was until the package arrived and my 21 year old said "Wow, you got one of those? "  Her fiancé was also very jealous so that shows you the worth of the Powermat's reputation.  Apparently she knew much more about it then me as after I saw it initially, I thought "cool, I'll try it out."

The package arrived and we were like kids at Christmas!  Each box is even packaged in an inviting, deluxe way that brings more attractiveness to the product.  The sleek black and green adds to the eye appeal and the boxes were packaged in such a way to protect each piece of equipment.  By the way, it's very durable as the travel mat was dropped along with the receiver for the DS Light and no problems!  They were easy to open thankfully as we were in no mood to wait!  As we opened each box with lots of "ohhhs" and "wows," I couldn't help but think of the envy my poor hubby in Kuwait will be feeling when I gloat (I mean tell him) about this great package!

The entire set was extremely easy to set up with no lengthy instructions required.  Each gadget easily fit onto its receiver and for those gadgets we didn't have a receiver for, the Universal Powercube Receiver allows you to charge many other devices.  It arrived with adapter tips and a great carrying case with a magnetic closure.  The entire packaging was really dynamic with more magnetic closures for ease of viewing pleasure.

If you have an iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, Blackberry, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Light and so many other gadgets, the Powermat is for you!  With the ease of drop and go, it will charge and emit a sound when the connection has been made. Once charged, you just pick up and go and it's ready to go!  I've not seen anything easier than this and love how my kids can just set the Nintendo DS Light down on the powermat and the charging begins with no wires or cords.  It's easy and I don't have to worry about them messing around with electrical outlets as the one pad takes care of them all.  

This is a GREAT gift for anyone and especially for Father's Day which is coming up!

Powermat Home & Office Mat:

Powermat Portable:







The Powermat Home & Office Mat can be purchased for $99.99.  The Portable Powermat is also $99.99 and the Dock for iPod & iPhone is priced at $39.99.  The Universal Powercube Receiver is available for $29.99 with tips sold separately for $6.49-$8.49 a piece.  


Free shipping is available for orders over $50.  You can follow Powermat on both Facebook and Twitter.


The Giveaway:

Your own Portable Powermat and iPod Dock just in time for Father's Day!  You can enter by doing one or more of the following.  Leave a separate comment for each way that you enter.  Winner will be selected by random.org, on Saturday, June 19, just in time for Father’s Day!  You can create a cute e-card to notify your special dad that it will be on it's way!


Mandatory entry:  Follow my blog and you can choose to complete one or all the extra entries below:

• Visit Powermat and tell me what feature of the Powermat you like the most (two entries).
• Follow Powermat on Twitter.
• Follow me on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily)
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link (worth five entries)
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Enter any of my other giveaways or click here to learn about more ways to earn entries or enter other giveaways.

Giveaway ends 6/19 at midnight!

(Disclosure: I received a Powermat Home & Office Mat, a Portable Mat, a Dock for iPod and iPhone, and 3 Universal Receivers (one of which was a Powercube), free of charge, from Powermat, for the purposes of this review.)

4 Coupons for FREE Bryan Food Giveaway 6/20 - CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO...


BARB!


An e-mail has been sent to Barb!

  

I have four coupons for FREE Bryan products up to $4.00 off which equates $16 in free food!  Coupons expires 7/31/10.

If you would like to win, just leave a comment! 


If I get more than one response, I'll use random.org to draw a name on 6/20.


Please make sure your local stores sells Bryan Foods as they are a southern food item.

LargeFormatPosters 18 x 24 Poster Print Giveaway Ends 6/24 - CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ....

MRSMCHAPELL!

An e-mail has been sent.  Winner chosen by random.org.

Thanks to all those who entered!

Who doesn't love posters?  I ordered a print last year of my two oldest in Hawaii and framed it for my middle one's room which looks great.  Posters can be used for so many things whether it's a birthday, a welcome home, a gift or any occasion.  Posters that you can customize can be a special sentimental treat to someone you give it to.  With the ease of ordering online and costs, you really can find cheap poster printing as well as Large Format Posters.

With Large Format Posters, you have options to choose from whether it's high gloss poster or semi-gloss poster and the size you want.  It was so easy creating a poster from a photograph with LargeFormatPosters!  After I selected the size I wanted and type of finish, I uploaded my picture and that was it!  I chose a picture from Disney we took:

The posters would be great to personalize your child's room, personalize for a birthday party or shower or just give as a gift from a memorable moment.   Here is something that I didn't know about LargeFormatPosters.com, they have wall graphics as a choice for your custom creation!


Before you purchase, you can opt to upload and preview or get a free proof before you pay!  That is a great feature for me as I know in the past I have wasted money with other companies that do not offer that feature.


There are also banners and canvas products to choose from in addition to adhesives and posters.


The Giveaway:


One winner will receive a 18 x 24 poster print!


To Enter:


Follow my blog and tell me what you would choose for your personalized photo (i.e. picture of my two year old's birthday party).


Extra Entries:

• Sign up for LargeFormatPosters.com e-mail specials (two entries)
• Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Subscribe to my blog (two entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (two entries - can be done daily)
• Enter any of my ongoing giveaways (five entries)
• Grab my button for 5 extra entries (each) to any on-going giveaway.
• Enter any of the on going giveaways for 5 extra entries.  Just leave five comments or fill in the area on the form (pending on which giveaway) with the giveaway you entered.

US only please and winner must be 18 years of age.  Winner will be chosen by random.org and giveaway ends 6/24 at midnight.

SootheTIME: Soothing Solutions for Baby & You Review

Sleep and comfort were always my first concerns for my children and myself when they were born.  Like most, if not all parents, I frequently checked to ensure they were breathing but outside of that, I always worried if they were too warm or too cold.  Kids and blankets do not mix and I often wonder if my two year old has some magnetic force hooked to her that if a blanket hits her body, it flies immediately off.  I know most kids are like this which is why products that help to give peace of mind are essential for a new parent's rest.

The SootheTIME's motto is "Soothing Solutions for Baby & You."  SootheTIME has many products for your baby and some are broken down by stages.  The first stage is the sleep stage and the SootheTIME Snooze Wrap Plus is for babies between 7-14 pounds/0 to 3 months.  Made of 100% cotton and a tummy portion that provides comfort against colic and a sense of snuggling, it cute and functional.  If you have children, you know the age old problem with sleepers of having to unzip and try to take off the upper portion without waking the baby or causing too much disruption to cause her to stay awake was nearly impossible if not impossible at all.  With the SootheTIME Snooze Wrap Plus, it unzips from the bottom which is quicker and more efficient as who doesn't want to cut down on time in the middle of the night?

Here is a quick how-to instructional and illustrates how easy it is to swaddle your baby with the SootheTIME Snooze Wrap Plus.

More Features:

• Gentle head support ensures proper positioning which may reduce the development of flat head syndrome.
• Soothing tummy comfort that may help relieve symptoms of colic while providing extra security to help baby sleep more comfortably.
• Adjusts for growth as baby grows so does the Snooze Wrap Plus thanks to the adjustable pocket.
• Arms free option lets you choose which is most comfortable for baby.
• Cradle support pad helps add security and confidence while holding baby and lifting her.

Here is another optional feature with the SootheTIME Snooze Wrap Plus:

Sleep stage 1

Use the Snooze Wrap^™ Plus with the Snooze Sheet^™ to create a healthier and safer sleep environment. Innovative Sleep Stabilizer Tabs^™ comfortably secure baby in the pediatrician-recommended back sleep position without loose blankets or wedges. Simply attach the Sleep Stabilizer Tabs^™ to the center of the Snooze Sheet^™. Easy, safe, security for baby and you.

I love that idea!  For this review, we did not review the sheet to be able to provide any feedback on it.  


SootheTIME has a host of other products for different stages of baby growth, sheets with more coming for food, bath and traveling.  Sign up to stay current on new products!


Overall, the material is very soft and handles regular machine washing.  It held up nicely and came out a little softer than before.  I love the fact it can be zipped from the bottom thus allowing us to change our baby's diaper without too much activity to fully wake her.  She did sleep better as she was warmer since she was unable to come unwrapped.  It's a great feature for comfort, warmth and better sleep!  I wished I had this for my now seven year old who never slept well!  I would recommend!


To purchase, go here and sign up here to receive updates on new products, coupons and information.

 

   

* Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary product by either company or PR agency in exchange for my honest review.