CSN Stores Review

I love shopping for baby items.  Thinking about what I will choose if I ever am lucky enough to have another baby.  I also love looking at new items that would be a great fit for my toddler.  One of my favorite stores to browse online is Baby Cribs Plus.com.  Baby Cribs Plus.com has over 600 cribs, 800 strollers, 1000 bedding sets, 200 car seats and  much more to choose from.  They have beautiful, quality products and their selection is amazing! 

Baby Cribs Plus.com is part of CSN Stores.  They are an online company with over 200 different stores.  They carry everything from cookware to outdoor furniture.  They have an amazing selection of products to choose from.  Best of all, their prices are great.  They even offer free shipping on many of the products they carry.   At least once a week someone I know is trying to find a special item and I always recommend they check CSN stores out.  9 times out of 10 they have what they are looking for.

Here are some of my favorite items from Baby Cribs Plus.com:

Young America by Stanley Caroline Crib

 

Banana Fish Brooke Crib Bedding Collection - Brooke Series

Brandee Danielle Minky Blue Chocolate Polka Dot 4 pc Bedding Set

Britax Boulevard CS Convertible Car Seat in Cowmooflage

Mutsy 4Rider Single Spoke Stroller in Pink

If you are having a baby, have a baby or toddler or know someone that does, Baby Cribs Plus.com is the perfect place to shop.

CSN stores is providing me a mailbox for this review.  It did not in any way influence how I feel about their stores.  I will be taking pictures of my mailbox and doing a review after I receive it and take pictures.

 

Secret's Custom Creations Personalized Pillowcase Giveaway - Ended

As you many of you may know, I have an embroidery business in my home.
It is called Secret's Custom Creations.
My favorite items to embroider are for children.
I love the expressions on their faces when they see
something was made especially for them.

I am having a giveaway for one of my personalized pillowcases.
You can choose from many different designs.
You can also choose the color combination you would like.
As an added bonus for every 400 entries I will give away an additional pillowcase to another lucky winner.

Here are a few that I have done:

I love making custom tutu's for my daughter and her friends. I think these are just too cute!







I have recently starting making baby items:

Ruffled Onesie



Ribbon Blankie



Ribbon Jingle Block

These are some accessories I have made
for my daughter's doll.

Girl's Minky Travel Size Pillowcase


Boy's Minky Travel Size Pillowcase


I guess you can say that I am the Jack of all that is crafty. I love making custom items.

I even make custom photo cards.
Here are a few.

You can view more of my items here:
http://photobucket.com/secretsboutique

If you would like a custom pillowcase you can
order one on here on Ebay.
I have dropped the price to $18.99 a piece.
If you let me know you saw it on my my blog, I will even give you
free shipping. The free shipping will last until April 15th.

This contest will end on April 8th at 11:59 pm CST.
The winner will be chosen randomly and will be emailed.
The winner will have 48 hours to respond. If the winner does
not respond another winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is open to all U.S. residents.

Please make sure to leave an email address in your
comment if your email is not visible in your profile.

Mandatory entry(this must be done or no other entries count)
(1) Follow or become a follower of my blog publicly. - 1 entry
Extra Entries
(1) Post about this giveaway on your blog. Leave link to post. (3 entries)
(2) Let me know who you would want this pillowcase for. (1 entry)
(3) What design would you like on your pillowcase. (1 entry)
(4) Purchase one of my pillowcases from Ebay or from
me directly (I can send an invoice through PayPal).
(10 extra entries per pillowcase purchased)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. If separate comments are not left, they will not count.

Good Luck!!!!

Safe Sippy 2 Review and Giveaway

I have recently been introduced into the world of stainless steel sippy cups. We always used mainly plastic sippy cups. But, I always worry about the dangers of the toxins in the plastics. I do not have to worry any longer. I found a very safe sippy cup. Ironically, it is called The Safe Sippy by Kid Basix.

Kid Basix has a simple goal. It is safe in and safe out. They created The Safe Sippy in parents' growing concerns about Bisphenol A and other harmful chemicals present in many plastic bottles. They have expanded their line to include The Safe Sippy 2, The Safe Sporter and The Safe Starter.

The Safe Sippy 2 is just like the Safe Sippy, except it also has an attachment to make the sippy cup a straw cup. How ingenious is that!!! It will grow with your child through their sippy cup stages.

The Safe Sporter is a sports bottle. It is available in 12 oz and 16 oz. I think it is perfect for a lunch box!

The Safe Starter is the "coolest baby bottle in the world". It is also stainless steel and comes in 5 oz and 9 oz.

We were sent the Safe Sippy 2 and the Safe Sporter to try out. We love both of them!
We used the Safe Sippy 2 as the sippy cup and as the straw cup. I did not experience any trouble with it leaking. I was impressed with the fact that a travel plug is included with the Safe Sippy 2. I was given extra reassurance that Riley's diaper bag would not be saturated with juice. I even used the Safe Sporter. I did not taste the metal taste that I have with other metal sport bottles.

I would recommend all of these products to anyone who asks!

Kid Basix is giving one of my lucky readers their very own Safe Sippy 2 or Safe Sporter (winner's choice). The winner will also get to choose the color they want!
Many thanks to Bret and Tonya!

This contest is open to U.S. residents only. The contest will end on 8/27/09 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly by random.org. The winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory entry

• Visit Kid Basix and come back and tell me something you have learned.
  

Extra Entries
(you must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

• Follow me (2 extra entries)
  
• Add my button to your blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Come back and give me the link to your post.
• Enter any of my other giveaways. One entry for each giveaway you enter.
• Follow me and Kid Basix on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.
• Become a fan of Kid Basix on Facebook.

Good Luck!!

Organically Hatched Review and Giveaway

I recently came across a wonderful online store that has something for everyone in the family, Organically Hatched. No matter who you are shopping for, you are sure to find something you love for them here. Organically Hatched is a Canadian company that prides itself in finding the best organic products for your baby!

I love the Z'Fina 365 Collection - Man Sling. I will have to get one for my hubby when we have another baby. It is really nice to see a company cater to fathers. If I have another C-section, I will definitely add the Eco-friendly, Bamboo Belly Bandit to my must have list!
We were sent a Dripstick to review. The Dripstick is actually two products in one. One side holds a popsicle and the other side holds an ice cream cone. It catches all of the drips that usually ends up on the floor or clothing.

Wow, I wish I had this a long time ago. It is a little blessing. I let Riley have a popsicle in the living room. I did not worry if she was going to get it on the sofa. The cup caught the drips from the melting popsicle. I just popped it in the dishwasher when she was done. Super easy clean-up.

I think that one of these would also work wonders for someone with arthritis in their hands. They would be able to hold the Dripstick in their palms.


Organically Hatched is giving one of my lucky readers their very own Dripstick.
Thank you, Shaheen!

This contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents. The contest will end on 8/21/09 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly by random.org. The winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory entry

• Visit Organically Hatched and come back and tell me what you would love to have.
  

Extra Entries
(you must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

• Follow me (2 extra entries)
  
• Add my button to your blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Come back and give me the link to your post.
• Enter any of my other giveaways. One entry for each giveaway you enter.
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.
• Follow Organically Hatched on Twitter.
• Become a fan of Organically Hatched on Facebook.
  

The Soft Landing Review and Giveaway

Have you heard about The Soft Landing? If not, you are going to love it!! It is an online store that carries everything from bottles to pet supplies. More importantly, all of their products are free of BPA, PVC and Phthalates. This is very reasurring when we are finding out that many of the products we use contain toxins and chemicals. You can shop worry free, knowing you are getting the best for your little angel.

Here are few of my favorite items The Soft Landing carries.

The Boon Flair Pedestal High Chair
It is also BPA free!! They are offering free shipping with this purchase:)

TreBimbi Puppets Flatware Set
I love the faces on each piece.
Natursutten Natural Rubbber Round Pacifier
I would have loved this pacifier for my daughter when she was an infant!
I also love that they offer many sampler sets. So, if you are undecided about what sippy cup to purchase, you can just get the sampler. They have all sorts of sampler sets, from teethers to straw cups.

Many of their products even have video reviews about them.

I was lucky enough to get to try out the Crocodile Creek lunchbox in the butterfly pattern. I really like the fact that it is very well insulated. It kept Riley's drink, sandwich and fruit chilled for a long time. I was super impressed with this, because we were at the zoo and it was very hot outside. I love the pocket on the front. The pocket is the perfect size for a napkin or utensils. Her sippy cup fit perfectly inside with lots of room leftover. Riley really loved the butterflies and was super excited she had a new lunchbox.

One of my lucky readers will win a Crocodile Creek Lunchbox in the pattern of their choice. Thank you, Alicia!

This contest is open to everyone worldwide (minus duties/fees for international winners). The contest will end on 8/22/09 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly by random.org. The winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory entry

• Go to The Soft Landing website and tell me what item(s) you would love to have.
  

Extra Entries
(you must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

• Sign up for The Soft Landing's Newsletter
  
• Follow me (2 extra entries)
  
• Add my button to your blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Come back and give me the link to your post
• Enter any of my other giveaways. One entry for each giveaway you enter.
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.
• Follow The Soft Landing on Twitter.
• Become a fan of The Soft Landing on Facebook.
  

Good Luck!!

Carolina Pad Back to School Review and Giveaway

I remember when I was a young girl and my mom would take me and my sister shopping for our back to school supplies. I loved that day. It was a chance to get something new and something different from everybody else.

I still love notebooks, binders, file folders and just office supplies in general. I run a business out of my home, so I am always in need of a new notebook to keep track of something or a file folder to file my paperwork and folders, dividers, pens and pencils. When shopping for my supplies I choose not to get the regular run of the mill, plane jane supplies. I like the cutesy ones. The ones that decorate my desk and make filing and organizing more fun.

I love the Carolina Pad products. I usually make a special trip to the Carolina Pad section when I am in Wal-mart or Target. I check to see if there is a new pattern or something I just have to have! Their patterns are fun and unique.

Carolina Pad offers office supplies, school supplies, and arts and craft supplies. They have many different collections. I know that you will find one that you just have to have.

Carolina Pad sent me some great products to review. They sent me an assortment of products from almost all the collections. The assortment included several notebooks, a pack of tab dividers, a pack of file folders, a three ring binder, a folder, an accordion folder. Their products are durable, very well made and fun to look at.

Here are a few of the collections they offer:

Whimsical Flower
Simply Chic
Hot Chocolate

If you would like to make a purchase from Carolina Pad's online web store, you can use discount code BTS2009 for a 15% discount on your total order. The code is valid from August 1st - 22nd. All orders of $30 or more after the discount are eligible for free shipping.

April over at Carolina Pad has been gracious enough to give one of my lucky readers a back to school collection valued at $35. The winner will get to choose either the Sasquatch or Kendall Kollection back to school supplies from Carolina Pad.

Kendall Kollection
Sasquatch



This contest is open to U.S. residents. The contest will end on 8/19/09 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly by randon.org. The winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory entry

• Go to the Carolina Pad website and tell your favorite collection.
  

Extra Entries
(you must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

• Follow me (2 extra entries)
  
• Add my button to your blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Come back and give me the link to your post.
• Enter any of my other giveaways. One entry for each giveaway you enter.
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this give.

Exergen Temporal Scanner Review and Giveaway

Before Riley was born, almost three years ago, I went on a search for the best thermometer around. I purchased an ear thermometer at Toys R Us for about $60. After she was born, we tested it out. To my utter surprise, it would not take an accurate reading!! You would think if you paid that much for something it should work properly. I even brought it with me to the pediatrician's office and they could not get it to read accurately either. Well, it was to late to return it Toys R Us due to their strict return policy. So we were stuck with a $60 thermometer that would not work. I began to think well she is so small, maybe that is why it will not take an accurate temperature. I would pull it out of the drawer to test it every now and again as she grew, with the same result. I even tested on myself and my husband. No luck!!!

I ended up purchasing an underarm thermometer. It would take forever to take a reading. I did find another underarm thermometer that took it's reading pretty quickly, but the battery died about a month ago and it takes one of the expensive, hard to find watch batteries. When we would put the thermometer under her arm she would fuss. She does not like to stay still for long.

I was sent an Exergen Temporal Scanner to test out. It comes with a 9 volt battery. You just have to put it in and it is ready. It is super easy to use. All you have to do is place it in the middle of the forehead, press the button, gently stroke it to the left or the right until you reach the hairline and let go of the button. Be sure to take the cap off! I did at one time think it was giving an inaccurate reading, but I forgot to take off the cap:)

How does the Temporal Scanner Thermometer work?

As you gently stroke the thermometer across the forehead crossing over the temporal artery, the sensor in its probe performs two processes:

First it scans like a video camera, capturing naturally emitted infrared heat from the arterial blood supply at about 1000 “frames” per second, locking in the highest temperature it senses and;

Second, at the same time, a patented system measures the ambient temperature of the site where the temperature is being taken. The patented "arterial heat balance" (AHB) software then synthesizes the two separate readings to accurately determine and display body temperature.

As with any thermometer, taking temperatures properly is critical to obtaining accurate temperatures, so please read all instructions carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

As with any thermometer, taking temperatures properly is critical to obtaining accurate temperatures, so please read all instructions carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

I found this to be the easiest and most accurate thermometer I have ever used. I have been bringing it with me in Riley's diaper bag just to show family and friends how easy it is to use. This would make a great baby shower gift. I think it would actually make a great gift for anyone of any age. I do not know how we have managed without it for as long as we have:)

Exergen has been very generous and has offered to give one away to one of my lucky readers. This contest is open to U.S. residents. The contest will end on 8/20/09 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly by randon.org. The winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory entry

• Go to the Exergen website and tell me something else I did not mention in my post. It could be something you learned, your favorite feature or another product they carry.
  

Extra Entries
(you must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

• Follow me (2 extra entries)
  
• Add my button to your blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Come back and give me the link to your post
• Enter any of my other giveaways. One entry for each giveaway you enter.
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.

Laurie Berkner~Rocketship Run~Review and Giveaway

My daughter has loved music since she was itty bitty. We would listen to a few different children's cd's. She would dance and try to sing along. Once the cd was over she would move on to something else and not give the music cd a second thought, until I would play it again.

My daughter loves Noggin and loves the music that they play. I really noticed her becoming very attached to the music of the Laurie Berkner Band. She would get so excited when she would hear them on the TV. It was almost if she had radar ears or something, because she could be on the other side of the house and would come running if Laurie was singing. The Laurie Berkner Band's music videos have appeared on Noggin since 2004.



We were very fortunate to find the DVD with bonus CD of "We are the Laurie Berkner Band".
As soon as we got in the car, we had to put in the CD. She was extremely excited. Everytime we get in the car she asks for "her music". She sings along with every song. If I try and sing she fusses at me and tells me to "Stop singing momma. It is my music not yours". When we get in the house she wants the DVD playing. It plays on her TV in her room almost all day. The feature I wish they would add to it is auto start, because I have to restart it everytime it is over.
She will run around everywhere we go and sing all of the songs by heart now. She marches along the fireplace mantle singing "we are the dinosaurs marching, marching". I just giggle everytime I see her reaction to Laurie and her music because it is amazing how emgrossed my two year old with the Laurie's music.


I was just sent Laurie's new release "Rocketship Run". When it came in the mail, I showed my daughter the CD. I asked who her was on the cover. She lit up and said, "Laurie". I told her Laurie sent her this CD just to her and she had a smile from ear to ear.

It comes packed with 24 awesome songs! You can even find the lyrics to all the songs on the website.
Track Listing:
1. Rocketship Run
2. Going on a Hunt (ska)
3. Mouse in My Toolbox
4. Candy Cane Jane
5. All Around My Room
6. One More Stop on the Train
7. Going On a Hunt (blues)
8. Jump and Fly
9. Pigbasket
10. Five Days Old
11. Mr. Bassman (and Piano Girl)
12. Winter Lullaby
13. Let's Samba
14. Going on a Hunt (conga)
15. My Blue Sailboat
16. Balance Beam
17. Thunderstorm
18. Fast and Slow (The Rabbit and the Turtle)
19. Going on a Hunt (jig)
20. Farm Song (That's What I Did on the Farm)
21. Nona
22. Walk Along the River
23. Going on a Hunt (hand jive)
24. Fly Me To The Moon

Wow! Is all I can say about Laurie Berkner's new cd Rocketship Run. You can purchase the CD for only $15.00 on Laurie Berkner's website.


I was given a second CD to give away to one of my lucky readers. Thank you, Sarah!

If you have children, this is one giveaway you must enter!

This contest is open to U.S. residents. The contest will end on 8/13/09 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly by randon.org. The winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.

Mandatory entry

• Go to Laurie's website and let me know something I did not mention here.

Extra Entries
(you must leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

• Follow me
• Add my button to your blog
• Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Come back and give me the link to your post
• Enter any of my other giveaways. One entry for each giveaway you enter.
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway.
  

Good Luck!!!