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!!

Summer Sponsored by Solo

For as long as I can remember my family has always used Solo cups. My mom used them on every occasion, birthdays, dinner parties, Christmas dinner and more. They too have become a part of my family's special occasions. What could be easier? You just toss when you are done. No sink full of dishes to clean. You do not have to worry about them getting broken.

I love the shape of the new Solo Squared! It is much easier to grip, especially when condensation has formed on the cup. They even have a 9 ounce solo squared with a lid for on the go.

Solo has lots of of other great products. My daughter loves the line of Sesame Street products they offer.

Right now, solo is having a photo contest. All you have to do is share your Solo memories with them – new and old – and you could be a winner of $5000! To have a chance at winning the $5000, your picture must include the Solo squared.

Also, flip back through your photo albums to find any pictures that include Solo party cups (SoloGrips®, Ultra Colors® or their iconic, red cup) and you could win one of two $1,000 runner-up prizes.

Daily and weekly winners will get $100 gift cards or free Solo Squared cups, so check back often and keep sharing your photos. At a summer barbeque? College bash? Family reunion? Snap and Share with Solo!
The Solo Cup Photo Contest (“Promotion”) begins at 12:01 am CT on June 22, 2009 and ends at 11:59pm CT on August 21, 2009 (“Promotion Period”).

What are you waiting for? Get snapping!

Winner of the See Kai Run giveaway is
Carolsue
on August 2,2009 6:39 PM said...
I follow you publicly


Congratulations!! I sent out an email yesterday. You have 48 hours to respond.

Thank you!!

Winner of the Table Toppers Giveaway

The winner if the Table Toppers giveaway is
coliebear
on August 2, 2009 5:17 PM said...I could really use the disposable bibs.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 7
Timestamp: 2009-08-09 16:54:27 UTC

Congratulations and thanks for entering! I will be emailing you shortly. You have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

You're Child Can be a "Schoolebrity" with K-mart

It is that time of year again. It is time for you to take your children on the dreaded back to school shopping trips. Stores packed with everyone trying to find the best deals!

K-mart is a leader in low prices and awesome savings!! If you are in need of school supplies, laptops, new clothes and shoes, K-mart has it all.

Check out awesome Back to School looks in the “wowdrobe”, play with the Mix and Mash Dress-up Avatar, and challenge yourself and your friends with the Mashup games at www.kmart.com/schoolebrity.

This year K-mart has teamed up with Nickelodeon to bring you "Be a Schoolebrity" sweepstakes. You can enter your child for a chance to win in the “Be A Schoolebrity” sweepstakes! One Grand Prize Winner will receive a visit at their school from a Nickelodeon® celebrity and the ultimate shopping spree PLUS a trip for 4 to LA for the true star treatment and a tour of Nick on Sunset studios!

Sweepstakes starts 12:01:00 AM (ET) on 7/26/09 and ends 11:59:59 PM (ET) on 9/7/09. No purchase necessary. For Official Rules and prize details, visit a participating Kmart store or www.kmart.com/schoolebrity/rules.htm.

Be sure to pick up an entry form at any Kmart store and mail it in, or go to www.kmart.com/schoolebrity to enter today!

Every week K-mart is offering a special gift with your purchase of $15 in school supplies.

Week of Aug. 1 – 8: Free 70-page theme book with $15 purchase of school supplies.

Week of Aug. 9 – 15: Free Woodcase pencils with $15 purchase of school supplies.

Week of Aug. 16 – 22: Free Kleenex with $15 purchase of school supplies.

Week of Aug. 23 – 29: Free Sharpie with $15 purchase of school supplies.

You can not beat that!! Great deals and free stuff!!

K-mart is even offering special deals for teachers. Check them out at www.kmart.com/teachers.

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.

Scooby Doo

Riley loves Scooby Doo. So, when I received an email saying that Scooby Doo was going to be at a fundraiser for a no kill animal shelter, I just knew I had to bring her.

I told her that I had a surprise for her! She was so excited to be getting a surprise. We got in the car and drove to the fundraiser. We got out of the car and started searching for Scooby Doo. When I finally found him I told her to look it is Scooby Doo. She was super excited. She started screaming at him to wait for her. She was also yelling at him wanting to know where Shaggy was.As soon as we got real close to him, she was no longer excited to see him. She hid behind my leg and held on for dear life! So much for Scooby!

We did get to see lots of other animals. They had lots of dogs, a huge snake, a tortoise, some rabbits and a gerbil.The Chick-Fil-A cow was there and so was the Borden cow. She was excited to see them from a distance, but gave them the same reception as she gave Scooby Doo when we got closer. She did manage to get within an arm's length of the Borden cow, only because he had some stickers. She grabbed a sticker and ran.

We had a real fun day together. We walked in little boutiques along the way and stopped at all sorts of booths. She was able to slide on the Mystery Machine fun fump slide. She really enjoyed that!! We ended the day by visiting a large water fountain and welcoming the cool water sprinkles.