Mickey Mouse Band-Aids!

November 7, 2011 by · 2 Comments

It’s no secret that Mickey Mouse is a favorite in our house. I have sang the hot dog song more times than I would care to admit, and we have lots of Mickey Mouse books/movies that Brayden enjoys!

About a week ago, I was sent this Band-Aid Limited Edition Mickey Mouse Collector’s Series Tin.

Cute right?

Let’s face it: I have a toddler boy. Band-Aids are a staple in my house, but who wants to use the boring ones when you can use cool ones like these! Fortunately, we haven’t had a reason to use them just yet but I figure sooner rather than later! The ouch faces on these Band-Aids are too cute also- I know Brayden will get a kick out of them when he runs into the next piece of furniture/falls down while walking/being generally clumsy.

 

I received this as a free sample from Smiley360 in order to comply with FTC guidelines. These opinions are mine and cannot be bought. 

Filed Under: product review ·

Soft and Smooth

January 28, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
About a month or two ago, Katie at Sluiter Nation was talking on her Facebook or Twitter (I can’t remember) about Pink Bow Bath Boutique. Here is what Amy’s website says about her products- she says it much better than I!

Hi!  My name is Amy and I am the proud owner of Pink Bow Bath Boutique luxury handmade bath and body products.  Pink Bow Bath Boutique specializes in handmade luxury bath and body products all wrapped up with a pink bow and a fun girly-girl twist!  We offer delicious, top-quality, made to order, custom fragranced everyday pampering products.  I am self-proclaimed, lifelong, bath and body products junkie!  Starting my own line of bath and body products is a dream come true to me. 
A little about me:  I live in beautiful sunny Arizona with my wonderful husband.  We were college sweethearts and have been together ever since.  We have an amazing 1 year old son that makes us both so happy :)

Early last week, I decided to give her products a try. I ordered the Candy Cane Cupcakes Body Frosting, the Nourishing Nail and Cuticle Cream, and the Almond Coconut Milk and Honey Body Cream. 
(Image from Pink Bow Bath Boutique)
I was so excited when the package came! My legs were itching because they were so dry, and I immediately lathered them in the Almond Coconut Milk and Honey Body Cream. The product goes on incredibly well, isn’t greasy, completely absorbs, and the scent is perfect. The cuticle cream? A total lifesaver- I may have to order one to put in my purse just so I don’t run the risk of losing it between home and being on the go! I also put some of the body cream on Brayden’s dry, chapped cheeks, and after he woke up from his nap, I could tell a difference in his skin. 
The Candy Cane Cupcakes Body Frosting is also amazing. It definitely reminds me of the holidays, but it feels like I am being pampered in a spa. I put some on my feet after my shower today and immediately put socks on- and my feet feel so incredibly soft tonight. LOVE it! 
I love that Amy makes all of these herself, as I have really loved supporting handmade businesses within the last year. Her packaging is really great also- simple, clean, and pretty enough to leave out in my bathroom. But what I really love? Is the way my skin feels after just ONE DAY of using her products! I highly recommend them! I am definitely addicted now. 
Want to know the great part about this post?
Amy has GRACIOUSLY offered up a discount code for all of my readers!
Use the code “back2basics” to get 15% at Pink Bow Bath Boutique from now until Valentine’s Day!

I hope you guys take advantage of this, and if you purchase something, let me know! I would love to know what you ordered! I am thinking of all of the lovely things I could add to my cart right now! And thank you to Amy- I am so glad I tried your products! 
Filed Under: beauty products, product review ·

CSN Stores Review: New pans!

October 9, 2010 by · 3 Comments

As you all know if you read this blog, I am a CSN Stores Preferred Blogger, which means I get the chance to review and giveaway a huge variety of products from CSN Stores! They really can’t be beat as far as price and shipping speed, so I highly recommend them! Last time I did a giveaway, so this time, I took advantage of the $45 credit for myself and got some new pans.

Let’s back up. My mom bought me a nice set of pots and pans for a bridal shower gift. They were one of those one day bargains from Macy’s or Bergner’s. We knew that they weren’t the greatest, but that they would get my by for a couple of years. Well, it’s been a couple of years, and my pans are falling apart. The non-stick bottom is coming off, making things taste/smell like they are burning. It was the perfect time for new pans!

So here is what I chose:

These were listed at $99.95, marked down to $39.95. With my gift card and shipping, I ended up paying $2.02. Steal of a deal! I placed my order on September 28 and by September 30, they were on my doorstep.
This set comes with an 8″ fry pan and a 12″ fry pan. I tried the bigger one out the other night and I really like it. It is nonstick for sure, the perfect size for 2lbs of hamburger, and cleans up very easily. I also had no tears when I threw away my old pans! Yay for that! 
I highly recommend these if you are looking for new pans. I hope to own a complete set one day, but for now, my Emeril pans are doing just great!
I was contacted by CSN Stores to do a review on the item of my choice, and provided a $45 gift card to use towards the purchase of this item. My opinions, however, cannot be bought, and are solely mine. 
Filed Under: product review ·

I heart CSN Stores!

September 25, 2010 by · 2 Comments

I was once again contacted by the awesome people at CSN Stores to do a review of something from one of their 200+ stores. Quite honestly, I have no idea what I will choose! There is SO much to choose from! They carry everything from console tables to gorgeous handbags to even items for your pets! I will be choosing a fabulous product soon, so stay tuned for this review!

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Love Letters

August 23, 2010 by · 11 Comments

I have met lots of fun and amazing people via Twitter, one of which I would like to share with you! Her name is Erin Lowden and she is the woman behind Love Letters, Jewelry. Here is a little more about her:

Born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN and currently live here.  I was married in 2007 to Chris and we have 1 son, Jonathan, who is 21 months old.  I’ve worked full time for a credit union for over 10 years with the hopes of staying home full time some day soon.  My husband was laid off work in December 2009 and is still without work.  He decided to go back to school full time to finish his degree, and will be done in December 2010.  In April 2010, I decided to turn what I like to do into what I get paid to do…stamping jewelry! Hoping this could bring in some extra income while my husband is without work.  In the barely there spare time I do have I spend it with my husband and son, swimming, gardening, baking, and traveling. 
The name Love Letters was created because the jewelry I make is inspired by moms and the love for their children, husbands, family, work, and life in general.  I began only stamping initials and adding them with charms onto necklaces and bracelets.  I soon began making baby bracelets, bookmarks, and key chains.  In June 2010 I thought, why just stamp an initial?  So I began stamping names, verses, sayings, words, really anything requested!  I also added “gifts for your guy”; golf ball markers, dog tags, and men’s keychains.  Love Letters, Jewelry has been a huge success so far, and I love what I do!
What makes Love Letters, Jewelry so unique and special is that nothing is pre-made.  The customer designs their jewelry to exactly how they want it, from what is hand stamped and on what size and shape pendant, to the chain, to the charm or birthstone added.  I email pictures to the customer while I’m making their piece so they can see the progress and if they want to change anything. 
I am located in Fort Wayne, IN; however, I will ship anywhere in the US and I will host jewelry parties anywhere in the US.  Parties are so much fun!  If the party is in my area I will bring all my charms, chains, and pendants and everyone can have a blast designing their own jewelry.  Then I will stamp and put together everything for them.  If it is not in my area I design a webpage just for the party where guests can come look at examples and email me orders from that site.  The bonus is that for Parties I discount all my prices for the customers AND the host gets great “rewards” to put towards their order…..like free jewelry of their choice!
My awesome husband built me a work bench in the garage so I can pound away in the evenings after we put our son to bed.  When I’m finished stamping I like to bring everything inside to put together while catching up on some TV or listen to music. 
I love what I do, and I love giving a unique and personalized piece of jewelry to someone and seeing their reaction!

Erin has graciously made me a custom, hand stamped necklace!

I wanted something simple, with my birthstone on it. I am generally not crazy about my lime green birthstone, but on this necklace, it is subtle. This necklace is perfect for every day wear which makes me love it even more!

And, she is offering one of my readers a $30 gift certificate to her store! How amazing is that?

All you have to do is leave me ONE comment, telling me what you would get from her shop! It’s easy!

This giveaway will start Monday, August 23rd, at 7am CST and will run through Friday, August 27th, at 7pm CST.

Filed Under: blog giveaways, product review ·

Product Review: Snikiddy Snacks

June 30, 2010 by · Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago, Kelly from Smilely contacted me and asked me if I would be interesting in trying a new product and doing a review for it on my blog. I said sure, why not? The product is called Snikiddy Snacks Baked Fries. Here is as little bit of info about them that Kelly sent to me:

Snikiddy’s baked fries are all-natural, gluten and wheat free with no preservatives, no corn syrup, no trans-fats, no hydrogenated oils, and have 50% less fat than fried snacks like potato or vegetable chips. 



Kelly sent me the Cheddar Cheese kind (the other flavors are original, Ketchup, and Garlic Parmesan), and I really liked them! They fulfilled my cheesy snack craving without me feeling totally guilty about eating them. I even gave some to Brayden and he loved it as well! I liked that they weren’t greasy and didn’t leave a big cheesy mess on my fingers. I would definitely recommend these to moms looking for a new, fun snack for their kids. Personally, I can’t wait to try the Garlic Parmesean flavor! 
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Product Review: Skip Hop Saddlebag Diaper Bag

June 29, 2010 by · 1 Comment

A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by CSN Stores to do a product review for them. I chose the Skip Hop Saddlebag Diaper Bag.

This bag straps onto your stroller to give you more room for essentials (diapers, wipes, sippys) without using all of your space down below. Or, if you are like me and use an umbrella stroller from time to time that has virtually NO storage, this saddlebag is a lifesaver!
photo credit

I really loved using this bag. It held so much more than I thought it would, and I didn’t have to haul the diaper bag around the entire day I was gone. I would definitely recommend it! 

Filed Under: product review ·

CSN Stores Review- Coming Up!

June 4, 2010 by · 1 Comment

I really do love CSN Stores. They have SO MUCH to choose from, from baby gear to outdoor lighting and patio furniture, to sofas, and their customer service has always been top notch when dealing with them. They have done two giveaways in the past for me, but this time we are switching things  up and I will be reviewing a product from their site. On it’s way to my door?

This Skip Hop Saddlebag Diaper Bag. I am finding that the diaper bag we have can be too bulky to just go run errands or go to lunch in, so it would be nice to have something a little bit smaller, yet seemingly more organized now that we are on the go a little bit more.

As soon as it arrives and I try it out, I will be posting my review for you guys! This is my first product review and I am so excited!

Filed Under: product review ·