Spoons, Spades & Stitches

Winner!

2011-07-06T13:50:00.000-04:00

The winner of the Thirsties Duo Wrap and Hemp Pre-fold is...

Comment #47

Emily R

Warm stripes is my favorite!

Congrats Emily! I have emailed you and you have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Our Journey to Real Food

2011-06-30T10:33:00.001-04:00

During the months I was in chemotherapy, I had a zillion suggestions of how to change my diet to "fight" off cancer cells. I was told to eat "this" or do NOT eat "that". I decided to start researching food on my own. I mean, of course our diet could be healthier and what better reason to become healthier than to have a change in diet hopefully help keep me in remission. After doing months of research I finally settled on a course of action, and so our journey to Real Food began.

First off, I am not saying the food that everyone eats isn't real, but the direction we're taking is called "real food" or "whole food" because it doesn't include any processed foods and uses the freshest healthy ingredients you can find, and to make all your meals at home (eating out will be a rare treat for us now). Its great because I can adapt most of our favorite recipes to fit into this new way of eating. And after just a few weeks of doing it Joe & I both have said we feel amazingly better...more energy...less sluggish...and just plain better all around. And who wouldn't want to give their kids the healthiest diet they can?

Now we haven't made a complete and drastic change, somethings are going to take time (like trying to find a substitute for regular lunch meat which my kids LOVE and ice cream which I LOVE). We have switched our milk, we now drink lightly-pasteurized non-homogenized milk from antibiotic and hormone free cows (the growth hormones used in dairy cows has been linked to a rise in hormone based cancers like I had). We also haven't had to worry about switching our beef, since we get all our beef from my grandparents farm and I know it is hormone free. We've also cut out refined sugars. This is HARD! I've had to find alternatives for my coffee and baking, so this is still a work in progress.

As a big step towards eating only real food I cleaned out our 2 overflowing pantries. I threw out any opened foods that are not a whole food (most were almost gone or near expiration anyway), I put all unopened foods we don't want to eat in baskets to give to my sister, and I put all the foods we can eat back in (with the exception of some rotini pasta and Italian dressing...its just so easy to throw together a pasta salad at the last minute if we need to go to a picnic, and some canned soups for Joe to take to work-although once those are gone we won't buy canned soup anymore & a few other things).

So how did it go? Well, here's a visual for you...

The throw out pile

The send to my sister pile

Our keeper foods

We completely cleared out 1 whole pantry!

Up next will be our spice cupboard and then our freezer (someone is going to love what they get out of there!).

Winners!

2011-06-29T13:57:00.000-04:00

I have 2 winners to announce :o)

Lou Bugs Boutique winner is...

Comment #5 Kelly! And my favorite is the Green and Brown Minky Polka Dot Travel Pillow with Matching Car Seat Strap Covers

Bummis Swimmi winner is...

Comment # 106 Allison! I like bummis on FB

Congratulations to both winners! I will be emailing you & you'll have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't forget the Thirsties giveaway ends tomorrow!

Strawberries

2011-06-22T22:10:00.001-04:00

This year I took Girlie to go pick strawberries for the first time. She and Mister Man LOVE strawberries. I wanted to pick lots of strawberries to experiment with, but also didn't want to get so many I would waste them, so we picked 5 quarts of strawberries for $8. And what did I do with my 5 quarts of the sweetest strawberries I had ever tasted? I made jam!

My main problem with the jam recipes I was finding was the amount of sugar in the recipes...almost equal parts sugar & strawberries!! One of my food goals for our family is to cut out refined sugar in our house, so why would I take the time to make homemade jam if it had just as much sugar as store bought? I ended up trying 2 different recipes.

The first was a freezer jam (gets stored in the freezer). I found the recipe here and was excited that although it did use a sweetener, it was a natural one...honey. It also only used 1 cup of honey for 4 cups of strawberries. A much better ratio! The recipe was super easy to make, but its consistency in the jars is a little off (fruit near the top & "jelly" at the bottom. We haven't tasted this recipe yet (they're all in the freezer!).

The second recipe used no additional sweetener (recipe on the Ball No Added Sugar Pectin packet). This recipe was a little more involved because the mashed strawberries had to be cooked, but the consistency was so much more even. This recipe I actually canned (water bath method) and it is stored on my pantry shelf. We have tried iy (in fact Girlie has eaten almost a whole jar!) and it is super fresh tasting, not super sweet. I ended up with 10 jars of strawberry jam :o) I also froze several cups of sliced strawberries.

I am in love with the idea of canning more fruits and such this year. My next plan...raspberries (there are a tons of bushes on the land we're going to eventually build on). Do you make homemade jams? What's your tried and true recipe?

Thirsties {Review & Giveaway}

2011-06-19T21:17:00.002-04:00

I've been cloth diapering Mister Man for almost 9 months now and have pretty much stuck with pocket diapers. I like them. You can choose how much absorbency you need, they come in adorable colors and patterns, and I all around just like them. I do have 2 covers that need to be used with prefolds but I NEVER use them. The covers are adorable but I hate the prefolds. Then I got a Thirsties Duo Wrap and duo hemp prefold to review and let me just say I no longer dread a prefold.

Here's a little bit about Thirsties: Thirsties® is a small (but growing!) cloth diaper company committed to greener parenting and Eco Friendly solutions, not to mention 100% USA Made quality! Erin, founder of Thirsties, started this business with an old sewing machine and $100 5 years ago. Through her hard work and diligence, the company is now one of the leaders in the cloth diaper industry. Our diapers are now made by work at home mothers, and very close to our warehouse, reducing our carbon output. Our customer service reps are experienced cloth diapering moms, and offer our knowledge to our retailers and customers alike.

As anyone that cloth diapers knows, cuteness is a major thing in cloth diapering. And I love the mango colored Duo Wrap they sent me! It's a nice bright orangish color (the only orange diaper I have). The Duo Wrap has leg gussets that give great leak protection, that's something most of my pocket diapers do not have. Duo Wraps come in 2 sizes (0-9 months and 9-36 months) and they come in 12 different colors and patterns :o)

Now to the prefold. As I said I hate prefolds, but this one is really different. First off its made of hemp jersey which is so much softer than any of my other prefolds! It was super easy to fold and place in the Duo Wrap. And unlike other hemp diapers I have it dries so quickly after washing due to its unique design. It also is WAY more absorbent than my other prefolds. So all in all it is way superior than my other covers and prefolds in many many ways.

Another thing I dislike about covers and prefolds is that they are not the easiest to put on a squiggling toddler, but I really didn't have any trouble getting this one on Mister Man. I don't have a very large diaper stash (only 14 diapers!). So I do diaper laundry every other day and my diapers get used a lot. In the month that I've had the Duo Wrap and hemp prefold, I've never had a leak. I can't say that even about my most loved pockets. That is also major because Mister Man leaks out of every diaper lately (cloth or disposable).

I can honestly say I no longer hate or fear the prefold.

I know I've convinced everyone to try a Duo Wrap and Duo hemp prefold :o) So you can go here to request a catalog or go here to buy one OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A Duo Wrap of your choice and a Duo Hemp Prefold!

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA & Canada.

How do you enter to win this awesome prize? There are lots of ways to enter but you have to do the mandatory entry in order for any other entries to count. Please be sure to leave one comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address with each comment or I cannot contact you if you win!

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Thirsties and tell me which Duo Wrap print or color is your favorite

Extra entries
+1 Like Thirsties on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Thirsties

+1 Follow Anderson's Angels blog

+1 Like Anderson's Angels on Facebook

This giveaway will close on ~~July 3, 2011~~ July 4, 2011 at NOON EST.

Wondering why I'm having you follow a different blog for entries? This post explains why.

*I was sent a Duo Wrap and Duo Hemp Prefold in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.

Recycling Revisited

2011-06-19T10:54:00.000-04:00

Last August I wrote about needing a container to put my recycling in in our kitchen (before it goes down to the recycling container in the garage). I could not find a good solution. I needed something that had a lid, but that wasn't a complete eyesore in our kitchen. Something that went along with our antique/modern/farmhouse kind of decor. Well, after 9 months of our recycling just being set on our counter I finally found something!

It's an old copper boiling pot that we got from Joe's grandparents house. Its been sitting in our basement for months and I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner!

It's really deep (a little taller than a paper towel roll) and has plenty of room! I put a piece of leftover carpet inn the bottom to keep the noise of throwing items in lower. I love the lid too...it fits just snugly enough that Mister Man can't get it off...yet. Although I have listened to him "playing drums" on it all morning now.

I am SO excited to get our recycling off our countertop finally and have a place to put it...yay!

Where to you all put your recycling?

Bummis Swimmi {Review & Giveaway} CLOSED

2011-06-15T21:25:00.002-04:00

I hate disposable swim diapers. Simply loathe them. I hate how yucky they feel once they're wet, and how unattractive they look under little ones swim suit, and even worse how yucky they are when you take them off wet little bottoms. I also hate the cost of them! They are way more expensive than disposable diapers and they don't even do the same job...they do less!

I had a few friends that used reusable swim diapers with their kids, but I hadn't tried them yet. I was so excited when I got my Bummis Swimmi just before we left to go on vacation (to the beach!). Bummis is a Canadian based cloth diaper company. Their focus is to make cloth diapering easy. And they have some super cute diapers! I picked out the turtle print. I love that the Swimmi is has an adorable print on it. When Mister Man was just playing in the little pool on the deck I didn't even put swim trunks on him...just the Swimmi.

It was cute all by itself. I also love how easy it is to put on him. Instead of pulling a tight disposable swim diaper up his little legs, the Swimmi goes on just like a normal diaper. That also makes for super easy removal. And even more important easy removal of a "dirty" Swimmi. Have you ever taken off a poopy disposable swim diaper? It is awful!

I really like how trim the Swimmi is, you don't even notice that Mister Man has anything on under his swim trunks.

I took a pack of disposable swim diapers on vacation with me because I wasn't sure how quickly the Swimmi would dry or if I would be able to use it more than once a day. but I only used 1 disposable swim diaper in 7 days! Mister Man would go swimming in the morning, I'd hang it up to dry on the deck while he napped (except the one day it was poopy) and it was dry by the time he woke up and was ready to swim some more. Then I just threw it in the wash with our swim suits in the evenings.

I would highly recommend a Swimmi to anyone that has a little one that isn't potty trained yet. This isn't something only cloth diapering moms use, I have friends that don't cloth diaper but use reusable swim diapers, that's how easy they are to use! I am actually going to buy another one so I can keep one at our house and one at our camper. Check out these other great Swimmi prints.

Now that I know you all want a Swimmi, you can go buy one OR you can win one here!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A Swimmi of your choice!

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA & Canada.

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Bummis and tell me which Swimmi print is your favorite

Extra entries
+1 Like Bummis on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Bummis

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper household's blog

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household on Twitter

This giveaway will close on June 29, 2011 at NOON EST.

Wondering why I'm having you follow a different blog for entries? This post explains why.

*I was sent a Swimmi in exchange for my honest opinion, I received no other compensation.

Lou Bugs Boutique {Review & Giveaway} CLOSED

2011-06-13T16:42:00.001-04:00

I hate watching my kiddos sleep in their carseats. I know all you moms know what I mean...I hate to see their heads slumped to the side or falling forward. My neck hurts just thinking about Mister Man & Girlie sleeping on a car ride, so I was thrilled when Tracy from Lou Bugs Boutique sent me a set of car seat strap covers and a matching travel pillow for Mister Man. The timing was perfect as I got it just days before we left for vacation, a 10 hour car trip.

First things I have to say is that the pillow and strap covers are ADORABLE and the minky is so super soft! I also love that the strap covers are reversible, so you can choose a pattern to show or the minky. Next I have to say that out of everyone in our family, I was the only one not to use it during the car trip!

Mister Man used the strap covers the whole trip (and still is) and the pillow (in an unconventional way) when he was sleeping.

Girlie loved the pillow so much that she used it too. And there were even times when both kids were awake and the hubby wanted to nap, so he used it!

It definitely made me feel better about Mister Man sleeping in his carseat because I didn't have to see his poor head slumped to the side or see the car seat straps digging into the side of his neck.

I love all the things that Lou Bugs Boutique has to offer. She has puppets, diaper pouches, burp cloths and more!

Now that I know you all want something from Lou Bugs Boutique you can go buy something OR you can win something here! Tracy has been generous enough to offer a great giveaway to my readers!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? Travel Pillow of your choice from Lou Bugs Boutique's Etsy shop

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA & Canada.

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Lou Bugs Boutique and tell me which of her currently listed items is your favorite.

Extra entries
+1 Heart Lou Bugs Boutique on Etsy
+1 Like Lou Bugs Boutique on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Lou Bugs Boutique

+1 Follow Hall of Fame Moms blog
+1 Like Hall of Fame Moms on Facebook

+1 Follow Hall of Fame Moms on Twitter

This giveaway will close on June 27, 2011 at NOON EST.

*I received a travel pillow and carseat strap covers to review, all opinions were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.

Changes

2011-06-08T09:17:00.000-04:00

Its amazing how your life can change. Hubby and I will be celebrating our 5th anniversary on Friday and although they have been filled with wonderful memories and experiences, they have also been filled with more life changing experiences than I would wish on anyone in such a short amount of time. Each has shaped who I am now and I wouldn't change them (ok, so maybe I'd change a few).

When I started Spoons, Spades & Stitches 9 months ago, it was meant as a way for me to share different things I do around my house all while trying to be more domestic. After I was contacted to do my first product review & giveaway, I made some changes and my blog grew at an amazing speed. Thank you to all my readers!

I am making some changes to my blog again. I've realized that I don't have as much free time as when Mister Man was younger (he seriously never stops and beats every attempt at baby-proofing I make!). Plus with all the different doctor appointments the kids and I have and Girlie starting preschool in the fall, we're a pretty busy family. So for now I am saying good-bye to Spoons, Spades and Stitches. I'm not sure if it will be a permanent thing and hopefully I'll still occasionally post a recipe or craft, but right now it just doesn't seem to fit into my life.

I do have 3 reviews/giveaways to do before I stop posting. They will post tonight, tomorrow & Friday. Instead of extra entries being to follow my blog, I am asking that you check out some fellow Ohio mommy bloggers and follow them. They all have great reviews & giveaways as well as funny, informative and often inspiring stories. There will be extra entries for following their blogs via GFC, on Facebook & on Twitter. So if you want to get ahead, check them out now :o)

Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms, Facebook, Twitter

Danielle @ Happenings of the Harper Household, Facebook, Twitter

Trista @ Anderson's Angels, Facebook

Birthday Celebration

2011-05-27T08:18:00.005-04:00

Today is my birthday :o) I'm 32. Wow. I don't feel 32, I just feel like me...ha!

Growing up I always loved that my birthday fell around Memorial Day because as a kid we always had a big picnic and since my birthday was so close we generally had a cake. So to me it felt as though the whole day was about me...heehee! What kid wouldn't love the thought of a parade, picnic and cake being all about them?!?! What a way to celebrate!

Now that I'm older, I very rarely plan anything for my birthday. But this year I feel like my birthday should REALLY be celebrated (by me of course, not saying everyone else should celebrate it...but if you want to I won't object). I don't know exactly what I'm going to do to celebrate today...I'd love some suggestions...some "I am alive and cancer free and today's my birthday...WOOHOO!" kind of suggestions.

So whatcha got?

Summer

2011-05-26T14:52:00.002-04:00

It appears summer weather may have finally made its way into Ohio! After a very rainy & very cold spring last week we finally hit the high 70's and low 80's. There are a few things that always seem to represent the beginning of summer for me...open windows witha breeze blowing through, the hum of a fan, the smell of sunscreen, freshly mowed grass, pasta salad, lazy afternoons, family vacations, Memorial Day weekend & kids getting to play with water.

What makes you think of summer?

MIA Again

2011-05-24T14:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry for being MIA again recently. I've been having back pain (the same as last fall) and was dealing with MRI's and other appointments to make sure it wasn't cancer related. It's NOT, thank goodness! But dealing with back issues and 2 kids can really exhaust a person.

I've been reviewing some great products and will hopefully have those up soon (along with giveaways!). Keep your eyes peeled for posts about great sponsors like Thirsties, Bummis, Lou Bugs Boutique & Earth Mama Angel Baby.

The Power of "Snail Mail"

2011-05-21T15:17:00.000-04:00

In today's fast paced world of email, Facebook, online chatting & Twitter, few people still send "snail mail" (you know, the old fashioned HAND written letters). Last fall, when word began to spread that I was sick, I got a lot of emails from friends and relatives, but I also got a TON of cards in the mail. I came across them all while spring cleaning this week and spent a long time just reading them all again.

I got cards while I was in the hospital. I got Christmas cards. I got cards once I was home. I got cards throughout chemo. I got cards when I found out I was in remission. I got lots of cards.

And WOW was I surprised at all the cards. And at who the cards were all from. They were from family, friends, people I went to high school with (and haven't seen since then!), friends from when we lived in SC, friends of my parents, grandparents, my in-laws, and some from people that don't even know me.

A few people sent me multiple cards. My sister (my amazingly wonderful sister) sent me cards all the time.

Some of the cards that always put a smile on my face were the ones from my former bus driver...yes, I said bus driver (I rode her bus from kindergarten all the way through high school!), Mean Old Lady Robson. In fact I just got another card from her last week :o)

It's amazing the power that getting a card can have. And I didn't just get store bought cards, I have piles of fabulous hand drawn cards from the all the kids in my life. And so many handwritten letters and notes! All those well wishes did what they were supposed to. They helped me get well. They helped me stay positive and many helped remind me to trust in the Lord during that time.

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone that sent me a card, an email, a hand written letter, a homemade picture, a Facebook message, left a comment on one of my blogs, or sent me any other type of encouragement while I was sick. You are all amazing and I appreciate every sentiment.

A List a Mile Long

2011-05-15T21:41:00.000-04:00

My hubby is off work for the next 2 days and we were plannign on taking the kiddos to our camper and having some fun family time. Unfortunately, the weather is supposed to be rainy and highs only in the 50's...yuck! So, instead I am declaring it "Massive Cleaning" days. I have made up a detailed to do list for each day. Tomorrow we work on the upstairs. I told my husband I made a list, but I don't think he was expecting...

Spring Cleaning Madness!

Monday
Girlie's Room

Sort toys in toy box (keep/store/garage sale)
Wipe down toy box
Clean out vanity drawers
Wipe down vanity
Clean vanity mirror
Clean out baskets/shelves in closet
Organize hanging clothes
Wipe down closet shelving
Clean out dresser drawers
Wipe down dresser
Sort & organize books in nights stand (keep/store/garage sale)
Wipe down night stand
Wash bedding
Wipe down headboard/footboard
Dust picture frames
Wipe down baseboard & mouldings
Wash windows
Sweep carpet

Mister Man's Room

Sort toys in toy basket (keep/store/garage sale)
Clean out baskets/shelves in closet
Organize hanging clothes
Wipe down closet shelving
Clean out dresser drawers
Wipe down dresser
Wash bedding
Wipe down crib
Wipe down rocking chair
Put away heater
Hang name letters
Wipe down baseboard & mouldings
Wash windows
Sweep carpet

Master Bedroom

Clean out armour
Wipe down armour
Clean out baskets/shelves in closets
Organize hanging clothes
Wipe down closet shelving
Clean out dresser drawers
Wipe down dresser
Wipe down night stand
Wash bedding
Wipe down headboard/footboard/canopy rails
Dust lamps
Hang LOVE picture
Wipe down baseboard & mouldings
Wash windows
Sweep carpet

Bathroom

Clean out vanity drawers
Wipe down vanity/scrub sinks
Clean out from under vanity
Scrub shower/tub
Scrub toilet
Clean closet shelves
Wipe down closet shelves
Wipe down baseboards and moulding
Wash windows
Clean mirrow
Scrub floor

Hall closet

Organize shoes
Organize sewing supplies
Wipe down closet

Hallway

Dust sconces
Wipe down baseboards & moulding
Sweep floor

I know making lists is something lots of people do, but does anyone else make such long, detailed lists about silly things, like cleaning?

Attack of the Toys!

2011-05-12T15:11:00.000-04:00

Toys! Toys! Toys! They are EVERYWHERE! My major spring cleaning has started and a big thorn in my side is my kids' toys. They have soooooo many. There are toys in our playroom, our dining room, outside, in Girlie's bedroom & in Mister Man's bedroom. They really are everywhere.

One of my spring cleaning goals is to simplify our toy collection. I want to downsize it to include toys that will actually get played with and that will let them really enjoy their playtime. I'd like to condense all the toys into a few baskets and keep them in toy cupboard in the playroom (although, I'll still keep a few in Girlie's room that Mister Man shouldn't play with...like her dollhouse that has little pieces).

My first task though is to convince my kiddos (mostly just Girlie) that its ok to get rid of some of her toys. How am I going to manage that? I'm going to use it as a teachable moment. I plan on loading up all the good toys (not broken) and donating them. I want to teach her to be giving and to be thankful for how fortunate she and our family is.

I wanted to donate them to the children's hospital Mister Man goes to, but they only accept new toys as does the Ronald McDonald House there. So, I'm in search of a good place to donate the toys. If I can't find one, maybe we'll do a garage sale and use the money we make to buy new toys to donate.

How do you clean out your kid's toys and what do you do with the the ones you're going to get rid of?

Go Green Diapers {Review}

2011-05-12T14:08:00.000-04:00

Before I got sick last fall, I had started cloth diapering Mister Man and had started reviewing different cloth diapers here on the blog. Well, cloth diapering got put on hold for a little while (ok, like 4 months) while Mister Man was taken care of by his wonderful grandparents and aunts & uncles. During that time I wasn't doing any reviews, diapers or otherwise, I just didn't have the energy. I had thought I caught up on all my reviews that I had agreed to before I got sick, but I hadn't. I started cloth diapering Mister Man again a few weeks ago and that's when I realized I never wrote my Go Green Pocket Diapers review!

Here's a little bit about Go Green Pocket Diapers (from their website):

"Shortly after we had our third child we found ourselves buying diapers for 3. Not only did the costs really add up, but we were getting charged extra by the city of Boulder, CO for the ludicrous amount of trash we produced. We had never considered CLOTH diapers before, but, timidly, We purchased brand-name pocket diapers at nearly $20 a pop. To our surprise, they worked spectacularly, and were nothing like the leaky, prefold things with which we were familiar. No leaks, better absorbency, they were perfect!- except for the price. It became our mission to provide quality cloth pocket diapers at an affordable cost. They're better for babies, better for bank accounts, and better for the environment. And, dare we say it, they make diaper changing fun!"

Leah sent me a fuzzy camo diaper for Mister Man and I just have to say it is the softest diaper we own! The outside of the diaper is so wonderfully...well...fuzzy that I want something made out of that fabric. During the time we used the diaper in the fall and in the last few weeks, it has never leaked. I've even used it as a night time diaper without any leaks!

After all the washing it still looks brand new...even on the inside! I don't usually like snap diapers because I have a hard time getting a good fit on Mister Man, they always seem to either snap too tight or not tight enough, but amazingly, this one seems to fit him great.

Mister Man had a heart cath done on Tuesday and has a pretty good bruise and sore spot in his groin. The first 2 diapers on put on him yesterday irritated that spot (right where the elastic around the leg is) and he was so uncomfortable. But our Go Green diaper didn't irritate it! He was running around and playing when he had it on. I really hated to change him and put on a different diaper (even sposies rub the spot), and as soon as I did, he was unhappy again. I actually washed it by hand last night and hung it to dry so I would have it clean again today!

A little bit of camo peaking out :o)

I also love the price! Their diapers start at just $8.99! That's half the price of most of my diapers! And since they're one-size diapers they'll last till potty-training...now that's economical!

We love our Go Green diaper and I would recommend it to any cloth diapering mama. So check out their web site and their Facebook page!

Spring Cleaning Time

2011-05-09T11:34:00.003-04:00

I've been a little absent again the last week, but it was all for good reason :o) I had some testing, including another bone marrow biopsy, and we had pre-op testing for Mister Man (he's having a heart cath tomorrow) so it was a busy week. but it ended on an absolutely AMAZING note...I am in COMPLETE REMISSION! My biopsy showed no signs of cancer cells!

Our family is so excited we can barely contain it :o) Since my diagnosis in December our lives have been in complete upheaval and none of us has really enjoyed much of anything normal. But now...now...we can. We just need to get Mister Man's heart cath done tomorrow (I am way more stressed about that than anything I've gone through!) and we will be doctor appointment free for one month...not one of us will have an appointment! That will be a great month!

I am enjoying my new energy and have been cooking and I even sewed a few things. Now to get to some much needed spring cleaning. The house has been neglected for far too long and it is Driving. Me. Crazy. And I know for sure that it has been driving my husband nuts for a long time. I am going to try harder than ever to keep our family healthy and make our life as simple as possible, so I plan on cleaning a lot with vinegar, but need some other chemical free (or close to it) options. Any suggestions?

Bread Baking

2011-05-02T11:48:00.000-04:00

Now that I am feeling better, I am back to baking all our family's bread :o) Store bought bread simply does not compare to homemade bread. I love how yummy the house smells while its baking and I love a piece of warm bread with a little butter on it. I thought I'd post the recipe I made today. Its by far the easiest (least complicated) recipe I have. I have a few I like much better, but decided today needed to be easy. I had posted this recipe on my personal blog months ago, but now I wanted to share it with all of you :o)

Mommy Bread (that's what Girlie calls it)

Recipe makes 2 loaves

2 cups warm water
1 packet quick rise yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 tablespoon salt
5 cups all-purpose flour + 1/4 cup for kneading (I replace half the flour with whole wheat flour)

Put water, sugar & yeast in a bowl and whisk together. Tip: yeast that's kept in the fridge will rise better than yeast kept at room temperature.

Wait for the yeast to proof (I usually wait about 15-20 minutes). It's ready when it has a nice thick foam on top.

At this point I literally just dump my flour, salt & butter into the bowl. I use my mixer with a dough hook to mix my dough, although if you wanted, you could mix it by hand. The dough is mixed well enough when it forms a ball. There should be very little dough on the dough hook or stuck to the bowl.

At this point I cover the bowl with a clean dish towel & let the dough rise for about an hour. It should double in size.

After the first rising it's time to take out your frustrations! Punch down the dough. Seriously, just punch it a few times to get the air out.

Use the extra flour & sprinkle it on the surface you're going to work on. I put it right on my counter. Knead the dough by hand and then form it into a ball. Cut the ball in half. Each half will become a loaf.

Knead each half for a few more minutes & form it into a small loaf. Place each loaf into a greased bread pan.

Cover your pans (I use the same towel from above) and place in a warm spot for a second rise. This time let them rise about an hour & a half, depending on how big you want them to get (I like to let mine rise longer since we use our bread for sandwiches).

When you're loaves are almost risen enough, turn your oven on to 350 degrees to preheat. Bake bread for 35-40 minutes depending on your oven (mine takes exactly 40 minutes). The bread is done when it's a golden color on top.

Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes then turn it out onto a wire rack (or the same dish towel used during rising...this is what I do. If you use the towel, be sure to turn your loaves every few minutes so they don't get soggy in one spot).

Although I LOVE yummy warm bread, if you cut bread while it's warm it can sometimes make the rest of the loaf a little gummy (or so I've read), so I try to wait until it's completely cooled before slicing into it. The bread will keep for several days in an air tight container (we use gallon size ziploc bags, that I re-use for the loaves). I end up making bread about every 3-4 days.

If you make this bread let me know how it turns out! And if you make any changes that make it better, let me know that too!

**The original recipe I used was from The Hungry Mouse. I made a few changes to the volume of the ingredients (amount of flour & salt) from the original recipe I copied down.**

Working Hard

2011-04-27T15:11:00.000-04:00

I have been hard at work contacting businesses and companies to line up some great reviews & giveaways for all my awesome readers (by the way, thanks so much to you wonderful people that stuck around while I was MIA for the last few months!). But it's a lot harder than it was back in the fall.

It took me a few months to get to the point with this blog where businesses were saying yes without hesitation when I inquired about reviews. And now I am back at the beginning due to too few posts in the last few months. But I am not discouraged! I will get you all some great reviews and giveaways soon...I promise!

Right now I'm working on "Summer Fun" reviews/giveaways. I'm looking for great summer products (swim items, outdoor toys, activities, clothes, sun hats, bath & body products, etc...). If you have a business and would like to be a "Summer Fun" sponsor, please email me at spoonsspadesandstitches{at}gmail{dot}com or use the contact tab above.

Now back to my email while the kiddos are still sleeping :o)

Strawberry Waffles {Recipe}

2011-04-19T10:41:00.002-04:00

My kids love waffles...I mean, would eat them every meal if I let them, love waffles. I didn't own a waffle iron until last fall, so I would buy frozen waffles at the grocery store. But I wanted healthier more delicious waffles, so I started making and freezing my own last fall. I tried lots of different recipes, but my waffles never got a golden crispy outside. I began thinking maybe it was my waffle maker. Today, I made another new recipe and this one turned out wonderful!

I took a recipe I found at All From Scratch and tweaked it a little bit (my changes are in italics).

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour & 1 cup wheat flour)
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 to 1 cup chopped strawberries (I used almost 2 cups of diced strawberries)

Directions:
In a medium bowl, sift the flour, salt, sugar and baking powder and set aside. In a small bowl combine eggs, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and beat until smooth. Add in strawberries and stir. Heat the waffle iron. When the waffle iron is hot, pour about 1/3 cup (up to 1/2 cup, depending on the size of your waffle iron) at a time onto the center of the waffle iron. Bake until lightly browned. Serve warm.

This batter is a lot thicker than any other I have made and makes a denser waffle. Girlie liked them so much she ate almost 3 whole waffles! I ate mine with some cream cheese spread on top...YUM! The recipe made about 16 - 4" square waffles. I plan on buying lots of fresh fruits this summer and making lots of waffles to freeze for the kiddos.

Easter Inspiration: Peeps

2011-04-16T16:16:00.000-04:00

I have been feeling amazing the last few days and have a renewed energy, so I decided that for my first post in a loooong time, I would show you all the amazing Easter ideas I have found online lately.

Today's theme: Peeps!

This is by far my favorite thing I have found! These chocolate covered Peeps from Your Homebased Mom are so stinkin' adorable!

You can get the cute tag here along with lots of other cute printables.

How about a yummy rice krispie treat pizza? Cookies and Cups has a great tutorial for making one.

Maybe you want something a little different...try some Peepshi from Serious Eats.

These Peep Pops are super cute from Love from the Oven.

Hope these ideas have inspired you to try something new with your Peeps :o)

An Update

2011-02-02T14:16:00.000-05:00

So, last week I had promised to post some yummy recipes. Well, my body had other plans. I went for some routine testing last Friday (bone scan and CT scan...just checking my bones and kidney function, etc...due to the chemo). I was super pumped that we were able to get the testing a little early and were done by noon! Except that as I walked out to the waiting room to my husband he informed me that I was being admitted. What?!?

My CT scan showed my kidney function was superb, but it also showed that I had a pulmonary embolism in my right lung (blood clot). PE's can be fatal, so of course my doctor admitted me for treatment. Apparently, this is pretty common in cancer patients. I was told that if my insurance approved a certain medication I could go home the next day...awesome! Sadly, my insurance didn't approve it and so I got to spend the weekend in the hospital, only to have them approve it Monday morning. I am glad they approved the med, but now for the rest of my life I get to give myself an injection twice a day to avoid anymore blood clots.

I have had my husband giving me the shots so far, but as of this morning he had to go to work and so I was forced to give myself the shot in my belly. I seriously had to suck up my fear of needles and just do it. I am proud of myself for doing it, but will still let the hubby do it whenever he's home :o)

I start round 3 of chemo tomorrow, so I am not sure how many posts I'll have for the next few days, but I have started contacting companies again in the hopes of starting up more reviews & giveaways again. I really don't want my blog to slowly disappear, so please stick with me!

Feed the Birds

2011-01-28T13:47:00.001-05:00

One of the Little Green Books I reviewed was about recycling and reusing things (Don't Throw That Away!). One of the suggestions it had was to turn a milk jug into a bird feeder. Well, Hubby decided that he would make one with Girlie. So I re-read the book with her and we talked about reusing a things. Then daddy took over and they made a milk jug bird feeder.

She decorated it with ribbon and scrapbook paper scraps (all her picks).

And then daddy took things a step further and added perches for the birdies.

The final feeder...

We have yet to see any birds at the feeder, but the squirrels have been mighty appreciative of the seeds...lol.

Newman's Own Organics {Review}

2011-01-27T17:38:00.001-05:00

As I sit here typing I am munching on some of the yummiest strawberry licorice twists ever! They're from Newman's Own Organics. Now you probably have heard of Newman's Own...you know the salad dressings and stuff made by Paul Newman. Well, this is a line of all organic foods that was started by his daughter Nell. And let me say that everything we've had so far is awesome!

Here's a little about Newman's Own Organics from their website:

Newman’s Own Organics was established as a division of Newman’s Own in 1993, and became a separate company in late 2001. Paul Newman has given over $200 million to thousands of charities worldwide since 1982. 'Great tasting food that happens to be organic.' (That's what we kept in mind when we created our products.) We focus on the kinds of products we loved as kids, but take them one step further by using the highest quality of available organic ingredients.

I can definitely testify that they have super yummy food! They sent our family a huge assortment of their products for review.

What was our family favorites? The first to be devoured were the Champion Chip Cookies. How could they not be with them being chocolate chip, chocolate chocolate chip and espresso chocolate chip? They were gone within days. Joe even liked them and he is not a "sweets" person. His favorite were the chocolate chip. Mine were the espresso chocolate chip and Girlie liked the chocolate chocolate chip. What was great is that I didn't mind giving Girlie cookies for a snack every once in a while since they were organic.

Newman's Own Organics has pretzels, all kinds of cookies (including arrowroot for the kiddos), Fig Newmans, mints, licorice, chocolate bars (also quickly eaten), soy crisps (like mini rice cakes), Newman's O's (like Oreos), and so much more! There is definitely something for everyone in your family.

Do you have a pet? They even have organic pet food! Love coffee? They have that too! I would love to try their Vanilla Caramel!

Reviewing all these snacks made us much more aware that we can have healthy but decadent snacks. I was able to get my chocolate fix without the yucky preservatives and such. I will definitely be looking for Newman's Own Organics snacks rather than our normal cookies and snacks!

Getting My Appetite Back

2011-01-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

I haven't had much of an appetite since starting this whole cancer/chemo rollercoaster in December. The thought of food would make me nauseous. This food aversion caused me to lose about 25lbs and to not want to even blog about food or recipes. But I am getting my appetite back now!

I know it will disappear again probably next week when I have my third round of chemo, but until then, I am savoring everything, It's amazing how much you can take food for granted. The specific tastes...salty, sweet, savory, tangy. The textures...crunchy, soft, creamy. I am not taking yummy foods for granted anymore. I savor every bite.

My appetite has not only returned, but apparently it is determined for me to gain the lost weight back as fast as possible. I am currently a bottomless pit! I just can't get enough to eat. I am always hungry. I am hoping to post a few good recipes while food doesn't appall me. So keep an eye out for them as well as reviews for some dee-licious organic foods & coffee we've been trying.

Winners Galore!

2011-01-23T13:09:00.001-05:00

I have lots of winners to announce!

First up is the EcoMom $15 gift card winner...

Next are the 2 winners for Little Green Books. Each winner will win a set of 5 books.

And I know you are dying to hear who won the 2 fabulous "A Blogtastic Extravaganza!" prize packs. So without further ado...out of 442 entries...

The winner of the "Snips & Snails" prize is...

And the winner of the "Sugar & Spice" prize is...

(Blogger starts numbering again at 1 each time there are 200 comments...I accounted for that when counting out the winners)
I will be emailing all winners later this afternoon...I need to eat lunch and then maybe take a small nap ;o)

Congratulations to all the winners! And welcome to all my new followers from ABE! I hope you'll stick around and enjoy the blog! Right now things are a little slow as I am currently going through several rounds a chemo, but I am already working on more reviews and giveaways for once I am finished in February!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza!

2011-01-18T00:01:00.003-05:00

Woohoo! It's finally time for...

There are over 100 blogs participating with over $13,000 in prizes to be given away! Wow! You can use the linky at the bottom of this post to hop from blog to blog and enter as many giveaways as you'd like!

What can you win here at Spoons, Spades & Stitches? I have 2 great prize packages up for grabs!

My theme is "What They're Made Of" (You know the saying...)

Snips & Snails (Boy prize pack)
I'm having picture issues and cannot get any of my pictures to upload right now...I'll keep trying!

A cape & crown from The Lilypond Family Shoppe
Baby leg warmers from Tutu Sweet
A monster tooth fairy pillow from FangDangles
Monthly onesie stickers AND a set of Baby Fable labels from Baby Fables
Buzz Lightyear velcro toddler belt by Mommy's Lil Angels

Total prize pack worth: $65.95

Sugar & Spice (Girl prize pack)
I'm having picture issues and cannot get any of my pictures to upload right now...I'll keep trying!

Tutu from Tutu Corner
Baby leg warmers from Tutu Sweet
Monthly onesie stickers AND a set of Baby Fable labels from Baby Fables
A bow from Mommy's Lil Angels
A chalkboard placemat from Brynn's Beautiful Bows (choice of camo or flowers)

Total prize pack worth: $53.95

How do you enter to win one of these fabulous prize packs? It's simple! Just decide which prize you would like to win and then leave me a comment below that contains the following information: Your first name, which prize packages you would want to win, and your email address (if there is no email address you cannot be contacted and therefore cannot win...sorry). That's it! If you did any of the early entries I will add them in before choosing winners.

Want a few extra chances to enter? You can get an extra entry for each of the following (leave a comment for each!)...follow me via GFC (in right side bar)...or be a fan of SS&S on Facebook. That's 2 extra chances to win!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza ends on January 22 at 11:59pm EST.

So, now start hopping around to the other blogs and check out their great prizes...there's lots to be won!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlights: Brynn's Beautiful Bows, Mommy's Lil Angels & The Lilypond Family Shoppe

2011-01-14T16:18:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to introduce my last 3 "A Blogtastic Extravaganza!" sponsors. I would have loved to give each their own post, but unfortunately due to my chemo schedule and lack of internet for the rest of the weekend they are getting one fabulous post altogether!

These wonderful ladies stepped up at the last minute and offered some wonderful prizes when I really needed it! They are awesome and I am so glad they were around when I needed them!

First up is Brynn's Beautiful Bows.

There is such a wide variety of items you can get from Brynn's Beautiful Bows...don't let the name fool you! There's of course gorgeous bows for your little sweetheart.

But there's also capes for your little guy, crayon rolls, chalkboard placemats, reusable gift tags, dog training bags, and so much more!

You can find Brynn's Beautiful Bows on Etsy and on Facebook.

Next up, we have Mommy's Lil Angels!

Mommy's Lil Angels has some of the cutest shirts for your little girl that I have seen! Check out how cute this one is!

She also makes tutus & hair bows for the girlie in your life. But don't worry if you have a little guy, she also makes adorable velcro belts for both boys & girls (I believe there is a cute belt in our boy prize pack...hint hint!)

Mommy's Lil Angels can be found on Etsy and on Facebook.

Last, but not least, is The Lilypond Family Shoppe!

There's a little bit of everything to be found at The Lilypond Family Shoppe. From felt food, to hair clippies, to cloth diapers, wetbags, baby legs, to capes, to tooth fairy pillows and more! Just check out some of these awesome things you'll find!

I have a wetbag I won from The Lilypond Family Shoppe and we use it all the time! The Lilypond Family Shoppe can be found on HyenaCart and Facebook.

Want extra entries for ABE? For every dollar you spend at Brynn's Beautiful Bows, Mommy's Lil Angels or The Lilypond Family Shoppe from now until January 18, you will get 1 extra entry. Spend $10, get 10 extra entries! Just post a comment on THIS post letting me know that you made a purchase (and which shop you purchased from) and how much you spent, be sure to leave your email address (I will verify all purchases). I'll add the extra entries into the drawing before I choose the ABE winner.

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Baby Fables

2011-01-12T08:15:00.002-05:00

Here's another fantastic ABE sponsor...Baby Fables!

I wish I had found Baby Fables just before Mister Man was born, not 5 months later, because she has the cutest monthly onesie stickers! What are monthly onesie stickers? They are adorable stickers you apply to baby's onesie each month and take pictures.

Seriously are those not stinkin' adorable?? Christine has both boy & girl stickers as well as some gender neutral ones.

But Baby Fables carries more than just the onesie stickers. She carries lots of items including iron on designs and Baby Fable Labels. Baby Fables Labels are waterproof labels for all of baby's things (bottles, bags, sippies, etc...). I am going to be doing a review of the labels later this month. I can't wait to get them! I got them for Girlie because I thought they would be great to label her things before she starts pre-school. (This is the design I picked!)

Iron on designs would be great to make a special birthday shirt for little ones!

I know you want to rush right to the Baby Fables Esty shop and buy some of her adorable things, so remember you can earn extra entries for ABE by making a purchase from Baby Fables. Want extra entries for ABE? For every dollar you spend at Baby Fables from now until January 18, you will get 1 extra entry. Spend $10, get 10 extra entries! Just post a comment on THIS post letting me know that you made a purchase and how much you spent, be sure to leave your email address (I will verify all purchases with Christine). I'll add the extra entries into the drawing before I choose the ABE winner.

And don't forget that you can earn extra entries for purchases from any of my sponsors! Click here to see the whole list.

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Fang Dangles

2011-01-11T14:43:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I don't have a kiddo that is tooth fairy age yet, but I could not resist getting a Fang Dangle to review and have as a sponsor for A Blogtastic Extravaganza!.

Fang Dangles are absolutely adorable toot fairy pillows that are little stuffed monsters. Each monsters' mouth is a small pocket that can hold your little ones tooth safely until the tooth fairy can come visit.

I was so excited when our tye-dyed Fang Dangle came. It has awesome blue hair and is soo cute I can barely stand it! The sewing quality is excellent.

Girlie loves it too! When I explained to her what it was and that she would use it when she got older, she said she wanted to be older now so she could leave a tooth for the tooth fairy in her pillow! I know this will be something for Girlie to cherish and save!

There are lots of other adorable Fang Dangles looking for good homes in the Etsy shop. Here's a few in there right now.

Can't stand the cuteness and want to buy one now? Don't forget you can earn extra entries for buying from the sponsors! Want extra entries for ABE? For every dollar you spend at Fang Dangles from now until January 18, you will get 1 extra entry. Spend $10, get 10 extra entries! Just post a comment on THIS post letting me know that you made a purchase and how much you spent, be sure to leave your email address (I will verify all purchases). I'll add the extra entries into the drawing before I choose the ABE winner.

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Tutu Corner

2011-01-10T18:43:00.002-05:00

I am thrilled to have Tutu Corner as a sponsor once again! I have had the pleasure of reviewing tutus made by Kathy twice before and was excited when she wanted to sponsor another event!

Kathy's tutus are absolutely gorgeous! Each one is very well made and stands up to even Girlie's rough dress-up days.

Check out how beautiful this teal tutu available in her Etsy shop is!

And I love her "Cindy Lou Who" Christmas tutu (she also still has one available in her shop!).

If you'd like to read my reviews of Kathy's tutus, you can find my Halloween review here and my Christmas review here. You can also visit Tutu Corner's Facebook page.

Want extra entries for ABE? For every dollar you spend at Tutu Corner from now until January 18, you will get 1 extra entry. Spend $10, get 10 extra entries! Just post a comment on THIS post letting me know that you made a purchase and how much you spent, be sure to leave your email address (I will verify all purchases). I'll add the extra entries into the drawing before I choose the ABE winner.

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Tutu Sweet

2011-01-07T14:34:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to start introducing my "A Blogtastic Extravaganza!" sponsors! Tutu Sweet is the creation of Sarah, a wonderful friend of mine who can do it all!

Tutu Sweet offers adorable tutus, hair bows, head bands and more for the little girls in your life. Sarah also makes some amazing sweets too! Peanut butter fudge, chocolate dipped pretzels, buckeyes, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and so many more yummy treats. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is! I've had some of her chocolate dipped pretzels and I shamefully have to say I ate them in the car before I got home so I wouldn't have to share! They were so good!

Sarah also makes baby leg warmers for both boys & girls. I have 2 pairs for Mister Man. I love them! I love how easy diaper changes are when you don't have to pull pants on and off every time. I also love how soft they are and that they keep Mister Man's legs nice & warm.

The hubby does not like them. He says they are too girlie for a little boy, but more than once he has put them on Mister Man without me prompting him, I think he too realizes how convenient they are!

Tutu Sweet has great prices on all of her items. You can check out Sarah's work and contact her through her Facebook fan page.

Want extra entries for ABE? For every dollar you spend at Tutu Sweet from now until January 18, you will get 1 extra entry. Spend $10, get 10 extra entries! Just post a comment on THIS post letting me know that you made a purchase and how much you spent, be sure to leave your email address (I will verify all purchases with Sarah). I'll add the extra entries into the drawing before I choose the ABE winner.

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Extra Entry Opportunities

2011-01-06T14:41:00.001-05:00

Want a chance to earn some extra entries for "A Blogtastic Extravaganza!"? Between now (1/6/11) and January 18 for every dollar you spend at one of my sponsors you will earn an extra entry! That means if you spend $10 at Tutu Sweet you would get 10 extra entries for ABE!

Just comment on the sponsor's spotlight post (the one you purchase from) with the total of your purchase and your email address and I will add the extra entries into the drawing before I choose an ABE winner. I will verify all purchases with my sponsors.

Want to see what all my sponsors have to offer before I get their spotlight posts up? Well, here's links to all my awesome "A Blogtastic Extravaganza!" sponsors. And watch for each of their spotlight posts coming soon!

Mommy's Lil Angels

I hope you all are getting as excited about "A Blogtastic Extravaganza!" as I am! Right now I have 2 prize packs and each is worth over $50!

Little Green Books {Review & Giveaway}

2011-01-05T10:46:00.000-05:00

I love to read. Before I had kids I would spend entire days just reading. I want to instill that love of reading in both my kids as well. So, we read lots of books. Girlie loves to pick up a big stack of books and climb onto your lap and just sit and listen to you read until you've made it through the whole pile. Mister Man is more a fan of smacking and chewing on the books, but you have to start somewhere...haha!

I loved Little Green Books from the moment we received them. Not only are they made out of recycled materials (most books are 100% recycled materials!), but they have great easy to understand messages for kids to learn about being greener. We got 3 board books, 1 fabric book and 1 paper book and I was impressed with the quality of all 5.

Girlie loves the "Lift the Flap" books about endangered animals and recycling. She has asked to make several of the ideas in the recycling book, like the milk jug bird feeder. She doesn't quite understand most of the concepts yet, but if we introduce these ideas to our kids while they are young they will be used to them and grow into making greener decisions. Mister Man still just smacks and chews on the books, but someday he too will make some greener decisions thanks to early learning. He loves how soft the Little Monkey book is and so do I.

The Santa is Green book didn't get read this year simply because of unavoidable pesky hospital stays. But I plan on reading it next year and making some of the changes Santa suggests for a greener Christmas. I figure that by next year, Julianna will be able to help make those changes and understand more too.

Not only are there lots of great books to choose from at Little Green Books, but they have a great site filled with online games to go along with the books. The games are easy to understand and although Girlie is not allowed to play with mommy's computer she would point to the correct animal on the screen when we played the endangered animals game together (she's so smart...or maybe I just think so). There's also great tips for parents and teachers and more!

Do you want some of your very own Little Green Books? Well you can buy Little Green Books on Amazon, at Border's, Barnes & Noble, and many more book stores OR you can win some!

Giveaway

So what will 2 lucky readers win? Yes, I said TWO! 2 lucky winners will each receive the same set of books that we reviewed! That's 5 Little Green Books!

Who can win? Anyone in the US and Canada is eligible.

How do you enter to win this awesome prize? There are lots of ways to enter, but you have to do the mandatory entry in order for any other entries to count. You need to make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry (ie: if you do the mandatory entry and 3 extra entries, you will leave a total of 4 comments). Be sure to leave your email address in each of your comments.

Mandatory Entry:
+1 Visit Little Green Books and tell me which book you think would be your child's favorite.

Extra Entries:
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches via Google Friend Connect (in right side bar)
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

Feel free to share this giveaway on Facebook :o)

This giveaway will end on Monday, January 17 at NOON EST. Good Luck!

*I was sent books from Little Green Books in exchange for my honest opinion. I did not receive any other compensation.

EcoMom {Review & Giveaway}

2011-01-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

As promised, I am getting back into my reviews & giveaways. I can't guarantee that they will all get caught up quickly (depends on how I feel each day), but I guarantee they will all get done! I am also planning on still participating in " A Blogtastic Extravaganza!" (so if you're a sponsor, I will be emailing you an update soon!).

When it came time to buy my kiddos Christmas toys (which I had purchased well in advance...THANK GOODNESS!!!), I didn't feel up to fighting crowds, so I looked for an online store. One where I could be sure they were getting great safe & fun toys. I was thrilled when I found EcoMom.

EcoMom has eco-friendly baby products, toys, items for mom, and so much more. Mister Man was sent a Melissa & Doug Wiggling Worm to review and I have to say, he LOVED it! He immediately grabbed it and chewed on it...and chewed on it....and chewed on it...and chewed on it. For a baby, chewing is a good thing...lol. Girlie also loved the worm. She loved changing its shape and making new designs out of its body.

Girlie was sent Crafty Kids Eco Stars crayons. Girlie loves to color and what toddler (almost preschooler!) wouldn't have more fun coloring with star shaped crayons! She drew me lots of pictures the day she got them and then again on "our" Christmas when she got her new art easel. They are the first crayons she reaches for and I am so glad they seem to be long lasting, because she doesn't like my homemade stars nearly as much.

I was super impressed with how quickly EcoMom got our review items to us and how wonderful the customer service was! We Santa ended up buying a large portion of our Mister Man & Girlie's Christmas gifts from EcoMom (as well as several nieces and nephews!). The site is super easy to navigate and find whatever you are looking for.

If you buy a lot of items online, I would definitely check out their new EcoPass program. For just $99 annually, you get 15% off every order and FREE shipping (no minimum order requirements!) EcoPass can pay for itself in as few as 4 orders and broken down is only $8.25 a month.

Would you love to check out EcoMom's website and buy something awesome for your little one? You can head there now OR you can enter to win a $15 gift card!

Giveaway

So what will 1 lucky reader win? 1 lucky reader will win a $15 gift certificate to EcoMom!

Who can win? Anyone in the US & Canada is eligible.(You are NOT eligible to win if you have won an EcoMom prize within the last 45 days from any other blog).

How do you enter to win this awesome prize? There are lots of ways to enter, but you have to do the mandatory entry in order for any other entries to count. You need to make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry (ie: if you do the mandatory entry and 3 extra entries, you will leave a total of 4 comments). Be sure to leave your email address in each of your comments.

Mandatory Entry:
+1 Visit EcoMom and tell me one thing you might like to buy if you win.

Extra Entries:
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches via Google Friend Connect (in right side bar)
+1 Like EcoMom on Facebook
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook
+1 Follow EcoMomCEO on Twitter
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter
+1 Sign up to get EcoMom's newsletter

This giveaway will end on Saturday, January 15 at NOON EST. Good Luck!

And the Winner is...

2010-12-30T20:10:00.000-05:00

The winner of the $35 CSN Stores gift code is...

Comment #39

the Crave to Save

the Crave to Save said: I follow you on GFC

Congrats! I will be emailing you shortly and you will have 48hrs to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new review/giveaway to be posted soon!

Quick Update

2010-12-30T12:07:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update...I finished up my first round of chemo and am home from the hospital. Thank you so much to everyone (that doesn't even know me!) that said prayers for me! I will be drawing a winner for the CSN Stores giveaway this evening. And will hopefully be posting a new review/giveaway tomorrow. Thanks again for your patience during these tough times for our family, I am really hoping to try to keep some sense of normal for our family during all this.

Merry Christmas & an Update

2010-12-25T16:51:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Christmas with their families right now. I am currently writing this post from a hospital bed...I know, I know....such a downer. But not really. Last Friday, I was admitted to the hospital for an unknown and pretty aggressive cancer. Yay me. Well, it has since been identified (a neuroendocrine tumor that has spread to all my bone marrow) and I am almost done with my first round of chemotherapy (tonight) which seems to be working really well so far.

Anyway, I wanted to assure you that I will be picking a winner of the CSN giveaway, but due to theses unusual circumstances I am again extending the giveaway. I am not sure when I will end it...SURPRISE...but it will be before New Year's Eve. So go ahead and spread the word that there's still time to enter.

I also want to let you know that my amazing mom has agreed to help me with all my current reviews/giveaways once we get home (she'll be staying with us to help out with the kiddos), so please be patient while we work out those kinks.

Ok, time for another nap, this chemo stuff really makes ya tired!

Merry Christmas!

CSN Stores {Giveaway}

2010-12-16T19:33:00.000-05:00

Have you shopped at CSN Stores yet? If not, you totally should! They have just about anything you could ask for! Coffee tables, lamps, kitchen supplies, flat screen TV stands and so much more! They have hassle free returns and free shipping on most everything! FREE SHIPPING! That's awesome! So now do you want to try CSN Stores? Well, here's your chance!

So what will 1 lucky reader win? 1 lucky reader will win a $35 gift certificate!

Who can win? Anyone in the US & Canada is eligible.

How do you enter to win this awesome prize? There are lots of ways to enter, but you have to do the mandatory entry in order for any other entries to count. You need to make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry (ie: if you do the mandatory entry and 3 extra entries, you will leave a total of 4 comments). Be sure to leave your email address in each of your comments.

Mandatory Entry:
+1 Visit CSN Stores and tell me one thing you might like to buy if you win.

Extra Entries:
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches via Google Friend Connect (in right side bar)
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

This giveaway will end on Thursday, December 23 at NOON EST. Good Luck!

And the winner is,,,

2010-12-15T21:10:00.000-05:00

The winner of the American Country Designs wet bag is...

Comment #56

Congrats Erin!

Erin said: I like SS&S on FB

Watch you inbox for an email from me (check spam too!) If I do not hear from you within 48 hours a new winner will be drawn.

Also, I promise I will have some awesome giveaways coming up, but my medical issues are keeping me off the computer. As soon as I am feeling better I will have a giveaway blowout with all the awesome products I have lined up. Please bear with me, while I try to work though my medical problems, Thanks!

Be Back in a Few

2010-12-13T08:49:00.000-05:00

I know the American Country Designs Giveaway ends today, but I am going to extend it. I am taking a tiny break from the blog due to some medical and personal reasons. But I promise it's just a itsy bitsy break. I'll be back to blogging on Wednesday, SO...

The American Country Designs wet bag giveaway will be extended until Wednesday, December 15 at NOON EST.

Hope you all have a great start to your week!

Fluffy Giveaway Alert {On Another Blog}

2010-12-12T04:01:00.000-05:00

Hey fluffy mamas...did you see Danielle at Happenings of the Harper Household has a giveaway up for a Doopsy diaper? It's part of her...

Be sure to go enter, it ends December 16! And don't forget to enter my giveaway for a wet bag from American Country Designs...it ends Monday, December 13!

And the Winner is...

2010-12-11T12:06:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Wee Can Too edible finger paints is...

Comment #20

Congrats Nina!

Nina Said: Like Spoon Spades and Stitches on facebook

Watch for an email from SS&S in your inbox soon (check your spam box too, just in case). If I do not hear from you within 48 hours of sending the email, a new winner will be chosen.

Don't forget to enter the American Country Designs wet bag giveaway (ends on Monday, 12/13).

Cheating on Christmas Cookies

2010-12-07T15:46:00.000-05:00

I've been pretty disappointed lately that I haven't really been able to do a lot of Christmas activities with Girlie due to my back issues. This is the first year that she can really get into doing things and making things. So on Sunday, when I was feeling a little better (thanks to some different meds from an ER visit the day before), I decided we would make and decorate cut-out Christmas cookies. But I totally cheated.

I had the hubby run to the grocery store and get me a few things...a sugar cookie mix, a tub of plain vanilla frosting (that I colored with food coloring), and some red and green sprinkles. To some of you this may not sound like cheating, but I pride myself in my baking, especially cookies. So for me to use a mix and use store bought frosting is way out of character. I knew as good as I was feeling, that I shouldn't push myself to much, and so after lunch I mixed up the cookie dough and rolled it out. Girlie and I cut out stars and Christmas trees, which I baked while she was napping. Then I divided the vanilla frosting into 3 bowls and with food coloring made red, green & yellow frosting.

A mommy cookie

*Tip: When decorating cookies with kids put the frosting into a plastic baggie and snip off a small corner with scissors. This way kids can squeeze out the frosting onto their cookie and you don't have ridiculously messy hands, or cookies with 6 inches of frosting on them!

A daddy cookie

After Girlie woke up from her nap, I had everything all set up and ready to go. So Mommy, Daddy & Girlie all sat around the kitchen table and decorate cookies (Mister Man hung out in his high chair munching on cheerios). She had so much fun! This was the first time she had decorated cookies and she loved using all the different colors of frosting and putting sprinkles on the cookies...although I am pretty sure more sprinkles got eaten then put on her cookies! Haha!

Some Girlie cookies

I was so excited to start a new tradition of cookie decorating! I love that Girlie is to an age where she can now start participating in these traditions.

Do you have any cookie decorating traditions?

American Country Designs {Review & Giveaway}

2010-12-06T13:54:00.001-05:00

*This is a fluffy giveaway, but even if you don't cloth diaper KEEP READING! If you have kids, this item would be great to have no matter their age!

When I switched to cloth diapers, I wasn't sure how many of the different cloth diaper accessories you actually needed. I figured all you really needed was the diapers (and cloth diaper friendly detergent) and that was it. I was kind of wrong. I mean, sure you can do it with just the diapers, but there are so many other things that help make cloth diapering even easier!

One of the first accessories I got was a wetbag. A wetbag is a bag that is waterproof (and smell proof!) to put soiled diapers in. At home we have a small plastic trash can, but when we would leave the house I hated having to carry a noisy (& not too eco-friendly) plastic grocery bag to put wet diapers in (not to mention the hubby accidentally threw a bag of them away one day! Digging through a trash can for diapers is not fun). I was excited when I found American Country Designs!

Peggy is the owner of American Country Designs and is a SAHM to 2 kiddos. She loves being able to stay at home with her kids and still be able to be creative and do something she loves. She got interested in making wet bags about the same time she started cloth diapering her oldest (now 3 years old). Peggy sent me an 11x11 wetbag to review and I love it!

It's the perfect size to take out when I'm running errands or spending the afternoon at grandparents houses. It folds up nice and small to slide into the diaper bag when we leave and then as it gets used it has a snap strap to attach it to the outside of the diaper bag (or a stroller or just about anywhere else). It can hold 2-3 of my BumGenius diapers (usually all the more we use when out and about).

I love that I now have a reusable option for wet diapers when we're out of the house. I also love that the outside is an adorable owl print! It looks really cute and most people don't know that it has wet diapers in it! It has a great waterproof interior and it's so easy to clean. Simply turn it inside out and throw it in the wash with your diapers.

The quality of the wetbag is amazing! I fancy myself a decent seamstress, but if I made a wetbag, it would not look this good...haha! Peggy makes wetbags in 3 different sizes (11x11, 14x14 & 17x17). But wet bags aren't the only things available at American Country Designs! You'll also find pacifier clips, diaper & wipes bags and yoga mat bags.

Ok, non-cloth diapering mamas, why should this giveaway interest you? Because wet bags aren't just for diapers! Does your kiddo take swimming lessons and you hate putting their wet bathing suit in the bag to go home? This would be perfect to bring wet swimsuits home in. Potty training? This would be awesome for those accidents while out & about. It would also be great if you have a baby that spits up a lot, you'd have a water/smell proof bag to put items in until you get home. If you're out and baby has an "explosive diaper" that requires a whole new change of clothes, this would be great to out the messy clothes in. There are lots of uses for wet bags (cloth diapers is just one!).

I know you all want a wet bag now, so you can go here to purchase one OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? an 11x11 small wet bag!

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit American Country Designs and tell me which wet bag is your favorite.

Extra entries
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)

+1 Like American Country Designs on Facebook
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

This giveaway will close on ~~December 13, 2010 at 11:59PM EST~~. December 15, 2010 at NOON EST. Good Luck!

*I was sent a wet bag to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.

Never Enough Fluff & Stuff

2010-12-06T01:00:00.001-05:00

Danielle over at Happenings of the Harper Household is having a cloth diaper event this month, "Never Enough Fluff & Stuff". She has lots of great reviews and giveaways lined up for cloth diapers, wetbags, laundry detergent, cloth wipes and more! I wanted to participate along with her, but unfortunately, just haven't had a lot of blog time lately, so my participation is going to be more of a supporting role with a some posts about what I've learned during my short cloth diapering time and a few fluffy reviews & giveaways of my own, as well as links to Danielle's great giveaways.

I know not all my readers are cloth diapering mamas, so that won't be all I post this month! I also have some Christmas recipes, links to some great Christmas gift tutorials, some non-fluff giveaways (CSN Stores & more!), and lots of other things planned. My first fluffy giveaway will post later today, BUT it's not just for the cloth diapering family...it can be used by any family! So be sure to check it out :o)

CLOSED Wee Can Too {Review & Giveaway}

2010-12-03T05:46:00.003-05:00

Being a former teacher, I love to attempt to "plan" activities for Girlie. Sometimes we'll play learning games I make up, and sometimes we work on letters or numbers, and sometimes we do little crafts. But I tend to fall short on art activities that are just plain old messy fun for her. Why? Well, she's still 2! She's still learning and some days I just don't have the patience for a learning curve.

I'm sure you moms all know what I mean. The days you want to let them do something fun like paint, but you really just don't have the time to sit there and be sure they don't do something crazy like eat the paint. Maybe the dishes need done, or dinner needs made, but there's just those times. I am excited to say you CAN let them paint even when you do dishes or cook! Thanks to Wee Can Too.

Wee Can Too makes edible finger paint! Edible as in the ingredients are all totally edible and are not harmful! Here's a little bit about how Wee Can Too came about (from their website):

Sarid Ditton founded Wee Can Too in 2007 as her then, only daughter, Savannah, turned 6 months. As an artist, she sought out finger paints that would endure the curiosity of an infant. Many companies claimed to be safe and non-toxic, but still contained dyes that made her feel unsettled about “feeding” them to her baby. She started tinkering in the kitchen and finally came up with a product that is completely edible, organic and most of all, safe for babies and toddlers.

If you're baby is eating solid foods (strained or pureed) they can paint! All the finger paints are made of organic fruits & vegetable powders, rice cereal & rice flour. They come as a powder and you just add water! I loved the idea that if paint ended up in Girlie's mouth it was made from things like spinach and rice (green) or squash & pumpkins (yellow).

With natural & organic ingredients I could even let Mister Man paint! Although he was not a fan and I didn't even get a picture of him with the paints at all. Girlie painted while hubby & I made dinner one night and it was so nice to have an entire counterful of pictures when she was done. Although she is not a fan of finger painting, the paints work perfectly with brushes and other objects as well.

(She had a thing for the green & yellow and refused to even use the other colors...haha! I had a dozen green & yellow pictures that night!)

Another great feature, is that the paint lasts a long time! You mix the paint with water in a provided bottle and then it can be stored in your refrigerator for up to a month. As the paint stands, it thickens. You simply add a little more water each time you use it. It seems almost like a never ending supply...almost :o) Girlie really likes it and asks to paint every few days.

Wee Can Too just launched their newest products...crayons and chalk! Both are made from all natural and safe ingredients so there's no fear of your kiddo ingesting something nasty. I am simply in love with the idea of art supplies that are completely edible and safe for my kids!

So, are you ready to get some of your own edible finger paint? You can visit here to get some OR you can win some!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? Some of your own edible finger paint!

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Wee Can Too and tell me which of the finger paint colors is your favorite.

Extra entries
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)
+1 Follow Wee Can Too's blog publicly via GFC

+1 Like Wee Can Too on Facebook ~~AND thank them for the giveaway~~.(Against new Facebook policy).
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

~~+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Wee Can Too~~ (Sorry folks, apparently it is now against Facebook policy for me to offer this to you as an entry...If you already did this it will still count as an entry).
+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it
+1 Follow Wee Can Too on Twitter

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

This giveaway will close on December 10, 2010 at 11:59PM EST. Good Luck!

*I was sent finger paints to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.

Handmade Christmas Gifts for Your Little Ones

2010-12-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

I make homemade Christmas gifts every year. If you're a follower of my family blog you may know that I've made fabric dollhouses, felt food, hats, scarves and more for all the kiddos in our life each year. This year, I have yet to decide what to make for my own kids. So, I went where all moms go when they need inspiration...the internet! I've complied a quick list of some great online tutorials for easy to make Christmas gifts for the kiddos in your life. If you have ever wanted to make homemade toys and gifts then check these out! (Click each gift's name to go to the tutorial)

Fabric Dollhouse- UK lass in the US

I actually made these for my neices and nephew 2 years ago for Christmas and they were adorable! The girls all got dollhouses and my nephew got a barn for his tractors. They are great as a quick take-a-long toy. If you can sew a straight line you should be good to go! I wish I had taken pictures of mine, but I didn't have a blog back then :o)

Wooden Memory Game- Candace Creations

I haven't made this, but Girlie is getting to the age where this is totally something she'd love! We play matching games with shapes and colors all the time and I think you could make this super adorable! I would probably sew a cute drawstring bag for storage to go along with it.

Washcloth Puppets- Running with Scissors

I think these puppets are awesome! Every kid loves puppets and especially soft fuzzy ones. I haven't made these either, but reading through the directions they seem pretty basic (and there's a printable template for them!). As an extra bonus, since they're made of washclothes they can actually be used as washclothes in the bath tub! Super!

House of Card...Board Boxes- Michele Made Me

Not a sewer? Then this little playhouse is for you! I have wanted to make a playhouse of sorts for Girlie for a while now and this one has totally caught my eye :o) I love that it is made out of cardboard boxes (something I have a ton of thanks to all my reviews...I wondered what I'd do with them) and is reusing supplies. I think you could totally make this personalized to each specific kiddo.

Didn't see something you want to make as a gift this year? Don't worry, I am planning at least one more post filled with handmade gift ideas! Do you have a handmade gift tutorial or idea you'd like to share? Leave me a link in the comments for send me an email and I'll include it in the next handmade gift post! :o)

Another CSN Stores Giveaway: Coming soon!

2010-12-02T02:30:00.002-05:00

Being the holiday season, just about everyone has gifts to buy. Gifts for children, spouses, parents, nieces, nephews, teachers, mailmen...ok, maybe not mailmen...but you get my point. My hubby and I don't buy each other Christmas gifts, we tend instead to buy something we both want. In October, we finished (I'm using the term finished very loosely...haha!) our family/playroom remodel. It's not a very big room, well its long, but only about 11 feet wide, so furniture placement is a little tricky.

We have a small flat screen TV to put back there, but no stand for it. I want something stylish but also very sturdy and kid proof. Where did I head? Of course to CSN Stores! With over 200 different stores I knew there'd be lots of flat screen TV stands to choose from. And of course there were. We've decided to wait until after the holidays to buy a stand, but there's no need for you to wait on your CSN Store purchase! I will be giving away another CSN Stores gift code within the next week! Use it for holiday gifts or splurge and buy yourself something fun.

Be sure to keep your eyes open for the giveaway! And don't forget to enter the Wee Can Too edible finger paint giveaway and the American Country Designs wet bag giveaway, both open right now (click on "Giving It Away" above)

Green Toys {Review}

2010-12-01T15:00:00.002-05:00

One of the areas I am having the hardest time being greener in is toys for Girlie & Mister Man. I know you can find greener play options but more often than not they are expensive. Expensive is not a word I like to associate with toys, especially because they get played with & often broken, and as a one income family, they are one of the areas we don't want to waste money. I was so excited when I found Green Toys and they sent us a few toys for the kiddos to review!

Some of the things I like about Green Toys:

Made in the USA (California)
They're made from recycled milk jugs
Their production uses methods to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas & they use local supply chain for fewer carbon emissions
They're BPA free, no phthalates, no PVC, and they meet FDA standards for food contact
They come in 100% recyclable cardboard packaging with no twist ties or plastic

In addition to those great eco-friendly features, they are cute and tough! Girlie was sent their dish set to review. I love the fun colors and how sturdy they are! Some of her other play dishes can be bent and twisted and are really flimsy, but not these! The dishes are food safe which is awesome since Girlie is into using her play dishes to eat snacks and drink "tea".

The set came with 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 tea cups, 4 forks, 4 spoons & 4 butter knives. That's a lot of dishes! Girlie's dishes are usually found in her kitchen sink because she has to wash them after she uses them :o)

Green Toys also have a Tea Set, a Cookware & Dining Set and a Chef Set for little homemakers. They're all adorable!

Mister Man was sent their new firetruck, which was a huge hit with the whole family since Daddy is a firefighter/paramedic. even though it is for children slightly older than Mister Man, I don't have any hesitation letting him play with it. There are no metal parts, its all safe to be chewed on and there aren't any really small pieces. The ladder on top can raise and pivot and both side ladders can be removed (although this takes some skill-I know he won't be pulling them off any time soon).

Girlie even loved the firetruck and it is usually found sideways in the playroom surrounded by lots of other toys. It gets played with on a daily basis.

They have other great trucks too...a Recycling Truck and a Dump Truck.

Green Toys has a great variety of different toys for both boys & girls and for a wide range of ages. And remember my concern that eco-friendly toys tend to be pricey? Not Green Toys! The firetruck and dishes set can be found for $25 or under! That's great for a budget conscious family. If you're still looking for some Christmas gifts for a special boy or girl this year, I would definitely recommend checking out Green Toys! You can click here to find out where you can get some.

*I was sent a firetruck and dishes set from Green Toys in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.

And the Winner is...

2010-12-01T12:20:00.000-05:00

The winner of a scrabble tile necklace from Bloem & grow is...

Comment #9

Ashley

Ashley said: Following Mirthful motherhood's blog

Congratulations Ashley! Watch your inbox for an email from me soon. If I do not get a reply within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. And be sure to check out the last few Follow the Star Giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook fan page from the other 3 blogs!

My AWESOME Christmas Decorating Husband

2010-11-30T19:03:00.001-05:00

There are a few things to be said before I actually get into why I think my husband is awesome today. I think he's awesome every day, but lately he has been going above & beyond. While I've been pretty much completely dysfunctional the last 5 or 6 days thanks to my back and the meds I am on, he has done all the house cleaning, all the meal planning and grocery shopping, taken care of the kiddos while he's not working, made arrangements for family members to watch the kiddos while he is working, done all the laundry (including a load of diapers!) called and argued with my doctor, the nurse, and the pharmacy for me when they weren't listening to me, and to top it off, he has spent the last 2 days putting up all our Christmas decorations!

That last one is big. I mean big. He could care less whether or not there was anything more than the tree up for Christmas. He'll help put up the tree, and generally help me hang a piece of garland or two if it's high, and he'll put up the outdoor lights, but that's about it. I do the rest. It's not that he doesn't like the decorations, he's just a typical guy and doesn't want to do the decorating or clean it up after. So, the pictures I am going to post are awesome! He did all the decorating this year (with the help of Girlie) since I couldn't and he knew how much I love Christmas decorations.

So without further ado...here is why my husband is AWESOME right now!

The ornaments are a little sad~kid proof ones and the bottom half was decorated by a rather short 2 yr old :o)

He just built the mantle last week because he knew I really wanted to hang the stockings...he rocks! The big piece of black foam across the front is baby proofing...lol

A wall in our dining room :o)

In the window from our living room to our dining room

The doorway from the dining room into our family/play room.

He even put snowmen on top of the family/play room TV!

He did more than this! There's Christmas candles in several rooms, more snowmen spread around (I love snowmen!), and he put lights in our trees outside! He seriously is so stinkin' AWESOME! I am going to owe him huge once I start feeling better!

So, do you agree? Did he do pretty good? I think so!

And the Winner is...

2010-11-28T15:32:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Christmas diaper cover & shirt from Robyn's Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers is...

Comment # 155

Jessica King

Jessica said: Following your blog via GFC

Congrats Jessica! Watch your inbox for an email from me, you'll have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn (please check your spam box as well). Thanks again everyone for entering!

Be sure to check out my current and last Follow the Star giveaway for a necklace from Bloem & Grow, and check out the Follow the Star Facebook Fan page to see what the other 3 blogs still have up for grabs!

I also have lots more great giveaways coming up in December including edible finger paint, a wet bag, another CSN Stores gift card and more!

Decorating for Christmas

2010-11-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it is 3 days after Thanksgiving and we don't have a single Christmas decoration up! That is soooo unlike me. I am the person who wakes up bright and early the day after Thanksgiving and drags absolutely everything out and spends the whole day putting things up. I even managed it last year when I was supposed to be taking it easy.

This year, the day after Thanksgiving had me in the ER for my back, which was then followed by a day of sleeping and being loopy from meds, and today's not looking much more promising, but I am hoping that I can convince my hubby to at least put our tree up. I still can't help, but I can supervise and sort through ornaments (breakable from unbreakable...sentimental from ordinary) and hand over the unbreakable and ordinary ones to actually get put on the tree.

If I manage to convince him to put up the tree I will definitely post some pics :o) Does anyone have their tree up already? Are you all done with decorationg your house?

CLOSED Bloem & Grow {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-27T09:03:00.001-05:00

I love unique jewelry. I love wearing something that catches peoples eye. However, since becoming a mommy I very rarely wear anything other than a small pair of earrings thanks to grabbing baby & toddler hands. So, I miss wearing fun things. Lucky for me, I found Bloem & Grow.

I cannot even tell you how excited I was to be sent a custom scrabble tile necklace from Kate. One charm simply has the initial "L" on it and the other has an awesome picture of Mister Man from a few months ago (I don't normally share pics of my kids on SS&S, but for this I am making an exception).

How stinkin' cute is that!?!? I L-O-V-E love the charm of Mister Man! The very first day I got it, I wore it to therapy and had a few people ask me where I got it from (since I rarely get out of the house without kids, I tend to see if people have opinions while I'm at physical therapy). I love how durable the charms are. Since they are made on wooden scrabble tiles, even if Mister Man would grab my necklace & chew on it (which I wouldn't recommend since it is small) he's not going to break it...maybe just put a few teeth marks into it.

The chain is a ball chain (not sure of its real name) and is also very sturdy. I asked my sister to help me brain storm other ways to wear the charms and here's a few we came up with:

Wear it as a pin on your coat by attaching it with a cute pin.
Use a small sheer ribbon to wear it as a choker.
Use a few quick stitches to attach it to a hair bow (Girlie loved this idea and wanted to wear Mister Man in her hair, but I just didn't get to try it).
Wear one as a single charm on a bracelet.

I'm sure there are lots of ways to wear these charms, but for now I'm sticking with them as a necklace. Bloem & Grow doesn't just do necklaces though. Kate makes lots of amazing things like these number magnets.

She also makes adorable blocks, custom clothes pins, magnetic boards and more! (Blogger wouldn't let me upload the pics :o( but you can see them on her blog!)

So now that you really want your own necklace, you can go here to get one OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A scrabble tile necklace of your choice! (one charm)

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Bloem & Grow's Etsy shop and tell me which of her currently listed items is your favorite.

Extra entries
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)
+1 Follow Bloem & Grow's blog publicly via GFC
+1 Heart Bloem & Grow on Etsy

+1 Like Bloem & Grow on Facebook
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Bloem & Grow
+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on December 1, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's at least one live on each of the 4 blogs!

And the Winner is...

2010-11-24T20:28:00.000-05:00

The winner of the tutu from Tutu Corner is...

Comment #68

m&msmommy

m&msmommy said: I follow your blog via GFC!

Congrats! Watch your inbox for an email from me! If I do not get a reply within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

Be sure to check out my current giveaway for a Christmas diaper cover and matching shirt!

Pumpkin Crisp {Recipe}

2010-11-24T14:21:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I felt bad not posting anything Thanksgiving related, so I decided to at least throw a dessert recipe your way. I know its the day before Thanksgiving and most people have everything ready for tomorrow, but if your one of those people battling the grocery store today (like my awesome hubby did for me!), then here's an amazing pumpkin pie alternative! It's from my mother-in-law and I'm not sure where she got it from.

Pumpkin Crisp (Super yummy!!!!!)

Ingredients
2 cups canned pumpkin (or your own)
1 lg can evaporated milk
3 lg eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 box of yellow cake mix
chopped pecans
1 stick of butter
12 oz cream cheese
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 small container of Cool Whip

Directions

Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Mix pumpkin, eggs, milk, sugar & cinnamon with a mixer (will be watery) & pour mixture into the dish.
Spread half the cake mix evenly onto the mixture. You shouldn't see any of the mixture.
Cover cake mix with some chopped pecans.
Slice butter and lay it all over the pecans.
Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
When finished, invert cake and cool completely (I like to cover a large cutting board with aluminum foil to put it on).
Mix cream cheese, confectioners sugar and coolwhip until creamy, then frost the pumpkin crisp with it.

This is an amazing dessert and a wonderful alternative to pumpkin pie. Even if you don't like pecans (I don't), you hardly notice them over all the other deliciousness, you could add more if you really like them.

Hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving and have a wonderful day!

CLOSED Robyn's Sweet Cheeks {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-24T11:18:00.003-05:00

When I decided to switch Mister Man to cloth diapers, I was set on pockets. Pockets with velcro (for convenience) and nothing else, but I remained open to trying different diapers & systems (and still am!). The first non-pocket diaper I tried was from Robyn's Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers.

I met Robyn during a "live" giveaway on another blog. Unlimited comments (entries) got several moms into a conversation and the giveaway became more of a mommy forum. During the course of the giveaway (24 hours I think) most of the conversation was about cloth diapers and when I mentioned I was just starting out and was up for doing reviews, Robyn kindly offered one of her sets as a review to me.

The set I received was a diaper cover and matching shirt. Now, remember, I was skeptical about anything other than pockets, but immediately the cuteness of the set began to win me over. I didn't have (and still don't) have any fitted diapers to use with it, but I had a single prefold. Instead of using pins I simply trifolded the diaper and laid it in the cover. I was shocked when after almost 3 hours (I was testing remember) and the prefold being absolutely soaked, the cover hadn't leaked at all! I have even put it over a pocket diaper a few times just because it's so cute!

I have used Robyn's cover a ton and it has never leaked! That is an accomplishment with Mister Man. He even leaks through his BumGenius occasionally. It's so easy to clean too. If it gets messy it can just be wiped out and then thrown in with the other diaper laundry. The legs and waist fit very snugly but don't leave red marks from being too tight.

Just a basic lesson for those not familiar with cloth diapering: a cover is a water proof shell that can be used over a prefold diaper (old fashioned kind), a fitted diaper (looks like a pocket diaper but isn't waterproof), or even over a pocket or All-in-One just to add to the cute factor. I'm sure I forgot a use or two for a cover, but again, I have limited diaper experience.

I love the cover & shirt (although my guy still needs to grow into the shirt). It's very well made and just so darn cute! If you'd like to get a custom diaper set of your own you can go here to contact Robyn OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? An awesome Christmas cover and shirt set! I am super jealous...I want this set! :o) Cover is a one size (will fit birth-potty training!) and the shirt is a 12 month.

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Robyn's Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers and tell me which fabric option is your favorite.

Extra entries
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)

+1 Like Robyn's Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers on Facebook
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Robyn's Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers
+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 28, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's at least one live on each of the 4 blogs!

Where Have All the Good Posts Gone?

2010-11-21T06:55:00.000-05:00

I am super sorry for the lack of non-review/giveaway posts lately (although no one has actually complained). I want so badly to posts some more good recipes, catch you up on my Christmas sewing projects and more, but basically, my body just won't let me. I have been dealing with back issues for a few months now and for the past few weeks, they just haven't let up at all. I'm living on Aleve (which isn't good), having a love affair with my heating pad (probably also not good), and am so sleep deprived (partially due to both Girlie & Mister Man suddenly sleeping terribly!) I'm not sure I could even write a post with any decent content. I am hoping to get some actual content posts done this week :o) So please bear with me, I promise to get back to all the awesomeness that was my original Spoons, Spades & Stitches!

And the Winner is...

2010-11-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Christmas bow from All About the Hair Bows is...

Comment #45

Congrats addicted to cloth (Robyn L)!

Robyn said : Like MM FB

Watch for an email from me. If I do not hear from you within 48 hrs a new winner will be chosen. And be sure to enter my current giveaway from Tutu Corner!

CLOSED Tutu Corner {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-19T10:50:00.002-05:00

Do you remember Handmade Halloween? Yeah? Well, how about the review of the adorable pumpkin tutu from Tutu Corner? Just in case you don't, click here :o) For those of you sad that you missed out on winning a custom tutu that weekend, here's another chance!

Kathy from Tutu Corner sent Girlie a gorgeous Christmas tutu to review. It is an absolutely beautiful wine color with a satin bow. LOVE IT!

Girlie loves tutus...I mean seriously loves tutus. So, she wears them to death, and beyond...heehee! Her first tutu was made for her by her Aunt Erin and it got trashed from her playing with it. Her pumpkin tutu has faired better :o) And I am sure her Christmas tutu will too! I am so excited to get our Christmas decorations up and take amazing pictures of her in the tutu with twinkling lights in the background. Doesn't that sounds amazing?!?! I love the great quality of the tutus from Tutu Corner. They really stand up to my 2 year olds "on & off" whims, and seriously she will put on the tutu and 30 seconds later decide to take it off and then 2 minutes later put it back on.

Do you have a little girl that would love a tutu? Then head here to buy her one. Kathy has amazing prices and runs great sales and specials. To be the first to know about her deals be sure to become a fan of Tutu Corner's Facebook page. OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A gorgeous custom tutu from Tutu Corner!

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Tutu Corner's Etsy shop and tell me which tutu is your favorite.

Extra entries
+1 Heart (favorite) Tutu Corner on Etsy

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)
+1 LikeTutu Corner on Facebook (Her Facebook fans are often the first to find out about deals and sales!)

+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Tutu Corner

+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 23, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's at least one live on each of the 4 blogs!

* I was sent a tutu in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.

Prematurity Awareness Day

2010-11-17T12:04:00.000-05:00

Did you know today is Prematurity Awareness Day? A lot of people don't. I do because I have preemie (although now she's almost 3!) Girlie was born very unexpectedly at 27 weeks 6 days, more than 12 weeks premature. There was no warning or any signs that anything was wrong during my pregnancy. Had I not gone to the ER despite my OB telling me over the phone that things were fine, my little girl may not be here today.

Having a preemie is SCARY. At 27 weeks, I didn't even know if she would survive. Back then I didn't know that viability for a baby was 24 weeks. I didn't know about surfactant that would help her lungs. I didn't know what kind of outcome to expect. All kinds of terms were thrown at us, some applied to Girlie, some didn't. Retinopathy of Prematurity (RoP), intraventicular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), bradycardia, apnea, anemia, respiratory distress syndrome, PDA, and many more. She was a very lucky preemie and has few issues, but a some of the ones she does have, she will be dealing with for the rest of her life.

When I was pregnant with Mister Man, the cause of Girlie's prematurity became clear and a plan of action was taken. It involved A LOT. But it worked. Thanks to all the interventions Mister Man made it to 37 weeks and 4 days. And thank goodness he did! Had he been premature on top of his heart defect who knows if we would have had the incredible outcome we did and if we would have a smiling wonderful 7 month old little man today.

Each year more than half a million babies are born too soon in the US, do you know one of those 500,000 babies? Personally, I know more than 20 babies that have been premature. Some were late preemies (34-36 weeks) but most were 30 weeks or earlier. The March of Dimes is working hard to research ways to reduce premature births. If you'd like to find out how you can help, visit the March of Dimes website.

If you have a preemie hug them today (not that you don't every day anyway...heehee).

And the Winner is...

2010-11-16T21:18:00.000-05:00

The winner of the pocket diaper from Tiny Toe creations is...

Comment #4

Congrats Trista!

Trista said: I Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

Trista, you are the Follow the Star giveaway queen! You are one lucky mama! Maybe you should play the lottery with your odds of winning lately :o)

Watch for an email from me. If I do not hear from you within 48 hrs a new winner will be chosen. And be sure to enter my current giveaway from All About the Hair Bows.

And the Winner is...

2010-11-15T15:34:00.000-05:00

The winner of the clutch or wristlet of choice from Off Beet Boutique is

Comment #49

Danielle @ Happenings of the Harper Household

Danielle said: I like MM on fb.

Watch for an email from me shortly! If I do not get a reply within 48 hrs, a new winner will be chosen.

Don't forget to enter the Tiny Toe Creations giveaway (ends tomorrow) and the All About the Hair Bows giveaway (ends 11/19), both links can be found in the right side bar.

CLOSED All About the Hair Bows {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-15T15:25:00.001-05:00

Girlie is totally a girlie girl (hence her nickname Girlie). And one of her favorite things is her hair bows. She has a cloth lunch box that my mom bought her which has yet to have any food in it. Instead she fills it witha ll her hair bows and pony tail holders and carries them around the house counting them, changing the ones in her her hair (or at least trying to), and attempting to put them in Mister Man's hair. So she got super excited when I opened up hairbows to review from All About the Hair Bows.

Kerri from All About the Hair Bows sent me one of her new Mix'em, Match'em, Stack'em hair bows and it is so stinkin' cute! The set includes 3 hair bows. A large base bow and 2 smaller topper bows. The best thing about the set is that with these 3 bows you have 5 different ways to wear them! Each can be worn separately.

Or you can stack a smaller topper bow on top of the base bow. The aligator clips simply slip under the center ribbon of the base bow.

I loved the cupcake theme of these bows! Girlie is very into "uffins with icing" right now (translation: muffins with icing aka cupcakes). I also love that one of the accent bows matched but did not have a cupcake on it so it could be paired with other things.

And check out these other cute bows you can find at All About the Hair Bows!

If you'd like to buy your girlie an awesome Mix'em, Match'em, Stack'em hair bow you can go here OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? An adorable 4inch holiday hair bow! So Blogger is being stupid and won't let me upload the picture :o( But click here to see it!
Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA
How do you enter to win this awesome prize? There are lots of ways to enter but you have to do the mandatory entry in order for any other entries to count. Please be sure to leave one comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address with each comment or I cannot contact you if you win!

Mandatory entry
+1 Visit All About the Hair Bows and tell me which bow is your favorite
Extra entries
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)
+1 Like All About the Hair Bows on Facebook
+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook
+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches and All About the Hair Bows
+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it
+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter
+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook
+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog
+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog
+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog
+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook
+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook
+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 19, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's at least one live on each of the 4 blogs!

*I was sent a set of hair bows in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way for this review.

And the Winner is...

2010-11-11T13:58:00.000-05:00

The winner of the the Simple Block Sayings giveaway is...

Comment #78

Mamma Stephie

Mamma Stephie said: Follow via GFC

I will be emailing you shortly and you will have 48 hours to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you a new winner will be chosen.

There are still 2 open giveaways right now...one for a clutch of choice from Off Beet Boutique and one for a pocket diaper from Tiny Toe Creations

CLOSED Tiny Toe Creations {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-11T08:42:00.006-05:00

If you didn't already know, I have recently (like a month ago) switched to using cloth diapers on Mister Man. I love it! It isn't a new idea, I actually wanted to do it with Julianna, but it just didn't happen. So I have started searching for different brands of diapers to try. One of the first ones I got for my stash was from Tiny Toe Creations. Now for my disclaimer: I am a NEW cloth diapering mama. I have not had years of experience or am knowledgeable in everything fluffy. So my review is based on my experience and my...well...lack of experience as well...haha!

The first thing I love about the diaper from Tiny Toe Creations is that it is a one size diaper. I am all about stretching a dollar so a diaper that will grow with Mister Man is a must for me! It has three rows of snaps in the front and can have 3 different settings. Mister Man uses the medium setting.

There are plenty of snaps at the top to ensure you are able to get a nice snug fit. Even though Mister Man is 7 months old, he still needs a very small fit, so there is sometimes some bunching around his waist, but I would assume on a normal size baby you wouldn't have that...haha!

The opening for the pocket is large, so it is super easy to stuff. The diaper comes with a microfiber towel as the insert. It easily folds into thirds to stuff the diaper and I love that since its a towel it dries really quickly! Since it isn't a thick insert it also makes the diaper super trim. I do have a heavy wetter though, so if I wanted the diaper left on for more than an hour or so, I had to add an extra insert (but I double inserts on almost all our diapers, so that isn't anything different from my other diapers). I didn't have any leaks when I added a second insert, and only had 1 leak without the extra insert, and I use this diaper almost every day! That seems pretty good to me!

Tiny Toe Creations has more than just cute diapers. They have leg warmers, crochet beanies, tutus, wraps, nursing covers, and wetbags! (the following pictures are from the Tiny Toe Creations website)

They also have great customer service! They were very quick to get back to me when I had some questions and where very helpful! If you'd like to buy a Tiny Toe Creations diaper you can do that here OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A pocket diaper in blue or pink

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA or Canada

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Tiny Toe Creations and tell me what product they have is your favorite.

Extra entries

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)
+1 Like Tiny Toe Creations on Facebook (Their Facebook fans are often the first to find out about deals and sales!)

+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches & Tiny Toe Creations

+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it
+1 Follow Tiny Toe Creations on Twitter

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 16, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's at least one live on each of the 4 blogs!

*I was sent a Tiny Toe Creations diaper to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way to write this review. My opinion is based on the product I was sent.

And the New Winner is...

2010-11-10T21:57:00.000-05:00

Since I did not get a reply from the Bubble & Bee Organics $25 gift certificate giveaway, a new winner has been chosen!

And the new winner is...

Comment #75

Congrats mom2boys!

mom2boys said: I follow Mirthful Motherhood blog!

Watch your inbox for an email from me (check your spam too!). If I do not hear from you within 48 hours of sending you an email another new winner will be chosen.

Don't forget to check out the Off Beet Boutique giveaway I have posted!

CLOSED Off Beet Boutique {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-10T20:29:00.006-05:00

There are these very rare times when I get to leave the house without my kiddos (I'm talking rare...like therapy & my monthly preemie parent meeting are it!). So when I do go out alone I do not want to carry my diaper bag or my ginormous purse that can hold just about everything my diaper bag can. I want something small and cute. I totally found exactly that at Off Beet Boutique!

I love the making waves zippy clutch that I was sent by Bekki from Off Beet Boutique. It is so funky & fun! So not a mommy bag! I broke it in the very first day i got it. I went to therapy and threw my keys, phone, and a few other things in it. I had 2 therapists and another patient all comment on how cute it was!

I decided to test out its capacity and this is what I was able to fit into my clutch: my smart phone, keys, drivers license, debit card, my small planner, (and because I am a mom) a pacifier, 4 link-a-doos, an extra hairbow for my daughter & snack sized ziploc baggie with some cheerios. WOW! That's a lot for such a little purse! It is sewn really well, with nicely finished seams and a great zipper. I have continued to use it everyday, I just toss it in the diaper bag when I am going out with the kiddos.

Check out these other cute clutches! (the following pictures are from Off Beet Boutique's Etsy shop)

But Off Beet Boutique doesn't just have purses! You can find great hair accessories.

And cute jewelry.

Do you want a clutch or wristlet now? Well, you can go here to buy one OR you can win one!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? Your choice of any wristlet or clutch on Off Beet Boutiques Etsy shop!

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA or Canada

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Off Beet Boutique and tell me which clutch or wristlet set is your favorite

Extra entries

+1 Heart Off Beet Boutique on Etsy

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)

+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches

+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 15, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's at least one live on each of the 4 blogs!

*I was sent a clutch to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way to write this review.

And the Winner is...

2010-11-08T04:08:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Bubble & Bee Organics gift certificate is...

Comment #58

Congrats Kara-Wife, Mom, Doula!

Kara said: I follow What Mama Wants on FB

Watch your inbox for an email from me :o) If I don't get a confirmation email within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway from Simple Block Sayings here and the other great giveaways over at What Mama Wants, Mirthful Motherhood & Happenings of the Harper Household !

I also want to apologize for not putting up any Christmas crafts, recipes or anything besides giveaways yet. I am dealing with some back issues again and therefore not getting much accomplished at home or here in the blogging world. But hopefully I'll get something posted soon.

CLOSED Simple Block Sayings {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-07T07:56:00.002-05:00

I am a Christmas decorating nut. My husband knows this and has been kind enough to humor me and my decorating addiction. I love to decorate every square inch of my house at Christmas time...the living room...the kitchen...trees in the kiddos bedrooms...the bathroom (yes, I even decorate our bathroom). So I am constantly looking for more Christmas items to decorate with. I was super excited when I got this block set from Simple Block Sayings.

It is exactly the color scheme of all my downstairs Christmas decorations! Although a strict no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving policy is in effect at our home, I think these will just stay out until then ;o)

Simple Block Sayings is run by Shauna, a SAHM with 2 boys and a baby girl. She's been crafting for over 10 years but has only been selling on Etsy since March, prior to that she sold through her Ebay store. She does so much more than just Christmas blocks! She has different holidays, baby themed blocks, kids, family, football, wedding and so much more! Just check out these cute blocks in her shop right now (pictures from her shop).

I love that they are decorations I am not afraid to put out this year even with an almost mobile 7 month old. He can't hurt them! So, they will be definitely be used in our family room.

You want some? You can visit Shauna's Etsy shop now to buy some or you can win a set just like mine!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A set of blocks just like the ones I have,

Who can win this prize? Anyone in the USA OR if you live outside the US & would like to win, you would be responsible for shipping charges.

How do you enter to win this awesome prize? There are lots of ways to enter but you have to do the mandatory entry in order for any other entries to count. please be sure to leave one comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address with each comment or I cannot contact you if you win!

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Simple Block Sayings and heart their shop (if you have an ETSY account) or tell me which block set is your favorite (if you don't have an Etsy account)

Extra entries

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)

+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches

+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 11, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways listed on the Follow the Star Facebook page...there's one live on each of the 4 blogs!

CLOSED Bubble & Bee Organics {Review & Giveaway}

2010-11-03T00:01:00.010-04:00

I have been trying to introduce more natural and organic options into our family's life. That's super simple when it comes to things like food, but what about bath & body items? Sure you can find organic bath & body items, but many of them, just don't have that *pop* to them...you know that something that makes you want to keep using it. Well, I found one brand that totally has that something!
Bubble & Bee Organic makes bath & body items. Bubble & Bee began as a search for more organic bath & body products by creator Stephanie who found many organic products actually had hidden ingredients. So she decided to make her own (to read the full story click here). They pledge to:

Use Certified Organic ingredients whenever possible
Never use synthetic fragrances
Never use a synthetic ingredient if there's even a small question about it
Give our customers choices
Always stand behind our products

I love those pledges!

I was sent some Spearmint & Tea Tree Pit Putty with baking soda. My first instinct was to just laugh! I mean seriously, who wouldn't find the name Pit Putty funny?? I opened it and immediately LOVED the scent! It smells so fresh & clean & rejuvenating.
I used (and am still using!) it starting the next day and seriously, I liked it way better than my normal deodorant almost instantly. It went on very smoothly and I have to say it again...it...smelled...so...good. I did pull a deodorant no-no and put it on the other morning and immediately put on a dark purple cap sleeved shirt and got white deodorant marks under my arms, but that happens with any deodorant (even mine old one that said it went on clear).

After almost a month of using the Pit Putty, I still love it. True story...my PT was working on my shoulder today and asked me what I had on that smelled so good...I had to confess it was my deodorant! It smells that good! In addition to the fabulous smell (have I mentioned how good it smells?) I know I am not exposing myself to any more unnecessary toxins and I have great ingredients in something that I use every single day.

My only negative is the price. Being a super cheap...I mean frugal mama, I have a hard time spending $10 on deodorant, but I can also say that after several weeks, I still have a ton of it left and it is lasting much longer than my normal deodorant. So I think the price would be worth it.

Bubble & Bee also makes other great products like lip balm...
...and soap and much more.

So have I convinced you to go buy some Pit Putty yet? If so, go here. But Stephanie has also been awesome enough to offer a giveaway!

GIVEAWAY

So what will one lucky reader win? A $25 gift certificate to Bubble & Bee Organic

Mandatory entry

+1 Visit Bubble & Bee and tell me what scent of Pit Putty you'd like to try.

Extra entries

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches publicly via GFC (in right side bar)

+1 Like Bubble & Bee on Facebook

+1 Like Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Facebook

+2 Post about the giveaway on Facebook tagging Spoons, Spades & Stitches and Bubble & Bee

+2 Grab my button and leave a link to where I can find it

+1 Follow Spoons, Spades & Stitches on Twitter

+1 Like the Follow the Star on Facebook

+1 Follow What Mama Wants' blog

+1 Follow Mirthful motherhood's blog

+1 Follow Happenings of the Harper Household's blog

+1 Like What Mama Wants on Facebook

+1 Like Mirthful Motherhood on Facebook

+1 Like Happenings of the Harper Household on Facebook

This giveaway will close on November 7, 2010 at NOON EST.

Be sure to check out the other current Follow the Star giveaways at What Mama Wants & Mirthful Motherhood.

*I was sent Pit Putty in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any other way.

And the Winner is...

2010-11-02T13:44:00.000-04:00

The winner of the Bummas giveaway is...

Comment #28

Congrats Jen!

Jen said: I follow SSS on GFC

Watch your inbox for an email from me :o) If I don't get a confirmation email within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen.

And don't forget there are 2 current Follow the Star giveaways over at What Mama Wants and Mirthful Motherhood. I will be posting my first FTS giveaway tomorrow!

Merry Christmas Mail

2010-11-02T07:58:00.000-04:00

First things first...today's Follow the Star giveaway is over at Mirthful Motherhood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I didn't use to be a fan of photo cards. I thought it was impersonal to send a card with a picture and your names printed on it. BUT then I had kids and I came to a few conclusions about holiday photo cards:

I want to send pictures of my kids to people, so photo cards are a great way to do it.
Who has time to actually write out all those cards! I mean seriously, my kids keep me busy all day and then I am so tired at night I can barely stay awake long enough to walk to bed!

So this year I'm giving in & I am going to be sending photo Christmas cards and I found one I LOVE at Shutterfly.
I love the simplicity of the design. I think it would look great with both color and black & white photos. The best part about this card is it is foldable and although it has a printed message inside, there's plenty of room to write a personal message in those first few cards I write out before Girlie starts climbing the Christmas tree and Mister Man eats it. I think the hardest part of the whole photo card process is getting my kiddos to stay still long enough to get a picture of them together!

And Shutterfly has so many other great holiday card designs (not just Christmas ones) and even gift tags!

So what do you think about Christmas cards? Do you send them? Do you send pictures of your kiddos? Do you use photo cards? Have you used Shutterfly to buy your holiday cards?

*This post is part of the Shutterfly Holiday Card Collection promotion. If you have a blog and would like to participate click here.

Follow the Star Christmas Collaboration Event: Holiday Photo Contest!

2010-11-01T14:22:00.000-04:00

As an exciting part of the Follow the Star Christmas Collaboration Event, we are holding a Holiday Photo Contest on our Facebook page. This is going to be a great event geared towards getting you excited for the holiday season and, most of all, for you to have fun! We have several amazing sponsors who want you to have a good time as well, so make sure you send them some love on their Facebook pages to thank them for their generosity. Read below for details and rules and get your entry in today!

How to Enter:

Step 1:   Become a fan of Follow the Star Christmas Collaboration Event on Facebook

Step 2:   Upload your favorite holiday shot to our fan photo album (via the wall). One picture per person, please. This can be a photo of your children, of your pets, of yourself... it can be silly or serious, you choose!

Step 3:   Invite your friends to ‘like’ your photo! And vote for your favorites, as well!

Contest Details:

This photo contest will be open for the duration of the Christmas Event, so, the entire month of November. There will be four winners: the three pictures with the most amount of ‘likes’ will win and there will be a random drawing out of all of the pictures using random.org for the fourth winner. The random drawing cannot be won by one of the other winners, as we would like to share in the Christmas spirit and give those who have not already won a prize a good chance.

First Prize: A holiday-print cloth diaper from Nifty Nappy

Second Prize: A pair of FUNKtastic wool dryer balls from Bouncing Woolies. Winner’s choice between ‘Naughty’ or ‘Holiday’.

Third Prize: A holiday-print cloth diaper cover from Robyn’s Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers

Random Prize: To be announced during the contest! Yay, suspense!

Contest Rules:

1. No more than one photo entry per person will be accepted. The photo must be uploaded onto the Follow the Star Facebook page in order to be eligible.

2. Photo must be holiday themed. All submissions which are not holiday-related are automatically disqualified.

3. If another party took the photograph, make sure you have permission to post it. No breaking copyright laws, this is a game!

4. Any photo which is deemed offensive shall be removed. This is a family event, so keep photos family-friendly please.

5. Photos will be judged based upon the number of ‘likes’ they receive. The three most well-’liked’ photos will win a prize in the order that they fall in. A fourth winner will be randomly chosen using random.org from the other photos. The top three winners are ineligible for the random drawing.

6. The contest will be open from November 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010 at 11:59p EST. Any submissions made after this time are disqualified.

7. The votes will be tallied and the random winner drawn on December 1st. Winners will be notified through Facebook messages and announced on the homepage.

8. Open to U.S. and Canadian residents 18 years of age and older.

Yay for Follow the Star!

2010-11-01T08:08:00.006-04:00

Welcome to

hosted by:

Spoons, Spades & Stitches

What Mama Wants

Mirthful Motherhood

and

Happenings of the Harper Household

Here's the lowdown on everything happening on the blogs throughout the month of November.

At least one giveaway a day on one of the four blogs...we will be rotating and today's giveaway is over at What Mama Wants.
Posts on holiday crafts, recipes and family traditions.

But there's not just exciting stuff on the blogs! There's a photo contest going on at the Follow the Star Facebook page (I'll post details in just a little bit, or you can head over their now to check it out!). There will 4 winners!

You can go here for a bunch of the links you'll need for the event. Hope you enjoy the event and good luck winning some giveaways! Now head over to What Mama Wants and enter her first awesome giveaway!

(My first giveaway starts on Wednesday!)

Follow the Star Head Start

2010-10-29T21:31:00.002-04:00

Want a head start on entering the giveaways during Follow the Star?

Of course you do!

Doing the following things now will mean you don't have to do them on the day of a giveaway. These will be entries that are used on all 4 blogs, so doing them just this once, will get you entries on every single giveaway! (There will be additional mandatory entries for each giveaway that will involved the sponsors, so be sure to pay attention to each individual giveaway!)

Follow each of the 4 blogs via Google Friend Connect.

Spoons, Spades & Stitches (click follow in the right side bar)
What Mama Wants
Mirthful Motherhood
Happenings of the Harper Household

"Like" each blog's Facebook fan page.

"Like" the Follow the Star Facebook fan page.

Follow each of the 4 blogs on Twitter

Remember Follow the Star starts Monday! Good luck to everyone!

My Little Parrot: Halloween Costume {Tutorial}

2010-10-29T14:47:00.001-04:00

We go trick-or-treating each year with my husband's family. There are lots of cousins on his side for our 2 to play with. This year all the cousins are dressing as pirates, and we have a pirate ship to ride on...no kidding! The in-laws live in a more rural neighborhood and we always drive the kids around on a wagon pulled my a trailer. This year our trailer has a pirate ship my father-in-law built for vacation bible school on it. So we have a band of pirates. Haha!

Well, I decided Mister Man needed to be Girlie's parrot rather than a pirate. But I didn't like any of the parrot costumes I found online (really I only found 1 style). So I set out to make it myself.

The first thing I did was hit up a thrift shop. I bought a green hoodie and a pair of yellow pants. The pants are the right size for Mister Man, but the hoodie is actually a 4T (but it must have shrunk). It cost me $1 for the hoodie and $0.50 for the pants!

I then cut off a ruffle that was on the hoodie, because heaven forbid my little guy has a ruffle on something. I went to the fabric store and bought some fleece to make the wings. I was originally going to use felt, but the fleece was 50% off! $3.50 for all the fleece I needed. I cut the fleece into a wing pattern, making each color a little smaller. I also cut out some tail feathers.

I used some read embroidery floss to hand stitch it all together (but I think you could totally hot glue everything if you aren't handy with a needle. I then stitched each wing to the back of each sleeve.

I cut out some eyes and stitched them to the side of the hood. And then I made a beak (2 triangles of fleece stitched together and stuffed) and stitched it to the inside of the top of the hood.

I decided since the hoodie was a little big for Mister Man anyway to sew some pocket on the inside of the front of the hoodie and I stuffed those to give my parrot a rounder look.

The last thing I did was sew the tail feathers into the back of the hoodie.

VOILA! A fabulous parrot costume that cost me all of $5!! Mister Man is going to be the cutest little parrot! I'll post some pics of the costume in action on Sunday after we go trick-or-treating.

Quickie

2010-10-26T20:33:00.000-04:00

So, I had planned on a sewing post tonight...but my kids did not want me to sew today. Instead another recipe, but one I need help on (and this time I have pics!).

In my effort to eat more organically & more healthy, I have been trying to healthify (is that a word?) our family's favorite meals. One of our all time faves is Quickie. My mom made this when I was growing up, I started making it when hubby & I got married and I have shared it with lots of friends and family that also make it now. Everyone loves Quickie! I am currently trying to make it healthier, but having a few difficulties. I'll post the original recipe, then list what cahnges I plan on making to it next time.

Quickie
(not sure where my mom got the recipe from...and she doesn't remember either)

Ingredients:

4 eggs
2 cups shredded mozarella cheese
1/2 cup milk
1- 8oz tube of crescent rolls (the Pillsbury type)
1lb hamburger
1 bottle of taco sauce
salt & pepper for taste

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425.
Brown the hamburger in a skillet, then drain (we get all our meat from my grandparents farm, so it very rarely needs drained...it's super lean...and we know it's hormone free)
Add 1/2 of the bottle of taco sauce to the hamburger & simmer.

Grease a 9x13 baking dish and spread the crescent rolls into the bottom to form a crust.
Mix eggs, milk, cheese & salt & pepper in a bowl. Be sure to whisk the eggs first.

Spread hamburger onto the cresecent rolls and pour remaining taco sauce over it.

Pour egg mixture over the hamburger and spread as evenly as possible.

Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes (I leave it in just a tad longer to get the top nice & browned)

Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting. I serve it with a spoonful of sour cream on top. And the leftovers (if there are any) are deee-licious!

Ok, so here's what I have come up with to make it healthier, let me know what you think.

Replace taco sauce with homemade salsa,
Use all natural cheese.
Our eggs and meat are both from my grandparents' farm, so they're good.

Do you have any other suggestions? I'd love to be able to still make our favorite meals even with trying to eat heathier.

And the Winner is...

2010-10-26T07:16:00.000-04:00

Wow! The CSN Stores giveaway had 232 entries! That's the most entries I've had in any giveaway so far :o) Thanks for entering everyone!

The winner of the $55 CSN Stores gift card is...

Comment #155...Trista!

Trista said: 1- I posted on my facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1053231231
~Trista

Congrats Trista! I will be emailing you in a few minutes. You have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen.

Don't forget the Bummas giveaway is still open AND next Monday Follow the Star begins! 4 blogs, a giveaway a day in November and a photo contest on the Follow the Star Facebook page with great prizes! Be sure to follow the other co-hosts (their buttons are in the side bar under the Follow the Star button) and like their Facebook fan pages to keep up on all the giveaways (and doing so now will give you a head start on entering!).

HTML Help

2010-10-21T20:51:00.000-04:00

Ok folks, this post is purely to help me out. I am trying to number my comments to make it easier to draw for giveaways (I really don't feel like counting out the more than 170 comments on my CSN giveaway).

I've found some great tutorials that are really easy to understand, except for one thing...they all say to look for the following code: <dl id='comments-block'>

But I cannot find that code! Even when I do CTRL + F and search for it, it says there are no matches.

Yes, I have the expand widgets box checked. and I can find every other bit of code it tells me to find, but just not that one. Can anyone help me????

Family Friendly Blog Hop: Week 2

2010-10-21T08:44:00.001-04:00

I just had to share the beautiful fall foliage :o)

And today is our 2nd Family Friendly Blog Hop! Do you have a blog with kid's recipes, crafts, reviews, giveaways or just stories about your kiddos? Then this is the blog hop for you!

Here's the rules of the hop:

Follow both Spoons, Spades & Stitches and Happenings of the Harper Household via Google Friend Connect and leave us comments that you do. We'll gladly follow back!
Write a post about the Family Friendly blog hop that includes the button. Please do this...it helps spread the word about the hop and our great blogs.
Display the button on your blog.
Add your family friendly blog to the linky...please be sure to put your blog name and link to your main page.
Visit other blogs and follow those you like!

This is a great way to find more family friendly blogs!

Spoons, Spades & Stitches

Winner!

Our Journey to Real Food

Winners!

Strawberries

Thirsties {Review & Giveaway}

Recycling Revisited

Bummis Swimmi {Review & Giveaway} CLOSED

Lou Bugs Boutique {Review & Giveaway} CLOSED

Changes

Birthday Celebration

Summer

MIA Again

The Power of "Snail Mail"

A List a Mile Long

Attack of the Toys!

Go Green Diapers {Review}

Spring Cleaning Time

Bread Baking

Working Hard

Strawberry Waffles {Recipe}

Easter Inspiration: Peeps

An Update

Feed the Birds

Newman's Own Organics {Review}

Getting My Appetite Back

Winners Galore!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlights: Brynn's Beautiful Bows, Mommy's Lil Angels & The Lilypond Family Shoppe

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Baby Fables

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Fang Dangles

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Tutu Corner

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Sponsor Spotlight: Tutu Sweet

A Blogtastic Extravaganza! Extra Entry Opportunities

Little Green Books {Review & Giveaway}

EcoMom {Review & Giveaway}

And the Winner is...

Quick Update

Merry Christmas & an Update

CSN Stores {Giveaway}

And the winner is,,,

Be Back in a Few

Fluffy Giveaway Alert {On Another Blog}

And the Winner is...

Cheating on Christmas Cookies

American Country Designs {Review & Giveaway}

Never Enough Fluff & Stuff

*CLOSED* Wee Can Too {Review & Giveaway}

Handmade Christmas Gifts for Your Little Ones

Another CSN Stores Giveaway: Coming soon!

Green Toys {Review}

And the Winner is...

My AWESOME Christmas Decorating Husband

And the Winner is...

Decorating for Christmas

*CLOSED* Bloem & Grow {Review & Giveaway}

And the Winner is...

Pumpkin Crisp {Recipe}

*CLOSED* Robyn's Sweet Cheeks {Review & Giveaway}

Where Have All the Good Posts Gone?

And the Winner is...

*CLOSED* Tutu Corner {Review & Giveaway}

Prematurity Awareness Day

And the Winner is...

And the Winner is...

*CLOSED* All About the Hair Bows {Review & Giveaway}

And the Winner is...

*CLOSED* Tiny Toe Creations {Review & Giveaway}

And the New Winner is...

*CLOSED* Off Beet Boutique {Review & Giveaway}

And the Winner is...

*CLOSED* Simple Block Sayings {Review & Giveaway}

*CLOSED* Bubble & Bee Organics {Review & Giveaway}

And the Winner is...

Merry Christmas Mail

Follow the Star Christmas Collaboration Event: Holiday Photo Contest!

Yay for Follow the Star!

Follow the Star Head Start

My Little Parrot: Halloween Costume {Tutorial}

Quickie

CLOSED Wee Can Too {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Bloem & Grow {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Robyn's Sweet Cheeks {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Tutu Corner {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED All About the Hair Bows {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Tiny Toe Creations {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Off Beet Boutique {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Simple Block Sayings {Review & Giveaway}

CLOSED Bubble & Bee Organics {Review & Giveaway}