Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

There isn't a thing I like better then to toss off
the stress of a long day with my clothes and climb
into a hot, steaming tub and soak my worries away.
A little music, a book, maybe a candle and a glass
of wine and I feel like a whole new person when I
am done. As always the soaps and the bath drop
ins take your bath from the same old same old to
a totally different plane and I sometimes want to
cry when I run out of hot water for the tub is and
has always been my sanctuary. Even when I was
a teenager I loved nothing more then a hot tub to
I was a wrinkled and pruned as one of those crazy
crinkle dogs. If you do not have a room full of
steam you just are not doing it right!





In the hallway we have a closet and in it
are shelves that I have broken down. There is
medicines, and first aid on one. Face products and
lotions on another. Shampoo and bath soap and body
wash for everyone in the house on the next then the
last shelf has my shampoo, my soap, my lotion and
my bath products that nobody in the house but me
can use. Um, under penalty of death! It isn't that my
stuff is better then their stuff for my son has some
pretty pricey items he requests and Baby items, wow,
we all know there. It is that the items on that shelf are
items that took me forever to find for I am picky about
everything I use and most things get filtered out of my
bath time rituals for I just don't like something about
them. The smell, the size, the texture, the suds or even
the film it leaves behind on my skin.It takes a whole lot
of goodness to make it through my picky picky process.
Lucky for me I got the chance to do a review for Lush!
Now talk about whole lot of goodness! I reviewed three
different items for review and each and everyone of
them is scrumptious! 1 set one aside to give to a reader
but fell in love with the other two. The Bed Of Roses
Butter cream was fantastic and and the Massage bar
just as awesome. I was really hooked on the Butter cream
though for I love bath gels and not to fond of bar soaps
and this was like a combination of both. It left me so soft
it was unreal and moist all over. I could literally feel it
melt away and not leave any trace behind and loved it!
I want to buy this in bulk, buy a great lock and a mini
fridge and just move into the bathroom. Rock on Lush!
I totally felt like your namesake when I was done!
All of their items are handmade and you can tell
by the cute little irregularities in the design and styles.
Each item is perfectly handcrafted to give you that made
with love feeling that reflects in the quality. I love
the whimsical styles and themes and got a kick that
a lot of the products were modeled after candy or sweets
for us women deserve to be covered in items as sweet
as we are! I also really love the fact they have the retro
shop where they carry products of Lush past for there is
nothing more aggravating then falling in love with a product
and then it disappearing from the shelves and you can
never find it again! It is super to see a place that remembers
what products got them here in the first place and doesn't
disappear them altogether. Lush is the only place around
that uses a Palm free method for making their soaps and
this is one of the reasons they are so darn good. They also
are only 40-60 percent soap so they can cram in other
goodies to keep you soft, healthy and smooth! Currently
Lush has a whole bunch of Valentines Day specials going
on so if you have heard about them and always wanted to
try them, now is the perfect time. I am totally satisfied with
these guys and so glad they finally got me to clean up
my act! Lush just picks up where other soaps left off!
YUM!
I also have a Lush Soap for one of my readers! Look up! It took
every ounce of strength I had to not use this myself and
if you would like to win it head over to Lush and take a look
around then come back here and post what item you think
you would like best in a comment! The contest will start today
and run to Midnight on March 3rd.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Lush


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Pepper and Tanky and Bebe Soleil Contests!

I have never laughed so hard in my whole life! a SHRED
SLED Rocks! We had the best time with the review and
I have got to tell you all about it! Andrew is a huge fan of
Skateboarding and I love to Roller Skate to death. When I
saw the Shred Sled I knew we had to try it! Now remember
here we are pros's. Okay, not pros's but we have both spent
a lot of time with both of the for-mentioned items and have
a lot of equipment to show for it. Andrew has a pretty nice
Board Collection and even some collectors editions signed
by some of his Favorite Skaters for he is an Extreme Sports
nut and I grew up Skating and then Roller Blading and in
fact I was so into it that was my means of transportation to
and from my first real job for a lot of years. Put it to you this
way, I bought my first car on my own new, off the lot and had
it for 10 years. I only had 44 thousand miles on it when I sold
it for I just drove it to the store or in the winter. The rest of the
time I either skated to work or rode my bike. You would think
I would have some pretty good balance.
I also got all riled up for the man in charge over at
Shred Sled is also a huge fan of his product and I was
goofing around and told him I was even going to try to get
up on this baby myself, even though I am 40 years old! He
laughed and said he is 45 and rides every day! UM, can you
say challenge to a very competitive person? How can I pass
that up? Okay, you are not going to get pictures of the bruises
but let's just say I should have passed that up. Being old
School, Michelle does not own padding and it hurts a lot
more to hit the ground at 40 then it did at 20. I bow, you
win, but don't think I won't get padding and try again! If my
doctor knew I had even tried a thing like this with my issues
she would have strapped me in a hospital bed before I even
got out the door. You know what they say, Pride come before
the Fall. Well, I fell, Hard! I say Shred Sled won this round
but once I heal and strap a pillow to my rear I will be back!
Andrew on the other hand got it! Now it took a while but
he got it! Now granted he has youth on his side and a
Skate Board is harder then Roller Skates but don't think
for a second that didn't hurt my ego too! One thing though,
Andrew and I have not had so much fun together in a long
time! This is a must have item for anyone who loves
Snowboarding, Blading, Skateboarding or Surfing for it is
all about balance. I almost gave up on Andrew making it
past the sidewalk for a lot of trial and error went
on here but he did it and once a person gets the hang of
it they really get the hang of it. Okay, he is not
at trick level yet but my goodness, just to walk back in
with all of his appendages in tact was a surprise for me.
Now I am not implying it is dangerous for it
is no more so then any of the others things I mentioned but
I am implying Andrew has a way of destroying things if it
is my good China, a TV or DVD player or his own body,
the kid has broken it more then once! I can't wait to
we convince John to try, and Oh, we will convince him!
He thinks he can avoid us but we will wear him down. I
still remember the day they discovered a water balloon
sling shot and if I can deal with the chaos they caused
there he can deal with the little bit of embarrassment he
might suffer as we point and laugh! I am still laughing over
Andrew and I's initial attempts! One of the things I loved
the best about the Shred Sled is the fact it is so unique
and cool looking you can't help but to want to try it out.
When Andrew and I went to test it out, while we were out
there, a crowd of neighborhood kids gathered and they
had to try it to and so on and so forth and next thing you
know everyone wanted to get out there and go to town.
I loved that! I also loved the fact it made you want to get
off the couch and go out and DO SOMETHING! I swear,
since Winter has started I can feel my bottom get bigger
and this was such the cure.



Now take away the fact that Andrew and
I have some skills on a Skateboard and on Roller Skates,
if this were to fall into the hands of a person who was really
into Extreme Sports and not just one little area of them,
can you imagine how awesome it would look to see them
Zipping around! Take my Nephew in Law, once he gets
a load of this, Oh my, I am so sure that will be the last
time we see it for he will be miles away laughing like
a fool before we can pull on our shoes. That boy is a
natural. In fact any person old enough to Skateboard,
Surf or Snowboard could do wonders with this if given
a chance. Did I mention how dang cool it looks? I was
checking out the Demo Video and tips for the Sled and
as you can see by the picture Andrew did start by a wall
like the tips say, but these kids in the video, WOW!
Unlike a skate board you don't have to keep pumping
the pavement for speed, just wiggle your feet to keep
going like skates and you have so much more flexibility
then a Board the possibilities are endless. It takes
practice, I won't lie to you, but once mastered what
a show! I saw this on our news here a while ago and
Andrew has been babbling about wanting one and until
we actually saw it I did not realize how cool it really
was. The Sled is built to last and unlike a board it has
the center that allows movement and you can just
about do anything you dream of if you put your mind to
it! I may have bit the pavement but I had a lot of fun
trying and Andrew is no where near done honing his
skills and John WILL ride! If you are looking for
something for your kids, have a hankering to walk on
the wild side yourself or need a gift, the Shred Sled
is your man! Or Board, Or whatever you are going to
call it for I think it is in a class by itself. Even though
there have been leap and bounds of advancements
in technology, I truly have not seen an original idea
for an outdoor item since the Roller Blade 20 something
years ago and this is just the thing we have all been
waiting for to get us up off the couch and away from
the video games and back on our feet's ( or behinds,
in my case) Get out and Play everyone!
The Shred Sled would make an awesome Valentines Day
gift for just about everyone on your list who loves to be
a part of the outdoor world and be sure to check them
out on my Gift Guide but you can also win one right here!
The great guy ( who shreds daily at 45) Eric over at Shred
Sled is going to give one to a reader of mine! To enter just
head over to the site and take a look around, be sure
to check out the video for some of the awesome things
they can do, then come back here and post what you
have learned in a comment. The contest will start today
and run to midnight on March 6th! USA and 18
and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Shred Sled


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals and Easy Lunch Box Systems contests!

Don't forget to check out the Shred Sled on the Valentines
Day Gift guide!

Rowan has loved the outdoors from day one. Being
born in the Summer she got the added perk of being
able to take long walks in her stroller from the moment
she was home and by the end of the Summer and though
Fall she also rode in her carrier. By the time she was
2-3 months she wore a per-ma grin anytime you took her
out the front door. The stroller is the best for a long walk
for we can stash items she needs in it and the carrier's
bouncing up and down gets to her after a while. Even though
she is too young to stand up and tell us how much she
loved the walks you can still tell she does. The first clue
is the smile but even after that it is obvious, she has a blast
looking around and is more alert in that stroller rolling around
the streets then the whole rest of the day. She is like a
sponge taking in everything and still wants more. One
thing we noticed though is timing is everything. If we go
at the wrong time of the day she can get really fussy and
end up in tears. We thought it was because she was due for
a nap for the longest time but once we took her right after
a nap and she did it then too. For a baby that loves to
travel along to act like that had us really confused and it
was John who figured out why.
The Sun!
It was in her eyes and she couldn't stand it. I am sure because
it blinded her and she could not check out the scenery around
her and I know I hate it when the Sun is in my eyes but
never stopped to think it might bother a baby too. It sure
did and after that I felt like a bad Mom for not noticing it
before. Once we realized the culprit John and I were like
the Weather Channel Reporters when planning walk time.
TV on, Computer fixed to the Weather Bug as we tracked
down Sun Set and Sun Rise times for our area and mapped
out what direction the Sun would be in. I felt like a Pirate
making a treasure map,
"Okay John, walk 32 paces to such and such street then
turn left and go down to blocks to the big tree, hang a right
and a quick left and 42 more paces. That will keep you
ahead of the Sun."
John was cool drawing up a game plan everyday for he is
a guy and a blueprint of any kind is a big deal for them but I
found it a pain in the backside. Soon I was dreading the walks
all together and my last ditch effort got tossed on the curb,
literally, I was about ready to call it quits. Did you know
Sunglasses may look super cute on a little Baby but the
fact of the matter is looks do not provide comfort and
as fast as I put them on her she had them tossed over
the side even faster. I relinquished walk time to John
and just took the dog when I went and it about broke my
heart for a really enjoyed going with her for I love to walk
myself. The problem was with Rowan and the Sun thing
that walk became a chore for every 3 feet I would have
to stop and calm her down and tilt her this way or
that to try and stop the Sun from shinning right in her
eyes and driving her nuts. Our trips ended up being more
trouble then fun.



Last week I got a chance to review a super cool
gadget from Bebe Soleil that promised to put an end to all
that and though it is Winter here and cold for the most
part we have not had much snow ( knock on wood) here
and all I needed was a nice day over 40 to test it out. Well
Yesterday I got my chance and Rowan and I did not consult
the weather channel for the times the Sun sets or rises and
decided to risk it and just go! Wouldn't you know it, Sun
Sun Sun and I was waiting for Rowans tell tale "Ah, Ah,
Uhhhhhhh!" before the tears for I was walking right into the
direction it was shinning. Boy, it was a beautiful day though, I
so love a Winter day when it is not insanely cold and you can
enjoy it and the Sun is bright. Everything is crisp and fresh
and the air is so clean unlike hot muggy summer days. I went
a few blocks before I realized she had not made a peep so I
had to check. Little Baby was grinning ear to ear for not only
did the shade work like a charm it also acted as a wind barrier
and she got to really enjoy her trip without Sun nor Wind ruining
the effect of the day. Little Goof, I had to laugh when I saw her
grin. It has been a couple of months since we have taken a really
good walk and I forgot how much she enjoyed it. I must admit I
was even a little more worried to test the Bebe Soleil out
in the Winter and not because of the temperature but is it
just me or do things seem even brighter in the Winter?
Even without snow on the ground I tend to squint and hide
my eyes from the glare and I don't remember doing that in
the Summer. I was worried the added brightness would make
it even worse on the little Baby Baby and if the shade did not
work she would be stuck in the middle of a long walk and have
to be uncomfortable all the way home. Boy was I worried for
nothing! It even seems silly now for she had the best time
ever!

Bebe Soleil is not only a perfect fix to those Sun glare blues
it is also really easy to use. No tools, no take 90% of the
Stroller apart like you do a bike seat, just a couple of magnets
clip it on and you can be up in running in less then a minute.
That really rocked for we have more then one strollar and
like to fold up everything and put it away after and this
puppy in on and off in a snap and can go anywhere. I even
caught John trying to see if it would work in the truck for
the Sun bugs her there as well and since she rides in the
front in his truck she is really exposed to the full winshield.
Yes, his Jerry Rigging was cute but I told him it was also
against the law and he couldn't keep it there and would just
have to take the car. The Bebe Soleil also offers UV protection
and that is a growing concern for I know I was a Sun baby but
with my fair skin I got lucky to not end up with some real
damage and I have avoided the Sun like the plauge ever
since the big hoople about skin ailments and the Sun. Rowan
has my skin tone and I think its better to not spin the
Roulette Wheel on her future, safe is better then sorry. I am
sorry, I just have to tell you guys one more time how easy
this thing was to use. After Christmas and the hours and
hours I spent with tools building one toy after another I don't
think I could have handled one mor second of reading pages
of instructions and pulling my hair out with any type of
installation manual and this was too easy. So easy, in
fact I was waiting for the catch! There was none! Simple,
Easy, Works like a charm and I love it and Baby loves it
too! Nothing could be better!

Well almost nothing, Bebe Soleil is going to give one to
reader of mine too! That is better! To enter just head over to
thier site and take a look around them come back here
and post what you have leaned in a comment. The contest will
start tonight then end on Midnight of March 6th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Bebe Soleil


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals or Easy Lunch Bunch Systems Contest!

Last fall I told you guys I finally got my first Pearls. For
40 years I had never been so fortunate to own a pair and
though I could have bought some for myself I just never
got around to it. I knew my Grandmother had a large Jewelry
collection so I always thought someday I would have some
Pearls from her. Funny thing, she did not have any either.
So last fall when a local Jewelry store sent a coupon for a
free pair of earrings I pushed John out the door to grab
them. They were real little, and not a great quality for they
were free and I am sure they gave out hundreds of pairs
but non the less it was enough to start the fire that burned
into full fledged Pearl Fever for me! After that all I could think
about morning, noon and night was Pearls. John was talking
about going to one of our Favorite local restaurants not long
ago called Tom's Oyster Bar and as he is talking about some
of the menu items I kept wondering what they do with the
Pearls from all the Oysters they use. I could not help but
to think just how many Oysters would I have to eat to find
a Pearl and how hard is it to Pearl dive anyway? Fear of
Sharks might have been enough to keep me from surfing
or Scuba Diving but now Pearls are at stake!
John, find us some diving gear!

Now that Valentines day is almost here I am even
worse. I have pictures all over the house. I have went as
far as to leave notes on the mirror in the shower letting
John and dang it, Andrew has his own money so him too,
so letting both of them know Pearls for Valentines would
be a wonderful thing. No Pearls could turn out bad for both
of them for my Pearl fever might hit epic proportions and
I could even forget how to cook and clean and other items
around the house they take for granted. I started to get a
little more crabby and set things down harder and harder
when I realized that they were not scouring sales adds or
doing Pearl research in preparation and soon they were
both walking around on pins and needles for they knew it
might be a bumpy road if they did not find the cure for
Pearl fever. Lucky for them Pearl Paradise asked if I
would like to do a review for them before this Powder
Keg exploded!

They sent me a stunning pair of Black Pearl Earring's.
They are Cultured Fresh Water Pearls from China and
came with a Certified Appraisal valuing them at $215.00.
John would not have gotten earring's nearly as good as
these! I love how the appraisal has all sorts of information
about the pearls and where they came from and their
rating and I have never had anything like that before and
I have more then my fair share of Jewelry. I think they
are very beautiful in fact so much so John has no choice
but to get me the matching Necklace for Valentines Day if
he would like to keep on doing that silly little tic he does.
I think he calls it breathing. It won't hurt nearly as much
as what he thinks it will though for one of the greatest things
about Pearl Paradise is what their items are worth are not
what you pay. In fact you can not find a better deal on Pearls,
no matter what the style or Quality anywhere! They set the
Standards and are a leader in Quality, fashionable Jewelry
and super reasonable prices. Really Super! Not to mention
I believe they are the only cure to my fever after checking
out everything they carry. The Freshwater Pearls are my
all time favorite and they cater to every budget. The selection
is immense and when you find the style you like don't
forget you still have color, size and so much more to think
of.

The Pearl Earring Selection alone is staggering and
you can find a pair to fit any taste out there! They have
Kamoka, Tahitian, Freshwater, White South Sea and many
other variety's to choose from and to tell you the truth I did
not even know there were that many different selections.
My list of wants is really big and I want a choker, and that
I want in classic but some of their designs are so gorgeous
I almost can't stand to look at them knowing they are not
in my jewelry box. This is a Valentines Day gift for any female
you know that will make them swoon and I can't wait to
Rowan is a little older so we can get a matching pair. I am
in love with this site and John better get with the program!
Not to worry though, the man never could turn down a deal
and with prices this incredible even my son could afford
a piece for me with only his Allowance. The freshdama Pearls,
well I could cry and would too if John got me those, they are
the worlds Highest Quality Freshwater Pearl and one look
you will know why. So breathtaking and Pearl Paradise has
the best of them! So Freshwater Pearls in General or
a specific pair of Pearl Earring's, you can't go wrong at
Pearl Paradise and I hope that John got the hint when I
wrote their name all over his case for his Bass Guitar!

Are you a Pearl Fanatic too! Pearl Paradise is
going to give one of my readers a Pair of Earring's like
mine.To enter just head over to their site and take a
look around and then come back here and post what
your favorite item is and what kind of Pearl you love the
best! The contest starts tonight and will run to Midnight
on March 5th!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Pearl Paradise


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals and Easy Lunchbox Systems Contests!

Check Out Pearl Paradise on my Valentines Day Gift Guide!

When you have a new Baby so many things change
in your life! Even before they are born there is gads
to do. You need furniture and clothing and bath products
and to make sure your house is child proof and that list
just goes on and on. You also need a good doctor and to
find a great pediatrician and you get to think of names and
dream of their future and all the plans you have for Jr.
One of the best parts, even if it means the most work, is
putting together your baby's nursery. I spent hours looking
at paint samples, trims and borders. Blinds and rugs and
carpeting and Furniture and Cribs and Mobiles and I
could go on and on and on and on but you get the point.
One thing you need to think out thoroughly before you
touch anything is a theme. That is the centerpiece to the
nursery like a flower arrangement on a Holiday table. It
just ties it all together. With me I have Caviar dreams on
a beer budget and the theme took me forever. I decided on
Fairy's for I could accent it with so many things like
Flowers and sparkles and just about anything magical.
It was not an easy theme to follow but it turned out pretty
great and the only thing I was not happy with was the paint.
I wanted white walls and a ceiling with shades of purple and
lavender for the trim. I had plans on wall decals for the Fairy's
and needed a clean slate so white was the perfect choice. Now
it wasn't the color I didn't like, that was more then fine. It was
the paint for the walls and the ceiling. You see we plan to move
soon for before John and I were together we both owned our
own homes. He sold his when his first wife and him divorced and
I sold mine when my Grandmother passed for I wanted to move
out of state for my Job. I got this Condo as a place to stay to
I moved and here I am 7 years later. With the housing market
the way it is in Michigan right now it would be the perfect time
to buy. With as many foreclosures are there are you can get
a home for less then 50 thousand that is worth five times that
or more before the market fell and we could have a home so
nice I had never even dreamed that big, for a house payment
cheaper then the rent we pay now. Knowing that, John chose
some very inexpensive paint. Only a few months later
you can tell it was a very bad choice.
Lucky for him I just got the chance to do a review for
Mythic paint. Very lucky for him! This paint was sooooooooooo
different then the store brand he bought the first time out
and even if we are planning on moving it will not be for a
year or so and I refuse to let Rowan have a room where you
can already see the last color ( a darker white) bleeding
through. John had to do it again. Well, if he wanted to
be able to sleep at night he did. I picked a shade of lavender
to do an accent wall with and oh my is it beautiful! I was
floored when I saw the difference and believe you me, he is now
going to do the whole thing. Mythic paint is a non-toxic, ultra
low odor paint that provides the durability and coverage and
it looks so vivid and smooth John will live to see another
day.

I was shocked at how little you have to put on the
roller to get a great even coat and how little paint we
really used. We did not even use a whole gallon for the
large wall and it looks rich and deep like it is many coats
thick. For the other brand we used 5 gallons to cover
already white walls and before it even dried we could see
the old stuff bleeding through. This looks as if the
wall was made of this color from scratch and is so bright
and vibrant I can't wait to do more walls in the house. We
did this the night before the camera battery died and have
not replaced it yet but I promise to post the picture really
soon for I am taking Rowan to the doctors tomorrow and
will grab a new one then. I am in total shock at the
difference between one paint to the next for I always though
hey, paint is paint. No way do I think that now! Mythic is safe
for people, pets and the Earth and is non- toxic, has zero-
carcinogens and is super durable and cleans up easy as
pie! They have every shade under the sun and contain no
VOC's so the means they are Earth friendly. OK Check list
time:
Vivid color
Non Toxic
Earth Friendly
easy to use
Lasts forever
easy to clean
they can match competitors colors
low Oder, so you can paint in the morning and sleep there that
night.
Perfect!


Even more perfect is the fact that Mythic is going to give one
of my readers two gallons to do up their own room! Bathroom,
bedroom or kitchen, this paint will chase those winter blues
away and give you that I just got a new room vibe we all love.
To enter just head over to their web site and take a look around
and them come back here and post something you have learned
in a comment. The contest starts tonight and will run to Midnight
on March 5th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Mythic Paint


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals and Easy Lunch Box Systems contests!

I have a Perfume collection that would make any
woman swoon with jealousy. I became addicted when I was
just a girl and the hook that drug me into the fragrance world
was Luv's Baby Soft! Since then I have been a woman on fire
and anything that smells good I have to have. I have been to
every single perfume outlet I can find, the Duty free store at
the Airports and Canadian Border ( One of the perks of living
in Detroit!) and on-line since it took 45 minutes to hear the
Famous line, "You Have Mail!" and my collection is nothing
shy of immense! Even the employees who used to work for
me knew of my fixation for everyday I would always be wearing
a different scent and they often played name that aroma.
I will never forget one of my prep cooks who was at retirement
age and from some small European Country and spoke little
English and most of it was broken and often she made no sense.
She worked 5 days a week preparing our salads and shared
the Kitchen with 5 other 20 something year old men who used
to blare either Hip Hop, Rap or Hard Rock on the kitchen
radio to her utter shock and dismay. I knew it was hard on her
and went and ordered a CD of Folk songs from her home
Country and I spoke to the boys and one morning when
she came in for work we had that on the CD player and she
ended up in tears. Before this she was always short and gruff
and to the outside world appeared as if she was about ready
to explode at all times, after, she was a whole other person
Her daughter who was born here came in to explain to me she
had spent most of her life in America feeling very much the
outsider and the language barrier was very hard on her and
she was often misunderstood and has grown bitter over the
years. She was so touched by what we did she realized she
had been angry so long it had effected every part of her life and
she had been lashing out at people who did not deserve it. After
that day the kids and her took turns with the music and they
even got her to dance to some of theirs and them to some of
hers and it was just an all around better time back there. Any
way, back to the point, she felt so thankful I helped her and the
kids reach a mid-point she brought me some Perfume from her
land. Now I had to wear it to be polite but when I did people
took many steps back and nobody wanted to get a whiff to see
the scent for most of the time it brought tears to their eyes.
Now I keep it with my collection as a reminder of her kindness
but no way is that going to be opened again. The point is,
good, bad and Oh my what is that smell? I have it all!

One of the things I have also found out is no matter how
small of a bottle you buy for your purse it is going to break! That
makes long days a hard road for keeping the scent fresh and even
the best perfumes will not outlast a 12 hour day in the Kitchen.
I shed more tears over broke bottles and not even over the price
I paid for the perfume ( wow, that stuff costs more then gold) but
the fact the bottles that always broke we ones they no longer
sold. They had to be a better way to carry your favorite scents
around with you and allow you the chance to re-apply when they
start to fade. I even tried oils to see if they would last longer but
even those tiny little bottles would bust eventually and I would
have a great smelling purse and I would still smell like whatever
was in the oven at the time. I also tried scented lotions but
most of them are made for keeping you smooth and the scent
is so light I would have to walk around applying it 24-7 to
keep the smell alive. I pretty much gave up. When I heard about
the Cream Perfume Company I was really excited. Yes, I am no
longer working 14 -16 hour days but I know there are other
people out there and I still have days where I am running around
so much I could use this nifty item. When I got a chance to do
a review I told My Mother and a friend who both had their hands
in the air as test subjects before I even finished the sentence.
After I told them I had it under control I checked out the box!
The Cream Perfume Company sent me three Lotions
or body moisturizers and three of their little containers of cream
perfume. Before I tell you about the scent and how they work
let me tell you about their packaging first. I fell in love with it!
The little containers are made of this wooden base with a twist
off top and all I could think about was how great they would look
in the Bathroom. One of the cool things about collecting bottles
of perfume is the way the bottles look and I have got to tell you
I was afraid using a cream I would miss that and these are darling!
I am not sure what they are made of but they feel like real wood
and would look so cute placed next to some guest soaps I was
excited as all get out and had to run and find them the perfect
spot in my bathroom! Okay guys, what you really want to know!
The scent! The lotions were the bomb as far as lotions go and not
only left my hands feeling soft and smooth but you could really
smell the scent. I know a lot of people opt for the scent free on
lotions but if it is a smell you like you barely get a whiff of it
before it dissipates. There were just the right strength and
I thought perfect for around the house and to toss in your
purse. Every single one smelled just like the bottle promised
and worked great. My hands and skin felt soft for hours too
and not at all greasy! Loved it!

The Tubs were even better! This was like a light
cream but packed full of scent and stayed right where you
put it. Your skin absorbed it super fast and unlike a spray
where you have to wait for it to dry this was on and stayed
on and didn't slow me down a beat. Better yet, you can stick
one in your purse, car, even coat pocket and never have to
worry about it breaking. I love having a selection in my bathroom
and will have to order more for my purse and such for they
just look so cute where they are it is hard to move them. The
best part is they last! A lot longer then a spray and do not
feel sticky like a spray either and are so much more flavorful
without being over powering! Both the lotion and the creams
will have a lasting place of honor in my house and I am
delighted to have found them. I am even more so for the
fact I have lately been worried about my collection for
Rowan is growing fast and I am scared to death it is only a
matter of time before she smashes 100 dollar bottles and I can
now pack them away till she is older and cover my dresser with
these instead for they are just as decorative and smell just
as good if not better in some cases. Two huge thumbs up
from a perfume junkie!
The Cream Perfume Company is going to give one
of you some of these goodies too! One winner can pick
any item they like off of the web store! How cool is that?
To enter just go to their site and take a look around them come
back here and post what you have learned in a comment.
The contest will start tonight and run to midnight on March 4th!
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Cream Perfume Company


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals and Easy Lunch Box Systems Contests!

I don't think I know a single person who does not
know about Burt's Bee's! These guys came out of no
where and have taken the world by storm and even the
big wigs like Chapstick have had to stand back and go
"Wow!" Now I have seen them everywhere and have a
few friends who swear by them and will drive to five
different places to find just the Burt's product they are
looking for and if I dare suggest trying something else
I get that blank stare and a BLINK BLINK, What?
I have also tried their Lip Products and yes, they are
great but that was the extent of the knowledge I had of
them. Lips and whatever other items they sold that
are now on every checkout lines impulse rack in
America. What I didn't know was how vast their product
line was and to how many different people they catered
too.
This Holiday season I was out looking for items for
Rachel. Teenage girls are so hard to buy for and that 12-15
year old age gap is the worst for they want adult items, you
want them to be 6 again and you have to find a happy
medium. You do not want to give them cosmetics they will
apply so thick they will leave you thinking you just set them up
for a life with a man named Bubba who wears a wife beater
and who's idea of Home Renovation it making a beer can Mobile
for the Pop Up trailer in his parents back yard. I have seen the
Wet and Wild display at the drug store and to be honest the
name alone sends chills down my spine when I think of my
step daughter, or worse yet, Rowan, getting her hands on
something that promises a wet, wild time. But you can't stop
progress or worse yet, maturity and Girls will become Women
if you want them to or not. All you can do is try to point them
in a good direction and pray she does not consider Beer can
Mobil's art! I did Bonnie Bell the last few years and she liked
it but someone told me ( It is so nice to have lots of friends
with Teenage Girls who tell me what is cool or not) that Bonnie
Bell is for Kids and Rachel is now past that. She might say thanks
and act like she loves it but chances are it is going to go in
a drawer and she will save her money for makeup on her own
and at today's cosmetic prices chances are that will be Wet and
Wild. Now I could not bring myself to get her war paint this
year for she just turned 13 and if her Mom wants her to do it,
fine, but I will not be the one who takes a 13 year old and gives
her the means to look 23. I remember what I did when I first
realized if I wore make-up I could look older and I almost
had to go straight to bed with an icepack because of the instant
stress headache I had from the mear thought of her doing the
same. So the cosmetic counter at Macy's was out and Bonnie
Bell was a thing of the past so what should I do? That is when
I remembered Burt's Bee's and I know that its a product for all
ages and I think, or hope, they do not have wet and wild anything.
I decided to find out what all the buzz about them was really about!
I was familiar with their lip products but I did not know
they also carried hair products, Baby products, Body items such
as washes and soaps and add ins for your bath, why they even
now carry Toothpaste. Boy, had I missed the boat on this one!
I decided to send them a letter and find out what else I had
been out of the loop on. The people at Burt's were nice enough
to send me some items for review and I not only got to sample
their Body Wash and Bath Soak they stuck in some items for
Baby too and a great item called Belly Balm. I had previous
experience with their lip products and know most of you have
as well and we all know they are fantastic or this company
would not have grown at the rate it has so I am going to
tell you a little about the body wash first. The Radiance
Exfoliating Body Wash is a blend of all their best, right down
to the Royal Jelly, one of the world's most nutrient-rich substances
that is super fantastic at rejuvenating your skin. I just loved
it and I know a lot about Body wash for I have banned the bar
soap from my tub a long time ago and have used body wash
only for going on 20 years now. You could feel the zing of the
wash and it was like a cup of coffee for my skin and was a great
way to wake up and not only offered me a relaxing shower but
energy too! This stuff has found a new home in my tub and
I know my friend loves everything Burt, so I might have to
chain it to the facet!

The next item I tried was for Rowan and the Buttermilk
Bath Pint. I have had such a hard time with her in the tub
for she loves bubbles but I am scared to death she has skin
as sensitive as mine and will not go out and buy a regular
bath additive and even worse she is bald and still has cradle
cap and I am too afraid to try the products that are supposed
to work for that on her as well. What is going on is, she does
not quiet yet have dry skin but it is not nearly as moist as
it could be and my fears are making her suffer and she could
have that Baby Soft Glow if I would only let go a little and now
anything that drips on her I have to wipe up pronto or it leaves
a rash because of this. For Bubble Bath I have been using her
Baby Shampoo and this dries her skin even more and I so
need some sort of item to add that brings back her natural
moisture. When I saw the Buttermilk Bath Soak I will admit I
was apprehensive but I did need to do something and I remember
my Grandmother talking about Buttermilk soaks being good
for something or other and I respect her opinion and thought
if I am going to take the plunge I might as well start here.
You would think I was sitting on Pins and Needles as I sat
next to the tub and put the right amount in. I actually hovered
that Squirming baby over the water with second thoughts but
I made it and she is fine and for the first time in a long time
Soft! Better yet, since she splashes like a fish the water ends
up all over her head and I swear her cradle cap looked better
with just that small amount of water flowing over it. I do have
to explain her cradle cap a little better for you guys would never
see it or know it is there but you know Moms, total inventory of
their children's parts and though it is just a little patch under a
tuft of hair it broke my heart to know it was there. The next bath
I used more and even used the water as rinse to remove the
shampoo and it really does work on this. I know this is not
a product made just for this purpose but if your bundle has it
like mine, try this soak, it worked wonders and I am now adding
it to every bath she has!

The other product they sent was the Belly Balm and one of
you are going to let me know how this works! I am not worried
for everything I tried ( and yes they sent lip balm!) was fantastic
and worked sooooooooooo good at making my skin and Rowan's
soft and moist and for me and my body wash, rejuvenated and
energized I know this stuff is going to be great but unfortunately
I would not be able to tell on my own belly for the damage is done!
To get your hands on this little gem just head over and visit Burt's
and then come back here and let me know what your favorite item
is. The contest will start today and run to Midnight on March 1st.USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Burt's Bee's


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals and Alli's Originals Contests!

Oh how I detest laundry and the many loads I do.
Up and down the stairs, dang I forgot the softener again.
Will this stain ever come out? How many times must I
wash Rowans clothes a day? Um, just what is that stain
on my teenage sons clothes? ( I have given up on his items
and he now washes his own) and how is it that John can
produce as much Laundry as the kids and still look like
he is wearing the same outfit all the time? Rowan is the
worst offender though by far ( If I knew what Andrew washed
he might be, but fear prevents me from looking) and I change
this child at least 5 times a day if not more. Add in the burp
clothes, wash clothes and everything else I use to clean her
up during the day and you will find 2 to 3 loads are hers alone.
How does this darling bundle accumulate this
much laundry every day? Drool is number one, spills are
number two and meal time number three on the list of reasons
to change Miss Messy Butt. For drooling this girl is a faucet. I
keep waiting for some teeth to spring up but after 3 months
of drooling there are still no pearly whites in sight. At least with
some teeth in that always open mouth there might be some sort
of damming going on that slows down the drool for as it stands
it is 4 PM right now and I have changed her outfit 4 times. All
because of drool. Once because of lunch. I know you guys are
saying put a bib on that baby and I do! But a bib can only absorb
so much fluid before it too needs to be rang out and washed.
Yes, she drools that much. If there is a water shortage this
Summer Rowan could water my Garden and yours! Um, plus
the rest of the neighborhoods. She soaks through her bib, her
Outfit and her Onesie over and over again. Bech!
Next is her eating habits, cute at first, now it is a
hazardous waste exhibit. This girl hits her nose, her eyes and
her ears and insists on feeding herself as often as she can.
Her shirt looks like Picasso went to town and the only place
Rowan does not hit with her "Gerber Art" is her mouth! This
leaves all these beautiful clothes I buy her looking like a
Rochat test and ruined. When Bersica Futurewear asked if
I would like to do a review I said sure, then read all about them.
Water rolls off, Sure! Stain Resistant, ah ha, sure it is, maybe
a water stain. Now the no chemicals and environmentally Friendly
I could believe, so is lots of stuff now a days. Protects from
UV rays, now that is pretty cool but I can't shake the crazy claim
of water rolling right off. I am also liking the high quality and
durability for you know me and the Michelle Test, stuff has
got to last or to the Moon Alice! Well I agreed to do the test
but really didn't hold out much hope for the Water rolling off
or even the stain resistant part. Pleazzzzzzzzzz. I have heard
more imagination when my son explains why he didn't clean
up his room.

When I got the review item I opened it up and was
pretty darn happy it was pink and cute. Now it might end
up covered in Rowan drool but at least she will look adorable
doing it. The pants fit really good too. I so hate how baby pants
are either too too big or look like she is ready ahead of time
for the tidal wave of drool that is going to run down her front.
These fit just like pants I would buy would fit me, of coarse her
bootie is cuter! I grabbed a T-shirt and left off the bib for I
wanted to see the drool roll down faster and not fill the
Bib to its absorbent maximum first. With in minutes the shirt
was soaked so I thought here comes the show so I might as
well make it really fun and feed the baby some lunch too!
(ahahahahaha) I will show you some stains that resist! (ah ah
ahahahaha) Rowan had some bright orange Carrots and
her new favorite Blueberry dessert. I was pretty sure those
would show up nicely on the pink pants and was also just as
sure they would stay there for they have on the last three
things she has worn when she ate the Blueberry concoction.
Rowan loved her lunch and was so kind she helped me out
by feeding herself. A little for her, a little for the pooch, a
little for the floor, a little for, JOHN, can you take this bite
for me? Well the end result was a typical Rowan result
and she was a soaking wet, drool covered mess with Blueberry's
and Carrots all over everything and I had to give the heavy sigh
before I lifted her out of the chair for here goes the Super mess
and the tedious task of not only cleaning her but the chair,
the floor, the dog and changing her clothes. I got her out and
just stripped off the shirt for they were so soaked
she looked like she was in a mini me wet t-shirt contest.
I went to grab the pants but they really didn't look as soaked.
I mean they were covered in Blueberry's and Carrots but
the parts I did dare to touch were in no way soaked through
and in fact they just felt damp. I was pretty shocked for it
was easy to see the wetness was on the surface but that was
about it. I took them off anyway to get a better look. Chunks
of food, hum, Baby Wipe, NOW I was impressed. None of
the Baby food soaked into the material and was pretty much
laying on top and allowed me to simply take a baby wipe
and wipe it all gone. A few minutes later even the dampness
from the wipe had worn away and the material felt dry. I
have to say I was dumbfounded and could not believe it.
No way in a million years did I think this could really have
worked. Even more so with Rowan for she could flood the
Sahara.

Bersica Futurewear offers a selection of children's
clothing, all with their high performance material that
combines comfort, functionality, and technology. Everything
they make is geared towards children, their fashion, their
needs and though kids get to wear it the parents get the
perks. Not only will your kids stay clean you save detergent
because of it and since you air dry their items you are saving
energy too! I don't think I could ask for anything more. Their
clothing is also environmentally friendly and the are an
innovator in Nanotechnology. They are also extremely active
in environmental protection and truly are a product of the
future. The fact they can stand up to Rowan says it all!
Bersica Futurewear is going to show one of my readers how
great they are too! One lucky reader is going to win their pick
of either a pair of pants or a shirt for their child in their size
from Bersica Futurewear. To enter just head over to the site and
sign up for the Newsletter then come back here and post that
you have in a comment. The contest will start today and end
at Midnight on March 3rd.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Bersica Futurewear


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Zehn Naturals or Easy Lunch Box Systems Contests!

I am just about over my cold. Do you know how long
that thing has hung around? I will say it is nice to be
able to smell again. Rowan is also on the mend and
that makes me even more happy for no Mother wants
to see their child suffer. She has a Well Baby visit on
the 20th and I have a laundry list of things to talk
about with her Doctor for I fear she has inherited some
of my respiratory issues. It is too soon to tell if she has
asthma but I am pretty sure she has the Allergy and
Sinus issues I have. I have a humidifier, a big old
honker, for I can't tolerate dry winter air and one
night I didn't fill it and she woke up with a nose bleed
and it broke my heart. I know how uncomfortable I have
been over the years and how hard I search for things
to make my life a little more easy. One of the reasons
I think I am on the mend is a review I have just done.
A year or so ago I found these pillows that
are supposed to help with Allergies and Respiratory
issues. I ran out and bought two and let me tell you
they work! Prior to these pillows I woke up so many
times during the night choking and fighting for air
I could not count that high. I also had more Emergency
room visits then I care to remember with my Asthma.
The pillows were Purchased mid-February and they
also marked my last Asthma attack to date. All spring
and summer I was doing great and even into the fall.
I have no had an all out attack since I have bought the
pillows but since Winter started I have had some issues.
I know the pillows are still working but they can't change
the fact my whole bed contributes to the Dander and
sets off my sinuses and though I can take it in the
Summer when you add in the natural irritants found
in your own bed with the Dry Winter Air, well, let's just
say I have struggles. I wished for nothing more then
a whole bed made of the stuff my pillows are made
of. Now I know that is ridiculous and I can't live in
a bubble and Pollen, Dander, Dust and all the other
nasty irritants are not going to go away and trust
me, this woman is not going to scrub her house
from top to bottom every single day to keep things
in check so I needed to find another way to cope!
I wrote the Pillow people a letter asking them
to make me a bed made out of their pillows and they
didn't answer. I did, however, have a visit from this coat
salesman at my door but when I found out he only had
one model and the arms were in the back I told him no
thanks and ran like the wind. Since the pillow people were
not very helpful I decided to see if there were any other
people that made the same kind of pillows and kept
a more open mind or who knows maybe they were totally
in sync with me and had already made a bed out of their
pillows? No such luck on the best but I did find a fantastic
place that was a super help to me and my issues. Clean
Rest is a company that feels for people like me who suffer
from respiratory issues and allergies. They not only make my
famous pillows they also make encasement's for your
mattress and Box Spring. Clean Rest uses Micron One
Technology that makes it a lot more easy for the rest of us
to breath free. Free of Allergens and Dander, Dust Mites
and Mold Spores that is! MicronOne is a revolutionary new
fabric that blocks even the tiniest allergens and micro toxins.
It is also Water resistant and Breathes naturally like your very
own skin. What I know is that before it I was using my inhaler
all the time, had a box a Kleenex in every room and had to
carry some with me and spent more money on Antihistamines
then I did anything else. Since I put the encasement's on my
bed and got rid of the last of my old pillows and replaced then
with pillows from Clean Rest I have not only stopped using
the Antihistamines I hardly ever touch the Kleenex and my
cold that has been hanging on forever has gone away.
Before my Sinuses were under constant attack. Even
when I slept at night where you body is supposed to get a chance
to rejuvenate I received no relief for I was sleeping on the
very items that irritated me in the first place. If your Sinuses
don't ever get a chance to heal they will always be swollen and
prone to attack and not only will get sick easier your Allergies
and Asthma will always be acting up. Using the encasement's
has allowed my system a chance to shut down and heal at
night leaving me stronger and refreshed during the day and
helping my body recover so it can fight off the minor irritants
I come across during my waking hours. I don't want to be so
dramatic as to tell you it has saved my life but I can tell you
that I feel like I have been walking around in a fugue state for
years and since using these products I finally feel refreshed
and alert and like I had a good night of sleep. This was a last
resort for me because I have tried everything else, I bought
a new Mattress, a Have a top of the line Humidifier and Air
Cleaners, I take vitamins and do my breathing exercises
but really, what good is all they when I lay my head every
night on a pile of the stuff that makes me ill in the first place?
I knew the pillows worked but never expected to find something
to cover my whole bed and have never felt so good because
of it.
Clean Rest makes encasement's for every size bed and
also sells Pillows and Duvet Encasement and Encasement's
for cribs. I am going to order one for Rowan for I let her
sleep with me a few nights and I firmly believe that is
why she is feeling better as well. They are on the Forbes
most promising companies list and I see great things
for the future of their company because for the first time in
years I am looking through clear eyes and not red-rimmed
itchy ones! Out of all the reviews I have done this has
been the most beneficial to me for it has truly improved
not only my health but that of my daughter and should come
as no surprise for the owner and inventor had the same
problem with his own child and tired of seeing his
child suffer he decided to do something about it. I for
one am glad he has for we are all benefiting from a
safer more healthy place to sleep at night and truly
get the rest we deserve!
Clean Rest is going to give the same set to one of my
readers as they gave me. One lucky person will receive
a mattress encasement, a box spring encasement and two
pillows of their own. I know after a week of sleeping on it
you will be back here telling everyone how great it is for
when you feel this refreshed you can't help but to share the
news with others! To enter just head over to their site and
take a look around then come back here and post what you
have learned in a comment. The contest will start today and
run to Midnight on March First.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Clean Rest!


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Check them out on Face Book
too for even more information and up to Date news
and giveaway information.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Damo Momo and Easy Lunch Box Contests!

Check out Clean Rest on the Valentines Day Gift Guide!

You know how I just did a review for some Organic
shirts from Zahn Naturals? I told you how great
they were for Organic Cotton just seems so much softer
and more comfortable to me. I stand by that and with that
in mind I thought about last Winter and how I was pregnant
and wish I had some Organic Cotton Shirts to wear then.
I had one of those pregnancy's where I was freezing all
the time. I just could not get warm enough and after John
had a mini Stroke when he found out I had the heat cranked
up to 90 I had to start layering clothes from that point
forward and I hated the scratchy feel of the regular old
Maternity T-shirts I had. I swore I would not buy any
new maternity clothes but did have to pick up
a few shirts for my growing belly would just not fit in
anything else I owned. I broke down and bought a couple
and would have bought more but everything I found aggravated
my skin. Whenever I am uncomfortable anything touching
me makes me even more so, even my own hair hanging
on my neck. After 3 days of constant shopping looking
for shirts that were comfortable enough for me to tolerate
I finally called it quits with the two shirts I found and
went home. I would have given anything last year to run
across a store that sold shirts as soft and smooth and
comfy as Zehns were and thought how great it would be if
they sold Maternity wear. I know I can't have been the only
pregnant woman out there who had these issues so I
figured somewhere, someone has to make a shirt built
just for expecting Mommy's. After many false starts
and a few shirts I tried that said they were all natural but
I was pretty sure they meant all natural Brillo Pads, I
found Damo Momo.
These guys were Organic but they were Bamboo
mixed with Cotton and I had never felt anything made
from Bamboo before but I had the Cotton and knew I
loved that. Plus they had the cutest shirts I had
seen yet and and this was after days or shopping and the
42 zillion maternity places I had already been too. I figured
with shirts that adorable and the fact they were partly made
with Organic Cotton I had to give them a chance and see what
all the fuss it about Bamboo for everyone has been
talking about it and I have to fess up and let you guys
know this was my first foray into the Bamboo world.
Since I hate not being in the know more then anything
I did a little bit of research into the benefits of Bamboo.
What I found out was amazing. Bamboo is more easy to
grow then Cotton and has a unique antimicrobial bio-agent
called "bamboo kun" that gives it a natural antibacterial,
anti fungal and odor resistant property. Hum, now that is
something I can get interested in. It also is easier to die
then other fabrics and holds the color better and therefor
is much more vivid and brighter. But the best part and the
thing that really made me stand up and take notice is
Bamboo fabrics are as soft as cashmere! Um, I am really
not thinking I will mind my wonderful Organic Cotton mixed
with this stuff!
I contacted them and they were super to deal with
and told them I was not only interested in Maternity wear
but Organic Cotton as well and when I took the time to learn
more about Bamboo I was REALLY interested in that now and
they were awesome about offering up a review. I explained
I already had my bundle and no longer needed Maternity Wear
and would hate to waste something I could not wear but did
they have a sample of the material for I was dieing to know
if it was as soft as the articles I read about Bamboo said it
would be. She let me know she has something even better then
just a sample of Material, they have Baby Hats made from it
and would be glad to send me one so not only could I find
out if this was the cloth of my dreams, Rowans little baby
bald head could bask in it! The hat I received was so soft
I swear I was looking for traces of fur for it felt as soft and
silky as Rabbit Fur and I could not get over the texture. I
want to have a blanket made with the same stuff they make
their shirts out of so I can roll up in it and never leave my
bed. Luxurious and creamy ( is there a better word?) the
hat was so soft I was bummed I had not gotten a maternity
top for Pregnant or not I would wear it all the time. Heck,
I might even get pregnant again for a chance to wear some
of there shirts.
Softness aside ( if you can let go once you feel it) there is
more to Damo Momo then the feel of the shirts, there is also
the style. Their collection is not large but once you see it
you will realize it is because they put a lot of thought into
their items and wait until they have the perfect design before
they offer it on their site. The Little Star shirt is Simply Sheik
and looks so comfortable you could live in it. No tight
bands anywhere on it means you do not have to worry about
your belly growing faster then you can replace your clothes
for this shirt just flows with you and your Baby bump. The
Jack and Jill Dress is perfect for around the house and
not only do you get that wonderful softness of Bamboo
you also have a dress that is lose and comfy and great for
those hot summer days for as much as Pregnant Women
Freeze in the Winter, Double that and then some
with how hot they get during the summer. The Mary and
the Little Lamb dress is "The One" you would wear out, to
lunch with the girls or a romantic Dinner with you husband,
this dress is made to impress!
They also have their famous Bun In the Oven
shirt that is the cutest thing I ever saw. This is your simple
T-shirt that provides comfort and flexibility and keeps
you living in soft simple luxury. Even Better they have
a "The Bun" shirt that baby gets to wear that let's everyone
know this is what was cooking in the oven for the last
9 months. It is just darling! The prices are great and the
hat was put through the ringer on the Michelle Test and
not only kept its color it kept its shape. It just held up
fantastic and then you factor in all the other great stuff
about Bamboo and wonder how you ever lived without
it! Damo Momo has the Quality every Pregnant Mommy
deserves and needs!

Damo Momo is also going to let one of my
readers win a shirt from their store. To enter just head
over to their site and take a look around. When you are
done come back here and post what you have learned
in a comment. The contest will start today and run to
Midnight on February 24th.
USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Damo Momo


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Alli's Originals and Stay With Me contests!

I hate to pack lunches. Andrew is now in High School
and Heaven forbid you send a High School student to
school with a home made lunch for they are going to
end up eating in a corner by themselves facing the wall.
Or so I have been told. We have come a long way in
lunch prices though since the 80's where I bought
lunch for 80 cents and Andrews costs him $2.50 minimum
and that is if he eats the daily special. The Burger, Taco,
and Pizza stands in his cafeteria cost as much as you
would spend at a regular fast food restaurant. John has
no choice but to brown bag it to work for lunch for we
are already spending 12.50 a week on Andrew and that
is without drinks. We plan on 20 bucks a week for him
total and he can budget it himself. If John were to grab
lunch every day you could add on another 25 bucks and
when you get close to $50.00 a week for lunches you
are crossing into the financial danger zone. As much as
he hates bringing lunch from home he knows financially
we have no choice.

He doesn't hate bringing his own lunch because
the food is bad in the lunches I pack for him, it is more
and embarrassment issue. The reason why he hates it
is that it doesn't matter how nice the plastic ware is
you place in his lunch bag it is the fact that none
of them were made for that specific reason in mind
and even if you only pack three things you have filled
the box to the brim and if you add a drink and a fresh
piece of fruit you can not even close the zipper
and everything is all hanging out. That is where he gets
embarrassed for he feels silly walking into work with a
lunch box and plastic containers hanging out the side
or worse yet walking by the guys to his locker and
something just flat out exceeds the stress limit on his lunch
container and falls to the floor right in front of them.
To make life more easy and less embarrassing I
needed to find a better solution.That was an imposable
task. Everywhere I looked I could not find the size I
needed. I mean don't get me wrong, a lot of places out
there make some fantastic plastic containers but as
fantastic as they are they just don't fill my lunch time
needs.

The other dilemma I faced was storage.
When you go out and purchase various sizes to hold
everything you need for a balanced lunch ( or for those
of us in the real world, just lots of junk) you end
up with 50 different sizes and 50 different lids. A week
later you have 50 different sizes and 42 different lids.
I know for a fact the Cupboard Gremlins are in Cahoots
with the Laundry ones and have hatched an Evil plan to
make me nuts. Any way, now you have all these different
sizes and no way to neatly store them. I even went out and
bought this organizer thing that came with plastic storage
containers. It looked really neat and sounded good in theory
and even spun to make it super simple to pick the size you
wanted but it was one of those things that was much
better in the box. When I pulled it out I had the joy of
finding out that in order for this to fit in you cabinet it
could only be so tall and wide and when you are faced with
that size limit the containers come in sizes that are not
only impractical they are plain old ridiculous. A great example
would be that one of these is so small the only thing it would
be good for is holding salad dressing. The other is tall and
narrow and would be great for carrot sticks so if you plan
on eating carrot sticks and dip for lunch every day you
are all set, if you want a sandwich think again. That hit
the trash and I was back to piecing items together and
ended up with a huge mess in my cupboard. Lids everywhere
for each size needed a certain lid and the same with each
brand so instead of having a few lids out you needed them
all. It was such a mess I would have to open my
cupboard then jump out of the way in case I was confronted
with an Avalanche of plastic ware. It is enough to make
a grown woman cry and I didn't know what to do.








Then I came across Easy Lunch Box Systems.
The containers they have at Easy Lunch Box systems
are meant to hold a whole lunch not just one part of it. You
can put everything you need in one handy dandy container that
is just the right size and fits neatly in your lunch box with
plenty of room left over for a drink and a piece of fresh fruit
I am determined to keep tossing in Johns lunch hoping he
will some day eat it. The Easy Lunch Containers are
compartmentalized and divided so you can even toss some
left over casserole in one compartment and some potato's in
the next. In fact it is divided into 3 ways so I can even
put in a dessert if I wasn't so mad over the fact he never
eats the fruit. I no longer have to worry about cramming
everything in one big container and it all mushing together
and I no longer have to put lots of different size containers
into a bag that they never fit in and even John gets the perk of
not having to suffer the embarrassment of such a disaster.
These containers fit neatly into the bottom of a lunch
box or bag or even better they have a bag the perfect size
for these right on the site at an incredible price. The last
cooler bag I bought for the house cost $19.95 and it did
not have any bells of whistles on it and the bags they
have on Easy Lunch Box Systems cost only $7.95 and
come in 5 different colors. Did I mention they also are
the perfect size for the containers? Even if you have a
hearty eater like my son you are good to go for two
fit in the box just as well and still leave room for a drink
and you can still CLOSE the bag up unlike the bags I
have now with a Hodge podge of different sized containers.

Now I am really happy they look so nice and fit
so well and will spare John some ribbing at work. Those
facts are great, I admit it, but what is even better is the
fact they fit into my cupboard perfectly too! I love the
fact from now on I only need one container for all my
lunching needs and the shelf that used to look like a
Tornado went through it now looks all neat and organized.
The first thing I did was to grab a box and sweep that
cupboard clean! Every odd shaped doo-hickey went right
into the box. The few lids I have left, went right into the
box! All of it, in the box and the box was on the way to
the trash but you know me and the fact I can't throw anything
away, so it went into the basement to sit for 32 years or
we move. Normally John would have been throwing a fit about
that but he was so delighted at the new look of the cupboard
( he has been hit with a tidal wave of plastic ware more then
once) that he didn't even notice I took the box to the basement
and not the curb. Even I have to admit it looks awesome
and do I miss all the other ones? Not one bit! Why would
I? These containers have everything I need all in one
package and if I loose one of these lids, and I know I will,
any of the other ones will work just as well. They stack neat,
look great and are super durable, even if you use them
every single day! Better yet, when they are dirty you can
just toss them in the dishwasher for they are dishwasher
safe and won't get all bent out of shape like some of the
other ones I have bought. In fact if you are really handy
you can prepare meals and as your putting things away
you can fill your boxes up right then and store them in
the freezer. When you need them grab then and toss them
in the bag and when its lunch time you can just put them
in the Microwave for an easy warm up then take them home
and straight into the dish washer. How easy is that? I am
thrilled with the amount of time I can save this way for I always
cook extra for freezing and now I can just make lunches up
like my own personal TV dinner for hassle free mornings!
They come in stacks of four and I love them so much I measured
my cupboard and can fit 20 neatly! I would say I will save
the box of old ones for a garage sale but if they see
my organized cupboard first no way would anyone buy them.
They would be a fool not to go straight for Easy Lunch Box
Systems instead. This is one of those great ideas I don't know
how I got buy before I found them. Easy Lunch Box Systems
just made my life a little more easy!

You life can be a little more easy too for they are going
to give one of my readers a set of four and a lunch bag to
boot! To enter just go to their site and take a look around
and then come back here and post what you learned in a
comment. The contest will start today and run to Midnight
on February 26th.

USA and 18 and older can enter daily and the winner
will be contacted by email and have 72 hours to
contact me with their mailing information. As always
you can earn a bonus entry by entering the contest of
the day and other ways to enter are posted below.

Easy Lunch box Systems.


Extra entries.
Extra entries only count after the initial entry
is completed.

1. Become a follower of my blog or
post that you are. 3 entries,
please post 3 times.

2. Enter any of my other contest. I entry
per contest, separate post for each entry.

3. Grab my button. 5 entries. Please post
5 times.

4. Blog about this contest somewhere else
and post the link here. 5 Entries Please
post five times.

Hey there, while you are here don't forget to enter
my Everyday Minerals and Sock Gram's Contests!