SproutBaby - Bath Time Goes Green - GIVEAWAY!

The folks at SproutBaby were kind enough to send me a sample of their Playful Foaming Wash, a product from the Episencial Skin Care line inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s favorite fruits from The World of Eric Carle. They asked me to try it out and let you know what I thought. Also? One lucky reader will get to try it too!I used the Foaming Wash on my toddlers and also on myself. Here's what I thought:

Good:
- I loved the scent - like fresh oranges!
- It's made without synthetic chemicals or fragrances.
- Packaged in recycled and sustainable materials - phthalate and BpA free.
- Rinses super clean really easily (like one or two rinses versus three to five with the normal baby wash I use).

Bad:
- My kids didn't care for the scent.
- While the rinsing clean quickly and easily was nice for my kids (toddler boys with very short hair), for me it rinsed out and left my hair and skin feeling a bit on the dry side.
- It doesn't lather as much as my normal baby wash or shampoo.
- It's a little bit pricey for a budget conscience mama like me ($8.99/8oz)

OVERALL:
- I liked it. I don't think I would use it as shampoo for me on a regular basis, but I would definitely use it on my kids and as a body wash for myself. The fact that it's made without synthetic chemicals or fragrances is a BIG plus, but the frugal shopper in me balks (a little bit) at the price.

How to Enter:

- Entries will be received in the comments section of this post. All entries will be verified. You MUST leave a valid email address with EACH entry, I will not hunt you down!

• First entry (mandatory): Visit SproutBaby then come back and leave a comment letting me know a product you like!
  

- Additional entries:

• Grab my button and put it in your sidebar, then leave two (2) separate comments with the link to your blog. - two extra entries
• Tweet about this contest and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet (not to your twitter account, just to your contest tweet). - one extra entry
• Blog about this contest and leave a separate comment with the link to your blog post. - one extra entry
• Follow or subscribe to this blog and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra entry
• Follow SproutBaby's, twitter feed (@sproutbabyclub) then leave a separate comment letting me know - one extra
  
• Follow or subscribe to April's Little Family and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra entry
• Follow or subscribe to Mama Loves Food and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra entry

That's a total of EIGHT entries!!!

But, wait! You can do this EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! So, it's more like a total of eight BAJILLION(ish) possible entries!!!

The contest will run from now until March 15, 2010, midnight Orlando, Florida time. Winners will be picked by random number generator and will be notified by email (on or about) March 15, 2010. Winners have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. U.S. & Canada addresses only, please.

I was not compensated for this review, aside from the sample referred to herein-above. I reserve the right to cancel or change this contest at any time for any reason. This contest is void where prohibited. By entering this contest you acknowledge having read and accepted my contest policies.

A Valentine's Giveaway from Eden Fantasys!

***WARNING ***
The links in this post are NOT safe for work or children

The lovely folks at Eden Fantasys (purveyor of the family friendly items you see here, but also of fun stuff like lingerie and adult toys) are sponsoring this Valentine's inspired giveaway at Mama Must Haves! They've let me choose two items for you to win out of their line of bath and body products!

So check out the booty below and then enter to win!

Treasure of the Sea Bath SaltsKissing Balm Lip Gloss

How to Enter:

- Entries will be received in the comments section of this post. All entries will be verified. You MUST leave a valid email address with EACH entry, I will not hunt you down!

• First entry (mandatory): Leave a comment telling me what you are doing (or what you want to do) for Valentine's Day!
  

- Additional entries:

• Grab my button and put it in your sidebar, then leave two (2) separate comments with the link to your blog. - two extra entries
• Tweet about this contest and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet (not to your twitter account, just to your contest tweet). - one extra entry
• Blog about this contest and leave a separate comment with the link to your blog post. - one extra entry
• Follow or subscribe to this blog and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra entry
• Follow Drew, from EdenFantasys', twitter feed (@DrewG78) then leave a separate comment letting me know - one extra entry
• Twitter your Valentine's plans with hash tag #efVDAY - example = "Eat European chocolate #efVDAY", then leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet. - one extra entry
• Follow or subscribe to April's Little Family and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra entry
• Follow or subscribe to Mama Loves Food and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra entry

That's a total of TEN entries!!!

But, wait! You can do this EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! So, it's more like a total of ten BAJILLION(ish) possible entries!!!

The contest will run from now until February 13, 2010, midnight Orlando, Florida time. Winners will be picked by random number generator and will be notified by email (on or about) February 14, 2010. Winners have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. U.S. addresses only, please.

I reserve the right to cancel or change this contest at any time for any reason. This contest is void where prohibited. By entering this contest you acknowledge having read and accepted my contest policies.

It's Time to Buy.***

When we moved into our house nearly seven (gasp!) years ago, the kitchen had pickled pink cabinets, pink (bubbled) Formica counter tops and eggshell (read = yellow) appliances. After a couple years we face-lifted the kitchen and got all shiny new stuff.

I took a lot of time to compare shopping prices and was able to get some really awesome shopping deals. We refaced the cabinets, had the counter tops replaced and bought a new refrigerator, microwave and free-standing range. The only thing we didn't get was a dishwasher, because I had the bright idea to spray paint the old one black so it would match the new appliances. Too bad I didn't take into account the fact that it was 20 (+++) years old!

So needless to say, the dishwasher still runs but it no longer cleans. Dishes go in dirty and come out... dirty. Which means? It's time to start comparing again.

Wish me luck!
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***The story is true, but please note, this was a paid post.

The Savvy Source

Hey Folks!

You may have noticed the new ad banner on my blog from The Savvy Source (--------->).

The Savvy Source is a site where you can interact with fellow parents and get customized suggestions of educational activities to do with your wee ones. The widget promotes the Savvy Quiz, which is a tool to help parents understand their child's development, and Savvy Groups, which allow parents to connect with other parents with similar interests.

Would you like a widget for your blog? Leave your email in the comments and I'll be happy to send you an invite to the program!

***This was a compensated post***

Win a Make-Your-Own Dinner & a Movie! - GIVEAWAY!!!

If you live in the Southeast (like me!) and shop at Publix (like me!) you may have noticed the new Blockbuster Express Kiosks at the front of the store. Well, Blockbuster and Publix are teaming up to offer one lucky winner a customizable movie night.

With a free rental code to Blockbuster Express and a $20 gift card to Publix, you can create your own movie night either for yourself for a mini escape after the holidays or a movie night for your family!
They were kind enough to send me a free rental code and gift certificate too, and here's what I thought:

Publix Pros:

• Convenient and close to my home
• Great deli with plenty of ready-made meals, so I don't have to cook
• The cleanest and friendliest grocery store in my area

Publix Cons:

• Prices tend to be a little bit higher than some of the other stores around here
  
• Aside from the deli, my local Publix has very few other ready-made options

Blockbuster Express Pros:

• Very simple interface
• Huge selection of DVDs
• Will email you with your receipt and confirmation that your movie is returned
• Very affordable (only $1 per night)

Blockbuster Express Cons:

• Even with the coupon code you are required to provide a credit card
• You have to park and go into the store to use the kiosk

OVERALL:
I was pleased with my experience. I am already a regular Publix shopper, so this part was a no-brainer, but the Blockbuster Express kiosk was a fun discovery. We don't rent movies often, but this is a much better value than renting from our television as we have done in the past.

________________________________________________________
Now it's your turn! One lucky winner will receive a free rental
code to Blockbuster Express and a $20 gift card to Publix!
________________________________________________________

How to Enter:

- Entries will be received in the comments section of this post. All entries will be verified. You MUST leave a valid email address with EACH entry, I will not hunt you down!

- First entry (mandatory): Leave a comment telling me your zip code (so I know that there's a Publix near you).

- Additional entries:

• Grab my button and put it in your sidebar, then leave two separate comments with the link to your blog. - two extra entries
• Tweet about this contest and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet (not to your twitter account, just to your contest tweet). - one extra entry
• Blog about this contest and leave a separate comment with the link to your blog post. - one extra entry
• Follow or subscribe to this blog and leave a separate comment stating that you do so. - one extra
  

That's a total of SIX entries!!!

But, wait! You can do this EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! So, it's more like a total of six bajillion(ish) possible entries!!!

The contest will run from now until Monday, January 4, 2010, midnight Orlando, Florida time. Winners will be picked by random number generator and will be notified by email (on or about) Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Winners have 48 to respond or a new winner will be chosen. U.S. addresses within Publix service areas only, please.

I reserve the right to cancel or change this contest at any time for any reason. This contest is void where prohibited. By entering this contest you acknowledge having read and accepted my contest policies.