Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of my wonderful readers!  I hope that your was relaxing and enjoyable!  Mine was great (besides the fact that EG had a 25 minute nap all day and pretty much screamed her head off during dinner and the whole way home...lol).  It's nice to have a day to choose everything I want to do and be pampered a little.  Here's the story of our Mother's Day...

This morning my hubby, a fabulous cook (and the one who does the cooking at home), made brunch for our mothers and grandmothers and we had a great time.  The brunch menu was as follows: whole wheat oatmeal pancakes (yummier than they sound!), homemade beignets (super yum!), the ever popular breakfast casserole (always a favorite!), and Mimosas!  Brunch was wonderful, and even more wonderful was that my hubby cooked AND cleaned.  I contributed a little to the Mother's Day celebration by decorating an impromptu cake that we made last night.  I was able to use my new Pampered Chef cake decorating tubes, and EG helped a little.  After brunch was over and our guests left hubby, EG, and me all took a nap for a little while.  EG's was much shorter than I had hoped for (25 minutes!!), so after we all got up we took a drive to try to get her to go back to sleep.  We ended up driving, and driving, and driving until we ended up in a little town about 45 minutes from our home.  This reminded me of when hubby and I were dating...we used to drive everywhere and just talk.  It was so nice!  EG woke up and we decided to stop for dinner at a little Mexican restaurant downtown.  She had to potty like 55 times while we waited for our food, and never once actually went!  I had to take her outside to walk around 3 times too.  But, the food was quite good and I have leftovers to take to work with me tomorrow.  Anyhow, we had a fun day despite the craziness, and I am so thankful for such a wonderful family!  And I'm so glad to be a mommy!

Sweet Little Girl's Handbag by Tea Rose {Review}

EG has loved purses for as long as she's been alive! Before she could walk, she loved to pull things out of mine (or anyone else's) and throw them on the ground or put random things in there that didn't really belong (i.e. leftover Cheerios). Since she started walking, she has had an obsession with carrying around (or attempting to...)Mommy's purse or anything else that looks like it could be a purse (i.e. my camera bag, hubby's laptop. Bag, etc.). I thought it might be fun for us to have matching bags and went on a search for a cute children's handbag just for EG. In my search I came across the Mommy and Me Day Out Handbags from Tea Rose Company. I thought they were so cute that I contacted Tea Rose to see if they would like to do a review. Tea Rose agreed to send me a little girl's handbag to review, and boy is it precious! It is just the right size for EG, and has a matching cream flower clip that can be taken off and used as a bow. So fun! We have thoroughly enjoyed the little purse, and EG pretty much carries her purse everywhere with her. She prefers the bow to be in her hair rather than on the purse (I think Mommy has conditioned her to know that clips go in your hair, so she just can't get over it being on the purse...lol). I love the muted colors and beautiful floral and print fabrics that make the bag almost look vintage. Not to mention they match perfectly. The outside of the bag has two different fabrics with a lace border. The inside of the bag is another cute, coordinating fabric. It is very well crafted, and I am sure it will last for many years. It looks just like a bag Mommy would carry, not like your typical little girl purses you would find in stores. I LOVE that! It would be perfect for a much older child too! It is so cute to watch EG carry it around the house and collect things to put in it (balls, pacis, my car keys, etc.). She carries it in the crook of her arm just like she sees everyone else do when we are out. I think it's only a matter of time until she wants to carry it in the store too! These little handbags would be a great gift for the little one in your life, and the Mommy and Me bags would be PERFECT for Mother's Day. Check out Tea Rose for some great handbags, including these super cute oilcloth market bags. I know you'll find one to enjoy! Thanks to Tea Rose for a great little purse for my little girl!

Awesome Mother's Day Promotion from Bebe Au Lait!!

I have already told you about how much I loved Bebe Au Lait nursing covers as a new, nursing mother. I think Bebe au Lait is an excellent company that produces superb quality products. I am so glad to announce that they currently have a great Mother's Day promotion going on, offering two FREE burp cloths to anyone who purchases a nursing cover, bib, hooded towel, or gift set today through May 11. This is an awesome deal! To find out more about the Bebe au Lait nursing covers, you can access my previous article by clicking here, and my article on nursing and working (referencing the nursing covers) by clicking here. The covers are the only product I have first hand experience with, but would not hesitate to purchase any of their other products. I know that you will be able to find something you'll love, and you wont be disappointed in the quality of their products. Bebe au Lait says this is the biggest promotion of the year, so take advantage and tell all of your friends!

Great for Mother's Day! Handstamped Mother/Daughter Necklace from Chunky Punky & dinky {Giveaway} **CLOSED**

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Congratulations to the winner, Vanessa!

I love handstamped jewelry, so when Nicole of Chunky Punky & dinky contacted me about hosting a giveaway of one of her necklaces, I happily obliged. She is offering one of my readers one of her Sterling Silver Mother Daughter Love Necklaces. This would make an awesome gift for Mother's Day, either for your own mother or for yourself! The beautiful necklace is made up of two hearts; the larger one stamped with the word "mother" and the smaller one "daughter". It also comes with your choice of two Swarovski crystal birthstones. All birthstones are available!

A little about Nicole and Chunky Punky & dinky:

Nicole is a wife and mom to three boys who enjoys "creating jewelry and learning new techniques". You can explore Nicole's Etsy shop, Chunky Punky & dinky, here. She is also a blogger, with a great blog where she writes about the goings on in her life and shop. Other than the handstamped necklace up for grabs (pictured above), some of my favorite items she offers are the Daddy Keychain, Chainmaille bracelets, and the Sterling Silver and Copper Family Love Necklace. Go check out Chunky Punky & dinky to find some unique jewelry you are sure to love. To enter to win the Mother Daughter Necklace, see details below.

To enter this giveaway follow the rules below (US ONLY):

1. For your initial, required entry, visit Chunky Punky & dinky and check out the unique jewelry and accessories that Nicole has to offer. Then come back here and leave me a comment letting me know what you like best (other than those mentioned above).

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and leave a tweet about this contest. Leave me a link to your tweet as well as your Twitter name.

3. Blog about this contest to earn TWO extra entries and leave me a comment with the link to your post. **Be sure to leave TWO separate comments if you do this**

4. Follow my blog through Blogger.

5. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail.

6. Grab my button and place it on your site (w/ link to site in comment) for THREE extra entries. **Be sure to leave me THREE separate comments indicating that you have my button so that they will all be counted**

7. Enter another one of my giveaways. Leave me a comment(s) telling me which one(s).

8. Leave a comment on Nicole's Chunky Punky & dinky blog for **2 extra entries**. Then come back here and let me know where it is :)

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. Winners also submitted via PRIZEYWinners if you would prefer not to leave an e-mail address. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Friday, May 1. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Saturday, May 2.**

Great for Mother's Day! Mommy and Me Apron Set by Angela Huse {Review}

My little one loves to play in the kitchen! It's by far her favorite room in the house, and she pretty much has free roam of all of the lower cabinets with the exception of the locked one beneath our sink. She loves to help Daddy cook dinner or Mommy bake cookies (yes, Daddy does the majority of the cooking, and Mommy does the fun stuff!). She is constantly saying "let's see" and asking us to hold her up so that she can be in the action. I thought it might be fun for Mother's Day if EG and I had our own set of matching aprons to wear in the kitchen, and Angela Huse of Angela Kay Designs was happy to provide us with a set to review. I thought an apron might make EG feel even more like she's doing something special by "helping" us cook, and one that matches Mommy's would be the icing on the cake. The beautiful apron set pictured definitely did the trick! I am so excited to share this set with you because, not only is it beautiful, but Angela was great to work with and provided me with several beautiful fabric samples and options to choose from. You all know I'm in love with Amy Butler, so I picked this Amy Butler floral print and coordinating dots print. As you can see, the aprons came out fabulous, and the little details on each make them all the more special. On EG's full apron (just like the one here), I just love the satin ruffle around the middle! It adds that girly touch that I love. It fits her perfect because of the adjustable neck and waist ties, and would fit a much older child as well (made for size 2T to 4T). As cute as it is, I think you could wear it with a shirt and leggings or jeans underneath too! EG thinks she is hot stuff when she has it on, and we can't get it off of her without a fight. I thought she was going to have to sleep in it the night we first tried it on her! The matching Mommy apron is just as adorable too. It is a half apron with very generous straps to fit just about any size. The details on it complement the child's apron with the same fabrics and satin ruffle. On the Mommy apron, however, the ruffle adorns the top of a pocket on the front. It also has a scalloped hem that adds a nice feminine touch. The aprons just look too cute together, and it makes cooking in the kitchen so much fun (truly)! I've never had an apron before (not sure if that's odd or not, but it's true!), and I just feel so "fun" when I wear this precious one! 

I guarantee you will be pleased with anything you purchase from Angela Kay Designs. You can purchase the apron set just like I reviewed, the child's apron, and even toddler/doll matching sets (great for birthday or everyday gifts for little ones!). She will work with you on just about every detail, and get it to you in no time. Add some fun and flair to your kitchen for Mother's Day and get this set for yourself (or your grandma, aunt, niece, etc.). Better yet, send your hubby over to Angela Huse to get a set for you. At $45 for the set, they really are a bargain too for a set of such high quality! Whoever you buy them for, you're sure to love them!!

Personalized Buckets for Any Occasion! {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

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Congratulations to the winner, Hana!

Looking for a cute way to package your child's next birthday gift? Give a gift to someone else? A really cute storage bin? Personalized beverage tub? Then Tricia of Posh Pails has the buckets for you! I stumbled across them on Etsy (my guilty pleasure!) while searching for a personalized Easter basket for EG. These little personalized buckets were too cute, and I could think of a million and a half uses for them beyond Easter. I knew this was something that EG could use for several years, whether it be for hunting Easter eggs, storing hand towels in her bathroom, holding odds and ends in her bedroom, etc. This year, she did happen to use it for our church's Easter egg hunt, and received many compliments. For her bucket I chose pink with a purple fur boa trim and purple "e" (can be purchased without the trim). You can see how precious it is! It is the small size (yes, there are 3 different sizes!), and it was just perfect for EG to carry around. The buckets also come in a medium (10 qt., 9” tall, 10” top width, 8 ½ “ bottom width) and large (16 qt., 8 ¼ “ tall, 13” top width, 11 ½ “ bottom width) size, as well as 10, yes 10, different colors. On the larger sizes, you can personalize them with a short name or monogram (rather than a single letter), and there are also other designs that can adorn your bucket (i.e. princess crown, train, number, etc.). The large size would make an excellent storage bin for things around your house, as well as an awesome beverage bucket for parties! They are very nice metal buckets, and the decoupaged designs are completely sealed so that they will last for many years.

From the Posh Pails shop:



"These personalized buckets are ideal when needing that special gift
for a baby shower (fill it with stuff from a registy), wedding shower, anniversary, housewarming, or even party favors! The uses are endless -- fill it with towels and lotions and set in the corner of your bathroom, put the word "toys" on one and use it in your child's playroom! Let your imagination go....."


I agree that the uses are endless! They'd also be a great gift in and of themselves, without putting anything inside. With all of the size and personalization options available, Tricia can make one to meet anyone's tastes or needs (male, female, young, old, etc.).
I just love the personalized flower bucket, princess pail, and large bucket. Tricia makes these buckets on the side for fun, so you know she loves making them and takes care to make sure they are just perfect. I'm certain you'll be pleased should you decide to purchase a bucket for yourself or someone else. Go check out Posh Pails and pick out the pail you'd like to spend your $10 gift card (small buckets $13) on if you WIN (see details below)! And if you don't win, you know you'll want one anyway, so go ahead...

To enter this giveaway follow the rules below (US ONLY):

1. For your initial, required entry, visit Posh Pails and check out the awesome personalized buckets Tricia has for sale! Then come back here and tell me how you would personalize a bucket of your own.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and leave a tweet about this contest. Leave me a link to your tweet as well as your Twitter name.
3. Blog about this contest to earn TWO extra entries and leave me a comment with the link to your post. **Be sure to leave TWO separate comments if you do this**
4. Follow my blog through Blogger.
5. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail.
6. Grab my button and place it on your site (w/ link to site in comment) for THREE extra entries. **Be sure to leave me THREE separate comments indicating that you have my button so that they will all be counted**
7. Enter another one of my giveaways. Leave me a comment(s) telling me which one(s).

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. Winners also submitted via PRIZEYWinners if you would prefer not to leave an e-mail address. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, April 29. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Thursday, April 30.**

Awesome Shopping Mom Product! Four Pocket Shopper by Carissa Black {Review}

I am so thrilled that I was able to review, and now carry with me all the time, the Four Pocket Shopper from Carissa Black!  I have searched and searched for a little wallet/wristlet to carry with me when I go shopping, especially for when I have EG with me.  Some may be more shopping savvy than I, but I just cannot carry my whole bag with me when I go shopping with my toddler.  I hate having to dig through it to find my wallet in the checkout line while I am also trying to hold EG (usually that's the time she decides she just can't sit in the cart anymore).  And, I also can't carry it, my bags, and EG out to the car without feeling like I'm going to drop something all the time.  So what I usually do is take out my wallet and just carry that in the store.  I can hold it in my hand, and I don't have to search anywhere to find it when I check out.  The only problem with carrying my wallet is that I have no place to put it except in my hand or in the cart (where EG likes to play "throw the wallet" :) and I'm also so afraid I'm going to accidentally leave it one day).  I needed to find something hands free and easy to carry.  The Four (or five) Pocket Shopper is just that!

Here is the description from Carissa Black:

"A great multi-functional bag. The styling of a wristlet combined with the functionality of a wallet. 

Perfect for trips to the grocery store. The strap and clasp make it easy to fasten to the front of the cart for hands free shopping. Great for traveling. Holds your camera, ipod, cell phone, and credit cards securly. Also a great alternative to the money apron for those of you who do craft fairs. Just clip the bag to your belt loop to keep your cash and receipts secure.

The inside is fully lined and has three slots for holding your money, drivers license, and credit cards. There is plenty of room for your cell phone, keys, and any other odds and ends you may need. The outside has a large pocket across the front.
This little bag measures 6 1/2" W x 5" T. I have used a layer of batting for softness and to add a layer of protection for your phone and gadgets."

It's awesome for those times you don't need (or want) to carry your purse with you, yet need to carry your all important items (i.e. BlackBerry).  The shopper is substantial enough in size to carry everything you need for a trip to the store, yet small enough to easily carry on your wrist or in your hand.  The much needed feature it has, that I was looking for in particular, is the wrist strap that can be attached to just about anything.  It has your traditional wristlet loop, but it also has a clasp that the end of the loop can be attached to.  This makes it SUPER easy to attach to your shopping cart handle, stroller bar, your bag (if you must carry it!), etc.  As stated in the description it can hold your cell phone, keys, credit cards, money, tissues, or whatever else you just have to have with you in the store.  It also has an outer pocket that would be great for storing those items you need quick access to, like coupons.  That's what I use it for and it's too convenient!  I love it!  It's a must have item for me now, and I am so going to buy one for my mom for Mother's Day.  Anything that makes shopping easier, gets an A+ in my book!!  I can honestly say that I will never carry my wallet into Wal-Mart (or anywhere else) again...EVER!  

Besides it's functionality, it's also very well made with designer fabrics and professional craftsmanship.  There is an extra layer of padding between the fabric layers for extra "niceness" and sturdiness.  There are also plenty of fabric choices to choose from, and lots of Amy Butler (whom I'm sure you know by now that I love!).  This is truly a quality product.

It's amazing how such a simple thing can make life so much easier.  Where was my Shopper a couple of months ago when it was pouring down rain, I was trying to hold the umbrella and my wallet in one hand, I couldn't close the umbrella, EG wouldn't sit in the cart, I dropped my wallet on the ground, and we were both soaked (all while a seemingly nice young man stood there, without helping, and watched all of this unfold...without offering to help)?  LOL!

Go to Carissa Black and try out the Four or Five Pocket Shopper.  You'll love it!  At $28 I think it's a great buy.  While you're there go ahead and check out the other cool products she has to offer too, including tons of different accessories and bags.  Thanks to Carissa Black for such a great shop, and a great product!

EGGcellent Easter: Beautiful Baskets for Easter or Home by Sprinkle Me Happy {Review and Giveaway}

I am so thrilled to have been able to review this GORGEOUS basket from Sprinkle Me Happy!  I'm all about anything that has multiple uses, and wanted to find an Easter basket for my little girl that didn't scream "Easter!" and could be functional throughout the year.  This basket is perfect!  It will be beautiful and functional for hunting Easter eggs next weekend, and when all the Easter excitement is over it's going to look just as beautiful on my kitchen table (it just happened to match our kitchen wonderfully!).  Most Easter baskets are pretty much used for...well...Easter and that's about it.  Little egg shaped or bunny baskets, etc. are adorable (don't get me wrong!) but I wanted something different this year.  As cute as those seasonal baskets are, you are likely going to get a different one next year anyway and this year's will sit in the closet until who knows when.  EG's bunny basket from last year has been sitting at the top of her closet since then!  

So on my quest for the "perfect" Easter baskets I stumbled across these lovely fabric baskets from Sprinkle Me Happy.  

She uses designer fabrics to construct the baskets and, might I add, the construction is superb.  A beautiful print on the outside is accompanied by a coordinating fabric on the inside.  A coordinating bow is also added for a little extra "whimsy".  There are designs to suit anyone's taste, including one with puppies that would be so cute for little boys.  A firm, but soft, stabilizer is added for support and allows the basket to retain it's shape.  The pinched corners also add a nice, finished look. 

 The handle is nice and sturdy and stays up when the basket is sitting on it's own, so that it always looks beautiful.  The size is just

 right also.  It will be the perfect size for EG to carry on her own and collect Easter eggs, and also the perfect size to use in the home.  I just love these little baskets and the only thing I wish is that they came in even more sizes so that I could use them for all of my storage needs (soon to come...right? LOL).

I can think of a GAZILLION uses for these baskets beyond Easter.  They would make great gifts on their own or filled with goodies to make a gift basket (think bridal showers, Mother's Day...).  I'm going to use mine on my kitchen table to hold napkins after 

Easter.  

I seriously thought about using it on my desk at work instead, but I'm afraid it may walk away and I would be very sad if that happened!  They would be awesome in a little girl's room to hold books

, accessories, etc.; your bathroom to hold hand towels (as pictured), lotions, or accessories; or the baby's room to hold diapers, wipes, and other changing essentials (would make them easily portable around the house!).  What can you imagine putting in one of these baskets?

Take a look around Sprinkle Me Happy and I'm sure you will find a basket that tickles your fancy!  While you're there you can check out the other great items she has for sale.  They include adorable chalk boards, towel wraps, and travel rolls.  Thanks to Sprinkle Me Happy for "sprinkling a little happiness" into our home this spring!  For details on how you can receive 20% off of your own purchase, see below.

To enter this giveaway follow the rules below (US ONLY):

To be entered to win a 20% off coupon (off of $30 purchase) for Sprinkle Me Happy, simply visit the Sprinkle Me Happy store and leave me a comment here with your favorite item they offer.  That's it!  And, by the way, you wont be disappointed with any purchase you make whether you win the coupon or not.  Good luck!

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Monday, April 13. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Tuesday, April 14.**

Sweetbriar Studio Purse Organizer {Review and Giveaway} **CLOSED**

Result:

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Congratulations to the winner, Nicole!  Thanks to all who entered, making this my biggest giveaway yet!  Please come back in the future for more great products and ideas.  Thanks again!

Ever wonder how you could easily organize the main section of your purse or diaper bag?  I have often wondered this myself, but haven't found an answer.  I sometimes have the pockets and zippered sections of my diaper bag organized, but the center section is a jumbled mess.  I have things in there I probably haven't seen in three months!  The one thing I lose the most in my diaper bag is EG's pacifiers.  That is something that I just CANNOT lose!  Because, if I need to get one out of my diaper bag that means we've lost the one she had and she wants it...NOW.  When I start searching through my bag for a paci I find things in there that I thought I had lost, things that probably shouldn't be in there any more (once found an old wet diaper I had wrapped up...yeah...gross), and things I'm not sure I ever knew I had in the first place.  I finally decided enough was enough, and I had to find a solution to this problem.  After searching and searching for a purse organizer that I thought would do the trick, I found this purse organizer from Sweetbriar Studio.  I was given one to review and I can attest that my problem is solved!  It definitely does the job!!  

I was so anxiou

s to try it out and am so pleased with the result!  First, I wanted something that was pleasing to look at.  I knew I didn't want anything boring, bulky, cheap looking, etc.  After browsing through the selection of beautiful purse organizers at Sweetbriar Studio, I knew I could move on the the next requirement.  They are so cute you almost don't want to put them in your bag!  Second, I wanted something that was large enough to actually be useful and fill up the bottom of my diaper bag.  Check!  

The purse organizer is 10" wide, 6" tall, and 2.5" deep.  It fit perfect in my Vera Bradley tote that I use for my diaper bag.  Next, I needed to make sure that it had plenty of storage pockets for all of the little things I carry all the time (i.e. pens, sunglasses, PACIFIERS :), etc.).  Check!  There are 10, yes I said 10, little pockets to store everything you would ever need to store in there!  There are pockets on the outside of the organizer, the inside of the organ

izer, and then the large center pocket.  The center pocket was a perfect size to drop in a few diapers and a travel pack of wipes.  It would also be perfect to drop your wallet in!  The outer and inner pockets can store anything, and they are of varying sizes so you can choose which pocket you want to use for which items.  I love that there are pockets small enough that my pens can't really fall over and leak.  There is also a perfect pocket for my Flip Note.  Finally, it cuts out the hassle of changing purses or bags.  All you have to do is pick it up and transfer it to another bag.  There is no hassle and everything stays organized.   And if all of those great features aren't enough...it is also machine washable!

I have only used the purse organizer for a couple of weeks and I don't know what I would do without it.  

I think it is one of the most FABULOUS products I have ever tried, truly.  It is the perfect size, has more pockets than I have even

 found a use for, is easy to transfer from one bag to another, and is beautiful all on it's own!  It helps me to find things quickly and easily, which is exactly what I need as a busy working mom.  What more could a girl ask for?  One for FREE you say??  Well...Sweetbriar Studio has agreed to do a giveaway of one of their purse organizers to one SUPER lucky reader!  See details below for how to enter, and go check out the other great items that Sweetbriar Studio has to offer.  These purse organizers would make a great gift for Mother's Day coming up!  

To enter this giveaway follow the rules below (WORLDWIDE - if shipping to countries other than US and CANADA, winner will pay the difference):

1. For your initial, required entry, visit Sweetbriar Studio and check out all of the great things they have to offer.  Then come back here and post a comment letting me know which purse organizer  you would like if you win or what your favorite item in the shop is.

To earn extra entries you may do one or more of the following and leave me additional comments here telling me which you have done:

2. Follow me on Twitter and leave a tweet about this contest. Leave me a link to your tweet as well as your Twitter name.
3. Blog about this contest to earn TWO extra entries and leave me a comment with the link to your post. **Be sure to leave TWO separate comments if you do this**
4. Follow my blog through Blogger.
5. Subscribe to my blog via e-mail.
6. Grab my button and place it on your site (w/ link to site in comment) for THREE extra entries. **Be sure to leave me THREE separate comments indicating that you have my button so that they will all be counted**
7. Enter another one of my giveaways. Leave me a comment(s) telling me which one(s).

**Be sure to leave me your e-mail address, if there is not a visible one in your profile, so that I can contact you if you win. Winners also submitted via PRIZEYWinners if you would prefer not to leave an e-mail address. This contest will end at 11:59 PM CST on Saturday April 4. The winner will be randomly chosen via Random.org and notified on or around Sunday, April 5.**