FunKoos Organic Baby Apparel Reivew & Giveaway. Baby Shower 2012

Funkoos Organic Baby Clothes




About Funkoos:
In the summer of 2008, we went shopping for clothing for our newborn children and went looking specifically for clothes that were both chemical and pesticide free. The organic clothing we did find was really expensive and average quality. We thought there had to be quality, affordable organic clothing, but there wasn’t. So like many entrepreneurs, we set out to give astute parents a choice.
From the beginning, we vowed to manufacture our Funkoos brand clothing from the finest organic, chemical free-fibers. Our styles are always fun, simple, and super-friendly to young children’s sensitive skin. Our mission is singular – to manufacture our clothes in 100% fair-trade work environments, keep our clothing purely organic, and give a portion of our profits back to the planet through our many charitable causes.

We hope you and your little ones enjoy all of our clothes for years to come.
- The Funkoos Team

Why Organic?
Why organic clothes for babies?

No longer is the term “organic” reserved for products such as food, cosmetics, or cleaning products. Organic products which were once consumed by just a few have now moved into the mainstream. Parents today are also more aware of how simple, everyday choices can impact the future of their children.

Although cotton is not grown for food, there can still be pesticides and chemicals used in their production. Cotton crops alone account for a whopping $2.6 billion in pesticides used each year. Fabrics infused with pesticides are often responsible for a wide array of allergies, respiratory ailments, and rashes.

Give your child the best start in life! Protect them for all the external forces of nature. This process starts with the right clothing which is natural and completely free of chemicals. For this purpose, organic clothing is the most beneficial.
Our thoughts:
With my first child I had not really looked into buying organic clothing. This time around I have done some research and came across Funkoos and realized what better quality organic clothing can be.

Having a little baby you realize how susceptible they are to toxins and want to avoid them as much as possible. Organic cotton is also so much softer on baby sensitive skin. I love how Funkoos uses organic cotton with cute embroider designs on their bodysuits and all for a reasonable price too. The Funkoos bodysuit stays true to size even after washing.

Bottom line Funkoos offers soft organic baby apparel for an affordable price and you won’t have to worry about your little one’s sensitive skin being exposed to toxins.


Giveaway: Funkoos is giving one reader a chance to try out one of their bodysuits in either Monkey Stack for a boy or Animal Stack for a girl winner’s choice.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blog Tour for Embraced by God by Babbie Mason @BabbieMason

Embraced by God
Babbie Mason
Christian Non-fiction/Devotional
Buy the book here.


Back of the book:

Have you ever wondered, “Does God really love me? Do I really matter to Him?” Rest assured that each and every question you have is of great concern to God. He is not far away or unconcerned. He has not forgotten about you. He is concerned about what’s going on in your life, and He is as close to you as your very next breath. He loves you. As a matter of fact, God loves you just as much as He loves His own Son.

In the pages of this heartwarming, thoughtful, and life-affirming 21-day journey, award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and teacher Babbie Mason reminds you, when you know you are loved by God and that you are in His eternal plan, you’ll never again wonder if your life matters. You can start off heading in the wrong direction and still end up in the right place because you are embraced by God!

About Babbie Mason:

Babbie Mason is a Dove Award-winning and Grammy nominated gospel singer, songwriter, author, creator of the Embrace: A Worship Event for Women ministry, professor of songwriting at Atlanta Christian College and Lee University, and a television talk-show host. She was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and has appeared on numerous national television and radio programs.                                                       
Babbie has been honored perform for Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes among many others. Babbie performs a holiday special at Carnegie Hall every year. Babbie lives near Atlanta on a farm with her husband Charles.

My thoughts:

I should not have been surprised by this book. I have been a fan of Babbie Mason’s singing voice for years. Now I am a fan of Babbie’s writing voice as well. Anyone who has gone through a long season of feeling as if God has forgotten about you will especially like this book. Babbie gently takes you through a journey where you literally wind up remembering that you are embraced by God.

Embraced by God is meant to be read as a 21-day devotional. Since I was reviewing this book I didn’t have the luxury of taking the whole 21 days to read and savor the content, but let me tell you, I was hooked from the beginning. The author has broken the book into seven themes or promises from God. Each promise builds on the one before it assuring you just how much God does love you.

Each day is set up with a personal devotional from Babbie. At the end of each daily reading is a section entitled Embrace Your Day. In this part you are led to think about, read about, pray about and be about His love. It is done in such a manner that you will find yourself lingering on the topic for the rest of your day.

I encourage everyone to pick a copy up and spend the next 21 days growing in the knowledge of God’s love.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Blog Tour for Sweeter Than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott @rosslynelliott


Sweeter Than Birdsong

Rosslyn Elliott
The Saddler’s Legacy, Book 2
Historical Fiction
Buy the book: Here


Back of the book:

In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance—and use it to mask her flight.

Ben Hanby, Otterbein College’s musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing—and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage—and her voice—if she is to sing a new song for their future.

A stirring novel of hope and faith inspired by real events—from the author of Fairer than Morning, winner of the 2011 Laurel Award.


 

About Rosslyn Elliott:
Rosslyn Elliott is the award-winning author of Fairer than Morning, the first in the Saddler's Legacy series. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. in English from Emory University. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue writing fiction. Elliott lives in Albuquerque, where she home schools her daughter and works in children's ministry.
For more about Rosslyn, visit her website: rosslynelliott.com

My thoughts:
I read Rosslyn’s debut novel, Fairer than Morning, last year and absolutely loved it. When I picked up Sweeter Than Birdsong, I wondered if she could do it again…and she did! Quite frankly I think I actually liked this second book in the series even more than the first.

One of the things that is important to me in recommending a second book (or subsequent books) is that they have the ability to be read as a stand-alone. In my opinion this one can be read without reading the first in the series. 

Sweeter Than Birdsong picks the storyline up several years after Fairer than Morning ends. One of the main characters is Ben Hanby who is the grown son of Ann and William Hanby. The story revolves around Ben and Kate with the rest of the Hanby family as background characters. The author does an excellent job of giving you enough information from the first novel for you to know what is going on but not so much that you feel like the first book is being rehashed.

The storyline is about Ben and Kate’s budding relationship, but it includes their activities in the Underground Railroad. I always find that subject fascinating. So many people were willing to take such crazy chances with their own lives in order to provide freedom for others. It is a sad chapter in our country’s history, but the bravery of those that set out to change the course of history inspires me.

There are two bonuses in this book. The first is a section called History and Fiction. In this section the author describes what history is and what she has taken liberties with. The second bonus is the Reading Group Discussion Questions that are included. Such a major time saver for book clubs!

Follow the blog tour

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Bamboobies Review & Giveaway Baby Shower 2012 @bamboobies




About Bamboobies:
Bamboobies were born out of necessity - 'the mother of invention!'
After breastfeeding for a few months, I was still leaking sometimes... I even leaked through the thick washable cotton pads. I was tired of looking like I had round targets on my chest where the pads showed through my shirt. Disposables also showed wrinkles and just created too much trash. And disposables get very expensive!
So one day I decided, just because it was handy, to stuff a washable diaper wipe into my bra - it felt great, but it looked funny and was far from perfect. It was made of organic bamboo velour so it was deliciously soft and wicked and absorbed like a great pad should. I'd never felt anything so soft!
A year into product development and prototyping with different fabrics and designs, we have settled on a couple of unique breast pad designs that mothers love.
 
My thoughts:
Little H is two weeks old now and I have several days where Bamboobies have saved my nipples. Especially right after my milk came in my nipples became really sore so I decided to give Bamboobies a try and I am now hooked. When you are a new nursing mom and have a baby nursing around the clock you want something soft to wear against your sore nipples and Bamboobies are that.  Every nursing mother needs a pair of these. I have already order more for myself! The heart shape is great as it forms to your breast and prevents lines from showing through your shirt. I also think the heart shape is also for the love you will have for Bamboobies! I am so thrilled to be able to partner with Bamboobies and have a giveaway!

What other Moms think about Bamboobies:


"LIke a cashmere sweater for my boobies
- Perfect for the first couple of months of nursing - thank you!"
~
Rachel R. - Boulder, CO
“I used overnight bamboobies nursing pads last night for the first time - Now want to buy their entire stock!
Big enough for full coverage all night & me + pads felt DRY this morning!” ~
Kelly R. - Meridian, MS

"These are the most comfortable nursing pads I have ever tried! Honestly, I love these so much that I wear them during the day. I would recommend the Overnight Bamboobies to new mamas wanting to avoid disposables entirely during the first few weeks." ~ Frugal & Simple Mommy Blogger Rachel


Giveaway:
A coupon code for $16.99 off any Bamboobies product on our website. That is enough for a 2-pack of regular or overnight nursing pads, but also allows the winner to apply her credit toward a bigger pack of pads or a nursing cover if she prefers! We are happy to honor winners in the US and Canada. Winners will be responsible for $4.95 flat shipping rate and have 48 hours to respond to email. Giveaway ends 03/04/12.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Pillsbury Egg Scrambles and Grands! Biscuit Sandwiches Review & Giveaway



· Quick and easy breakfast – can be prepared in just a few minutes
· Made with fresh, quality ingredients, including Green Giant® vegetables
 Three tasty flavors of Egg Scrambles:
 Bacon & Veggies Egg Scrambles
 Sausage & Veggies Egg Scrambles
Sausage & Egg Scrambles
Three delicious varieties of Grands!Biscuit Sandwiches:
Bacon & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches
Sausage & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches
 Ham & Veggies Biscuit Sandwiches
From Pillsbury: “We are excited to unveil our latest addition to the frozen breakfast aisle,” said John Stockman, Pillsbury Frozen Breakfast Marketing Manager. “These new dishes are a delicious way to start your morning with a protein-filled breakfast made with quality ingredients. In just a few minutes, you can start your busy weekday with a hot, satisfying breakfast.”
·Suggested retail price: $2.89

Our thoughts:
At the beginning of February we had our second child! Which is very exciting but can lead to mornings of breakfast’s cereals or toast. Hubby is also full time at school and work so he needs a good breakfast with protein but if the baby has been up all night I am too tired to make him a hot breakfast.
This why we love that Pillsbury has started making these Egg Scrambles and Grand’s! Biscuit Sandwiches. Hubby’s favorite sandwich is the Ham and veggies sandwich. I too loved this one. I was worried that the biscuit would be soggy however it was not at all. The eggs and veggies were good too!
The Egg Scrambles are good too. When I have time I make us a skillet that is similar to these egg scrambles, so I was surprised that the scrambles were pretty close to what I make in the skillet but only taking a few minutes in the microwave.
Overall we are quite impressed with Pillsbury’s new breakfast products. I only wish they came with a higher count than two and the Egg Scrambles were sold with multiple packs instead of singles. Bottom line quick, tasty, and a good source of protein. We are sold!
Giveaway:
One reader will win two coupons for a free Egg Scrambles and Grand’s! Biscuit Sandwiches. US only 18 and up.  Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered! The giveaway ends 02/29/2012
 
 
“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Personalized Baby Shoes by Kids N Caboodle Review & Giveaway #BabyShower2012 @babyshoegirl



Who We Are.....
Kids ‘N’ Caboodle’s founder is a former elementary and nursery school teacher. She owned a successful children’s retail store for over 22 years. While a merchandise buyer for the store, she enjoyed finding unique, adorable, and affordable baby gifts
for her customers to select.
Now with the onset of her online shop, she has searched for special, personalized, handcrafted baby shoes and booties. She has chosen suppliers whose products are of excellent quality, have GREAT product reviews from current customers, and above all have EXCELLENT customer care reports.
Great products! WOW Customer Care!
That is the goal that is first and foremost for this company.
These personalized, keepsake baby shoes and booties will remind your friends and family that you took the time to think about them PERSONALLY!




Our thoughts:
Being a mom for the second time has some great benefits. For instance you already know what must haves are for your new little one. I remember my sister in law telling me how great soft leather baby shoes are and how they were a must have. I bought some for little M and loved them he could actually walk in them and the protected his feet.
So with Little H I knew I wanted soft soul leather baby shoes. What was an added bonus was that Kids N Caboodle personalizes baby shoes. I feel in love and had to include them in our Baby Shower.
The quality of these shoes is excellent along with price. I have paid the same amount for other soft leather baby shoes and they were not personalized. Kids N Caboodle Shoes are a must have for any baby shower you may go to.
Giveaway: One reader from Rambles of a SAHM will win their own personalized baby shoes from Kids N Caboodle! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered! Ends 02/29/2012 12am EST. 18+ US only.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Let the Love your Baby, Baby Shower Begin!



Welcome to our Love your Baby, Baby Shower 2012! Little H is a week old now and it is time to start this baby shower! Yippee.  Our baby shower for Little H will include reviews and giveaways from some of our favorite baby products. Some of these products I have loved since Little M and some are new products I have come across and love! Our first review/ giveaway will be up Monday! I will also be including our homebirth story so stay tuned for all things Baby!
Love,
RambleSAHM & Little H



Guylian Artisanal Belgian Chocolates the perfect #Valentine's Day Gift Review & Giveaway @Guylian_Chocs




 Guylian Artisanal Belgian Chocolates provide the ultimate experience for chocolate lovers. Each luxurious chocolate seashell is marbled with 100% pure, silky smooth milk, dark or white Belgian
chocolate. Our irresistible seashell chocolates are filled with a rich, decadent, and luxuriously creamy chocolate truffle; the original handmade recipe of Guy & Liliane. Our signature truffle recipe is still
made in small-batch copper kettles exclusively by Guylian's Master Chocolatiers in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
Our Thoughts:
I am the type of girl that prefers chocolate over flowers for Valentine’s Day. I have always loved getting a heart shape box filled with all types of chocolates. So when another blogger reviewed Guylian, I knew it would be a perfect match for our blog as well.
First of all let me just say that these chocolates are beautiful. You “almost” feel bad eating them. They are nice and shiny on the outside like the perfect seashell. Then when you bite into one they are filled with this creamy hazelnut filling! Yummy. What is also nice is that they are both milk chocolate and white chocolate so you get this perfect blend of chocolate creamy hazelnut. These are defiantly a special treat for your special someone this Valentine’s Day!
Giveaway:
One winner (1) will win the following products: One – 22 piece box of Guylian Artisanal Belgian Original Chocolate Truffles, Two - 6 piece Original Chocolate Truffle Box, and Four - 2 piece Original Chocolate Truffle Box.  Open to US only 18 & up. Giveaway will end 02/19/2012
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blog Tour for Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz @nicoleseitz






Beyond Molasses Creek
Nicole Seitz
Fiction
Buy it on Amazon


Back of the book:

Having traveled to the ends of the earth as a flight attendant, Ally Green has finally returned to the Lowcountry to bury her father as well as the past. But Vesey Washington is still living across the creek, and theirs is a complicated relationship—he was once her best friend…and also part of reason she’s stayed away so long. When Ally discovers a message her father left behind asking her to quit running, it seems her past isn’t through with her yet.

As Ally’s wandering spirit wrestles with a deep longing to flee again, a young woman on the other side of the world escapes her life of slavery in the rock quarries of Nepal. A mysterious sketchbook leads Sunila Kunari to believe there’s more to her story than she’s ever been told, and she’s determined to follow the truth wherever it leads her.

A deep current intertwines the lives of these three souls, and a destiny of freedom, faith, and friendship awaits them all on the banks of Molasses Creek.


My thoughts:

From the beginning pages I fell in love with this novel. It reads like a classic Southern fiction tale. The story is beautifully written about a very sad time in our country’s history. Throughout the narrative you are swept between Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and Kathmandu, Nepal. Ms. Seitz’s way with words puts you right in the midst of these complex places. In my opinion this one is going to hang around for a long time.

I do feel that it is important to point out that although it is published by Thomas Nelson, I personally wouldn’t consider it Christian fiction. Since parts of the story are set in Kathmandu it has a lot of references to Hinduism.  I wish that the ending were more forthcoming about some of the main character’s faith, but I still loved the way it read. The prevailing themes are ones of forgiveness and second chances.

This would be a wonderful book for reading groups. It includes very thought provoking questions in the back of the book. I’m looking forward to sharing this with my friends. You can be sure that I will be reading more by Nicole Seitz.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Beyond Molasses Creek Fabulous "Friendship" Facebook party!

Nicole is celebrating the release of Beyond Molasses Creek with a fabulous "Friendship" Facebook party! She'll be giving away a ton of great stuff (KINDLE TOUCH, some of her own beautiful artwork, a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies of the book for your small group/book club and a Live Skype Chat with Nicole), and more!
CLICK the button (below) to RSVP for the party - then join us on February 16th for a book chat, story sharing and prizes! Hope to see you there!

Save the Date! 2/16!

Our Baby Boy Has Arrived!





Little H has arrived! He is such a sweet little guy! Our home birth went very well and we are forever grateful to RFitzpatrickphotography.com for capturing this special event in our lives!

Starting February 10, 2012 we will have our Love your Baby,Baby Shower with little H as the main reviewer!

Blog Tour for The Sound of Red Returning by Sue Duffy @SueDuffy2's




The Sound of Red Returning
Sue Duffy
Red Returning, Book 1
Suspense
Buy it on Amazon



Back of the book:

It’s been fifteen years since famed pianist Liesl Bower saw her beloved Harvard mentor gunned down, since the CIA disclosed his double life as a Russian spy. She was interrogated and released, with no incriminating evidence against her. But now, something has happened to set Russian and CIA agents on her heels. New intelligence suggests that Liesl possesses a coded message critical to a resurgence of Soviet power.

As global tensions mount, the Russians are in a frenzy to find the code before the Americans. Standing in their way, though, is the young pianist from the tidal creeks and secret-shrouded lanes of Charleston, South Carolina. As Liesl outruns the tip of the Russian Spear, she must reckon with the wounds of her past, the love of a man she never thought could be hers, and the prevailing power of God.

In the final hour, on a world stage, Liesl must deliver a message of her own.



My thoughts:

When I began reviewing books I promised myself that I would always be polite but honest in my opinions. So here goes… When I received The Sound of Red Returning I began to dread reading it. The cover did not appeal to me, the title did not appeal to me and the description on the back cover did not appeal to me. In fact I put off reading it until the last possible moment.

I crawled in bed intending to just read a chapter and then go to sleep. The prologue consists of five paragraphs. Those five paragraphs sucked me in so completely that I was still reading several hours later. The story is very layered and the deeper you get into it the better it is. The characters were complex and left you wanting to know more about them.  The setting is mainly in Charleston, South Carolina, my very favorite place in the whole world. There is even a part where the author is describing the actions of a character and you are led to believe through her clues that it is one person, but in the end it is someone completely different. Brilliant!

Well you know the old adage…never judge a book by its cover…this one fits that saying completely. I am really looking forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy, regardless of what they look like! Kregel Publishers, you have picked a winning series again. I am thrilled that I can still count on you to publish books with such depth.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blog Designed by: NW Designs