New Dining Room Set Needed

As our family has grown we've been more and more on the lookout for new dining room furniture to offer us more space for eating and spending time together as a family. Right now we have a high square dining table with four matching chairs that are super high off of the ground and pretty uncomfortable. As I've been trolling the Internet I ran across these fabulous upholstered dining chairs and they look SO much more comfy than the tall wooden ones we have now. My favorites include these:

And these:

I'd love to get a set of six chairs and a large dining room table to match. My favorite part is that all of these sets are very reasonably priced and super high-quality. What could be better? Now I only have to convince my dear hubby that it's time for a new set! 

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, to modern upholstered dining chairs, or great cookware! Check out their site and let me know what your favorite is!

Review- Dapple Organic/Natural Baby Products

I LOVE natural baby products, so I had a feeling I was going to absolutely love Dapple Natural baby products as well. And boy was I right! Dapple is an amazing company started by two moms who were struggling to find natural cleaners for the items that babies put in their mouth constantly- toys, bottles, cups, and dishes. So they partnered with pediatricians and "green" chemists to create a line of dish soaps, sprays, and wipes that are all-natural, nontoxic, and highly effective at cleaning. Some of the organic baby products they offer are dish liquid, dishwasher powder, toy cleaner spray, and toy cleaner wipes. Dapple was generous enough to send me a travel-size pack of their Dapple Toy Cleaner Wipes and several generous samples of their Dapple Dish Liquid.

Dapple Toy Cleaner Wipes are fantastic for storing in the diaper bag for those frequent occasions when your little one decides to chuck his favorite toy (aka Sophie the Giraffe) on the ground in the grocery store. These wipes feature green technology that effectively cleans away bacteria while still being safe for your child's mouth. Each wipe is generously sized and can clean several different items at once- including your child's grimy hands, icky cart handles, and the aforementioned hapless toys that land on the ground in public places. Here are the facts:

Convenient travel size

Natural-based ingredients

Phtalate-free, paraben-free, SLES- & dye-free

Fragranced with pure lavender essential oil

Biodegradable

Not tested on animals
Certified to contain no detectable levels of dioxane

Retails for $3.49

Dapple Dish Liquid

Washing bottles after one of several pumping sessions each day is definitely not my favorite thing to do. One of my favorite things about Dapple Dish Liquid is that it's specially formulated to target milk residue and contains baking soda to combat odor, all while using green technology. How cool is that! I also love the relaxing lavender scent, which tends to make this chore a little more enjoyable. Here's the facts:

Rinses fast

Natural-based ingredients

Phtalate-free, paraben-free, SLES- & dye-free

Fragranced with pure lavender essential oil

Biodegradable

Not tested on animals

Certified to contain no detectable levels of dioxane

Retails for $5.99

BUY IT!

Dapple products can be found at the following retailers:

Buy Buy Baby

Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Toys R Us

Diapers.com

AlbeeBaby.com

Review/Giveaway- EcoMom/Plum Organics Eco-Friendly Baby Products $15 Gift Card

As part of our "going green" philosophy I'm always on the lookout for new baby products that are eco-friendly. When I happened upon the website EcoMom I knew I had hit pay dirt! Eco-friendly Baby Products- EcoMom are this site's fortay and they have an amazing selection! Here are some of my favorite items they offer:

Plan Toys Mini Fire Engine

White Stoneware Compost Pail (I want this SO bad!)

Angel Baby Bottom Balm

Boon Mini Bath Goods

Lifefactory Silicone Teether

And my absolute FAVORITE product they offer?

Plum Organics Baby Food!

Plum Organics is the most fabulous baby food on the market and is my go-to food for when Jackson and I are out and about during the day. I generally prefer to serve him food I make for him when we're at home, but it's difficult to keep the food fresh when we're running errands. Plum Organics is 100% organic and free of any additional ingredients except for pure, organic produce. Here are some more facts about their products:

Non-genetically modified ingredients

Innovative shelf stable, spouted pouch – gentle cooking retains freshness, flavor & nutrients

No mess solution – resealable, convenient & portable

Baby friendly package – child safe cap, no sharp edges

100% BPA-free packaging & recyclable cap – an eco-friendly alternative to the glass jar

Easy feeding – attachable dispensing spoon* made exclusively for Plum Organics by Boon

Totally love the Boon Spoon attachment! It basically screws right on to the top of the Plum Organics package, eliminating the need for an extra bowl while you're running around. It also keeps the mess down and is just plain cool!

 

I got a selection of Plum Organics foods as well as the Boon Spoon from EcoMom to try and boy were they a hit! We tried the pumpkin/banana, peaches, sweet potato/corn/apples, baby spinach/peas/pears,apple/carrot/ and peach/apricot/banana combos and Jackson loved them ALL! What a great way to sneak in veggies by combining them with fruits! One of the best things about Plum Organics is that they offer products from the high chair to the lunchbox and everything inbetween! I bought a truckload of Plum Organics baby food from EcoMom and they arrived on my doorstep lickety split- love the fast shipping!

 

As you can see the EcoMom website has it all- from nursing to baby food, health/wellness, toys, bath and body, healthy home, and more!

An awesome option EcoMom offers that sets it apart from other websites is their EcoPass. This nifty program allows you to save 15% on every order you place with EcoMom as well as free shipping for an entire year! The cost of the pass is $99 annually- which breaks down to $8.25 a month. The best part is that the EcoPass pays for itself in as little as four orders! Click here to sign up now!

Now for the good stuff. . . . .

BUY IT

Want to get some Plum Organics (or any of the other AMAZING items EcoMom sells) for yourself?

Head on over to EcoMom and use the code SBBL608 to save 15% off your total order! What a deal!

WIN IT

You can also enter to win a $15 gift card to EcoMom! Here are the rules:

1. You must be a resident of the US or Canada.

2. You must not have won a giveaway from EcoMom in the last 45 days.

3. You must complete the madatory entry in order for your extra entries to count.

4. Please include your email address in each and every entry so I know who to contact if you win!

Mandatory Entry

Head on over to EcoMom and tell me what you would buy with your $15 giftcard if you win AND Follow The Adventures of a Blondie Mommie through Google Friend Connect! (1 entry)

Extra Entries

Follow EcoMom on Twitter (3 entries)

Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (3 entries per day)

Become a fan of EcoMom on Facebook (3 entries)

Join the EcoMom Newsletter (3 entries)
Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to your post. (10 entries)

Giveaway ends Monday, October 11th at 8:00pm PST!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review. I was provided with several Plum Organics products and a Boon Spoon upon which to base my review. All opinions expressed are honestly my own. 

Review/Giveaway- EasyLunchboxes Lunchbox/Bento Box Packable Lunch System- Great for Back to School!

I always bring my lunch to work with me each day. Number one, it save a lot of money. Number two, it is just plain healthier than eating fast-food each day. One thing I hate is using brown paper bags to pack my lunch. It's a total waste of paper and those little bags barely hold anything! When the EasyLunchbox bag arrived on my doorstep I was SO excited. This bento lunch box has it all- space, durability, and convenience.

The lunchbox kit comes with an insulated cooler bag and four stackable, dishwasher safe, compartmentalized containers that allow you to easily pack and organize your daily lunch without the added waste of plastic baggies and paper lunch sacks. I've used my EasyLunchbox to pack both mine and Jackson's lunches, demonstrating it's versatility as both an adult lunch bag and just as useful for baby's snacks. The EasyLunchbox is also fabulous for packing kid's lunch boxes! One of the best parts of the EasyLunchbox system is that you don't have stacks of mismatched containers and lids that don't fit cluttering up your cabinet!

One of my favorite features of the EasyLunchbox is that you can fit up to three lunches in one small bag- making it perfect for trips to the zoo and sports events. If you only use one or two of the trays you can also fit a container of soup and drink in the bag as well. You also are less likely to resort to pre-packaged "convenience foods" (that are usually full of fat and sugar) when everything fits into its own separate compartment.

Pros: Versatile, high-quality, great for the environment, and convenient!

Cons: It may be difficult to fit certain foods in the different compartments of the tray.

Bottom Line: The EasyLunchbox is a great timesaver and cuts down on trash. It is equally useful for all members of the family and makes traveling a cinch!

BUY IT

Go to http://www.easylunchboxes.com/ to buy your own lunch box set!

WIN IT

Easylunchboxes has generously offered to give away one complete Easylunchbox system which includes one cooler bag in the color of your choice (black, dark red, aqua, or purple) and 4 divided lunch trays with lids! (Retail Value $21.90)

RULES

• 
  
  You must complete the mandatory entry in order to have any extra entries count!
• 
  
  This giveaway is offered to US and Canadian residents only.
• 
  
  Please do not enter this giveaway if have won or received free product from EasyLunchboxes within the past 3 months.

Make sure to include your email address in every entry you submit so I know who to contact if you win!

MANDATORY ENTRY

Go to http://www.easylunchboxes.com/ and tell me one thing you learned that I didn't mention above. (1 entry)

EXTRA ENTRIES

• 
  
  Follow me on Google Friend Connect. (1 entry)
• 
  
  Become a fan of EasyLunchboxes on Facebook. (1 entry)
• 
  
  Vote for us on Top Baby Blogs. (1 entry)
• 
  
  Follow the EasyLunchboxes blog. (1 entry)
• 
  
  Follow EasyLunchboxes on Twitter. (1 entry)

Giveaway ends Monday, 10/4 at 8:00pm PST!

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review. I was provided with an EsayLunbox product on which to base my opinion. All opinions expressed are honestly mine.

Review/Giveaway- Adiri Natural Nurser

If you read my blog then you're probably aware of all the trials and tribulations we've experienced with getting Jackson to take a bottle. To put it simply- he's a boobie man. But unfortunately he has a working mama who has to be away from him for long stretches at a time. His poor sitters have quite the struggle on their hands each day as they try to tempt, cajole, and finally force Jackson to take the hated bottle full of breast milk I diligently pump for him each day. Well let me tell you, we have found our saving grace. And it comes in the form of the Adiri Ultimate Nurser. I swear I tried every brand of bottle on the shelf but this one, but when Adiri contacted me about a trying their bottle I jumped at the chance. When it arrived in the mail I was immediately taken by it's slightly space-age appearance and boob-like modeling. We couldn't wait to try it out the next day when we dropped Jackson off with the sitter. When I picked him up, lo and behold they had amazing news for us. Jackson. Had. Drank. A. Bottle. Hip hip hooray! AND he's taken one every day since! So bottom line? The Adiri Ultimate Nurser ROCKS and I highly recommend it to anyone with an infant who is leery of bottles!

Here's some more information straight from Adiri:

The Adiri Ultimate Nurser is made 100% polycarbonate and BPA-free. This exciting new product is available in slow, medium and fast flow. The best part is that once your baby has graduated from Adiri Ultimate Nurser and is enjoying toddler finger snacks, the cap and warming plate can be used as a snack pot!

New features and benefits of the Adiri Ultimate Nurser include:

- Improved leak-proof filling cap

- Better durability

- Improved base for better flow control

- Protective disc to prevent damage to bottle warmers

- Breast shaped nipple reduces nipple confusion

- Petal vent and valve reduces air ingestion that reduces colic and gas

The improved baby bottle has incorporated consumer feedback to make both the baby and mother's experience even better.

Buy It!!

To order your own Adiri Ultimate Nurser head over to http://thewatergeeks.com/ right now!

Win It!!

Adiri has generously offered one of my readers a chance at winning an Adiri Ultimate Nurser! Please make sure to include your email address with each comment you leave.

Mandatory Entry:

Follow me through Google Friend Connect (if you're already a follower just leave me a comment letting me know).

Extra Entries:

Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (1 entry per day)

Go to http://thewatergeeks.com/ and tell me something else about the Adiri bottles that I didn't list here! (1 entry)

Follow WaterGeeks on Facebook! (1 entry)
Follow WaterGeeks on Twitter! (1 entry)

Giveaway end September 15th at 8:00pm PST!

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review. I was provided with a sample bottle to base my review on. All opinions expressed are honestly mine.

HUGE Review/Giveaway- Seventh Generation Cleaning Products!

I am SO excited to be reviewing these items for Seventh Generation! They are one of my favorite natural products companies for more than one reason. One of the main reasons I choose to use their products is because they are amazing! Not only are they extremely effective at cleaning but they are also non-toxic and not tested on animals. Since giving birth I have steadily become more aware of the effects of toxic cleaners on an infant's brand-new body and how simple it is to replace harsh cleaning products, with gentler all-natural ones. Here are some facts from the Seventh Generation website:

"Our focus is to inspire thoughtful consideration of each purchase—from the immediate impact of the products you buy (Is it safe? Is it gentle on the earth? Does it work?), to the broader impact throughout their lifecycle.

We believe that the best way to ensure that we live up to our aspirations is to be completely transparent about our business and product practices. You should expect to see all of our values and principles in everything we make, say, and do. It’s really that simple.

We’re committed to making sure that everyone our company interacts with—from the farmers who grow our lavender to the customers who use our products—are treated fairly and with respect.

We are determined to inspire others through innovation, education, and interaction. We proudly donate 10% of our profits to support organizations that work for positive change."

Seventh Generation sent me an extremely generous package of each one of their Free and Clear Products plus all of their amazing disinfecting products to test out and review. The products included:

Natural All Purpose Cleaner: This cleaner is perfect for all of the hard surfaces in your home and can even be used for wet mopping! It's also free of harsh fumes and hypo-allergenic.

Natural Glass and Surface Cleaner: This is the product you'll turn to for cleaning every reflective surface in your home including mirrors, windows, and chrome. The cleaner is also free of fumes, non-toxic, and biodegradable.

Natural 2X Concentrated Laundry Liquid: This laundry detergent is a unique combination of plant-derived cleaning agents and enzymes that are super effective cleaners. I love that I can use this liquid on my clothes as well as the baby's with no risk of skin irritation!

Natural Fabric Softener: Did you know most fabric softeners are made from animal fat? Gross! Seventh Generation uses canola oil instead which is just as effective without the ick factor! Definitely a must buy!

Natural Dish Liquid: This liquid is extremely effective while still being completely natural, plus the bottle is made from 90% recycled plastic!

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Packets: I love that these packets are both chlorine and phosphate free and got my dishes sparkling clean! The pouches are also extremely convenient!

Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner: One of the things I worry about when using all-natural cleaners is their disinfecting powers. Not with this one! The Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner is just as effective as harsher bleach-based cleaners (kills 99.9% of germs) while still remaining safe to use around children and pets.

Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner: This is my go-to product for cleaning all of the baby's items including the highchair, toys, and stroller. Kills 99.9% of germs while still being safe!

Disinfecting Wipes: I absolutely love the convenience of these wipes! They are super-effective at cleaning hard surfaces while still retaining all of the qualities I love about Seventh Generation products!

Here are what I consider the best aspects of Seventh Generation products (not all products contain every one of these qualities):

• 
  
  non-toxic
• 
  
  fume free
• 
  
  hypoallergenic
• 
  
  not tested on animals
• 
  
  plant-based cleaners and enzymes
• 
  
  And the BEST part- they are just as effective at cleaning as the harsher alternatives out there!

Win It!!!

Enter to win a HUGE package of each one of each of the products listed above plus a roll of Seventh Generation recycled paper towels and a handy reusable shopping bag!

(please leave your email on each comment!)

Mandatory First Entry

Follow me through Google Friend Connect. (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

Go to the Seventh Generation website and pick out your favorite product. Leave me a comment with which one you like best. (1 entry)

Vote for us on Top Baby Blogs. (1 entry per day)

Like Seventh Generation on Facebook. (1 entry)

Follow Seventh Generation on Twitter. (1 entry)

Go to the Seventh Generation and check out their blog. Leave me a comment with the name of the blog post you found most interesting. (1 entry)

Contest runs from 8/25 to 9/3 at 8:00pm PST.

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review, but I was provided with products in which to base my review on. All opinions expressed are honestly mine.

Review and Giveaway- Woombie Swaddle!!

The Woombie Swaddle has been a flat-out miracle worker in our household! At about 4 months old Jackson started breaking out of his swaddles. I would listen to the "riiip, riiip" sound that would emanate from his bedroom and gird myself for the inevitable squeals that would soon follow. Jackson is a baby that must be swaddled. Even at SIX MONTHS OLD. That's where the woombie comes in. While scouring the internet for a suitable replacement for the subpar velcro swaddles we had been using I ran across the Woombie. Like a mirage in the desert, it appeared out of nowhere and my heart swelled with hope. Could this be the answer to my sleep-through-the-night prayers? I submitted my order lickety-split and waited on pins and needles for it to arrive. When it finally got here (damn Fedex!) I tore into and immediately tried it out that night. It was my first night of fours-hours-of-sleep in a row since the stupid velcro swaddle stopped working. Ahhh, bliss. Not only did the Woombie work but it still works. If I had known about this product when I was pregnant with Jackson I would have ordered one in every size. Instead, I count myself lucky that I found it and make sure to tell all of my pregnant friends about it! Here's a picture of how it works:

Here are some facts from the Woombie website.

Trust in the Woombie, the Original Cocoon-like Swaddle

Recommended by Doctors, Nurses, Doulas & Countless Moms & Dads!

Swaddle your baby Safely and Effectively with The Woombie ... designed to ease your mind and comfort your baby so you may both achieve a better nights sleep. The Woombie is the safest & most NATURAL way to Swaddle your baby, encouraging baby to softly stretch extremities as needed, just like in the womb. The Woombie comforts, softly confines arms & gently compresses baby's unique curves to hug baby... preventing Startling issues, face scratching, overheating and also preventing dangerous loose unraveled blankets from covering baby's face.
The Woombie is a proud winner of the PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved), Moms Best and Creative Child Awards. We have been seen on television, in numerous popular baby magazines and are endorsed by Doctors, Doulas, Postpartom Baby Instructors, Nurses and countless moms and dads worldwide. In a nutshell, The Woombie is a great easy swaddle for babies with the Startle Reflex & who are in need of a cozy yet gentle confinement.

 

Now for the good part. Want to win a Woombie of your very own?

Please leave a comment with your email address for EACH entry!

Mandatory Entry:

Go to Woombie's website and tell me which color of swaddle you would pick if you win AND follow me on Google Friend Connect (click on the "Follow" button at the top right corner). Leave me a comment saying you did both!

Extra Entries:

• 
  
  Vote for me on Top Baby Blogs (1 entry per day)
• 
  
  Join the "Woombie Swaddle" group on Facebook (2 entries)
• 
  
  Follow Woombie on Twitter (2 entries)
• 
  
  Tell me another product that Woombie offers (1 entry)

Contest runs from August 9th to August 23rd at 8:00pm PST. Winner will be chosen using random.org. Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review. All opinions expressed are honestly mine.