Take 25% off any order, now through March 17th!
(with this coupon code: STPATS)
Offer good on all website sales: http://www.goosiegirlboutique.com
and also in the etsy shop:
http://www.lestissusbows.com
Soon enough here in Utah the chilly air will turn to dry heat and our white mountains will be green…which means it will be camping time!
Camping with all the right accessories can be a great getaway, but, unprepared camping can wreck the whole experience and make you despise everyday you are in natural beauty.
I recently discovered a little camping addition I will be packin’ in my bag– Shampoo Bars by Susan’s Soaps. These bars are perfect for a camper that doesn’t want to risk spills or leaks in their backpack. No need to pack shampoo and soap because the Shampoo Bar made of all natural wonders will clean your bod and your hair. So, now when you are in the big wide open you don’t have to worry about disposing any plastic bottle. Going green was never easier or lighter!
Before trying out the bar in the wild., I thought I’d try it out first at home. After working up a lather, I worked the suds into my hair and to my dismay no delightful smell, but, the Shampoo Bar contains no synthetic fragrances, preservatives or colors…so it shouldn’t smell! I was hoping more of the Fresh Citrus smell would linger on my mane, but, no scent could be traced to my bob. My hair got pretty clean but beware of tangles if you have long hair.
Nonetheless, I like the solid bar and ease of knowing no shampoo spills in my bag will ruin my camping trip. At a measly $6.50 per bar, this is a solid investment to add to your summer gear.–Amber
Available online at susansoaps.com
** Giveaway! Susan’s Soaps & More is giving away a Travel essential set to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit the Susan’s Soaps website and leave a comment telling us one benefit from using handmade soaps/shampoo bars. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 6, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
* Congratulations to Elizabeth Y., the winner of the Susan’s Soaps giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!
…and more enjoyable for moms. When I don’t have fun bath time products to review I stick with the standard baby wash and bubble bath. They’re affordable and efficient at getting the mud and caked-on dirt off their little bodies. But I love it when I receive bath product samples for my kids–it’s a nice break from the typical Johnson & Johnson smell. And if the samples are from Tiny Tillia, it’s also a nice break from the boring, geared-toward-mom packaging!
Tiny Tillia was launched in 2006 by Tiffany Lerman, a London-born designer and creator of the successful Chester collection of fashion prints found on a variety of products, from handbags to scrapbooking. Tiny Tillia, her new line of children’s bath products, offers a range of all-natural bath gels, foaming washes and even hand sanitizers that feature a collection of really fun, truly delightful characters. The characters are even based on Tiffany’s family and are a heck of a lot more fun than the bland packaging of most store brands!
The Tiny Tillia collection has everything from “boo boo bandages” to diaper crème and everything in between. We received the All Over Foamy Wash in Tropical Blast and the Indy Sheep gift set, which included a Mini Bath Gel and the cutest little Indy Sheep stuffed animal. I absolutely love them both! The bath gel add just enough of a fun, non-floral scent to the bath, which meant my three-year-old son didn’t come out smelling too girly, and it had pretty good bubble power, though like most bubble bath it didn’t survive extended splash fests in the tub. (I have yet to meet a bubble bath that can do that.)
The All Over Foamy Wash in Tropical Blast had the best smell ever! Plus one pump was enough to wash the hair and body of one squirmy child. No need to stop mid lathering for a refill. The foaming wash contains aloe vera extract so it hydrates without irritating the skin and also has Vitamin E plus other essential oils to treat and protect the skin. For me, I fell in love with how it smelled. I even caught myself last night smelling my daughter’s hair after bath time and again this morning. It just smelled so dang good I couldn’t resist!
By the way, all Tiny Tillia products are people, earth, animal and environment safe and paraben free. I am anxious to try the Magic Cream, which relieves the pain of minor bumps with a homeopathic and hypoallergenic topical salve containing shea butter, tea tree oil and Vitamin E. Though the Tiny Tillia line was created with children in mind, don’t hesitate to try it yourself. Who says a thirty-something mom can’t enjoy bath time with a few character-themed products in hand?
** Giveaway! Tiny Tillia is giving away a gift set to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit Tiny Tillia’s website and leave a comment telling us your favorite Tiny Tillia character (make sure to use its proper name!). Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 5, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
* Congratulations to Lisa C., the winner of the Tiny Tillia giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!
This week, Boutique Cafe is honored to feature a designer who I admire greatly for her natural sense of style. Each outfit Christie Archer releases, starts my head a’buzzing. I just love how she designs to let each child shine!
Designers Quote:
“My princess Ferry is my inspiration for every design that I do. Her current favorite designs are the peasant dresses with pockets for her to keep her treasures in and skirt sets so she can twirl like a pretty princess, lol. Though I try to design around her personal style preferences I personally tend to lean more toward non-traditional colors when choosing fabrics.” – Christie
**GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment for Christie below and you’ll be entered to win your choice of either a free peasant dress with banded bottom OR 30% off of a skirt and shirred back top set. Design to be discussed and fabric choices to be from what she has in her studio already. GOOD LUCK!! Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: March 6, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
Shop Kustom Kids Boutique at her Etsy store**Please allow time for the show to load.
It’s time to think Easter and this set is sure to please your little girl. Auction is for the 4-piece Euro Appliqued Bunny set, and will be recreated in sizes 2T-6. The Bunny set includes the appliqued bunny dress, the ruffled gauze peasant top, the bunny print knickers, and a matching button sash.
This Ultimate Easter set was designed by silly*jilly and is available on eBay, along with additional corresponding auctions.
We’re in Bunny Love with this one!!!
To learn more about designer silly*jilly, check out her ME page, and view all of her current listings – they are outstanding!
I must admit I am somewhat of a soap snob.
I don’t buy soap bars because dirt collects on the bars and the thought of numerous people sharing the bar to wash their hands—ugh! (I just really don’t want to see the collection of germs on the bar) Enough said. Soap bars are not for me.
I like soap dispensers and not just any store bought dispenser. Well-scented soaps (obviously) and the not so obvious other must—it has got to look good! The soap is part of the décor. It sits right there beside the sink and everything else in the bathroom coordinates, so if my soap doesn’t match—it is a no go. Lately I have been a sucker for Bath and Body Works foaming soaps because it smells and looks good. However, I just discovered something better…way better…FURTHER soap.
The simplistic neutral tone dispenser doesn’t take away or compete with my good lookin’ pink tile;) and the monochromatic natural tag keeps it plain–something that could work with any style of bathroom. The luxury hand soap is made with natural ingredients including: oil, olive and exotic grass to create a clean fresh scent. I lalalalove this soap! It smells fresh—because it legitimately is pure. Not doused in perfumes and dyed with color. It really is squeaky clean! The price is a bit more at $18.50 for the 8 ounce bottle…but a little goes along way and I like to think this is one small way I’m going green…by using an all natural product:) So, look no further…get FURTHER soaps for your households and start smelling and lookin good AND because it is made with natural ingredients…you could be oh so eco-friendly too! –Amber
Soap is available online at www.furthersoap.com.
CellCeuticals Skin Care was founded in 2007 by internationally renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Garth Fisher (any Extreme Makeover fans out there?) and beauty industry veteran Paul Scott Premo (i.e., he knows A LOT about dermatology and skin care). Their goal is to develop “technologically advanced, clinically validated, premium skin treatment products.” Though I’m all for all-natural, holistic skin care I’m a big fan of technology when it comes to fighting the signs of aging (according to Oil of Olay there are seven–whew!), and CellCeuticals uses the best of biomedical technology to fight those tell-tale signs. With two well-known experts behind the line, does it deliver?
I received CellCeuticals‘ Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser, Extreme Defense Anti-Cell Damage Skin Treatment and Regenerative Skin Treatment. The first thing I noticed before the products even arrived was the price tag. These products are right up there with lines like Shiseido, which means WAY out of my comfort zone even when I’m all about looking 25 at the age of almost 35. Would CellCeuticals do enough to my skin that one, I would notice the difference, and two, it would be worth the investment? I would soon find out.
The second thing I noticed was the super cool packaging. Each product comes in this sort of futuristic octagonal (or maybe it’s hexagonal–haven’t counted the sides) design. I love something that sparks my interest upon first sight! They looked super cool on my bathroom counter–almost pretty enough to leave out. But looks aren’t everything; in this case it’s what was inside that mattered most. CellCeuticals claims a noticeable difference in just two weeks. I used the products for just under two weeks; did I notice a difference? Here’s my CellCeuticals experience:
Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser: “This gentle skin cleanser thoroughly removes facial and eye makeup without irritating eyes or skin. Leaves skin feeling clean, hydrated, supple.” Includes non-SLS mild surfectants, wheat amino acids and glycerin. $35 for 6.7 fl. oz.
I loved this cleanser! It removed eye makeup within seconds, even my stubborn mascara. It never irritated my eyes and after rinsing, my skin felt like it had already been moisturized. Washing with this CellCeuticals cleanser felt like I was washing with soft water. For those who have soft water, you know what I mean. It was divine! Worth every penny for sure.
Extreme Defense Anti-Cell Damage Skin Treatment: “A powerful antioxidant treatment that works during the day to help defend skin against age-promoting free radicals.” Includes Vitamins C, E and B5, green tea, aloe vera, natural almond, avocado and sunflower oils, beta glucan (skin soother and firmer). $65 for 1 fl. oz.
Though almost three times as much as my current daytime moisturizer, I would seriously consider buying it as part of the entire CellCeuticals system. The reason? I can’t tell which product it is that’s doing the most good for my skin but my skin has never looked or felt better! This moisturizer is lightweight yet extremely nourishing. I haven’t had one breakout since I started using CellCeuticals and it was during my peak hormonal time. My skin never felt greasy or shiny and it never felt dry, even around the sides of my nose where I tend to get dry skin. A little goes a long way so I imagine this lotion will last at least a couple months.
CellGenesis Regenerative Skin Treatment: “This revolutionary skin treatment encourages the regeneration of new surface cells for visibly younger skin. In just two weeks your skin looks and feels firmer and remarkably radiant, with visible lines and wrinkles dramatically diminished.” Includes patent-pending Growth Factor Peptide Cellular Complex (I may not know much but I do know peptides are GREAT for skin), which is a combination of retinol, antioxidants and lipopeptides. $80 for 1 fl. oz.
Perhaps this was the miracle worker among the three, but I have to say it delivered on everything it claimed it could do. It was a lightweight serum, and a little went a very long way. I did have an issue with the pump getting stuck on its way back up and now I can only do half a pump at a time, but that’s better for rationing this liquid gold. The funny thing was I caught myself doing a double take when looking in the mirror, thinking I had makeup on when in fact I didn’t!
My skin had an even tone, was noticeably firmer and what few wrinkles I had were about gone. To put it simply, my skin looked the healthiest it has been in very long time–and perhaps even better than it ever has! Would it be as effective on its own without the other two products? I couldn’t tell you, and I’m not willing to risk my fabulous new complexion to find out. I’ll stick with using all three for now. Will I replace the CellGenesis once I run out? At a price of $80, probably not. Yes, my skin has never looked better but $80 is a bit much for me to pay. Of course, when I’m 50 and ready to look 35, I’m sure I’ll be investing in the CellCeuticals regimen once again. It’s a lot less expensive than plastic surgery and I’m pretty sure–though I’m no expert–it gives you the exact same results!
I can honestly say CellCeuticals is by far my favorite skin care line and yes, definitely worth its weight in gold. But since I don’t have any gold bullion lying around, once I run out I’ll be switching back to my second favorite. I’m none too happy about it but what’s a girl without skin care allowance to do? Of course CellCeuticals does have a really great option for those interested in their skin care system and interested in saving 60% off the retail value. Just enroll in the CellCeuticals Skin Institute and you can get the CellCeuticals Skin Treatment Kit every 60 days for $39.95 a month. Though still a bit of an investment, believe me, you’re skin is worth it! –Emily
Keeping your baby warm and stylish is sometimes a challenge in cold weather. Up here in Canada we struggle with the freezing weather (trust me). I recently discovered an amazing new product that keeps baby’s legs warm, and protected while still looking ultra cute.
I was sent the most adorable pair of purple butterfly Leg Huggers from a company called Agoo. They come in precious patterns for the discriminating toddler, and feature a bevy of benefits. The first is that Leg Huggers are made from 100% sustainable Bamboo fibers, I love that aspect of this product. If you have a child who is potty training, then Leg Huggers are an excellent option to keep babies legs covered but allow for quick access to diapers, pull-ups and training pants.
Leg Huggers are also made to cater to girls on the go. If your baby is crawling, climbing or burning up the living room dance floor, Leg Huggers will protect those tender legs and still keep looking sweet. As some of you know, our family is in the process of adopting a little 2 year old girl. She was our tester with the Leg Huggers and they definitely fit her criteria. I appreciated that no matter how active she was while wearing them, the Leg Huggers stayed up but they didn’t hug too tightly either. The bonus was that our Little Miss looked perfectly precious in them and we will now need to stock up on several patterns.
If affordability is on your mind, then you’ll be pleased to hear that Leg Huggers sell for an excellent price point of $10. They are one size fits all, and are ultra soft and comfy. So go on and give those pudgy little legs a hug, with Leg Huggers from Agoo. – Daria
Giveaway** – Leg Huggers is offering a lucky Boutique Cafe reader a pair of their amazing Leg Huggers! To enter simply post a comment and share with us which design you prefer from their line of Leg Huggers. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 26, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
Okay, it’s not really spring (oh, how I wish it were!) but it sure feels like spring in my girls’ bathroom. We recently received samples from Full Bloom, the new spring line from Goody arriving in Target stores this month, and the collection is full of flirty florals and feminine colors. It’s almost enough to make me throw on some shorts and a pair of flip-flops. If only it were 30 degrees warmer and not snowing I’d be all over that!
I wish I had images to show you but alas, I could only find a couple and they weren’t even on Goody’s site. (The headbands pictured are the Flower Child headwraps.) I checked Target.com but I believe the collection is available in stores only. As soon as I receive a few images I will update this post, as you have to see these fabulous headbands, clips, scarves and ponytail holders for yourself! You’ll get spring fever for sure. When they arrived I actually raided the box before my girls could get to it. I pulled out the Misty Morning scarf and He Loves Me bobby slides for myself before letting the girls have at the rest. I’d have grabbed the Sweet Blossom ponypins but if you’ve seen my profile pic you’ll know I have no way of using them!
Already my girls have worn the Spring Day headband quite a few times, probably because its super soft and stretchy (no headband headaches with that one) and the Wildflower headband, which is one of their favorites. My youngest, though not “mature” enough for a scarf, loves to walk around like a princess wearing the Rainbow Sorbet scarf around her shoulders. How does a 1-1/2-year-old girl know to do that? I swear they come programmed! What I really love about the new collection is all the soft fabric headbands. (My favorite is the Spring Showers band) I don’t care how much attention is paid to details when it comes to the standard headband–you just can’t avoid getting those behind-the-ear aches if you wear them for very long. Along with fun florals they have quite a few tie-dyed pieces, which are a lot of fun for moms and kids.
Goody’s Full Bloom collection also includes some really sweet clips. My favorites are the ones hiding in my drawer, the He Loves Me bobby slides. I also really like the Buttercup bobby slides and Robin’s Egg jeanwire. Believe it or not, I’ve probably only named about half the products in the new Full Bloom line. And even though they’re very “girly” many of the styles can be worn by 30-somethings like myself without looking like we’re not dressing our age. I don’t much like to share but when it comes to Goody’s Full Bloom hair accessories, I don’t mind so much (except for the aforementioned bobby slides…those are all mine!).
You can find the Full Bloom collection exclusively at Target stores from February to May. Prices range from $1.99 to $7.49. If you want to start thinking spring I’d start shopping the hair accessory aisle at Target immediately! –Emily
** Giveaway! Goody is giving away a gift set of products from their new Full Bloom collection! Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 26, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
* Congratulations to Debbie H., the winner of the Goody giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!
After listening and loving Justin Roberts’ Pop Fly CD I knew the next children’s CD our family reviewed had a tough act to follow. We were still dancing around to Pop Fly when we received Robert Schneider’s Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine. Would this “kindie” rock CD measure up? Could we make the switch? The answer to both those questions is “yes!”
First, a little background. Robert Schneider (aka Robbert Bobbert) is the mind behind The Apples in Stero, one of indie rock’s original music groups. He has a huge following, and not only for his music. Schneider is also known for his amazing mathematical mind and has been a featured speaker twice at the Mathematical Association of America’s bi-annual MathFest. Some may think that makes him a bit of a nerd; me, I think that makes him super cool!
For Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine, his first children’s CD, Schneider worked extra hard at being creative, even throwing out traditional instruments in favor of more “colorful” noises. Robbert Bobbert is actually an inventor/scientist and the CD includes a funny comic book introducing kids and parents to this new character. We found out the CD also has a fun little coloring book with the words to the songs so my kids could sing along. So what did we think?
I hope you like my new invention,
the shiny circle sound extension.
It plays my music through the air
just as if I were right there.
First, put the circle in the machine
then eat a purple jelly bean*
then turn the song releasing knobbert.
Your friend,
Robbert Bobbert* Jelly bean not included
You can listen to some samples of Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine on Robbert Bobbert’s MySpace page. You’ll find it the perfect addition to your current “kindie” rock collection, and don’t be surprised if you’re singing “Fee Fi Fo, Fee Fi Fum” to your litte lones! –Emily
** Giveaway! Little Monster Records is giving away 3 copies of the Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine CD! Visit Robbert Bobbert’s MySpace page and listen to “I Love Animals,” then leave a comment telling us something else (besides animals) he loves. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 24, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
* Congratulations to Lisa L., the winner of the Robbert Bobbert giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!
It may be Friday the 13th, but I believe the 13th can still be a lucky day! (After all, I had my oldest son on a Friday the 13th, at 3:13 pm in delivery room 13 …and he’s an amazing kid).
Therefore with that I bring you an amazing giveaway on this LUCKY DAY from fabric designer Melissa Averinos. Melissa is celebrating her Two Year Blogaversary by giving you the present! She’s put together a sweet bundle of her popular Sugar Snap line (fat quarters, random sizes, charm squares, and other Free Spirit/Westminster fabrics that play with her collection).
All you need to do to enter is stop by her blog post and leave a comment. She is wanting to know how long you have been reading her blog, and be sure to leave your proper email address so she can reach you if you’re the winner. Good Luck everyone – how could you possibly lose on this lucky lucky day of the year!?
Article by: Heather Flottman
Owner/Designer
liliputians NYC
Several new developments have come about on the CPSIA front since the last Boutique Café article on this topic. Here’s a quick summary.
1) On 2/4/09 Senators Jim DeMint of SC, Roger Wicker of MS and Saxby Chambliss of GA, and David Vitter of LA introduced bill S.374 to the Senate where it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. This bill would amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to provide regulatory relief to small and family-owned businesses. On 2/11/09 Senators Sam Brownback of KS, Tom Coburn of OK, Mike Crapo of ID and James Inhofe of OK cosponsored the bill also. Call (202-224-3121), email, fax and write your Senator to let them know you support this amendment.
2) On 2/11/09 Rep. John Shadegg of AZ and co-sponsor Rep. Roscoe Bartlett of MD introduced bill H.R. 968 to Congress where it was read twice and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bill is identical to Sen. Demint’s in wording to amend the CPSIA, providing relief for America’s small businesses. Call, email, fax and write your Representative to let them know you support this amendment.
3) On 2/10/09 CPSC posted Guidance on CPSIA for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities. Although this obviously was needed months ago, it is still welcome information and summarizes the legislation in understandable terms. ALL sellers, resellers, retailers, and manufacturers would do themselves a favor by reading this guide. Table B is of particular interest, listing materials, which are exempt from testing (hopefully a permanent ruling) such as dyed and undyed yarns and fabrics.
4) The Stay of Enforcement remains . . . for now. Activist consumer groups NRDC and Public Citizen are rumored to be filing a lawsuit to get it overturned.
So keep up the fight. CPSIA is not going to go away and we need to ensure that small business and micro manufacturers can survive this legislation.
Hurry up and snag this amazing opportunity! Rococo*Kidz on eBay is offering a custom design for your little darling each month of the year!
“This Auction is for 12 Customs. 1 custom delivered each month or 1 custom a week for 12 weeks. This will be your choice.
You can break it up however you like! If you have more than one child you can have me make different sizes to accommodate each child. You may be a grandmother with multiple little granddaughters. This would be perfect for you.EACH SET WILL INCLUDE 2 PIECES, SOME MAY CONTAIN 3 PIECES DUE TO THE DESIGN.
PLEASE NOTE DRESSES ARE CONSIDERED 2 PIECES. THEY WILL COME WITH MATCHING BLOOMERS FOR LITTLE ONES OR A MATCHING HEAD BAND FOR OLDER GIRLS.There is no extra charge if the set has appliqués on them. This would be nice for a Christmas present or birthday gift. If you choose I can gift wrap any set.”
CLICK HERE TO BID > Good luck everyone, rococo*kidz has beautiful designs so be sure to check them out on her MePage too!
When a package arrives at my home my three-year-old always asks, “Is it something for me?” You should see the downcast face when I answer, “No, this one’s for Mommy.” But when Little First Act Discovery’s Xander Xylophone arrived I could finally answer yes. Even though Xander was sent for “review” by my 18-month-old I had a feeling both would get a kick out of it.
Xander Xylophone is one of four musically inclined plush animals from Little First Act Discovery’s Music Learning Pals collection that helps baby learn music through songs and interactive play. It has a music learning mode with activities and messages, and then a song mode with eight sing-along songs and even a little clap-along fun. The songs are your well-known favorites like the alphabet song, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Xander has lots of fun ways you can listen and interact, like pressing his tummy to hear real xylophone sounds or pressing his hands and feet for ABCs, 123s and those fun sing-along songs. As cute as Xander Xylophone is he also serves a purpose: teaching children about music and fostering a lifelong love of music. He even introduces concepts like pitch, harmony and rhythm!
My little ones had no idea what they were getting into when they grabbed hold of Xander. They simply saw him as a fun, new stuffed animal. Of course my toddler, being the genius that he is, knew immediately there was more to Xander than lime green fabric and brightly colored pictures on his extremities. He got Xander going right away and we all had fun listening to the different songs. Even my older girls thought he was pretty cool. My 18-month-old’s favorite part was Xander’s tummy–she loved hearing actual xylophone sounds. (It was also the easiest part of Xander to press!) I was glad to finally have one stuffed animal that served some sort of purpose other than taking up precious toy room space.
Little First Act Discovery’s Music Learning Pals also includes Penny Piano, Parker Piano and Gilberto Guitar. You could have your own plush animal garage band! I’m all for introducing music to children as early as possible and Little First Act Discovery has found a great way to do so with their Music Learning Pals. Plus they have a wonderful lineup of other musical toys. (LOVE the Drop N’ Play Piano!) Now we’re just trying to figure out how get Xander to do a duet with my daughter, who plays the cello! –Emily
** Giveaway! Little First Act Discovery is giving away one of their fabulous musical toys to one lucky Daily Dish reader! Please visit their website and leave a comment telling us your favorite toy; include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 19, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
* Congratulations to Sky S., the winner of the Little First Act Discovery giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!
I think I’ve only done one other denim review and it was for Epoch, sadly a brand no longer designing women’s jeans. (I own three pairs and I LOVE them!) That review was back in 2006; it’s about time we had designer denim back on the Daily Dish!
In the email Jag Jeans sent inquiring about a review on the Daily Dish, one line in particular peaked my interest: “They consider every woman, every size, every shape so that when a woman buys a pair of Jag Jeans, we know they will fit, flatter, and make her feel good.” There is a lot of designer denim out there but only a rare few that can say they flatter women of every size and shape. Retailing for under $100 (another plus), Jag Jeans have just enough stretch “to perfect the fit and add comfort.” With the crazy life I have, comfort and style must go hand in hand. The company has been around for over 30 years so they have a little experience in fit and fabric. I just had to see what made Jag Jeans so remarkable!
I received a pair of Jag Jeans’ Whitney boot-cut stretch jeans and of course had to try them on immediately. (After all, they were jeans and just begging to be worn.) The first thing I noticed was the super cute back pockets. Sorry to say that is the first thing I look for in a pair of jeans, and these didn’t disappoint! The next thing I noticed was that although they weren’t skin tight like many non-trouser styles these days, they still had a cut that flattered my backside. Yes, I checked that thoroughly! I also did the sit-down test–you know, where you sit down, stand up, sit down to make sure the jeans don’t ride up or ride down. No indecent exposure with Jag Jeans, that’s for sure! I appreciated the higher waistband in back (even the waistband has some stretch) but wasn’t a big fan of it in front. I am still a low-waisted girl when it comes to jeans and the rise on these was about 1″ too high. But then again, it’s great for preventing the all to unattractive muffin top!
My pair of Jag Jeans really were comfortable and flattering and I could see how they would be perfect for women of all shapes and sizes. I’m not sure if Jag Jeans come in varying lengths (short, medium, long inseams) but that might be something for them to consider if they don’t already. The pair I had probably had an inseam of about 33″, which is an inch too short for my taste. I like my jeans touching the floor and then another 1/2″ or so for heel height, and these didn’t quite cut it.
Jag Jeans has a lot of great styles (I especially love the Ballari, but alas, it has an inseam of only 33″ as well…), all with enough stretch to make them comfortable and a great cut to make them super stylish. Plus these designer jeans won’t break the bank; they’re one of the few pairs you’ll fall in love with that are under three figures. You can find Jag Jeans at stores like Nordstrom and even Zappos.com. –Emily
This has to be one of the Cutest sets I’ve Ever Seen!! Designed by *blowin*bubbles*boutique* on eBay. 2 piece custom set, for girls sizes 1-6! Includes detailed Polly Frog face appliqued on a very girl girl twirl dress, featuring VHTF prints. And pants that feature a unique ruffle insert that can be long or capri. *pettiskirt is not included.
I’d say my children are pretty well balanced but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. Take their diet. Though they don’t drink a lot of sugary drinks (hey, I’m doing something right), they sure don’t drink enough water. That’s why they were the perfect reviewers for Balance for Children, a non-flavored, homeopathic beverage containing spring water and Australian flower essences.
I’m familiar with spring water but flower essences? Apparently the use of flower essences dates back centuries across various cultures. More specific to Balance Water, Australian wildflowers are “particularly interesting and unique in their properties given their diversity, beauty, remote growing locales and the harsh conditions they typically have to endure.” Who knew? It’s actually quite interesting. I almost included info about the specific flowers used in Balance but it would have made the review too long. I highly recommend reading it; it’s extremely interesting!
Balance for Children contains four flower essences: Bush Fuchsia for creativity; Crowea for calming and centering; Black-Eyed Susan for focus and concentration; and Paw-Paw for digestion. These essences promote calm and focus while helping restore balance, all without affecting a child’s natural energy. (So maybe I wish it removed just a titch of their energy…) This enhanced natural spring water doesn’t have any flavors, colors, preservatives, artificial additives, sugar or calories. So what did my kids think?
Here you go:
My opinion? My oldest must have been smoking something (no, not literally) because that water doesn’t have one tiny little ounce of taste to it. Yes, I had my own bottle while working out at the gym. I absolutely LOVED it. Sounds crazy but I loved that Balance for Children didn’t have an aftertaste. I swear Dasani and Arrowhead both have a funny aftertaste. It was crisp, clean and truly refreshing…and I’m not saying that just because I was hot and sweaty. I would really love my second oldest to drink a bit more and see if it does help her to focus. She is my “free spirit” and could use a little calming. We have a few bottles left so it’s worth a shot!
I will say I’m intrigued enough by the concept of flower essences to try Balance for Women, which is infused with eight flower essences including Peach Flowered Tea Tree for mood stabilization and Bush Iris for circadian rhythms. Heaven knows I could use more balance in those areas! They also have a Balance for the Mind and Balance for Traveling (helps combat the stresses of traveling, i.e. physical and emotional fatigue).
A six-pack of Balance for Children retails for around $7, which is on the higher end of bottled waters, but this isn’t your typical bottled water and it’s a heck of a lot better for your kids than the other ,strike>crap beverages you usually find them drinking. I say a little more balance in your child’s life is worth it! –Emily
*** Giveaway!!! Balance is giving away one six-pack of their fabulous flower-essence-enhanced Balance for Children. Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: February 12, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.
* Congratulations to Melissa B., the winner of the Balance giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!
If it’s like our current selection (Peter Pan, Jif or Skippy) then it’s out of kilter, full of hydrogenated vegetable oils and sugar. I have purchased all-natural peanut butter in the past but got so tired of stirring it every time I wanted a toasted PB&J (yes, I like to toast my bread first and then spread the PB&J–makes for a totally ooey gooey yummy sandwich) that I soon went back to the old aforementioned favorites. When we put it in the refrigerator the peanut butter would become unspreadable and tear holes in our wimpy low-cal bread. And did I mention my kids didn’t like the taste? With four kids I tend to pick my battles and peanut butter just wasn’t one of them.
Then along came Earth Balance and their line of award-winning Natural Spreads (award-winning for taste, mind you). The 100% natural, nutritionally beneficial ingredients of their spreads are of the highest quality but they have also won The American Culinary Institute’s ChefBest Award for Best Taste (that same award you see on the side of some Dreyer’s “healthier” ice creams). Like many of you, I’m big on how my food tastes so I wanted to see if Earth Balance’s Natural Peanut Butter in both creamy and crunchy would pass my kids’ taste test. But that wasn’t all I was interested in. The “no stir” graphic emlazoned in the upper right corner caught my attention as well. A no-stir all-natural peanut butter? Was it really possible?
Well, yes and no. We received our Earth Balance peanut butters and broke open the crunchy version first. It had a little oil on the top which we did have to stir in, but it took a lot less muscle than your typical all-natural jar of peanut butter. And once mixed in it only required a quick and easy stir or two when we opened the jar for the next PB&honey. No biggie since I tend to stir the non-oily versions anyway. As for the taste, the crunchy passed everyone’s taste test but my oldest wasn’t a big fan of the creamy. She IS my pickiest eater so I wasn’t surprised. I thought both tasted great and much better than that all-natural brand I’ve tried in the past.
So it tastes great, doesn’t require much in the way of stirring and is made from all-natural ingredients. sounds pretty good, but what sounds even better is Earth Balance’s proprietary blend of expeller-pressed oils, which actually helps increase good cholesterol while lowering bad. Oh, and it’s also rich in Omega-3’s, free of GMO’s, gluten, trans fats, hydrogenated oils and artificial ingredients. So maybe Earth Balance’s peanut butters are a bit out of balance as well, but in a really, really good way.
Earth Balance also has a line of Buttery Spreads, including olive oil, vegan and organic options, and even Earth Balance shortening. Yes, heart-healthy shortening. We didn’t receive samples of those but I enjoyed the Earth Balance Peanut Butters so much I’m going to have to give their other Natural Spreads a try! –Emily
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