I’ll put it out there—I don’t love (or read) self-help books very often. I did read Leadership and Self-Deception and The Purple Cow while working at LoveSac (required reading) and enjoyed them, but I’ve started and never finished quite a few others. I take that back. I also read Simple Abundance years and years ago and enjoyed it…but never put much of it into practice.

When I was sent Carol Tuttle’s Dressing Your Truth: Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile, I agreed to read it because beauty and fashion and all that goes with it does interest me a lot more than the “warm fuzzy” stuff. Plus, this blurb on DressingYourTruth.com caught my eye:

If you’ve ever felt defeated in a dressing room, faced a closet full of clothes but still felt you had nothing to wear, or thought you had to be skinny to be beautiful, Dressing Your Truth will be a much-appreciated reality check that will help you discover and celebrate your own, unique beauty!

Well, I do have a closet full of clothes and a few items that never get worn because let’s face it, they looked better on the hanger. And I’m always interested in discovering your “type” to see if I agree with what “they” say my type is. So I dove into the book, quickly skimming the first few parts so I could get right to Carol’s four types (Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4). And then I was anxious to find out what that type meant for me as far as what my wardrobe should like look like, how I should wear my hair and makeup to complement my features, plus I was even interested in learning the challenges that particular type faces.

Um, Dressing Your Truth was spot on. Seriously. I’m a Type 3 through and through, though not everything matched 100%. (I’m not a natural salesperson, trust me.) Want to know what a Type 3 is like? You’ll have to read the book. It was fun to read about the other three types and think about people I knew who fit into each one. Question is, are those people being true to their type or trying to be another type and therefore not living their own truth? Good question!

To enlighten you a bit on why I’m pretty dang sure I’m a Type 3, here are some excerpts I highlighted from the book that had me thinking—if not saying—”holy crap!” Type 3 personalities:

• “… get multiple tasks moving forward at the same time, so we can get a lot of things done at once” and we keep “a lot of plates spinning until all the tasks are finished.” {Like my mom says, someday I’m going to lap myself.}
• “… will write on our to-do lists tasks we have already accomplished just for the satisfaction of checking them off the list!” {Been there, done that many times.}
• “… see what needs to be get done, and often wonder why no one else is taking action, assuming the rest of teh world moves in your expression.” {I no longer assume anything but I do still wonder how my family can watch TV while dishes need to be done and counters need to be wiped. Any why doesn’t anyone else see those piles on the stairs?}

As a Type 3 I also have a tendency to be late wanting to get lots done and not being realistic about what can be accomplished in a given timeframe. I love to challenge myself (sprint triathlons this summer) and I walk with determination and a firm, brisk footstep. Just ask my parents about my firm, brisk footsteps…they hear them every time I walk across the kitchen floor.

What made me chuckle toward the end was this little note about the Type 3 woman:

It may have been hard for you to read from the front of the book to the back. You like to get to the point, fast, and pass by anything that appears to be too much detail. … You like to finish things quickly and get on to the next thing.

Did I not state at the beginning of this review that I skimmed those first few chapters to get to the nitty gritty? Yeah, I’m a Type 3.

The beauty profiling Carol does in Dressing Your Truth is pretty awesome. And the transformations are just as amazing. The book is filled with stories like most self-help books, but what I love are the transformations you can watch online at DressingYourTruth.com. Real women, not skinny, size-0 models, learning how to show their beauty rather than “put on” beauty. Online you’ll find a whole community of women and tools and resources to become your own “Beauty Expert” in areas like clothing, makeup, hair, and accessories.

One last awesome quote from the book:

Ironically, consider the possibility that you have deemed your greatest gifts your biggest weaknesses and your natural beauty in your physical features as flaws.

Are you dressing—and living—your truth?

P.S. Here’s a great video showing the grand prize winner of the Dressing Your Truth Do-It-Yourself Makeover Contest. She’s a Type 3 too!

*** Giveaway! Carol is giving away five (5) copies of Dressing Your Truth: Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Leave a comment telling us what you’d most like to learn from Carol’s book.
•   Visit DressingYourTruth.com and register for Carol’s 7 free revolutionary beauty tips (for every Type).
•   Become a friend of Carol on Facebook. (If she hits her limit before you can, let us know you at least tried!)
•   Follow Carol on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: September 9, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

I’ve had the luxury of testing a Shi Shu Baby blanket that’s as soft as it gets! The blanket is a handwoven 60/40 combination of cotton and bamboo and is trimmed with 100% cotton sateen. And it’s completely natural!

Tamre, the founder and owner of Shi Shu Style, had a child who was allergic to the fibers of those soft and fuzzy polyester blanket. She, determined to create a line of 100% natural baby blankets journeyed to India. She found a village that specialized in hand looming and she says she “…had never seen a place like this!” and she’s been to many factories in China (from her years of experience in the toy industry). Here working mothers were employed to loom blankets and rugs and in the evenings they went home to their families. Tamre found that these “…were not just blankets…they were works of art.” This is what she was searching for! As she worked on designing the blankets, she would ask her host’s family how to say words in Hindi. The children referred to their Grandmother as Shi Shu Ma and it was explained to Tamre that this was a term of endearment. Shi Shu is someone that cares for a child. Thus she found the name for her blankets – SHI SHU BABY. Isn’t that so perfect?

My child really is being cared for by this blanket. It’s softness consumes her little body. I have the baby lemon color and I adore it. It’s the perfect shade, light and airy but still vibrant. It has pilled a little bit and if I don’t take it out of the dryer promptly it gets wrinkly, but you’ll find that’s the way it goes with natural fibers. It’s totally worth it!

When this blanket arrived in the mail and I felt how luxurious it was, I thought to myself, “I wish this came in my size.” Well, it does. Shi Shu has a line for your home and it comes in 3 beautiful colors. I would love to have one to wrap around myself while I sip hot chocolate this winter! I think I would choose the classic for myself. Which blanket would you choose for yourself or for your child? – Katie

Though registration is not required to get into Handbag Heaven, if it were I’d be ready, pen in hand. I mean, we’re talking a website filled to the brim with discount handbags and purses. If you’re in the mood for a new handbag, purse or clutch, good luck—good luck narrowing it down to just one. Seriously.

Handbag Heaven’s designer-inspired collection has something for everyone. You’ll find flirty and feminine hobo bags, chic and tailored shoulder bags, date-perfect evening clutches and everything in between.

Handbag Heaven sent me the Caroline City Bag in yellow. I’ve never owned a yellow handbag, and after trying out this beauty, I think everyone should add a little sunshine to their handbag collection!

The Caroline City Bag not only looked stylish but was super functional with its large interior and multiple pockets. The hardware was pretty dang solid and the bag held up well to weeks of abuse normal, everyday use by a mom with four kids. I loved the option of shoulder straps or a longer messenger strap, though I did have an issue with one of the shoulder straps. The silver ring that attached it to the bag would slip off once in a while, but some pliers and a little squeeze fixed that right up. That little hiccup didn’t deter me from checking out—and drooling over—some of Handbag Heaven’s bestsellers and new arrivals.

By the way, I bought my mother-in-law a cute black and pink tote for her birthday and bought myself the Paisley Clutch for my un-birthday. Happy un-birthday to me! I’m thinking I might need to add the Paisley Bow Bag to my un-birthday gifts as well… My other faves? The Claire Flower Satchel in blue, the Valencia Blush Hobo in ivory and the Jackie Patent Tote in black.

Handbag Heaven handbags start at $10 without a single handbag over $85. You can browse by color, size, trend (e.g., citrus colors, animal print, quilted), price and style. The site also offers oversized bags, canvas totes and wallets. (Have you seen the Marsha Daisy Wallet? Yummy!)

Um, I’m thinking Handbag Heaven was the perfect name for this site. How about you?

For any of you who may be handbag challenged, Handbag Heaven recently launched a handbag glossary; you can even subscribe to Handbag Heaven’s Affordable Style YouTube channel.

You can find Handbag Heaven on Twitter and Facebook or you can check out the Handbag Heaven blog about all things handbag (and backpack and clutch and purse and style and fashion).

*** Giveaway! Handbag Heaven is giving away one (1)
$50 gift certificate! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Visit HandbagHeaven.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite handbag, purse, clutch…whatever!
•   “Like” Handbag Heaven on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you did.
•   Follow Handbag Heaven on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: September 2, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Emily did a review of Inglesina’s Zuma high chair and she claimed that the chair made clean-ups easier and that any company that can do that is a “true friend.”

I’ve been testing the sleek, minimalist club high chair and I can tell you that it really does make clean-ups easier, I would even say clean-up is a breeze (trust me, we had spaghetti and pasta sauce last night!). We have loved this high chair!

The chair comes equipped with a cover that easily wipes clean. If your baby gets as involved with his or her food as mine, you may want to remove the cover every now and then and hand wash it in warm, soapy water. I found that removing the cover was tricky and tight. It took fussing and some time to wrestle it off, however as soon as I dipped it into the warm water the dried peanut butter seemed to wash itself off! Nowadays, I leave the cover off because Holly doesn’t need any extra support, plus she’s no longer being spoon fed and that kind of independence equates to much more mess! After Holly played in her first birthday cake, I just hosed the high chair down. Perfect!

The tray is completely removable which is great for some deep cleaning, however how the tray attaches to the chair can call for some pinched fingers. Holly loves sticking her fingers in the holes that the tray attaches into and as careful as I tried to be, I still pinched her fingers one time. The only upside to that is that now she’s really careful about her finger placement so I haven’t even come close to pinching them again.

I like that the legs come off, especially since the chair doesn’t fold up. That was so handy in our recent move. On the bottom of each foot, it’s clearly indicated which position each leg belongs to so it’s really easy to reattach the legs.

The club high chair is a great chair. I love the simplicity of it’s design. It feel timeless, yet modern. If I hadn’t received this highchair for testing I would’ve personally purchased it. It’s my favorite-looking highchair and within my price range! -Katie

In February I reviewed Plum Organics’ new JUST and TOTs lines of organic baby food. Packaged in super convenient, lightweight (BPA-free) pouches with a resealable cap, these babies are perfect for on-the-go feeding. Of course you’ll need to remember to pack a spoon so you can get the food from the pouch into that eager, drool-filled mouth…that is if you don’t yet have one of Plum Organics’ Dispensing Spoon designed by Boon:

Leveraging innovation from the award-winning Squirt Baby Food Dispensing Spoon, the Plum Dispensing Spoon by Boon is the exclusive spoon for Plum Organics pouches. Each case contains two spoons which easily attach to Plum Organics JUST fruit and Second Blends baby food pouches for healthy, convenient feeding especially when on-the-go.

Don’t you love it when something comes along that makes feeding your little one while out and about even easier? I mean, what more could you ask for than healthy, organic baby food with its own dispensing spoon?

Though my youngest is now three, I can still remember juggling those glass jars or plastic containers, lids and all, and hoping I’d packed a spoon somewhere in the diaper bag. I needed four hands: one for the baby food jar, one for the spoon, one for the lid and one to wipe my baby’s mouth before she took that pureed banana and rubbed it into her eye! With Boon’s custom dispensing spoon, you only need two (one for dispensing and one for wiping), which is good because that’s all you have!

A two-pack of Plum Organics’ Dispensing Spoons is just under $4—basically the same price you’d pay for a two-pack of “normal” spoons. Plus Boon’s spoon is BPA-free, phthlate-free and PVC-free. Oh, and it’s made by Boon. Enough said.

Make your baby’s food healthier—and your life easier—with Plum Organics new TOTS line of baby food and Boon’s custom-designed spoon. Remember, you only have two hands. –Emily

My OiOi hobo diaper bag is totally my go-to diaper bag. Quickly after receiving it, I realized that it’s the perfect diaper bag. It’s the optimum size and depth, it has the best amount of pockets and their sizes are spot on. It’s endured being toted everywhere and still looks brand new! I adore the wipeable interior and the adjustable strap. But, my hands down favorite feature are the stroller straps. They’re hooked into the diaper bag so I never have to worry about losing them and they clip around my stroller’s handles so easily, leaving the basket underneath the seat accessible and available for other things such as shopping bags when we’re at the mall. I totally wish I had this diaper bag when my husband, daughter, stroller and I went to NYC. The diaper bag also comes equipped with a wipeable change mat, a thermos bag and a wipes case. Everything but the baby right?

Let me focus for a minute on the depth of my hobo bag. It really is perfect. I never feel like I’m digging around for something for an inordinate amount of time. Or if I am, it’s my own fault for tossing and going and making my diaper such a mess! As Moms, we all know those moments when it’s vital to find a specific something to calm, soothe or entertain your child. The minutes seem to crawl by in those moments and so it’s incredibly important to make the find as quickly as possible. With this diaper bag, you won’t find yourself rummaging as your face gets progressively redder. You’ll be able to find what you’re looking for and put an end to your child’s crying, whining, or screaming in my case. And who could say no to that? My daughter, Holly, also loves the depth of this diaper bag. She loves looking around for a specific toy or her sippy cup and she enjoys the empowerment of emptying the bag as she goes. Personally, I love that she can have that independence!

My bag is from the spring collection – it’s called green floral disc. Right now Oi Oi’s August 2010 line is out and I’m swooning over the Ikat print. It’s just so perfect!

I highly recommend getting an OiOi hobo diaper bag for yourself. As far as pricing goes, they’re very reasonably priced especially when I believe the diaper bag will last for years and help your sanity to last just as long too! If you’re looking for something more lush, they also carry leather. To find a store go right here. You won’t regret it! – Katie

I admit it. I need to be more conscious about what I cook whether it’s for my children or the grownups in our home. Though I do my best to make healthier choices at the grocery store, I often fall back on tried-and-true (often not organic, not super healthy) recipes. I definitely want to expand—and tempt—my children’s palettes and Anni Daulter’s new book, Organically Raised: Conscious Cooking for Babies and Toddlers, just might do that!

Anni Daulter is the founder of Bohemian Baby, an online organic baby food
service. I reviewed Bohemian Baby a few years ago and four years later I still remember how fabulous their organic baby food was. It was tempting even for me, and I don’t eat baby food unless it’s added to an “adult” recipe! I knew with such fabulous, fresh baby food recipes, Anni’s new cookbook wouldn’t disappoint.

Cited as a “hip, holistic guide to creating delicious, healthy, and organic meals for children ages 6 months to 3 years,” Organically Raised “shows parents how to replace bland processed shelf staples with flavorful, pesticide-free meals that babies will love, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good
nutrition and enthusiastic eating.” My favorite part of that quote? Pairing “good nutrition” and “enthusiastic eating.” That is something I for sure want my kids to pair!

One of my favorite sections in Organically Raised is “Hot Topics: Popular Mama Questions Answered.” From when to start feeding your baby solid food to what to do if you can’t get your little one to eat veggies, this section will set new (and “old”) moms at ease when it comes to their child’s nutrition. I also love the suggestions for on-the-go healthy snacks. I can always use more ideas in that department!

Each recipe has a handy little box with a nutrients list and the book is sprinkled with helpful cooking tips and tricks. The photos are gorgeous, or as my friend Quinn of Limelight Food Photography would say, “lick-the-pic” delicious. Another fave is the small section on healthy mix-ins like flaxseed and even dried seaweed. Who knew you could sprinkle ground, dried seaweed on dishes?

I didn’t get a chance to test out many recipes mainly because I don’t have all those healthy, organic ingredients on hand and was too lame (i.e., I never planned ahead) to add them to my shopping list. But I have bookmarked Lorrin’s Basil-Walnut Pesto Quesadilla, Poppy’s Three-Cheese “Fancy” Panini and Massimo’s Tuscan Rustic Pizza with Fresh Herbs, Veggies and Three Cheeses. (Can you tell we love cheese around here?) I’m also throwing in Mayasita’s Cuban Black Beans (we LOVE black beans and I have yet to make them completely from scratch, dried beans and all) and Joey’s Roasted Coconut Oat Balls. In fact, the ingredients for the first three are on my shopping list as we speak I type!

Organically Raised also includes:

• Important information about nutrition for children
• Common food allergies
• Feeding journal
• Inspiring “Mama Mantras”

I know many of you are already pros when it comes to creating healthy, organic meals for your children, but for those of us who aren’t, Organically Raised is a great place to start. Don’t believe me? Check out what moms cooler than me have to say:

When choosing which color or pattern of Happy Heinys One Size w/Snaps, I had a bit of a tough time. They’re are available in 22 different colors and 10 prints! With Happy Heinys you’re sure to find a diaper to match each outfit of your baby’s. I ended up choosing the turquoise color diaper and I sure love it. It’s such a beautiful color!

I’ve been very happy with the construction of the diaper. It’s made well and pretty much looks like new still after many uses. Although the fleece on the inside has pilled a teeny bit, it’s still soft as ever. I love the snap system on this diaper – they overlap which is important when you’re baby is tall and slim like mine. And the snaps feel really sturdy. I find that the waistband has a little bit of stretch to it making it possible to get a perfect fit in the waist.

My only complaint about the diaper is that I wish the insert was a couple layers thicker. I found that it isn’t quite as absorbant as my baby needs, and as a result, we’d get some leg leakage.

With baby number 2 on the way and knowing that I have smallish babies, I’m quite interested in the Happy Heinys mini one-size that fits 4-15 lbs. It’s available in just as many prints and colors as the diaper I reviewed too!

Tell me, have any of you tried Happy Heiny cloth diapers? And what do you like about them? – Katie

I’ve reviewed a few other odor-fighting products on the Daily Dish but none with such a clever, smile-inducing name as the Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray. How can you not grin when you say “Baby Butt Spray”? It’s impossible!

Little Stinker is the brainchild of Kathy Dalton, a woman on a mission to “de-stinkify your little one.” I kind of like that mission! I’ve tweeted with Kathy and recently met her in person at a local blogging conference. She’s fabulous…and super serious about her Baby Butt Spray.

This lightly scented, refreshing lavender vanilla spray not only freshens your baby’s bum but also gently moisturizes, which I love. Those little baby bums can be super sensitive, so a little moisturizing goes a long way. Kathy gave me a sample bottle of Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray to try out at home. Along with using the spray right on my little one’s bum, I found some other great uses for it:

• Deoderizing the diaper pail
• Deoderizing the room after a diaper change
• Spraying my second-oldest daughter’s feet, especially when she wears a specific pair of shoes
• Freshening up the bathroom after a stinky husband
• Freshening toddler bedding after a particularly sweaty afternoon nap

You know me, I love a product that can multitask, and Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray does just that—and does it while smelling good!

Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray is made using certified organic botanicals, formulated without parabens and is hypoallergenic and allergen-free. It is also made in the USA using 100% recyclable packaging.
Dermatologist and pediatrician tested, Baby Butt Spray is “parent appreciated and recommended.” I love that! If your little one (or your little one’s room, bedding or diaper pail) need a little de-stinkifying, you need Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray!

Little Stinker will soon offer moms two new products: Natural Nursing Balm and Cooling Breast Cream. If they’re as nifty as Baby Butt Spray, then you’ll definitely want to stock up! –Emily

P.S. Little Stinker has a fun summer contest going on right now! You could win a FREE iPhone or iPod Touch! For details check out the contest page here. Good luck!

*** Giveaway! Little Stinker is giving away one (1) bottle of Baby Butt Spray! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a comment for each one you do:

•   Leave a comment telling us how you would use Little Stinker Baby Butt Spray.
•   “Like” Little Stinker on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Follow Little Stinker on Twitter and leave a comment telling us you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: August 12, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

You can imagine my excitement when my Petunia Pickle Bottom shoulder diaper bag (in the Sleepy Santorini print) arrived in the mail. Boy, is it ever chic! I received a compliment the first time I took it out of the house – who doesn’t love that?

I love that the bag has a PVC-free Glazed wipeable exterior and although I have yet to need to wipe ‘er down, it gives me some serious peace of mind. Another feature I like is the key clip. I’m the worst for losing my keys at the bottom of a bag and so with this handy and easily accessible feature, I’m digging around no more. Plus it’s the easiest key fob to use so I use it. On the interior there are 6 pockets, 2 of which are for bottles, and a seventh pocket (a pacifier pocket) higher up on one side of the bag. It really is perfect for a pacifier, your lip balm, anything else that you don’t want to be searching for. It detaches via velcro, making finding that much needed item even easier. Gotta love that!

The diaper bag comes equipped with a changing pad that tucks into an exterior pocket. It can be removed if your children are past diapers but you still need the accessibility and convenience of a diaper bag. Inside that front pocket are 2 additional pockets that are the perfect size for the PPB wipes case (included with the diaper bag) and diapers. I love that I can keep all my diapering items in one handy spot. Although, I found that once I had the diapering supplies all packed up, the main body of the bag became a little narrow and slightly tough to access.

Despite the shoulder strap being unadjustable, both my husband and I found that the diaper bag sat nicely on our bodies. It surprised me when I first put it on because it felt so trim against my body. So even though I can pack lots in this bag it doesn’t feel overly bulky. I do wish the strap was less stiff. It can be a little sticky-uppy. I’m hoping that with time it will soften up.

Here’s a little more about Petunia Pickle Bottom:

More than three little words, Petunia Pickle Bottom is a lifestyle—a different way of looking at the world. And perhaps nowhere else is that difference more distinct, unique or decidedly fashionable than in the Petunia products themselves. A perennial exhibit of bold lines, daring colors and darling designer details, Petunia Pickle Bottom was created for the steadfast sophisticate inside every woman. Silk brocades, hand-woven tweeds, plush chenilles, intricate cut velvets, and exquisitely detailed embroidery—every one a Petunia hallmark, and every one an expression of motherhood’s myriad facets.

I couldn’t agree more! Every time I see a Mom with a PPB diaper bag I think that she’s totally got everything together and is way organized and chic! Hopefully people think the same when they see me with my bag especially since I’m often flying by the seat of my pants!

Make sure you check out Petunia Pickle Bottoms other products like their wide selection of diaper bags, their adorable clothing, and their cozy-looking blankets! -Katie

You’ve heard of those “of the month” clubs where you’re shipped a new item every month; of course it’s usually something like steak, fruit or candy. As much as I’d enjoy receiving a new decadent treat every month, the dessert (and the sugar high) wouldn’t last very long. If I’m part of an of-the-month club, that of-the-month item better be worth its weight in gold, or at least worth a bit more than my membership fee.

That’s why I think the concept behind JustGano is so dang cool. It’s a membership site for jewelry lovers. No, it’s not simply a “ring of the month” club. We’re talking necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. And the collection is gorgeous! Here’s how it works:

• Choose your JustGano membership level from The Deb (1 item for $7.95 per month ), The Demi (3 items for $21.95 per month) or The Diva (6 items for $39.95 per month). Did you notice that last plan averages just over $6 per item? Crazy!
• Create an account and start adding items to your wish list.
• Every month you’ll be shipped an item (or items) from your wish list free of charge (i.e., free shipping) within 3 to 6 days.
• No cancellation fee and you can cancel any time.

That’s it! And the process is super easy. JustGano set me up with an account for the purpose of this review. I was able to easily browse their collection of jewelry, which you can do whether or not you have an account, and settled on the Wire-Wrapped Double Gypsy Hoop. The item was shipped quickly and arrived in a beautiful gift box:

The earrings were just as beautiful in person, if not more so, and I could tell they were well made. I couldn’t wait to wear them and so planned an outfit around my new earrings. Like you haven’t done that before!

I’ve actually worn them a couple times and each time I do I get compliments. Of course, they look better on JustGano’s model, but they’re still super fabulous!

I do seriously love jewelry and am seriously considering a Deb membership. I enjoy sprucing up my jewelry collection but don’t like spending a lot of money on accessories. Of course, being too budget-conscious can backfire when your Forever 21 accessories don’t last more than a few wears. JustGano seems like the perfect option for chic, stylish, budget-friendly jewelry.

Right now I’m eying the Fleur Necklace. It might be making its way into my wish list just in time for my birthday. Happy birthday to me! –Emily

*** Giveaway! JustGano is giving away one jewelry item from their collection, winner’s choice! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Visit JustGano.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite accessory.
•   “Like” JustGano on Facebook and tell us you joined.
•   Follow JustGano on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: August 6, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to April R., the winner of the JustGano 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!

Have you heard about DownEast Basics? DownEast Basic clothing is all over the blogasphere. Why? Because their clothing is cute, affordable and trendy. Ruffles? Check! Floral prints? Check! Neckline embellishments? Double check! Plus, true to their name, they have some fabulous basics for layering.

DownEast Basics sent me their Sun Forever Dress to try out. As soon as it arrived I threw it on overtop of what I was wearing and received instant compliments from my husband. The dress fit true to size and was so comfortable! The scale of the floral design is perfect. I loved the raglan sleeves and the pleat detailing at the chest. But I think my favorite feature is the pink grosgrain ribbon that sits perfectly at empire waist level. Wearing this dress, I felt put together without having to do any work. Plus, if I wanted to mix it up a bit, I could swap out the ribbon for a different color or this crisscross belt. I really feel like this dress gives me some serious options. And I love it.

DownEast Basics is an awesome way to update your wardrobe, or just get a few trendy and key pieces for the season. Plus they carry clothing for girls too, ranging from size 2 to 10. Make sure you check out the DownEast Basics Blog for updates and discounts. And go ahead and order a catalogue – your closet will thank you!

Here’s a tech gadget that I absolutely loved the opportunity to try out, it’s called the Texthook and basically its a brilliant little smartphone holder that can help you roll in style. How you ask? Well the texthook grips your smartphone and attaches easily and securely to your stroller, shopping cart, and more. As a busy parent I am constantly juggling kids, my purse, my keys, and my iphone. Its crazy! I loved the security of the texthook while I’m out pushing Lola in our Phil and Teds stroller, she looks chic and so do I. I’m able to have my hands free to steer the stroller while playing peek-a-boo through the visor window, but I know that my iphone is safe and at the ready in case an urgent call or text comes in.

The texthook is reasonably priced at $25 and comes in black or white colors. Grip one on your bike handlebars, strap it to your exercise equipment, you can take your smart phone anywhere and know that it’s safe and at the ready for you. Texthook is compatible with a plethora of smartphones, check out their list here to ensure a good fit for your brand of phone.

“texthookTM is a smartphone holder which allows you to conveniently secure your phone to most handlebars. By using this holder, you do not need to fumble with your phone and can keep two hands on the handlebar at all times. There are holders for your water, holders for your shopping bags, and now a holder for your smartphone. As responsible parents of toddlers, we take pride in providing a safe environment for children. Please use responsibly and do not text/e-mail while in motion.”

Texthook is making life just a little bit easier for us “Mobile Moms”. – Daria

I love unique jewelry, especially if it has some sort of message whether worked into the design or behind it. Because of my love of the “meaningful unique” (a new phrase I just coined), it’s no surprise Meridane Design’s “What U Love” Symbol caught my eye—and my heart.

First, the story:

Meridane Design … was created when Sally Short serendipitously superimposed each letter of the phrase ‘LOVE IS ALL U NEED’ on top of one another and then added a peace sign to complete the design. The design was sent off to be cast in sterling silver as a ‘Love and Peace’ pendant for Sally to wear.

But something happened when the Short family received it; they saw it sitting sideways and noticed a ‘K’ popping out. … That motivated the family to look for other letters and they ended up uncovering EVERY LETTER of the ALPHABET and EVERY NUMBER within the symbol!

How nifty cool is that?! And all those letters superimposed onto each other, cast in sterling silver, makes for a very beautiful, very meaningful pendant. Why so meaningful? Well, other than conveying “love is all u need,” this little jewel conveys whatever message you want.

Right now mine is saying “peace” and “simplify” and “I am so glad my husband is finally home from work.” If you’re one of those who likes to hide things in plain sight, then you are totally loving the What U Love Symbol. What other jewelry lets you wear a secret message that can change at a moment’s notice?

Meridane Design offers the What U Love Symbol in sterling silver pendants, bracelets, earrings and even custom necklaces. My favorites are the pendants with center-set stones.

I was given the What U Love pendant with peridot stone on a beautiful silver box chain necklace to review on the Daily Dish. (My life is tough, I know—it’s SO hard to walk around with a beautiful silver pendant, hidden message and all, around my neck.) Though it looked great with my t-shirt and jeans, it would look awesome dressed up or down for any occasion. (I apologize for not having a closer shot but I could not get that dang camera to focus–too much Diet Coke today?)

My daughter is absolutely in love with this pendant and thinks it’s “super cool.” She might’ve even used the word “awesome” in there as well. I couldn’t agree more! Meridane Design’s What U Love pendant is the perfect gift for so many occasions: birthdays, Mother’s Day, showers (both bridal and baby), graduation, back-to-school, Father’s Day (it is unisex after all) or just to say thank you to someone special. The possibilities—and the sayings—are endless! –Emily

P.S. A portion of Meridane Design’s casting is done at Annie’s Orphans in support of their No-Kill Dog Shelter. Super cool.

*** Giveaway! Meridane Design is giving away one (1) small or large sterling silver What U Love pendant with a stainless steel 24″ dog tag chain (winner can cut to size)! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

• Visit MeridaneDesign.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite pendant.
• “Like” Meridane Design on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: July 29, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Abbie N., the winner of the What U Love pendant 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!

Do you remember my review of Fuzzibunz’s One Size Cloth Diaper? I also reviewed their Perfect Size Diaper and I really like it. Fuzzibunz makes some seriously awesome products. I like that the Perfect Size diaper gives great coverage without the bulk. I found the diaper to be just right in absorbability. Although the diaper is available in 4 sizes, most babies only need the size small and medium. The x-small and large are available for special sizing. I think it’s awesome that Fuzzibunz thought of that!

A really good reason to choose Fuzzibunz is their superior snap system. I love that I can adjust the waist and leg openings independent of each other. The snaps are sturdy and show no sign of wear. Fuzzibunz’s doesn’t offer velcro or hook and loop closures as an option, which I think is just fine. Holly actually undid one of her hook and loop closure diapers the other day. I love that I don’t have to worry about Holly taking off her dirty diaper when she’s wearing her Fuzzibunzs especially since she spends a lot of time in just a diaper during the hot summer.

Although the Perfect Size diaper isn’t quite as trim as the One Size, it was much easier to add a second soaker for a bit of a boast. I like that it had a little extra space for that, but that the pocket isn’t gaping when I just have the original soaker stuffed into it. It’s very ideal.

This diaper is simple in design. It fits well, is easy to put on and remove, quick to stuff and un-stuff, and it does the trick. It’s a great diaper. Plus just like the One Size, the Perfect Size comes in 14 different colors. Which would you choose?

If you would like to keep up on new Fuzzibunz products or learn more about how Fuzzibunz can fit into your busy life as a parent, sign up for their eNewsletter. – Katie

New workout clothes get you going on a fitness regime, so what does one need to get your green thumb…well, green? Alice Supply Co. garden tools!

The cute multi-colored stripe collection of garden tools look so stylish—who knew the best accessory was a trowel or hand-rake? One 11 1/2″ trowel and 11 1/2″ hand rake with drawstring cotton bag make this one fashionable set.

The handcrafted grip is functional with its 1/2″ size and the drawstring bag keeps things together and keeps your gardening set organized no matter where you stash it. For a mere $28 bucks it is a perfect gift for the professional gardener or gardener-to-be.

This garden tool set is exactly what you need to get yourself committed to planting your own little vegetable garden or maintain those unruly flower beds.

The hand-size tools do the dirty work and make it so easy to create a work of art in your garden. –Amber

Available online at alicesupplyco.com

Almost every summer I come up with some sort of new fitness goal. About eight years ago it was a marathon (definitely not my favorite), last summer it was a half marathon (more doable but still not super enjoyable), and this summer it was a triathlon.

I quickly learned you need more than a pair of goggles, a bike and running shoes to participate in a triathlon..and it all needs to fit in a backpack (aka transition bag). I hadn’t a clue what one of these were until a friend filled me in. Apparently all that gear you use while doing a tri has to go somewhere, and you often have to bike a mile or so to where you set up your gear, so you want it all in as compact a “somewhere” as possible.

A transition bag is designed specifically for all that gear you need while transitioning. We’re talking race belt, bib number, sunscreen, PB&J sandwich, wetsuit, towel, bottles of water, wetsuit, swim cap, goggles, helmet, bike gloves, sunglasses (like the Tifosi Vogels I reviewed on Tuesday), bike shoes, socks, energy bars and running shoes. And that’s not all of it.

Fortunately for me and my gear, blueseventy sent me their Transition FZ bag to test for Daily Dish readers. The verdict? I LOVE THIS BAG. Wait, let me say that again. I LOVE THIS BAG.

Not only does this bag have a separate waterproof compartment for your wetsuit, the main compartment is waterproof as well. The straps are comfortable and include a wide belt-type strap for around your waist—a helpful feature when you’re as uncoordinated as I am and have to ride a bike while wearing the thing. Though I didn’t use the headphone outlet and MP3 storage, I love that the Transition FZ has them.

I first used the Transition FZ when I did an open water swim, and of course had room to spare because it was just a swim. But I immediately noticed all the nifty pockets and zippered storage and the comfy shoulder straps. I had to snap a photo of it all rarin’ and ready to go on its first open-water adventure:

Then it was July 10th and time for the Echo triathlon—that baby got a thorough testing, trust me. And it still looks brand-spankin’ new. I wish I had photos of my transition bag before and after, but my brain wasn’t functioning well at 4:30am in the morning, nor did it work well after I’d swam a half mile, biked 12 miles and run 3 miles. Nathan did snap a shot of me during T1 and in there somewhere is my new best friend, the Transition FZ:

One of the things I love best is of course the high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, but also the versatility of blueseventy’s Transition FZ. You could easily use this bag for a day hike, trip to the beach (think about that waterproof compartment holding sandy, soggy swimsuits) or other sporting/fitness/recreational event. It’s a multitasker. I can so totally relate!

If you have a friend or family member who’s a triathlete or heck, any kind of athlete, this would make a great gift. He (or she) will love you—and the Transition FZ—forever. –Emily

Okay, I don’t know if “rock” is the correct word, but Tifosi sure as heck helped me bike with my eyes wide open (a necessity when you’re a newbie on a road bike and slightly coordination-challenged) and run without being blinded by the sun bouncing off other athletes’ sweaty bodies.

When I decided I was going to try a tri (how clever am I?), I quickly learned I would need a good pair of lightweight sunglasses designed specifically for athletic endeavors. Fortunately for me, when I posed the idea to Tifosi Optics, they were more than happy to send a pair for me to review on the Daily Dish. I settled on the Vogel in pink tortoise. Hello, pink tortoise! Of course their Slip style is one of their most popular, but it only came in pink, not pink tortoise.

The Tifosi Vogels arrived and I had to snap a pic. Notice how I totally planned my reflection showing up in the sunglasses. That’s pro photography, baby!

And then, because they were so dang cool looking, I had to put them on immediately and snap another photo or two. (I’ll just share one and spare you the others.)

I took the Vogels for a test run late one sweltering hot morning. At first they sort of bounced a bit, which worried me, but once I got going they seemed to settle in just right. I could hardly tell they were there, except for the occasional tiny push up the bridge of my nose (I was REALLY sweating).

After that I took them for a test ride on my road bike and they totally passed. They fit perfectly with my helmet and the larger lenses gave great coverage from the sun. I couldn’t feel them at all, they didn’t bounce, and I think I only had to nudge them into place once. After that, I did not leave home (on a bike) without them!

The real test came when I competed in my first triathlon this past Saturday. Here I am sporting my Tifosi Vogels as I run my bike to the mounting location and as I cruise back in from my 12-mile ride:

And here I am rarin’ and ready to go (I’m totally faking that smile) on the 3-mile run, and then you can see a real smile because I’m super happy I’m almost done:

Though the Tifosi Vogels had a “bumpy” start, they are now a must-have among my tri gear. In fact, I find I’m wearing them even when I’m not biking or running. They’re a heck of a lot more comfortable than the brown tortoise ones I normally wear. There’s something to be said for a lack of minor headaches due to tight-fitting, fashionable ear pieces. Did I mention they’re pink tortoise as well? –Emily

P.S. I discovered just now that the nose piece is adjustable. Had I been smart enough to actually read the product description more than once, I might have avoided that whole nose-bridge-slippage thing. They are now properly adjust. I may even wear them to bed.

***Giveaway! Tifosi Optics is giving away one pair of pink tortoise Vogels (a $60 value)!***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

•   Visit TifosiOptics.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite style of sunglasses.
•   “Like” Tifosi on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Follow Tifosi on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Giveaway open to U.S. addresses only. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: July 20, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Tara P., the winner of the Tifosi 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!

You remember the review I did of GroVia’s hybrid diaper? I also tested their All In One Cloth Diaper. And I really liked it. I think it’s super cute on and I like that it snaps at the sides. The side tabs are really stretchy allowing for a perfect and comfortable fit at the waist. GroVia has really nailed trim diapers. Just like the hybrid, this diaper is nice and trim yet still very absorbent. Often, on Holly, this diaper would be soaked all the way to the top at the front, but it didn’t leak! It seems to just keep on absorbing! It dries fairly quickly too. The diaper has a flap that’s attached to the back of the body of the diaper. Because the absorbent layer isn’t all pegged down to the diaper, the drying is much quicker. The diaper comes with a second absorbent layer that snaps right on. Assembling this diaper is a piece of cake. Just snap the second layer on and tuck it all together. It’s a nice break from stuffing inserts into pockets.

I did initially have some trouble with the rise adjusting snaps. They just wouldn’t stay snapped! Fortunately I was able to get a second diaper and although it’s snaps still don’t feel as firm as the hybrid’s, they work fine. Putting the diaper through the wash and then drying it all the way in the dryer on hot helps tighten the snaps up a bit. The diaper doesn’t have a layer of moisture wicking fabric (such as fleece), but I didn’t find that to be a problem. I change Holly’s diaper often enough that it hasn’t been an issue. But GroVia does have a soaker with a layer of fleece with organic cotton if you need something extra while on the go. Although I recommend the AIO diaper for sure, I think I prefer their hybrid cloth diaper.

GroVia has an option for parents who are environmentally consciencious, but don’t feel able to do cloth. They make what they call a BioDiaper, which is actually compostable as well as biodegradable. Here’s some more information about this innovative diaper:

With 93-95% of reported diaper customers choosing disposables, GroVia hopes to guide parents toward a familiar product with an opposite impact. The first disposable diaper made of Ingeo™ Fibers and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified, the BioDiaper is made from renewable resources and approved under the strictest global testing and certification system as a product that contains no substances known as harmful to humans. The diaper incorporates biodegradable technology in its components yet maintains a super soft comfort and waterproof outer that disposable customers expect. GroVia is the first to introduce this proprietary technology to the United States.

-Katie

****Giveaway!! GroVia is giving away one AIO diaper + Wipes to one lucky winner!****

Here’s how to enter. Each is worth one entry into our giveaway:

• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link.
• Visit GroVia and leave a comment saying which color you’d want if you won the AIO cloth diaper.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link.

Deadline: July 16, 2010 (midnight). I’ll draw the winner, randomly, from the comments and contact her/him via email. The winner will have 24 hours to reply to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Congratulations Bao! You’re the winner of one GroVia AIO cloth diaper + wipes!

Though a Rich Chocolate Royale Slim-Fast is usually my breakfast of choice, when I’m really trying to do the healthy thing I’ll go for a protein shake. Of course my shaker bottle of choice is no match for my protein powder so I have to use our handheld Braun to mix it up. And when you’re in a hurry (in other words, late for the 9am gym daycare slot you signed up for), an electric mixer isn’t that awesome. That’s why I was super excited to test the BlenderBottle. Was it really “the best mixer since the wire whisk”? I would soon find out.

BlenderBottle sent me their Original and Mini mixers to test for Daily Dish readers. What makes these bottles the best-selling bottle on the market is the patented design with its BlenderBall, a “spring thingy, wire ball, whisker ball, mixer thing, scrambler, little whipper. …” This little spherical whisk is made of surgical-grade stainless steel and is supposedly powerful enough to mix even the thickest ingredients. I have a friend who swears by her BlenderBottle…and I’m now a total believer.

After washing the BlenderBottle and BlenderBall, I threw in some milk and my protein powder, jumped in the car for a family outing, and shook it as we drove down the hill.

I was a little curious as to whether or not that little silver thingamajig would actually make my protein shake clumpless (not sure that’s a word but I like it), and I was prepared to chew my drink as usual when I took my first sip. But I am here to tell you not one clump survived the BlenderBottle action. It’s actually pretty miraculous, but now I can see why the BlenderBottle is so dang popular. It’s awesome!

Along with protein shakes, think of what else you could use this baby for: salad dressings, yogurt-based drinks, pancake and french toast batter, scrambled eggs, marinades, powdered sports drinks. I found a few other cool things about its design such as a wide mouth (easy to add ingredients); StayOpen flip cap (no ooey gooey mess on your nose); large capacity; and it fits in most drink holders. Oh, and the BlenderBottle is BAP-free!

Of course, if you like chewing your protein shake or getting out the full-on KitchenAid blender for salad dressings (and cleaning it), then go for it. As for me, I’m sticking with the BlenderBottle. It totally rocks shakes my world! –Emily

*** Giveaway! BlenderBottle is giving away five (5) large BlenderBottles (1 each to 5 winners)! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Leave a comment telling us how you would use your BlenderBottle.
•   “Like” BlenderBottle on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Follow BlenderBottle on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winners from the comments and contact them via email. Deadline: July 14, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Terri P., Ria C., Courtney C., Rebecca N. and Henria O., the winners of the BlenderBottle 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!

Last June I reviewed Candle Warmers, Etc.’s Contempo Candle Warmer Lamp and I have honestly used it almost every day. I love the soft glow it gives the kitchen at night and I love that I don’t have to worry about a lit candle in a home with little ones. I’ve had to replace the bulb once, and I chalk that up to the move last August. Seriously, this little candle warmer is awesome!

When Candle Warmers, Etc. wanted to send me their new Plug-In Fragrance Warmer to review, I was more than happy to give it a test run. This little warmer is “designed to warm scented oils and wax creating the glow and ambiance of a burning candle. …” Its size makes it perfect for small rooms and small spaces, but I had a hard time putting it in a bathroom because I was worried it would be too easy for the kids to bump or unplug. Instead I put it in the kitchen, at least for the test run. You can see it post-warming (above left) and all lit up and liquefying wax melts (below):

(Yes, I own quite a few cutting boards; believe it or not, I use them all!) After a couple weeks of clicking this baby on and off, here’s my opinion: I love the decorative look and artsy feel of this plug-in versus other ones you’ll find in my home for sure, but the openness of the melted wax makes me hesitant to put it anywhere other than my kitchen, unless an outlet is safe out of my children’s reach. So for me the Plug-In Fragrance Warmer is a bit limiting, but if you want a more beautiful, unique option to those “other” plug-in fragrances, it’s definitely the way to go. Oh, and if you have limited counter space but want a little mood lighting and a little fragrance, the Plug-In Fragrance Warmer is a great option!

We’re well into wedding season, and if you’re not a fan of the whole registered-at-Target thing, I’d consider a candle warmer from Candle Warmers, Etc. The Plug-in Fragrance Warmer may  not be as flashy as a new set of pots and pans but it is a lot more budget friendly. And what newlywed couple doesn’t want their 200-square-foot studio apartment smelling good? –Emily

I will be the first to admit I’m not an artsy-crafty mom. I rarely bust out projects for the kids because, dang it all, I hate cleaning up the mess! I’ve learned how to deal with playdough (just let those little pieces dry and sweep them up) and can handle watercolor paints, but “real” paint, like the kind that doesn’t require water? I would only bust out a few jars of that for a review on the Daily Dish. Anything for you guys!

Clementine Art is a line of “simple, wholesome, and clean art supplies with all the ingredients they need, and none of what they don’t. … [The] products contain only natural ingredients and are certified non-toxic and meet CPSIA requirements.” The company sent us their six pack of natural paint, which uses earth-based mineral pigments for the colors and contains no dyes or synthetic additives.

Question is, does it look, feel, and…well…paint like paint? According to two budding artists, YES! The girls sat down one evening and painted away. Here’s Madison in action:

Madison’s take on Clementine Art’s all-natural paint: “I really like the bright colors and they’re fun to paint with. I painted a picture and I really liked how the colors stand out. I couldn’t tell the difference between the blue and black, so I think they should have labels.”

And here’s Lauren in action:

Lauren’s take on the paints: “I’m glad they’re not water paints because those run out quickly and you have to have water and stuff. I like that there’s a lot of the paint so you can make a lot of things with them and even mix them. It’s kind of hard to lighten them up because you can’t add water to them or they’ll smear.”

Though my kids haven’t been ones to eat glue, crayons, playdough or paint, I still feel better knowing the paints they’re using are “green” both for them and the environment. Clementine Art’s packaging is made form recycled stock and printed using soy ink in a wind-powered facility. They don’t contain: petroleum products, animal adhesives, artificial preservatives or synthetic colors or scents. I did notice the paints had a very earthy smell, most likely due to the mineral pigments used to color them. But other than that they seemed rich, smooth and vibrant. Oh, and they’re washable–yay!

Clementine Art also makes natural modeling dough, markers, glue, soy crayons and soy crayon rocks. They have a fab gifts set that includes their dough, crayons, crayon rocks and glue. Perhaps I should pick up a couple boxes of crayons and markers; this whole painting thing was pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for my kids. –Emily

A few weeks ago I reviewed two new games in Gamewright’s collection: Take the Cake and Can You See What I See? Bingo Link. Perfect for the younger group, my littlest ones really enjoyed these games. Of course, their older siblings were good sports and played along, but they were really biding their time until they could review the two other Gamewright games included in the samples sent for review: Dweebies and Rory’s Story Cubes.

Dweebies was first to be tried and tested by Madison, Lauren and me. The concept is fairly easy; you collect Dweebies—by far the cutest creatures ever printed on playing cards—by matching cards on both ends of any row (horizontally or vertically). Yes, the concept is easy but some of those Dweebies are super sly and will be gone before you can pair them with a match. We learned this the hard way a few times! You win by having collected the most Dweebies once the game is over—or those Dweebies are at a standstill.

Madison’s comments: “I think it’s cool how each card has its own personality. I think it’s also cool you can see how many there are of each card. I love this game!” (Note: Each card has a small number telling you how many matches that Dweebie has…yes, there’s a little strategy involved.)

Lauren’s comments: “It’s fun. It’s really easy to learn and all the Dweebies have different personalities and the game even gets your brain working.” (Good to know someone’s brain is working during summer vacation!)

My comments: “I actually really, really loved playing this game. I was the one begging for ‘just one more game, please!’ The Dweebies are super cute, the games aren’t too long and it’s seriously fun!”

The next game we tested was Rory’s Story Cubes. What I love about this game is it’s one of those you can actually play by yourself AND doubles as a great non-messy travel game. The tiny little box contains nine cubes, all with a variety of different pictures on them. All you do is roll the cubes, throw out a “Once upon a time…” and you’re on your way! You can play however you’d like: roll all nine and take turns building a story using all nine pictures; divide up the cubes, roll and then take turns building your story. The possibilities are endless! We divided the cubes among the three of us and each took turns rolling one, adding to the story as we went—a story that included a scarab beetle, lightning and a letter addressed to a padlock.

Madison’s comments: “I like it because it’s funny how people make up the stories as they go and you don’t know what they’re going to say.”

Lauren’s comments: “I really like them because you can tell your own story.”

My comments: “This is a really great game for me because I have very little imagination. Just ask my girls how well I do playing Barbies or Polly Pockets. I suck. But Rory’s Story Cubes got my storytelling juices flowing by supplying the images and letting me run with it. I think this would be an awesome travel game too!”

Both Dweebies and Rory’s Story Cubes are award-winning games. After testing all four games from Gamewright, I’m convinced this company is the way to go when it comes to fun, educational, imaginative games. We’ve seriously loved every one! –Emily

*** GIVEAWAY! Gamewright is giving away one game, winner’s choice! ***

NOTE: This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

•   Visit Gamewright.com and leave a comment telling us which game you’d most like to try.
•   “Like” Gamewright on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 30, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Nadia P., the winner of the Gamewright 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 was so excited to test Fuzzibunz’s One Size cloth diaper because it’s different from everything else I’ve seen. To adjust the size of the diaper, you use the elastics that have been threaded through the legs as well as the back of the waist. This gives unparalleled perfect sizing! With the elastic, you get more than 8 customizable settings. When my friend brought over her very tiny 2 month old to check out my cloth diapers, Fuzzibunz’s One Size fit the newborn the best. This baby has a 12-inch waist and her thighs are 5 inches around, so I was really impressed. It took a bit of work to get the elastics that short, but they don’t have have to be often adjusted. The ends of the elastics tuck back into the diaper and they haven’t come out in the wash at all!

This diaper comes with 2 microfiber soakers (one’s shorter than the other for when the diaper is adjusted to the smaller size), and they’re really absorbent. When Holly needed a little bit of extra padding, I did find it tight to get both soakers into the diaper, however I did it! I really like that this diaper is so trim. It’s not too wide in the crotch and so it fits nicely into Holly’s thigh folds. It’s a comfortable diaper for her to wear – no red marks! And as a bonus, the diaper dries quickly!

Here’s a little more about the Fuzzibunz’s One Size Cloth Diaper:

In a One Size diaper ‘durability” is especially important. You want that diaper to fit for 3+ years from the time your baby is born until the time they are out of diapers….and possibly for other children. FuzziBunz® are already built to last. After 10 years as a leader in the cloth diaper industry, we prefer the precision and durability of snap closures on our products, and by offering a unique and “replaceable for pennies” elastic system on the diapers, we can promise our customers years of extended use. Not only will your CLOSURES last for 3 years your ELASTIC will LAST for as long as it will and can be replaced in less than 10 minutes! No re-sewing, no seam-ripping! FuzziBunz® are a great and valuable investment.

This diaper is available in 14 different colors, so you can easily get one to go with all of your child’s outfits! I can vouch that the crushed berries and grape are super cute. Head on over to the Fuzzibunz website to learn more and to find a retailer. – Katie

Let’s talk boosters. Is your child at that stage where they want to be at the dinner table with you, like a big kid? Well, is this the review for you! I’ve been using, and LOVING, Mutsy grow-up! booster. Holly loves it too. Let me give you a little break down of how our first experiences went with it.

Day 1: Holly tries it out for the first time and loves her new perspective. My husband and I mourn how grown-up our little girl looks.

Day 2: I sit Holly in the booster and she immediately vomits. A lot. I quickly call my husband for back-up and while he baths Holly, I clean the booster.

Day 3 and on continued very much like Day 1. Let’s focus on Day 2 and the clean-up. The seat reducer detaches from the base, allowing me to get into every nook, leaving behind no trace of an upset stomach. The webbing straps easily rinsed. When I was confident that everything was all clean, I put the booster on the porch to dry. By the next morning, we were ready to use it again, vomit-free. Seriously the easiest clean-up EVER. Sometimes boosters with plastic padding and cracks that can catch and keep all kinds of goobers come to mind and I feel grossed out and so grateful that my booster is by Mutsy and has been designed very well. When the booster needs a quick touch-up, I just wipe ‘er on down with a damp cloth. I don’t scrub though because I don’t want the foam on the seat reducer to crumble and I did find that I had to be extra careful when cleaning the bottom of the booster due to some slight unevenness in the foam.

I like that the booster comes equipped with shoulder straps (that remind me of suspenders and look pretty darn cute), however if they’re not tightened just right they can easily slip off the shoulder. I found that when the shoulders straps were fastened right, Holly was reclined slightly, which in it’s own way worked for me because then she wasn’t smashing her bowl of food out of my hands. These days I just use the lap strap. I love the clean and simple design of the grow-up! booster. Add to it all the reasonable price tag, and you’ve got yourself the booster seat you’ve been looking for!

Mutsy also makes an innovative high chair that follows in the same clean and simple design of the grow-up! booster. It’s called the easygrow chair and it grows with your child with it’s unparalleled adjustability. You’re going to love it. And check out their stroller options. I’m drooling over the design and flexibility of the 4rider. Doesn’t it look cool? To purchase a booster (choose from 6 sweet colors!), easygrow chair, or/and a 4rider just head right on over to Mutsy! -Katie

I have never been a fan of those Bluetooth headsets, perhaps because I always thought the person wearing one was talking to me when he (notice it’s most often a “he”?) was actually conducting some high-level business meeting. It drove me crazy to turn around to make eye contact, raising my brows in an “I’m sorry, what did you say?” sort of way and meet the side of someone’s head. And don’t get me started on how obnoxious those Bluetooth headsets look. I believe Brad Pitt sported one on the cover of Wired magazine and even he didn’t look cool.

But my perspective on Bluetooth headsets has changed somewhat thanks to Jawbone’s new ICON line. These little pieces of ear candy are seriously cool, cool enough to have me considering one…and I thought that would never happen. Fortunately Jawbone was willing to send me the ICON ACE to review for Boutique Cafe’s Daily Dish so I could check out this bejeweled earpiece for our readers.

The Bluetooth headset arrived and even the packaging was cool:

The ICON ACE is a sort of pewter/bronze/ooh-I-love-shiny-things color and comes with a variety of earbuds to ensure a comfy fit. I found a combination of pieces worked best for me (I have funky elf-shaped ears) and made the ICON headset nice and secure. Here are all the goodies you’ll find inside the package:

So you’re pretty much set for life! The ICON is pretty cool—it has all these fun features like a little voice telling you how much battery life you have left and super duper NoiseAssasin, a “proprietary technology that eliminates background noise from mobile phone conversations.” Basically it can tell your voice from the kids screaming for Icees in the background so you come through loud and clear. I know it works because I had an easy conversation with my mom using my new ICON ACE, something that doesn’t usually happen while in the car.

Jawbone’s ICON also comes with MyTALK (personalize your ICON with some free apps) and the ability to manage two different calls from two different phones—at the same time. Oh, and did I mention it’s CNET’s highest rated headset ever?

I gave my ICON ACE a thorough test-run and it passed with flying colors. Of course the headset does get a little warm after extended use and I did get the occasional “are you talking to me?” look from other people while getting takeout from Kneaders Bakery, but the ACE did raise my super cool momness to a new level. I only wish I had a photo of my newfound celebrity status thanks to Jawbone’s ICON but unfortunately I was too busy breaking up fights, wiping sticky fingers and keeping kids buckled while driving to snap a self-portrait. But I promise I was cool. In fact, I looked just like this gal, only with short hair:

P.S. The Jawbone ICON would make a fabulous Father’s Day gift even if you’re husband’s not Brad Pitt! –Emily

You may remember Kushies from Emily who reviewed their overnight bag and some of their cool toys. Did you know that Kushies is the world’s washable diaper leader? I found out why when I tested their Ultra-Lite AIO diapers, which is just one of their many options. The diaper was great – no leaks. Plus it’s quick to dry despite being an AIO. You know what else the diaper is quick at? Getting on the baby – it’s really easy to diaper a baby with this one, which is a huge plus when you have a child who prefers nudity, like mine. Another feature that I just have to highlight is that the toddler sizing goes up to 45 lbs. I think that’s so great! Most cloth diapers only go up to 30 or 35 lbs, limiting cloth diaper use for chubbier babies (and don’t we all love a chubby baby or toddler!?). One thing I haven’t liked about the diaper is that although the tabs can fold over and adhere to the inside of the diaper (via hook and loop closure), they don’t always stay done up in the wash. So sometimes they come out stuck to other diapers. I also wish I could adjust the rise a little bit too.

Here’s a little more info about the diaper:

Our Ultra-Lite “All-In-One” form-fitted washable cloth diapers are an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable diapers yet just as easy to use!  Featuring 6 layers of 100% soft cotton-flannel with a special absorbent soaker layer inside, and a lightweight waterproof shell on the outside.  The hook and loop closure system and the extended tabs provide optimum adjustability for a snug fit.  Our patented, built in-flap can be folded up for boys or down for girls for extra absorbency where they need it most. Better for your baby, better for the environment and better for your pocket book!

Overall, I totally recommend you try out the Ultra-Lite Diaper. It’s so affordable and you won’t be disappointed! You can order a trial pack, which includes everything parents need to have a positive cloth diapering experience for what feels like a steal of a deal to me. The pack includes:

• (2)-Ultra-Lite diapers
• (2)-Washable diaper liners
• (2)-Washcloths
• (10)-Biodegradable diaper liners (not recommended for septic tanks)

Make sure you take a browse around Kushies’ website. They have so many great products from clothing, to diaper bags, to bedding and more! – Katie

****Giveaway!! Kushies is giving away one Ultra-Lite AIO Diaper to one lucky winner!***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

• Visit Kushies and leave a comment saying what print you like the best (of any of their cloth diapers).
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link.
• “Like” Kushies Baby on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so.

Include a valid email address for our drawing (does not need to be included in your comment text). We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact them via email. Deadline: June 21, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize or a new winner will be chosen.

***Promotion: Kushies is offering Boutique Cafe readers 10% off any order. Just enter the code boutiquecafe2010 at checkout. Expires: July 14, 2010***

Congratulations Tomoko! You’re the winner of our giveaway!

How many times were you able to guess the song playing on the MP3 player next to you at the gym? Or hear some sort of garbled background music playing from the nether regions of the car or back bedroom? Granted, it’s often due to a volume level more appropriate for a live concert, but many times it’s more likely due to crappy suboptimal headphones.

If you’re tired of hearing voices then snag a set of EarPollution CS40 headphones from iFrogz. These stylish, lightweight headphones are the newest addition to the EarPollution headphone line by iFrogz and come in five colors: white, black, blue, red and pink. Not only do these headphones make life a little more comfortable for those around you (i.e., they don’t have to play Name That Tune when you’re plugged in), they are also super comfortable on the ears. In fact, the CS in CS40 stands for “comfort series.” The ultra-cushioned ear cups mean you can wear these babies for hours on end…or until your Pandora hours are up.

We received a pair of white CS40s, which were quickly followed by a pair of black due to the white losing sound in one ear. But no worries—I quickly learned iFrogz has superior customer service. They sent us the new pair and informed me that even if I were a “normal” customer to iFrogz and mentioned my problem to customer support, they would have replaced the item, too. Good to know! Before we lost sound in one ear, I did catch my daughter rocking out while wearing the CS40s, but my Flip video version was too quiet to hear her sing off key. Instead you can enjoy this little snapshot I snagged from the video:

But we had no problems with the second pair, and I gave them a few thorough test runs during late-night work sessions in the home office. The CS40s lived up to their comfort claim and the sound was seriously awesome. It was like surround sound for my little brain. Nothing like Jack Johnson sitting next to you while writing a blog post!

M husband is kind of an audio/video geek aficionado and iFrogz’s EarPollution CS40s would make the perfect Father’s Day gift for a guy like him! At only $39.99, they are an affordable way to say “I love you…but not the sounds coming from that action-packed movie you’re watching in the home theater.” –Emily

*** Giveaway! iFrogz is giving away one (1) pair of EarPollution CS40 headphones, winner’s choice! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Visit iFrogz.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite color from the CS40 line.
•   “Like” iFrogz on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Follow iFrogz on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 18, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Tina R., the winner of the iFrogz CS40 headphones 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 you’re not a fan of organic blue agave, become one. Now. And the same goes for Wholesome Sweeteners. They are the nation’s leader in Fair Trade Certified, USDA organic and sustainably produced sugars, syrups, nectars and honeys. I’ve been using their Fair Trade Certified Organic Sugar (thanks to my good friend Quinn and Costco) for a while now and I love it! It feels good to oust that refined sugar crap and replace it with something better for us and better for the earth.

We’ve also been using their Organic Blue Agave here and there, though I have yet to master the art of this sweetener.

With my preference for Wholes0me Sweeteners in general, it was a no-brainer to say yes when they wanted to send me samples of their new flavored agave syrups to review on the Daily Dish. Soon a gift package arrived complete with syrups, tee and tote:

Also in the set was their Organic Raw Blue Agave (already a fan!) and Organic Light Corn Syrup (have yet to try this one–haven’t made anything with corn syrup in it lately).

Because I’m still figuring out this whole substitution thing (and my first attempt at cookies was a disaster, all my fault and not Wholesome Sweeteners’), I went for the quickest, simplest way to try out the Vanilla Organic Blue Agave:

You can tell by that last frame my Diet Coke was so much happier with Wholesome Sweeteners’ vanilla flavoring rather than the stuff I usually put in it. Yes, it still has aspartame but what can you do other than drink the fully loaded version, and I simply HATE calories.

We tested the Maple Organic Blue Agave in oatmeal and it passed, though it wasn’t quite the same as plain ol’ brown sugar. Perhaps it’s that wholesome thing again, something our tastebuds could easily get used to. Oh, and we gave all but Vanilla a test run over pancakes one night. The biggest hits were Cinnamon and Maple. Strawberry left something to be desired over pancakes, but I think it would be perfect mixed into drinks (even the non-aspartame kind), teas or even salad dressings. Yum!

A little about Wholeseome’s Organic Flavored Agaves: they are low glycemic and 25% sweeter than sugar. That’s like two for the price of one! And if flavored Blue Agave syrups weren’t enough, Wholesome Sweeteners also offers a variety of other products, from raw honey to molasses (all Fair Trade Certified and organic). How can you not love something as sweet as that! –Emily

*** Giveaway! Wholesome Sweeteners is giving away one tote complete with their NEW flavored Blue Agave syrups! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•   Visit WholesomeSweeteners.com and leave a comment telling us what product you’d most like to try.
•   “Like” Wholesome on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Follow Wholesome on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 16, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Jocelin B., the winner of the Wholesome Sweeteners 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!

GroVia, by The Natural Baby Company, is the rebrand GroBaby and makes everything you need to go completely green when it comes to cloth diapers. I’ve been testing their Hybrid Shell and Soaker set (as well as their Cloth AIO, more to come later), and I love it. This diaper is truly different from everything else on the market. It’s beautifully made and has awesome design. A lot of thought went into this diaper and I definitely appreciate that! Plus, the cotton is buttery soft, organic, and impressively absorbent. I love that the soaker snaps out and is easily replaced with a new, fresh soaker. I’ve rarely had to wash my shell due to the gathered edges and absorbency of the soaker and less laundry is always a plus. Although the initial price tag may seem a bit on the higher end of cloth diapering, remember that you can use one shell with at least 2 soakers (in my case 3+, but this all depends on your baby), which quickly brings down the cost of cloth diapering to the lower end. Score. The soaker does take longer to dry than some other cloth diapers, but as I’ve mentioned before, this just proves to me that the soaker will soak up a ton! Or if you’re cloth diapering on the go, there’s also innovative BioSoakers, which stick right into your GroVia shell and can be composted, flushed or just plain thrown-out.

I think my favorite feature of this diaper is that it’s slim. It’s not much bigger than a disposable diaper – we’re talking half the bulk of most cloth diapers and it’s small in width in the crotch area. Because Holly is petite and has a small bottom, this diaper is perfect for her!

Does your baby need a bit of a boost? GroVia has you covered with their Organic Cotton Boosters as well as with their Stay Dry Booster that’s 3 layers of organic cotton topped with fleece to keep your baby dry and comfy. Make sure to check out the Bioliners. Holly has had a reaction to another typer of liner so I’m really careful about what I put directly against her skin. GroVia Bioliners haven’t irritated her skin in the least, plus they’re highly durable and a great price.

Here’s a bit more about GroVia:

GroVia’s mission is to simplify the way parents nurture baby, naturally. The company is dedicated to creating the ultimate in cloth diapering and natural baby products. Each product is designed out of necessity and innovation. Buying from GroVia means you are purchasing well made, natural and often organic products that have been tested and proven in the marketplace. Since its inception, GroVia has practiced supporting small businesses that help sustain healthy lifestyle choices, such as cloth diapering.

I’m extremely happy with the GroVia Hybrid and I would recommend them to any parent considering cloth diapering as well as any long-time cloth diapering parents!. -Katie

****Giveaway!! GroVia is giving away one Shell Set + Wipes to one lucky winner!****

Here’s how to enter. Each is worth one entry into our giveaway:

• Visit GroVia and leave a comment telling me what 2 shell colors/patterns are your favorite.
• Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link.
• Like GroVia on facebook and leave a comment that you’re their newest fan.

Deadline: June 14, 2010 (midnight). I’ll draw the winner, randomly, from the comments and contact her/him via email. The winner will have 24 hours to reply to claim the prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Congratulations Jacobsen Family – you’re the winner!