Back-to-School Picks ~ Fun Accessories!

Head back to school with these must have accessories that make life a little easier & super stylish!

1.) MadPax - where form meets funtion. Expect rock star status with these original designs from MadPax. Perfect for boys & girls, with three sizes to choose from. Aren't they great!

2.) Huyitan @ Etsy - colored pencil earrings in candy colors. Designed by the Back-to-School gods themselves! 

3.) Oots! - cool, contemporary, eco-friendly lunch boxes that come with their own containers. All materials are food safe & kid friendly, but adults love them too!

4.) hello shiso - a little brand that knows accessories make an outfit big! <3

5.) Knot Genie - avoid miserable mornings created by hair brushing. Get them off to school happy :) Think of the time saved! Teaser : GIVEAWAY coming!!!

6.) Mabel's Labels - personalized labels for all your kids look alike items. From supplies to lunch boxes to sweaters & jackets. Such a simple solution to avoid lost & found! 
Early Bird special on all of our Back-to-School products right now until July 31 @ Mable's Labels!

7.) MiaMoo Designs -BIG, chunky, beaded necklaces for little girls and toddlers. When I saw these my heart went all a flutter. Any little girl will feel so special wearing a MiaMoo - in her daily wear to special occasion! Teaser: GIVEAWAY coming!!!

Knot Genie ~ Detangling Brush ~ #Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY!!! ~ Ends 8/20

Life is becoming easier. Everyday a little more so. The Knot Genie is a little unassuming product that is making a big difference.

I have a 23 month old with curly hair. She is my first girl and so I'm new to the world of doing girlie hair. I'm learning and thinking back to the days when my mom did my hair. I can remember the pulling and me hating that time of the morning when mom put barrettes or ponytails in my hair. It freaking hurt and it was a daily thing.

I felt kind of sad thinking about my little girl going through the same daily misery, and dreaded the thought of her learning to hate all those cute clips & bows that could be so fun. There had to be some way to get her to be ok with the process that so many of us grew up hating.

I first thought about detangling sprays. Simple enough right? Not really. I pay close attention to what I put in my children's little bodies, so I had to find a natural formula - free of chemicals. I did, but it wasn't the easiest thing to find and I paid for it. It works great, but seems to flatten her sweet curls. Good for really bad tangles - not good for everyday use.

Then I saw it - the Knot Genie. If this thing works, it would be such a huge help in getting Capri to be ok with having her hair done. And, chemical free, no packaging waste, and no having to replace it, as I would have to with a spray! Yay! I had to try it.

Guess what?! She brings it to me!!!

She brings it to me to brush her hair. I think that is proof enough! It doesn't hurt.

All you need are light strokes and work it as you would a regular brush. It just works through so much easier. Hooray!

As for her curls, it fluffs them and they loose their separation. I have found that after I brush with Knot Genie, a light mist of water and her curls bounce back.

Thank you Knot Genie - this little brush will potentially help a generation of girls head out the door happy on their way to school each morning :))

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Let Love Nourish 2012 ~ Breastfeeding Awareness Hop @ Just Another Hat ~ Prenatal Oxylent & Pink Cambelbak Water bottle Prize Pack ~ Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY ~ Ends 8/10

"only if they eat wild, fresh, whole, organic, local, nongenetically modified food grown in virgin mineral, nutrient-rich soils and has not been transported across vast distances and stored for months before being eaten. And if they work and live outside, breathe only fresh unpolluted air, drink only pure, clean water, sleep eight hours a day, move their bodies every day, and are free from chronic stressors and exposure to environmental toxins. Then they don't need vitamins."

-Mark Hyman M.D.

I take buying vitamins & other supplements very seriously. I do a ton of research before I put something into my body and before I invest money. I've always found buying a multi-vitamin particularly tough. Getting all the vitamins & minerals that should be included - their proper forms, and proper dosage, can be tricky to find.

I honestly had no real big hopes for Oxylent to meet my criteria - Yes, I'm a vitamin snob. I decided to go ahead with the review. Before I started taking Oxylent, I sat down with my "go to" health reference - and compared the list of what should be in a multi to what was contained in the prenatal Oxylent formula. Oxylent contained nearly everything suggested by my list and nearly always in the suggested dosage.

Next big factor to research is the form of vitamin used. Many vitamins come in several forms - the synthetic, cheaper to manufacture, less bio-avilable form or the natural occurring form that is more usable by the body.

For example: Vitamin B12 - is a water-soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain/nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins. It is normally involved in the metabolism of every cell of the human body, especially affecting DNA synthesis and regulation, but also fatty acid synthesis and energy production. The most readily found form is cyanocobalamin. 


Cyanocobalamin. Look at this word. Do you see another word hidden in it? Cyanide maybe? Yep. CYANIDE.

Cyanocobalamin does not occur in nature, but is used in many pharmaceuticals and supplements, and as a food additive, because of its stability and lower cost. In the body it is converted to the physiological forms, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, leaving behind the cyanide, albeit in minimal concentration.

Albeit in minimal concentration? Albeit in minimal concentration? I WANT CYANIDE IN NO CONCENTRATON!

The proper form of vitamin B-12 to supplement is called methylcobalamin. This is the form that exists in nature, and it is pre-methylated, meaning it's ready for your biochemistry to put to immediate use. Methylcobalamin has several key advantages over cyanocobalamin:

* Increased absorption
* Better retention in tissues
* Contains no toxic cyanide
* Supports production of SAMe

Just remember the methyl part when you're looking for a multi or a B12 supplement. I used to have to order it, but have been finding this form more easily lately.

That is just one example of why it's good to know what you're putting into your body.

Oxylent uses the proper form of Vitamin B12 and also the proper form of Vitamin D, which Vitamin D3. Those are the two main forms I look for when buying a supplement.

I can think of no better time to focus on quality supplements than when you are pregnant or nursing. Everything you ingest will be contributing to the development of your baby. With Prenatal Oxylent, you can truly feel good about what you're using to help form your baby or nursing little one.

Prenatal Oxylent is a superior quality daily multivitamin and easy-to-digest mineral drink that tastes great, and does NOT require swallowing large tablets or capsules! Along with a healthy diet, Prenatal Oxylent provides your body with key nutrients for you and your developing baby before, during, and after your pregnancy.

Nourishes: Offers key nutrients to support your body throughout your pregnancy.*

Supports: Provides vitamins C and D for immune and bone health.*

Balances: Magnesium enhances cellular balance and vitamin B6 assists in reducing nausea associated with pregnancy.*

I am personally so pleased with Prenatal Oxylent, that I will continue to use it while I am nursing my 23 month old, Capri. I will also continue with that formula as long as I need a multi.

This is a fabulous giveaway for any pregnant or nursing mama, but as I said, I think is an excellent multi-vitamin for anyone.

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Back-to-School Pin to Win with Tea Collection

Simple Green ~ Laundry Detergent ~ #Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY!!! ~ 8/4

I've been using Simple Green a long time. My mom used it when I lived at home. I've also been working to promote the brand for about four years. 

About a year ago, I was asked if I would be on a test panel for a new product - laundry detergent. I was thrilled & said heck yes. They sent me two nondescript, unlabeled, white jugs to use. When the test period was up, I gave my feedback, answering a series of questions about the effectiveness of the product. 

A lot of time passed. I often wondered how the test period came out & how production was coming along. I had forgotten about Simple Green Laundry Detergent. When all of a sudden my buddy at Simple Green popped up to remind me - she said after all this time, production was done, and would I like to try the finished product. Again, I said heck yes! 

So, I've had the opportunity to do some laundry, about a weeks worth. This is good stuff! There's only so much you can write about laundry products, but my favorite part is the fresh scent, or lack of scent, when the clothes come out of the dryer - like fresh off the line - yum. Our clothes come out clean and soft.

With powerful plant-based surfactants, a smart enzyme system, and an all-around fabric-friendly formula, Simple Green 2X Laundry is the best thing to come along since … Simple Green! 

This Free & Clear (no scent/no color) formula is:

• Biodegradable
• USDA Certified BioBased® Product
• Chlorine-free
• Optical-brightener-free
• Traditional and HE machine compatible
• Optimized for great performance in hot, warm, or cold water

Save money, save energy, save your wardrobe with Simple Green Laundry.

 My buddy would also like for one of you to try their new laundry detergent. She's  good like that ;)

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Shutterfly's Long Live Summer Photo Contest!

Summer is here and that means you’ll be taking more photos of your family soon.  Between beach trips and BBQs, photographs are a great way to capture these summer memories.  Shutterfly’s Long Live Summer Photo Contest on Facebook has launched on Monday July 9^th.

Long Live Summer – Facebook Photo Contest details - 7/9 – 8/12 Multi-week summer themed photo sweepstakes with instant win prizes. You can enter here- http://bit.ly/sweepS

Win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever.  All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week.  Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.

PHOTO THEMES

•       Week 1(7/9): Americana

•       Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors

•       Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun

•       Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities

•       Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrations

PRIZES

•       Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo!

•       Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)

•       Weekly featured photos: up to 5 weekly entries will be selected from the gallery and featured on the Facebook fan page and awarded a $500 gift card on Shutterfly and a copy of the new Lonely Planet travel photography book.

•       Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot

•       Shutterfly Sweepstakes - Official Rules

Good Luck!

Udderly Smooth ~ Vitamin E Cream ~ #Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY!!! ~ Ends 7/23

The heat this summer is nuts. From what I'm reading, it's nation wide. It's also dry nation wide. That means that while you're out enjoying Summer fun, your skin is taking a beating. Make sure to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and moisturize your skin! Udderly Smooth Moisturizing Lotion is a greaseless, stainless, water-based moisturizer with a light fresh fragrance. Enriched with Vitamin E. Perfect for keeping your skin in good shape no matter what the weather throws at you.

 It's also sandal season. If you're like me, you spend a lot of time in flip flops. While I love wearing them, they are awful on my feet. By the end of Summer, I normally have cracked, dirty looking heels. It's always a lot of work to get them back to normal. So, this year, I'm taking the preventative care route with Udderly Smooth Shea Butter Foot Cream. 

 

Awarded Best Foot Cream by Woman’s Day magazine (and professionally recommended for diabetic patient use!), Udderly Smooth Shea Butter Foot Cream ($5.00) quenches extremely dry and thirsty skin of the feet – rough heels, in particular. Since it’s water based, this light moisture therapy absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue.

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Binders of Women

#debate2