HappyBaby Review and Giveaway-- CLOSED

Winner is comment #19! Congratulations Sarah Hull!
HappyBaby sent me free trial coupons for a bunch of their baby food products. We started Lilly on solids a few weeks ago and I was really excited to try out these foods for Lilly. I was most excited to try out their frozen purees which are organics, so just like if I would have made that at home myself!

When our kitchen was being remodeled, I didn't have time or a kitchen to make Lilly her food. So I went on over to Whole Foods where I could use my free trial coupons and picked up some frozen purees. I decided to go with Thank You Peas and Carrots, Sweeter Potatoes and Purer Pear, and Smarter Squash and Wiser Apple. While I was there, I also picked up some of their other items with the free trial coupons; I grabbed some organic banana puffs, organic green puffs, mixed berry happy melts, and HappyBellies Organic Oatmeal Cereal and Organic Multi-grain Cereal.

We first tried out the happy baby frozen purees and I have to say that I love them. They are nicely packaged into 1oz cubes that you can just pop out and then heat up to eat (There are 12 cubes in each package).

Lilly has tried all the different flavors we bought and she has liked them all. She especially loves the Sweeter Potatoes and Purer Pear! I also added in some of the oatmeal to the frozen purees and that was a hit too...it helped thicken up her meal a bit.


We haven't yet tried the happy melts but we did give the organic banana puffs a try. The pediatrician said we should start giving Lilly some finger foods and so we tried the puffs...finger foods make me super nervous, so I broke up the little puff into 5ths...I know...super paranoid mommy! I don't think she was quite ready for the puffs but she did have fun playing with them and working on her dexterity!

I am really impressed with the quality of the food and am glad that there is a quality, organic product that I can go to when I don't have the time to make Lilly her food. Lilly gives the food 2 thumbs up!

HappyBaby is offering one lucky Mommy Saves Money reader the following:

HAPPYBABY
2 free trial coupons for each of our products:HAPPYBABY, HAPPYBELLIES, HAPPYBABYPUFFS, HAPPYMELTS and HAPPYBITES
1 FAQ on Probiotics & DHA
1 Infant & Toddler Nutrition Guide, co-authored by Dr. Sears
1 HAPPYFAMILY Recipes

YoBaby
2 free trial coupons for YoBaby 4-packs
1 Eric Carle Growth Chart

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 28, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to the U.S. only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit HappyBaby and tell me one thing you would like to try.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow HappyBaby on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

7. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

8. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win a @happybabyfood prize pack @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/cnE6ck

9. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

10. Become a HappyBaby Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

12. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to HappyBaby for letting me do a review of this product!

Soda Stream Review and Giveaway-- CLOSED

Winner is comment #163! Congratulations Mom and Wife!

Sodastream sent me their Fountain Jet- Soda Starter Kit and a bunch of soda flavors to try out. The Soda Start Kit came with the Machine, one 60L carbonater, and 2 bottles. I was SO excited to try out this product; my husband and I love soda...probably a little too much! And you know what? Soda is freaking expensive! The cheapest I have ever bought soda in a 12-pack is $3.00. I have been lucky and seen four 12-packs for $12.00 and Target a couple times.

So when this machine came, I was super excited to try it out because one bottle of flavor makes 33 cans of soda and one bottle of flavor costs $4.99-$6.99 depending on the flavor. That is 15 cents-21 cents a can or $1.80-$2.52 a 12-pack! Plus....no lugging around big packs at the grocery store and even bigger for us, no huge mounds of soda cans building up on the counter before we take them out!

Another great thing I LOVE about this soda stream maker is that NONE of the drinks contain high fructose corn syrup and the diet flavors do not have aspartame (they are sweetened with splenda instead). Oh and it is healthier for you too! Check out this comparison chart (click on it to see it larger):
Now the important part...does it taste good? I mean...because if it doesn't, then what's the point.
We tried all the flavors they sent which included:
Cola, Ginger Ale, Orange Mango, Lemonade, Diet Cola, Diet Lemon Lime, Diet Pink Grapefruit, Diet Root Beer and 3 My Water Essence flavors.

We tried the flavors of sodas we normally buy first (cola, diet cola and diet lemon lime)....we LOVED them all. They tasted just like the kind from the store and actually, even a little better....like it was extra fresh.

We tried the flavors we weren't too sure about last...like the diet pink grapefruit and orange mango. Can I just tell you that the diet pink grapefruit (compared to diet fresca) was my absolute favorite....DELICIOUS! The Orange Mango was really good too. It kind of reminded me of a Mimosa without the champagne...although, you could add some if you wanted!

There honestly was not a flavor we did not like. We were highly impressed.

We are total Sodastream converts.... I haven't bought soda from the store since we have had this thing. It is amazing! We have been using it for about a month now and we still haven't run out of flavors! I did order some new flavors to try though...like diet pete's choice (compared to Diet Dr. Pepper) and Zero Cola (compared to Coke Zero)! Can't wait to try those ones out!

And just so you all know...it is SUPER easy to do/make. Here is a short video on how to use the machine and make yourself your very own soda!

Sodastream was kind enough to offer a Fountain Jet Starter Kit to giveaway to one lucky Mommy Saves Money reader!!

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 26, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to the Continental U.S. only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Sodastream and tell me one flavor you would like to try.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow Sodastream on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

7. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

8. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win a @sodaclub sodastream fountain jet starter kit @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/bOrbSx

9. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

10. Become a Sodastream Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

12. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to Soda Stream for letting me do a review of this product!

Be on the Lookout! -- A change!

I was planning on reviewing a Step2 Flip and Doodle Easel Desk with Stool but changed my mind and will now be reviewing a edushape baby play and sound mat AND a step2 easel for two! This is all sponsored by CSN Stores! CSN has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cookware to cribs and even your most specific needs like LED lighting or laptop cases!

Oh and one lucky reader is going to win a $40 gift certificate to CSN Stores! Woohoo! I know you're excited!

The Vintage Pearl $50 Gift Certifcate Giveaway!

Winner is comment #79!! Sorry for the late announcement! Congratulations D!
The Vintage Pearl has some of the most beautiful pieces of jewelery...I DROOL over the hand stamped necklaces...simply gorgeous!

I am very excited to let you all know that The Vintage Pearl is offering one lucky Mommy Saves Money reader a $50 Gift Certificate to their online store! There are so many great things you can do with that $50! They have necklaces, bracelets, keepsakes and even some items for men! With Fathers Day coming up, you can get a really nice personalized gift!

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, June 7, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

REQUIRED: You must do this step to enter this giveaway.
1.Visit The Vintage Pearl and tell me one thing you'd like to try.

Want more chances to win? Here are ways to get some extra entries!

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow The Vintage Pearl on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

7. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

8. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win a @thevintagepearl $50 Gift Certificate @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/b7aRGn

9. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

10. Become a Vintage Pearl Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Publically Follow The Vintage Pearl Blog by clicking HERE and choosing to follow via Google Friend Connect.

12. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

13. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

Misikko Professional Flat Iron Review and Giveaway!-- CLOSED

Winner is comment #266! Congratulations Melissa Jane!

Misikko sent me their Hana Professional 1" Flat Iron (pink edition!) to review and giveaway! Yes, one lucky reader is going to win one of these ($119.99 RTV)!

So onto the review...

First, when the package arrived at my doorstep and I opened it up, I was so impressed with the packaging...GORGEOUS! Not only did I recieve a new flat iron, storage pouch and iron mat but I also was given the Hana ShineShield Thermal Protectant, lavender scented hand santizer, nail files and silk roses that had been hand dipped into fragrance and soap...the packaging was beautiful and it smelled amazing! Right now, I have the hand dipped roses in my bathroom for decoration and scent!

Now, the flat iron....I gotta say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing! I have a Chi and I love this one so much more! The Hana Professional Flat Iron left my hair looking shiny and not dried out in the least. I also love how this flat iron has a heat setting. I can change the setting to match my hair style whereas my chi only has one setting which ends up frying my hair a bit because it is too hot for my hair type. I am absolutely in love with my Hana Professional Flat Iron! See the results for yourself!

Here is a picture of my hair that had air dried after taking a shower:
Now here is my hair after using my Hana Professional 1" Flat Iron:
And here is my hair slightly curled using the Hana Professional 1" Flat Iron:
I think the pictures really speak for themselves!

I am super impressed with this flat iron and now interested in learning more about the other Misikko products...I am especially interested in their professional hair dryers and am totally eying the T3 Tourmaline Evolution and the Super Solano Micro 3600!

Now onto the giveaway! As I said before, one lucky reader is going to win a Hana Professional 1" Flat Iron- Pink Edition ($119.99 RTV!)

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 23, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. AND Canada residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Misikko and tell me one thing you'd like to try.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow Misikko on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

7. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

8. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win a Hana 1" Professional Flat Iron courtesy of @misikko and @mamasavesmoney #giveaway http://bit.ly/dkHGXw

9. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

10. 3 entries- Join the Misikko Newsletter

11. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

12. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to Misikko for letting me do a review of this product!

Avon Foot Facial Giveaway! -- CLOSED

Winner is comment #22! Congratulations Jess!

Time for a little mommy time...time to indulge...time for yourself...time to relax. This Foot Facial is just the thing for mommy's everywhere.

One lucky winner is going to win this awesome 5-piece foot facial set which includes:

2 Overnight Treatment Creams
Simply massage into skin before bedtime and wake up to happily hydrated feet! Each, 3.4 fl. oz. Each, a $5 value.

Comfort Foot Soak
Soothes weary feet with the scent of calming lavender. 3.4 fl. oz. A $4 value.

Foot Pumice
Use on damp feet to exfoliate rough, dry skin. A $6 value.

Clay Mask
Simply smooth clay mask onto legs and feet. Let mask dry for 5 minutes. Rinse off thoroughly. Softer, smoother feet are revealed! 3.4 fl. oz. A $5 value.

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 23, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Avon and tell me one thing you'd like to try.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

4. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

5. Subscribe to my blog.

6. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

7. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see). Use the following info to tweet: #win Avon Foot Facial 5-piece set @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/btFC5s

10. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

9. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

10. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

11. 10 entries...yes 10 entries! - Buy something from Odessa's Avon shop. Click here to visit her shop and leave a comment telling me what you bought!

Good luck!

Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea and Body Wash Review and Giveaway-- CLOSED

Winner is comment #1! Congratulations Josephine!

I first fell in love with Earth Mama Angel Baby Products when I started using their nipple butter when I was just starting out breastfeeding..the cracking, bleeding...all the pain involved when your body is adjusting to breastfeeding was hard. I first tried Lanolin as that is what the hospital gave me but I found it to be really thick and didn't feel like it helped much. I had read about Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter and read all the great reviews and decided to try it out...it was AMAZING...it really helped relieve and heal my nipples. I don't need it much more that we are established in our nursing and my body has adjusted but every now and again, I use it for when Lilly is a bit "rough" and it is just the best stuff...I won't use anything else!

Earth Mama Angel Baby sent me some of their Organic Milkmaid Tea and Happy Mama Body Wash to review.

I was super excited to try out the Organic Milkmaid Tea. I, unfortunately, got my first period at 6 weeks postpartum even though I exclusive breastfeed. With my period came a huge drop in supply. So every month, when my period shows up, my supply drops....I was really hoping to find something to help and so I was super excited to try out this product which contains 100% organic herbs that are traditionally used for healthy breast milk production.

Below are the listed ingredients in this milkmaid tea:
Foeniculum vulgare (organic fennel) seed, Trigonella foenum-graecum (organic fenugreek) seed, Rubus idaeus (organic red raspberry) leaf, Urtica diocica (organic stinging nettle) leaf, Mentha spicata (organic spearmint) leaf, Citrus sinensis (organic orange) peel, Pempinella anisum (organic anise) seed, Carum carvi (organic caraway) seed, Medicago sativa (organic alfalfa) leaf

When I first opened the tea package, it had a very familiar smell...it smelled just like maple syrup! I have actually read that fenugreek (an ingredient in this tea) smells like maple syrup so I knew that is where the smell was originating from. I am not normally a tea drinker at all...but I really wanted to help up my milk supply during my menstrual cycle and was willing to try almost anything....let me tell you...this tea is pretty darn good! And that is coming from someone who doesn't even like tea!

Also, I do feel like it did help increase my supply a bit during my menstrual cycle and that was my hope! I am now going to be using this tea every month to keep my supply up during that time!

Earth Mama Angel Baby also sent me their Happy Mama Body Wash....and Oh my goodness...I LOVE it. When I use this body wash, I totally feel like I am taken to a tropical place; the smell is so intoxicating and beautiful!

And for you pregnant ladies out there, this is safe to use during pregnancy. It is said to be ideal for noses that are sensitive from morning sickness (fresh ginger is used to combat queasiness)...I had HORRIBLE morning sickness....actually, I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum while pregnant with Lilly...so anything that could have helped even just a little in regards to nausea would have been great! If I have morning sickness with #2, I will definitely try this body wash to help!

Now, onto the giveaway! One lucky reader will have their chance to win either the Organic Milkmaid Tea OR Happy Mama Body Wash.

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 22, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Earth Mama Angel Baby and tell me what item you would like to try.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow Earth Mama Angel Baby on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

7. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

8. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win Earth Mama Angel Baby Product @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway @MAMAMELINDA http://bit.ly/aOttbS

10. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Become a Earth Mama Angel Baby Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

12. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

13. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to Earth Angel Mama Baby for letting me do a review of this product!

Moon Over Maize Mommy Necklace Giveaway!-- CLOSED

Winner is comment #29! Congratulations Emma!

Moon over Maize Etsy Shop is offering an AMAZING giveaway! One lucky reader is going to win a gorgeous and unique mommy necklace (up to 2 name charms)...I gotta say, I am jealous and totally wish I could enter!

I love this Etsy shop. In December of '08, I purchased an infertility necklace from this shop. The quality was excellent and the customer service was amazing; she let me know she was thinking of me when we were undergoing our treatments; she really made me feel like a special customer. Oh, and I became pregnant, after more than 2 years of trying and treatments, the month I started wearing my new beautiful infertility necklace!

So on top of a beautiful, high quality piece of jewelery, you get exceptional customer service. I would highly recommend this Etsy Shop....her work is great! So make sure you go on and check out Moon Over Maize!

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 21, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Moon Over Maize and tell me what your favorite item is.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow Moon Over Maize on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. Publicly Follow the Moon Over Maize blog

7. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

8. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

9. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win @moonovermaize personalized mommy necklace @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/anA64g

10. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Become a Moon Over Maize Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

12. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

13. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

Total Shameless Plug...

I entered Lilly in the Yo Baby Organic Cutie Contest and need some votes! It's really easy, just click the link below and then click vote! Thanks guys! =)

CLICK TO VOTE

101 in 1001: Kitchen Remodel

I have completed another goal on my 101 in 1001 goal list! This was a HUGE goal too...My husband and I really wanted to get our kitchen remodeled before Lilly was crawling because it was just so old and unsafe. The drawers didn't have any stoppers...some had screws/nails hanging out...they were just awful. We have only been in our new house for a short while so we haven't had to deal with the kitchen for too long but this was definitely a goal we wanted to finish sooner than later!

We are SO excited that the Kitchen is done and we LOVE it...I am in love with the granite counter-top and full backsplash and I love my new delta faucet! Check out our before and after pictures!

BEFORE:
I HATED the brick...so so ugly! I also wasn't a fan of all the mismatching appliances...and we desperately needed a new microwave...ours was new in 1995! We also needed a new dishwasher and range...the fridge is still pretty new.
Up close, you can see how worn the cabinets were...and do you see that nail sticking out of the cabinet?!? It wasn't even something we could pull out...we couldn't get to the head of the nail...the best we could have done was hammer the nail down toward the cabinet. This whole set-up before was just not baby friendly...or mommy friendly. I hated my kitchen.

DURING:
Everything ripped out!

AFTER:
I SUPER PUFFY HEART IT!! The way the cabinets were designed, we have so much more storage space. Before we didn't have a corner cabinet and so the end of the old cabinet was wasted space because we couldn't reach anything back there...now we have a huge corner cabinet that we can put stuff in! The cabinets are also taller...it is exactly what I wanted! Now I love being in my kitchen!
Our new appliances! All matching and I love them all!
Our new delta faucet (Leland Single Handle Pull Down with Soap Dispenser) Aaron and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this faucet! Be on the lookout for a review on this faucet and a giveaway for your chance to win a delta faucet of your choice up to a $300 value!

I am SO SO SO excited to have the kitchen cabinets in and done!! We still have to replace the light and ceiling fan and paint a bit but the big project and goal was getting in the new cabinets and granite!

Pampers "Gifts To Grow"

A new 10 point code for you!!

WELOVECHEERIOS2

Thirsties Booty Luster and Wipes Review and Giveaway!-- CLOSED

We have a winner...comment #127! Congratulations Jess!

Thirsties was kind enough to participate in our "changing 2 cloth" event and sent me their booty luster and cloth wipes to review and giveaway!

So the Thirsties Booty Luster...First...LOVE the name. It makes me laugh a little bit each time. When I told my husband I was going to be reviewing "booty luster" he wasn't quite sure what to say or think...then I told him what it was! LOL!

Thirsties booty luster is a completely non-toxic solution that is 100% biodegradable and is made here in the good 'ol U.S of A! The solution is blended by hand in small batches using flowers, plants, resins, and high quality organic ingredients.

Here are the ingredients:
Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Water-based Extract of Coconut, Honey, Grapeseed Extract, Traces of Glycerin, Avocado Oil, Humectant, Moisturizers, and other Organic Ingredients.

I absolutely LOVE the booty luster. It has a great, natural citrus-y smell and really helps clean her diaper area with just a few quick wipes. It really gets the job done and it does so in a yummy smelling, natural and moisturizing way! I most definitely prefer the thirsties booty luster to my plain water on a wipe!

I was able to use the booty luster and clean her diaper area with a few quick wipes AND use only ONE wipe when I used the thirsties fab wipes.

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the size of these wipes...they are a great size...not too big and not too small, measuring at 8x8. I was able to wipe, fold, wipe, fold, wipe. No issues with being too small and needing to grab a new one. They are also SUPER SUPER soft and continue to be soft even through a number of washes.

These fab wipes are 2 ply; a textured cotton velour on one side (for bigger messes and wipe-ups) and microfleece on the other side for drying or lighter messes. Genius! I am in love with these wipes!

Plus, they are absolutely adorable...the colors are so vibrant and fun. The fab wipes come in 2 different color sets, girl and boy.

I highly recommend BOTH the booty luster and the fab wipes!

Now, onto the giveaway!

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 8, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Thirsties and tell me one thing you'd like to try.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Follow Thirsties on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

5. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

6. 2 entries- Subscribe to my blog.

7. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

8. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win @ThirstiesInc fab wipes and booty luster @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/b7E0qY

9. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Become an Thirsties Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

12. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

13. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to Thirsties for letting me do a review of this product!

Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Soap Review and Giveaway-- CLOSED

We have a winner...comment #104! Congratulations Tina Reynolds!

Eco Nuts was kind enough to send me some Eco Nuts to review AND one lucky winner is going to win a 50/90 load box...that is enough Eco Nuts for 50 hot washes or 90 cold cycle washes! So what are they and how do they work?

Eco Nuts are a fragrance free, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, antimicrobial and reusable laundry soap. They are dried berry shells from Sapindus mukorossi tree in Asia.



I tested these little guys out and I have to say I was quite impressed...ESPECIALLY how well they cleaned the dirty cloth diapers...they came out clean and smelled fresh. The way they work, is you get a handful of nuts...about 5 and then you put them into the little sash baggie they send along with your soap, tie it off and throw it in the wash with your dirty laundry. When your load is done, you take the baggie out and you can use it for your next load (whenever that may be). They can be used for 5-7 washes in hot water and up to 10 for cold water...you can tell when they are done when they start to get soft/dissolve. My Eco Nuts made it through 7 loads of laundry and that included cold and hot washes AND extra rinses for the cloth diapers. I don't know why..and this is totally silly but I found these Eco Nuts so fun to use!

I am definitely a Eco Nuts convert! "You'd be nuts to use any other soap!"

Want to win some? Sure you do! Enter the giveaway for a 50/90 box of Eco Nuts Laundry Soap!

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 6, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Eco Nuts and tell me one reason why you'd like to win these soap nuts.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Follow Eco Nuts on Twitter; to do so, click HERE and choose to follow.

5. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

6. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

7. Subscribe to my blog.

8. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

9. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see). Use the following info to tweet: #win @Econuts laundry soap @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/cRYgnW

10. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Become an Eco Nuts Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

12. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

13. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to Eco Nuts for letting me do a review of this product!

Offspring Cloth Diapers Review and Giveaway--CLOSED

A second chance: the first winner did not respond within 48 hours and I used random.org to choose a new winner! The new winner is comment #23! Congratulations Alice!
Comment #73 is the winner!! Congratulations Bebemiqui



As promised, our "Changing 2 Cloth" event is here! Our first review and giveaway item is a cloth diaper from Offspring! Offspring on Etsy has some of the cutest cloth diaper designs...I saw them and fell in love instantly!

Offspring sent me two diapers; a "decorative" diaper and a "plain" diaper. I had a hard time choosing which decorative one to go with because they are all so cute but I ended up choosing the "red and pink swirls". For the plain diaper, I went with the chocolate brown.

So what is the difference between the decorative and the plain diaper? The difference is that the decorative cotton fabric will give the fluid a place to escape to, once the insert is saturated, so they don't last as long as the plain diapers. For this reason, I used the decorative diapers for the day time and the plain during the day and/or the night.


Here is some information on the construction of the diapers:

Pocket diapers are constructed with a soft Micro Chamois interior. Considered softer and more resilient than regular microfleece, this remarkable fabric helps keep baby dry. Let the microfleece “roll-out” as this feature actually helps prevent leakage. The exterior is a waterproof PUL. No need for a diaper cover. Generous elastic around legs and back allow for a snug fit. Velcro (Aplix) strip and crossover tab allows for a wide variety of adjustments. Each diaper comes with one microfiber/flannel insert. Microfiber holds more fluid and is less bulky than other fibers and makes for a slender fit. This versatile insert can be folded to give three layers of microfiber absorbency in the pocket OR used in a diaper cover (flannel side touching baby). Keep these inserts to use when baby reaches Medium or Large size as a "doubler".

First, I have to say that they are these diapers fit Lilly better than any other diaper we have...the velcro strip along the top really allows you to make the most snug and proper fit.
You can pull the tabs all the way on top of the top velcro piece or you can attach it to the long strip if you need it a bit bigger. This is definitely my favorite part of this diaper...I can't even begin to explain how well these fit Lilly....AND they're cute!!!

And the other great thing I love about Offspring cloth diapers is the inserts. They aren't one strip of thin microfleece...it is a wide squared shaped insert that you fold...so you can adjust the size to fit your diaper perfectly by making it as wide or as thin as you need!
Now the drawback we had with the decorative diaper is that Lilly is a heavy wetter so she did soak through these rather quickly and since the decorative cotton fabric will give the fluid a place to escape to, once the insert is saturated, she ended up with a rash. I was SO bummed when she got the rash because it is just the cutest diaper and fits her perfectly. But we found a solution for my heavy wetter...I just use 2 inserts when using this decorative diaper and we use it in the day only, not at night. Now she can still sport her cute cloth diaper!


Now, the plain diaper, we had absolutely no problems with and it was just as great fitting as the decorative. We can use this one in the day and all night. It is fabulous!





You can really see what a great snug fit these diapers create....

If I had to choose my favorite, I would go with the plain diaper since Lilly is a heavy wetter and I have no worries with the plain diaper....but I LOVE sporting the cute cloth diaper during the day!

Onto the Giveaway!
Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 3, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Offspring and leave a comment on which diaper you would choose if you won (don't worry, you won't be held to this choice!).

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

3. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE.

4. 2 entries-Publicly Follow my blog.

5. Subscribe to my blog.

6. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

7. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see/can be done daily). Use the following info to tweet: #win baby a offspring cloth diaper @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway #clothdiaper http://bit.ly/anN6YC

8. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

9. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

10. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good Luck!

I received this product in order to do a honest review. All opinions are solely my own. Others may have different opinions. I did not receive monetary compensation for writing this review. Many thanks to Offspring for letting me do a review of this product!

Abby's Lane Review and $10 Gift Certificate Giveaway-- CLOSED

We have a winner! Congratulations Lisa!

Abby's Lane is a great site where you can buy cloth diapers, cloth diaper accessories, baby carriers...basically, almost anything you can think of!

When I decided to dive into the cloth diapering world, I decided to buy my cloth diapers from Abbys lane. I only had 2 cloth diapers in my stash because I wanted to try a couple brands out before committing to cloth diapering and so I needed a lot of diapers. I order 24 bum genius one size diapers and used a coupon code that I had found online. I was excited to have saved a pretty good penny on the diapers because well, cloth diapers aren't cheap when you are starting to build your stash.

Later that night, I received a call from Abby's lane and it turns out that BG was running a promotion for their diapers and you could find the coupon in magazines...well, I didn't know about this and I didn't have the magazine, but Abby's lane was collecting these coupons for their customers and applying them to their orders; anyhow...she called to tell me about this promotion and told me that she discounted my order to reflect the BG coupon...saving me even more money!

I was amazed with the customer service that I buy all my cloth diapering and baby needs from Abbys lane and recommend them all to my friends.

Oh and did I mention, they have free shipping on all U.S orders!?!? I seriously LOVE Abby's Lane!

Onto the giveaway!

One lucky winner is going to win a $10 Gift certificate for Abby's Lane!

Entry will be closed at 11:59PM, May 5, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the winner and they will have 48 hours to e-mail me their address. (I will put CLOSED in the title of the post when entry is closed) **Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only**

Remember to leave your email address in a comment so that I have a way to get in contact with you!

Here are ways to earn Entries (Leave a new comment for each way you entered!):

1. REQUIRED: Visit Abbyslane and tell me what you might like to buy with your gift certificate.

2. Follow MamaSavesMoney on Twitter; to do so, Click HERE and choose to follow.

4. Follow Abbyslane on Twitter; to do so, click HERE and choose to follow.

5. Vote for my blog on Top Mommy Blogs- Just click HERE. (you can do this once per day)

6. 2 entries- Publicly Follow my blog.

7. Subscribe to my blog.

8. 3 entries -Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Post the link to your blog in a comment so I can check it out. Make sure you comment 3 times so you get all of your entries!

9. Tweet about this giveaway (leave a link so I can see). Use the following info to tweet: #win @abbyslane $10 gift certificate @mamasavesmoney blog #giveaway http://bit.ly/9qxHqL

10. Become a Mommy Saves Money Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

11. Become an Abbys Lane Facebook Fan by clicking HERE.

12. Do a Facebook Status update about this giveaway, with a link to this giveaway. (Post a link to your "profile" in a comment so I can check it out!)

13. 2 entries- Grab my blog button and add it to your blog. Post a link to your blog so I can check it out and make sure to leave 2 separate comments for your two entries!

Good luck!