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Joovy: The BabaSling Review
November 26th, 2012
If anyone knows anything about me it is the fact that I love baby carrying. I have been carrying Julianne since she has been born and I feel like there has been such a special connection. I believe it is the reason she dislikes being in her stroller often but she just might be particular.
I had an opportunity to review this lovely sling which I believe came in perfect timing. Now that I am almost 7 months pregnant the Ergo carrier is not the MOST comfortable carrier so I am enjoying slings much better.
Joovy sent me theBabaSling in deep blue to try out. It took me a bit to try it because the weather changed on us from cool to nippy. I tried it in the house and realized that since my Julianne is now a toddler it was harder dropping her into the sling. It was MUCH easier sitting her on my knee and placing the sling over her head and body.
I used this several weeks ago when we went to the pumpkin patch and it was great because we did not have to use the stroller. We were able to take a hayride with the baby all cozy next to her mama.
This sling has 5 ways to carry a baby so I am super excited to use this with baby #2 come February. Right now, the hip carry or side saddle is the best for this pregnant mama. We have been taking walks in the neighborhood with Julianne all bundled up. The sling works more like a hammock and it has a nice cushion or padding for the baby’s head for added support.
The sling is 100% cotton which I love! I can wash it in the washing machine and hang to dry. The shoulder pad on the sling is VERY comfortable seeing that this sling has adjustable straps. It fits on either shoulder and it has second security buckle for added security.
I cannot wait to breastfeed with this sling because there are 2 discreet positions to try. It has a lot of material and I feel comfortable carrying my baby in this. It is also comfortable wearing her while feeling very pregnant too. I plan to use this sling when we fly next month. Here is hoping she will nap in this sling too!
I can use this sling up to the age of 2 or about 33 pounds so I am glad I have some time to use it for both babies!
Joovy is an American company and a family-owned business with facilities in Texas and California that focus on creating products that are good-looking, fun and extremely useful to families. I am for sure enjoying this sling and look forward trying out other products in the future.
Thanks Joovy for letting me review this wonderful sling. Where can you buy this product? Click this page to order one!
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Wordless Wednesday
November 21st, 2012
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Essence of Vali Product Review
November 20th, 2012
Winter is almost upon us which sometimes means fewer sunny days depending where you live. Ever since I have had my family staying with me we have noticed that there have a lot more cloudy days but somehow having the company makes it better.
Since we lived in Michigan the last 3 years we REALLY realized how little we saw sunny days. We never bought one of those Vitamin D lamps but we made sure to be outdoors to get fresh air.
Now that I have a toddler and am close to being 7 months pregnant being outdoors and in the fresh air seems very essential to both our mental and emotional health. I noticed that Julianne LOVES being outdoors. She even forgets to nap and we have to remind her it is time which then she goes out!
Besides having a solid spiritual connection to my Creator, God, I find that without having a daily walk and reading his work really plays a huge role how I feel. I have to constantly be mindful of this. Why do I bring this into my post today? Well, it is part of my life and while I review products that make a big impression and lift my spirits I never want to lose focus on my true influence in life.
I recently had a chance to communicate with the owner of Essence of Vali, Valerie Bennis, about her amazing products. I received a small sample of her EOV Eau de Parfum and boy was I blown away! I dabbed a bit of the perfume on my neck and on my wrists and my senses were hit immediately.What was I smelling? Essential oils (from plants) of lavender, rosewood, cedarwood, patchouli, palmarosa, geranium, litsea cubeba and clove in a base of corn alcohol and water. It is described as a warm floral, slightly citrus, earthy and sensual and uplifting at the same time. It also received the best natural product award in 2004 at the Fall Extracts Show. My husband came home and he LOVED the smell and the rest is private. 🙂
After I had a chance to try this sample I knew I would love the rest of the products Essence of Vali offered. Ms. Bennis sent me an array of samples of essential oils that had been mixed into her personal recipes sold for different symptoms. Below is a healing index of the symptoms that anyone could be going through. On the right, she then lists the remedy using the name of the blend she has created for each symptom.
Now I some of you might be wondering or worried why I would be using these while pregnant but there is a list stating that none of these blends should be used in the first trimester. Since I am past that then it has been safe using these. The only ones not to be used at anytime during pregnancy are the Relief and Balance Blend. I am just holding them until I have the baby.
How have these blends been working? They have been so soothing! I have been going through restless nights waking up twice a night just plain uncomfortable. I have used the SLEEP blend which uses the essential oils (from plants) of lavender, marjoram, cedarwood & ylang/ylang. It is so sweet smelling and relaxing!
Learn MORE about how each blend was created and how affects each person.
Something I never realized until now is that I have always loved essential oils. I have used Eucalyptus and Peppermint oils to open my nasal passages when a cold hits. Aromatherapy really does have an amazing effect on the senses and whether you know it or not, the perfumes that one buys in the store contain a specific amount of certain essential oils but not as pure as these products.
I WILL be purchasing the larger bottle of the EOV Eau de Parfum because it is simply the most natural and sensual scent I have smelled in a long time. It is relaxing and invigorating and not harmful to the body at all.
Thank you to Ms. Bennis for such lovely products. It is amazing how she has been able to live her dream creating and selling her blends after being involved in the corporate world by day. She finally went full time after receiving her full certification in aromatherapy. Please read more about her success and life story HERE.
On top of this these products are 100% natural and 100% vegan! Never tested on animals is always a plus.
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Almondina Cookie Review + Giveaway
November 19th, 2012
Almondina sent me a variety of Almondina goodies that my whole family has been enjoying the past few weeks. These thin cookies are delicious, all-natural, have no cholesterol, and have no added salt or fat.
What makes this a fantastic product? Well, I found out that the owner of the company, Yuval Zaliouk, has not only been owner of this company for over 2 decades but he is also a world renown music conductor. The yummy cookie recipe was created by his grandmother that was kept a secret until she passed away and was handed down to the owner’s mother.
Almondina is based in Ohio and is now sold in all 50 States and several foreign countries. Distribution has expanded and is now readily available at stores such as Busch’s, Plum Market, Fresh Market, Nick Salvaggio, Trader Joes, Vince & Joe’s, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and many others. You can see our complete distribution store finder.
We enjoyed several different flavors over a game of Settlers of Catan. These cookies do not have to be dipped but are enjoyed with yummy almond or coconut milk.
The hubby is enjoying the Chocolate Cherry Cookie. My favorite! These cookies are only 30 calories per slice, kosher, and proudly made in America!
We then moved on to the Pumpkin Spice flavor and that won the whole table. It was perfectly spiced and delicious crunchy. The almond slices in each bite are satisfying.
If you want to continue reading more about the Almondina story it is heart-warming and amazing. Below are the flavors the company offer. The ones in bold are the ones I was sent to try and review.
Almondina® biscuits in the following flavors:
· Original – America ‘s all natural favorite with almonds and raisins
· Chocolate Cherry – We combined the world’s finest dark chocolate
with plump cherries to produce an irresistible, decadent treat without guilt.
· Choconut – Rich tasting crunchy chocolate, but low in calories
· Cinnaroma® – The original biscuit for cinnamon lovers
· Gingerspice – Trend setting, with chunks of Australian ginger
· AlmonDuo® – Double-nut wonder with almonds and pistachios
· AnniversaryT – Award winning delight with a touch of anise
· BranTreats® – Made with oat bran and the finest cinnamon “Cookies For Breakfast”
· Sesame – Irresistible, exotic, flavorful
– Seasonal Pumpkin Spice – A seasonal attraction with a delightful touch of fall spices combined with the highest quality almonds and pepitas(pumpkin seeds)
· Chocolate Dipped – the Original® dipped in the finest, pure, rich dark chocolate was
previously offered only certain times of the year is now available year round
Tonight I enjoyed the Gingerspice with some coffee and really enjoyed the flavor. These cookies are so addictive and I am so glad they are low-cal. If you are interested in buying the Seasonal Pumpkin Spice, here is where you can find them:
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One person is going to win an Almondina Sampler pack!!
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Disclosure: I was sent product to sample and try out. All opinions are mine
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Baby’s First Birthday
November 15th, 2012
I have been delaying this post for a bit because it was not what I planned or expected. The other reason I finally came to terms with how things turned out because I made a bigger deal about how Julianne reacted that I should have. My husband and my sister assured me that there was nothing I could have done and that things DID go well.
My sister and bro-in-law decorated the dining room with streamers and little banners. We tried to have Julianne wear a hat but this girl refuses to wear anything on her head. At least I was able to snap a pic or two before she took it off!
Do you wonder why she is really not smiling in any of her pictures? This happened to be a day where she decided to not nap and so she ended up being a bit grumpy. We waited till Daddy got home so we could have an early dinner, open gifts and eat some cake.
Julianne got to crawl around while we got things ready like mommy getting a candle on her smash cake.
I finally settled on a pumpkin spice cake with a cream cheese frosting that I saw Emily post on her website, Daily Garnish. The cake was SO delicious and moist I was so sure that Julianne would love her little cake.
We called her into the dining room and prompted her in her high chair. We Skyped with her grandparents and aunts in Texas as she opened her gifts. She liked them but I believe that is all the strength she had.
She started taking off her hat and well did not eat dinner too well. We handed her cake and she LOVED the candles are lit up but after we blew them up she was sad. She wanted to eat the candles. HAHAHA! Where are those pictures? Well, we realized we only have video and no pictures of us attempting or convincing her to dig into her cake. SHE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY AT ALL. She would not even taste the frosting.
I was so frustrated and it did not help that I was tired as well. I was a mess and took the whole thing personally. She started crying and only wanted to be on the floor playing with her toys. Cake eating was over, despite birthday singing, and birthday celebration was short-lived.
I realized there is next year and I will not be so tired and hormonal and weepy. She did not have a clue what was going on and well she will have the pictures to show that we celebrated. I was happy at least that the next day she had a piece of the cake and liked it for a moment.
I thank God for having the opportunity and blessing to just have my Julianne. Cake or no cake that was not the focus of the day but it was about celebrating the gift that God gave us with life! It has been a beautiful year!!
Love you baby girl!!!
