Fall Fashions with Carter's Watch the Wear Review and Giveaway

Fall Fashions with Carter's Watch the Wear

 

My daughter is not only an only child but one of only 3 girls from all the children that both my husband's and my siblings have had and the other 2 at 17 and 18 so needless to say she is a bit spoiled in the clothing, shoe and accessory departments.  She has a large closet that is bursting with shorts and dresses and a full size dresser that is packed full of pants, shorts and skirts but for some reason she never seems to have enough outfits.

Carter's has been a household name for over 150 years and could be found in stores across the country.   They are now moving to the online shopping world with their children’s clothing and Carter’s Watch the Wear.  

My daughter is very opinionated when it comes to clothing so we sat together to look at the new fall line of clothing Carter's Watch the Wear.  I showed her the adorable legging sets and she said, "those are cute" but when she saw the boy hoodie and denim sets  she said "those are awesome".  I knew right there that there would be no swaying her from an "awesome" hoodie that was just like one her cousin has (she loves those boy cousins "her boys" as she calls them).

When it came time for ordering, we had to get the Hoodie and Denim set in Heather Grey but I was also able to pin her down on an adorable "cute" Wild Lime Stripe Top Legging Set.

She wanted to start wearing them right away when they arrived but we were (up until this week) still having great summer like weather and it was just too warm for long sleeves and pants.  She asked every day to watch the weather report to see if it would be sunny so that she could wear one of her new "school outfits". 

Last week we had a day that wasn't in the 80' and she insisted that she was able to wear the hoodie and denim set.  We put on a short sleeved shirt under the hoodie for when the afternoon sun came out.  After getting dressed, she ran around the house saying "I look like my cousins, but with long hair".  Sometimes that girl says the funniest things.

  She was beyond excited this morning when I told her it was going to be chilly and cloudy all day, I was a little confused as she loves playing in the sun. As I was preparing lunches for my husband and I to take to work she disappeared out of the living room.  I could hear her in her bedroom but had no idea what she was up to.  A few minutes later she came running out exclaiming, "I am wearing this today, is that alright" and there she stood fully dressed in her stripe top and leggings.  After getting my approval (which I am sure she did not really care if I gave to her) she requested assistance with the buttons on the back.  She went on and on about her favorite features, the pockets and the sparkles.  She thought the rhinestones around the neck area were the best, exclaiming "look, it is like I am wearing a necklace but I'm not" "that is so cool".

The quality of product we received from the Carter's Watch the Wear clothing was exactly what I expected from the Carter's brand.  The material used are both durable and comfortable.  The seems appear to be sewn with extra care to stand up to even the toughest of kids, which is a plus as she is rough on her clothing and enjoys playing in the dirt as much as playing with a doll.


Carter;s Watch the Wear clothing is also extremely affordable, the outfits we selected are only $12.99 and $10.99.  They have top and bottom sets as low as $8.99 for infants and $10.99 for toddlers, you will be hard pressed to find outfits of this quality for these prices from other brands.  They even still have some summer steals on their site, so hurry over for cute summer clothing to save for next year or winter family vacations to sunny destinations.


I’m excited to announce that I get to give 2 Over Thirty Mommy readers each a $25 gift card to use at Carter’s Watch the Wear!  Simply enter the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win. Contest ends 9:01PM PST October 6, 2012

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY, Please visit us at our new home: http://over30mommy.com/fall-fashions-with-carters-watch-the-wear/

 
**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**  

Monkeying around with Liberty Bottleworks

Monkeying around with Liberty Bottleworks

We are big on reusable bottles around our house.  We make our own soda and do not drink bottled water so that we are not contributing to the landfills.  We moved metal water bottles while I was pregnant and learned about all the bad effects of BPA, contained in many plastic bottles. 

Then, just when I thought I was doing the best thing for my family, out came information that some metal bottles can leach BPA. Apparently aluminum water bottles with an epoxy-resin lining may include BPA.  BPA can leach from the lining and hot water increases leaching from these epoxy resin-lined aluminum bottles. The best way to tell if your aluminum bottle has a lining possibly containing BPA is to look inside the bottle for a gold-orange lining.

With this new information, I was now on the hunt for replacement bottles again.  This search lead me to Liberty Bottleworks.

 Liberty Bottleworks, founded in 2010, was created out of the belief that the best products are made in America by American workers.  Liberty Bottleworks makes the industry’s only completely BPA-free metal water bottle from 100 percent recycled aluminum.

 

Their bottles are dishwasher safe  and lined with a flexible coating that does not leach.  Liberty Bottleworks uses a patent pending 1/4 turn on/off design top.  Along with these great features, the bottles feature \ one-of-kind art commissioned from artists across the country.  

While I found the 1/4 turn lid to be easy to use, it was a bit tougher for my 3 year old to manage, the new Liberty Bottleworks Sport Cap should fix that problem easily (and is now standard on Kid bottles) , and it is made in the USA to boot!  My daughter is loving her No Evil bottle and calls it hew monkey banana bottle.  The designs are fun, they have something for everyone (even some plain solid colors).  I love the Abigail design, they have some interesting Topo and map image bottles that my husband would appreciate and you can even make up custom bottles with company logos and images. 

This past July, Liberty Bottleworks held a Back to School Art Contest where students ages 5-13 submitted designs for a chance for their work to be featured on a limited edition Liberty bottle.  This year's winner was Klay Koler, age 6, from the Yakima Children's Village.  Liberty Bottleworks will donate $7 of each winning design bottle purchased to his school's art program.

**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**  

Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair Review and Giveaway

Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair 

 Being of the female gender you would think that I would some ability to style hair but I was apparently not given that gift.  Growing up I always (with the exception of a brief period in the second grade)  wore my hair shoulder length or longer but 95% of the time, it had it tightly secured in a basic pony tail.  I was not one to spend extra time on my hair when I could spend it sleeping and being in multiple sports, it was just easier to tie it back and not think about it.

Now that I am a mother to a little girl, it seems  I am expected to know how to style her hair.  Basically, I have 3 go to styles for her: down, in a pony tail or in pig tails.  That is the extent of my hair styling abilities.  I attempted to braid her pony tail once and while she thought it was cute, I could see that it needed help.

 As she gets older, she is asking for me to do more with her hair.  I need all the help I can get, the Cozy's Complete Guide to Girl's Hair is just what I needed.  I spent some time reading through the first few chapters of the book where it talked about Hair types, tools, accessories and products then my daughter and I sat ans looked at all the pictures of the different styles trying to pick one that she wanted me to try.

After looking through all the pictures many many times, we finally decided on the "The Bow Trio".  She loved it for the bows and I was thrilled that it did not look too difficult.   She loved it and I even thought it turned out pretty cute, that last bow could use some straightening out but she can not keep her head still for more than 5 seconds so this is about as good as it gets. 

I have frizzy hair and with riding my bike to work, I tend to use more hair gel now than I ever have before (except my gymnastics days when you plaster your hair so stiff that it wouldn't move in a tornado).  My little one is becoming more aware of my morning prep routine.  She now wants to wear eye shadow and use hair gel but I am not a huge fan of her putting those chemicals in her hair.  Along with the Cozy's Complete Guide to Girl's Hair,  we also tried the Styling Cream Kooky Kiwi.  It is great for taming those pesky flyaway's and it is free of harsh chemicals.  It also smells amazing! 

With a bit more studying of the Cozy's Complete Guide to Girl's Hair and some practice (O.K. a lot of practice), I might even brave the adorable heart braid that is shown on the front of the guide. 

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY, Please visit us at our new home: http://over30mommy.com/cozys-complete-guide-to-girls-hair-review-and-giveaway/

  **Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**  

Yoplait Greek 100 - Review/Giveaway

Yoplait Greek 100 - Review/Giveaway

A few months ago I tried Greek yogurt for the first time.  I was afraid to try it at first but found out quickly that I really liked it.  I found Yoplait Greek yogurt to be rich, creamy and oh so tasty.  

Not only is Yoplait Greek yogurt high in protein and lower in carbohydrates but now it is only 100 calories per serving, WELCOME YOPLAIT GREEK 100!

Yoplait Greek 100 is available in six delicious flavors including Strawberry, Black Cherry, Mixed Berry, Vanilla, Peach and Key Lime.   Not only is it only 100 calories per serving, Yoplait Greek 100 is the only Greek yogurt endorsed by Weight Watchers^®.

As part of my review, I had the pleasure of trying the vanilla and black cherry (one of my favorite flavors!) and found them to be full of flavor and a great snack for any time of day.  They can satisfy the mid-afternoon sweet tooth attack and afterwards I do not feel guilty for indulging.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY, Please visit us at our new home: http://over30mommy.com/yoplait-greek-100-reviewgiveaway/

 

Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails #SSCheers

Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails Review

Summer might be winding down but there is still plenty of time to enjoy some tasty summer beverages and I have the perfect one for you!

I am not a big drinker but when I do indulge, I prefer wine over beer (even though I have family in the beer industry) and I like frozen fruit flavored beverages.  

Rarely do I have all the necessary ingredients to make a tasty concoction.  We are not ice type of people so the ice drawer in the freezer is empty 90% of the time and since ice is a key ingredient in frozen beverages, I usually do not get the chance to have one when I want one.  Another problem with making frozen beverages at home it timing.  I usually wait until the little one is in bed before indulging in an adult beverage and the blender is a bit on the loud side. So even if I did have all the ingredients, I would have to take them to the garage or string an extension cord out to the backyard to blend up a drink and that is just too much of a hassle so I usually give up the whole idea and have water or soda. BORING!!!

All of these dilemmas of enjoying a nice frozen drink when I want one are exactly what drew me to the new Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails.  Simply toss a few in the freezer (approximately 5 hours before you desire one), pull one out when the mood hits you, gently massage and squeeze to pour and enjoy in a glass.  It is that simple! No mixing, measuring or blending required. Best of all there is almost zero cleanup!  Just rinse out your glass and toss the package in the garbage/recycling

Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails come in three delicious flavors: Blackberry Merlot, Strawberry White Zinfandel, White Pear Pinot Grigio.  The single 10oz serving packages are perfect for those times you want one drink or after that one drink want to move on and try another flavor!  My personal favorite is the Blackberry Merlot!  I am usually not a red wine drinker but I have a thing for blackberries and Arbor mist did a great job with the flavoring of the wine, black berries and guava for a sweet but not too sweet combination.

What are you waiting for? Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktails are available at these retailers in your neighborhood. Run out and get some and toss a few in your freezer today!  You can be enjoying an Arbor Mist Frozen Wine Cocktail in no time.

  You can keep up with the latest product offerings by following Arbor Mist on Twitter. Additionally, SheSpeaks is on Twitter

Disclaimer ~ Over Thirty Mommy received product from SheSpeaks to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% Over Thirty Mommy's.

Puzzle Books: Great for the Brain!

Puzzle Books: Great for the Brain!

My husband is a huge fan of logic puzzles and I find Sudoku puzzles more my speed.  I am not very fast at them but I still find them fun and a better way to pass the time than sitting in front of the TV, they are also great for working on during long drawn out phone conversations! 

I first started being interested in Sudoku puzzles when I was off work after having my baby, I found them a great way to try to sharpen my mental capabilities and regain some of my pre-pregnancy intelligence (you would think that would automatically come back after delivery but it doesn't!).  I tried to continue working puzzles during breaks at work after returning from maternity leave but as time went on the puzzles were fewer and far between. After being laid off, I took them up again and would work on Sudoku puzzles during the 1/2 hour to hour that my daughter was allotted for TV time each day.  It was a great way to keep up mental skills because honestly as an adult, one can only watch so many episodes of Dora or Mickey Mouse.

A few of the puzzle books that we have come to like very much are: 

Puzzle Baron’s Sudoku: 
Filled with over 400 sudoku puzzles, this book is great for hours of fun. It is organized by difficulty.  I of course am still in the easy section but once you finish those, there are 756 medium difficulty, 150 hard-level, and 150 very hard puzzles available to challenge the mind.  

The book also has an interesting Solving Techniques page that goes over which techniques are best to solve each level of difficulty.  If you have no idea what they are talking about in this section (like I did!) you can go to the website www.puzzlebaron.com and get further details and instructions. There is even an answer key in the back to check you work or cheat and get a tip on the solution!

Puzzle Baron’s Logic Puzzles, Vol. 2
These puzzles are definitely more my husbands speed, logic puzzles mostly make me feel frustrated and dumb. I was never any good at those metal puzzles where you had to separate the two pieces or fit them together but he was a whiz at those (I am definitely more on the creative than logic side) whipping through showing me how easy they are with instructions like do this then this and tada done!  Yeah right!

This book contains 200 grid- based logic puzzles, each puzzle includes a background story, a list of text-based clues and then you use logic to arrive at an answer. What makes these puzzles more interesting are the included  puzzle statistics.  These statistics can be things like the average completion time, the record completion time, and the percentage of puzzlers who successfully complete the puzzle.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Picture Puzzles, Vol. 2
This puzzle book is fun for the whole family, even our 3 year old likes this one.  It contains 100 Full-color, family friendly,  picture puzzles for all levels and ranges of ability.  It is a great tool to help children figure out what is different and yet still fun and challenging for the grownups.

It is hard to find fun things to do for everyone that does not cost an arm and a leg but this puzzle book as well as the others I mentioned are perfect ways to spend evenings enjoying good quality family time.



**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

 

Metamorphic Toys: Silly Signs Review

Metamorphic Toys: Silly Signs Review

As a mom, I am always looking for fun and interesting toys for my daughter.  While she does have "regular" toys, I also try to look for toys that are environmentally conscientious and "green".  

Being that she is an only child and one of only 2 girls (out of 9) between all my siblings and myself, she is receives a lot of toys.  We usually end up donating or giving away most of them when she loses interest or grows out of them but those that get broken or damaged end up being thrown away and inevitable fill up the land fills with plastic.

All Metamorphic Toys are made in the U.S.A. using 100% recyclable child safe and environmentally friendly materials.

My little one is a bit rough on toys and has a tendency to be hard on her belongings (I think it is from her playing non-stop with all of her boy cousins).  I was a little hesitant to see how the Metamorphic CAUTION Mythical Creatures Silly Sign would hold up since it was made of cardboard.  After assembling the sign, my husband walked by and made a comment on how it will be broken in a matter of hours.  I figured it would last a few weeks before either got tired of it or played a little too rough with it and damaged it but surprisingly the Metamorphic silly Sign is going strong and she still likes changing the sign as the mood suits her.  

She loves to change the sign while we are running out the door for school or gymnastics.  Exclaiming something the the effect of "we need to warn the dog of ...: today or mom, watch out for ...."  (you know because the dog can read the sign!)

The CAUTION Mythical Creatures Silly sign comes with 1 post, 1 base, 1 sign frame, 3 Reversible Sign Placards (Unicorn Crossing, Giant Crossing and Dragon Crossing).  The back side of each placard is blank allowing for your child to create their own signs and add to the fun. 

Metamorphic toys can be purchased from their website as well as Amazon.com.You can also connect with Metamorphic Toys on Facebook and Twitter.

**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

 

Clean Your Carpets Like a Pro with the Hoover Max Extract 60 (Review)

Clean Your Carpets Like a Pro with the Hoover Max Extract® 60 Pressure Pro™ Carpet Deep Cleaner

First let me start off apologizing for the before photos you are about to see.  My carpets are terrible, they are 15+ years old and have been through countless family gatherings, multiple dogs (including my new puppy) and a toddler that can not seem to keep her food on her plate (the puppy does not seem to mind this!).  We (and by we I mean my husband) vacuum on a regular basis, it is one of his "things".  It is not that we keep a dirty house, the carpet is just too light of a color to have dogs, kids and family gatherings and not expect it to get stained.  Eventually we will replace it, I am dreaming of hardwood flooring, but not until both the puppy and the toddler are grown.

I have had at least 2 full size residential carpet cleaners in the past and have not really been fond of any of them. I have found that they leave so much water on/in the carpet that it attracts more dirt and the stains come back with vengeance since the drying time was so long that it wasn't feasible not to walk on it while wet.  

Max Extract 60 Assembly:

As my husband will attest, I am assembly challenged.  I put the handle bars on backwards and wheels on the wrong side when assembling my daughters PlasmaCar.  So I was hesitant to open the Hoover Max Extract 60 box when it arrives (or when my husband was watching) so I waited until the weekend and opened it Saturday morning while he was sleeping in.  I was ecstatic to see that the assembly was one screw to attach the handle, clicking the two water tanks in place and winding up the hose and cord.  It was a breeze and took less than 5 minutes.

Max Extract 60 Operation:

Using the Hoover Max Extract 60 is almost as easy as the assembly, put cleaning solution in compartment that is clearly marked (add water if using 2x concentrate), fill clean water tank, plug in and GO!!!.  

I chose 2 high traffic areas to focus on for this test run.  

Area 1: In front of Doll House

 

  

The area in front of my daughter's doll house is high traffic for many reason: 1. We keep her toys in the main living area not her room. 2. She plays with her doll house on a very regular basis. 3. The location is on the direct path from the garage to the living room (we enter our house through the garage). 

As you can see in the before photo there are a number of dark stains, the after photo is after just a couple passes with the Max Extract 60 Pro.  You can still see the water trail of my first couple passes.  Notice that the large dark stains are considerably lighter, they faded even more by the time I finished my test run.

Area 2: Living room near puppy crate: 

The area near the puppy crate is especially stained.  I can't blame it all on the puppy since we have only had her 6 weeks.  The area we placed her crate in is right in front of the fireplace in the living room so it is a main point of entertainment during family gatherings and it high traffic when we use the woodstove in the winter.

As you can see, the Hoover Max Extract 60 did a fantastic job lifting the dirt and stains from the carpet.

They have all but disappeared, leaving a nice clean spot on the carpet in the middle of the room.

  

 I am going to have to clean the rest of the carpet

now so that it doesn't look worse with two nice clean spots but that will be simple with the Hoover Max Extract 60 Pro Pressure.

 The two test areas took me only a few minutes, you have to go over the area with a few passes for maximum cleanness but let me tell you, it is totally worth it to be rid of all those stains.  

The only downfall to the awesome capability of the Hover Max Extract 60 is that now my husband thinks the carpet has many more years of life left in is and it wavering on the idea of me needing hardwood flooring.  Oh well, you win some you lose some!

OK, now for the gross part, the extraction!  After briefly cleaning these 2 areas, look at what came out of my carpet!  

How disgusting is that? and this was after vacuuming prior to the carpet cleaning!  Clearly it has been some time since my cheapskate side allowed me to pay to have my carpets cleaned.

 About the Max Extract 60:
The new Hoover Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro Carpet Deep Cleaner is designed to thoroughly clean carpets and rugs.  Weighing in around 22 pounds, it is not the lightest household machine but it was easy to maneuver around for me.  The Hoover Max Extract 60 will set you back around $229.99 but trust me, don't skimp on a carpet cleaner, this is one of those things where you get what you pay for, making it well worth the splurge (just think of the money you will save not having to have your carpets professionally cleaned)

It features pressurized edge to edge cleaning capabilities (don't you hate that path along walls that your vacuum misses?  Not a problem with the Max Extract 60).  The scrubbing brushes (SpinScrub® 60) counter-rotate to surround carpet fibers, removing dirt from every angle (evident by the gross water photo above). The heated cleaning system is touted to get carpets dryer faster thus reducing the amount of time needed to wait before walking on cleaned areas.  I would like to see the heat system improved a little, while it did pick up a fair amount of the water, it was still a bit damp when I was completed with the two areas.  Since I did the test cleaning late at night while the kid was sleeping and the dog was outside, it had plenty of time to dry before they walked all over it so no problem there. 

Compared to other carpet cleaners that I have owned, the Hoover Max Extract did a better job pulling the water (and dirt) out of the carpet (as seen by the photo above of the extracted water, ICK!)

**Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting. I received a product to help facilitate my review, however, all opinions are 100% mine.**

Love Your Lips This Summer With the New Carmex Pomegranate Stick: Review and Giveaway

Love Your Lips This Summer With the New Carmex Pomegranate Stick: Review and Giveaway

I have an addiction to lip balms.  I have multiple open sticks strategically located all around the house, in cars, at work and in all my purses so that I am never too far away when the need hits me.

While my husband is a classic fan, I prefer the flavored varieties.

When I was given the chance to try the new Pomegranate Stick, I was beyond excited.  Carmex has been protecting lips everywhere for over 75 years and the new pomegranate stick is the perfect addition to their product line.

 To celebrate the new Carmex Pomegranate stick, I was sent a fabulous yellow Carmex beach tote filled with 6 Carmex sticks, including the new pomegranate stick.

 The past week or two in Portland we have had amazing summer weather and a few record high days (we are expecting 100+ on Thursday and Friday!).  Each of the Carmex sticks has a SPF of 15 to protect your lips from the effects of the summer sun.

My daughter is quickly developing my passion for Carmex and quickly laid claim to my recent delivery.  She grabbed one and had the pomegranate stick opened before I could even find my camera.  I have to go searching through her purses (and she has a few!) for my Carmex sticks when I want one.  She loves them as much as I do, I have the hardest time finding the pomegranate stick.  Seems every time I find it, she moves it so that she can have it for herself.

Carmex Pomegranate Stick Summer Kit Giveaway:

One Over Thirty Mommy reader will win a Carmex kit that will feature our six Carmex® sticks, each containing a SPF of 15 to protect your lips from the effects of the summer sun in a cute Carmex tote!

How to enter

Please fill out the form below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Disclaimer: The makers of Carmex provided the products for review. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated nor was I obligated to publish a positive review. **

Fresh Produce Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capri

 Fresh Produce Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capri

Summer is here and while my area of the country has not had a 90 degree day yet, I am still thrilled with the decent weather (and lack of rain!)that we have been having.

Now that the nicer weather is here, it is time to cycle my wardrobe and bring out all my summer attire. Last year I discovered a love for Capri pants, I used to shy away from them since I am on the short vertically challenged side and felt like they made me look shorter or like I was just wearing pants that were too short.

Last year during my search for the perfect Capri pant (and more relaxed wear since I was a stay at home mom last summer), I was introduced to Fresh Produce clothing and their line of summer wear.  I found their products to be of high quality and great comfort.

 This year I am back to work outside the home but since I wear a lab coat that falls just below my knees, I still do not have dress as professionally as I did at my last place of work but the Fresh Produce Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capri would still work in a professional environment paired with the right shirt and shoes.

I am also now cycling to work and rather than packing pants to wear once I get to work, I find the  Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capri to be excellent bike wear.  The "stretch"of the fabric gives me the added room that I need and look for in cycling apparel and then doubles perfectly as all day wear once I arrive at work.

I still have and wear the Stretch Broadcloth Safari Roll Up Pant from last year but added the  Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capri to my Fresh Produce clothing collection this year.  The roll up pant and the Capri are very similar with the biggest difference (that I found) being that the Capri to not roll up like the roll up pant.  I am liking this change because while I loved being able to roll them up or down depending on the season, I hated having to iron the cuffs after washing them (my iron and I do not get along).  This is not an issue with the Capri style since the cuff does not roll up.

The Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capris are not only super comfortable, made with just a touch of stretch to the fabric but they are also very cute!  You can dress them down for walks on the beach with your flip flops and a tank or cress them up with a cute top and heels and be ready for a night on the town.

I had my husband take a picture of me wearing them one morning before I headed out for my commute to work but after looking at the photos, I nixed adding it to my blog (I hate my picture being taken and posted anywhere anyway!).  While the pants were adorable and fit me great, I had my hair thrown into a sloppy pony tail and I was wearing them with a workout shirt and black tennis shoes, the look was not a great one and did not do the capris justice (guess I do not dress for fashion while cycling).

Besides the durability and comfort, another one of my favorite features is the drawstring at the waist.  I  often have a difficult time finding pants/shorts that will both fit my posterior and my waist.  They will either be too snug in the rear or gap really bad at the waist to where I have to do sewing modifications or wear a belt (which I am not a fan of with shorts and capris).  The drawstring allowed me to order a size that was comfortable in the booty and allowed me to cinch up the waist as needed.

They are available in 24 different colors, you can order a different pair to wear almost every day of the month!

**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM Review

ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM Review

Thinking back to the days when I was a new first time mom, I recall how tired I was all the time due to lack of sleep and how forgetful I was because of my lingering pregnancy brain (if you ask my husband, I still have it almost 4 years later but that is another story!).  More than once, I left groceries in the back seat of the car, I have melted ice cream, Popsicles and frozen fruit on my back seat (thank goodness for easy to clean leather seats!).  I have almost driven away, on more occasions than I care to admit, forgetting to buckle the little on in the car seat.  I have left home with out wallet, purse, keys and cell phones countless times because I was busy carrying the diaper bag, baby seat and baby.

Thankfully, one things that I am happy to say I have never done (I might have come close a time or two but remembered at the last second) was forget my baby/child in the car or leave her in there sleeping while I ran into a store.

Only 19 states have laws that specifically address leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, in two of these states it only applies if the child dies.  Utah is the only state that has proposed legislation that would make it a crime to leave a child unattended in a vehicle.  What about the other 31 states? They have no legislation that specifically address leaving a child in an unattended vehicle.

According to a study done by the Department of Geosciences at San Francisco State University about 494 children died of vehicular hyperthermia over a thirteen year period (1998 through 2011). There have been an additional 15 deaths to add thus far for 2012.  The study went on to break down how these deaths occurred and concluded that: 

• • 52% - child "forgotten" by caregiver (253 Children)
  • 30% - child playing in unattended vehicle (150)
  • 17% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult  (86)
  • 1% - circumstances unknown (5)

These numbers are staggering and they do not even include times where the child was found safe or near deaths.

The ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM by Baby Alert International is designed to help parents remember the little ones in the back seat.

The system installs in less than 3 minutes, making it so simple that there is really little reason not to get and use the Smart Clip System.  To use, you replace the safety seat chest clip with the ChildMinder system's smart clip (no it does not compromise the integrity your existing child safety seat) and add the key ring alarm unit onto your key ring. The system will run a test each time it is activated so you know it is working properly and is deactivated upon unfastening the buckle.

The system will remind the parent/caregiver of the child's presence (even when the key ring unit is forgotten) until the smart clip is deactivated.  The key ring will also emit an alarm six seconds after the parent/caregiver has moved more than 15 feet from the child in the child safety seat.

My daughter is a little older now and not easily forgotten in the car, 14% of the above cases were children over the age of 4 (most likely because they had means and ability to get out of their seats and let themselves out of the vehicle), so I did not keep the unit for myself.  I thought the unit would be best used by one of my sisters, one is a little shale we say spacey and the other is  super mom in my book.  She has 4 children (I parley manage one, not sure how she can do four!) all boys, ranging from age 10 down to 5 months.  While she is supermom, even supermom can forget things.  Does pregnancy brain increase exponentially with each pregnancy? If so she is in trouble! LOL just kidding, you know I love you!.

The ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM would be perfect for her, it might be easier to forget one sleeping baby in the back while trying to mange 3 other boys running amok and all the stuff that goes along with 4 kids (diaper bags, backpacks, sports gear, and mass quantities of food to feed the clan)

Personally, I feel that if the ChildMinder® SMART CLIP SYSTEM stops even one senseless child death it should be the #1 product ever created (right in front of the diaper genie, loved that thing!).  I would give it every award for great parenting product out there if they asked me for my vote.


**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

LiceGuard and the Robi Comb

Lice Guard and the Robi Comb

OK, here comes a topic that no one likes to talk about and makes my head itch just to think about. LICE!!!

It is estimated that between 6 and 12 million infestations occur each year among children 3 to 11.

While you might think that summer is just starting that is also the countdown to the start of the school year and the increased exposure to things like head lice.

Last year we had a lice scare at the day care we take our daughter too, one child had attended class for just a few hours but that sent the staff into a frenzy to protect the rest of the children.  Pillows and blankets were washed in scolding water, spare clothes were bagged and children were monitored for outbreaks for weeks.

Luckily all was well and no other children were infected but it got me itching thinking about what we would do in the case of an infestation (it can happen to anyone, even if your house in clean).  

I started researching all the high chemical toxic shampoos, home remedies and various other solutions for the little buggers but one stood out the most.  

The Robi comb by LiceGuard is a chemical and pesticide free electronic lice comb.  It both detects and destroys lice.  Completely non-toxic and chemical free, the Robi Comb is mess free and contains no gels or oils.  It is odor and fragrance free and can be used anywhere and anytime.  When the electronic Robi Comb touches lice, they get zapped, die and are combed out of the hair.

Unlike chemical alternatives, the Robi Comb can be used as often as you like.  It can be stored and used repeatedly by the entire family since there is no risk of cross infestation.

Other Products available from LiceGuard 
SAFE Lice Egg Remover Shampoo: Remove Lice, Eggs & Nits using a Non-Toxic and Pesticide free Shampoo! Just shampoo and then comb out all the Lice, Eggs and Nits using our Egg & Lice Comb. Our special shampoo helps loosen Lice and Eggs grip on your hair and has been proven to TRIPLE the amount of Eggs and Nits removed through combing. 

Restores hair damaged by other Lice products containing toxins or pesticides.

LiceGuard Egg & Lice Combing Kit: Our Egg & Lice Combing Kit is made of only quality materials and is suitable for home or professional use. In fact unlike other flimsy plastic combs, our combs come with a Lifetime Guarantee!  

The Egg & Lice Combing Kit Contains:
1 - Yellow Lice Removal Comb
1 - Blue Egg & Nit Removal Comb
1 - Magnifying Glass / Hair Pick Tool

Head Lice Repellent Spray: Prevent Lice using a Non-Toxic and Pesticide Free Repellent Spray! Just one application will provide all day protection against head lice. The LiceGuard patented formula is made with natural ingredients that repel lice- it is Non Toxic and contains No Pesticides.

LiceGuard Lice Repellent is quick and easy to use and may be sprayed directly into the hair every day. Protects against the transfer of Lice from other children, hats, coats, helmets, etc. as well.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts 

I am glad that I never had to use the Robi Comb, I have never been more thrilled to not have to use a product but I am keeping it in a safe place for future Head Lice scares.  I may use it from time to time just because.  As I sit here typing, I am sure I can feel something crawling on me.  Just the thought of head lice makes me itch all over and the best part is that I can since the Robi comb is reusable.  I love the idea of the Robi Comb, I am all for non-toxic options to kill lice.  I am not a fan of putting toxic chemicals and pesticides on my toddlers head and soaking her scalp in it.  I may purchase and donate some to the daycare facility so hat they can use them for quick checks on kids after potential infestations.  

That is all I can write on this, I have to stop now so that I can stop itching.  I am itching my scalp raw and for no real reason. 

**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 
 

Cate & Levi Change Purses

Cate & Levi Change Purses

 For those of you who have been with me for a while, you know I love Cate & Levi.  They have a wonderful collection of one of a kind, responsibly made, and beautifully designed products for children.

Over the past couple years, my daughter has fallen in love with their hand puppets and their organic clothing.  She long since outgrew her adorable sheep shirt but since it was of such high quality, we were able to pass it along to another child to wear.

The hand puppet is still in her collection of favorite toys,  I have even taken it to work from time to time to guard the candy dish that sits on my desk.  He is a conversation starter and some employees even like to make him ask me if they can have a candy.

New to the Cate & Levi collection this years are adorable change purses and knowing my purse collecting daughter (she gets it from me!) I knew she would love to have one.


About Cate & Levi Change Purses (content from sponsor)
Handmade by our artisans, dog change purses are crafted to meet top quality standards. We use children friendly materials that are free of hazardous elements as well as environmentally responsible. For holding both coins and children's interest, dog change purses can't be beat. Kids take one look at a Cate & Levi change purse and break out in smiles. Soft and pleasant to touch, a dog change purse makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Whether you are interested in a dog change purse or any animal themed change purse, browse through our collection to find one your child will adore.

Over Thirty Mommy's thoughts
As predicted, the Dog change purse was a hit, she thought is was the funniest thing to "feed" him her monies.  She makes chomping sounds every time a coin goes in and when he is "full" he says "Yum Yum Yum". He has taken up residence in her purse collection and is more often than not one of he top selections for which wallet to take with her in her bag of the day.

She loves it for its cuteness and the fun she has with it, I love it for the way it is made.  I adore that Cate & Levi is environmentally responsible and that everything is handmade.  Cate & Levi products are of the highest quality, we have had out hand puppet for over 2 years, he has been chewed on, spilled on and been through the wash countless times and he still looks as new as the day we got him.



**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

For My Children A Mother's Journal of Memories, Wishes, and Wisdom

For My Children 

A Mother's Journal of Memories, Wishes, and Wisdom

Both my mother and my husband's mother are always telling me that I need to keep a journal and write down things about my daughter. I can tell countless stories about her antics and shenanigans, funny things she did or said but when it came down to sharing my thoughts, ideas and who I am as her mom I always drew a blank.

For My Children: A Mother's Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom by Dionna Ford is beautifully designed and illustrated.  Each page contains creative prompts on what to write and helps jump start your memory through fill-in-the-blank lists, questions, and queries.

There are seven distinct sections with over 150 prompts. The sections include:

1. Motherhood
2. Family and Home
3. Children
4. Life Wisdom and Wishes
5. Love and Relationships
6. You In The World
7. On Being You

Questions like,  

What is some of the craziest parenting advise you ever received?
What are your favorite family recipes? 
In what ways are your children like you?
If life had a rewind button, what moments would you want to relive? 

are perfect for getting the creative juices flowing and guiding you towards ideas of what to write that you might not have thought of on your own.  

About the Author

Dionna Ford is a lawyer turned work-at-home mama of her amazing son, Kieran (with #2 on the way in November 2011). You can normally find Dionna over at Code Name: Mama where she shares information, resources, and her thoughts on natural parenting and more. Dionna also co-founded two other websites for parents, the Natural Parents Network and NursingFreedom.org.

Final Thoughts

Overall this is a wonderful book that will help any mother to journal her life for her child.  It has been a great toll for me and I am sure my daughter will love reading all my writings when the time comes.

It makes the perfect gift for mothers and grandmothers. 

Where to purchase

You can purchase this book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

 **Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

Joovy BicycooBMX Balance Bike Review

Joovy BicycooBMX Balance Bike Review

Now that Wiggle is three (and a half, never forget the half!), she has decided that she is too much of a "big girl" to ride on a trike.  She wanted a big girl bike.  After reading all sorts of articles on the benefits of balance bikes over bikes with training wheels, I started my search for the perfect balance bike for her and it lead me to the Joovy BicycooBMX balance bike.

 I was looking for one that had brakes, my little girl is a dare devil and I need every advantage I can get to slow her down a little.  I also needed one that is light weight and durable (she might be slender but she is tough on toys)and I wanted rubber tires not formed plastic.  The Joovy BicycooBMX had all these features and more.

Joovy BicycooBMX Balance Bike
(description provided from Joovy site)
The Joovy BicycooBMX is a durable, well designed balance bike for kids 3 years and above. The frame is made of aluminum so it is strong and lightweight just like high-end bikes. The lightweight frame makes controlling the bike much easier for kids, unlike the heavy wooden and steel versions. The tires are pneumatic (air) and refillable. Many balance bikes on the market use EVA plastic tires which are cheaper and wear out much quicker than these rubber tires used on the Joovy BicycooBMX. The suspension qualities of pneumatic tires give kids a much smoother ride. There is also a hand brake for the rear tire.


When you combine the high quality of the BicycooBMX with Joovy's great customer service, you can't go wrong with this bike. You'll love the look on your kids face when they finally figure out how to balance and ride with no feet touching the ground! The seat is adjustable for a perfect fit for your child.

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts
The Joovy BicycooBMX balance bike was everything that I was looking for and more.  After checking out many balance bike options both online and at brick and mortar stores.  Some were heavy and some were made of wood. Some had plastic tires and some had no brakes.  None of them had all the features that I wanted or felt would be best for my daughter, until I found the BicycooBMX. The Joovy BicycooBMX was lightweight (only 7.25lbs) making it easy for my daughter to maneuver it around.  It has rubber tires like a real bike and they can be refilled with air whenever they are low (unlike formed plastic tires that wear out and have to be replaced). 

It was super easy to assemble, even for me and I can be assembly challenged, taking me only about 5 minutes. My only mistake in picking the BicycooBMX balance bike was that I thought she would love the pink one but her first comment was maybe next time I can can get a blue one.  Silly me, I forgot her favorite color was blue now and not pink.

Having an adjustable seat was important for us because she is tall for her age.  With her being tall, we found that stationary seats were not a good fit for her, the adjustable seat will allow proper fit and it will grow with her. 

The handbrake was also a must for me.  Most balance bikes rely on foot pedal stopping power, the BicycooBMX has a hand brake that is just like those of a full size bike.  It is also a shoe saver!

Over all we love the Joovy BicycooBMX balance bike, it was exactly what we were looking for in a beginner bike (even if it is pink and not blue!) Who knows, next week her favorite color will be green!

Where to Buy
The Joovy BicycooBMX can be purchased at the Joovy online store

**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.** 

Father's Day Gift Guide: Char Crust® Dry-rub Seasoning

Father's Day Gift Guide 

Char Crust® Dry-rub Seasoning

Father's Day is right around the corner and in our house, that is the unofficial opening to the grilling season.  We are always looking for great ways to season and spicy up our BBQ.

Dad will love using Char Crust® dry-rub seasonings on the grill this summer. Char Crust® consists of premium herb blends, spices and other natural ingredients that, when simply rubbed onto the surface of uncooked meat or fish, or sprinkled over raw vegetables, forms a beautiful crust that “Seals In The Juices®” for restaurant quality BBQ.

Available in nine different and bold flavors, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

• Original Hickory Grilled
• Roasted Garlic Peppercorn
• All American BBQ
• Ginger Teriyaki
• Smoky Spicy Southwest
• Amazin' Cajun
• Sun-Dried Tomato & Garlic
• Hickory Molasses
• Roto Roast

 Char Crust® dry-rub seasonings can be used on any meat or fish, even vegetables.

About Char Crust®

Created in 1957 at our family’s legendary Chicago steakhouse. They have added new flavors over the years, but they still make their dry rubs themselves, in small batches with only the best herbs and spices.  Char Crust® dry rub is one of very few certified kosher rubs on the market. 

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts

We tried a few different rubs and they all turned out great.  I am not the grill master in our house but I was even able to cook the chicken without it turning into being as dry as the Sahara.  It was amazing how the Char Crust® dry-rub seasonings sealed in the juices.  It was like an force field around my chicken protecting it from my lack of grilling skills!

**Disclaimer: I received free product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other manner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Other people may have different experiences with the products.**