2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Zuvo 150 Water Filtration System Review & Giveaway

I love to drink water but hate the tap water in our city.  It has a heavy chlorine taste and smell that I can not stand.  I have to rinse all my drinking glasses after they go through the dishwasher so that they do not have the residual taste.  For this reason we have always had some type of water filtration system in our kitchen.  We started with the faucet mount type but when we remodeled it would not work with the faucet I picked out and I was tired of buying the filters.

About Zuvo Water
Zuvo™ Water LLC is a global innovator of chemical-free water treatment products. Our product
portfolio of unique consumer and industrial water treatment systems is based on a patented
technology platform that reproduces the photo-oxidation process naturally occurring in the
environment. Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Zuvo Water LLC works with global partners
— from government entities to multi-national corporations — to introduce exciting new
technologies and products to the water marketplace.

About Zuvo 150 Water Filtration System

• Easily installed above counter to a standard (threaded) faucet or under-counter connected directly to a Zuvo Beverage Faucet
• Uses 8w UV bulb; requires less energy than a toaster
• ½ gallon-per-minute flow rate
• Filter life of 400 gallons
• Retails at $149.99

 What It Does
Zuvo’s UV/Ozone filtration system reproduces nature’s photo-oxidation cleansing process, filtering impurities and reduces microorganisms, while preserving your water’s natural and healthy mineral content and adding fresh oxygen, giving it a delicious “pop”.  It’s this “something extra” that makes users choose Zuvo over ordinary tap or bottled water every time! 

Why Zuvo?  More Fun Facts

Better for your Health

Unlimited clean water… a godsend for people who live in “bad water areas” or are forced to drink well water.  And see what Mother Nature Network says about us!

Better for your Wallet

Because Zuvo produces unlimited clean water, you get healthy water for only $.06/gallon versus $.20/gallon for pitcher water and over $1.00/gallon for bottled water.

Better for the Planet

With Zuvo, you can make a difference by not adding to the more than 60 million plastic water bottles that end up in our landfills every year. 

Zuvo is telegenic and visually fascinating to watch; once it's plugged in, you see the water bubbling in a blue UV light and getting cleaner before your very eyes. 

Why Zuvo?

Better for your Health

Unlimited clean water… a godsend for people who live in “bad water areas” or are forced to drink well water.  And see what Mother Nature Network says about us!

Better for your Wallet

Because Zuvo produces unlimited clean water, you get healthy water for only $.06/gallon versus $.20/gallon for pitcher water and over $1.00/gallon for bottled water.

Better for the Planet

With Zuvo, you can make a difference by not adding to the more than 60 million plastic water bottles that end up in our landfills every year.  

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts

My husband claimed dibbs on the Zuvo the minute it arrived on the doorstep.  He swiped it and put it in his bathroom.  Since i have a filter system in my kitchen, I did not fight him on it.   Since he laid claim to it, I made him hook it up.  I would have tried hooking it up if I know it would be that easy, it took him less than 5 minutes.  We all gathered around the Zuvo 150 water filtration system to watch it start (I heard it was pretty cool when first started).  It was so fun to watch it, the water swirls around the blue light until it is full and then you run it for a few minuted to prime the system.  The water tastes great, there is no chlorine taste.  It tastes clean and fresh.  It tastes like, well, nothing and it is amazing.  Now I wish I had fought a little harder to have it in my bathroom.  I sneak in to his bathroom when he has left for work to use it to brush my teeth, they feel so squeaky clean (and the light is so fun to watch!)

Where To Buy

Zuvo water filtration systems can be purchased at Zuvowater.com, Amazon.com, and other online shops.  It can also be purchased at local Ferguson shops.

Giving Back

Zuvo is donating ALL profits from the sale of their water bottles to Hippo Roller, a program bringing portable water to rural villagers.

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win a Zuvo 150 Water Filtration System.
 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Zuvo and tell your favorite feature.

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Zuvo Water on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Zuvo Water (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  

 

** Zuvo has requested that I ask that the winner not try to sell the unit, they have no problem with you giving it away as a gift it or make a donation with it. **

Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received Zuvo 150 Water filtration system for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: MoBeam Numi Key Review and Giveaway

If you looked in my wallet last month, you would think that belong to every rewards club that there is, and you might possibly be right.  I had to have a special wallet in my purse just to keep all the store rewards cards together and it was a nightmare to find the card I needed when I was at a particular store.

When given the opportunity to review the MoBeam Numi Key, I was excited.  Finally a way to organize all your rewards cards and not have to carry them all.

It was so easy to load all my cards onto the Numi Key.  I carried both the Numi Key and my stack of cards for the first week, just to make sure that it worked.  After the first week, I left all my cards at home and just slipped the Numi Key into my purse, you can also hook it to your key chain.

How to use:
It is simple to load your cards onto your Numi Key, you just attach your key to your computer and start entering the information.  To use the card at the store, at checkout, you ‘beam’ your number into any laser scanner, eliminating the need for barcodes on paper or plastic.

What's Coming:
Right now, the Numi Key just (like that is not the best thing ever!) stores your store loyalty cards but they are working on being able to add coupons and gift cards to the key.

Where to Buy:
The MoBeam Numi Key can be purchased from Amazon.com for only $19.95

WIN IT! 
FIVE Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win their very own MoBeam Numi Key

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit MoBeam Numi Key and tell me something you learned

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Numi Key (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile. 


Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a Numi Key for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Shenzhen Knives Review and Giveaway

While I am no cook, any one in my family can attest to that, I do love to have lots of gadgets around my kitchen.  I have always wanted quality knives but never knew which brand would be the best investment.

Shenzhen Knives is the leading online retailer of ceramic knives and ceramic knife sets.  Shenzhen knives are a great compliment to your steel knives and are best used for precision slicing. 

About the product: 
Shenzhen Ceramic Knives can be used by anyone for most slicing and cutting needs. These ceramic knives are made of an advanced ceramic called zirconia, the second hardest material known to man next to diamond. The material's properties make it particularly resistant to wear and tear, which means that a ceramic blade can hold its edge much longer than a steel blade without the need for re-sharpening.

Ceramic Advantage: 
Ceramic knife blades are made from zirconium oxide which undergoes high-pressure molding before being fired. For this reason, Shenzhen ceramic knives:
1. Stay sharper longer: they are harder than steel and will hold an edge longer than a steel blade.
2. Will not rust and are easy to clean: resistant to acids, germs and oils.
3. Will not affect the taste of or brown food
4. Lightweight: easy and comfortable to use for precision slicing

Over Thirty Mommy's Thoughts: 
I received the 6” ceramic Chef’s knife and have found it to be easy to use and of high quality.  I have used it for slicing tomatoes, fruit and many other items.  For tomatoes, I found it to be wonderful, it did not squish the tomato like some knives do when trying to slice it.  When slicing apples, I found that the apples do not brown nearly as much as steel knives.  My daughter has a thing about brown apples (she will eat them but only after some convincing), she thinks they are dirty, so this was a great plus in my book.  While it is a little inconvenient that I can not toss the Shenzhen ceramic knife into my dishwasher, it is easy and fast to clean so it is always ready for use when I need it.  I worry about chipping it so I do not keep it with my other kitchen gadgets, I keep it in the box that it was shipped to me in.

Over all, I really like the knife and find it to a wonderful addition to my kitchen.

Where to Buy:
Shenzhen knives can be purchased directly from their online store and from Amazon.com

Discount: 

Right now, you can get a free ceramic peeler, use code FREEPEEL3, when you purchase a 6" Chef's knife from Shenzhen Knives.

WIN IT! 
One Over Thirty Mommy Reader will win a 6" Shenzhen ceramic Chef's Knife

 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Shenzhen Knives and tell me what product is at the top of your wish list.

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
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• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
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• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Shenzhen Knives (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile. 


Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a 6"Chef's knife for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Cate & Levi Organic Clothing

This past March I had the pleasure of being introduced to Cate & Levi.  My daughter received and I reviewed one of their fabulous hand puppets. She absolutely loved it then and still loves it today.  She now thinks that anything the goes over your hand is a puppet, oven mitts are puppets and gloves are puppets.

I was thrilled when found out they were starting a new line of 100% organic cotton clothing.  I recently read an article about The Benefits of Organic Cotton, it was shocking to say the least.  Did you know that standard cotton uses 25% of all insecticides and 10% of all pesticides.

Since the beginning, I fed my daughter organic produce, milk and many more of the foods she eats.  I am careful what cosmetic products I use, what soaps I use on her delicate baby skin and what type of laundry detergent we use on her clothing but I never put all that much thought into her clothing. 


Now that I know that the average conventional cotton t-shirt uses almost half a pound of toxic chemicals in its production I will be looking for more organic clothing to add to her wardrobe.  Not only is it better for you, but organic cotton lasts longer, standard cotton material lasts 10-20 washes and organic cotton material lasts for 100 washes before it starts to break down.

About Cate & Levi
The Cate & Levi Collection is designed and handmade at the Cate & Levi studio in Toronto, Canada.  Items are made from reclaimed wool, specially selected for its colors and textures, so every item is one of a kind.  Josh, the owner of Cate & Levi, believes that it is important to give back, ten percent of profits are donated to fund that help children in need.

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a sample from the new Cate & Levi Organic clothing line and chose to share my opinion with you .  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Brodie and the Yeti

My daughter loves reading books.  We have stacks of books all over the house for whenever the reading mood strikes her.  We read for fun, we read when she is going potty, and we always read before bed time.  Since we read so much, I am always on the look out for new books.

Lately she has been all about books with dogs in them.  When Dennis Komick, author of Brodie & The Yeti, contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing his books and I couldn't say yes fast enough.

There are currently two books in the Brodie & The Yeti series.  Each is a true story of the adventures of Brodie and The Yeti (Mr. K and Lady K's puppies).  Mr. Komick is currently in the process of designing a line of children's toys based on the tow adorable dogs.

My daughter loves opening packages that arrive in the mail (they are usually full of fun things for us to play with) so when we opened the package containing the Brodie & The Yeti books, she was so excited.  I put the books in her room to read that evening but had to get them out early because she kept bringing them out to me and exclaiming "Puppies".  We sat down and read the first book, a great story that teaches kids about
adoption and friendship.  She loved book one but book two, The Yeti Saves Coco Bunny, stole her heart.  She is in love with Coco Bunny and every time we read the book, she has to give Coco Bunny and both puppies a kiss (it is really adorable).

Mr. Komick was kind enough to autograph and pawtograph the two books for my daughter. she loved the little paw prints in the books.

Giving Back:
A portion of proceeds from the sales of Brodie and The Yeti products is donated to various animal rescue groups and animal adoption agencies

Discount:
Now through Christmas, you can get free shipping when you purchase both books.
Where To Buy
Both Brodie & The Yeti books can be purchased at various retailers in California, see site for locations. You can also purchase directly from the site.

When you purchase from the site, you can get your books autographed by Mr. Komick and pawtographed by Brodie and The Yeti.

WIN IT! 
Two Over Thirty Mommy Readers will win their own copies of both Brodie and The Yeti and The Yeti Saves Coco Bunny.
 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Brodie & The Yeti and tell which picture in the gallery is your favorite (we love the one where The Yeti and Coco Bunny are rubbing noses)

Extra Entries:
You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries.

• Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry)
• Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each)
• Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily)
• Like Brodie & The Yeti on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Brodie and The Yeti (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!) 
• Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)

 Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!

 
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile. 


Giveaway ends midnight PST on December 12th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received copies of Brodie & The Yeti and The Yeti Saves Coco Bunny for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Backyard Safari Outfitters

My daughter loves to wear pink, got her first purse when she was 11 months old and loves to go shopping.  As much as she loves all these girlie things, she is also very much a tom-boy.  She loves to play in the dirt, throw rocks and chase bugs around in the grass.  The bug chasing is pretty cute, she tries to catch them while saying "I'm gonna get you".

Backyard Safari Outfitters will outfit your little one for all their outdoor adventures.  Their year-round field gear is rugged, fully functional, and made for the field. Perfect for backyards, parks, campgrounds, beaches and lakes.

My daughter gets a kick out of hiding behind the pony wall that separates the entry from the living room, looking through her Land and Water Mega View Periscope and trying to find me or see what was on TV.   It was a little big for her to hold on her own (she is not quite 2 yet) so daddy had to help out but she still had a blast. The Land and Water Mega View Periscope consists of  three sturdy, light-weight sections that telescope for a reach of over four feet high.  You can also Flip the Mega View Periscope upside down and it becomes submersible, up to 16 inches, for under-water viewing.

She also really enjoyed the Field Binoculars.  She ran around the house looking at everything.  She thought it was funny to look through them backwards and make things small.  Nature is up close and in sharp detail with these 5x30 optics.   They are adjustable, rugged and waterproof.

Another one of her favorite items from the Backyard Safari Outfitters is her Cargo Vest.  I am sure all outdoor adventurists need to pack their pink cell phones along with them, don't they?  She packs that vest full of anything she can fit in the pockets.  The Cargo Vest is covered with pockets, six D-Rings and two shoulder epaulets.  The large pocket is big enough for your binoculars and the clear chest pocket is a perfect fit for the Pop-Up Field Guide.

I was able to sneak up on her while she was intently studying her field guide.  Maybe she was trying to identify a bug she found in the house.

A field guide comes with many of the products and is included with the Adventurer Kit.  The Adventurer Kit is filled with field essentials.  It includes a water tight case, retractable carabiner clip, mini lantern and the Pop-Up field guide.

So far we have not been able to take out Backyard Safari Outfitters gear outside to play with it, due to weather, but I am looking forward to next spring when she can start chasing bugs outside.  I may have to get her the Bug Wrangler's Extreme Suction Bug Vacuum (so she will not pick up bugs with her fingers).

It should be noted that most of the items we reviewed are for ages 5 & Up, but with proper supervision, our almost two year old loves it and has a great time playing with it.

Where to buy:
Backyard Safari Outfitter gear can be purchased from Summit Toy Shop


You can also follow Backyard Safari Outfitters on Facebook and Twitter

 

Happy Veteran's Day To My Brother

A special thank you to my big brother and all military personnel, with out you we wouldn't have the freedoms we do today.

Deployment Ceremony

You just deployed last week but it seems like you have been gone so long.  I know how hard it was for you to leave all your family, especially your wife and children, but your strength and dedication to our country will not go unnoticed.

If I can muster up half the strength that you have, I will be able to help the rest of the family cope with your absence.

Wiggle Bean laughing with her uncle at his deployment ceremony

We all love you and are counting down the days until you can come home and be with your family.

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

Misikko Review and Giveaway

I have never been one to bother mush with my hair.  I was in many sports growing up that required my hair to be our of my way.  I found that just putting it up in a pony tail was fast and easy (and I could sleep longer since I did not have to deal with styling it!), no fuss no muss was my hair motto.

I have what I would categorize as frizzy hair.  It is not straight and not curly, it is in between so it just looks frizzy all the time and it is coarse.  I wish it were straight and soft but I guess it was not meant to be so I just dealt with it and ponied it out of sight.

Last year my friend Jen wanted to experiment on my hair so she brought an old straight Iron into the office.  During our break she showed me how to straighten my hair.  It was amazing how simple she made it look and how great my hair looked straight.

My friend let me keep her old straightener to use (she bought herself a super nice one and didn't need her old one anymore).  I tried it a few time but it took me forever and I noticed that my hair was still not soft and lacked luster.  I would love to upgrade my straightener to one of the CHI straighteners or one of the Croc Flat Irons since my loaner tends to pull my hair.

Two days ago I thought I would give the CHI Silk Infusion a try to see if it would soften my coarse hair.  I put a little into my hand and smoothed it through my hair and was very impressed with how well it worked.  It made my hair soft and did not leave it feeling greasy.

I like to (now that I am a little faster at it!) straighten my hair for special occasions and since I was going on a job interview I wanted to do more than just put my hair in a ponytail.  I wanted it to look nice so I used a little of the CHI Silk Infusion and added some Hana Shine Shield before I straightened it.  I was amazed by the result.  My hair was shiny, straight and soft.  My hair is so soft, I am having a hard time keeping my ponytails in place (not complaining, I LOVE IT!!).

About the products: 


CHI Silk Infusion
CHI Silk Infusion™ - Reconstructing Complex is specially formulated for thermal styling and hair repair. CHI Silk Infusion contains no alcohol, so it won't dry your hair out as a leave in treatment - and it'll leave your hair with the head-turning, lustrous shine of pure silk.

Farouk CHI Silk Infusion Features:

• Leave in, alcohol free reconstructing treatment
• Enriched with pure natural silk, wheat and soy proteins
• For soft manageable hair with incredible shine and no build up
• Protects the hair against thermal styling and environment

HANA Shine Shield Thermal Protectant  Hana Shine Shield is the latest product in a line committed to safe, effective heat styling. Shine Shield is a thermal serum that can be used as a leave-in conditioner - lightweight and never greasy, it protects and strengthens hair whether you use it with a flat iron, hair dryer or alone. Shine Shield contains the natural magic of Jojoba oil for its superb qualities of deep moisturization, fast absorption into hair follicles and scalp, and unparalleled shimmer & shine. 2 oz. Hana Shine Shield Features: Lightweight leave-in conditioning therapy Designed to protect and restore both hair and scalp from environmental and styling stress Jojoba absorbs quickly without a greasy feel for thorough deep conditioning Jojoba naturally dissolves soil, removing build-up from other styling products to leave hair clean & supple Jojoba naturally excels at thickening keratin layers, bringing out your hair's natural color overtones, highlights and brilliance Periodic use over time is proven to advance the quality of your hair & the health of your scalp WIN IT!  One Over Thirty Mommy Reader will win  CHI Silk Infusion (2 oz) and  HANA Shine Shield Thermal Protectant (2 oz).   How to Enter: Mandatory Visit Misikko and tell me what product is at the top of your wish list. Extra Entries: You must complete the mandatory entry before doing any extra entries. Follow Over Thirty Mommy publicly (join followers on right-hand sidebar) (1 entry) Subscribe to Over Thirty Mommy via Reader or email. (1 entry each) Join Misikko’s newsletter Follow Misikko on Twitter (1 entry) Follow Over Thirty Mommy on twitter and tweet about this review/giveaway. (1 entry daily). Like Misikko on Facebook (1 entry) Interact with Misikko’s Facebook – Comment on a post or picture, or write on our wall ( please leave relevant comment, not  “extra entry for ___ blog’s giveaway” or “XYZ Blog sent me!) (1 entry) Like Over Thirty Mommy  on Facebook (1 entry) Blog about the giveaway on your site and link back to Over Thirty Mommy and Misikko (leave a link to your post in comment) (5 entries!!!)  Grab my Blog Button (2 entries)  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Good luck!   Limitations: This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian Residents 18+ only. Please have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile.  *Please note that giveaway winners are limited one product per household per calendar year* Giveaway ends midnight PST on November 27th **Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received Hana Shine Shield and CHI Silk Infusion for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**

Wordless Wednesday: Kisses

For more Wordless Wednesday visit 5 Minutes 4 Mom, Here and There, Go Graham Go, Miller Racing Family, and Hobo Mama’s WW Linky List!

Britax Carseat Recall

Infant Car Seats Recalled by Britax Due to Laceration and Choking Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Chaperone Infant car seats

Units: About 23,000

Importer: Britax Child Safety Inc., of Charlotte, N.C.

Hazard: The harness chest clip can break and pose a laceration hazard. Due to its small size it also poses a choking hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received four reports of the chest clip breaking. Injuries from three reports included minor lacerations and scratches to arms and a finger; and one report involved an infant placing the clip in his mouth.

Description: This recall involves Chaperone infant car seats with model numbers E9L95P2 (Red Mill), E9L95P3, E9L95P5 (Cowmooflage), E9L69N9 (Moonstone) manufactured between April 2009 and May 2010. The white serial label with the seat’s serial number, model number, and manufacture date can be found on the underside of the car seat.

Sold at: Mass and independent retailers nationwide and on the Britax website from June 2009 to October 2010 for about $230.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Britax for a free repair kit, which includes a replacement chest clip. Registered owners have been directly contacted by Britax. This product was also recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall Notice: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/results.cfm?rcl_id=10C006000&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true&refurl=rss

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Britax at (888) 427-4829 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.britax.com

Hats Off to All Stay At Home Moms

I have to admit that before I had my daughter, I never put much thought into how hard stay-at-home moms worked or how much there really was to do.  I thought that it was all fun playing and lots of down time while they napped or played with their friends.

When I found out I was losing my job in July, I decided to take the summer off and spend it with my daughter I thought how hard can it be to play stay at home mom for a couple months, I will have tons of time to catch up on my blogging and do projects around the house that I have been wanting to do for years now.

Little did I know that being a stay at home mom is REALLY hard.  Maybe it will get easier as I figure out how to balance my time but YIKES.  Some days it is so stressful (she is really good at trying my limited patience) that I want to go get a job right then, any job will do.  But then other times, I couldn't imaging going back to work and wish I could be home all the time with her. 

I  love being home with my little girl but I know that me not working is taking a toll on my family's finances so I will need to get a job but  I am having a hard time coping with leaving her.  I am also having a hard time with not working, I have been working since I was 16 and it is difficult for me to depend on my husband to bring in the money we need.  Not that he can not do it, I just do not deal well with not feeling independent and pulling my weight in the relationship.

Since I am so terrible at the housework and can barley cook, I can not classify myself as a stay at home mom, I am simply unemployed person who spends the day with her daughter.

I have so much more respect and understanding for Stay and Home Moms and want to tell you, you are not paid enough for all you do!

Fresh Produce Clothing Review and Giveaway

Fresh Produce Clothing is a women's retailer with 38 stores nationwide. It is also sold in over 400 specialty retailers nationwide, including Nordstroms. The Fresh Produce concept  is to bring the emotions, the colors, the sensations, the leisure of beach life to everyday life through fashion.  Fresh Produce clothing is made for moms who want comfort but don't want to compromise color and style.

Now that I am a Stay at home mom and not wearing my business clothing every day, I was on the look out for more relaxed clothing that would be comfortable to run around in with my daughter.  Fresh Produce Clothing fit that need perfectly, not only are they great for the beach, they are perfect for everyday wear. 

 I was happy to have the opportunity to review their clothing.  Fresh Produce clothing put together a fantastic outfit for me to review.  It consisted of the Travel Cardigan -in natural, the Layering Tank in white, and the Stretch Broadcloth Safari Roll Up Pant in semisweet.

I do not normally post photos of myself on my blog for reviews but I wanted to show you how cute the outfit was.  This outfit would be perfect for everyday wear, resort wear (if I ever get back to my favorite resort) and traveling.  I love layering while traveling because you can keep warm in the morning and layer down for the afternoon and when you arrive at your destination.  The Stretch Broadcloth Safari Roll Up pants are perfect for year round wear.  You can wear them long in the fall and winter and roll them up in the spring and summer.

* Disclaimer, I am no model and I hate being in front of the camera (I am always the one taking the photos!)*


 The new Fall Fashions form Fresh Produce look so comfortable and look perfect for the transition of the season.  One of my favorites from the new line is the Villa Thermal Tunic. 

WIN IT!
I was sent an Extra Large pair of the Stretch Broadcloth Safari Roll Up Pant in semisweet by mistake. Fresh Produce is generously allowing me to offer them as a giveaway to one of my readers.  *Please note that only size XL in Semisweet is available for the giveaway*
 

How to Enter: Mandatory

Visit Fresh Produce Clothing and tell me what your favorite piece of clothing is.

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This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address in your comment or on your blogger profile and be age 18 years or older. 
Winner will be chosen via a Random Drawing.  Winners that I am unable to contact or one who does not claim their prize within 72 hours of being sent their winning email notification will forfeit their prize.

Giveaway ends midnight PST on November 14th

**Disclaimer: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting.   I received a the outfit pictured above for the purpose of the review  This is solely the opinion of Over Thirty Mommy. Other people may have different experiences with the.**  

Finding the Right Pair of Eyeglasses

I haven't always worn glasses, I have only been wearing them for the six or seven years.   That doesn't mean that I did not need to be wearing glasses it means that I was to self conscious about looking dumb in glasses to admit to anyone that I needed them or to ask my parents for them.

I knew that I needed glasses, I was having trouble in high school seeing the blackboard or projections, I could not read street signs (not that I drove yet) unless I was right up on them.  Basically, I could not see anything that was any distance from me.

To get away with not having to get glasses, I would sit closer to the front of the classroom so that I could see the chalkboard better and I would squint at street signs to make them clearer.  If you are asking yourself how I made it through the annual eye exams that my mom made us go to, I CHEATED!  I achieved this by memorizing the chart while the doctor was out of the room.  By doing this, I was able to pass the exam with flying colors and not have to get eyeglasses.  

After years of my husband bugging me to do something about my vision,  I finally gave in and admitted that I needed prescription glasses.  When we go to the eye doctor, he lectured me about not cheating on the exam and to be honest with the doctor.  For the first time I took the exam with out memorizing the letters beforehand (they really should give a different set of letters for each eye so that you do not just repeat them).  Sure enough, the doctor said I needed glasses to see distance.

I spent the next hour walking around the store trying on hundreds of pairs of glasses, critiquing each one and not liking any of them, I finally settled on a pair and ordered them.

I think the next time I am ready for a new pair, I will shop for glasses online.  GlassesUSA.com even has a Virtual Mirror program to find just the right pair of glasses to suit the shape of your face and if for some reason you do not like the pair you pick, they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

October was breast cancer awareness month and nearly every employee at GlassesUSA.com has been affected by cancer in some way, shape or form.  For the next couple months, GlassesUSA.com will be donating $1 from every sale of eyeglasses to a breast cancer organization. 

In addition to donating $1 from each sale, we're also offering a discount of 15% to our customers when they use the code: CancerAwareness

Be sure to "LIKE" GlassesUSA.com on Facebook to find out about sales and promotions, as well as great new styles!