Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Angela's Amber- Review and Giveaway!

About Angela's Amber-
Most people consider Angela a "crunchy" Momma. She is always happy to find new ways to care for her family in a gentler and safer way. She discovered Baltic amber teething necklaces through a local Smart Mommy group. When her daughter was four months old she bought her first Amber Teething necklace. She was so impressed she decided to start making these herself.


Pictured below is an example of one of Angela's authenticity tests. Genuine Amber floats in salt water, but not in freshwater.























Angela is a longtime crafter, and loves making Amber Teething necklaces.
Each item is hand-made by Angela and held to the strictest quality standards.
"I would not sell to you what I would not accept for my own family."
Angela does custom orders to accommodates any customer big or small. She can add pendants,and any combination of Amber you can imagine. You imagination is the limit.


What I thought-
I received what Angela referred to as the "Basic" necklace, noting that things could be added such as pendants, or different Amber's. I did not think that it was anywhere near "basic". It is beautiful. She has expertly picked each piece to follow the next making the necklace flow like a waterfall. There is a knot between each piece to ensure that if Zoey could somehow get it off there would only be one bead to be concerned about. I also liked that the connecting beads screwed in. This might be the one thing Zoey can't get off.
Now to the nitty gritty: Did it work?
I am all about finding a healthier and more natural way to take care of my family. I was a little skeptical about whether I would see a difference in Zoey. I did notice after Zoey wearing it for an hour or so that she was not having her normal outbursts of crankyness. Cranky still, but tolerable cranky, and not rip my hair out trying to "fix" it cranky. I feel like most moms would do anything to relieve some of the teething pain, and this actually worked! (And all without adding any chemical products)























Up for giveaway-
Angela is going to set up an item on Etsy priced at $0.20 (the smallest price available on Etsy) The winner will be responsible for $0.20 + shipping. You can view the winning item here.

Wild Rose- Review and Giveaway

About Wild Rose-

Ash grew up in a household that was pretty into alternative medicine and healing, so the course of studying herbs came pretty naturally to her. She is a firm believer in self-education so after high school she immersed herself in all kinds of alternative/sustainable skills and crafts. One of the first things she learned was how to identify wild edibles and medicinals. This is when she formed her connection with the Wild Rose. This was the first plant she learned by "intuition."

"I walked past a beautiful Wild Rose bush in full bloom and thought "that HAS to be something useful." Sure enough I stumbled upon the Wild Rose, an invaluable source of Vitamin C, a tasty tea and arguably the most powerful skin regenerative oil available."

Since then she has been a continual student of herbs, aromatherapy and earth skills. She started her first salve business at 19. A year later she became a cartaker on an off-the-grid land project, so the herb business became pretty dormant for a few years.
Ash started Wild Rose Herbs about a year ago after realizing that her personal herbal recipes had become really specific and unlike most any herbal product available today. Wild Rose is a collection of her most treasured recipes. Ash always uses a high proportion (50-100%) of Sweet Almond Oil in her salves and oils to create a smooth, non-greasy skin treatment. She enriches her oils with cold pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, or Borage Seed Oil when appropriate. As an avid student of aromatherapy, all of her products contain therapeutic grade original essential oil blends to treat the senses as well.
Ash uses all of her products herself (even the man stuff, she loves the smell of cedar!). But, her most used product is her Intensive Care Healing Salve.

"I always keep a jar in the bathroom and apply after washing my hands to keep them soft and hydrated."

She also really loves her Total Attunement Mask-

"It feels wonderful and the scent of lavender and grapefruit is probably my favorite blend."

Her most popular product by far as been my Wild Man Beard Conditioner. There's definitely a high demand for man stuff on Etsy, and she has had the most wonderful feedback on this product!
Ash has always been an artist, and she views the herb business as another expression of that. Take one look at her shop and you'll see she has a very wide variety of products. She has a love for anything DIY and sustainable, so she uses a lot of natural materials and hand printing processes. All of her skills are self-taught from books and through trial and error.
I'm the kind of person that needs to create, so Wild Rose is the perfect outlet for me. I'm constantly expanding and am working on rounding out my herbal line so that I can focus more on my screen prints and fiber arts.

























Ash also works as a live-in cargiver for an elderly woman with dementia. The nature of this work is much easier with the help of her partner of 10 years and their big German Shepherd mix. They live in the beautiful Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, and they are currently working towards buying their own land to start a sustainable living project of sorts.

She is working hard to make Wild Rose her main source of income. Locally, she sells bath salts in bulk to an independently owned natural foods store in Ashland, OR. She plans on expanding more in her local market, but both of herjobs keep her days pretty full!

What I thought-
I reviewed Ash's Acne Face Wash, and Moisturizer.
I know a lot of us have "Mommy Skin" as I call it. Before I had Zoey I never had any issues with blemishes or discolorations, but that all changed afterwards. I get blemishes now, and my once rosy cheeks are now a little blotchy. I had tried just about every natural product I could find to remedy this, with no avail.
Before I tried this I had breakouts on my chin, and forehead. The facial wash smells wonderful. After I used the face wash I realized what clean actually felt like. I have been cleaning my face for 25 years without knowing what a clean face felt like! It felt fresh and rejuvenated. I was a little skeptical when it came to the moisturizer. It is a Dry Oil, which I was not familiar with. The first night I used WAY too much and my face felt a bit oily the next morning. When I washed my face again I used just a bit and it was perfect. I have combination skin so I was surprised that it did not leave my face oily in patches (when I used it properly that is). My pillow smells great now, my face smells and feels great. And best- After almost a week of using this combination I have much clearer skin and my blotches are not nearly as noticeable. My skin looks and feels so much healthier! I also love that I will be able to keep up with it, as her prices are very reasonable.

I have finally found something that works for me, and will not cost an arm and a leg!




















You can order from Wild Rose on their Etsy Page, and their Facebook Page.
Up for Giveaway-
(1)Acne Face Wash Soap Cleanser Clay Detox Clear Essentials 2oz
(1)Acne Face Oil Moisturizer Clear Essentials 20ml

Wee Wink Boutique- Review and Giveaway

About Wee Wink Boutique-
Jennifer is the WAHM behind Wee Winks Boutique. She is the Mom to two little girls, 1 and almost 6 years old. She started sewing at 6 years old, and one of her first projects was a doll. This doll became her childhood treasure that she still has. She wanted to teach her girls to sew, and she has started teaching her oldest how to sew by helping her draw a simple pattern to make her own doll.
Doll making became Jennifer's creative outlet. She started Wee Winks about a year ago. The first Wee Wink was a Fairy doll for her younger daughter first Birthday. She began getting request from friends, and from this, Wee Winks Boutique was born.


























My Experience-
Jennifer was a very pleasant person to work with. She responded to all of my emails very quickly, and made it so simple. She was so much fun to talk to, and really wanted to make sure that the doll she made for Zoey was exactly what we wanted.
Zoey was gifted Vivienne. Vivienne is like a little person. I feel bad even calling her a doll. She is very well made with just enough stuffing to make her plush and huggable. She has her own personality with her rosy cheeks and long lashes. She is made only of soft huggable things. Even her button hair band is made of soft cloth. Her body is made out of a soft floral print with a lace top. Every stitch is strategically hidden. She is the perfect shape and size for Zoey. I keep find Zoey hugging her close and rubbing her cheek against Vivienne.























This is a doll that I will be saving for Zoey's children. Stores just don't have things like this!! I will be going back to Jennifer for all of my Doll needs!
You can order a Wee Wink creation from Jennifer's Etsy shop, or her Facebook page.


For Giveaway:
$20 Gift Certificate to Wee Wink Boutique!!


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Pink Bunny Bowtique- Review and giveaway!

A friend of mine is the Momma behind Pink Bunny Bowtique.

Emily is the happy mother to two adorable boys. She loves being able to stay at home with her rugrats, and is looking forward to getting her Bowtique off the ground. She started making bows this year as something girly to do in her house full of boys. She loves making custom orders.

Emily sent two bows for Zoey to try, and they are super cute!! She also sent a hairband to attach the bows too. I had a similar hairband to attach clips to, but this one is far more useful. It has a band to attach the clips to so that the clips do not get stuck in the fabric.

Her bows are made with gentle care and ease. Each bow is treated for fraying, which I have noticed a lot of places do not do. The ends of the bows are just as crisp as the center. Her metal clips are also camouflaged by a correlating color (another thing a lot of places are not doing)

Each of these bows are high quality pieces that Emily has created with a lot of time and care.

























Up for giveaway is this adorable bow!




Saturday, November 5, 2011

Tom's of Maine- Toothpaste Review

I am trying to purchase only natural products lately, and in the process have used several products from Tom's of Maine. I have been impressed with everything I have tried so far. I love the availability and price point. I can get their products at all of my local grocery stores, and they do not change an arm and a leg.

I decided after the birth of my daughter that I wanted to provide the best for her. The best means a lot of things to me.... The best organic foods, the best natural products and medicines. This started a whirlwind of changes in my household that are still in the works. We are never going to be a super organic all natural family (girls gotta have some brownies!) but we sure are going to try.

When I started looking into brands at my local store I began to correlate "natural health/ beauty products" and "expensive" as the same thought. Every single thing I found was $10 for a bar of soap. $8 for a small tube of toothpaste. This is when I discovered Tom's of Maine. It was a brand I had heard a lot about, and it was much more reasonably priced.

Right now I am using their Simply White toothpaste. I love it. First let me start by pointing out that it is clear. What color is your toothpaste?? My previous toothpaste was blue, and after thinking about this it disgusted me how many things were added to make it blue?! It is simple, fresh, and a natural tasting mint. My teeth feel clean all day long without feeling like they have a film of whatever that blue junk is made out of on them.

I have also used the lavender soap which is fabulous!! Its a dreamy scent that is perfect for a bath before bed. The scent is calming and relaxing. Again, this soap doesn't leave a film of yuck.

I am realizing that simple, and natural is better and Tom's of Maine has that all figured out for us. (and at a very reasonable price)

You can find information on Tom's of Maine here.
You can find information on the Simly White toothpaste here.


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Tiny Tillia- Review and Giveaway!

About Tiny Tillia:

Tiny Tillia started with a Mom just like all of us.

“A mother’s love, captured in a unique, imaginative collection of playthings, clothing, bedding and more for mom and her baby girl or boy to enjoy together.”

A little about the founder:
“When founder Tiffany Lerman’s children were small, she wanted only the best for her little ones —  like any mom would.  After searching high and low for everyday items to enrich her babies’ lives she found that nothing was pure, cute or fun enough to fit the bill. Tiny Tillia  (named after Tiffany’s nickname “ TT”, created by her young nieces and nephews when they couldn’t pronounce “Tiffany”) is the product of Tiffany’s quest to provide the best for her babies. Transporting families to a warm, whimsical world of wonder, Tiny Tillia adds fanciful fun to mom and baby’s daily routine with toys, bath and clothing products for baby as well as beauty must-haves and accessories for mom.
Now the Avon Products, Inc. family is proud to expand and grow Tiffany’s original vision, bringing the magical collection to moms and their little ones everywhere.”
 
“Tiny Tillia is my third “baby”!  It warms my heart to think about how I started with a few small bath and body products and now the brand is expanding into new categories such as clothing, bedding and toys that will offer parents fresh, affordable and quality choices for their babies and small children.”  - Tiffany Lerman,  Founder and Mompreneur”

The Tiny Tillia characters:
“The Tiny Tillia family of characters are designed by Tiffany herself -  straight from the heart of a mother, and have found their way into the hearts of families around the world.  Kids gravitate toward the sweet animals and their quirky hobbies, while moms love the cute, wholesome appeal of the characters—and the safe, nourishing benefits of the products.
Every member of the family forges a unique, special connection to the Tiny Tillia gang. Moms can personalize their babies’ Tiny Tillia experience with the exclusive baby registry—a fun and exciting place where moms can dream about the little one on the way and the world she’ll welcome him or her into. “

The Collection:
Ever-expanding, the Tiny Tillia collection includes products in the following categories:
Baby Bath Time: Splash around with a waterproof Bath Book, then get squeaky clean hair with Indy Sheep Berry Sorbet Shampoo. Towel off and get cozy with the Bath Robe with Booties. ($5 - $25)

Mom Pampering: Baby’s not the only one who deserves indulgence—get baby-soft skin with must-haves like Mommy Tillia Body Lotion and Hand Cream. ($5 - $40)

Baby Play Time: From plush toys to bedtime books, Tiny Tillia invites baby and mom into a world of exploration and learning. Encourage baby’s curiosity with the complete lineup of Tiny Tillia toys inspired by the animal gang.  ($12 - $32)

Best-Dressed Baby: Super-soft, ultra-cuddly and cute as can be, Tiny Tillia clothes are made of 100% cotton, and make getting dressed fun. Suit up in sweet sweater, precious playsuit, non-slip socks and soft shell shoes.  ($10 - $24)

Nursery Necessities: Lion cuddle mats, Duncan Dog piggybanks, musical mobiles, oh my! Everything you could want to make baby’s nursery special, and more. Personalize baby’s room with favorite characters in the crib (quilt, crib sheet, crib skirt), on the walls (wall decals), and in the window (valance).  ($15 - $120)

Where to buy:
Available exclusively through Avon Representatives. To locate an Avon Representative
call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit www.tinytilia.com.


My Experience-

Tiny Tillia sent me the 3 piece baby bath gift set. The gift set includes a Citrus Sorbet Shampoo & Body Wash (8 fl. oz.), Berry Sorbet Calming Moisturizing Lotion (8 fl. oz.)and Diaper Rash Cream (3.4 fl. oz.). We have used them for almost a week now, and I can say I will definitely be buying more.

I was never a fan of the idea of a body wash/ shampoo combo, but for reviewing purposes decided to use the Citrus Sorbet Shampoo and Body wash as intended, and I LOVE it! It smells heavenly!! I love that it is not oily like a lot of other baby washes on the market. It is fresh, clean smelling, and not at all harsh. I also love how long lasting the scent is. It lasts until her next bath!

I also used the Berry Sorbet Calming Moisturizing lotion to replace my “Babysage” (as we call it here) lotion. Zoey liked the smell, and again, I love that this is not oily. Our last lotion smelled nice, but left Zoey slippery for a while afterwards.

Zoey was on the tail end of some bad diaper rash when we received this package. Zoey is cloth diapered so I added a layer of fleece between diaper and bum and slathered her up. To my surprise her bum was free of ALL diaper rash when I changed her diaper the next time. I had spent days trying to relieve her bum, and this took the redness away in one hour. The only thing I would change about the diaper cream is that it was scented, and that it was cloth diaper friendly. That being said, I will be investing in some more fleece liners for future diaper rash.


This would be a great gift, and a must have for every baby's bathroom.

Also, this set is Dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and suitable for sensitive skin. Zoey has very sensitive skin, and had no problems at all!


























You can order Tiny Tillia Products here.

For Giveaway:
One lucky winner will win a Baby Gift Set found here.