Fracture Me Review and Giveaway

     These days people don't take pictures and print them out as much as we used to.  We now have digital
cameras and programs like photobucket or facebook to share everything digitally.  Plus, it doesn't cost
money to take a picture with your digital camera and to save it on your computer.  We keep up with each other my checking out the pictures and status of our friends online.

     As much as it is nice to not have to sift through boxes of photos or to even not worry about my photos being damaged over time, honestly I just hate this new process.  I feel like the memories aren't as personal anymore.  Even with the benefits of the web we have some how lost the personalization of taking family photos each year.  I barely even take my kids for their monthly/yearly photos because I know I can spend way less taking them on my own with my digital camera.  I also cannot stand spending money on tons of frames and half the time they don't all match!

     Who likes to spend a ton though on professional quality prints, canvas's or frames?!  Not me.  Fracture is a wonderful company that takes your photos and creates a beautiful picture to last forever.  "A Fracture is the new way to print and frame your personal digital photos."  Your image is completely printed on glass.  There are no sharp edges to worry about, no framing to go out and purchase, and no mounting to worry about.  Each Fracture comes complete with everything you need to display your beautiful photos!  These are also shatter proof AND lifetime guaranteed against fading or breakage.  There is no need to crop your photos either since there are three shapes available - portrait, landscape, and square.  I love how clear and crisp my Fracture is.  You can be sure this will be the first of many in my household!

Cost:  Sizes measured diagonally. 
8" - $8           10" - $12
12" - $15        14" - $25
18" - $35       Custom available as well
Available to purchase: Fracture Me
Recommendation:  Super cool for any style home!  With the low price and guarantee you can't really go wrong with these.  These would make a great gift as well for anyone!
Don't forget to check them out on Facebook

RockBoard Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Tommy for being chosen as the winner of the Rockboard Giveaway!  Thank you everyone for participating!!!


I have several low entry GREAT giveaways going on right now.  Here are the direct links for more info.  There are more coming next week as well!!

Tommee Tippee (ends 9/10) Rafflecopter-
My Glow Keys (ends 9/8) Rafflecopter-
Green Time Creations (ends 9/7) Rafflecopter-
Shed Monster (ends 9/7) Rafflecopter-
Joster Coasters (ends 9/6) Rafflecopter-
Joster Cupcake Vase (ends 9/6) Rafflecopter-
Costume Squad (ends 9/5) Rafflecopter-
Simply Put Organizing (ends 9/5) Rafflecopter-
Crazy Dog Tshirts (ends 9/4) Rafflecopter-
Nacho Mama Tees (ends 9/1) Rafflecopter-

Tommee Tippee Explora Truely Spill Proof Sippy Cup Review/Giveaway

      If you've had children or have young ones now you know how important it is to have the correct utensils as they grow.  Part of that is having the correct bottles and sippy cups for the right stages of your children.  We all know we are supposed to start losing the bottles and pacifiers around a year (of course that is a very vague time frame and can vary child to child).  As I am making the switch over with Declan to sippy cups I am struggling quite a bit because he wants to use his big brothers cups.  Danes are not spill proof and have straws (they are cheap ones from Walmart).  Declan is into everything, he loves to throw what he comes across that he doesn't want, which in turn equals lots of messes!  I have been trying to find something that is totally spill proof and that looks like a big kid cup at the same time.

     Tommee Tippee has the Explora line which is supposed to be "Truely Spill Proof" that I thought we could give a try.  The bottles are bigger and almost look like a reusable water bottle that we would purchase for Dane or even Alana (our 13 year old).  These have something called the advance-flo™ valve technology designed by a physicist. The Explora should require almost no force to drink from and still remains spill- and leak-proof.  The sippy cups are BPA and phthalate free and are also dishwasher safe as well.

     To be honest, I didn't really believe the claims made by Tommee Tippee and other manufacturers!  I swear every time I think I've found a cup, its either impossible for the kids to suck with so much force or its spill proof until it sits the right way on my carpet.  Next thing I know I have little leak puddles on the bed, couch, or floor because the cup tilted and touched something at the right angle.  But I have to say I have yet to experience this result at all.  I have let Declan shake his cup upside down (because of course he loves to do this while making a mess) and seen no drips.  He has thrown it on the floor and couch as usual and there have been no wet spots from it leaking over the last hour! 

     These cups are also amazing in a way that there is virtually no effort needed to remove the liquid from the cup when trying to drink.  I had everyone in my household (yes Kevin too) trying to spill from these as well as drinking out of them just so I could show how great these cups were!!  The only one I couldn't get a picture of drinking out of the cup was Declan who the cups were for - that darn child won't sit still long enough!!

 

Cost:  2 Pack Set Stage 2 Explora Sippy Cup $7.99
Available to purchase: Tommee Tippee can be purchased at Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us stores and Online

Recommendation:  If you couldn't tell from above, I think everyone should have a set of these in your home even if you don't have children.  Ha Ha there is always a need at one point and time for a spill proof cup!

Check Tommee Tippee out on Facebook too for more info and updates!

Tommee Tippee also just recently launched a brand new web application: the innovative free digital storybook The Day Baby Was Born™, a simple way to capture moments of pregnancy and the birth day through the gathering of Facebook posts, a selection of birthday news and facts and the collection precious memories through a pregnancy journal.

 

Tommee Tippee has graciously decided to giveaway one of their Newborn Starter Kits valued up to $45!!!

Send A Ball Review and Discount

     Ok now I am sure this is going to be one of those short reviews but not because this is a waste of time product.  This has to be one of the most unique packages I have ever received in the mail!  These are greeting cards and toys all in one.  Dane is obsessed with balls!  I never imagined I would be buying as many as I do (thankfully they aren't too expensive). 

     Send A Ball has six bouncy balls with a set greeting on them such as Happy Birthday or Get Well Wishes.  There is one style which says "Have a Ball" and underneath you can put whatever message or wording you choose.  And of course there is a blank ball which you can either send as is or add something to be written in permanent marker.  Any ball you choose these are sure to be a surprise for anyone receiving it.  Luckily this fit in my special mailbox otherwise I'm sure it would have had to go in the door.  The balls come in a variety of colors such as pink, blue, red, green, silver, yellow, and orange. 

     Dane keeps asking me if we are going to get another ball from the mail man each day...really?!  Now I'm going to have to get another one!

Cost:  $16.00 plus shipping ($4-$8)
Available to purchase: Send A Ball

Recommendation:  Yes, get one for yourself and for someone else.  They will think it is super cool!!

**Send A Ball is offering a great discount to A Lucky Ladybug's reader.  Enter the code BLOG for $2 off at checkout.

My Glow Keys Review and Giveaway

     Becoming a Blogger recently has introduced a whole new world I never knew existed.  Being a blogger
is a fantastic job/hobby in my eyes!  But it is not without its negatives.  I tend to spend tons of time on
the computer.  Most of that time is during the evening hours once my husband is home to help with the
children.  Not only is it starting to get dark earlier but we start turning off lights or dimming them
around 7-8 pm to start getting the boys ready for bed (even though you and I know my kids don't ever
sleep).  Because of this I spend quite a bit of time typing in low lighting or in the dark.  Ummm, can you
say terrible for your eyes?!  My eye sight is bad enough as it is I really don't want to make it any worse
but this is my only time to get some good work done for everyone!

     My Glow Keys  are a pretty cool creation to help with these issues.  They are stickers that you put
onto your keyboard to help it glow.  My Glow Keys  uses reflective technology to use the light from the
key board to glow almost similar to a glow in the dark sticker.  These labels should last up to ten years

with average wear and tear.

     I had to give these a try especially since they are supposed to be fairly easy to remove (if for some

reason I absolutely hated them).  These are great!  My only complaint is they were not extremely easy to

apply.  You needed to be accurate or you were trying to remove and replace a couple times since the

keyboard keys are pretty small.

Cost:  My Glow Keys Set $14.95 or for two sets $19.95
Available to purchase: My Glow Keys
Recommendation:  Eh, I wouldn't say yes for $15 for one set of stickers but if they were cheaper they would
be totally worth it.  I'd say the two sets is more worth the purchase.

TruKid Silly Shampoo and Bubbly Body Wash Giveaway Winner

The winner of the TruKid Giveway has been drawn and is Karen from South Carolina!!  Congrats Karen!  Thank you everyone for entering....as usual check out all the new giveaways!!

Silvermark Ceramic Knife Review

     Being that I come from quite a long restaurant management background, I consider myself to be a self starter in the kitchen.  I love to cook, grill, bake anything and especially from scratch with the freshest and healthiest ingredients I can find.  I have always tried to have the newest gadgets and top of the line utensils in my kitchen.  Silvermark makes me feel this way.


     Silvermark was created by a stay at home mother like myself.  She was really just trying to mimik a salad she had previously had in a restaurant.  I believe if "they" can make it, you and I can make it, but better!  Wendy Silver (owner and creator of Silvermark) is responsible for the Toss & Chop and along the way has added several high quality products for your kitchen.

     I was given the awesome opportunity to try out a set of Silvermarks ceramic knives.  If you've ever been a chef, worked in a kitchen, or frequently cook at home even you know that your average stainless steel knife can dull pretty quickly.  Ceramic knives can stay sharper about ten times longer!

     Not only are these some gorgeous looking knives but they clean up extremely easy without having that "used" look.  So far I have used mine to cut up lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cooked chicken, and cooked sausage.  Everything cut smoothly with out breaking or mashing!  These also came with a nice protective shealth.

Cost:  3" & 4" 2-Piece Ceramic Knife Set $25.00
Available to purchase: Silvermark
Recommendation:  If you cook or grill - buy it!  Worth the money if you will use it!

Green Time Creations Reusable Sandwich Bags Review/Giveaway

 

     So just in time for the school season, I discovered a whole new world of reusable baggies.  I have always researched each and every new green idea I can whenever I have the time.  At first I had been reusing some of the sandwich baggies to save money and then realized I was already being more green by doing so too!  I never thought there were actually reusable bags similar to the fifty reusable grocery bags I already had.  Doing yet another one of my "green" searches I came across Green Time Creations.

     Green Time Bags are reusable bags for sandwiches, snacks, and foods of all kinds.  The food can be wet or dry since the interior lining is made of nylon and peva fabric.  The bags can hand washed quickly or even machine washed when the outside gets a little dirty!  Using these can save thousands of plastic baggies in life of just one. 

     Green Time Creations can be used for just about any event - a school lunch, a field trip, a picnic, work, etc. My daughter, Alana, actually prefers to take her lunches and these will work perfectly to keep her food fresh no matter what time of day her lunch is scheduled.

     Green Time Creations also has created several other "green" items I know I am interested in and you may be too!  This includes reusable sandwich wraps, cloth napkins, silverware holders and produce bags.  All of these come in very cute patterns!  I cannot wait to order more for school this year AND for my husbands lunches - Oh YES he will be using all of this as well!

Cost:  Sandwich bags (7.5"W x 6"H) $8.95
          Snack Bags (6"W x 4.5"H) $6.95
          Sandwich Wrap/Mat (17" x 14")$10.00
          Every Day Cloth Napkins (set of 5) $6.75
          Silverware Holder $7.00
          Reusable Produce Bags (set of 3) $6.75
Available to purchase: Green Time Bags
Recommendation:  I would recommend these to everyone just to save money and then as an added bonus of being "green"!

Kushy Foot - Flats To Go and Foot Covers Review

     I am not the type of girl to wear alot of flat footed shoes so I had never thought of checking out slip on shoes.  Then, I began preparing for my sisters wedding this fall and I realized the shoes I had picked out had a a good four inch heel.   Now in the past that would have never been an issue but two kids later and I wear flip flops everyday.  There is no way im going to make it all night in those especially carrying around any kids.  So when my mother suggested a slip on for later in the evening I began my search and discovered Kushy Foot .

     Kushy Foot is an entire line of slip on shoes, padded nylons and barely there socks.  All of which can be easily stashed away in even the smallest pocket purse.  I was sent three pairs to sample - Lace Foot Covers, Super Ultra Low Cut Foot Covers, and Perforated Flats To Go.

     I fell in love with the Lace Foot Cover style as it has some great padding and a lacy sexy look.  These were super comfy and perfect for even wearing with your heels for added comfort.  The added padding is supposed to help massage your feet as you walk.  I will definitely be using these for the wedding!

     Next we have the Super Ultra Low Cut Foot Covers.  This pair is basically nylon footies with a small amount of padding on the bottom of each.  They reminded me of the nylon socks you see at shoe stores for trying on heals and such.  These were a little strange to me but I guess maybe because I felt they were almost too little and too barely there.  It could also just be because my feet are so wide, haha.  My daughter loved these though since she frequently wears

     Lastly, we have the Perforated Flats To Go!  My daughter those they were acqward because of grip on the interior.  She felt more comfortable wearing them with one of the slip socks.  I, on the other hand, loved them since they are made of a sturdy long lasting material.  I wouldn't have pictured something so pocket and petit to last very long but these do not appear to wear very quickly, unless of course you tried jogging daily in them!  These slip on easy and are a quick solution whenever and wherever needed.  When combined with the Lace Foot Covers, these are almost as if you are wearing a pair of slippers.  Again I will be wearing these as well for the wedding!

Cost: Perforated Flats To Go $9.99
        Super Ultra Low Cut Foot Covers (3pk of 2 pair) $23.97
        Lace Foot Cover (3 pair) $11.97
Available to purchase: Kushy Foot

Recommendation:  I would recommend these to just about any woman any age any shoe size!

The Cup Corset Giveaway Winner

Thank you everyone for entering!!  Amanda was chosen as the winner for my first ever rafflecopter giveaway!!  This was a great review...I hope she likes it as much!!

More giveaways added every day so keep your eyes peeled!!

Loving Pets Barksters Dog Treats and The Shed Monster Review/Giveaway

     I have tried to make a change in every part of my families life to be more healthy and green.  I never really factored in our pets at first but realistically, they are family too.  I would never exclude them from anything else so why wouldn't I try to move them into a more organic lifestyle?  They deserve to eat healthy and live long great lives too!

     Loving Pets Barksters dog treats are a completely natural biscuit for your pets.  No "crap" in my opinion, all the byproducts are terrible for your pets.  Barksters are wheat-free, gluten-free, and contain no additives or preservatives.  I've considered for the longest time just cooking up my own dog food and treats!  Now I don't have to!  My dogs loved these biscuits.  Well not that I expected them to turn up their noses because they were all natural or anything but they both gobbled them right up!   Capone my older male has always had a sensitive stomach and allergies to a lot of foods.  Everything and anything either makes him break out in hives or he throws up everything.   I experienced none of the above which is a major accomplishment in my household when introducing something new!  Our "puppy" Rayne eats anything so it came as no surprise that she enjoyed them. The Barksters can be purchased at any major pet retailer such as Petco or Petsmart and many others.  If you go yo their website store locator you can find a distribution center closest to you.  There is also additional information on the Barksters Facebook page

     Loving Pets also sent me the Shed Monster to try.  Now as you see in the pictures, both of my dogs are short hair.  That does not mean they don't shed, I actually feel like they shed more than your long fluffy dogs.  Their hair gets stuck everywhere and is hard to pick up so we brush the dogs at least once a week to minimize the amount of hair around the house.  The Shed Monster was great!  It was gentle on their skin while still pulling hair and smoothing out their coat.  The dogs really enjoyed this weeks massage with the Shed Monster!  My only complaint was that it didn't hold the hair.  I prefer to be able to brush the dogs and then to pull hair out of the brush as I move along.  Then I am more confident that the the fur is going into the trash and not every where else.  During the winter months we have to brush the dogs inside or at least in the garage and I just don't want more of a mess to pick up than I already have to.  The Shed Monster can be purchased online for $19.99.  Check out the Shed Monster on facebook too!

Loving Pets is giving away the Shed Monster to one "Lucky" reader of A Lucky Ladybug .

Smart Pants Gummy Vitamins Review

     Its hard to do reviews of certain items because you either like them or you don't .  And there's not a whole ton you can say sometimes.  Fortunately that would be Smarty Pants Vitamins!  I asked to review them knowing my child loved gummy vitamins!  I don't want him to get stuck in a habit of only liking one kind of these vitamins and I want him to get the healthiest ones of course.  So I try to mix it up just in case we run out or can't find them in a store one day.

     Gummy vitamins are the only medicine he will touch!  He actually asks to have his daily dose (mostly because they are like a treat to him).  I was thrilled though because I received their travel packs.  These are perfect little individual packs with 4 gummies in each which is your child's daily required amount.  The nice thing about these is the kids almost think these are a pack of fruit snacks.  So for those of you who have quite the difficult time getting your children to take their vitamins these almost completely solve the issue.

     Smarty Pants are an all-in-one natural gummy which has 100% of the RDI for Vitamin D, Eco-Friendly DHA & EPA Omega 3's.  They contain no High Fructose Corn Syrup and only 5g of Organic Cane Sugar.  Your children will love these and you will have the peace of mind that your children are getting something nutritious.  Another great thing about Smarty Pants is that as a company they are partners with Vitamin Angels which means they make a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to a child in need for every purchase made.

     Smarty Pants  can be purchased online starting at $8.00 for a 7 day supply or $19.95 for a 30 day supply.  You can also find them on Amazon, Diapers.com, and drugstore.com.

Smarty Pants has offered a 15% discount as well to A Lucky Ladybug's readers all they ask is to like them on facebook!  Enter code ladybug15 at checkout

Genesis Model by Soda Stream Review

    When I was first chosen to receive a product from Soda Stream, I had some reservations.  How good could this really be?  Would an at home soda machine really make a product that taste similar to the real thing?  Would it be as fizzy and stay that way or would my pop be flat in a couple hours? And finally, would it be cost effective for my family?

     Once the box came, the kids were pumped!  You would have thought it was Christmas.  We had to open it and try it right away.  We received the Genesis model which was extremely simple to setup with no real assembly.  One of the coolest things about this model is that it requires no electrical outlet and no batteries.  I'm in love already! 

     Making soda is super easy, just fill your reusable bottle, tighten onto the machine, press the button approximately 3 times, carefully pour the syrup into the bottle, and your done!!!  Easy Peasy my kids could even do this.  And this soda tastes like the real thing!  The best part is it tastes the same as any other type you may choose but with less calories, sugar, and sodium.  Now we're talking!  The pop is also made using a reusable plastic bottle (there are glass bottles available as well) AND you are being eco-friendly by not purchasing more plastic bottles.  Another great bonus for us since we live in Michigan is no paying deposit for the bottles either!

     Now, of course the biggest question of all is how cost effective is making your own soda?  Well, its hard to completely break everything down.  But the way we figured it, for every seven 2-liters you buy of any regular pop you, two will be free.  The part that is hard to factor in is the CO2 tank which can cost you anywhere from $40-$80 and it all depends on how long it lasts.  My assumption is that it would last approximately a month since I know that the restaurant ones are 5 times the size and are used much more frequently and last just under a month.  Here's a kicker though, if you drink energy drinks you can get the equivalent of 50 Red Bulls for about $7 bucks!!  Wow that is worth the whole machine in itself.

  

      My overall opinion though is that everyone needs one of these in their households!  Not only is it cost effective and tastes great but green friendly in several ways for our environment!  You can purchase the Genesis model at Soda Stream starting at $99 and syrup packages starting at $4.99.

Joster International Coasters and Cupcake Vase Review/Giveaway 2

     We are always looking for something new and a little different for our home kitchen area.  Now lets be honest, there are tons of cup coasters out there.  I used to have a set of bamboo ones that were my favorite because they were "earth friendly" but that was also when I was back in college and had no idea what earth friendly even meant. 

     Joster provided me with a set of four coasters of my choice and I chose the Fleur De Lys design.  They were the design that worked the best I guess with our theme or as close as we could get.    Joster coasters are silicone coasters and wine glass charm all in one.  They purposely stick to your wine glass as you move place to place.  This is pretty cool if you ask me since I've never seen anything like it!  I don't have to worry about adding charms to everyones glass or just dealing with the unattended deserted half full glasses around my house on girls night.  It fact these couldn't have come at a better time since I am actually having an annual "Girls Night In" this weekend.  I am a big drinker and I hate to waste my money on drinks left sitting unattended!  The rubber is great because its never going to get some weird ring or wet look to it after extended use.  It is also very easily cleaned, the designed insert removes easily and everything can be cleaned without any water damage or discoloration ever.

     My only complaint is that the designs could be better.  I felt they were a little dull for my generations taste.  I would have loved to see something with irish pride or that you could see/use in a winery.  By all means though these are a great idea that I would recommend to anyone let alone the wine drinker (we just didn't find any designs we felt we could fall in love with).  You can purchase these at Joster for $14.95.

     I was also provided by Joster my very own Cupcake vase.  This is such an adorable concept and would be great as a wedding favor!  This is a flexible vase with preset holes for proper flower placement.  This little vase helps create the perfect arrangement by placing each flower/bud in one of the holes which are all spaced throughout your "cupcake".  This makes designing a vase simple, you could even use it for a children's vase.  This vase is made of a flexible resin so it very flexible and easy to clean.  This type of resin also slows the growth of bacteria helping your flowers last longer.  What I hate about normal vases is that they get that moldy mildew ring half way down which I have to use one of my bottle cleaners to get that far if anything gets stuck.  With the cupcake vase you can get soap and water and even a sponge into it if you need to.  I wish it was a little deeper since I love my long stem flowers.  But what is great is that for someone like my mother who is the crazy green thumb, she can take all of her accidental broken flowers and make a very cute centerpeice for her everyday table with no effort!  You can purchase the cupcake vase from Joster for $10.95.  This would also be something to consider if you are planning a wedding.  I wish I had known about these three months ago since we are hand making all of the centerpeices for my sisters wedding in October!

Joster is giving away a set of coasters to one of the "lucky" readers of A Lucky Ladybug and a cupcake vase to another one of the "lucky" readers of A Lucky Ladybug.

Joster International Coasters and Cupcake Vase Review/Giveaway

     We are always looking for something new and a little different for our home kitchen area.  Now lets be honest, there are tons of cup coasters out there.  I used to have a set of bamboo ones that were my favorite because they were "earth friendly" but that was also when I was back in college and had no idea what earth friendly even meant. 

     Joster provided me with a set of four coasters of my choice and I chose the Fleur De Lys design.  They were the design that worked the best I guess with our theme or as close as we could get.    Joster coasters are silicone coasters and wine glass charm all in one.  They purposely stick to your wine glass as you move place to place.  This is pretty cool if you ask me since I've never seen anything like it!  I don't have to worry about adding charms to everyones glass or just dealing with the unattended deserted half full glasses around my house on girls night.  It fact these couldn't have come at a better time since I am actually having an annual "Girls Night In" this weekend.  I am a big drinker and I hate to waste my money on drinks left sitting unattended!  The rubber is great because its never going to get some weird ring or wet look to it after extended use.  It is also very easily cleaned, the designed insert removes easily and everything can be cleaned without any water damage or discoloration ever.

     My only complaint is that the designs could be better.  I felt they were a little dull for my generations taste.  I would have loved to see something with irish pride or that you could see/use in a winery.  By all means though these are a great idea that I would recommend to anyone let alone the wine drinker (we just didn't find any designs we felt we could fall in love with).  You can purchase these at Joster for $14.95.

     I was also provided by Joster my very own Cupcake vase.  This is such an adorable concept and would be great as a wedding favor!  This is a flexible vase with preset holes for proper flower placement.  This little vase helps create the perfect arrangement by placing each flower/bud in one of the holes which are all spaced throughout your "cupcake".  This makes designing a vase simple, you could even use it for a children's vase.  This vase is made of a flexible resin so it very flexible and easy to clean.  This type of resin also slows the growth of bacteria helping your flowers last longer.  What I hate about normal vases is that they get that moldy mildew ring half way down which I have to use one of my bottle cleaners to get that far if anything gets stuck.  With the cupcake vase you can get soap and water and even a sponge into it if you need to.  I wish it was a little deeper since I love my long stem flowers.  But what is great is that for someone like my mother who is the crazy green thumb, she can take all of her accidental broken flowers and make a very cute centerpeice for her everyday table with no effort!  You can purchase the cupcake vase from Joster for $10.95.  This would also be something to consider if you are planning a wedding.  I wish I had known about these three months ago since we are hand making all of the centerpeices for my sisters wedding in October!

Joster is giving away a set of coasters to one of the "lucky" readers of A Lucky Ladybug and a cupcake vase to another one of the "lucky" readers of A Lucky Ladybug.