Crazy Cupid Love Giveaway Blog Hop - Lucky Leaf Prize Package

     Crazy Cupid Love Giveaway Hop will begin at 12:01 AM EST on February 1st and end at 11:59 PM on February 7th.  The event is hosted by Sweep Tight and Just Married with Coupons.  Each participating Blogger will have a minimum value package of $10

Love Mode Website/Shirt Review and Gift Card Giveaway AND Lots of Love Giveaway Blog Hop

Welcome to the Lots of Love Giveaway Event. This event is hosted by And The Little Ones Too, Put A Little Umbrella In Your Drink, Seeds of Life, and Taking Time For Mommy. This event features giveaways with a value of $25 or more at each of the participating blogs! Be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win! This event will close on February 14th at 11:59 pm EST.

Here is a link to my full review of Love Mode's Website, please read and enter for your chance to win a gift certificate!

Love Mode Wesite/Shirt Review and Gift Card Giveaway

 

     My daughter of course doesn't think I have style since we are polar opposites when it comes to clothing.  Thankfully my mother and her actually share of the same taste in shopping.   She has tons of clothes from her days out with Grandma and Aunt Jesse.

     While shopping online over the holidays for Alana's clothing, I discovered a new site called Love Mode.  They have all sorts of cheap juniors clothing.  I would almost compare them to a Charlotte Russe (except online).  I chose a really cute striped shirt to review and oddly enough when it came Alana wanted it (which made me feel "cool").

Neater Feeder Large Pet Feeder Review and Giveaway

     This may sound strange to non pet owners, but they just don't make homes convenient or fitting for pets to live in.  Silly, I know right?!  But if your like us we have always had several pets at one time.  There are a couple issues we've encountered at each place we've lived which is where to fit "their things".  This includes the litter box, pet beds, and most importantly the food and water dishes.  If your not strategic about this you could end up with a huge mess from food pieces everywhere or wet floor you could slip on.

Skoy Cloth Review and Green Resolutions Giveaway Hop

Product Reviewed By Chantel

     Skoy cloth is a European product that is 100% biodegradable, and made from a blend of cotton and wood pulp.  It is reusable, and the company claims that one Skoy cloth replaces as many as 15 rolls if paper towel!  You can use normal household cleaners with it, but I haven't found the need to do so yet.  You can toss it in the dish washer to clean and it is washer/dryer safe.  Another very cool feature is that you can sterilize it in the microwave, wet, for a minute or two.

     After using the Skoy Cloth for just a few days, my experience has been outstanding.  The textured side has plenty enough 'grip' without any sort of worry that it is going to scratch something like my cook top or stainless steel dishwasher.  I would compare the actual cloth texture to the 'Shamwow' cloth. The size of the cloth is perfect for my normal girl sized hands & not to small for my husband to use either.

     Working in a jewelry store, let me tell you, isn't always the prettiest of places- of course the front showroom is sparkling clean, to ensure the jewels are the highlight  .....the back shop on the other hand, Is DISGUSTING!   If you have ever wondered how jewelry metal is polished, let me explain:  a polishing wheel is attached to a machine that spins the cloth like wheel.  You need to use different clay like compounds to actually create a friction to actually polish the metal.  That damn dust gets everywhere!  Normally I have to use copious amounts of paper towel and heavy duty cleaners to get that layer of nasty off of everything.  I took the Skoy Cloth to work this am, and with absolutely nothing else but water, everything was cleaned up.  Even my boss was impressed.

     I love that so far, I haven't had to use any harsh chemicals like I normally would.  Plus my paper towel consumption has gone WAY down this week.  Cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom counters has been super easy and not to be too gross, but it gets all the hair off of the bathroom counters!  It even (with minimal scrubbing) got a good layer of soap scum off of the tub.

Cost:  $6.99 plus shipping 4pk 7x7 cloths
Available to purchase: Skoy Cloth www. skoycloth.com
Recommendation:  All in all this is a fantastic product that is crazy inexpensive, considering the 'fancy' paper towel can cost upwards of $18 for a 12 pack.  I plan on purchasing more when these have been used to death and even getting some for holiday stocking stuffers and housewarming gifts!
Facebook:  Skoy Cloth
Twitter:  @SkoyCloth
Giveaway:  Skoy Cloth is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's lucky readers a pack of Skoy Cloth of their own!

BioBagUSA Kitchen Composting System Review and Green Resolutions Giveaway Hop

  

As you all know I have a composting category under the Embrace the Green section all about worm composting.  I love my worm compost!  Not only do I feel like I am recycling even more than just the basics but since starting the compost my garden has been amazingly more fruitful!  The only complaint I have about composting is how difficult it is to keep up. 

I usually don't like to take the food out to the worm unless I have a larger amount.  But of course who likes leaving old food on the counter for too long.  It can start to smell and even attract fruit flies.  And honestly the worms won't eat your food (ie. fruit peels, egg shells, etc.) until it has molded in a bit.  So in researching other options I came across the company BiobagUSA.  Biobagusa produces different size bags that are biodegradable made from Mater-Bi (which “breathe” allowing heat and moisture to escape or evaporate).  Because this material is consumed by micro-organisms in a composting environment they are completely compostable helping everyday waste break down faster and as we know keeping plastic out of our landfills.  They also make a plastic containers to keep on your kitchen counter for the leftovers! 

I was given a chance to review the composting system AND be a first one to review that has a worm compost.  Unfortunately for me I just discovered the compost freezes here in Michigan during the winter.  I actually freaked out because I thought my worms would all be dead but thankfully they cocoon themselves up for the low temperatures!  I will update everyone in the spring regardless as to if the worms eat these bags up. 

As to the bag and container for the kitchen - worked great!  I noticed no smells and no flies.  I did notice that after about a week and a half the bag started to sweat from all the food which to me meant it was beginning its breaking down process.  I was able to pack things together and put in a separate bin outside to compost over the rest of the winter and to use in the spring! 

Cost:  $6 BioBags, $10 Composting Basket
Available to purchase: Retail stores
Recommendation: I love the bags and am sold on them for good!  As for the basket I have moved the bags into a more decorative container that I can keep on my shelf.  The cost of both is very reasonable and makes it hard for you to not start composting.
Facebook:  BioBagUSA
Twitter:  @Biobagusa
Giveaway:  BioBagUSA is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's lucky readers a kitchen composting system of their own!

Lil' Diner Baby Diner Dish Holder Review

 

     One of the first things I learned as a parent of a toddler (or even younger) is non breakable and spill proof are necessities.  Thankfully Dane wasn't huge on throwing everything on the floor but he still went through the phase of "let me see how many times you will pick that up before getting annoyed".  I don't even know where to get started with "destructive Declan"!  Nothing stays on a plate and nothing stays on a table/highchair.  Plus with Declan for some reason he gets a kick out of dumping his dishes directly on his head...Really?!

     I have tried a couple of types of no spill dishes even the ones with a built in suction cup on the plate - none of which have worked.  Then I discovered the Lil' Diner and I'm hooked!  The Lil' Dinerhas suction cups built on both sides of a saucer - two on the side that attaches to the table and one for the dish side.  The suction works so well, I am for the first time actually confident in using a ceramic dish for Declan.  Declan has even been pretty angry since he has tried with all his strength to move this dish in anyway and can't.

     Whether or not it is new could play a factor but I have already washed this in the dishwasher several times and the suction seems to work just as well as the first time I used it.  Also, I know you can always clean with a little rubbing alcohol if you think there maybe a build-up but I am extremely happy with its performance.  Now if only I could teach him to stop reaching in and feeding the dogs, we would be all set!

Cost:  $14.99 Baby Diner
Available to purchase:  Lil Diner

Recommendation:  $15 bucks saves me not only tons of plate ware or buying all plastic but saves me time cleaning up as much of a mess?  SOLD!  This was such a nifty little device that actually works!  They also make cup and plate savers as well to check out.
Facebook:  Lil Diner

Twitter:  @babydiner
Youtube:  Lil Diner

Glee Gum Make Your Own Gummies Kit Review and Giveaway

 

     This next company I discovered from another blog and just had to contact them.  It was just one of those products that I thought was sooo cool but curious if it really worked.  Glee Gum has several Make Your Own Candy Kits and an all natural gum line. 

     My choice as to what kit I wanted was very easy - I picked the Make Your Own Gummies Kit.  Dane is obsessed with gummies of any kind.  In fact the only way we can get him to take his vitamins is if they are the gummy vitamins. 

     When I received the kit I was a little skeptical about how they might turn out since they are made from real seaweed.  I have got to tell you these were very easy step by step directions.  Even when I thought maybe I wasn't quite following them perfectly everything seemed to flow into the next step without feeling rushed or confused (as you see I have tons of pics).  The hardest part was deciding on shapes for my gummies.

     As you can tell we were not so great at making out gummies into a clear shape but I am sure with practice this will come!  Towards the end of our experiment I decided I'd pour one big gummy and slice it later.  So really everything comes in the kit all you need is some water and your microwave.  The best part of these is they don't take much effort or time for the impatient little kids like Dane.

Ending verdict - fantastic, if you don't judge on my designs!  They tasted like any other normal gummy candies (although a little less strong of a flavor).  I left the sour mix off of Dane's since he said he wouldn't like it.  Alana and I powdered ours up and they tasted great!  I can only imagine what the make your own gum kit turns out like!  I guess I'll have to try that one next.

Cost:  $13 Make Your Own Gummies Kit
Available to purchase:   Glee Gum Store Locator
Recommendation:  I totally loved these!  I think $13 is totally reasonable for a MYO kit as well.  My only complaint is that I wish the kit made more as these were gone faster then it took to make them.
Facebook:   Glee Gum
Twitter:  @GleeGum
Blog: Glee Gum
Newsletter: Glee Gum Coupons and Online Specials
Giveaway:  Glee Gum is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's lucky readers a Make Your Own Candy Kit of their own!

William Bounds Sili Gourmet Sili Steamer Basket Review

 

     So if your anything like me, you have more kitchen utensils than you know what to do with!  I swear I have a decent size kitchen with a lot of cupboard space (even after moving into a smaller house recently).  But no matter how hard everyone tries, the longer you are in a home the more cluttered things seem to get.  With all you seem to accumulate, you end up with less space than expected.  One of the kitchen categories that seems to drive me crazy because of all the space it takes up, is my colanders and steamers.  I eat steamed veggies with just about every meal so I have several gadgets to do so every night.  Therefore, I have to have a cabinet completely dedicated to these.

     Thankfully I was asked to review the new Sili Gourmet Sili Steamer Basket from William Bounds, changing my cabinet schematics completely.  The Sili Steamer is a silicone made steaming basket that completely collapses flat.  So not only does it fit most any place in my kitchen but I could purchase a dozen of these and stack them all together in one place neatly.

     The Sili Steamer works great to steam any veggie (fish, meats and grains) in a hurry.  Just place it on top of a boiling pot or in the microwave with your vegetables inside and cover with the silicone lid it comes with.   I also used my Sili Steamer as a colander which makes it multi functional.   Even though there are not hold on the sides of the basket only in the bottom, it still served its purpose to drain my pasta (maybe just not as quickly as a regular one).

Cost:  $25 Sili Gourmet Sili Steamer Basket
Available to purchase:   William Bounds
Recommendation:  I love William Bounds as all their products just seem to be high quality and always have such neat designs.  Although I do think they are a little over priced but so are their competitors for what you are paying for.
Facebook:   William Bounds

Yum Yum Dishes Review

 

     I know we've discussed before the importance of setting a great example for our little ones but now a days there are so many things we as parents have to worry about.  Well one way we can start is teach them young about portion control.  I frequently catch myself eating several helpings of lunch, dinner, or even snacks.  Children don't know the difference like we do so we need to help them by making an example and fun to eat smart amounts.

     Yum Yum Dishes are not only colorful and fun plate ware, but at the bottom of your bowl or plate it says "Yum Yum time is...over".  This has been great for me because it is a helpful little reminder to stop and give myself a break (of course you need to still have self control and actually stop).  The mini snacks bowls even has a plastic snap on lid so you can take proper portion snacks on the go. 

     My only complaint is I am afraid "Destructive Declan", my youngest, could accidentally throw the bowl on the ground and break it.  These would be even better if they had a non breakable options such as plastic or stainless steel.

     Yum Yum dishes were created by a mom like me and you found herself eating a whole bag of potato chips before she realized it and mom we get so busy and forget to watch are portions are cells not only house to ourselves healthy but he said that example

Cost:  $24  4-4oz Bowls with lids
          $29  4-9in Plates
Available to purchase:   Yum Yum Dishes

Recommendation:  These are very cute dishes but they are too expensive for my taste.  They might be something for me to consider for myself but not for my kids with how easily they could break these.
Facebook:   Yum Yum

YouTube: Yum Yum

eShakti Women Custom Clothing Review

 

     

     Okay, as much as I love being that go to person for product recommendations - I am not into shopping for clothes.  Yes, I think I have style but it is just very different shopping for myself.  I have such an awkward figure since I am so busty on top.  So if I am being honest there is no way I would ever purchased a dress online especially anything expensive.  It just isn't worth it because I am more than likely going to have to return/exchange it at my expense.  I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to have stumbled on such a great site such as eShakti.

     When I was first contacted by them to complete a review I was very hesitant.  Boy am I glad I didn't turn them down.  Eshakti is a women's site that understands we are not all created equally.  Every woman is made in a different shape and size.  Yes someone may fit into a size 8 but we all know that actually can depend on brand and even so, only fit well in the waist not length or width not bust. 

     If you have ever felt this way or are similar to me where as you don't want to spend the money on clothing to not fit just perfectly, eShakti is for you.  I was able to order a custom size dress to fit my bust, length ( I am very short too), and waist all for, in my opinion, a great price.  You would think to get this kind of personal design you would have to pay an arm and a leg or be a celebrity.  Nope!

"In Sanskrit, Shakti means power and is pronounced e-Shuck-tee, but e-Shack-tee works, too! eShakti empowers you to choose the fit, color, size and style that suits you."

Cost:  $84.95
Available to purchase:  eShakti
Recommendation:  I don't know what else I can say to recommend such an awesome site!  Besides the quality, price, and custom fit, their customer service was great and they shipped my custom size dress very quickly!
Twitter:  @eshakti
Facebook:  eShakti

Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier Review and Giveaway **Toast to 2012 Blog Giveaway Hop**

 

     Now that the holidays are over (and hopefully your leftovers have been thrown away), lets talk about what our fridges were like.  If you hosted a holiday party, was your refrigerator as packed as mine?  After the parties were over, how well did everything taste after it was all crammed into the same place?  Your pumpkin pies, your open bottles of wine, vege dips, meat trays, or shrimp cocktails?  There is nothing I find more disgusting than opening an already smelly fridge, grabbing something to eat, and having it taste like the other crap that was piled next to it!

     This year I was lucky enough to have a new discovery of mine - the Oransi Ionic Fridge Air Purifier.  This little air purifier sits in your fridge (using 2 AA batteries) and helps remove odors and bacteria to keep your refrigerator smelling fresh and your food fresher.  Its size allows you to even shove it way in the back of your fridge and yet it has still has the built-in micro processor control to cycle the air purifier on and off when needed to save the battery life and work effectively.

     I honestly almost forgot my Oransi was there since it is so quiet.  To be honest I also didn't notice a difference in the fridge because I couldn't smell a thing!  So what I'm actually saying is the Oransi worked great since I couldn't tell you what kind of foods I actually had inside.  Your Oransi saves you money and is green friendly.  "Ionic Fridge purifier average battery costs:  $1/month.  Oransi, based in Austin, TX, develops green cleaning products such as air purifiers to clean the air so you and those around you can breathe easier, sleep better and feel rejuvenated."

Cost:  $29.99 Sale ($39.99 reg)
Available to purchase:  Oransi

Recommendation: I definitely don't think I would purchase this at $40 and even though ten bucks shouldn't make the difference I would probably go with it at $30.  It is reusable so you don't have to continuously buy baking soda to keep in the fridge OR waste food because you have to throw it away due to cross contamination of smells!
Giveaway:  Oransi is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's lucky readers an Ionic Fridge Air Purifier of their own!

AutoLearner Review

 

       Does anyone get annoyed trying to take long road trips or even just sitting in the car with your children for an extended period of time and having nothing to keep them entertained?  Sure I have DVD players that work for a good amount of time with the right movie in for both ages but how much TV do you really want them watching.  I start to feel guilty if I use the TV as a babysitter to frequently.  I feel like I should be influencing them in a better way. 

     I recently discovered the Auto Learner - a solution to the same ol' movies.  And this opportunity could not have come at a better time!  We recently had to make our yearly trip to Georgia to visit my husbands entire family for the holidays.  This is a 12-13 hour drive from Michigan, this IS NOT FUN!  Two years ago we took the trip before Declan was born with Alana (11) and Dane (1.5).  On the drive back the kids were so bored and annoyed with each other they broke not one but two portable DVD players.  Never again will we be that unprepared to entertain.

     This year we brought along our Auto Learner to help Dane with his alphabet.  The best part is his sister was more than happy to play with him because it gives her a sense of accomplishment as well.  Although the lessons were very difficult to slide in and out without crinkling the paper so that was disappointing.  The Auto Learner is a plastic lesson holder that attaches to the front-seat headrest of a car.  Its almost a lesson board for the car.  You can print out interchangeable educational lessons depending on your child's needs.  "The educational lessons consist of color layouts highlighting educational information for children, such as alphabet, numbers, colors, letter sounds and everyday objects." 

Cost:  $18 Auto Learner
Most lessons range from $1-3. 
$2 Alphabet Lesson Plan
Recommendation:  This is a really cute idea and fairly inexpensive.  My only complaint was printing out my own lesson plans (but that was of course because I was completing a review) and that they did not slide in and out very easily.  Otherwise, this tool is great even if you want to print your own plans/activities and place them in the holder.
Facebook: AutoLearner

Quaker Pet Group RAIN Collar and HEAR DOGGY! Toy Review

    

     So we are big animal lovers in my household but over time we have decided on a few rules for our household pets based on our pet peeves (haha that wasn't meant to be ironic).  I am not a lover of having lots of the wet pet smells on EVERYTHING.  Even though I have always had multiple animals, I have tried very hard to keep my home from smelling that way.  So we are very cautious to let the dogs out frequently before any wet weather if we can avoid it.  Another big rule is the no stuffing and no squeaker rule.  I can tolerate the noise more than my husband but neither of us have any patience for the fluff every where in our house ten minutes after giving the dogs a new toy.  So when Quaker Pet Group contacted me and asked if I would complete a review on their newest products I was pretty thrilled.

     The first product is from their new RAIN line which features portable, wearable, convertible water-repellent raincoats for dogs.  These look like a fanny pack for dogs!  The RAIN collar comfortably fits over your dogs collar and unzips to cover your pet in seconds.  This rocks because it makes your job so much easier.  Believe it or not I actually have rain coats and other dog gear to keep my babies warm and dry in the cold Michigan weather but they never where any of it.  I am just too lazy to put it on every time and afraid that if I leave it on they may chew it off!

     The RAIN Collar is available in sizes small to Xlarge and comes in two colors - black or yellow. The Rain Bandanna is also available in sizes small to Xlarge and comes in two colors - blue or yellow/red.  I thought this worked well for Rayne but it was unfortunately too small for Capone.  I especially liked the leg straps to keep it in place!  I could not believe how much was packed into the little "fanny pack"

     The next product is from another new line called HEAR DOGGY!®.  This new collection consists of ultrasonic plush toys with a squeaker that ONLY your dog can hear!  Yes, you heard me right...you won't hear a thing!  Your dog can have a blast playing all day and night thinking they are making the noise of a lifetime.  Meanwhile, you can sleep, YOUR children can nap, and everyone can watch the TV without having to turn the volume up louder than the irritating dog toy.

     "Hear Doggy! toys are available in 2 plush designs: Stuffed toys (Blowfish, Whale and Penguin, available in small or large) and Flats (Deer, Rabbit and Skunk) come in one standard size and contain no messy stuffing in the body."  These worked just as well as they said they would as I never heard a thing.  Best yet, the toy I was sent to review was a stuffing free so I never even had to deal with the mess!  I could not believe how much Rayne loved her new toy.

Cost:  $6.99-$8.99 Hear Doggy
All sizes of Collar/Bandanna $12.99 RAIN (update: This item is discontinued) 
Recommendation:  Totally love both of these products especially the dog toys.  I will be buying these toys from here on out especially for the low price you can purchase them for.
Facebook:  Quaker Pet Group
YouTube:  Quaker Pet Group