Intelligender Gender Prediction Test Review and Giveaway

 

    Doesn't everyone having a baby just anticipate the moment they get to find out if they are bringing a little girl or boy into the world?  Even those who choose to keep it a secret until the end, you still build up that anticipation!  I have done it both ways with my boys (finding out at the 20 week ultrasound and waiting till the end) but Randi on the other hand is a freak about knowing early.  So when I first found out I was pregnant this go around I wanted to give the Intelligender tests a go around.

Vamplets Hector the Vampyre Bat Baby Review

     If you haven’t been hiding out the last couple years, you know that the popularity of vampires and werewolves has increased dramatically with movies like twilight and shows like true blood.  This is all ages but especially with the teenage girl population.  My daughter is one of them (and if I am being true to all of my readers, I am one of them too)!  I swear since starting my blog and completing reviews I have not been able to find much for Alana.  She is 14 and way too old (and cool) for any of the normal products a mother can find to review.  Vamplets are actually the first thing I found that she had an interest in.

Sprig Box Monthly Box Subscription Review and Giveaway

   The new hip trend is joining a monthly mailing club where you get a whole buffet of items to try out, test, and enjoy before you have to spend the full amount only to find out you dislike a product or the way it works.  I know this review may sound a little similar to a previous monthly box review but I am excied to tell you about a different style of one of these "monthly box clubs".   The newest company I stumbled across, I am very excited to tell all of you about - Sprig Box.  

End Summer on a Rainy Note Pure Rain Water Essentials Giveaway Event

PRESENTS

Prize: 

(1) Pure Rain™ Handheld Essentials oxygenating nozzle and (2) Pure Rain™ Water Station Essentials Plus oxygenating water sprinklers

ARV $70

When: 8/29 -9/5  

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug

and 

Mommy's Favorite Things

Who: Open to US residents in the continental 48 states and Canada residents

      Pure Rain™ products add millions of microscopic nanobubbles — each just a fraction of the width of a human hair — to ordinary tap water. The extra oxygen delivered by the nano-bubbles helps your plants absorb nutrients faster than ever, making them healthier, stronger, and more disease-resistant.

     Raindrops gather oxygen as they fall through the air, and the highly oxygenated water helps the plants extract nutrients more efficiently.  Pure Rain products also reduce your water usage by 30% thus saving on utilities and the environment's water supply.

Cost: 

$19.99  Handheld Essentials nozzle

   $24.99  Water Station Essentials Plus

   $39.99 Reach Essentials Plus (with round handle)

   $19.99 Water Station Essentials

Available to purchase:  The Pure Rain Shop has a list of retailers such as Target and Amazon.

**If you would like to read the A Lucky Ladybug's review of this Awesome Product visit PURE RAIN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pure Rain Watering Essentials Review and Giveaway

     This year has so far been my most successful year gardening.  The amount of fruits and vegetables my plants have produced over the last couple months have been beyond fruitful!  About a month ago I was thinking to myself about what I had done differently, and kid you not I was figuring it was because of all the rain.  For some reason it just has seemed like my plants look so much brighter and healthier after a good hard rain!  Then I discovered Pure Rain last week.

Leeners Quick Cheese Kit Review and Giveaway

     A couple weeks ago Kevin and I started looking at some new ideas to help our family financially.  This all started when we were looking for homes and really got a little excited about some farm land we discovered.  Since then we have unfortunately decided to wait until next summer to shop for a new home however, it motivated us to save money in creative ways.  It also motivated me to utilize my surroundings and become even more eco friendly than I already was.  One of the first things that of course popped into my head was making my own ANYTHING!

Yonanas Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker Review

     About mid summer each year I am craving soft serve ice cream or the ice cream truck ice cream.  It just always sounds so good on the hot summer days.  So over the past couple months I have been eyeing the new Yonanas, which recently launched in partnership with Dole.  Everytime I go by it at a store, I have been tempted to buy it and check it out.  Thankforefully, I was able to give this unique soft serve ice cream maker a try before the end of summer.

Duraflame Roasting Logs Summer Fire Pit Giveaway

Don't forget this awesome giveaway!!  Summer is almost over but you still have a chance to win!

Just fill in your details HERE for your chance to win a brand new fire pit for your backyard and a supply of duraflame® Campfire Roasting Logs given away monthly this summer.

Curvy Kate Lingerie n Swimwear Review and Giveaway

**Some pictures may be considered adult content**

     This next company I cannot begin to tell you excited I am that I discovered them.  I usually do not contact
any company outside of the US.  I believe we really should buy from our own companies BUT I have the hardest time finding bathing suits for myself OR bras.  When I was younger and only a "DD"  cup I could still find suits when we would vacation in Florida at the beach shops.  But now that I am 30 and after two kids I am a "G" it  about lingerieis nearly impossible to find something appropriate in my size.  I can't run around in a skimpy little bathing suit because I would just plain embarass myself and of course my kids.  When it comes to bras it seems like companies give up on you after you pass the "D" size.  Like you are required to wear granny bras and forget about lingerie.

My Re-Body SafSlim and Meal Replacement Shakes Review and Giveaway

     Lets be honest, who doesn't want to lose weight or get more tone without the effort?! I do I do!  Exercise can sometimes just be hard to fit into some of our daily schedules especially bloggers.  The worst part is that even if you are active, burning the belly fat is the most difficult of all for women in particular.  So what if you could target burning specifically just belly fat?  This concept has completely intrigued me as this has always been my area of frustration as you can tell by my earlier post "Will I always be this way?"

Mavea Home Water Filtration Pitcher Review and Giveaway

     When we first moved into our house two years ago, we had to make a ton of changes not only to our lifestyle but to the home itself.  One of the first things I checked into was the water.  I unfortunately consider myself to be quite a water snob.  I drink at least ten glasses a day and absolutely will not drink tap water.  I am even picky about the types of bottled water I enjoy.  Well needless to say the refridgerators water filtration system just plain sucked as it was not up to my standards and there was no way to replace it without replacing the whole fridge which wasn't an option at the time.

A Lucky Ladybug Reaches 1000 Lucky Posts

Thank you to all my readers who have followed me from the beginning and those who have recently joined!  I have finally published my 1000th post after a little over one amazing year!  I absolutely love each and everyone of you and hear every comment you make.  I am always looking to improve and appreciate all of your feedback and patience as I learn how to improve and become a better blogger each day!  Thank you again!!

The Garden Patch GrowBox Review and Giveaway

     Each year I grow this huge beautiful garden that produces some really great fruit and vegetables in the beginning of the year.  Then towards the end of the summer, I get busy spending my time with the kids or friends.  It never fails, I forget to water my plants one day, one day only and everything is down hill from there.  They each slowly begin to die or just don't end up the same for the rest of the season.  When I discovered The Garden Patch GrowBox I was still a little hesitant whether it truly would work.

Global Garden Friends Ultimate Plant Cage Review

     If you've ever grown tomatoes (even cherry tomatoes) you know how hardy of a plant they are.  But at the same time they can break so easily once the tomatoes begin to grow.  If they don't break they bend and form strange shapes and can look unhealthy.  The same can happen with any type of vine plant such as cucumbers, or beans.  I honestly hate growing some of these vegetables because of how hard they are to keep looking good and even alive once they get the real heavy growths.  I recently posted a quick blurb about Global Garden Friends as I was waiting on the delivery of their Ultimate Plant Cage.

Ohio Flame's "The Patriot" Fire Pit Giveaway Event

PRESENTS

 

Prize: 

Ohio Flame's "The Patriot"  24” Fire Pit in Natural Steel Finish 

ARV $278

When: 8/20 -9/3  

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug

and 

Mommy's Favorite Things

Eligibility: 

Open to US residents in the continental 48 states 

    Ohio Flame pits are 100% American Made by a local artisan.  There is a lifetime warranty on all Fire Pits and Artisan Bowls even though no maintenance is needed, "as it's designed to withstand the elements year-round.  "The Patriot" features a 3/8" Rain Drain to allow for water drainagee. The "Natural Steel Finish", will develop a natural iron oxide patina and gradually darken over time."

Cost:  $249.99 + FREE SHIPPING on every order

Available to purchase:  Ohio Flame

Discount: 

Enter promo code "LUCKY" at check out and take 5% off of any product

**If you would like to read the A Lucky Ladybug's review of this Awesome Product visit OHIO FLAME

End Summer on a Rainy Note Giveaway Event - Blogger Signups Open

PRESENTS

<a href="http://www.aluckyladybug.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/mditzzy2008/rain-2.jpg" /> </a>

Prize: 

(1) Pure Rain™ Handheld Essentials oxygenating nozzle and (2) Pure Rain™ Water Station Essentials Plus oxygenating water sprinklers

ARV $70

This is a FREE Blogger Giveaway Event with announcement post. 

Link Options ($2 ea w/o announcement):

Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

When: 8/29 -9/5  

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug

and 

Mommy's Favorite Things

Who: Open to US residents in the continental 48 states and Canada residents

**Bloggers worldwide can join in the participation as long as you have at least 50% US/Canada readership

Sign-ups close 8/27

**The blogger with the most referrals will receive the additional links at no cost

Click HERE to sign up and for more html info.

Declan's Mini Hospital Trip

Sorry about any delay in approving comments or posting, I was at the hospital for most of the day today with my youngest son who was having a very minor surgery.  He didn't react all too well to the anesthesia but everything is fine now!  Thank you for your understand!! 

Life in General and My Thoughts of Chantel's Journey

I just feel like crying for my best friend right now...I would do anything to take away her pain.  Chantel is the strongest woman I know and I look up to her in more ways than one.  I have the faith that what is happening to her, she can handle with all that strength and the strength that we can all give to her through our thoughts and support.

Chantel did not get the news she so much prayed for in her travels to the hospital in Philly.  Baby's outlook doesn't look promising in the least.  PLEASE pray for her, Steve her husband, and for her unborn baby Alianna Faith Negoshian.  Sometimes there are plans made for us and others that are out of our control.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cherish those moments you have with each other and never take them for granted.  Each moment spent being angry, sad, hurt - is another moment of happiness you can never get back.  No career, job or amount of money is EVER worth it.  And any person who makes you feel that way either hasn't realized this themselves or isn't worth your tears to begin with.

I may not be a person of extreme faith but I am a person of extreme passion and love.  I wear my heart on my sleeve.  I don't want any of you to feel as though some of these post lately are too dramatic or all ranting. But I like them even if they can be a little dramatic because they bring me back to reality.  No one's life is truly perfect and if it seems as though it is they just don't open about their problems.  

As a blogger I've agreed to share those daily thoughts with all of you - not just product reviews and coupon matchups.  I am a very real person and I hope you never lose that faith in me.  I will always be honest with you whether you will agree with my thoughts or not.  

Thank you Alianna for reminding us how important family/friendship is and how unimportant the "other stuff" is!!

You can read Alianna's story HERE

Ohio Flame "The Patriot" Review and Giveaway

      When I was younger we used to camp at least two times a month.  I believe this is where my love for natural wood fires has come from.  Every where I have ever lived has either had firepits on the property (apartments) or I've gone out and bought one for my backyard.  Unfortunately my last one was obviously cheap and only lasted for one season last year when we moved into our current house.  Although Michigan doesn't allow for a long summer season, you will find us outdoors six out of seven nights and from the first remotely warm day (above 60 degrees outside) to the first day of snow if we can.  Our falls are perfect bonfire weather.

     I was super excited to discover the company Ohio Flame and even more thrilled when they agreed to let me review one of their "The Patriot" Fire Pits!  Within the first couple days we had our new firepit set up and rock n roll.  We invited another family over for drinks, smore's and some swimming.  As you can see the children had other plans for the firepit before we added our firewood.  You would have thought we should be making it a baby bath!

     Once we were able to bribe the lil ones out of the pit and back into the pool, we got to making our fire which by the way started very quickly!  Ohio Fire Pit sure makes one hella bowl!  Not only was this thing massive and sturdy as anything but the amount of heat this thing gave off is enough to keep anyone warm on even a Michigan winter night!

     With very little firewood we were able to keep the flame going strong for hours.  If you've ever built a fire before and paid for your wood, it isn't inexpensive to buy tons and it does you little good to use the cheap stuff since you just go through more.  This definitely is the type of pit you are going to want to have to last you through the years and save you money when your not burning through wood like its paper.

    Ohio Flame pits are 100% American Made by a local artisan.  There is a lifetime warranty on all Fire Pits and Artisan Bowls even though no maintenance is needed, "as it's designed to withstand the elements year-round.  "The Patriot" features a 3/8" Rain Drain to allow for water drainagee. The "Natural Steel Finish", will develop a natural iron oxide patina and gradually darken over time."

Cost:  $349.99 + FREE SHIPPING on every order
Available to purchase:  Ohio Flame 
Discount: Enter promo code "LUCKY" at check out and take 5% off of any product
Recommendation:  This is going to last a long time and is at a great price for such an awesome investment!  This is also a great idea for a housewarming or wedding gift.  I can't wait for our next party to show this off to everyone who doesn't have one!  Ohio Flame also has a steel cook grate available if you want the natural cooking taste just as if you were camping (in your own backyard)!
Facebook:  Ohio Flame
Twitter: @OhioFlame
YouTube:  Ohio Flame
Pinterest:  Ohio Flame
Google+:  Ohio Flame
LinkedIN:  Ohio Flame
Giveaway:  Ohio Flame is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's very lucky readers a 24” Fire Pit in Natural Steel Finish of their own!

*Read my Disclosure 
Look for the Giveaway event beginning August 20th!!  I will post the link here once it goes live!

Will I always be this way?? **Rant**

     I am not a pessimist nor an optimist, I think of myself as a realist.  So my question is will I be like this forever?  I am over weight for my height and technically I am considered in the obese category.  Really?  I don't even look that bad?!  So hearing that term thrown at me just depresses me more and actually demotivates me.  Yes a lot of it is my hooha's because of how busty I am but honestly look at most of us bloggers.   We are your average everyday women, housewives, and mothers.  We are not models and even those who are thinner than some of us, you still choose to dedicate majority of your time to blogging, which is what you love. We love talking and sharing our opinions with the world.  

     So in essence my reasoning for this post is - Am I destined to be this size?  For those of you who have been doing this for years, how do you find the time to workout or realistically do anything in your life other than blog?   I love what I do more than anything else I've ever done before and stuck with it longer than most of my other long term jobs.  I've been an engineer making crap loads of money and I've been a restaurant manager still making great money and loving my job even more but nothing has ever quite fit me like blogging does.   So how do u make it work for yourself and then of course your family?   I try to divide my time between my family, myself and my passions and yet I still feel frustrated.  

     I'm not working out or active like others my age or size for that matter.  Although I spend tons of time with my kids being active, I feel like I still don't do enough with them.  I am beyond open about my faults yet I can't seem to fix them as fast as id like.  I aim to be an amazing wife who pleases her husband in more ways than one and yet j feel like I don't do enough for him either......But then I reread through this post and feel like I should realize I do more than most others.  

How do you do it all???  Really???  I'd love to hear from other bloggers and SAHM.

*Sorry I just had to get that rant off my chest!

**I had to update this with a link to another bloggers post (one of whom I consider to be a friend)...read her post when you have a moment as well.  "I want your honest opinions though: Do you read a blog because it is real, or because it's always happy? Do you like it when you can identify with the blogger or no? "

Prepara Chef Bottle Kit Review and Giveaway

     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 am always updating my kitchen and trying out the newest gadgets I can find or cooking up my own creations.  I love being that contact for my friends, family, and followers when they are looking into anything kitchen.  I was recenyly sent a Chef's Bottle Kit from Prepara to use for all of my kitchen adventures.

     Because I also love to bake especially with my kids, I thought this would be a good opportunity to play with the kids in the kitchen.  After a while the same old thing just gets boring and you need to spice things up a bit for the little ones.  I am always trying to come up with new cookie designs or trying new cake recipes.  The other day Dane watched a cartoon where they baked their own cake so I decided to let him and Declan go to town on their own recipe.  Not exactly my cleanest idea but who cares if the kids have fun right?!  So they went crazy adding all sorts of fruit and flavorings and after I used my newest review product to decorate it with a strawberry syrup.

     Now because of how runny the strawberry syrup was the design didn't look all that great and especially since Dane doesn't have the steadiest of hands.  With this kit comes two heat resistant silicone squeeze bottles with one fine tip nozzle and one thick nozzle.  It also includes heat resistant silicone pastry brush tip.  Everything is heat resistant, microwavable, and dishwasher safe.  The pastry brush will work great for marinading our meats while grilling.

Cost:  $19.99
Available to purchase:  Prepara
Recommendation:  Out of all the awesome kitchen gadgets that Prepara has, this would not have been my first choice.  But it is a pretty cool tool to use if you grill or bake a lot and its pretty decently priced.  I was also a little dissappointed that my box came destroyed and it looked like they had retaped it before sending to me (which makes me a little sad).  Definitely still head over to Prepara's website to check out more really awesome tools like their fresh herb keepers.
Facebook:  Prepara
Twitter:  @prepara
Giveaway:   Prepara is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's lucky readers a Chef Bottle Kit of their own!

*Read my Disclosure 

Ohio Flame Fire Pit Giveaway Free Blogger Event

Only 3 days left to sign up!!  Don't forget!

PRESENTS

 

Prize: 

Ohio Flame's "The Patriot"  24” Fire Pit in Natural Steel Finish 

ARV $278

This is a FREE Blogger Giveaway Event with announcement post. 

Link Options ($2 ea w/o announcement):

Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

When: 8/20 -9/3  

Hosted by:

A Lucky Ladybug

and 

Mommy's Favorite Things

Who: Open to US residents in the continental 48 states 

**Bloggers worldwide can join in the participation as long as you have at least 50% US readership

**The blogger with the most referrals will receive the additional links at no cost

Click HERE to sign up and for more html info.

Tattler Reusable Canning Lid Review and Giveaway

     For anyone who hasn't seen my crafty herb garden boxes made from wipe containers, you might not know that I am crazy obsessed with my edible gardening.  In Michigan we don't get much of a summer but you better believe I utilize every last bit of sunlight.  I actually start my seeds early in the year so they are ready to be transferred outside early spring.  Of course we buy very little produce throughout the summer because of this and what we don't eat I either freeze or can.  One of the first things you learn as a canner is that you need to follow all instructions to ensure proper safety of your preserved foods.  This most importantly includes sealing your jars properly.

Konvine Shimmery Black Roll-up Shoe Review and Giveaway

     Now even though I try to wear flip flops all year round, I am not the type to wear them when getting dressed up adn going out.  Since I am such a laid back chick when it comes to every day clothing, I like to shine when I actually get out of the house.  It is the only time you will catch me wearing makeup and very minimal at that.  What I do love strutting is my shoes!  I used to wear a lot of the chunky or thick high heeled shoes and after children I then moved on to a little more reserved shoes until recently when I brought back out the bad a$$ heels.  I am now a huge fan of the stillhettos but with wearing them comes some pretty rough evenings.

Conscious Box New 100% Vegan Giveaway (and review reposted)

I had to share this great new opportunity with all of you!!  "Conscious Box is now offering a 100% vegan subscription, and the first box is being curated by none other than Brendan Brazier, former pro Ironman triathlete, bestselling author of Thrive, and formulator of Vega."  In celebration of this new addition, Conscious Box will be giving away a Vegan Box to one Lucky Reader!! (see below for rafflecopter form)

Ok so we all know an important part of being a couponer is sending out requests for samples frequently so we can get the coupons that usually come along with the products. But what about for the purpose of trying new things as well. It seems as though the "new thing" is joining a monthly mailing club where you get a whole buffet of items to try out, test, and enjoy before you have to spend the full amount only to find out you dislike a product or the way it works. The more popular and first of these kinds of mailing clubs or groups I think of are your beer or wine clubs. The newest company I stumbled across, I am very excited to tell all of you about - Conscious Box. "Conscious Box is a monthly delivery of pure and sustainable products that are handpicked from businesses that care for the planet"

I constantly have people asking me whether or not its possible to coupon when buying organic or earth friendly products. The answer is yes of course. The main thing is, you need to know what you like and what your looking for (especially when trying to find deals/coupons for the products). With Conscious Box, you will receive a box at the beginning of each month filled with a plethora of eco responsible products. Not only do you get to try these items before buying them but you get special savings included in each box. The items are changed each month and focus around a specific theme based on theme of the month or season.

One of the exciting things I liked about Conscious Box was discovering new companies I didn't know existed and old ones I didn't know were "ethical, sustainable, and honest businesses that create the purest products available." All products are 100% vegetarian and even several are vegan. Each vary from food to beauty products and of course none tested on animals. Another really cute thing I noticed was my box came with a little postcard explaining all sorts of creative ways to reuse my box once emptied instead of just tossing it into the garbage.

I also want to add something I felt was an import part of who Conscious Box is:
"Conscious Box is committed to overcoming the problem of greenwashing. Used to describe deceptive business tactics that lead consumers to believe something is “green” when it really isn’t, greenwashing” is rampant in today’s markets. We hope to educate, inform, and prevent consumers from falling for these tactics by providing them with products that are authentic and purposeful."

Cost: $12/mo + $7 Shipping
Available to purchase: Conscious Box
Recommendation: I really have to say this is one of those companies and products that makes me feel good about spending my money. They know there are always new ways to continue improving and changing. Conscious Box educates their members in every aspect they can come up with. I liked most of the products from this month and the ones I didn't I was still glad I was able to try. The kiddos loved trying the new snacks as well as it was a fun way for them to learn.
Facebook: Conscious Box

Twitter @consciousbox
Giveaway: Conscious Box is going to give one of A Lucky Ladybug's lucky readers a Monthly Box of their own!

*Read my Disclosure