reviews

protect your jeans with dryel

My jeans are the foundation of my wardrobe - I want my favorite pairs to last a long time! Good denim in an investment, so take care of your jeans!! They are NOT like your other clothes!

1. Don't wash too often:

Wear your jeans three or four times between washings to help them hold up longer and fade slower. Unless your toddler blows his nose on you - not that this ever happens to me - you probably don't need to wash them.

2. Be Kind:

If you do machine your jeans, turn them inside out and wash them in cold water with a gentle color guard detergent or color protector, like Clorox 2.

3. Hang Dry:

The heat from the dryer causes your jeans to fade faster. Hang dry overnight instead.

4. If you must dry:

Dry denim on the delicate setting (lowest heat). It will take a realllly long time, but it will make a difference! If you hate the stiff feeling that comes from hang drying jeans, then just throw them in the dryer on low or no heat and let them soften up a bit.

5. Try Dryel!

Dryel is a convenient at-home Dry Cleaning system that safely steams and cleans soils, stains and odors while removing wrinkles. Just place up to four garments in the Dryel Bag and add the pre-moistened Dryel Cloth and Zip It. Place it in your dryer for 30 minutes to Steam It. Then remove your garments from the Dryel Bag and Hang it. I tried Dryel recently and thought it made my jeans look fabulous. It was so easy, too. And Dryel helps me keep my favorite jeans looking terrific.

disclosure: i received a sample of dryel to facilitae a review.

encouraging my girls with K'NEX

My two girls are pretty much the girliest girls out there. We have a very barbie-pink-ruffley-tutu intensive household. But I really have a desire to encourage my girls to break away from that and explore other play options besides jewelry making, tea parties and playing with dolls. When they were little, we bought them things like trucks (which they turned into doll cradles)  and then we gave up. But now they are getting older and the toy options are becoming much more fun!

So when two tubs of K'NEX arrived on my doorstep last week, there were little-girl-squeals of joy. They grabbed the tubs, ran up to their room and disappeared for two whole hours.When I checked on them, I discovered they had combined all of our K'NEX to make a huge tower that reached taller than their bunkbeds. We already had this 400 piece tub (which they really like to play with) and with our two new tubs, the K'Nex 350 Piece Value Tub and the tub o' blocks, the building possibilities are endless!

I love it!! I was so proud of them for thinking big and being so creative!  I love that K'NEX have become one of my girls favorite toys to play with. I have spoken before on this site about how much I dislike toys that don't allow for kids to use their imaginations. I perfer toys that allow them to create something and stretch beyond the obvious to really use their imaginations. Plus, K'NEX are so great for building fine motor develoment and teaching them to plan, focus and be creative.

If your kids love K'NEX, they might be interested to know that K’NEX is inviting kids to design a creative, original model made entirely from K’NEX parts. Three imaginative children – one from each of the three age groups: 5 to 6-year-olds; 7 to 8-year-olds; and, 9 to 12-year-olds - will each win a $10,000 savings bond for college. The models made entirely of K’NEX pieces are judged on creativity, uniqueness and detail.

In addition to $10,000 for college, the three grand prize winners will also receive a trip for three to K'NEX headquarters near Philadelphia, PA for the K’NEXpert Award Ceremony, where they can meet each other and discover, through company designers and a factory tour, how K’NEX is made. Seven finalists will each receive $1,000 savings bonds and all ten winners will receive $250 worth of free K’NEX Building Sets, and their very own photo gallery page at www.knex.com.

The 2011 K’NEXpert Search will run through September 10, 2010. Children can enter by printing out the entry form available at http://www.knex.com/club/images/becoming/2011-KNEXpert-Search-Details-Rules.pdf and mailing it in.

The K’NEXpert Search is open to U.S. and Canadian residents and there is no purchase necessary. And - much to my engineer husband and his co-workers dismay - they do not have an adult age division. Maybe next year. For more information on K’NEX, the contest and previous winners, visit www.knex.com.

Melissa talks fashion at b*Stylish and family on her personal blog, Girlymama.

disclosure: i recieved two tubs of k'nex to facilitate this review. i was not compensated financially and, as always, all opinions are mine.

 

braza swim shapers

So its August... how is your bathing suit holding up? If its like mine, its doing great.... except for one little problem. You know those little removable foamy pad things they put inside the top? That always move around, wrinkle and are generally useless? Mine are a mess. The rest of my favorite, super adorable swimsuit is in perfect shape, but these pads look awful. I can't wear the suit without them for, um, coverage reasons. But they never lay right and are generally annoying.

So when I was contacted by Braza to try out their Swim Shapers, I was totally game. The email they sent me went something like this:
"Your suit just isn’t holding up as well as it did at the beginning of the summer. The foam pads in the top have become misshapen and out of place... Swim Shapers are available in either covered foam or silicon and in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different swimsuit styles and to provide different cleavage-bearing options. Swim Shapers are the perfect alternative to the cheap foam pads that come in swimsuits that usually get crumbled up or fall out."

I responded with a "Yes! How did you know I had that problem?" but I was thinking, "Did they see me at the pool at the Y trying to inconspicuously adjust those stupid foam pads in my bathing suit yesterday?"

Well, let me tell you, these things are amazing. My bathing suit not only looks like new, but it fits a lot better. I'm not, shall we say, as blessed as some women are in the voluptuousness, so a little extra padding is much appreciated. The triangle swim shaper fit perfectly into my halter tankini (as I tossed the yucky old foam pads that came with it with glee), they did not move or bunch up and were very comfy. Plus, they provided more coverage than the foam pads did, so I felt so much more comfortable.

And the best part - Swim Shapers are under $10 on Amazon and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. That's a lot cheaper than a new swimsuit. I highly recommend these to anyone! They saved my favorite swimsuit!

disclosure: i received a pack of swim shapers to facilitate my review. i was not compensated financially for this post. as always, all opinions are mine.

Great Baby Gifts Ideas from Jen Klair Kids!

Great Baby Gifts Ideas from Jen Klair Kids!

JEN KLAIR KIDS SPECIAL – Sign up for the newsletter for special promotions, offers and deals, PLUS a 10% coupon off you first order!!

Two Piece Layette Sets by Baby Aspen - Only $35!!

How cute are these? Perfect baby gift idea! Choose from Ballerina, Doctor, Camo or Chef Two Piece Layette Sets! 100% comfy cotton outfit comes with a matching hat and booties! Newborn – 6 month sizes.

Check out Baby Aspen Baby Products!

Swaddle Sock and Matching Cap Set by Tiny Turnip - $66

Unique and adorable for a baby portrait! Just slide it on and keep baby swaddled and comfy! So many colors to choose from that you'll want more than one! Coordinate your infant with your favorite sports team colors, too! 100% cotton.

Check out Swaddle Sock by Tiny Turnip! PMMVJ7UGYWAF

Newsweek's summer gift guide - don't miss it!

Newsweek just recently published an absolutely fabulous gift guide for the end of summer!

Be sure to check it out!

jamboo creations: babyproofing with style

If you have an active two-year-old who likes to fall down around sharp corners like I do, you'll probably just LOVE Jamboo Creations!

Jamboo’s debut product addresses one of the greatest areas of concern for child safety at home: The sharp-edged area around the fireplace hearth, which also happens to be a major focal point for entertainment and family gatherings. The founders of Jamboo Creations and parents of a vivacious 4 year old, Gina and Bill Maguire, have blended the elements of design and safety into one unique and creative baby-proofing solution, with HearthSoft™, by Jamboo Creations- the first fireplace hearth cover that accomplishes two clever and essential objectives:

1. Add a safe layer of protection for your child or loved one (including those with disabilities) around the hard surfaces and sharp edges of the fireplace.

2. Create an attractive home furnishing piece that enhances the look and usability of any room, using durable, easy-to-clean and flame-retardant designer fabrics.

The patent-pending, durable, lightweight HearthSoft unit is custom-tailored to fit any hearth and decor and goes directly from shipping box to the fireplace hearth, with no assembly required. Zippered entries further enhance the convenience factor, allowing for easy cleaning when necessary. In addition, the padded skirt folds effortlessly underneath for easy storage in a closet or under a bed. The top pad of the HearthSoft contains 2” of dense, flame-retardant polyfoam that is wrapped in Dacron. The skirt contains 1” of dense polyfoam.

Available in 12 colors, HearthSoft is priced at $249.00, with low, flat rate shipping and Jamboo’s 100% money-back Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. Unusual hearth shapes and custom fabrics to fit any décor are also welcome, as part of Jamboo’s commitment to bringing safety and style to any interior design specifications.

Back to School with Hello Kitty

We love Hello Kitty in our house. We have Hello Kitty dolls, pajamas (even me!), coloring books, lunchboxes... it goes on!

Well, Hello Kitty is more popular than ever and there are just oodles of adorable things for back to school!!

Classic Hello Kitty Spiral Notebooks

Hello Kitty Lunch Boxes

Hello Kitty backpacks

And - is it just me - or is this just the very cutest Flash Drive you've ever seen in your whole life?

Don't miss out on this super fun trend!!

Got Family? Get Organized!

The new school year brings utter chaos to our household. Its not just me, right? Right??

It’s normal for kids to generate chaos and disorganization (it comes with the territory), but being organized is a learned skill that is developed over time. With guidance and practice, kids can develop an effective approach to becoming organized. Amy Morris, single Mom of two teenagers and founder of GotFamilyGetOrganized.com, offers these unique tips to help your kids start the school year with a check plus.

5 Ways To Keep Kids Organized

Hub Of The House – Create a central location to hang a bulletin board that will hold important school and family information. Teach kids to update the calendar upon receiving new information and get in the habit of checking it the night before for the following day’s activities so that they can prepare in advance. 

GotFamilyGetOrganized.com – An organized parent sets a good example. This website stores in a unique, simplified, and easy to use format, important family information: school schedules and extracurricular activities, social and sport information, and medical, just to name a few, and it is all available in a central location that can be accessed anytime and anywhere – from any computer, iPad, or smart phone.

Organize Backpacks – A backpack is your child’s personal assistant. Teach them how to keep it neatly organized by only filling them with necessary school day items and keeping out unnecessary loose papers, non-school items and liquids. 

Make Lists – Teaching kids to make and prioritize lists will provide them with a greater sense of accomplishment - as they complete items and their lists become smaller, they will feel more productive and they have a greater sense of satisfaction in themselves.  Kids will take ownership for their tasks, shape their own time, and gain greater independence.

Student File Storage – Teach your kids to sort and effectively file school papers in an organized manner.  It will be crucial to them at exam time – especially if midterm and end of year final exams are inclusive of all the material covered to date. 

Organization is an awesome opportunity for kids to gain self-confidence and independence and not lose their sanity or you lose yours.  A super thank you to Amy for these terrific tips to start out the school year!! Be sure to check outGot Family? Get Organized! for more help getting organized for the new school year.

sweetpea beauty: a girl after god's own heart

Even at the young age of seven, my daughter is becoming aware of her looks: It worries me. She wants to cut her hair because "no one has very long hair like me" and worries "Does this match? Is this shirt okay, Mom?" I want to tell her everyday how beautiful she is... but I don't want to have her thinking that is what is most important.

But this is our society. Our daughters are bombarded by artificial beauty - airbrushed, surgically enhanced, dangerously thin people dominate television, movies and magazines. Rather than celebrating differences, we accept a standard of beautiful (that is unrealistic) and mercilessly compare ourselves to it. Does anyone feel they are beautiful enough? Or thin enough? 

So this is why I loved the newest VeggieTales movie called Sweetpea Beauty: A Girl After God's Own Heart. Its a fabulous movie that teaches girls  the real value of true beauty and that God loves them just as He made them. The exact message I've been trying to embed into my little ones! I loved this video and so did my little girls. They thought it was so wonderful and they hardly noticed that they were learning such an important lessons.
Honestly, I was practically in tears during this one - it was just such a fabulous message that I want to instill in my little girls. Every little girl should watch this!

Check out the trailer here. Trust me, you will not be disappointed. I cannot recommend this one enough!

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of Sweetpea Beauty for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this post.  As always all opinions are mine.

REVEAL - sustainable AND fashionable acessories

Spruce up your Summer style with REVEAL, the hottest eco-luxury handbags and accessories on the market… made from sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled polyester (made from reclaimed water bottles), hemp, jute, cruelty-free vegan leather and recycled zippers.

REVEAL is an innovative, sustainable fashion accessories line.  The line features fashion-forward women’s handbags and wallets, men’s messenger bags and bamboo accessories all made with the highest-quality eco-friendly materials.  With REVEAL, you don’t have to choose between fashion and a better planet.

All REVEAL products are meticulously designed to represent the real you – a fashion-forward trendsetter who cares about our planet and believes that together we can make a difference.  To review the entire collection, please visit:  www.revealshop.com.

One last thing you should know, when you shop at REVEAL, your helping to restore the planet.  For each item purchased, REVEAL will plant a tree. REVEAL works with American Forests, the oldest non-profit conservation organization in the US, to replant native trees in damaged eco-systems around the world. To learn more about our REPLANT program, please visit http://www.revealshop.com/pages/social-responsibility.  And to understand more about our sustainable practices, please go to http://www.revealshop.com/pages/sustainability.