Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Comfybuns Customs - Cloth Wipes Review and Giveaway **CLOSED**

A little while back I received a "Tester Pack" of wipes from Comfybuns Customs. In it was two 'Perfect' wipes which are 8x8 and 4 'Petite Personal' which are 6x4.5.



I also did a picture with my hand between the two to give an idea of the sizes (as numbers don't mean a whole lot to me lol)


I will say I am very happy with these wipes. I washed them as soon as I got them and they came out looking very good. One thing I will state though - I chose to wash them by themselves the first time as I don't usually mix colors with anything on the first wash. They handled the wash well, but folded up a bit in the dryer causing them to come out a bit damp. After that I've been putting them through the wash with my towels and they come out looking great and being dry every time. These were put to the true test this weekend when I had my boys here. Three toddlers can sure make a mess and these worked. We used the smaller ones as hand cloths and they held up to jam, dirt, and extra (still not sure what one of the kids got into lol) I used the bigger ones as unpaper towels. Which this weekend came to be used with a lot of spills. They all held up well. The pictures were taken today after these wipes have been washed a couple times now. They still look like new (mind you a little wrinkled as I didn't fold my towels right away sshhh lol). I am looking through her site and eying up her many different fabric choices (in both solids and prints) and preparing to be purchasing much more in the near future.

In the mean time Comfybuns Customs has offered to giveaway TWO 'Tester Packs' to my readers!! That's right - two lucky readers get to win!! The Tester Packs will be done with gender neutral fabric (she has them made up all ready so they are ready to ship as soon as this is over!)



Contest is open to Canada and US. 
Contest will be open until June 6th at 9:30am Central


To enter please comment below - why you like cloth wipes and how you use them? Or why you would like to try them.

Extra entries are available by doing one of the following - please comment below that you've done the extra's (one comment per extra completed).

- Follow So much ... So fast ... So cute

- Like Comfybuns Customs on Facebook

- Like So much ... So fast ... So cute on facebook


- Follow Comfybuns Customs blog

- Post about this giveaway on Facebook


- Post about this giveaway through Twitter

Monday, May 30, 2011

WINNER - Soap Nuts Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Soap Nuts Giveaway!!! I have chosen the winner through Random.org 


And the trial package of  Soap Nuts goes to entry 22...


Jessica


Please contact Spotted Owl to claim your prize. 


Everyone else - please keep your eyes open as new reviews/giveaways will be added soon!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Pick a room - mudroom/entry way

I've decided that every few days I'll pick a room and write about must have products for that room. I ask that you comment with what your 'must haves' (or suggestions) are as well! 


Today I have picked the mudroom (if you have one - I do not) or entry way. I will admit I need help here. Currently you walk into an entry hall. The closet it off to the side. The kids dump their shoes/jackets/backpacks and walk away. They can't reach the closet as it's 'adult size', so they don't bother with any of it. And currently it is storing some extra boxes so you can't even kick off your shoes into it. First off I need to clean it out. I've been eying up something like these 

and having three across the bottom for the kids to kick in their shoes/boots and then set their back packs on top. I could maybe even hang some lower hangers above the cages so they can hang their jackets. This way everything gets moved into the closet instead of a heap at the door. My must have product for this area is our rug. Its nothing fancy at all just something that you can wipe your feet on as you walk in. But after numerous slides through the hallway due to wet shoes - it is a must have. Plus you don't notice how dirty it is compared to a floor lol. 


Ok your turn - what are your must have's, wants or suggestions?

Friday, May 27, 2011

I don't get it

It is 12:30am and here I am wide awake. I don't get it. BF is asleep as is the dog, cat, and all kittens - even baby is asleep (or not moving around anyways) and here I am WIDE AWAKE lol. Oh well it's always good to enjoy some quiet time to yourself I guess.

I'm looking forward to what is sure to be a busy weekend. There is nothing planned but I get my boys tomorrow until Monday morning. I'm excited to have them here and I'm sure they will keep me on my toes. Having three toddler boys in the house, how can things not be busy and interesting?

Had my doctor appointment on Wednesday and all is looking good with baby! We have 11 weeks until due date now but I have broken that into smaller 'goal dates' as 11 weeks seems like a scary number. There is 3 weeks until I can deliver at my hospital of choice (yes having all three boys come early makes a person think of this). And 8 weeks until 'goal date'. Again having three boys come early you pick a reasonable goal date where you are then happy to have made it that far. As long as baby is born healthy, I will be happy! Although the longer she chooses to stay and cook the better. I'm sure I'll change my tune come early August though lol.

Just a reminder that I have the Soap Nuts giveaway ending on Monday! Please pass it on to everyone who might be interested!

I have two different styles of cloth wipes that will get put to the test over the weekend with reviews to be posted on them next week. And I have been contacted by a few other companies to do different reviews so I am excited to see them come in the mail so I can post about them as well.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Good Customer Service

Just thought I would post quickly about some good customer service I just received. Here's the story leading up to the phone call I made today. I was grocery shopping Sunday afternoon and BF decided he wanted to try the Olivieri Cannelloni pasta - we picked up Spinach and Cheese. Neither of us had tried this product before but were looking forward to it. It was kept cold on the transport home and immediatly put into the fridge. Along comes Monday I open it to cook it for supper and oh my. It STINKS and is covered in mold. I double check the 'best before' date which is June 20th - so still plenty of time. And it was kept cold so that wasn't it. I checked the seal and other then where I had it opened it was still sealed well. I was disgusted. But decided since I'm sure companies want a chance to make it right I should call them. I called Olivieri today and was very happy. He asked some questions about the product. When/where did I buy it? What did I see when I opened it? What was the best before date? He did ask what the bar code was but I didn't have it - I didn't think to write it down. But was able to still get the information he needed. He then took down my mailing info and asked if the quality control dept could call me back if needed which I agreed to. He ended the call stating I am to expect to receive a few replacements in the mail in 5-10 days. I will keep my eyes open and make sure to post what comes. I also put a call into the store manager for the grocery store I bought it from. There was no answer but I left a message. I'm curious to see if he will call me back on this.

Just to note* I did not make these calls in anticipation of replacement product. I made the calls for the company to be aware of how there product was on the shelf.

I am very happy with how the call went. And in honesty if replacement coupons come I will give it another shot.

Has anyone else tried the Olivieri products? If so what do you think? Good or bad?

Monday, May 23, 2011

Soap Nuts Review and Giveaway! ***CLOSED***

I have been in touch with The Spotted Owl for a couple weeks now. In this time I have tried a sample package of Soap Nuts and prepared a review and we've agreed to do a giveaway of another trial size package of Soap Nuts so another fan can try them for themselves!!


Before getting my package to try, I had heard of Soap Nuts. But honestly I had no idea what they were or how they worked. When the package arrived it was a little bag with these nut things in them. To me it looked like broken up peanut shells. I'm thinking mine got roughed up a bit through transport as the picture I have found shows them whole. 

I asked how was the best way to use these neat little things, and was surprised to find out they actually hold a lot of uses. The decision was to test them out on my laundry. It seemed to me to be the most efficient way to use them where they would last a while and I could be able to put an honest review on them.


Using them in the wash was simple. Just tie a knot in the top of the bag (to hold the 'nuts' in) and throw it into the wash. I have gotten 13 loads out of my trial bag so far and I just checked the soap nuts bag and by the looks of it I can get a few more washes still!! When the nuts get soft/grey/mushy your supposed to throw it out (or compost if you do that). I was leery at first as I wasn't sure how well these little Soap Nuts were going to hold up to laundry of 6 people including three toddler boys. And we all know how messy toddlers can be. I did not notice a scent on the clothing after being washed with Soap Nuts. And everything has come out clean. Even the pants my boys chose to wear 'puddle hopping' and I didn't get them into the wash until the next day - so the dirt was nicely dried in at that point. I will be getting myself more of these to use in the future as I am very impressed. In the mean time I'm looking into finding out what other uses these have as it would be nice to try them in other was as well. 


One lucky reader is now able to win their own trial size package of Soap Nuts thanks to The Spotted Owl. I will leave this giveaway open until Monday May 30th at 9:30am Central Time. It is open to all readers worldwide!! 

To enter please comment below - why you like soap nuts and how you use them? Or why you would like to try them. 

Extra entries are available by doing one of the following - please comment below that you've done the extra's (one comment per extra completed). 

- Follow So much ... So fast ... So cute 

- Like The Spotted Owl on Facebook


- Like So much ... So fast ... So cute on facebook

- Post about this giveaway on Facebook

- Post about this giveaway through Twitter













Friday, May 20, 2011

It's May Long Weekend!!

What's your plans?

Unfortunately I don't have my boys this weekend, but trying to stay relatively busy anyways. Today  the back yard got cleaned up of the dogs business and the entire lawn was mowed. I've managed to get a few loads of laundry pushed through and even get in a nap. Now trying to lay down and chill while preparing to go work a social tonight. I volunteer with the Fire Department and part of our fundraising is doing the bar's at socials. If I go I usually just sit and sell tickets so it's not too strenuous.

Tomorrow the plan is to sleep in and relax for the morning. In the late afternoon we're heading out to get some groceries shopping done. In the evening is the Circus! It would be more fun if I had the boys with me - but I'm sure we'll enjoy it still as BF has never been before. Tie it off with an early night!

No plans for Sunday/Monday other then tidying. I want to take it as easy as possible to keep baby determined to stay in and keep cooking. We're at 28 weeks now! So that is 4 weeks until we can deliver at our hospital of choice, and 9 weeks until our goal date!!

If you're not doing anything this year, do you normally? I'd love to be able to go camping - but right now it's not in the cards.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Blog Hop Tuesday!

Does anyone else participate in Blog Hop's? I find them a fun way to meet up with other bloggers! It does take a bit of time - but it makes a lot of neat connections!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Yard Sales !!

Does anyone else go to them? Our town does a town wide one twice a year. Yesterday was our Spring one, and we'll expect another for fall season in October. We didn't buy a whole lot, but I was quiet happy with what we found! We got a dog cage thing that goes at the back of the van to keep the dog in the back and not jumping around on to the kids. It stays in all the time so that makes it easy. We got a bag of girly cloths for baby. I was surprised with how little was out there this year. Everyone must have had boys last summer lol. And I got 12 books. With being off work those should keep me going for a while. Especially since I just had a friend send me 3 new books and I just purchased a few new books. Plus the library gets a new stock in soon. I for see a lot of reading in my future - which is good as it will keep me on my butt relaxing and hopefully keeping baby inside!

So do you go to yard sales? Why or why not? What has been your best find?

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Good Mail Day!!

Yesterday was a very good mail day!! I ment to post about it last night but didn't quiet make it there due to an emergency door fix that required to be done at mom's house. But now here door is fixed and I can post about mail lol. I got two packages of things to sample and review.

The first was a trial bag of Soap Nuts from The Spotted Owl. They are in my washing machine as we speak working on load #2. There will be a review to come but I am going to wait until I get a chance to use them a bit more first.

The second package was two different sized wipes from Comfybuns Customs. First thought is they look like I am going to love them!! They are in line to be washed then I will make sure to put them to use and make a review for them as well. I'm not sure about others but I always wash things when I get them. Weather it is sent by someone or I buy it myself from a store.

I know there are other things coming that I am excited to post about and review. As well I have more around the house that we've been using that I would like to review as well. If there is anything out there you would like me to try - just let me know!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Add in 6 more!!

Well today our little kitty had 6 little kitties of her own! We knew she was expecting and was ready for the little ones to come any day now. I do have to say whomever said they'll hide before going into labor, LIED lol. He first bag of water broke on me. And then she refused to leave my side until kitten #1 was born. After a bit she took kitten #1 upstairs and went under the twins bunk bed. I gave her space and when checking in 1/2 hour later she had #4. Within an hour she had finished up and had a total for 6! All seem to be doing well. She has been out and about demanding attention and eating lots. All babies seem to be doing well too. Pictures will come in a day or two.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Cascade Action Packs Review

We normally use Cascade gel in our dishwasher. Depending on what we are washing we'll throw in a couple tbsp's of bleach as well. When I got a sample pack of Cascade Action Packs I decided it would be worth trying. We had two packs in the sample. I used one with bleach and one without. I have to say I am very impressed with what I saw. I love that they are easy to use. It was just a matter of popping one in. No measuring or pouring. I found they worked great! They worked better then the Cascade gel and up until now we found the Cascade gel had worked best for us. We don't necessarily need to add bleach. I think that's more of a machine/water preference as some glasses don't come completely clean without the bleach. I really don't think it's the detergents fault though. Once we finish our container of gel, we will be switching I'm sure.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Intuition Sensitive Care Review

Has anyone ever tried it before? I got a free Intuition Sensitive Care Razor when shopping at Theme Maternity last month. I had put it away and honestly forgotten about it until yesterday. Myself, I had never previously tried it. I have seen them in stores but was ok with my normal brand so I didn't feel the NEED to switch. I decided I would give it a try after recieving the free sample and tried it yesterday. 

I have to say I love it! It is now on my list of top choices now when razor shopping. The handle fits well in my hand which makes it easy to use. I love having the soap around the razor. For me, keeping shaving cream near the tub is a pain. And remembering to grab shaving cream when going to get in the shower never happens. This takes shaving cream out of the equation all together. This razor has given me the closest shave I have felt in a long time.  My legs feel so soft and smooth from both the razor and the soap. Even my boyfriend noticed the difference and is impressed!! I would recommend this product to anyone looking to try one. 

Please feel free to post your own opinions on this product.



Friday, May 6, 2011

And the verdict is....

Sorry I didn't get to posting a pic for guesses....I have been on the go since 6:30 am and at this point I am sure more people want to know what it is then what my belly looks like. So the verdict is


TEAM PINK!!!

Yep we're having a girl! 3d ultrasound was obvious!!

Another giveaway spotted!!

One Smiley Monkey is holding another neat giveaway! This time it is for a OiOi Baby Bag - diaper wallet. I think it looks pretty neat! Make sure you get your name in for it too if your interested!
Diaper Wallet Giveaway

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Big Day Tomorrow!!

For those of you who have been following along on the pregnancy, you'll know tomorrow is a big day for us!! We go for our 3d ultrasound in the evening. If baby co-operates, we fully anticipate to find out gender! I will make sure to post an update on here as soon as we can. And plan is tomorrow morning to post a belly pic so you can post your own predictions.

I have reached 26 weeks finally! It may not seem like a big milestone to some - but due to complicated pregnancies it marks a milestone for us. 26 weeks is when we are finally able to deliver in our own province. No having to worry about being flown many hours away should baby come early. As much as indigestion is no fun, I want baby to stay put. I would love to have a full term healthy baby that I could take home with me. My first two were born at 32 weeks and were born at a large center 2.5 hours from home. They spent 5 weeks in the hospital and shortly after being released they caught RSV which caused them to be re-admitted. My third (and current youngest) was born at 37 weeks - at a non-delivery hospital - but right across the street from where we were living at that time. Although 37 weeks is 'technically' full term, he did have low blood sugar and then jaundice which caused him to be transported 1 hour to the nearest NICU where he stayed for a week. Unfortunately due to having 10 month old twins at home, I couldn't stay with him for the last four days. My final goal is to make it full term with a healthy baby which I bring home with me. In the mean time it's all small steps. We've made it so we can deliver in the province...next step is at 32 weeks we can deliver at the hospital of our choice. That means 6 weeks to that goal. Now hopefully baby agrees to wait out the next 14 weeks without complaint!

Found Giveaways

I have found two giveaways that One Smiley Monkey is doing! Feel free to go take a look and enter for yourself!!

HipKiddo One Size Cloth Diaper

GroEgg Room Thermometer

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Intro

Hello Everyone!!

I thought it would be a good idea cleaning up the blog and starting fresh! So here I am starting fresh. A quick intro on me. I am a working mom (who is currently off due to pregnancy) living a newly blended family. My boyfriend has three adult children (girl/boy/girl) and I have three toddlers (all boys), as well we are expecting our first together in August. For work I do EMS and am apart of the local volunteer fire department. My boyfriend drives school bus and handyvan and as well is apart of our local volunteer fire department. We manage to keep busy between work and kids. 

I have noticed so many requests for people to post giveaways on their blogs and people looking for reviews. So I thought that along with showing an insight on our chaotic live, I would show you ways we survive by letting you know where I find giveaways and contests as well as show some reviews on the products we use in our household. If things work out the way I hope, there will be a fair share of giveaways happening as well!

If you're reading please comment, let me know you are out there and I'm not talking to myself!