An awesome summer onesie- b.b. bliss

When I was sent this onesie to review, I wasn't expecting anything special... my opinion changed with a little white box delivered in the mail.

See my Candy Jam/4 The Love of Couture review for a picture of Ladybug wearing her new b.b. bliss onesie!

Wrapped in lime green tissue paper, I found a hot pink long sleeved onesie with lime green binding. I was shocked when I touched the fabric, as it was so light and airy- it's made of the same material as Fireman's running shirts!


Designed to wick moisture away while providing UV protection, b.b. bliss offers a onesie like none other than I've seen before. I love Ladybug's new stylin' onesie that keeps her protected from the elements and cool at the same time!


We've been extremely impressed- not only is the onesie wrinkle free, but it dries really quickly, so our hose lover doesn't stay soaked for long. It's also got a great subtle stretch to it, so she looks comfortable no matter how full her belly is or what she's stretching up to grab.


Both thumbs are way up for this. Our only complaint is that they're only offered to 18 months... we'd love to see bigger long/short sleeved tees too!


Go check them out at b.b. bliss!


Many thanks to PTPA Media for organizing this review opportunity!

My new favorite thing!

The product I am writing about today cannot get enough love or praise. I simply adore it, and am so eager to share my discovery with you!

I was sent a large FURminator to test. Meet Bella, our Border Collie/German Shepherd/etc mix.

Bella is an absolutely wonderful dog, but with the mix of breeds, she's an awful shedder- she's got a double coat that is constantly releasing, nit at season change she drops chunks of hair. It's gross, and we're tired of inhaling dog hair when we open the door to the windy outside or we put her. Baths don't help and regular brushing isn't worth the effort for the pitiful results.

After seeing the FURminator's 'classic' advertisement with the golden retriever surrounded by piles of hair, my curiosity was piqued.

[Yes, it really does that.. and more!]

The moment UPS arrived with the package, I called Bella and she sat in front of me, wondering what my excitement was about...
it took exactly three strokes to impress me. Within three minutes [no elaboration] I had a pile of hair that rivalled FURminator ads. I brushed and brushed and brushed [though it feels more like combing] for over an hour. The time flew because each stroke removed so much hair! I finally stopped with great reluctance, and did another session on the two days following.
If it hadn't been windy and Ladybug hadn't insisted on 'helping', your eyes would have bugged out at the pile of hair I removed. the piles I was able to pick up I compacted into a bag, and we had a very full grocery bag... at the end of the first session! I couldn't believe it, but the following two days produced nearly as much. Yes, our dog is chubby, but a lot of her thickness was the extra fur!

The amount of hair I removed is incredible- it's insane actually. I had no idea that Bella had so much hair!

The day after the first session proved its results. Ladybug loves 'helping' "Swiffer" the floor [with a microfiber cloth] because she sees me doing it so often [I could easily do it several times per day], but I didn't do it once the day after! We have dark laminate flooring, so Bella's honey colored undercoat is easily seen, but there was simply nothing being dropped!

Because Bella is such a bad shedder, we've been doing weekly mini sessions for upkeep, and I've hardly had any dog hair to pick up around the house. We can ruffle her fur and pet her where ever we like, and there's no longer the whirlwind of hairs swirling around us while we do! We're truly amazed wish we'd discovered this sooner.

FURminator also sent us a bag of deShedding treats and a spray bottle of waterless deShedding shampoo & conditioner. Bella highly recommends the treats, though I can't honestly say whether they've helped her shedding or not [we've removed all the excess with the FURminator already!]. The waterless shampoo/conditioner I was a bit leary about- not only am I a sensitive skinned person [so leaving anything on my skin is a no no], but I'm very 'green' lately, and I wasn't completely in agreement with the ingredients. Add to this the fact that poor Bella was trained with a spray bottle as a deterrent, and neither of us were looking forward to our washing adventure. I'd agreed to review it though, so away we went. The pump spray was really helpful- no clogging or pitiful sprays. It's not a loud or aggressive spray, so Bella did surprisingly well! I was quite shocked actually, it delvers at a good speed with minimal effort/noise. The wash is lightly scented [quite pleasant], and it does leave the fur soft and silky. Little bubbles appear when you brush it in as instructed, which again, kind of threw me off, but it works as described!

There's no question about it- if something happens to our FURminator [doubtful- it's sturdy stainless steel... but maybe it'll be stolen :P ], we'll be replacing it immediately. We'd likely buy the treats again too if we walked by them, as Bella was quite impressed.

I am very excited about this next part... I get to give one away!!!
FURminator has offered one of my readers a FURminator of their own! [size dependant on preference/animal]

To enter:
Go to FURminator and tell me something that interests you [besides the items I reviewed!]



For additional entries you may:

-Follow me on Google friends

-Be an email subscriber

-Follow me on Twitter. For an additional entry/day you can tweet the following message: "Win a FURminator on Household Treasures! http://bit.ly/KRn1T "

-Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest is open to both Canada and the US until July 12th at 6pm PST

Keep those pants up! Dapper Snapper review and giveaway

Mom of two, Michelle invented Dapper Snappers- a device to hold up the pants on skinny kids! [or just those awkwardly made pants on all kids]

We received a fuchsia Dapper Snapper to test, and to be honest, it got more use than just holding up Ladybug's pants!
The very first day it arrived I inspected it [good quality metal snaps and thick elastic], and I immediately snapped it onto Ladybug's most annoying pants. These fit well everywhere but the waist, so they sit in the cupboard week upon week. Ladybug was napping when it arrived, so I planned to test it out when she woke.

Well, the phone rang, and I ended up having to get ready to go out. I pulled on a pair of jeans, only to be frustrated by the loose back [which bags the front out, and no thanks, I don't want to make my belly look round]. *ding* I know, the Dapper Snapper is designed for toddlers, but I couldn't help myself!

Though my belt loops are much further apart than a 2T pair of pants, it worked for me... and I was thrilled! Occasionally when I bent down it would pop up [while the pants stayed lower], requiring a bit of adjustment. With later testing, I noticed this did occasionally happen with Ladybug, but one hardly noticed it and it didn't bother her in the least.

Finally, two weeks later, I put the Dapper Snapper back on Ladybug's pants. As expected, it worked great! The Dapper Snapper hasn't stretched at all with my use [I measured before and after], and the elastic felt just as springy as before. The metal snaps are still shiny and new, and connect securely.

The only real downside I came up with was the potential wear on the belt loops. If worn regularly, on thin fabric, or if over-tight, there might be a cause for concern with tearing [of the pants].

A few things I wanted to mention about the company overall: not only do they keep things in the USA [all supplies and labour are kept out of foreign countries!], but they give back- until July 4th, 20% of all online sales will go to Reece's Rainbow!
Our Dapper Snapper experience was great- ideal for potty training and/or quick and easy toddler dressing [or for creating perfect fitting adult jeans *content sigh*], I highly recommend them.

Michelle is going to give one lucky reader two Dapper Snappers of their own!

To enter:

Tell me what color combo you'd do if you were to custom make your own! [click on "purchase" from dappersnappers.com and then click on the Toddler Tech USA banner, then Customize!, and lasty click on Options]

For additional entries you may:

-Follow Michelle on Twitter. You can also tweet either of these messages for an extra entry/day: " It's fundraising week for Toddler Tech USA! 20% of online sales of Dapper Snappers goes to Reece's Rainbow. http://bit.ly/borjf Please RT "

or "Win two Dapper Snappers on Household Treasures! http://bit.ly/j0jxp"

-Follow me on Google friends

-Be an email subscriber

- Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest open to both Canada and the US until July 12th at 6pm PST.

LuvLoo Toy Wrangler- review

The word toddler should be entered into the dictionary with the alternate definition: loves to repeatedly drop things for fun. Ladybug is constantly grabbing as many things as possible, littering the excess wherever she goes. Even when strapped in her car seat or stroller she's dropping toys, her sippy cup, etc. Being strapped in while dropping things is worse, as she can't pick them back up herself!

Mom of two Kristy came up with a solution! She created the ToyWrangler to be a safe, washer friendly aid to the 'pick up' game.

Our family was sent a ToyWrangler Mini set of two to test drive. Here's a basic description of the Wrangler itself:
A sturdy plastic circular loop on one end and an elasticized/velcro on the other, the toywrangler Minis are created to grab onto an item and keep it from falling when dropped.

The ToyWrangler Mini helped our situation, though we found a few restrictions: Because the plastic loop wouldn't open up enough to grab onto certain surfaces [side of car seat] we weren't able to use it as much as hoped. We did have fun with the velcro end though, securing it to Ladybug's arm or leg, so when she was done playing with her toy she had something else to distract her!

All in all the Luvloo Toywrangler mini is a helpful mom [or dad!] tool. If you happen to use bottles that fit 'just so' in the plastic ring or have several surfaces for it to clip on, you'll get never ending use out of it. If not, you'll still find plenty of uses- [creativity is key] we securely tied a wide ribbon to one of Ladybug's ponies so we had a loop to slide the ring through, and since the velcro end fits around so many things, we are now able to cart around one of her favorite toys virtually anywhere!
The velcro end also makes a great holder for smaller stuffed animals- secure around the waist or arm [of the stuffy], and you can clip and go!

LuvLoo Toy Wrangler Minis are available for purchase at: www.luvloo.com for $9.99 [for a set of two]. Check out the original ToyWrangler- looks like a great idea for shopping trips!

Winners!!

Random.org and I had a date... after a few raincheques, we finally got together. It's time to pick some winners!

For the set of three readers from McGraw-Hill... ok, the original winner didn't leave contact info, and there's nothing listed in their profile. A second drawing resulted in #85

#85 Marianna I love the book Where the Wild Things Are because I remember it so fondly from my childhood (and still have my childhood copy)!


For the Je'Marie Pursehook... #32

#32 Carrie M I love FUMI! I keep trying to hint to my husband to get me one as a gift but he is not getting it, I am going to have to give in and just buy it for myself soon. My favorite one is the FUMI PurseHook - Confident. I also love the Fashion Diva Purse hook

-Lol! Sounds like this was the perfect winner!


The three winners of the Smartknir KIDS socks are: #145, #44...*grumble* third draw for the third winner [just so you know- I DO check to make sure my button is where you say it is or that you actually tweeted when you said you did!] is #81

#145 kathy pease
following your blog as klp1965

#44 justicecw
I am following Smartknitkids on twitter - my username is justicecw. thanks, justicecw@hotmail.com

#81 Annie Monday's tweet http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/2181339929


The Teething Bling necklace winner is... EDIT- original winner drawn had a private profile, so I can't contact them. Please remember this!! The second drawing resulted in #88
#88 Marin
Tweet.http://twitter.com/MarinOBrien/status/2164814052


The two winners of the Dr.Hippo books are .. for three books #5, for two books #92

#5 Jess
I have your button

#92 kathy pease following your blog as klp1965 kathy pease
*lucky double winner!! She also was drawn for the SmartKnit socks!



Congratulations winners!!! I'm writing all of your emails now. As always, you have 72 hours to respond before I draw again.

One more winner to be drawn at 6pm... I'll be back with an update later!

Fun Friday! What are your favorite family activities?

This Friday, I want to get some ideas from you all on your favorite fun family activities: from 'at home' ideas to paying admission, what do you like to do with your children?

This weekend Fireman, Ladybug, and I are headed to the Vancouver Aquarium with family that's visiting. We visited Stanley Park a few weeks and in the park there's an area of the aquarium that's open to the general public where you can see the Beluga Whales- Ladybug [and our dog Bella] loved it, so we're looking forward to her seeing everything else they offer! Apparently there's a new baby beluga [bring on Raffi's song!] from when we were there last... exciting stuff!

Our regular faves are taking Ladybug swimming, going for walks [and picking berries on our way], and throwing balls, alternating between Ladybug and Bella retrieving [Ladybug thinks it's histerical]!


What do you and your family do for fun together? What were your most fun family activities as a child yourself?

Safety Tat - review and giveaway!

As a child I remember hearing horror stories of friends being lost for the day when they visited a festival/event with their families, and I also remember seeing tents set up specifically to aid in re-uniting families during such happenings.

In this day and age of cell phone [with nearly every family in possession of one], why aren't we taking advantage of this technology?

Husband and wife team Bob and Michelle invented Safety Tats for this purpose: a 'temporary tattoo' that you write your cell phone number [or home number] on, a Safety Tat allows your child to accurately inform their rescuers of their guardian's contact information.

To be honest, when I first received these [before I even opened the package], I didn't think I'd be able to say anything about them that I couldn't say about writing on a bandaid. Oh, how I was wrong:

-These stay on. I've been wearing one for a week in a high friction place, and it's still securely fastened. I just peeled it off in honor of this review, and it came off easily- very similar to a bandaid, but a bit less painful.

-The included pen is very easy to draw with, has a fine tip, does not smudge or smear [at all!] and is permanent. The information you write on the Safety Tat is as clear a week later as it was when you wrote it.

-This is no bandaid. Not only are the Safety Tats so thin they feel like skin [they retain heat the same way and repel water], but they don't cause irritation. I've worn bandages for a couple of days and the skin might pucker or get irritated and itchy [I've got sensitive skin], but absolutely nothing happened with my Safety Tat. Nada. I only remembered I was wearing it when I walked past a mirror on the way to the shower!

The only downside I've come up with is the price- $9.95 for a set of 6 seems like it may discourage regular use. I looked at the selection on their site, and it appears the packages I was sent are the smallest ones- packages of 30 are only $19.95, and 60 are $32.95!

I personally will be keeping a stash in my medicine cabinet for the summer months especially; we attend numerous events, and my child's safety has no price limit.

Bob and Michelle have offered three of my readers a package of Safety Tats!

To enter answer either [or both!] questions:

1.) Have you ever experienced being separated from your child in a crowd (or you yourself separated from your family as a child)?

2.) What other designs would you like Safety Tat to develop next?

If you answer both, leave an additional comment stating you did to gain a bonus entry.

For additional entries you may:

- Follow me on Google friends

- Be an email subscriber
- Grab my button [three bonus! leave three comments]
- Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

- Tweet this giveaway- once/day for extra entries [be sure to leave me each individual link to your tweet]. Tweet this: "Win a package of Safety Tats on Household Treasures- three winners! http://bit.ly/GumWd "

Contest open to both US and Canada until July 11th at 6pm PST.

Little Showoffs... review and giveaway!

Ladybug was sent a very cute t-shirt to review by Little Showoffs.
I had a really hard time selecting the tee's message [so many cute/funny options to choose from!], but I finally decided on this [but in black]:

Our little 'Ladybug' truly is "into everything", so a shirt that gives warning to others around us is quite fitting!

The tee itself is a thick cotton and the white ink is opaque [no low quality, poorly applied wording here].
The only thing I'd like to mention is the sizing: unless you've got a very slender child, you're likely best considering the next size up than what you'd assume- Ladybug's 14 months but, but is modelling a 2t [correction- she'll be modelling it once the picture will properly load]. While she's a large girl to start with, 2T normally gives us a bit more growing room than this tee does. The sleeve length however is the perfect length.

We've been really impressed so far, and we've gotten a ton of comments/compliments on her new shirt. We love the tee, and I love the service via Little Showoffs!

Jackie from Little Showoffs would like to offer one lucky reader a tee of their own- winner's choice of size and style! [from newborn, baby or toddler line]

To enter:
Go to Little Showoffs and tell me which tee is your favorite!

For additional entries:
-Follow me on Google friends
-Be an email subscriber
-Grab my button [three bonus! leave three comments]
-Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest open to US and Canada until July 10th at 6pm PST!

Super Natural Home- Book review and giveaway

Super Natural Home is a great book by Beth Green; with the goal to "Improve Your Health, Home and Planet- one Room at a Time," there are wide variety of topics covered.

I was sent a copy to review, and am pleased to have had the opportunity. Beth certainly takes you on a detailed tour of your home. At first it was a bit scary, and slightly intimidating- there are so many nasty chemicals in our everyday items!

Starting off the book is a 20 question quiz that serves as an eye opener. While a bit scary [ok, a lot!] it does a lot of good by encouraging further thought on each matter at hand.

Specific points of the book I found myself repeatedly checking were body care products [ingredients in sunscreen and shampoo in particular], organic produce [which are the most and least important to buy organic], and hidden sources of MSG.

I love that Beth not only gives you some at-home recipes to try [including skin firming cream!], but she offers '3 Ways to make a shift' for each topic discussed, as well as recommended companies/brands. Even a few mentions on practices like Feng Shui or ideas on paint color's effects on your mood are included, giving a well rounded view on 'natural living'.

All in all this book has served as a great resource and most importantly, as encouragement to change my ways. Though I considered myself a 'green' thinker before, I've given the term a whole new meaning with my new found knowledge. The incredible drive it's given me to change my ways has been wonderful- I'm officially only using eco-friendly cleaners [mostly vinegar and baking soda] and body products [soap, shampoo, lotion... working on changing all my makeup], and I'm making the stride to change at least one thing in each part of our home. Living green doesn't have to mean sacrifice, and I'm proud that I'm being the best mom I can be by providing our daughter with a healthier living environment.

I strongly encourage you to read Super Natural Home as I think everyone can take something worthwhile out of it. Buy or borrow this from the library. Super Natural Home is published by RODALE. (ISBN-13: 978-1605299815)

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share my experiences [and hopefully my new drive!] with a reader- I've been given the chance to host a giveaway!

To enter:

Tell me what part of the house [cleaning, toiletries, cosmetics, food, etc etc] you're thinking of making a 'green' switch to.

For additional entries:

-Follow me on Google friends
-Be an email subscriber

-Grab my button [three bonus! leave three comments]

-Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest is open to both US and Canada until July 9th at 6pm PST.

Fancy Fortune Cookies- review and giveaway!

For Father's Day Ladybug gave Fireman a very sweet treat...

We were sent a Giant Fortune Cookie from Fancy Fortune Cookies. Specialized with our own personal 'fortune' inside [Fireman was blown away by the message that was obviously dictated by me!], this delicious fortune cookie was dipped in creamy milk chocolate, sprinkled with colourful dots, and adorned with sugar construction themed candies [wrenches, etc].
Ladybug wanted to investigate the crinkly wrapping, so the only picture we got after this was this one [you can see it's the same size as her head! It's huge!]

The cookie was dropped on concrete after that and unfortunately broke in two, but we didn't mind because it gave us an excuse to try it right away- YUM. The chocolate was delicious and the cookie itself was great: it's not your average fortune cookie. Ours had almost a butterscotch flavor to it, and even after being frozen for a week [it arrived early and we wanted to keep it fresh], it was delicious!

Fancy Fortune Cookies is a family run business. It's truly a 'mom and pop' store, as husband and wife Mike and Erin work together [along with their infant daughter!] to create these delicious treats. I interacted with Erin and she was very pleasant and accommodating- I'd love to work with her again. They offer everything from large cookies like the one we tested to small ones for wedding favors, and I can confidently say that Erin would make any bride's planning a breeze.

Mike and Erin have very generously offered a reader a $50 gift certificate to Fancy Fortune Cookies!!

To enter:
Go to Fancy Fortune Cookies and tell me both what flavour you'd choose and what occasion you'd give the cookie[s] for.

For additional entries you may:
-Follow Fancy Fortune Cookies on Twitter. Tweet this once/day for additional entries: " Win a $50 GC to Fancy Fortune Cookies on Household Treasures "
-Follow Household Treasures on Google Friends
-Be an email subscriber
-Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest is open to both US and Canada until July 8th at 6pm PST.

Winning Wednesday! Post your giveaway links here

Come post your contest links and find others to enter!

Click on the Mr.Linky logo below- the page will pop open in a new window.

Happy Wednesday!

Norman the PhartEphant -review and giveaway!

I received a really fun toy to review a few weeks ago, so I held onto it for Father's Day. I helped Ladybug wrap up her gift, and she presented it to Daddy on the big day. Fireman eagerly opened it, not knowing what to expect, and let out a chuckle when he saw his gift:

What he received was a PhartEphant!

A sweet [and oh SO soft] plush pale green elephant named Norman now resides in our home. When you press his tail he farts!
Inspired by a true story, an African elephant named Norman was adopted by a new zoo, and due to dietary changes, became known for his gassiness. Mompreneur Angela now sells her re-creation PhartEphants, and from all reports back, he's a hit!

Ladybug loves that she can activate his farts and giggles every time- the button in the tail is easily triggered, so even a 14month old can do it no problem. Fireman and I both get a kick out of him too, but the funniest part is seeing our daughter's reaction to him.
The only thing I'd change about Norman is the volume: it's not loud enough to hurt ears, it just simply distorts the sound of the farts, so on a few of the varieties [he's got quite the fart range!] one wouldn't be sure what the sound was supposed to be.

All in all he's a hit at our house too. I still can't get over how soft he is, and Ladybug [and Fireman] think he's great fun.

On a side note, Fierce Fun Toys [Norman's creator/distributor] donate a percentage of their sales to three different charities! Smile Train, Half The Sky, and Ronald McDonald House Charities all benefit from the sale of Norman or the coordinating gear [check out the selection of tees, bib, bag, etc. available]

Angela wants one of my readers to have their very own Norman!

To enter:
Visit PhartEphant and suggest a Mom and Pop retail store for Norman to be sold at [not Walmart , Toys R Us, etc!]. Do this on the retail page. Come back here and tell me you did so!

For additional entries you may:
-Become a fan of Norman on Facebook
-Follow me on Google friends
-Be an email subscriber
-Grab my button [2 bonus- leave two comments]
--Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest open to both US and Canada until July 7 at 6pm PST.

Baby Banana- Children's CD review and giveaway

Debi Derryberry is a name that you might not specifically recognize, but that you're likely familiar with... The voice behind Jimmy Neutron, she's also been characters from Ice Age 2, The Wild and Curious George!

I was sent a copy of her newest children's CD to review: Baby Banana. The inspiration behind the name comes from a bedtime story she created for her son about a Baby Banana, Momma Duck and Daddy Gorilla.

Ladybug and I both enjoyed the

Baby Banana CD. It's a nice mix of songs, mostly upbeat and fun. Ladybug's enjoyed listening [and bopping] to it, and even I've enjoyed listening to it, even though "Oodle the Orangutan" has stuck in my head off and on, and "Scoops of Ice Cream" leave Fireman innocently suggesting dessert... several times a day.
It's a CD we'll have around for several years I'm sure- the selection will satisfy a wide range of ages, so when other little ones come along, Ladybug will continue to enjoy the CD just as much as the others behind her.

I'm pleased to be able to share! One lucky reader will be able to win their very own Baby Banana CD.

To enter:
Go to My Baby Banana and tell me what you like best! It could be a feature of the site, a favorite song, etc.

For additional entries:
-Join Debi's fan club
-Follow me on Google friends
-Be an email subscriber
-Grab my button [3 bonus!]
-Post about this giveaway elsewhere: on your own blog, on a contest site or a linky... Make sure your entry is the first one at that location and leave me a link... two bonus per post! [limitless]

Contest open to both US and Canada until July 6th at 6pm PST.

Saturday's Natural Cleaning Tips- shower/bathtub wonder clean!

Today's natural cleaning tip is tried, tested, and my new favorite.

When I was a kid my chore was cleaning the bathroom. I'd pull out our wide selection of cleaning fluids, and start mixing to create the ideal blend [ I knew which ones not to mix- don't worry!]. I always hated cleaning the bathtub though, as the comet made my sensitive fingers burn and my nose tingle, and it always took quite a bit of awkward scrubbing to get the job done.

Yesterday I decided to try baking soda. I've been using it for everything else lately, so I thought it was worth a try. I sprinkled some on the textured floor of our shower [great for not slipping, difficult to clean], then spritzed it with vinegar. As it bubbled, I went to the ceramic tile [and plastic in parts] sides and the plastic [?] floor lip. Using baking soda on the walls was incredible- the grime was gone instantly. I used so little effort it was incredible. I then figured it was worth a try on the water stains on the door [you know the ones- the Fantastic will just leave behind?]. Again, a swipe, and the door [after a thorough rinse] was sparkling and clear.
Once I was done the walls and doors and the smooth part of the floor, I had a moment to wonder why I hadn't been cleaning like this all my life, and moved on to the floor. All I had was an old toothbrush, though I'll be investing in a stiff bristled brush for next week- after some bubbling, all the [previously impossible to clean] floor needed was a quick scrub and it was good as new.
My entire shower was sparkling in less than five minutes.

If natural cleaning is this easy [and cheap!], why are there so many commercial cleaners available?

Seriously. Try baking soda on your bathroom this weekend; you'll be amazed.

Friday Fun- Father's Day gift idea!

This weekend do something fun with your kids- create a personalized masterpiece for Father's Day!

Last year in honor of the event, I brought a friend over to make a t-shirt for our husbands [both were new dads]. We bought t-shirts in appropriate sizes/colors [consider using a plain tee they already own, otherwise Michaels has a wide selection, as does Wal-mart] as well as a bottle of acrylic fabric paint.

We made a large rectangle out of flattened cardboard boxes and slid the t-shirts onto them [making sure the front and the back were separate], then taped the sides/bottom back.

We lightly spread the paint onto a yogurt lid, then 'stepped' our daughters' feet into it. Holding the foot and the shirt steadily, we gently [but firmly] pressed the soles to the fabric, and quickly picked them back up to reduce smudging. We thankfully thought ahead, and a sink of warm soapy water and a warm damp cloth came in handy. Having someone else to assist [especially with an infant] was a blessing!

The thin layer of paint dried quite quickly, though I recommend allowing to dry overnight 'just in case'. If you're using the paint to write a message as we did [I simply noted the year], make sure you allow at least overnight to dry. I used a very thin and stiff paintbrush to write my message, allowing me more control, though my friend successfully used the tip of the paint bottle for hers.

Fireman loved his tee and wears it regularly; the paint has held up extremely well over the past year [it doesn't look any different!].
*picture will be coming as soon as I'm able to get it online!*

This is a great project that can be done with hand prints or just messages too! Try using different color paint and/or decorating both sides! [just be sure to allow the first side to try before flipping over] My sister did these at a birthday party as a kid and had a blast... there's glow in the dark paint too, which can be alot of fun!

If you're looking for a fun and creative way to wrap your new creation, check out my idea from earlier this week!

The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget- review and giveaway!

Photobucket">When The Lazy Environmentalist was offered to me for review I eagerly accepted. I am always looking for ways to 'greenify' my life, but money and time [lack thereof] get in the way: with the title The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. Save Money. Save Time. Save the Planet. how could I go wrong?

Author Josh Dorfman has approached this book with the goal of informing his readers and giving them the information they need to make the change [including what stores/what brands] without guilting them about their current lifestyle. In my opinion he did a great job.

Some really interesting topics that I haven't read of before include: car sharing, textbook rentals [genius!], online clothes/DVD/Baby item swapping, solartubes and Smart Strip Power Strips, 'grey' water re-use, marmoleum and NPA seal on products. If you're not familiar with any of the above, give them a search and/or read the book- it's amazing what one can do nowadays!

Josh has mini interviews throughout the book of featured companies; they're an interesting addition and give the reader a chance to learn more about some excellent new ideas/products available in today's world.

At the end of each chapter Josh lists all of the mentioned companies/services, their contact information and their goal: a handy 'at a glance' guide that I've appreciated when looking back for information.

Josh stays true to the 'Save Money' portion of his book's subtitle. The first place for this to be clear was in the 'wardrobe revision' section: he gives examples of what companies make organic clothing and where to find them, then also lists where good sales on these items are found! Quite convenient for those not 'in the know.' He has many other suggestions throughout the book for saving a bit of cash here and there.

The 'Save Time' didn't come across as strongly as he might have wished. After reading I can't come up with one way that he encouraged this. I can debate that you'll save a few moments by using a power bar to unplug everything at once [a second per plug], but other than that nothing comes to mind.

In addition, there was one point I disagreed with: Josh thoroughly looked into 'green' disposable diapers, but got lazy when researching cloth, not seeing that there are Organic All-in-Ones [read: use like a disposable] that require only 2-3 loads/week using your own natural/biodegradable detergent. This was disappointing to an avid cloth diaperer like myself!

Regardless, I find this book a valuable resource. After reading several 'green' books, this has something [ a few things!] new to offer, and I'll be referring to it many times in the future.

I very happily have one for one of my readers to win!!! Also, the winner will receive a BPA free Nalgene water bottle [will be chosen at random from the selection shown here]

To enter:

-Follow me on Twitter and/or tweet this giveaway [you can tweet once/day] Tweet this " Win a copy of "The Lazy Environmentalist" on Household Treasures (06/29)  ".

- be a follower of Household Treasures on Google friends

- be an email subscriber of Household Treasures

- grab my button [two entries- leave two comments]

- List this contest on a contest linky and/or giveaway site. Gain two bonus entries per listing [given it's the first listing on that site/linky... leave two comments].

Contest open to US and Canada until July 2nd at 6pm PST.

Scarlett- review and giveaway

Just over a week ago I posted my review/giveaway of Je'Marie's FUMI- a genius invention! Je'Marie also sent me a Scarlett to test out.

[the gold decoration is an addition- not part of the Scarlett]

A Scarlett is basically a small decorative scarf that clips onto your bag. The clip also fits quite nicely on the FUMI, so they're easily displayed together.

I'm not sure what material the Scarlett is made of, but it's something smooth and soft [man made]. It comes printed in many different designs... check out a few:

The Scarlett has been a great distractor for Ladybug- it buys me a moment or two before she heads to the wallet and starts pulling out cards. It's also been helpful for an accidental spit-up [ew, gross I know, but what can I say? I'm a mom].

Je'Marie has generously offered a winner their favorite Scarlett!

To enter:
Go to Je'Marie and tell me which your favorite item is [include style and colour/design].

For additional entries (once you've completed the above):
-Follow Je'Marie on Twitter. Tweet this giveaway [once per day] for an extra entry/day. Tweet " Win a Scarlett purse scarf on Household Treasures (07/02)http://bit.ly/1aycVd "
-Follow Household Treasures on Google friends
-Be an email subscriber to Household Treasures
-Grab my button [2 bonus]
-Post this giveaway in a contest linky [or contest website]-be sure it hasn't been entered there yet. Leave me a link to the listing for 2 bonus entries [2 bonus per listing- unlimited opportunities!]

Winning Wednesday!

Link up your contests here!
Don't forget to check out my giveaway selection too :)

[to enter your links/view what's been left, click on the green 'Mister Linky' logo below- form will pop open in a new window]

Winners!

Two winners to announce:

For the Music Box CDs Random.org chose #s: 3 and 32

#3 MOMFOREVERANDEVER- "... Mary holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Maryland and an MA in Elementary Education from Boston University..."
#32 Christina- "I learned that Mary Kaye lives in southern Maine and has performed all over New England! Thanks for the chance to win her CD!

For the Bumgenius All-in-One Organic cloth diaper from Banana Peels, the lucky winner [from 299 entries] is... #262

#262 Carrie - "I follow Heather on Twitter, and now you too! :)

Congratulations winners! Check your inbox for my email

Trash or Treasure? Green Potatoes [again]

My Trash or Treasure quest this week took me on a search for something I could use for Fathers' Day [remember- it's this Sunday!]
I took a trip down memory lane and then pulled out another green potato- remember last week's use?

Before I tell you what I did with it, I wanted to give a brief overview on what a green potato actually is as I had a few questions about them last week. While you can buy yellow or purple potatoes, a green potato is produced by chlorophyll developing after exposure to light [not an instant thing, but this is why you're to keep them in a cool dark place]. The solanine and chaconine that develop are poisonous, and at the very least causes digestive problems, so you definitely want to avoid them. You can simply cut away green bits, though it's safer to get rid of the whole potato.

This week I made wrapping paper for Fireman's Fathers' Day gift! We had some plain packing paper from some newly unwrapped boxes so while a bit crinkled, it was perfect for the job [alternately use craft paper, newspapers or plain newspaper from leftover rolls that you can get from your local printer].
Simply cut the potato in half- length/width wise doesn't matter- and carve out a design. We did simple stars. Then, dip the shape in paint, and use your homemade stamp!
Fun, customized wrapping paper, for practically free... and it's reusing what you'd normally throw out/compost/recycle! Your kids will have a blast making their own designs.
*I'll include a picture when my computer problems are resolved*

Eden Fantasys giveaway!

Eden Fantasys is a great site for all things romance... and more. For your erotic games, adult toys or sexy lingerie, they're a great discreet source for all your pleasures.

See my review of their Shunga romance pack- it's a wonderful set!

With my last review Eden Fantasys offered one lucky reader a $25 Giftcode... and they're doing it again!

To enter:
Go to Eden Fantasys and look around. Come back and tell me what you’d spend your gift certificate on! [if you’re shy pick out something ‘tame’ and tell me… so I know you checked out their selection!]

For additional entries:
- follow Drew or Eden Fantasys on Twitter. Bonus entry if you also follow me and/or you tweet this giveaway [you can tweet once/day] Tweet this " Win a $25 GC to Eden Fantasys on Household Treasures (06/29) http://bit.ly/jHPNk ".
- be a follower of Household Treasures on Google friends
- be an email subscriber of Household Treasures
- grab my button [two entries- leave two comments]
- List this contest on a contest linky and/or giveaway site. Gain two bonus entries per listing [given it's the first listing on that site/linky... leave two comments].

Contest open to both US and Canada until 6pm PST on June 29th.

Meet and Greet

This week we get to 'Meet and Greet' the writer behind The Mud Bug. Let's see what she had to say!

What's your name?
Toni Saussele

Why do you blog?
I am not a physically social person. I do have friends but most of them are too busy or live to far away to visit on a weekly basis. Bloggin is a way for me to connect with others in a way that I can't connect here at home. I think I have more online friends then I do in person. Don't get me wrong I can be a fun person to hang with. I am not a stick in the mud.
It's also a great way to meet people in other states/countries! [I'm in BC Canada... I doubt we'd have 'met' otherwise!]

What's the best part of blogging?
Blogging is my hobby. I love to offer a variety of posts for my readers from reviews to parenting to going green and more.Tell me about your family. I have 5 children that range in ages from 18yo down to 14mo old. Let's not forget our furry child (dog) who is 3yo.
Wow- quite the range! It must be a fun house :)

Whereabouts are you?
I live in Michigan

Tell me a little known fact about you
I am a Jill of all trades. I can fix plumbing, fix electric, change a tire and more. I wait for no one because if I do it never gets done. I am also a bit of a clutter bug. Not messy but a bit cluttered. That is this summer's project. My biggest pet peeve? Huffing (when someone does alot of sighing if that explains it). I am an optimistic person so when someone is always down or huffing it is hard for me.

What's your favourite blog?
Wow, I have so many - Life starring Ellie and Eve [Recently re-named Life Starring the Kids and Me] , MomDot, Momma's Gone Over the Wall, The Not So Blog, For the Love of Baby...let's just say the list is long. Lot's of MomDot girls and others.

Do you have a picture to share?

Go check out The Mud Bug!

Keep cool this summer- ChickChill review and giveaway!

Invented by a woman named Katharine in need of help from her hot flashes, ChickChills are the ultimate 'cool down'. Place on the back of your neck, knees or forearms for instant relief.

ChickChill is basically a small icepack enclosed in a soft velour cover. It was designed to keep women cool while looking chic.

I've found my ChickChill to be useful for more than the one purpose. Not only has it saved me from sweating on hot days, but recently both Ladybug and I bonked our foreheads- on both occasions the ChickChill was the perfect size icepack to take down the swelling and reduce bruising.

The velour cover is easy to remove with it's elasticized top, and it seems to keep the cool in the pack while reducing the direct freeze on skin [you shouldn't apply ice directly to the skin- it can damage it]. I was sent both the red and the black. Both are cute, embroidered with the ChickChill logo.

I get to share my experience with a reader: ChickChill has offered one lucky winner a ChickChill of their own! Winner gets to pick their favorite color.

To enter tell me:

-How will you use your ChickChill?
and/or
-Whereabouts are you? [Please don't share your town for safety reasons- large city and/or county is great!]


Answer both in separate comments, and if you answer both, leave an additional comment telling me you did.


Once you've completed the entry above you may do any/all of the following for additional entries:
-Follow ChickChill on Facebook
-Follow ChickChill on Twitter. You can Tweet this giveaway once/day for bonus entries [tweet: Win a ChickChill on Household Treasures (June 28) ]
-Follow me on Google friends and/or be an email subscriber
-Post this giveaway in a contest linky [or contest website]-be sure it hasn't been entered there yet. Leave me a link to the listing for 2 bonus entries [2 bonus per listing- unlimited opportunities!]
-Grab my button [2 entries]

Contest open until 6pm PST on June 28th. Only open to US residents- sorry Canadians!

Saturday's Natural Cleaning- burnt pans

If you've ever burned something in a pan you'll know how difficult scrubbing the scorch marks off is. I've got two techniques to make it a breeze!

First of all scratch the excess off and then either:

1. Fill the pan with water and simmer the skins of an onion [any variety besides green] for an hour. Turn off the heat and allow to cool overnight. The following morning the bits should simply slide away! [when simmering- please do not allow to boil dry-> you'll only compound your problem!]

2. Make a dry[ish] baking soda and water paste. Pat this mix onto the burnt/blackened areas. Allow this to sit for several hours [or overnight- add a touch more water to the mix if choosing this]. While the blackened pieces should simply come away when rinsed, giving the baking soda a bit of a scrub with a dampened sturdy cotton cloth should ensure a 'new' pan!

Have a great weekend everyone!

New winner!

Wow- with 413 comments we finally have one lucky winner of an original 5-in-1 Tasty Baker!

Random.org said... "395"


#359 lilyk said... "The 4 Image Disney Mickey & Friends Plastic Toaster looks very nice!"

Congratulations!! I'm emailing you now. 72 hours to respond!

SWEETS 'n' TREATS CD review and giveaway!

Ladybug was sent a copy of Tracey Singer's new CD to review:
SWEETS 'n' TREATS is a fun kids CD. As soon as we received it I popped it in our computer to listen. Ladybug heard the first few bars and came toddling over with a huge smile on her face. As soon as she reached me she started bobbing up and down and swaying side to side. Her eager dance moves pronounced this a hit!

It shouldn't have come as a surprise: Tracey is the stay-at-home father to four young children so he's obviously well educated on what youngsters like. Tracey isn't just kid smart though... he actually has a MBA!

Tracey left his management position with a Fortune 100 company to pursue his music career. With previous experience in singing and playing the piano [including published choral and contemporary Christian music] and the presence of his children, it wasn't a big leap to create music for a young audience.

SWEETS 'n' TREATS is a CD with a fun and diverse mix of silly songs. It's a CD I've played repeatedly, and still haven't gotten annoyed with! Ladybug loves to dance to it, and even Fireman gives it a nod of approval. It's a winner in this household!
Although rated for ages 5-12, it obviously works well with toddlers as well.

SWEETS 'n' TREATS will be available for purchase through Tracey's website on July 7th, but one lucky reader gets to win their own advance copy!

To enter:
Tell me what your biggest influence is when purchasing a CD... for example [but not limited to!] friends' suggestions, reviews, ads, etc.

For bonus entries [once the above has been completed]:
- go to Tracey's website and tell me what your favorite song is [2 bonus! leave two comments]
-follow me on Google friends
-be an email subscriber
-grab my button
-post this giveaway on a linky/contest website: for each unique listing [check to make sure it's not already there] you'll earn two bonus entries for each! [be sure to link to this post in particular, not the 'whole' blog]
-Tweet this giveaway for an additional entry/day. Please tweet the following message " Sweets 'n' Treats children's CD giveaway on Household Treasures blog: http://bit.ly/n3cnO (06/26) "

Contest is open to both US and Canada until 6pm PST on June 26th.
Winner will be chosen via Random.org and emailed a notification. Prize must be claimed within 72 hours!