Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Scarlett Baby

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When Avery was tiny (or should I say "smaller" since she was never really tiny, hehe) I loved leg warmers because they kept her warm and didn't dig into her tummy like so many pants did. Now that she's older and on the move, I love them because they protect her knees when she's crawling and keep her warm and stylish when she's walking. When we received these neon aztec leg warmers from Scarlett Baby, Avery walked around the house holding them for 45 minutes. I guess she approved right away. The material is soft and slightly thicker than some of the leg warmers we own. They're sewn perfectly and stayed on her legs all day.
Scarlett Baby is currently giving away one pair of leg warmers! Simply like her shop on instagram (@scarlettbabyhandmade) for one entry, and comment below with which pair you would choose for a second entry. I'll choose a winner at random on Friday. 

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Monday, December 16, 2013

2013 Family Photos...and a giveaway

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As most of you know my husband and I bought a condo in October. It's coming along slowly, but all of the projects we've been working on are finally being completed! Currently my husband is working on our fireplace. So far only the mantle is completed and the stone work is almost done. Of course I have about 37 different ideas for ways to decorate our mantle, but they all include this canvas that we ordered from Easy Canvas Prints. We had some family Christmas photos taken last month by the talented Emily Tingley from Oopsy Daisy Photography 
...and this one might be my very favorite. 
It is 8x10 and .75 inches thick (athough they have ones that are even thicker at 1.5 inches).
We also ordered an 11x14 print with a mirror image edge instead of the white edge. We love them both! 
You can see the difference in the images below.
I realize that most of my giveaways have been geared towards moms and babies, and while most mamas would love to receive a gorgeous canvas print of their babe, this is actually a giveaway that everyone will enjoy. 
I'm giving away a free 8x10 canvas print of your own.

Simply leave a comment below and I'll choose a winner at random on Wednesday morning! :-) As usual, this giveaway is mostly hosted using Instagram (@amira143), so if you leave a comment there as well you will be entered twice.

Aaaaand as a Christmas gift to all of my readers, I'd like to offer 50% off a canvas print of your own, with free shipping! 

*Easy Canvas Prints is also affiliated with www.buildasign.com and www.alliedshirts.com which offer more custom print options and ideas.

aaaand here are the rest of my favorites :-) 

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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Christmas Sweater Headband

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Could this top-knot, turban-style headband in a Christmas sweater pattern
 from Polish by Laura be any more fun?! 
{That was a mouthful.} 
It just screams of the holidays! It definitely put Avery in the mood for a crackling fire and some Christmas music. 
The fabric was so soft and she could even use it as an ear warmer on super cold nights 
{which is about 65 in Southern California, hehe}.
I'm trying so patiently to wait until after Thanksgiving to start with Christmas decorations but this headband has given me so many ideas for Christmas photos. I could pair it with a sweet little dress, or even her Christmas pjs.  
As a Christmas gift to you, Polish by Laura is offering this headband to one of my readers! 

To Enter:
  • You must follow POLISHBYLAURA on Instagram. 
3 extra entry opportunities:
  • Repost my giveaway photo on Instagram, tag me and use #polishbylaura
  • Comment below with your favorite item from her Etsy shop
  • Pin one of the items from her shop and leave me a comment below letting me know which one. 

too cool for a shirt.

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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Charlie Coco's Headbands.

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One of my favorite parts about blogging is finding great shops and adorable accessories to deck Avery out in. 
I LOVE reviewing products.
I love sharing when I find a worthwhile shop.
I stumbled upon Charlie Coco's Etsy shop and DIED when I saw the cuteness. Not only does she offer the trendiest patterns and styles (glitter and polka dots anyone?) but they are SO well made. They weren't flimsy or poorly put together (which is always a risk when you buy online). Avery LOVED them, obviously, and she gets compliments on them wherever we go. It's kind of hard to tell in the pictures of her outside, but the band is SO sparkly.
Peep some of the amazing-ness going on Avery's Christmas List...
Charlie Coco is currently offering 15% off your purchase now through November 15th! 
Just use the promo code:
AMIRAGRAY15. 
Aaaaand for one lucky little lady, we'd like to offer a free headband or bow of your choosing. 
1. This is mainly an Instagram giveaway (find me on Instagram: amira143) and follow CharlieCoCos.
 2. As an extra entry, you can repost my Instagram giveaway picture from today and leave a comment on Instagram letting me know you've done so.
Happy shopping :-)
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Monday, October 14, 2013

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

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The other day I was desperate for a new recipe. I actually went through my blog to see if there were any favorites of ours that I had forgotten about. Ah, behold, Turkey Pot Pie. It's been rainy the last few days and this seemed like the perfect fall meal. I didn't have left-over turkey, but I did have chicken. And I didn't have pie crust, but I did have Pillsbury Biscuits. Improvise! I basically followed the same recipe as my Turkey Pot Pie, I just rolled out each biscuit and pressed it in a cupcake tin. 
The roll of Pillsbury dough makes 8 biscuits, so this recipe made 8 mini chicken pot pies.
Ingredients: 
-Cooked chicken or turkey
-Vegetables of your choice (fresh, frozen or canned)
-Little Potatoes
-Trader Joe's Turkey Gravy (or any other gravy)
 -Pillsbury Biscuit Dough
Directions:
1. In a bowl mix veggies, chicken (cooked), potatoes (boiled for 5 minutes) and gravy.
2. Roll out each biscuit until flat and press one into each cup of cupcake tin.
3. Fill each cup with veggie, chicken, gravy mix.
4. Cook at 350 for 14-16 minutes.

Makes 8 mini pot pies.


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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Citrus Lane Box Review: For All Mamas

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If you decide to join, use this link and receive 50% off your first box!
Box subscriptions are all the rage right now. It seems like they have a box for everything these days! Make-up, accessories, snacks, dog treats! You name it, they have a box subscription service for it. And really, who doesn't want to receive a wrapped gift every month containing several surprises? When I realized they had one for babies, I was ecstatic! Citrus Lane was started in 2011 by a group of moms who hand select 4-5 products every month that have been researched, tried and tested.
My package arrived wrapped in bright yellow tissue paper with a note card describing each product in the box. They tailor boxes for children from newborn to five years old. I received the 6 month old box.
Okay, let's see what we got!

1. On-The-Go from ZoLi (Retail $15?)
This could not have come at a better time! I've been carting around a huge container of puffs in my diaper bag, and was considering using a small Tupperware container. This travel container from ZoLi is cute and practical. Since Avery is only eating puffs at this time, I just use the orange top part with the lid. You can stack as many as you need - one, two, three or all four. When she starts being able to eat other finger-foods, I'll add on the rest, one by one. It's such a convenient way to bring a whole meal for your child out to a restaurant, or the park, etc. It's also BPA and phthalate- free! I found a similar one on Amazon but it's a 3 tier. It seems the 4 tier is no longer available.

2. Jittering Giraffe from Tiny Love (retail $7.99)
I love that this cute little guy comes with a giant clip that I can clip on to almost anything! The great thing about this toy is that it vibrates when you pull on it. There is also a bell that rings when you shake it. Each part of the giraffe is made of a different texture and will help little one master hand-eye coordination.

3. California Baby Travel Set (retail $2.00 ?)
California Baby skincare products are all toxin free and recommended by more than 50 pediatrician and dermatologists. This is their travel set which makes it easy to throw in your diaper bag. I'm guessing at the retail price. The travel sets on the website are $5-6 and contain 5 products.

4. NurturMeals from NurturMe (retail ?)
I have only given Avery fruit and veggie purees and have skipped rice cereal or any kind of grain so far. This mix is made of peas, quinoa and apples. That.is.it. No other additives which I loved! It's certified organic and gluten-free. You can add breast-milk, formula or water and voila, a meal. She LOVED it and actually cried when it was all gone. They are only $1 for each packet. I really enjoy making Avery's food in our babyfood maker, but I think I'd love to have a few of these packets to throw in her diaper bag. I don't have to worry about them spoiling or getting too hot (like I do with her purees). With these packets I can just make them when I need them if we're out and about. I love that I never would have discovered something like this without the Citrus Lane box.


5. Little Buddy Wipes from Me4Kidz (retail $2.50)
Again, these wipes came at a great time (this box really was tailored for a 6 month old). Now that Avery eats solid foods, things sure can get messy around here. It's so nice to have these in my diaper bag to wipe her hands and face after a meal. She is also putting everything in her mouth these days, so it's nice to wipe down her toys (or cough, my phone, cough) before handing them over. They kill 99% of germs which I love, and they are alcohol and sting free :-) The scent is cucumber and tea tree.

6. Postagram from Sincerely Inc. (retail $10)
I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this! A week before I got my Citrus Lane box I actually used this app to send my mother-in-law a thank you card for watching Avery the other night while Brandon and I went to a baseball game. You can do it all right from your phone. You just choose a picture, and enter your text, voila! Postcard sent. There is actually a perforated edge around the picture so you can pop it right out and stick in on the fridge :-) There is also a section in the app to keep track of friends' and families birthdays, so you can always send a last minute card. It couldn't be easier for a mom who can't always run out to the store to get a card! 
This card is good for 10 postagrams cards!

Recap:
Overall, I was impressed with what we got! They guarantee that there will be at least a $25 dollar value (which is how much the box will cost you). In this case, the ZoLi containers, Giraffe, and Postagrams alone retail for $32. When you add in the wipes, sunscreen, and the meal, it's probably around $37. I really think this is a genius idea for a mom! There are so many baby/kid products out there that it gets slightly overwhelming. There have been things I have wanted to try, but I don't want to waste my money in case Avery doesn't like it. I like that this box is hand-selected by other moms who have actually researched and tried these products. If you don't have kids of your own, it would make an excellent gift for a new mom/baby shower gift. It would also be a great gift for a toddler, or 4/5 year old because they get a box every month with toys/products/surprises.

I found that our box really was tailored to Avery's age, and of course now I feel compelled to sign-up for a monthly subscription. I can't wait to discover more products that I otherwise would never have tried!

If you decide to join, use this link and receive 50% off your first box!

*Only new, first-time Citrus Lane subscribers who start a monthly subscription are eligible to redeem this offer.  Multi-month packages and gift subscriptions do not qualify.
  
**I was not compensated for this review but did receive a complimentary box. All opinions are my own. However, if you do choose to buy a subscription and use the link provided in my blog, I will get a credit and love you forever!** 

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Monday, August 26, 2013

6 and 7 month old essentials

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It seems like we've hit quite a few milestones in the last 1-2 months! Avery started solids, got her first few teeth and is now able to wear sunscreen (we were trying to wait until the 6 month mark because newborns younger than this still have very thin, absorbent skin). I wanted to share some of our essentials lately...

1. Oxo Tot Baby Blocks Freezer Containers: BPA-, phthalate- and PVC-free
I've been using our Beaba baby food maker every few days to make homemade purees for Avery. I found these Oxo storage containers online and love them! They come in a pack of 6, and fit into a tray to keep them organized in the freezer. They seal airtight to keep the food fresh, and prevent any leaks. Plus, I love that I can throw them in the dishwasher. They also have the measurements right on the outside of the container so I can easily store food in 1 ounce or 2 ounce increments.

2. Frozen Gel Teething Rings: BPA free
Although this isn't the exact one, I got something similar to these gel teething rings at my baby shower and they have really come in handy lately! I throw them in the freezer (when I use the fridge they don't stay cool long enough) and Avery LOVES to gnaw on them. I've given them to her when it seems like she needs the relief, but also when I'm cooking dinner and need to give her something to occupy her. 

3. Babyganics Suncreen: NO Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Toxins, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Nuts, Gluten or Artificial Colors or Fragrances
When researching sunscreens, I knew that I wanted one that was a broad spectrum sunscreen (meaning it offers both UVA and UVB protection). I also wanted 50 SPF and one that contained Zinc Oxide which acts as a physical sunscreen instead of a chemical one. Babyganics fits all of my requirements! :-) 

4. Hyland's Teething Tablets & Infant Acetaminophen
Hyland's teething tablets are a homeopathic option to help ease pain caused by teething instead of using the numbing gel (which contains Benzocaine, a local anesthetic linked to methemoglobinemia). There was a recall on these teething tablets, but in 2011 they introduced a new formula. Avery acts like I'm giving her a treat when I put them in her mouth. During the week that she was cutting teeth, I used them before her nap time to help ease the pain. They worked like a dream. And during the two nights when nothing seemed to be working, we gave her Target Brand (Up & Up) Infant Tylenol (Acetaminophen). It must taste okay because she sucked the liquid right out of the dropper, ha, and was able to finally fall asleep within 10 minutes. When administering Infant Tylenol, please be aware of the new dosage changes.

5. The Baby Book by Sears:
I am a huge fan of Dr. Sears. Brandon and I decided to follow his delayed vaccination schedule and I read The Vaccine Book all the time. When I became aware that he had another book which addresses all topics from sleeping, eating, development, etc for babies newborn - 2 years, I had to get it. Although, I've only read certain chapters so far, it is packed with information and practical advice. Some topics include: baby proofing your house, potty training, baby wearing, starting solids, breastfeeding, etc. I love that ultimately the underlying theme seems to be that "mom knows best for her baby". So while he offers options and his advice, he encourages moms to trust their instincts. 

6. Plum Organics Super Puffs:
These are amazing little snacks to have around for a young baby (6+ months) who can't really "snack" on foods yet. Avery still gets 95% of her nutrition from nursing, and will have one pureed meal a day. She is too young for cheerios or other "snacks" but these organic puffs are perfect because they melt in her mouth. I never have to worry about her choking on them. We bring these with us to restaurants when she sees us eating and starts to whine, not because she's hungry but because she sees us eating food and wants what we have. We feed her these puffs and she feels like she's partaking in the meal :-) So we don't use them as a "food" to fill her up, but just as something fun for her to experience and munch on. They're made with organic rice flour, organic whole oat flour, and organic brown rice flour.  

Moms, any other products you are loving for your babe??

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Thursday, August 1, 2013

Silicone Baby Feeder

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A few weeks ago we were out at a restaurant with Avery and my dad held a piece of melon while she sucked and gnawed on it. It was such a hit, and she cried when we took it away. We assumed that it probably felt good on her gums, and she loved the way it tasted. I picked up this silicone teether/feeder from Target for $3.99. Not only can she hold it herself (unlike a lot of slippery foods), but I don't have to worry about her choking on any big pieces. The food just squeezes through the little holes. 

We've tried avocado and peaches in this feeder, and it worked brilliantly. Plus, it is SO easy to clean because it's silicone and there are no little nooks and crannies to collect food. I've heard that the mesh feeders can be a huge pain to clean. No thanks, mama has no time for that.

I also think it helps her with her hand/eye coordination, as she continues to bring it to her mouth when she wants some more. I've also had mama friends tell me that they put frozen fruit, or even ice cubes in their feeders for teething. I have to say this was the best, cheapest purchase I've made so far. 

Unfortunately, I threw away the package before I knew what a hit this would be, and I have no idea what brand it is. I've scoured the internet trying to find it, and have only been able to find similar styles. This one seems like the most similar, and I found this one as well.

And for your viewing pleasure, here is little Avery going to town on her baby feeder :-)


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