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LEGO Storage: Box4Blox (Giveaway!)

May 12, 2013 By 82 Comments

LEGO Storage

Is this a familiar sight in your home?

too many LEGOS! LEGO Storage

What you see scattered across my living room floor is a huge collection of 20+ years old space themed LEGOS that Tim’s mother so lovingly stored away in her attic until it was time to pass them on to her grandchildren.

Tim looks at this pile and sees countless memories from his own childhood, as well as memories to come from playing with these with his girls. I see hundreds of choking hazards. And this. I see lots and lots of this:

stepping on a LEGO. LEGO Storage

The LEGOS actually came to us in a nice box, but the only way to play with them every time is to dump them all out on the floor. To which I say, “No thanks!” But once Layah gets old enough to know not to eat the LEGO pieces, I really do want the kids to be able to play with them. So a better solution was needed.

And I found one! Want to see what that giant pile of LEGOS looks like now? Check out Box4Blox!

Box4Blox LEGO storage container

That’s right. Every. single. LEGO. all nice and neat in this 10 1/4 inch box. And this isn’t just any old box. Oh no! The inside looks like this:

LEGO storage compartments with Box4Blox

The tiers of the box have graded filters. So when it is time to put your LEGOS away, at first leave out the very largest pieces and then just start piling in the LEGOS, given them a gentle shake every so often so that the pieces fall through to their appropriate level. This makes putting away the LEGOS actually fun! But what I love even more is what it looks like when it is time to get them back out!

LEGO storage compartments Box4Blox

All the LEGOS are sorted so that it is so much easier to find the pieces you are looking for. The tiniest pieces are in the bottom green tier. Medium-small pieces are just above in red, large-medium pieces are above that in blue, and the largest pieces can be found in the top yellow tier. No need to dump everything out. Just lay out your trays!

It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it???

Darah’s grandparents were so kind to hang on to Tim’s childhood treasures, and now we have a way to store and organize them that really makes sense. I think this a perfect gift option, especially for grandparents to purchase because it strikes this great balance between being very practical (and something the parents will appreciate) and very fun! This product is also made in the U.S.A. which is a really nice bonus!

When Darah gets a little bit older, I’ll be purchasing another Box4Blox set, as we have even more LEGOS waiting upstairs in the attic!

If you have LEGOS in your home, and you are starting to run out of ideas for how to store them in an effective way, then you are definitely going to want a Box4Blox. They are currently available at Amazon for just $39.95. Put it on your wishlist right now. Or better yet, just put it in your online cart!

LEGO storage from Box4Blox

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Box4Blox!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains an affiliate link. 

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Organic Clothing for Kids from Cutie Bees (Giveaway!!!)

May 10, 2013 By 59 Comments

Do you ever stop and think about the chemicals that might be firmly entrenched in your baby’s clothes? Cotton is one of the most heavily pesticide-treated crops in the U.S. And those chemicals don’t all come out with a simple wash in your machine, I’m afraid. For some babies, this doesn’t seem to be a problem. But for many, it is the root cause of rashes, redness and irritation. This is what the founder of Cutie Bees discovered just a few years ago when her baby girl was suffering from skin flare ups. Once she started putting her in organic cotton, she rapidly improved!

Cutie Bees in an organic clothing company for babies that focuses on bringing back really cute styles, which is something the founder noticed was lacking in the current selection of organic-only clothing for babies and toddlers. Check out one of the styles that is currently available on the website:

cutie bees organic clothing for kids

I sort of die every time Layah puts on this bows and ballet outfit. It is so ADORABLE!!! And totally free of the chemicals that are in most other outfits and that have been linked to asthma and even cancer.

And the attention to detail is spot on, right down to the leggings!

cutie bees organic clothing for kids

This outfit retails for $41.99 and is just one of several very cute options that are brightly colored, fashion-forward, and most importantly, COMFORTABLE for play time and nap time! And right now through May 15 Cutie Bees is offering 22% off and free shipping in honor of Earth Day! Just use code EARTH22 at checkout!

If your child seems to be experiencing sensitivities to certain types of clothing, or if you are just concerned about the chemicals found in many cotton outfits (the chemicals DON’T wash out well…I’ve done my research on it!), then you may want to give organic clothing a try. It is a bit more expensive, but there’s something to be said for having fewer items, and having them all be high quality and SAFE.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the outfit of your choice from Cutie Bees!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary outfit for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

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Mother’s Day BIG Group Giveaway Featuring MODE Cosmetics Bundle!

May 10, 2013 By 101 Comments

mother's day giveaway

The month of May is a special time to celebrate Mothers. Whether you are a mom yourself or you’re doing something special for your own mom, the Something Special for Mom Giveaway Event is for YOU! A great group of bloggers have come together to show you special items you might like to receive or give as gifts this month. You’ll be able to enter to win these great products from May 10th-26th thanks to the Blogging Mamas Network!

Be sure to hop around to all of the participating bloggers, in the linky below this giveaway, as they have some great prizes to share with you! Make sure you also enter the Grand Prize – a $250 Gift Card to Mía Mariú! One lucky Mama is going to look so pretty with all that eco-friendly makeup!

Mia Mariu Giveaway

My addition to the group giveaway THREE fantasic sets of summer essentials from MODE Cosmetics worth $22 each! The set will include the following:

I have been using these products for the past few weeks,a nd I am absolutely nuts about them! The Lip Juice is this really pretty shade of bubblegum pink that would be overpowering if it were a matte lipstick, but as a shiny gloss, it is sophisticated and chic!

MODE cream blush

And the look and feel of the Petal Rush cream blush is similar. I was startled when I saw the color in person, and I really did fear I would look like a clown when I applied it. But as long as you only apply a small amount, the end result is very fresh-looking and natural. It is absolutely perfect for the summer months! Also, you don’t need much to get the effect you want. I’ve been using this daily for a few weeks now, and it looks barely used!

MODE The Illuminator

MODE The Illuminator is a new type of product for me. It is creamy and much like the cream blush, a little goes a long way. When you apply it to the apples of your cheeks or to your eyes (or really to wherever you like!) it makes that part of your skin take on a soft sheen. You look like you are glowing! The only ever time I have looked so radiant is when I have been pregnant. And I’d much rather apply The Illuminator whenever I like than to endure 9 more months of being sick all the time! ;-) . I had trouble getting a good shot of the product on my face, so here’s an example of what it looks like on my hand. Can you spot the “glowing” part?

MODE The Illuminator example

MODE cosmetics are a delightful find, as they are made with beneficial natural ingredients, have a fashion-forward look and feel, are made to last throughout your day, and are priced at a point that will make you positively giddy! Each item featured today retails for under $10! Can you believe it?!?! If you are in need of some updated makeup but need to keep your budget in check, you can’t go wrong with MODE!

Win it!: Time for that great giveaway I mentioned earlier!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received complimentary MODE product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed about the products are strictly my own. According to Jenny, So Easy Being Green, the Blogging Mamas Network, and the Something Special for Mom participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.  Linky:

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Using Turmeric to Spice Up a Paleo Dinner (Pinterest Giveaway!!!)

May 7, 2013 By 13 Comments

So I’ve mentioned a few times before that Tim and I are eating “mostly” Paleo these days. We’ve cut out dairy, soy, legumes, carbs, grains and sugar.

That sounds pretty terrible, am I right?

But in practice, it isn’t so bad (except for breakfast…breakfast is admittedly really tough). And I feel significantly better, physically, which was the main goal of cutting out some of those products. My sugar intake pre-Paleo was out of control, people. I had to cut it out cold turkey!

One of the cuisines that is a bit challenging for folks on Paleo is anything Mexican. Cheese, beans and tortillas are all off the table. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still be inspired by the great flavors. In fact, I recently put together some tacos that not only had a lot of influence from Mexican dishes, but also gave a nod to Indian cuisine. It was a global fusion fiesta, right in my kitchen! :-)

mccormick turmeric spiced latin indian dish

I used McCormick products to add spice to my dish. Here’s exactly what I put in my dish:

McCormick spices turmeric

And here’s the recipe I used, largely the same as this recipe on the McCormick site, with a few tweaks to make it Paleo-friendly.

Turmeric Spiced Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salsa

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Step 1:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp McCormick Garlic Powder

1 tsp McCormick Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt

1 tsp McCormick Ground Turmeric

1/2 tsp McCormick Chiptole Chile Pepper (can substitute crushed red pepper, as well)

2 pounds chicken thighs

Step 2:

6 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into small chunks

2 avocadoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks

1/2 cup coarsely chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (splurge for the fresh stuff…totally worth it!)

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp McCormick Gourmet Colelction Sicilian Sea Salt

1/2 tsp McCormick Ground Turmeric

8 large iceburg lettuce leaves to serve as the “tortillas”

Mix together all the spices and oil found in step one. It should look like this:

McCormick spices

Then place your chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag and add the marinade to it. Give it a good squish in the bag to make sure all the chicken is coated well. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes (I let it sit for about 3 hours).

To make the salsa, chop up your onion, tomatoes and cilantro to your liking. To chop up an avocado easily, run a butter knife through it several times. It should look like this:

how to slice an avocado into chunks

It will easily go right into your bowl if you just run your knife or a fork all along the edges of the avocado. Easy!

Your salsa also needs to get the lime juice and the spices at this point. It should look like this when you are finished:

salsa using McCormick spices

Muy bonito, no? :-)

Now it is time to grill up your chicken! I take the lazy route when it comes to grilling and just plug in my George Foreman! I was able to fit 5 chicken thighs on my machine at once (with a little creative arranging!). Look at how the turmeric has colored the chicken. So pretty!

McCormick turmeric spice on chicken

After your chicken is done (I’d give it anywhere from 14-18 minutes…no pink should be left!), let it cool and then chop it to your liking. Now it is time to build your tacos! This is what the finished product looked like for us:

McCormick turmeric spiced chicken tacos

I was still in the kitchen when I ate my first one. Tim asked me how they tasted and I didn’t answer him at all until I was completely finished. I seriously didn’t want to stop eating for the few seconds it would have taken me to respond to him! Yeah, they were THAT good!

The turmeric spice adds a whole new dimension to taco night. I will be making this regularly. I honestly didn’t even miss beans, chesse and tortillas, which all would have been necessisities for us on taco night just a month ago.

Pinterest Challenge!

Are you in the mood to spice up your dinner routine? Perhaps try something just a little different for your next taco night? Check out the McCormick Pinterest page for lots of great ideas to get you started! And right now McCormick has a great Pinterest Challenge going on with 30 spice kits up for grabs for the winners! See below for all the details!

Pinterest Taco Night

The challenge goes until May 31st, so do yourself a favor and get to pinning! I hope you will repin my delicious Paleo-friendly fusion tacos, too! They are simply divine!!! :-)
Good luck, everyone!
This post was written in collaboration with The Motherhood. I have been compensated for my time in writing this post and creating this recipe. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 
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Bialetti Pasta Pot With Built-In Strainer! (Giveaway!)

May 6, 2013 By 172 Comments

Tim and I have cut WAY back on our pasta intake as we are trying a “practical” version of the Paleo diet (no carbs, no sugar, no legumes, no grains, no dairy….lots and lots of meat and veggies).

But little Layah is a HUGE fan of chopped up spaghetti noodles. Or of chopped up penne pasta. Or of macaroni noodles. Or, well, you get the idea. I have found pasta and peas to be a really great snack for her, because she loves the thrill of the chase as she works hard to pick them up off her high chair tray and get them into her mouth. It can keep her occupied for 15 minutes or more! And in my book, that makes it worthy of inclusion in her diet from time-to-time!

bialetti pasta pot

I’ve been using the Bialetti Pasta Pot, which was made for busy families or for individuals who like their products to serve dual puposes. This pot has a built-in strainer, so there’s no need for me to get out and dirty our strainer when I’m using this pot. Hooray! I not only use it for pasta, but I have also boiled eggs, blanched veggies, and even made chicken stock in this pot. Basically any time you would have cooked something before putting it in a strainer, just reach for the Bialletti Pasta Pot!

Here’s a video to show you exactly how it works:

Buy it!: The Bialetti Pasta Pot is available in 3 really fun colors: turquoise, orange and purple! The turquoise pot I reviewed above is really pretty, and currently available on Amazon for $40.95. It would make a fantastic graduation, wedding or even baby shower gift!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Bialetti Pasta Pot in the color of your choice!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links. 

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Layah’s Overnight Cloth Diaper Choice: Buttons Diapers (Giveaway!!!)

May 4, 2013 By 147 Comments

Every cloth diapering parent knows the difficulty that comes along with finding the “right” fit for your baby in cloth diapers. Typically, daytime options are plentiful, but when it comes to finding an overnight cloth diaper that really does work, especially as your baby gets older and moves to the toddler stage, it is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

With Darah, we experimented with different covers and different inserts until we found the magic combination. Only to have to come up with a new plan a few months later when the old method stopped working. But we kept at it and always found a way to cloth diaper her overnight.

For Layah, to be perfectly honest, we haven’t done much trying. We remember all too well how tricky it is (and how many times you have to wash crib sheets) as you figure out how to keep a baby dry for 12 hours. It is just a lot easier to use a good disposable diaper. Just being honest!

So when I saw the design of Buttons Diapers, I was totally intrigued and thought, “These seriously might work just as they are made!”

And friends, they TOTALLY work overnight. Joy of joys! I haven’t had to add any extra inserts, do anything crazy folding tricks, or wave my magic wand, say a prayer and make a wish in order to keep Layah dry overnight. They are EASY and that’s exactly what we need in an overnight cloth diaper right now. I seriously wish I had 2 more of these in my stash.

Want to see this amazing diaper??? Yeah you do!

buttons diapers overnight cloth diaper

The first thing you might notice is that the microfiber inserts for this diaper lay on top of the diaper, rather than being stuffed. The bottom layer actually snaps onto the diaper to ensure that it won’t move around too much. The second insert is the overnight insert, and it actually snaps onto the daytime insert. SO SMART!!! Check out the thickness of these two layers, too!

buttons diapers overnight cloth diaper

Is the diaper a little bulky? Yes. But Layah isn’t uncomfortable in it at all. She’s slept great in it every time we’ve used it. And NO LEAKS! That is the key!!!

When you remove the second layer for daytime use, it fits just like any other diaper with an insert. I think these inserts are the bee’s knees, you guys. They hold A LOT of liquid. I’m a big fan.

But as awesome as these inserts are (and they really are awesome!), there’s actually one other feature of this diaper that makes it stand head and shoulders above the competition. Check it out:

buttons diapers overnight cloth diaper double gussets

Double gussets! These are AMAZING, and they keep EVERYTHING contained. My daughter put this diaper to the ultimate test the very first time she wore it overnight. When she woke up 12 hours later, not only had she peed in the diaper multiple times, but she had also had what should have been a major blowout. Except that it wasn’t! To this day I don’t understand the physics behind how this diaper held it all in, but I know those double gussets played a key role. This is a unique feature I haven’t seen before, and it is rockin’ my world!

So between the awesome inserts with a clever design and the double gussets, Buttons Diapers are something truly special in the cloth diaper market. It is also a family-owned company started by a husband and wife team! I HIGHLY recommend that you give them a try! Covers are just $11.00 and daytime inserts are $3.50, nighttime inserts are $5.00. They are an affordable option that performs like something with a much higher price tag!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a Buttons Diaper cover and 2 daytime inserts (winner’s choice of cover color and insert size!).

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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Results From an At-Home Keratin Treatment (Giveaway!!)

May 3, 2013 By 67 Comments

Lately my hair has been looking really healthy, shiny, and best of all, NOT POOFY.

Wanna know my secret? I did an at home keratin treatment called Ultra Keratin Touch, by nuNAAT. Have you ever heard of those Brazillian blowouts that cost a fortune at the salon but give your hair that amazing sleekness for 6 months? Well, this doesn’t have the exact same results, as it only lasts 1 month, but for the price (just $14.99) it is REALLY REALLY awesome!

Ultra Keratin Touch is known for its ability to tame frizzy hair, fight flyaways (that’s my biggest problem, postpartum) and smoothing out curls, no matter your hair texture. This at-home formula is sodium chloride and formaldehyde-free and lasts for up to 30 days.

Even though I knew this was a more gentle formula that what you would pay big bucks for in the salon, I was still really nervous to try this. After all, what I was reading about this type of treatment online stated that my hair structure, itself, would be temporarily altered. The end result was said to be smooth and strong hair…but what if it wasn’t???

Here I am about to get started. I know the face I’m making is corny, but it is how I really felt! This also helps you see what my hair looked like before the treatment.

nuNaat ultra kerating before shot

 

I began to follow the instructions, and I parted my hair into 4 sections. Since everyone loves to see someone else look ridiculous, here’s what I looked like just before applying the product:

nuNaat ultra kerating parting hair

Then I began the process of applying the keratin treatment. I read in the instructions that what stuff might appear as I worked the product in and combed it through every 5 minutes. Here’s what that looks like just to give you an idea:

nuNaat ultra kerating combing the treatment through the hair

After waiting the prescribed amount of time, I needed to blow dry my hair with the product in it. The heat from the blow dryer is what really activates the product. This part was honestly weird/tricky, as it makes your hair VERY VERY stiff. Don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself!

nuNaat ultra kerating after drying, before rinsing

I was a little freaked out at this point, as this is the opposite of sleek and smooth! But it was too late to turn back now! After washing my hair as per the instructions and drying it and taking the flat iron to it, this was my end result:

nuNAAT Ultra Keratin Touch after

 

Super smooth and sleek. But I’ll tell you this: my hair still felt sort of strange at that point. It didn’t feel soft. So I wasn’t sure that I was in love with this kit at that point.

Fast forward almost two weeks later today. My hair is now very smooth (and it has felt very smooth since the first time I washed my hair after this photo was taken). I also find it to be more manageable. It doesn’t take me as long to straighten my hair with the flat iron to get the results I want. At this point, I REALLY like this product, and I will use it again. I think the price is fantastic for a month of extra-good looking hair! The application process is a bit cumbersome (start to finish for me was a bit over an hour, though I’ve heard the salon version is a 2+ hour commitment) and the first few days after you do the treatment your hair does feel a little weird (and you can’t get it wet for 48 hours!). But after you get over that awkward stage, you’ve got fantastic looking hair.

Bottom line: this product has saved me time and helps me look my best. It’s a winner! You can find it at Walgreens or Walgreens.com!

Win it!: TWO lucky Stuff Parents Need readers will each win an Ultra Keratin Touch kit!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

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The SleepSack Option for Walking Babies and Toddlers! (Giveaway!)

May 2, 2013 By 61 Comments

Let’s talk about the logistics of your baby or toddler’s sleeping environment for a moment, shall we? Specifically, I want to talk about what your options are for keeping your child sufficiently covered and warm, and more importantly, SAFE.

My two children have been VERY different. My oldest was fully swaddled (arms and everything!) until she was 7 months old, and then had her legs swaddled until around 18 months. The swaddle was her jam, people. So she never really got into the sleepsack thing since she wanted to be very snug, and by the time she finally outgrew the swaddle, she was running around everywhere, and those footless sleepsacks were pointless for her.

Layah, on the other hand, outgrew the swaddle by 4 months. We started using HALO SleepSacks at that point and had great success with them. They are so much safer than blankets as they create a warm and cosy environment without posing a suffocation risk. They are basically like a wearable blanket! The material won’t bunch up around the face and the zipper unzips from the bottom so that even curious babies and toddlers can’t get themselves out of it.

So anyway, the HALO SleepSack was the optimal choice for Layah. That is, until she started standing up all the time, and then walking (she was walking by 9 months, which was totally NOT cool!). Since the SleepSacks don’t have cut outs for the feet, they are very frustrating to babies who want to move.

Just as this was becoming a real problem and we were about to retire the SleepSacks altogether, HALO introduced the SleepSack Early Walker! This is a SleepSack in a lightweight-knit fabric (shown below), and it is also available in Micro-fleece and Comfort Mesh fabrics. Check out what it looks like!

Layah from Stuff Parents Need HALO SleepSack Early Walker

FYI, the pink long sleeves are part of a onesie, not part of the SleepSack. If you are familiar with SleepSacks, then you are probably thinking that this looks just like any other SleepSack. But here’s what makes it so special:

HALO SleepSack Early Walker

This SleepSack has cut outs for the feet. They are snug enough so that the feet won’t come out of them, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. And there’s still that blanket-like feel to the product. Layah sleeps, well, like a baby in this! And she can walk around in it, too!

In addition to the SleepSack Early Walker, HALO also has a Big Kids Toddler SleepSack line. All are available for purchase on Amazon. We absolutely adore our SleepSack Early Walker, and when Layah starts to wear size 2T, we will invest in a SleepSack Big Kids! The Early Walker, by the way, is on sale at Amazon right now for just $18 (regularly $24.99!).


Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win 1 HALO SleepSack Early Walker or SleepSack Big Kids!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links.

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Mother’s Day HUGE Giveaway Hop, Including Sphere of Life Jewelry

May 1, 2013 By 163 Comments

Everyone loves their mom and always wants to find the best gift to make her feel loved and appreciated. These are the gifts I have found and would love to share with you. After you enter my giveaway head over to Makobi Scribe to see her mothers day gift ideas worth over $3000. Then enter the grand prize drawing of a $1000 worth of Karina Dresses.

You can find a linky to all the other great giveaways at the very bottom of this post.

As part of this fabulous Mother’s Day giveaway hop, I’m simply beside myself with what I have up for grabs.

Just take a look at this gorgeous necklace:

mother's day giveaway sphere of life eternity necklace

Quite a gorgeous and unique piece, no? It is called Eternity, and it is from Sphere of Life Jewelry. First, I just want to say that this is one of the most personable companies I have ever had the pleasure of working with (and that’s saying something, since I”ve worked with well over 500 companies since I started blogging!). The people behind this company are PASSIONATE about providing unique and meaningful jewelry pieces of exceptional quality that are a treasure to the recipient, from the moment they receive the cute packaging in which it arrives, to the moment they wear their piece for the first time. This is more than a gift; it is an experience and an expression of love.

All Sphere of Life jewelry is sterling silver, and plated with rhodium. Most pieces, including the Eternity necklace, are accented by 18k gold. Some pieces also have semi-precious stones or cubic zircons.

If you browse through the Sphere of Life catalog, you will see piece after piece of very thoughtful jewelry. I chose the Eternity piece because I appreciated all the intricate work included, and it reminded me of my role as a mother; a role I will have from here to eternity. I tell my children on an almost daily basis, “I will ALWAYS love you. Whether I’m near or far. Sad or happy. Sleeping or awake. In front of you or just in your heart. I will ALWAYS love you.”

For eternity.

sphere of life mother's day giveaway eternity necklace

Buy it!:  If you are still looking for a Mother’s Day gift that will go above and beyond and express how very special the mom in your life is, a Sphere of Life necklace is an excellent choice. The piece I reviewed is currently on sale for $89.60. And if you use the code SPN15, you’ll get 15% off! Just like that! :-) Code expires 5/31/13, so don’t delay!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win an Eternity necklace!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
And now for the other great giveaways!

I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Makobi Scribe Reviews, LLC or the Mother’s Day Gift Event Bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes.

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Follow Book Characters on Twitter: The Hooligan Bear Series (Giveaway!)

April 30, 2013 By 67 Comments

Are your kids on Twitter? You may have laughed at that question, but I assure you that I’m completely serious! Perhaps your little ones aren’t yet retweeting or following hashtags, but that day is coming! And the smartest companies are the ones who are already making these environments more welcoming and enjoyable for our little ones.

Hooligan Bears series

For example, we have a new series of books that we are enjoying called The Hooligan Bears.  So far the series has 3 books, with more in the works, all about a makeshift family of teddy bears and their adventures. As any parent can attest, when children love a book they want to read it again and again and again. And sometimes they have questions about what else the characters might have done or be doing outside of that particular story. For the Hooligan Bears, there’s a clear answer, as you can follow the main characters on Twitter (@hbhooliganbear, @hblittlelouie). So your children can have an immediate connection with their favorite literary friends! Pretty clever, no?

While Darah doesn’t yet have her own Twitter handle, I’m following these rambunctious bears on Twitter and this is how she is going to receive her introduction to the social media platform. I think the concept is awesome and it continues the fun after we finish one of Hooligan Bears books. I’m a product of my generation, so I always have my smartphone with me. I can just whip it out and see if anything new is happening with the characters. Weekly adventures are created on Twitter, and are all compiled together to form the complete story on Storify. Isn’t technology wonderful??? You can follow the bears on Twitter absolutely free and hear about some of their adventures. But I recommend having at least one of the books at home as a great introduction to the cast of characters!

Darah from Stuff Parents Need reading Hooligan Bears

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win the Hooligan Bear series that I reviewed!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received complimentary books for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This post contains affiliate links. 

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