: August 2010

Tuesday, August 31

Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag Giveaway

Ok ladies-- it's here!

I had the absolute pleasure to review a fabulous bag by Petunia Pickle Bottom! It's the bag of choice, the one we all envy-- you know those ladies walking down the street with their fabulous hair, well behaved kids, fancy stroller- you know the type-- they are easy to spot-- no sweat pants in sight! I kid, I kid-- well half way....

Petunia Pickle Bottom is a fabulous company that makes even more fabulous of products. From diaper bags, to bedding to great accessories-- they have a little bit of everything for the new mom with an inner fashionista.

More than three little words, Petunia Pickle Bottom is a lifestyle—a different way of looking at the world. And perhaps nowhere else is that difference more distinct, unique or decidedly fashionable than in the Petunia products themselves. A perennial exhibit of bold lines, daring colors and darling designer details, Petunia Pickle Bottom was created for the steadfast sophisticate inside every woman. Silk brocades, hand-woven tweeds, plush chenilles, intricate cut velvets, and exquisitely detailed embroidery—every one a Petunia hallmark, and every one an expression of motherhood’s myriad facets.

I received a Boxy Backpack from their Original Collection in Classic Copenhagen. The design of the backpack is not only fun, but oh-so-functional. It can carry all the necessities, plus more! And we moms, know we all carry more than just the necessities! Our bags become an extension of us. We carry make-up, money, pictures of loved ones-- and the Petunia Pickle Bottom bag fits right in.

The fabrics their bags come in, look and feel like quality and fashion. They are not the plain Jane navys and browns of yesterday, but rather an extension of your wardrobe. Beautiful floral designs, gorgeous damasks, lovely embroidery-- it's all there with a Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag. The Classic Copenhagen is inspired by the Scandinavian cross stitch. It comes glazed for easy clean up, plus water resistant straps and lining. We've all had a sippy cup or bottle leak-- it can be a mess, but with the Petunia bags, clean up is made easy.

Hands-free backpack or long messenger strap
Built-in changing station with detachable changing pad
2 large diaper/wipes pockets
4 bottle pockets
2 organizational pockets
Small pacifier pocket
Detachable dirty diaper pouch
“No more digging” key clip
Water-resistant liner
PVC-Free Glazed “wipe-able” exterior
PPB monogrammed wipes case
Dimensions: 13 X 13.5 X 5.5 in.
Compatible with Valet Stroller Clips (Sold Separately)
Wipe clean with damp cloth only. Spot clean liner with damp cloth.

The Petunia Pickle Bottom bags are not inexpensive-- but I look at it rather like an investment. A fashion piece that is classic and timeless and will last through many children.-- kind of like that go-to little black dress. Rather than purchasing 2 to 3 diaper bags and spending money on a bag with less quality and beauty, purchasing a Petunia Pickle Bottom designer diaper bag is buying something that you know will last and that you will feel comfortable in showing off-- because it is just that great! The Petunia Pickle Bottom Boxy Backpack in Classic Copenhagen sells for $170 dollars online and in select stores across the country.

GIVEAWAY

One fashionista will win their very own Petunia bag-- the Boxy Backpack in Classic Copenhagen!

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me why you need/want a Petunia Pickle Bottom bag! (You must be a TicTacDough Google Friend and leave your email address in order to win!)

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Please leave a comment for each extra entry!)

- Enter any other giveaway on my site-- and tell me you have in a comment! --1 EXTRA ENTRY PER GIVEAWAY!

- Grab the buttons from the sidebar and post them on your blog (Please leave me your blog url)- 5 EXTRA ENTRIES PER BUTTON

- Follow TicTacDough on Twitter– 1 ENTRY

- Tweet about the giveaway-- 1 ENTRY per day

#Win a Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag! @tictacdoughblog #giveaways http://tinyurl.com/26f43wo #babies #moms #fashion

- Subscribe to my blog – 2 ENTRIES

- "Like" TicTacDough on Facebook-- 1 ENTRY
- "Like" Petunia on Facebook AND write on your own wall telling everyone you know about this giveaway!-- 5 ENTRIES

- Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 EXTRA ENTRIES

RULES:

- Contest will close at 12 noon. PST on September 30th, 2010

- Contest open to US residents!!

Thank you for entering and Good Luck! For questions about entering, please see the giveaway rules. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.-- I was given the product complimentary from Petunia Pickle Bottom. A special thanks to Petunia Pickle Bottom for participating in a review and giveaway!

Thursday, August 26

Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag Giveaway-- COMING SOON!

You can win your very own Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag! -- Aw, but wait, it's more than just a diaper bag ladies-- it's a stylish accessory no mom will want to be without!

Come back here on Tuesday August 31st and win!

Grab the button below and earn 5-- yes 5 EXTRA ENTRIES!!

or Tweet this out and gain another 5 EXTRA ENTRIES(one tweet per day please) On Aug 31st, #WIN your very own Petunia Pickle Bottom Bag! @tictacdoughblog @followpetunia http://www.tictacdough.blogspot.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the day of the giveaway (August 31st), make sure to comment you have done all of these things! For each thing you choose to do (Twitter, button), Make sure to leave the right amount of comments! Please do not comment on this post-- comment on the giveaway post coming on August 31st! Thank you and Good Luck!

Wednesday, August 25

Pediped Review and Contest!

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=722433b8b5&view=att&th=12a1b3f579ff866c&attid=0.3&disp=inline&zw

pediped footwear Debuts Fall Winter 2010 Collection

With Grip ‘n’ Go for the Active Toddler

The Fall/Winter 2010 season marks the debut of pediped Grip ‘n’ Go a shoe specially designed for the active toddler. The Grip ‘n’ Go™ line is a bridge between the pediped Originals and Flex lines. With this introduction, pediped footwear now offers a complete footwear system for children from newborn through 6 years of age.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=722433b8b5&view=att&th=12a481b382bf6434&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw

The new collection has more than 70 new styles across pedipe footwear system’s three lines, Originals, Grip ‘n’ Go and Flex.   With a range that includes 25 Originals styles, 4 couture collection style offerings, 13 Grip ‘n’ Go styles and 39 Flex styles, parents have even more choices when it comes to finding the perfect pair of pediped shoes for their child.

·         Original - the best first shoe ever: pediped Originals are the best first shoes for children and remain the best choice as children learn to walk. The soft flexible soles are recommended by pediatricians and podiatrists as they allow children to closely mimic barefoot walking.

The Originals Fall Winter line for girls features updates on classic styles, including Abigail purple and chocolate brown. Two adorable styles of faux fur boots are offered in the Giselle and Avery styles. pediped uses sheepskin for the first time in the Isabella for girls and the Charlie for boys. The boy’s line also includes a variety of casual athletic styles like the Christopher and the Luke.

The Couture Collection was inspired by the American West with metallic cowboy boots and Mary Janes. The Originals collection will retail for $32 and is available for children 0-2 years. The Couture Collection styles will retail for $42.

·         Grip ‘n’ Go - the perfect shoe for the active toddler: pediped® Grip ‘n’ Go™, are the perfect shoes for a toddler transitioning from early walking to walking with a more confident stride. Grip ‘n’ Go, are made with all the benefits of Originals but with thin, flexible rubber soles. The rounded edges mimic the natural shape of a child’s foot and the heel stability and soft toe box allow toddlers to feel and grip the floor. Grip ‘n’ Go is ideal for both indoor and outdoor wear.

The Grip ‘n’ Go Fall Winter line has classic pediped styles like Alyssa, Giselle, Isabella and Jake. It also includes some exciting new styles like Ellie and Jamie.   The Grip ‘n’ Go collection will retail for $44-$48 and is available for children 9 months to 3 years.

·         Flex - the ultimate shoe for confident walkers: pediped Flex are the ultimate shoes for confident walkers who have developed a solid, natural stride.

The Fall Flex line has a fabulous array of boots for girls including the suede Elizabeth fashion boot, the red Carrie Cowboy boot and the Tonya riding boot.   Fall also brings the expansion of athletic washable styles and ballet flats will Memory Foam Technology. Flex styles range in price from $34-$79 and are available in EU sizes 20-29 with select styles now offered in larger sizes going to EU 31.

A range of coordinating pediped socks and hosiery, jewelry and pediped hair clips by No Slippy Clippy are also offered to complete any and every fall and winter ensemble.

In addition to providing the perfect combination of style and comfort, all pediped shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for the promotion of healthy foot development. The pediped footwear system has recently been endorsed by researches associated with Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston.

I was recently sent a great stylish pair of pediped shoes fro Emma. She is running and on-the-go, all the time. So the pediped Flex shoes are perfect for her! She received the Abigail, (shown above) which is a pink leather show with sweet petaled flowers on the sides. The show flexes with Emma's foot, and even came with an insert to make the fit as perfect as possible!

Soft & Flexible - Exceptionally soft, flexible soles and uppers help to provide healthy foot development. Ultra flexible FLEX ZONES provide maximum flexibility and support natural foot motion.
Heel Cushion - Shock absorbing cushions on each heel protect against impact and distribute pressure through-out the foot.

Flex Fit System - pediped Flex offer a unique fit system. Each pair comes with an additional 2mm insole to customize the fit so it just right for each child. If the child starts with both insoles, as the child’s feet grow the additional insoles may be removed to extend the length of time the child can wear the shoes.

Pediped can be found at www.pediped.com and select stores across the country!

CONTEST:

Four great brands are teaming up for a fantastic contest!

Pediped, Mutsy, Kokopax and Kushies are giving away products!

Prize: One of four Great Prizes for Baby

Winners will be selected after September 30, 2010!

Go to the Mutsy Facebook page and "like" their page and enter the contest! I have! =)

Tweet this to tell your friends:

Hot Summer Fun Giveaway from @Mutsy @Pediped @Kokopax & @Kushies -- http://tinyurl.com/283ykw4 @tictacdoughblog

Tuesday, August 24

CostumeSuperCenter.com Review

Hey mamas-- Did you know that Halloween is right around the corner?! Well alright-- it's not right around the corner-- you have two months, but man if you don't get your costumes for Halloween early, your kid will definitely end up the ghost with a sheet over his head.

Unless....

Unless you visit Costume Super Center for all of your costume needs! They have over 1700 new costume items just ready for you to browse through! Great selection for boys, girls and adults, awesome prices, quick shipping! If you purchase a costume over $40 dollars and use the coupon code FREE40 at checkout, you will get free shipping! It's win, win, win!

I had the great opportunity to review a costume from the girls Halloween costumes. We chose one of the Cowgirl Costumes for my daughter Hannah. It features a dress with tiered skirt, belt, vest, hat and hat band. A great deal for $34.99.

She cannot wait to give it a whirl at school and on Halloween night! Yee haw!

Ella's Kitchen Giveaway

So upon receiving my sampler box of Ella's Kitchen, I had a picky eater who would not eat her veggies, nor most fruits. Her menu for the day consisted of cheese, juice, crackers, an occasional strawberry, and perhaps some chicken if she was really hungry. Most moms of two year old's have a daily battle to get their little one to eat something out side the dairy group.

Ella's Kitchen is the brainchild of Paul Lindley. Paul wanted to provide his children and others to eat better food and also to discover that healthy food can be fun, tasty and cool.They have taken simple, natural ingredients that ooze goodness and created foods, and packaging, that should connect with kids - with flavors, colors, textures and even names that will appeal to all of their senses. Ella's Kitchen has two types of organic foods-- the Smoothie Fruits and the Stage 1 Baby Foods.

The Stage 1 Baby Foods are combination's like Carrots, Apples and Parsnips or Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkins, Apples and Blueberries. The Smoothies are come in two flavors-- The Yellow One and The Red One. Each smoothie contains fruits from red fruits or yellow fruits.

I had put the Ella's Kitchen sampler in the fridge; I thought it being cold it might taste better. Emma loved that it was own little pod of goodness! You twist off the cap and voila-- fruits and vegetables mixed into one yummy container. I tried giving her her normal breakfast of oatmeal, but lately she has been pushing it away. I broke out The Yellow One Smoothie and instantly Emma wanted it! She loved it and sucked down the whole thing. At least after I knew she had gotten some nutritious vitamins and minerals that she wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I even squirted a little in her oatmeal-- and she ate it all down! I love that what you see is really what you get! There is nothing else in the smoothies and baby food other than the stuff listed. You can trust the foods to be healthy and helpful!

There are 4 new flavors too! The Stage 1 Butternut squash, carrots, apples, and prunes and then the Spinach, apple, rutabaga. And then the Smoothies: The Green One - Apples, pears, banana, kiwi fruit and The Purple One - bananas, apples, blackcurrants, blueberries

Now when Emma is a bit fussy with her meal, I give her one of her smoothies or baby foods-- it kind of acts like an appetizer and then eventually she usually eats her regular meal!

Ella's Kitchen can be found online and at stores across the US including Babies R Us and Whole Foods.

Would you like to win a Sampler Pack of Ella's Kitchen?

~GIVEAWAY~

One lucky winner will receive a 4 pack of the new flavors from Ella's Kitchen!

Mandatory FIRST Entry:

Follow TicTacDough publicly-- please tell me in your first comment (leave your email address please)

and

Visit Ella's Kitchen and tell me the flavor that you would love to try!

**You must complete the mandatory entry as your FIRST comment before any additional entries count.** For each of these Additional Entries, make a separate comment:

Follow TicTacDoughshop and Ella's Kitchen on Twitter and tweet the following message, then comment below with the link to your tweet (1 extra entry per day):

#Win a 4 Pack of new flavors from @EllasKitchen! @tictacdoughblog #giveaways http://tinyurl.com/2gayznw #food

Write a blog post about this giveaway (at least 50 words) and leave the link to your post below. (10 extra entries!)
Facebook Fan TicTacDough and leave a comment on my wall! (2 extra entries)
Enter any other giveaway listed here on TicTacDough (1 extra entry per giveaway)

RULES:

- Contest will close at 12 noon. PST on September 7th, 2010

- Contest open to US residents!!

Thank you for entering and Good Luck! For questions about entering, please see the giveaway rules. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.-- I was given the product complimentary from Ella's Kitchen. A special thanks to Ella's Kitchen for participating in a review and giveaway!

Monday, August 23

Sunscreen Tips for Kids Going Back To School (how to protect them when you are not with them):

Summer vacation may be over, but that doesn’t mean kids will be out of the sun. Data suggests that the majority of sun exposure in a person occurs before the age of 18. So… how can you be sure to protect your children when they are back at school and out of your sight? Kavita Mariwalla, MD, Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, suggests following these simple rules:

- If your children play sports, pack water-proof spray-on sunscreen in their backpack. Make sure you tell them to spray it on while getting ready for practice or the big game (30 minutes before sun expDear Maryann Peik,osure). The spray version is easy to apply and they don't have to feel shy about asking a team mate to help them out.

- Consider washing your child's practice clothes and uniforms with Rit Sunguard. Available on-line and in most grocery stores, the easy to use powder can be washed in with clothes in the laundry and confers added SPF to t-shirts, shorts and socks - good for multiple washes.

- Buy empty lotion bottles (travel size) and fill them with sunscreen to pack in your child's backpack. That way it is easy to transport and easy for you to monitor their use.

- Don't forget sunglasses. Beyond a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your child's eyes from harmful UV rays

- Encourage wearing a hat. Though most children are resistant to wearing a broad-brimmed hat, baseball caps are better than nothing. Just remind your child to put sunscreen on their ears and the back of their neck!

- If your child is in tournaments lasting the whole day in the fall, designate a "sunscreen parent." Just like the "snack parent" who provides nourishment to keep the kids on the field, the "sunscreen parent" can keep them safe and free from sunburns. Making this part of the sport environment creates healthy habits early on.

What is the data to support the importance of sunscreen use?

Data shows that basal cell skin cancer is rising in people under the age of 40. In addition, a study done in 2000 and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that children who wore sunscreen consistently developed fewer moles than those who did not. The same study showed that sunscreen use is even more important for children with freckles because it decreased the number of nevi or moles they acquired by up to 40%. An epidemiologic study completed in 2009 showed that male children are at higher risk than female and additional risk factors for developing moles include spending 5 - 6 hours /weekly/ between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm outdoors. That's not a lot of time considering most sports practrice at least 1 - 2 hours a day. And don't forget those soccer tournaments!

So, if your child is playing sports when school gets back in session, remember these tips and keep them protected even when they are not under your watch.

Thursday, August 19

Basic Bread Making {Recipe}

This was my first time baking bread-- I guess you could call me the bread baking virgin... but I am pretty darn proud of my creation. I even doubled the recipe and it turned out fantastic!

Airy, light, no preservatives, wholesome organic ingredients, easy to make, inexpensive, it's even fun to do with the chitlens!

Here is the recipe-- as I gain some confidence and add or take away ingredients, I will let you all know!

1/4 cup milk (I used 2% milk)
5 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 teaspoons butter
1 package of active dry yeast (I bought a jar of the yeast which is 2 and 1/4 teaspoons)
2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 cups of unbleached flour
nonstick cooking spray or butter to grease the loaf pans

*makes one nice sized loaf-- double the recipe to make two nice sized loaves*

Warm up a large bowl with hot water (or if you are using a stand mixer, warm up that bowl). The purpose is to warm the bowl, not use the water. Place your yeast in the dried bowl, then add a cup of warm water at 110 degrees F. Stir until the yeast is completley dissolved.

Melt the butter in the microwave, then add it to the yeast and water. Add in the milk, sugar, and salt too. Stir gently. Then add in two cups of the flour. If you are using a stand mixer like I did, turn on the mixer to low. Don't forget to use the bread kneading attachment!

Slowly add in the rest of the flour 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is just coming away from the bowl and not sticking to your hands. Transfer to a floured surface and knead to your hearts desire-- for a good ten minutes. If you are using the stand mixer, let it go on low to level 2/3 for about ten minutes.

Make a ball with your dough, then place it in a greased bowl. Cover it with a dish towel and leave in a nice warm place for one hour. It should double in size.

Once one hour has passed, punch down the dough a couple times. Bring the dough to a floured surface and press out to the size of a rectangle. The width up and down should be the length of your loaf pan. Roll it up in a nice long bun. Sorta like a cinnamon roll. Place in loaf pan.

Take your loaf and cover with the dish towel for one more hour. Doubling should occur.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and cook for 30 minutes. *enjoy* ~~ More bread recipes to come!

Baby Aspen {Giveaway}-- Part two

I know what you are thinking-- another Baby Aspen review?! I know-- how lucky can we get right?! AND IT GET'S EVEN BETTER!!

This giveaway has SIX WINNERS!!

I was thrilled to receive a box of super cute Caterpillar Crawlers. They are sweet little baby socks that are gender neutral and a perfect gift for any baby shower. If you give these darling socks as a gift, you will for sure be the envy of all the gift givers. People will "oooohhh" and "ahhhhh"-- they are that cute.

Four pair of socks with perky prints in cute caterpillar presentation

Dots, stripes and a smiley face decorate the socks in shades of purple, green, yellow and orange

Machine-washable cotton-poly blend

Gift presentation includes sage-green base accented with a band of fuschia grosgrain ribbon, an applique with Caterpillar Crawlers, a clear display top, socks in ball-shape lined up like a caterpillar, and two green antennae topped with small, fuzzy, fuschia balls

Size 0-6 months

The Caterpillar Crawlers are the perfect gift, and sells for the great price of $14.99! It's nice when you can find a cute and useful gift for under $20 dollars! You can find the Baby Aspen Caterpillar Crawlers at CornerStorkBabyGifts.com

GIVEAWAY

SIX lucky winners will win one box of the Caterpillar Crawlers from Baby Aspen! That's right-- SIX WINNERS!

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me who you would give these too! You must be a TicTacDough Google Friend and leave your email address in order to win!)

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Please leave a comment for each extra entry!)

- Enter any other giveaway on my site-- and tell me you have in a comment! --1 EXTRA ENTRY PER GIVEAWAY!

- Grab my buttons from the sidebar and post them on your blog (Please leave me your blog url)- 2 ENTRIES PER BUTTON

- Follow TicTacDough on Twitter– 1 ENTRY

- Tweet about the giveaway-- 1 ENTRY per day

6 WINNERS!#Win Caterpillar Crawler Socks from Baby Aspen! @tictacdoughblog #giveaways http://tinyurl.com/3xh2kza

- Subscribe to my blog – 2 ENTRIES

- "Like" TicTacDough on Facebook-- 1 ENTRY

- Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 EXTRA ENTRIES

RULES:

- Contest will close at 12 noon. PST on September 4th, 2010

- Contest open to US residents!!

Thank you for entering and Good Luck! For questions about entering, please see the giveaway rules. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.-- I was given the product complimentary from Baby Aspen. A special thanks to Baby Aspen for participating in a review and giveaway!

CSN Stores Review

I had the opportunity to be able to review a product from CSN Stores! At first I was going to go the ice cream maker route, but then the goats fell through (yes I was going to get goats), and my milk supply fell short, so I changed my mind. I chose the great L ittle Tikes Sand and Water Fun Factory for my daughter Emma.

It is truly fabulous, built extremely well, easy to put together (I did it myself), and even came with a nice umbrella for extra shade and sun protection! It also cam with a whole bunch of sand and water accessories, like shovels, and twirly things that the water and sand can run through. Plus, what's even nicer, is that it comes with built in covers. The white parts that stand up and hold the twirly toys, also comes down and closes the water or sand from animals. We have tons of birds and rabbits in our yard. I am sure the height of the table may deter the little cotton tails, but eventually they would find a way-- but with the covers, there is no way!

Features:

Multicolored
Includes water scoop, rake / shovel, car ramp, boat and front end loader
Gears and gadgets, funnels and cogs make for hours of sand and water play
Drop down lids protect sand and toys from the elements and animals
Raised design helps kids stay clean
Fabric sun shade canopy offers protection from sun
2008 iParenting Media Awards
2008 Parent's Choice Awards
Ages 2 to 6

CSN Stores has tons-- really tons of products. From baby to furniture, you can find it all at CSN Stores!

Wednesday, August 18

Baby Aspen Review and Giveaway!

I have reviewed Baby Aspen in the past during The Labor of Love Event. Back then I was surprised by the craftsmanship and style of the products-- and again this time around I am astounded!

Baby Aspen's motto is Give. Play. Cuddle. Dream. It definitely fits! The products I received included a super cute lovey called Jakka the Giraffe. My daughter Emma was given something very similar to this when she was just and infant-- and at two years old, she still carries it around with her daily. Jakka is soft and cuddly, and perfect a perfect gift for a new baby--boy or girl!

Plush, beautifully detailed lovie in giraffe print with giraffe's head, front legs holding a sound-making, green crinkle leaf and tail on the back

Other features include baby-safe embroidered eyes, giraffe horns, cream-colored satin trim, a decorative leaf applique and embroidered accents along the bottom of the lovie

Polyester lovie can be surface-washed

The other product I received was another lovie called Ekko the Elephant. Again, so sweet and soft-- really, how could you resist an elephant lovie?!

Plush, beautifully detailed gray lovie with elephant's head and trunk, front legs holding a sound-making, green crinkle leaf and tail on the back

Other features include baby-safe embroidered eyes, cream-colored satin trim, a decorative leaf applique and embroidered accents along the bottom of the lovie

Polyester lovie can be surface-washed

The new lovies sell for $19.99-- a perfect price for a wonderful shower gift! You can find Baby Aspen products at CornerStorkBabyGifts.com

Are you ready to win, win, win?

GIVEAWAY

Three lucky winners will win their choice of either Ekko the Elephant Lovie or Jakka the Giraffe Lovie! That's right-- THREE WINNERS!

Mandatory Entry:

Tell me which lovie you would like to win (Ekko or Jakka)! You must be a TicTacDough Google Friend and leave your email address in order to win!)

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Please leave a comment for each extra entry!)

- Enter any other giveaway on my site-- and tell me you have in a comment! --1 EXTRA ENTRY

- Grab my buttons from the sidebar and post them on your blog (Please leave me your blog url)- 2 ENTRIES PER BUTTON

- Follow TicTacDough on Twitter– 1 ENTRY

- Tweet about the giveaway-- 1 ENTRY per day

3 WINNERS! I just entered to #win a lovie from Baby Aspen at @tictacdoughblog #giveaways http://tinyurl.com/2ad8ung

- Subscribe to my blog – 2 ENTRIES

- "Like" TicTacDough on Facebook-- 1 ENTRY

- Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 EXTRA ENTRIES

RULES:

- Contest will close at 12 noon. PST on September 3rd, 2010

- Contest open to US residents!!

Thank you for entering and Good Luck! For questions about entering, please see the giveaway rules. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.-- I was given the product complimentary from Baby Aspen. A special thanks to Baby Aspen for participating in a review and giveaway!

Sunday, August 15

Popchips Review and Giveaway

yum, YUM, yum....

My family, my parents and I all have a new favorite snack. Have you tried popchips? No?! You have to seriously run out to the nearest grocery store and buy a trunk load. Why a trunk load you ask--- silly silly readers--- because popchips are addictive... and soon the nice full bag you have, will be overtaken by little hands (and big ones too), and there will not be enough for yourself. So arm yourself-- take the necessary actions. If you need to get mace-- get mace-- fight off the grubby hands.

So what are they you ask? They are heavenly little "popped" chips that are good for you and delicious. Yes, ladies-- I said good for you! They come in a variety of flavors-- my personal fave is the salt and pepper, but how about sour cream and onion, or perhaps bbq, or parmesan garlic! Or, mmmm cheddar. They are light and crispy-- how a potato chip should be. See how They make them below:

We don't fry it (unhealthy). We don't bake it (undelicious). We take wholesome potatoes, add a little heat and pressure, and pop! It's a chip. The only thing added is a flavorful blend of seasonings for a snack so delicious and crispy, you won't even notice it's (we hesitate to say) healthier.
What's out? More than half the fat of fried potato chips, trans fats, and cholesterol. All gone. For good. What's popped in? Only what's natural, tons of delicious, and plenty of crunch.

popchips is my new favorite snack. See, I am trying to eat more healthfully, so I am in the market for purchasing better choices. And popchips are certainly on that list now. popchips sell online for $20.40 for a 24 pack-- that's less than a dollar a bag!

GIVEAWAY
One lucky reader will win a box of popchips (a variety of flavors)!

Mandatory Entry:

Go to popchips and tell me the flavor you are most excited to try! You must be a TicTacDough Google Friend and leave your email address in order to win!)

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Please leave a comment for each extra entry!)

- Vote for TicTacDough on Top Mommy Blogs once everyday! (simply click on the button on the top of the sidebar) – 1 ENTRY per day

- Grab my buttons from the sidebar and post them on your blog (Please leave me your blog url)- 2 ENTRIES PER BUTTON

- Follow TicTacDough on Twitter– 1 ENTRY

- Follow Popchips on Twitter- 1 ENTRY

- Tweet about the giveaway-- 1 ENTRY per day

I just entered to #win a box of @Popchips at @tictacdoughblog #giveaways http://tinyurl.com/2ap3akk

- Subscribe to my blog – 2 ENTRIES

- "Like" TicTacDough on Facebook-- 1 ENTRY

- "Like" Popchips on Facebook--Please leave a comment on their wall that you were sent from TicTacDough!-- 1 ENTRY

- Blog about this giveaway and include the URL – 5 EXTRA ENTRIES

RULES:

- Contest will close at 12 noon. PST on August 30th, 2010

- Contest open to US and Canadian residents!!

Thank you for entering and Good Luck! For questions about entering, please see the giveaway rules. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.-- I was given the product complimentary from Popchips. A special thanks to Popchips for participating in a review and giveaway!

Wednesday, August 11

Tuesday, August 10

Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop {Giveaway}

I love everything about the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop. plain and simple.

I have used the other so-called "spray mops"in the past, but to clean my house thoroughly, it took like 2 or 3 disposable pads and practically a whole bottle of cleaning solution. Then don't even get me started on the mop itself. If it didn't break in half from me trying to get the grime up from the 2 year old monster in the house, it would be a miracle.

Rubbermaid has taken all the woes of the other "spray mops" and made a superior product called the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop! It comes with two reusable/washable microfiber pads, and a refillable bottle to fill up with your favorite cleaning product or homemade cleaning solution (see some great homemade cleaning recipes below). Now I can easily break out the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop and efficiently clean the tile floors-- quickly and safely. If I choose to use a harsh cleaning product, I can-- If I want to make a cleaning solution that is safe for the family, I can do that too!

Cleaning Solution 1

2 Tablespoons ammonia

½ cup white vinegar

½ teaspoon of baby shampoo

Fill the rest with hot water

This solution works well on hardwood floors.

Cleaning Solution 2

2Tablespoons white vinegar

2-3 drops liquid soap

Fill the rest with hot water

This solution is perfect for glazed tiles, vinyl, soft tile, cement, brick, and laminate.

Cleaning Solution 3

2 Tablespoons baking soda

2-3 drops liquid soap

Fill the rest with hot water

This solution is great for unglazed tiles, marble, stone, and slate.

Cleaning Solution 4

1 Tablespoon white vinegar

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Fill the rest with hot water

This solution also works well on hardwood floors.

What types of flooring will Rubbermaid Reveal clean?
Rubbermaid Reveal cleans virtually any type of floor to a sparkling shine, including wood, vinyl, laminate and tile.
How do I remove leftover solution from the mop?
Just remove the bottle of solution, pull the trigger under the handle to dispense the remaining liquid, and you’re done!
What are the dimensions of the microfiber mopping head?
15” length x 4.5” width
Do I need batteries to operate the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop?
No! It’s one of the ways the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop saves you money. The spray is distributed using a trigger pull to allow you to dispense as little or as much liquid as needed without the hassle of batteries.
What types of solutions can I uses with Reveal Spray Mop?
Rubbermaid Reveal Mop lets you customize your own solution to get your floors brilliantly clean. Just mix two tablespoons of your favorite cleaner with water in the refillable bottle. We don’t recommend using bleach, and as with all cleaning products, you’ll want to check what types of cleaning solutions and methods your floor’s manufacturer recommends.
What is the spray range of the Reveal Spray Mop?
When the mop is held at the correct angle, the spray should reach the length of the pad so you get the maximum clean from every swipe. The mop can be tilted back or forth to increase or decrease the spray area.

REFILLABLE BOTTLE
What is the maximum temperature of solution or water that I can use in the refillable bottle?
We recommend that the water not exceed 120 degrees—typically the hottest temperature of water that comes from the tap.
Can I clean the refillable bottle in the dishwasher?
The refillable bottle can be cleaned by placing in the top rack of your dishwasher.
Can you leave solution in the refillable bottle for storage?
Yes! Use the extra refillable bottle to create pre-mixed solutions so you can simply pop a new bottle into Reveal and go!

MICROFIBER MOPPING PAD
How do I wash the Microfiber mopping pad?
The Rubbermaid Reveal Microfiber pad is simple to wash and reuse. You can either hand wash the pad or put it in the washing machine and use a non-bleach detergent. It is recommended that you wash with warm or cold water and with like colors without the use of fabric softener.
How many times can I wash the mop pad before I need to purchase a new one?
The Microfiber Mopping Pad is durable enough to last 100 cycles in a standard washing machine. Do not use bleach or fabric softener when laundering the microfiber pad.
Can I dry my Microfiber mopping pad in the dryer? If so what setting?
Yes! Use the LOW setting (do not use fabric softener sheets) on your dryer to quickly dry the Microfiber Mopping pad and get on with your day.

Are you ready to try out the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop for your self? It sells for $29.95 plus shipping and handling-- but think about the savings-- no more disposable pads and cleaning solutions to buy! Also-- think about the "greenness" of the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop?! No more pads and bottles of cleaning solutions going to the trash heap!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky reader will win a Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop!

Mandatory Entry:

Go Rubbermaid and tell me one thing you looove about this mop!

You must be a TicTacDough Google Friend and leave your email address in order to win!)

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Please leave a comment for each extra entry!)

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RULES:

- Contest will close at 12 noon. PST on August 22nd, 2010

- Contest open to US and Canadian residents!!

Thank you for entering and Good Luck! For questions about entering, please see the giveaway rules. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.-- I was given the product complimentary from Rubbermaid. A special thanks to Rubbermaid for participating in a review and giveaway!

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REFILLABLE BOTTLE

MICROFIBER MOPPING PAD