the happiest mom & parenting magazine {giveaway}

***contest closed. congrats to courtney!*** 

meagan francis, blogger at the happiest mom, released a book of the same name: The Happiest Mom: 10 Secrets to Enjoying Motherhood.  she sent me a copy to check out, and i am pleased to pass my copy along to you (if you don't mind a few peanut butter smudges!)

the book is a light-hearted and quick read, pleasantly arranged with cheery artwork.  the chapters are short and to the point, each exploring one tip, like "take the easy way out," "trust your gut," "look out for #1," and "love your love life."

the advice is friendly and practical, a welcome reprieve that distinguishes itself from the pack of parenting tomes written by "experts"--the kind that have a way of whipping new moms into an exhausting and idolatrous pursuit of The Right Answer.  francis' approach is much more low-key. sisterly, even.  bonus: the book comes with a tear-our card for a free year of Parenting Early Years.  i planned to use this myself until i remembered that i don't even read the magazines i already subscribe to--so it's a twofer giveaway for you:)

there is nothing groundbreaking here, but i suspect there are a million moms who need this kind of permission to discover what works over what's "right."  it would be a good read for a brand new mom or the worrying type in hot pursuit of perfection and feeling shamed to be coming up short.

want a copy?  just leave a comment saying what makes you a happy mom (or what steals your happy.)  if you aren't a mom and still want to read/give, say something else. i'm not picky:) make sure i have a way to get in touch with you if you win.  entries close wednesday, may 18 at 11:59 PM, and random.org will chose a winner from among comments.  good luck!

if you're visiting {so much reviews} for the first time, welcome.  you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter, on facebook, and twitter.  i hope you'll follow this blog or subscribe: i'd love to keep in touch:)

Life to the Full: {DaySpring Giveaway}

**this giveaway is closed.  congrats to comment #8, bitterroot mama!**

DaySpring is not the crunchy business i typically feature here, but as their blog (in)courage is a tremendous ministry and community for women, i am more than happy to share them with you--and offer a fun giveaway:)

 

when i went the the relevant conference last fall, (in)courage sponsored a hospitality lounge, and that's where i was introduced to DaySpring's Life To The Full Collection.  i was more than a little smitten with the cheerful colors and hopeful scripture messages.  i even got to go home with the water pitcher i won in a giveaway:






the scripture comes from john 10:10,

 "I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full."

what a promise to be reminded of each time we share a meal together!  (in)courage sent me a matching place setting to review at the just the right time:  our wedding dishes are slowly chipping and breaking, and i knew these four plates would be fun to mix and match.

they are truly beautiful, as well as sturdy and microwave/dishwasher safe.  my kids use them without incident (so far:)  i think i like the breakfast plate best of all.  so elegant:





my only complaint is that the dinner plate is a little too big; at 12 inches it won't fit inside my cupboard!





the regular price for the Life Collection - 4 Piece Place Setting ($48.96) is more than a bit out of our budget.  however, it is on sale now for $40, and they're offering an additional 30% off the entire Life Collection with the coupon code LIFE30, which makes a four piece place setting a far more doable $25.67.

i'm not running out to buy service for eight--i am still a green blogger!--but i did spring for one matching setting.  (see, i liked it enough to pay, too;)  an early birthday present in anticipation of winter's end and the return of color.

(as of last week, they were still running a site-wide 25% coupon code: LOVE25.  you can only use one code at a time, and i do not know if it is still current, but it's worth a try:)

DaySpring and (in)courage are generously offering a $35 gift code to a lucky {so much reviews} reader.  just leave a comment [with contact info] telling how you make meal times special or incorporate scripture into your home, or what you'd buy at DaySpring if you won.

that's it.  easy peasy:)

entries will close friday, march 18 at 11:59 PM, and random.org will chose a winner from among comments.  good luck!

if you're visiting {so much reviews} for the first time, welcome!  you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter, on facebook, and twitter.  i hope you'll follow this blog or subscribe: i'd love to keep in touch:)

DaySpring provided me with one place setting, and I was not otherwise compensated to write this review.  as always, opinions and content are mine alone.  this post contains affiliate links.

studio dayspring christmas cards giveaway

**this contest is now closed, and pinkdaisyjane is the winner!**

dayspring was one of the sponsors of the relevant blogging conference that i attended in october. they sponsored a lovely lounge and a bunch of giveaways while we were there. (i won an incredible nativity that i was so excited to pull out as soon as we got home from thanksgiving.  so much pretty.)

i jumped at the chance to review their cards because i am TERRIBLE at sending christmas cards and figured this may be the only way our family actually gets them out!

last night we got our computer back (after 15 days) and i was finally able to get to work.  studio dayspring has dozens of templates for all kinds of photo cards for christmas, new years, invitations, or anything else, and if you choose their "U-Design" tab you have even more creative freedom.

a bit of advice--i had trouble preventing my images from bleeding into the other image boxes, so if you create a multi-photo card, you may want to crop them down to faces before you begin.

here's a nice example of a template dayspring offers:

i love how they turned out: the template with its unusual color palate, the space for multiple images (because you're crazy if you think a decent picture exists of the four of us at the same time!), and the freedom to add whatever message, text, and verse i chose.  i can't wait to get them in the mail:)

edited to add:  i'm also really impressed with studio dayspring because after i ordered the cards and posted here, they contacted me to say that two of my pictures were pixelated.  i sent them the original files, and they fixed it for me.  what great customer service!

(lesson:  don't use a photo from facebook or your blog--the quality is not the same!)

studio dayspring is offering one {so much reviews} reader a coupon code to design (and ship) 50 flat 5x7 cards absolutely free--a $62 value!

to enter, simply leave a comment (with your email address if it's not on a blogger profile) about christmas cards.  do you send them?  make them?  forget them?  do you design them as soon as your summer vacation is over, or are you up late nights in december wrestling with fonts and cropping like me?  do you not mess with photo cards or prefer a letter?

the winner will be chosen by random.org on monday december 6, so you still have some good time to design, ship, and send.  good luck!

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dayspring provided me with complimentary cards but I was not otherwise compensated to write this review. 

if you're visiting here for the first time, welcome!  you can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter.  if you'd follow this blog, subscribe, or follow me on twitter, i'd love to keep in touch:)

BYOC--bring your own container {greentainer giveaway!}

*this contest is now closed.  congrats to comment #8, Em--you are the winner!*

carrying around reusable water bottles and coffee mugs is pretty second nature, but in the past year, jim and i have stepped it up a notch.  i have a cloth napkin and reusable tableware stashed in my purse, and jim brings his own container if we treat ourselves to take-out dessert from a local restaurant.

(cheesecake or tiramisu is a delicious and much cheaper indulgence than dinner out!)

i've become increasingly wary of plastic.  we're using more and more pyrex (which you can find affordably at secondhand shops), but they don't always have lids, and glass is not always ideal for meals away from home.

enter greentainer and their stainless steel portables.

greentainer sent me a large round container with clips and their smaller snack set.  they are meant for solid foods--so no soup--but i've packed yogurt with great luck.  the ones with clips are easy for little hands to use, and greentainers without clips close a little tighter.

this one holds 20 ounces and has a little tray, giving it a second level and adding to its storage capabilities.  with a 5.5 inch diameter, the large is not truly all that large, but it is more than adequately sized for a sandwich and a side. 

the snack set is ideal for veggies and dip.  the compact container holds 7 ounces (with a 4.7 in diameter) and the smaller one, which fits inside, holds 2 ounces.  i have the little one in my diaper bag now for cheerios on-the-go.

i love that i don't need to worry about glass breaking or plastic leaching.  one downside would be that you couldn't microwave in them, but i try not to microwave in plastic anyway, so that's no different.  you could always bring your leftovers to work in the greentainer and transfer it to a plate to microwave, which is more civilized anyway:)

i am very pleased with my greentainers.  they are safe, easy to clean, and fairly made in india.  i love learning about plastic-free ways to reduce waste, especially since food on-the-go can generate so much waste if we aren't mindful.

if you'd like to order your own, greentainer is offering a free shipping code (SOMUCHREVIEW10)  through 12/6.  their shipping is exceptionally fast, and they take care to package with minimal waste.

greentainer is also offering one greentainer--winner's choice--as a giveaway to a lucky {so much reviews} reader. For a chance to win, just leave one comment saying how you are reducing waste in your household with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger.)

that's it.  if you want to follow this blog, subscribe, or follow me on twitter, i'd be more than happy to keep you in the loop for giveaways, coupon codes, and green reviews, but it's not compulsory for entries;)

good luck!  (winner will be chosen by random.org on friday november 26.)

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greentainer provided me with a sample but I was not otherwise compensated or compelled to write this review. 

If you're visiting here for the first time, welcome!  You can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter.

Boiron winner

comment #2, christie, won the boiron camilia giveaway.  congrats!

Natural Teething Relief from Boiron {and Giveaway}

After months of gnawing everything in sight, my nine month-old finally has little teeth poking through--six at once!

James is a pretty pleasant, easygoing kid, so when he seems cranky, I assume his gums are bothering him.  I've been giving him Boiron Camilia, and it seems to offer him quick relief.  When he's uncomfortable, it can be hard to get him to nurse.  He's restless and flairs around wildly, but soon after a dose of Camilia, James stops fussing, nurses, and is able to sleep better. 

I love homeopathic medicine, especially for my kids.  Camilia is natural and contains no dyes, no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, no side effects, no recalls(!), and it works.  Camilia also has no sugar or alcohol, and there is no risk of overdosing.

Boiron's Camilia liquid doses come in sterile, pre-measured plastic.  (Another homeopathic teething brand, Hyland, sells tablets.)  Although I'm not a huge fan of the extra packaging, I do appreciate the ease of use and the way their product travels easily.  (Hyland's product works similarly, but their packaging is not baby safe:  my toddler got into a bottle!)

James never refused or spit out a Camilia dose, which I consider a triumph, considering he'd never had anything other than breast milk the first time I offered it.

After Tylenol and Motrin recalled nearly their entire stock of infant and children's products earlier this year, it is a relief to find a trustworthy, natural alternative that works for teething pain and discomfort.

Boiron is giving away a box of Camilia for one {so much reviews} reader to try.  For a chance to win, just leave a comment saying how you handle teething troubles with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger.)  Good luck!  (Winner will be chosen by random.org on Wednesday August 11.)

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If you're visiting here for the first time, welcome!  I hope you'll subscribe to {so much reviews} and never miss a giveaway, coupon code, or green review.  You can also find me writing at so much shouting, so much laughter.

Boiron provided me with a sample but I was not otherwise compensated (or compelled) to write this review.  As a mama, I just wanted to share something that works for our family and keeps our babe happy:)

envirosax winner

random.org picked comment #6, Libby, as the envirosax giveaway.  i'll be in touch to get your address so that reuseit can get those out to you.  you're gonna love them:)

not just for dirty hippies: envirosax giveaway

i'm excited to tell you about a great giveaway sponsored by the fine folks at reuseit.com--a set of 5 envirosax, the stylish and sturdy shopping totes that fold up tiny to fit in your purse.

i bought an envirosax tote and packaged a gift in it for my mom.  i love the idea of gift wrap that is useful, reusable, and still lovely.  she loves that she doesn't have to remember to bring it with her to the store, since it packs away so conveniently in her bag.  (they roll to a tiny 4" x 1.5".)

the top photo makes them look little, but they are a generous 19.5" x 16.5 with a 18" loop handle.  they weigh 1.4 oz and fit the equivalent of two plastic grocery bags' worth of items.

now, you aren't guaranteed to look quite as hot as this model schlepping your groceries, but you'll still be doing your part to save the planet, one bag at a time.  or five bags, as it were;)

if you win these, you are sure to put them to good use for yourself or as gifts.  want to buy some of your own?  reuseit has a coupon code just for you:  10% of all envirosax through 7/13.  just enter SMSSML at checkout.

if you want to win this sweet set of 5 envirosax (plus carrier pouch), just leave me a comment saying what you do to reduce waste in your household, with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger).

if you follow this green review blog of mine or subscribe, leave another comment telling me that you do and you'll get another entry.

if you follow or subscribe to my main blog, so much shouting, so much laughter, (again, leaving a comment here saying you do), and you can get a third entry. 

the last day to enter is monday july 12, and I will announce a winner on tuesday july 13.  good luck!

edited to add:  random.org will choose the winner's comment number, so separate comments are needed if you want multiple entries. 

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i purchased envirosax with my own dime, but you can win them for free from reuseit:)

Ancient Minerals Winner

Comment #11, care-in at Sweet Brown Sugars won the Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes.  I'll email you and get those in the mail soon.  I hope they work as well for your sweet daughter as they did for mine!

Natural Eczema Relief and a Giveaway

**Closed.  Congrats to the winner, care-in!**

When Ancient Minerals contacted me about their Magnesium Bath Flakes, I wasn't quite sure what to think.  It seemed a little New Age-y, but when when I read that these all-natual flakes were gentle enough to use on children's eczema, I was interested in giving it a shot.

Dylan has had a persistent patch of eczema on the back of her knee for a while.  When it flares up, it bothers her quite a bit, and nothing truly stopped the itching.  I posted about the luck we had with emu oil, but that only helped to heal the red, broken skin, and it didn't actually heal the itching that made her scratch it raw.

I didn't exactly have high hopes, but I was willing to try anything non-chemical and non-prescription to get relief for my little girl, and mineral salts fit the bill.

The verdict?  Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are AMAZING. 

According to the website:

Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes dissolved in warm water provide the user with a medicinal bath of cell restoring magnesium chloride...Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are also highly effective for healing skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Soaking in magnesium salts has been shown to markedly improve skin hydration, speed wound healing, enhance skin barrier function, and decrease inflammation.

The flakes come in a big, 6.5 lb tub, and the instructions say to dissolve 1-3 cups in warm water and soak for 30 minutes.  (We use 1 cup.)  After the first soak, the back of Dylan's knee began to heal, and she hasn't scratched it raw since!

Another cool thing is that, beyond working topically, the magnesium flakes appear to work from the inside out.  (According to Ancient Minerals, the beneficial properties of magnesium are absorbed by the body better through the skin than through dietary supplements.)  Just as we got the flakes in the mail, we noticed the eczema spreading in an itchy red patch under Dylan's arm, and it completely disappeared, even though Dylan sat upright in the tub and didn't actually soak her little underarm.

Similarly, two milder patches of eczema on her cheeks also disappeared. The patch behind her knee, though significantly diminished, stubbornly remains, but her skin is much smoother and has not itched or flared up since we started soaking with magnesium bath flakes.

Jim and I also used the flakes as a relaxing foot soak, and that is pretty nice, too.  In addition to helping with skin inflammation, magnesium is supposed to be good for tired muscles.  I've worked out twice this week (first time in a long time!), and I'm barely sore at all; it's possible that the magnesium is the cause. 

I would wholeheartedly recommend Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes to anyone struggling with eczema.  It works gently and fast, and the results have been long lasting. 

A large 6.5 lb tub sells for $55, and Ancient Minerals also sells a smaller 1.65 lb size for $9.75, but they are giving away a large tub to one lucky {so much: reviews} reader!

To enter, just leave a comment saying something that you've found that works (or doesn't) for eczema, or share any favorite natural health product or remedy.  Please make sure to include a way to get in touch if you're not a blogger. 

Want a second entry?  Follow this blog or subscribe and leave another comment telling me that you do.  Get a third entry by following or subscribing to my main blog, so much shouting, so much laughter, leaving a comment here saying you do. 

The last day to enter is Tuesday June 1, and I will announce a winner on Wednesday June 2.  Good luck!

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I received Magnesium Bath Flakes but was not otherwise compensated (or compelled) to write this review.  Eczema is awful, and I wanted to share something that helped my child.

Robeez winner!

We've been without power and internet, so I apologize for the delay.  The winner of the Robeez from CSN is commenter #42, K from Romancing the Stork.  Congrats!

Robeez Baby Shoes Giveaway

Welcome to so much shouting, so much laughter reviews and my very first giveaway, courtesy of CSN, a massive online source for everything from kids' stuff to speaker stands.  Their shipping is lightning quick and often free:)

I love baby shoes.  L-O-V-E.  Especially sweet little soft-soled baby moccasins.  Jim hates them.  He doesn't understand why babies wear shoes.

Um, because they're adorable.

James has one 0-6 months pair of Ministar turtle moccasins that never fit his chubby ankles.  Now that he's wearing more pants and fewer "footie" outfits, I've been wishing for a pair that fit, and CSN's offer to review Robeez came at the perfect time.

I wasn't taking any chances:  I ordered James a size 12-18 months so there would be plenty of room for his sweet, not-quite-six-months-old baby cankles:)

I picked Organic Tree in Taupe, and Jim even agreed that they were cute.  They are printed and embroidered with with a tree that reminds me of my very favorite symbol, the tree of life.

These shoes are made from over 60% recycled vegetable-tanned leather, with a 100% organic canvas upper, using water soluble inks and adhesive.  Soft suede soles protect little feet while remaining flexible, to help baby balance, and they're approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.  Elastic around the ankles helps to keep them snugly on wiggly baby feet.  You can even print out a chart to make sure you get the perfect fit.

Eco-friendly, helpful, and adorable?  Perfect!

Well, almost.

As it turns out, they are perfect baby girl shoes.  Maybe they should have called them Organic Tree in Taupe and Pink.  Or maybe I should have examined the photo a little more closely, but seriously, can you tell that the ankle trim is pink?  I realized one of the lovebirds was, but that didn't disqualify them from being unisex in my mind.

These Robeez shoes are really cute, but I don't notice much of a difference between them and the Ministar baby moccasins that Target sells for half the price.  James never got to wear his, but Dylan had two cute pairs that wore well.  While I would not buy a conventional pair of Robeez (which sell for the exact same price as this "eco-friendly" model), this style is greener than the Target line, and that is worth a higher price tag to me.

So my son is rockin' pink kicks, and he might be for the next 7-13 months, if they fit as suggested.  When Dylan wore pink or dresses, strangers routinely thought she was a boy because of her wispy hair.  The lesson I've taken from that is people are dumb not that good with details, and I doubt a little pink trim ever hurt anyone;)

If you want to win your own pair of Robeez from CSN, just leave me a comment saying what tiny baby things make you melt with a way to get in touch (if you're not a blogger).  Want another entry?  Follow this brand new blog of mine or subscribe, and leave another comment telling me that you do.  Want a third entry?  Follow or subscribe to my main blog, so much shouting, so much laughter, (again, leaving a comment here saying you do).  The last day to enter is Sunday April 18, and I will announce a winner on Monday, April 19.

Good luck!

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I recieved a pair of Robeez but was not otherwise compensated for this review.