alternaVites - An Alternative to Sugary Vitamins

As a mom, I always want what is best for my kids.  Unfortunately, sometimes getting everything just perfect seems an impossibility and I'm forced to compromise.  Since the age of independence (about 3 in my house), nutrition has been one of those constant sources of frustration.  My girls both went through food jags when they were young where they would only eat one thing.  Whether it was only fruit, yogurt, cheese, or cereal, I knew that they weren't getting the nutrition they needed.  This is when I started periodically giving them vitamin supplements.  The problem I have with many vitamin supplements is that in addition to being loaded with the nutrients my kids need, they are also loaded with sugar they don't.  So, I was thrilled when I was offered an opportunity to try alternaVites.

Here's a little information about alternavites:

What is alternaVites for kids®?

alternaVites for kids is the only full spectrum children’s multivitamin & mineral designed to be sprinkled on the tongue (think pixie stick!). Using a proprietary blend of ingredients, alternaVites for kids contains essential vitamins & minerals specially formulated for children ages 4 & up. 

With alternaVites for kids, both parents and kids will be happy.  Parents can rest assured they’re giving their children a high quality, potent multi loaded with the nutrients they need and without the additives they don’t.  Kids will be thrilled not only with the delicious taste, but because it’s also really cool to take! alternaVites for kids turns taking vitamins from a chore to a treat!

How is the product unique?

Unlike typical children’s vitamins, alternaVites for kids:

•Melts in your mouth

•One-of-a-kind crystal powder delivery form

•Contains 0 grams of sugar

•Free of aspartame and high fructose corn syrup

•Does not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.

•Is carefully formulated with ingredients that do not contain the major food allergens (egg, milk, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish)

•Has no animal products or by products

•Certified kosher pareve

•Comes in convenient, pre-measured daily dose packets

•

Key benefits

•Available in two awesome flavors: Strawberry Bubblegum & Raspberry Cotton Candy

•Tastes great and is cool to take

•Extremely versatile as it not only melts in mouth, but can also be mixed into yogurts, puddings, smoothies, and shakes

•Support for overall health and well-being

•Meets or exceeds the potencies of leading children’s multivitamin brands

•Patent pending formula

What I liked:

• No added sugar
• You can take it by the packet or mixed in a food
• The single serve packets are great for travel

What I didn't like:

• My kids didn't really like the taste.
• Personally, we found that the tastes combined with other foods and limited the ability to mix.
• There was more in the packet then we expected which made it hard for my kids to take it all.

What I would change:

• I might make it unflavored for easier mixing.
• I might make more flavors to increase the variety.
• I might make smaller packets that could be taken twice a day instead of just once.

Would you like to win a one month sample to try it for yourself?
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Even if you don't win, you are still a winner in my book.  Alternavites is offering you 20% off if you use the code moms20 at their site - http://www.alternavites.com/ .

Good luck!

*Disclaimer:  I received a sample of alternaVites to facilitate this review.  No other compensation was received.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Information about alternaVites came directly from the sponsor. 

Don't Panic! Get Zoo Panic!

Christmas is almost here!

Can you believe it?

November was here and gone in a flash.  It is now mid-December.  It is time to finish baking, shopping, wrapping, and decorating.  It is time to relax a bit and enjoy the holidays!

One way that my family enjoys spending time together during the holidays is by playing games.  My girls tend to go in streaks with the games they choose.  One of their absolute favorites is Uno.  They started playing it when they were about three years old.  I thought it was a great opportunity for them to practice their number and color recognition skills.  When we first played, we never skipped, or drew cards.  We just matched by color.  Now that the girls are 6 and 7, we play by the real rules.  It has done a great job of teaching them to be a good sport and not get caught up on winning.   I personally think cards are great for that because anyone can win.  While there is some strategy involved, it isn't always the biggest, strongest, fastest, smartest, etc person that wins. 

Knowing how much my kids love games, I jumped at the chance to receive Zoo Panic from Endless Games to play with my girls.  I received the game in mid-November.  It didn't take long before the girls started asking to play. 

A bit about the game:
From Amazon:
The cages in the zoo have been left open, and all the animals are now mixed up. Find the animals and help them back to their own cages. The player who helps the most animals wins. No reading required. Recommended for ages 4 and up for two or more players. Educational skill builder matching game. Player who helps the most animals get back to their cages wins. Fun for kids of all ages. 

What I Loved:

• The game was easy to set up.  It only took about five minutes from the time I opened the box until we were involved in the game.  The girls popped out the pieces while I read the directions.  
• If you can count, you can play!  From my young niece to myself, anyone can play this game and have fun.  It is a game that involves a little bit of strategy, but mostly luck.  You can be competitive, but one person isn't going to dominate the entire game.  It seems that no matter how you play the game, the difference between the winner and losers will be about one trophy. 
• It takes a good length of time.  Some kids' games go too quickly.  After only five minutes you're done and cleaning up, or having to restart.  Other games can last for days.  Personally, I don't have the patience to continue to play a game for several days in a row.  I need resolution more quickly than that.  For us, this game took about 1/2 hour from start to finish.

What I didn't love:

The rules weren't that specific . . . or maybe I didn't read them well enough.  Either way, it resulted in a bit of a disagreement, based on interpretation, between me and Doc.  Even now,  I'm not sure if you have to roll exactly the right number to get into the cage or if you just have to roll a number that is high enough.  We played exact rolls just to make it a bit more challenging, but if you were playing with younger kids you might not want to do that. 

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely!  It is an enjoyable game that we have played several times since receiving it.  If you are looking for a fun filler item for your young kids for Christmas, I personally think that you will like Zoo Panic.  It is easy enough for anyone to play, but interesting enough that even adults can enjoy it.   While I don't know that I'd pay $24 for it (I tend to be pretty cheap!), I think it is a great purchase if you are able to find it on sale. 

*Disclaimer:  Endless Games send me a copy of Zoo Panic to facilitate this review.  No other compensation was received.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Music for My Mood - Mat Kearney

I'm seventeen again . . . driving in my car, an old sea monster green Oldsmobile Omega . . . on my way home from work . . . without a care in the world . . . singing along to my favorite cassette - Counting Crows August and Everything After.  I'm relaxed.  I'm happy.  Life is good!

Every time I listen to Mat Kearney's Young Love, I'm taken back to that time, that feeling.  While the music isn't the same, it elicits the same emotions.  It is an album that I could listen to over and over.  In fact, I've listened to it as background music several times each day since I received the download from One2One.  The music is easy to listen to.  It isn't too loud, too peppy, too slow, too depressing.  It is a good, relaxed, soundtrack of life.  Each song tells a story.  They are the stories of love, loss, and struggle.  They feel like experiences we've all had or will have in life.  The entire album feels very relatable. 

Are you curious what my favorite song is?  Cue up Hey Mama.  With a little bounce in my step I vacuum, put away the dishes, fold laundry, cook dinner and dance around the house.  Work seems to get done a bit more quickly when I hear that song.  It is perky, happy, and really lightens my mood.



I definitely recommend that you take a moment to listen to the music of Mat Kearney and see if it is a good fit for you.  Too often, I find a song or artist I like, but when I listen to the music I find that it is inappropriate for my children to listen to.  With Mat Kearney, that isn't the case.  I don't have to skip through songs or words because I don't want my children to hear it.   I can simply click "play all" and go on about the business of life.

*Disclaimer:  I was provided with a download of the album from One2One in exchange for my honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

When I think of summer, I think of reading.   Apparently I'm not the only one.  From summer reading programs to lists of great beach reads, everywhere you look you'll find encouragement and motivation to read during these sunny months.   As I've mentioned before, while I love to read,  I won't finish a book if I don't enjoy it.   Life is just too short.  Luckily, so far this summer, I've been pretty fortunate with my book selections.  My most recent read, Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer, was a quick, easy read that left me wondering what will happen in book #2.

From the back cover:

On the night Marianna Sommers was born, a freak accident shattered her family.  Even as she came into the world, her two sisters left it for  heaven.  She's spent her life making up for that loss., being to her family and their Indiana Amish community all that her sisters would have been.  Her only dream:  a simple life married to Aaron Zook, the one she's loved since childhood.  Then her father says they are moving--to Montana, of all places!  Of course it's to keep her younger siblings far from their oldest brother Levi, who left the Amish way of life, but the move will destroy Marianna's dream.  She pleads to stay, to no avail.  As Marianna leaves her home--and Aaron--she's sure her heart will never heal.

But Montana holds surprises.


The mountains, trees and still waters open Marianna's heart of God as never before.  Still it troubles her that the small Amish community is so interwoven with their Englisch neighbors.  especially woodworker, Ben Stone.  If only Ben didn't do everything right!  He's there in times of need, and his love for God is so clear.  But giving in to the feelings he stirs in her would carry a terrible cost...


Everything she believes in and loves.

Generally not a Christian fiction reader, this book really took me by surprise.   I found myself relating to the characters and the message of acceptance that is shown throughout this book in a way that I hadn't expected.  As an individual rather unfamiliar with the Amish belief system and way of life, I found the story very interesting.  I don't know how accurate the descriptions were, but I felt as if they gave me a good basis of understanding where each of the characters came from.

Marianna is a young woman in a state of transition.  Not quite ready to live on her own, but no longer a child, she must find her own way.  Not wanting to disappoint her family, she lives her life "by the book".  She is fairly certain that she knows what is right and wants to follow the path that has been set before her.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), life gets in the way of her plans and she is forced to re-evaluate all that she has learned and believes to be true.   She meets and interacts with several important people during this time of self-evaluation, not the least of which is Ben Stone - a young man that defies the stereotypes she has spent her life believing.

Throughout our lives, I think most of us will encounter someone or something unexpected.  Whether positive or negative,  these experiences force us to take a moment to reflect on what we believe.  Sometimes we choose to file the experience away as an anomaly that needs no further contemplation.  Other times, the experience will alter our entire structure and belief system.   This book leads you through that entire process for one character, Marianna.  I think that anyone that has experienced a moment of questioning any aspect of your belief system will appreciate this book.  The author does a good job of allowing the reader to feel the dichotomy of what Marianna has been told and what she is seeing and feeling for herself.   For me, a good read is one that allows me to feel personally invested in the outcome.  Tricia Goyer definitely did that in this book, Beside Still Waters.

*Disclaimer:  I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of the Beside Still Waters Campaign and received a copy of the book and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Gifts for Dads & Grads - PlasticJungle.Com

June already?!

How is it possible that it is already June?  You do know what it means when June arrives, right?  Father's Day is just around the corner, and the graduation parties have already started.   The problem with all of these celebrations is that they require gifts.  It isn't that I don't like getting gifts for people.  I do.  I enjoy finding the perfect gift for the perfect someone to make them smile.  Unfortunately, when it comes to grads and dads, that can be hard to do.   You never know what a new graduate needs, and dads (or at least the ones I buy for) already have everything.  So, what do you buy the guy that has everything? . . . A GIFT CARD!

I don't know about you, but I just LOVE getting gift cards.  They are like getting money, but better.  When I get cash, I'm likely to spend it on bills or nickle and dime it away on Doc and the kids until it is gone and I don't have anything to show for it.  With gift cards, I'm obligated to buy something tangible (hopefully for myself).  It will be something that I want, need or will enjoy.  Also, anyone that knows me knows that I'm am a smart shopper.  In fact, I have also been called cheap, frugal, stingy, savvy, economical, thrifty, tight, scrimping, and even penny-pinching.   I happily accept those names, because my frugality means that a $50 gift card can get me $100-$200 worth of products.

One pitfall of my cheapness is that it is hard for me to pay full retail for a gift card.  I don't pay full retail for ANYTHING.  Unfortunately, it is rare that you see a gift card go on sale.  That is why I just LOVE plasticjungle.com.  You can buy discounted gift cards up to 35% off with FREE shipping.  While most of the gift cards aren't sold at 35% off, they are all sold for a discount.  For example, you can get a $25 itunes gift card for $23.25, a 7% savings.    It looks like I might be able to cross Doc off my list now.  He is always looking for new songs to buy from itunes.   Perhaps my father in law would like a gift card from Sports Authority.  With cards being sold at 13% off, I'm sure he can find some great boating and fishing equipment.  My dad's favorite place to shop is Sears.  He loves the tools, and likes that he can pick up a new pair of shoes while he's there too.  Unfortunately, right now they are sold out of Sears gift cards, but you can set up an alert to let you know when more are in stock.  What a great feature for buying gift cards to some of your favorite places that you shop all the time!

Another great feature of plasticjungle.com is that you can sell your unwanted gift cards there too.  So, if you receive a gift card that you can't use, you can sell it to plasticjungle.com for up to 92% of the balance.   Hmmmm...I do have some Bath & Body Works gift cards that I haven't found a use for yet.  :o)

*Disclaimer - I received a gift card in exchange for my honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cinch! by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD (Review)

First, a bit about the book . . .

Cynthia Sass, the creator and co-author of the New York Times Bestselling Flat Belly Diet presents her new break-through, 30-day weight loss program Cinch! targeted to end overeating, leaving dieters feeling full and satisfied while enjoying the best food combinations to burn fat and boost metabolism.

The program starts with the 5-day Fast Forward plan that ends erratic eating by focusing on five simple foods—spinach, almonds, raspberries, eggs, and yogurt (or vegan-friendly alternatives) - eaten in a variety of combinations. These first 5 days promise up to 8 pounds of weight loss. Each of the five foods is low in calories yet loaded with nutrients and natural satiety-boosters, which allows you to “detox” from junk foods without feeling deprived.

The remaining 25 days of the program are packed with foods that offer maximum fat-burning, improving metabolism while unlocking the secret to the body’s satiety center with foods that the latest research shows turn on the body’s “I’m full” signal. As in Flat Belly Diet, all of the meals for the full 30-day program are created for you and are fully interchangeable. As an added feature, vegan and vegetarian options are covered so the plan can be adapted to fit any lifestyle.

Cynthia is also the Weight Loss Blogger for Shape magazine.

What I liked:

After reading the first three chapters, I was completely on board.  I was committed.  I went out and purchased spinach, eggs, yogurt, raspberries and almonds.  Her logic and explanations made sense.  Cynthia states that you need to eat four evenly spaced meals every that that each contain all of her five food groups - a lean protein, produce, whole grain, plant based fat and SASS (seasonings).  If you do that, you will remain full longer, you will lose weight, and you will be getting all the nutrients that you need.  She also provided evidence by referencing studies to back up her claims.   The book was thorough.  It included references, recipes, and detailed explanations so that you knew why you were making the changes you were.

What I didn't like:

After chapter 3, the book gets into the meat and potatoes of the diet.  This is where specific recipes are listed.  While I love that the recipes are provided, unfortunately, many of the recipes are not for me.  I can eat fairly clean (I stuck to the Power 90 diet and exercise plan for the full 90 days), but not as clean as Cynthia recommends.  I come from a family of meat eaters.  While I don't think that we overindulge in red meats, I am not willing to eliminate all red meats and pork products from our diet, as she suggests.  In addition, Cynthia rarely makes any reference to exercise.  She briefly mentions walking, but nothing else.  When making a lifestyle change to lose weight, my goal is not just to be thinner, but to be healthier overall.  I think that by eliminating this aspect of weight loss from her book, she is doing a bit of a disservice to many of her readers. 

Overall:

This is a great book for the right person.  With the detailed information and recipes provided, you could definitely be on your way to living a healthier, thinner life.  Unfortunately, I am not that person.  If one of my readers thinks they would enjoy reading this book and giving it a try, let me know.  I'd be happy to pass my copy on to you.  (*Note - I received an uncorrected proof that has a significant number of noticeable omissions and notes to the author/editor within the text of the book)

*Disclaimer - I received a copy of this book from One2One in exchange for my honest review.  I did not receive any other compensation.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review - NBC's Community - Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas

I was recently contacted by One2One to participate in a project where I was able to get a sneak peek at this week's Community on NBC. In exchange, I was asked to give my honest review.  To give you a bit of background about myself, I have watched Community in the past and enjoyed it.  However it is not one of my "must-see" shows.  Now, before I give you my review, here's a bit about the episode:

When Abed (Danny Pudi) wakes up in stop-motion animation, he takes it as a sign that he and the group must re-discover the meaning of Christmas. Meanwhile, Jeff (Joel McHale) and Britta (Gillian Jacobs) become growingly concerned about Abed's mental health and enlist the help of Professor Duncan (John Oliver). The group undergoes hypnosis to explore Abed's winter wonderland and soon unravel the truth behind Abed’s madness. Chevy Chase, Yvette Nicole Brown, Donald Glover, and Ken Jeong also star.

To be completely honest, within the first few minutes I was bored and even a little confused.  I didn't really like the intro to the show.  I didn't enjoy or appreciate some of the inappropriate (in my opinion) humor. I didn't like that they described themselves as being in stop-motion.  Having watched the entire program I understand that the explanation was important to the plot.  Only Abed saw them in stop-motion which is why the group sought the help of Professor Duncan.   That being said, by the first commercial break I was hooked.   While I could have done without some of the sarcasm, I just love Shirley in the show.  I found myself laughing out loud during a couple of her lines.  In addition to the humor, I also appreciated the message.  As you may have read here, for me Christmas is about new and old traditions.  It is about family, friends, and opportunities.  The magic of Christmas is not in the gifts, it is in the experiences we all share.  I personally love the idea that no matter what you believe, Christmas can be a time when we all come together to create our own magic!

*Disclaimer - I reviewed this episode through One2One.  I did not receive any compensation in exchange for my review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Are your lips getting chapped? (Carmex Review & Giveaway)

I am not a lipstick girl.  In fact, I didn't even wear it on my wedding day.  For some reason, wearing lipstick makes me feel too noticeable.  I'm not really someone that enjoys being the center of attention . . . I actually prefer to blend in a bit.  So, when Carmex sent me their Moisture Plus Lip Tints to review I was a little concerned.   "How am I going to review a product that I wouldn't normally think to try on my own?"  After a little motivation and a day out with a friend, I can now post my thoughts and opinions.  Before I do though, I'll tell you about about this product.

The best of both worlds are coming together with real moisture meeting light, sheer color.  Perfect for any occasion and easy to apply - no mirror required!  Formulated with Vitamin E, Aloe, Shea butter, and SPF, Carmex Moisture Plus tinted lip balm gives you moisture, a hint of shine and color all in one sleek package.   (from the back of the package)

Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Tints are available in two colors, sheer pink and sheer peach.  Both colors have a slant tip, SPF 15, and Vitamin E and aloe moisturizing protection.  Personally, I prefer sheer peach because it is more the natural color of my lips, however neither color is too strong.  While I still prefer traditional Carmex in the jar or the original Moisture Plus, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the Tints.  The slender tube with the slant tip is definitely a plus.  It isn't large and bulky in your pocket or purse, and it is very easy to apply.  I also really like the looks of the tube.  It just looks a little "classier" than a standard lip balm tube.  I don't know if it is just my preconceived notions or not, but the Tints don't seem to last quite as long as the original product did on my lips and don't feel quite as smooth.   I will say that the Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Tints are great for date night (for me).  They give my lips a touch of color without making me feel like I stand out in the crowd.  I plan to stick to my normal Carmex products for regular use, but will definitely pull out the Tints for special occasions.

Want a chance to win some Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Tints of your own? (Winner will receive two Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Tints.)

Here's what you have to do to win (mandatory):

1. Tell me which color of the Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Tints you'd like to try.  Please leave your email address in the comment if it is not visible in your profile.

For additional entries you can also do the following. Be sure to leave a comment for each additional entry.

1. Follow Carmex on twitter (leave your twitter name)
2. Follow me on twitter (leave your twitter name)
3. Like Carmex on facebook (leave your initials)
4. Like me on facebook (leave your initials)
5. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (leave your username)
6. Tweet about this giveaway. You may do this once daily. Be sure to include @rmgm @CarmexLipBalm  #carmex and a link to this post (leave a link to your tweet)

Details:

• Only open to US residents
• Winner will be chosen using random.org
• Giveaway ends 11:59pm ET on December 13, 2010
• Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page. If an email address in not in the comment or on your profile page another winner will be chosen. I will not contact you through Twitter or Facebook.
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
• I am not responsible for prizes that are lost or damaged during shipment. If you win a prize and do not receive it, please let me know.

*Disclaimer -  Other than receiving the product to facilitate my review, I did not receive any other compensation for this post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Norah Jones - Featuring

The new Norah Jones CD, ...Featuring, is being released today, November 16, 2010.  Norah Jones is one of my favorite artists, so I am extremely grateful to One2One for providing me with an advance copy to listen to and review.   Before I get into my review, I'll give you a little taste of some of the songs as they are described in the trailer for this new CD.



In this little tidbit from Norah Jones's YouTube Channel, you can hear what I love most about this CD - it has tremendous variety.  From Outkast to Dolly Parton, Norah sings with artists from just about every genre of music.  While I can't say that I loved all the songs, I can say that a few of them are pretty high up on my current list of favorites.  I think I could listen to Norah and Willie Nelson crooning Baby It's Cold Outside for the rest of the winter.  Each time it plays, I want to curl up in front of the fireplace with Doc and a mug of coffee and Irish cream.  It is just that relaxing.   If you're looking for a good CD, with a bit of everything, then I definitely recommend you check out ...Featuring on Amazon.    While you're there, take a minute to preview each of the songs and see what you think. 

*Disclaimer - One2One provided me with a copy of the CD for review purposes.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Carmex Review & Giveaway

Just this morning, Pumpkin was complaining that the back of her knee hurt.  This is a frequent complaint of hers, as she has very dry skin.  Since I was just thinking about writing my review of the new Carmex Healing Lotions and Creams, they were sitting nearby.  (I don't use new products directly on her skin until she's been exposed to them through contact with me first.  She has fairly sensitive skin and has exhibited some allergic reactions in the past.  Since I've been using these products for about two weeks now, I figured she would be fine to use it as well.)  I grabbed the Carmex Healing Cream, put a dollop on her leg and rubbed it in.  

Pumpkin - "Mmmmm!"
Me - "Does that feel good?"
Pumpkin - "It smells good!"

My thoughts exactly!   I can't tell you how much I love the smell of these new Carmex products.  They smell very similar to the original jar (so if you don't like the original smell, you might not like this).  It is a warm smell that reminds me of the beach for some reason.  It is part coconut, part cookie, part something I can't quite put my finger (or nose) on.   The smell is good - strong but not overwhelming.  However, when I get in the shower the next day, I can smell it all over again.   Mmmmmmm!

While the smell of a lotion is important to me, it is definitely not the most important quality of the product.  Like Pumpkin, I also have very dry skin during the winter months. Having children has made it worse, since I now find myself washing my hands 2-3x as often as I used to.   While this product hasn't faced the ultimate winter test yet, I have to say that so far I really like it.   I use it daily on my legs, arms and abs (They say that having moisturized abs make your stomach look tighter).  I definitely feel moisturized, but without feeling greasy or slimy.  The lotion absorbs into my skin and doesn't make me feel like I need to wash my hands after applying it.  I'm definitely curious to see if it can keep my hands from cracking as the weather gets even colder and drier. 

So far, if someone were to ask me if I would recommend the new Carmex Healing Lotion and/or Cream, I would not hesitate to say "Yes!"  After two weeks, I can't think of a negative comment to share, and trust me, I've tried.  When I post a review, I always like to give both sides so that people know that I am being honest and open about my entire opinion.  The fact that Carmex specifically asked for honest feedback detailing what we liked and what we didn't like makes me like the company even more. 

Would you like to try the new Carmex Healing Lotion and Cream for yourself?

As I mentioned here, Carmex has given me the opportunity to host a giveaway for the exact same product kit that I received to facilitate this review (ARV $52.32).

Here's what you have to do to win (mandatory):

1. Tell me your current favorite Carmex Product or the product you'd most like to try (if you aren't currently a Carmex user). Be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile.

For additional entries you can also do the following. Be sure to leave a comment for each additional entry.

1. Follow Carmex on twitter (leave your twitter name)
2. Follow me on twitter (leave your twitter name)
3. Like Carmex on facebook (leave your initials)
4. Like me on facebook (leave your initials)
5. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (leave your username)
6. Tweet about this giveaway. You may do this once daily. Be sure to include @rmgm @CarmexLipBalm  #carmex and a link to this post (leave a link to your tweet)

Details:

• Only open to US residents
• Winner will be chosen using random.org
• Giveaway ends 11:59pm ET on November 8, 2010
• Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page. If an email address in not in the comment or on your profile page another winner will be chosen. I will not contact you through Twitter or Facebook.
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
• Prizes will be sent directly from the sponsor. I am not responsible for prizes that are lost or damaged during shipment. If you win a prize and do not receive it, please let me know.

Even if you don't win.  You can try the new cream or lotion for $5.99 (or less if you catch it on sale).  It is available at Walgreens stores, walgreens.com and drugstore.com.

*Disclaimer -  Other than receiving the product to facilitate my review, I did not receive any other compensation for this post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

CSNStores - Faster than Expected

Thanks to a general lack of posting by my readers (are you out there?), a new cup is sitting on the coaster on my end tables.  As you may recall, I posted here, asking if you would rather see a review or giveaway for a gift card from CSNStores.  Since only two people responded that they'd like me to host a giveaway, I was greedy and ordered a couple somethings for myself.  The first thing I ordered was this adorable water cooler replica cup.  Actually, to be more accurate, it was the second thing I ordered.  At only $5.99 it was my filler item.  While I don't know if I would actually pay $5.99 for it regularly (I'm generally very frugal - aka - cheap). I do love it (even after last week's horrible performance by the Buckeyes)!  The fact that it looks like a water cooler is very endearing.  I also like that it is actually composed of two pieces.  While I haven't tried it yet, the outer part looks like it might fit nicely on a can of soda as an impromptu koozie.  I'll have to let you know how that goes after I finally get some canned beverages in the house.

The primary item in my purchase was this Aviva Youth Life Jacket.  At 28.95, it was actually cheaper than I could find it at any other reputable online store.  While both Peanut and Pumpkin have life jackets, they are getting a tad snug, so I've been on the lookout for a good deal on a new one for them for a while now.   I have to say that so far, I am impressed with the quality and color on this life jacket.  As you can see, it is very bright.  I'm a big fan of bright when it comes to life jackets for my kids.  Fashionable or not, I'll definitely be able to see them in the water and know that they are safe.  Made of Neoprene, I have confidence in its ability to keep my kids afloat.  Overall, the jacket feels lightweight, but durable.  I'm looking forward to the summer so we can try it out in the lake.

Now, as for CSNstores, I couldn't be any happier.  I placed my order on October 11, 2010 and selected ground shipping.  (It was free for the items I purchased.)  My initial order confirmation indicated that the order should ship by the 15th and be delivered by the 25th.   I was content with that.  However, the next day, I received shipping confirmation for both items.   They were in my grubby little hands by the 14th . . . even before I expected them to ship!  Now that is impressive (at least to me).

Here's hoping you have similar experiences when you shop at CSNstores as well.  

*Disclaimer - I received a gift card to purchase items of my choice from csnstores.com to facilitate this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.

Coming Soon - Carmex Review and Giveaway

In an email that I recently received from Carmex, I saw that they were looking for bloggers that love their products to apply to be part of their Carmex Blog Squad.  Without high hopes (I'm obviously not one of the most popular bloggers out there), I applied.  Well, what do you know . . . . they picked me!  :o)

Yesterday in the mail I received a fun Carmex kit (ARV $52.32).

It is loaded with all sorts of goodies. There are the obvious lip products that I know and love so well. However, there are also two new products - Healing Lotion and Healing Cream.

It is my job over the next few weeks to try them out and let you all know what I think of them.  Fortunately (or not) with the weather getting cold, my hands are already getting dry, so it should definitely be a good test for these products. 

In about two(ish) weeks, I'll post my initial review and offer you all the opportunity to get your entries in to win a kit of your very own.  Then, when the giveaway ends and I announce the winner, I'll give you a review update - just in case my opinions have changed since the initial review.

Be on the lookout for the post so you don't miss your chance.  The best ways to stay in-the-know about what is going on here at MomOnTheEdge is to follow me on twitter, fan me on facebook, and follow me on google friend connect (on the sidebar).

*Disclaimer - Carmex sent me this kit in order to facilitate my honest review of their new product.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

CSN stores - Review or Giveaway?

Fall is definitely upon us.  School is back in session.  There is a nip in the air.  The leaves are starting to turn.  It just feels like Autumn has arrived.

Inside, you can tell that cold weather is coming when wood is stacked by the fireplace and coasters for hot beverages are sitting on my end tables.   Nothing is better on a cool fall night then reading a book while cuddled on the couch with Doc as a fire burns in the fireplace with a steaming cup of tea at my side.  Do you know what would make that image even more cozy? 

How about a Daniadown Sherpini Dew Throw?  Doesn't it look cozy and warm?  I'm ready to cuddle up with it right now!

Or maybe a pair of comfy boots or slippers?  Personally, my feet are always cold.  If I can make them warm, then the rest of me feels a bit warmer too.

With so many options at CSNstores, you can find just about anything you might need to make your fall cozy or your summer cool.

Now, I have a big decision to make and you all are going to help me decide.  CSNstores has offered me the opportunity to either review a product OR host a giveaway for one of my lucky readers.  While I love to share, browsing the CSNstores site has caused me to add a few items to my wish list as well.  If I host a giveaway, I want to make sure that it will be well attended.  So, here's the deal.  If I can get 20 people to post here that they'd like a giveaway within the next week (by 11:59pm ET on 10/7/10), then we'll have a giveaway.  If 20 people don't post, then I'll do a review.  So, browse the CSNstores site, and if you want a chance to win, then let me know.

Gain's New Dishwasing Liquid - A Pre-Review and Giveaway

I hate doing the dishes.  Seriously - it is one of my least favorite chores.  In the summer, it is too hot to be standing over a sink of steaming water.  In the winter, I get very dry cracked hands, and doing dishes certainly doesn't do me any favors.  I'm all for equality, so I don't like dishes during the spring and fall just to be fair.   Besides, the weather is so gorgeous in the spring and fall that I'd rather be outside.  For some reason sinks are made just a smidge too low for me, so doing dishes also hurts my back (though not nearly as much as it did when I was pregnant).  In fact, I'm going to share a little secret with you.  There are some days when I don't cook just so I won't have to do the dishes. Shhhh! 

So, when MyBlogSpark contacted me to do a review of Gain's new dishwashing liquid with the statement:

Now, everything you love about Gain is available for your dishes. With three refreshing scents, you can kiss the days of boring, unpleasant dishwashing goodbye! You´ll soon find yourself saying, "Honey, I´ll do the dishes tonight."

I was skeptical, but thought, "Why not!"  I'll give almost anything a try once - especially if it might make me enjoy dishes more (or even better, make my husband want to do them instead!).

I have received my package with the Gain dishwashing liquid (fresh scent) three shirts (size large) and three $5 Walmart gift cards.  I was originally planning on giving it all away, but have decided to use one $5 gift card for myself to try a different scent of Gain (after which I will provide you with my review of this new product since I think I'm more of a lavender girl).  Also, one of my good friends (and fellow dish washing despiser) will receive another of the gift cards.  However, I am saving one $5 gift card and one shirt, for you, my sometimes loyal readers.

Here's what you have to do to win (mandatory):

1. Go to Gain's website and tell me which scent you'd most like to try.  Also tell me which color shirt you'd most like to have if you win.  Be sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile.

For additional entries you can also do the following.  Be sure to leave a comment for each additional entry.

1. Follow Gain on twitter (leave your twitter name)
2. Follow me on twitter (leave your twitter name)
3. Like Gain on facebook (leave your initials)
4. Like me on facebook (leave your initials)
5. Follow me on Google Friend Connect (leave your username)
6. Tweet about this giveaway.  You may do this once daily.  Be sure to include @rmgm @Gain #myblogspark and a link to this post (leave a link to your tweet)

Details:

• Only open to US residents
• Winner will be chosen using random.org
• Giveaway ends 11:59pm ET on September 30, 2010
• Include your email address in your comment if it is not available on your profile page.  If an email address in not in the comment or on your profile page another winner will be chosen.   I will not contact you through Twitter or Facebook.
• Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
• Prizes will be sent directly from me.  I am not responsible for prizes that are lost or damaged during shipment.  If you win a prize and do not receive it, please let me know.

*Disclaimer:  This product review was based on using complimentary Gain product provided by P&G through MyBlogSpark.  Bloggers also received Walmart gift cards and T-shirts to share with their friends at their discretion.  P&G does not prepresent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this blog site.

Unstuff Your Life by Andrew J. Mellen - A Brief Review

Raise your hand if you have a cluttered house, drawer, room, shelf and/or car!

• For those of you that don't have your hands up . . . Are you serious?  You don't have one place that has "stuff" that you need to organize, throw away or find a new home for?  WOW - I am jealous!   You may still want to keep reading though, because everyone in your life can't possibly be as organized as you, right?  
• For those of you with your hands up, look around.  You are not alone.  Keep reading, because I may have found something that will help you "Unstuff Your Life" if you're at the point where you're ready and willing to put a little work in. 

I consider my home to be fairly neat and tidy.  Most everything has a place where it belongs.  We don't have anything on our counters in the kitchen and pictures are few and far between.  In fact, our house looks almost "sterile".  This is due primarily to the neurotic anti-clutter man I married.  However, there are still places that definitely need some help.  The girls' closets can sometimes be described as a disaster.  I guess I figure if I can shut the door on it so Doc won't see it, then it is good enough.  I have a junk drawer that is my vice.  It is a place I keep all my "stuff" that really should find its home elsewhere.  That is why, when I was given the opportunity to read and review Unstuff Your Life by Andrew J. Mellen I couldn't in good conscience turn it down.

I received the book and began reading, somewhat skeptical that reading anything would really help me to organize my life.  I actually thought that, if anything, this book might add additional clutter.  It is another object I have to find a home for, right?   So far, I am surprisingly intrigued.  After reading the first couple chapters, I am hooked.  Andrew J. Mellen does a great job of making you understand your perspective about what you need, what your "stuff" really is, and why you feel guilty getting rid of some of the useless items in your life.

In order to provide a true and accurate review of this book, I've decided to begin my own journey to organize my life.  Beginning on September 1st (Mellen recommends beginning at the start of the month.  Besides, there is no better time for a fresh start than a new school year.), I'm going to read and commit to "unstuffing my life".  I will provide updates to you all as I make my progress, and will let you know at the end of my journey how successful the book was for me.  Wish me luck!

Book Description (from Amazon)

One of the country's most sought-after professional organizers makes his foolproof rescue plan available for everyone

Arguably the most organized man in America, Andrew J. Mellen has created unique, lasting techniques for streamlined living, bringing order out of chaos for a client list that includes attorneys, filmmakers, and even psychologists. With Unstuff Your Life! he puts his powerful program in the hands of his widest audience yet. Acknowledging that it's often the "stuff behind the stuff" that holds people back, Mellen offers an action-based plan to redirect clutterers from dwelling on their feelings. This simple shift yields immediate results that will help everyone achieve organizational bliss-from the chronic key-loser to the hard-core hoarder. Mellen's mix of humor, honesty, tough love, and foolproof strategies motivates readers to work through their feelings and make real behavior changes that will have long-lasting effects.

Written in Mellen's signature no-nonsense yet hilarious tone, Unstuff Your Life! brims with personality, along with approaches not found in other organizing books. Built on the principle that we must distinguish ourselves from our possessions, Unstuff Your Life! starts with truly achievable goals and works toward the nightmare projects everyone tries hard to avoid. From the basement to the bedroom, the kitchen to the car, and more, readers will learn:

•where to find a permanent home for your keys and wallet

•how to sort the mail in a manageable and time-effective way

•what it means to group "like with like"

•how to tackle bills and budget

•how to problem-solve with your new skills, and more

The result is absolute freedom from the burden of clutter-and more free time than you ever imagined possible.

*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I did not receive any compensation for this review and am in no way obligated to provide a positive review.

What We Have by Amy Boesky

To be completely honest, as I write this review, I have a headache.  It is an emotional headache.  One like you get after crying for too long at the loss of a loved one.  That is exactly how I feel right now.  I am emotionally drained.  I want to call my mom and sister and tell them how much I love them.  I have already hugged my girls with a strength similar to what I did on their first days of school.  The kind of hugs that you give as much for yourself as for the recipient.  The reason for my headache, my emotions, my hugs - What We Have by Amy Boesky.

From the inside book flap:

At thirty-two, Amy Boesky thought she had it all figured out:  a wonderful new man in her life, a great job, and the (nearly) perfect home.  For once, she was almost able to shake the terrible fear that had gripped her for as long as she could remember.  All of the women in her family had died before the age of forty-five - from cancer - and she and her sisters had grown up in time's shadow.  Urgency colored every choice they made and was amplified now that each of them approached thirty-five - the deadline their doctors prescribed for having preventive surgery with the hope that they could thwart their family's medical curse.  But Amy didn't want to dwell on fear now:  she wanted to spend time with her husband, plan for a new baby, live her life.  And that's just what she did.  In a way that only someone who is so acutely aware of passing time can, sh e chose to put her anxieties aside and relish life's simple pleasures.  In What We Have, Amy shares a deeply transformative year in her family's life and invites readers to join in their joy, laughter, and grief.  Unparalleled in its optimism and wisdom, What We Have celebrates the promise of a full life, even in the face of uncertainty.

The book began like many others, an author telling about her life, her family, her story.  From the beginning, however, her story resonated a bit more than others had with me.  She has a sister that reminds me of my own.  (In fact, my sister and I found out we were pregnant for the first time on the same weekend and had our children within about 1 week of each other.  We were fortunate not to have experienced the same outcome they had.) She grew up in Michigan, not unlike myself.  She vacationed in Charlevoix, barely a stone's throw from Traverse City - my favorite family vacation spot.  She spoke of places I knew, relationships that felt like my own.  She could be me.  Her family could be mine.  All of her joy and suffering could have just as easily been anyone else's to experience, including me.

While this book is not a light, easy, beach read, it is definitely worth reading.  I started the book on Saturday night and finished it this afternoon while my girls were resting.  Once started, it immediately pulled me in.  The familial relationships were familiar, relatable.  The way that Boesky brings her knowledge of literature, time and watches into the story makes it unique and educational.  The perspectives she shares and knowledge she imparts give you more to take away from the story than you would expect.  Reading this story made me want to take one of her classes (though I am in no way an English Literature buff).  As the story ended, I asked myself what I would do if given the option to know the future.  I wondered if I would want to know.  I thought about my own children and what lies ahead for them.  Is it better to know what is coming, to plan, to be prepared?  Or is it better to live in the present, enjoy the here and now, experience the joy of life without fear or anxiety?  Whereas before I read this book, I thought I knew the answers to those questions, I now realize that those questions, and the answers we give are actually quite complicated and multi-dimensional.

I have only one negative that I can share about this book.  Boesky will mention a family member early in the book, then bring the name up again later without a reminder explanation.  While that won't bother most people, I am not a name memorizer, especially when reading a book "for fun".  I would have loved if she'd had a glossary of names that I could refer to when reading.  Since she doesn't, I recommend that you pay better attention than I did when reading this book. 

Do I recommend this book?
Yes - This was a great book that almost demands a follow-up discussion.  I think it would make a perfect book for a book club.  Doc and I will be having a childless weekend soon while our kids vacation with my parents and I'm curious to hear his thoughts on the various topics brought up in this book.  I had previously discussed the idea of going back to school to become a genetic counselor with him and this will be a good starting point for deciding if that is something I'm still interested in pursuing. 

*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the book for review purposes.  I did not receive any additional compensation in exchange for my review.  All opinions and experiences are my own.  Others may have different views.

GeekDad = Fun For All, A Review

Now that I've given you all a glimpse of my geeky side (and you didn't boycott), you're going to be seeing more of it.  I truly am a geek at heart.  I love when my kids ask questions that I don't know the answers to.  I laugh at ridiculous math and science jokes.  I want to build a bat house with the girls to help control our insect population.  That is why, when I was given the chance to review GeekDad by Ken Denmead, I jumped at the chance. 

As soon as I received the book I quickly scanned through it.  I was immediately impressed with the variety of projects that you could undertake.  From preschool to high school, this book has something for everyone!  There are art projects, outdoor projects, building projects, and even projects for the environmental geek.  I was also thrilled that the author broke each project down by cost, difficulty, duration and reusability.  Nothing is more exciting for a geek than an easy to read reference table to save you time and energy.  Bearing in mind that Peanut and Pumpkin are only 6 and 4, I was somewhat limited in the projects I could do with my kids.   

The first project to catch my eye was the Windup Toy Finger Painting.  The main idea of this project is to paint the bottom of windup or battery powered toys so that they create your artwork as they travel around a piece of paper.  Searching through the house, we were able to find two cars and a Bumble Ball Jr.  (We also found a Zhu Zhu pet, but weren't sure how well that would wash up after a good paint job.)  Not wanting to go down to the crawl space to get the real paint, I deviated from the directions a bit by making my girls paint the wheels with watercolor paints rather than having cups or saucers with paint that they could dip the wheels into.  I think the final result may have been nicer if I'd make the extra effort to get the better paints.  Also, Ken suggests that you use levels, rulers, lumber, etc as barriers to constrain the toys.  I found that using a cardboard box worked really well too.

Overall, the kids had a really great time and enjoyed this project.  The paintings looked very nice, even more so after I framed them.  I will definitely do it again, perhaps with some new toys and better paints.  Our next project, however, is the Pirate Cartography.  I can't wait to see what adventure that will bring!

If you're asking yourself if you should get this book, here's my opinion:

• If you and your kids are geeks . . . Yes!  What a fun way to spend time with your kids doing projects that will be interesting to them and you.  You can encourage their geekiness and show off your own.
• If you or your kids are geeks . . . Yes! What a great way to connect.  You can start simple and work your way up to the more advanced projects.
• If neither you nor your kids are geeks . . . Yes!  I think many of these projects are fun for everyone, geek or not.  Besides, all kids should be well rounded.  You never know when it might be advantageous to be well-versed in geek.

After a quick search, I found that this book is available at my local library.  If you still aren't sure if it is a book you'd enjoy, check yours to see if you can preview it there first.  Personally, I think this is a book to own because the projects really do span several years.  If you decide to purchase it, you can find it on Amazon, or another great site, ThinkGeek.

*Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but did not receive any other compensation.  I do not receive any benefits if you purchase any products from any stores that I mention in this or any other post (unless specified).   All opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.

Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF

Description (from Amazon):

HANDMADE? IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MADE IT WITH YOUR FEET.

A chicken poncho. A painting of a corn dog. A clock made out of an old “mostly clean” cheese grater. All this and more await you in the pages of Regretsy, a veritable sideshow of handcrafts gone wrong. Based on the eponymous hit blog and arranged in categories such as Décor, Pet Humiliation, and Christmas, Regretsy showcases the best of the worst, ranging from the hilariously absurd to the purely horrifying. Each page of this jaw-dropping volume features the actual seller’s online listing with a light coat of snarky commentary to give it a good shellacking. So join us as we descend into handmade hell and gawk, gasp, and marvel at the disturbingly odd artifacts that Regretsy has collected for your viewing pleasure, proving that you can never have too much of a bad thing.

I had never heard of the book nor the website, Regretsy.  So, when I received a copy of the book in the mail I glanced over it and thought, "Eh, I'll get to it."  Last night was the night.  Not feeling like watching TV, browsing the internet, or reading a "real" book, I picked it up.  Figuring that I'd probably fall asleep reading it, I went to bed so that I'd be in place when boredom struck and the book fell to the floor.  At 154 pages, it definitely isn't a long read, but I couldn't believe how quickly I read through it . . . and how many times I actually laughed out loud.  In fact, Doc was trying to sleep next to me when he rolled over and said, "What is so funny?  I might have to go in the other room so I can actually sleep."  While the book is impossible to describe, it is hilarious.  I enjoyed it so much that I went to the website this morning to see what other unique creations and commentary there were to be found.  While the website was definitely amusing, I have to say that I enjoyed the book even more.  I plan to pass this book on to my sister next.  They keep reading material in their bathroom, and I have to say that this is an ideal bathroom reader. 

Note:  All opinions and experiences are my own.  I did not receive any products or compensation in exchange for this review.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult - Review

From Jodi Picoult's website:

HOUSE RULES is about Jacob Hunt, a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject – in his case, forensic analysis. He’s always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do…and he’s usually right. But then one day his tutor is found dead, and the police come to question him. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger’s – not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, inappropriate affect – can look a heck of a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel -- and suddenly, Jacob finds himself accused of murder. HOUSE RULES looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way – but lousy for those who don’t.

Honestly, the synopsis of the book really didn't make me interested in reading House Rules at all.  Previously, I had read and enjoyed My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  The fact that her writing style is easy to read and really draws you in to the characters was my primary motivation to pick up this book.  That being said, once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.  Within 48 hours, I read all 532 pages of this book.  The book was very well written and definitely an enjoyable read.  Throughout the book, I came to really care about each of the characters.  I wanted them all to find a way to be happy and experience some closure in their lives. 

At the end of the book, I was slightly disappointed.  In My Sister's Keeper, I ended up being surprised by the turn of events.  House Rules didn't offer me that surprise, nor did it offer me a sense of finality.  I felt like I knew "what happened" about half way through the book and wanted loose ends to be tied.  When the book ended, I almost felt that it should have said, "to be continued . . . " since there was so much more I wanted to know. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to my family and friends.  It provided me with some interesting insight into an individual with Asperger's and the struggles a family might have in dealing with this disorder.  Not having any direct contact with a child with Asperger's, I would be curious to hear the reaction of someone that has experienced similar trials and tribulations.

Note:  All opinions are my own.  I did not receive any product or compensation for this review.

The first tooth

Peanut, my oldest daughter, has recently experienced several milestones.

• She celebrated her 6th birthday!
• She graduated from Kindergarten!
• She learned to ride a bike without training wheels! (Yeah, I know I should have done it earlier, but I was a little lazy.  It was a daunting task.)
• She lost her first tooth! :o)

As soon as she lost her tooth I knew that I wanted to get her something special to celebrate this grand occasion.  I was thinking that I might be able to find a nice tooth charm that I could have engraved with the date she lost the tooth.  As I searched, I came up empty-handed.  Most of the charms were not very attractive to me - but then again, I guess it can be hard to make a tooth cute.  I even found one place that takes your lost teeth, preserves them, and plates them in gold or silver.  While the resulting product is kind of cute, I also found it to be a little creepy.  I was also worried about Peanut losing the necklace which would be her actual first tooth.  Even though I don't know what I'm going to do with that tooth, I prefer to know that it is still safe with me.  While Le Knockout wasn't for me, it might be just right for some of you.

Eventually I happened upon The Ultimate Tooth Fairy.  It is a site that has tooth fairy gifts and letters for girls and boys.  As soon as I saw the Girls Tooth Fairy Memory Locket, I knew I had to have it.  From the website:

This personalized locket is the perfect way to remember that special day your little one lost their first tooth! Personalize the outside with your child's name and on the inside stamp the date they lost their 1st tooth.
A freshwater pearl hangs in the center as a magical reminder of that 1st tooth. The sterling silver locket (not physically locked) measures 3/4" in diameter (size of a nickel), then domed to cup the "tooth". Strung on a sterling silver 16" ball chain.

At $39, I found the necklace to be very reasonably priced.  I was also very happy with how quickly it arrived.  The necklace came with a drawstring bag, polishing cloth and directions on how to take care of it to keep it looking new as long as possible. 

Since receiving the necklace Peanut and I have received countless compliments from people that have seen it.  Several people have asked where I found it so that they can be prepared when their daughter's lose their first tooth.  In fact, I have already bookmarked the site so that when Pumpkin loses her first tooth I can order one for her as well. 

*Note:  The product was ordered from The Ultimate Tooth Fairy and came from MagPie Designz.   If your child is past or not yet ready for the first tooth stage, I recommend you check out her site for some other gorgeous jewelry in different designs.

*Note 2:  The image was taken from The Ultimate Tooth Fairy website with permission from the owner.

*Disclaimer:  I did not receive any compensation for this post.  All opinions and experiences are my own.