Category Archives: Ladies

Getting ready for baby – Part 1: Medela

  By Amy | May 14, 2009 - 6:51 pm | , , , , ,
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Our countdown has truly begun.  Nesting has set in and preparations for the fourth member of our family are in full swing.

I will just start out by saying nursing my first child was a big, BIG disappointment for me and I have regretted that it didn’t work out for us ever since.  It’s been three and a half years.  With baby number two on the way, I’m about to get my do-over.

My main focus this entire pregnancy has been on how I can be completely successful nursing this baby.  I even took a breastfeeding class.  When I think of breastfeeding products, Medela is the first company that comes to mind.  I knew right after I had my first daughter that Medela products were top of the line, unfortunately, I did not give them a fair chance.  I purchased an Ameda breastpump that I was completely unhappy with.  My daughter was a preemie and spent the first week of her life in the hospital NICU.  Luckily, I was able to test the hospital grade Medela breastpumps there and swore that after I had another baby, I would stick with Medela.

I have heard so many good things about the Medela Freestyle breastpump and I’m about ready to make my purchase.  Of course, this time around, we’re going to establish a good nursing routine before anything else is introduced.  I can’t afford not to.  So, within the next month, I will be stocking up on my nurisng gear.  Who do I turn to first?  Medela, of course.  They have a line of intimate apparel, specifically for maternity and nursing.

Medela recently sent me their new Nursing Camisole for consideration.  I’m having a mid-summer baby, so you can bet this camisole will get some good use!

medela_bamboo_nursing_camis

The feel of the Cami is very soft and stretchy (and sturdy).  It’s made of a bamboo/cotton blend.  It has a drop-cup design and has an extra layer of fabric, where it counts the most.  The camisole also works with the Freestyle breastpump, so hopefully I’ll get my chance to try them out together.

Next on the list, of course, are bottles.  There will come a point where daddy and big sister want to help feed the baby and I don’t want to take that away from them.  I will gladly give them the chance to bond with our newest family member.  I have several Medela Breastmilk Bottle Sets on hand, including a few 5 oz. and 8 oz. bottles.  It’s no secret, Medela has always been BPA-free and this is something that I do take quite seriously.

medela_bottles

So, when the time is right, I will put these bottles to good use.

I still feel like I have much to learn and research about the world of breastfeeding but honestly, I’m not as concerned about it this time.  I am crossing all of my T’s and dotting all of my I’s before the little one arrives and I know that things will work out swimmingly this time.

Casio Exilim EX-S10

  By Amy | May 12, 2009 - 8:10 pm | , , , , , , , ,
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casio_exilim_ex-s10

I was given the Casio Exilim EX-S10 digital point and shoot camera quite a while ago to check out and review.  So, I’m finally, finally taking a moment to write about it.  Life is a whirlywind, what more can a 7-month pregnant girl say?

So, this camera…it’s super slim.  I like that about this camera.  In fact, it’s known as the “world’s smallest and thinnest 10 megapixel compact camera”.  It’s ridiculously easy to tote around.  In fact, I keep it in my purse at all times and unless I’m capturing random moments (like I do quite often), I rarely notice it’s in there.  Again, I like that about this camera.  Another physical feature about the EX-S10 that I really dig is the huge LCD display.  I have used several digital cameras and this one has the biggest, most clear LCD (2.7 inches).

casio-ex-s10

I have read a dozen or so reviews of the S10 and the results are conclusive: People really love the features of this camera, ease of usability and the size.

What good is my review if I don’t point out the features to you?  Without further ado:

- 10 megapixel with 3x zoom
- Auto shutter
- You Tube ready
- Instant video button
- Face detection
- Up to 1600 ISO
- W 2.15 x D 0.6 x H 0.59 and weight 0.25 lb!

Something new to me, that no other point and shoot camera I have used has offered, is the “Best Shot” feature.  This is a 36 preset scene feature for the camera.  With a quick press of the “BS” button (and that’s no BS), you are able to choose the best shot for the image you’re trying to capture.  There is also a record button for immediate video recording action, which can then be easily uploaded to YouTube.

Admittedly, I’m late to the review party for this camera model (it was released early 2008).  There is now a newer model out (the EX-S12).  The EX-S12 does have some additional new features but the EX-S10 can be purchased for less than $200 and I really don’t think you would be missing out all that much if you went with this model instead (and you would save up to $50).

The Casio EX-S10 is available in four colors:  Red, Silver, Black and Blue.  I can’t find it on Casio’s website anymore, probably because it’s been replaced with the newer model, but you can purchase it at many online stores and most likely big retail stores.

My honest opinion: This is a great little camera for a photographer who wants a light-weight and small point and shoot to carry around.  My best photos have been taken outdoors, in daylight or in a well-lit room.  We have tried to take pictures at concerts (which generally never turn out really well with any point and shoots) and we probably won’t rely on this camera to capture any good (or even artsy) shots at concerts.  I’m not a huge fan of using a flash, so that sort of limits me when it comes to the EX-S10 and low-lit rooms.  However, with nice weather and longer days ahead, I will use this camera quite a bit more often when we’re out and about.

Nature’s Source

  By Amy | April 8, 2009 - 7:53 pm | ,
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I have been introduced to Nature’s Source cleaning products and now I can’t imagine that I’ll go back to using anything else.

natures_source

My family and I have been leaning toward a more natural way of life and the easiest thing for us to do is start little by little.  Even before seriously thinking about living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, I had a tendency to seek out the less invasive cleaning products.  I mean, seriously, have you breathed some of that toxic junk in?  Not good.

SC Johnson has released this line of more natural, more eco-friendly cleaning products at a reasonable price point.  Currently, the Nature’s Source cleaning products available on store shelves are a natural glass and surface cleaner, bathroom cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, and toilet bowl cleaner.  Yep, that’s about all I need.

The Nature’s Source website is quite user-friendly and information about the cleaning products ingredients is readily available.  There are tips and tricks, projects and a sense of community.  You can join others who are on the journey to a more environmentally friendly way of living.

Pregnancy Post: Taking care of me

  By Amy | April 4, 2009 - 8:37 pm | ,
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I am 23 weeks into my second pregnancy and now that I feel “good”, I am finally starting to focus on me.  I’m tired of looking tired and I’m tired of this dry, winter-chapped skin of mine.  I have been anticipating putting my Belli Motherhood “Motherhood Essentials Kit” to use for quite some time now.

belli_essentials_kit

This is the perfect sampler kit for any pregnant woman.  I didn’t use any products like these Belli Motherhood products during my first pregnancy.  Now that I’ve “been there, done that”, I pay a little more attention to what is really going to be good for me.

First of all, my belly is really starting to pop and stretch and “itch” now.  I have made it a habit to use the Belli Body Firming Serum every day, once or twice per day.  My growing mid-section is noticeably smooth to the touch and actually feels healthy after using it.  I know, that’s kind of odd but I can’t think of a better way to state it.  Put it this way, I really like the stuff.

Next, I carry the Belli Moisturizing Hand Sanitzer in my purse.  Not only do I use it, but I also use it on my preschooler after visits to the park and before eating out if we’ve been out and about.  Know what I like about it?  It doesn’t burn the crap out of my hands (which tend to be dry and cracked most of the time) and it doesn’t have that God-awful alcohol smell to it.  It’s got a “slight” scent and after it’s rubbed in, it doesn’t feel like your hands are on fire or going to fall off.  Your hands are smooth and actually do feel clean.  Thumbs up.

The other two items included in the Motherhood Essentials Kit are the Eye Brightening Cream and the Pure Comfort Nursing Cream.  I occasionally use the Eye Brightening Cream but haven’t used it enough to really give a testimonial about it.  I wear it and hope that it’s doing the trick by helping me not look as tired as I feel.  Last but not least, I’m very much looking forward to putting the Pure Comfort Nursing Cream to the test.  I have used other nursing creams/ointments and they worked fine but since I dig the other products in the Belli Motherhood line, I don’t have a doubt that I will recommend their nursing cream, too.

On a closing note, I’m also very much looking forward to putting their Belli Baby line to use after our little girl arrives.  We will use the Belli Baby Calm Me Hair and Body Wash and the Belli Baby Nourish Me Enriched Body Lotion and update you on our thoughts when the time comes.

belli_baby_bodywash_lotion

The Belli Motherhood – Motherhood Essentials Kit (excellent shower gift) retails at around $39 US dollars and can be purchase at maternity boutiques and online at such places like Maternitique.  You can also view the gift sets available that are geared more toward the pregnant woman from the Belli Pregnancy line here.

Going Rechargeable

  By Amy | March 30, 2009 - 8:08 am | , , , , ,
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Sometime in 2008, I realized how silly it was to continuously buy batteries that would die after their initial use.  With a preschooler and a ton of toys lying around that require batteries, that just didn’t make much sense.  We also have video games and cameras that require batteries.  The obvious decision was to go rechargeable.

So, my first purchase was an Energizer Rechargeable Easy Charger and some double and triple “A” batteries.

energizer_easy_charger

We have since added other types of Energizer rechargeable batteries to our collection, as well as another charger, so they’re conveniently located in the rooms of our house where our electronics are located.  The Energizer Easy Charger can be purchased for around $24 bucks and most major retailers and I’m sure you can find a good deal on it online somewhere.  It just makes sense to go rechargeable.

Energizer even has a $5 rebate offer on their site when you purchase of one of their chargers.

Staples “Gift it For Free” Sweepstakes

  By Amy | December 3, 2008 - 8:40 pm | , , , , ,
4 Comments

So, we think this is a pretty cool thing that Staples has going on. In a nutshell, 10,000 Staples customers will have their purchases (up to $5,000) PAID FOR by Staples.

The rules are pretty cut and dry.

Make a purchase (or multiple purchases) at a Staples retail store or Staples online between November 16, 2008 and December 24, 2008 (by 11:59 PM EST).

Go to www.giftitforfree.com and enter the special code from your Staples receipt or from your online confirmation code.

If you are a Staples Rewards Member, you don’t even have to take the extra step to enter – as you are entered once automatically for each time you use your Rewards card within the promotion period.

You can enter as many times as you’d like, as long as you have a valid code to enter.  For example, if you shop one day, you enter the code from that receipt.  If you happen to forget something and have to go back, you can center the code from that receipt too.  Boom.  There you go.  TWO entries.

I personally can think of MANY things that could be purchased at Staples for myself or for gifts.  These are some products that I like or recommend:

The TomTom One 130 Portable GPS – I’m HOT for a GPS right now!

A Staples Loft Leather Executive Chair – because I work from home and could really use a nice office chair

Omnitech 8.5″ Digital Picture Frame – because my digital picture frame is not working.  : (

The Epson Artisan 800 injet All-in-One – Oh, that’s right.  I have one.  what’s that?  Oh yes!  We’re giving one away HERE.  Silly me.

Apple 16GB iPod Nano – I want. I want. I want. I want!

Canon EOS Rebel XSi Digital SLR Camera – Oh, how I would love to have a brand new Rebel!

Ok, so I’m getting a little carried away.  Honestly though, If I knew I could be one of ten THOUSAND people that would receive my purchases for FREE, I wouldn’t feel so bad dropping all of this cash on myself.  I’m sitting here, talking myself into things…hmmm.

Anyway, just wanted to give you all a “heads up” about this sweet sweepstakes.  Here are some links, so you can gather up all of the information you need before you head out to a Staples near you or click over and shop online.  If you enter, GOOD LUCK!  Not that you need it.  TEN THOUSAND WINNERS up to $5,000 bucks each?!  Hello?!

Staples Gift it for Free website

Official Rules – because this isn’t a ParentSphere sweepstakes, it’s Staples.

Gift it For Free FAQs

Avon: Kenneth Jay Lane Jeweltone Statement Necklace

  By Amy | November 20, 2008 - 9:25 pm | , , , ,
215 Comments

UPDATE: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR KENNETH JAY LANE NECKLACE WINNER!
* Tammy

Our winner has been notified via email

Avon has been around for what? EVER?  Well, they’ve been around as long as I can remember, anyway.

Maybe you weren’t aware of this but Avon sells more than just make-up.  Yeah, they have shoes, clothes, jewelry, plenty of stuff for the kids and other unique items that make mighty nice holiday gifts.  Seriously, if you haven’t scoped out Avon for the hard-to-buy-for peeps in your life, I recommend doing so while there is still time.  I’m taking my own advice on that one.

After you get done browsing around Avon’s website and looking for gifts for everyone else, come back here and enter to win something nice for you!  The necklace pictured above is a Kenneth Jay Lane Jeweltone Statement Necklace and it’s not even available yet.  Don’t sweat it, we’ve got you covered.  Isn’t she pretty?

To enter: leave a comment on this giveaway post (comment section is located below the post, under “Category” and “Tags”.  In your entry comment, let us know if you win this necklace, if it’s for you or if you would give it as a gift.

A winner will be chosen at random and emailed the day after the giveaway closes.  Last day to enter is Friday, December 12, 2008 at midnight PST. Be sure to check your SPAM folder so you don’t miss the email notification.  This post will also be updated with the winner’s name and blog/website (if provided).

*If you’d like to start some holiday shopping with a discount, here you go!

Code – JINGLE30 (enter coupon code at checkout)    Expires – 1/1/09

Good For – Free Standard Shipping with a $30 order when you shop online with an eRepresentative.

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*Take me back to the Holiday Giveaway Guide so I can enter more giveaways!
*Hosting a giveaway or posting a gift guide at your site?  Make sure you link to it on Mr. Linky HERE
*Do you “Twitter“?  We’d just adore you if you would “Tweet” about this giveaway!