We Love My Baby Clothes Boutique (+ Giveaway)

If you’ve been reading Misadventures for any amount of time then you probably know how fond I am of shopping and shopping for clothing is the ultimate for me, make it clothes for my kiddos and I’m in heaven! 

One would assume that having three daughters would allow me certain luxuries; take for instance the ability to pick out adorable, pink, frilly clothes for them…and it so does not happen.  Both of my oldest daughters are very anti-girly which I’ll admit is a bit upsetting to me, but thankfully my youngest Lil Diva is still young enough to appreciate Mommy’s fashion sense!  One of my very favorite places to find the most stylish, adorable, and unique clothes for Lil Diva is My Baby Clothes Boutique!  I discovered My Baby Clothes Boutique last year and have been hooked on their boutique style of fresh, fashion forward, gorgeous clothing for lil ones ever since.  If you’re not familiar with My Baby Clothes Boutique you simply must check them out, go ahead…I’ll wait!

From the My Baby Clothes Boutique website…

There is nothing more precious than a little baby girl or boy.  At MyBabyClothes.com we strive to bring you the most fashion forward and unique baby clothes on the web, all at a Guaranteed Lowest Price!

Our team searches to find the cutest, most comfortable, and highest quality clothes and accessories available.  Our goal is to offer these unique and trendy boutique style clothes at affordable prices. 
The My Baby Clothes Boutique customer service team is available to handle your questions and concerns. 

I hope you have fun browsing around our online catalog.  We have lots of choices and adorable pictures of our little baby models.   Don't forget to check out some of our cute accessories like baby hats, baby headbands, baby booties, unique baby socks and much more.

I personally loves everything that My Baby Clothes Boutique has to offer for little ones, but I simply adore their large selection of tutus in a variety of colors and sizes…come on what little girl doesn’t look simply adorable in a tutu? 

Recently I had the opportunity to choose something from My Baby Clothes Boutique for Lil Diva for my review and believe me when I say that choosing was the hardest part of the process!  From their selection of swim suits and headbands to their too cute for words dresses it was nearly impossible to choose just one item, but I did of course and I cannot wait to share that item with all of you!

I chose the Bonnie Jean Black and White floral leggings and dress set for my review.  As soon as I saw it in the online catalog I just knew that Lil Diva would look absolutely adorable wearing it…and I was absolutely right (we seriously love this dress)!  Part super cute sundress, part dress and leggings set this dress set is perfect for spring, but can easily be worn separately on warmer summer days.  The first time Lil Diva wore the dress I received so many, “OMG that is TOO cute!” and “Where did you get that?  It’s gorgeous!” comments that I knew I had made the perfect selection.  The Bonnie Jean dress has quickly become one of  my Lil Diva’s favorite dresses and I honestly couldn’t be happier as I think she looks completely adorable wearing it!

Buy it!

You can purchase the Bonnie Jean Black and White floral leggings set (picyured above) and SO much more online at mybabyclothesboutique.com!

Now I have a treat for all of you with lil ones…an awesome giveaway where one reader is going to score a $25 Gift certificate to My Baby Clothes Boutique!  Details below!

What You Can Win!

One MIBR reader is going to win a $25 GC to My Baby Clothes Boutique!!!!

How To Enter!

To enter this giveaway simply visit My Baby Clothes Boutique and have a look around, come back and leave a comment on this post telling me which item you like most.  This is mandatory and must be completed before any additional entries are allowed!

Extra Entries!

Follow MIBR via GFC (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via Email (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via RSS Feed (2 extra entries)
Subscribe to the My Baby Clothes Boutique blog (2 extra entries)
Sign up for My Baby Clothes Boutique Newsletter (2 extra entries)

“Like” Misadventures in Baby Raising on Facebook (3 extra entries)
“Like” My Baby Clothes Boutique on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Twitter (3 extra entries)
Follow My Baby Clothes Boutique on Twitter (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Networked Blogs (3 extra entries)

Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter…Make sure you leave the URL to your Tweet in your comments!  (2 tweets per day = 2 extra entries per day)

#WIN a $25 GC to @MyBabyClothes #giveaway @Allie_23 
HOT For Summer!   Enter Now:  http://tinyurl.com/3hpajy3

Share this giveaway with your Friends and/or Fans on Facebook by linking to this post on your wall.   (You can share 2 times per day with your friends/fans on Facebook)

Submit this giveaway to a giveaway site or linky…please leave a link to the giveaway posting in your comment.  (5 extra entries per giveaway site or linky)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.  (5 extra entries)

This giveaway ends on Monday June 15, 2011 at 1:59 PM EST.  One (1) winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post shortly after the giveaway has ended.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim his/her prize, failure to respond to winner’s email in a timely manner will result in winner forfeiting his/her prize and me choosing a new winner.  Giveaway open to US residents only please!

* I received the product(s) above from either the company or PR for my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.*

“What’s HOT For Summer” Snack Time Survial Kit (Giveaway)

Summertime means the kids are home…all.the.time, and that can be challenging for even the superest of moms.  Anything to help keep order and help make things easier is welcome at my house and I have something for y’all today that will help you make snack time fun and orderly, because sanity is definitely HOT for summer!

About BeanStalk Express Snack Time Survival Kit

New information from the US Department of Health and Human Resources reveals that despite national efforts to curb childhood obesity here in the US, rates are still climbing!  Because the years of preventing childhood obesity are over by the time our children reach kindergarten, parents need products that offer a fun and practical approach to teaching their children balanced nutrition!  And we have it!

Welcome to Beanstalk Express, the home of the world’s first snacktivity game, The SnackTime survival kit At Beanstalk Express, we’re parents too!  And like you, we also envisioned raising fruit-and-veggie loving eaters, avoiding processed foods and “just saying no!” to drive through windows!  But then something happened along the way … We had kids!

After enduring the preschool battles with picky eaters and around-the-clock requests for sweets and goodies, we realized what was missing when it comes to inspiring our kids with healthy habits that will last … Food marketers have been making junk food fun for decades. So what if we made healthy choices just as much fun?  We decided to try it … and it worked! When you empower children with the ability to make their own choices, amazing things happen!  At Beanstalk Express, we make healthy fun!  And in the process, they become habit!

Wooden Clock Board
Features one working clock, 3 control clocks with moveable arms, and 3 corresponding hooks to hold snack cards in place.

33 Snack Cards
On the front are pictures of delicious snacks to choose from. On the back is important tips and information to learn from.

How it works!

1.Each morning, Mom or Dad selects between 4-6 snack cards that are available to make that day from the deck.
2.From these cards, kids can choose their 3 snacks for that day.
3.Mom sets the control clocks to the desired snack times and hangs the snack cards on the corresponding hooks.
4.And now it's up to the kids! By Keeping an eye on the clocks, the kids alert Mom to when it's SNACK TIME!
5.Mom takes the snack card off the hook and serves up the snack.

So, who wants to win a BeanStalk Express Snack Time Survival Kit?  Check out all of the details below!

What You Win:  1 (one) BeanStalk Express Snack Time Survival Kit!

How Do You Enter?  To enter this giveaway leave a comment on this post telling me what feature of the Snack Time Survival Kit you like most!  This is mandatory and must be completed before any extra entries are allowed!

Extra Entries:  Please leave separate comments for each extra entry. 

Follow MIBR via GFC (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via Email (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via RSS Feed (e extra entries)
Grab our “What’s HOT For Summer Button (2 extra entries)  If you put the button on your blog before May 1st you get 5 extra entries into this and all other “What’s HOT For Summer” giveaways!


<center><a href="http://misadventuresinbabyraising.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/aproffitt79/WhatsHOTbutton.png" /></a></center>

“Like” Misadventures in Baby Raising on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Twitter (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Networked Blogs (3 extra entries)







Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter.  Include @Allie_23 in your tweets and please leave a link to your tweet in your comment.  (2 tweets per day = 2 extra entries per day)

Share this giveaway with your Friends and/or Fans on Facebook by linking to this post on your wall.  You can also link to either Allison Rigdon or Misadventures in Baby Raising in your post so that I can check out how awesome you are!  (You can share 2 times per day with your friends/fans on Facebook)

Submit this giveaway to a giveaway site or linky…please leave a link to the giveaway posting in your comment.  (5 extra entries per giveaway site or linky)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.  (5 extra entries)

This giveaway ends on Wednesday  May 26, 2011 at 1:59 PM EST.  One (1) winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post shortly after the giveaway has ended.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim his/her prize, failure to respond to winner’s email in a timely manner will result in winner forfeiting his/her prize and me choosing a new winner.  Giveaway open to US residents only please!

We have WINNERS!

Alright y’all, I must thank all of you for being so patient with me on getting these giveaway winners announced…I really do have the best readers ever! 

 

First up is the Lexli Skincare Starter Kit giveaway!

 

Winning number is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

222	

Timestamp: 2011-06-01 06:37:29 UTC

 

And our lucky winner is:

May 25, 2011 9:34 AM 222

Atreau

I wear a hat, lots of sunblock and lots of water!

 

Next up is the Justin Bieber:  Never Say Never DVD giveaway!

 

Winning number is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

182	

Timestamp: 2011-06-01 06:39:31 UTC

 

And the lucky winner is:

May 30, 2011 12:48 PM 182

Hotsnotty2

Following via GFC, thanks!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

 

Up next is the Swiffer 360 Duster giveaway!

 

Winning number is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

110	

Timestamp: 2011-06-01 06:41:32 UTC

 

Our lucky winner is:

May 18, 2011 3:40 AM 110

Sheri

network blogger 2

sheri.scarpa@gmail.com

 

Congrats to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who entered!   Don’t forget that there are still some HOT giveaways up for grabs…so enter now!

Prepping the Backyard for Summer!

This past weekend my husband and I decided to start getting our backyard in order.  When we moved into our new house in February we were over the moon excited about finally having a backyard that we were able to entertain in; BBQ’s and cornhole are BIG parts of our summer plans so we took advantage of the long holiday weekend to get the process started.

 

Our backyard has a multi-level deck and patio off the back of the house so thankfully we had something to work with and a place to start.  First thing on the to-do list was getting new patio furniture, luckily I came across some discount patio furniture not long ago so it was just a matter of getting everything out of the box and into place.  Once the patio furniture was taken care of we went in search of a porch swing.  Since my first house I’ve wanted a porch swing, unfortunately I’ve yet to live in a house whose porch would accommodate a swing…until now.  We looked at what seemed like fifty porch swings; small ones, big ones, traditional swings, and modern porch swings and the only conclusion that I came to is that I am completely unsure of exactly which style of porch swing I actually want.  Given my indecisiveness when it came to choosing a swing we left without one, which did not make me happy.  In addition to the new patio furniture we did manage to get our new pool installed and up and running, which scored us huge points with the kiddos…even though we didn’t actually get it figured out and ready to swim in until 10:00 PM Monday night.

 

All in all it was a very productive weekend spent prepping the backyard for all of the summer fun that is bound to take place in it!  Though I do have one addition that I hope to be adding soon, a gazebo in the backyard…with a hot tub!  What?  It’s not that much to ask…right?

Kelty…Everything You Need For Camping This Summer (+Giveaway)

Memorial Day is this coming Monday, and you know what that means?  SUMMER is here!  Honestly I have to tell you that I cannot be more excited about the start of summer; I love being outside with the kids, swimming, tanning (in moderation of course), and all of the other outdoor activities that make summer so much fun.  One of our favorite things to do as a family in the summer is camping and while we haven’t been on an actual camping trip for a while we always find a way to make camping a part of our summer fun, even if that means we’re pitching tents in the backyard!

If your family is planning a camping trip this summer then this post is for you!  You can’t really plan a family camping trip without the proper equipment and one of our favorite places to turn for the best camping equipment is Kelty!  If you’re not familiar with Kelty allow me to introduce you…

The KELTY Heritage:
Since 1952, Kelty has built affordable, reliable outdoor gear that enables everyone, from the first-time camper to the experienced mountaineer, to embrace any experience with confidence. Kelty: Go Anywhere.

KELTY is based in Boulder, Colorado, and uses the natural backdrop of the Rocky Mountains to test, create and continually innovate within their diverse outdoor product families of Backcountry, Trail, Vintage, Lighting, Basecamp and KIDS. Kelty combines the best in new technology with a healthy dose of common sense to create exceptionally made, affordably priced outdoor products.

We recently received an awesome tent from Kelty for our review, the Kelty Gunnison 2.1 to be exact.  We’ve had other 2 person tents in the past and I was very excited to see how the Gunnison compared to other brands…I was very impressed!  First and foremost this is by far the easiest tent that I have ever put up, usually I need help, but I was able to assemble the Gunnison by myself in less than 5 minutes.  The easy setup is due to the clip construction, instead of sliding the poles through the small openings in traditional tents the poles clip on the outside of the tent and it makes it so much easier to put together.  I was also impressed at how light the Gunnison is, weighing in at under 6 pounds the Gunnison 2.1 is a perfect choice for a hiking/camping trip.  Another of the features that I really liked about the Gunnison 2.1 is that for the most part the tent itself is very airy due to the wide mesh panels that run the length of the tent on each side, one of my biggest complaints with tents is that they are too enclosed creating an almost smothering feeling for someone like me who does not like confined spaces, but the Gunnison 2.1 is not at all that way.

About the Gunnison 2.1

Highlighted by Backpacker Magazine for 'Best All-Around' tent for 2009, this feature-rich tent is perfect for multiday trips! Fly vents, welded windows, and two doors and vestibules for all under six pounds, this is a great piece for any outdoor enthusiast

Gunnison 2.1 Features

Body Features:

• Free-standing
• ArcEdge™ floor 
• Taped Floor Seams
• Mesh Wall Panels
• Internal Storage Pockets
• Clip construction
• ITW Stakeouts

Fly Features:

• Taped seams
• Side-release buckle tent-fly connection
• Fly vents
• Noiseless zipper pulls
• Guyout points

I have tried for the better part of 2 weeks to get this tent put up in our backyard, but the unusual amount of rain here in Ohio lately has made that nearly impossible.  If it’s not raining it’s too muddy to put the tent up, which is upsetting since I wanted you to see the Gunnison in all it’s glory.  I did however, give in and set the tent up in my living room a few days ago.  I immediately was surprised by how roomy it is, compared to other 2 person tents the Gunnison 2.1 seems to be roomier and could easily fit myself, my husband, and our 2 youngest…it would be a tight fit, but it’s absolutely doable!  You can check out the pictures below of the Gunnison 2.1!

Notice how far the mesh wall wraps around…great ventilation for hot summer nights!

Of course Kelty has much more than tents!  Take the FC 3.0 Kids Carrier for example…now how would you like to win it?  That’s right one MIBR reader will win a FC 3.0 Kids Carrier (ARV $249.95)…details below!

What You Can WIN!!!!

One MIBR reader will win a FC 3.0 Kids Carrier from Kelty!

How To Enter!

To enter this giveaway please visit the Kelty website and have a look around, then come back to this post and leave a comment  telling me what product from the website you like most.  This is mandatory and must be completed before any additional entries are allowed!

Extra Entries!

Follow MIBR via GFC (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via Email (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via RSS Feed (e extra entries)
“Like” Misadventures in Baby Raising on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Twitter (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Networked Blogs (3 extra entries)
“Like” Kelty on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow Kelty on Twitter ( 3 extra entries)

Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter…Make sure you leave the URL to your Tweet in your comments!  (2 tweets per day = 2 extra entries per day)

#WIN a Kelty FC 3.0 Kids Carrier just in time for summer at MIBR @KeltyPacks   #giveaway @Allie_23| Enter Now: http://tinyurl.com/4xc6st7

Share this giveaway with your Friends and/or Fans on Facebook by linking to this post on your wall.   (You can share 2 times per day with your friends/fans on Facebook)

Submit this giveaway to a giveaway site or linky…please leave a link to the giveaway posting in your comment.  (5 extra entries per giveaway site or linky)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.  (5 extra entries)

This giveaway ends on June 9, 2011 at 1:59 PM EST.  One (1) winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post shortly after the giveaway has ended.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim his/her prize, failure to respond to winner’s email in a timely manner will result in winner forfeiting his/her prize and me choosing a new winner.  Giveaway open to US residents only please!

* I received the product(s) above from either the company or PR for my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.*

Make Snack Time More Yummy with Yoplait Kids!

Being a parent isn’t always the easiest job, oh who am I kidding, it’s the hardest job there is!  It’s always nice to know that someone is there to offer us tips, idea, and ways to stay sane. 

Yoplait Kids and spokesperson Christine Coppa, best known for her Mama's Boy blog at Parenting.com and as the author of Rattled! want to help you make snack time easier, less stressful and more yummy.  The Yoplait Kids Snack Chat series where Christine and her pre-schooler J.D. practice good snacking habits, as she discusses topics like overcoming pickiness and setting a good example at snack time.  Below is the first video in the series…


You can check out the other 7 videos in the series on Yoplait’s YouTube channel!  I also have a $0.50 OFF of the purchase of a 4 pack of Yoplait Kids yogurt to share with all of you…you can print the coupon here.

I hope that you learn some helpful snack time tips from Christine and Yoplait!  Happy Snacking!

Disclosure:  This information was provided to me from Yoplait through MyBlogSpark!

Who Needs a Big Girl Bed Anyway!?!

It seems that lately time has been moving at warp speed; I look  back through my photos and realize that not too long ago my youngest (Lil Diva) was a tiny baby with colic who cried constantly and thought sleep was overrated… and I thought  that I would never survive that situation.  Thankfully Diva grew out of it and mommy finally got more than 2 hours of sleep at a time, but time is still flying!

I remember my husband Jamie and I frantically searching to find baby cribs on sale right before Diva was born, I swear we searched everywhere for a crib that we liked that didn’t cost an arm and both legs, before we finally settled on a convertible crib that we knew Lil Diva would get the most use out of.  I remember definitely having to sell my husband on convertible cribs, he’s stubborn ya know, but it didn’t take much convincing once he realized that we wouldn’t have to buy Diva a new bed for a few years.  When we brought Lil Diva’s crib home it was like it was all finally real, she was coming whether we were ready or not! 



Nearly three years later, wow it really has been that long, I look at Lil Diva’s baby crib sitting in our bedroom (where she still sleeps) and know that it’s only a matter of time.  Before long Lil Diva will be in a toddler bed, and then in a twin bed, and then in an even bigger bed, until finally she’s sleeping in a bed that she bought, in her own bedroom,  in her own home probably staring at her daughter’s baby crib dreading the inevitable much like I am right now.  And while part of me does find comfort in knowing that it will be a long while before Lil Diva moves out, gets married, and has a daughter of her own I can’t help but want my littlest baby to stay for as long as possible!  And that baby crib in our room, well let’s just say that Mommy intends on keeping it a crib until Lil Diva demands a big girl bed…and knowing Lil Diva that day is not far off!

Save Time and Money with JoeShopping.com!

I love to shop; and lately finding the best deals on the products that our family uses daily has become an obsession for me.  With money tight, there’s really nothing better than knowing that I’m getting the best possible deals on must-have items.  I’ve seen many websites that promise to help you save money by comparing prices for you, but I’ve never come across a website that offers comparison pricing on must-have items, an interactive shopping community, the ability to post product reviews and so much more…until I found JoeShopping.com!

As I mentioned above, I love finding the best deals, and having a go-to website where you can quickly  and easily find the products that you are looking for and in an instant compare the prices to find the best deals is a definite plus for me.  At JoeShopping.com you can instantly search the site for the most recent Bargains and Hot Deals so you can quickly see if your favorite stores have any killer deals that you just can’t miss!  

I spent a while playing around on JoeShopping.com, I registered for an account, uploaded a photo, and filled out some profile information, all in less than 10 minutes and then I was on my way to search out the best deals!  One of the first stores I searched was Hot Topic (a favorite of mine and my step-son and oldest daughter) and within seconds I found the latest Hot Topic coupon codes (score)!  Next up I decided to try to find some great deals on a few of my favorite shoe stores, the first I came across was Footlocker, which is a favorite of everyone in the house, but especially my husband who has a major shoe obsession.  Naturally I tried my luck at finding Footlocker coupon codes and found a ton of coupon codes, including a code that will save me 20% off an order of $75…that will definitely come in handy for the new cleats my daughters need for softball!  I also quickly found a few great coupon codes for another of my favorite stores, Old Navy, and I’m loving that getting the best prices and saving money is as easy as point and click!

With every penny being pinched, saving money is a big priority for me, and I really appreciate that there are websites dedicated to helping people save time and money…every little bit helps!  If you’re big into saving time and money (and come on, who’s not?) then definitely check out JoeShopping.com!

“Take a Hike” With PetArmor (+Giveaway)

Hey y’all!  We hope you’ve enjoyed all of the fabulous HOT For Summer products so far!  Bet you thought we were done didn’t you?  Not a chance we still have a few tricks, err products, up our sleeve!

Summertime is the perfect time to get outdoors and get active with the family, and for a lot of us there is a four legged member of our family that needs some love too.  Our dog Brownie, whom everyone says looks more like a fox than a dog, is definitely the 9th member of our family (10th if you count Travie Trav) and summertime means more time spent in the great outdoors with Brownie!  With beautiful, warm summer weather comes the added worry about fleas and ticks, and making sure that Brownie is fully protected from both is priority number 1 this time of year! 

Flea and tick medication can cost a boat load, but it doesn’t have to…PetArmor makes protecting your pets affordable and super easy!  Let’s take a look at how PetArmor compares to other flea and tick medication…

From the PetArmor website:

It's simple. The same active ingredients and the same flea and tick
protection as Frontline.

For years, Frontline was the only flea and tick medication of its kind on the market. Now PetArmor™ offers the same active ingredient (fipronil), in the same concentration as Frontline, so it's just as safe and effective against fleas and ticks. Fipronil is the number-one active ingredient recommended by veterinarians for flea and tick control. Also, PetArmor Plus contains S-methoprene, just like Frontline Plus, which prevents flea eggs from hatching and growing up, and then laying more eggs.

Why the same, for less?*

PetArmor is a generic version of Frontline with the same active ingredient—fipronil. The fipronil patent (U.S. Patent # 5,232,940) has expired, clearing the way for generic products to be available. We've made it up to 50% less expensive* and available in stores where you shop, because we'd like to help more pets stay flea and tick free.

We’ve used PetArmor for Brownie and have had no issues with fleas or ticks…Brownie’s happy so naturally we are too…and we love that PetArmor fits into our budget and still packs a powerful punch! 

Check this out!

PetArmor is all about providing greater access to affordable pet medications in support of better health for all pets. As an official flea and tick treatment of the ASPCA, PetArmor protection will be offered to dogs and cats in the ASPCA’s Adoption Center and clinic. Additionally, we are working with the ASPCA to launch the PetArmor Protection Pledge to create a community dedicated to better pet health. We encourage you to visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PetArmor) to take the pledge. Each pledge taken triggers a $1 donation to the ASPCA, up to a maximum of $100,000, to help pets in need.

We recently had the opportunity to particpate in PetArmor’s “Take a Hike”campaign and had a blast doing it!  This past weekend the girls and I (and Lil Man) took Brownie for a hike/walk around the neighborhood (the woods near our house are full of snakes…not my idea of a great place to be) and had a blast exploring…check out some of the pictures from our “hike”

Brownie sporting his PetArmor bandana…he looks pretty stylin’ if you ask me!

The girls making sure Brownie stays hydrated!

Tay Tay letting Brownie explore!

How would you like to win a “Take a Hike” gift pack from PetArmor like the one we received?  Well, one lucky MIBR reader is going to win…check out all of the details below!

What You Can Win!

The “Take a Hike” gift pack is valued at ($110), and includes a three-month sample new PetArmor (a $25 - $35 value), as well as the below items:
• Sling-style backpack
• Aluminum sports water bottle
• Sunscreen (Coppertone SPORT, SPF 50)
• Travel-friendly pet water bowl
• Custom-printed pet bandana (so they can hit the trail in style)
• A waterproof digital camera (to capture the memories when hiking with your family)

How To Enter!

Leave a comment on this post telling me how your family includes your favorite four legged friend in your summer activities!  This is mandatory and must be completed before any additional entries are allowed!

Extra Entries!

Follow MIBR via GFC (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via Email (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via RSS Feed (e extra entries)
“Like” Misadventures in Baby Raising on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Twitter (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Networked Blogs (3 extra entries)
“Like” PetArmor  on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow PetArmor on Twitter (3 extra entries)

 
Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter…Make sure you leave the URL to your Tweet in your comments!  (2 tweets per day = 2 extra entries per day)

#WIn a “Take a Hike” gift pack from PetArmor #giveaway @Allie_23 Enter Now:  http://tinyurl.com/3ouun7y

Share this giveaway with your Friends and/or Fans on Facebook by linking to this post on your wall.   (You can share 2 times per day with your friends/fans on Facebook)

Submit this giveaway to a giveaway site or linky…please leave a link to the giveaway posting in your comment.  (5 extra entries per giveaway site or linky)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.  (5 extra entries)

This giveaway ends on Monday June 6, 2011 at 1:59 PM EST.  One (1) winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post shortly after the giveaway has ended.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim his/her prize, failure to respond to winner’s email in a timely manner will result in winner forfeiting his/her prize and me choosing a new winner. Giveaway open to US residents only please!

* I received the product(s) above from either the company or PR for my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.*

Winners: That’s What’s HOT For Summer!

It’s time for some WINNERS!  I love, love, love saying (err, typing) that!  Alright here we go…y’all ready!

 

First up is the winner of the Voda Swim giveaway…someone is about to win a super sexy new swimsuit just in time for summer!

 

Winning number is: 

 

and our lucky winner is:

May 17, 2011 4:51 PM 319

shiloh

I follow you on twitter shiloh4u #1
spiersrp at gmail dot com

 

Next up is the winner of a super cute and ultra stylish Shabby Apple dress!

 

Winning number is:

 

 

 

and the lucky winner is:

May 17, 2011 4:19 PM 289

susansmoaks

i would like the happy talk dress
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

 

Congrats to all of the winners and thanks to everyone who entered!  Also a great big thanks to our sponsors…we love Voda Swim and Shabby Apple and they are definitely HOT for summer!

Betty Crocker and XO Laptop Winner!

It’s time for a WINNER…and y’all know how much I love saying that!  Alright so we have a XO laptop to give away to one of my amazing peeps!  And even better than that is the fact that a child in Africa will receive a laptop too…it really doesn’t get any better than that!

 

 

Alright drumroll please…..

 

Winning number is:

 

And that makes our lucky winner:

May 6, 2011 4:56 AM 430

Anne

I subscribe in google reader (Anne Jolly) #1

 

A BIG Congrats to our lucky winner and an even bigger THANKS to everyone who entered! 

Make The Most Out Of This Weekend!!!!

TGIF, right?  What are your plans this weekend?  If they include vegging in front of the TV you may want to take a second and read this…it may just save your weekend and make Monday bearable!

 

If you want to feel truly refreshed by Monday morning, take to heart the findings from one study showing that in addition to eating, relaxing and sex, women enjoy themselves MOST when they’re socializing, engaging in spiritual activities and exercising.  In the June issue of Prevention magazine (on newsstands now), Editors worked together to create the “Rule of Three” to help make the most of your weekend by mapping out activities, leaving you recharged and ready to face that manic Monday.

 

Outlined below is each rule and how to incorporate them into your lives, as well as, tips to help your weekends go from hectic to happy!

 

Rule 1: Use Your Social Network

· Even if you cherish “just for me” time, organize at least one weekend endeavor where you can bring along a friend.  Feeling connected and loved are among the biggest predictors of happiness.

· Socializing encourages us to spend our time and money on experiences, which research shows makes us happier than material objects.

· So plan a Saturday-night outing to a play you’ve read about, or sign up for a cooking class with a pal.  You’ll enjoy the advantages for weeks or months to come.

 

Rule 2: Try Soul Food

· The more frequently that people attend religious services, the more content they are.

· Faith and prayer regardless of religion, satisfy a basic need to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

· It turns out that volunteering can have a similar effect.  People derive a lot of pleasure from helping others.

· Also try meditation or a restorative yoga class instead.  Research shows that spiritual practices, such as regular mindfulness exercises, can actually change brain structure in a way that promotes a sense of well-being. 

 

Rule 3: Break a Sweat

· Exercise sparks the release of feel-good endorphins, but it also satisfies something more profound: the human need to perform and excel. 

· Although any fitness activity you enjoy is good you’ll enhance its benefits even more by taking it outdoors. 

· Studies find that people who exercised outside felt more energetic and were more inclined to keep at it. 

 

Power Up Your Pleasure

Compress your chores. To avoid having your to-do list take over, carve out 2- to 3- hour blocks for errands.  Also consider whether there are things you can outsource—or ignore. 

 

Unplug.  After a week of making decisions, channel surfing can seem like just what the doctor ordered, but TV is less enjoyable then we think.  One study found that unhappy people watch 30% more TV than very happy people.  Limit your web surfing too, since it comes with the added peril of checking work e-mail, which may invite stress into your time off.

 

Rethink Sunday night.  A new study shows we remember unpleasant experiences as significantly worse if we expect them to recur, which may explain why so many of us ruin Sunday evening by dreading the week ahead.  Instead, plan one of your Rule of Three activities for Sunday night:  You’ll fall asleep with a fond new memory, not a crash of nerves.

 

Interesting no?  Hope this helps save your weekend and prepare you for a kickass Monday!

HOT Summer Sandals From OKA b.

I love shoes!  And summer, for me, means new shoes, sandals to be exact.  Because come on, what’s hotter than new sandals in the summer? 

 

I was introduced to OKA b. last year and instantly became a fan of their super cute and ultra comfortable sandals.  If you’re not familiar with OKA b. then you have no idea what you’ve been missing!

 

From the OKA b. website:

 

Where The Spa Meets the Street...
OKA b. is founded on the principle that fashion and comfort should never be mutually exclusive. Imagine a shoe that not only looks great with every outfit but feels great with every step. A sandal given the thumbs up by your doctor and your best friend. A slide that matches your wedding gown and massages your feet as you dance down the aisle. A flip-flop so stylish it's featured in fashion magazines. A shoe that's 100% recyclable, waterproof, made in the USA and priced under $40.

And just in time for summer OKA b. has announced a major first…a 2.5-inch summer heel!  Embellished with natural stone, gems and summer flowers in dozens of vibrant colors, the summer heel is anticipated to be a standout among the OKA b. summer collection.

Manufactured just outside of Atlanta, all OKA b. sandals are made using recyclable materials. The company has an active recycling program where customers can send back their well-loved sandals to be turned into new product. All OKA b. sandals are also antibacterial, waterproof and ergonomically designed with massage beads to pamper the foot.

 

I received the Erin thong flip flops (in Hot Chocolate) from OKA b. last week to review.  Right off the bat you notice how fun the Erin is, the floral shaped rings in matching hues are cut from leather and stacked on top of our supremely comfortable flip flops thong, giving the Erin a playful look and feel.  Though the Erin is very appealing the single most important feature of these flip flops are how comfortable they are.  I let my mother borrow these sandals to wear to an event (they matched her outfit perfectly) and the first thing she commented on was how comfortable they were, she even commented,“I’ve never worn a new pair of sandals and not gotten a blister, I cannot believe how comfortable these flip flops are!”.  I have to agree with her, and the comfort level is not unique to the Erin, in fact, I’ve owned 3 pair of OKA b. sandals and all of them were absolute heaven to wear. 

 

You have to check out their Summer 2011 line…there are SO many cute and comfy styles that the hardest part will be choosing just one pair!  Remember you get FREE shipping on orders of $75 or more! 

 

Buy it!

 

You can purchase the Erin sandal and many more online at the OKA b. website!

“How Do You Say…Vlog Hop #5…A Lil Late!

Hey y’all!  It’s time for another “How Do You Say…” vlog hop ( a lil late, but better late than never, right?).  This time I’ve got Travie Trav and my couisn Tiffany with a cameo from Lil Man and Lil Diva!  If you would like to join in the “How Do You Say… Vlog Hop” make sure you visit MamaDweeb.com!

 

NERF Has The HOTTEST Toys For Summer (+giveaway)

Let’s face it, summer is all about the kids!  And kids like fun!  So what’s HOTTER for summer than NERF?

I’m a huge fan of NERF and have been for years.  In my opinion NERF has some of  the best toys for children; they’re safe (no one is getting hurt from being hit by a NERF dart), they’re tons of fun (my kids can play for hours with their NERF guns and footballs), and I can let all of my kiddos play with all of the products and not worry that someone will get hurt…which means a lot to this mommy! 

NERF has some awesome products for Summer 2011 that will provide your little ones with hours of fun in the sun and I want to share some of them with all of you! 

NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set

(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Now)
Welcome to the next generation of flag football, NERF style! Forget fumbling with traditional “flags” and footballs that can't keep up with your game. The NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set comes complete with a NERF WEATHER BLITZ junior football and 16 clips which act as “flags”, offering 4-on-4 play in almost any conditions. The new NERF Flag Football clip system is convenient and easy to use, letting you and your teammates stay focused on the winning play. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide.

NERF WEATHER BLITZ NFL Football

(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Now)
Don’t let a few clouds get in the way of your time on the field. Infused with advanced NERF WEATHER BLITZ Football technology, this weather-resistant football allows for ultimate performance in almost all conditions, rain or shine. To add to your performance, the NERF WEATHER BLITZ NFL Football's super grip skin and NFL styling will help you play the game like a pro. Choose from five of the top NFL teams including the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, the New England Patriots, and the Indianapolis Colts. Each sold separately. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com. Availability may vary.

NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flyer Disk

(HASBRO/Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $5.99/Available: Now)
Keep your friends on their toes and engage in fast, competitive field play with the new NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flyer Disk. Featuring NERF WEATHER BLITZ technology for enhanced grip, this weather-resistant competitive flying disk helps you hold on to your game and take the lead in all outdoor conditions. Weighing 175 grams and with a 10 ¾-inch diameter, this official sized competitive flying disk not only allows for better catching and throwing, but is built tough by NERF for everything from casual play to hard-core competition. Availability may vary.

NERF N-STRIKE 2011 PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

From the ground breaking NERF N-STRIKE STAMPEDE ECS blaster to the new N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 blaster, HASBRO’S NERF N-STRIKE line continues to deliver intense power, performance, and customization, ready to tackle the most extreme NERF missions yet.


NERF N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 Blaster

(HASBRO/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2011)
Introducing the NERF N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 blaster, a motorized, semi-auto NERF blaster with a revolving dart barrel that will unleash an unrelenting stream of darts. The NERF N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 is able to hold up to 10 whistle darts and is compatible with the Tactical Rail System and alternate N-STRIKE stocks. Requires three “AA” batteries; not included. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.

NERF sent us a couple of their summer 2011 toys to try out and I must say that the kiddos had a blast “reviewing” them.  We received the NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set and the NERF N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 Blaster to review.  We tried the NERF-N-Strike Barricade RV-10 Blaster first and Lil Man insisted that he be the first to test it out…

Lil Man getting ready to try out the RV-10 Blaster!

Lil Man shooting darts at the door…don’t try this at home lol.

The darts are easy enough for Lil Man (3) to load into the gun by himself. 

We also received the NERF WEATHER BLITZ flag football set to review, but we’ve had rain at least 4 days of of the week for the past 2 months so we haven’t had a chance to really try it out yet.  The kiddos did had a flag football mini-game in our living room last week (I wouldn’t recommend this by the way) and had a blast!  As soon as our yard dries up (please no more rain) we will be taking to the backyard for a family flag football game and I will definitely share pictures and all of the details with all of you when that happens! 

So how would a couple of my lovely readers like to win these 2 awesome NERF toys so that your kiddos can have a blast this summer?  Check out the details for the giveaway below!

What You Win!

1(0ne) MIBR reader will win the NERF N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 Blaster and 1(0ne) MIBR reader will win the NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set!

How Can You Win????

To enter this giveaway please leave a comment telling me what your favorite NERF product is, you can visit the HasbroToyShop to check out all of the cool NERF products! 

Extra Entries!

Follow MIBR via GFC (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via Email (2 extra entries)
Follow MIBR via RSS Feed (e extra entries)
Grab our “What’s HOT For Summer Button (2 extra entries)


<center><a href="http://misadventuresinbabyraising.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/aproffitt79/WhatsHOTbutton.png" /></a></center>
“
Like” Misadventures in Baby Raising on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Twitter (3 extra entries)
Follow MIBR on Networked Blogs (3 extra entries)
“Like” NERF on Facebook (3 extra entries)
Follow NERF on Twitter ( 3 extra entries)

Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter…Make sure you leave the URL to your Tweet in your comments!  (2 tweets per day = 2 extra entries per day)

#WIN NERF toys just in time for summer at MIBR @NERFNation  #giveaway @Allie_23| Enter Now: http://tinyurl.com/3mzy76d

Share this giveaway with your Friends and/or Fans on Facebook by linking to this post on your wall.   (You can share 2 times per day with your friends/fans on Facebook)

Submit this giveaway to a giveaway site or linky…please leave a link to the giveaway posting in your comment.  (5 extra entries per giveaway site or linky)

Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.  (5 extra entries)

This giveaway ends on Tuesdat June 1, 2011 at 1:59 PM EST.  One (1) winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post shortly after the giveaway has ended.  Winner will have 48 hours to claim his/her prize, failure to respond to winner’s email in a timely manner will result in winner forfeiting his/her prize and me choosing a new winner.  Giveaway open to US residents only please!

* I received the product(s) above from either the company or PR for my review.  All opinions expressed are my own.*

A Royal Wedding ZhuZhu Style!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few weeks then you know all about the wedding of the year, otherwise known as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  But did you know that there was another less publicized royal wedding that took place the same day as William and Kate?

 

What royal wedding am I speaking of?  Well, the wedding of Princess Snowcup to Prince Dashington of course!  How are Princess Snowcup and Prince Dashinton you ask?  ZhuZhu royalty of course!  And speaking of Royal Weddings, Lil Diva and Lil Man had planned a royal wedding of their own, with moms help of course! 

 

Lil Man and Lil Diva made invitations (kind of made invitations) and invited their cousin B and their older sister Nay Nay to the royal wedding.  All of the kids had a blast playing with Princess Snowcup, Prince Dashington and all of the wedding guests.  I think the highlight of the event was Princess Snowcup and Prince Dashington’s first dance!  You can check out all of the fun the kids had and all of the awesome ZhuZhu Princess items available! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to ZhuZhu Pets and MomSelect…we had so much fun hosting our royal wedding!