Winners!

The winner of the Valentine's Day Gift Basket Giveaway (c/o Glade) is Amy Brown (Comment #156).

The winner of the Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms Cookbook Giveaway is RR (Comment #52).

Congratulations to all the winners!  If you didn't win this time, keep trying; next time the winner might be you!

Note: If you were the lucky winner, please check your email.  I will be sending announcements in a few minutes and I'll need a response within the next 48 hours, otherwise, I'll have to choose alternate winners.

Just Be Review & Giveaway!

In my opinion, there are way too many companies and products now-a-days that tell you how or who you should be. It is great when a company comes along that encourages you to be who you are and who you want to be! When I came across a clothing company called Just Be, I instantly fell in love with the idea behind their company. Just Be states, “JUST BE is a state of mind…a way of life…a philosophy.” Just Be uses messages on apparel to encourage people to express “how they feel or how they would like to feel.” This is a fabulous message for all people! Sometimes with all the pressure from the media, it is hard for people to just be themselves.

Just Be is perfect for all people of all ages, from children to adults. After looking into the Just Be company, I realized they are truly more than a company; they are a community. Just Be utilizes MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to encourage people to share their feelings about who they are and who they want to be. This unique community allows consumers to interact with the development team at Just Be. These ideas are taken into account when creating new products. Just Be welcomes and encourages ideas from everyone at anytime.

Just Be emphasizes that they are truly unique because they carry t-shirts for all people, all with different feelings. Just Be says, “even if you’re a geek, a nerd, a jock, a bookworm, a punk, a sk8r or anywhere in between, there will be a Just Be shirt for [you].”

Just Be products have been included in the celebrity gift bags at the Oscars, as well as the Back to School Celebrity Kids Gift Bags. “These gift bags went to some of the hottest celebrities’ kids, such as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Faith Hill, Will Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mark Wahlberg, Gweneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, and David and Victoria Beckham. In response to receiving a gift bag, Just Be received a personal thank you note from Coco Arquette, daughter of Courtney Cox and David Arquette.”

Review
Just Be gave me the opportunity to be myself and try out one of their fabulous t-shirts! I picked the Just Be Organic t-shirt. This shirt is made from 100% Certified Organic Cotton. The cotton is combed, ring-spun, and naturally colored. The Just Be Organic t-shirt has a “fashion fit silhouette with cap sleeves.” This shirt has a beautiful pattern on it with swirls and flowers and it says, “Be Organic.” Since their website says their shirts run on the small side, I decided to get my shirt one size larger than usual.

When I received my shirt, I was pleased that it looked just like the picture on their website! When I opened the package and felt the shirt, I noticed how soft it was. I also realized it had a slight bit of stretch to it. The first time I wore it, I was very happy with how comfortable it was. Because the fabric has a bit of stretch to it, it makes it comfortable to wear throughout the day and throughout any activity. Another thing I really enjoyed about this shirt was the length of it. Often, I find many shirts are too short (even though I am a petite). This one however was just the right length. When I threw it in the dryer on high (probably not suggested but I often forget), it shrunk slightly vertically. However, I found the length of the shirt was still great!

Finally, not only did I love this shirt but also I absolutely love this company. From my experience, their products are great and the price is fairly reasonable. Just Be is putting out a wonderful message and I hope people catch on. It is important to be who you are and not what other people want you to be.

What can you win? One winner will receive their favorite tee in their choice of size from Just Be.

To enter, go look at all the t-shirts that Just Be offers, and then come back here and tell me which one you would choose if you won. This question must be answered to gain an entry in the giveaway.

Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
-Subscribing to my blog via email.-Adding my button to your blog sidebar.
-Following me on Twitter (ihchicky). Please leave your Twitter name.
-Tweeting about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet. You can do this once a day.
-Blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

This giveaway will end on Sunday, March 8th at 11:59pm (Central Standard Time). After the giveaway has ended, the winner will be picked randomly using random.org. EMAIL RULES: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email only. Please make sure your blog profile includes your email address and make sure that it is visible. If you do not have a blogger account, please make sure you have included your email address in your post. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address (I will be forwarding all this information to the sponsor), If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the US only!

Good Luck!

Kelty Redwing 2500-W Review!

I love being a product reviewer for Mom Fuse because I always get the opportunity to try out neat products! When Nicole from Mom Fuse told me I was going to have the opportunity to review a product from Kelty, I was really excited. In the summer, my family loves to go camping, biking, hiking, etc., so Kelty really fits in to our type of lifestyle.

I had the chance to review one of Kelty’s backpacks: the Redwing 2500-W. This backpack is made especially for women and is great because of it’s versatility. It is made to be used not only for hiking but for everyday use as well. In Kelty’s words, this pack can easily be used “from the trails to the subway.” Kelty designed this backpack to be loaded with options while keeping it as comfortable as possible. They have done this by insuring it is lightweight (2 lbs, 15 oz.) and by adding an internal frame that better supports heavier loads. In addition, Kelty has provided a padded back panel and shoulder straps, in addition to a ventilating back panel, shoulder straps, and waist belt. Because a day hike usually means sweating is inevitable, thankfully this backpack includes a wicking back panel. Finally, to make life easier, Kelty has also included several compartments for storage in this backpack.

When I received the Redwing 2500-W, the first thing I noticed was it’s size. From the picture online, I expected the backpack to be quite a bit smaller than it actually was. The Redwing 2500-W measures 21” in length, 16” in width, and 13.5” in depth. The size of this bag makes it perfect for carrying all the items necessary for a daylong outing. While testing out this bag, I packed all the things that I think we would need on a day trip. I packed a couple of extra pairs of clothes, a summer jacket, a lunch bag, and two water bottles. After packing all of this, I noticed that there was still tons of room left over! Not only that, I realized even after packing it, how much lighter this bag was overall compared to others I have used in the past.

One thing I really liked about the Redwing 2500-W, was how easy it was to carry. Kelty makes this bag comfortable to carry on your back by including adjustable and padded S Shaped shoulder straps and a Scherer Cinch™ waist belt. I really like that the waist belt on the Redwing 2500-W can be removed easily anytime I want. This aspect makes the bag easier to use when I am going to or from work or school and don’t need the extra support that the waist belt offers. Additionally, throughout the pack you will find several straps that allow you to stabilize and distribute the weight of your pack evenly. In addition to carrying this bag on your back, Kelty has also added a carry handle on the front of the bag to make transportation a bit easier (I love this feature). The only issue I had when carrying this bag is, when I had both the waist belt and the shoulder straps on and the sternum strap buckled, the bag was lifting slightly off my shoulders. I am assuming there must be a way to fix this, but I was not able to figure it out. I will have to investigate the issue a bit further.

My absolute favorite part of the Redwing 2500-W is all it’s compartments. This bag literally has a compartment for everything! This backpack has one main compartment (with organization features), a second front compartment (with several additional organization features – including a key fob), and a zipper in the front of the second front compartment which is perfect for storing your wallet, jewelry, etc. Then, on both sides of the backpack, there is a zippered side pocket and a mesh water bottle pocket. When using this bag, I preferred using the zipper side pocket for my water bottle and the mesh water bottle pocket for small snacks, such as an apple. I think the zippered side pockets are a perfect size for either a standard size water bottle or an 18 oz. Stainless Steel Canteen. In addition to all the compartments in this backpack, there are also several loops, straps and buckles. These are great for hanging gear, such as your keys, a compass, or an additional water bottle. Finally, I like that this backpack is compatible with a hydration pack. This feature makes it ideal for those long hikes!

In conclusion, after having a chance to evaluate the Redwing 2500-W, I think it is a perfect option for both the occasional or frequent hiker. This backpack seems well made and will likely last for quite a long time. All the aspects that I have mentioned above, in addition to the suggested retail price of $99.95, make the Kelty Redwing 2500-W a great choice for everyday or occasional use!

**The pictures of the Kelty Redwing 2500-W included in this article were taken from http://www.kelty.com and http://www.ebags.com.

There is a party going on at INeverGrewUp.net!

INeverGrewUp.net is celebrating 1 year of blogging! To celebrate, Vanessa, owner of INeverGrewUp.net is hosting a birthday bash and offering all of you the chance to win over $1,200 in prizes!

<a alt="I Never Grew Up's Birthday Bash" href="http://inevergrewup.net" target="_blank"><img border="0" width="200" src="http://inevergrewup.net/images/Cupcake.jpg" height="259" /></a>

You can help spread the word about Vanessa's birthday bash by posting her giveaway button, which is shown above, on your blog!

After looking at all of the great prizes, I am crossing my fingers for both myself and all of you! Not only is Vanessa offering a Hoover Platinum Collection Stick Vacuum and a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, but she is also offering several prizes from all of her favorite online stores! To find out more about this event, please visit the Birthday Bash Party Page on INeverGrewUp.net. You can also feel free to enter all Vanessa's giveaways by clicking on the links below.

Anchor Giveaways:
Hoover® Platinum Collection™ Stick Vacuum
KitchenAid Stand Mixer (I'm especially hoping for this one!)

Giveaways from Vanessa's Favorite Companies:
Tiny Sprouts
Natural Pod
Papers Edge
Simple Shoes
Usborne Books
Lovey Duds
LuCoo Kids
Shabby Apple
Poot & Boogie
Kiwi Magazine
verymeri
See Kai Run
Dilly Dally Bibbies
Plum Pear Apple Designs


Have Fun and Good Luck!


**Last minute edit: I just noticed this is kind of a monumental post for me as well. YAY #300! I forgot to post about #100 and #200, so I couldn't miss out on this one! :) **

Become Winner!

The winner of the Become giveaway has been chosen using random.org! The winner of this giveaway will receive a full sized 5.3 oz. Body Scrub from Become. A big congratulations goes out to comment #12 - pestkaj.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to enter! Please remember to check back every week for more exciting reviews & giveaways!

Giveaway List - 2/25

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires is giving away a Honey Kix Prize Pack. US only, 18+. - February 26th @ 11:59pm EST

Val's Views is giving away a Scanalog. Canada and US only. - February 26th

Momma In Flip Flops2 is giving away a pair of Pediped shoes of the winner's choice. US only. - February 27th

Mommy Enterprises is giving away a Red Sweetheart Apron from Carolyn's Kitchen. US only, 18+. - February 27th

Once Upon A Qpon... is giving away a prize from their list for a chance to win a product from Vision Forum. US only. - February 27th

Handmade in PA.net is giving away a pair of turquoise & sterling silver earrings. US only. - February 27th @ noon

MarieLynn Boutique-The Blog is giving away the winner's favorite St.Patrick's Day Hair Accessory from MarieLynn Boutique. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 28th

Funky Finds is giving away a set of personalized note cards and pen from Kim's Custom Cards. - February 28th

The Workout Blog is giving away a $25 Visa Gift Card. Worldwide entries accepted, 18+. - February 28th

The Mom Nerd is giving away a Baby Dipper bowl and spoon set. US only. - February 28th

Mommy Enterprises is giving away a Large gift basket full of goodies from Sister Schubert. US only, 18+. - February 28th

Urban Design Photography is giving away 1 - 4x6 art print of the winner's choice. Canada and US only, 18+. - March 1st

Auntrene is giving away Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce (2 bottles for 2 winners). US only. - March 1st

This Mom Can Shop is giving away a set of Custom Photo Flashcards for kids by Flashcard Zoo. US only. - March 1st @ 9pm EST

Mommy Enterprises is giving away A pair of organic tights of your choice from Happygreenbee. US only, 18+. - March 1st

Mama Says Mine is giving away a $120 worth of coupons. Canada and US only. - March 1st @ midnight

Glimpse is giving away a cloth swim diaper. Canada only. - March 2nd @ midnight

The Funky Monkey is giving away a Hoodie or London Sweater Coat from Picaflorkids. US only. - March 2nd

Wedding Warrior is giving away a $40 Gift Certificate (credit) towards a purchase in amanda1986's shop on Etsy.com. US only. - March 3rd

Winners Circle is giving away a $10.00 gift card to Frugal Muse Bookstore. US only. - March 4th

The Giveaway is giving away a Baby Photo Album from Way Cool Designs! (ARV $93). US only. - March 4th

My Bloomin Belly is giving away a prize from Lia Sophia Jewelry. US only. - March 5th

Simply Sweet Home is giving away a Love in Bloom Greeting Card Template Set. Worldwide entries accepted. - March 5th

Simply Stacie is giving away an item of your choice from Sykin's One Stop Twilight Shop. Worldwide entries accepted. - March 7th @ 11:59pm EST

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away the winner's choice of CozyCare Cape. Canada and US only, 18+. - March 8th @ 11:59pm EST

EtsyVeg is giving away a handmade pillow, a set of fine photograph note cards, a lightswitch plate, and two handcrafted soaps, all created by vegan and vegetarian artisans! Worldwide entries accepted. - March 8th @ midnight EST

Etsy It Up! is giving away a Hand-stamped sterling silver "Le Reve - Dream" Necklace from Nicholas Landon Jewelry. US only. - March 14th

Mother-2-Mother is giving away a pair of Infant Leg Huggers. Canada and US only, 18+. - March 15th

Wedding Warrior is giving away a $75 Gift Certificate (credit0 towards a purchase in PenelliBelle's shop on Etsy.com. US only, 18+. - March 21st

Mother-2-Mother is giving away a Baby Dipper Bowl. Canada and US only, 18+. - March 23rd

Natura Review & Giveaway!

There are so many ways to go ‘green’ during the day but what about going ‘green’ at night? Honestly, this is something I had never considered before coming across a company called Natura, which focuses on creating all natural bedding and accessories.

Natura was founded by a father-son team that was on a mission to discover the secret behind how getting a better quality sleep could contribute to having a “healthier, more abundant lifestyle”. Together, the father and son team decided to develop a line of products that would allow people to sleep better while tackling various ailments such as back pain, restless sleeping, tiredness, etc.

From the start, Natura realized that all people sleep differently and have different sleep preferences. Because of this, Natura started using Naturlatex™ Talalay latex in their products. By adding Naturlatex™ Talalay latex to a variety of their products, it helps to conform to head, neck, and spine, to provide for the most comfortable sleep possible.

Natura’s Mission Statement is, “To help our customers achieve a superior night's sleep, alleviate pain, and increase comfort through unique and exceptional sleep systems that aid overall health and well-being. With our commitment to excellence in service, quality, and attention to detail, we will serve our customer with the greatest care, with the intention of helping them sleep better and live better.”

Review
Recently, Julia (Communications Director for Natura) offered to send me one of Natura’s pillows to try out for myself. The pillow Julia sent me was the standard sized Natura Aloe Dream Mate pillow. This pillow combines an aloe enriched cover with a Natural Smart Wool™ Lining and a granulated Talalay latex core to provide a truly luxurious pillow.


The aloe enriched cover provides your skin with lasting moisturizing qualities while you sleep.

The specially formulated Natural Smart Wool™ Lining provides an insulating layer, which allows you to regulate your body temperature naturally. Maintaining your temperature at a consistent rate will consequently allow you to sleep for longer periods in deep sleep. In addition, the wool in this pillow wicks away any moisture allowing your pillow to remain dry while repelling allergens and bacteria.

Finally, the latex core “mimics the feel of feathers and down but provides springy support that won’t pack down.” The latex in this pillow allows you to move freely throughout the night while keeping your neck and head supported perfectly. By adding latex to Natura’s pillows, it allows them to ensure good air circulation and eliminate moisture, therefore decreasing the presence of allergens and bacteria.

When I first noticed that this pillow was made of latex, I was immediately concerned about latex allergies. Since I have past experience studying in the Faculty of Nursing, I know that latex allergies are becoming more and more prevalent in our society. After talking with Julia about this concern, she explained to me that Latex allergies are a touch allergy. This means you have to come into direct skin to latex contact to have a reaction (to have an allergic reaction). Because Natura’s pillows use latex particles as the core with each being surrounded by wool, the possibility of actually coming into direct contact with the latex is extremely rare. After hearing about this, I was put a bit more at ease. If you are concerned about a latex allergy, please read the information page provided by Mayo Clinic. Please note this information is hearsay. Because I am not a doctor, nor am I an expert in latex allergies, I cannot guarantee that Natura products will not cause problems for people who suffer from a latex allergy.

Recapping the important qualities of Natura’s pillows:

“-All of our products are natural so there is never any off-gassing.

-Wool naturally wicks away moisture and humidity, leaving your pillow free of allergens that are attracted to moist, dark environments.

-Wool is antimicrobial, which means dust mites, bed bugs and other bacteria are naturally repelled and cannot survive.

-Aloe Vera has so many healing properties including cell regeneration (think wrinkles) anti-bacterial (think acne) and it makes your hair shiny.

-Aloe Vera lasts about 5 years and only comes out through the case when the pillow is scratched – it’s done by encapsulating aloe into the fibers – and it comes through a light pillowcase.-Latex is hypoallergenic which is great for allergy and asthma sufferers.

-Shredded latex provides a spongy, cushioning experience.-We shred our own latex from ends of mattresses – which means it doesn’t end up in landfills like other manufacturers.”

When I first received this pillow, I immediately noticed how soft it was, both in the texture of the filling and the feeling of the pillow cover. After sleeping with this pillow for one night, I noticed a couple things. First of all, I did manage to sleep throughout the night which I imagine was due to it’s temperature controlling properties. Second of all, unfortunately, the next morning, I woke up with a kink in my neck. I didn’t connect this to sleeping with the new pillow and figured I had just slept the wrong way. However, after sleeping with the pillow the next week, I noticed that my neck was continuously sore after waking up each morning.

After talking with Julia about the issue, she let me know that she had the exact same issue the first time she tried this pillow. She told me to try it again for another week and see how I felt. Julia explained to me that getting used to a new pillow can often be difficult and it takes a different amount of time for everyone. She added that after using the same pillow herself for a couple of weeks, the feeling of a sore neck diminished.

So…I was off to try the pillow again. Unfortunately, I was still having the same issue. I had a sore neck in the morning and additionally, I was having trouble getting to sleep. I just couldn’t get comfortable. I started to wonder if it might be because I was worrying about having a sore neck the next morning. It is really hard to say. Once again, I talked to Julia about my concerns. She went on to tell me that sometimes this can happen with a pillow has too much stuffing in it. Since I am used to a thinner pillow, this could easily explain my predicament. Julia told me that Natura offers customers the chance to bring back or send back their pillow to have some of the stuffing removed. This service is free of charge; however, the customer would be responsible for covering the shipping costs.

Finally, Julia explained to me that picking a pillow is a very personal experience. She suggests that before purchasing a pillow, you try it out in the store….touch it, lay down with it, etc. Picking a pillow sight unseen and without touching it, can be difficult. Luckily, after going to Natura’s dealer locator page, I was able to find five stores (all less than 10km’s away) that sold Natura products!

What can you win? One winner will receive two (2) standard sized Natura Aloe Dream Mate pillows.

To enter, take a look around Natura’s website, then come back here and tell me the name of a specific product you’d like to try. This question must be answered to gain an entry in the giveaway.

Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
-Naming one store near you that carries Natura products. Please visit Natura’s dealer locator page.
-Visiting Natura’s Sleep Tips page and telling me one thing you learned.
-Following Julia Rosien – Communications Director for Natura on twitter (@JuliaRosien). Please leave your Twitter name.
-Tweeting about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet. You can do this once a day.
-Blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

This giveaway will end on Thursay, March 5th at 11:59pm (Central Standard Time). After the giveaway has ended, the winner will be picked randomly using random.org. EMAIL RULES: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email only. Please make sure your blog profile includes your email address and make sure that it is visible. If you do not have a blogger account, please make sure you have included your email address in your post. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address (I will be forwarding all this information to the sponsor), If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of North America only!

Good Luck!

Are you looking to purchase a new pillow? Do you think one of Natura’s might be the right one for you? When you make an online purchase and enter the coupon code ‘Pillow Talk’ during checkout, you will receive a free 8oz. aromatherapy spray! Offer expires February 28, 2009.

N-fini Shape Shapewear Winner!

The winners of the N-fini Shape Shapewear giveaway have been chosen using random.org! The winner of this giveaway will receive their favorite piece of N-fini Shapewear, in their choice of color, size, and style. A big congratulations goes out to comment #56 - cdziuba, #77 - rewcath, and #135 - Andreah.

Andreah and cdziuba, please check your email inbox. I have sent both of you an email congratulating you on your prize. Unfortunately, rewcath, you didn't leave an email address with your comment so I wasn't able to email you. Please email me as soon as you see this message. Remember, all the winners must email me within 48 hours to claim their prize. If I do not hear back from you within 48 hours, I will have to choose new winners.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to enter! Please remember to check back every week for more exciting reviews & giveaways!

Mouse Hand Warmer Winner!

The winner of the Mouse Hand Warmer giveaway has been chosen using random.org! The winner of this giveaway will receive a Mouse Hand Warmer from IGM Products. A big congratulations goes out to comment #154 - toohotforturtle.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to enter! Please remember to check back every week for more exciting reviews & giveaways!

Izola Shower Winner!

The winner of the Izola Shower giveaway has been chosen using random.org! The winner of this giveaway will receive their choice of Izola Shower Curtain from the following categories: World Destination, Maps, Eco-Friendly, or Patterns. A big congratulations goes out to comment #368 - Sharon A.

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to enter! Please remember to check back every week for more exciting reviews & giveaways!

Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox Winner!

The winner of the Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox giveaway has been chosen using random.org! The winner of this giveaway will receive a Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox from Fun Stuff 4 Babies. A big congratulations goes out to comment #23 - Heather.


Thank you to everyone for taking the time to enter! Please remember to check back every week for more exciting reviews & giveaways!

Epilady Giveaway!

If there were one thing I had to choose that I disliked most about the grooming process, it would have to be hair removal. Currently, I shave because I find it the easiest and my least painful option. Shaving also seems to be the least time consuming when compared to other methods I have tried, such as waxing.

Recently, I came across this interesting company called Epilady. When I went to Epilady’s website, I found out that they were the very first company to launch an electric hair remover called an epilator in 1986. I guess I had been living in a box because before visiting the Epilady website, I had never heard of an epilator. After doing some research into their products, I was amazed by how easily removing hair with their product seemed to be. “Epilators remove the hair by the root. Results will last for up to 4 weeks! The hair that grows back is lighter and softer, with overall diminishing hair growth over time.” To me, this sounds a lot like waxing, but so much easier and without all the mess.

Thanks to Epilady, two of my readers will walk away with a solution to smoother legs!

One winner will receive the Duet 3 (ARV $89.95). This new unit is a 5-in-1 system that combines an epilator, an exfoliator, and a shaver. The Duet 3 is a corded system. The Duet 3 can be used on your arms, legs, underarms, bikini area, and face.

A second winner will receive the Legend (ARV $74.95). The Epilady Legend is considered their best selling Epilady system. This system is great because it is rechargeable, which means no cords to worry about. However, a cord is included for recharging purposes and is great if you forgot to recharge it after your last use. The Legend remains charge for approximately 80 minutes and can be used for 2+ epilations. The Legend can be used on your arms, legs, underarms, bikini area, and face.

How many winners will there be? Two.

What can you win? One winner will receive the Duet 3 and one winner will receive the Legend from Epilady.

To enter, Tell me what method of hair removal you are currently using and tell me why you like it or dislike it. Also, be sure to tell me whether you would prefer to win the Duet 3 or the Legend. Both parts of this question must be answered to gain an entry in the giveaway.

Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
-Visit the Duet 3 page and/or the Legend page and tell me one feature you think you would like about the system you have chosen as your choice if you win.
-Subscribing to my blog via email.
-Adding my button to your blog sidebar.
-Following me on Twitter (ihchicky). Please leave your Twitter name.-Tweeting about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet. You can do this once a day.
-Blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

This giveaway will end on Monday, March 2nd at 11:59pm (Central Standard Time). After the giveaway has ended, the winner will be picked randomly using random.org. EMAIL RULES: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email only. Please make sure your blog profile includes your email address and make sure that it is visible. If you do not have a blogger account, please make sure you have included your email address in your post. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address (I will be forwarding all this information to the sponsor), If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US only!

Good Luck!

Do you see an epilator on the Epilady website that you would love to own? Would you like to save 10% off your order? The people at Epilady are offering all my readers the chance to save 10% of your total order when you use the coupon code ‘upclose10’. Just enter the coupon code during the checkout process and 10% will automatically be taken off your order. All orders can be placed at www.epiladyusa.net.

Sound Oasis Review & Giveaway!

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a difficult time getting to sleep. Recently, I had started to wonder if my sleeplessness could actually be insomnia. In the past, I have tried many things to get to sleep…everything from taking my antihistamine right before bed, drinking warm milk, keeping a note pad beside my bed to write down things as they pop into my head, etc. Unfortunately, most of the time, none of these tactics work. Thankfully, I came across this company called Sound Oasis that makes sound machines that claim to help you get to sleep. In addition to many other benefits such as giving sleepers better “quality sleep, enhancing their concentration, and feeling more alert and comfortable throughout the day!” In addition, this system is even known to help soothe crying babies and people who suffer from circumvent tinnitus discomfort, stress, and menopause.

When talking to the representative for Sound Oasis, he told me, “Sound Oasis is the world leader in sound therapy systems. We are dedicated to making your life healthier and more enjoyable with creative sound solutions that combine superior quality with the very latest technology.”

Sound Oasis has been featured on Extreme Home Makeover – Home Edition and they have received the MBA: Mom’s Best Award.

ReviewSound Oasis was kind enough to offer me the chance to review their S-650 Sound Oasis Sound System with , in addition to each of their sound cards: Sound Oasis Sounds for Baby, Sound Oasis Nature Journey, Sound Oasis Ear Therapy & Sound Oasis Spa Therapy. Needless to say, when I heard I would be reviewing this package, I was crossing my fingers that this would help with my sleeplessness.

This sound system is different from others on the market because it uses authentic nature sounds that have been clinically proven to help people get to relax. To find out more about the research team behind the Sound Oasis systems, please visit Sound Oasis’ research page. In addition, besides the Sound Oasis system, all other sound machines I have seen in the market have one list of songs and that is it; there is really no flexibility. Sound Oasis has come out with a great alternative, which utilizes sound cards to store various sounds. This allows users to switch between different sounds by simply swapping sound cards.

According to the Sound Oasis website, “The S-650 features; extra long, high fidelity sounds for exceptional sound realism, a backlit alarm clock allows users to wake to a buzzer or any sound, our patented Sleep Enhancement® technology that slows down sound playback to lull users to sleep, a multi-position timer (with 4 selections: continuous, 30, 60, and 90 minutes), a unique "gradual off" volume reduction feature for a peaceful decrease in sound volume, a headphone/speaker pillow jack, a one-touch off/ resume button that stops the unit or repeats your last played sequence, and an omnidirectional reflective speaker that projects sound from the back of the unit for rich, deep sound.”Finally, this system can be used as a stand-alone system or as a portable system by either using the AC adapter that comes with the S-650 or 4-AA batteries (not included with the system). Having both options is great for several reasons. The portability of the system can allow you to take it with you anywhere: your office, the babysitter’s, etc. In addition, I like the idea that you can use the batteries as a backup. That means you no longer have to worry about your alarm clock resetting when the power goes out.

When I received the S-650 system, I set it up immediately. I enjoyed listening to all the different sound cards that are offered for this system. The first thing I noticed was how realistic these sounds were. The speakers offered with this system seem to be of quite high quality. The first night I used this system, I had an extremely hard time trying to choose which sound to fall asleep to. I finally chose the Secluded Lake – “Experience the peacefulness of a secluded lake with gently lapping water and song birds”. I quickly realized this was not the sound for me. It reminds me of all the times I go camping and the birds wake me up at the crack of dawn.

Since then, I have been alternating between several different sounds. The last few nights I have been listening to the Thunderstorm sound from the Sleep/Relaxation/Wellness sound card. Since the sound of rainfall makes me happy, this one is a great choice!

Other than the brilliant sounds that the S-650 offers, I am extremely happy that this system has drastically improved my ability to fall asleep! Before, it would often take me upwards of an hour to fall asleep at night. Many of those times, I’d end up getting up, walking around, sitting on the computer, etc., just until I was tired enough to get to sleep. Since I started using the S-650 system (approximately 1 month ago), I have done this maybe once or twice. I am extremely happy that it has done what it said it would…put me to sleep.

In addition to putting me to sleep, I am finding it much easier to wake up in the morning to a relaxing sound than the harsh sound of the radio. I also enjoy that it gradually gets louder. I think this is helping me wake up gradually instead of suddenly. Overall, I find this is helps me feel more awake in the morning and I actually seem to have a bit more energy throughout the day.

After using the Sound Oasis S-650 system for a few weeks, I have come up with a few things I would love to see in Sound Oasis’ future systems.

1.) Sound cards with completely unique tracks. The sound cards Sound Oasis currently offers have some tracks repeated on multiple cards.

2.) An easier way to change the time. Unlike most alarm clocks, this system does not allow you to change the time by hours and minutes. For example, say your clock says 8:00am but it is actually 8:00pm and you want to change the time. To change the time on the S-650, you have to press the time change button as it goes through every possible time between 8:00am and 8:00pm. It would be much easier if I would just change the hour by pressing the button a few times. I found this process to be rather time consuming.

3.) I would also like to see Sound Oasis add the ability to change the time on the clock backwards or forwards. For example, say my alarm is set for 7:30am one morning and the next morning I need to get up at 7:00am. With the S-650, as it is now, I would have to go through each possible time between 7:30am and 7:00am (forwards). I would love to be able to switch the time or the alarm 10, 15, or 30 minutes backwards or forwards quickly and easily.

4.) I would like a control switch that allowed you to adjust the brightness of the display. I found it to be quite bright and distracting when trying to fall asleep. I fixed this problem by covering the display with a piece of paper. The downside to this was not being able to see the time. Possibly if it had a black background instead of a blue, it would be easier to tolerate.

5.) Finally, my last suggestion would rather be a luxury feature than a necessity. I would love to see Sound Oasis add an AM/FM radio to their next system. Since the current system doesn’t have that option, I have to choose between having a radio or the S-650 set up in my bedroom (I’d really prefer not to have both set up at the same time – I do not need 2 clocks). In the daytime, I enjoy listening to the radio while putting clothes away, etc. I really think the addition of this feature would be something people would enjoy.

Compared to other systems I have tried in the past, I enjoy the Sound Oasis S-650 much better. I really like the naturalness of their sounds, as well of the versatility of their sound cards. In addition, I like the idea of making different sound cards for different purposes and people; for example, for babies or people with tinnitus. However, by far, the best feature of this system has to be it’s ability to get me to sleep. To me, this seems like a miracle! If I had to recommend one sound system, it would definitely be the Sound Oasis S-650. Even though there are a few things I’d change, the benefits definitely outweigh those aspects. The S-650 certainly gets 2 thumbs up in my book!

What can you win? One winner will receive the S-650 Sound Oasis Sound System (complete with a Sound Oasis Sleep/Relaxation/Wellness sound card), as well as the following sound cards: Sound Oasis Sounds for Baby, Sound Oasis Nature Journey, Sound Oasis Ear Therapy & Sound Oasis Spa Therapy. The winner will receive the blue unit. The total value of this prize package is approximately $199.95 (USD)!

To enter, go to any of these pages: Sound Oasis Sounds for Baby, Sound Oasis Nature Journey, Sound Oasis Ear Therapy or Sound Oasis Spa Therapy, listen to a few sound samples, then come back here and telling me the name of your favorite sound sample. This question must be answered to gain an entry in the giveaway.

Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
-Telling me how you think this system would help you and your family.
-Telling me one of the 6 sounds featured in the brand new Sleep Oasis Sleep Bear.
-Subscribing to my blog via email.
-Adding my button to your blog sidebar.
-Following me on Twitter (ihchicky). Please leave your Twitter name.
-Tweeting about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet. You can do this once a day.
-Blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

This giveaway will end on Sunday, March 8th at 11:59pm (Central Standard Time). After the giveaway has ended, the winner will be picked randomly using random.org. EMAIL RULES: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email only. Please make sure your blog profile includes your email address and make sure that it is visible. If you do not have a blogger account, please make sure you have included your email address in your post. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address (I will be forwarding all this information to the sponsor), If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to everyone worldwide!

Good Luck!

Giveaway List - 1/19

The Funky Monkey is giving away a Sweet Petites Apron for kids and 2 matching Tea Towels from The Hip Hostess - February 20th

Thrifty & Chic Mom is giving away an OnTray cart tray. US only. - February 20th

Saving Money for a Wedding is giving away a Green & Pink Dot Monogrammed Quilted Bag. US only. - February 20th

Sandier Pastures is giving away Any item up to $15 in value from Munchking Makings Etsy Shop. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 20th

LillyShayStyle is giving away a Super Absorbant Reusable Menstrual Pad. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 20th

Mom Knows It All is giving away a Valentine's Day Gift Pack. US only. - February 21st

Thrifty coupon deals is giving away 4 brand new sealed karaoke CD's. US only. - February 21st

Mom Knows It All is giving away Casio BabyG Watches to 2 winners. US only. - February 22nd

The Modern Baby Co. is giving away a Modern bib & burp cloth set. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 22nd

Mom Fuse is giving away a My Magical World DVD. US only. - February 24th

Mom Fuse is giving away a pair of Shoo-shoos. Canada and US only. - February 24th

Mom Fuse is giving away a $40 gift certificate to Room It Up! Worldwide entries accepted. - February 24th

Mom Fuse is giving away an E-cloth Kitchen and bath pack. Canada and US only. - February 24th

3 Kids and Us is giving away a Ring Sling from Christy's Creations. US only, 18+. - February 24th @ 9am CST

3 Kids and Us is giving away a Crayola Scribble and Sing Station. US only, 18+. - February 24th @ 9am CST

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away a Slanket. US only, 18+. - February 26th @ 11:59 pm PST

Simply Stacie is giving away Your choice of lip balm or perfume from Nicki Leigh Bath & Body. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 26th @ 11:59 pm EST

Simply Stacie is giving away a Dozen tealights in your choice of scent from Sweet Surrender Candles. Canada and US only. - February 27th @ 11:59 pm EST

Thrifty & Chic Mom is giving away a Kleen Kanteen and Momo bottle holder. US only. - February 27th

Thrifty & Chic Mom is giving away a one of a kind necklace from KKPW Designs. US only. - February 27th

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away a Reisenthel Cityshopper shopping bag. US only, 18+. - February 27th @ 11:59 pm PST

Silly Mommy of 2 Silly Girls is giving away a Parking Pal. US only, 18+. - February 27th

The Giveaway is giving away a pair of Flip Flops in the winner's choice of design from Top It Off Accessories to 5 winners! (ARV $25-$35). US only. - February 28th

Momtrends is giving away a Motorola Headset. US only, 18+. - February 28th

Momtrends is giving away a $100 Gift Certificate to Destination Maternity. US only, 18+. - February 28th

Momtrends is giving away a PlanetJill Necklace. US only, 18+. - February 28th

Momtrends is hosting a Giggle.com Expecting Mom $50 Giveaway . US only, 18+. - February 28th

Momtrends is giving away a $50 gift certificate for Diapers.com. US only, 18+. - February 28th

Giveaway List - 2/18

Sweeps4Bloggers is giving away Nurture My Body Organic Shave Cream. US only, 18+. February 19th

Annie's home is giving away a fuzzibunz one size diaper in the color of winners choice. Canada and US only. - February 19th

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires is giving away a Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair. US only, 18+. - February 19th @ 11:59pm EST

The Funky Monkey is giving away A Movie Night Care Package from Box-O-Box.

The Funky Monkey is giving away a Kids T-Shirt of your choice from Trendy Twin Shop. - February 19th

Willow Lake Scents is giving away Soy Tarts to 2 winners. US only. - February 19th @ midnight

Glimpse is giving away a pack of natural Maple Incense. Worldwide entries accepted. - January 19th @ midnight.

Chefdruck Musings is giving away an Autographed copy of Cat Cora Cookbook: Cooking from the Hip. - February 20th

Chefdruck Reviews is giving away a Set of David's Cookies Colored Play Dough. - February 20th

Northwest Mom Finds is giving away a Pair of PakNaks to 5 winners! Canada and US only, 18+. - February 21st @ midnight PST

Catch the Drift with Mama Snow is giving away a Fireflies Musical Yoga for kids cd! Worldwide entries accepted, 18+. - February 21st

Designs by Vanessa is giving away your choice of print by Sarah Cruse! Worldwide entries accepted. - February 22nd

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away a Set of 24 Safety Caps. US only, 18+. - February 22nd

A Giveaway Addicted Mommy is giving away the winner's choice of See Kai Run or Smaller shoes. Canada and US only, 18+. - February 22nd

Mama Says Mine is giving away a $10 Starbucks Gift Card. Canada and US only, 18+. - February 22nd

Life Starring Ellie and Eve is giving away A ring sling of your choice (up to $40). Worldwide entries accepted, 18+. - February 22nd @ 8pm EST

Life Starring Ellie and Eve is giving away a PlayHut Megaland indoor/outdoor structure. Worldwide entries accepted, 18+. - February 23rd @ 8pm EST

Mommy In Pink is giving away 1 pair of See Kai Run Shoes. Canada and US only, 18+. - February 23rd

Maria’s Space is giving away Glade Sense and Spray. - February 23rd

Mommy Reviewed is giving away a Wow Wow Wubbzy DVD. US only. - February 23rd @midnight CST

Simply Stacie is giving away a pair of Garden Fairy Earrings or Bella Crystal Bracelet. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 24th

Loveetsyfeedback is giving away 1 of 8 prizes from various shops to 8 winners. US only. - February 24th

3 Kids and Us is giving away a Travel/Play Mat from Cricket and Monkey. US only, 18+. - February 24th @ 9am CST

PrissyGreen is giving away a Good For Your Girls Natural skin care set for pre-teens and up! US only. - February 24th

PrissyGreen is giving away a Huge Kiss My face Potent and Pure FULL line prize, which retails for at least $174! US only. - February 25th

PrissyGreen is giving away 2 pairs of Organic cotton and hemp panties from Sweet Skins, a minority and women owned company! US only. - February 25th

Nursery Murals and More is giving away a 7 piece Movable Mural Set by Wallsy Tales (Zoo Animals) worth $160. US only, 18+. - February 25th

CanadianBeauty.com is giving away 20 Eye Kits that contain 2 Cover Girl Volume Exact mascaras and 2 Outlast Eyeliners. Canadian entries only. - February 25th

BarefootMommies is giving away a Gift Set from Belli. US & Canada only. - February 25th

Moms Work At Home Blog is giving away a Bottle of Skin MD Natural lotion (Value $25). US only, 18+. - February 26th

BarefootMommies is giving away Any 1 item from Sun Protection Zone. US & Canada only. - February 26th

BarefootMommies is giving away a pair of My First Shades. US & Canada only. - February 26th

Chotskies is giving away a Twilight inspired Key Ring. - February 27th

BarefootMommies is giving away a Rockin' Baby Sling. US only. - February 27th

BarefootMommies is giving away a pair of chicBuds. US & Canada only. - February 27th

Great Deals Everywhere is giving away a $25 CVS gift card. US only. - February 28th

Pc2 is giving away three awesome patches [La Caritas Devil Face Patch, Peace Sign Patch, and the Green Sugar Skull Patch] and two slap bracelet of your choice from Spooky Kelly (http://industrialgrrl.etsy.com). Worldwide entries accepted. - February 28th

Mom of 2 Boys, Wife of 1 is giving away a copy of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Worldwide entries accepted. - February 28th @ 8pm

Organic Baby Resource is giving away a EcoStore USA prize package. This prize package has a ton of great prizes! Canada and US only, 18+. - February 28th @ 11:59pm

Become Review & Giveaway!

I will admit, even though I am young, I am already dreading the aging process. As time goes by, I realize that I will not be the type of person that embraces this change very easily. I think the fact that we live in a society that focuses on beauty and youth so much, makes it difficult to age with confidence. When I came across a company called Become I was immediately attracted to their products and not because of their anti-aging qualities. I generally don’t use any anti-aging products because really…I think I am too young to worry about that; I figure I still have time. Nevertheless, after looking through what they had to offer, I figured I would give them a try. I quickly realized that Become offers a wide range of products that are ideal for people of all ages (even those who don’t worry about aging).

Become states, “we combine the purity of nature with the power of science to give you fantastic anti-aging results you will see and feel within minutes.” Become sets themselves apart from the rest of the anti-aging industry by offering professional quality, luxurious skin care products at a reasonable and affordable price. In order to make sure Become’s products will work under any environmental conditions, Become tests their products in Australia (supposedly one of the harshest environments in the world).

In addition to selling their products online, Become offers all of their products through independent representatives across the United States. Become gives you the opportunity to work from home, at your own pace. Become offers a simple online training guide that shows you step-by-step how you can start earning that extra income. With Become, the opportunities are endless. To find out more, visit their ‘Sell Become’ page. Become is currently taking new applications and you can easily sign up online.

Review
For the past few weeks, I have been using one of Become’s products: the Body Scrub. This scrub is meant to “polish away your rough edges and reveal the diamond that you are.” Become’s body scrub aims to exfoliate dead skin and refine the overall appearance of your skin. The ingredients of this product include orange oil, sweetmint, and green tea extract. The combination of the three is meant to be uplifting and refreshing, plus provide antioxidants that will protect and strengthen your skin. This product is meant to be used for your hands and body.

When I tried the body scrub for the first time, I was extremely impressed. Not only was I impressed the first time, but also I have been impressed each and every time I have used it. First of all, the scent is amazing! It is so refreshing in the morning. Second of all, this product is unlike any other scrub I have tried in the past. The granules that are meant to exfoliate your skin are quite small and really do a good job of polishing away dead skin cells. Usually I use scrubs with large granules because I thought they were the only kind that would work properly. Well, I was wrong. Not only are the granules in this polish smaller than most I have used in the past, but this product also works better than any other scrub I have used in the past. This scrub leaves my skin feeling soft, rejuvenated, and energized while providing a fresh and subtle scent. Finally, in addition to being used as a scrub, this product has the additional benefit of working well as a body wash. Unlike most other body scrubs, this one actually lathers up to not only polish but clean as well. I tried using this product with only my hands and then with a bath sponge. Both methods worked fabulous. If you are looking for a more intense exfoliation, I would suggest used just your hands. If you are looking for a greater lather, a bath sponge would be my choice. Personally, I rotate between the two options.

Overall, I am absolutely crazy for this product. It is really unfortunate that this product is not offered in Canada yet. As soon as it is, you can guarantee I will be stocking up. This is surely one product I would not want my shower to be without.

What can you win? One winner will receive a full sized 5.3 oz. Body Scrub from Become.

To enter, visit Become’s website and look through all their wonderful products. Then, come back here and leave a comment telling me which product you would like to try most. This question must be answered to gain an entry in the giveaway.

Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
-Subscribing to my blog via email.
-Adding my button to your blog sidebar.
-Following me on Twitter (ihchicky). Please leave your Twitter name.
-Tweeting about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet. You can do this once a day.
-Blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, February 25th at 11:59pm (Central Standard Time). After the giveaway has ended, the winner will be picked randomly using random.org. EMAIL RULES: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email only. Please make sure your blog profile includes your email address and make sure that it is visible. If you do not have a blogger account, please make sure you have included your email address in your post. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address (I will be forwarding all this information to the sponsor), If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the US only!

Good Luck!

Note: At this time, Become is only able to ship to addresses in the United States. Become’s PR representative has informed me that they are hoping to start distribution to Canada in the near future.