GreenSmart Review + Giveaway

A few weeks ago, I came across GreenSmart.biz. I was immediately intrigued by their "Bottles Become Bags" program. I knew this was a company I wanted to team up with and help get the word out. After contacting Debbie who by the way, is super sweet, I was given the chance to try one of their products. To understand the passion behind GreenSmart, you have to learn a little about their philosophy.

Our intentions are simple, transparent and ongoing:

• To make great bags using green materials.
• To use smarter manufacturing practices whenever possible.
• To provide smarter ideas for our own lives, as well as our customers.
• To help educate and influence others through our products and practices.
• To be passionate about everything we do.

They share some very interesting and stunning facts on their website. Did you know that in the US alone, 230 bottles per person go into the landfill each year? When all is said and done, that is enough crushed bottles to fill the Rose Bowl Stadium in California every TWO WEEKS! Now just sit back and imagine that for a minute. Wow! All fabrics used for the GreenSmart Bottles 2 Bags come from 100% post-consumer recycled PET water and soda bottles. They make laptop sleeves, laptop jackets, briefs, and messenger bags from those bottles.

Another added plus to GreenSmart is their stance against neoprene. Instead of neoprene, they use neogreene. Neogreene is considered non-toxic because it contains no phthalates, VOCs, chlorine, or metals that are traditionally comprised in neoprene. Neogreene consumes 25% less energy to manufacture and 25% less petroleum to produce. The material is also 50% lighter than neoprene, which cuts down on transportation costs.

I was given the chance to try the stainless steel water bottle and the short neogreene tote you see pictured above. I have needed something for a while and this was perfect. I always take something to drink when leaving the house. Carrying an eight month old on your hip and glass with no lid just doesn't work. Ask me how I know. I was spilling my drink as we were walking out the door and a chubby little hand never failed to make a splash in my drink. This bottle & tote work great. The bottle does sweat a bit, but that isn't a problem as the tote catches the condensation. This is something I never leave the house without now. It keeps my drink chilled for at least two hours and that is without ice. If you put ice in it, I think it would keep cool for well over two hours. Another plus is that it's simple enough that Bryson can drink out of it. He tries to take it away from me and he loves getting some of mama's drink.

Buy it! You can purchase the water bottles totes at GreenSmartDirect. They start at $12.95 for the short one. The stainless steel water bottle is sold at GreenFeet for $11.50.

Win it! GreenSmart has generously offered to give one reader their own stainless steel water bottle and neogreene tote. To enter, visit GreenSmart and tell me one other product that catches your eye.

Extra Entries:

• Become a fan of GreenSmart on Facebook.
• Follow BeGreenSmart on Twitter.
• Subscribe to the GreenSmartTV channel on YouTube.
• Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway. C&P this: RT @whitneybaugh Enter to win a stainless steel water bottle & neogreene tote from @BeGreenSmart here: http://bit.ly/aBl7t
  
• Follow my blog.
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Grab my button.
• Blog about this giveaway.
• Leave a comment on any other non-giveaway post, then come back here a let me know which post you commented on. (2 comments required: one on other post & one here)

Giveaway ends September 16 at 11:59PM. Winner will be chosen using random.org.

Need Business Cards? DigitalRoom.com Giveaway

DigitalRoom has offered up a fabulous giveaway for (2) lucky winners. Business cards aren't just for businesses anymore. I am hearing more and more about "Mommy" cards that lists your information such as your name, child's name, and phone number. I have no need for Mom cards just yet, but I think it is a practical idea.

I plan to order a set with my name, blog URL, and my social networking info. I like to slip these in packages I ship and pass them out to others around me. Blogging isn't very well known in my small town, so it helps get my name out a little more. I am especially loving the Die Cut Business Cards and my set will have all rounded corners. I am a bit undecided on the size I'd like, because they offer a variety of business card sizes. Unlike most companies, you will NOT find their logo on the back. They say that just isn't their style and I think that is awesome.

DigitalRoom is offering (2) winners 500 business cards each. You can choose the following:

Size: 2x3.5”, 2x3”, 2x2";

Paper: 14pt cardstock (matte or gloss coating) & 13 pt cardstock uncoated

Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside

To enter, tell me how you would use your new business cards.

Shipping must be paid by the winner. US ONLY.
I believe this usually runs around $5 and you can't beat that for 500 quality business cards.

Giveaway ends September 8th at 11:59 Central. Winners will be chosen using random.org.

Salada Tea Review + Year Supply Giveaway

Back in May, I mentioned I had received my free water bottle from Salada Tea and their Unbottle Your Tea campaign. That offer has now expired, but if you'll read on, I have something even better for you.

After seeing that post, I was contacted and asked if Salada could send me some samples to try and offer my readers a giveaway. You bet I said YES! We love tea in this house. We drink it daily, at least a gallon every other day. Salada Tea is very different than what we are use to drinking- down-home southern sweet tea. We received three different flavors- Classic Lemon Green Tea, White Tea Asian Plum, and the new Strawberry with a hint of Lemongrass Green Tea.



The Classic Lemon was closest to what we usually drink. I never put lemon in my tea, as I don't really like the taste, so this was a bit too lemon-y for me. If you are like my mom (who LOVES lemon in her tea) then you will definitely like Salada's Lemon Green Tea. The Strawberry Green Tea was a nice surprise. It was definitely unlike any tea I have ever had and it has a pleasant taste. It isn't over the top STRAWBERRY! but it has a nice subtle sweetness to it and a very natural taste. There is no need to add honey or sugar and you can drink it hot or cold. I have not yet tried the Asian Plum, but I plan to today or tomorrow, so I will update you on how it goes.

Another thing I love about Salada is that they believe 100% in having a healthy lifestyle and being green. As I mentioned, a few months ago they gave away free water bottles. You can look around on their website and read up on events they sponsor to help incourage people to live active, healthy lifestyles.


Buy it! You can use the locator tool HERE to help find a store near you. You'll want to print this coupon before you head to the store. Can't find a store? No problem, you can order online.

Win it! Salada has generously offered to give one reader a year supply of Salada Tea! The lucky winner will receive:

• (12) 20 ct. boxes of Salada Tea in various flavors
• BPA-free reusable bottle for your freshly brewed tea
• Coupons and samples of new flavors to share

To enter, visit the Salada products page and tell me one flavor (other than those reviewed) that you would like to try.

Extra Entries:

• Become a fan of Salada Tea on Facebook.
• Follow Salada Tea on Twitter.
• Subscribe to the SaladaTea channel on YouTube.
• Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can c&p this: RT @whitneybaugh Enter to win a year supply of @SaladaTea HERE: http://bit.ly/THf0p
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Follow my blog.
• Grab my button.
• Blog about this giveaway.
• Leave a comment on any other non-giveaway post, then come back here a let me know which post you commented on. (2 comments required: one on other post & one here)

Open to US only, no PO boxes. Giveaway ends September 15 at 11:59 PM Central. Winner will be chosen using random.org.

Free Card from Wal Mart & Hallmark

Freebies galore these past two weeks and I'm lovin' it! This one is offered by Wal Mart and Hallmark. You can go HERE to sign up & receive your free card. So far this year, I have bought one card total. I have gotten several free, including Mother's & Father's day cards from Hallmark. You can't beat free & I love Hallmark cards.

Using Pebble.com to Save (or Make!) Money

As most of you know, I buy and resell brand name baby items. It's just a hobby I picked up a couple of months ago and the extra cash has definitely made a huge difference. A large part of the work is finding out which items I should buy and which items I should leave sitting on the shelf. While I can never be 100% sure an item is going to do well, I do use shopping comparison sites like Pebble.com to help determine if an item is worth the initial investment.

For instance, a few months ago I picked a Bjorn Travel Crib Light for $20.99. I only knew that Bjorn was a big name, but had never heard of their Travel Crib. I came home to do my research, expecting it to be worth about $60. I hopped online to do my comparisons and here is what I saw:
It was in excellent used condition and ended up selling for over $175! See why Pebble.com comes in handy? Without shopping comparison sites, I would honestly be lost. Not only with my business, but in my everyday shopping. I always compare prices to find the best deal possible and Pebble.com makes it super easy on me.



So, you may be asking what makes Pebble.com different than other shopping comparison sites? In my opinion, it is their questions & answer section. If you are looking at an item and you want more information than is given in the product description, simply post your question. Someone that owns the item and/or knows the answer can pop in and give you an answer. If you have an answer to a question, just click on the "Post an Answer" button and help that person out. It is an easy process and I think it is a fabulous feature.

Whether you are buying or selling (or both!) Pebble.com is a great resource. Ask questions, get answers, and find the best deal. It doesn't get better than that!

More Winners

Whew, this rounds of ALL of the Bach Kid's winners. Congratulations! You will all be receiving an e-mail from me first thing tomorrow, so be on the lookout. & Yes, I do my my copy & pasting skills may be lacking somewhat, but hopefully you can make sense of it all. I am headed to bed, hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Bryson has started scrunching his nose up and I think it's the cutest thing ever.
No, I'm certainly not the least bit biased.

As you can see, he wakes up in a great mood.
He must get that from his Daddy, because I not a morning person at all.

This gorgeous butterfly came to visit Sunday.
I tried and tried to get a few good shots.
It was gorgeous.

Thanks for stopping by.
Happy WW!

Charter Laptop-a-Day Sweepstakes

Charter is at it again with their sweepstakes. As many of you may recall, they ran an HDTV-A-Day sweepstakes back in April. They gave away a 22 inch Samsung HD TV every single day and one lucky grand prize winner received a 52 inch Sony Bravia HD TV, a home theater system, and 12 months of Charter Digital cable with the HD tier. How awesome is that?!

This time they are giving away a laptop each day in their Laptop-a-Day Sweepstakes! The best part? It runs for two months! This contest started July 15th and will end September 15th. Ever single day, for 63 days, one winner will receive a 15 inch HP Compaq Presario Notebook Intel Pentium Dual Core Laptop, Windows Vista Home Premium Software, and a NeoTec Computer Backpack. If you sign up for their online deals, you can also receive a $100, $75, or $25 gift card, depending on which deal you choose. These gift card are from major retailers, including restaurants, home, accessory, and clothing stores. Who couldn't use that?

The contest is geared towards the student or business person that is on the go and could use a laptop for easy mobility. You don't have to be a student or business person to enter though. I am a stay at home mom, but I entered and it was super simple.

Charter continues to create buzz and set the standard with their online contests. They keep getting better. Last year they gave away laptops and Xbox 360 game systems and one customer drove away a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid!

Ready for your chance? Visit charter.com/laptop to register today and to view the complete rules, a list of winners, details on the laptop and more. Make sure you visit Charter on Facebook and follow Charter on Twitter to keep updated with their contests.

NewParent.com

During my pregnancy, I searched for the perfect website and message board combination. I was a soon-to-be first time mother and while I wasn't exactly clueless, I wasn't that knowledgeable either. I planned on parenting differently than anyone I knew in real life, so I needed somewhere to turn. Honestly, I never found the message board, the one that just felt right.

I was introduced to a new website, New Parent, a few weeks ago. Since that time, I have visited and familiarized myself with it. You have all the categories- from pregnancy through baby and toddlerhood. There is also a YOU section that includes workout tips, recipes, and more. You will also find a discussion forum that is starting to take off.

So, click on over to NewParent.com and see what you think about it. There are a ton of great articles to read and you can submit a photo of your child for their "Baby of the Week" contest.

Brylane Home Deal (FREE Sewing Machine)

While I'm not a deal-blogger or a coupon-blogger, I will occasionally point you in the direction of awesome deals. Carrie at MoneySavingMethods has one such deal posted right now. I actually just received a Brylane Home catalog in the mail, so I was very excited when Carrie posted this deal.

Here is what I ended up with:

(1) 3 piece canister set
(1) 8 piece salad set
(2) sewing machines

I spent $20.96 out of my pocket, but I will receive $10 back, so I purchased 4 items for a grand total of $10.96. I also shopped through ebates and will get 3% back. If you are new to ebates, you will get $5!

Gevalia - 3 Boxes of Coffee + Travel Mug for $3

If you haven't already signed up for this offer, I encourage you to.
I signed up for it in March and received my shipment right away.
You can cancel at any time or choose to receive more shipments.
I cancelled, but later received another shipment.
I called them to let them know and they said I could keep my second
shipment on them, because it was a glitch on their end.
I ended up with 6 boxes of coffee and a travel mug all for $3!
Click here to get started. It's easy, peasy!

Aquaphor Baby Products Review

A few weeks ago, I received a nice surprise in the mail. The kind people over at Aquaphor sent me the softest baby blanket ever along with Aquaphor Baby products. I had always heard wonderful things about Aquaphor, but had never tried their products. My mother swears by their healing ointment and instantly offered to take a pack off my hands.

We were given the chance to try the Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo and the new Aquaphor Healing Ointment Baby-to-Go Pack. After listening to my mom go on and on about how awesome Aquaphor products were, I was eager to give them a try.

Bryson thoroughly enjoys bath time , which is a good thing, because this mama loves to try new baby products and have cute photo opps. Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo was wonderful to work with. It contains soothing chamomile and provitamin B5 for healthy skin and hair. It also soap and fragrance-free, which prevents the drying out of the skin and protects delicate skin. I especially loved the lather, as it wasn't over-the-top, but just right. It was nice that I didn't have to worry keeping it out of his eyes, because is tear-free, which for me, is an absolute must when it comes to baby products . I love 2-in-1 products and this one now ranks at the top of my list. For more information about Aquaphor Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo, visit the product page here.

The Aquaphor Healing Ointment Baby-to-Go Pack is hitting Target stores this month. It contains two 0.35oz tubes and is the perfect size for your diaper bag, purse, or your pocket even. As I mentioned before, my mother loves this stuff. She uses on her hands that are rough and blistered from work. I now use it as a lip gloss and to protect them from getting chapped. Thankfully, diaper rash seldom visits us, so I have not gotten the chance to use it on Bryson. Like the Baby Wash & Shampoo, it is fragrance-free and non-irritating. It is trusted to protect and help heal dry, chapped, or cracked skin. Of course, it is also made for delicate, young skin, and can be used to help heal, protect and soothe many types of common skin conditions. To find out more, visit Aquaphor Healing.

You can buy Aquaphor products online and at most retailers. The Gentle Wash & Shampoo retails for $6.29 for an 8.4 FL oz. bottle and the Healing Ointment Baby-to-Go pack retails for $5.39 and contains (2) 0.35oz tubes.

Bach Kids Winners

Here are the first five winners of the Bach Kids giveaway.
If you see this before I get your e-mail out, feel free to shoot me an e-mail with your full name and mailing address. Thanks to everyone for participating. Five more winners will be posted tomorrow!

Here are t

Answered Prayers

Every night before I go to sleep, I have a chat with God. I simply pray, give thanks, and ask for guidance. As I was praying last night, I realized how many answered prayers I have had in the past year. Here are just a few of them.

• The entire time I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom. Up until the day Bryson was born, I thought it was out of the question. I still hadn't started my search for a daycare, but I assumed I would have to go back to work. The day my son was born, my company announced a voluntary lay-off. I debated on it and had all but made up my mind, I shouldn't do it. The more I talked with my family and friends and as more information was released about the terms, I realized this was my answered prayer. I received my FMLA pay from my maternity leave and I also received a severance package from my company. I never returned to work and I can't put into words how thankful I am for this time I have been able to spend with my son.
  
• Throughout my pregnancy, in my quest to stay at home with my son, I also happened upon couponing. It seems so small, but I often thank God for allowing me to save money and help our family.
• A couple of super sweet friends have been trying for a baby. After over a year with no success, they decided to try IVF. I am happy to report that not only are they being blessed with a child, God has blessed them with triplets! I have prayed for God to allow a child into their lives for months and I continue to pray for three healthy bundles of joy.
• Our home. Another thing we also thought was out of the question, at least for another year or two. I have already wrote about that here and I continue thank God for a place to call our own once again. Our remodel is moving along wonderfully and while we were hoping to move in during the month of November and/or December, we are now shooting for October.

We have had an amazing year, there is no doubt. I feel so entirely blessed. I truly cannot put it into words, but I encourage you to have a little chat with God. No matter how small, he listens and I feel like our life is proof of that.

Feel free to share some of your answered prayers with me in the comments. We can all use a little happiness these days!

Printable Coupons

Click HERE to print a Buy One, Get One coupon for a Venom Energy drink.

Make sure you hit the back button and print it twice!

Jessie Steele Apron Review

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you all to Jessie Steele Aprons. I have been on the search for a cute apron for months, but most are out of my price range. The super sweet folks at Jessie Steele offered to send me the Bib Ava- 50's Kitchen Apron you see above to review. As soon as it arrived, I put it on and pranced around. When the rest of the family got home, I had to show it off again. The details are just gorgeous. I especially adore the cute red bows. About this apron-

"Heirloom quality Designer Hostess Apron constructed from a fine Cotton. Ties at neck and waist for easy adjusting. Contrast Bias-trimmed at edges. Two round-edged waist pockets with removable grosgrain bows gives this apron a dressed-up feel that makes it appropriate for not just cooking, but for any occasion! "

I was asked if I was actually going to cook in my cute new apron, because I might get it dirty. Isn't that the point? Jessie Steele Aprons are machine washable, just remember to remove the bows. Because the aprons tie around the neck and at the waist, they are one size fits most. I love the fit and the pockets are extremely handy. The only thing I would like to see added is a loop to hold a kitchen towel. Some styles do have the loop, so if that is a must for you, be sure to look for it. I use one pocket to hold the towel to wipes my hands on and it works for me.


Jessie Steele Aprons would make great hostess or bridal shower gifts. They have a great selection of hostess, chef, and children's aprons. You can also pick up coordinating oven mitts and tea towels. If you'd rather have a half apron, they have those too. The best part is that they are affordable. You can be styling in the kitchen for under $33 for a full size apron or $23 for the special child in your life! Visit Jessie Steele Aprons to view all the adorable styles.

Hot Photo Deals

Be sure the check out Walgreen's Photo Center this week for their "7 Days of Deals" promotion. Each deal last for 24 hours & then it's gone. Unfortunately, I missed the free 8x10 on Sunday, but I did pick up 25 4x6 prints for a penny each yesterday. Today, you can pick up a FREE 11x14 POSTER! I absolutely love these deals. Just click here and use coupon code FREEPOSTER at checkout.

Make sure you choose to pick up your print at your local Walgreen's to avoid any shipping charges.
ETA: I just realized you cannot pick this up at the store. Shipping is $1.99 which is still an awesome deal!

YoBaby Giveaway Winner

Congratulations!
I will be sending you an e-mail shortly and you have 48 hours to respond.
Thanks to everyone who entered.
Be sure to check out the new YoBaby Meals at your local retailer.

Does it get easier?

I spent my third night ever away from Bryson this weekend. He stayed with his great-grandmother (my Gangan) and once again, I sobbed as they drove away. So my question is: when will I get over this? I only cry for a good twenty minutes or so and then I put my head on again and I'm okay. I needed the break, but I still cried my eyes out. My sweet husband consoled me while trying not to laugh at me for being a basket case.

Anyways, Bry and Gangan had a wonderful time. I think it may have just made her year. I believe everyone in our county and all adjoining counties knows that she got to keep her great-grandson Saturday night. You could not wipe the smile off of her face and I was glad to see it.

As for me, I completely enjoyed my break. I only wish I hadn't been so eager to get my little boy today, so I could have cleaned house. Instead, I slept in after a late night with friends. I puttered around for about an hour this morning and I couldn't take it any longer, so I went to pick him up. I look forward to more nights like last night. I missed the little one, but it put a spring back into my step that I had long lost.

The Following Days..

This post is continued from here.

A few days later, I saw my dad cry for the first time in my life. We all tried to hold it together for each other, but as we pulled up to the house one day, my dad could no longer take it. He burst out in sobs. They had lived in that house for 18 years, paid for that house, I had been raised in that house, and it was full of memories. I know items are replaceable, but there are things that are not. My parents had taped me every Christmas opening gifts. That tape is not replaceable and it's one of the things that still hurts them the most. My parents wedding album, photos of my Pawpaw that had passed away, things I had made for my mom, and the list goes on. One of the hardest parts was writing down "big ticket items." For insurance purposes, you have to right down enough items in your home to make up the amount of insurance on your contents. We sat at my Gangan's dining room table (we stayed at her home after the house burned) and we each had a piece of paper. We were going to lists things in each room, starting with the expensive items. I wrote down a few things and I completely broke down.

The weekend after my house burned, someone pulled up to what was left of our home. My parents also had a shop and a sock-mill right beside our home. This jerk hooked up to my dad's race-car trailer (my dad drag-raced) and drove off with it. I still do not understand how you steal one of the few things left from someone whose home had just been lost. To this day, that thought makes me sick. There are some terrible people in this world.

Christmas was right around the corner. I don't think anyone felt the need to ask what we needed. Oh, everything? I remember my parents bringing a truck load of items for me. In any other situation, a teenage girl would have been excited to get a new TV, a new computer, a new desk, VCR, etc. But me? I tried to be. I tried very hard and I think I pulled it off for my parent's sake. I didn't want to need those things. I had all of those things already. It was a very difficult Christmas. While we tried to put on a smile, you could cut the tension with a knife. We were more than thankful that no one was in the home, that we weren't sleeping, but it still hurt. No one wanted to let it out and looking back, I think if would have just had one night a week where we would sit around the table and just grieve together, we would have been a lot better off. Instead, we each pushed everything to the side and tried to deal with it on our own. I learned a valuable lesson- that is what family is for. You should lean on them, lean on each other, and let it out.

I felt like I had to be strong for my parents. I don't know why I felt that way, but I would repeat "it's going to be okay" until everyone was sick of it. It would be months before I dealt with my pain. I hid everything I felt from everyone in my life. As I have mentioned before, I was diagnosed with severe clinical depression among other things on February 14, 2003. Although it did not all stem from losing our home, I believe that it was finally broke me. I pushed everyone away and let no one in. I left my boyfriend of two years. In the end, I attempted suicide in June of 2003. Thankfully, 300+ pills did not kill me and in the end, I came out stronger. There are days when I still think about it and my heart just drops, but for the most part, we have moved on. Really, did we have a choice?

November 19, 2002 - A Turning Point

I was in the eighth grade, sitting in math class. My best friend, Ryan and I had our desks pushed together as we did our "work." There was a knock on the closed classroom door and the lady said "Whitney Mars is checking out." I thought "What? I haven't called my mom." I was notorious for asking my mom to come get me quite often. As we approached the office, I noticed that my mom wasn't waiting for me, my Gangan (grandmother) was. That peaked my curiously. I instantly knew something was off. The solemn looks of the school staff gave it away: something was definitely wrong. As we walked out of the school doors and towards the car, my Gangan mentioned they were supposed to have me ready and waiting for her. I started quizzing her about what was going on. Was someone in the hospital? Had someone had a wreck? Are mom and dad okay? The list went on until I said "Is my house on fire?" She looked at me and I knew. She answered "yes" and we left to go to my home.

On the way, a thousand thoughts ran through my head. We were a few miles away when I spotted the thick, black smoke and I knew it was worse than I had thought. The fire squad and policeman were already there, along with my parents, some family, and friends. Flames were bursting out each window and holes the firemen had sawed in our home. The day turned to a blur, but I do remember many things. Family and friends gathered around us as we sat in outdoor chairs and watched the flames grow bigger. My Pawpaw said "You'll get more than you think out of there!" and I think everyone wanted to slap him across the face. In the end, although we didn't recover much, we did recover more than we had hoped for. For the most part, we were in shock. I can't tell you a thing my parents and I talked about. We watched as the brave firemen ran in and out of the house. They had cases of water sitting in the front yard. One would come out, gulp down a few bottles of water, and go right back in. Later, the fire chief told us that it was one of the hottest fires he had ever gone in. I remember my dad mentioning a beautiful suede trench coat I had received the Christmas before. I had begged for it and when I opened it Christmas morning, I cried because I was so happy.

It was one of the worst days of my life, but in ways, it was one of the best days. There is no doubt, it was a huge turning point for me. We had only the clothes we were wearing, but by the time we left that evening, we had toothbrushes and toothpastes, clothes, hairdryers, curling irons, even make-up. I remember looking up at one point and there were about one hundred people there to support our family as we watched our home burn. One man in particular, a friend of my dad's, offered us a place to stay. My dad refused. He had always been the one helping people, he had never needed help. The man insisted and contacted my dad over the next few days. He finally told my dad to move in or his feelings would be hurt. I guess that guilt trip was enough, because by that weekend, we were moving in our new home. It was a gorgeous, newly built two-story home, much larger than the one we had lived in. The upstairs didn't even have flooring down yet. This angel man, Mike, allowed us to live rent free for a few months to decide if this was where we wanted to stay. It wasn't where we wanted to stay, we wanted our home, but we have tried our best to make this our home. The kindness of people during that time still amazes me to this day. I am absolutely in awe when I think back to that crowded yard. Those people wanted to help. They held food drives to stock our pantry, they held clothes drives to fill our closets, and some helped us dig through the rubble.

My best friend, Ryan, came over as soon as school let out. He had been my closest friend for almost four years at the time and I walked out to meet him. We met under a beautiful Magnolia tree in our front yard and he simply put his arms around me. I needed that hug so badly and I will never forget that simple gesture. While we aren't as close as we once were, I still consider him one of my best friends. If at anytime he needed me, I would be there in a heartbeat. I'm sure that day was full of kind words, but that hug is one of the only things I truly remember.

I'm not sure what pulled me to post about this. As I tried to go to sleep last night, I felt the need to get out of bed, sit down, and write this. I will continue the story over the next few days, because I don't want to bore you all too much in one sitting.

GoPicnic Giveaway Winner

Here are the five GoPicnic winners. I have no doubt that y'all are going to love these. Click the photo to make it bigger. I will e-mail the winners and you have 48 hours to respond.

Hard at Work

We picked up the key to the house Friday afternoon and started work this weekend. I'm going to tell you one thing: I could never live a summer in Alabama without the good 'ole air conditioning. I had the power turned on today, but we about died this weekend.

We (mostly the amazing hubby!) tore off wallpaper, pulled up flooring, and ripped out paneling. I started taking the cabinet doors and hardware off. I was surprised as how easily the wallpaper came off, but the floors are another story. So far, each room has contained five layers like this: carpet, padding, older carpet, foam backing, and finally linoleum. How crazy is that? Justin has taken up all the flooring in two rooms, but in the other rooms, the linoleum is going to stay and we are going to just put the hardwood over it. That equals a lot less work, because that linoleum was totally glued, hard as heck to remove. The paneling in the bedrooms is what I call "fake paneling" because it was simply nailed over the sheet-rock.

Here are a few "before" and "in the process" pictures. I will share our plans as we go. We are doing most of the work ourselves and I can't wait to get those cabinets redone. As I have mentioned, we are putting new hardwood and tile throughout, so ignore the floors.This is obviously the kitchen & dining room. You can also see the door to the laundry room and the back door that leads to the deck. There are now no walls in this room. Hubby will start the sheet-rock soon. It came with all appliances which was great. They aren't exactly new, but they all work and will do for now.

Our bedroom. Bottom paneling is "fake" and has also vanished.


When you walk in the front door. I had already taken the wallpaper down.

Guest Post Wanted

As most of you know, we closed on our home Wednesday. We are completely remodeling it before we move in, so I am going to be super busy over the next few weeks. I still have reviews and giveaways to get up, but in the mean time, I'm looking for a few guest posts. If you have something you think my readers would be interested in, please e-mail me at whitney.baugh@yahoo.com.

See you guys soon!

Nature's Baby Organics Review

Adena at Nature's Baby Organics was kind enough to give us the chance to try out their Bubble Bath. Her story is a very touching one and I feel like you have to read it in order to understand the passion behind Nature's Baby Organics. Her first daughter was allergic to sunscreen and very sensitive to perfumes and dyes. After trying products already on the market with no success, she took it upon herself to do something.

"Already the owner of an online child safety store, Adena was attuned to the latest trends in the baby industry and was inspired by all the "mom invented" merchandise she'd been seeing. So she set out to research and to develop a line of hair and skincare products that a mother would delight in putting on her child.During the 2 year development and testing process, Adena's second daughter was born and she suffered from severe Eczema, so it seemed that yet again she faced another challenge to address. From the essential oils to the cleaning agents, every ingredient would be from nature's laboratory-safe, pure, and 100 percent derived from nature. Thus, Nature's Baby was born."

I couldn't wait to try the Tangy Tangerine Bubble Bath. Bryson had never had a bath with bubbles, so I was excited to see his reaction. He was absolutely fascinated. Of course, he also wanted to eat them, but that didn't surprise me. It only takes a few capfuls and you'll have just the right amount of bubbles. I may have taken a bubble bath with these also. The smell? I say it smells like dreamsicle and Justin says it smells like lemon cake. Either way, it is a sweet citrus smell that we couldn't get enough of. I was very happy at the end of the bath, because there was no residue left from the bubbles. There is nothing like getting the baby out of a bubble bath just to scrub the tub! I am also happy to report that Bryson's skin was irritation free. I admit, I was a bit worried, because he had never had a bubble bath and I wasn't sure how his skin would react. Overall, I give this product two thumbs up and I will be buying it again.

Currently, there are 22 products in the Nature's Baby Organics line. Target stores have picked up the following products for a test run.

• 8oz Shampoo/Body Washes in Vanilla Tangerine

• 8oz Shampoo Body Wash in Lavender Chamomile

• 8oz Fragrance Face & Body Moisturizer

• 12oz Bubble Bath in Tangy Tangerine

Click HERE to find a store near you. Not only will you be supporting a wonderful company and an amazing mother, you will be able to take pride in the products you are using on your child. I definitely recommend the Bubble Bath! As you can see from the photos, Bryson also agrees!

Free 11x14 Poster from Shutterfly

I love photo deals, but I have found very few poster deals. One of my favorite things in our house is a 16x20 poster of Bryson's face. If you look into his big, blue eyes, you can actually see me with the camera taking his picture. Love it!

Shutterfly is giving away 11x14 Collage Posters right now. I ordered one titled "Bryson's First Summer" with 6 photos and I paid $3.09 total. You just have to pay shipping & tax. Use code AF86-SAVE at checkout. If you have any problems (I did), Freebies 4 Mom has a quick fix. It worked for me, so definitely give it a go!

Wordless Wednesday

A very rare family photo. It didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped,
but it is definitely better than nothing.
By the way, we are closing on our house today!

Stouffer's Panini Instant Win Game

Stouffers-panini has a great instant win game going on right now. They are promoting the launch of 4 new varieties which include Bistro Meatballs & Peppers, Bistro Chicken Souvlaki, Lean Cuisine Grilled Vegetables & Goat Cheese, and Lean Cuisine Mango Chicken Tikka.

So, what can you win?

• One of three $10,000 prizes
• Sony Digital Camcorder ($500 value!)
  
• Product Prizes, like free Stouffer's product coupons

The 3 Grand Prizes are your choice of India, Greece, Italy, and France destinations in the form of a $10,000 gift card.


When you register here, you will be allowed one free entry. After that, you may enter one unique UPC code entry per day. This offer is ONLY available to CANADIAN residents.

Weekly Life Update

As most of you know, I like to do a weekly life update on the happenings around here. I do most of these in bullet form, because it's easier for me.

• We close on our house Wednesday. It isn't set in stone just yet, but we are penciled in for Wednesday at 4P.M. Justin & I went to the house Sunday to have another peek and brainstorm ideas. We have a $10,000 budget for our remodel, but we plan on doing a lot ourselves. The excitement is starting to really set in and I stay awake at night thinking of paint colors and furniture.
• Bryson is getting so tall. Right now, he is the average height and weight of a one year old. Actually, he was at his six month check-up, so he's probably surpassed a one year old. We joke that we have the next big football player as a son. He has more energy than any child I have ever known. He refuses sit still for a minute and he fights sleep like crazy. We also joke that we are going to have to put him in a padded room. He bumps his head on everything. He'll stand up in his crib and jump up and down. I'm going to need a lot of prayers to keep up with this little boy. I can't imagine when he starts walking!
• Bargain Hunting Thursday is still a hit. I'm actually working on a post from last week's trip. I'm still selling on e-bay and it is going decent. I definitely can't complain! I plan to pick up a few finds to make-over for our new home. I have my eye on a dresser for $25 and if it is still there this week, it's going home with me.
  
• Justin is working a ton. He works at his "normal" job during the day, then he's doing drywall in the evenings and on weekends. He's had a few days off and we were able to have family time this weekend, so all is well. These side jobs have come at the perfect time and we feel immensely blessed.

Next week, I will hopefully be able to share "before" photos of the house. Then, after a few months and a ton of work, I'll will post the after. Thank you guys for taking this ride with me and I truly appreciate each subscriber, follower, and comment. I look forward to updating every day and seeing new folks around.

Oh and, does this not qualify for the funniest picture ever? I can't look at it without laughing. I have no idea what the boy was doing.

Smart Mom Jewelry Review

Smart Mom Jewelry was started in 2002 as a way to promote pretty and practical ideas for real moms. Their first product line, Teething Bling pendants and bangles, has become enormously successful. Teething Bling products are made of the highest-quality, phthalate-free, federally approved silicone. The silicone is non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher-friendly!


Ever noticed how infants automatically go for that shiny piece dangling around your neck? Ever had a necklace broken by a sweet, innocent baby? For me, the answer to both question is yes. I had all but given up wearing necklaces around Bryson. Thanks to Teething Bling by Smart Mom Jewelry, I can now wear a necklace without the worry!

I was sent the Jade Donut Shaped Pendant you see above to try out with Bryson. It only took a few seconds and he was gnawing away at it. I think part of the interest for Bryson is that he think it's something he isn't supposed to have, therefore he wants it even more. I have worn it daily since receiving it and he absolutely loves it. I'll put it on and he instantly goes for it. When we are out shopping, I always take a few toys. Now, when he gets tired of them or wants something he can really dig those two little teeth into, I always have something new for him. The great thing is that you don't have to worry about it. Just slip it around your neck and you are set to go. He is trying to cut his top teeth and this definitely satisfies him as well as anything could satisfy a teething baby.

Teething Bling is available in donut and heart shaped pendants, coordinating bangles, and key chains. Gift sets are also available. You will find a wide array of styles, colors, and patterns at the Smart Mom Jewelry online store. If you are buying for a momma-to-be and aren't sure which product or style she'd like, pick up a gift card.


There is an amazing deal going on throughout the month of August at Smart Mom Jewelry. August's birthstone - PERIDOT - is 50% off. Pendants, regularly $19.10 are only $9.50. Bangles, regularly $12.75 are only $6.30. Order now- while supplies last!

Thank you to Smart Mom Jewelry for this review opportunity.

Yo Baby Giveaway

Did you know that Stonyfield Farm's YoBaby turns 10 this year? To mark the occasion, they have added new YoBaby Meals to their product line.

Available in three delicious flavors- Pear & Green Bean, Peach & Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato- each meal is a combination of yogurt, fruit, and veggie puree in one cup. Each single serve 6 ounce cup provides more than 35% of a toddler's daily protein and calcium needs! YoBaby 3-in-1 meals are an easy, delicious, and surprising way to help moms give their babies and toddlers a trio of important food groups at every meal.

YoBaby is all natural and certified organic, made with milk from cows fed organic feed and not treated with antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. You'll be happy to learn that there are no preservatives or artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners in Stonyfield Farm products.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to try Stonyfield Farm's products, including YoBaby. No one around me carries them! I plan to e-mail a few local stores and ask that they consider carrying YoBaby. I'm disappointed, but I am also accustomed to it. Living in such a small, southern town, it is no surprise.
Buy it! YoBaby Organic Meals hit natural food store and select supermarket shelves July 1st. To find a store near you, use the handy Store Locator on the YoBaby website. Click here to get a coupon for $1 off YoBaby Yogurt.


Win it! YoBaby is generously giving one reader this wonderful prize package. The contents include a reusable YoBaby bag, a travel YoBaby bowl with lid and utensils, an organic YoBaby bib, and Eric Carle growth chart, and 5 FREE YoBaby coupons! To enter, just tell me your favorite flavor of YoBaby yogurt. If (like me!) you've never been able to try it, tell me which flavor you think your family would like best.

Extra Entries:

• Become a fan of YoBaby on Facebook.
• Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway.
• Blog about this giveaway.
• Follow my blog.
• Subscribe to my blog.
• Grab my button.

Giveaway ends Saturday, August 15. Winner will be chosen using random.org.

Ecostore USA Giveaway Winner

Congratulations, Vicki!
This is the second giveaway Vicki has won here.
I have sent you an e-mail and you have 48 hours to respond.

Be sure to check out my other giveaways above!