The Skinny Cow Giveaway

We were recently given the chance to try some Skinny Cow ice cream products.  We are an ice cream lovin’ family, so I couldn’t pass this chance up.  I admit that I was a little worried.  Low fat ice cream that tastes good?  No way! 

It is true!  We received coupons to pick up some free Skinny Cow ice cream to put it to the test.  I picked up some Cookies ‘N Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches, Mini Fudge Pops, and Vanilla & Caramel Dippers.  I liked them all, but the Cookies ‘N Creme Ice Cream Sandwiches are definitely my favorite.  The things are gigantic and only 150 calories!  Seriously, if you haven’t tried them- you must! 

See?  I told you they were humungous!

If you are on Weight Watchers (I should be!) they have a chart so you can know how many points each product is.  You can find that PDF here.  Also, if you are worried about sugar content, they offer a no sugar added vanilla sandwich.

Buy it!  Before you head to the store, you’ll want to sign up for The Skinny Cow newsletter and print a valuable coupon.

Win it!  The generous folks over at The Skinny Cow have offered to give one reader a one month supply of ice cream!  To enter, tell me your favorite Skinny Cow product or which product you would like to try. 

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following.

Become a fan of The Skinny Cow on Facebook
Follow The Skinny Cow on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter.
Tweet this giveaway up to once per day. “Enter to win a one month supply of @TheSkinnyCow ice cream http://tinyurl.com/skinnycow  RT @whitneybaugh”
Subscribe to my blog.
Grab my button.

Giveaway ends at 11:59CST on December 15th.  Winner will be chosen via random.org.

Vicks Humidifier Review

When I was contacted to try out the new Vicks Pediatric GermFree Cool Mist Humidifier , I couldn’t have been happier.  Bryson was fighting a cold at the time and the doctor had recommended we buy a humidifier.  Our pediatrician recommended the humidifier not only for Bryson’s cold, but also for his dry skin.  So, as you can see, this opportunity came at just the right time for our family.

 
Vicks Pediatric GermFree Cool Mist Humidifier is the first of its kind.  It has a UV light chamber that kills 99.9% of mold, bacteria, and fungi which results in fresher, more pure moisture.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a cool mist humidifier throughout the winter months.  Cool mist humidifiers help relieve congestion and coughs for children and help keep respiratory systems moist and healthy so that they are better able to fight off infections. 

Although this humidifier is labeled pediatric, it also a great help for moms and dads.  It can improve your skin, remove static electricity from the air, and helps relieve dry eyes, dry nose, chapped lips, and flakey skin. 

We have used this humidifier for the past week and I can honestly say that it has made a difference. Bryson’s cold had begun to let up when we started using the humidifier and is now completely gone.  His back is almost completely clear with no signs of returning dry skin or eczema.  You do have refill the tank every 24 hours, but it is a simple process and only takes a couple minutes.  It is very quiet even while on the highest setting, but at night, you can turn it down to the sleep setting and you can barely hear it at all.

Vicks Pediatric GermFree Cool Mist Humidifiers work with Vicks VapoPads.  We have only tried the Vicks Menthol, but I plan to buy a pack of the Soothing Sleepy Time VapoPads.  As you can imagine the menthol smells like Vicks VapoRub and will definitely help open you up if you have a stuffy nose or congestion. 

Overall, I give this product five out of five stars (six if I could!) and I only wish we had it sooner.  We have been 100% happy with it and I definitely think it is worth every cent!

Buy it!  The suggested retail price is $69.99 and you can pick this wonderful humidifer up at Babies ‘R Us, Rite Aid, Meijer, and other major drug chains.

Stay tuned!  I have another review of a Vicks product and that one will include a giveaway!

A Night in Our Home

I thought I would share these two videos with you.  They show you a typical night in our household and you can definitely tell exactly who the star of the show is.  Our hearts are so full of joy.  It is so hard to believe Bryson will turn one in a few days.  I cannot imagine life without him.  We are so lucky to have him as our son.

16x20 Canvas Poster Giveaway

 
I love canvas prints, so I am excited to announce that LargeFormatPosters.com is offering a giveaway to it’s gravy, baby! readers.  Canvas prints make for beautiful gifts and with the holidays right around the corner, I am sure you know someone (or yourself!) that would like one.  I actually bought my dad a canvas print last Father’s Day and he loved it.

LargeFormatPosters.com offers a variety of products including poster and canvas prints.  One lucky reader will win a 16x20 canvas print!  To enter, simply tell me about the photo you would have printed.  For extra entries you can tweet this giveaway @UPrinting, post about it on your blog, subscribe to or follow my blog, and grab my button.

Thank you to UPrinting Reviews for this opportunity. 

Giveaway is open to US only and will end at 11:59 CST on November 25th.  Winner will be chosen using random.org.

7 Years Ago…

Today marked an anniversary for my family.  One that I will never forget.  One that I always remember.  But this year?  It slipped my mind.  I went out shopping, I played with my little boy, I enjoyed being a mother and a wife, and it never crossed my mind what this day meant.

Until my dad reminded me.  Seven years ago we lost everything we owned.  It literally went up in flames.  We were heartbroken, but we were sheltered.  We were miserable, but we were loved.  We had nothing, but we had one another.  We wept, we sobbed, but we had plenty of shoulders to learn on.  We were surrounded by so many amazing people.  I will never forget the scene.  I will never forget the crowded yard, the flames, the smell, the tears, the hugs- I will never forget any of it.

But today?  I didn’t remember.  And I am glad. 

Brugo Mug Review

When I was contacted about the Brugo Mug, I was at first skeptical.  I don’t drink near the amount of coffee as when I worked, but I still have a few cups a day.  I can remember fixing my coffee and heading to work, only to spill it all over myself.  I have definitely had my share of coffee mishaps.  Mugs that make coffee taste like metal?  Yep, been there.  Mugs that kept my coffee scalding?  Yep, done that.  Mugs that allowed my coffee to cool too quickly?  I have drank  my share of cold coffee


No more!  The Brugo Mug has taken care of all of my coffee loving problems.  The Brugo Mug lives up to its claims.  It keeps my coffee the right temperature, doesn’t leak, and it looks stylish.  I have never had a cute coffee mug, but now I do!  I will never, ever go back to a regular coffee mug.  If you are a coffee drinker, the Brugo Mug is a must have.  You will wonder how you went without it, no kidding!  So, how does it work?

• Patented 2 oz/25 ml Temperature Control Chamber giving you sip by sip satisfaction at the perfect temperature
• Double-wall insulation
• 3-position drink mode selector -  "Lock, Sip, Tip & Cool" - allowing you perfect taste and temperature control whether you need a bolt of caffeine or prefer to linger over your coffee ritual
• 16oz / 450ml capacity cup size - a large cup
• Non-slip bottom keeping your coffee where you put it
• Ergonomic grip for maximum comfort
• 13 stylish colors
• Stainless Steel and Chrome accents
• Fits all cup holders

There are three collections available.  The Executive Collections offers neutral colors that would work for anyone.  The Jazz Collection (my favorite!) offers brighter colors like Flamingo (pink) and Spring (green).  The Sport Collection has a no-slip bottom and comes in a range of colors from black to yellow.

Buy it!  You can order online at BrugoMug.com.  The Executive and Jazz Collections retail for $19.95 each while the Sport Collection retails for $14.95  Use promo code holidays and receive free standard shipping on all orders over $50.

Large Format Posters Giveaway!

If you are on my gift list this holiday season, I can almost guarantee that you are going to receive a photo gift.  Be it a puzzle, coffee mug, mouse pad, or a poster print- it is going to have a photo of Bryson on it. 

 
LargeFormatPosters.com will be helping with my gift list this year.  They offer a wide selection of poster prints and sizes.  You can even order a custom size!  One thing I really like about ordering through Large Format Posters is that you get a free proof before you pay.  I know sometimes my photos aren’t the right size, so they have to be trimmed down.  I worry that something important will be cut out of the photo.  With largeformatposters.com they will send you a proof to make sure everything is right and if you accept, it will then be printed. 

Now, you can subscribe to the new UPrinting You Tube Channel!

Win it!  Large Format Posters is offering one reader an 18x24 poster print!  To enter, tell me about the holiday photo you would like to have enlarged. 

For one extra entry, you can tweet this giveaway @uprinting using the hashtag #giveaway.

US Only.  Giveaway ends November 29th at 11:59PM CST.  Winner will be chosen using random.org.

I will receive a free poster print for hosting this giveaway.  No other compensation will be provided and all opinions remain my own.  Thanks to LargeFormatPosters.com for sponsoring this giveaway!

Make Money with Sponsored Tweets

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Sponsored Tweets. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you follow me on Twitter, you have probably noticed that every so often I will post an ad. I do this through Sponsored Tweets and I make a small amount of money. It really requires hardly any work, sometimes the tweet is even wrote out for you, you just have to approve the post!

How does it work? It is very simple. Obviously, you need to have a twitter account. The more followers you have, the better. I do not have many and I still make a few bucks here and there. You need to sign up with Sponsored Tweets and set your price. If you don’t know where to start, you can just go with the price they recommend for you.

Let the offers roll in! You can have offers messaged directly to you on twitter or you can set them up to e-mail you when one is available. I prefer to be e-mailed, but you may not. You have three days to accept or reject the ad. If you accept, your account will be credited within 24 hours. You cannot cash out until your account reaches $50.

Ready to get started? sign up for sponsored tweets

Brainy Baby DVD Review

 

If you missed my post on how to get your free Brainy Baby DVD, you are in luck!  The giveaway is running until the end of the year and Brainy Baby has set a goal of giving away one million DVDs.  For more information, visit their giveaway page and to sign up for your free DVD,head over to myfreebrainybaby.com. While the DVD is free, $6.95 shipping is required, but it still makes for a good deal.  If you are in the Atlanta area, you can arrange to pick your DVD up free of charge. 

We were sent the Brainy Baby Laugh & Learn and Shapes & Colors DVDs to review.  Both DVDs have already been put to good use.  Bryson watches one almost every morning while I get the day going.  We have really enjoyed them and I can see Bryson watching them often during the next year or two.  I like that I can feel good about what he is watching.  Each DVD teaches something different from shapes and colors to the ABCs.  These DVDs hold Bryson’s attention pretty well and he loves to dance and clap with the music.

Brainy Baby carries toys, games, music CDs, books, and many other items.  Be sure to check them all out right here.  I found a few good deals in their clearance section with prices up to 50% off regular retail!

To keep with everything going on at Brainy Baby, you can join the Brainy Baby Network on Facebook, follow Brainy Baby on Twitter, and subscribe to the Brainy Baby Network channel on You Tube.

We were sent the above DVDs mentioned free of charge in order to write this review.  No other compensation was provided and all opinions remain my own.

Shopping Cart Covers for $30!

If you were to see my family out at a restaurant or in a store, you will also see a shopping cart cover. We never, ever leave home without it. It stays in the vehicle at all times and it gives me peace of mind, especially with H1N1.

I paid almost $80 for our shopping cart cover! I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I love it. Right now, you can pick up your own shopping cart cover at bTrendie for only $29.99! That, my friends, is a steal and I consider it a cheap price to pay for peace of mind.

bTrendie is an invitation only shopping site with designer items at discount prices. There are always wonderful deals, but they change often, so make sure to check daily. Click HERE to sign up and order your shopping cart cover! Shipping is only $4.95!

Fall Fashion with TJ Maxx

I was recently given the chance to go shopping at TJ Maxx to see what I could find for Fall.  I am a frugal shopper and that also goes for clothes shopping.  The only item of clothing I will pay full price for is jeans.  TJ Maxx carriers designer items at discount prices. 

I was on the hunt for a few shirts and I am really into the plaid (or as I call it “lumberjack”) trend this fall.  I found the shirt you see below for $24.99.  If you were to pick up this shirt at any other store, it would cost around $50!  You cannot beat half-price for an in-season, trendy shirt.

Excuse my face in this photo.  I had my hands full, as you can see.
  Just focus on the shirt!  Isn’t it cute?

  
While I was there, I also had to check out the purses and the home decor.  I love, love, love the home decor section!  They always have very neat items that I can’t find anywhere else.  We are out of room to store things, but you can bet when we get in our home, I will be making another trip to TJ Maxx. 

Another thing I adore about TJ Maxx is that unlike most discount stores, you do not have to do dig to find what you are looking for.  I know some people actually like the “hunt” but I like to find what I want without going through piles.  TJ Maxx is laid out nicely, everything has a place, clothes are on racks, purses are hanging up, shoes are placed on shelves..  You can see everything without moving and digging. 

Become a fan of TJ Maxx on Facebook and follow along on Twitter to keep up-to-date!

What have you found at TJ Maxx lately?  What trends are you into this fall?

 

I was sent a gift card to do my shopping in order to write this review.  No other compensation was provided and all opinions remain my own.

DiningRoomsDirect.com Review

When I was contacted by CSN stores for a review, my only question was “How do I pick?”  I knew I wanted something for our new home, but the selection is almost overwhelming.  I could browse their many stores for days.  In the end, I picked the gorgeous rug you see below.  I plan to decorate our entire living room around this rug.  We have painted our living room a beautiful blue and plan to accent with brown.

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Dining Rooms Direct and CSN stores.  My rug arrived in a few short days and was wrapped and packaged wonderfully.  The quality is amazing.  It is very thick and fluffy and just WOW!  I am as close to in love with a rug as one can or should be.  In my opinion this runner was a steal at only $80!

When you hear DiningRoomsDirect.com, you probably think of dining tables, kitchen islands, and things like that.  Not only do they carry those items, but so much more.  You can find rugs, lighting, cooking utensils, and patio furniture.

You can (and should!) visit DiningRoomsDirect.com and see a list of ALL CSN stores.  Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates, because they always have great sales and specials.  You will also receive a coupon code just for signing up!  One more thing I suggest is to check out their Clearance Center.  I found a sofa table for only $75!  There are always many wonderful items at clearance prices. 

What do you think of my new rug?  Share with me your favorite item from DiningRoomsDirect.com or your favorit CSN store.

I received this (gorgeous!) item for review and no other compensation was provided.  All opinions remain my own.

K’NEX Sesame Street Neighborhood Review

Thanks to Team Mom, we were recently given the chance to try out a K’NEX playset.  We were sent the Sesame Street Ice Cream Truck set.  This is our first set of K’NEX and right off, I knew we were going to have fun with them.

K’NEX, a super creative construction toy, inspires children to use their imagination, build, and play.  K’NEX created the Sesame Street Neighborhood Collection for children ages 2-5.  This collection features Elmo, Ernie, and The Cookie Monster.

Bryson falls a bit short for the age range, but he still had a ton of fun with the Ice Cream Truck set.  Admittedly, his dad and I had just as much fun putting the set together all different ways.  I put it together and Bryson would roll it around making truck noises.  He especially likes to take Elmo out of his truck and play with him.  I always loved building toys as a child and I can already tell that Bryson is going to follow in my footsteps.  This is one of those toys I wish I would have had when I was a kid!  We will definitely be adding to our K’NEX Sesame Street Collection.  I think Elmo the Cowboy is pretty darn cute. 

 Buy it!  Each set retails from $10.99 for the smaller sets to $25.99 for the larger sets and can be bought online at the K’NEX website.

K’NEX Contest! Would you like to win $1,000 worth of K’NEX products?  You can do so by entering the Make a K’NEXion contest.  Simply make a video and include select K’NEX products.  Construct your own story or showcase your child’s K’NEX building skills.  The sky is the limit!  You can visit the official rules page to learn more.

You can keep up-to-date by becoming a fan on K’NEX of Facebook.

Team Mom and K’NEX supplied a product for review.  No other compensation was provided and all thoughts and opinions remain my own.

Kid’Sleep Classic Review

When I came across the Kid’Sleep product line, I knew it was something that I would like to have for Bryson.  I was actually on the hunt for a night light and I loved that this product would also last into toddlerhood and on, because it is also a clock.    Here is a little bit of information from the website

“The Kid'Sleep Classic has many benefits, as a night light, wake-up indicator for young children and an alarm clock for older children. It helps young children have an understanding of when it is time to get out of bed and when it is not. It is a great tool for nighttime self regulation, and the result is that both parents and children get more sleep. When the sleeping bunny (or bear or mouse) is illuminated, the child knows that it is still bed time (or nap time), and when the awake bunny is illuminated, the child knows that it is time to get up..

Parents can set the Kid'Sleep for any time that they would like. There is also an alarm clock function. The alarm (which has a very sweet bird chirping sound followed by a rooster) can be set to go off as the awake animal is illuminated. The Kid'Sleep can be used with or without the alarm function.”

Because Bryson is so young, we are only using the night light feature for now.  It is super cute.  I do still have to turn on a hall light as it isn’t bright enough to see by in pitch dark.  I think it could be a bit brighter, but then it would possibly catch Bryson’s attention.  We have changed out the pictures and Bryson loves to watch them light up.  The panels are no hassle to take in and out.  Overall, this is a cute, yet practical product that I know we will certainly get a lot of use out of.

Buy it!  You can buy the Kid’Sleep Classic online at livelovedream.com for $39.99.  You can also pick up extra interchangeable discs and replacement bulbs here.

So Smart! Baby’s First Word Stories Review

As most of you know by now, I am always on the look out for products that will help entertain Bryson. I never want to stop at just entertainment though- added educational value is always a plus. When I was asked to review the Baby’s First Word Stories by So Smart! I couldn’t pass up the chance.

We were sent the House Baby’s First Word Stories DVD to review. First off, I have to say this is once of the cutest DVDs I have ever viewed. From the names of the characters to the voices and animation- it is all absolutely adorable. The music helps hold baby’s attention as do the animals.

Here is a bit about the Baby’s First Word Stories DVD.

“Helping children learn their first words is an exciting time for every parent. Specially designed for 1 to 3 year olds, Baby's First-Word Stories incorporates age-appropriate content such as:

Word repetition
Words in varied contexts
Simple, easy-to-follow stories narrated in present tense
An interactive, segment "wrap-up" of key words
A gentle pace
Opportunities for children to participate and interact
Smooth transitions-avoidance of "jump cuts" or rapid changes in visual content
Stimulating, but not sudden, loud or jarring music

The First-Word Stories experience doesn't have to end with the DVD! Each First-Word Stories DVD comes with an Activity Guide, filled with innovative activities that relate to each story. As children explore the world, they can take the lessons of First-Word Stories with them.”
One thing mentioned above is that there are no rapid changes or jump cuts in visual content. That is one of my favorite things about this series. Most children’s DVDs I have watched quickly change subjects or have downtime during which Bryson will be up and going because he is no longer interested. This DVD flows smoothly and that also helps hold a little one’s attention.

Overall, I give this DVD 5 stars and I look forward to trying out other So Smart! products. You will not be disappointed and your baby will thank you for this DVD.

Watch & Play! You can view a trailer of the House DVD here. To view the activities, visit this page.

Buy it! You can order the Baby’s First Word Stories DVDs and many other So Smart! products at www.sosmart.com. The DVDs retail for $15.99 and the DVD sets start at $24.99.

Make sure to keep up to date by become a fan of So Smart! Productions on Facebook.

One Lil’ Snap Review + Giveaway

As a mom of a little boy, I know the frustration that comes with finding cute things for boys. You can find anything and everything for little girls. Boys? It is very rare that you find “accessories” for them. That’s why when I came across One Lil’ Snap, I knew I had to share it with my readers. I was so excited to see they had a boys section. If you have a little girl, no worries! They have everyone taken care of and a wonderful selection. Here is a bit of information from the website.

“One Lil' Snap products are simply adorable headbands, hats, and clips; a creative and unique product with comfort, style, and versatility. Our interchangeable products allow you to mix and match flowers and appliques to any headband, hat, or clip. All it takes is "One Lil' Snap!"

We were sent the Striped Beanie and a “B” for Bryson, of course! I cannot get over how adorable it is. It is a little big on Bryson, but he will surely grow into it. My favorite thing is that I can change up the appliqué. If I want him to wear a “B” one day and a football the next, it only takes a snap. This is a great quality beanie and I know we will get a lot of use out of it.

For the girls, they carry headbands, clips, and hats with interchangeable flowers. They have daisies, roses, rhinestone flowers, and velvet flowers. I think this is the neatest idea. There is a variety of satin and velvet headband in several colors. The possibilities are endless with their snap on flowers, headbands, and clips. If I had a little girl, I would definitely have a drawer full of One Lil Snap products!

Buy it! You can view the entire line of One Lil Snap products at onelilsnap.com. Use code IGB10 to receive 10% off of your purchase.

Win it! The generous folks at One Lil’ Snap are offering one reader their choice of the following:

-Headband and Flower Set
-Baseball Cap and Appliqué or Flower Set
-Clip and Flower Set

To enter, simply visit One Lil Snap and tell me your favorite product. Please be specific.

For extra entries, you can do any of the following.

• Follow my blog.
• Subscribe to my blog via e-mail.
• Follow me on twitter
• Tweet this giveaway.
• Grab my button.

Giveaway ends at 11:59PM November 21st. Winner will be chosen using random.org.

The Baugh Family Halloween

I know I am a bit late with my Halloween post, but I wanted to put it up anyways.  Unfortunately, Bryson came down with a cold last Thursday, so we weren’t able to do as many things as we wanted.  I try to remember that he won’t remember, so it is okay.  I wanted to decorate the yard, take him to the pumpkin patch, and take some photos, but none of that happened.

We did take Bryson trick-or-treating, but we kept it short and sweet, so we wouldn’t spread the runny nose germs too far.  He went to the Sheriff’s Department to see his Gangan, to Lowes to pick out paint, to his Aunt Wendy & Uncle Paul’s (where his Pawpaw Stoney was also), and then to his Mawmaw Mars’ house.  After that, we called it a night.  He ended up with some vanilla wafers, suckers, apple wagon wheels, juice treats, and socks.

I don’t think he enjoyed it at all this year.  He hates getting in his car seat and he had not taken a nap all day.  So, he was tired, sick, and fussy, but he was happy as could be around others.  Even so, he was the cutest chicken I have ever saw!

Freebie Alert!

 

Request your FREE Night-Time Renewal Kit to experience our TEMPUR material: 3-Month In-Home Tryout Certificate, TEMPUR Material sample, Price list of our Tempur-Pedic products and DVD. Click HERE.

My mom received this a few months ago and it is a neat kit.  Now, if only I had the money to buy one of ‘em!

Hugg-A-Planet Review

When I came across the Hugg-A-Planet line, I was immediately intrigued.  I have a thing for educational products that also work as toys.  Science was definitely not my favorite subject in school, but “Mars” is my maiden name, so I am partial to the planets.

We were sent the Hugg-A-Planet Mars and The Earth and Moon. As soon as I opened the box, I was amazed at the details on each item.  On the Mars alone, there are over 400 places labeled!  It also details the landings on Mars.  Not only is this a soft, ball-like toy- it is a learning tool.  These would definitely come in handy for hands-on learning, especially if you home school.  I could even see these as a great addition to any science classroom that covers outer space and the planets. 

 

The Earth and Moon are both just as neat as Mars.  The cool thing about this one is that the Moon actually fits inside the Earth.  There is a small pocket that you just slip the Moon into and it velcros to keep closed. The Moon is proportional to the Earth, so you can get idea of their sizes compared to one another.  There are over 600 places labeled on the Earth and 100 on the Moon.

While browsing their website, I also noticed another item that would be a great teaching tool.  The Hugg America retails for $18.95 and is a soft geographically shaped map of the United States.  There are over 400 places labeled- including all 50 states with postal codes, major cities, natural features, rivers, lakes, mountains ranges, and National Parks. 

Buy it!  These products would be wonderful gifts- fun and educational!  You can see the entire line of products here.  The Mars retails for $18.95 and The Earth and Moon retails for $34.95.

I received these products to review, but no other compensation was provided.  All opinions are 100% honest and 100% mine.