Sleep Well for Life with the Ultimate Pillow from Natura {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

During the recent vacation that Big Sister E and I took, I wasn't sad to be away from the cold and snow that this seemingly endless winter has shown us. However, there were multiple things that I missed while we were away with, of course, Little Sister B and my husband topping the list. Really though, not far below them in my mind were thoughts of my own bed and the luxurious pillow that I have grown to love.

It's not like I didn't have a bed and pillow to sleep on while visiting my mom, it's just that once you've been introduced to Natura and the amazing products that they offer, there's really no going back.


I've purchased a variety of pillows over the years (who hasn't?) and some have held up better than others, especially due to all that I put them through. With my tossing and turning, my past pillows were constantly being fluffed back up or flipped over (I need my pillow to be nice and cool!) and would eventually break down and be replaced.

The Ultimate Pillow from Natura is the most appropriately-named pillow because it truly is just that. The 100% latex core is antimicrobial and supportive and instantly adjusts to the contours of your head and neck, therefore keeping your spine correctly aligned and your whole body comfortable. It seems odd to describe a pillow as springy, but somehow that fits the Ultimate Pillow in that it doesn't at all flatten out or get clumpy and still appears brand new night after night.

If that isn't enough, the Ultimate Pillow comes with an extremely soft, plush terry cotton cover (that zips off for easy washing) that is lined with a layer of Natura Wool. The addition of the wool lining creates an insulating layer that constantly regulates temperature and wicks away excess moisture. What you are left with is a pillow that doesn't get too warm and a fresh, dry sleep environment without any common allergens or bacteria that could otherwise be lurking around. In short, the perfect pillow.

Or, are you used to a pillow filled with feathers and don't think there could be a replacement for that softness? Natura offers their Aloe Dream Mate Pillow that mimics the feeling of down... but better. The granulated latex core is filled with granules that move wherever you want them to in order to perfectly support you while providing soothing pressure relief. This is a heavy pillow but molds easily into any position that you please for excellent personalized comfort.

Similar to the Aloe Dream Mate, the Dream Travel Pillow is just the right thing to bring with you the next time you leave home, whether by car or plane, for a vacation, camping or just to Grandma's house. This pillow fit perfectly into our carry-on bag and provided Big Sister E a large amount of comfort when she wanted to sleep on the airplane. Plus, I was able to rest easy knowing that it was antimicrobial and can be machine washed and dried to protect her from all the germs lurking around.

Another item that I thought about bringing with us on the trip was Natura's convenient 2 in 1 Washable Blanket Pillow so that we would have an extra pillow OR blanket! This lightweight blanket is filled with a silky lining of Natura Wool and covered with soft, unbleached 100% cotton and easily folds into a 15" x 15" decorative pillow.

As a pillow, the 2 in 1 Washable Blanket Pillow makes a nice addition to any decor and matches well right on our couch in the living room. When unfolded into a blanket, I love the addition of the foot pocket that is just the right size to keep both feet cozy and warm and protected from any drafts. This would be a great thing to have at home, at a cottage, in the car or anywhere that you would like to add an attractive pillow or comfy blanket - or both!

The final product that I was fortunate to try out from Natura is their Re•Groove•N8 Aromatherapy Spray. With the tranquil scents of green tea and aloe, the smell is part sweet and part soothing and made to spray pretty much anywhere. Try it around the room, on your linens, on yourself - just give a spritz and go ahead and let the calming effects go to work for you. I love lightly misting my pillow and sheets before climbing into bed for a relaxing night's sleep.

Natura carries a huge array of natural and organic products, everything from mattresses to sheets to a sound machine to help you live and sleep better no matter if you're at home or away. They recently also launched Natura Baby & Kidz, a website devoted to all-natural and organic items for babies and kids to give them a head start in life. Their beautiful mattresses, bedding and accessories are not to be missed!

Are you ready for a good night's sleep and the health benefits that come along with it? Thanks to the generosity of Natura, one person will get to drift off in comfort because...

One lucky person will win an Ultimate Pillow of their own from Natura!
ARV $120!

Be warned though, the downfall to having this fantastic pillow is others wanting to share it with you!

To enter to win an Ultimate Pillow from Natura: Visit Natura and browse all of their amazing products and then tell me which one would you most like to try. There are a lot of great choices!

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Natura on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, tell me the closest retailer near you that carries these great products and/or subscribe to the RSS feed of the Natura blog.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Win Natura's Ultimate Pillow (ARV $120) for the BEST night's sleep @thxmailcarrier from @naturaworld! http://bit.ly/cJypqN #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Natura. Please leave an address where it can be found.


Giveaway will end on March 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A huge thank you to Natura for providing a variety of products for me to review as well as an Ultimate Pillow for one lucky giveaway winner. I've never slept better! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

GIVEAWAY: What do you love? Show it with an "I ♥ _____" shirt from Fibers.com ($25 gift certificate)

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Another Valentine's Day came and went this year... does that mean that now all declarations of love have to wait until 2011? Sometimes I wonder if it would be better if there was a Valentine's Day every month, not one where flowers or jewelry were necessary, but just a day set aside specifically to tell the world how much your loved ones mean to you.

Seeing as that probably isn't going to happen, there must be another way to proclaim our love, right? A customizable way to show your affection?


Fibers.com is your destination when you're looking for a website to give you complete freedom in customizing t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, onesies, organics and so much more. With over 40 products in 200+ color combinations that range in size from infant to 5X, no matter how artistic you are, your personalized item is available at Fibers.com.

Don't have a creative vision just yet? Fibers.com offers a large selection of unique designs already made for you, all you have to do is decide which one is your favorite and on what type and color clothing you would like it printed. With categories like Events & Occasions Shirts, where you can find a fun bachelorette or newlywed shirt, Family Shirts, with the cutest New Dad or Sibling shirts, or Funny Shirts, when you're looking to get a laugh, there is an image for all personalities (I'm partial to some of the great Mom t-shirts myself, but that's just me).

Ready to construct your own personal masterpiece? As Fibers.com has no minimum order, you can design just one item for yourself or you can go ahead and order enough for your family, a large group or even your business. With so many options (you can even upload your own images), these could easily be used for a reunion, celebration or company gathering.

When they mean customization, Fibers.com really means it. It took me several minutes just to sort through the different clothing and color options, not to mention browsing the templates, existing images and cool vintage effects. With St. Patrick's Day quickly approaching, I thought maybe Little Sister B could use this cute onesie that I whipped together in a minute:


Or, let's face it, what blogger couldn't use a little extra advertising to bring in some new readers? I thought that maybe I could pick up a few if every time we went out I dressed Big Sister E in this:


But, I digress. Back to the idea of declaring your love more often than just one day out of 365.

When it came time for me to create an "I ♥ _____" shirt, I sat long and hard about what I would put on it before coming up with the idea of the matching custom t-shirts I made for my daughters. Even though they are both too young to read right now, that doesn't mean that they can't be told what their cute shirts say and how important it is to love each other, right?

Making the actual shirts was extremely simple, thanks to how user-friendly the design process is on Fibers.com. One click and you are able to enter text, enlarge it, rotate it, change the color, font, spacing, outline, tilt... the options are pretty much limited to the lengths of your imagination.

I even considered writing "And my sister loves me, too" on the back of each of my girls' shirts, in a smaller size near the top, but decided that was taking things one step too far. There were just so many features I enjoyed using!

Even though I could have spent days playing around on Fibers.com, I'm extremely happy with the simplicity of the shirts that I ended up picking. When they arrived in the mail only a few days later, their high quality was immediately evident and they have help up well to being washed, dried and treated a little less than nicely by a 1-year-old and 3-year-old.

Are you ready to show the world who or what you love? Thanks to the generosity of Fibers.com, one person can choose to do just that because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift certificate to Fibers.com!

To enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Fibers.com: What do YOU love? If you were creating an "I ♥ _____" shirt from Fibers.com right now, what would you put on it?

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you tell me which of the fun designs at Fibers.com, whether pre-made or custom, is your favorite. What might you spend the gift certificate on?
1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Fibers.com on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and/or sign up for the Fibers.com newsletter to receive updates and exclusive offers (found on the lower left corner of their homepage).
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I ♥ ____ shirts at Fibers.com - what do YOU love? WIN a $25 gift card at @thxmailcarrier from @fibers! http://bit.ly/9wNlsL #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Fibers.com. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 18th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Fibers.com for providing a gift card for me to use to create and review these shirts as well as a $25 gift certificate for one lucky giveaway winner. I ♥ your creative site! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Winners and Upcoming Reviews

Four great giveaways came to an end last night, which means four more congratulations emails to send out that will hopefully brighten a few people's day!

As we've been using our My Reward Chart from Little Billies for quite a while now, it's been great to see the improvements in both Big Sister E's behavior and my own ability to remember to reward or praise her when she has done something well or is acting like the great kid I know she can be. All that from adorable magnets! The lucky person who can do some shopping at Little Billies with a $25 gift certificate is...


Congratulations, Shelly! I hope these help for you as well!

Little Sister B is getting closer to walking on her own, as she'll now take a few steps between two things or people that are nearby... although she looks a little more like she's falling and just happens to get her legs to move in time to keep her up. No hurry though, we can always continue to practice with our back-saving Walking Wings from UpSpring Baby. I think I'd be permanently hunched over if we didn't have this unique product to use! The two lucky people who will be receiving these for themselves are...


Congratulations, SocialStudiesSoubrette (blue) and AmyLynn (pink)! I hope the little ones in your lives have fun learning to walk with these!

RandomLine makes such great games that really encourage kids to use their imagination... and they don't even realize that they're doing something educational at the same time. Big Sister E still loves playing Alphabet SQUIGGLE and I love that it is helping her learn to write her letters while we play. The lucky person who will get to choose their favorite RandomLine game is...


Congratulations, Nancye! I hope your family enjoys playing one of these fun games!

It is actually bright and sunny outside my window right now and it's making me think spring might arrive at some point! However, that means no more hiding under my layers of clothing, so it's time to get fit and lose a few pounds. Even though my lack of willpower and laziness worked against me, using the EIROfit weight management system was a good step in the right direction for becoming a little healthier. The lucky person who will get to try out this great program is...


Congratulations, Deb! I hope this helps you move towards your weight loss goal!

Thanks to everyone who entered these great giveaways! You may have noticed that it was a little quiet around Thanks, Mail Carrier this week and that's because Big Sister E and I hopped on a plane last weekend and jetted off to visit my mom at her winter home in sunny Arizona. Unfortunately it managed to be overcast and rainy the first few days that we were there, but the trip ended with beautiful weather (it's definitely not often that I'm strolling around a gorgeous zoo in a tank top in February).

After getting a good night's sleep (mmm, my own bed sure felt welcoming) I'm ready to get back into the groove of things and that means great giveaways! I have an entire week of Traveling With Children reviews that will start on Monday, so if you have any plans to hit the skies or the road with kids, you'll definitely want to tune in to check out some great products that will help you stay organized, safe, entertained and more.

That's not all, of course. I also have a pile of other great giveaways to come that you'll definitely want to check out, whether you are interested in items for children, adults, the whole family... it's good to be home again!

GIVEAWAY: ABC Neckties' Stylish, Quality and Affordable Ties (2 winners!)

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

What is it about a man in a suit and tie that is just so attractive? I love my husband in a great pair of jeans or a cute sweater... but the days he needs to dress up for work and comes out in slacks, a crisp shirt and a nice tie, well, it's just so darn sexy.

My husband is fairly particular about his clothes and his suits are no exception. Shopping with him for a new button-up shirt or tie is usually a long and tiring experience as he manages to come up with something wrong with most of the options that are in the store. "No, too bright," is his response to anything with too much color and "Ugh, too busy," is his answer to most patterns.

His most common complaint, however, is about the cost. Even though my husband does need to wear his suit for work occasionally, spending upwards of $30 or $40 for a tie is just something he doesn't like to do. Therefore, when I told him I had found a website where he could find the best brands and models of quality ties that are priced under $25, I had definitely peaked his interest.


A member of the Affordable Style Network (home of such sites as HandbagHeaven.com and AffordableScarves.com, ABCNeckties.com is the place to go when shopping online for the finest ties at great prices. When you visit, you won't find just a small, out-of-date selection, instead you'll discover a tie to match every occasion or fit any man's fashion requirements (including picky ones like my husband).

Looking for something clean and classic? Try the Allen Fashion Silk Tie (at right), handmade out of 100% silk for a simple, yet timeless style. I also really love the look of a bold striped tie to bring in a little color while still staying modern and professional and the Brooks Striped Silk Tie (at left) would be a great addition to any man's wardrobe.

As well as having a large array of traditional ties, ABC Neckties also carries a huge novelty selection, where ties in all shapes, sizes and colors are sure to make a statement. Looking to get a few laughs? Try showing up at an event wearing the Foot Long Necktie (at right) and see how many people can not make a comment about it.

Or, for more intellectual humor, I think the Crossword Puzzle Necktie (at left) would be a fun way to draw attention without being too overly silly or bright. There are even 30 different Collegiate Ties that come in a multitude of striped combinations, so whether your team's colors are red and white or navy and orange, the sports fan you know can show off his team pride in his tie.

As for my husband, he narrowed it down to Silk Ties and then Blue Ties and ended up with his favorite being the Light Blue Woven Grid Silk Tie, one that can be used for any number of occasions and with a variety of different shirts and pants. I think he was secretly expecting a poor quality tie to show up, but when the box appeared (only a day or two later), I could tell from the look on his face that he was pleased. Not too long after, I found that he had been matching up the tie with various outfits to see how it looked:


The result? A definite thumbs up from my male fashionista. The tie looks great and is just as nice as the ones he owns that cost at least twice as much. Whether shopping for a gift or just a new accessory, ABC Neckties is the place to look for whatever style, color or type of need a man might need. From the classic neckties to colorful bow ties to Clip On or Pre-Tied Ties for the man who might not be as skilled at tying a tie, ABC Neckties has it all.

Not only that, they fully stand behind their products and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and hassle-free returns as part of their high level of customer service. You can't go wrong! Thanks to the generosity of ABCNeckties.com, two people will have a great gift for the man in their life, because...

Two lucky people will win the tie of their choice from ABC Neckties!

To enter to win your choice of scarf from Affordable Scarves: Check out all of the stylish options at ABCNeckties.com and tell me which tie you (or the man in your life) would love to own. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winners.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow ABC Neckties on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and/or sign up to receive exclusive ABC Neckties email savings (found on the lower right corner of their homepage).
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

ABC Neckties *2 winners* keeps men fashionable and stylish @thxmailcarrier from @ABCNeckties! http://bit.ly/aubGou #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and ABC Neckties. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 18th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to residents of U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to ABC Neckties for providing a tie for me to review as well as two ties of choice for two lucky giveaway winners. All men need a stylish tie at an affordable price! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Discount: This Little Piggy's House Cardboard Playhouses 70% Off... and a Giveaway!

If you didn't happen to be the lucky winner of my giveaway for an adorable eco-friendly playhouse from This Little Piggy's House recently, I just found out about a great offer for you!

Through Kellogg School of Management, a group of students at Northwestern University are conducting a marketing research study for 2nd Wind LLC, the parent company of This Little Piggy's House. Everyone who completes their online survey (that should take 10 - 15 minutes) will receive a coupon code for 70% off of one of This Little Piggy's House Cardboard Playhouses (in either the kraft or white model)!


70% off! That means instead of $49.99, you can receive you own 100% recyclable, made in America, super-fun playhouse of your own for only $15!

If that isn't enough reason to head over there, all of the respondents who fill out the survey will be entered in a giveaway where TWO lucky people will win a FREE playhouse! There's nothing to lose, head over and take their survey now... don't delay, the deadline for participating is this Thursday, February 25th at 11:59 pm CST.

Chic Monkey Boutique {Review & Choice of $25 Gift Certificate OR $35 Minky Blanket Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

This past September I was extremely fortunate to be introduced to Cristie, the owner of Chic Monkey Boutique, and have the opportunity to review an adorable Flower Beanie from her shop (if you didn't see that post, head back there to see one of my absolute favorite pictures of Little Sister B). We loved that Beanie then and we love that Beanie now, it's just so cute.

In the five months since that review, not only have my girls grown, but Chic Monkey has expanded immensely as well. Where they once carried a select number of amazing tutus, blankets and hair clips, they now are the one-stop boutique for absolutely everything for babies, kids and beyond when you're looking for quality, originality and downright adorable items. Don't believe me?

Check out the Best Buddy Monkey Backpack, where the plush animal is a removable friend that travels with your child to preschool, daycare or Grandma's house. Or you have to see the ultra-cool Oopsy Daisy Bib, the fashionable bib (available in 30 different pattern options) that has elastic straps on the "legs" so that your child's outfit will actually stay clean! Pure genius.

Looking for something a little more traditional? Chic Monkey Boutique has that, too. I know Big Sister E would have a great time slicing her own food with the Melissa and Doug Cutting Fruit Crate or stamping and sending mail with the Wooden Sorting Mailbox. After all, we are awfully partial to getting mail around here - all she would need is the little truck and we could REALLY act out our day.

Thinking that Chic Monkey is only for kids? Well, then you obviously haven't seen the really stylish Mommy Aprons, Monogrammed Laptop Bags or Home Decor. But, wait. That's not all. How many times have you seen gorgeous tutus for little girls and said, "I'd love to wear that if it came in MY size"? Now they do!

Chic Monkey's amazing tutus not only come in varying lengths and great colors, they range in size from 0-6 months all the way up to adult XL! I think it's safe to say that on days that I manage to make it out of my pajamas, I would definitely put this on if I owned one. Is it possible to have a bad day when you're wearing a black, red and fuchsia tutu? Seeing as adult sizes only cost $22, I might even get two.

One of Chic Monkey Boutique's classic and most popular items, however, continues to be their Signature Minky Baby Blankets. If you need the ultimate baby gift that will get plenty of oohs and ahhs while everyone anxiously awaits their turn to run their fingers over it, this is for you.

You're reaching out to touch the screen to feel the silky softness right now, aren't you?

Without a doubt, the Minky and Satin Baby Blanket in Green Jumbo Dot that Little Sister B received is the most plush, gorgeous, high quality, customized blanket that we have ever owned. Yes, customized! Cristie was very sweet and surprised us by embroidering Little Sister B's name beautifully on the corner of this blanket and it makes it even more stunning.

Available in a multitude of color and pattern options, these 36x30" blankets feature any combination that you would like of silky satins and soft, luxurious minky fabrics. Choose neutrals for parents-to-be that don't know their baby's gender, pastel pinks or blues to match a newborn's nursery or select a bright animal print for extra flair. Both the front and the back fabrics are up to you, so you know that each Minky Blanket is one-of-a-kind and made personally for your order.

Both Little Sister B and Big Sister E have been enjoying this blanket since it arrived and can often be found hanging out snuggling underneath it or laying on top giggling together. I can't really blame them, I have a hard time not wrapping myself in its softness as well!


One mom's vision of an online boutique where fashionable items for the whole family can be found at affordable prices, while still receiving personalized care has resulted in a great shopping experience. At Chic Monkey Boutique, you're not just a nameless order number and Cristie works to ensure your complete satisfaction and happiness. Why else would her customers return to purchase more of her great items over and over again? And, thanks to Cristie's generosity, one person get to enjoy Chic Monkey Boutique for themselves because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift certificate OR their choice of Minky Blanket (ARV $35) from Chic Monkey Boutique!

To enter to win a $25 gift certificate OR your choice of Minky Baby Blanket: Visit Chic Monkey Boutique and tell me which Minky Baby Blanket you would choose OR what great item(s) you would spend your gift certificate on.

Please do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile. I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Chic Monkey Boutique on Twitter, become a friend on Facebook or follow the Chic Monkey blog with Google Friend Connect.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

#Win a Chic Monkey Boutique Minky Blanket (ARV $35) OR $25 gift certificate! @Thechicmonkey @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/bBsZoD #giveaway

2 Extra Entries per follow method if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. I've moved! Please update your button code! Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Chic Monkey Boutique. Please leave an address where it can be found.
5 Extra Entries if you enter the Chic Monkey giveaway on their blog by searching for hidden letters at the Boutique! The rules are simple and you have a chance to win a gorgeous Monogrammed Large Tote bag of your choice!
10 Extra Entries if you make a purchase from Chic Monkey Boutique during this giveaway. Tell me which adorable item(s) you chose!

Giveaway will end on March 11th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

A big thank you to Cristie for providing me with a Minky Blanket to review as well as one lucky giveaway winner's choice of blanket or gift certificate. We {heart} Chic Monkey Boutique! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

EvoraKids {Review & Giveaway} Probiotic Mints for Kids

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

From the first time Big Sister E was able to pick out her own toothbrush at the store, a shiny new purple one, she has been a big fan of oral hygiene. "I need to brush my teeth," she'll declare, walking decisively into the bathroom whenever the thought strikes her.

So, back in December when I was reviewing EvoraPlus probiotic mints, Big Sister E would watch me put a mint in my mouth in the morning with longing in her eyes. Aside from not wanting to be left out (particularly when it comes to something you eat), she knew that these were Mommy's "healthy mouth" mints, helping to whiten my teeth, freshen my breath and keep my teeth and gums healthy. She also knew that they weren't made for kids and that she was unable to try them, so instead she would touch the shiny foil and be sure to remind me of the importance of taking care of your mouth.

Therefore, imagine Big Sister E's surprise and happiness when we brought in the mail and found a box of Oragenics' latest product, EvoraKids, waiting for her.


The combination of the bright colors and Linda, the Probiotics Tooth Fairy, on the box would have definitely peaked Big Sister E's interest if she hadn't already been overly excited about having her own box of "healthy mouth" mints. When I told her that she would get to try one after she brushed her teeth, her immediate response was, "I want to brush my teeth NOW." Can't blame a girl for trying, right?

So, why was EvoraKids invented? According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, 80-90% of cavities in children occur on the chewing surfaces of their teeth. As kids are much more likely than adults to form cavities (all that darn sugar), the probiotics in EvoraKids, a blend called ProBiora3, help maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in their mouths and lessen the likelihood of tooth decay.

The list of reasons why I am happy to let Big Sister E take EvoraKids is long, starting with the fact that they are 100% natural, have no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners and she is in the recommended age range of 3 - 10 years old. Mainly, even though she likes to brush her teeth, that doesn't mean that every nook and cranny has been cleaned or even that the "bad" bacteria has actually gone away. Why wouldn't I want to start her on the right path to good oral care at an early age?

As for why Big Sister E has been head-over-heels loving them since the day they arrived? Four words: Wild Very Cherry Berry. The first time she tasted an EvoraKids mint, I asked if she liked it and she could only nod vigorously while she kept chewing. As we walked out of the bathroom, she glanced at me and said, "You never tried those before? They taste GOOD." Any chance of forgetting to take these twice daily is definitely not an issue, because Big Sister E is sure quickly remind us.

A one-month supply of EvoraKids probiotic mints retails for $19.95 and can be purchased directly off of their website or at many other online or retail locations (listed at the bottom of their homepage). Thanks to their generosity, one person will get to put their child on the road to a healthy mouth, because...

One lucky person will win a 30-day supply of EvoraKids probiotic mints!

To enter to win your supply of EvoraPlus: Tell me about your child's oral health habits? Do they like to brush? Would EvoraKids be helpful? Please do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile. I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (each) if you follow EvoraPlus and/or Oragenics on Twitter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

EvoraKids gives your kids a healthy mouth and helps prevents decay from @EvoraPlus! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/bESYmb #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries per follow method if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. I've moved! Please update your button code! Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and EvoraKids. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 11th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

A big thank you to Oragenics for providing me with a supply of EvoraKids to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. I was given the opportunity to review this product because of my membership at The Product Review Place. The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Winners!

What kid doesn't need a playhouse? I loved all of your comments about the forts and playhouses that you built as a child or the ways that your children like to construct them now... a little imagination goes a long way, doesn't it? My girls have had a great time being creative in their eco-friendly playhouse from This Little Piggy's House, I'll often hear their continuous laughter as they go in and out the doors or pass toys through the window. And Little Sister B is constantly entertained by Big Sister E peeking down through the chimney!

The lucky person (and their child) that will get to construct and decorate their own playhouse from This Little Piggy's House is...


Congratulations, Elena! Have fun!

The first time I began looking through the impressive selection of items at Franklin Goose, I knew right away that I could spend the entire afternoon browsing and still not know which one was my favorite. Their commitment to not exposing their customers to unnecessary chemicals or ingredients is inspiring and the amazing products they offer are endless. How can you go wrong?

The lucky person who will get to do a little shopping at Franklin Goose with a $25 gift certificate $50 gift certificate (Wow! Franklin Goose decided that due to the great response from this giveaway that they would surprise the lucky winner with $50!) is...


Congratulations, Lindsey! I hope you don't have too much trouble deciding which fun things to buy!

There's something about wearing a great pair of modern, hip glasses that just improves your mood, isn't there? And, from reading some of your comments about the current pair of glasses that you are wearing (or trying to wear after the kids/dog/back pocket incident), it sounds like it's time to get some new ones! I'm still loving my First Lady frames and everyone is amazed when I say that they retail for under $55, including lenses! Why go back to spending a fortune on glasses when glasses from GlassesUSA can be delivered right to your door for a fraction of the cost?

The lucky person who will get to update their look with a new pair of glasses is...


Congratulations, mamawj! I hope you love your new glasses!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered all of these giveaways! There are other great ones going on now and a whole list of new, exciting ones to come that I hope you'll enjoy!

Mail Delivery: The Return of Rainbow Brite CD Review

Sometimes I wonder if my daughters will ever read one of The Babysitter's Club books or watch an episode of Punky Brewster or have a Cabbage Patch Kids doll... or any number of other things that I remember from my childhood. Am I getting that old that all of the fun things from my youth are going to be retired, one by one, until I'm surrounded by characters that I don't recognize?


Fortunately, Rainbow Brite has returned from the 80's. Although I'm not 100% happy with the changes to her appearance (she's now much more a tween than a kid), at least she is still a positive role model for young girls with her message of courage, kindness and hope. Who wouldn't like a friend who can always be counted on to make your heart a little lighter and your world a little more colorful?

Having never heard of Rainbow Brite before, Big Sister E was pretty intrigued even just looking at the vibrant characters displayed on the activity CD we received. As we sat down at the computer, the moment the theme song began to play, she was even more interested.

What we found was an entertaining collection of games, puzzles, music, printable coloring pages, a picture maker and more that were interactive and fun. Rainbow Brite, Moonglow, Tickled Pink and all of their friends were right at the tip of our fingertips, waiting for us to come visit their world and play and learn.

Big Sister E was a little too young to be able to fully control some of the activities on her own, but the concepts for most of them were easy enough for her to understand. Whether matching pictures (similar to the game Memory) or putting together a puzzle, she had a great time discovering Rainbow Land and everything that came with it. We had an especially good time creating our own coloring pages and custom pictures - each visit resulted in a new and different piece of art!

As well as Rainbow Brite's website, there is a new line of dolls hitting stores that are sure to be popular with all her fans around the country. In Target stores now and coming soon to Toys 'R Us, your little one can bring home their own favorite Rainbow Brite character to continue the fun in person!

I wouldn't mind a pair of those boots in my size, too.

Thanks, MomSelect and Hallmark, for bringing us the opportunity to introduce Rainbow Brite to Big Sister E and her friends. She's back to spread her positive message to a whole new generation! And, even though your uniform isn't all that colorful, you still brighten my day, so thanks, Mail Carrier.

(Other than the Rainbow Brite activity CDs that I was sent from from MomSelect and Hallmark, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of these characters, this website and the activity CDs.)

Petit Couture {Review & Giveaway} Clothing for Fashionable Kids

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

I love picking out clothing for my children, I just can't help it. They're usually fun colors, cute prints, adorably small and, unfortunately, fairly similar-looking to what the other kids are wearing wherever we go. Whether my girls are dressed in items I purchased new or used, it's pretty likely that the same styles and brands will be the ones that are at the playground or library with us.

There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but when a company comes along that can help my daughters stand out from the crowd a little bit, it peaks my interest. And when I see their clothing in person and am beyond amazed at how gorgeous, well-made, and incredibly unique it is, then I'm in love.

Petit Couture was started by the people who know children's clothing the best: moms. Two neighbors and friends, Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff and Noree Milligan, came together in their passion to start a luxury infant and toddler clothing line and created a beautiful selection of distinct, modern basics that will enhance any child's wardrobe.

With each piece based around Petit Couture's signature (and adorable) owl, their tops, bottoms, layette and accessories are eye-catching and notably more stylish than what is found at the mall. This line of clothing isn't just manufactured in a distant factory, instead it is essentially handmade and each piece sees anywhere between five and seven people in its road to completion.

I'm not saying that there isn't care put into the clothing that department stores offers... but do you really think they work tirelessly to make sure each image or rhinestone is placed perfectly or that the amount of sparkle used is precisely what it should be? And I don't know about your kids, but Big Sister E isn't usually tripping over herself in excitement when she sees just any new shirt and pants...

Although I knew from pictures that the Toddler Crew Black top and the Toddler Karate Pant Black were going to impress us, I was completely unprepared to be as amazed as I was when I saw them in person. Made out of 100% premium cotton, both pieces were incredibly soft and extremely high quality... and I'm not exaggerating when I say that both Big Sister E and I were stunned for a few moments when we saw the owl.

So much more than just some sparkle on a shirt, the Petit Couture logo in silver is more like a piece of art in the way that it's hard to pull your eyes away from it. The glitter is not added on after the printing like most kids' clothing, leaving it flaking away as it is washed or worn, but actually printed on as part of the process.

Rather, the design feels glossy and smooth and the way it shines when it catches the light makes me consider trying to squeeze myself into this shirt every time Big Sister E happens to not be wearing it (or make a smarter decision and get the Womens Washed Burnout Raglan for myself).

The longer length in the body of the shirt and the slight flare in the cut of the pants allow them to fit Big Sister E comfortably but without giving her the look of wearing the usual ragged t-shirt and sweatpants that she enjoys. After countless washings or being yanked or pulled on, these have held up well and still look as good as new. Whether worn together or separately (the top looks perfect with jeans and I think she would live in the karate pants if I let her), Petit Couture has definitely brought a stylish side to Big Sister E's closet.

With options like their Washed Burnout Crew in four different fabric choices and three owl colors (how fun is the gold metallic?) or the Interlock One-Pieces or Baby Rib Bib for the coolest babies in town, Petit Couture's items project personality and character. Their signature grosgrain ribbon embellishment and rhinestones are just small details that are the finishing touches to complete this adorable clothing line.

Looking to do some shopping at Petit Couture for your child or as a stunning baby shower gift? One person will have the chance to do just that because, thanks to their generosity...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift certificate to Petit Couture!

To enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Petit Couture: Visit Petit Couture and tell me which of their amazing pieces is your favorite. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Petit Couture on Twitter, become a Facebook fan, subscribe to their RSS feed and/or sign up for their newsletter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Petit Couture clothing is luxurious & modern! $25 gift certificate from @petitcouture & @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/9rvGhw #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. I've moved! Please update your button code! Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Petit Couture. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 11th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

A huge thank you to Rebecca at Petit Couture for providing a top and pants for me to review as well as a $25 gift certificate for one lucky giveaway winner. The rest of Big Sister E's closet is now obsolete - these items are so much better! This review was made possible by MomMadeThat.com but the opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.