Beaded Pathways- intentional jewelry to inspire your life's journeys

I know that I have posted about jewelry a few times in the past and honestly the creativity of people never ceases to amaze me.



Beaded Pathways is a new shop to open up on Etsy, and I am soooooo excited about it! Why am I so excited you ask? Because the owner is one of my very good friends, Megan! How cool is that?

I did not even know that she made jewelry, but look at this-

I love it! It is one of my favorites!

And how about this-

Spectacular, right?!

From the site:
I make funky and diverse jewelry to inspire the beauty and spirit of the seeker within! I enjoy using the natural world in my jewelry as much as possible for both design and inspiration. By doing this, I can share with you all the benefits that wearing stones and natural materials can bring to your spirit.

If you are looking for great presents for the holidays, I would head on over there right now! (By the way Megan, I totally expect a fantastic present for the holidays!)

And now, thanks to Megan's generosity, one of our readers can win a piece of jewelry from Beaded Pathways. The winner will get to choose one of the following:

Southwest Sky Earrings - Turquoise Stars and Moons

Amethyst and Ice Flake Quartz Earrings

Stars of the Sea - Star Fish Earrings with Fresh Water Pearls

To enter:
Head over to Beaded Pathways and look around, then come on back here and leave me a comment letting me know which piece of jewelry is your favorite. Please make sure that there is a way for me to get in touch with you in the comment.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it)
* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).
* Blog about this giveaway, come back here and post the link in the comment section.

Giveaway ends on October 15, 2008.





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William Is Going Green- Book Review

I have mentioned before that we love to read in our house. We are also are trying to be more environmentally friendly. I was so excited to see a children's book about being more green.


William Is Going Green is superb! It is a book for children about recycling and conserving our natural resources.

At first a smoky white garbage truck, William learns about conservation, makes friends, learns lessons and eventually transforms to a green hybrid recycling truck committed to the fight against global warming. It does talk about being more environmentally friendly, but it is presented in a child friendly way.

It highlights 3 key tips/ideas that children can do to help go green:

1. Turn off the lights; when you’re asleep at night.

2. Brush your teeth, have fun, but don’t let the water run.

3. Don’t throw away your toys; Give them to other girls and boys.

William Is Going Green is the first picture book in the series, introducing William The Garbage Truck & Crew to children.

Join William in this enchanting, colorful adventure as he makes his debut. The book is 100% recyclable.

Thanks to Parent Reviewers for the opportunity to review this book.

Rating
Appearance- 5
Customer Service-5
Cost- 5
Quality- 5
Functionality-5
Overall-5





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Inspire Giveaway Winner!

Laura said...

the angel of love bracelet is my fave.

trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

September 23, 2008 3:30 PM

Congrats Laura!!




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Red Thread Confections- Review and Giveaway!

I honestly did not know where to start with this review. Do I start with the absolutely amazing chocolate that I was sent? Or do I talk about the wonderful woman behind the chocolate who donates part of each sale to a charity. I have been going back and forth on this for awhile and so it has actually taken me much longer to post this review than I intended. I hope you all enjoy what I came up with and enter the giveaway.



Look amazing right? Well it tasted even better!

These gorgeous chocolates are handcrafted by Annika, owner and chocolatier of Red Thread Confections. She hand tempers her chocolate and each mold is hand-painted. They are all made fresh with no preservatives. She uses fair trade organic single origin 100% criollo cocoa beans (the most sought after beans in the world).

When I first received a package from Red Thread Confections I could not remember who that was. And then I opened them. Oh my goodness! I really meant to take a picture of the actual ones that I got...but I had to taste them the second I opened the box (seriously, I took my first bite sitting in the parking lot of the post office). Spectacular does not even begin to describe how good they are! Really, I have no idea what I can say to get across how amazing these were so I would just suggest going to her site and buying some yourself. I can not wait until we get closer to the holidays because I am going to be buying most of my family chocolate from Annika.



In addition to amazing chocolates, Annika donates a portion of each of her sales to charity (really, as if the chocolates were not enough, I just about swooned when I found out how amazing she is as well).

From Annika's website:
"At birth, an invisible red thread connects us to everyone in our life who will become important to us. That thread may stretch and shrink over time, but it will never break."
- ancient Chinese legend

As an adoptive parent, the red thread legend is very close to my heart. Many of us believe that our children were connected to us by the red thread at birth. By the same token, our children will be forever connected to their birth countries, birth families, and to all the people who took care of them in their early lives, by that same red thread.

The mission of Red Thread Confections is to honor the red thread by donating a portion of the proceeds of each sale to orphanages and organizations which help children throughout the world.

I am so excited to let you all know that Annika is offering a gift certificate for a free box of chocolates (including shipping) to one of our lucky readers!

To enter:
Head over to Red Thread Confections and look around, then come on back here and leave me a comment letting me know which chocolates is your favorite. Please make sure that there is a way for me to get in touch with you in the comment.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it)
* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).
* Blog about this giveaway, come back here and post the link in the comment section.

Giveaway ends on October 13, 2008.

Rating
Appearance- 5
Customer Service-5
Cost- 5
Quality- 5
Functionality-5
Overall-5






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October Advertising Special- Act Now!

Right now we are having an advertising special! From now until October 1st you can purchase a whole month of advertising for only $10! This will be a first come first serve for the 125x125 sponsor spots on the right hand side. Please contact me at stacyandgreg@hotmail.com if you are interested.



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Winner: Mom Select Gift Basket

Sorry I am so behind on this, but here is the winner for the Mom Select Gift Basket

yadgirl said...

Count me in. I want to win.
September 13, 2008 1:25 PM

Please email me your address so I can get your prize out to you!





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Libby's Vegetables- Get Back to the Table

Did you know that September is Get Back to the Table month? I had no idea until Mom Central was looking for participants in this blog tour. I signed up immediately because as a busy mommy, this is something really important to me. Hubby and I are both on the run all the time. We both work full-time, and I also run Sara Rose Tutus.

We decided way before Sara was even an idea in our minds that we would eat dinner as a family every night. Whoever got home first would cook a nice healthy dinner and then we would eat. Of course, when we had Sara the reality was a little different. By the time I get home and Hubby gets home, we are both exhausted! I know the last thing that I want to do is to make a nice dinner. So I will be honest and say that it does not happen every night like we wanted it to. But we do try our hardest to make it happen as often as possible.

Libby's has created a whole website about the importance of family mealtimes and full of helpful suggestions about how to get back to the table. My personal favorite is the Seven Day Family Dinner Planner, that is exactly the type of thing that I need.

I received samples of canned corn, peas, green beans and mixed veggies to try out. They were really good. And I will say that it did help me to make a balanced meal having the vegetables in my pantry. I do love fresh vegetables, but it looks like the reality for us is that it makes more sense for me to have canned ones on hand.

Thanks so much to Mom Central for reminding me of the importance of family meals.





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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

I love the circus. I remember going all the time as a kid. It was so fun to see all the acts, and the animals. We recently took Sara Rose to a smaller circus in town. It was great and I can't wait until we are able to take her to "the Greatest Show on Earth".

Mom Central sent me this information and I want to share it with you all:

Head on over to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus website and sign your baby up for a free ticket for their first circus. You get a free voucher that you can use any time and anywhere. You also get a personalized printable certificate.

They are also offering a 20% discount code right now: MCC
The code is valid for the circus shows in the following cities:

Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

Ready to buy your tickets? Head over to ringling.com and type in your zip code to find the shows and purchase tickets online with the code.





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The Trendy Baby Giveaway!

I recently did a review of Trendy Wipes by The Trendy Baby. Remember the awesome baby wipes container?



Well, they are also offering a giveaway to one lucky Busy Mommy Product Review Winner! What can you win, you ask? One of their AMAZING Minky blankets (medium sized-30"x36")! Your choice of color and style!


Gorgeous!

To enter:
Take a look at all of the choices of minky blankets, come on back here and leave me a comment letting me know which one you would choose if you are the winner. Please make sure that there is a way for me to get in touch with you in the comment.

Additional ways to get entries (you must leave me a comment for each extra entry, letting me know about it)
* Sign up for my feed: (if you are already a subscriber, leave me a message letting me know in the comment section).

Giveaway ends on October 2, 2008.





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Noodleboro Games by Hasbro

We were lucky enough to receive Hasbro's new Noodleboro game from Mom Central. Noodleboro is a new toy line designed to teach kids social skills.

There are three different Noodleboro board games. Pizza Palace Game teaches kids how to listen and pay attention, Fun Park game shows how working together is an important part of everyday life, and Picnic Basket Game makes learning about manner fun!

Sara Rose is a bit young for the games, so we played with some family friends. The kids (ages 3 and 4) loved it! It was so fun to watch them playing the game and having such a good time while learning all sorts of important lessons at the same time! I can not wait until Sara Rose is old enough to play. I think we are going to have to get the other 2 as well.

Thanks to Mom Central for giving us the opportunity to play this great game!

Rating
Appearance- 5
Customer Service-5
Cost- 5
Quality- 5
Functionality-5
Overall-5





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Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber

I was sent a new Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber as my first campaign from BzzAgent. And I must admit that I have been putting off using it. I hate cleaning and the idea that I was going to have to write this review about a cleaning product, just well, it did not do it for me. I was really worried that I would not have anything to say.

So I have been cleaning my tub the same way as always- with cleaner, and a scrubby rag and getting on my hands and knees all the time to really get it clean. Yuck. I hate it. And this weekend, I figured, what the heck, I might as well try it.



Umm...it is actually spectacular (yes, I just called a cleaning product spectacular, LOL). There is this cool easy to hold handle, and you attach a disposable pad. The pad has a scrubby texture and concentrated Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner on it. So you wet the pad and scrub away!

It honestly cut down my cleaning time by more than half! And I am pretty sure it got the tub much cleaner than my other cleaning supplies did. I actually liked it so much that I went and cleaned hubby's shower as well. And when I was done, I just tossed the dirty pad and was done. Awesome!

I strongly recommend that you go and get one ASAP! Head over to the site and sign up for a coupon for $2.75 off.

Rating
Appearance- 5
Customer Service-5
Cost- 5
Quality- 5
Functionality-5
Overall-5




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Bugalug Baby-Stay-put accessories for the Urban Girl

I have previously posted that I love hairclips and accessories. We were recently given the chance to try out some Bugalug Baby hair accessories. We received a pair of clips in the “Jelly Bean Widestripe” pattern, as well as a headband in the “Flower Power Dots” style to try out.

The hair clips are so cute! And they have this great silicon gel grip that is on the inside of the clip. It is this gel grip that keeps it in Sara's hair as she runs all over the place.

And let me tell you about the headband- it is awesome! The design of it is just ingenious. Both ends of the ribbon are threaded through a plastic clip that slides up and down so that the fit can be easily adjusted. Amazing, right? So basically this is a headband that can fit any size child. And when you put it on you can then use the clip to tighten it so that it fits snuggly on your child's head.

I would strongly suggest heading on over to Bugalug Baby now and getting some cute hair accessories for your little girls.

Rating:
Appearance- 5
Customer Service-5
Cost- 5
Quality- 5
Functionality-5
Overall-5



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Liberty Mutual- The Responsibility Project

One of my favorite commercials EVER is the Liberty Mutual pay it forward one. You know the one all about people doing things for strangers. Honestly, I love that commercial, the first time I saw it, I got teary-eyed (yes I know I am a dork) and whenever I see it, I just get warm fuzzies. Because that is the way that I want the world to be.

So when I was given the chance to take a look at their Responsibility Project I was so excited! The commercial actually inspired the Responsibility Project.

From the website:
It all began when we ran a TV commercial about people doing things for strangers. The response was truly overwhelming. Thousands of emails and letters from people all over the country thanking us.

We thought, if one TV spot from Liberty Mutual can get people thinking and talking about responsibility, imagine what could happen if we went a step further? So we created a series of short films, and this website, as an exploration of what it means to do the right thing.

We believe that the more people think and talk about responsibility, and even debate what it means, the more it can affect how we live our daily lives. And perhaps, in this small way, together, we can make the world just a little better.

My favorite films were Lighthouse and Growing Up. The entire website is spectacular. Seriously, you need to head over there right now and check it out.


Thanks to Mom Central for making me aware of this great site!





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Inspire - Words to Live By (and a giveaway!)

Listen up jewelry lovers, this one's for you!

Inspire is home to motivational, beautiful jewelry. It's perfect for birthdays, weddings, anniversary's and more! Not only do they have gorgeous bracelets, they have anklets as well. You can choose from a message, or go the simple route with crystals.

Here is my favorite:




Beautiful stuff!

And now for the giveaway! A message from Jody and Terri, the owners:

Welcome to Inspire... Words To Live By Swarovski crystal bracelet giveaway!!

Go to our website and look around. Choose between Inspire's BELIEVE bracelet, Inspire's FREEDOM bracelet and Inspire's ANGEL OF LOVE bracelet. Choose your favorite item and if your chosen you WIN the bracelet of your choice.

May you be INSPIRED and God Bless!

So head on over, pick your favorite of the above three, then come back and post in the comments which one was your favorite. For an extra entry, sign up for our feed, below. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address, and a separate comment for each entry.

This giveaway will end at 6 pm, CST on Friday, September 26.

Good luck!

Smooches,



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BahaBeauties - A must see!

The motto over at BahaBeauties is "Life is beauty, admire it." Mother Theresa.

Over there, they have a lot to admire.

This place is full of beautiful things! She has everything from marbles to bracelets and more! You really have check her out.

They have a monkey necklace (check out the matching earrings):



My personal favorite:


She also carries marbles, from The Marble Garage, that are worth checking out!



So, head on over and treat yourself to some of their beauty! You deserve it!

Smooches,



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