the little hedgehog

February photo-a-day challenge - Day 1 #FEBphotoaday

2012-02-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

I am taking part in Fat Mum Slim's February photo-a-day challenge! I love Instagram photos and all the fun variety and unique images you can create - I thought this would be a fun challenge to take part in!

Today's Instagram: Your View Today

My view at lunch: I looked down at my salad and lo and behold ...a ladybug! I guess the lettuce from my CSA box is definitely fresh from the farm to me! Maybe this is a sign of good luck. :) Either way, we rescued the ladybug and released her into our backyard.

I'd love to see your Instagram's if you are taking part in this challenge! Leave me a link and I will hop on over to see your pictures.

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Bath-time Snuggles!

2012-02-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

Hubby is home {yay!} and we are back to our nightly bath-time snuggling! Every night after a bath, hubby dries little man off and snuggles him before pj time!

Happy Wednesday!

The Little Hedgehog Cooks: Almond Soup with Sweet Potato, Collards and Ginger

2012-01-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

One of the greens in my CSA box last week was Collard Greens. Now, I've seen plenty of recipes that call for sauteing collards with bacon or creating a cream casserole with them, but this past week, I stumbles upon a recipe that was a completely new idea to me! I was looking through recipes on the Whole Living magazine website and came across their recipe, Almond Chicken Soup with Sweet Potato, Collards, and Ginger. Almond Chicken Soup? Ginger? I was intrigued, and since I had most of the ingredients for it, I decided to try something new with my collard greens! The only two ingredients that I needed to go pick up were the ginger and sweet potato. Believe it or not, I've never actually cooked with ginger! The "root-y" look to it always kind of weird-ed me out and I never knew what to do with it. I could just see myself buying some ginger and then letting it shrivel up and dry out if my fridge from neglect. So, I decided to be brave, buy the ginger and learn how to put it to use!

*Sorry in advance for the lack of pictures! I was so skeptical about this recipe that I didn't take pictures during the cooking process (shame on me!) It wasn't until after I tried it that I realized how yummy it was! (lesson learned).*

Almond Soup with Sweet Potato, Collards, and Ginger

{recipe adapted from Whole Living's recipe}

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken stock (I used vegetable broth that my mom had made that had some of the cooked veggies pureed into it, so it was a bit thicker than your traditional broth)
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 minced garlic clove
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced (2 cups)
optional: 8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces (I didn't have any chicken on hand, so I left it out)
1/2 cup smooth almond butter
1 cup collard green leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lime, cut into wedges

Directions:

Pour your vegetable broth (or chicken stock) in a large stockpot. Add the onion, garlic, and sweet potato and then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer (add chicken, if you have it), then cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, whisk the almond butter with 1/2 cup of the broth from the stockpot until you have a thick paste and then set it aside. I get almond butter at Sprouts, our local health food grocery store, where I can actually grind fresh almond butter with a machine that they have in the store! It's pretty cool and really yummy! You can also pick up jarred almond butter at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc.

Then, add the collard green leaves and ginger to the soup and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the almond butter paste. Season with salt and pepper.

Ladle the soup into bowls, and squeeze with lime wedge. *The lime is actually really important. I was pretty skeptical about adding lime to my soup, so I tried the soupo before I added the lime and though, "....eh". Then I added the lime and it completely added new depth and a bit of "zing" to the soup! I couldn't believe what a little lime could do!*

Also, as a variation for little man (since I thought the collard greens and pieces of onion might be a bit much for him to chew), I took some of the soup, put it in a blender, added some tofu (for protein and because he loves it!) and blended it until it was smooth. Little man absolutely loved his "almond-lime soup" (as we called it) and chowed his whole bowl down!

Enjoy!

While Daddy is Away, Mommy and Little Man will Play!

2012-01-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

Hubby has been traveling for work lately...a lot! :( Little man and I have been keeping busy though, so we don't miss him too much and so that it feels like the days go by more quickly!

Here is a peek at some of the fun adventures we've been up to this past week!

We made applesauce in the crock pot...and it's almost gone already! Little man looooves him some applesauce! I peel and chop the apples and then put them in a small bowl for him. Little man dumps them in the crock pot for me (and snitches some apple slices along the way). He is my big helper in the kitchen!

Little man discovered the colorful world of dry-erase marker! We practiced writing "W" for Wonder Pets (his favorite show!) and had fun scribbling, erasing and starting a fresh new picture!

We finally went to the children's museum that is nearby. I have been wanting to go for so long! (Yes, I was just as excited as little man to go) Little man's first trip to the museum was awesome! It is the perfect place for him - he could touch, pull, twist, bang and climb on everything! We will definitely be going back!

Where does the time go? {Haha! Cheesy, I know.}

Wheee!

We had so much fun and little man is still talking about the children's museum!

For some reason, little man is just fascinated by water raining down in the shower! He loves to stand in the tub and watch the water from the shower run down the back wall of the shower.

Every weekend, we go to the farmer's market - I think it's the highlight of our week, since little man is always talking about the vegetables we see and buy! It makes for a great learning experience! It's so funny, because it seems like every time we go, someone always gives little man a "tasty treat"! Everything from tangerines, to bananas to cookies. I don't know what coy looks he's giving these people...those long lashes must be working overtime!

My little monkey man eating on a banana at the farmer's market. {how fitting, huh?}

I hope you all have had an adventure-filled week! Do you have any children's museums near you or other fun activities that you like taking your little ones to? (I could use some ideas for hubby's next work trip!)

Finished Friday: Shirt Scarf DIY

2012-01-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

I have so many "crafty" pins on Pinterest! I was recently inspired to join in with "Finished Friday" over at A Heart For Home to start completing some projects.

I got my "Pinspiration" from this post on Pinterest and the full instructions are on the blog, Hello Giggles and their post, DIY T-Shirt Scarf.

What you'll need: A t-shirt and a pair of scissors

I started with a t-shirt that had a hole in it. Cut your shirt horizontally, under the armpits.

There's a hole in my shirt dear Liza, dear Liza...

What did I do with the top part? Put it on little man of course! Haha! He wasn't quite as amused.

Cut the hem off the bottom of the shirt. (I saved that part to use later)

Cut strips on the looped ends that are about 1" thick. Once their all cut, pull on the loops and stretch them out. they will kind of curl up and look "stringier" once their stretched.

Gather up the necklace at the uncut part and that is where you can tie a string of some sort to cover it. I used the leftover piece of hem fabric.

Ta-daaaa!

This was a fun (and quick) craft! My necklace is shorter than the ones from the original tutorials, but they used larger shirts and I used a small tee. This is one of my favorite types of crafts too... no sewing involved ;) and it's such an individual craft with no "right" way that it should look - everyone's is unique and one of a kind!

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Pine Cone Chucking!

2012-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

Pine Cone Chucking!

Little man and I were at a park where he found a pine cone and started tossing it and giggling. In a very excited voice I started saying "Pine Cone Chucking!" every time he tossed it. This just made him laugh even more! He was laughing so hard he even started snorting! We must have been quite a sight as we were running all over the park - little man throwing a pine cone and me, shouting "Pine Cone Chucking!" Haha!

Happy Wednesday!

The Little Hedgehog Cooks: Roasted Carrots

2012-01-23T23:09:00.000-08:00

This week in my CSA box, I got:

Arugula

Beet Greens

Broccoli Raab

Carrot

Collard Greens

Kale

Lemons

Oranges

Radishes

Salad Mix (2 bags)

Swiss Chard


Little man helping me unpack the veggies and fruits

The carrots were just beautiful and I wanted to find a recipe that would bring out their flavor. I found a recipe for roasted carrots - easy, quick and simple!

Roasted Carrots

{recipe adapted from: Epicurious}

Ingredients:

Bunch of carrots
Olive oil
Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 500°F with rack in lower third. Wash carrots, trim tops to 1 inch and peel carrots.

Toss carrots with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. (I just eye-balled it) Spread the carrots out on a large 4-sided pan.

Roast for 20 minutes at 500°F. Reduce oven to 325°F and continue to roast, stirring occasionally, until carrots are browned and tender, about 25 minutes more.

*recipe note: my carrots were smaller than your average carrot and they were crispy after 20 minutes at 500°F. If you have smaller carrots, I might recommend roasting for 10-15 min at 500°F and then reducing the oven temperature to finish roasting.*

The carrots turned out great! They were sweet and tender and the "burnt crispy-ness" actually added a good roasted flavor. Little man loved it so much that he gobbled up his and stole some of mine!

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday: Let's Go Riding in a Car!

2012-01-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

The Little Hedgehog Cooks: Beet Greens

2012-01-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

One of the items in my CSA box from last week was beet greens.

Now, I have never cooked with them before and honestly, until recently, I didn't know that they were actually edible! Since I didn't know what to do with them, I went hunting for some recipe inspiration on the internet. I can across a recipe that included bacon as one of the ingredients, and since I happened to have some on hand, I thought I would try it out! Besides, you can't go wrong with bacon!

Beet Greens

{recipe credit: Simply Recipes}

Ingredients:

1 pound beet greens (I just used my bunch of greens, which was less than a pound)
1 strip of thick cut bacon, chopped (I used some from Trader Joe's)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 large garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup of water
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I didn't add any red pepper)
1/6 cup of cider vinegar

*recipe note: You can also cook the stems, if they aren't too woody. Just cut them into 1-inch segments and add them to the onions after the onions have been cooking for a minute.*

Directions:

Wash the greens in a sink filled with cold water. Drain greens and wash a second time. Drain greens and cut away any heavy stems. Cut leaves into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

In a large skillet or 3-qt saucepan, cook bacon until lightly browned on medium heat (or heat 1 Tbsp of bacon fat). Add onions, cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and start to brown. Stir in garlic. Add water to the hot pan, stirring to loosen any particles from bottom of pan. Stir in sugar and red pepper. Bring mixture to a boil.

Add the beet greens, gently toss in the onion mixture so the greens are well coated. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5-15 minutes until the greens are tender. Stir in vinegar.

All done!

I thought that the sugar really brought our the sweetness in the dish and the bacon was great for flavoring! The beet greens had a really good flavor (it was similar to swiss chard). Beet greens are packed with good-for-you nutrients too! Tasty and good for you - definitely a plus! This makes a great side dish and they are in season too - I'm sure you can find some at your local farmer's market or grocery store (try Sprouts, Whole Foods, Henry's, etc.)

Enjoy!

All Done Cheesing

2012-01-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Little man got a haircut today! I think this is his third haircut so far... Gramma and Grampa were here for a visit, so I asked my mom to give little man a trim.

Little man went from this...

So cute and fluffy!

to this!

When he was all dusted off from the haircut, my dad started taking pictures and I was trying to get little man to flash a smile. I was being silly and saying "cheeeese!" to get little man to smile. Then, just as my dad was done taking pictures, little man exclaimed, "All done cheesing!"

Haha...guess he was done being the center of attention. Or maybe, he was all done with mommy saying "cheeeese!" ;) Little man made us all laugh! He makes my heart so happy!

I've Been Featured Over at I'd Rather Be Changing Diapers!

2012-01-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

Today I'm being featured over at I'd Rather Be Changing Diapers as a part of Heather's Meet a Blogger Monday! You can hop on over HERE to read a little bit more about me and The Little Hedgehog blog!

Wordless Wednesday: Our Little Drummer Boy

2012-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday!

The Little Hedgehog Cooks: Dandelion Greens Salad

2012-01-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

I've been inspired by my cousin's blog, Cookin' With Whatcha Got, to start sharing some recipes with some of the ingredients I get from my CSA box. (You can read about my first CSA box HERE) I was hoping to post every Saturday or maybe on Mondays...but since I'm just getting this weekly post idea started, I'm off by a few days. :)

One of the tasty veggies in my CSA box was dandelion greens. Now, many of you might not know that these are actually edible. (I didn't, until a couple months ago when I read the recipe I adapted below) I used to feed dandelions to my pet rabbit as a child, but it turns out that they are actually really good for you and work to cleanse your liver! (Perfect for a New Year's salad!)

So, without further ado...

Dandelion Greens Salad

(adapted from Naturally Savvy's Liver-Loving Salad)

Ingredients:

1 bunch dandelion greens - about 1-2 cups (can be found at a natural foods type grocery store like Sprouts, Whole Foods, etc. or perhaps your farmer's market.)

1 cup of arugula or baby mixed greens (I used baby mixed greens)

1 Tbs diced red onion

1 can of sardines packed in olive oil

2 Tbs olive oil

1 Tbs lemon juice

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Wash produce. Chop dandelion greens into bite size pieces and add to your salad bowl.

Add the mixed greens (I didn't chop these into smaller pieces, but you can if you like) and the red onion to your salad bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together your olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. (Taste-test to make sure you like it and add more of any ingredient, if you feel it needs a "little something extra")

there's nothing like freshly juiced lemons!

the salad dressing all ready to go!

Drizzle the salad dressing over your salad, toss all of the ingredients and serve into bowls. Then (if your taste buds are up to it) add a sardine to top each salad. Voila! Ready to eat!

* I drizzled the dressing over individual bowls, but you can just pour it in the big salad bowl.*

*I personally love sardines and think that the oil and fish offer a really nice balance to the peppery/bitter taste of the dandelion green. Mixed with the lemon juice, it makes for a very refreshing winter salad! Plus, it's a great way to add an Omega-3 boost to your meal! If sardines aren't your thing though, no worries - tuna or grilled chicken would also be tasty, or you could leave the meat out for a vegetarian dish.*

Enjoy!

I Joined Google+!

2012-01-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

I just joined Google+! I would love it if you followed The Little Hedgehog on Google+! I would be more than happy to follow you back - just leave me a note in a comment below!

Since I am pretty new to the world of Google+, I would really appreciate any tips or tricks that anyone has! I don't really know much about it. :)

My First CSA Box!

2012-01-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, hubby and I decided to join a CSA! (It's kind of like the gift that keeps on giving!) We signed up to get a box of produce every other week for a year from a local farm that grows organic produce. A CSA {Community Supported Agriculture} is where you pay a fee that helps support a local farm and then you get a share of the harvest. Hubby and I both really like the idea that we are supporting a local farm that grows organic food in a sustainable way. It is also a really affordable way to get a nice variety of seasonal, organic produce and I just love the idea of learning to cook with foods that are in season!

This weeks box had:

Beet Greens

White Carrots

Collard Greens

Dandelion Greens

Kale

Oranges

Persimmons

Salad Mix

Yumm-o!

I am so excited to start getting seasonal fruits and veggies every other week! I can't wait to learn some new recipes and try some new foods in the process!

I was thinking about featuring a new, healthy recipe each week that included one or more of the items in my box or something I picked up at our local farmer's market (since I only get a box every other week). Any interest? I would love some ideas on what to call it too ... The Little Hedgehog Cooks or Fun With Food or ...???

Wordless Wednesday: Fun with Chalk!

2012-01-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday!

Making OJ!

2012-01-03T22:57:00.000-08:00

We were given an 8lb bag of oranges just after the New Year and I knew we couldn't eat them all...so I picked up a citrus juicer! Little man just loves helping in the kitchen and has had so much fun with the juicer! Little man is a pro at making OJ...yum! We really enjoy using our new citrus juicer and I think we'll have to go to the farmer's market and pick up another bag!

Do you juice any fruits or veggies?

I was thinking on getting a bigger juicer to handle some things other than just oranges..any of my readers have suggestions or experience with juicers?

So.Much.Fun!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-27T23:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday!

Holiday Sale at Tea Collection

2011-12-26T22:52:00.000-08:00

As the hustle and bustle of the Holidays comes to an end its time to take advantage of all the after Holiday sales. Tea Collection is a great place to find clothes for all ages. Starting today Tea Collection is offering up to 60% off on pants, dresses, and shirts. Let the little girl in your life bring in the New Year with style in the Corzo Chambray Dress. This dress will sparkle and shine and is sure to make any little girl feel like a star. Pick up some sweet $10 leggings to go with all your dresses. Your little boy will look so handsome and grown-up in the Alegre Aztec Sweater Vest. Select boys tees and tops are only $10! Even moms are allowed to dress up! Treat yourself to the Chiapas Tunic Dress. Perfect to wear around the house or out to dinner. Make sure to shop Tea Collection and save up to 60% only while supplies last. This is a deal you definitely don't want to miss.

Happy Shopping!

* Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Tea Collection. Tea Collection links are affiliate links. I try my best to only recommend products and/or companies that I think my readers would enjoy and find useful. *

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T16:22:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas! I hope that you are all having a happy holidays and enjoying time with family, friends and loved ones.

We are visiting with family and little man is having a wonderful time exploring, playing and spending time with family. He absolutely loves Christmas lights and is making so many special memories.

Hubby and I feel very blessed to be able to spend time with our family this Christmas and our hearts are full of joy and amazement as we reflect on the on the meaning of Christmas and that Christ came to earth as a tiny baby.

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
-Luke 2:9-14

I can't imagine what it must have been like to see a host of angels fill the sky ...how glorious it must have been! I can't imagine what it was like for Mary to hold her new baby boy and look into his eyes ...what a joy to snuggle her baby and the Savior.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thank you to all of you who take the time to read my blog and leave comments. I appreciate each and every one of you! I look forward to what is to come in the new year!

Wordless Wednesday: Wheeee!

2011-12-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday!

Who Knew...

2011-12-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

I love Pinterest! I love learning new tips and tricks! I saw this great and easy idea the other day on how to grow your own green onions {credit}...so I thought I would give it a try!

Here's how it's going so far:

Who knew, huh? I am super excited to keep growing my new little sprouts and hopefully I won't have to buy too many more green onions!

I'd love to know if any of my readers have tried this or anything similar!

Wordless Wednesday: Bundled

2011-12-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

We went out to do a little Christmas shopping and it was definitely hat and scarf weather! So, I bundled little man in handmade goodness!

The blue sweater was mine when I was little an knit by my great grandmother!

Thanks Mama Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Sarah Shult, the winner of the FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainer from the Thanks Mama giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to Thanks Mama for sponsoring this wonderful review and giveaway!

Wordless Wednesday: A Trip to the Lego/Duplo Store!

2011-12-06T23:53:00.001-08:00

We took little man to his first-ever Lego/Duplo store and he just loved it! He had so much fun exploring, touching, building and pointing at all the awesome Lego structures around the store!

What a wonderful day we had!

Happy Wednesday!

Changing Diapers Book is Buy 1, Get 1 Free for a Limited Time!

2011-12-02T19:25:00.001-08:00

Kelly Wels, a leading authority in the movement toward modern cloth diapering, has pulled the whole industry together to offer complete information on everything from what to buy, how to fit, and how to launder, to the health benefits for baby and the impact of diapers on the environment.

If you are a new Mom or Dad this guide will give you everything you need to know on how to get started with modern cloth diapers. If you are a cloth diaper pro this is a great advocacy tool or gift to educate family or friends!

For a limited time, Changing Diapers Book, is Buy 1, Get 1 Free. For only $17.95 you get TWO books and this includes FREE shipping within the United States!

You can also follow Changing Diapers Book on Facebook and Twitter and on the authors blog here.

*Some of the above links are affiliate links. I greatly appreciate your support when you choose to shop through the affiliate links on The Little Hedgehog. I try my best to only recommend products that I have enjoyed and that I think my readers would enjoy and find helpful. I won’t recommend products to my readers that I don't like or find to be relevant.*

Winner!

2011-12-01T22:18:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Jessica, the winner of the ECOlunchbox Tray & Dipper Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to ECOlunchbox who sponsored this wonderful giveaway!

Thanks Mama Review & Giveaway!

2011-11-30T13:49:00.001-08:00

Thanks Mama is a wonderful online cloth diaper retailer that carries a great variety of cloth diapers and accessories, potty training pants, baby gear, natural toys and many other items for mom and baby! Thanks Mama carries some of the top cloth diaper brands and they even have created some fabulous cloth diaper packages, so that you can get everything you need in one bundle! Helena is the mama behind Thanks Mama and she not only offers a wonderful selection of fluff and other goodies to shop for, but she also genuinely wants to help with any questions you might have! If you're new to cloth diapering, Thanks Mama has some great resources to help you choose the right size and style of diaper for your little one. They even offer free, personalized diaper recommendation based on your baby's measurements! Thanks Mama also has a Cloth Diaper Information page that can help answer questions you might have about cloth diapers. If you don't find what you are looking for there, Thanks Mama is more than happy to have you contact them and chat with them directly! I think that the customer service at Thanks Mama is just excellent! Helena does a lovely job of adding a personal touch to orders (like the sweet note she sent along with my trainer!) and I really appreciate the emphasis that they put on wanting to help the customers at Thanks Mama!

Helena sent me a FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainer in the "No Dumping" print to review. I just love the fun print! It makes me smile and little man loves the truck on it! One great thing about the print is that it is digitally printed, so you don't have to worry that it will fade or peel off over time! The overall design on the diaper makes it so that your little one can either pull down the trainer or they can be snapped off (in case of an accident!). Little man still needs a little bit of help when pulling down trainers, but this one is pretty easy for him to pull down, with just a little bit of help. The inner lining of the trainer is super soft minky fabric that allows your little one to feel wetness, but it is still absorbent enough if they do have an accident. The middle of the trainer has a bit of extra padding for extra protection against leaks too. Little man absolutely loves how soft this trainer is! He actually likes to lay down on it like a blanket (when it is clean of course!) and he says, "Soft undies".

I also really like the dual side snap design that allows for an adjustable fit. Weight-wise, little man is on the end of the weight limit for a medium FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainer, but he has a thin waist, so I chose the medium size. I found that little man needed a little extra room in the leg area, since the leg band was a little snug on him. So, I was so thankful that the creative minds behind the FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainer put 2 rows of snaps and when I snapped the leg snap to the furthest snap it was a perfect fit!

The waist band fits little man really well, but in my opinion, the middle area is a bit "poofy". It's not a trim fitting trainer around the mid-section, but the trainer works very well and it's more of an aesthetic thing and I don't think that it affects how well the trainer functions.

Overall, I love the FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainer! The prints are just adorable and the diaper is so soft! I really like the adjustable side snaps and this is a great trainer for little man to wear, especially when we go out of the house and may have to hunt for a potty! It is definitely nice to have the extra layer of padding sewn into the wet zone on the inside. Also, with the outer of the diaper being waterproof, it is the perfect trainer when we are out and about! I love that it can catch any of his "tiny, tiny accidents" (as little man calls them) and little man loves the truck print and the cozy, soft minky inner! It is definitely a fun and easy trainer to use! I would definitely recommend this trainer to anyone who has a little one headed towards potty training and I absolutely recommend Thanks Mama as a place to shop, whether you are looking for training pants, cloth diapers, items for the nursery, baby gear or something for yourself!

{This is my affiliate link - if you choose to shop by clicking through this link you are helping to support The Little Hedgehog. Thank you!}

You can BUY FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainers from Thanks Mama. (ARV $21.95)

-OR-

You can enter to WIN a FuzziBunz Trickle Free Trainer of your very own!

***Giveaway is open to the U.S. & Canada. Entrants must be 18+ yearsold. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***

Giveaway will end December 14th at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! You may view Rafflecopter’sPrivacy Policy

Wordless Wednesday: Helping in the Kitchen

2011-11-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

Little man is such a big helper! He just loves helping mama in the kitchen!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

{credit}

I hope that you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family and eating tasty treats! We are spending the day with some of my hubby's family. I know we will be spending plenty of time gathered around the table chatting, laughing and gobbling up food that has been prepared with love. We will be playing card games, joking and little man will be doted over all day!

I am so thankful for all that the Lord has blessed us with. I am thankful daily for little man, my hubby, our families, our home and every little thing that God has given us. God has truly blessed our family - He is an awesome God. I love that today is a day for family to gather, spend time together and have fun!

I hope that you all enjoy your day and make many happy memories!

Wordless Wednesday {a little late}: Rainy Day Fun

2011-11-23T17:48:00.001-08:00

We had a rainy day yesterday...so it was time to bring out some indoor boredom busters! Little man had gotten this fun water color pad when you paint the picture with water and the colors appear on the paper. then when the water dries, the picture is white again and ready to be re-painted! (I think I had just as much fun as little man did!)

Happy Wednesday {...a little late}

Winner!

2011-11-20T18:26:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Sarah! You won the Tropical Traditions Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator Giveaway!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to Tropical Traditions for sponsoring this giveaway!

ECOlunchbox Review & Giveaway

2011-11-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

I am excited to be working with ECOlunchbox again and this time I have the pleasure of introducing you to some of the ECOlunchbox stainless steel line of products! {You can read my previous post about ECOlunchbox and their Furoshiki ECOsnacksack HERE} ECOlunchbox was created when founder, Sandra was at a loss for a lunchtime alternative to plastic/vinyl lunchboxes, plastic baggies and awkward, hard to open, plastic containers. So, Sandra worked to develop a lunch kit that was user friendly, healthier for people and the planet too! At ECOlunchbox, you won't find any plastics, disposables, vinyl, PVC, BPA or lead. There's nothing icky that can leach into your food here! All you'll need is a little mealtime creativity and you're set to make a healthy and safe lunch (or breakfast or dinner)!

ECOlunchbox has a wonderful line of products, including stainless steel bento boxes, artisan lunch bags and napkins. Stainless steel lunch items are a wonderful alternative to plastics at mealtime. Plastic is readily available, very versatile and pretty convenient. It sounds good, but there are definitely some growing concerns about how plastics can affect our food and the people who are eating that food. I try very, very hard to avoid as many plastics as I can. I am very careful when it comes to serving, storing and preparing little man's food. The only plastics that I have left in our kitchen are some plastic food storage containers that I haven't been able to switch out for glass or stainless steel yet. I try to swap out a few items at a time (as I can afford it) and my goal is to have a plastic and disposable free kitchen. Every small step counts!

I was thrilled when ECOlunchbox sent little man their ECOlunchtray and ECOdipper to review! They are just his size and a perfect for mealtimes and snacks! The ECOlunchtray is designed to resist stains, odors and residues. It is 100% high-quality, food-safe stainless steel that will not leach anything into your food. The ECOlunchtray has three separate compartments that hold one main and two side dishes. I love that the two side dish compartments are different sizes - the smaller one is perfect for dipping sauces or a little dessert/treat! There is no need to worry about little ones being a bit rough on the tray either, because it is unbreakable! Another bonus is that it is dishwasher safe! A fun, safe meal for your little one, plus easy clean up...sounds perfect!

The ECOdipper is great to have at the table or to take with you when you are out and about running errands, on a picnic or at the park. It is the perfect size to take along in your purse or diaper bag! The ECOdipper can hold about 1/2 cup of dry or wet foods. It is perfect for yogurt, applesauce, cut fruit, nuts, pretzels, cracker, berries...the list goes on! Just keep in mind, that if you are packing something with a bit more liquid in it, the lid is pressure fitted, but not 100% leak-proof, since there is no plastic used.

I really love the ECOlunchtray and the ECOdipper! They were perfect for every meal and they wiped clean so easily! Little man really had fun using them too. I think that he liked the dividers for the different food compartments and the tray and dipper were sized just right for him to pick up food with his fingers or use his fork to grab it. He really, really loved dipping his foods! Meal time was definitely fun when we were using these! I also liked that since they are stainless steel, they are super light! So, when little man was done eating, he could pick up his tray and hand it to me to help me clear the table. I didn't worry, since the they are unbreakable, and little man is helping me clear the table!

I definitely think that both the ECOlunchtray and the ECOdipper are wonderful to use. I love knowing that they are free of any harmful chemicals - making them better for little man and the planet at the same time! I highly recommend both of these items if you are looking to get away from plastics for your home and for your little ones lunch!

Interested in adding some stainless steel items to your little ones lunch rotation? You can BUY the ECOlunchtray (ARV $14.00) and the ECOdipper (ARV $7.00) from the ECOlunchbox website.

-OR-

You can enter to WIN an ECOlunchtray (ARV $14.00) and an ECOdipper (ARV $7.00) from ECOlunchbox!

***Giveaway is open to the U.S. Entrants must be 18+ yearsold. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***

Giveaway will end November 30th at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! You may view Rafflecopter’sPrivacy Policy



			Thank you to ECOlunchbox for providing me with the opportunity to host this review and giveaway at no cost to myself. The items were sent to me free of charge for review and has not influenced my opinion of the products. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on these products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to ECOlunchbox for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

Teach them to be Bilingual at a Young Age - Guest Post From Primrose Schools

2011-11-19T22:08:00.001-08:00

Hubby and I have had severalconversations about starting to teach little man another language. He loveslearning new words and he is really a wonderful little conversationalist for a2 year old! Hubby and I both think that an early introduction to a foreignlanguage would help him be able to have an ear for accents and pick up newwords more easily as he grows up. We love traveling and have been to Europe afew times, including a trip that we took with my family before little man wasborn! Hubby and I would absolutely love to travel back to Europe and bringlittle man for his first tour of Europe! It would be such a wonderfulexperience for little man if he could understand a few words of French or orderhis pasta in Italian!

Kathleen,from PrimroseSchools, reached out to me about doing aguest post about the importance of teaching little ones a second language. I couldn’t have been happier because it is definitely something that hubby andI are interested in and eager to introduce to little man. I would like tothank Kathleen for the post and her insight!

Teach them to beBilingual at a Young Age

Article submittedby Kathleen Thomas on behalf of Primrose Schools

Thesedays steady employment has become scarce as companies downsize and ship jobsoverseas. Furthermore, the development of the global economy will lead to evenfiercer competition for higher tier employment in the near future. In order toensure your child has the ability to compete and have a chance forinterdependence, it is essential that they have a strong educational backgroundthat will increase their opportunity. However, in addition to a generaleducation, it is also important that your child develop a unique skillattractive to employers. Although it is impossible to foresee what your childwill be adept at, one particular skill that is universally desired and can betaught at a young age is a second language.

A Bilingual World
As the world shrinks and global interaction becomes more common, it becomesimperative to have people capable of interpreting data, conversation, and ideasinvolving foreign languages. This is no more indicative than in the UnitedStates, where immigrants from a variety of backgrounds interact in a diverseand thriving culture. In fact, most urban centers have become a culturalchessboard, with areas so influenced by their ancestral heritage that Englishis a second language. For speakers of multiple languages, this provides anemployment opportunity not only in these regions but with outside services whocount these neighborhoods among their patrons.

Being bilingual not only provides an advantage domestically, but also maybecome essential in when dealing with global clients. As countries like Chinaand Japan become more dominant player in the business world, it is plausiblethat another language may usurp English as the primary method of communication.If nothing else, the ability to converse in a client's native language can makea strong impression and build good relationships with foreign business. Otherhighly sought after languages such as Arabic can contribute greatly to Americaninterests.

Preparation
Conventional wisdom states that children should reach middle school before beingtaught a second language. However, recent studies have shown that starting atan earlier stage can have far more effective results. Most experts now agreethat the preschool years are the optimal period for a multilingual education.Research demonstrates that early childhood is when the brain is most pliableand capable of grasping the fundamental concepts used in language.

While learning two languages at once may sound confusing, according toprofessors at McGill University in Montreal, it is equally as simple for youngchildren to learn multiple languages as it is to learn one. Countries whoseresidents speak multiple languages have practiced this strategy for centuries,usually by exposing the child to a completely immersive environment. This can alsobe observed in children who have visited relatives abroad for an extendedperiod of time.

Consequently, it is important for parents to enroll their child in an educational preschool program thatoffers total immersion in a language other than English. By developing theirbilingual capabilities at a young age, they will be far more capable ofreaching fluency as an adult. This simple effort will bloom into a favorableinvestment not only for their prospective job opportunities but theirappreciation of international cultures as well.

Winner!

2011-11-16T23:39:00.001-08:00

The winner of the 4 pack of Incredibum Bum-boo Incrediwipes giveaway is Sarah Jane!

Congratulations Sarah Jane!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to my sponsor Incredibum who made this wonderful giveaway possible!

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Riley Farm

2011-11-16T00:42:00.001-08:00

Just before little man's 2nd birthday, we took our annual trip up to Riley Farm (where I took the last of my 9 month maternity photos before going into labor 2 years ago!) to take our family photos. This farms holds a bit of a special place in our hearts and my parents joined us this year, and last, to take some photos! Here's some quick pictures I took before the professional (and my best friend) started taking the family photos!

Happy Wednesday!

Ahhh... Nap Time {Sigh} ...How I Miss Thee!

2011-11-15T16:46:00.001-08:00

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Little man seems to want to put the kibosh on nap time lately. Over the last two weeks or so, he has really resisted nap time! And by resisted, I mean, he either doesn't nap or only briefly naps after a good water works session! Little man just turned 2 this weekend (Hooray! Party and celebration pictures to come soon!) and I can't believe that naps could be a thing of the past for us!!! I really enjoy the 1-2 hour nap time break in the middle of the day - it's perfect for catching up on things around the house {or blogging}! (That's why I've been a little scarce lately)

So, about 2 weeks ago, or so, little man just cried through his entire nap time. :( After reading, snuggling and singing in his rocking chair, he would normally cry/fuss/talk for a little after I put him down in his crib, and then he would go to sleep for about an hour to two hours. He's still in his crib, since he hasn't climbed out, or shown any interest in climbing out of it. Then, out of the blue (I don't even know what might have triggered it), he just cried for the entire nap! The sound of little man crying just breaks my heart! I thought maybe it was just a mild rebellion, but it has persisted!

I have tried holding him in the rocking chair until he falls asleep, laying in our bed with him to try to get him to nap and I've also tried to simply not offer a nap during the day. Holding him works sometimes. We will usually read a few extra books, then turn off the lights and talk and I'll sing to him until he falls asleep. But, since he is heavy and a light nap time sleeper, I am constantly shifting his weight on my arms and then he'll get restless and wake up after about 30 min to an hour. I tell little man that when we just sit in the rocking chair, that we're "resting". Today though, he didn't even want to "rest" with me. He just kept crying "No more resting with mama! All done resting!" Poor, sad baby! I have also tried laying down with him in our bed. This does not work at all. Our room is too bright in the afternoon and there are too many fun things to look at! It is definitely not a restful environment for him and he just doesn't want to lay still and snuggle. {insert sad mommy face} We've also tried offering a nap at different times of the day...still no luck. We have skipped a couple naps and little man actually does pretty well. He stays chipper and energetic, but does get a little tired when his nap time should be {a snack usually helps} and he is a bit hyper towards the end of the day. He is definitely ready for bath time and bedtime when that time rolls around and he goes to sleep like a champ. He usually says "Goodnight mama" happily and as I close the door, I can hear him chattering to his monkeys for a little bit before he drifts off for about 12 hours of sleep.

{credit}

I love that he goes to sleep so well at the end of the day and he sleeps like a rock through the night! It is just a hard adjustment for me right now to try to catch up on so many things at the end of the day, especially when I am usually pooped by the time he goes to bed! I love my days and my time with little man; he has been blessed with non-stop energy and a wonderful chatty personality. but, lately I have had a bit of a harder time getting the extra "oomph" to blog at the end of the day.

I'm really at a loss about nap times! I thought that little ones still took naps until they were a bit older? I would really appreciate any tips, advice or words of wisdom that anyone has! Are naps times over? Is this a phase? Will nap times ever return?

Made With Love Event Winners!

2011-11-14T11:15:00.001-08:00

The winners of the Made With Love Event are Alicia E., the winner of Prize Pack #1 and Sarah Knoke, the winner of Prize Pack #2!

Congratulations Alicia and Sarah!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to WOOLY ROUNDS, Doodle Graphics, Blossom Pads, My Posh Pads, The Hook Up, Red Letter Ink and TZ Burps!, the sponsors who made this wonderful giveaway possible!

The Made With Love Event!

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Made With Love Event hosted by The Reynolds Mom and Seventeen Sirens! This event features at least $25 or more in handmade prizes on each of the participating blogs. I hope that this will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved to learn about some fabulous shops, wahm's and many different types of handmade items, all while being able to feel good about finding products that are lovingly made with care! Be sure to go through the linky below and enter for your chance to win! This event will close on November 13th at Midnight EST. Good Luck!

A set of 4 WOOLY ROUNDS (ARV $28.00) from WOOLY ROUNDS. You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

A print in the winner's choice from Doodle Graphics. (ARV $20) You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

An Intro to Cloth Kit from Blossom Pads. (ARV $10) You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

A Sampler Kit from My Posh Pads! (ARV $18) You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

ARV of Prize Pack #1 = $76.00!

The winner's choice of a free baby or toddler custom item from The Hook Up. (ARV $15 -may vary depending on the item) You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

An 8x10 print of the winner's choosing from Red Letter Ink. (ARV $20) You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

An owl like the one Tara sent me from TZ Burps! (ARV $14) You can read my Sponsor Spotlight post HERE.

ARV of Prize Pack #2 = $49.00!

***Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Entrants must be 18+ years old. Two winners will be chosen randomly. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. Note: You are not guaranteed to win the package of choice, but I will try to assign packages to the winners based on their preference stated on the mandatory entry.***

Giveaway will end at midnight on November 13th at midnight EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! You may view Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer:The Made With Love Giveaway Event will begin on November 8th and will end on November 13th Midnight EST. This giveaway event is opened to residents specified on each participating blog (US, Canada, Worldwide, etc) that are 18 years or older. No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Please understand that The Reynolds Mom, Seventeen Sirens, and the "Made With Love Giveaway Event" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. However, we are responsible for contacting our sponsors regarding the winner's prize at the close of the giveaway. We expect that our sponsors will fulfill their prize agreement and ship them to the winners in a timely manner. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipping. If, after 6 weeks, you have not received your prize, please contact the blog that you won a prize from for a follow-up.

Thank you to all of my wonderful sponsors for providing me with the opportunity to host these reviews and giveaways at no cost to myself. The items were sent to me free of charge for review and this has not influenced my opinion of the products. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on these products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to all of the sponsors for these review and giveaway opportunities!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Just another fun day at the park!

Happy Wednesday!

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: My Posh Pads

2011-11-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

I am excited to introduce you to Robyn of My Posh Pads and the fun cloth pads she creates. My Posh Pads are handmade by Robyn using fun and unique prints with the absorbancy level you need. Whether you are looking for pads that work best for overnight and heavy days or you are looking for cloth pads that work well on lighter and regular days, you can find just what you need at My Posh Pads! My Posh Pads are a great and affordable option over disposable pads - and it's eco-friendly too! On top of that, they are made using an inner core of bamboo/organic cotton and the fun, colorful and sassy prints will definitely bring a smile to your face!

I had the opportunity to ask Robyn some questions about how she got started with My Posh Pads and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Robyn and My Posh Pads a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspired the name, My Posh Pads, for your shop?

I wanted something that would incorporate how we ladies want/wish that time ofthe month was like and I feel like our bamboo cloth pads make you feel thatway. Soft, plush...yea POSH!

How long has your shop been open?
I've been in business for 4 yrs with POSH Pads Organic Nursing Pads and My PoshPads was started about 8mths ago.

How long have you been sewing? Did someone teach you or did you pick it upon your own?

I"ve been sewing since I was little. My mother andgrandmother are both very talented artists and it just was something we alwaysdid together. Sewing, crafting anything we could do with our hands.

What inspired you to start selling My Posh Pads and why did you choose to makethem with organic cotton and bamboo?

It seemed like a good fit, since wealready offered something for our breasts that are made with soft organicbamboo, why not a cloth environmentally and comfy panty liner for down under.Feminine health is often left out, as its embarrassing or "gross". Itis seen much like breastfeeding was years ago and still sometimes is...but itsa natural part of a females life cycle. Both should be given much thought andcare. Our pads address both, allowing us girls to enough our leaks withoutirritation or leaks!

Do you have a favorite fabric design?
My favorites are the wilder colors and prints. I love pretty, but I get allexcited when I get to wear my Pretty Kitty, Tattoo My Love and yes our PamperedPuss Pads! We also have pretty floral prints that are very feminine that I lovetoo.

What would be the perfect way to spend a day?
Uhmmm...perfect day? Its everyday perfect if you make it that way? My perfectday is hanging out with my husband and kiddos. I know most want a quiet day anda book, but I'm so used to noise and go, go , go that it weirds me out to justchill too much ;-)

I was thrilled when Robyn told me that she was going to be sending me a Sampler Kit to try out! It is definitely the perfect way to try out a variety of cloth pads if you are new to the idea of using cloth for your monthly cycle or if you want to try out a few of the different Posh Pads before investing in more! My Posh Pads are made with 100% cotton flannel top and bottom wings, they have an inner core of bamboo/organic cotton and a PUL layer for leak protection.

The Sampler Starter package includes:

1 Maxi 10 in.
1 Pantyliner 8 in.
1 Mini 7 in.
1 Netted Carrying Bag

One of my favorite features is that My Posh Pads have an inner core of bamboo and organic cotton!

"MY POSH PADS uses the renewable resource of bamboo as a fabric because it grows naturally and abundantly without pesticides or fertilizers, therefore reducing the chances of allergies or skin conditions. The thermal characteristics offer great breathing ability; keeping moisture away from the body. Bamboo is highly absorbent and naturally deodorizing. The layers allow moisture to be wicked away from your body leaving you drier." --taken from My Posh Pads Etsy pages

Robyn definitely goes above and beyond to use quality fabrics and materials. I also really like that Robyn uses a double row of snaps so that you can easily adjust the fit of your cloth pad! Since cloth pads are reusable, it really is such a wonderful and economical way to have a "greener" period. Cloth pads (in my opinion) are much more comfortable than disposables and they are better for your body. With less waste going into the garbage, it is better for the planet too! To top it all of, the fabric choices at My Posh Pads are so cute!

This is my favorite print:

I think that the materials that Robyn uses for My Posh Pads are wonderful and I just love that she has chosen to use bamboo and organic cotton. Robyn dresses her cloth pads up with such bright and fun prints that you can't help but feel happy when you use them! I love the variety that comes in the Sampler Kit. It is the perfect way to try out a few of the different My Posh Pads to see what works best for your needs. It is also a great way to see the quality and handiwork that goes into each cloth pad. Robyn is friendly and easy to talk with and I would definitely recommend My Posh Pads as a place to shop at!

My Posh Pads is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Robyn has generously offered the winner their very own Sampler Kit! (ARV $18)

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can shop for My Posh Pads on their Etsy page. You can also connect with Robyn on My Posh Pads Facebook page and through Twitter!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit My Posh Pads and leave me a comment below telling what one of your favorite item is! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: TZ Burps!

2011-11-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

I came across TZ Burps! a while ago on Etsy and immediately fell in love with Tara's handmade owls! I think that handmade plushies are the best - especially knowing that they are stuffed with love and care! I love that the owls and birds that Tara creates are so unique and have so much personality! Each one looks a little different - from the variety of fun colors that they come in to the different accents! So, I am thrilled to get the chance to introduce you to Tara of TZ Burps! and her wonderful, cuddly owls, birds and other fun creations! Tara creates some really sweet and adorable fleece owls and birds and they all look so perfect to cuddle up with as a little friend or even as a pillow! They would be a adorable for a baby shower gift, a gift for an older child or even use as a decorative accent in a little one's room.

One huge plus for all of the TZ Burps! creations is that they are all machine washable and dryer safe! That is just perfect when it comes to little ones and their plushies! Tara is constantly hard at work making her handmade fleece feathered friends and she is always working on new designs. She has even created an owl tooth pillow! I really love the variety of different owls and birds that Tara creates. She really has so many bright and fun fleece color choices to work with! Have a specific color in mind for an owl or an idea for another fuzzy friend? Tara can work with you to make a custom owl or bird! Whether you are looking for an owl, a bird, or another soft, fleece friend, Tara is more than happy to work with you to create the perfect item for you or your little one!

Here are some examples of owls Tara has created:

Can we say, cuteness overload?!

I had the opportunity to ask Tara some questions about sewing and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Tara and TZ Burps! a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspiredthe name, TZ Burps! for your shop?

Well, most would think it is because I make baby itemssuch as bibs and burp cloths, but the secret is…I have a talent of burpingwell, like a man. The TZ comes from anickname of mine which happened to be my initials before I got married. Now that you know the truth, shhh! ;)

How long has your shop been open?

Since March 2010

Has your shop or items changed at all since you firstopened?

Oh yes, my shop is inspired by daughter, the stages oflife she goes through and her interests. I began with bibs, burp cloths, hair clips, fairy wands, changing padsand now focus mostly on fleece plush owls and birds.

How long have you been sewing? Did someone teach youor did you pick it up on your own?

I have been sewing since 2007. Before that a little in high school when mymom showed me how to make skirts. My momis the one who taught me and gave me the refresher course when my daughter was2 months old, now she is 4 and into owls!

What is your favorite item to make?

The owls, I love coming up with new creations and can’twait to see how they turn out. Each owlis unique and has its own personality that comes through once it isstuffed. The owls really allow me to getout my creativity and they are the most fun, plus I love my daughter’s inputand approval.

What would be the perfect way to spend a day?

Outside with my daughter and dog, enjoying nature.

Thanks for this opportunity to share TZ Burps! We hope you like ourcreations as much as we do!

He is just adorable

I was thrilled when Tara told me that she was going to be sending me a new, un-named owl for little man to play with and try to give a name to! I was so excited to see little man's reaction when he saw it ...and I was pretty excited to see a new owl design too! When I opened the package, I immediately fell in fleece-y, owl love! He is so cute and matches perfectly with the colors in little man's room. Little man saw him right away and started saying "Owl? Owl" and "Whoo!" as he was reaching for him.

Little man started cuddling his new owl buddy right away! He loves giving him hugs! Little man hasn't given his new owl a name yet...so far, he just calls him "Owl". Whooo knows though, he may come up with a name for his new friend! :)

Little man even practiced using his owl as a pillow and at nap time, he asked for owl to join him in bed! It is so sweet how much little man loves his new owl friend. He is stuffed to perfection for squeezing and hugging and the colors are absolutely perfect! It was as if Tara had seen little mans room before she made the owl. I am already thankful that our TZ Burps! owl is washable, since little man has been giving him big, wet slobbery kisses!

kisses for owl!

Our little owl is just wonderful! He is soft, cuddly and the perfect little friend for little man to squeeze or tote around! The sizing is just right for little hands to grasp! Tara definitely puts a lot of creativity, love and care into each or her handmade creations. It is easy to see that Tara loves what she does and I would definitely recommend shopping with TZ Burps!, whether you are looking for an owl in your little ones favorite colors, a fuzzy stocking stuffer or the perfect accent to a nursery or child's room!

TZ Burps! is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Tara has generously offered the winner an owl like the one she sent me!

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can shop for an owlet for your little one (or for yourself!) on the TZ Burps! Etsy page. You can also connect with Tara on TZ Burps! Facebook page and through the TZ Burps blog!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit TZ Burps! Etsy page and leave me a comment below telling what one of your favorite item is! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: Red Letter Ink

2011-11-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

I am excited to introduce you to Aimee of Red Letter Ink and her beautifully inspired wall art! Aimee has created some truly wonderful designs that are alive with color and meaning. The designs at Red Letter Ink have verses of scripture worked into them along with some wonderful typography and graphic elements. Aimee has even created some pieces that are customizable, which can add the perfect touch to a child's room or make a very meaningful baby shower gift! I really love the style that Aimee uses to create her pieces. Her pieces are uplifting and would add a wonderful addition to any room in the home. They are all so unique and and a beautiful reminder of God's love and faithfulness.

I had the opportunity to ask Aimee some questions about how she got started in graphic design and where her inspiration for her work comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Aimee and Red Letter Ink a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspired the name, Red Letter Ink, for your shop, andwhat inspired you to start selling your prints?
The name of my shop comes from the fact that my artworkprints are inspired from various scripture passages. My husband and I have adaughter with special needs, and over the past 7+ years, there are passages ofscripture that I’ve clung to – especially during the difficult times. The veryfirst scripture print I made was for our daughter with the passage fromJeremiah 29 that says “For I know the plans I have for you…” – that verse hasalways given me hope and has served as a great reminder that God created eachof us EXACTLY how he intended, with a specific plan in mind for each of ourlives. So as I began making more scripture prints for friends’ kids, I thoughthow cool to be able to share God’s word with others through artwork! I justlove having scripture surrounding me as part of my everyday life, so I figuredwhy not make this an option for everyone!

How long has yourshop been open?
Well, technically, I opened my shop in April 2011, but I’vebeen dreaming up and designing prints for the past couple of years now.

How long have youbeen making graphic design prints?
I worked as an in-house graphic designer for several yearsbefore we received my daughter’s diagnosis of a neurological motorplanning/processing disorder, and after our son was born, we decided in orderfor me to have the flexibility to get our daughter to numerous therapyappointments each week, I needed to leave my corporate job. I’d beenfreelancing on the side for some extra income beyond my day job, and when Iquit my full-time job it was absolutely AMAZING to see how God provided for ourfamily. Like I mentioned before, watching God provide for us financially andemotionally through His word made me want to shout it from the rooftops thatGOD IS GOOD! I started out jotting down scripture passages on note cards andhave them in my office as reminders, then I thought how silly – I’m a graphicdesigner and I’m displaying my chicken scratch handwriting?? Why not make itsomething pretty to look at? And that inspired the very first print back acouple of years ago.

What would be theperfect way to spend a day?
Having grown up with three brothers, I’m a HUGE sports fan,so I absolutely LOVE spending an afternoon watching the Minnesota Twins play attheir new outdoor stadium in the summer –or- hanging out with friends watchinga Packers football game (especially if they’re playing the Vikings…we’ve got alittle rivalry going on in our family with me originally from WI, my husbandfrom MN). I’m also a big outdoors person, so I enjoy rollerblading, biking, camping,hiking, etc.

Anything else you’dlike to add/say?
I’d just like to encourage everyone to seek out theincredible gifts that are found in scripture. God’s word can speak truth towhatever situation you may be facing and only HE can help guide you as you walkthrough tough times. And don’t be afraid to be transparent if you’restruggling. This is something I’ve slowly been learning the past several years.God didn’t intend for us to handle everything on our own, instead, He createdus to need the support and love of good friends to help us navigate our waythrough life and all the challenges that arise. For so long I thought I had totry and pretend I had it all together on my own…and I can’t tell you howfreeing it was when I finally let myself throw my hands up in the air and say,“God, I can’t do it alone – I need your help and the help/support of friends toget through this”. He is good ALL the time, and we can rest in that no matterhow difficult things are.

The print came packaged nicely with some cardboard and in a clear cello bag to keep it protected.

Framed!

I really love the 8x10 Don't Worry Be Happy wall art print featuring Matthew 6:26 that Aimee sent me!

Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap
or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them.

Are you not much more
valuable than they?
• Matthew 6:26 •

It is perfect for me! I am a very happy person by nature and not prone to worrying. But, that doesn't mean that I don't still need a reminder about how perfect God's plan is for me or how much he wants to bless our family! I thrive on the knowledge that God will always take care of us - he always has and I am confident that he always will. It is not something that I take for granted, but it is more of a celebration for me of God's goodness. The bright, cheery design with the bird and flower embellishments and the happy shades of red, blue, and orange just add to the happy, uplifting feel of this print! Also, since it is printed on a crisp white background, it the perfect splash of color to compliment my desk and work-space!

Overall, I absolutely love my Red Letter Ink print! The colors compliment each other nicely, the design and typography is well laid out and the quality is just excellent! I am impressed with the quality that Aimee puts into her artwork and it is so evident that she puts great care and thought into her prints! Red Letter Ink is definitely a place that I would recommend to shop from, whether you are looking for unique inspirational art, uplifting and bright prints, a meaningful and personalized print or even note cards to send a thoughtful letter to a friend!

Red Letter Ink is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Aimee has generously offered the winner an 8x10 print of the winner's choosing from her shop!

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can shop for Red Letter Ink wall art and note cards Etsy! You can also connect with Aimee through Facebook!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit Red Letter Ink on Etsy and leave me a comment below telling which print is your favorite! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

Tropical Traditions Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator Review & Giveaway!

2011-11-05T20:04:00.000-07:00

I am excited to work with Tropical Traditions again! Tropical Traditions does an excellent job of providing a host of well-rounded products. They carry food products, like their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, household cleaning products and even a variety of skin care items. I appreciate that Tropical Traditions not only provides quality and organic food items, but that they carry a line of personal care products that are made with the same high quality ingredients. This time, I had the opportunity to review their Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator!

Tropical Traditions makes all of their Skin Exfoliators with 100% natural ingredients. They put in the best ingredients and leave out the icky chemicals (you won't find any alcohols, artificial fragrances, or petroleum products in there!). Tropical Traditions uses their Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Virgin Palm Oil (which contains a powerful form of Vitamin E and it is also rich in natural carotene) to help moisturize and nourish your skin.

Tropical Traditions offers two scented versions of their Skin Exfoliators (Lavender and Citrus-Mint) and an unscented versions (for those who are sensitive to essential oils). I am a huge citrus fan and I just love the Citrus-Mint scent that Tropical traditions has created! When I first opened it, I was greeted by a happy, sunshine-y orange color! Perfect for helping you to wake up in the morning! I noticed that the exfoliator definitely had a coconut scent to it at first, then I started picking up the orange and the minty-ness! I was also really impressed with the (short) ingredient list! That is definitely something I like to see!

Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator Ingredients:
sea salt, organic macadamia nut oil, organic jojoba, organic virgin coconut oil, organic virgin palm oil, and organic essential oils of orange, spearmint, lemon and peppermint.

I tested the Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator out on my hands first. I get really dry skin on my hands during the colder months. Since they are already starting to look the worse for wear, I thought this would be the perfect time to start exfoliating and moisturizing them! when I put it on my hands, it was like the oil just got sucked into my skin! The sea salt is definitely a little abrasive, so I just used small, gentle circular motions and rubbed it in for about a minute. Then, as I rinsed away the sea salt, the oils left behind silky-smooth, revitalized skin! I just kept rubbing my hands together to feel the softness! I really liked that the moisturized, lotion feeling didn't go away within 5 minutes either. Sometimes, I feel like I put lotion on and need to continually reapply because I can't tell a difference on my hands. I just loved how soft my hands felt after only exfoliating for a minute! It was like a nice little hand spa treatment. :)

Before

After using the Exfoliator

Overall, I am so happy with The Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator! It is perfect to use to buff away dry skin on hands, feet or other rough patches. I love the minimal and natural ingredients that Tropical Traditions uses and the good-for-you nutrients that are packed in this exfoliator. I am so glad that I have the cheery scent of Citrus-Mint to help banish my dry skin on my hands and feet!

You can BUY the Tropical Traditions Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator - 4 oz. for $11.99 right now. (ARV $16.95)

-OR-

You can enter to WIN your very own Citrus-Mint Skin Exfoliator - 4 oz.!

***Giveaway is open to the U.S. & Canada. Entrants must be 18+ years old. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***

Giveaway will end November 19th at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! You may view Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy

The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email and if I don't get a response, I will have to choose another winner.

*Tropical Traditions will be sending the winner’s prize item to them directly.*

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: Blossom Pads

2011-11-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

I am excited to introduce you to Blossom Pads and the beautiful line of cloth menstrual pads and pantyliners created by Charlene. Blossom Pads are a handmade alternative to disposable pads that come in a variety of lengths, absorbencies and wonderful, colorful prints. Charlene has created Blossom Pads to be affordable, comfortable, cute and they are an eco-friendly choice!

At Blossom Pads, you can find Cotton Pads, Organic Cotton Pads, Flannel Pads and Pantyliners. They are available in whichever absorbency you are looking for (light, moderate/regular, and super) and they are also available in a variety of different of lengths to suit your needs (6", 8", 10", 12", 14"). Not only can you create the cloth pad that is just right for you at Blossom Pads, but you can also choose between some really pretty and fun prints too! I just love the variety of prints and colors that Charlene uses!

I had the opportunity to ask Charlene some questions about how she got started and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Charlene and Blossom Pads a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspired the name, Blossom Pads, for your shop?
The name Blossom Pads comes from the idea of blossoms representing beauty, spring and rebirth...all things that I associate with women and our menstrual cycles. Far too often women are embarrassed or feel negatively about “that time of the month,” but I see our cycles as a reminder of how amazing we are (we grow babies!) and feel that we should celebrate that!

How long has your shop been open?
We started selling pads in our cloth diaper shop 3 years ago and officially opened Blossom Pads in January of 2009.

How long have you been sewing? Did someone teach you or did you pick it up on your own?
I started sewing when I was about 8 or 9 years old. At that time, my mother made many of my clothes and I wanted to be just like her. Like many children that age, after one sewing lesson my interest faded. Years later, when I had children of my own, I started sewing again. Through trial and error, and the help of the Internet, I taught myself how to sew.

What inspired you to start selling Blossom Pads?
I had been working as a birth doula for several years when a client who knew that I made cloth diapers asked me if I ever made cloth menstrual pads. I had never thought about it before and decided to do a little research about cloth pads. When I learned about the environmental, health and financial benefits to using cloth vs. disposable pads I was sold and started designing my own pattern. A few months later Blossom Pads opened.

Do you have a favorite fabric or material to work with?
I love working with cotton velour. Not only is it soft and absorbent, but there are so many vibrant colors!

What would be the perfect way to spend a day?
My perfect day would be spent with my husband and six kids hiking up in the mountains of Vermont. No cars, no phones, no noise, no worries....just peace and quite, fresh air and a nice, slow pace.

Are you new to the idea of cloth pads? Charlene has a wonderful section on the Blossom Pads site that answers many of the questions about how to care to cloth pads, how many you will need and even why you should use them. Make sure you check out her FAQ's page if you have any questions!

For those that are interested in trying cloth menstrual pads, but just aren't sure where to start or if you're not ready to invest a lot into cloth pads, Blossom Pads offers an Intro to Cloth Kit! This kit will let you try some of the different sizes and absorbencies ...and it is only $10!!!

The Intro to Cloth Kit includes:

1 velour 6" panyliner
1 velour 8" pad with a bamboo/cotton core and moderate absorbency
1 flannel 10" flannel pad with a cotton core and super absorbency
Information on how to care for your pads

The Intro to Cloth Kit that Charlene sent me! Aren't the colors beautiful!

I was thrilled when Charlene told me that she was going to be sending me an Intro to Cloth Kit to try out! When I opened the package, I fell in love with the colors right away! I love blues and the prints made me so happy! Immediately, I could tell that the cloth pads are all made exceptionally well and with great care. The materials are so incredibly soft and plush!

A close-up of the edge detail

The pads all washed up beautifully and while I didn't "need" to use them before this review and the upcoming Made With Love Event, I still tried them out. They were all extremely soft, comfortable and they stayed in place. The bottom of the pads are all made with fleece to provide a breathable,moisture resistant layer that also helps to keep your pad in place and the velour pantyliners have a backing of trim microfleece. All of the materials that Charlene uses are just wonderful and they all come together to make some fabulous cloth pads that I am definitely looking forward to using!

A close-up of the engraved white snap cap that helps you know what absorbancy your pad is! (I love this extra detail! So helpful!) L=Light, M=Moderate/Regular & S=Super

The 6" velour pantyliner is actually perfect to wear just before or after your period and I hardly noticed that I was even wearing it! The velour 8" pad with a bamboo/cotton core and moderate absorbency is probably my favorite! I love that it has a bamboo/cotton core and the absorbancy that bamboo has. The velour top is just so incredibly soft, I love it! The 10" flannel pad with a cotton core and super absorbency is perfect, especially at the beginning of my cycle or at night! I love the Intro to Cloth Kit that Charlene sent me! It is an excellent way to see Charlene's wonderful handiwork up close and in person. I love that with the kit, you have the option to try out the velour and flannel pads, to see which you like best. I also really like that the kit comes with the varying absorbencies and lengths that Blossom Pads has to offer. I really love the variety of fabric choices and colors that Cathlene offers through Blossom Pads. Charlene has definitely created some beautiful, vibrant and pretty cloth pads!

Blossom Pads is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Charlene has generously offered the winner their very own Intro to Cloth Kit! (ARV $10)

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can shop on the Blossom Pads website on the Blossom Pads Etsy page. You can also connect with Charlene on Blossom Pads Facebook page and through Twitter! You can also follow Blossom Pads blog!

Charlene is offering a special coupon code to the Little Hedgehog readers! She is offering a 10% discount off your purchase at Blossom Pads! Simply use the discount code "LHH" at checkout!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit Blossom Pads and leave me a comment below telling what one of your favorite item is! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: The Hook Up

2011-11-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

I am excited to introduce you to Heather of The Hook Up and her wonderful crochet designs! Heather creates some really sweet and adorable booties, hats for babies, kids and adults, photo props and more! Heather's motto at The Hook Up is, "If you can dream it, I can crochet it!" She loves custom work and even if Heather doesn't have the pattern, she has been crocheting for long enough that she can write her own patterns! Whatever it is that you are looking for for your little one or for yourself, Heather is happy to work with you to create the perfect crochet item for you!

I had the opportunity to ask Heather some questions about how she got started and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Heather and The Hook Up a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspired the name, The Hook Up, for your shop?

I was actually going to call myself The Happy Hooker (logo=red stiletto, ball of yarn, and graffiti lettering!), but my hubby said that wasn't very nice! hehe So, The Hook Up was born! :D

How long has your shop been open?

I've had my facebook page for almost one year.

How long have you been crocheting?

I've been crocheting for about 10 years.

Did someone teach you or did you pick it up on your own?

My mom taught me to make a blanket, and I taught myself everything else from watching a video on youtube or just winging it!

What is your favorite item to make?

I love anything anyone brings to me thats different and new! Color combinations make me happy! :D

What would be the perfect way to spend a day?

I have two little boys, so really doing anything with them is an amazing day. I'm a stay at home mama, so I get to have that "perfect" day pretty often!

I really love the variety of different styles that Heather crochets and showcases on her Facebook page. I think that it really helps to give an idea of what Heather has created and some of the beautiful and vibrant color choices that she has to work with!

I was thrilled when Heather told me that she was going to be sending me a neutral brown slouch beanie with a decorative top and drawstrings for review! I have never worn a slouch beanie before and I loved that Heather gave me some fun ideas of what to wear it with! Heather explained that the back/top of the beanie simply slouches down behind your head and that it looks adorable when paired with a scarf, jeans, and ugg boots! Definitely perfect for fall and winter!

When I received my slouch beanie, I tried it out right away! It was so much fun to play with and practice putting on! Now, I don't crochet, so I have no firsthand experience, but I was definitely impressed with the quality that Heather crochets with! The beanie is put together wonderfully and it has the perfect amount of give and stretch to it to make it super comfy to wear! There is a lot of love and care that goes into Heather's work and I think that that is easy to see, just by looking at the beanie. The beanie is nice and soft too! It's cozy, plush and the neutral brown color works perfectly with my wardrobe! I absolutely love my slouch beanie and Heather's crochet handiwork! Another thing that I really appreciated was how helpful and friendly Heather is, even through emails! When you are chatting with her, you can tell how cheerful and genuine she is, and how much she loves crocheting!

The Hook Up is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Heather has generously offered the winner a free baby or toddler custom item!

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can connect with Heather on The Hook Up's Facebook page and shop for some fun, new crochet items for the whole family there or you can shop her website! You can also connect with The Hook Up through Twitter, The Hook Up blog and you can even take a peek at some of Heather's work on her YouTube channel!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit The Hook Up's Facebook page or the website and leave me a comment below telling what one of your favorite item is! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Dandelions

2011-11-02T00:00:00.001-07:00

How to Properly Shake a Dandelion Puff (According to Little Man):

Step 1: Shake Vigorously

Step 2: Continue Shaking

Step 3: Stop When all the Dandelion Puffs are Gone

Happy Wednesday!

Incredibum Bum-boo Incrediwipes Review & Giveaway!

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Incredibum is a brand new cloth diaper and cloth diaper accessory company and I am excited to share a little bit about them with you! Incredibum has created a line of cloth diapers that come in beautiful colors, reversible wet bags and cloth wipes made with bamboo!

About Indredibum
Our goal is to make a ecological and economical responsible diaper foreveryone. One that is easy to use for today’s parents who juggle jobs, family,and life in general. We’re making cloth diapering easier for the masses. Nomore stuffing or folding. It’s as easy as a snap! --taken from the website

I was thrilled when I go the opportunity to work with Incredibum and take their new Bum-boo Incrediwipes for a spin! Incredibum sent me four of their Bum-boo Incrediwipes and I loved them from the moment I opened the package! The Bum-boo Wipes are so soft and very generously sized (9"x9")! Also, the wipes are made with bamboo(90%), which is wonderful, since bamboo has a natural antibacterial element in it!

So soft and fluffy!

As you {probably} know by now, I cloth diaper little man and we use cloth wipes. As you might have also read in some of my previous posts, little man is in the middle of potty training. Even though he is potty training, he still uses a cloth diaper at nap-time and night-time (and if we are going to be away from home for a long time). Cloth wipes are still a big part of our day - not only when little man is getting changed out of a diaper, but also when he uses the potty! Just because he is learning to use the potty, doesn't mean we have to stop using cloth wipes. I have gotten so used to using them for little man, that it is just natural for me to continue to use them as he keeps learning about using the potty.

The Bum-boo Incrediwipes are perfect to have at the potty or at diaper changes!

I have gotten the chance to use them for quite awhile now and I really love using the Incredibum Bum-boo Incrediwipes! They are the perfect thickness for cleaning and a great size for using at home or when we are out and about! I love that they are made with bamboo, which is super absorbent, and they are incredibly soft on little man! I also really appreciate how reasonably priced the Bum-boo Incrediwipes are! I would definitely recommend the Bum-boo Incrediwipes to anyone who is looking for some new wipes to add to their stash or if you are just starting to cloth diaper and use cloth wipes!

You can BUY Incredibum Bum-boo Incrediwipes from Sandbox Lane. (ARV $4.95 for a package of 4 Incrediwipes)

-OR-

You can enter to WIN a 4 pack of Incredibum Bum-boo Incrediwipes!

***Giveaway is open to the U.S. & Canada. Entrants must be 18+ yearsold. The winner has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.***

Giveaway will end November 16th at 12:01am EST.

Entries go in the Rafflecopter form below! You may view Rafflecopter’sPrivacy Policy

Thank you to Incredibum for providing me with the opportunity to host this review and giveaway at no cost to myself. The item was sent to me free of charge for review and has not influenced my opinion of the product. I have sought to give my honest opinions and experiences on this product. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Thank you again to Incredibum for sponsoring this review and giveaway!

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: Doodle Graphics

2011-11-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

I am excited to introduce you to Doodle Graphics and the designer behind the lovely and unique prints, Nancy! Doodle Graphics offers a wonderful selection of inspirational and modern typography wall art. Many of the pieces Nancy creates can be customized, which can really add the perfect touch for your home or a child's room! I really love that every print from Doodle Graphics comes with an acid free beveled mat, so that your wall art is ready to put into a frame and onto your walls!

Nancy has such a wonderful eye for layout and typography design! The colors she uses are vibrant and striking. You can also tell that great care and quality has gone into the Doodle Graphics prints. All of Nancy's work is printed on matte, white archival paper with archival pigment inks, so your wall art will last for generations! I think that the wall art from Doodle Graphics would compliment any room in the home quite nicely! I was so excited when I found out that I would be able to work with Nancy and get to know a little bit more about her and Doodle Graphics! I had the opportunity to chat with Nancy and ask her some questions about how she got started and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Nancy and Doodle Graphics a little bit better, just like I did!

A little about me.... I opened my shop this year in May. I'mnot sure where the inspiration for the name came from....I just wanted it tonot be too serious. And, to me, doodling is so NOT serious! :) I'm a full timegraphic artist in the screen printing industry. Pretty much self taught (whilereceiving a paycheck no less!) My girlfriend, also a graphic artist, introducedme to etsy and encouraged me to open up a shop. There were so many possibilitieswhen it came to utilizing my skills as a graphic artist it took me a while tohone in on what I wanted my product line to be (and it's still evolving!)....guess it should since creativity is what it's all about :) The first item Imade, and sold (btw), was a subway style print of all the places in my hometownthat were special to me. I still offer it in my store, but with your favoriteplaces and special dates. It's turned out to be my best seller so far. This isthe print : www.etsy.com/listing/74045989/subway-art-custom-print-poster.
I love to receive orders for the customized prints. The names and places arealways so interesting! It's like a puzzle, using fonts that not only work welltogether, but hopefully evoke the style of the place or word I'm typing. Itgives me a great sense of accomplishment when a design works!!!

My print was shipped with an extra board to keep it from bending. I love the extra touches Nancy included!

I have really love the Herbs & Spices kitchen art print that Nancy sent me! I love cooking and I think it really added to the feel of our Italian/Tuscan kitchen! Every time I see it when I am in our kitchen, it reminds me to break out the spices and add a little something extra to whatever I'm cooking! The Herbs & Spices print is an 8x10 print that came mounted in an 11x14 crisp, white, acid free mat. I just love that Nancy includes the mat with her art prints! All you need is a frame and you are ready to add some color and character to your walls!

My Herbs & Spices print is right at home in my kitchen with my cookbooks!

Overall, I absolutely love my Doodle Graphics graphic print! The colors are beautiful and they compliment my kitchen wonderfully! I am very impressed with the quality that Nancy prints her artwork with and I just love the extra touches that she adds! The mat being included with each purchase and her cute wrapping to keep the print protected are so thoughtful! Doodle Graphics is definitely a place to shop for whether you are looking for unique subway art, coffee prints, a meaningful kids art piece or an inspirational scripture wall art print for your home!

Doodle Graphics is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Nancy has generously offered the winner their choice of any one of the Doodle Graphics prints!

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can shop for Doodle Graphics wall art pieces and connect with Nancy on Etsy!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit Doodle Graphics on Etsy and leave me a comment below telling which print is your favorite! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:52:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone is having a happy, fun and safe Halloween! We have been having a great day so far (well, minus little man taking a tumble into a door frame that required a band-aid and then the tumble outside, where little man tripped and landed on his cheek! Poor baby!) and I have been having lots of fun with food! This morning I made "Ghost-y" Quinoa Pancakes with blueberries for the eyes and mouth! {idea for the "ghost-y" shape from Pinterest}

Boo! "Ghost-y's cooking on the griddle!

Ahhh! It's a ghost! With a side of apple-pear sauce and raspberry jam for dipping.

For part of lunch, little man has pumpkin puree mixed in with come plain yogurt and then some freshly grated nutmeg and cinnamon on top! Yum!

Want some?

We decorated our front porch to get ready for trick-or-treaters and the bowl of candy is ready and waiting! Last night, I made this fun little door "wreath" {another fun Pinterest craft project!}

Little man playing with his pumpkin...he loves to roll it around like it's a bowling ball!

Then, we had to have some fun, festive books for the day and some Halloween coloring pages! Little man's "little buddy" monster is waiting for him to wake up from his nap, so they can read together!

Happy Halloween!

I hope you all enjoy the day and evening - whether you are staying in or going out!

Made With Love Sponsor Spotlight: WOOLY ROUNDS

2011-10-30T21:44:00.000-07:00

I am excited to introduce you to WOOLY ROUNDS and your dryers new best friend! WOOLY ROUNDS are felted balls of wool made by creator and owner Cyndi. They are handmade, using 100% wool from a historic mill in Maine and come in natural colors or in beautifully dyed shades. WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls are a wonderful, eco-friendly laundry accessory that work to circulate and separate laundry while in the dryer. They help to naturally soften laundry, reduce static and shorten drying time by about 10-25%. The more WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls you add to your dryer, the quicker your laundry dries! Simply toss 3-8 WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls into your dryer with your clean, wet laundry and they go to work to reduce drying time - which not only conserves energy, but it saves you money as well!

I was so excited when I found out that I would be able to work with Cyndi and get to know a little bit more about her and WOOLY ROUNDS! I had the opportunity to chat with Cyndi and ask her some questions about how she got started and where her inspiration comes from. I hope that you feel like you can get to know Cyndi and WOOLY ROUNDS a little bit better, just like I did!

What inspired thename, Wooly Rounds, for your shop?

The name startedout as something a little different, I didn't want to use the word ball, so Iended up with WOOLY ROUNDS, since I thought it was fun and easy to say.

How long has yourshop been open?

I've been inbusiness just over 1 year.

Has your shop or items changed at all sinceyou first opened?

When I firststarted, I offered only natural colors. I really thought the people wouldjust want natural ones, but it turns out even more people like the colorfulones. There is something special about the colorful ones. Theyreally bring a smile to your face when you see those colorful balls in andamongst your dry laundry.

How long have youbeen making wool dryer balls? Did someone teach you or did you pick it up onyour own?

I started to tryand make wool dryer balls about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. It really is trickyto get it right. I watched tutorials, read blogs and anything I couldfind online to give hints on how to make a well crafted wool dryer ball. It was a lot of trial and error and I feel like I'm still figuring out betterways to streamline production and to craft a good quality wool dryer ball.

What inspired youto start making and selling wool dryer balls?

I knew I reallywanted to start my own business and I had a different business in the worksbefore my son came. Since my time was limited after our son was born, Iknew I had to change directions and find something else. Making andselling wool dryer was such a perfect fit for me in my life at thispoint. It was something that I could make and sell while still spendingtime at home. And the best part is that I have provided something tohundreds of customers that have helped them converse energy. Somedays Itry and picture the collective amount of energy that all my customers havesaved and that is a wonderful feeling.

What would be theperfect way to spend a day?

The perfect way tospend a day is to spend time with my family, being outside and sharing mealstogether.

I have really loved using my WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls! I was impressed with them from the moment I opened the package! Cyndi sent me four of her WOOLY ROUNDS to review - 2 in the dark gray and 2 in the natural. They came wrapped in a nice little linen bag and when I first opened it, I was greeted with the scent of sheep and some slightly damp dryer balls! (This actually made me smile, because it reminded me of home - I grew up with neighbors who had sheep, goats, cows, pigs, horses, peacocks and more! So, I'm used to the natural sheep scent) Once the wool dryer balls dry out, the scent of sheep is completely gone, so there is no need to worry that your laundry will smell like sheep. ;)

I was really impressed with how tightly felted WOOLY ROUNDS were! I don't think that there is anything that could make these unravel or come apart in your dryer. They are definitely made with great care and will last a very long time. I also like knowing that since they are so tightly felted and secure, that little man can play with them without me having to worry about him figuring out how to unravel them. Little man loves helping me with laundry and is a big helper when it comes to putting thing in the dryer or taking them out. He also has a blast reaching in the dryer and grabbing the WOOLY ROUNDS to play with them!

WOOLY ROUNDS are the perfect choice for your laundry. They are especially well suited for cloth diaper laundry (since you can't use dryer sheets on cloth diapers) and for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies to perfume in dryer sheets. WOOLY ROUNDS are chemical and fragrance free, so they are safe for your laundry and the environment! I just love that WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls are cloth diaper friendly. I normally hang my diapers outside to dry, but the hot sun here makes them pretty crispy and stiff. I love taking them inside and tossing them in the dryer on Low with the WOOLY ROUNDS for about 10 minutes - it softens them right up! Bye-bye stiff diapers, hello softness!

wet laundry and WOOLY ROUNDS going in the dryer...

nice and dry!

Overall, I absolutely love my WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls! With the four WOOLY ROUNDS that I have, I have noticed that my drying time has been shortened by 4-10 minutes on a normal cycle (which lasts 41 minutes). My dryer has a sensor in it, so it stops when the laundry is dry and I've made sure to take note when the dryer stops to see how long it took. I have definitely saved time on all of my dryer loads- from towels to clothes! I love it! WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls have a permanent home in my dryer! I love that I can tell that they are made with care and I love using something that is eco-friendly and helps me be more energy efficient!

WOOLY ROUNDS is one of the sponsors for the Made With Love Event (happening November 8-13) and Cyndi has generously offered one of the winners set of 4 WOOLY ROUNDS (ARV $28.00) to tumble dry their laundry with!

This prize is up for grabs on my blog during the Made With Love Event! Be sure to come back to my blog between November 8-13 to enter for a chance to WIN this awesome prize!

You can connect with WOOLY ROUNDS on Facebook or Twitter and you can shop for WOOLY ROUNDS wool dryer balls on the website!

Interested in earning an extra entry into the the Made With Love Event when it starts? Visit WOOLY ROUNDS Facebook page and leave me a comment below telling me what color wool dryer ball is your favoriteand if you have ever used wool dryer balls before! When the Made With Love Event giveaway starts, you can claim your extra entry in the Rafflecopter form.

Winner!

2011-10-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour Giveaway is... Melissa!

Congratulations Melissa!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to Tropical Traditions for sponsoring a wonderful giveaway!

Adventures in Potty Training!

2011-10-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

Little man has been working on potty training lately and is doing great! (Yay!) We are down to just two diapers a day. (*tear* I miss the fluffy diapers!) He just wears one for nap-time and one for bed-time. Sometimes a third diaper gets into the mix, if we go out for the day. Even with a diaper for outings, little man is still really, really good about letting us know if he needs to use the potty.

So today, it was just little man and I. We headed to a nearby outdoor shopping center and the grocery store. On the way to the store, little man starts saying, "Go potty? Potty!" I told little man that we were almost to the store and then we would go to the potty! I asked him if he could hold it and told him about the "special little potty" that they had just for him. This shopping center is great, they are so family friendly! They have a family bathroom that has a kid sized, mini potty and sink! So, we made it to the shopping center and I quickly took little man straight to the bathroom. At home, he likes to have his pants off, but since he had shoes on, I figured I would just pull his pants down and leave them on. Little man was a champ ans sat right on the potty! Well, he really, really did have to go! And he went a lot! I couldn't believe he was able to hold it so well!

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Unfortunately, because the potty was so small, (and there wasn't a nice little tinkle "guard" for boys) he got his pants wet. *Mommy fail* If I had just taken his pants off or situated him on the potty differently! Argh! Luckily, I keep a spare set of clothes in the car for little man. So, I let little man know how proud I was of him for going in the special little potty, he got to wash his hands in the cute, little sink and then I took him back to the car for a fresh change of pants. Thank goodness for cute cloth diapers, since I just carried him back to the car in his shirt and diaper. :)

Then we were off to start our shopping! Ten minutes later, little man started saying "Potty! Potty? Go Potty?" I asked little man if he really, really needed to go potty or if he was just telling mama that he had gone potty. He let me know, "Really, really need to go potty!" So, back to the bathroom we went! This time I made sure to take his pants and shoes off! Well, what do you know! He had to go! (This time we were much more successful at keeping everything in the potty that was supposed to go in the potty) I was so proud!

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Next stop, the grocery store! We had just made it in the store and were in the produce section, when little man suddenly stopped pointing at numbers and said, "Potty! Really, really go potty!" Seriously? Again? So, off we trekked to the bathroom. Shoes off - check. Pants off- check. Diaper off- check. I hoist little man up onto my hip as I adjusted the toilet seat cover and then...I start to feel something warm. Yikes! I quickly transferred little man to the toilet! He didn't even skip a beat and finished doing his thing. I was telling little man how great he was doing at telling mommy when he needed to go potty and then I just started chuckling. I mean, I haven't been whizzed on since he was a bitty baby! I couldn't believe it! I got little man dressed again as I was thinking how silly it was that I didn't have a change of clothes for me in the car! Luckily, the bathroom had a hand dryer in it, so I just dabbed the "wet spot" with some water and dried it off. No one was the wiser and I got to finish our grocery shopping with a proud little man who kept exclaiming how he went potty on a special potty!

By the end of our trip, I felt pooped! (haha!) I wasn't sure if we left the house to spend the entire time in public restrooms, while narrowly avoiding disaster, or if they were just minor detours from the shopping trip. Either way, none of it seemed to bother little man and he had a fun day seeing pumpkins, "helping mommy go shopping" and "going potty in the special potty"!

Do you have a fun (or funny) potty training story? Do you have any tips for nap-time or night-time potty training for me?

Wordless Wednesday: Love You Daddy

2011-10-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Dyeing Canvas Shoes

2011-10-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

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A little while ago, I had seen this pin on Pinterest and just loved the idea of dyeing your own canvas shoes! I really wanted to dye a pair for little man, but I have had no luck whatsoever finding plain white sneakers in his size. But, I did find some in my size! I found these slip-on sneakers at Walmart in the mens section (they were even on clearance)! I also picked up some Rit dye in Royal Blue.

Little man loves putting on mommy and daddy's shoes! So, while I got my supplies together, he scooted around the kitchen in my white canvas shoes. {So cute!}

Supplies:

Large bucket
Liquid fabric dye

Hot Water
Salt (if needed; check dye directions)

Blue Painters Tape
White canvas shoes

Now, I had read a tip online that said to cover the white rubber part on the shoe with blue painters tape to keep the dye from staining the white rubber. Little man also helped me with this step. He loved unrolling the tape and helping me tear off pieces to stick on the shoes!

*Personally, I think it may have helped a little, but it was pretty time consuming and I'm not sure if it was actually worth it. I'm sure you could just scrub the white rubber with an old toothbrush and some soap or a magic eraser, if it does get stained.*

First, I soaked the shoes in plain, hot water to get them wet. Next, I filled up an old bucket with hot water, I didn't really measure, I just filled it up enough to cover the shoes. Then I added about 1/3 cup of dye and about a 1/4 cup of salt. (It definitely wasn't an exact science)

I stirred the dye mixture and then dipped the shoes in the dye!

I also added a long sleeve onesie for little man and two if hubby's white t-shirts to the mix. I found that it was pretty difficult to keep the shoes completely submerged. They kept wanting to pop upright, so I just held them in place for the duration of the soak. I let everything soak for about 30 minutes and then rung the shirts and onesie out and set the shoes to dry.

The painters tape started coming off during the dyeing process...

One tip that I learned the hard way: Don't use old gloves that have a teeny, tiny tear in them! The dye will get in, and in my case, dye your finger smurfy blue! Haha! (It does come off...in a day or two)

I thought that everything came out a lovely, happy shade of blue, but it was a bit lighter than I was expecting Royal Blue to be. Hubby loved the shade and on his t-shirts and I think little man looks quite dashing in Royal Blue!

My shoes are fun and colorful! Yay! So much better than plain white canvas shoes!

I definitely want to do this again with some more colors! Hopefully I can find some shoes for little man too!

Have you ever dyed canvas shoes before? Do you have any tips or tricks to pass along?

Changing Diapers Book - Time to Stock Up!

2011-10-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Ready to start your holiday shopping? Or looking to tuck away a few extra goodies for baby shower gifts? Well, right now, when you buy 2 Changing Diapers Books, you get 1 FREE plus FREE shipping and a FREE "I'm a Hip Mom and Love Cloth Diapers Tattoo!" This is a perfect opportunity to stock up - you can get a copy for yourself and have some to give as gifts! This book would be perfect to bundle with a cloth diaper for a mama-to-be or as a gift for a mama who is interested in cloth diapering!

Just use discount code BOGOBOOK at check-out at Changing Diapers Book Store!

USA orders only.

Just visit Kelly Wels store today!

Winner!

2011-10-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

The winner of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software giveaway is... Monika!

Congratulations Monika!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to My Memories for sponsoring a wonderful giveaway!

Wordless Wednesday: Fall? Really?

2011-10-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

It doesn't feel much like fall here! This week it has been in the high 80's and it even got to 90+ last week! So, we are enjoying as much warm sunshine as we can! Hubby and I took little man to the pool for a fun afternoon of splashing and soaking up some vitamin D! Yay for fall!

Happy Wednesday!

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

2011-10-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

We took little man to a local pumpkin patch this week! He had so much fun exploring, "driving" tractors, seeing the farm animals and rolling pumpkins around...it was a great, ~~warm~~ hot, fall day!

Little man would have been happy as a clam if we had let him sit on that tractor all day!

It was so much fun to bring little man here, especially because this is the pumpkin patch I came to when I was pregnant with little man!

Oct. 2009: Little man was born 3 weeks later!

And now, almost two years later...

My little pumpkin is getting so big!

Little man loved all the tractors that were parked throughout the pumpkin patch for kids to climb on!

Boo!

It was so cute to see this piggy trot alongside little man as he walked around the pen!

We finished the morning with a trip through the corn maze, a picnic lunch under some trees and a walk through a vegetable garden! The pumpkin patch was such a fun adventure with little man! I can't wait to keep bringing him back, year after year!

What fun, fall things have you done lately? Do you have a yearly autumn tradition? Pumpkin patch? Apple picking? Pumpkin carving?

Winner!

2011-10-14T00:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the winner of the Angel Baby Bottom Balm giveaway, Rachel!

Thank you to everyone who entered and a big thank you to Earth Mama Angel Baby for sponsoring this wonderful review and giveaway!