Payless Decor - Bamboo Roman Blinds

Awhile back I won a giveaway over on SAS Interiors from Jenna. I won $150 credit to Payless Decor towards Tibet Bamboo Roman Shades. When I submitted my entry for the giveaway I sent in a picture of my living room as needing the new blinds. But when it came down to it and time to order my blinds from Payless Decor I decided to get some blinds for the bedroom. The curtains I had in there to black out the light were extremely heavy and had been hanging for about 5 years, so it was time for a change.

Here is what the windows looked like before the switcheroo! These were so heavy that I never bothered with pulling back the curtain unless I was going to be in there a lot.

Luckily my brother was visiting and was able to help Alan with the uninstall then install of the new shades! Someone has to keep an eye on Miss Adeline, so hard for both of us to work on something together. Please ignore my ugly ugly windows! We need new windows for the whole house, but unless someone wants to give me some serious moola, that ain't happening any time soon! I also realized when I took down the curtains that the window frames need some serious TLC with a coat of fresh paint. Hopefully I can get to this soon!

Adeline decided she would help by taking mommy and daddy's clothes out of the dresser!

Once we had all the blinds installed I thought it looked so beautiful! It was a big change for me and I like the look. I haven't decided yet if I want to get some sort of curtains for the windows as well. Here they are partially open.

Here they are completely closed.

When I ordered my shades I opted for the blackout liner. That was very important to me since hubby and I both like to sleep in when Adeline lets us! Alan also needs it to be dark to sleep well. So these blinds met that need and exceeded it! I was so happy to see how dark these black out shades get the room. My only issue is that when light is coming through the blinds you can see the holes for the cord through the shades. But really, that is what you have to expect.

Other than that I am very happy with these blinds. They were very easy to install and did not take long at all. I plan on ordering some for my daughters room as well. I did the DIY Roman Shades for her room, but didn't use a blackout liner, and they've been up for 2 yrs so time for a change! I will probably get her a lighter color bamboo since her room is so vibrant.

Check out Payless Decor on Facebook, Twitter, Google+!

upa-lala Review - Eco-bags, Wet Bags & Baby Carriers

Recently I won a giveaway from Mom-A-Logues for a $25 Gift Certificate to upa-lala! I needed a new wet bag or two so that is what I got. I'd fallen in love with the fabric pattern Optic Blossom so I had to order wet bags in that pattern! I choose to get 2 small wet bags (7"x7") which are great for small trips to the store for Adeline's diapers.

If you are in the market for a wet bag or baby carrier (only on her website) make sure you check out upa-lala! Make sure you tell Brittan that Alison @ Crafty Weeks sent you! You can use the code Crafty10 for 10% off your purchase!

Facebook
Etsy
Website


Disclosure: I was not paid for my review, I was sent the items due to winning a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Stork Stack - February Review

Adeline got her February Stork Stack Tuesday! We tore into it as soon as it was delivered. I had seen what some others had gotten and was so excited! I really love how everything in the box was for the baby except for 2 samples for mommy. Stork Stack did it right this month!

Included this month:


Melissa & Doug - Peek-a-Boo Turtle ($9.99) - If I had seen this in the store I wouldn't have gotten it for Adeline because I wouldn't have understood what the toy did. The head and the legs flip under the shell and flip back out.

 

Under the Nile - Flat Elephant ($12.00) - Adeline immediately loved this stuffed animal! Very cute and soft.

BabyLegs - ($12.00) - This is Adeline first pair of this brand. I make my own baby leggings for her, so it will be nice to see how these compare to handmade.

Little Duck Organics - Tiny Fruits - Blueberry & Apple - ($4.49) - Simple freeze dried fruit snacks! Adeline tasted it and liked it!

EBoost - ($1.25/packet) - Another subscription box sent me a sample previously and I didn't really like the taste. I'll try these as they are different flavors.

(Yes my house is overrun with toys!!)

Woolzies Dryer Balls - Review & Giveaway

I recently received a set of 6 Woolzies Dryer Balls to try and review. I have been wanting to try dryer balls since I now consider myself partially Crunchy! I never would have guessed I would be the way I am now - but it just makes sense.

Did you know that many of the dryer sheets you find in grocery stores contain chemicals that take away the fire retardant qualities in kids and adult clothing? That is scary. Here we are trying to buy the best for our children (Fire Retardant PJs) and another product we use is making it worthless! All these chemicals in products we use on a daily basis, can not be healthy to us or our children in the long run. So I am happy that I've made the decision to stop using dryer sheets and fabric softener - a few less chemicals my family will be exposed to on a daily basis!

I have really enjoyed using  the dryer balls, and dare I say it....excited to see them work! I am trying to stay on top of laundry and do one load a day and these dryer balls are guaranteed to last 1,000 washes - so that is almost 3 years with one load a day! These dryer balls cost $34.95 (Free Shipping in the USA) so if you get 1,000 washes that calculates out to be only $0.03 a load! Name brand dryer sheets are about the same cost, however with Dryer Balls you will also be saving in dryer time, so less of an electricity bill! So in the long run the cost of Dryer Balls is cheaper than the alternative and safe for your family!

In our family we also use cloth diapers, and I'm excited to finally have something to add to the dryer to spead up the drying process! Some of those diapers take forever to dry, and with Woolzies Dryer Balls they speed up the process! Yes there are other types of "dryer balls" on the market but they are plastic! Hello Chemicals!

I'm happy to support a family owned business that provides employment to those who are in need and that this product is handmade, no machine makes these balls!

Buy a Set of 6 - Woolzies

Win a Set by entering the Rafflecopter Form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Goody QuikStyle Review - Influenster Holiday Vox Box

I recently received the 2012 Holiday Vox Box and one of the products was the Goody QuikStyle Paddle Hairbrush.

About this product:

The GOODY® QUIKSTYLE™ Paddle brush works like a towel and brush in one. The super absorbent (and antimicrobial) microfiber removes 30% of water from wet hair to help speed your drying time! You can effortlessly detangle right out of the shower and continue using it while you blow dry!

$12.99 at Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Duane Reade 

I've been using this brush for about a week, but I am just not able to give a complete review due to the fact I don't have enough hair! Right when I got this brush I cut off all my hair - only a few inches at the longest. The idea of the brush though is great and once my thick hair gets longer this brush would be great. I'll definitely be holding on to it.

Goody website: http://bit.ly/REp8ue
Goody Product Page: http://bit.ly/Sis8Oi

Disclaimer: I was sent this item for free through Influenster. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Kiss Nail Dress Review - Influenster Holiday Vox Box

I recently received Kiss Nail Dress from +Influenster to review.

Info about Kiss Nail Dress:

Introducing Kiss® Nail Dress™, ultimate nail fashion for tips and toes! Just peel, apply, and shape for a manicure that lasts up to a week. On in minutes, off in seconds without remover. Nail Dress is available in 21 different styles, many of them featuring 3-dimensional jeweled designs. Check out Peplum, a deep silver with multi-colored gems for a pop of color, or Babydoll, for a golden and glamorous jeweled look. Skip the topcoat, Nail Dress has it built in.

With 28 strips in each package, you can cut up your extras to create designs that can be used on top of polished or artificial nails. Add some pizzazz and use with imPRESS® Press-On Manicure™ by Broadway Nails for the ultimate DIY manicure. Nail Dress doesn’t dry out the way other polish strips can, so you can save them to use on your next mani. A nail design booklet is included in each package, just in case you need a little inspiration.

And don’t forget about your feet! Nail Dress looks awesome on toes, too – just use the square side of the sticker for a perfect fit.

Kiss Nail Dress’ suggested retail is $6.99 and is available in all major drug chains and mass retailers like WalMart, CVS and Walgreens. Visit KissNailDress.com to learn more!

I received the Jeweled Gold ones called "Babydoll"! I put them on during naptime last Wednsday and still have them on today! They last for up to 10 days - however I'm going to be removing mine. My nails grow fast so the Nail Dress no longer covers my nails! Also after about 4 days of wearing these, the jewels began to fall off! It's not obvious to the casual observer - just to me! I even received compliments on the nails Sunday while out shopping.

I've noticed several people saying theirs started to peel off. I highly recommend following the directions on the box! To get these to stay you need to clean all the oils off your nails with Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover. I used Nail Polish Remover and it worked great for me and they haven't peeled!

These Nail Dress' are very good quality despite the jewels falling off. I don't think I would wear them for every day wear, but they are great for special occasions.

You can see in this picture how fast my nails grow.

Kiss website: http://bit.ly/SipR5S
Kiss review page: http://bit.ly/11cEdY7

Disclaimer: I was sent this item for free through Influenster. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Bluum Box - December 2012

This was our second month of receiving the Bluum box, and its a great little box. But it will be our last. This box is geared more towards babies and they have come up with a Toddler box (13 months +) that is debuting in January that comes with an increase in price as well and I just can't swing it right now.

Here is what was in this months box:

 

Everything in this box will be used by us! I've already used the Skin Therapy Oil and I love the smell of Cocoa Butter! The baby toy will be kept in my gift stash for a future baby shower for someone else since Adeline is too old for it.

Great box this month!

Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit Review

In my December PopSugar Must Have box I got a Good Luck Pinch Provisions Minimergency Kit, and it is awesome!

The description from the website

The Good Luck Minimergency Kit contains anything a gal might need...IN A PINCH^TM. Includes 17 must-haves: hairspray, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, emery board, lip balm, earring backs, clear elastics, mending kit, double-sided Shemergency tape, stain remover, deodorant towelette, pain reliever, tampon, breath freshener, dental floss, and an adhesive bandages

I love that they fit so much in such a tiny package (Measures 3.5" x 2 " x 2"). This fits perfectly in the diaper bag or in my purse. I received the Green, but Pink is so much more my style! 

These would make perfect gifts. Pinch Provisions offer different types of Kits - Moms, Shemergency, Hemergency, Minimergency for Him, Wedding Kits, and School. And you can also order refills. 

Minimergency® Kit for Bridesmaids - Image from pinchprovisions.com

Minimergency® Kit for the Groom & His Guys - Image from pinchprovisions.com

Minimergency® Kit for Girls - Image from pinchprovisions.com

  

Designs by Tahra Review

I recently won the "Stuff the Stockings" giveaway. My prize package was Prize Seven - 3 pack Fish Foam, Custom Wax Seal Necklace, and Custom Social Icons installed on your blog (estimated value at $185 total). I will review the other prizes in other posts.

I received the Custom Wax Seal Necklace from Designs by Tahra a few days ago and I love it. Here is the description from her Etsy listing:

This pendant is handmade in fine silver which is .999% silver and silver is such an investment these days. Each pendant is stamped with a wax stamp for each initial just for you and paired with a sterling silver bead ball chain. I love the vintage flavor that this pendant exudes. This is a one of a kind stamp and it will be custom made with the initial of your choice. You can choose an oxidized finish or a bright silver finish. 

I would like to add that these are individually made and they each have their own character. Each one is uniquely made which adds to its charm.

Each pendant weighs between 4-5.5 grams of silver. These pendants are approximately 3/4 to 7/8 of an inch.

Sure you can get metal necklaces from here or there, but this one is Sterling Silver! I am highly allergic to anything not Silver or Gold, so this is a great necklace for me. 

The necklace came beautifully gift wrapped and she included a personal note along with a business card. Cute!

Inside of package

My necklace! I got the oxidized finish.

Here is the necklace on me, love the length!

Check out Designs by Tahra on Etsy she has a great turn around time for her custom creations and is having a holiday sale (10% off with tahra10 for the holidays)! She also states - You must order by December 20th to receive your order for Christmas.

Disclosure: I was given the product due to winning a contest, I was not paid for my review and all opinions are my own.

Finger Paint - Washable Finger Paint Bold Colors

We finally got a chance to use the finger paint I got Adeline. I needed Alan home so that someone could take pictures!

Adeline really liked the texture of the paint and exploring the way it felt on her fingers and on the paper. It is a little too watery like the mess-free paint, but it works and didn't smear too badly.

Here are some pictures of Adeline and I playing in the paint:

After finger painting it was story time with daddy before bed.

So serious

There's a smile!

Adeline loves to read books

Finger Paint - My First Crayola Mess-Free Fingerpaint and Paper

Adeline did her hand/foot prints several months ago when she was still in daycare and some of the older babies (12 months) got to do fingerpainting. I've been waiting to do fingerpaints with her and when I went to Target to pick some up, I found this - My First Crayola Mess-Free Fingerpaint and Paper. So I picked up some regular Crayola Washable Fingerpaint and a pad of paint paper along with the Mess-Free Fingerpaint.

I was so excited I decided to try it after dinner since she was already in her high chair and semi-dirty. I decided I wasn't impressed with the Mess-Free Fingerpaint and Paper. For several reasons:
1 - The pattern on the magic paper is too dull, it is not as bright as the package shows.
2 - Since the pattern is repeating, unless you paint an actual figure it just shows the the pattern. And since this product is 2+ maybe it is a little too old for Adeline, but I don't know many 2 year olds who can draw/paint actual figures and not a bunch of blobs.
3 - The paint is too watery, needs to be a bit thicker so it doesn't smear as bad and cause the blob effect. I even tried to paint a few little things with it and it looked horrible since the paint was too watery.

I have a couple recommendations to Crayola - the "paint" dries clear but isn't totally clear. Maybe it would be better to have more color to the paint so you can see where it goes down then it can dry clear. That would probably make it a lot easier on little ones to understand what they are doing. The pattern paper...I think it would almost be better to have a solid color background.

Overall I would only recommend this product to older children that can fingerpaint clear drawings (houses, stick figures, etc.), any other child would be disappointed I think in the blob effect showing just a repeated pattern.

Here are some pictures of Adeline and I playing with the Mess-Free Fingerpaint and Paper:

Hum, what's this?

That looks gross mommy!

Come on and paint daddy!

And smear paint everywhere...

Disclosure: I was not given anything or reimbursed for my review of the above product. All opinions are my own.