Back Pain and You

If you or someone you know suffers from Back Pain then you know exactly how annoying and uncomfortable it can be. It can really mess with your quality of life and that is the part that I hate. Some of the worst back pain I have ever experienced stems from an accident I had as a child. My brother was pushing me on a huge tire swing in our front yard and the swing was about 4 feet off the ground when the rope snapped and the swing smashed to the ground...with me on it. At the time, that huge THUD didn't seem all that bad. I had a twisted ankle but nothing more that I could tell. Several years later I had horrible lower Back Pain and it was to the point where I needed medical attention. After being evaluated by a chiropractor and getting some xrays done, I was diagnosed with a deteriorated disk...caused by a blunt force impact - the accident with the swing.

So, here I am many years later and still dealing with on and off back discomfort. I wanted to share some tips with you all on how to help your back pain and how to keep it from defining who you are. 

The first thing that can really help is seeing a chiropractor. They are specially trained physicians that specifically deal with back problems. It is really amazing how they can manipulate the body to put it back into the proper alignment. I have even found that during my pregnancies, my chiropractor helps with pregnancy-related back problems too. At first I was scared to go when I was pregnant, but after learning that it is safe and totally find to have adjustments while you are expecting, I was excited to get my back adjusted. It made pregnancy so much easier.

My other tip is to make sure you are wearing good, supportive shoes. When I had an office job I love to wear heels. However, my body didn't like the heels and I was experiencing back fatigue and pain like never before. Shoes have a huge impact on how your back feels because they are supporting your entire body. Now that I am a stay at home mom I only wear flats...even when I go out. It is so much better for my body and I have some really nice shoes the are gorgeous even though they aren't heels.

So, those are just a few tips that I have when it comes to back pain. I am no expert and certainly am not a physician but if you can prevent back problems, please do!!  It is such a horrible way to live and taking care of yourself is key to good health and a pain-free life!

History Channel’s The Bible Exclusive Blog App & Walmart Gift Card Giveaway

I am very excited about this new miniseries that is coming out on the History channel on March 3, 2013! Many of you have probably figured out by now that I am a born-again Christian and love all things having to do with the Bible. Well, the History channel is getting ready to launch a brand new mini series called "The Bible" and it looks amazing!! I am going to try and somehow watch it...not sure how but I am going to try.

Here is a bit more about this series...

From Executive Producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible features powerful performances, exotic locales and dazzling visual effects that breathe spectacular life into the dramatic tales of faith and courage from Genesis through Revelation. This historic television event is sure to entertain and inspire the whole family! Where will YOU be 3.3.13?

There is an exclusive Blog App that I have the privilege of sharing with you and there are some fun activities for you to do on it.

• Bible-Scene Quiz! The Bible Series brings stories from scripture to life for a whole new generation! The Questions is...will you recognize your favorite characters when you see them for the first time in the series?

• Clip Countdown! Countdown to 3.3.13 with a new clip from from The Bible unlocked everyday until the premiere!

• Tell 10 Challenge! Where will YOU be 3.3.13? The Bible proves that when talent and passion collide, the outcome is spectacular! Connect with Mark & Roma by sharing their message! And help spread the word about the premiere of The Bible on The History Channel 3.3.13 to 10 of your friends!



So, if you are as excited about this as I am, take a quick peek around the above widget and tell me what you think! It seems like it will be a riveting and exciting series...one that you won't want to miss!

Now, one of you has the opportunity to win a $15 Walmart Gift Card! Please note: The prize will be sent via FedEx or UPS. No P.O. Boxes please.  This may be a digital delivery. Here are your entry options!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I am working in conjunction with History Channel and they have supplied the materials used in this post. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleaner Review & Giveaway {3 Winners}

Have I mentioned yet that I am totally smitten with my new house? Well, I am. :) It is amazing how I didn't realize how squished we were in the other house. Now that we have more room, the children actually have room to play and don't bump into each other anymore. Having a bigger house also means another thing...more cleaning for me. I don't mind cleaning and have found that if I divide the chores up throughout the week, it is not as overwhelming. I figured that the time it took me to clean the entire old house is the time it takes me to clean my upstairs now. HA! So, that means I am cleaning double that now. Don't get me wrong here...I am NOT complaining. :) I LOVE the extra room and don't mind cleaning at all. It really gives me a sense of accomplishment in my day and I love that.

Throughout my years as a review blogger, I have enjoyed reviewing cleaning products. I think that now that I have a bigger house, I will enjoy reviewing those types of products even more! I am so thrilled today to be able to introduce you all to a new and improved Soft Scrub product and it is wonderful! Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser is boasting a new bottle design, along with an improved formula with superior cleansing abilities! I was definitely excited to learn about this and was thrilled to be able to review it today! In case you are not familiar, here is a bit more about Soft Scrub...

Soft Scrub is Tough, Gentle and Versatile enough to be used everyday in many ways. Try Soft Scrub Cleansers for a deep clean that is gentle enough to use on delicate surfaces. Soft Scrub Total is powerful enough to clean your entire home and can even be used upside down for those hard to reach places! Use Soft Scrub Gels to penetrate stains and rinse clean for your toughest jobs.

I didn't grow up with Soft Scrub, but have heard about it many, many times and have always wanted to give it a try! 

So, for this review I was sent a bottle of Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleanser! This cleaner is a mild abrasive that will scrub your surfaces but won't scratch them. I really needed a product like this for my shower as it had some serious soap scum stains on the floor of the shower. 

Before I cleaned the bathroom though, I started out in my kitchen. To use this cleaner, all you do is squirt a small amount (I used too much in the photo above) onto your surface. I love how it smells like Lemon Cleanser! After it was applied, I wiped it with a paper towel and then rinsed it with a damp paper towel. Once I was done, I was happy to see that my counter looked wonderful! My counter top is a bit odd...it is made out of floor tiles so I have grout to clean too, which Soft Scrub works on that too!

After tackling the kitchen, I headed for the upstairs bathroom. My entire tub and shower are completely surrounded with tile, which means I typically scrub that weekly. I try to clean both the tub and shower weekly as well and having the right cleaner makes a huge difference. I have noticed that soap scum really loves my tub and shower floor so I love to have something a bit abrasive (but not damaging) to clean that. I love how this Lemon bathroom cleaner from Soft Scrub worked. It really cleaned the tub and shower floor beautifully...there are no more brown spots on my shower floor!! YAY! 

As you can see from the photo above, Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleaner has you completely covered. I love having cleaning products that are multi-purpose. It really saves me time and money...a HUGE plus! (Did you notice that you can also clean your glass-top stove with this cleaner too? Awesome!!)

To find out more about Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleaner and other Soft Scrub products, be sure to visit Soft Scrub on Facebook and also on their website! Oh yes...another great incentive for you to LOVE Soft Scrub. They are having a Soft Scrub One Surface at A Time Sweepstakes in which there are more than $1,500 in prizes! Enter today by clicking HERE.

So, in my opinion...Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleaner is wonderful!! I am definitely a Soft Scrub fan now that I have actually tried one of their products. The smell is amazing and the cleaning power is fantastic. My kitchen is sparkling and my shower hasn't looked this clean in a long time...no joke. It is wonderful to have an all-in-one cleaner for my house! 

Now, three of you have the opportunity to win a coupon for FREE Soft Scrub Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleaner! Here are your entry options...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. Soft Scrub did provide me a free sample of their Total All Purpose Bath & Kitchen Cleaner for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Soft Scrub website and email. Prizes are in coupon form and will be mailed by myself. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes and in this case, I am not responsible for replacing coupons under any circumstances.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Looking for a job?

When you are a college student, money can be super tight. I know this because I WAS a college student once upon a time! Having money and being a student is a real oxymoron. When I was a student, I remember looking for a job. I had a job at a nursing home and was doing work in their laundry and housekeeping department. Honestly, it wasn't a glamorous job but it brought in money so it worked for me at the time.

My job search took me everywhere...including a staffing agency. I took one job that they found for me and I ended up reporting to the job once. They had all the help that they needed that day so I went home and didn't work at all that day. After a while, I left the staffing agency and began searching newpapers, websites and other places for a job. Finally, I found a really NICE job working for a car dealership. The best part about this job was that it was a job in the field that I was going to college for! YAY! My job search was well worth the effort. 

So, if you are a college student and are looking for work, DON'T GIVE UP! You may just land the perfect job that will be exactly what you are going to college for. It is worth the wait. Make sure you don't settle for anything but the best...remember, money isn't everything! Your happiness is worth more than money.

Brought to you by your friends at CSI Tech

Customize Your Wardrobe With eShakti

  

I have always loved to shop for clothes. It seems that as I have become heavier it has become harder to find clothes in plus sizes. Every model out there looks like a Barbie doll and that is very intimidating to me. I am now starting to lose weight and am loving the fact that clothes are fitting me better. Now, I am beginning to shop around for new clothes to fit my thinner figure (and no, I am not skinny at all by the world's definition) and the place that I start to do that is the Internet. My love for clothes is evident by the boxes in my basement and my full closet. I typically find most of my clothing at thrift stores because so many people toss out brand new clothes and I can't see paying full price for something that I can easily find at a second-hand store. Whenever I go to buy something online or at a store though, it is a real treat for me!

Recently, I became acquainted with an online boutique that I have fallen in love with. The reason I love it so much is because you can look at any garment that they have for sale and modify it to fit you! That means you can totally customize ANYTHING to fit you perfectly!! eShakti is a company that makes customizeable, beautiful clothing to fit your style and body. Before I continue, here is a bit more about this company...

 eShakti began as a small website offering basic cottons and modestly embellished pieces. As we grew, we were tasked with providing design and fit solutions to meet our customers' needs. Today, we are an international fashion design company making custom clothing. Offering both style and fit customization for women Size 0 through 36 is the heart of our business. 

To simply put it, custom clothing does not have to be expensive. By keeping up with technology as it is advancing, we are able to provide customization at a modest cost. 

Our design teams are based in New York, California and India which gives us a diverse fashion perspective. Our clothing is made in India in our own factories and in local factories that produce some of the leading brands at retail. We do not stock any sizes. Since each style - whether standard sized, custom styled or custom sized - is cut to order, we do not have to warehouse our merchandise. 

Therefore, you will notice that every style requires your height measurement, whether you are customizing or not. This ensures you a 'truer' fit. We ship directly to you. That helps us to keep our fashion affordable.

The thing that really caught my eye was the fact that the cater to plus-sized women...like me! Finding clothes that fit is difficult enough, but finding clothes that also look beautiful is also a problem. This is why I was excited about reviewing eShakti.

So, for this review I received a custom-made Vintage Collared Top and it is stunning. I chose this particular shirt because it has a high neckline and has length to it. My standards are pretty high when it comes to my necklines and I am very picky. This top looked very promising!

My Vintage Collared Top arrived the other day and when I pulled the shirt out, I was sooo impressed! This is a very beautiful garment. There are tiny white butterflies all over this shirt and I just love the black and white contrasting colors. As you can see in the first picture I posted of this top (the stock photo), the sleeves are slightly capped. Well, I prefer more of a sleeve so when I customized this shirt for me, I had my choice of 5 different sleeve options: As Shown, Cap Sleeve, Short Puffed, Short Length, Sleeveless. I chose to get a short length sleeve.

One of the features I love about this top is the over-sized collar. It adds such a touch of elegance to the whole shirt. I am a fan of large collars so this was a nice touch for me. The collar is anchored by two large fabric-covered buttons that are off to the side of the collar.

I could also choose a length for the top and so I chose the hip-length because I don't like shirts riding up when I bend over. The waist of this top is beautifully gathered with elastic so it fits really nicely to my figure. Typically, I don't prefer fitted waists, but this is super comfortable and adds form to an otherwise straight top.

Friday was my birthday and hubby took me out to dinner. We haven't been on a date in months so this was a very special occasion. Because it was very cold outside, I didn't wear my new top but did put it on for a picture. Isn't it gorgeous? I was worried about the fit but was really pleased to see that it did fit me perfectly! It didn't feel snug at all and was super comfortable. 

I really REALLY felt dressed up when I wore this top...it is so feminine and elegant. I love the sleeve and top length and really would not have wanted either of them to be shorter. I ended up getting a size 22, which was perfect. The fact that I could customize this Vintage Collared Top (for FREE) was such a blessing. I ended up picking a top that I normally would not have picked due to the sleeves that were pictured in the stock photo on the website.

eShakti has set up a promotional code for you! Exclusively created for you, use MMMYSREVEW to get 20% OFF when you shop at eShakti - valid from 02/26/13 thru 03/10/13. Code has to be entered in the 'Promotional Code' box. No Minimum Order Value. The discount code is not case sensitive. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This code can be clubbed with any other gift coupon or gift card in the same order. This discount code is not applicable on the Overstock category. Not applicable on previous purchases.

The Vintage Collared Top retails for $59.95 and you can customize this and all other articles of clothing for free! Shipping was super fast as well and it was nice to get a beautiful shirt like this in such a short amount of time. You can visit eShakti on their website for all your wardrobe needs...whether you need a fancy blouse for a special occasion or dresses for your bridesmaids!  Also, you can keep up with them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Pinterest as well!

So, in my opinion...eShakti is a wonderful company. I am SO GLAD that I have found them and will be telling my family and friends all about them. Having a company that will customize clothing to fit me perfectly is a wonderful asset and I will surely be recommending eShakti to everyone! Check them out today and tell me what you think...you won't be disappointed that you took a minute to visit. 

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a free Vintage Collared Top from eShakti for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the eShakti website and email.   All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Mary Kay Makes You Ready for the Red Carpet!

I don't honestly pay close attention to what is going on in Hollywood. We don't have a television and my only source of news is the Internet. Well, I say only but I really only check my news sources about once a day. I heard recently that several big events took place and there were many celebrities on hand to share in the awards that were given out. I remember watching the Golden Globes and Peoples Choice Awards shows and some of those stars REALLY go all out. Their hair is beautiful (most of the time), their makeup is perfect and their clothes look (and probably are) expensive. Having not watched one of these in a very long time I cannot tell you who won or what they wore...I can tell you that I do see snippets of the stars in the news and most of them are stunning!

Looking like these women can seem impossible but it really isn't at all. Mary Kay provides you with all the tools, tips and trick to get you red-carpet ready in no time at all! I am all for the natural and non-heavy makeup looks and achieving a look like that seems very un-Hollywood. But, I will tell you that this year it was a more popular and soft look. Heidi Klum was absolutely stunning...her makeup was flawless!

Here to give us some tips on how to achieve the same stunning look as Heidi Klum's, is Mary Kay Glam Squad Celebrity Makeup Artist, Luis Casco...

• Begin with Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation, then highlight the bridge of the nose, brow bone cupids bow and cheek bone with Mary Kay Mineral Highlighting Powder in Pink Stardust
• Apply Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Beach Blonde to the eyelid then blend Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Hazelnut into the crease and lash line. Dab Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Crystalline onto the inner corners of the eye and line top lashes with Mary Kay Eyeliner in Black
• Generously apply two coats of Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara in Black followed by one coat of Mary Kay Lash Lengthening Mascara in Black
• Line lips with Mary Kay Lip Liner in Neutral. Apply Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Natural Beaute with a touch of Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Icicle to complete the look

I was given the opportunity to try out some Mary Kay products and see which look I found to be award-winning and Mary Kay did not let me down! So, for this review I was sent:

Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation

Mary Kay Mineral Highlighting Powder in Pink Stardust and Desert Sun

Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Beach Blonde and Apricot Twist

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Crystalline, Granite and Hazelnut

Mary Kay Lash Love Mascara in Black

Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black

Mary Kay Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Mary Kay Eyeliner in Black and Steely

Mary Kay Lipliner in Clear and Neutral

Mary Kay Beauty Blotters Oil-Absorbing Tissues

Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Sunny Citrus

Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Natural Beaute

Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Icicle

There were two looks I could try...Heidi Klum's Best Gorgeous Glow or Jessica Alba's Best Bold Pout. Real quick, before I continue on with my review, here are the tips to achieve Jessica's look from the 2013 Golden Globes Awards...

• Cover the entire lid with Mary Kay Cream Eye Color in Apricot Twist and sweep Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Granite from the lash line to the eye crease
• Apply Mary Kay Eyeliner in Steely to the top and bottom lash lines and smudge with Mary Kay Eye Smudger Brush. For added drama, double up the liner with   Mary Kay Liquid Liner in Black.  Coat lashes with Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black
• Line lips with Mary Kay Lip Liner in Clear. Apply Mary Kay Creme Lip Color in Sunny Citrus directly from the tube, using a lip brush if needed. Blot with Mary Kay Beauty Blotters and reapply for intense, long-lasting wear
• Contour with Mary Kay Mineral Bronzing Powder in Desert Sun and finish off with a dab of Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Sunny Spice on the apples of the cheeks

Because I love natural looks, I went with Heidi's look. I was so excited to see how I would look when I was  done.

So, to start out, I first blotted my whole face with the Mary Kay Beauty Blotters to remove excess oils. I have used these before and LOVED them. Still do. They really work great. I love how you can pull one out and the next one automatically pops up. Next, I applied the foundation and I am a HUGE fan of Mary Kay's TimeWise foundation. The coverage is awesome and you don't need much to look good. This is always a nice base for putting on your makeup.

My next step was the Mineral Highlighting Powder in the Pink Stardust color. This gives your cheekbones such a nice, bright shimmer. I have used this highlighting powder before and also love it...it is a nice alternative to blush and really brightens your face nicely.

Once I was done with the Highlighting Powder, I applied the Beach Blonde Creme Eye Color to my eyelids. In case you have never tried before, combining eye colors is wonderful. You can make such a beautiful look when you are done...it's very eye-catching! Before using Mary Kay, I never combined colors but since I have learned how to do it, I do it often!

After applying the Creme Eye Color in Beach Blonde to my eyelids, I then used two different shades of the mineral Eye Color in Hazelnut and Crystalline (dabbed on the inner corners of my eyes). This creates quite a soft and beautiful shade to the eye lids. The Crystalline makes the corners of the eyes look brighter, which mine tend to be dark so this was a nice touch. After applying two coats of Lash Love Mascara and my eyeliner, I was on to my lips...my favorite part. :)

To start, I first lined my lips in the Mary Kay Lip Liner in Neutral (this is the pinkish looking liner in the photo above). This helps the lipstick stay inside your lip line. I love Mary Kay's lip liners; they are smooth and so easy to apply.

I have never used the Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick before and typically, I am not a huge lipstick fan. But this lipstick was creamy, non-drying and very nourishing to my lips. It looked amazing too...very natural and slightly pink in color.

To finish my look, I then applied the Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss in Icicle over my lipstick. WOW. This Lip Gloss has a lovely shimmer to it so it adds shine to the color that is already on your lips. I don't usually mix lip products either but this was such a gorgeous look, I had to do it.

Once I was done, I was very happy with what I saw. My face was a bit too pale because the foundation was a tiny bit too light for me but it really didn't look bad at all. Combined with the natural hues on my eyes, cheeks and lips, my entire complexion was wonderful and VERY natural, don't you think?

Each of the above-mentioned Mary Kay products can be purchased from Mary Kay's website, or you can find a Beauty Consultant near you. You can also connect with Mary Kay on Facebook and also on Twitter.

So, in my opinion...I have once again been impressed by Mary Kay's amazing makeup. I am already a huge fan and knowing that I can create such beautiful looks has been so wonderful. I would definitely recommend Mary Kay to any woman out there who is looking to be red-carpet gorgeous!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Mary Kay products for review purposes from Mary Kay. All quotes and stock photos are from the Mary Kay website and email.   All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Baby Eczema Relief with Bamboo Bubby!

We here in our house have the worst problems with eczema...particularly baby eczema. I had my first experience with baby eczema when my first child was born and she had it really bad. When I showed a friend of mine, we were unsure if it was really eczema or ring worm but after a visit to the pediatrician, we confirmed that it was indeed eczema. There is nothing worse than watching your baby scratch and scratch with no relief in sight. I tried just about every cream and body wash out there but Hannah's skin was really tough to treat. She is just now starting to grow out of the eczema but now I have Isaac. He is presenting with very different eczema symptoms than Hannah...cracked and raw skin behind his ears, and horrible eczema on his neck, shoulders and wrists. It is AWFUL. One morning, he woke up and had crusty blood on his hands and under his fingernails. After examining him, I realized that the blood came from behind his ears. He had totally dug up the skin from scratching throughout the night. The itching seems to really bother him more so than it ever bothered Hannah. As a mom, that REALLY bothers me.

So in my desperation, I began to search the Internet for a solution. I knew that I would need to cover his hands in order to prevent him from scratching but how in the world do you cover a 9 month old baby's hands? My question was answered when I happened across the Bamboo Bubby website. This company is based in Southern Australia and they make a product called the Bamboo Bubby Bag and it is specifically designed for babies and toddlers with eczema. One of the secrets to the success of this bag is the fact that the material is made out of bamboo fabric. Until becoming acquainted with Bamboo Bubby, I had no idea that fabric made out of bamboo is hypoallergenic and antibacterial...makes total sense to have a product for sensitive skin made out of bamboo fabric!!

Here is a bit more about Bamboo Bubby and the owner of this company, Kelly Northey...

"Our baby's eczema was at its worse at the age where he outgrew sleepsuits with handcovers. He also started learning to roll at the same time, and could no longer be safely wrapped or swaddled. We were desperate for a solution to stop the damage and sleeplessness he was causing himself from constant scratching. A sleeping bag made of eczema-friendly fabric with adjustable handcovers that could grow with him was the ideal solution! " ~ Kelly Northey

After testing many different types of fabrics and prototypes, the Bamboo Bubby Bag™ has become a practical and popular choice amongst parents worldwide, minimising damage caused by scratching from eczema, dermatitis and even chicken pox as well as stop thumb sucking and even helping babies who would wake from cold hands. 

I was ecstatic to find this company. My Isaac was suffering terribly with the scratching and I was sincerely wanting to find a way to keep him from damaging his skin any further. Hannah never had issues bleeding with her eczema so this was new territory for me. Kelly was so sweet when I first emailed her...and has been such a blessing throughout this review. I am very pleased to introduce this company to you.

So, for this review I was sent a Bamboo Bubby Bag to try on Isaac. Ok, so this sleeping bag is H.U.G.E! It pretty much spans the whole 4 feet of the width of my dining room table. :) The reason for this is because you can use this bag on babies ages 0-2+ years. So if you are using this on an infant, it will be long but is totally adjustable in several ways, which I will show you.

The pictures above show the inside of the sleeves, right by the armpit area. There is a nice snap that basically adjusts the armhole size. If you have a small baby (like I do), then keep the button snapped and this will ensure that their arm will not be floating around in a huge hole. The picture on the right shows the snap undone.

I also love that the sleeves are adjustable. There is absolutely no way for babies hands to get out of these sleeves! All you do to adjust them is tuck the extra fabric inside and pull the cuff over. You want to be sure to smooth the fabric down on the inside of the sleeve so baby isn't dealing with alot of material bunching up in there.

Another feature that I am enjoying is the fact that there is a nice protector that covers the zipper and this cover actually wraps around the neck line so baby won't get scratched by any part of the zipper. I have also noticed the the neckline goes up on Isaac's neck so he really can't get to the skin on his neck. This is really REALLY nice. I will also note that the Bamboo Bubby Bag has a seat belt slot in it so your baby can wear it while in the stroller or car seat...which is also fantastic!!

To give you an idea of what I am dealing with, there is a picture of his ears. This is on a GOOD day. This area has never healed completely. Ever since he was a newborn, we have had issues with his ears and the eczema just splits the skin open. Obviously, scratching doesn't help.

Getting Isaac used to the Bamboo Bubby Bag was quite an interesting experience. I was scared at first to try it because he is a very "hands on" baby. He has a pacifier and can put it in his mouth by himself. He also has a cuddly blanket that he snuggles up to his face when he sleeps and I was worried the hand covers would hinder his self-soothing abilities. Kelly gently assured me that babies that use the Bamboo Bubby Bag do quite well at learning to use their hands even though they are covered. I was so happy to hear this!

So, I put the Bamboo Bubby on Isaac and we were ready to try it out! Ha ha...he had issues at first. :) Look at that face!! Because the garment is long, he stepped all over it when he first tried to stand up with it on.

Then, he finally figured it out. He was quite pleased with himself too, as you can see! :) He has been sleeping with the Bamboo Bubby Bag for a few nights now and I am very happy to report that he has not had any issues with bleeding. His eczema is also looking less red and inflamed, which is a sign that he has not been scratching. I was so nervous about his pacifier too, and he has managed quite well when it comes to maneuvering it back into his mouth. Our first few nights getting used to the Bamboo Bubby Bag were a bit rough but after that, he was sleeping like a champ again! I was so relieved when I saw him trying to scratch at his ears the other night while nursing because I knew he wasn't actually tearing up his skin. What a blessing!

The Bamboo Bubby Bag retails for $69.95 and is also available in a twin pack which retails for $130.00. You also have your choice of three colors: Turquoise Blue, Fuscia Pink and Sage Green. Also, Kelly has let me know that she now has two companies stocking Bamboo Bubby in the US! Click HERE to find out where you can order Bamboo Bubby in the US. The price for purchasing in the US is slightly more($79.95), however, Kelly will soon be raising the price in Australia to match the US price. If you are interested in keeping up with Bamboo Bubby on their social media sites, be sure to check them out on Facebook, Twitter and also Pinterest!

So, in my opinion...Bamboo Bubby is a fantastic company that makes a one-of-a-kind product...one which I have been searching for since Hannah was a baby! I am so thankful that I have discovered them and hope that this product will help many more parents out there that are just like me! Children deserve to be comfortable - day and night and Bamboo Bubby is the product that will be sure to keep them comfy and happy. I love how this has given me an all natural treatment for eczema! I would definitely recommend this product to ANYONE!

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free Bamboo Bubby products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the Bamboo Bubby website and email. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

Slow Drains?

Ahhh memories. Of the old house, that is. Some of them are WONDERFUL memories, and then there are those other memories. When we first put the house up for sale, I cried. This was the home I had come home to after my wedding day, the home we brought our first baby home to and the only home I had ever known as a wife. Yes, it was a small house but it was home. I was so worried that I would be homesick after our move, but just the opposite happened. I fell head over heels in love with the new house! The best part...this house is newer than the last one! AND, it has a newly renovated bathroom! That is a huge deal.

In our old house, I was cook, laundry lady, dishwasher and head plumber. :) Plumbing issues were never ending there because all of the plumbing was the original from when the house was built in the 60's. If Roto-Rooter knew the talent I possessed, they would probably hire me in a heartbeat!! :) Actually, I was OK at plumbing. I guess I am more of a problem solver than anything. If I see something not working right, I want to know WHY it isn't working and I will try to fix it myself. If for some reason I really cannot fix it, I will call my daddy because he is smart. I tell him all the time that his brains are very valuable.

Anyway, our bathtub drain was always slow. The tub was an ancient, ceramic tub and looked like the original tub. The drain stopper flapped around and would not always drain the tub and I had to take it all apart to clean the hair and junk out of it. It was a royal pain. I finally found a way to rig a bucket to sit under the tub faucet and press on the stopper handle so it would drain. Well, one day I had taken it all apart to clean it and even after cleaning the drain, it was still going super slow. I got some professional strength drain opener that was a gel/foam variety. I thought I would be able to dump it right down and walk away. Nope. The drain opener foamed up and took forever to work its way down. Unfortunately, I had a whole bottle to dump down the drain so guess what I did that night...yep...I sat by the tub dumping tablespoon by tablespoon of drain opener down the drain until the bottle was empty.

The good news is that the next morning, the drain was working like new!! Phew! Although it was a ton of boring work, it was a success! Boy am I thankful for a new bathroom. :) What about you...has this ever happened to you? Fun, isn't it? :)

This is a sponsored post however, all the points and views are my own.

Handwriting Without Tears ~ Wet/Dry Try App Review

My daughter is really starting to catch on to Pre-K. It has taken me quite a while to get used to teaching her as I have had to learn to recognize her learning style. She is the type of student who is really sharp but she doesn't want you to know she's smart. It can be frustrating but we are beginning to really enjoy school. One thing that she struggles with (and I don't know a child who doesn't struggle with this) is her handwriting. There are just some letters that she has such a difficult time writing. The curriculum that I am using with her is fantastic when it comes to handwriting because it does alot of repetitive review so she is constantly writing. This is a good thing for her. Outside of school, I often find her doodling on papers...trying to write her letters on her own and she is so cute when she does this.

One of our favorite tools to use during the day after school has finished is the iPad. I just love all the educational apps that are available for me to use with Hannah...there are some very creative ones out there! Even before Hannah had started school, we had found some apps that worked with her and handwriting and they were fantastic! Now that we are actually learning how to write letters, I have discovered a wonderful app that is truly helping Hannah understand the formation and structure of writing letters. 

Handwriting Without Tears is a program that is designed to make handwriting fun and easy for children. Because I have a child who is just starting out, I received the opportunity to try the Wet/Dry Try App for the iPad. Tracing letters is something that Hannah really enjoys and it actually helps her write better. The Wet/Dry Try App focuses on using hands-on and educationally-sound methods to teach handwriting in a clear and concise manner. The verbiage that is used in communicating the instructions is also super easy to understand and the narrator uses very elementary sentence structure...which is wonderful. I have found that Hannah needs CLEAR directions and explanations as to why she needs to do things a certain way and that is one of the reasons I was interested in the Wet/Dry Try App.

One of my favorite things about using the Wet/Dry Try App is that you can set it up to be difficult for your older children or easier for the younger ones. In the settings, you can select up to four users and tailor the settings for each user. Hannah is 4 and is just learning how to write her letters. So, I chose an easier stroke tolerance for her. With Jacob, I would also choose the easy stroke tolerance because he knows absolutely nothing about writing. So when you go in to use the app, you can pick which child will be using the app and their settings will be ready for them.

Another feature that is wonderful about this app is that the specific letter that is being practiced will be reviewed four different times. The first time, the narrator writes the letter.

Then, the child is asked to wet the letter with the sponge. There is a small blue sponge at the starting point of the letter and the child puts their finger on the sponge and writes (traces over) the letter.

Next, they are asked to dry the letter with the towel. This is so neat because the child then re-traces what they have already written with the sponge...hence the name Wet/Dry Try App. :). Once they have finished using the towel, they are then asked to write the letter with the chalk. A small piece of chalk appears at the starting point and the child then traces the letter once more with the chalk. After each time of tracing the letter, the narrator uses positive feedback for the child by saying things like "You are SMART!" or "Great!". My daughter loves to hear that she is doing a good job. If for some reason the child struggles staying on the lines, the narrator will say things like "Let's try that again." or "Oops, stay on the lines!" to help guide the child  in proper writing.

Once your child has finished the letter and written it successfully 3 times, they earn a gold star! After three stars are earned for that particular letter, there is a colored picture "taped" over the letter in the letter selection screen.

When Hannah earned her first colored picture, she literally ran to me and was so excited to show me her progress. Now, as she completes each letter three different times she will earn a colored picture to show that she has finished that letter.

Each day after she has had her nap, Hannah asks me if she can "write her letters" and I am more than happy to oblige. Not only can she learn how to write her letters, she can also practice numbers too. This is nice as well because she struggles with numbers more so than letters. I have found that the Wet/Dry Try App makes writing her numbers enjoyable and is not something that I have to force her to do. Here is a brief video of Hannah using this app (pardon the noise in the background, my son was obviously having fun with his toys LOL!)...

We had some friends over the other day and they have a three year old. He had never seen an iPad before and my husband was showing him some of the apps that we have on there that are geared towards children.. One of the apps he showed him was the Wet/Dry Try App and his parents were drooling over it. He was having a blast writing his numbers and he is only 3!!

I thought Wet/Dry Try would work for my two year old but when I sat down to do it with him, his coordination skills were not at all what I had expected them to be.  He just could not do it and kept writing outside of the guidelines. It didn't work at all for him but that is him. I am sure there are two year olds out there who would do a fantastic job with this app but he just could not do it.

The Wet/Dry Try App is compatible with iPads as well as Android devices with a 7" screen. You can purchase this app for $4.99 from the App Store. That price is fantastic for what you are getting and your child will LOVE this app!! Oh yes, and you can also find Handwriting Without Tears on Facebook so be sure to check them out there.

So, in my opinion...we are loving the Wet/Dry Try App from Handwriting Without Tears! It is a really fun and effective way for my daughter to learn her letters and numbers and is also very encouraging for her as well. She needs a lot of positive reinforcement and this app provides that in huge amounts. I would definitely recommend this app to any parent or caretaker who has a little one that needs help with handwriting skills. They will learn what they need to about writing and will enjoy themselves in the process.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.