Understanding that today’s modern mom is often back-to-work or on-the-go, Lansinoh has recently launched the Lansinoh® mOmma® Bottle with NaturalWave™ Peristaltic Nipple. Developed with over 50 years of research, The Lansinoh® mOmma® Bottle with NaturalWave Peristaltic Nipple gives mom confidence that her baby will take expressed breastmilk from a bottle while she’s away, but return to the breast when she’s back.

Some of the revolutionary features of the NaturalWave Peristaltic Nipple include:

A wide, rounded nipple base which encourages a wider latch-on, similar to how babies latch naturally, and therefore promotes oral, facial, and jaw development.

• Is made of super-soft and flexible 100 percent silicone that is lined internally with specially designed grooves that are made to optimally compress and control milk flow.
• Has a hassle-free design with minimal parts that saves mom time.
• Is available in slow, medium, and fast flow to meet baby’s changing needs.
• Features an AVST Air Ventilation System that reduces the intake of gas, a potential cause of colic or spit up.
• Is BPA-free.

My take:  Since my newest bundle of joy does not make her arrival until July I decided to try this bottle out on a couple of my friends’ babies.  I was impressed with the ease that each baby latched onto this bottle and I really like the AVST feature.  If you have a baby who prefers breast over bottle but you have a pressing need to use a bottle due to work please give the Lansinoh mOmma Bottle a try!

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

Here are my two favorite recipes:

Grandma’s Apple Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 c. flour, sifted
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, ground
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, ground
• 1/2 tsp. cloves, ground
• 1 c. MUSSELMAN’S Natural Apple Sauce
• 1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1 c. raisins (optional)

Directions:  Cream the butter and sugar. Blend well. Add egg and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Add to the wet mixture alternately with apple sauce. Blend well. Stir in nuts or raisins if desired. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Keep two inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees 10 minutes or until edges brown. Cool on wire rack.

Chewy Fruit Bars

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c. butter, softened
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 c. flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked
• (4) 4 oz cups any flavor MUSSELMAN’S Healthy Picks Apple Sauce
• 1 c. raisins
• 1 c. walnuts, chopped

Directions:  In large mixer bowl beat butter to soften. Add brown sugar and vanilla extract. Beat until light and fluffy. Blend in flour, cinnamon and baking soda, mixing well. Stir in oats. Press 2/3 of mixture into 13″ x 9″ baking pan lightly sprayed with cooking spray. In medium bowl, combine apple sauce, raisins and walnuts. Spoon evenly over dough in pan. Crumble remaining dough over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut into bars.

My take:  My boys could not get enough of these two recipes….every last bite were gobbled up within the first few days of making them.  I love how easy each recipe was to make and the smells that wafted out of the kitchen while baking

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

Mario™ Vs Piranha Plant Building Set:

Bring Mario™ Kart™ Wii to life! Build Mario™ in his Sprinter Kart and race past the Piranha Plant from the Mario™ Circuit Track. The set includes the parts to build Mario™, a Sprinter Kart with a super-fast, battery-powered motor, a Piranha Plant obstacle and 2 collectible items from the game: a Mushroom and a Green Turtle Shell! Also includes 6 pieces of buildable, interconnectable track – combine this set with other sets from the Mario™ Kart™ Wii Series to build even bigger tracks! Ages 6+

Features…

• Build Mario™ in his Sprinter Kart
• Moving Piranha Plant Obstacle
• Super-fast, battery powered motor for kart
• 2 collectible items: Mushroom and a Green Turtle Shell
• 6 pieces of buildable track
• Ages 6+

Retails for $29.99

Stig’s Attack Copter/off Roader Building

The Challenge: Build an attack copter with foam missile launcher and then set it off on a mission to seek and destroy the off-roader that you just created! Vehicles have Stig and pilot figures and copter comes with three foam darts for maximum firepower! Models combine to create a mega-assault vehicle for more intense action! A label sheet to customize your builds, targets to practice your aim, and a full set of step-by-step building instructions are also included. Ages 7+

• Build Copter and Off-Roader, then combine into Mega-Assault Vehicle!
• Copter missile launcher shoots three foam darts!
• Stig and pilot figures
• Customize your creations with cool labels
• 270+ pieces
• Ages 7+

Retails for $29.99

My take:  I of course knew as soon as they spied Mario he would have to be the first one to be built.  My boys are 4 and 6 and easily put this product together.  I love how they used teamwork and problem solving skills to build this set.  I also love the hand-eye coordination used for them to try to capture Mario via the Piranha Plant.

The boys needed help building the attack copter and the off roader but had a great time customizing each with stickers.  I love how interactive this product is- they each took turn launching the missile (love how they are foam so they don’t sting when they hit you) and evading the missile with the off roader.

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

I recently had the opportunity to review the Dorfman Pacific Ribbon Crusher Hat (also known as The Tres Jolie on the website).

Dorfman Pacific has been expanding the sun protection portion of its line season after season. Their 2012 collection features many striking styles and colors and brims that range up to SEVEN INCHES! Solids, Stripes, Patterns in a choice of silhouettes and materials means that their is the perfect hat for every face and budget!

Style LC511 from the SCALA COLLEZIONE BRAND is a very popular styles because it is feminine, chic and functional which is as perfect as a sunhat can be! It features a 4 inch brim- and an external bow trim that actually is a functional sizing tie–so that the hat is truly one size fits all.

Another great benefit is its pack ability and recovery. It is light weight and bounces back into shape 1-2-3, therefore it can be easily stored in a beach bag or taken away on vacation.  This hat is also ideal to wear at home for a walk and other activities like gardening. The styling can be paired with casual wear, beach wear and looks glamorous with a sundress. It is one size fits all and comes in classic and pop color ways including  turquoise, lime, fuchsia, white, natural, tan and black.

Retails for $30.00

PROMO CODE:  The hat will be available from 5/10/12 through 6/30/12 for a 20% deduction which means $24. Use code SunHatSave20 (Not valid with other offers).

My take:  I simply adore this hat.  It is so stylish and comfortable that I can wear it with shorts, jeans or dresses.  I love how I can stuff it into a small carry bag and each time it lays perfectly on my head.  The floppy border allows for maximum coverage for your face and neck.

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

This time around I knew to head to an expert which I found in Bravado Designs

Celebrating 20 years of Breastfeeding Success!

From humble beginnings developed around a kitchen table, Bravado nursing bras and tanks quickly became a mom and celebrity favorite.  Although many things have changed since our early days, one thing never will: our commitment to bolster and enhance the self-esteem of all pregnant and nursing women.  We are dedicated to providing accurate, helpful and non-judgmental breastfeeding information and to creating nursing bras that provide ultimate comfort, support and durability. 

I was able to review several types of bras:

The Original Nursing Bra:

The Original Nursing Bra has been recommended by Lactation Consultants for over 18 years. This cotton nursing bra adapts to your changing shape making it perfect for pregnancy right through to nursing. Moms love to live and sleep in the Original Nursing Bra 24/7 – especially in the early stages when comfort is the key in your journey to breastfeeding success.

What you’ll love about the Original Nursing Bra:

• Cotton Nursing Bra: breathable and promotes healthy breast tissue. The super soft cotton fabric stretches and adapts to your changing shape – making it perfect as a nursing and maternity bra.
• Double Cup and Double Band: unique double-cup/double-band feature gives you the confidence to purchase while pregnant and experience the enjoyment of continuing to wear after birth during the early stages of breastfeeding.
• Comfort Nursing Bra: sports-back design evenly distributes the weight of your breasts which helps make you comfortable. There are no hooks and eyes in the back which ensures comfort, even while you sleep
• Light to Moderate Support: Wide under-elastic band evenly distributes weight and provides under-breast support.
• Full Access: Cups unclip at the shoulder and drop down and away from your body to give baby full access to your breast, providing you and your baby with skin-to-skin contact which is essential, specially when establishing a breastfeeding rhythm.
• A proprietary Bra Conversion Kit (BCK), is now attached to your Bravado Nursing Bra and can be used to convert it to a “regular bra” once your nursing journey is complete.

The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra:

The Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra melts onto your body and gives you comfort unlike anything you’ve experienced from a nursing bra before – wear it while nursing or as a maternity bra. A mom and celebrity favorite, everyone loves this seamless nursing bra that molds to your shape.

What you’ll love about the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra:

• Seamless Nursing Bra: seamless buttery soft and stretchy fabric that’s comfortable to wear all day and virtually invisible under clothing.
• Foam Cups: removable molded foam cups provide you with a lining to hide nipples or breast pads that you can remove or wear anytime you need to.
• Bravado Best-Seller: One of our best sellers because it molds to your unique shape. The seamless design and fabric perfectly supports your unique shape and movement. Jennifer Garner loves to wear the Body Silk to Yoga Class (We agree! The Body Silk makes a GREAT Yoga nursing bra).
• Easy to Size: This is the easiest bra to find your size which makes it perfect as either a maternity bra or a nursing bra. It comfortably fits your changing shape each step of the way.
• Full Access: Cups unclip at the shoulder and drop down and away from your body to give baby full access to your breast, providing you and your baby with skin-to-skin contact which is essential, specially when establishing a breastfeeding rhythm.
• Nursing clips that stay closed: proprietary clips lie flat under close-fitting clothing and easily open and close with one hand.
• A proprietary Bra Conversion Kit (BCK), is now attached to your Bravado Nursing Bra and can be used to convert it to a “regular bra” once your nursing journey is complete.

The Bliss Nursing Bra:

The Bliss Nursing Bra is the perfect foam cup t-shirt nursing bra that features our proprietary Flexi-Fit™ support channel, giving you an elegant shape and exceptional fit for everyday use. This nursing bra’s features also include: molded foam cups, a low neckline and a luxurious satiny finish, that disappears under clothing so all people see is your gorgeous silhouette—and all you feel is comfy and beautiful.

• Seamless Molded Foam Cups: seamless foam cups that hide nipples and breast pads, while giving you a beautiful shape. Your staple t-shirt nursing bra.
• Flexi-Fit Support Channel: a flexible under-breast support channel that offers remarkable shape and lift while maintaining comfort and good breast health.
• Comfortable and Fashionable: beautiful satiny fabric, a delicate center front detail and embroidered straps that make you feel stunning.
• Wear as a maternity bra or as a nursing bra: gentle stretch features in the cups that grow and contract with your changing shape while maintaining support.
• Full Access: cups unclip at the shoulder and drop down and away from your body to give baby full access to your breast, providing you and your baby with skin-to-skin contact which is essential, specially when establishing a breastfeeding rhythm.
• Nursing clips that stay closed: proprietary clips lie flat under close-fitting clothing and easily open and close with one hand.
• A proprietary Bra Conversion Kit (BCK), is now attached to your Bravado Nursing Bra and can be used to convert it to a “regular bra” once your nursing journey is complete

The Essential Nursing Tank:

With stunning style and a built in bra (no scrawny shelf bra here!) our breastfeeding and maternity tank beautifully supports up to a G cup, and was designed to make you feel fabulous inside and out.

The Essential Nursing Tank – What You’ll Love:

• Built in Bra: Proprietary design gives you a full support (molded) built in bra on the inside, a beautiful shape and cottony comfort, all in one!
• Great for nursing in public: perfect to wear every day – nursing in public, around the house, going to yoga class, lounging or as sleepwear.
• Long in length: Imagine…you’ll look terrific, feel great and it is easy to nurse in public because it provides tummy coverage where you need it. Our nursing tank is long giving you a beautiful and flattering shape that’s fitted but not clingy.
• Maternity Tank and a Nursing Tank: Fabric gently stretches while retaining its shape after washing. A two for one value as you can wear it as a maternity tank while pregnant and then continue to wear it as a nursing tank while breastfeeding.
• Cotton Nursing Tank: Soft, high-quality cotton/spandex outer fabric isn’t see through, even in white
• Full Access: Cups unclip at the shoulder and drop down and away from your body to give baby full access to your breast, providing you and your baby with skin-to-skin contact which is essential, specially when establishing a breastfeeding rhythm.
• Discreet Nursing Clips: allow full breastfeeding access and only you will know this is a nursing tank.

My take:  Where to begin?  Let’s start by saying that I actually feel like a stylish attractive woman in each of these bras…the colors, fabrics and fit allows for me to feel great.  My favorite bra is the Body Silk Seamless followed closely by all the others.  Every single bra provides full comfortable support which is not easy to find with an ever growing body.  I love how all of the bras are able to be used for several stages:  maternity, nursing and than able to convert to a regular bra once finished with nursing.  I don’t know about you but I lived in my bras 24/7 during nursing and finding comfortable bras this time around was a must!

The tank is super comfortable, has superior support (unlike any other tank I have ever tried) and is long enough to cover the belly.  I also appreciate how durable the bras are to be washed- they come out great each and every time!  The colors are great to, you don’t have to settle for bland white all of the time thanks to Bravado!

Please stay tuned as I will update you on my experience with Bravado once I enter the nursing stage.

In celebration of 20 years, Bravado has a variety of special 20th anniversary programs planned.  The first being….Become the new BravadoMomma Model

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

This month the Guidecraft Educators were fortunate enough to review 6 different sorting food trays:

Sorting Food Trays display well-balanced meals in fun, puzzle-like configurations. Chunky, raised pieces are easy to grasp and stand on their own for dramatic play. Helps develop shape-recognition and fine-motor skills while encouraging imaginative play. Ages 2+. Tray size: 11″ x 14″ each.

Breakfast Sorting Food Tray:

Lunch Sorting Food Tray:

Dinner Sorting Food Tray:

Italian Sorting Food Tray:

Mexican Sorting Food Tray:

Japanese Sorting Food Tray:

Each of these puzzles retails between $20-$22.00;

My take:  My kids love to play with these puzzles especially when I am making dinner. I love to see how their imaginations soar when they try to figure out the ingredients needed to make each piece of food.  The Mexican, Italian and Japanese sorting trays are the biggest hits and I love how it opens them up to different foods especially Japanese which we have never tried.

Each sorting food tray is sturdy, durable, well made and brightly colored!

Want to win these 6 great Sorting Food Trays?  Head over to Teach Preschool for your chance to win!

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.

Job Site Machines bring the job site to you with motorized Cat machines. Each machine features classic Cat styles with working lights, construction tunes, and foreman vocals, as well as motorized driving and other machine features.

Age: 3+     Available Styles: Dump Truck, Bulldozer, Wheel Loader and Excavator

Silverlicious loses her sweet tooth and can’t taste anything sweet anymore. You have to help her practice kindness, good manners and help others along the way. You can unlock magical butterflies, sparkle rides and fireworks. (I love that it teaches kindness!)

You can change Silverlicious outfit from Dress, Nightgown, and Fairy Catcher. She can wave her wand, open doors, and go on candy rides. She has to help her neighbors in Pinkville with quests and collect sweets.

Overall, if you buy any game for your kids, this whole series is the one to buy. It would def get 5 stars from this mom! My daughter could play this all night long if I let her, but with the simple manners it teaches; would that really be a bad thing? :- )

PS- There is also a Purplicious and Goldilicious book which I didn’t know about!

I received product for my review.

Stylishly cool thong sandal in leather with linen detail. The top is lined in soft, breathable sheepskin and the sandal features our ultra-comfortable, anatomically correct, sueded microfiber footbed.

These sandals are so freaking comfortable. When you slide your foot in, its like nothing you have felt in softness. My only complaint is that I wish the foot bed was a tad more soft (as in squishy-gel like), because after long periods of standing or walking, it can hurt a bit. That may also be because of my weight though lol. I have the same style as my nana on shoes, and I could totally see her wearing these and loving them just as much as me. My favorite aspect of these sandals is the wool under the top that sets on your foot. It helps so there is no rubbing or rashing, brilliant. I chose the white, which matches everything and looks great in the spring/summer. It’s not a complete flat, it has just a smidgen of wedge so it can give you a bit of height and style. Or maybe it just gave me some height since I am only 5′ haa.

The Garden Party comes in white & chocolate and in sizes 5-11, and retails for $69.

I received product for my review.

The idea for Isabella Oliver came about because we were unable to find any pregnancy clothes that we actually liked to wear, so in 2003 we launched our first maternity collection. A range of beautifully-cut maternity clothes made from stylish, easy care fabrics that not only looked great, but were comfortable too. Fast forward to the present and we are offering pregnant women around the world unrivaled quality and fit, we have been awarded the Queen’s Award, and our maternity signature detailing (wrapping and ruching) has become a standard for every pregnant woman’s wardrobe.

Together with Geoff (my husband and co-founder) and our team, Isabella Oliver is a labor of love and a real team effort and we continue to work hard to offer great style and service.

I was able to review the Ruched Wrap top in Rose

Created using our signature techniques of wrap and ruche detailing, this maternity top is a sophisticated option at every stage. Designed in easy care jersey, it has a deep v-neck, ruched side seams and a faux wrap detail for a feminine finish. Its perfect dressed up or down with either a pencil skirt or jeans.

This style works particularly well during pregnancy and post pregnancy.

Retails for $129.00

My take:  This is the single most comfortable piece of maternity clothing that I own.  It has a vibrant color, is silky smooth to the touch and I love how versatile it is- there are so many different combinations that can be made with this shirt- a must have!

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I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did a receive free product samples to keep for my testing purposes. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or host a giveaway in return for the product. Receiving the product for free did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. My views are solely my own opinions.