Skin MD Natural Review & Giveaway

If I were a super hero, I'm convinced my name would be The Emolliator. I am constantly applying lotion, body cream, lip balm, etc. It's a bit of an obsession, but as far as obsessions go...it's harmless. Assuming the products you're applying don't contain any nasty stuff. Which is why I was thrilled when the kind folks over at Skin MD Natural offered to send me a bottle of Skin MD Natural Face, Hand, & Body Shielding Lotion.

If you are unfamiliar with Skin MD Natural, here are a few facts about their products:

• Free of animal products (vegan & cruelty free)


• Not tested on animals


• Manufactured in the US using 100% solar power


• Contain 93% natural source ingredients; all others are of food or medical grade quality & on the FDA's most safe list.


• Hypoallergenic


• Paraben free

In addition to all those cool facts, what I liked about this lotion is that it is a shielding lotion. Most lotions just try to replace the lost moisture in our skin (the key word there is try). A shielding lotion does that & also strengthens our skin's natural barrier, which prevents toxins from damaging out skin & removing moisture.

By now you're probably wondering how it worked. Let me remind you....I'm The Emolliator, so I have tried a lot of lotion. I can honestly tell you that this is probably the least greasy lotion I've ever used. It absorbs almost instantly, leaving your skin soft & silky. Even after washing my hands, they still felt smooth & I didn't have to reapply each time I washed my hands. There is very little scent, so if you have any sensitivities, you shouldn't have a problem. Also, a little goes a long way! The first few times I used it, I applied way too much because I was used to other brands. A bottle will last quite a while.

You can order directly from Skin MD Natural or also from Amazon. There are a few deals depending on how many bottles you order directly from Skin MD Natural, so be sure to check them out. However, if you want to try this lotion free, one lucky BMIM reader will win a full sized bottle of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion!

To enter, leave a comment with a way to get in touch with you (important; how else can I let you know if you win?). For an additional entry, like BMIM on Facebook & leave another comment letting me know you did so. For another entry, like Skin MD Natural on Facebook & leave a comment letting me know you did so.

The winner will be picked at 9pm PST on Sunday, March 13th. Good luck & thank you Skin MD Natural!

Blogaversary Giveaway #1: Earring Holder

BMIM is turning 1 year old in December & I have several giveaways lined up for you! Today's is a super cute idea for organizing your earrings.

Ladies, we know the routine: We have tons of earrings, but usually only wear one or two pairs. Why? Because we can't find the other ones. If you don't see your selection, you default to the same ones day in & day out. Well, Earring Holder Gallery aims to fix that! They create unique holders either sit or hang & you then hang your earrings on it. They are all neatly laid out in front of you & look stylish at the same time!

I think this would be a great gift for someone this season. Or hey...keep it for yourself. I won't tell!

One lucky BMIM reader to win a 7x10 earring holder in the Black & White Swirl pattern (shown above, valued at $30). Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment stating why you'd like to win this holder & leave a way for me to contact you.


2. Like Because More is More on Facebook, then come back & leave a comment stating you did so.


3. Like Earring Holder Gallery on Facebook, then come back & leave a comment stating you did so.


4. Become a Google Follower of Because More is More (public, please),then come back & leave a comment stating you did so.

That's it! The winner will be picked on Sunday, December 12th at 9pm PST by random using Random.org. Good luck & thank you Earring Holder Gallery for the giveaway item!

EZ Sox Giveaway

BMIM has gotten big enough that I am frequently getting pitches from PR firms & companies to do product reviews. I pass on some if I don't believe they are a good fit with this blog. Recently I agreed to do a review & I received the item this week. Many of you are parents of little kids, & I thought this product would be something you'd like to hear about.

EZ Sox aren't your average, ordinary sock. They are cute socks that have loops on them that teach toddlers how to pull their socks on by themselves. Anything that helps kids get dressed on their own is fantastic, if you ask me.

The socks are adorable with little animal faces on them (there are plain ones as well). My daughter was sent the teddy bear socks shown above & she freaked out over them. Seriously, I had no idea a pair of socks could elicit such a joyous reaction! The animal faces are more than just decoration, they show the kids which way the sock is supposed to go on (the face points up).

The bottoms of the socks are non skid so that they are safer on slippery floors like hardwood or tile. My daughter seemed to forget that running inside the house is a no-no, because she instantly started running in huge circles through the kitchen, into the dining room & living room, through the foyer, back into the kitchen, & so on. At least she didn't fall!

Lastly, the socks are seamless which is a huge plus if your child is sensitive & hates the toe seam (who can blame them; I hate toe seams).

I will say the non skid writing was starting to wear off after the first wearing, so I'm not sure how long it will last. There are enough other great features with the socks that I still think they are an excellent product, though.

EZ Sox has graciously agreed to give a pair of EZ Sox away to one lucky BMIM winner. To enter this giveaway, leave a comment with a way to contact you. Easy! For another entry, become a fan of EZ Sox on Facebook & leave another comment stating you did so. For another entry, go to EZ Sox online, come back & leave another comment telling me which pair of socks you like the best. That's it!

The winner will be drawn at random using Random.org on 11/28/10 at 9pm PST. Good luck!

New Holiday Collection from Shutterfly

There are many weird quirks about me, one of which is the fact that I obsess over the annual holiday cards I choose for my family. I've had custom ones created for us for several years & in fact, 2 years ago, I paid over $300 for 50 cards (it was an ugly situation with a photographer; don't even ask because it will make my blood pressure skyrocket).

This year I've decided to make life easier on myself & order them from Shutterfly. Yes, I'll obsess over which card to choose, but I love Shutterfly & have always been happy with their products, so I am confident the cards I do select will turn out perfect.

Have you checked out the holiday card selection at Shutterfly since they updated it with their 2010 styles? It's a-maz-ing! There are so many options. You can select by holiday, flat or folded card, even select by color!

We get our daughter's portraits taken every November, so I am going to choose a Christmas photo card. I like the looks of this one, but I haven't made my mind up yet (remember, I obsess over this!).

I didn't realize this, but Shutterfly has an entire line of Spanish Christmas cards. I've seen a few Spanish cards in brick & mortar stores, but I don't think I've ever noticed Spanish cards online that you can order before. I think this is a great idea!

Also, think outside of the box. Shutterfly offers more than just cards. You can order custom invitations for your holiday parties or have custom gift tags made. I might order some gift tags to attach to plates of cookies for my neighbors, mail man, garbage collector, etc. It will look so much better than the labels I've used in the past.

The holiday cards are on sale through tonight! So if you want to save 25% off, order them now (as in, stop what you're doing & order them right now). There's even a code for a free card on Shutterfly's website. Take a look around; I'm sure you will find a style that suits your needs.


UPDATE: The 25% off sale ended last night, but they are now 20% off. Still an excellent buy!


Shutterfly invited me to review their 2010 Holiday card collection. If you have any questions, you can view my disclosure policy here.

Eco Friendly Kids Book & CD Giveaway

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you will know that I am passionate about living a green (ish) lifestyle. We eat mostly organic items, recently purchased a hybrid vehicle, recycle, etc. So when I was asked to review an eco friendly kids book, I was thrilled!Bayou Bennett wrote The Nutria Frog Kingdom & was gracious enough to send me a copy of the book along with the accompanying CD.

The book is about two kids, Randy & Tina, who go on an adventure in the swamps of Louisiana. They meet King Leo & he tells them about the nutria frogs & how they are at risk of disappearing because the environment is a mess. The kids realize that they have the ability to help & get their entire town to help plant trees, recycle, pick up trash, & more.My daughter loved the idea of kids being able to make a difference. I loved how it reinforced the notion that little things can add up to a huge impact.

The CD of music by southern musician, Washboard Leo Thomas is a great bonus as well! It's fun to listen to & my daughter was pretending to tap dance to it in the back seat of our car. Listening to the CD in your car is a great way to bring up the concept of not littering, recycling, etc. when you aren't sitting reading the book. In my opinion, anything that gives adults another opportunity to discuss the subject with kids is great. I have a feeling my daughter will be pointing out every piece of trash on the ground on her way to school for the next few weeks!

Ms. Bennett is offering up a copy of The Nutria Frog Kingdom & the CD to one lucky BMIM winner. Here's how to enter:

• Leave a comment & a way to contact you.
• Go "like" The Nutria Frog Kingdom on Facebook & leave a comment letting me know you did.
• "Like" BMIM on Facebook & leave a comment letting me know you did.
  

That's it...super easy! The winner will be drawn at random on Monday, September 27th at 9 pm PST using Random.org. Good luck & stay green!

Eco Friendly Kids Book Review & Giveaway

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you will know that I am passionate about living a green (ish) lifestyle. We eat mostly organic items, recently purchased a hybrid vehicle, recycle, etc. So when I was asked to review an eco friendly kids book, I was thrilled!

Bayou Bennett wrote The Nutria Frog Kingdom & was gracious enough to send me a copy of the book along with the accompanying CD. The book is about two kids, Randy & Tina, who go on an adventure in the swamps of Louisiana. They meet King Leo & he tells them about the nutria frogs & how they are at risk of disappearing because the environment is a mess. The kids realize that they have the ability to help & get their entire town to help plant trees, recycle, pick up trash, & more.

My daughter loved the idea of kids being able to make a difference. I loved how it reinforced the notion that little things can add up to a huge impact.

The CD of music by southern musician, Washboard Leo Thomas is a great bonus as well! It's fun to listen to & my daughter was pretending to tap dance to it in the back seat of our car. Listening to the CD in your car is a great way to bring up the concept of not littering, recycling, etc. when you aren't sitting reading the book. In my opinion, anything that gives adults another opportunity to discuss the subject with kids is great. I have a feeling my daughter will be pointing out every piece of trash on the ground on her way to school for the next few weeks!

Ms. Bennett is offering up a copy of The Nutria Frog Kingdom & the CD to one lucky BMIM winner. Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment & a way to contact you.


2. Go "like" The Nutria Frog Kingdom on Facebook & leave a comment letting me know you did.


3. "Like" BMIM on Facebook & leave a comment letting me know you did.

That's it...super easy! The winner will be drawn at random on Monday, September 27th at 9 pm PST using Random.org. Good luck & stay green!

Rockin' Green Detergent Giveaway

I am always on the lookout for green products to try out & this one was recommended by Kathleen, a BMIM reader, so I figured it had to be good. She was right!

Rockin' Green is exactly that....a green laundry detergent that well...rocks. It is biodegradable, 100% phosphate free, dioxin free, petroleum free, animal by-product free, & never tested on animals.

I realize that all of that is fine & dandy, but you really want to know if it works. Rockin' Green was actually developed to launder cloth diapers, however it works fantastic on all kinds of laundry. I was sent the Classic Rock formula in the Motley Clean scent (I love a company with a good sense of humor!) & have been using it for a few weeks now.

If you read the FAQs you will see that some loads of laundry might smell worse after using Rockin' Green & I found that to be true with my towels. The reason is because many other detergents actually leave a residue that builds up over time & Rockin' Green is actually getting rid of the grime that has been building up. They tell you exactly what to do to get rid of the problem on their website & then your laundry should just smell....clean. I actually think my towels smelled a bit funky because I didn't do the extra rinse cycle that was recommended for my machine. I remembered to do it for all my other loads & didn't notice any funky smells.

You can use it in both top & front loading machines & they even have handy dandy instructions on their FAQ page that lists most HE machines & how to use Rockin' Green for each machine.

Rockin' Green has generously offered to send some detergent in The Plain Green Tea's scent to one lucky BMIM reader! Here's how to enter this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment stating why you would like to try Rockin' Green (see, that was easy!) with a way to reach you.
2. Become a Facebook fan of Because More Is More & leave a comment stating you did so (if you're already a fan, just leave a comment letting me know).
3. Become a fan of Rockin' Green on Facebook & leave a comment telling me you did so.
4. Become a Google follower (public, please!) of Because More Is More & leave another comment letting me know you did so (& if you already are, leave a comment letting me know).

That's it! You have until August 29th at 9pm PST to enter. The winner will be picked at random using Random.org. Good luck!

Fashion Playtes Winner & BMIM Discount

Congratulations to Julie who won the $20 gift certificate from Fashion Playtes!

If you didn't win, don't send bad thoughts Julie's way, because Fashion Playtes was kind enough to extend a deal to all BMIM readers! Use code: moreismore10 & save $10 off your first order from Fashion Playtes. I think letting your daughter, granddaughter, etc. create an item for the new school year would be a fun way of using the discount code.

Congrats again, Julie & thanks Fashion Playtes!

Fashion Playtes Review & Giveaway

I had never heard of Fashion Playtes when they contacted me about doing a review, but I was blown away by the very concept of this company. The idea behind Fashion Playtes is "where girls are fashion designers."

Essentially, Fashion Playtes have standard articles of clothing available in numerous colors. A girl can pick the item she wants to design (say, a shirt), choose a color, & then tweak it however she wants from a myriad of choices. Rhinestones, rosettes, ribbons, you name it...the possibilities are endless. There is even an option for a custom label!

When I told my daughter she was going to be able to design her own clothes, she completely freaked out. Excited doesn't even begin to describe her reaction. Here is one of my two criticisms with Fashion Playtes, though. My daughter became overwhelmed. We're talking hysterical, could barely breathe, crying. When I asked her what was wrong, she sobbed "Too.Many.Choices." I had no idea she would react that way, & we had to wait a week or so before we finalized her order. Part of the problem was she had a hard time getting her dress to match the one she was trying to create for her doll. I instantly regretted telling her about the doll dress option. Had I never mentioned that, I'm sure we would have avoided the meltdown.

This really isn't Fashion Playtes' fault; in fact, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would say there aren't enough options for girls to create. But, if it were me, I'd recommend Fashion Playtes for girls older than 5. Or at least think long & hard about whether your child gets overwhelmed with options.

Once we finalized our order, however, my daughter was thrilled with her selections & couldn't wait for them to arrive. It took several weeks & I was worried she would become anxious. When they arrived though, she said "Those came super quick!" When I opened the package, she immediately stripped down so she could try her dress on. We also had to dress her doll. She strutted her stuff just like she was on a runway & kept saying over & over "I designed this all by myself." It was adorable seeing how proud she was.

The second & only other criticism I have with Fashion Playtes is simply the fact that there are no options for boys. I realize girls are much more likely to want to design their clothing, but I have to imagine that there are some boys out there that would think it was cool to create their own shirts, board shorts, etc. I am optimistic that there will be some options for boys in the future.

My complaints are minor though, & you really should try Fashion Playtes out. Luckily for one winner, you'll get a chance to do so free! Fashion Playtes has been generous enough to donate a $20 gift certificate to one BMIM reader.

To enter this giveaway, visit Fashion Playtes' website, then come back here & leave a comment (with a way to contact you) stating what you like best about their site. If you'd like a second entry, become a Facebook fan of Fashion Playtes, come back & leave another comment saying you did so. For a third entry, become a Facebook fan of BMIM, come back, & leave an additional comment. For a fourth entry, blog about this giveaway & come back, leave another comment & a link to your posting.

The winner will be chosen at random on 6/27/10 at 9 pm PST using Random.org. Good luck!

If you would like to see my disclosure policy, click here.

Ella's Kitchen Review & Giveaway

Earth Week may be over, but I have one more organic giveaway for you! Ella's Kitchen offered to send me a sample & some freebies for a reader giveaway, & I jumped at the opportunity.

If you are unfamiliar with Ella's Kitchen, they are a company that started in the UK that is now selling organic baby food & fruit smoothies here in the US. The fruit smoothies probably aren't what you think of when you think of a smoothie, but rather, a pouch filled with smashed fruit. All of their products are made from 100% organic fruit & vegetables; nothing else. And I mean nothing else.

They sent a fruit smoothie for my daughter to try & it was aptly named "The Red One." They offer two flavors of smooths, the other being "The Yellow One." I have been giving my daughter smoothie/squeezer/fruit pouches for several years & am addicted to them because of the fact that they are a healthy option & so easy to take with you (she gets one in her lunch almost every day). I wasn't sure how my daughter would react to The Red One since it was a new brand, but after her first swallow she said "Mmmm....good!" When prompted as to what made it good, she replied "The berries & banana." Since it's all fruit, she could actually recognize the flavors, unlike some other snacks that are marketed to kids (I mean, really....when did blue raspberry become a flavor?!).

Ella's Kitchen sent three Stage 1 baby food pouches for one lucky reader to win! You get 1 pouch of Carrots, Apples, & Parsnips, 1 pouch of Broccoli, Pears, & Peas, & 1 pouch of Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Apples, & Blueberries. Nice! Remember, these are all 100% organic, too. Where were these when my daughter was a baby? I made all of her baby food at home, but would have loved to have some of these to throw into a diaper bag for meals on the go. Talk about convenient!

To enter this giveaway, leave a message here (with a way to contact you). If you'd like a second entry, become a Facebook fan of BMIM, come back & leave another comment saying you did so. For a third entry, become a Google follower (public please!), come back, & leave an additional comment. For a fourth entry, blog about this giveaway or post about it on Facebook & come back, leave another comment & a link to your posting.

That's it. This giveaway will end 4/30/10 at 9 pm PST. The winner will be determined by Random.org. Good luck!

Click here to see a list of stores where you can purchase products from Ella's Kitchen. I didn't see Target listed, but I think certain Targets are carrying them now as well (don't quote me on that, though!). I am confident I will be making a trip this week to get more of The Red Ones for my daughter!

As always, you can read my disclosure statement here.

CouponChief.com

I always want to share with you new ways to save money, so when I found out about a new coupon website, I was thrilled! You guys must check this out.

Couponchief.com is an awesome site & I think you're gonna get addicted to checking it for deals. Basically it's a huge database of coupon codes & you can search for just about anything. There are a ridiculous amount of stores listed, so you will likely find what you're looking for. Have a home improvement project scheduled for the near future? Search for "Home Depot coupons" & see what you can find.

But, here's where I think Couponchief.com gets even more interesting. They have a program called Pays-2-Share that is pretty sweet. If you know of an online code & don't see it listed, you can upload the info to Couponchief.com & anyone who clicks on it & makes a purchase using the code you uploaded will earn you a 2% commission on what they buy! For instance, let's say you get a code from LL Bean & you upload it. Every time someone searches for "LL Bean coupons" & uses the code you uploaded, you earn 2% of their total purchase amount. Nice! Note that not every store participates in the Pays-2-Share program, but regardless....it's still a great program.

Now that I've got you all excited about Pays-2-Share, you need to know the program has been put on hold for a while. Normally that would frustrate me, but it doesn't & here's why: They started another program called Coupons-4-Causes where charities can receive a % back from participating retailers. Again, not every retailer participates, but it's a fantastic option for a charity to earn some much needed cash! I can sacrifice Pays-2-Share for a while for charitable organizations to earn money & I'm sure most of you would agree.

I can't say enough good things about Couponchief.com. Really, you must check it out. If you are going to buy something online, it should be your first stop!



CouponChief.com invited me to peruse their vast supply of coupons in April. As always, if you want more information on my disclosure policy, click here.

Giveaway: Copy of "Spiced"

I am a foodie. I love food. In fact, for part of my freshman year of college my major was Hotel & Restaurant Management. I quickly changed that when I realized that loving to cook & loving food were one thing, but loving the idea of standing in a blazing hot kitchen for 12 hours a day was another thing. So when I was asked to read & review a book written by a pastry chef, I jumped at the chance.

"Spiced: A Pastry Chef's True Stories of Trials by Fire, After-Hours Exploits, & What Really Goes on in the Kitchen" is Dalia Jurgensen's memoir detailing how she left her day job to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. She ended up working in some of the most prestigious restaurants in NYC including Nobu, Layla, & Veritas & even worked in the test kitchen for Martha Stewart's television show.

While I was excited to read the book, at the same time I was also a bit worried that it might be well....somewhat boring. I couldn't have been more wrong. It is funny, inspiring, & eye opening. I had no idea about the drama that goes down in the kitchen of a restaurant! It was very easy to read, & I found myself not wanting to put it down. Always the sign of a good book, in my opinion.

I was graciously given two copies of "Spiced" by the publisher; one for me to read & one for me to giveaway. I think anyone who loves food, cooking, or is addicted to the Food Network will enjoy this book. Really, even if you're not a foodie, I think you'd enjoy it. I love the idea of how this woman did what so many of us are afraid to: She decided to follow her dreams, no matter what the outcome was. Pretty gutsy, if you ask me.

To enter this giveaway, leave a message here (with a way to contact you). If you'd like a second entry, become a Facebook fan of BMIM, come back & leave another comment saying you did so. For a third entry, become a Google follower (public please!), come back, & leave an additional comment. For a fourth entry, blog about this giveaway or post about it on Facebook & come back, leave another comment & a link to your posting.

That's it! The winner will be determined at random by Random.org. The contest will end Wednesday, April 21st at 9pm PST. Enter now for a great book to read on your spring or summer vacation. Good luck!


(As always, if you have questions, you can read my disclosure policy here or click on the button in the left sidebar.)

Product Review: TastyBrand Fruit Snacks

Typically I'm not a huge fan of fruit snacks; there I said it. In my opinion, they are nothing more than candy. I mean, let's be honest....those little gummy things have zero in common with actual fruit. But my daughter adores them. And since we almost exclusively eat organic items in our household, our options were limited to one brand. But folks....there's a new fruit snack in town, & they are pretty awesome.

Tasty Brand was generous enough to send me some of their Organic Fruit Snacks a few months ago & my daughter fell in love with them. When I mentioned that I was having a hard time finding them locally, they were generous enough to send me some more & let me tell you, my daughter was so excited, you would have thought it was Christmas morning! It had been a while since she had tried them, so in the interest of science, I handed them over & then proceeded to grill her for data. Here's what transpired:

Me: "Sweetie, using one word describe what you think of these fruit snacks."

Peanut: "Good." (Now, that may not sound terribly enthusiastic, but "good" is high praise from my daughter. If I told her that I bought her a pony she'd smile & say "Good.")

Me: "OK sweetie, tell Mama another word to describe these fruit snacks."

Peanut: "Um....thank you!"

Yes, thank you sums it up pretty well. As a parent, here's why I say thank you to Tasty Brand for these fruit snacks: They're USDA certified organic. They have no high fructose corn syrup in them. This is huge! They are gluten free, which is fantastic for those who have special diet needs. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in these fruit snacks. They are made with real fruit juice. There are only 70 calories per pouch. Heck, they're even vegan!

And I know this may be insignificant to some, but I love that on the box they print things like "Our gummies are made with real fruit juice, but they shouldn't replace real fruit in your diet," "Be tasty...not wasty," & as someone who used to work in the dental field, this is my personal favorite "BTW, never forget to brush & floss!"

Tasty Brand's organic baby food is available here in the NW, but finding the fruit snacks locally might be a challenge. However, you're in luck, because they are currently on sale at Amazon & ship free if your order is over $25 or if you have an Amazon Prime membership. Additionally, you can purchase any of Tasty Brand's products from their website & for a limited time they are offering free ground shipping. You can also click here for a list of retailers that carry their products. And if you're lucky enough to live near one of these locations, head over to one of their Tasty Tastings to score samples, coupons, tote bags, & more! Lastly, email info@tastybaby.com with your mailing address & they will send you a BOGO free coupon.

In the spirit of full disclosure I want you to know that Tasty Brand sent me the second samples of fruit snacks in exchange for a product review. However, I was free to write whatever I felt about the product. I would have blogged about the fruit snacks even without the samples, because I am that thrilled about the product. Even I think they taste great! If your kids (or you!) love fruit snacks, seriously...you owe it to yourself to try these out.