Seventh Generation Review & Giveaway

My family has been using Seventh Generation's natural products for years!  We have used everything from their diapers to their cleaning supplies and we have never been disappointed in the quality or price.  As a matter of fact, I started purchasing their all purpose cleaner because not only was it safe for my children, but it was an even better value than many of the other brands that use harmful chemicals in their sprays.

We are always evaluating how to reduce their environmental impact, increase performance and safety, and create a more sustainable supply chain. We believe it is our responsibility to set a course for a more mindful way of doing business, where companies act as partners with other stakeholders to create a brighter future for the whole planet. - Seventh Generation

I was so excited when I received a package full of wonderful Seventh Generation Products to help keep my family safe during the upcoming flu season!  With the soft, recycled tissues, that are not only green, but extremely gentle, we are fighting allergy season without any red, irritated noses!  And, every time I wipe those drippy noses, I get to wash my hands with Seventh Generation's plant based hand soaps that smell heavenly!  I was shocked at how large the container is, and how smooth it makes my hands feel!  Usually by this time in the year my hands are cracked and dry from the constant hand washing, but they are feeling great!

We also received the Lemongrass Citrus Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner.  As I mentioned, I have used their household cleaners before, but I immediately noticed that the new spray nozzle had really great reach.  It felt like it was covering all of the surface that I was trying to clean in an even coating of cleaner, instead of all going to one spot.  It also smells really delicious!  (Almost made cleaning up puppy messes bearable!)

Here's my favorite thing about Seventh Generation - they are kind enough to not only send me a package full of germ preventing products including wipes, sprays, hand soaps, and tissues, but they also want to give a similar package to one of my readers!  It's super easy to enter!  Check out this adorable video of how to make a not-so-spooky germ monster.  Then leave a comment telling me how you eliminate germ monsters from your house!

Use the Rafflecopter below to record that entry and any additional that you'd like to  complete.  This contest will end Friday, November 2nd.  Good luck and happy entering!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I received these products free of charge to review.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine.

It's Time to Shop!

Although I'm not quite ready for the holidays, there is no denying that they are coming - and quickly!  So I've begun to create a list of things I want to get for Christmas this year.  Obviously, I'm not talking about MY wish list - I am talking about the things that I will need for the house, and to put under the tree for my kiddies.  That being said, project number one is... A Christmas Tree!

Pre-children, the hubs and I had a fake tree.  I'll admit, it wasn't all that pretty to begin with, but now, 10 years later, it's pretty awful.  Last year, I finally convinced my husband that the kids should have the experience of a real tree, but with two toddlers, a puppy and a cat, we settled for a teeny tiny tree that we ended up planting in our yard in the Spring.  This year, we've added another puppy to the mix, so a fake it is!  Thankfully, I now know that there are tons of options for Christmas trees that won't make Santa cringe!  For example, this beautiful Lincoln Pine.  This beauty wouldn't even look bad pre-lit!  It is full, looks soft and plush, and the green doesn't look like it came from a box of crazy crayons.  Natural is the look I am going for!

So, what's going under the tree, you ask?  Well, P has asked for the usually boy paraphernalia like Nerf guns, LEGO games, and Wii games and games for his Nintendo DS.  If it has a superhero on it, then it's even better.  I expect to find something along the lines of this under our tree on Christmas morning...

As for Bean, well she is a little more difficult, but I have a feeling she will be aching to play with her brother's toys, no matter what we get her!  (Little sister syndrome...) ;)

Hubs - well, he has a big (29 + 1 kind-of big) birthday coming up, just days after xmas, so who knows...maybe he will find a nice, big, scratch free LED TV under there...  well, he can hope at least! ;)

What's on your list??  Are you going big or small this year?  Real or fake?? (Tree that is!)

A Wholly Giveaway!!

So, I just told you all about the delicious new flavors of Salsa and the guacamole goodness that is Wholly Guacamole, and now it's your chance to win a cooler full of these fantastic products, delivered right to your door!

Here's how you can win!  It's easy peasy! :)  Just use the rafflecopter widget below!  Contest will end Wednesday, October 17th at 12:01 am (EST).  Happy Entering and don't forget to Eat Wholly!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wholly Guacamole!

I am addicted to guacamole.  Yes, I'm also addicted to Mexican food, however, the two are not mutually exclusive.  I put guacamole on everything, and nothing is more delicious than Wholly Guacamole!

I was beyond thrilled when I met up with the fabulous people from Wholly Guacamole at BlogHer '12 and since they sensed my little obsession, they were kind enough to send me a nice big cooler full of their delicious products - new and old!  Of course, the guacamole was to die for, and I expect no less from the brand, but what I didn't realize was how many really fantastic salsa dips they had too!

There are five new flavors, and honestly, each one is really great and surprisingly different.  After multiple taste tests I think I can officially say that the Red Pepper Mango is my favorite when I'm looking for something a little sweet and spicy - think a grilled chicken quesadilla or salty lime drizzled tortilla chips - yum!  But...a very close second is the Avocado Verde Salsa.  Wow!  My husband and I actually used this to make an amazing midnight snack of chicken, muenster cheese, and Avocado Verde.  It definitely hit the spot!

The thing that I really love best about Wholly Guacamole and all of their products is that I know that they are using natural, healthy ingredients.  Plus, everyone in my family is excited when they see me pull one of their packages out of the grocery bags!  I can't get over the fact that my kids will literally eat the chunky avocado with a spoon!  What an amazing way for them to get the 20 vitamins and minerals that are in WG's delicious goodies thanks to the Hass avocado!

If you are worried that you can only put guacamole on Mexican food, I am here to tell you that you are wrong!  Guacamole makes a delicious dip for everything from pretzels to chicken nuggets!  Some people even love to put the new Pineapple Dip on ice cream!

You can find tons of great recipes on the Wholly Guacamole site, or get inspired by following them on Pinterest.  Because really, you can't tell me this doesn't look amaze-balls!

Milk Unleashed GIVEAWAY!!

It's that time of year again when everyone is heading back to school!  This is actually the first year that I have a school aged child, and I can't believe the preparations that go into getting him there.  I think that the task that I hate most is packing his lunchbox.  I know that sounds terrible, but it's crazy to think about fitting a well balanced, healthy, lunch into a tiny little box.  Not to mention that half of our normal lunch options are eliminated because of the lack of a refrigerator!  There are some things that I don't mind packing with an ice pack, but other things, I personally won't eat unless they are straight out of the fridge.  That's why shelf stable milk is a staple when we are out and about!

Milk Unleashed is the single-serving shelf safe milk that can go in your lunchboxes, diaper bags, or even your purse, and can give your kids the nutrition they need without the need to pack bulky, heavy, ice packs.  Shelf safe milk is packaged in Tetra Paks which keep the milk safe until it is opened by protecting it from light and air.  The milk is as full of nutrients, vitamins, and calcium, as the milk in your fridge, it is just preserved a little differently.  A few of the fabulous brands of shelf safe milk are Horizon Organic (one of our personal favorites!),  Hershey's and Organic Valley.

Milk Unleashed has offered to give one of my fabulous readers a variety pack consisting of four shelf safe milks, both white and chocolate, from Hershey's, LaLa, Horizon and Organic Valley!  It's super easy to enter.  All you have to do is check out the adorable and fun app below.  Try the games, and take the quiz.

• 1 entry (MANDATORY):  Become a public follower of Stuff Mom Loves and leave a comment saying that you did so.
• 1 entry (MANDATORY):  Take the Family On-The-Go Quiztacular and post your results in the comments section.
• 1 entry:  Leave a comment with your favorite game from the app.
• 1 entry:  Like Stuff Mom Loves on Facebook and leave a comment.
• 1 entry each:  Pin, share, or tweet about this contest and leave a comment with the link.

It is super easy to win but enter quickly!  This contest will end Monday, September 10th at 11:59 pm.  The winner will be emailed and will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  Good luck and happy entering!!

Weekend Wrap Up

Clearly I had a fantastic weekend, considering it's Tuesday and I am just now feeling like I am in a place where I can write about it.  In addition to some really relaxing family time and celebrating the birthday of an adorable two year old, I also got to spend a night out in the city with this hottie.

Do you see the empty bottles on the table?? ;)

We spent the night with some wonderful friends, eating delicious food, and playing bocce at Il Vagabondo - the place where Emeril Lagasse claims he had the best Veal Parm in the United States.

 

This adorable place is rooted in history and literally has a 100 year old, clay bocce court in the restaurant.  It was hilarious to see my girls trying to beat our husbands in our heels, with quite a few glasses of wine in us...  Yes, they won, but really, we let them. ;)

Two of the kindest people I know, our friends E & J, are moving this week from NY to MA, and though they won't be all that much farther, I have a feeling our excursions to NYC are going to be transferred to Boston.  This is fine with the hubs, and as  matter of fact, we ended our night at the Riviera Cafe, the only place I have ever been in Manhattan that sports Red Sox posters and paraphernalia.  Not to mention the wings we took back in the limo were pretty fantastic!

I had high hopes of sharing a little "what I wore" pic, but for some reason my kids won't let me have  5 minutes today. ;)  To all of you who have little ones that are back in school today - happy first day of free time school!  Perhaps when my LO starts next week you might hear from me a little more often!

Origami Owl Review & Fab Deals

Every once in a while you come across a product or a company that is not only attractive and unique, but is also inspiring.  Origami Owl is that company!

 

Origami Owl (O2) is the amazing company that was started by 14 year old  Isabella Weems. Like most teenagers, Isabella was beginning think about her first car. Unlike most teenagers, she wanted to find a way to save enough money to get one.  So, she found a way to do it and in 2010, Living Lockets were introduced and a phenomenon began.

I only heard about O2 a month or so ago, but in that time I have fallen in love.  Living Lockets, the flagship item for O2, are a fabulous way to design and redesign a personalized locket with interchangeable charms and plates.  I think that the fact that the charms can be easily inserted and removed is one of my favorite things about this collection. 

Take for example this adorable design for a bride to be.  5 years down the line the bride might be a mom.  

For very little money (charms are about $5 each) and effort, the locket can be transformed into this one.

 

Going on a tropical vacation or spending some time at the beach?  Add a few of these!

 

 

  

I wish I could write about all of the gorgeous charms, but instead I'll send you to the fabulous Studio W to check them all out.  And while your there, take a peak at their other beautiful jewels. I am quite partial to the Wish Lockets and think they would be an amazing gift for a young girl heading into middle school, high school, college, or just in need of a little *magic*!

So, do I have you hooked?  Then check out these fabulous deals just for my readers!! (But don't worry - I'm happy to let you share!)

 

 

Please make your purchases from Heather Zimmerman's site, as she was kind enough to facilitate this review.  Please be sure to enter party code "5684" (you should see Nancy Caron) as the hostess. 

• If you spend $10 or more, please shoot an email to locketladies@yahoo.com with your order number and your choice of a FREE charm!  

• If you spend $75 or more, please shoot an email to locketladies@yahoo.com with your choice of a FREE charm AND a FREE dangle! (Or if you prefer, two free charms!)

This is such an amazing deal and with only 108 days til Hanukkah and 125 days til Christmas, it's time to start thinking of who would like this beautiful and unique gift!  Plus, you will be helping me out!  I am seriously considering becoming a designer (I am currently on the waiting list!) and any purchases made using my party code will help me to earn my designer's kit.  I am not usually into "selling" but I just adore how special and personal these necklaces are, and I know that there are not many designers in my area, so I'm spreading the love!  A BIG thank you to Heather, for coordinating this review with me and offering these spectacular savings to my fans and friends! :)

 

PS:  Check out the packaging that you will receive your living locket in...could it be a better presentation for a gift (for you or someone else!)! ;)