I am so excited about this review today! In my 4 years of cloth diapering, I’ve had stinky problems with my diapers, they had an ammonia smell. I tried everything to get rid of it, from rinsing multiple times in the washer, to rinsing by hand with super hot water in the tub, to stripping with the Dawn dish soap, vinegar and baking soda. I seriously tried everything! But nothing worked, I even quit cloth diapering several times because I was sick of it and couldn’t get them to stop smelling!
So when Laundry Tarts sent me their product, Strip It, a cloth diaper stripping product, I was cautious, but hopeful. Strip it is formulated to strip out all of the odors and residues from excess detergent in your diapers. It can also be used to brighten your clothes and even clean carpet stains!
I followed the simple directions on the package, and soaked my diapers in the Strip It. After rinsing the diapers, they were ready for use. After the first time, there was a noticeable lessening of odors, but it wasn’t quite gone. I’m left wondering if after 2 years of buildup, maybe one treatment of Strip It wasn’t enough for the diapers. I used the product on my diapers again, and my diapers are actually usable, if still a little bit smelly. I think if I keep using it now and then, it will eventually flush out all of the buildup, and I can really start depending on using cloth exclusively!
Laundry Tarts, thank you for saving my diapers!! Laundry Tarts main attraction is their all natural laundry detergent that come in 10 yummy dessert inspired, phthalate free scents! It is safe for all types of water, washing machines, fabrics and skin types. They are also cloth diaper safe and hypoallergenic!
Laundry Tarts is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!! One lucky blog reader will win a sampler pack of their all natural Laundry Tarts Detergent! Thank you Laundry Tarts for the review Strip It and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway! Open to US and Canadian residents.
Living on a lake, in the summer my kids live in bathing suits. We recently had a chance to review a suit from Beach Rays VroomVroom Collection. I chose the Grayson Trunks and they are just great. Very colorful and the 5/6 are very generously sized and fit my five year old well because they have a drawstring waist that you can adjust . He thought they were super comfortable, and I can see the great quality in construction and attention to detail. If you are looking for great suits for the whole family check out Beach Rays.
GRAYSON
Surf’s up dude! And it always will be in these oh so cool swim trunks with liner in a fun surfboard pattern that any cool toddler is sure to get a kick out of! Made of 100% poly micro fiber, they’re also comfortable and quick-drying too.
Beach Rays is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will be able to choose a child’s suit from the VroomVroom or RayRay collections (subject to availability). Thank you Beach Rays for the review trunks and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Beach Rays, VroomVroom or RayRay Swimsuit Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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In “Little Seed,” Elizabeth Mitchell embraces the gentle genius of America’s musical bard, Woody Guthrie. The simple yet profound songs he wrote for his young children remind us of how the loving bonds between parent and child endure and are strengthened through music. Joined by family and friends, Elizabeth Mitchell offers us re-imagined renditions of classic Guthrie favorites. Her thoughtful versions pay tribute to Guthrie’s uncanny ability to inhabit both the perspective of a loving, protective parent and the voice of a freewheeling child. Features eight newly recorded tracks and five previously issued favorites. 13 tracks, 29 minutes, 20-page booklet with photos.
The only album of Guthrie’s children’s songs coinciding with the Woody Guthrie Centennial, “Little Seed” pays tribute to the legendary songwriter’s uncanny ability to inhabit both the perspective of a loving, protective parent and the voice of a freewheeling child. The album includes thoughtful versions of children’s songs “Riding in My Car,” “Grassy Grass Grass,” and “Bling Blang.” Mitchell also shares her version of “This Land Is Your Land,” Guthrie’s signature song that many people consider a second national anthem.
As always, Elizabeth is joined on the recording by family (husband Daniel Littleton and daughter Storey) and friends, including Amy Helm, daughter of the late Levon Helm, pillars of the American acoustic music scene Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and Ruthy Ungar of Mike and Ruthy and formerly of the Mammals.
“Woody Guthrie’s songs for children are a gift to all of us. They are a part of me, part of my family,” says Mitchell. “Thank you, Woody, for giving us this beautiful experience and so many others like it. We can feel this profound musical joy anytime, anywhere, with you in our spirits and your songs in our hearts.”
Acclaimed by Time magazine as one of the “Stars of Kindie Rock,” Mitchell is also a founding member of veteran indie rock band Ida and is one of Smithsonian Folkways’ best-selling artists. ‘Little Seed’ is her third album with the label, following You Are My Little Bird (2006) and Sunny Day (2010), and features eight newly recorded tracks and five previously issued favorites.
We received this CD for review and it is just so great, the songs of Woody Guthrie, who doesn’t relate to them in some way. “This Land is Your Land” always takes me right back to my first grade class where we would sing in nearly every day. If you are looking for a selection of quality music for your kids, look no further than Little Seed.
Sugar Mountain PR is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their own Little Seed CD. Thank you Sugar Mountain PR for the review CD and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.
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We recently had the opportunity to partner with Kivelli Baby on a review of one of their blankets. I chose a Rock Star Boy blanket from the Funky Punky Blanket Collection and it is absolutely gorgeous. Minky soft and colorful guitars against a striking black background with bright green trim really makes this blanket go to the top of the charts. My little ones love guitars and they love minky blankets so this blanket wins on both accounts. If you are looking for a gorgeous selection of blankets and other baby and toddler gifts, you need to check out Kivelli Baby.
Funky Punky Blanket Collection
Whether you have a Punky Princess, a Wild Fashionista, a Rock Star wannabe or a “Sk8tr Boy” to impress they are sure to love these blankets! Edgy, fun, & punky styles on softer than ever minky, this collection is sure to be a favorite! Any trendsetter would love this non-traditional look, as it’s the best of both worlds. Perfectly sized for strollers at 30″X36″.
100% Minky (including border/ruffle)
Machine Washable. Tumble Dry Low
Kivelli Baby is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win their choice of a pink or blue Layette Blanket (value $54.99). Than you Kivelli Baby for the Rock Star Funky Punky Blanket and for sponsoring this Fabulously Fashionable Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Layette Blanket Collection
Our Layette Blanket Collection is made of our trademark soft & cuddly minky & comes readily packaged as the perfect gift. Available in pink and blue, its simple and sweet, just like a precious newborn.
Tongs are such a handy kitchen tool. We have several pairs of tongs and use them for so many cooking applications. My 3-year-old can often be found running around with a pair of tongs and “biting” things like an alligator. Some of the uses for tong like frying bacon can leave the tongs greasy and putting them down can leave your counters greasy so the Tovolo 13-inch Tip Top Tongs have a handy little stand built-in so the tongs don’t touch your countertop leaving your tongs and your counter clean.
13-inch tongs open wide for exceptional reach and comfortable stainless steel handle
Extra large end ring for locking and unlocking
Unique silicone tipped head has superior grasping ability and won’t scratch cook wear
Built-in feet” keeps tips up and counter clean
Dishwasher safe for easy clean-up
Tovolo is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a pair of red and stainless steel 13 inch Tip Top Tongs. Thank you Tovolo for the review tongs and thank you for sponsoring thing tip top of a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Probably second to the excruciating pain of a toothache is back pain. Unlike a toothache though that is usually cured after a trip to the dentist, back pain can last for months and even be chronic. It can be debilitating and some conditions like herniated discs can leave one nearly immobile and in pain for months. I suffered from herniated discs after the birth of my fifth child and it was one of the hardest things to bear. I could not sit, I had to either lie on my side or stand, could not get on the floor and play with my kids and the pain and muscle spasms were insanely painful. It lasted months and my normally happy upbeat attitude took a huge hit. Thankfully, my back finally started to get better with physical therapy until it returned to normal. I do know so many people who suffer with back pain and so when I received, Say Goodbye to Back Pain! from Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, I thought what a great idea. A message of hope and inspiration is so important for those suffering from great pain.
Inspiring Chicken Soup for the Soul stories and accessible leading-edge medical information from Dr. Julie Silver of Harvard Medical School. Many people suffer from back pain. The lucky ones have occasional flare-ups and the unlucky ones have chronic issues. This book is filled with great advice on how to care for your back, recover from injuries, improve your mobility, handle pain, manage chronic problems, and maintain a positive attitude.
Inside the book you will find preventative exercises to ward off problems, with easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams. Learn how to protect your body every day to maintain good back health, getting the right diagnosis, using your mind to reduce pain and injuries, picking the correct course of treatment and clear explanations and diagram to help you understand your anatomy. You will also learn what to expect during physical therapy, surgery and other procedures.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Three lucky blog readers will win a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain! Thank you Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Goodbye to Back Pain! Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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Tin Tree Personalized Gifts has a great selection of personalized gifts that will really delight the recipient. I was thrilled to be able to participate in a review with them and picked a personalized dish for my two youngest kiddos. Since they are both rock stars I choose the Music is Life plate in red for Luke and green for Ethan. They arrived nicely packaged and after unboxing the little boys were so excited to see not only musical instruments, their favorite color but also their name on their very own dish. The quality was great and they really stand out. If you are looking for a very special gift for someone you need to check out Tin Tree Personalized Gifts.
Plates are 10″ and made of Melamine, are dishwasher safe but not microwave safe.
Plates are Made and Designed in USA
Plates are BPA Free
Completely customizable: write changes you would like in special instructions tab when ordering.
Tin Tree Gifts is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a personalized plate of their choice (subject to availability). Thank you to Tin Tree Gifts for the review plates and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.
Tin Tree Gifts, Personalized Plate Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
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Wagon-Ho! Hitch up your wagons and head to THE HOME DEPOT this weekend with DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX!
In celebration of the upcoming launch of DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX on Blu-ray and DVD, THE HOME DEPOT has teamed up with the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® and DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX for this Saturday’s Kids Workshop on August 4, 2012 from 9am-12pm.
At The Home Depot locations nationwide, the Kids Workshop will provide children with Loraxactivity sheets, Lorax create-you-own mustache kits, and Lorax sticker sheets. Each store will also have one life-sized Lorax poster to affix to a wall so kids can have their picture taken with The Lorax that you can tweet to @TheLorax and @HomeDepot.
This month’s activity is “Build a Cork Bulletin Board.”
• Kids will learn to build their very own cork bulletin board while learning tool safety
• Have fun, make friends and gain a sense of achievement and work ethic
• You can paint and add embellishments to your project while at the workshop
ABOUT THE HOME DEPOT KIDS WORKSHOP
• FREE hands-on workshops designed for children ages 5 – 12 offered the 1st Saturday of
every month at all The Home Depot stores between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills, tool safety and instill a sense of pride
and accomplishment.
• All kids get to keep their craft and receive a FREE Kids Workshop Apron, commemorative
pin and certificate of achievement.
For more information click HERE!!!
Here is also a brand new sneak peek of the all-new mini movie “Wagon-Ho” where two Bar-ba-loots take The Once-ler’s wagon on a ride they won’t soon forget:
BRING HOME THE #1 ANIMATED FILM OF THE YEAR FROM THE CREATORS OF DESPICABLE ME AND THE IMAGINATION OF DR. SEUSS!
DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX
AUGUST 7, 2012
Plus Get Three Never-Before-Seen Mini Movies Available only on Blu-ray™ Combo Packs for the Ultimate Experience
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax transports viewers into a fantastical landscape imagined by Dr. Seuss and vividly brought to life by Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team at Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me). Directed by Chris Renaud (Despicable Me) from a screenplay adapted by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul (Despicable Me, HOP, Horton Hears a Who) from the 1971 children’s classic, the film is an imaginative journey that begins in the town of Thneedville, where a boy searches for the one thing he knows will win the heart of his dream girl. But in order find it, he must discover the story of the Lorax, the often grumpy but loveable protector of Truffula Valley, in an exciting adventure filled with comedy and heart that USA Today’s Claudia Puig calls, “The right blend of funny, silly, and sweet.”
ADDITIONAL EXCLUSIVE COMBO PACK FEATURES
· ULTRAVIOLET™—The revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows, store them in the cloud, and download and stream instantly to computers, tablets and smartphones. Currently available in the United States only.
· DIGITAL COPY—Viewerscan redeem a digital version of the full-length movie from a choice of retail partners to watch on an array of electronic and portable devices.
uHEAR™: Never miss another line of dialogue with this innovative feature that instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray™ disc and turns on thesubtitles to highlight what you missed.
· pocket BLU™ APP—The popular free pocket BLU™ app for smartphones is now even better with newly updated versions for iPad®, Android™ tablets, PC and Macintosh computers, with features made especially to take advantage of the devices’ larger screens and high-resolution displays.
Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease.
Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.
Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.
SYNOPSIS
The imaginative world of Dr. Seuss comes to life like never before in this visually spectacular adventure from the creators of Despicable Me! Twelve-year-old Ted will do anything to find a real live Truffula Tree in order to impress the girl of his dreams. As he embarks on his journey, Ted discovers the incredible story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who speaks for the trees. Featuring the voice talents of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is filled with hilarious fun for everyone!
Danny DeVito (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Twins, L.A. Confidential) lends his unmistakable voice to the Lorax, the remarkable creature who “speaks for thetrees,” with Ed Helms (The Hangover, The Hangover Part II, “The Office”) as his enigmatic nemesis, the Once-ler. The all-star cast also includes Zac Efron (High School Musical, The Lucky One, 17 Again) as Ted, an idealistic 12-year-old searching for the Lorax; Grammy® Award winner Taylor Swift (Valentine’s Day) as Audrey, the girl of Ted’s dreams; Rob Riggle (The Hangover, Big Miracle) as the villainous O’Hare; Jenny Slate (Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, “SNL”) as Ted’s protective mother; and five-time Emmy® Award winner Betty White (The Proposal, “Hot in Cleveland”) as Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.
One of the best-selling children’s book authors of all time, Theodor “Dr. Seuss”
Geisel created more than 40 cherished books that have been published in 95 countries and 17 different languages, selling more than half a billion books worldwide. The Lorax, which Geisel named his favorite work, is included on the “Educator’s All Time Top 20 List of Children’s Books.”
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax Combo Packs contain a Blu-ray™, DVD and a Digital Copy of the film compatible with iTunes®, iPad®, iPhone®, iPod™, Android (or select online retailers), as well as UltraViolet™. UltraViolet™ is the revolutionary new way for consumers to collect movies and TV shows in the cloud to instantly stream and download to computers, tablets and smart phones. Consumers can now truly enjoy their movies anytime, anywhere on the platform of their choice.
BLU-RAY 3D COMBO PACK AND BLU-RAYTM COMBO PACK BONUS FEATURE EXCLUSIVES
MINI MOVIES
Serenade — Two Bar-ba-loots — one love shy and the other suave and confident — battle for the heart of their would-be sweetheart with the help of a colorful cast of characters, including the Humming-Fish and Swomme-Swans.
Wagon-Ho—Two Bar-ba-loots take The Once-ler’s wagon on a ride they won’t soon forget.
Forces of Nature—Determined to scare The Once-ler out of Truffula Valley, The Lorax decides to create the illusion of ominous forces of nature.
MAKING OF THE MINI MOVIES—Go behind the scenes at Illumination Mac Guff to see the joys and challenges of continuing the characters’ stories in the dynamic format of the mini movie.
DELETED SCENE
SEUSS TO SCREEN—A fascinating look into the translation of Seuss’ iconic style from book into the big feature film canvas.
SEUSS IT UP!— A great tutorial on how to draw the Lorax, a Humming-Fish and a Bar-ba-loot in the unique Seuss style.
TRUFFULA RUN—The player moves left and right to avoid obstacles while attempting to pick up berries with modes for easy, medium and hard. As difficulty increases, the player will have more obstacles to avoid.
“LET IT GROW” SING ALONG— Karaoke-style sing along to the end credit version of Let It Grow.
FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH CO-DIRECTORS CHRIS RENAUD & KYLE BALDA
ONCE-LER’S WAGON— While the Once-ler is away peddling his wares, the curious forest creatures have fun with his belongings. Users can select an item for the creatures to mimic or play with and then watch the adorable antics of all the forest friends.
BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVELY ON THE BLU-RAYTM:
GET OUT OF TOWN—In this game, the player must help Ted navigate through town on his scooter in order to make it to the Lerkim and meet the Once-ler. At the end of each level, Ted must solve an obstacle puzzle to advance to the next section. There are three levels and three puzzles to complete to winthe game.
O’HARE TV— Watch the Lorax with hilarious commercial interruptions courtesy of O’Hare TV.
EXPEDITION TO TRUFFULA VALLEY—Explore and navigate within the Truffula Valley to learn more about how the characters and creatures come to life.
We received an advance copy of The Lorax 3D Blu-ray Combo to assists us with this post.
Going on a vacation with your family is usually very expensive when you have to secure lodging. With big families you can need 2 rooms or more and if you are in a destination area that can get very pricey, then add in the meals, and you are saying goodbye to a good chunk of change. If you are wanting to take a vacation but are looking for a way to streamline your costs, you should consider renting a timeshare.
Timeshare rentals typically cost 50% less than cramped hotel rooms. You can also choose a multiple bedroom unit with large living areas and they almost all have a full size fully equipped kitchen which will help you to be able to prepare some meals there and recognize even more savings. Another great thing is that timeshares often have many more amenities then hotels and you can find them with water parks, pools, hot tubs, arcades, mini golf and playgrounds.
When timeshare owners are unable to use their timeshare weeks, the timeshares become available for rental. Renting out the timeshare is a great option for owners and renters get a great bargain.
RedWeek.com is a great site with over 1.5 million members where timeshare owners can list their timeshare for rent. A RedWeek.com membership lets members assess all timeshare rental listings on the site. Not only will they be able to search with many custom options they can read the reviews, choose to search for “Kid Friendly” and “Pet Friendly” rentals and have the ability to engage in rental agreements with great budget-friendly offerings.
The site is easy to navigate and will make planning your next getaway a breeze not to mention it will be a bit easier on your wallet.
Do you think this sounds like something you would like to try? Enter below to win a 2 year membership to RedWeek.com!!! Good Luck!!!
Hello, I’m Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!