Rave and Review

Barely There No Slip Fit Bra Review {w/ Coupon Code}

Sometimes I feel like I’m messing with my clothes all day long, tugging here, pulling here, and fixing straps, bands and more.  Maybe it’s all the crawling around, cuddling, and playing I do each day, or maybe it’s just that clothes aren’t made the way they used to, but whatever the reason, I find myself constantly fixing, smoothing and straightening more often than I would like. 

What’s even worse than fixing clothing all day long is fixing your bra, because it’s virtually impossible to be comfortable when your undergarments are driving you nuts.  Thank goodness Hanes is determined to end the problem of slipping straps once and for all with their new line of Barely There No Slip Fit Bras that have “no-slip grippers” to keep them in place. 

This past month I got to try out the Barely There No Slip Fit Underwire Bra to see if it could hold its own as I moved throughout the day and was very impressed.  To avoid slipping straps, the bra has a unique pattern of small no slip silicone grippers on the bra straps.  Unlike other silicone straps I’ve tried that irritated my skin or gripped too tightly, the small silicone dots are just the right amount of grip without being overdone or uncomfortable. 

As well as the silicone enhanced straps, the Barely Fit No Slip Bra also has this awesome Lycra lining that gives it a slightly “tacky” feel.  While this doesn’t seem like it would do much to keep it in place, it was surprising how comfortable and secure the band felt while I moved.  I’ve never felt anything quite like it and now that I have tried it I wonder why all bras aren’t made with this technology. 

Of course, all of this wouldn’t mean anything if the actual bra itself was uncomfortable, so I was happy to find that it surpassed all of my expectations for fit and feel.  I absolutely love that the bra is really lightweight but still full coverage, is super smooth with seamless molded ultra-light foam cups that have a great stretch to them, and the whole bra has invisible seams and is completely tag free.  Awesome, right?

You can find Hanes’ Barely There® No Slip Fit line at department stores like Kohl’s, JC Penny, and Macy’s.  The bras retail for $32 and they are available in underwire and wirefree styles in a variety of colors and prints.  Find out more at barelythere.com and be sure to like Barely There on Facebook!

And, for a limited time, you can save $5 on a Barely There No Slip Fit™ bra style #4094 or #4905, when you use the coupon code "SHARE5" at http://www.onehanesplace.com/. What a great deal!

I received product as art of a review for Mom Bloggers Club.  As always, all opinions are my own and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Kelty Big Dipper Junior Sleeping Bag "Grows" With Your Child

Get Out and PLAY - Day 14

Getting our kids excited about the great outdoors is something that is a huge priority for us.  Surrounded by mountains, ocean, and miles of forests to explore, enjoying nature is just a way of life here in the Pacific Northwest.  However, loving the great outdoors isn’t easy if you’ve got the wrong gear, so I love that Kelty, the makers of some of the best outdoor gear around, also has a great kid’s line. 

It has been a mission of mine to make sure that my children always have the correct gear so they stay comfortable, safe, and happy no matter what the weather, so I was really thrilled to see that Kelty makes the same high quality gear they are known for just pared down to child size.  Instead of cartoon characters and other unnecessary baubles, their kids’ line looks like real outdoor gear because it is real outdoor gear. 

We got to test out the Kelty Big Dipper 30 Junior Sleeping Bag these past few weeks and saw firsthand all the really cool features that make this bag special.  From pockets, pouches, lining and more, this is certainly a bag that can accommodate your growing child and their growing needs. 

But, your child isn’t the only thing that’s going to be doing some growing; the Big Dipper Sleeping Bag also “grows” right along with your little one.  Kelty understands that we don’t want to pay good money for a sleeping bag that our child is going to grow out of in mere months, which is why they designed a sleeping bag that literally expands right along with your child. 

The Big Dipper “grows” by way of a zippered section at the bottom of the bag which allows you to extend the sleeping bag by a whole 12” whenever you would like with one simple zip.  This zippered extension allows you to keep the bag small for when your child is little, giving them a cozier sized bag with more warmth in the foot area and giving you a much smaller footprint in your family tent.  Instead of wasting money on a toddler bag, and then a child size, this means I can use the same sleeping bag for my little one all the way from pre-K until they are tall enough for an adult bag!

While this child sized bag may be pint sized, but it is certainly not light on features.  Weighing 3 pounds 9 oz, it is easy enough for little ones to carry on their own in the included {attached} stuff sack but still will keep them toasty warm no matter where your travels take you.  With a soft interior that is cozy and warm as well as a good fluffy fill that adds extra padding and cushioning for when you’re really roughing it, your kids are sure to appreciate the added comfort and protection from the elements. 

While you could absolutely use the Big Dipper Sleeping Bag for sleepovers and camp, it is also designed to be used by your most daring explorer as well.  Whether you trek across tundra or simply car camp, the Big Dipper can accommodate your child’s growing needs as well as their growing bodies.  It comes with grown up features like an elasticized hood, baffled zippers with anti-catch fabric, and a stuff pouch on the underside of the hood that allows you to turn a fluffy coat into a comfy pillow, something I really appreciate as it means one less pillow to pack.     

Knowing that your kids have the right gear makes you more likely to get out as a family and create all sorts of great memories.  Whether it’s hiking together, climbing, or traveling as a family, Kelty will make sure that your whole family can truly enjoy the experience.  Kelty gear can help give your children an appreciation of nature long before they are able to walk and keep them begging to get outdoors well into their teens.  With cleverly designed gear that can last for years and even through several children, the Kelty brand is perfect for outfitting your entire family.   

Visit Kelty.com to find out more about their adult or children's line of outdoor gear

 

A big thank you to Kelty who sent the sleeping bag for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

FishEyes Rod & Reel Underwater Camera

Get Out and PLAY Event - Day 13

The act of fishing may date back centuries, but although there have been new inventions and tools along the way, there's just not a whole lot of innovation.  Very rarely does something come along that really embraces modern technology in the world of fishing, so I was completely excited when I first heard about FishEyes Fishing Rod & Reel and knew it was the perfect Father’s Day pick for the dad that has everything. 

With the debut of the FishEyes Rod & Reel Underwater Camera, the folks at Nextsport have taken what used to be a passive sport and made it a whole lot more interactive.  Their newest innovation is the first underwater fishing camera that allows you to watch your hook, bait basket, and the surrounding areas in real time. Yes, a fishing pole with a CAMERA!

The FishEyes pole features a waterproof video camera that is located at the end of the fishing line, just above where your bait goes that gives you a good view of the bait basket or hook while fishing.  This camera is connected to the fishing rod with a long cable which transmits live footage via the full color LCD screen on the fishing rod. 

Not only does this allow you to see what is happening below the water and help guide where you place your line, this interactive nature makes fishing leagues more exciting.  Never again will you wonder whether the fish are out where you are or what the surrounding conditions are that you are fishing in, because you will be able to watch the action as it happens below the water. 

While I was excited about the FishEyes Rod & Reel just off the description alone, I have seen a lot of chintzy cameras in my day and I honestly was not expecting much from the underwater camera on the FishEyes.  I was sure that poor camera quality would be amplified since we tend to fish from docks {which then are surrounded by seaweed and plant life}, but I still thought it would be a fun novelty even if I was able to make out a shadow or two underwater. 

Upon dropping the camera line into the water, I realized that this was going to be much more fun than a novelty item.  Even though we were dock fishing and the water was a bit murky, the camera images were quite good, and much brighter than we expected.  In fact, we ended up spending a good amount of time just moving the camera around exploring under the docks since we could see so well, which was fun for even the non-fishing group. 

This of course proves the point that the FishEyes Rod & Reel Underwater Camera really isn’t just for serious fishermen.  It is also perfect for those who:
1) Don't like the laid back nature of fishing but would still like to tell their own “fish stories”
2) Have a love for gadgets of all kinds
3) Have small kids they take fishing and want to teach them about what happens deep in the water while they wait

While I personally enjoy laying back, enjoying the scenery and letting my mind drift off while fishing, I still fall in category #2 and #3… and my wife happens to fall in all three.  But really, I can’t imagine anyone who isn’t intrigued by the idea of seeing what’s going on under the water, which was confirmed by all the friends I made down at the lake who wanted to see the FishEyes in action.  Let me tell you, I felt very popular.

Since the FishEyes is so popular, I love that it is compact enough that I can easily keep it in the trunk, the bottom of the stroller, and even carry easily as it has a great balanced grip to carry it with.  This makes it easy to take hiking, throw in the car and take with us during our weekends out, or take it on vacation with us without having to completely reorganize the car.

Another thing I love is that the Fish Eyes Rod & Reel also comes with a bait basket which is perfect if you want to see fish come over by the camera without worrying about having to catch and release them.  Besides being fun for kiddos, this is also a good way to be able to see what bait really works.  In this way I really like it as a companion rod to my normal fishing pole.  Since the FishEyes rigging is attached to the camera with breakaway connectors to protect it from damage, I wouldn’t want to catch too big of a fish on it.  But, by using the FishEyes and my standard pole together, I can really increase my chances by bypassing a lot of the normal fishing guesswork. 

If you are buying for someone who loves fishing, someone who wants to love fishing but doesn’t like the “waiting”, or someone that just loves gadgets and the great outdoors, the FishEyes Rod & Reel is the perfect gift this Father’s Day.

Check out this FishEyes video to see it in action:

Find out more at http://www.fish-eyes.com or visit http://www.nextsport.com

A big thank you to Nextsport Inc for sending their new FishEyes to be reviewed.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

RECARO ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat {Review & Giveaway}

Get Out and PLAY - Day 12

Safety is something we don’t take lightly here at Rave Central.  This is why we have been RECARO fans long before we ever had kids.  Long hailed as the leader in premium factory and aftermarket seats and used in racing cars throughout the world, RECARO has made seats for serious drivers who care about safety for over a hundred years. 

When I found out RECARO also makes premium car seats for infant and beyond, I immediately put it on my list of things to research.  Whereas a lot of products may be chosen for purely aesthetic reasons, the RECARO ProRIDE was ultimately chosen because of something much more important – my son’s comfort and safety. 

The Recaro ProRIDE has many unique features that allow it to grow with your child from infancy until they are booster seat ready.  Offering one of the highest weight limits of any convertible seat we’ve ever seen {a whopping 70 pounds!} and a deeper, taller seat than most, the RECARO ProRIDE allows you the most options for your littlest passengers as well as the most comfortable ride – whether that is rear or forward facing. 

If you take a look down the car seat aisle of your local department store or baby center you will see a huge difference in the design of rear facing seats as compared with forward facing seats.  Generally speaking, rear facing seats are plush and deluxe, with a padded cocoon of safety around your child that offers not only the best protection for your little one, but also the most plush accommodations while forward facing seats are typically fairly minimal in design and only slightly padded.  Because of this, I tend to gravitate to convertible seats that go from rear to forward facing as it gives the best of both worlds.

As my son started creeping ever closer to outgrowing his removable infant seat, we decided that we would search everywhere for a convertible seat that would allow him to sit rear facing as long as possible and then offer the same comfort and luxury once forward facing – and that led us to RECARO.  The RECARO ProRIDE Convertible Seat looks like those super deluxe and padded infant seats, but can last him until he is fully ready for a backless booster seat. 

This luxury is apparent at first glance as you note the padded cover, removable plush seat pad, soft strap covers, and the all-important side impact protection head restraint that wraps around the seat to cradle your little one.  Then, once you take a closer look, you see an extremely high attention to detail that gives you numerous luxury options standard. 

Other luxury features include a naturally reclined seat, which is crucial if drive time ever coincides with naptime, and also a great extended recline that you can adjust the angle of the seat with one tug of a handle.  The fabrics of the RECARO are also top of the line, with a super soft velvety feel that make you want to rest your head against it, but still remain kid-tough and spot camouflaging. 

Some other really cool features I found after we got to play with the seat up close and in person are that those little special air pillows, or "wings", are adjustable to an infinite number of positions thanks to a dial adjustment that can be done easily and without rethreading the car seat straps.  Everyone knows that the day you notice your kid is too big for the strap and height settings on your car seat is the day that you are running late to that really important meeting, so I love that adjustments can be made quickly and easily. 

Another feature we love are the seatbelt clamps that secure the car’s seat belt in the correct position when forward facing.  What makes these really cool is the fact that they are incredibly easy to do, which is awesome if you switch vehicles frequently, and the fact that they lock incredibly tightly, so the seat won’t be moving once set in place and secured.  When you compare this to other seats that simply offer a seat belt “guide” that the seatbelt has plenty of room to move around in and allows for possible slipping and sliding, the difference is clear. 

  Adding to the ease of install is the color-coded installation instructions in the User Guide in order to distinguish between forward and rear facing configurations, a handy level line, and picture instructions on the seat back that can help caregivers install the seat correctly the first time.  And, because I love a well-designed seat, I truly adore the fact that the ProRIDE has an attached pocket to store the latch strap in between uses and a special spot for latch attachments to keep the seat straps from looking messy and getting tangled.  It even has two small “harness pockets” that help you keep your child’s straps from twisting, turning, and always coming to rest in a wild mess in the seat, which is a pet peeve of mine.

But, all other features aside, what I ultimately fell in love with were the pillow "wings" that cradle the head, which just might be the signature distinction of the RECARO ProRIDE.  Padded with real automotive PUR foam for added comfort and safety, they are positioned to protect the most vulnerable areas of a child’s body in the event of a collision.  This paired with its high crash test ratings and optimum side impact protection made the decision to go with RECARO quite easy.  For me, it all came down to the fact that the seat offered superior safety features to protect against head on and side impact crashes and it completely sold me on the ProRIDE.

Clearly RECARO’s 100 plus years of making safe and comfortable seats translates well to their children’s line as well as their full size seats.  From premium features to enhanced safety measures, RECARO truly has you covered for every stage from infant and beyond. 

The RECARO Pro Series ProRIDE retails for $279.99 and can be used rear facing (5-35lbs) and forward facing (20-70lbs).

Find out more at Recaro.com/us or visit their Child Safety page for the US {here}

One very lucky Rave and Review reader will win a RECARO ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat! {no choice of color, limited to stock on hand}

To Enter: Simply visit RECARO and tell me something you learned about this amazing company 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

Get Out and PLAY Giveaway! Win a RECARO ProRIDE Convertible Car Seat {$279.99 ARV} from @raveandreview! Enter here http://bit.ly/k11f8r

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) NEW!  "Like" Rave and Review on Facebook! (3 entries!)

On June 20th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn via Random.org, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US Addresses.

Winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to: #468 Beth K. said... Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/itsinthebreeze/status/82847139646025728

Thank you to RECARO and BSM Media for sending the ProRIDE to review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Gnomeo & Juliet Hits Shelves Today, May 24th {Includes Printable $5 Off Coupon}

Did you catch Gnomeo & Juliet when it was in theatres back in February?  We got a chance to see it in the theatre, and ever since my daughter has talked about it to anyone who would listen.  In fact, she loves the film so much that she affectionately calls it “My Gnomeo” and has been begging me to buy her garden gnomes of her own ever since.    

I’m sure she is imagining that any lawn gnomes we bought would also come alive as the characters do in Gnomeo & Juliet and that she would have her own Juliet, Nanette, and Lady Blueberry to play with once the lights went out at night.  While that certainly would be fun, I would settle for merely watching the movie again. 

If you didn’t get a chance to watch it, Gnomeo & Juliet is based on Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet, but with a fun garden gnome twist.  The tale is of two star-crossed lovers from two different worlds {in this case, two different yards} who fall in love despite their cultural differences and an on-going family feud. 

As you expect in any Disney film, Gnomeo & Juliet features humor for both kids and adults and a cast full of interesting characters that keep you laughing throughout.  But what makes this movie really stand out is the excellent animation and a fully formed storyline that includes multiple plot points and hilarious attention to detail.  Of course there’s also the music which really makes the movie come alive, featuring all-new music by Sir Elton John that had everyone dancing.

We got to see the film in a packed theatre before the official release and I can’t even count the number of times I laughed out loud during the screening.  So, of course I was thrilled when we caught a commercial for the upcoming release of the DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack and heard it was set to hit shelves soon.  My daughter turned to me and lovingly said, “Mama, I want to see that movie again nowday, please.” 

I’m sure you can imagine the celebrating that took place when we received a copy of Gnomeo & Juliet at our house a few days back.  We promptly invited over a group of friends to watch it and the kids sat entranced as the movie rolled.  There was laughing, there was dancing, and there were some really happy kids curled up on the couch together.  The best part is that even the parents really liked it – especially the scene when the lawn mower is ordered.  I think we watched that over a dozen times.   

If you want to see a little bit of what you can expect with Gnomeo & Juliet, you can check out trailers at the official Gnomeo & Juliet movie site.  This one is my absolute favorite:

Hilarious, right?

GNOMEO & JULIET releases on Blu-ray™, Blu-ray 3D™, DVD, Movie Download and On-Demand today, May 24, 2011.  Bonus features including “Elton Builds A Garden,” “Frog talk with Ashley Jensen,”, “Crocodile Rock Music Video featuring Elton John and Nelly Furtado.” And for those who purchase the Blu-ray Disc, it includes hours of extra exclusive bonus features including alternate endings, deleted scenes and more.
And, here’s some great news - Disney Movie Rewards has released a new $5 off printable coupon for Gnomeo & Juliet 3 Disc Blu-Ray Combo pack.  The printable coupon will expire on May 29th, so be sure and print it and use it soon!

Find out more at http://www.gnomeoandjuliet.com/

A big thank you to Disney for sending the Gnomeo & Juliet Blu-ray Combo Pack for review and providing coupon code for readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Send A Ball {Review & Coupon Code}

Get Out and PLAY Event - Day 11

Have you heard of SendABall before?  I hadn’t until a little surprise landed on my doorstep last week.  No, not a package, envelope, or mailer, but rather, a BALL! 

A big, red rubber ball with a taped on postage stamp that went through the US Mail right to my home - no packaging or boxes required!

Just picture a big bouncy ball making its way through the mail system, onto the mail truck, and then being delivered right to my front door.  How many smiles do you think that got as it was processed and then delivered?  I certainly smiled when I realized SendABall and QuestionMoms had sent me this little surprise.  My daughter sure smiled {and squealed gleefully} when I returned with it from the porch.  And then, of course, we were all smiling as we played with the ball at the beach later that night. 

But, seriously, how can you not smile when you open your door to this?


SendaBall costs $16 plus shipping (which is $4 in most cases) and you can personalize the message, the color, and more at www.sendaball.com... And, I have a coupon code for $3 off!  Just enter Question1191 at checkout to receive your discount!

Sendaball is great for all kinds of occasions: birthdays, teacher thank yous, graduations, holidays, and more.  It's the perfect gift for the impossible to buy for, the young at heart, or for anyone who loves getting outside to play.  For more information, visit SendaBall on Facebook and QuestionMoms on Facebook.

If you would like to sign up for QuestionMoms to work with some great brands like SendABall, simply click {here}!

A big thank you to QuestionMoms and SendABall for the lovely surprise.  I was not obligated in any way to right this post, nor was I compensated, I simply thought you would want to hear about a fun way to spread a smile to someone special via mail delivery!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors + Mickey Mote Playset Released Today

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is all the rage at my daughter's pre-K.  All the kiddos adore it and the parents are constantly crediting the show with teaching their children all sorts of things from vocabulary to science.  But, although my daughter knew all the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters from her friends, I'm embarrassed to admit she had never seen an actual show prior to last week.

But, now that she has, she's hooked.  Not only does she love the characters, now she adores the show as well.  We got a chance to check out Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Great Outdoors on DVD and my daughter just loves it.  Besides having all her favorite characters, it also has two very cool things going for it.  First, it is about the great outdoors - hiking, camping, exploring, which are top of her “favorites” list.  And, secondly, it comes with an interactive Mickey Mote.

Haven't heard of the Mickey Mote before?  It is a Mickey-shaped controlled that takes little ones into the action on the screen by allowing them to play games, answer questions, and control their favorite shows – just like mom and dad!  A cross between a remote and a game console controller, the Disney Mickey Mote is easily programmable for your entertainment system and works with any of the Disney Preschool titles that have the Discovery Mode feature.  The Mickey Mote is easy to use {only 4 buttons} and completely irresistible to small children with its bright colors and Mickey shape. 

To date, there are more than 13 titles available that are Mickey Mote compatible.  Now that I have seen how much my daughter adores both Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the Mickey Mote, I am on the hunt to find more titles that she can watch and learn with.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Great Outdoors was released today – May 24th – and includes a DVD, a Digital Copy and a Mickey Mote to bring the action directly to your living room and beyond.  

MICKEY’S GREAT OUTDOOR EPISODE LIST:
• Mickey’s Fish Story - {All-New, Never-Before-Seen Bonus Episode} Daisy wants to find a fishy-friend for her goldfish Goldy and is aided by the mysterious conga drummin’ Jungle-Pete!  Boom-boom-bap-boom!  
• Mickey’s Camp Out - Mickey and his friends are going to earn Clubhouse “Camp Out Badges” by completing two tasks - setting up camp and fishing for Gummy Fish.  Donald decides to camp by himself and he soon learns that camping with friends is much more fun than camping by yourself.
• Mickey and Minnie’s Jungle Safari - Minnie is determined to snap a photo of the rare
Hula Hibiscus that only blooms once a year.  So the gang go off on a jungle safari and explore new territory to find this legendary flower.  
• Daisy in the Sky - On Balloon Day, Daisy grabs a large batch of balloons and gets
carried away along with Minnie and Pluto, who couldn’t hold her down. Mickey, Donald and Goofy kick into high gear to save their friends!
• Daisy’s Grasshopper - Daisy has a new pet grasshopper named Wilbur, but the playful
hoppin’ fella hops away.  All the Clubhouse friends hop after him and find him before the end of the day.  Boing-boing!

Mickey & Minnie's Jungle Safari 

 

Mickey's Camp Out 

Find out more at Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse site or find it for sale at a local retailer near you.

A big thank you to Disney who provided the Mickey DVD Combo Set for review as well as the episode descriptions.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Cute and Comfortable OKA b. Sandals {Review & Giveaway}

Get Out and PLAY Event - Day 10

Now that the nice weather is {finally} here, I am ready to unwrap my toes from their layers of wool socks and wiggle them into a comfy pair of sandals.  But, with the sun usually comes cheap flip flops, little support, and even less style.  That I was not ready for.  Lucky for me, I was able to find OKA b. shoes just in time.

These shoes are more than I could have hoped for in so many ways.  The first thing I noticed was that they were actually cute!  The sandals were a flattering bronze color that made my blindingly white winter feet actually look pretty decent.  The slight heel was also an improvement on my previously owned flip flops.  I am slightly challenged in the height department and the little boost was much appreciated, while also making the sandal look dressy enough to wear in more places than just the beach.  The flower attached to the top at first tickled my toes and seemed a little distracting, but I quickly got used to it and I love the pop of color.

So looks-wise I was really happy with the sandals, but the real test came a couple days later when I decided to wear them to a barbeque.  I knew that I was going to be walking around and standing for hours, and normally after standing in floppy flip flops, my feet and my back are killing me.   OKA b. sandals have a reflexology-inspired design that is supposed to be good for your feet, but I was a little skeptical about how comfortable they would actually be. 

As I slipped my feet into the OKA b. sandals, the first thing I noticed was how the small beads in the soles cushioned my feet and massaged them into a state of tootsie bliss.  The shape of the sole also gave me a ton of support and I had high hopes for a comfortable barbeque experience.  Walking around in the grass, the shoes didn’t slip around like most sandals tend to do and my feet stayed so comfortable for the whole day that I didn’t want to take them off by the time I got home!

I was also really impressed with how the shoe is constructed.  It is made from one continuous piece of antimicrobial material, so the sandal will last forever.  This also means it won’t start to smell after a couple of days of wear, but if you should need to wash them, you will be happy to note that they are machine washable.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a cute pair of sandals that I can wear to the beach and bring home still looking and smelling great!  These shoes are also made in the USA with environmentally conscious material, are recyclable, and even with all of the benefits, they are relatively affordable, ranging between $20 - $40.  Shoes that love you, indeed!

After wearing OKA b. sandals for a couple of days, I am smitten with both their cute style and their comfort.  Since they come in many different styles for both men and women, I will be sure to stock up on a bunch of different pairs, just so my feet will be prepared for an amazingly cute and comfortable summer.

Visit http://www.shoesthatloveyou.com

 One very lucky Rave and Review reader will win a pair of Oka b. Sandals of their choice!

To Enter: Simply visit OKA b. and tell me what sandals you would choose if you win

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) "Like" Shoes That Love You on Facebook

3) Tweet about this Giveaway after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

Kick off summer with a pair of adorable and comfy sandals from @OKAb and @raveandreview! Enter here http://bit.ly/kPjXHK

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) NEW!  "Like" Rave and Review on Facebook! (3 entries!)

On June 24th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn via Random.org, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian Addresses.

Thank you to Oka b. for sending sandals for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Take Spring Cleaning to the MAX with Dirt Devil

Here in the Northwest we got a bit of a late start on spring, but the upside of this is its meant we have been given more time to spring clean and get ready for the approaching warm weather.  Unlike most people, I look forward to Spring-cleaning each year.  It’s a sense of relief and excitement to purge the old {and thus, bring in the new!}.  This spring I was even more excited to clean now that I have the Dirt Devil Total Vision vacuum to help me!
 
There’s a good reason we’ve been raving about Dirt Devil twice this year – first with the review of the PressureFlex Pressure Washer, and now with the Total Vision Vacuum – because the Dirt Devil name is synonymous with clean.  From small stick and hand vacs all the way to their more powerful uprights and then to their line of outdoor cleaning tools, Dirt Devil has you covered for Spring-cleaning and all year round.  We got to try out the Dirt Devil Total Vision vacuum these past few weeks and couldn’t be happier with the quality of the product and its performance. 

With surprising suction power for such a sleek lightweight model, even my dogs’ hair was no match!  This must be the result of the Cyclonic-Filtration and 10 amps of power.  It beat out my previous vacuums power 2 times over and with half the weight and absolutely no maintenance parts to purchase in the future. 

The 5 position height settings allowed me to transition from my carpets, to area rugs and even to my hardwoods to catch anything the broom might have left behind.  Any non-flat surface is covered, too; there is a 120" long hose with 4 additional on-board attachments (wand, dusting brush, crevice tool and turbo tool). 

A deep clean at different heights and for different materials is essential in a vacuum for my household- and that is just what I got with the Dirt Devil Total Vision.  With little ones rolling around on my carpets playing, sleeping, and unfortunately, eating, having the peace of mind Dirt Devil offers is absolutely essential for me and my family.
 
My favorite features of the Total Vision were the rinse able HEPA filter and the bag less design.  I love not having to plan trips to replace any parts on my vacuum or buy special bags.  Instead I can simply empty the canister and rinse out the filter as needed!  And, a really cool feature I love is the built in performance monitor that tells me when this is needed, so I don’t even have to think about it!

The Dirt Devil Total Vision vacuum should really be everyone’s first buy for this spring.  Whether you are a single person living alone, a house filled with roommates or a family from 3 to 10, this vacuum will give you a deep clean at an extremely reasonable price… And best of all, once you have the machine you’ll need no other parts!
 
With the release of Dirt Devil’s Spring-cleaning tips, they’ve got some really great ideas to help you speed up your cleaning, inspire you to go green, and keep your family healthy year-round:

•    Out With The Old, In With The New – Spring is a great time to toss out old toiletries. Toothbrushes need replacing every three months and bath sponges and loofahs should be replaced every 30 days. Check your cabinets for expired medicines and restock as needed.
•    Bring The Spring Indoors – To help cut cleanup time as spring arrives, use placemats that can be wiped down instead of a cloth table covering that requires laundering. Also, if your kitchen table is clean, it will be less likely to be a landing pad for mail and other clutter. As a finishing touch, place a bowl of seasonal fruit or a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
•    Clean Top to Bottom – When cleaning, start from the highest point in a room and move down, so any dust stirred up can be vacuumed at the end. Vertical surfaces like walls can collect dust, too, especially if they’re textured.
•    De-Funk Your Fabrics – Use spring time as a reminder to wash mattress pads, pillow coverings and pillows from your bed and remember to flip and rotate your mattress. Take this time to vacuum the box spring with a new Total Vision™ by Dirt Devil® that has onboard tools and a hose for a quick convenient fix to household tasks.
•    Revamp Your Vac – Spring-cleaning is the perfect time to check belts and filters on your vacuum. This is the best way to insure efficient performance and machine life. It’s a good idea to always have a spare belt and filter on hand. Spring is also a good time to stock up on bags (if you have a bagged model)!
•    Take it Outside – Indoor surfaces aren’t the only ones that need to be refreshed. Before setting up your patio or deck for warmer weather, get it clean with the new PressureFlex™ 2-in-1 from Dirt Devil. It offers dual functionality so while one person is washing the car, mats, and wheelbase the other can be sucking up all the wet mess from the mats with the on-board wet/dry vac.
•    Wardrobe Update – Clean all winter outfits and place in airtight plastic containers to avoid mothballs. Do not hang sweaters or clothes on hangers for an extended period of time or they could lose shape. Store clothes in a clean, cool, dark and dry space.
•    Family Fun – Have everyone in your family clean out their closet and rooms, then host a family garage sale. Allow your kids to keep the money from their stuff to encourage them to get rid of clothes and toys they don’t use anymore.
•    Speedy Spring Cleaning – To avoid spending too much time cleaning on the weekends, make sure you are picking up messes on the fly. Check out the new Dirt Devil Power Air™ Cyclonic Stick Vac that is a sleek, lightweight, yet powerful cleaner perfect for quick pickups on hard floors.

Be sure to visit dirtdevil.com for more information and where to buy and connect with Dirt Devil on Facebook!  And, right now you can enter Red10FS at DirtDevil.com to get 10% off + Free Shipping!  Happy Spring Cleaning!

A big thank you to Dirt Devil for this review opportunity and for sending their Spring Cleaning Tips to share.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

SeatPak from BabyBindle - A Must-Have for Parents on the Go

Get Out and PLAY - Day 9

A long time ago someone told me a brainteaser that involved a canoe, a fox, a chicken, one bag of grain, and a strong desire to get across a river.  The gist of the puzzle is that you cannot leave the fox with the chicken or the chicken with the grain, and you cannot carry all of them in the canoe at the same time. 

This is what parenting two children is like.  Except I have a diaper bag, a purse, and carseat that I also have to carry with me.

I can’t even tell you how many times I wished I had an extra hand, a bigger purse, or even a toddler who didn’t have a penchant for setting my stuff down and forgetting all about it.  Now, I just wish I had found the SeatPak from BabyBindle earlier.  Once I found out about it, all I could think was “now why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” 

Instead of yet another bag that you have to sling over your shoulder and hope that it stays put while you lug the entire contents of the nursery around with you, the SeatPak is a small circular 9.5” x 3” pack designed to attach right to the carseat handle.  This makes it a portable, go anywhere diaper bag that you don’t actually have to carry.  Yesssss! 

When I received the SeatPak from BabyBindle, the first thing I did was load it up.  I found that it easily held 6 diapers, a small thing of wipes, a few pacifiers, a small toy, and a 7oz bottle and an extra onesie with room to spare, making it ideal for a quick outing with the kiddos.  Although it does hold a deceivingly large amount of gear, the best part about the BabyBindle is that because it is compact, it doesn’t collect stuff like our other diaper bags do. 

This compact design also lends itself nicely for moving from stroller to carseat, or even for attaching to a backpack, purse, or bike for quick access.  While sometimes the SeatPak strap does catch on the infant carseat a bit because the carseat  shade is so snug to the handle, it really hasn't been an issue for us in all the weeks we've been using it.  Because I have found it to be so handy, it basically stays in the car permanently with a stash of the essentials.  Then, when we are ready to go, we simply attach it and we’ve got everything we need!

The PTPA Award Winning SeatPak is available in black/white or dark brown. You can check out babybindle.com for retailers near you or to purchase directly from them BabyBindle for just $29.99 + tax and shipping.

A big thank you to BabyBindle and An Island Life for this review opportunity.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.