Rave & Review

Snazzy Baby Gear {Review & Giveaway}

As a family who loves to travel with young children, I am always on the lookout for the next big thing that can make exploring with kiddos easier.  That next big thing is the Snazzy Baby Deluxe 3 in 1 Combo Carrier that is a baby and toddler carrier, a convertible dining seat and safety restraint for your little one all in one, making it essential for days out.  I'm all about gear that grows with your child and gives you more time to enjoy each product before you hand it down, but even better is when I can find something like the Snazzy Baby Combo Carrier that has multiple uses and lasts for years.

In our case with two children spaced two years apart, we are constantly running into having to bring two of everything so that I can have a separate one to fit them both, so one of my favorite things is when I find products that I can use for both of my children.  With the Combo carrier, it has a large age range so you can use it from 4+ months {when your baby has good head control} and up to age 3+ {or up to 37lbs}, a range that just so happens to fit both of my children nicely. 

This means that I can bring one carrier instead of two, can leave the portable high chair behind, nix the separate shopping cart cover, and only have to keep track of one piece of baby and toddler gear.  Fabulous!  But, what’s really great is that the Snazzy Baby Deluxe 3 in 1 Combo Carrier is small and lightweight {under 16 oz} so you can easily throw it in your diaper bag, backpack, or even in the stroller basket and be ready no matter where you roam. 

In terms of baby carriers, the Snazzy Baby Carrier stands out in a variety of ways.  The first is that it is a side carrier, which makes it ideal for larger children who ride more comfortably on your hip, as well as situations when you must be able to see your feet when babywearing {for example, hiking or walking up stairs}.  The carrier also allows for inward and outward facing positions, which is great because different kids prefer to ride in different positions and it’s nice to be able to accommodate either option on the fly.

While I have wanted a hip carrier for quite some time, what has always stopped me was the fact that I was worried about a huge amount of weight resting on one shoulder alone.  The smart people behind the Snazzy Baby Combo Carrier understood that a carrier is not going to be used if it’s uncomfortable for us parents, so they made a great gel based shoulder strap which helps cushion and protect our shoulders.  This is great because it helps minimize the weight on the single shoulder strap and keep it from digging in like others I have tried. 

The fabric of the carrier is also unique in that it is easy to wipe and clean as well as being resistant to chlorine and salt water, which means that you can wear it anywhere, including the beach and pool.  If it’s hot enough for you to be jumping in the water, you will be happy to know that the carrier has a nice breathable inside liner that is against your little one and doesn’t cover a huge amount of your torso, which means it doesn’t add extra warmth where you don’t want it.  However, if it does get chilly, you will love that the Snazzy Baby Carrier comes with a free pair of My Baby Leg Warmers that you can easily put on your baby’s legs or arms and add some flair to baby at the same time.  

 

In addition to being incredibly versatile, easy to pack, and great for multiple sizes and ages of kids, the Snazzy Baby Deluxe Carrier is also incredibly easy to use.  It has great color-coded buckles and sewn-in instructions to make switching between functions fast and convenient, as well as letting you leave the manual {and DVD} at home.

The hardest part for us in converting from carrier to travel seat was finding the extra strap that was tucked away in the hidden front pocket of the carrier.  The funny part was that we knew could feel the strap was inside the carrier, but couldn’t find the pocket opening that held the extra strap, which was cleverly concealed underneath the front organizer.  It was only after we lifted up the velcro flap to reveal the handy internal pockets that we saw that there was also a hidden pocket in the seam that neither of us had noticed before.  Once we found it, we both agreed this would be a great secret pocket for traveling to hold id, extra cash, and room keys so it would be completely accessible but not obvious to thieves and not something you would ever lose.

 

 

In fact, I am incredibly excited to take the Snazzy Baby Carrier on the road with us, as I think it is the ideal carrier for traveling.  It is easy to pack, is versatile enough to take the place of numerous other travel pieces, and can be used for both kids.  Since we rarely bring a stroller with us when we are doing serious travel, having a good carrier that can make us more portable is a huge necessity, and the Snazzy Baby is going to be the first one we grab from now on. 

If you have a little one who likes to travel and explore with you, you will love Snazzy Baby’s full line of baby safety products that make it easy to pick up and go with your kiddos.  From protective gear to travel accessories, they are a great place to start when you are ready to get out with little ones.

Price: $79.99 for the 3-in-1 Combo Carrier

Find out more at http://www.snazzybaby.us/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win their choice of a Deluxe 3-in-1 Combo Carrier, My Baby's Own Deluxe Travel Chair or Knee Pads from Snazzy Baby!

To Enter: Simply check out www.snazzybaby.us and tell comment below with which of the products you would like to win, and then name one of the awards that that product has won!

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 Snazzy Baby on Facebook

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

Keep your kids safe with @raveandreview and @snazzybaby Enter to win a combo baby carrier, a travel seat, or knee pads at http://bit.ly/fn1eSw!

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) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On April 6th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, 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.

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulation to:

#99 emily l said... I subscribe via email. 2/2

A big thank you to Snazzy Baby for providing us with a sample to facilitate this review and a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Omaha Steaks for the Perfect Meal at Home {Review & Giveaway}

Now that the holidays and all of our large family get-togethers are behind us, I’m looking forward to planning and hosting some much more intimate dinner parties over the next few months.  While I want to wow dinner guests with something truly special when they come over, I really hate the idea of spending the entire visit cooking, preparing, and cleaning, thus missing out on all the great conversations with our guests.  Because of this aversion to cooking an elaborate dinner, I usually would end up doing something rather boring and simple or suggesting we just go out to dinner instead.

But not anymore.  I was just recently given the opportunity to check out Omaha Steaks and was incredibly impressed not only with the food itself, but also how easy it was to cook, serve and clean up after.  When I first heard I was going to be trying out some gourmet gifts handpicked by their experts, I was a little nervous that I might be spending all night in the kitchen stressing about how to cook everything at once but that wasn’t the case. 

Since I’m horrible at timing even the simplest meal, I was doubtful I was going to be able to handle a gourmet feast, but even I did okay with an Omaha Steaks appetizer, two sides and steaks all ready at the same time.  Part of this is because the included instructions are so easy and clear, and part of it is because almost everything was able to cook in a special tray for baking.  Yes, that’s right, most everything cooked in the oven {aka hands-off cooking} and all but one dish came in its own oven-proof tray {aka easiest cleanup ever}!

If I hadn’t been impressed with Omaha Steaks as I prepared the meal, I certainly would have been once I took my first bite of the best Filet Mignon I have ever had and its accompanying sides.  In fact, the meal was so delicious that I completely forgot to take a picture of the gourmet feast as we began to eat.  No worries, I thought, I will just snap a picture of the leftovers.  Unfortunately I didn’t realize that a meal that centers around Omaha Steaks Filet Mignon is not likely to have any leftovers at all, something I figured out later as the last dish was completely emptied.

While most people would expect a company that has “Steak” in their name to give you a premium Filet Mignon, we were all really impressed by how great every dish, side and dessert was and how well they went together.  Something I probably would have never picked out but that we all {kids included} ended up loving was their Jumbo Bacon-Wrapped Scallops.  We served them with the meal itself instead of as an appetizer and paired them with the delicious Steakhouse Potatoes and some broccoli.  Perfection. 

And, just when our guests thought the feast couldn’t get any better, we pulled out Omaha Steaks individual New York Cheesecakes and drizzled blueberries over the top.  Can you say ‘delicious’?  It pretty much was the best dessert ever and we were all raving as we savored them in our post-feast euphoria.      

Now that we’ve seen how great Omaha Steaks are for intimate dinner parties and how easy it is to cook up a gourmet meal at a fraction of the cost of going to a steakhouse, you can bet I will turn to them again for our next party or dinner in with hubby.  It is easy to order a meal or two and save it in the freezer for your next dinner date, or to do as we did and cook it right as it arrives because you are just dying to try it.  Simply browse the delicious steaks, seafood, side dishes, and desserts at Omaha Steaks and choose your perfect meal and extras.

Here's our perfect meal:

Jumbo Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
4 (6 oz.) Omaha Steaks Filet Mignons
Steakhouse Potatoes
Individual New York Cheesecakes
 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $50 Omaha Steaks Gift Card to spend however you would like! 

To Enter: Simply check out the Omaha Steaks site and tell me how you would fill your shopping basket.

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) Sign up for the Omaha Steaks newsletter (right side bar, just below the $1,000 giveaway)

3) Like Omaha Steaks on Facebook

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

Thinking about the delicious meal I would create from @raveandreview and @omahasteaks enter to win at http://bit.ly/gRxcwv!

5) 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)

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

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

8) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

9) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On April 4th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, 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.

This Giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to:

#282 John Darrow said...  3/5 - I voted for you on Top Baby blogs; you're #17

A big thank you to Omaha Steaks for providing us with a sample free of charge to facilitate this review and a gift card to giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

The Butterfly Orb: Interactive Art from Childhood and Beyond {Review & Giveaway}

When decorating a nursery there are a lot of things to keep in mind.  Not only do you want something that is truly special for your baby in the color scheme you have chosen, what is great is if you can find items that can grow with your child and become a fixture in the room during childhood.  As someone who sees a lot of baby products, many with incredibly short time lines, I can attest to the fact that that not many items meet these specifications.

So, when I find something really special that can be customized and personalized for my child and that can grow with them, I want to tell everyone about it.  Top of that list is the Butterfly Orb which is a truly unique take on a baby mobile and definitely not just for babies.  Instead of the plush crib mobile that needs to be taken down when baby is just a few months old, the Butterfly Orb could {and should} become a centerpiece for your child’s room through childhood and beyond.      

In the Butterfly Mobile, delicate butterflies are attached to strands of wire and then twisted into a lightweight orb that you hang from the ceiling so that it gently moves with even the slightest movement.  This makes them fun to just sit and watch, soothing for babies and kids, and incredibly beautiful in many different spaces in your home. 

It is simple to customize your special mobile by choosing the size of the orb, the colors, and whether or not you want to add feathered butterflies.  While not necessary, I would highly recommend adding the feathered butterflies to add dimension and that extra special touch to your mobile.  For my daughter’s special orb, I ended up choosing three different colors for the small butterflies and then added a fourth color with the feathered option and it all went together really nicely once constructed.     

Once designed, I couldn’t wait to see my custom butterfly mobile and was really excited when the box holding it arrived in mere days.  While at first I thought someone had mistakenly shipped an empty box because of how light it was, when I opened it up I was incredibly excited to see the beautiful Butterfly Orb inside.  At first your orb will be compressed slightly for shipping, so all you need to do is gently shape it however you would like and then hang it up to enjoy.  My daughter and I had fun doing this together as she was so excited to get it hanging in her bedroom to watch the butterflies dance around her bed.

After it was hanging in the room, I tied in some special notes from the grandparents and hubby and I as well as a tiny hanging crystal to make it even more personal.  I have plans to update it regularly so I can have the special people in her life write her little messages to leave in the Butterfly Orb.  For now I can read them to her, but eventually she will read herself and be able to collect them for her scrapbook.  As cool as we all thought the Butterfly Mobile was before it was hanging, it quickly became even more beloved once we really made it ours.

Now my daughter enjoys making slight breezes so the orb will spin and swing above her bed each night and having me read the notes that were written just for her.  She loves how the butterflies all move gracefully while she drifts off and I love that it’s an age-appropriate piece of interactive art that I can give my daughter.
 
As someone who is incredibly sentimental about my daughter’s room and doesn’t want to part with anything, I love when I can find products that I don’t have to pack up in mere weeks.  The Butterfly Mobile is absolutely perfect for me because I can see so many opportunities to enjoy the orb in the years to come without worrying that it will become “too babyish”.  I love the idea that my daughter can have something to watch now as she’s soothing herself to sleep and still enjoy that same piece of art as she’s daydreaming of where she wants to go to college 17 years from now. There certainly aren’t a lot of things you can say that about! 

A big thank you to ButterflyOrb for providing us with a sample to facilitate my review {and adore} and one to giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders {Review & Giveaway}

Being from the Pacific Northwest means that many spring days are spent inside waiting for the rain to pass.  Although I would have plenty to keep me busy should I be rained in for the week, kids and toddlers are another story entirely.  For them, the best way to spend an indoor day is to learn, make crafts, and imagine, and I found just the book to make that happen.

The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders (National Geographic Children's Books) is a gorgeous hardbound book filled with classic stories, poems, and illustrations paired with numerous activities to do as a family that are fun for a variety of ages.  Not just a gift for kids, this book is a great family gift.  Think of it as a piece of art to put up on the bookshelf that you can pull down to create some really beautiful memories with your child.  

Celebrating all that is pure and innocent about childhood, Childhood Wonders is part treasury, part activity book, and is one of our new favorite children's titles.  Whether you feel like curling up with your kiddos and reading a good book or you've got imagination to spare, Childhood Wonders is a good bet. 

Although I love a good mama snuggle while we read {who doesn't?}, I am really excited about all the activities that the kiddos and I can do together.  From directions on how to create a hideaway fort, playing with shadows, and easy recipes we can cook up together, Childhood Wonders has all the makings of a great day. 

Besides being filled with page after page of gorgeous illustrations, stories, poems and activities, The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders has a great vintage appeal that makes flipping through the pages fun.  Whether you are developing a collection of children’s books for your child’s library or are looking to add this to your own bookcase, it will stand out in your collection and be a favorite for years to come.  

The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders: Favorite adventures, stories, poems, and songs for making lasting memories, by Susan Magsamen, may be a long title, but it really does say it all.  These moments with our children are incredibly precious and in this fast paced world we live in, we all could stand to do a bit slowing down and enjoying this magical time with them.  I can't wait to read Childhood Wonders with my little ones throughout the years and teach them how much fun anything can be with just a little bit of imagination.

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.”

Find out more at: http://www.familystories.org/index.htm
 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a hardbound copy of The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders

To Enter: Simply check out the FamilyStories website and tell me something you are excited about doing with your little ones

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 National Geographic Kids on Facebook

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

Rainy days don't lead to boredom with the Childhood Wonders Treasury @raveandreview Enter to win now http://bit.ly/gR2rXE!

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) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On March 28th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, 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.

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank  you to all who entered and congratulations to:

#102 WendySue said.... 3/3 voted for you!

A big thank you to National Geographic Kids for providing us with a sample to facilitate my review and one to giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Tea Collection Mix and Match Clothing {Review}

You may remember a few weeks ago when I found Tea Collection and fell in love with their line of baby clothing and separates for kids and women.  Just recently, we were thrilled when we got to check out a few pieces in person and were incredibly impressed with their quality throughout.   

I had told you I would have a hard time picking a favorite, and that definitely rang true as I spent hours trying to find some pieces to review and even ended up consulting my whole family.  While I was originally planning on buying something gorgeous and girly for my little princess, I got sidetracked when I saw their collection of boy's clothing was as adorable as the girl's clothing. 

If you’ve never shopped for little boys, you probably don’t know how rare that is, but it’s something that never, ever happens.  In fact, because the boy’s line was so cute, I ended up buying 7 pieces of Tea Collection clothing for my infant son.  Of course, I then threw in an adorable skirt for my daughter because I couldn’t resist.

For a great deal on clothing for your little one, you should check out the Mix and Match Sets which include multiple coordinated separates in one bundle for a great savings.  We tried out a 6-piece Mix and Match Set in size 6-12 months because we figured it would be a great foundation for a spring wardrobe and we were absolutely correct.  Once it arrived, I realized how cute each of the pieces were and how great they were for coordinating outfits for our little guy. 

What I really loved about the Mix and Match Set is that each piece is adorable on their own, so when you pair them up the result is almost too much to stand.  Once I get a Tea outfit on our 4 month old, the combination is so adorable that even complete strangers feel the need to stop and comment.  Yes, it’s that cute.  Add in a very excited big sister in her new comfortable and go-anywhere Tea skirt in plum and it’s heart melting. 

If you’re buying for kids and babies and haven’t heard of Tea Collection children's clothing for ages 0-12, you should definitely head over to teacollection.com and oogle over all the adorable-ness. You can also find their collections in specialty and department stores throughout North America and Australia.  Stores include Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and numerous high-end children's boutiques. 

You can also find Tea Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/teacollection.

 

A big thank you to Tea Collection for this review opportunity.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

The Perfect Nursing Bra from Bravado Designs

One of the most difficult challenges in any woman’s life is finding a good bra.  If this isn’t the case for you, I envy your ability to fit into those predetermined sizes.  Although bras for any purpose can be impossible to find, a nursing bra is even more so because there is so much that goes into finding one that works for you. 

Besides needing comfort for day and night, support for different circumstances, and the right size (cup, band around and straps over the shoulder) you also need the functionality of removing one side to fulfill one of your child’s basic needs on demand.  It’s ridiculous when you really sit down hand think of all the factors coming into play, and it’s really no wonder that most mother’s dread nursing bra shopping.

With two Rave and Review writers currently in the market for nursing gear, I’m sure you can imagine the excitement here at Rave Central when we found a company that seemed to address every need each of us had: day and night comfort, tenderness, and ease of use, all while being reasonably cute. 

That company is Bravado! Designs, which started with a single bra and two nursing moms and now has transformed to a full line offering stylish, comfortable and quality maternity and nursing bras and tanks for every mom.  Here are two mom's tales of finding the perfect nursing bra: 

I got to try out the award-winning, “mom and celebrity favorite” from Bravado: the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra.  While my hopes for this bra were huge, the Body Silk did not disappoint. 

For me, I crave support.  This has been even more evident as I have gone through my first pregnancy and my chest has been constantly changing; literally every month has been different.  Even worse is that my chest now is uncomfortable at all times and a wired bra for support while having a sensitive chest is not something that I found that appealing. 

I was determined to find support and comfort for my nighttime wear, during pregnancy and then once baby arrived.  To find even one bra that fit the bill, I had tried several options from a major chain maternity store (I bought all but one style available in the shop in my size) and had not found any possible to sleep in, let alone one that was 100% comfortable during the day.

I was so pleasantly surprised when my Bravado Designs Silk Seamless arrived and I comfortably wore it the first night.  This bra truly does mold your own unique shape and size.  Most importantly, this bra was supporting me, all of the new me, without causing any additional discomfort.  Shock and awe!  And eternal gratitude to the two women, and all the new additions to their company that had made this possible!

This Body Silk Seamless design features a molded removable foam cup that gives you the option for more or less coverage to hide nursing pads and nipples.  There are 4 different closure lengths at the back and adjustable straps that allow for different adjustments, so the bra can change to fit you as you are constantly changing - from pregnancy all the way through established nursing.   While I might not wear the Body Silk Nursing Bra out for a date with hubby or for girls night out, wearing it to run errands, around the house, and even to work was just fine.  

I have to admit that when I read the “celebrity favorite” claim, I was a little nervous to click on the link and figure out what kind of a budget I was going to have to build to fund my new need for nursing bras.  Honestly, I don’t make the same kind of money as Jennifer Garner… I wish!  I was pleasantly surprised to find that these bras are reasonably priced, as well as incredibly comfortable. 

Seriously, the price for the Bravado Designs Body Silk Nursing Bra is not much more than those horribly uncomfortable, non-functioning options I had tried out from the chain store.  While I wouldn’t want to broadcast this too loud, but I would actually pay way more for the bra now that I know how perfect it truly is!  Really, when it comes to bras (whether for nursing or not), a good bra is priceless!  Now that I know the quality and comfort that I can expect from Bravado! Designs, I am excited to replace those unfortunate initial nursing bra purchases with other Bravado! options.  

I got to try out the Bliss Nursing Bra from Bravado and 100% feel that it lives up to its name.  Like Katie, I also had bought out all of my size nursing bras from the chain stores in my area and had amassed a small collection of ill-fitting and uncomfortable undergarments throughout the nursing of both of my children.  Because I still have months and months (and months…) left of nursing my youngest, I decided I would finally go on the hunt for some truly comfortable nursing bras this time around. 

That search led me to find the PTPA winning Bravado's line of nursing wear and after trying them out, realized I could have saved hundreds of dollars had I shopped here the first time around.  While I initially was worried because you can’t try on the bras when you buy them online, I found that by following their easy measurement guide, the end result is a bra that fits me better than my entire bra collection – nursing or otherwise.

The Bliss Nursing Bra features seamless foam cups that hide even the bulkiest breast pad, flexible shapers under each cup (no wires!), and cute little details that remind me that I’m not a grandma yet.  While all of this sounds pretty awesome, what is truly rave-tastic about the Bliss is the gentle stretch of the cups that give great support and shape while offering the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. 

Of course, I wouldn’t be raving about the Bliss if it wasn’t incredibly easy to nurse in.  With cups that drop down and away from your body to give babe the best access as well as one hand opening and closing, the Bliss is truly awesome for daily use.  

 Why you should tell all your friends about Bravado Designs:  They really do have everything for everyone, as well as all of those size options you can’t always find in stores.  After trying out the Body Silk and the Bliss, all of us at Rave and Review are huge fans and will never shop at the department stores for nursing bras again!

To find out more, visit Bravado Designs at http://www.bravadodesigns.com/.  You can also follow Bravado Designs on Twitter or "like" Bravado Designs on Facebook to keep up to date on all their promotions, new releases, and news!

A big {huge} thank you to Bravado! Designs for sending samples for review.  As always, all opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Dirt Devils are Red, Violets are Blue…

...if you're still looking for something for hubby, I think this will do!

What comes in a shiny red package that is all ready for the day of love?  Why Dirt Devil, naturally.  Since most of us are thinking practical this year, it makes sense to get your honey something that can be used all year long.  That something is the full line of cleaning tools from Dirt Devil that all have their signature red color, sleek design, and affordable price points. 

One thing that is top of my honey’s wishlist is the Dirt Devil Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer.  Since winter left Seattle damp and cold, there has been a huge amount of sludge that has accumulated since we rented a pressure washer last spring.  Determined to save money this year and keep up our home, we decided that instead of paying to rent, we would invest in the tools that allow us to better maintain our yard, patios and outdoor areas. 

Investing in a good power washer would allow us to keep up on cleaning on a regular basis and give us more freedom to get projects done on our schedule.  Now instead of having to pay a bunch of money to rent a pressure washer and spend a whole weekend cleaning hoping we don’t forget something, we can now quickly and easily pressure wash whenever we feel like it without it becoming a day-long project that can easily be ruined by rain.   This was something I was really excited about because our house and outdoor areas only need a deep clean once or twice a year, but it’s always nice to do maintenance cleans throughout the year to keep things looking tidy. 

But, like most homeowners, we don’t need a huge gas pressure washer taking up half of our garage, so we set our sights on a smaller and more economical electric pressure washer that was powerful but not industrial.  When I found out that Dirt Devil made a whole line of PressureFlex power washers that are perfect for residential use and backed by the Dirt Devil name, I knew it was the perfect solution for us. 

Featuring varying sprays, easy-to-use attachments, and an on-board detergent applicator, the 1600 PSI Pressure Washer from Dirt Devil lets you conquer even the toughest cleaning projects while still remaining completely portable.  Even though the Dirt Devil PressureFlex 1600 Pressure Washer is only slightly bigger than a hiking pack, it was more than powerful enough to clean the green buildup off our driveway and front porch.  And, since it is electric, it was much quieter than other units we have rented, but had all sorts of features that made it perfect for our applications.

With an adjustable nozzle to vary the flow and size of the spray, you can go from dried on gunk removal to light furniture cleaning easily.  From the siding and decorative rockery on our house to outdoor furniture and play things, the adjustable flow allowed us to tackle each job easily and left it looking brand new without peeling off paint or damaging softer woods and structures. 

Not only is a Dirt Devil Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer ideal for patios, porches and decks, it is also perfect for portable jobs where weight and size are issues.  Another thing I love is that the Dirt Devil Pressure Flex 1600 comes with a detergent tank that you can fill with your favorite cleanser and actually clean outdoor spaces and rugs thoroughly each season.  Why pay money for rentals or call the professionals when you can get a deep clean on your own and keep your house looking great year-round?  

Dirt Devil 1600 PSI Heavy-Duty Pressure Washer Product Features:
• 12-AMP motor
• 19' high pressure hose
• Adjustable stream-to-fan spray nozzle
• Aluminum pump with auto stop system
• Turbo spray nozzle
• Gun with safety catch
• Quick connect spray wand with trigger lock
• On-board accessory storage
• 30' power chord with GFCI protection

Even if power washers aren’t on your honey’s list, Dirt Devil has a full line of signature red appliances to make cleaning more enjoyable that are perfect for gifting this Valentine’s Day.  From uprights, hand vacs and stick vacuums to canister vacs and carpet shampooers, Dirt Devil offers professional level cleaning with great price points for any household.

You can now keep up with Dirt Devil on Facebook, follow them and interact with them today!

 

A huge thank you to Dirt Devil for sending a sample to review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Whiten your Teeth in 15 days with Whitening Lightning {Review & Giveaway}

I resolve to… take some time for me

It’s that time of year again, when the whole year is full of promise and everyone is thinking of accomplishing great things.  Should I run that 5k?  Should I learn German?  Maybe, but something I can start today is taking a little bit of time for myself.  I’m going to start with getting a haircut more frequently than bi-yearly, and focusing on doing things that make me feel good about myself {you know, things other than mothering}. 

One thing that has been on my list of to-dos from before I had children is whitening my teeth, and has only gotten worse as my need for coffee has increased with sleep deprivation.  I had thought that whitening my teeth would need to be done at a dentist’s office and was expecting to spend thousands of dollars getting it done, but was really surprised when my dentist recommended doing an over-the-counter solution first. 

This led me to try a few drugstore methods and although some of them showed minute improvements, they were all messy and hard to use because they required 15-30 minutes a day {or more!} wearing whitening trays.  When I found Whitening Lightning, I was really excited because it didn’t require trays and worked while I slept, which is the only time I {remotely} have to myself. 

The first night of the trial, I brushed my teeth like normal, and then I merely dried them off with a tissue and painted the Whitening Lightning gel on all visible teeth.  I smiled like a goof for a minute or two while the gel dried, and then I went to bed to let it work while I slept.  Pretty easy, right?

The gel had a little bit of a taste when I used it, but not near as bad as other methods of teeth whitening I had tried previously.  While it wasn’t tasteless as the package claimed, it wasn’t horrible and I was able to forget I had it on after a while.  Since it doesn’t include flexible trays or strips, which are messy and make it impossible to talk or to sleep while using them, I found it a whole lot easier to commit to using it each evening.

I read in the Super Booster Whitening Pen package that I would be able to see a noticeable difference right away, so I was a bit disappointed when I didn’t wake up the first morning with pearly whites.  But, I decided to run through the entire 15 days recommended in the instructions and see what the results were at the end.  When I was halfway through the trial, I thought I noticed a bit of difference but wasn’t 100% sure until I looked back at the pictures I had taken the first day and saw how much whiter my teeth really were.  

  
 
The improvement was apparent at just a glance and it made me think that it would be really cool if Whitening Lightning came with a handy tooth shade chart so you could mark where you started and then chart your progress along the way.  I think I would have been a lot more motivated to use it had I been able to see a marked improvement each morning instead of having to take my own pictures to see where I started.

 

But the best part is that by the time I finished the 15 day trial, the results were really noticeable and I didn’t need a camera to tell me.  I feel a lot more comfortable now smiling and showing off my newly whitened teeth and no more photoshopping pearly whites in all my pictures! 

Aside from it actually working and whitening my teeth in 15 days while I slept {the end result below}, I love that Whitening Lightning is incredibly easy to use, easy to store, and easy to forget all about trays, strips, and hassle of teeth whitening.  One thing I was particularly concerned about is tooth sensitivity, since there is nothing worse than oral pain and, to me, it certainly isn’t worth it for a cosmetic procedure like teeth whitening. 

 

I am happy to report that my teeth weren’t incredibly sensitive like I expected during the trial.  Whereas other whitening systems left my teeth feeling raw and sensitive for days, the Whitening Lightening was different in that I could feel that it was on my teeth after I applied it each night, but that sensitivity went away quickly.  The best part is that they weren’t overly sensitive the next day or throughout the trial.  In fact, I could have hot, cold, and even frozen foods and liquids without any pain at all, something I was really happy with.  

Don't take it from me, you can clearly see from the pictures that the trial worked well {but please ignore the completely goofy grins, it's hard to not look like you're in pain when you're trying to show ALL of your teeth at once}.  Goofiness aside, you can easily see that Whitening Lightning has finally taken teeth whitening off my to-do list.  If you’re like me and are really busy, this is a little something you can do for yourself that only takes a minute but makes you feel confident and gorgeous all day long!

Find out more at the Whitening Lightning site http://www.whiteninglightning.com/Home_Page.html

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a tube of Whitening Lightning {ARV $79}!

To Enter: Simply check out the Whitening Lightning site and tell me something you learned

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)

Whiten your teeth in 15 days without strips, trays, or mess with Whitening Lightning & @raveandreview Enter to win: http://bit.ly/eNCiVy!

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) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On March 20th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, 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, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to: #61

jamie e. said...  I learned that not only does it "whiten" your teeth but it kills plaque & bacteria...

A big thank you to Whitening Lightning for providing us with a sample to facilitate my review and one to giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Fresh Produce Clothing Review

How many of you are already dreaming of beaches, vacations and sun, sun, sun?  With half of the country facing a huge record-breaking snow storm, I’m sure just about all of you are.  Yep, it's that time.  Time to plan a vacation somewhere warm.  With a beach, please. 

If you’re thinking beach and starting to plan a vacation somewhere sunny, then you’re probably dismayed at the shelves of our local malls that are filled with extra thick sweaters and parkas.  Luckily Fresh Produce Clothing carries clothing for all seasons and is a great place to start looking to find travel fashion.

Whether you are looking for casual clothing or something that can go from day to night, Fresh Produce Clothes has you covered.  I absolutely fell in love with their Standout Gauze Skirt with the 2-in-1 design and the fact that it is not only great for beach resortwear, but also for an evening out dancing.

I got to check out the Beach Haven Pacific Cliff Tank Dress in South Beach Blue and Shorefront Cardigan in White and really loved the versatility of both pieces.  They could easily go from day to night as well as throughout a mild spring and summer, which makes them perfect for travel when the weather can be unpredictable. 

The Beach Haven Pacific Cliff Tank Dress is made of 100% cotton with a raw edge finish at the hem.  It is a heavier fabric than I was expecting, and much higher quality than I anticipated.  It drapes nicely and doesn’t look frumpy when you are wearing it so you will feel comfortable no matter where you end up on your travels.  My favorite part is that the dress also hides wrinkles really well, which is awesome if you pack like I do. 

The sheer Shorefront Cardigan is one of those pieces that is silly not to throw in your luggage.  It is incredibly lightweight and packs to almost nothing, which means you can have lots of room for souvenirs and accessories on your trip.  In fact, I am going to throw it in my purse on my next trip so I can have a good tank top coverup if I end up at a fancy event or get chilly during the day. 

Fresh Produce Clothing is a brand sold in over 400 specialty retailers as well as 38 Fresh Produce stores nationwide.  Their clothes are fun, and full of sun-drenched color, which makes them perfect for year-round wearing. 

To learn more about Fresh Produce Clothing visit their site and check out all their new styles.  You can also follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook as well as check out the Fresh Produce blog

A big thank you to Fresh Produce for providing the sample for review.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review

Dremel Cordless Multi-Max Oscillating Kit {Review & Giveaway}

I resolve to... get my husband the tools to tackle household repairs

My husband is a Dremel guy through and through and has been known to use a Dremel for work, household repairs, and even for helping me with craft projects.  In fact, when I first met him he was only 18 years old, but he already had a full set of Dremel accessories that could cut, drill, sand, scrape, grind, sharpen, and polish just about anything you could imagine.  I know this from experience, because I’ve imagined some pretty big projects over the years and each time his Dremel has come to the rescue.  

While my handy husband has amassed a pretty extensive tool collection throughout the years, in our last big home project we realized there was one tool that we really needed to add to our collection: an oscillating tool.   So, with Valentine’s Day approaching, I searched all the sale ads looking for a decent oscillating tool to wrap up for him and was coming up with nothing.  It was then that I heard that Dremel had entered the oscillating tool market with the release of the Multi-Max and knew it was perfect for us.

While the original Dremel is perfect for small, detail work, the new Multi-Max from Dremel is ideal for larger jobs while still giving you the same precision that makes it a Dremel.  Whereas most cutting tools utilize a rotating or spinning blade, an oscillating tool is unique because of the minute movements of the blade that oscillate from side to side. 

This small amount of blade movement makes it easier to plunge into sheetrock, trim, and more with precision while keeping your cut steady.  Since you have such control over the Multi-Max, it makes it possible to use it on interior walls and painted trim work while it’s still mounted.  By allowing you to work without dismantling and by minimizing debris and dust, it makes for a much easier project overall and doesn’t leave your home looking like a construction zone.  

While this precision is especially important when making detail cuts, it also is really nice when sanding with the Multi-Max since it is so incredibly easy to control.  Where other sanding tools tend to move on their own and you have to work to keep them steady, the Multi-Max allows you to maneuver easily around items when sanding as well as concentrate on one area separately. 

Changing between all the included tools is also easy thanks to the quick change design of the accessories that allows you to cut, sand, grind and scrape.  Another feature we really loved was that you can attach the tools at varying degrees to the Dremel handle, allowing you to get in even the tightest spots easily.  This amazing ease of use makes the oscillating Multi-Max our absolute favorite tool to grab for just about anything we're working on.  

Featuring a powerful 1.5 amp motor, the Dremel Cordless Multi-Max Oscillating Kit can handle big tasks as well as small, and since it is cordless, it can go just about anywhere.  While there is a plug-in version available, I knew the versatility of battery power was right for us.  It even comes with two lithium-ion batteries so you will never have to abandon a job mid-project, something that I absolutely despise.  And, best of all, the Multi-Max even has a battery power light so you know exactly how much power you have left and only takes an hour to completely power up again. 

Located just below the battery indicator lights is an easy slide switch that lets you adjust the speed of the tool from 3,000 to 21,000 opm.  With this wide range of speeds at your disposal, you can quickly and easily adjust the motor to be at the right speed for the job at hand.  Since different materials require different speeds for cutting, this adjustment is key to maximizing the life of your tool without over working the motor.

Since I’ve got a list of projects about a mile long that I’m hoping to accomplish this spring, I’m thrilled we will be able to rely on the Multi-Max to get them all finished quickly, easily, and without having to completely remove more than is absolutely necessary to get the job done right.  But best of all, because it’s a Dremel, I know it is made with quality and even has an awesome two year warranty so I can use it with confidence. 

I think by now it is very clear that while I’m passing the Dremel off as a thoughtful present to my husband, I am definitely looking forward to our Multi-Max projects this spring.  The great thing is that even my husband is incredibly excited to start on my massive list now that he has a new tool to play with.  Ladies, that’s what we call a win-win.  

The compact Dremel 8300-01 Cordless Multi-Max Oscillating Kit Includes:
• Dremel Multi-Max tool
• Includes two 12VMAX Lithium-ion batteries and one-hour charger for minimal downtime
• ¾” Wood Flush Cut Blade, MM440
• 3” Wood and Drywall Saw Blade, MM450
• Hook and Loop Pad, MM11
• 60, 120, and 240 Grit Paper, Wood, MM70W
• Storage Case
• Getting Started Booklet

Check out the Dremel site to see more about this amazing tool and check them out on Facebook to keep up with their promotions

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win an awesome Dremel Multi-Max of their very own!

To Enter: Simply check out the Dremel site and comment below with a project that the Dremel Oscillating Tool would help you complete

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 Dremel on Facebook (just leave FB name in comment below)

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

I'm hoping I win the Dremel Multi-Max Oscillating Kit from @raveandreview. Just think of all the projects I could do (http://bit.ly/eILFmj)

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) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On March 15th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, 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.

A big thank you to Dremel for providing the sample 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