Royal Spice Review

Every new baby needs new clothes. At our house this means a whole wardrobe for baby F because we simply haven't needed pink before. There are so many cute things out there and I am having a blast shopping. One store I was recently introduced to is Royal Spice. They sent me some adorable clothes for F and I can't wait to put them on her.

The first thing I noticed about these clothes is that they are super high quality. This is important to me as a mom because I want my kids to look nice without looking overdressed. Royal Spice's clothes are perfect for this. I received one of their Lace Short Sleeve Shirts that is absolutely adorable. When I add this to the brown tank and hat it's going to make an adorable outfit.

I also have to say that I really love the tank top they sent. The wide straps are perfect for small children! I always thought it was silly that kids tank tops had such skinny straps. We know kids are playing and they shouldn't have to worry about keeping their shirt on. I don't see this being nearly as much of a problem with this fun shirt. I know that my daughter will love wearing this tank both on top of and under other shirts!

New Glasses - Wordless Wednesday

Cloth Diapering - When We Started

With another baby on the way I can't help but think back to when I was expecting my other babies. One thing I've been remembering recently is when we first started using cloth diapers. It seems like we've been doing this forever but we haven't. In fact, we didn't start using cloth until just after we found out we were expecting C which means B was cloth diapered for about 6 months.
When we found out C was coming we knew there was no way we could use disposables. Our budget was already super tight and we weren't in love with them anyway. In fact, most of what we used up to that point was gifted to us at baby showers and such. When we decided to switch to cloth I had a lot of research to do. I didn't know anybody who used cloth at the time and it made things more difficult than it might have been otherwise.
E's big thing was that we didn't use diaper pins. I know that may seem silly but it's still something he won't do. Which I suppose is ok since there are so many options. I am just super glad that we made the switch. Not only has it saved us a ton of money but I don't make emergency trips to the store and I know that I am doing what's best for my babies. Nothing is better than that!

NoJo Bedding Review & Giveaway

Every young girl dreams of her wedding day. For me, not far behind that, was dreaming of my future nursery. With the boys we had just the essentials for the nursery. We lived in a rental so I couldn't paint and pictures were limited. Now that we finally have our own home I'm so excited to be creating my own nursery for our new little arrival.

A big part of nursery planning is choosing the right bedding set. NoJo recently sent me their Pretty in Purple set to review and I love the additions it has made to my nursery! I'm not always a fan of purple but I love the accent colors with this. The lightest purple is almost pink and the green matches D's bedding set really well.
My favorite part of this set is the quilt. It is just the right thickness and has so many textures for the baby to explore. It has cotton, minky and silk fabric plus several different stitches to add texture for any baby or young toddler to enjoy.

Another favorite feature of this set is that it came with two crib sheets. I always found it odd that so many sets come with just one because I am assuming that my kids aren't the only ones that dirty sheets faster than anything other than diapers. I know that both will be put to good use with the new baby.

Overall I am very pleased with this set from NoJo and I love having it all set up so it's ready whenever the baby decides to make her appearance (which could be any time now). It makes me smile every time I walk in the room and see the fun girly colors waiting there.
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Crane Frog Humidifier Review

There are so many things I have learned about being a mom since I had my first. It will never stop amazing me how much you learn through experience. One of the things I have learned is that every household should be equipped with at least one humidifier. They are a great tool for moms and can help in a variety of situations.

Recently we have had the opportunity to add Freddy the Frog to our nursery and I love that he is not only cute but functional as well. A humidifier can do many different things. My favorite is that it can help sooth dry coughs, nose bleeds and dry skin. Some of you might not have this problem but out here in Idaho we have very dry air and when we amplify that with the heater or fans running it can cause quite a few problems. Keeping a humidifier in the bedrooms is a simple fix to a big problem. I love having my humidifier running next to my bed at night because I sleep better, something that is all too important during pregnancy.

Crane's Frog Humidifier holds one gallon of water and runs for about 24 hours without a refill. It works in rooms up to about 250 square feet. My favorite features are that it does not use a filter and that it has an automatic shut off. If you like this frog you should check out all the other Adorable Humidifiers they have available to help you complete your child's room.

Scream For Ice Cream Twitter Party

I am super excited to be co-hosting my first Twitter party with the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and The Motherhood!  July is Ice Cream Month, one of my very favorite things, and I am so excited  we’ll be sharing fun ice cream facts and giving away great prizes.

When: Wednesday, July 25, 2-3 p.m. ET

Where: The party will take place on Twitter, using the #IceCreamMonth hashtag.

Who: IDFA (@dairyidfa) and The Motherhood (@theMotherhood) will be hosting. 

Five prize packs will be given away throughout the hour, based on responses to trivia questions.  Each prize pack will contain all of the fixings for your own ice cream party – bowls, scoops and coupons for lots of free ice cream. 

Please say you'll join us by clicking this link and press the orange “count me in” button on the right-hand side -http://twtvite.com/icecreammonth

Christmas Shopping

We had family here all week this week so I didn't get the time to do the shopping I might have done otherwise. I did get to Target and Walgreens and since E was with me we did a little Christmas Shopping.

Total Spent: $57.24

Total Saved: $231.10 (80%)

Rewards Earned: $16.00

Ready For Baby

I hope you are all enjoying our Ready for Baby event! We promise there is more to come. Our house was invaded by family this week and things have not gone exactly as planned but we'll be back tomorrow or Sunday with more great reviews and giveaways. If you haven't entered yet make sure you catch up on the ones posted in the right sidebar. Have a great Saturday!

Dylan by C.H. Admirand

I've always had a weak spot for cowboys. It could have something to do with where I grew up but there is just something about tight jeans and a cowboy hat that I love. This is something that I have in common iwth Ronnie, a business woman from New Jersey, in C.H. Admirand's book Dylan .
The story begins as Ronnie arrives in Texas and is greeted with a special birthday surprise. Dylan, on the other hand, a life time Texas resident, is a simple cowboy who is working sun up to sun down on his family ranch and at extra jobs to help make ends meet. As Ronnie and Dylan are brought together in this small town, barriers are broken and a relationship begins.
This book was absolutely wonderful! It was more than a typical romance and was full of interesting twists and turns that keep you glued to the page. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a romantic adventure, or who wants to find out what happens in the jail house. It's well worth the read!

As a side note, don't forget to check out C.H. Admirand's other books in this series to find out what happens to Dylan's brothers. I haven't yet read Tyler or Jesse but I'm sure they are just as good!

Rockin Green Soap Review & Giveaway

When we switched to cloth diapers one of the things I didn't even think about was the importance of a good laundry soap. We were using an ok soap that worked on our clothes but once we switched to cloth we found out that the boy's sensitive skin didn't much like it. After that we tried a few different soaps and finally settled on Rockin Green for our laundry needs.
There is so much that I love about Rockin Green. The first thing I loved was the friendly and helpful customer service. Because I was still learning I had quite a few questions and the ones I couldn't find answers to on their website they were more than happy to help me with. Once we found that Rockin Green worked for us we ended up ordering a whole bunch so we could get free shipping. I know that may seem like a lot of soap but since we are stock up shoppers anyway it saved me a lot of time over having to order every month (about how long a bag lasts at the Kerr house).
I was very timid about trying the scents when we first started using Rockin Green because of my kids sensitive bums but I have tried a few now and haven't had a problem yet. They are super skin friendly and smell really good too.

The last thing you can't pass up at Rockin Green is their scoops. These are about the best thing and I just love using them around the house. We of course have one for laundry but I have also used them for various other things because I can always find them thanks to their wonderful magnetic feature.
I am super excited that one Kerrific reader gets to try Rockin Green for themselves. Please enter using the form below. Good luck!
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Fireworks - Wordless Wednesday

iCandy Stroller Giveaway

I'm super excited to be participating in a great giveaway! Every new mom needs a stroller so here's your chance at an extra giveaway during Ready for baby. Make sure after you enter here you head over and check out all our other great Ready For Baby Giveaways listed to the right. Enjoy!

Megan from Behavioral Child and Megan Blogs, was a guest of the CBS TV show The Talk when Dr. Gadget was on, and among other things, she was given the iCandy Cherry stroller, in the liquorice color. She is giving it away to one lucky, random winner. 

  

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{Disclaimer/Disclosure: I have not used this stroller so I can’t vouch for it. I have it in its original/new packaging and will ship it to the winner in the exact same condition. So essentially, I’m re-gifting it. The Talk has no idea what I’m doing with it, nor would it probably care. By entering this giveaway, you agree to indemnify me, The Talk, and iCandy from any responsibilities of all issues arising from the receipt and use of this prize. Thanks for participating and good luck! - Megan Broutian}

IntelliGender Review & Giveaway

There are lots of things to look forward to when you are pregnant. We all know about the big feet, exhaustion, and sickness that most moms "look forward" to. There are some other big days however. The day you get your first ultrasound is always amazing. When the baby just looks like a little bean but even that small you can see its little heart beating. I think for me this is the point where the pregnancy become real and it makes me start to wonder, will this baby be a boy or a girl.

There are lots of fun tests to try to see if you are having a boy or a girl. This time around I got to try a simple test made by IntelliGender. I was super thrilled with this easy urine test. This test uses the hormones in your urine to predict the gender of your unborn child as early as 10 weeks. There is a list of things that can affect the results and since I am on progesterone treatments I wasn't sure how well my test would turn out.

I took the test the morning of my shot, so it had been as long as possible since my last treatment, and the test said we were having a girl. When I told E, he told me not to get too excited (if you haven't noticed I'm a little outnumbered). I did however love how easy this test was to take and the fun anticipation it gave me as we waited for our ultrasound that would confirm gender.
I think IntelliGender would make a wonderful gift for yourself or that special friend who may be too sick to be enjoying their pregnancy up to this point. What a fun way to keep your anticipation for the new baby high!
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Tommee Tippee Review

Much to the doctor and dentist's dismay, my boys all use sippy cups. They say it makes them high risk but I stick to my belief that they'd be higher risk without them because I'd get awful tired of cleaning up the messes when they don't pay attention and tip their cups over, which only happens about twice a meal.
Thankfully, my kitchen is well equipped with Tommee Tippee cups. My boys and I love these cups and have gotten quite the collection. My favorite thing about these cups is that they are truly no-spill. As long as they are put together properly, something even B and C can do, they will not leak. This makes them the perfect cup, not only in my kitchen, but also in the car, in the diaper bag, and anywhere else we may be. It is super nice to just not worry!

Although the no-spill fact is enough to convince us to keep these cups around, Tommee Tippee has gone above and beyond by making these some of the most adorable cups I have ever seen. They come in bright colors and the little characters are absolutely adorable! We just received some of the new styles and already my boys are in love with the robots and dinos!

The last tidbit I'd like to share is that these cups last. We got our first Tommee Tippee cups well over a year ago and they still look almost brand new, even with nightly trips through the dishwasher. This is awesome for all of us who have more than one child because we can use them again and again.
Thank you Tommee Tippee!

Conserving Now Review & Giveaway

Since I have started our trip to be a greener family one lesson I have learned is that not all reusable shopping bags are created equally. Some are too small. Some are hard to fold. Some are hard to get things in and out of. Recently I have been using my new,  Ultra-Sturdy Oversized Cotton Tote from Conserving Now and it is a shopping bag that is just about right. 

This Oversized Cotton Tote is exactly as it sounds and is quickly becomming my favorite shopping bag. The size is probably my favorite feature, as long as I don't load it with heavy items, because it does hold so much. Along with thtat I love the cotton because it is easy to clean and doesn't cut into my hands when I carry it.
Another great thing I've been super excited to tell you about is conserving Now's mission. Their primary goal is to education children about becoming responsible citizens. 100% of profits from product sales goes to help distribute Classroom Kits. Each kit contains not only cotton reusable bags but also window clings, age appropriate curriculum and take home materials to help parents understand what their kids are learning.

I can't think of a better way to change the world! Children are our future and by educating them we can make a difference. I love that a company with high quality products is also helping our children get a high quality education. Thank You Conserving Now!


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A Week With No Drive

This was a horrible week for shopping simply because I had no drive to go. I have been sick all week and trying to get ready for visitors so things have been crazy. I did end up going out Thrusday night and did fairly well. I was glad I stopped at the clearance isles and found some great Christmas gifts for E. I shopped Target, Walgreens, Staples and Office Max.

Total Spent: $56.67

Total Saved: $231.82 (80%)

Rewards Earned: $9.74

Piggledee Review & Giveaway

At our house it seems like I'm always searching for a bag for something. With three kids to haul around, usually by myself, the more condensed and organized things are the better. I was super excited when Piggledee agreed to send me this adorable elephant print zippered nappy case and matching wet bag pouch. We have been putting both to good use and I love them!

We have found that the nappy case is just the right size to contain toys in the diaper bag. I love that it isn't huge so I have a small selection but that it still holds enough to entertain all three boys for quite a while. We have never used a separate bag to contain toys in the diaper bag prior to this and having one is a great change. It keeps all the toys in the same, easy to find, spot and keeps them clean from whatever other things get thrown in there, like dirty shoes (YUCK!).

The wet bag pouch is also an awesome bag. Right now it is living in my hospital bag full of breast pads to be ready for the big day. It is the perfect size to carry a dozen or so breast pads, or mama pads, and because of its waterproof lining you won't have to worry about whatever mess you put inside. This bag would also work great for larger snacks or as a safe place to keep things, like your camera, safe on all your fun family outings.
Piggledee has been super generous in offering a $40 shop credit to one Kerrific reader. They have lots of fun items so make sure you got check them out!
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What is Your Best Back To School Tip?

I can't believe what I have seen happening in the stores as I have been out shopping this week. All those fun summer items are quickly disappearing and are being replaced with back to school items in lots of bright colors. This year back to school is going to be a little different for our family. E and I will be going back, for me it's the last time, and B and C will be going to school for the first time. I am so glad to be working with The Write Stuff to be getting all the school supplies we need ready!
The Write Stuff was established in 1989 by PTA moms and dads as they tried to help all the local students get the supplies required by their grade at school. Now The Write Stuff works with parents and teachers to send prepackaged supply kits to school or home so each student begins the year prepared.

I received a sample box from The Write Stuff to help us get ready for school and I love all the name brand products I found inside. As an education student I can see how creating a custom box for my future classroom will allow me to ensure that each of my students is prepared to begin the learning process. The Write Stuff makes it easy to create a kit and then allow your students to purchase the kit at a great price. I can even have the kits delivered directly to my classroom which would save those poor kids backs on the first day of school.

This year The Write Stuff wants to help one lucky reader get a start on their back to school shopping by sending them a sample box just like I received. To enter please comment below with your best back to school tip so we can try it out at the Kerr house.

Open to US residents only. Contest ends 7.14.12 at 9:00 am EST (7:00 am MST). 

Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.

Winner will be contacted and have 24 hours to respond.




Winner - Comment #3

Good Night Lullabies Review & Giveaway

If you are a regular follower of Kerrific you have probably noticed that I am super excited to be graduating this fall. What you may not know however is that I have changed my degree a few times. Before I started in on math I was a music major. Although this is something I really loved, and still do, the practice hours were not compatible with my children and helped to prompt the switch. I am however a big fan of music. It will always hold a special spot in my heart and in our home.

Recently I had the chance to review Patrice Cosier's Good Night Lullabies CD and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Although this music was written to help aid children in sleep I have found that the CD has found a permanent home in my computer CD drive and that I love to listen to it while I blog. Because of the peaceful feel of the music and the relaxing tempo it makes it super easy to write to and helps keep me relaxed as I sort through all those emails and posts each day (if you don't believe me ask E about the 500+ emails I wake up to every morning). The music does a great job of calming and not just for me but for the kids too.

Yesterday as I was working I had the CD on and my boys came in to complain in the middle of an argument. I knew they were fighting and had hoped they would work it out on their own, a skill we are working on in preparation for school, but I was amazed what happened when they came through the office door. The argument stopped as they prepared to tell me what was wrong but instead of complaining and crying like they normally would, both boys came over to see what I was doing and then happily went back to playing. It was pretty neat to watch!

It is amazing the effect that music can have on the mood in your home and if you have problems with arguments, trouble sleeping, our just feel stressed than try playing Good Night Lullabies in your home during the day. You'll be amazed at the difference!

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