itti bitti Limited Edition printed minkee Change Mat Review & Giveaway!

Thank you itti bitti for sending me this incredible limited edition fall print change mat & allowing me to be one of the 20 bloggers to review it. One lucky reader will also receive a minkee change mat in the color of itti bitti's choice, based on the gender of your baby. The giveaway is open to residents of the US & Canada who are 18 & over. This ends on 11-07-11 at 12:01 am EST.

Before I jump into this, let me tell you about the itti bitti Sweepstakes on Facebook that you can enter through October 31st. You can enter once daily to be entered into a giveaway for 3 prize packages featuring the new itti bitti fall limited edition prints. To enter you can visit this page or select "Sweepstakes" from itti bitti's Facebook page.  

They've also started their "Fall In Love with itti bitti" buy 4, get 1 promo. Look for this fabulous deal with participating retailers through the end of Oct!

I've definitely fallen in love with itti bitti! From the moment I tried out the itti bitti d'lish they sent me over the Summer, it's been LOVE.

The Ayannah Print Minkee Change Mat

So pretty & so soft!!! I received this in the mail last week & felt like it was Christmas! My 13 year old daughter went to get the mail, & asked what the package was. As soon as I opened it she snatched it out of my hands! She begged to keep it for herself saying "But it's so P-R-E-T-T-Y!"

 "Oooooo S-O-F-T!!!" She purred as she rubbed it against her face. I quickly grabbed my camera to capture it.

"What?"

She continued to beg to keep it. I asked her what she planned to use it for. "I don't know. A hat?"

I finally succeeded in getting it away from my 13 year old, & decided to take my baby to the park. While there
I realized how much bigger the minkee change mat is in comparison to the one in my diaper bag. It's 26.5" x 17.5" big.

Look at the difference!

 Normally when we go to the park I bring a blanket to sit on, but I forgot it at home this time. The itti bitti minkee change mat was plenty big enough to lay my baby on! The plus side is that because it's water proof, there was no dampness seeping through. The print minkee is waterproofed & there's a super soft bamboo velour on the opposite side to lay your baby on, but both sides are soft.

She was so comfy!

Then I took her for a stroll around the park. It was an unusually chilly day, & I forgot her blanket, so I threw the change mat over her. I know that's a strange use for a change mat, but this one is so incredibly soft that it's just like a small blanket!

Teething on it.....

Just like big sissy - she loves rubbing it all over her face.

Thanks itti bitti!

Seriously, this change mat is like the Cadillac of change mats! It's very luxurious for a baby. Yes; of course I use it as a an actual change mat too, but who wants to see pictures of that?!? And my pink plastic like mat has been pitched to the curb!!!

For more information in video format, check out itti bitti on youtube.

The Giveaway:

This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. Please follow the instructions. The 1st step is mandatory for entry. Open to residents of the US & Canada who are 18 & older. This ends on 11-07-11 at 12:01 am EST.

Montz Pumpkin Farm & Hayride Review

I've visited the Montz Pumpkin Farm & Hayride every year (except last year when pg) for the past 10 years. It's a lot of fun, educational, & a good value for the money!

The very first time I visited Montz Pumpkin Farm was when my oldest daughter was 3 years old. I was a newly divorced mom at the time, & for a few years it was a tradition for us to go alone - just the 2 of us. It was our special time. A few years later I met my (now) husband. Yesterday was the start of a new tradition as a family of 4. My 13 year old is at that age where she's starting to think it isn't so cool to hang out with parents, but she enjoys some of the things we do. The Montz Pumpkin Farm is one of the things that she truly looked forward to!

You arrive at the farm & pick a parking spot in their front yard. There's a large covered area that you purchase your tickets at. It's $6 per person for a hayride (minus the hay) & a pumpkin. Kids under 1 are free. You might be thinking "why drive out to the country & pay $6 to get a pumpkin when I can buy a large one for $3.99 at Rouse's?" Well....that's true, but you don't get the experience, the beauty, & the fun of the hayride when you buy from the grocery.

The view from the shaded area where you buy tickets.

In years past they would allow me to ride with my oldest daughter for free as long as we only got one pumpkin. I'm not sure if that's still the case or not, but I'm inclined to say they've changed the policy because they give you actual tickets now that are collected as you board. Even still, it's well worth the money! It was $18 yesterday for the 4 of us to ride the hayride & get 3 pumpkins (since my baby is only 8 months).

There's a large flatbed pulled by a tractor, with screened sides to hold you in, & a handrail in the center to hold onto if you aren't lucky enough to get a spot at the edge. The Farmer allows plenty of time for boarding, then stands up on the rail to make an announcement about what to expect. He explains how difficult it is to grow pumpkin here in LA due to all of the rain, that he grows gourds also, & this year he planted flowers to try to help soak up all of the excess moisture due to Tropical storm Lee. He also had to lay extra pumpkins in the field that he bought from other farmers to make up for the loss in his crop, so that the children wouldn't be disappointed at Halloween.

The tractor, flatbed, & small trailor that the people & pumpkins ride in.


There's a long & bumpy ride out to the field - about a mile. It's very enjoyable, but makes most adults a little nervous since the screening that holds you in is pretty low down. Only once over the years that I've been there has there ever been any hay on the hayride, but that doesn't take away from the fun factor. Yesterday I claimed a corner & sat on the floor with my 8 month old because hubby & I were afraid we'd drop her. She had LOTS of fun!

Baby girl enjoying the hayride.

They drop you off at the field & give you plenty of time to walk around & find your pumpkin & take pictures. After you're all done, you bring your pumpkin to a small trailor attached to the back of the flatbed, & wipe the sand off your pumpkin with a rag provided by the farmer, & write your name on the bottom of the pumpkin with a marker provided by the farmer. Once evryone is boarded, he drives you the mile or so back to the farm, he throws the pumpkins in a huge vat of water, & you splash through the water to find your pumpkin & scrub it clean. The pumpkins float, & it's usually so hot here that it's pleasant getting your hands wet.

 The beautiful view when we arrived at the field.

 My oldest daughter trying to find the perfect pumpkin.

 There were butterflies everywhere!

 Pumpkins & flowers

My little pumpkin sitting on a pumpkin.

 "How's this one look?"

 Pumpkins folating in the water.

My oldest scrubbing her pumpkin clean.

They have large Igloo containers of iced water scattered about the farm for the guests, but in addition to that they sell refreshments at the ticket area - sodas for $1 a can, chips & candy (various prices), & they even sell T-shirts, beaded bracelets & homemade hairbows.


Montz Pumpkin Farm & Hayride17834 River Road
Montz, Saint Charles County, LA
985-652-3672

All in all I'd say to allow yourself about 2 hours of time for this. It's not a bad drive from the New Orleans area. It takes about 45 minates to get there via Airline Highway depending on traffic.  You will cross the Spillway staying in the left lane, & turn left as soon as you're across. You'll see a sign on the side of the road indicating that you need to turn there for Montz, but it's easy to miss. You'll follow the road to River Road, & eventually you'll see a fire department on the right. Montz Pumpkin Farm is right after that. There's a sign for parking, so you can't miss it.

Have FUN!!!

Louisiana Pumpkin Patches & Farms

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Every year I look for fun things to do with my family. One of our favorite things to do is visit a pumpkin farm & go on a hayride. Almost every year we've visited Montz Pumpkin Farm, but we've also visited The Hickory Maize & Pumpkin Farm, & St Martin's Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, the Hickory Maize isn't open this year. In fact, we're visiting Montz Pumpkin Farm today & I'll post about it later.

I did a little research & discovered that there are others in the area, so thought I'd share my information. I'd strongly suggest calling ahead of time to make sure that they're open & what their hours are.

Precious Memories Christmas Tree Farm , Pumpkins In The Pine
455 Glen Acres Road
Calhoun, Ouachita County Louisiana, LA
318-396-5113, Fax: 318-557-0390


Saint Peter Catholic Church Pumpkin Patch
125 South Jefferson Avenue
Covington, Saint Tammany County Louisiana, LA


Red Bluff Farm
78090 Joe Laird Lane
Folsom, Saint Tammany County Louisiana, LA
985-796-0452


Mrs. Heather's Pumpkin And Strawberry Patch
11215 Lee's Lane
Hammond, Tangipahoa County Louisiana, LA
225-567-3493, Fax: 225-567-2307


Saint Bernard Parish Catholic Church Pumpkin Patch
2805 Bayou Road
Kenilworth, Saint Bernard County Louisiana, LA
504-682-0980


Anderson Farms
400 Slagle Road
Leesville, Vernon County Louisiana, LA
337-208-7107, Fax: 337-239-0066

Montz Pumpkin Farm & Hayride
17834 River Road
Montz, Saint Charles County Louisiana, LA
985-652-3672


First Presbyterian Church Pumpkin Patch
5401 South Claiborne Avenue
New Orleans, Orleans County Louisiana, LA
504-220-6302


St Martin's Episcopal Church Pumpkin Patch
2216 Metairie Road
Metairie, LA 70001


Crooked Pines Farm
Highway 190
Ragley, Beauregard County Louisiana, LA
337-855-9653


Even though they aren't open this year, & have only sporadically been open since Hurricane Katrina, I'm going to supply information about the Hickory Maize as well. This is my favorite! We used to every year & loved it! They have corn cannons, a corn maize (with the option of going through a haunted corn maize at night), a hayride, an area to select a pumpkin & the opportunity for kids to paint the pumpkin. I hope they'll return next year!

Hickory Maize & Pumpkin Patch
36524 Ed Yates Road

Hickory LA 70452

(985) 863-9662

Here's a link to their website, but it hasn't been updated in ages.

Save money on your child's wardrobe with thredUP! Get a $5 credit!

About 2 months ago I discovered a wonderful website called thredUP. It's the fastest growing kids clothing swap & mom community online! Not only can you swap kids clothes, but you can also swap toys, your clothes, books, etc! You can click on any of the links to receive your $5 credit.

I love this idea! I used to sell old baby & kids clothes on eBay as my girls outgrew them, but I can't even give things away there anymore. With thredUP it's like an even exchange.

Plus, according to AccessHollywood.com, Jennie Garth (Kelly Taylor from 90210) lists her outgrown kids' clothes on thredUP. How cool is that?

How Does It Work?

The premise behind it is simple - save money on clothing & other items!
It works like this: pick a box you like, pay $5 plus shipping, prepare a box of items that no longer fit your child, send it for free when someone picks your box.

My Experience With thredUP

So far I've purchased 3 boxes from thredUP. Over the Summer I found an awesome box of books for my 13 year old daughter. She's an avid reader & hugely into the Twilight Saga (as am I). This box contained the complete series of vampire books aimed at tweens & teens called The House Of Night. This box was completely full of The House Of Night.

I also purchased a box of clothes for both of my daughters.

I don't have pictures of everything, but I will put up pics of the baby clothes I received & my 13 year old's books. Her clothes are scatted all over her bedroom, so it's impossible to figure out which ones came from thredUP.

The box of baby clothes I received

One of the outfits from the box

The rest of the clothes in the box

My 13 year old's books

Here is the step-by-step version:

PICK - Browse the listed boxes in the thredUP community and select one you'd like to receive.
PAY - Once you've picked your box, all you pay is $5 plus shipping to have it delivered.
PREPARE - As part of this process, you are required (this is a swap after all!) to list a box of clothes that your child no longer wears. They'll ask for basic details such as types of clothing, number of items, colors, brands, season and sizes. Don't worry, the USPS will mail you empty boxes for your gently used clothes.
SEND - When someone picks your box, thredUP will alert you and ask you to send the box. It is free to send boxes on thredUP because the recipient pays the shipping. You can print the shipping label on your printer. thredUP will arrange for the mailman to pick it up at your house. If you'd rather drop it off at the Post Office just cancel the pickup and leave a note for your postal carrier. As soon as your box is tracked by the USPS, you will see your box status has been changed to "shipped" in your thredUP closet.

Here is the link to join for FREE & get your $5 credit:
The idea is that for every box you offer you are able to obtain a box of your choosing. It's first come, first serve. To join for free, simply click here.

Essential Protection Oil Review/Giveaway for Harmony Aromatherapy

Winner: Maggie Keefe.

I'm happy to do this review/giveaway, & not just because the woman who owns & operates Harmony Aromatherapy is a long time good friend of mine. Amy Lapierre has helped me with health issues through the use of Aromatherapy in the past - long before I had this blog. I contacted Amy as soon as I started doing reviews because she made a believer of me! I want to make other people aware of the benefits of Aromatherapy as well.

About the Giveaway:

Today I'll be reviewing Harmony Aromatherapy's Essential Protection synergistic blend. One lucky reader will also win a 15 ML bottle of it! The giveaway will end on Oct 18 at 12:01 am EST & is open to residents of the US & Canada.

I was just approved to use the beta version of Rafflecopter (Yay!), so this is my first time using it. I believe it will make the entire process easier for both of us. However, it's throwing my usual start & end times off a bit. Details will be at the bottom of the review.

Some of the uses of this oil include:

• Wound Healing
• Pain relief
• Fights against airborne germs - cold & flu
• Use for household cleaning
• Combat mold issues
• Repel insects
• Eczema treatment
• Lung congestion
• Air Freshener
• Asthma & Brochitis
• Arthritis
• Cramps
• Fatigue
• Gout
• Hair
• Heart
• Hypertension
• Memory

Are you interested in learning more now????

About Harmony Aromatherapy:

Allow me to introduce you to Amy. Amy Lapierre is a Holistic Aromatherapist, with a certificate in Aroma 101 from the East-West School for Herbal & Aromatic studies. She's currently enrolled and completing the Master program. She wears many hats - Doula, Aromatherapist, & she's currently studying to become a massage therapist as well.

Amy first became interested in Aromatherapy while she worked as a doula (holistic child birthing coach) and childbirth educator. One of her clients was an aromatherapist. This client used her remedies during her pregnancy & post partum. As Amy saw the effects that Aromatherapy had on her client, she was amazed at what a difference Aromatherapy made for prenatal and postnatal care. The client didn't have one single stretch mark, and was eased greatly during her labor. This aroused Amy’s interest in Aromatherapy and its healing benefits.

In 2007 Amy decided to start the education process to be come a certified Aromatherapist. Today she is working as a Holistic Aromatherapist and continues to research and find many new things that Aromatherapy is beneficial for. Amy has worked with migraine suffers all the way to chronic pain clients. She has been very successful in her work and therapies. She facilitates the healing process, & works with you to identify the current problem you are facing. She believes that our bodies have their own natural healing abilities, and she will help you learn to utilize essential oils to aid that process.
Harmony Aromatherapy is family owned & operated. It's been in business since 2008.

Amy offers private consultations with custom designed oil blends to meet your own personal needs.

About Essential Protection synergistic blend:

The very first thing I wanted to know was the definition of synergistic. Amy informed me that it's the blending of oils that work well together.

This is Amy's brand new oil. It's specially formulated to help combat germs & bacteria. It protects your family with an all natural earth friendly formula. It's diluted with water & used in a spray bottle for cleaning around the house. You use it in place of any commercial cleaner, such as 409 or spray bleach. It also has many holistic uses, as listed above.

Germs & bacteria are getting stronger & harder to combat. Amy chose oils that are super charged for germ fighting & supportive of a stronger immune system.. She uses 100% pure essential oils. Sometimes the oils you buy in organic food stores aren't pure.

It can also be mixed with coconut or olive oil for use on the skin.

How To Use Essential Protection Oil:
Here are just a few examples of how to use it.

For household cleaning:
Add 15 drops to 6 ounces of distilled water (or 20 drops to 1 cup of water) in a mister bottle to help against mold issues.

To help repel insects:
Add 10 drops to 6 ounces of distilled water.

To clean and battle germs on just about any hard surface:
Add 20 drops to a ½ gallon of water.
 
Amy was aware of my eczema issue, so informed me that it could be used on both my eczema as well as my baby's (with my baby's concentration being much weaker than mine obviously)!!! I wish that I could've tested this out, but neither of us have had a flare up recently. However, Amy has 2 clients who use the Essential Protection Oil to treat eczema. One of them says that her eczema has completely gone away. If using the oil for that purpose Amy will start you off at the lowest concentration, confer with you every 3 days to see how it's working, & make adjustments accordingly.

My 1st use - insect repellant

I live in a suburb of New Orleans. Unfortunately, all of the water we have seems to make for a roach problem. Ever since we moved over a year ago we've had issues with small roaches! I noticed the benefits of Essential Protection Oil as I mixed the oil with water in a spray bottle at my bathroom sink. As soon as  opened the bottle of oil & began dropping it in the water I watched the few nearby roaches scurry away. YAY! They did not like it one bit!

I've only been doing this for a week, so it's not 100% tried & true yet. However, I do have a good idea of how this works. They can't stand the way it smells! As soon as I mix it up they start to run away. Spraying it at them when I see them is fun! They run. If I manage to hit one of them it seems to stun them. I have been seeing fewer of them during the day.

My 2nd use - household cleaning

I added 20 drops to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. My first test was in the kitchen. My teenage daughter spilled iced coffee on my counter & left it there. It was dry when I tested Essential Protection Oil , & as soon as the mixture of oil & water hit it I could see it breaking up. All I had to do was wipe it up with a sponge. Very easy! It leaves behind a nice clean smell - not the smell of bleach. I also tested it in my bathroom (sink, counter, toilet seat). It worked well wherever I tested it.

Mixed up in spray bottle:

Before Pic (Coffee Spill):

After Pic (Coffee Spill):

More

There are so many things that I could continue to test this on! My teenage daughter has a bad knee with some knee pain, my husband has asthma, I'd like to test this on mosquitoes, & Amy even mentioned that she applies it to the bottom of her 2 youngest sons feet in the morning to give them protection against cold/flu. If I tested all of this out the review would be so long that you wouldn't read it.

My impression of Essential Protection Oil

I think this stuff is awesome! It has so many uses that it's invaluable to have around the house. Because it's a concentrated oil that requires mixing, it lasts a super long time! How could you go wrong with it? It's the ideal thing for a Mom to have on hand.

My experience with Amy

I mentioned earlier that Amy has helped me with other health issues over the years. She's always been extremely caring & concerned & checks in regularly to see how/if it's working. She's helped me bring on & intensify contractions during labor, helped me stay calm during labor, helped me with insomnia, helped my skin heal from nasty cat scratches & bites, & when suffering with post partum depression! There are other more personal health issues that she's helped me with as well.

The Giveaway

One reader will win one 15 ML bottle of it! The giveaway will end on Oct 18 at 12:01 am EST & is open to residents of the US & Canada.

Simply enter with the Rafflecopter instructions. You may have to hit the "more" button to see it. It should be MUCH easier than my previous giveaways.

New WAHM Diaper Review/Giveaway - Zippy Doo Diapers! Ends 10-2-11!

Congrats to What Mommy Wants! Please keep your eyes open for an email from me. You have 48 hrs to respond. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks everybody for entering. The good news is that I was just approved for a beta version of Rafflecopter, so giveaways will be simplified from now on.

I'm excited to introduce you to Zippy Doo Diapers! This is a new WAHM diaper created by a woman in my due date online group. She's allowed me the opportunity to review her one size fitted diaper & will also give one custom One Size Fitted diaper  to one of my lucky readers. The giveaway will end on Oct 2 at 12 Noon CST. This giveaway is open to all countries! Please enter for a chance to try out this cute & absorbent diaper- you won't regret it!

Warning - this review will be pic heavy! I don't think you can do an accurate diaper review without plenty of pictures.

About Zippy Doo Diapers:

Allow me to introduce Natalie Ramirez Weyermuller. She lives in CA & has used cloth diapers on her son ever since his birth. She says that the possibility of using disposables never really entered her mind. She decided to use cloth diapers soon after discovering she was pregnant with her son. She tried various types of diapers, but really liked fitted diapers the best. Natalie loves cute & pretty things, so having a diaper that's also fashionable really appealed to her. She started buying fitted diapers & realized that she could make them herself. Natalie has been sewing since she was a little girl. In fact, she started out her college career as a fashion design major. It was her major for 3 years until she decided that she didn't like the "cut throat nature of the field".

Over this Summer she was bit by the sewing bug, & decided to design diapers for her son. She wanted him to have cute diapers without spending tons of money. She never planned to sell them. She had a full time job as an elementary school librarian, but was lucky enough to start working part time. She posted pictures of her cute diapers on our due date group's page, & soon Moms were asking if she would make diapers for them! Everyone LOVED her one size fitted diapers, so she decided to start selling her Zippy Doo diapers. You can also visit Zippy Doo on Facebook.

Natalie knew she wanted a roomier diaper. She felt that since cotton shrinks so much it was important to have a diaper that would not get smaller and smaller over time. She also wanted a soaker that had more length too, so the absorbency could truly be customized. It took awhile to get the pattern just right.

There's a story behind the cute name & logo. Natalie's brother is an animator. He drew the logo for her. The inspiration behind it is her kitty, Zippy, who loves to sit behind the sewing machine while she sews. Putting the diaper on Zippy was her brother's idea. Zippy Doo Diapers is also a play on words. "It is easy and fast (zippy) to put on the diapers (to doo it)".

About The One Size Fitted Diaper:

The diapers are made out of the cutest prints you'll ever see! You can select from her prints or send in your own. Natalie uses the prints on the outside of the diaper, & on the inside facing baby's skin is a layer of super soft cotton velour. The snap in liners/soakers are made of bamboo fleece, but they also have velour facing baby's skin. The diaper has a fold down rise/front that snaps down for smaller babies, & adjustable snaps at both the waist & leg area. The snaps are color coordinated with the fabric print. Natalie calls her diaper a "fitted one size" & says she designed her diaper to fit a little bigger than most one size diapers, so it will seem a little bigger on smaller babies. It should fit babies up to about 35+ pounds. It comes with a little bonus - a diaper wipe made of velour & a coordinating print! It's not an all in one, so a diaper cover is needed.

Here is what I received in the mail:

And more detailed pics of the diaper:

On one of  it's smallest setting.

 Showing the two rows of color coordinated snaps.

Showing the soft inner velour.

 Showing the bamboo fleece liners that snap in.

Another view of how the liners snap in. Notice that the side that faces baby's skin is velour.

Here is my baby modelling her Zippy Doo diaper in the Mermaid print:

 I chose not to fold the front down, but I do have the snaps on one of the smallest settings.

My Experience With the Zippy Doo One Size Fitted Diaper:

From the moment I opened the package I was impressed. The diaper was tied up in a cute little color coordinated bow that I've saved for a little later on when my baby girl has enough hair to put it in. It also came with a small square that can be used as a diaper wipe or makeup remover. The diaper wipe is made of the same soft velour & a color coordinated print. Natalie included wash & care instructions as well.

I untied the pretty little package to get a closer look at the diaper & fell in love with the print! I selected the print from the Zippy Doo Facebook page, but it was even cuter in person. At the time I had no idea that it would have a velour lining, & boy was I impressed with that! One of the reasons I love my itty bitty d'lish dipe is because it's so super soft to the touch. Imagine that softness up against your baby's delicate skin!

Natalie informed me that it wasn't absolutely necessary to prewash her diaper, but I could if I wanted to, & it would increase the absorbency if I did. I was so eager to try it out that I didn't prewash it. Natalie also told me that she often goes without a diaper cover when she's at home with her baby. I also didn't use a diaper cover since we were at home experiencing Tropical Storm Lee at the time. My baby was in her Zippy Doo dipe for about 2 hours, & we didn't experience any leaks at all. At least half of that time she was sitting on my lap. I felt a tiny bit of dampness & knew it was time to change her.

I will confess to being a tiny bit confused by the two different color snapping system. It wasn't difficult to figure out, but I just didn't quite understand the purpose of the 2 different colors at first. I was making it more complicated than it needed to be. Natalie was kind enough to put together a photo page depicting the snapping system. It's actually fairly self explanatory - one color for the folding rise & the other for the full rise.

I've washed & tried the Zippy Doo One Size Fitted diaper two more times since that initial use. I haven't used a diaper cover either time. The absorbency has gone up with each wash, but it was definitely usable without washing it first. That's a first for me. I remember 13 years ago when I tried my very first Motherease One Size diaper & didn't know that I was supposed to prewash it first. That sucker leaked all over the place until I washed it several times. Not having to prewash was a definite treat.

These diapers are so adorable that you hate to cover them up! They don't have a layer of PUL, so for use while out & about you'll definitely want to use a diaper cover. However, you likely won't need one for at home use. If you're like me & check your baby every couple of hours even if they don't fuss to be changed, that shouldn't be a problem for you at all. The diaper is plenty absorbent enough to prevent accidents other than dampness. The snap in liner is made of bamboo fleece, so it's quite absorbent. In fact, it's actually 2 liners sewed together that snap into the diaper.

I was impressed with the fit! This diaper is very absorbent for being as trim fitting as it is. Many One Size diapers tend to be bulky. With other diapers I've tried I've experienced issues with bulk in between the legs & elsewhere. I didn't have that problem with Zippy Doo. In fact, it fit well under her clothes! With some other dipes I've had to go a size up in her clothes in order for them to fit over the diaper, but I don't have to do that with these.

Pros:

1. Cute!
2. Custom made in either a print that Natalie has in stock, or one that you send to her.
3. Super soft!
4. Very absorbent!
5. Affordable! If you purchase a diaper made of one of Natalie's prints it costs $23.00. If you send in your own prints it costs $20.00.
6. Fit! Many diapers are soooo bulky - especially between the legs. These diapers are nice & trim under clothes.

Cons:

1. I can really only think of one con, & it isn't much of one. I wish that the diaper was an AIO with a PUL layer in the middle. Zippy Doo Diapers are so cute that you really hate to cover them up! However, as stated earlier you can go without a cover at home.

The Giveaway:

Now for the part you've been waiting for! Natalie is giving one lucky reader one custom One Size Fitted Diaper in a print of their choice! The giveaway ends on Oct 2, at 12 Noon CST. This giveaway is open to all countries!

The first task is mandatory, with 6 extra entries, for the opportunity of 8 total entries.

Please play fair & enter with one email addy. You must respond with your username & email for each entry. However, in an effort to make this easier for both of us you can leave one comment telling me how many tasks you've completed & supplying any extra info (such as a link to your tweet or twitter id) in that comment. Thanks!

Mandatory Entry

1. Follow me with GFC & comment with your name & email. Previous followers count.

Bonus Entries:

2. Subscribe via email & respond with your name & email. Previous subscribers count, but let me know.

3. Vote for me on "We're On The Fence".

4. Follow me on Twitter (@heartnbutterfly). Respond with your Twitter ID, name & email addy.

5. Tweet about this giveaway, & respond with a link to your Tweet, name & email.

6. Follow @ZippyDoDiapers on Twitter.

7. Like Zippy Doo Diapers on Facebook. Sorry, but my links aren't working on here, so visit here http://www.facebook.com/ZippyDooDiapers#!/ZippyDooDiapers

8. Leave Natalie a comment letting her know what sort of prints you're most interested in seeing her offer in the future.

Reviews & Giveaways coming soon!

Fairy Tales do come true with "I See Me" personalized books!

Please don't forget to enter the Rockin' Green giveaway! It ends Sept 7. Click here to enter.

About a month ago I See Me was extremely generous & sent me a beautiful personalized book of my choice to review. Being the HUGE fairy lover that I am, & because I have a fairy theme in my baby's room, I naturally selected their book titled My Very Own Fairy Tale for my sweet little princess. Oddly enough, about a week after selecting the book I discovered that I won a Who Loves You? book from I See Me in Beautifully Bella Faith's Blogspot! Yes; I enter giveaways too. :o) Talk about fortunate! Now I can give you my unique opinion of two different books.

About I See Me

If you aren't familiar with I See Me books, let me begin by telling you that they've won several awards: Mom's Choice, Creative Child Magazine, HomeSchool.com and Family Choice. Personalized children's books are a wonderful way to tell a child how very special they are. They make wonderful gifts for any child. You simply select a book from their many categories, & ten supply I See Me with information about your child to make the story all about them. Typically that information is basic things like: name, date of birth, special people in the child's life, & a customized dedication.

Some of the titles available are:

My Very Own Name

My Very Own Fairy Tale

My Very Own Pirate Tale

My Very Own ABC's

The World According To Me

Who Loves me?

A Christmas Bear For Me

A Hanukkah Bear For Me

You can see & order their books by visiting the I See Me website or calling 1-877-744-3210. They even have virtual tours of each book! Don't forget to like them on Facebook! 

About My Very Own Fairy Tale

It's a hardcover book, that takes little girls to a magical garden where flower fairies & berry fairies crown her as their fairy princess. Each fairy brings one letter to spell out the child's name, while describing character traits that make the girl the perfect fairy princess! This would make a wonderful keepsake for a baby girl, or even a perfect birthday or Christmas present for an older child! I See Me suggests an age range of 0 - 12 years, but my 13 year old daughter fell in love with this book & wants one of her own! I don't think it's sibling rivalry. I think she likes the artwork, the personalization, & of course she loves fairies too! I'll likely order her one as a surprise Christmas or birthday present.

It's absolutely beautiful & colorful! There's a nice added touch of the child's date of birth, & a personalized dedication. You can choose one of their suggested dedications or make up one of your own. At the end of the book there is a Fairy Patch that functions like a fairy dictionary. It features 62 fairies with interesting facts about their flowers & berries.

This is a pic of the cover of "My Very Own Fairy Tale Book"

As you can see, the cover is colorful & cheery. Any little girl would be drawn to it. I couldn't wait to swoop Patricia up into my arms, & begin reading to her! The book had about 30 pages, & it was a nice long read. If she was older & wanting more I would've continued with the Fairy Patch, but the story was enough for her.

Here are pictures of the inside of the book.

And a pic of the Fairy Patch

I didn't have to worry about shipping, but if I'd ordered my books like other customers I would've had a choice between 4 different methods of delivery. This is a wonderful thing to know! If I'm ever in a hurry, & need a book for a special gift at the last second I can order via Air delivery & I'll receive it in about 3 business days after the date of order. Standard delivery takes about 2 weeks.

While I'm on the subject of delivery, let me just show you how well the books were packed!

About Who Loves You?

The following quote comes from the I See Me website. "WELCOME A NEW BABY WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE WRAPPED IN LOVE. I See Me! Inc. Launches Its Latest Personalized Storybook, Who Loves Me?" I couldn't have worded it better myself! When I read through this one I got a little teary eyed.

This book welcomes new babies (or children up to 5) by introducing them to the people who love them most. Written in rhyme, with colorful illustrations, Who Loves Me? builds self-esteem while drawing children through age 5 into the storyline. The book names family members or friends who love the child, and encourages the child to reach to the sky when asked how much each one of them loves him or her. The book reassures the child they are loved very much by each, with unique and touching rhymes describing the depth of each individual's love. For example, my daughter's name is Patricia so the book begins "Who loves Patricia? Momma, Daddy, & Amanda love Patricia! How much? So much! More than the mountains, more than the streams, more than a little girl's happiest dreams."

The book is a short one, with a hard cover and 20 tear-free pages. Who Loves Me? is designed to be read over and over again.

Like all I See Me books, Who Loves Me? is personalized with the child's first and last name and includes a dedication to the child from the sender.

Here is a pic of the cover.

And pics of the inside

I can't speak highly enough about these books! I have absolutely nothing negative to say about them.