Amber Crown Baltic Amber Teething Bracelet

We have enjoyed being able to use Baltic amber necklaces to help our little girl through teething. We even started using it with our 4 year old when she was having recurring ear aches and to help her heal from having ear tubes put in. However, with a defiant 2 year old, I’ve been looking for other options to make sure she can’t take her Baltic amber off during the night.

The Amber Crown Baltic Amber Teething Bracelet has safety knots between the beads and a screw closure. Which the bracelet size, I’ve been able to put it on my daughters ankle and inside her footed pajamas – giving her relief and me piece of mind.

Why Amber Crown Baltic Amber? Keep your baby calm and happy by reducing teething pain almost to zero with amazing chemical-free authentic Baltic amber baby teething bracelet by Amber Crown. The high content of succinic acid in amber, which is released by your babies body warmth, stimulates thyroid glands to help reduce pain, drooling and inflammation.

Amber Crown Baltic Amber Teething Bracelet comes with a certificate of authenticity and a 100 day 100% money-back guarantee. It comes in a gift box so it’s great for baby showers; add it to your baby registry today! Learn more about them at www.AmberCrown.com.

Check out my YouTube review here.

*I received a free product to review. All opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.*

Fox and Finn Silicone Teething Necklaces

I love how stylish silicone teething necklaces have gotten over the past few years. Fox & Finn necklaces are no exception. I had the opportunity to try one out for myself recently.

Fox and Finn Silicone Teething Necklaces, available on Amazon, look like statement necklace pieces but are made with 100% premium food grade silicone and BPA free. Each necklace features a safety knot in between each bead to ensure that, if it should break, only one bead will break free.

The colors Fox & Finn uses throughout it’s line on completely on trend right now and match a variety of outfits and occasions. I even wore mine to work one day and got compliments on my new necklace. Everyone was surprised to find out it was really a teething necklace.

You’ll want to see the details, like the satin cord, for yourself. These make a great shower present for the mom that wants to look good while keeping her little one’s hands and mouth occupied. Does it need a wash? Just wash with warm soapy water or toss in the dishwasher.

Pick one up for yourself or a friend today. Check out the one I tried, the “Isabella”, or browse the entire line. You can also visit their website. Which one caught your eye?

 

*I was provided an item to review in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.*

 

Enjoying Festival Season with Little Ones

This past weekend we went as a family to the annual Dayton Celtic Festival. It is just one of the many festivals around Dayton that happens from Spring until Fall every year.  We enjoy going to them as an opportunity to get a glimpse of other cultures and try new foods. Even though my husband and I aren’t crazy about large crowds, we have learned a few tricks to make attending festivals and other large events a little more bearable with small kids.

Pick the best times. I always try to get there a little before the actual start time to get a decent parking spot and be ahead of any food lines. If something is happening all weekend long, we opt for the first weeknight or Sunday for the lightest crowds.

Snacks and drinks. If you are able to, always pack some water or drinks and small snacks. You never know for sure how long the lines will be or if your child will actually find something they like to eat, plus bringing some “sides” will help you save a few bucks, too.

We got there at about 5:30p on a Friday afternoon with a quick snack of Cheerios available for the girls to munch on while we walked around a little bit looking at the vendors and picked up dinner. As soon as the event officially started, my husband got drink tickets while I snagged a table by a show tent that was about to have Irish dancers performing. By the time everyone was back together, the girls food had cooled enough for them to actually eat it, we had drinks, and the first performing group was up on stage – dinner and a show!

Plan your time there. Look up schedules on line before you go so you can decide if there is a presentation or act you want to see and plan accordingly.

Pick the right gear. As much as I love the baby carrier, for this festival, the right choice for us was the double, side-by-side stroller. I like being able to give each girl a seat to eat in or watch performers from (just in case we couldn’t find one) and be able to get them through the crowds without running the risk of one or more of them stopping to check out what is on a vendors table. In this case, I knew most of the areas would be paved and ramps available, plus we could put items in the storage area underneath.

While I have gotten a lot of use of the side-by-side, a draw back is that there isn’t much in the way of cup holders or a tray for the driver. I like being to have things like my phone, cash, something to drink, and maps easily accessible when we are out and about and I was always having to dig around for items in the little pockets of the stroller or in my bag underneath. That’s why I was happy to get the chance to review the SavvyBaby Stroller Organizer. #savvybaby

The SavvyBaby Stroller Organizer attaches to the handle bar with strong hook and loop strips and has multifunctional pockets. Two main part has two cup holder compartments, plus a divider running the middle to keep items from getting lost. It’s made from a neoprene fabric that helps hold items and stretches to fit there shape while be easy to clean. The front pocket was the perfect size for my phone, cash, and ID and has a little port to pass your headphones through. Need to step away from the stroller for a minute? Just unzip the whole front piece and take it with you.

It comes in black or a great chevron print and they toss in a free snack or toy leash that attached in a couple different ways so it will be perfect for any container or item and any stroller. It has been the perfect addition to the stroller for us plus, since it’s fabric, we can just leave it attached and the stroller folds right up when we are done. It would make a great baby shower gift, too.

Dayton has tons of festivals, from sweet corn to ribs, from Greek to German, and everything in between and we are looking forward to the rest of the season. What kind of festivals are in your neck of the woods?

*I was provided with a product in exchange for my honest review. Post contains affiliate links.*

MommyCon 2015 Ticket Giveaway!

I told you guys a little about MommyCon when I became a MommyCon blogger. I have been counting down the months until it comes to Columbus, Ohio on September 19, 2015. It has been fun connecting with other moms in the Facebook groups and learning from the veterans about how to make the most of the day.

Here are a few tips I have picked up:

• Get ready to geek out. MommyCon is very kid-friendly but don’t be afraid to leave the little ones at home and enjoy your Mom time.
• Look for deals for the area now. People have been able to get great deals on everything from hotels to parking to things to do with the kids before and after the event by keeping an eye out over the past few months.
• Bring snacks. Even though there is food for sale, the lines tend to be long. If you have little ones with you, have dietary restrictions, or are just impatient, it’s a good idea to pack your lunch, or at least snacks and drinks. Also, leave it in the car if you can.
• Standing room only. If you are taking kids with you, your best bet for the day is to plan on using a baby carrier and wearing a backpack. It sounds like they try to have a stroller check if you need to use one to get to the event but it will be pretty full of people so plan to carry babies and leave space in the backpack for fun finds and session materials.

For information about the Washington D.C., Columbus, Newport Beach and Seattle events, visit MommyCon. If there is a location you are interested in, scroll to the bottom to find the link to the Facebook group for the event and get in touch with other attendees. Of course, you can also follow them on social media to keep up to date with what is going on (and there are giveaways every now and then). Then, get ready for VIP tickets to go on sale closer to the actual date.

The ladies at MommyCon have been so great to work with. I am thrilled to be able to offer you a chance to win two general admission tickets to any MommyCon city in 2015! Follow the link below to enter by August 3, 2015, 11:59pm. Winner will be notified by email and have 24 hours to claim their prize. Good luck!

Click here: Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don’t want to wait and take your chances, use the promo code DOMESTIC15 for $5 off your general admission ticket today (only good on general admission, not pre-sale or VIP). Military moms, check out the Military Ticketing Program.

Baby Gear Giveaway & Summer Sweeping Giveaway Hop

I hope your summer and July 4th weekend is off to a great start. As part of this giveaway hop, I’m happy to offer up some wonderful products that I had the chance to review. Each of these will make great additions to your next baby shower or to your supplies today!

The Prize Items:

The Mattress Protector Pad from Universal Comfy Co. is a breathable yet great choice for protecting baby’s mattress from dust, allergens, or accidents. It fits our standard mattress perfectly. It’s made from bamboo so that means lead-free, PVC-free, and contains ZERO phthalates or PBDE.

Chu Berries BPA Free Universal Pacifier Clip With Silicone Beads is a great twist on a useful item when it comes to babies. This product combines the classic pacifier clip with silicone teething beads to 2 products in one. See my review here.

Enter to win them by following the link below then keep scrolling for the giveaway hop. Contest ends at 11:59p on July 17, 2015. Good luck!

Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to the Summer Sweeping Giveaway Hop, hosted by Viva Veltoro and Lindsey Blogs.

Summer is just getting started because it is definitely HOT, HOT, HOT outside. Each blogger in this Event has a giveaway worth at least $25 to help you stay cool and keep Summer Sweeping with this fun Giveaway Hop – so be sure to hop around to them all below including our hosts – Viva Veltoro has an amazing collection of baby prizes and Lindsey Blogs is sharing a few of her favorite brands with you!

Click here to enter and view this Linky Tools list…

So Easy Being Green, Viva Veltoro, and the Summer Sweeping participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

*This giveaway is self-sponsored. I was previously provided free products in exchange for my honest reviews. Post contains affiliate links.*

Magnetic Baby Safety Lock Review and Giveaway!

Ah, baby proofing. Eventually, every baby gets curious about what is on the other side of cabinet doors. Sometimes it’s towels, sometimes it’s cleaning products. It’s more than just about getting baby from making a mess, it’s about keeping them away from the harmful things we unfortunately have to have in our homes and keeping little hands from getting pinched.

In our last home, we were able to run a baby lock with cords through the handles, but in our current home, there is nothing to put a lock on. We are renting so drilling holes in the cabinetry is not an option either. I am happy to share the Purple Safety Magnetic Baby Safety Lock with you as a great alternative for when you can’t or don’t want to drill into cabinets while baby proofing.

The Purple Safety Lock comprises 4 keys and a single magnetic lock that can open all of them. They are easy to install yourself with no tools, just a little attention to detail. It’s great for any room in the house and can be put on the top, the side, or where ever it works best for you. They won’t leave marks on furniture and can be removed while being hidden in every day use. The written instructions and video made it easy to follow along to install.

Here is your chance to win a set of 4 locks. Contest ends July 4, 2015, 11:59pm. Good luck! Be sure to keep scrolling and check out the rest of the 4th of July Giveaway Hop!

Giveaway Here!

Welcome to the 4th of July Giveaway Hop hosted by Karen’s Got Mail. I have teamed up with a fantastic group of bloggers to share these giveaways with our readers. Be sure to hop around to the participating blogs and enter some fabulous giveaways! Also, make sure to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway which features a $50 Target Gift Card!

Karen’s Got Mail and the 4th of July Giveaway Hop participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations.

*This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. A was provided a product at a reduced cost in exchange for my honest review.**

Check out the great offers from Shutterfly going on right now…

#SpreadtheLovey Campaign with Baby Jack and Co

It’s almost Memorial Day. Yes, it is a chance to have a little family fun, but more importantly, it’s a chance to reflect and remember the sacrifice of many that chose to serve their country and paid the ultimate price.  While Memorial Day recognizes those that have passed in the line of duty, it’s not that far of a leap for us to also think about all the men and women that serve in the armed forces currently. As the spouse of an active duty member, I hope that Memorial Day always remains a sunny, family-filled, long weekend without any personal connections.

Our military members don’t serve alone. When they are called away, whether it’s the other side if the country or the other side of the world, their families are left behind. In these situations, some children find a lovely item very comforting and reassuring. This Memorial Day weekend, you have a chance to help families that may be in the middle of a long separation. Join the #SpreadTheLovey campaign with Baby Jack and Company and donate $18 to gift a Baby Jack and Company Flag Lovey to a military child. They will ship donations for free to Kindness Reps around the country, including four that work with military families. This weekend, make sure to use code SPREADTHELOVEYTCOP for free shipping and to make your purchase count towards donations to The Carrying On Project.

Baby Jack and Company makes loveys with closed tabs, so that they don’t get stuck or twisted around tiny fingers, and that can clip on to carriers, car seats, and strollers. Based out of Milwaukee, WI, Baby Jack and Company employs a team of moms to make their unique and modern product that grows with your child. Visit Baby Jack and Company to donate a Flag Lovey today. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This weekend, Baby Jack and Company is going above and beyond by donating a percentage of ALL sales to The Carrying On Project #Military Families. The Carrying On Project provides baby carriers of all styles to military families and I have personally been touched, having received a Catbirdbaby soft structured carrier. It was a huge sanity saver being with an active preschooler and a clingy infant all day. We still use it regularly.

I also recently got to represent The Carrying On Project at a local Operation Homefront Star Spangled Baby Shower in our area where I got to help give away about 45 carriers to military moms! If you are going to a MommyCon event this year (use code DOMESTIC15 for $5 off), be sure to 1) “like” The Carrying On Project on Facebook or Instagram so you can get the secret code she sometimes has for special prizes and 2) be sure to stop by their table and let them know how awesome they are.

 

The #SpreadtheLovey campaign is being featured by The Baby Guy this weekend. They have teamed up to give FIVE of you a chance to win a lovey of your choice and FIVE to #SpreadtheLovey to a friend or child in need.

Buy a lovey, donate a lovey, or just check everyone out on social media!

We have a chance for you to win one right here, too! Follow the link below to enter to win. This giveaway is open from May 22, 2015 to June 2, 2015, 11:59pm. The winner will be notified by email and have 24 hours to claim their prize. Baby Jack and Company is responsible for prize fulfillment. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Giveaway prize is being supplied by Baby Jack and Company but I was not compensated for this post. This implies no relationship to TheBabyGuyNYC. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.*

Favorite Cloth Diaper Accessories

When it comes to cloth diapers, a lot has changed since our parents or grandparents were using them. In addition to the wide range of styles and materials on the market, there are lots of accessories out there to make cloth diaper easier, more efficient, or just a little more fun. Here are a few of my favorites. Don’t forget to scroll down to jump on the giveaway hop and check out what other blogs are talking about!

Baby leg warmers:

There are lots of brands out there, but it’s also pretty easy to make them yourself or if you have a friend or family member with a serger. I picked up a couple of pairs of knee socks in some fun designs and my mother used her serger to pretty quickly make a handful of sets. Here is a great tutorial from Hobo Mama.

Cloth diapers tend to be a little bulkier than their disposable counterparts and need to be changed a little more often so sometimes a little tee shirt and baby leg warmers instead of pants are easier during the day. They have been great for just being around the house or to cover legs with riding in the carrier or stroller to protect legs from the sun.

At the 2014 Great Cloth Diaper Change

Cloth diaper fastener:

I usually use pocket, all-in-one, or all-in-two style of diapers. However, on occasions when I want my daughters tush to get a little fresh air without running the risk of creating a puddle, I use prefolds and I have been able to get a great hold with Snappi. These and other fasteners on the market have replaced the old style “pins” that my mom used to use on me. I also use them with snapless fitteds for overnight, with or without covers.

That’s me in a pinned on diaper!

Storing diapers ready to wash:

I use a regular plastic trash can with a foot peddle for the lid as our diaper pail. I line it with a Planet Wise Diaper Pail Liner which makes it easy to turn out the contents into the washing machine, set my options, and walk away. The elastic around the top keeps it in place and the generous size holds what ever my daughter can dish out. When we moved, I even used our pail liners as laundry bags. They have taken quite a beating between two children and family use and they are still in great shape.

Washing diapers:

There can be (and has been) discussions on cloth diaper detergents alone. Regardless of what detergent I use, I run the occasional wash with RLR to help remove any build up. I also use on regular clothing, especially if my whites start looking a little dingy. In the dryer, I still use these and these wool dryer balls to help clean my inserts fluffy and help them dry quicker. I hang diaper covers to dry on my Ikea drying rack.

You now have a chance to win a couple of my favorite cloth diaper accessories: two sets of baby or toddler leg warmers and a pack of neon colored Snappi fasteners by following the link below. A winner will be selected, be notified by email, and have 24 hours to claim their prize. Giveaway ends May 25, 2015 at 11:59pm. Open to US only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Check out #SpreadtheLovey and enter to win a Baby Jack and Company Tag Blanket here!

 ———————————————-

Do miss out! The 2nd annual Cuckoo for Cloth giveaway event, hosted by Zephyr Hill Blog and ConservaMom, starts today! It’s a fun way to visit lots of different cloth diapering bloggers and enter to win some wonderful prizes.

The grand prize package is worth over $150 and includes items from Funky Fluff, GroVia, Wink Diapers, Margaux & May, Zookaboo and Geffen Baby!

 

The Zephyr Hill and ConservaMom blogs are not responsible for grand prize fulfillment. Please refer to the terms and conditions particular to each giveaway. Good luck and have fun!

Domesticating Michelle was not compensated for this post and opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.

Chu Berries Silicone Pacifier Clip Review

Do you feel like you have to choose between a pacifier clip and a teether? Or maybe your tired of your baby chewing on the pacifier ribbon? You should look at Chu Berries Silicone Pacifier Clip and Teething Toy.

Chu Berries BPA Free Universal Pacifier Clip With Silicone Beads for Teething Baby * Non-toxic (Marvelous Mint) is a great twist on a useful item when it comes to babies. This product combines the classic pacifier clip with silicone teething beads to 2 products in one. The unique clip design is plastic instead of metal, opens in a way that cannot pinch baby or be opened by baby unexpectedly and it holds strong once in place.

The beads are silicone, like ones on a teething necklace so baby has the option to explore these shapes on top of using their pacifier. The combination of the ribbon and plastic snaps made it very easy to attach to different kinds of pacifiers when I tested this product, even the difficult to clip Soothie was a breeze to fasten.

Simple but very effective, multiuse design makes this a standout in my book. Best of all Chu Berries contains no BPA, phthalates, cadmium, lead, wood, paints or metals. Works with most pacifiers including MAM, Soothie, Avent, Nuk, & more.

“LIFETIME TRADE UP GUARANTEE”. These are the ONLY pacifier clip that I know of that offers this! Simply contact Chu Berries for instructions and you’ll get a coupon for a FREE product with purchase. Don’t put your Chu Berries products in a landfill. So send them back and we’ll recycle them for you.

Add this BPA Free Universal Pacifier Clip With Silicone Beads for Teething Baby * Non-toxic (Marvelous Mint) to your baby registry today or pick one up for the baby in your life! Be sure to visit Chu Berries online to sign up for their newsletter or find them Facebook.

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion. The views expressed represent my personal opinion of this product. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Born Wild Amber Teething Necklace Review

Kelsey did not wear amber while she was a baby. She drooled so much when she began teething she permanently had a bib on to catch it all and a red chin. By the time I was pregnant with Aubrey, now 19 months, I had heard lots of stories of babies blissfully going through teething with much less crying, pain, and drooling. I decided that was enough for me to give a try.

I am not an expert, but I have noticed a big difference between when she wears it regularly and when I forgot to put it on her for a few days (daycare doesn’t like to let her wear it). Since you can not predict when a tooth will be ready to break through, it is better to be safe than sorry and we try to have her wear it at night at least.

When she was a baby the break-away clasp on the necklace was fine and made me a little more confident in allowing her to wear it all the time. However, once she learned she could pull it off, I was concerned with it getting lost. I recently had the opportunity to try the Born Wild Teething Necklace and it has been nice to have her wearing amber again with it’s screw on clasp. Plus, the string is knotted between each bead so if it broke, we would not have many little beads all over to track down.

This necklace is 100% authentic Baltic amber. While made in a great length for baby and toddler necks, it can also be wrapped around an ankle and tucked into a sock or under a onesie. Or, adults can wear amber too to alleviate pain from a variety of sources including arthritis.

The Born Wild Teething Necklace comes in a little pouch, perfect for a baby shower gift.

Visit Born Wild on Facebook or follow them on Instagram for opportunities to learn more and for chances to win one!

*I received a product in exchange for my honest review.*