Sage and Savvy-Product Reviews, Giveaways, and More!: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Giveaway, Discount, Review: Glow Mama

Through the Family Review Network, I was given an opportunity to review Glow Mama, which is a beverage “flush with the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients you need…whether you're eating and drinking for two, breastfeeding your newborn, or trying to keep up with a newly mobile toddler. It's a healthy complement to your daily prenatal vitamin.”

I thought this was a perfect drink to review since I’m currently pregnant, trying to keep up with my little boy, and I plan to nurse my newborn.

According to the website, CEO Lucy Leahy created the Glow Mama drink "After skipping my caffeine, surrendering my cocktails and sacrificing my artificial additives, I was struggling to find a way to keep hydrated and healthy. It wasn’t until I was eating a lot of kiwis for their vitamin C and fiber that the 'you’re glowing' compliments starting rolling in. I put the two together – 'don’t all moms-to-be have special needs and need to feel special?'"

I certainly agree!

I never ate a kiwi before so I really didn’t know what to expect when I took the first sip. The Glow Mama beverage turned out to be very light and refreshing. I was afraid it would be too sweet, but it wasn’t at all--it was very tasty. It’s all natural and contains the following: fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamins B3, B6, B12, calcium, iron, and has 0g fat and is only 70 calories for the entire bottle! Another reason why I love this drink is because it satisfies the fruit cravings I've been having during this pregnancy.

I do have to share that DH saw how much I was enjoying the drink and asked if he could have a sip, but before he took a sip, he asked “uh….it’s okay for men to drink this right?” Of course he was just trying to be funny.

Well, he liked it too, but I only gave him one sip because the rest of the bottle was mine!

I also thought the bottle's label was very cute, stating: For best results: share it with other mamas. And that’s exactly what I did. I shared another bottle with a friend who is due three days after me. I know she’ll love it too.

Glow Mama is a tasty, low-calorie, all natural drink (I would recommend you chill it first) with essential nutrients and vitamins, and is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association. Wouldn’t you like to taste for yourself just how great it is? Well, you’re in luck because Glow Mama is generously offering a discount and sponsoring a fantastic giveaway!

Discount:
Use code sageandsavvy to get 15% off your purchase through October 31, 2008 (cannot be combined with other offers).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to kagey10!

Giveaway:
One lucky winner will get 16—that’s right SIXTEEN bottles of Glow Mama (nearly $35 in value).

To enter, visit the Glow Mama website and comment on which mocktail recipe you like the best.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and the Glow Mama website (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is October 7, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on October 8, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck and get glowing!

Thank you to Glow Mama for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Review: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Cooking

I have been very interested in finding out more about vegan eating not only because of how it benefits your health, but also because I eat very little meat (I only eat chicken at times) and thought maybe I could give vegan cooking a try. Thanks to the Family Review Network and The Complete Idiot’s Guide Series, I was able to learn a lot more about vegans from reading The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Cooking ($16.95).

According to the book, vegans eat “foods that come from plant-based sources like whole grains, beans and legumes, fruits, vegetables, and even the aquatically harvested sea vegetables. You avoid all animal-based foods and their rendered or processed byproducts, like meat, fish, fowl, eggs, all dairy products, and even honey and gelatin.”

In other words, as the book puts it, “if it once had a face, fins, wings, or feet, forget about it.”

That’s simple enough to remember, isn’t it?

The first two chapters detail the basics of vegan eating and substitutions you can use for common non-vegan foods such as eggs, milk, and meat.

The remaining chapters offered 240 recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as side dishes and desserts. The recipes ranged from simple to complex, although to me, they were more on the complex side. Perhaps I was just intimidated because I’m used to quick and easy recipes comprised of few ingredients, and ingredients I’m more familiar with.

Nevertheless, I’m always game to try out new recipes, especially if it sounds like it’ll taste good and is good for you. Some of the recipes that I can’t wait to try out are the Jungle Monkey Muffins (banana-flavored muffins with coconuts, cashews, and chocolate chips!), Veggie & Tofu Cream Cheese Wraps, and Banana Cream Vanilla Wafer Dessert.

Along with the recipes, the book provides a lot of information on vegan cooking, such as definitions of common vegan ingredients, and “Thyme-ly Tips” on how to save time and other helpful hints regarding the recipes.

Because of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Cooking, I have a better understanding of the vegan way of eating. I don’t know if I’ll ever become a vegan (I don’t think I could give up ice cream!), but I think it will be great for me to cook a few vegan dishes every now and then and make vegan substitutions whenever possible. There are so many wonderful health benefits to vegan cooking, and although I would have to seek out some of the ingredients, I know it'll be well worth it.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about vegan cooking or you simply want to try out new recipes to add to your repertoire, you may find just what you’re looking for in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Cooking.

Thank you to Penguin Group for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Giveaway: Baby Bambu

When I think of bamboo, I think of a sturdy, strong, natural material used for building products. I never knew bamboo could also be the source of fibers used to make some of the softest clothing ever, until I discovered Baby Bambu.

Just over a year ago, Baby Bambu was launched. They are an online company offering “a new environmentally friendly choice in the clothing they dress their children in. Bamboo fiber is an exceptional fabric; silky and softer than pima cotton, naturally hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, provides UV protection, etc. (perfect for infants and children)…The overall look of the line is simple; classic, gender-neutral styles and shapes but with a punch of color and unexpected details.”

Baby Bambu offers basic pieces (e.g. onesies and pants), beautiful hand knit pieces (e.g. sweaters and cardigans), as well as accessories (e.g. hats and blankets). If you browse through their product selection, it’s evident that they took the time to listen to the moms they spoke with in terms of offering items they wanted—“practical, soft, cute, but not fussy.”

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to keckie83, Katie Lyons, and janetfaye!

Great news--Baby Bambu is sponsoring a generous giveaway so that THREE lucky winners can experience the beauty and softness of their line of products. They are giving away THREE fleece crib blankets (valued at $41), choice of stitching. Their fleece crib blankets measure 40”x55”, and are made from a blend of 80% bamboo, 20% cotton. The website states it's "one of the silkiest blankets you'll ever feel." Wouldn’t you like to find out for yourself just how soft the blanket is?

To enter, visit Baby Bambu and comment on which product you like the best.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Baby Bambu (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is October 5, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
Three winners from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on October 6, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck!

Thank you to Baby Bambu for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Review, Discount Reminder: Bubble and Bee Organic

Last month I published a post on Bubble and Bee Organic, a company that creates a variety of organic bath and body products—lip balms, shampoos, deodorants, insect repellent, and more. They provided special offers for Sage and Savvy readers, one of which is still valid through the end of the month: 10% discount with code savvy1 (does not apply to sale items); expires September 30th.

Well, in my post I mentioned how I was going to take advantage of the discounts to buy some of their products, and I did—I bought items for myself as well as for gifts! I was also fortunate to receive samples of their best selling Coconut & Lime Lotion Stick and Root Beer Lip Balm.

I never tried a lotion “stick” before, so I expected something dry and difficult to apply. I sure was wrong! The lotion stick, which is made of 100% organic ingredients, smells yummy and applies so effortlessly to your skin! I was not expecting the lotion to rub on so easily. I started using it on my elbows and now I’m using it on my heels too. The lotion stick really does its job in making dried out skin soft and smooth. I love how I can conveniently carry the stick around in my purse without worrying about the cap coming off and leaving a liquid mess all over (which has happened before with other lotions). I also found an interesting excerpt about the lotion stick from the Bubble and Bee Organic website: "Most lotions are 80% water with maybe 10% oil. Companies use chemical emulsifiers to make the water and oil combine, and synthetic preservatives are added to keep the water from growing bacteria. Even ‘natural’ lotions aren't really that natural because they've got at least an emulsifier and a preservative. Sometimes companies will go without preservatives so their label reads to be more natural. But that's a problem, too. Now you've got a lotion that could be growing bacteria. What happens when you get that bacteria in a cut on your hand, or get it in your eye? Because our lotion stick is 100% oil-based, there's no risk of bacteria. "

Of course, the Root Beer Lip Balm is another great organic treat for my lips (I think I’m going to become a lip balm addict soon with all the great lip balms I’ve been getting). And w

ouldn’t you rather have a yummy-smelling Root Beer lip balm made of natural ingredients on your lips versus some chemical-smelling lip balm with ingredients you can’t even pronounce?

Bubble and Bee Organic has a variety of great products and they constantly add new items to their line—they even offer bamboo towels and laundry detergent!

Visit Bubble and Bee to find out more about their selection and don’t forget to take advantage of the discount before it expires!

Thank you to Bubble & Bee Organic for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Review: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backyard Adventures

Whenever DH, DS and I want to do things as a family, we often times end up doing the same old thing—going to the beach or the park or the zoo. Not that there’s anything wrong with those places, but I want DS to experience and participate in a variety of activities…especially activities that won’t cost much, since money is a big factor, especially in today’s economy. Thanks to the Family Review Network and The Complete Idiot’s Guide Series, I now have a lot of great ideas for family activities after reading The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backyard Adventures ($12.95).

The book states “Backyard adventures involve learning, experiencing new things, and having fun at home with family…The backyard is perfect for a botany adventure, planting a garden, or camping out…Do you really need to look any farther for an adventure?”

That is so true, don’t you think?

Even though the book is titled The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backyard Adventures, not all the adventures featured take place in the literal sense of your “backyard.” The “backyard” can refer to a local park, a nearby town, or a school. Many of the adventures featured don't require a lot of time, money, and effort, and the book offers a variety of ideas for different age ranges and different interests (e.g. sports, crafts, science). You’ll get detailed instructions on how to plan and accomplish the activities, and a list of resources is also listed in the appendix if you want to get more information on that particular adventure. There are important tips throughout the books, and you’ll also discover some fun and interesting facts in the “Did You Know” sidebars. For instance, Game Time, which is one adventure I know we’ll be participating in a lot in the future, reveals how Monopoly is the best-selling game in the world and the longest Monopoly game on record lasted 70 straight days.

There are many adventures I’m looking forward to, such as Artist’s Colony, Insect Safari, and Culture Shock. What I really like about the book is how you’re offered suggestions to add variety to the experience. For example—for Artist’s Colony, which basically involves using various art supplies to create new works of art through drawing, painting, stamping, etc., the book suggests conducting a “scavenger hunt” to look for items that could be used in place of rubber stamps (e.g. pencil erasers, leaves, etc.). That sounds like it would be a lot of fun for the kids!

I also like how the book lists different holidays to celebrate throughout the year—and these are not the “typical holidays.” For example, did you know September 26 is National Pancake Day and October 1 is Homemade Cookies Day? How much fun would it be to celebrate these holidays in some fun and creative ways with your family?

We don’t need to spend a lot of time, money or effort to enjoy an adventure as a family. With just a little creativity and the help of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backyard Adventures, you’ll find a great adventure close to home that your entire family can help plan, participate in, and enjoy.

Thank you to Penguin Group for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Ready for the Green Flash?

Visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom for more participants.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Giveaway, Review: Lu Lu's American Baby

When I received a sample of Lu Lu’s American Baby Rock Star Paparazzi Lime Shampoo, I was shocked at what I read on the flyer that was enclosed: “Did you know…'Tear Free' products actually contain a chemical numbing agent to numb your baby's eyes so they can't feel all the chemicals burning them. The eyes are still being irritated, they just can't feel it, yuck!”

I honestly did not know that!

According to their website, Lu Lu’s American Baby products uses “only 100% Natural Ingredients & Organic whenever possible. Most shampoos are filled with dyes, fragrance, cheap ingredients, unnecessary fillers, and even controversial preservatives. Did you know…approximately 75% of what is put onto our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream?"

I couldn’t wait to try out the shampoo on DS. The Paparazzi Lime Shampoo comes with a convenient hand pump, and the shampoo smells soooooo good! The shampoo lathers really well, and it didn’t sting DS’s eyes at all. What I like best though, is how it has no dyes, artificial fragrances, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, or chemicals.

Of course, I had to try it out too, and I absolutely love it! I already have plans to buy more, and I’m even planning to buy their Rock Star Tangerine Limousine Conditioner.

I also received a sample of the Rock Star Organic Lip Balm "Healing Stick" which can not only be used on chapped lips, but on scars and other dry areas of your face and body. How cool is that?

Even though the Rock Star line was launched to appeal to the “tween” ages, I highly recommend their products, especially the shampoo, for anyone, even if you're older or younger than a "tween." A shampoo with a cool name, an awesome fragrance, and natural and organic ingredients—what more could you ask for?

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to kygirl!

Well, how about if you could get the shampoo for free, along with a Rock Star Hat? Lu Lu’s American Baby is generously sponsoring a giveaway of a Rock Star Organic Hemp Bling Hat (choice of color) or Boy’s Rock Star Organic Hat, and the Rock Star Paparazzi Lime Shampoo (total value up to $44).

To enter, visit Lu Lu’s American Baby and comment on which product from their Rock Star line you like the best.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Lu Lu’s American Baby. (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 30, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on October 1, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck!

Thank you to Lu Lu's American Baby for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Review: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fun FAQs

I love to play trivia games, and so does DH. In fact, before DS was born, we spent many nights playing trivia board games such as Trivial Pursuit, Scene It, and Cranium. I hate to admit this, but DH usually beats me. But thanks to the Family Review Network and The Complete Idiot’s Guide series, I’ve learned a whole lot of new fun facts from reading The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fun FAQs ($12.95) that may help me notch a win against DH the next time we play a trivia game.

Fun FAQs was a fact-filled, amusing read. There are FAQs on a variety of subjects, such as food, movies, people, sports, and music. You’ll be entertained with some of the answers, and you’ll have fun testing your friends’ and family members’ knowledge on a variety of topics.

Some of the FAQs I knew the answers to, and I’m sure most of you would know the answers as well (e.g. vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the U.S.). However, there were many FAQs in which the answers were very surprising to me, such as, Hawaii is the state with the highest percentage (25%) of union workers, Scrabble was originally named Lexico, and 1000 babies born between 2000 and 2006 were named Unique.

Although the book was a fun read, I only wish it had less sports-related FAQs (there seemed to be a lot). However, I did have fun quizzing DH to see if he knew the answers. He, of course, enjoyed all the sports FAQs.

I’m sure everyone will find some interesting facts in the book. Some of the FAQs and answers may amuse and intrigue you, others you may have no interest in, but you will definitely learn a lot of new fun facts and raise your Trivia I.Q.!

More interesting FAQs I found to which I did not know the answers to were:

“When did hospitals start letting fathers in the delivery room to witness the miracle of birth?”

“What now popular girl’s name was inspired by a 1984 film?”

“Why aren’t school buses equipped with seat belts?”

Find out the answers to these and more in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fun FAQs.

Thank you to Penguin Group for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Feature Blog: An Island Life

I never thought I would start a blog. Never.

But a series of events took place recently which changed all of that…I became a mommy that wanted to become greener…I lost my job after a very abrupt company shutdown…my friends kept asking me about the eco-friendly products I used…and I stumbled upon the blog An Island Life by Kailani.

Ever since I google-searched “Hawaii Mom Blogs” and found Kailani’s An Island Life, Kailani has not only been a bloggy inspiration, but she has been supportive and encouraging to not only me, but to other mommies out there who are just starting out with their blogs and/or product reviews and giveaways. To me, she truly exemplifies the Aloha Spirit.

I was really interested to find out how Kailani got her start in blogging, among other things, and here’s what I found out:

When did you start blogging, and why did you start? It all started back in 2006 when I received a Palm Treo Smartphone as a gift. I was told that if I blogged a review about a particular app, I could get the download for free. I had no idea what a blog was or where to start so a fellow Treo user I met in a forum told me about Blogger.com and how to set everything up. I figured I would write the review and that would be the end of that. Well, it's 2 years later and I'm still here!

You're a mother, a wife, a flight attendant…you run your online shop, Island Baby Boutique, you work on multiple websites and you contribute to other sites as well...how do you manage your time with so many responsibilities? Good question. I honestly don't know how I get everything done in a day. I guess it helps that DH is very supportive when it comes to my blogging. After all, he gets to benefit from all the free stuff I get! LOL! However, I think it's all about being organized and managing your time well. When I'm on the computer, I usually have a plan on the things I need to get done for the day.

What do you enjoy most about blogging? Definitely the friendships I've made over the past couple of years. Although, the free things are great, too!

You feature a lot of reviews and giveaways on An Island Life and An Island Review, and you recently launched the Family Review Network. What was the first product you ever reviewed? Given away? I never realized it before but my very first review was also my very first post - it was a program called TreoAlarm for my smartphone. I've had so many giveaways that I can't remember which came first.

Complete the sentence: If I'm not blogging, you'd probably find me passed out from exhaustion.

As you know, when I stumbled upon your blog I thought it was inspirational—not only referring to your posts about life in Hawaii, parenting, and work in the airline industry (since I could relate to all three), but the fact that a "local girl" could be so successful with her blog and establish such a good following. Are there any blogs that inspire you? I'm so honored by your kind words! I would have to say 5 Minutes for Mom. I knew them back when they weren't as mega-popular as they are now. I've seen them grow into an influential voice in the mommy blogging world and I really admire them for it. The best part is that they are really genuinely nice women. I've had the opportunity to speak with them over the phone-they are so sweet!

You have written about many of your adventures as a flight attendant. Do you have any memory that stands out the most, good or bad? It would have to be the elderly woman who had a medical incident while boarding the flight on her way to visit Hawaii for the first time. She ended up passing away without ever realizing her dream. It's something I'll never forget.

Any advice for newbie bloggers—whether it be on posting reviews or personal stories, how to get subscribers, social networking, etc.? If you're looking to increase readership, the best way is to network by joining forums, carnivals, and networking sites and being active with other members. Make thoughtful comments, visit other blogs, and be patient. If you put the time and effort into it, the hits will come.

What is one sage and savvy product that you can't live without? Definitely Unique Skins *wink* I've been having so much fun on their site!

I’m sure most of you, if not all of you, already read Kailani’s blog, but if you don’t, I encourage you to stop by An Island Life. You'll find it enlightening and entertaining, and I know you’ll experience as much Aloha from her as she has shown me and so many other bloggers out there.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Giveaway, Review: PakNak

If you are looking for a cute, colorful, and easy way to personalize backpacks, lunch totes, notebooks, and more, PakNaks are for you.

According to their website, anyone can “Use PakNaks® to transform plain backpacks, bags and all of your stuff into personalized, ever-changing, colorful works of art. PakNak® charms are interchangeable, weather resistant and quickly and easily stuck to all of your stuff. Leave pins, patches, stickers and clip on charms behind with our super strong Velcro® that makes changing your look as easy as changing your Nak.”

Thanks to the Family Review Network, I received a sampling of PakNaks—Earth, Martin, and Isaac. Yes, I admit, the Earth was more for me than DS, but it matched the reusable tote that I use for DS’s snacks and drinks. Applying it was as easy as 1-2-3: 1) Peel of the adhesive from the Velcro; 2) Apply the Velcro to your item; 3) Stick on the Nak. How much easier can it get?

DS loved the Earth Nak too—he kept pointing to it and asking “wha-dat?” The funny thing—he loves the sound of Velcro so he kept taking the Nak off and putting it back on again, but despite how many times he did that, the Nak stayed in place firmly whenever we used the tote!

Switching to another Nak is just as easy and you can change it whenever the mood strikes. Your child may be into sports one week and animals the next. With so many creative and colorful designs to choose from, you and your child should have no difficulty finding the perfect Nak. What’s even better--each Nak comes with its own trading card, and you can also download the Nak’s coloring book for free.

And great news for all you eco-conscious consumers--many of their newer designs, such as Earth, are made from recycled plastic and contain no phthalates!!!

PakNaks are the perfect accessory to decorate a variety items—you are

limited only to your imagination. With the holidays just around the corner, these would make a great gift or stocking stuffer! So it’s perfect timing that PakNak is generously offering a discount and sponsoring a wonderful giveaway!

DISCOUNT:
Get 10% off your purchase using code PAK10 through October 20, 2008 (cannot be combined with other offers; PakNaks can only currently be mailed to the US and Canada).

Note: 10% of all online sales will go to benefit Schoolhouse Supplies, which is “an award-winning nonprofit that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies.”

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to tobye, jennem, Millie, and mommyjen99!

GIVEAWAY:
PakNak has generously donated 4 sets of 3 PakNaks each--that’s right--FOUR lucky winners will get some PakNaks of their own (valued at approximately $12)!

To enter, visit PakNak and comment on which 3 PakNaks you’d like if you win.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and PakNak. (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 27, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
Four winners from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 28, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck and have fun browsing through the adorable selection of PakNaks!

Thank you to PakNak for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Giveaway, Review: ikookie

When it comes to my son and future son, I try to buy organic clothing whenever possible and affordable, especially after everything I hear and read about the use of all those chemicals and pesticides to treat regular cotton. DS#2 already has a bunch of organic clothing that I can’t wait for him to wear once he’s born, such as the delightful pieces I received from ikookie.

ikookie is a new organic clothing line that launched just this year. According to their website, their baby clothes “are made with 100% organic cotton, grown with natural fertilizers and free of toxic chemicals. Our organic cotton baby products include bodysuits, t-shirts, yoga pants, sleepsuits, blankets, towels and more.”

When I opened the box of ikookie clothes, the first thing I noticed were the cute, bright colors, with names just as cute—marshmallow, sky, and blush (other colors include nature, banana, and natural). The sky bodysuit, Cute as a Bug Tee, and yoga pant will look adorable on DS#2, and I know the blush tee would be perfect for any little princess. All the clothes feel so soft and they just look so comfy!

I love how ikookie offers several basic pieces in solid colors that can easily mix and match. I also love their tees with the endearing graphics, such as the Cute as a Bug Tee. I think the tees with their logo are really adorable too—it’s such a neat design! What I like best about their clothes is that they can be used anytime, anywhere—perfect for staying in or going out, great for playtime or naptime! ikookie offers a variety of clothing in sizes newborn to 24 months, and their items are very reasonably priced.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to lilyk!

To help celebrate their launch, ikookie is generously sponsoring a giveaway of a yo

ga pant and lap t-shirt set (valued at $15.99, winner’s choice of size newborn-24 mos. and color).

To enter, visit the ikookie website and comment on which product you like the best.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and ikookie (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 25, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 26, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck and thank you for helping celebrate the launch of ikookie!

Thank you to ikookie for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles!

Visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom for more participants.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Discount, Review: Fierce Hugs

I recently bought a baby shirt from Fierce Hugs, a company that features “organic wearable art” on their baby clothing. Although they have many cute designs to choose from, I had no difficulty in deciding which design to buy. I knew I just had to get the Surfer Tee, since it was created from a photograph that one of the founders, Hani, took on Kauai.

Fierce Hugs was the vision of Tina and Hani, “two friends who share a passion for art and a desire to create unique infant clothing” Their website states “Fierce Hugs collaborates with independent artists to create delightfully eclectic images that are playfully offbeat and mildly edgy in a fuzzy, baby-safe way. We’re building a gallery of wearable baby art through the wild imaginations of our clever artists in bright fun colors (thanks to AZO-free low-impact dyes).”

The 100% organic Surfer Tee is delightful and colorful. Of course, I lov

e the green and the green trim, and the image of the surfboards has a hip, retro flair that totally says “Hang Loose.”

And it really is “art”—I could picture the tee framed and up in the nursery!

Fierce Hugs has many other original designs featuring great artists, and their clothes really are bright and fun. They offer $5 flat shipping, and you can also join their mailing list to get updates on their monthly promotions and new designs.

Right now you can take advantage of a discount that Fierce Hugs is generously offering all Sage and Savvy readers. You can get $5 off your purchase using code SAGE3 through December 31, 2008 (cannot be combined with any other offers).

Visit Fierce Hugs today and get some “organic wearable art” for your little one!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Review: EcoLeeko

I think I’m fortunate that DS usually likes bath time (I think I’m even more fortunate that DH is the one who gives him baths most of the time--it’s hard work with a growing belly in the way!). There are times, however, when DS just cannot sit still and he just screams and screams during his bath. Even though we bought some bath toys and books, DS doesn’t enjoy them. What he does enjoy is when we use a famous character bath mitt we received as a gift. He giggles whenever we use it. Therefore I was very excited when we received an EcoLeeko Solar Polar Cub Bath Buddy—an eco-friendly bath mitt!

Sue Lappan is the creator and designer of EcoLeeko. According to the website, “EcoLeeko is a one woman adventure designing and making colorful Eco Friendly plush dolls for youngsters of all ages. Bamboo Fleece and Organic Cotton corduroy are hand dyed and printed, creating One of a Kind funky dolls. All natural Kapok fiber and walnut shells stuff each doll. They are then sewn with Organic Cotton thread and hand stitched with a Soy/Wool blend yarn creating their faces. EcoLeeko is bright, colorful, soft and fun. And better yet, it's biodegradable and Eco Friendly.”

The Bath Buddy is made of hand-dyed organic cotton French Terrycloth, and it made bath time more enjoyable for both DS and DH. When we--okay, not we, but DH--used the Bath Buddy on DS, he said the soap lathered well, and it even made bath time easier because he was able to scrub and reach more places at once with the mitt versus with just a regular washcloth. Of course DS thought it was fun to have a new “bath buddy."

Not only does EcoLeeko carry Bath Buddies, but they also offer Plush Dolls and Baby Rattles. Take a look at EcoLeeko’s product selection and I’m sure you’ll agree that these are handmade eco-friendly treasures any little one would adore—cute, colorful, fun critters, that would make bath time, or any time, more fun!

Thank you to EcoLeeko for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Giveaway, Discount: Elegant Roots

Let’s face it, going green can be expensive. Some people ask me if I think it’s worth it to go green, and my answer is always a definitive YES. Although I still consider myself light-green, I do try to buy eco-friendly and organic products whenever possible. I am always learning about and researching new products, since it’s always helpful to know what makes a product eco-friendly rather than just seeing labels such as “organic,” or “all-natural.”

Elegant Roots, a company that offers a variety of eco-friendly products online, is a company that has strong values and an equally strong commitment in providing their customers with as much information on their products as possible to help them make an informed purchasing decision, therefore taking the guesswork out of wondering whether the purchase is really worth it.

According to their website, Elegant Roots reflects their values. “We offer one small but elegant solution to our growing concern for people and planet by transparently presenting gifts with eco-conscious and socially responsible roots. We believe that thoroughly understanding a product’s story enhances its meaning and adds value to our customer’s purchasing power.”

Elegant Roots operates on the following 5 Core Values: Quality, Relevance, Transparency, Encouragement, and Responsibility. As you browse through their site, you’ll notice they list the four Ws for each product. The site states “We seek to create a world environment where customers care to ask and business authentically answers four simple questions: who made this product, what is it made from and under what conditions, where was it made and why, beyond its form and function, is it worth buying?”

Another added bonus when shopping at Elegant Roots is that each of their gifts are sent free of charge in eco-friendly gift packaging, along with a story card about the product.

An eco-conscious company offering eco-friendly products in free eco-friendly gift packaging—don’t you love that?

So you can enjoy their products too and appreciate their values, Elegant Roots is generously offering a discount and sponsoring a wonderful giveaway:

Discount:
Get 10% off with code ERSAS100508 at checkout through October 14, 11:59pm EST (cannot be combined with other offers or used on gift cards).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Sandy!

Giveaway:
One of Elegant Roots’ designers and team members, Julie Kramer of EvokeBaby, has generously donated an EvokeBaby organic 3-6 month onesie, winners choice of design: wave (peace), sun (wisdom), flame (courage), mountain (strength), or tree (balance) (valued at approximately $22).

To enter, visit Elegant Roots and comment on which product you like the best AND WHY (based on the “Why” in the four Ws product details, list one or more reasons WHY you like the product).
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Elegant Roots. (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 21, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 22, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck, and I know you will appreciate Elegant Roots’ values as much as I do.

Thank you to Elegant Roots for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Giveaway: Tiny Prints

For those who have been reading my blog for a while, you already know how I love Tiny Prints, creator of the most adorable photo cards, and I can’t wait for DS#2 to be born so I can order their photo birth announcements.

A leader in holiday photo cards, Tiny Prints is so excited about the upcoming 2008 holiday card line that they couldn’t wait to offer a sneak peek to showcase their new card designs. Enter their contest to help determine what cards will be most popular this coming holiday. During this early preview period, the new holiday cards are not yet available for purchase; however, for a very limited time you can receive amazing early-bird savings on their soon-to-be retired photo cards, Christmas cards and holiday invitations.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to laura!

To help them celebrate the launch, they are offering a $50 gift certificate to one lucky winner who reviews any of the cards in their newest 2008 holiday line.

To enter, simply go to Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com), and browse through the preview of their newest 2008 Christmas cards, holiday photo cards, and business holiday cards for those who work in or own companies.
Save your favorite 2008 design in your account by clicking the “save in favorites” button.
Leave a comment on my blog with a link to the specific holiday card (click on link for example) as well as a reason why you liked it the best. Please note that some designs are so new that they cannot yet be customized, but will be soon (early October and hundreds more designs)!
When posting your comment, be sure the email address that is in your profile or that you provide is the same one used to create a Tiny Prints account so participation can be verified.
The deadline for entries is September 30, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries (make sure to follow the above directions!) will be chosen by random.org and notified via email upon verification of his or her Tiny Prints account. Once verified, winner will be contacted and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for all addresses

Good luck, and have fun browsing through Tiny Prints’ vast selection of adorable designs!

Thank you to Tiny Prints for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Giveaway: Unique Skins

I recently po

sted about an opportunity I had through the Family Review Network to review Unique Skins, a company that offers Skins, or “adhesive-backed vinyl pieces pre-cut to fit your electronic device.” Unique Skins offers a great, affordable way to personalize a variety of electronic devices—mobile phones, MP3 players, laptops, and more. I decided to customize a Skin for my iTouch. The design process was very quick and easy, and I was very pleased with the way my iTouch turned out. DH was impressed too.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to mannequin, Brittany, and lilnamekangelivy!

Unique Skins has generously donated three $15 gift codes so three lucky winners will be able to personalize the electronic device of their choice.

To enter, visit the Unique Skins website and comment on which type of Skin you’d like to get.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Unique Skins (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 18, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
Three winners from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 19, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck!

Thank you to Unique Skins for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Trying to Build a Sand Castle

Visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom for more participants.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Giveaway, Review: Baby Monkey

I have featured many wonderful organic clothing companies, many of which offer clothing with really cute designs. Another great eco-company I found, Baby Monkey, features Feng Shui- and Asian-inspired designs that encourages “good health and balance.”

According to the website, Baby Monkey began in 2006 by Elizabeth Wong after she began creating “Feng Shui inspired baby onesies for her friends for their baby showers...[they] use 100% organic cotton from Under the Nile, H.A.E Now, and American Apparel. Organic cotton feels softer and is more durable as well as more gentle and breathable to a baby's skin. It is grown and dyed naturally, meaning it is completely free of toxic pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers which are known to cause allergies, skin rashes and eczema on newborn skin."

DS received the cute My Ying is Your Yang tee in sage (my favorite color, of course). The

website states “Ying and Yang are opposite balancing energies we possess. Ying is calm and tranquil. Yang is uplifting and energetic. A child with well-balanced Ying and Yang has a solid foundation to achieve their ultimate goals with better judgment and greater ease.”

I love the meaning behind the design. This 100% organic cotton tee is very soft, and the symbol and colors are very eye-catching. Another great thing about this shirt, as well as the rest of Baby Monkey’s baby and toddler clothing, is that they come in colors that are great for both boys and girls.

And guess what--they carry some of their unique designs in adult sizes too, so mommy (or daddy) can wear a matching tee!

Currently Baby Monkey is offering free shipping over $50. If you’re interested in future updates or promotions, don’t hesitate to sign up on their website.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to dddiva!

Baby Monkey has generously donated a 100% organic Got Karma onesie, size 12-18 m

onths (valued at $24.99). Their website describes the Infinity Knot, which is at the center of the design, as a symbol that “blesses your child with good Karma forever. Good Karma brings success in all areas such as happiness, health, wealth and luck.”

To enter, visit Baby Monkey and comment on which design you like the best.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Baby Monkey. (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 16, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 17, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck, and wishing you good Karma!

Thank you to Baby Monkey for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Giveaway: Ohgeez Organic Clothing Co.

Fabulous eco-company Ohgeez Organic Clothing Co. has a great selection of organic clothing (I personally cannot wait until their summer 2009 collection is available), and they are sponsoring another fantastic giveaway!

Just to remind you, according to their website, “Ohgeez always uses certified organic fibers, and the majority of its fabric is milled in the USA. All Ohgeez garments - and everything in and on them from thread to hang tags - are manufactured domestically. The beautiful colored fabric is dyed using a low impact fiber reactive process with minimal effects on our environment.”

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Stephanie!

Owner Teresa Myers, who has been in the organic clothing business for many, many years is generously sponsoring another great giveaway, this time of a long johns set (color=Natural, size=winner's choice 2T to 9/10, valued at over $46). This would be perfect for the upcoming fall and winter seasons!

To enter, visit Ohgeez Organic Clothing Co. and comment on which color long johns set you like the best (make sure you list the correct name of the color in your comment).
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Ohgeez Organic Clothing Co. (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 14, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 15, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck, and thank you Ohgeez Organic Clothing Co. for another terrific giveaway!

Thank you to Ohgeez Organic Clothing Co. for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Discount: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (select cities)

Most families, if not all, have their own traditions, whether it be on a small or large scale. One tradition that many families experience is attending the circus whenever it comes into town. Who can resist seeing a child’s face light up at the sight of amazing animals, amusing clowns, and awesome acrobats? According to a Mom Central survey, 88% of moms surveyed regard a circus as a “not to be missed childhood experience.”

When I was little, I went to a mini-circus that was held at a local fair. I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the animals and the clowns, and it made me yearn to go to a bigger circus—the "Greatest" of them all...the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

If you live in select cities as noted below, you have the opportunity to take advantage of a 20% discount thanks to Mom Central (see cities and dates below) and attend the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus with your family.

Just visit ringling.com, type in your zip code, select a show, and purchase your tickets with the code MCC, which is valid for the circus shows in the following cities and dates:

Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA - Oct. 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2, 2008
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2009

Spread the word and tell all your relatives and friends who live in or near those cities about this great discount!

There's also another fantastic offer for parents with babies up to 12 months old, living in the continental US. Sign up for Baby’s First Circus, which gets your baby “a free ticket voucher that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date!” Visit their website for more details and to sign up.

Attending the circus is indeed one of those experiences that neither you nor your children will ever forget, and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will help create memories that will last a lifetime and a family tradition that can be carried on year after year.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Giveaway, Review: Ecogear

DS has some cute backpacks we use to stuff his toys and books in whenever we go out, but none of them are cuter than the one we just got from Ecogear’s Ecozoo line. Check out this elephant bag!

According to their website, as told by Ecogear/Ecotech founder Jimmy, “My inspiration came while I was on vacation with my family. In the summer of 2006, I watched my kids play on the beach. Realizing how special these moments were and thinking about how fast my kids were growing up, I was struck by a thought. What can I do to help to ensure my children have a clean and healthy planet to enjoy?” Ecogear/Ecotech was born shortly thereafter, offering a great selection of eco-friendly bags.

What makes this Elephant Bag eco-friendly? It’s made out of organically-grown cotton canvas and rope materials, non-toxic dyes, recycled plastic components, and sustainable wood accents.

I really love the Elephant Bag. My son does too. I don’t know who loves it more! Not only is there a lot of room for all sorts of books and toys, but it can even be used as a toy itself! DS loves zoo animals so he gets a kick out of using and playing with the bag. In fact, he loves to wear it all over the house and carries it around wherever he goes.

The bag uses both a drawstring and wooden toggle closure to keep things secure instead of a zipper, which I think is great because DS loves to play with zippers and he broke the zipper off of another backpack he had. And it’s just the cutest bag...don’t you think? Fun, functional, and eco-friendly—a great combination!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations kygirl!

Wouldn’t you like win an Ecogear Ecozoo bag? Here’s your chance,

as Ecogear has generously donated this equally adorable Pig Bag ($29.99 value)!

To enter, visit Ecogear and comment on which of their products you like the best.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to BOTH Sage and Savvy and Ecogear (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is September 11, 2008, 11:59pm HST.
A winner from all eligible entries will be chosen by random.org and notified via email on September 12, 2008 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses only.

Good luck, and thank you for helping in “saving the world one bag at a time.”

Thank you to ecogear for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wordless Wednesday: Two Pots of Gold?

Visit Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom for more participants.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Discount: Tiny Prints

I previously posted a review of Tiny Prints, creator of adorable photo birth announcements, holiday cards, invitations, and more. Well guess what—they are offering a 10% discount, and since the Holidays will be here before you know it, it’s just in time for you to start looking through their selection of holiday cards! Use Tiny Prints coupon code TPBR136508 to receive 10% off your next order of stationery, invitations and photo cards. Expires 12/31/2008.

You can also start looking for invitations to your next party or birth announcements for your newborn. They have such a vast selection of cute designs that you'll definitely find one you love. Visit Tiny Prints today, and don’t forget to use the discount code!

Archive

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

Thursday, September 25, 2008

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Monday, September 22, 2008

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Monday, September 15, 2008

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Tuesday, September 2, 2008