Sage and Savvy-Product Reviews, Giveaways, and More!: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Parking Pal

Parking lots can be scary when you’re a parent of little kids. I always make sure DS1 is always within my sight and/or holding my hand to prevent any possible accidents or injuries. Now, thanks to Parking Pal, I have some assistance in keeping DS1 safe while in parking lots.

According to the website, the Parking Pal was created when “one mother residing in Virginia began to think of ways to keep her kids focused so the chance of them bolting or wondering in parking lots would be eliminated. She created the Parking Pal and IT WORKED. Austin, her 5-year old, and Aiden, her 3-year old, love the Parking Pal. When getting out of or coming back to the vehicle they go directly to it, put their hand on it, fiddle around with it and chat with each other while she gets her youngest into his stroller or back into his car seat. Until all vehicles are equipped with back-up cameras and all until all drivers remember to pay careful attention in parking lots, this is a great aid in keeping your child safer.”

Before we actually used the Parking Pal (ARV $7.99) while in an actual parking lot, we “practiced” at home. We stuck the Parking Pal AlphaPal Magnet on our fridge and every so often we’d tell DS1 to put his hand on it so he’d get used to it.

On our first try in an actual parking lot, he knew what to do and immediately placed his hand on the Magnet! The bright colors make the Magnet really stand out, and the pictures on the border of the Magnet help in keeping DS1’s attention. For instance, the AlphaPal Magnet has letters all around the border, so we’d ask DS1 to point to specific letters or specific colors with his other hand. Older kids should be able to simply place their hand on the Magnet and keep focus, but because DS1 is still on the younger side, the various colors and pictures help to keep his focus on the Magnet.

The Parking Pal Magnet is thin and small enough to keep in my purse, so no matter if we're using my car or DH's car, we'll always have the Magnet to help us keep DS1 safer while we're in parking lots.

Although this is a great safety tool to help keep your child away from the potential dangers of a parking lot, you should still NEVER leave your child unattended, and always practice care and caution whenever cars are around. Kids can get curious or distracted, so you should still keep your child within eyesight and within reach.

Never leave them alone!

Shop: You can purchase the Parking Pal online at kidsafetysolversandmore.com, or check the website for a list of retailers.

Savvy Savings: Parking Pal is offering free shipping (international shipping included) with code SS09; no expiration date.

Win: One lucky winner can win a FishPal Magnet courtesy of Parking Pal.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Jamie!

To enter visit the Parking Pal website 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 Sage and Savvy and Parking Pal website; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is February 7, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on February 8, 2009 (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 Parking Pal for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Friday, January 30, 2009

CleanWell

Yes, I carry around a lot of hand sanitizers. Yes, I’m considered a germaphobe by many. No, I didn’t know there was such a thing as an all-natural and alcohol-free hand sanitizer until I heard about CleanWell.

CleanWell was created “because of a boy born with an immune system disorder. His concerned parents started investigating natural alternatives to toxic disinfecting agents found in everyday cleaning products. Their scientific background and determined spirits led them to engage scientists at leading microbiology labs to develop a safe alternative. Eight years of development resulted in a unique patented formulation of natural essential oils that kill 99.99% of germs, without the use of any toxic or artificial chemicals. The end result: CleanWell with Ingenium.”

What is Ingenium? Ingenium “is the only all-natural antimicrobial that meets EPA and FA standards for germ killing efficacy. It contains no alcohol and no harsh chemicals such as Triclosan and Benzalkonium Chloride. Ingenium is made from plants which are readily available and rapidly renewable resources…”

I was fortunate to try out some travel-size CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer Sprays (1 oz., ARV $3.50) and a pack of All-Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes (10 ct., ARV $3.00).

I tried the Orange Vanilla and Citrus Herb sprays, which are two of four new custom scents made for Bath and Body Works. They both smell great, but Orange Vanilla is my favorite—it reminds me of a yummy frozen dessert! You just need a spray or two, and the little bottle is good for 225+ sprays, so you know it’ll last a long time.

The Hand Sanitizing Wipes are very useful, especially when I have to deal with DS1's messy hands after playing or eating. The pack easily fits in your purse or diaper bag and the “peel and seal” label does a good job in sealing the pack—the wipes don’t get dried out once the pack is opened.

CleanWell's products kill 99.99% of germs, and are:
· Alcohol-free
· Triclosan-free
· Safe for Kids
· Safe for sensitive skin
· Certified cruelty-free

Shop: You can purchase CleanWell hand soaps and hand sanitizers on the CleanWell website and other online retailers such as Bath and Body Works or Amazon, or you can find a retailer near you.

Win: One lucky winner will receive two All-Natural Hand Sanitizing Sprays--one Lavender and one Spearmint Lime (total ARV $7.00) thanks to the generosity of CleanWell.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Christina!

To enter visit CleanWell and comment on which is your favorite product or which product you’d like to try.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and CleanWell; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is February 6, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on February 7, 2009 (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 CleanWell for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Green Works Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes

Ever since Clorox’s Green Works line of products was introduced, I’ve been a big fan. I have many of their products on hand--Dishwashing Liquid, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and All-Purpose Cleaner, to name a few.

Thanks to Mom Central, I was able to try out the Green Works Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes. According to the website, “in addition to cleaning up spills and messes with the power you'd expect from Clorox, they're also 99% natural and biodegradable. So you get the best of both worlds – the convenience of a wipe without any harsh chemical residue.”

I’ve been using the Green Works Wipes (ARV $2.99-$3.59) all over my kitchen and bathrooms. The wipes have more texture than other wipes I’ve used before, and they do a great job wiping up spills, smudges, and even picking up crumbs. I use them on my counter tops, stove tops, sinks, and even on my floors.

I feel a lot more comfortable using the Green Works Wipes in my home versus the other popular wipes, especially since I have two little kiddies to look after. The less chemicals there are in my home, the better.

Green Works products now feature the Sierra Club’s logo, the “oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.” They have partnered up with the Sierra Club to help promote their commitment to environmental awareness and sustainability.

Green Works is also supporting eco-friendly community projects by awarding five $10,000 grants in the Green Works Green Heroes Grant Program. For more information, including official rules, visit the Green Works Green Heroes Grant Program website.

Shop: You can purchase Green Works Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes and other Green Works products at a variety of online stores and retailers nationwide, or click here to find a retailer near you.

Green Works continually finds ways to introduce safer, all natural cleaning products, as well as find ways to support a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle, and it’s because of these factors you will always find a Green Works product in my home.

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

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Lexen Healthy Juicer

If you’re one of the many people who resolved to get healthier this year, the manual Lexen Healthy Juicer may be able to help you stick to your resolution, allowing you to get fresh, healthy, nutrition packed juices from wheatgrass and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

According to the website, “Most people know about the extensive health benefits of juicing, but nobody enjoys the process of setting up the juicer and worst of all, cleaning up afterwards. The Healthy Juicer is rugged, efficient, and best of all, easy to use and clean!" The Healthy Juicer is a masticating juicer. “The main benefit of a masticating juicer is that it crushes the fruits and vegetables as opposed to shredding them as your average centrifugal juicer does. This process of crushing and squeezing extracts more juice and also has less heat build up than from the high speed at which centrifugal juicers work, which destroys the enzymes and other vital nutrients. The Healthy Juicer produces a healthier juice!”

The Healthy Juicer (ARV $44.95) is primarily a wheatgrass juicer, but it can also accept leafy greens, as well as fibrous vegetables and fruits, however some items may need to be cut up small, and softer items such as bananas and avocados with a low moisture content may not juice well.

If you’re looking to get the maximum health benefits out of your fruits and vegetables, the Lexen Healthy Juicer will help you do just that.

Shop: You can purchase the Lexen Healthy Juicer online at 877MyJuicer.com.

Win: 877MyJuicer.com has partnered up with Lexen Products in sponsoring a giveaway of a manual Lexen Healthy Juicer to one lucky winner.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Betty C!

To enter visit 877MyJuicer.com and comment on which is your favorite product.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and 877MyJuicer.com ;3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is February 11, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on February 12, 2009 (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 877MyJuicer for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

MagnetStreet Baby

Whenever I get a photo announcement, thank you card, invitation, or holiday card, it always ends up on my fridge. However, I get so many of them that I always end up running out of magnets. I know many of our friends and family members find themselves in the same situation—I’ve seen their fridges covered with cards as well. I recently ordered some personalized magnetic photo cards from MagnetStreet Baby, and all our friends and family members who receive one won’t have to worry about finding a magnet for these delightful cards.

According to the website, “Spreading news of the miracle of birth has never been more creative or unique than with MagnetStreet Baby's Birth Announcement collection. These sweet Baby Announcements are completely customizable ~ add your favorite photo(s), change the color if you like and say what you want to... in your own words or with our standard text. These high-end Linen or Magnetic Birth Announcements also make a beautiful keepsake that friends and family will absolutely love.”

After I browsed through the various designs, I ended up selecting the following Chocolate Squares Magnetic Holiday Birth Announcement (ARV $1.39-$2.79, depending on quantity):

Although it’s a holiday birth announcement, I ended up using it as a Thank You/Happy New Year card. I really loved the color scheme, and I liked how it had the option to add up to 4 photos. You could also add your own text in four different boxes.

To personalize the card you can either launch the interactive editing tool or complete an imprint form. I ended up using the editing tool to edit my card. I uploaded photos of my two little boys, and added Happy New Year and Thank You in two of the boxes, as well as my boys' names in another. I had some special design instructions for my order (depending on type of request, additional costs may be applied), and within 24 hours, I was emailed a proof (proof emailed only if special instructions are requested or if you use the imprint form) and my order was sent through to processing once I approved the proof.

Talk about quick customer service!

When I received my MagnetStreet Baby cards less than two weeks later, I was really impressed with the quality. The colors were rich and the photos were nice and clear. When I met up with some girlfriends for dinner a few nights later, I passed them out and they all were very impressed too, asking me where I got them. I knew they’d be a hit!

Shop: You can purchase magnetic or linen photo birth announcements, holiday cards, and more on the MagnetStreet Baby website.

Visit MagnetStreet Baby to find the perfect magnetic photo card so you can wow your friends and family members too!

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

Monday, January 26, 2009

Dagoba Organic Chocolate

Even though I prefer milk chocolate over dark chocolate, I’ve been trying to eat more dark chocolate since I've read in lots of magazines how dark chocolate is higher in flavonoids, a compound with antioxidant properties. So when I received a box of dark chocolate goodies from Dagoba, I didn’t feel any guilt at all eating all of that chocolate.

According the website, “Dagoba was founded in 2001 by Frederick Schilling…He was determined to create exceptional, innovative chocolate that would benefit people, planet, and industry...His passion for chocolate developed while he was a chef looking for a career change, and experimented with chocolate and chai. 'I’m a huge fan of chai, and adding ginger to the chai-chocolate mix sent it over the top!'…After fine tuning formulations and scouring the world for the finest cacao, Frederick, his family and a few friends began pouring and wrapping the first bars by hand. Lavender and other creations joined chai to bring new flavors to the shelves, defining the innovative spirit that continues to this day.”

I was fortunate to try a variety of Dagoba organic dark chocolate bars (ARV $3.00 each) and some tasting squares in a sampler gift book (ARV $21.68) which included 24 tasting squares, 6 of each of Pacuare (Costa Rica), Los Rios (Ecuador), Milagros (Peru) and Sambirano (Madagascar).

I am by no means a chocolate expert, but I know what I like, and here’s what I thought of Dagoba's chocolates:

Bars:

Mint (Dark chocolate, mint, and rosemary essence). This was my favorite. I guess chocolate and mint always make a great combination.
Lavender Blueberry (Dark chocolate, lavender essence and wild blueberries): This was very delicious. At first I was a bit hesitant—lavender essence? But it was really good, and you could really taste that hint of lavender!
Beaucoup Berries (Rich dark chocolate, cranberries, cherries, and vanilla): I really enjoyed this combination of ingredients. It was very yummy!
Superfruit (Rich dark chocolate, acai, currants, and goji berries): I really enjoyed this combination as well.
New Moon (Rich dark chocolate): Smooth and rich, very delicious.
Eclipse (Extra strong dark chocolate): With 87% Cacao, I thought this bar would be too overwhelming, but it wasn’t. It was really good!
Xocolatl (Rich dark chocolate, chilies, and nibs): This was my least favorite, probably because I could taste that chili kick, and I just like my chocolate to taste sweet.

Tasting Squares:
Below are the descriptions of the chocolates in the gift book. Although I don’t have a refined palette and couldn’t distinguish all of the different flavors

and ingredients, they were all very, very delicious, with my favorite being the Milagros, because I could taste the hint of banana, and I love bananas.

Pacuare 68%, Costa Rican Trinitario, Cru. Upfront berry, fruit and golden raisin, with a lingering finish of hazelnut and caramel.
Los Rios 68%, Ecuador Arriba. Upfront cacao, followed by hints of flower and citrus, with a balanced astringency throughout.
Milagros 68%, Peruvian Amazon. Fair Trade Certified. Round and velvety mouthfeel enveloping notes of banana, orchid and warm spice. Long, intense and complex, ending with increased sweetness and nuances of pineapple.
The Sambirano 65%, Madagascar Trinitario. Distinct citrus and subtle tropical fruits lead to a finish of fig and sweet raisin.

Dagoba has won numerous awards for its chocolate, and I’m not surprised. Tasting these wonderful chocolates has been an adventure for me. With the unique combinations of flavors and ingredients, Dagoba truly offers innovative chocolate creations that all chocolate lovers would appreciate.
Shop: You can purchase chocolate bars, gift books, drinking chocolate, chocolate soap, and more on the Dagoba website, or click here for a list of retailers.
Win: Dagoba is generously sponsoring a giveaway so one lucky winner will receive a Tasting Squares 24 Count Gift Book (ARV $21.68).

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Baba!

To enter, visit Dagoba and comment on which is your favorite product or which product you’d like to try.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Dagoba; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is February 2, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on February, 2009 (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 Dagoba Organic Chocolate for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

EO

You’ll never find me without hand sanitizer in my purse or diaper bag (yes, I’m a bit of a germaphobe), and I was recently able to try out some great hand sanitizers that contain organic alcohol and other organic ingredients thanks to EO.

According to the website, EO, which stands for Essential Oils, is a “Certified Organic Manufacturer of personal care products using the highest grade natural and certified organic ingredients. We create products that are natural, gentle, effective and free from animal testing…It is our mission and our privilege to develop our own innovative and efficacious formulas, source our natural ingredients, manufacture, and find the most environmentally friendly packaging to fill and ship each and every EO® product.” The essential oils in EO's products are “steam distilled directly from flowers, leaves, bark and wood without any adulteration or synthetic additives, as it was intended directly from nature, and giving you products that smell amazing.”

All the various forms of the hand sanitizer (gel, spray, wipe) are made with 62% organic alcohol, but what really sets them apart from other hand sanitizers are the organic ingredients and the great fragrances, or flavors.

I tried the Organic Lavender and Unscented with Organic Jojoba Oil Gel Hand Sanitizers (ARV $3.99 for 2 oz., various flavors; also available in 8 oz. and 32 oz.). The Lavender smelled great, as expected, and the Unscented didn’t leave behind a strong alcohol smell despite not having any scent. I also tried the Organic Peppermint Hand Sanitizing Spray. (ARV $2.99 for .33 oz., various flavors; also available in 2 oz.). Just one or two sprays does the job, and I love the peppermint smell—it reminds me of candy canes.

My favorite product is the Sanitizing Hand Wipe (ARV $.67 each, various flavors; also available in a 24 ct. box). The wipes are my favorite because not only can you use them to clean shopping cart handles, high chair trays, counter tops, and so much more, but they are gentle and safe enough to use on your hands.

EO offers more than just hand sanitizers. Their product line includes items you can use from head to toe—shampoo, lip treatment, lotions, and foot balm, to name a few, and I was able to try out some of their bath products.

I received the Time Out (Coconut and Vanilla with organic Tangerine) and Nighty Nite (Blue Chamomile with Lavender) Bubble Baths (ARV $9.99 for 12 oz., various flavors), and they contain a Coconut Cleansing Complex that doesn’t dry out your skin. As expected, they smell really nice, especially the Time Out Bubble Bath—it smells so yummy! Just a few drops creates enough bubbles for you to soak in, and what’s great is that they contain no parabens or sodium lauryl sulfates.

I also received a couple of terrific Bath Salts ($3.99 for 4 oz, various flavors)--French Lavender and Be Well-Eucalyptus and Arnica. They contain Himalayan Pink Salt which help to detoxify your body and help you relax. The Bath Salts smelled amazing as well.

According to the website, “EO Bath products are inspired by the Japanese ritual of bathing which emphasizes purification and relaxation - mindful soaking - a valued part of daily life.” Now, I wish a bubble bath or a soak in a tub full of bath salts could be a part of my daily life, but with a newborn and a toddler, that’s nearly impossible. However, now that I have EO bath products on hand, I may not be able to resist a daily soak!

Shop: You can purchase EO products online on their website, at other online stores, or find a retailer near you.

Win: EO has generously donated a 32 oz. bottle of Organic Lemon Hand Sanitizer (ARV $24.99) for one lucky winner.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Tamara B.!

To enter, visit EO and comment on which is your favorite product or which product you’d like to try.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and EO; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is February 1, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on February 2, 2009 (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 EO for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Tees For Change

I love finding out about great eco-friendly companies. Tees For Change is one such company, and what I love about their tees other than the fact that they are made from eco-friendly materials are the inspiring messages printed on each of their tees.

According to the website, “Andreea Ayers started Tees For Change while pregnant with her first child in 2007. She and her husband desired to experience a home birth for their son, but they were often bombarded with negative and fearful responses from both friends and strangers. Andreea's response was one that would ultimately shape and guide her business. She created a t-shirt for herself with the words 'Be Courageous' printed across the front that she wore during the home delivery of her healthy son. In Spring 2007 Tees For Change was born out of Andreea’s ongoing commitment to living an eco-friendly lifestyle with a deep belief in positive thinking.”

The adult tees (ARV $32-$34) are made from eco-friendly fibers (organic cotton and/or bamboo) and come in various styles and nice, solid colors. The baby onesies and toddler tees (ARV $24) are made from organic cotton and have cute, fresh designs. And of course—all of the tees and onesies are printed with simple, yet inspiring and positive messages.

My favorite tee is the “live mindfully” tee, and I also love the “play often” onesie/toddler tee.

Shop: You can purchase these fantastic tees, as well as beautiful, handcrafted necklaces, online at Tees For Change or you can find a retailer near you. Note: For every tee or onesie you purchase, a tree is planted in a partnership between Tees For Change and Trees for the Future, which plants trees in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Win: Tees For Change is generously sponsoring a giveaway so one lucky winner will receive a tee or onesie of his or her choice!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to windycindy!

To enter, visit Tees For Change and comment on which tee or onesie (under the women, baby, toddler, or unisex/plus size categories; be sure to specify size and style if applicable) you’d like if you won.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Tees For Change; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 31, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on February 1, 2009 (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 Tees For Change for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Paper Shouts

Last year I posted about how Paper Shouts, a company that creates greetings, announcements, and invitations for various occasions, now prints all of their products on 100% recycled paper.

They recently loaded their Valentine’s Collection featuring many great designs. What grandparent, teacher, or friend wouldn't be thrilled to get this Valentine’s Card with your own little girl’s or boy’s photo in it?

There are many other adorable cards to choose from, ranging in price from $.79-$1.89 depending on design and quantity.

Shop: You can purchase Valentine’s cards and other stationery products on the Paper Shouts website.

Savvy Savings: You can get a 15% discount on all orders placed by February 5, 2009 with code SageSavvy (cannot be combined with other offers).

Win: One lucky winner will win a $25 gift certificate to Paper Shouts.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Marissa!

To enter visit Paper Shouts and comment on which Valentine’s Card 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 Sage and Savvy and Paper Shouts; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 30, 2009, 11:59pm PST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on January 31, 2009 (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 Paper Shouts for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Share My Inauguration

On January 20, 2009, millions of people around the world watched as Barack Obama took his oath into office and became the 44th President of the United States. For so many of us residents of Hawaii, especially those who were born and raised here, it was extra special knowing that a Hawaii-born individual could accomplish so much and inspire so many people as he began his role to lead the nation.

DS1 was sitting on DH’s lap watching the inauguration on TV, while I held DS2 in my arms. I was really quite amazed that DS1 sat there, contently, without fussing. Even though he’s still too young to appreciate what was going on, when he gets older we’ll be able to explain to him how we were all together, watching history unfold on television.

People all over the world were sharing their inauguration experiences and emotions through the news, blogs, and other forms of communication. I found out through Mom Central about this great site called Share My Inauguration, which followed the DC24 and their inauguration experience. The DC24 “are 5th and 6th grade students from Frazier Preparatory Academy in inner-city Chicago who were chosen by a committee of faculty and staff to attend Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration and witness American history as it unfolds. The students were chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity based on a series of criteria, including a written essay, grades, test scores, an oral interview, but most importantly, citizenship. Once selected, the students participated in a weekly civics course where they learned more about the Constitution, our election process and African-American history.”

These 5th and 6th graders shared their experience through blogging and vlogging, which you can view on the Share My Inauguration website. One of my favorite posts stated: “I am so VERY VERY HAPPY and just a word over that. I have seen so many people representing Obama so that tells me that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has finally come true. It tells me that there will be a change that we have been looking for. -Tehavis 6th grade”

The inauguration was such a fantastic event to watch on TV, and I know the DC24 will never forget their experience witnessing it in person.

Meet the students, read their blog posts and watch their videos, and you can also share your own inauguration story at Share My Inauguration.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Truly Mom

I always tell myself I need to get organized, and now I'm getting organized in style thanks to my new planner courtesy of Truly Mom.

According to the website, this is the story of how Truly Mom began: "Kim, Maria, and I (Michelle) were friends when cancer put my life into turmoil and me into a wheelchair. Along with my sister, Kristin, they stood by me through my treatment…During that time, they too were going through their own life struggles-at some point I guess every mom does…When I finally got back on my feet, the four of us simply wanted to find a better way to appreciate the small joys that we get out of each day by making the entire harried part of the day just a little less complicated. We think we may have done just that. We’ve created a smart and stylish tri-fold planner…It’s streamlined to be just what you need… a mini-portable desk to help you organize your time in the simplest, most efficient way possible.”

I received Truly Mom’s stylish Aqua Microsatin Planner (ARV $60) just a few days ago and immediately started using it. The fun and bright colors make me want to open up the planner often and stay organized. I love the different components of the planner—it comes with a weekly/monthly 2009 calendar, notepads entitled my day, my list, and a note to, a remember this sticky note pad, as well as an address book, pen, and cute stickers. The planner is made with a unique tri-fold design and it has a hidden magnetic closure to keep things secure.

I think it's great how the notepads are secured by elastic holders both on the top and on the bottom. Often times, just through normal use, sheets get loose and they simply fall off the pads, but with the elastic holders, no more loose sheets!

The planner's pocket, which holds the address book, can also hold other important notes, business cards, or coupons.

Truly Mom also offers other planner accessories (e.g. clips, gift lists, etc.), as well as many other cool and fun products, such as personalized stationery, invitations, gift wrap, and even chic totes!

Although I do have to get used to the Monday through Sunday format of the calendar, I truly love my Truly Mom planner. It’s sturdy, stylish, fun and functional, and it has helped me stay organized and on top of things so I really can spend more time being truly a mom.

Shop: You can purchase a planner or any of the other fine products on the Truly Mom website, or click here to find a retailer near you. Note: Truly Mom proudly donates a portion of profits toThe Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation at UCLA.

Win: Truly Mom has generously donated an Aqua Microsatin Planner so one lucky Sage and Savvy winner can get organized in style!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations janetfaye!

To enter visit Truly Mom 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 Sage and Savvy and Truly Mom; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 28, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on January 29, 2009 (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 Truly Mom for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tivoli Couture

I think it’s hard to find really original and hip clothing and accessories for baby and toddler boys, especially in Hawaii. Thank goodness for online shopping, which gives me access to many great online companies that offer trendy and fashionable products for kiddies, such as Tivoli Couture.

Inspired by little kings and little queens, the website states that Tivoli Couture, created by founder Stella Rubinshteyn “is a fashion forward gift and apparel company dedicated to creating innovative and functional baby products for discriminating parents demanding quality, attractiveness, ingenuity and function…Each item is cut and sewn in the USA…Tivoli, (also read as ‘i lov it’ backwards), is a beautiful town near Rome, Italy, that Stella travelled to as a young child. Years later Stella grew up, has a loving family of her own and now resides in a beautiful house on Tivoli Court in New Jersey. Inspired by her destiny, and by the ancient Tivoli villas and castles she visited as a child, is what influenced Stella to name her company Tivoli Couture.”

Tivoli Couture’s selection includes many unique and innovative products. One such product is the Bandana Binky Bib (ARV $20). I was lucky enough to get a Bandana Binky Bib in the very stylish Groovy design for my little kings to try out.

When I received it, I was very impressed with the quality and the design. I love products that can serve different purposes, and the Bandana Binky Bib has so many uses.

The Bandana Binky Bib’s attachment securely holds a binky or teether with the pearl snap button closure attachment. The attachment can also be removed, and the Bandana Binky Bib can be used as a cute neck and chest warmer during chilly weather, or simply as a bib—a very unique and stylish bib. It’s very absorbent, and covers from high up to the chin to catch as much spills and dribbles as possible.

The Bandana Binky Bib is best for those 6 months and up, and its Velcro closure extends long so you can adjust it to fit both an infant and a toddler. It fit on both DS1 and DS2 with no problems, and although it's still a bit big for DS2, they both looked so adorable wearing it!

The Bandana Binky Bibs are functional and fashionable, and come in several different hip and trendy designs.

If you’re looking for something unique, practical, and modern, Tivoli Couture may have just what you’re looking for.

Shop: You can purchase the Bandana Binky Bib and any of the other luxurious, innovative products on the Tivoli Couture website or at any of these other fine retailers.

Savvy Savings: Tivoli Couture is generously offering Sage and Savvy readers a discount of 15% with code SAVVY; expires on February 3, 2009 (cannot be combined with other offers).

Win: Tivoli Couture is sponsoring a fantastic giveaway so one lucky winner will get a Bandana Binky Bib for his or her little king or queen.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to ZESTYWONDERLAND!

To enter, visit Tivoli Couture and comment on which design you’d like if you won AND which product, other than the Bandana Binky Bib, you think is fit for your little king or queen.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Tivoli Couture; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 27, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on January 28, 2009 (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 Tivoli Couture for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Vita-Mix

When I was asked if I wanted to review Vita-Mix, I thought it was a health drink. Honestly. I had never heard of the Vita-Mix before, so I visited the website and did some additional research online, and found out that the Vita-Mix is a versatile appliance that owners rave about and say they couldn’t do without. Of course, with such great comments I wanted to see for myself just how great the Vita-Mix really is.

I was fortunate to receive the Vita-Mix 5200 (ARV $565; other models include the Vita-Mix Super 5200 and the Vita-Mix 5200 Deluxe). According to the Vita-Mix website, “No other kitchen appliance can give you the performance, speed, power, durability, reliability—not to mention health-enhancing benefits—that you get with the Vita-Mix 5200. This extraordinary machine does the work of 10 kitchen appliances with no attachments! It takes on over 50 'food feats,' including four unique processes that no other single kitchen appliance can handle. The Vita-Mix 5200 makes juice from whole foods in a minute, cooks soup from scratch without a stove, makes delicious, healthy ice-cream in 30 seconds and even grinds grain and kneads the dough for you in one five-minute operation. And that’s just for starters.”

When I received my Vita-Mix one of the first things I did was watch the accompanying DVD. It featured segments on how to perform a variety of tasks with your Vita-Mix, but what really impressed me was the segment on the soups. By keeping the Vita-Mix on for a few minutes, enough heat is generated so you can simply pour out the soup and it’s ready to eat. It was amazing to see all the steam coming out of the Vita-Mix on the video.

What’s special about Vita-Mix is that they promote good health and nutrition. As I went through the recipes that came with the Vita-Mix 5200, I noticed that they encourage using healthier ingredients (i.e. low fat cheeses, whole wheat flour, skim milk, etc.), and nutrition information is listed with each recipe.

After watching the DVD and going through the Vita-Mix recipe book, I couldn’t wait to try out my Vita-Mix, and here are just a few favorites out of the many things I made:

Strawberry Ice Cream: It turned out to be soft-serve consistency, and if you wanted to thicken it, you simply needed to add more ice and process until smooth. However, I love soft-serve ice cream so I thought it was perfect the way it was. I love how I could eat it immediately rather than waiting 20 minutes as I normally do with my ice cream maker. Best of all—there were no preservatives or artificial flavors.

Banana Muffins: I love making banana bread and banana muffins, but I don’t enjoy mashing bananas. The Vita-Mix did the mashing for me, and the end result was a smooth batter without random chunks of bananas.

Applesauce: DS1 loves applesauce. I had some organic apples and in just a few seconds-literally-I had some healthy,delicious organic applesauce.

I’ve also made spreads, dips, desserts, and of course smoothies.

There are so many more recipes I want to try--especially ones for soups and salsas. I’m even looking forward to making my own baby food from scratch once DS2 starts to eat solids!

Other great things I love about the Vita-Mix besides its versatility include how it comes with a BPA-free Eastman Tritan copolyester shatterproof container, they offer a 30-day in home trial and a 7-year warranty, and cleaning the Vita-Mix 5200 is a cinch. Just fill it with water and dish washing soap, turn it on for a minute, and it’s clean (however, when working with thicker substances, such as the banana muffin batter, I did have to do some hand-washing).

Shop: You can purchase the Vita-Mix 5200 online at vitamix.com, as well as other online and nationwide retailers.

Now I know why so many people love the Vita-Mix. Although it’s quite pricey, and I still have to get the hang of when to use Variable Speed and High Speed, the Vita-Mix can accomplish both simple and sophisticated tasks, performing the job of various appliances, saving you money and precious kitchen cabinet space. Best of all, Vita-Mix promotes health and good nutrition, so you can be sure I will be putting my Vita-Mix 5200 to good use to create more great drinks and meals.

Oh, and ice cream too!

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

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Endangered Species Chocolate

Anyone who knows me well knows I love chocolate. I love trying all kinds of chocolate, and recently I was able to try my first Endangered Species Chocolate bar.

According to their website, “Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) was founded in 1993 in effort to spread awareness and to make an impact on the growing number of plant and animal species that are disappearing from Earth. Since then the mission has grown to embrace a new definition of “endangered” - that all species, habitat and humanity are endangered on our planet, not just animals on a list…ESC confirms that all of our chocolate is created from ethically traded, shade-grown cacao grown on small family-owned properties that support the habitats and communities in which they exist…ESC’s organic cacao is sourced from Peru to create ten varieties of organic milk and dark chocolate bars in addition to bite-sized treats.

Endangered Species Chocolate was kind enough to send me a coupon to try out their chocolate, so that was an excuse for me to head to Hawaii’s first Whole Foods for the first time. I actually almost didn’t find the chocolate there. Right when I got to the checkout stand I found a little display with some chocolates and I was happy to find some Endangered Species Chocolate. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of the organic varieties, so I ended up selecting the All Natural Smooth Milk Chocolate Bar (3oz., ARV $2.79, but in Hawaii’s Whole Foods it was priced at $3.69).

As soon as I got in the car I had to try the chocolate. It was smooth and creamy, and with 52% cocoa content, it was simply delicious!

I was also very intrigued by the wrapper, which featured an otter. The inside wrapper detailed more information about the otter--I had no idea that the southern sea otter has been experiencing a decline.

Endangered Species Chocolates include All Natural Bars, Organic Bars, and Premium Organic Bars, all of which are offered in dark or milk varieties. They also produce lots of other yummy chocolate creations, such as pouches of bite-sized treats and baking chocolate. They even offer organic cotton onesies!

Shop: You can purchase Endangered Species Chocolate on their website, or you can find a retailer near you. Note: 10 percent of net profits are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity.

Win: Endangered Species Chocolate is sponsoring a delicious giveaway—one lucky winner will receive an Organic Health Set (ARV $10.00), which includes: Tree frog – Organic Health Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs, Yacon & Acai (70% cocoa); Toucan – Organic Health Dark Chocolate with Golden Berry and Lucuma (70% cocoa); Spider monkey – Organic Health Dark Chocolate with Goji Berry, Pecans & Maca (70% cocoa)

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to MariaJoy!

To enter, visit Endangered Species Chocolate and comment on which is your favorite product, or product you’d like to try.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Endangered Species Chocolate ; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 25, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on January 26, 2009 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment) and will have 3 days to accept.
Valid for US addresses, excluding Alaska & Hawaii, only.
Good luck!

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

Saturday, January 17, 2009

tsp spices

I hate when this happens...

A recipe calls for a spice I don’t have on hand, so I buy a bottle of the spice. I end up using just a teaspoon or two, and it goes into the cabinet. Then time passes, and it gets old and stale, and the entire bottle ends up in the trash.

That’s happened to me too many times.

I hate wasting all that spice (and money), but I discovered a great company, tsp spices, that offers great organic spices in a way that helps to eliminate waste.

Katie and Sara are behind tsp spices. On their website, they share how they had “visions of spices dancing in our heads. Ours were not of camel caravans or full-masted ships sailing uncharted seas. We dreamed instead of orderly supplies of spices bursting with flavor rather than wasting away in the back of the cabinet…We promise you vibrant tastes with organic spices that are free of additives and fillers and packaged to preserve their freshness. We also make them easy on your storage system and pleasant to look at when they’re on your counter.”

Each stylish can of tsp spices contains 12 organic spices in pre-measured 1 teaspoon packets (ARV $9.00) so your spices will stay fresh, and you will no longer have to deal with old and forgotten spice bottles in the back of your cabinet. The spice cans stack neatly on top of each other, and the cans also help to protect the spices from light and air. Once you’ve used up all the spices, recycle the can by storing little goodies in it, or by putting a small gift in it and tying it with a pretty ribbon to send to a special someone.

tsp spices offers cans of individual spices or a cans of various spices with recipes to create something special (e.g. the Cookie Jar spices to create various cookies). they also offers great samplers (ARV $16.00) and spice collections ($42.00). You can even get the entire Spice Cabinet (ARV $125.00).

Shop: You can purchase tsp spices on the tsp spices website or find a retailer near you.

Win: tsp spices is generously sponsoring a giveaway so TWO lucky winners will receive a fantastic sampler of spices. The winners will get to choose from the following samplers: Herb Sampler, Savoir Fare, Sun Shine.

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Heather and Jackie!

To enter visit tsp spices and comment on which is your favorite spice AND which sampler (choices above) you’d like if you won.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and tsp spices; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 24, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
Two eligible entries will be chosen by random.org as the winners; the winners will be notified via email on January 25, 2009 (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 tsp spices for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Wupzey

Before DS1 began eating in a high chair, I read about moms who’d put mats or newspaper on the floor to make cleaning up of all the spilled and dropped food and drink easier.

I thought to myself “Could it really get that messy?”

I know, silly question. Of course it can.

There have been countless times where we’d find everything from cereal to spaghetti, even spoons and sippy cups on our dining room floor. I never got around to getting a mat or tried using newspaper, so that meant having to sweep, mop, or simply bend down and wipe and clean the floor.

Thank goodness for the Wupzey Food Catcher (ARV $12.00-$14.95) from Neat Baby, LLC!

According to the website, Johanna Romaniuk created the Wupzey Food Catcher, “which is lightweight, compact and durable. She made it easy to attach, detach, clean and able store on the high chair. She also made it to be strong enough to catch ‘sippy cups,’ toys and utensils. And, of course, it is completely machine washable.”

There are many Wupzey designs to choose from, but I selected the Blue Hawaiian Food Catcher (how could I not, since we have two boys and we live in Hawaii!).

The website states that all Wupzey Food Catchers are made of 100% rip-stop nylon, designed for "finger food eaters," and are best for ages 5-18 months.

You first need to test fit the Wupzey Food Catcher prior to attaching it in case it doesn’t fit your brand/model of high chair, and also to ensure a proper fit so it catches all the mess.

I had a little bit of difficulty trying to get the Food Catcher fitting properly on our high chair simply because the footrest on our high chair is small and curved, therefore the Wupzey kept slipping and sagging low in the front. But once I found the right place to stick the provided Velcro squares, the Wupzey Food Catcher fit well, didn’t sag, and was ready to catch whatever fell into it.

The Wupzey Food Catcher takes just seconds to put on once you have the Velcro squares attached to your high chair, and it does not get in the way of your baby’s legs. The Wupzey does a great job in catching everything from food to sippy cups when dropped down in the space between your child and the high chair tray. Once meal time is over, simply wipe it down or throw it in the washer, and it folds away easily for storage.

Now if only there was a way I could prevent my little boy from THROWING his food, then I wouldn’t have to worry about ANY mess on the floor!

Shop: You can buy the Wupzey Food Catcher, along with other great Neat Baby, LLC products (bibs, diner chair covers, etc.), online on the Wupzey website or find a retailer near you.

Win: Neat Baby, LLC is sponsoring a giveaway so you can win a Wupzey Food Catcher of your very own!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Congratulations to Andrea!

To enter, visit Wupzey and comment on which design you’d like if you won.
You’ll get one extra entry each if you 1)Subscribe to my feed; 2) Blog about this giveaway and link back to Sage and Savvy and Wupzey; 3)Add my button to your sidebar (be sure to leave a comment for each "entry").
The deadline for entries is January 23, 2009, 11:59pm HST.
An eligible entry will be chosen by random.org as the winner; the winner will be notified via email on January 24, 2009 (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 Neat Baby, LLC for providing the product(s) for review and/or giveaway.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

mylittleseat

Several months ago, DH, DS1 and I went out to eat lunch at a popular chain restaurant that opened just a few months prior. It was a restaurant for families...and they didn’t have any high chairs available!

How could a FAMILY restaurant run out of high chairs? Apparently they simply did not have enough high chairs on hand. The restaurant wasn't full, and there were very few infants or toddlers in high chairs.

Anyways, after we were seated, we were told by the manager that he would look for one and bring it to us as soon as possible. We had no idea that it would take a long time. We waited at least 15 minutes for a high chair. We were ready to leave when all of a sudden a server found one available.

The reason I bring up this story is that a lack of highchairs would not have been a problem for us if I had mylittleseat back then.

According to the website, mylittleseat was created by Stephanie Collins after her first child was born. “Being new parents who travel quite often, and overwhelmed with all the additional baggage necessary while traveling with an infant, Stephanie and her husband would often secure their baby to a seat for meals with whatever was on hand (initially using a sarong while in a coffee shop at the airport). With inspiration from her grandmother who used to secure her children to adult chairs using towels, she made multiple trial versions of a compact, fabric, baby sling style harness that secures an infant to an adult chair - and after lots of trials and experimentation, mylittleseat was born!”

I couldn't wait to try out mylittleseat once I received it.

The instructions are very easy to follow, and once it was set up, mylittleseat (ARV $39.99) turned an ordinary chair into a neat little seat! mylittleseat is equipped with buckles that can be adjusted and harness ties to keep your little one secure. When you're done using it, mylittleseat folds up and fits neatly in its own compact, portable bag.

I found that mylittleseat could not be used on a chair with a rounded seat back, but place it on any chair with a square seat back and you have a convenient and safe seat for your little one.

As always, practice care and caution and be sure your child is within arm’s reach at all times, and never leave your child unattended.

mylittleseat is wonderful for restaurants (not only if the restaurant runs out of high chairs, but if you don't have or forget your high chair cover), for traveling (it would've been very handy on our trip to the mainland--it's much lighter and easier to pack than a high chair cover), when going over to a friend’s or relative’s house (there's been too many times where I've struggled feeding DS1 while at a party at someone's house), or even for home (especially since many homes are tight on space).

mylittleseat comes in a variety of cute designs and is machine washable. Your little one can use it once he or she is about 6 months old (able to sit up unassisted) through about 35 pounds.

Shop: You can buy mylittleseat on the mylittleseat website or find a retailer near you.

I wish I had mylittleseat a long time ago, but now that I have it, you can be sure it'll always be in my diaper bag so I won't have to worry if a restaurant runs out of high chairs.

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

Archive

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Monday, January 26, 2009

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Friday, January 23, 2009

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Monday, January 19, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Friday, January 16, 2009

Thursday, January 15, 2009