Novica Review and $50 GC giveaway

I am a huge fan of Novica and always so happy when they contact us for a review!

It was a cold winter in PA and it seemed like I couldn't get warm no matter what I did!  So, when I saw the Arequipa Crossroads blanket, I jumped on it!

Jorge Priori selects rich shades of brown for the design of this throw. Ideal to snuggle under, the throw is woven with an alpaca wool blend that ensures a soft and light weight warmth. 

And I love it!!  It is so perfect!  Soft and beautiful, it has a practical use in addition to being esthetically pleasing!  I can use it or throw it over the back of the couch!

Novica offers so many different products that I can't possibly showcase them all!  Each artisan has a different craft and a different story to tell!  

Did you know all the different things you can find at Novica?  

One of a kind womens accessories like this wool belt.

and womens scarves like this beautiful silk batik scarf.

You can also find great mens accessories like these  mens sterling silver cuff links.

and walking sticks like this crocodile wood walking stick.

Not only do I love shopping for myself, I also buy birthday presents and wedding gifts at Novica!  So, next time you're looking for something special for someone special, check out Novica first!

Don't forget the most important thing about shopping at Novica:


their Artisan Loan program. Artisan Loans are small 0% interest loans the NOVICA artisans use to build their businesses by buying supplies, tools, land, shops, etc. And, YOU make the loans! $25 at a time.

BUY IT: You can buy the Crossroads blanket for $38
WIN IT: One lucky HGF reader will win a $50 gift code to Novica!

TWEET: WIN a $50 GC to @Novica and support artisans & fair trade! from @momtosprouts #giveaway http://bit.ly/x1IDEX

Click READ MORE to enter via Rafflecopter

Wordless Wednesday with Linky- MASKS!!

 Last week we went to the local children's museum and all 7 kiddos made masks!

  

 Check out some of our WW friends and link up! 
Energizer Bunnies' Mommy Reports
7 on a Shoestring
Mama to 4 Blessings

Trend Lab diaper bag Review & Giveaway

Oh... the ever elusive "perfect" diaper bag...

We're all searching for it.  We buy a diaper bag hoping this one will be the one.  We inevitably end up buying another one.  It never really ends!

Well, thanks to Trend Lab, I may have finally found the one!

Trend Lab is a certified women owned business based in Minnesota. 

Formed in 2001 with the fundamental belief
that new parents desired sophisticated, trend-right nursery décor to flow
with their home décor...

Trend Lab's Messenger diaper bag has what you are looking for!

Plastic on the outside, these diaper bags are easy to wipe clean!  Perfect for me {you should see the inside of my van!} 

There are plenty of pockets, too!  Two on the outside of the bag are perfect for bottles you need to grab quickly~ like Mama's Diet Coke and the toddler sippy cup!

The inside is divided by a mesh liner~ great way to separate Mom's stuff from babys! 

There is plenty of room to carry diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, cell phone, wallet, a book and some toys!

There is another bottle holder on the inside and a zippered pocket next to that!  I love zippered pickets for things like lip gloss, pacifiers and other supplies that have a permanent home in the bag!

The front has a magnetic snap for security!

There is another pocket in the back that secures with velcro.  You could put your wallet and keys here for easy access!  Or, this is where you could store the wet bag with dirty diapers and clothes so they are away from your clean things!

I also love the adjustable strap!  Perfect to fit over your shoulder or over the handle bars of the stroller!

Don't worry~ it comes with a changing pad!  I hate when diaper bags don't come with a changing pad!  Have you noticed that more and more companies are only providing a counter space to change your baby?  A pad is a MUST!!


Trend Lab also offers the cutest baby bedding!

My favorites are Nantucket Pink

and Yacht Club for a boy!

I also LOVE this Moses Basket!  {They have some really cute baby gift products, too!}

So, when you are shopping for anything baby or decor, make sure you check your favorite store for Trend Lab!

BUY IT: You can buy a Trend Lab Messenger diaper bag at retailers for around $50

WIN IT: One lucky HGF reader will win their very own Trend Lab Messenger bag in their choice of print!!

Tweet:  #WIN a diaper bag of your choice from @TrendLabBaby and @momtosprouts #giveaway http://bit.ly/yt8mhc

Click READ MORE to enter via Rafflecopter

Thanks Mama Dri-Line Bamboo AIO diaper Review & Giveaway

Thanks Mama is an online retailer offering natural living mama's amazing products! Cloth diaper companies like Fuzzibunz, BumGenius, Kissaluvs and more can all be found in this convenient store. Thanks Mama also carries nursing pads, baby toys, slings, and much more!! I had the opportunity to review a DriLine Bamboo AIO diaper, and couldn't wait to share it with you!

This all in one cloth diaper for babies 8-34lbs, has tons of great features starting with the outside! This diaper features PUL outer with stretchy tabs, giving baby a nice snug fit! There are 2 rows of snaps to adjust sizing, along with cross over tabs. Offers a nice snug fit for climbing toddlers!

The inside of the Bamboo Baby has layers making it super absorbent and silky soft!

The inner features Bamboo Rayon fleece material in an attached liner, making for easy drying! Bamboo material is a top choice for cloth diapers for its antibacterial properties and biodegradability!  I have found that bamboo is one of the only things my little one can wear at night without leaking.

Thanks Mama online diaper shop has tons of great cloth diapers to choose from.....so get shopping!
 
BUY IT: Dri-Line Bamboo Baby All in One cloth diaper is just $19.99! GREAT price for an AIO. 

WIN IT: One lucky HGF reader will win a Dri-Line Bamboo AIO in their choice of color and closure!

TWEET: Enter to win a BAMBOO OS AIO CLOTH DIAPER #CD #giveaway  http://bit.ly/y5F8Rq

Click READ MORE to enter via Rafflecopter

TWITTER PARTY ALERT: Tilex for Spring Cleaning!

TWITTER PARTY ALERT!!

I am so excited to share this Twitter party with you- as Home Grown Families will be co-hosting with Social Moms!! If it's one thing I know very well- it's how to clean. Some may call it neurotic, I just call it sanity.

 Here is a snippet about the party:

 In honor of the Tilex® Mold Stain and Mildew Stain Remover, Tilex® and SocialMoms have teamed up to host a fun Twitter Party on Thursday, March 1, 2012. We hope you can join us as we talk about spring cleaning and getting rid of mold and mildew! You’ll be entered for a chance to win great prizes just by participating during the party. Don’t miss out on the fun! We will be joined by our co-host @MomToSprouts of Home Grown Families blog, to chat about spring cleaning tips, killing mold and mildew and more! Please make sure you follow @socialmoms and @MomToSprouts before the party!

So we will be talking about Spring Cleaning- and all those nooks and cranny's that need attention! We will also be discussing ways to get rid of and avoid yucky bathroom mold! As if you needed another reason to come............we are giving away great prizes! Twenty of them in fact!

Prizes will be awarded before the party for those who tweet and during the party to participants that have registered! 

So click on over to Social Moms to RSVP and get your early tweet in!

Will you be coming?

Even if you can't come- please Tweet to share- you could still win! 

Click to Tweet an invite to your followers for a chance to win prizes!

Barney: I Love My Friends DVD Review

Barney is a favorite in just about every household with toddlers!  The bright colors and catchy songs keep the interest of kids for quite awhile!

Now, LionsGate and HIT Entertainment have released a new DVD: Barney: I Love My Friends

For kids aged 1-5, I Love My Friends talks to kids about the importance of being a friend through keeping promises, helping out and being honest.

Photo Credit

Synopsis
Come join in the fun as Barney™ takes his friends on a super-dee-duper™ adventure that shows just what it means to be a friend. Princess Baby Bop™ has a royally good time when she sees that a key to being a friend is keeping promises. Riff™ goes to great lengths to make up for a big mistake and prove he’s a friend who sees things through. BJ™ feels left out when he’s not included in a drawing and learns the importance of being honest and expressing his feelings. With singing, dancing and lots of monkeying around, Barney brings kids on a friend-tastic adventure and shows that everything is more fun with friends!

BUY IT: You can buy Barney: I Love My Friends on Amazon for $14.99.

HGF was not paid for this post. We were provided with a product to review, and we have provided our honest opinion as mothers. Thank you to the sponsoring company for working with HGF. You can view our complete PR policies here. 

ETSY:Greenchild Creations Fitted Cotton Twill cloth diaper Review and Giveaway

Etsy LOVER here!!  Everything Etsy and Pinterest makes me smile!! I love handmade one of a kind products, and Greenchild Creations makes just that! As my little girl gets older, cloth diapering has gotten a whole lot cuter as she demands cute prints and vibrant colors! Pastel and white won't pass the test here! 


Greenchild Creations sent me their new One size cotton twill fitted cloth diaper to review, and it comes in prints to make a 2 yr old smile :)

We were sent the cupcake print cotton twill fitted diaper, and it looks soo cute on Lil!

 This fitted diaper is a one size diaper with a long front flap to adjust rise, and cross over tabs for waist adjustment. There is an inner pocket to stuff- but inserts are not included. I love that I can adjust the absorbancy, without making it hard to dry! This diaper fits great on toddlers, and the perfect solution for nighttime when paired with a good cover.

 You can use pins to keep it closed or a snug cover. I am a pin fan myself :) I think the pins hold it together tighter. Every purchase of the OS cotton twill cloth diaper comes with 2 pins.

Greenchild Creations has other products too besides cloth diapers, including pincushions, and all natural soaps & lotions! Support a WAHM- shop Greenchild Creations!


BUY IT: Greenchild Creations OS cotton twill fitted diapers are $12.00. 


WIN IT: Winner will receive their choice of OS cotton twill cloth diaper! 

tweet: #Win a ONE SIZE FITTED CLOTH DIAPER from @momtosprouts #giveaway  http://bit.ly/z6HEm6


ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER:

HGF was not paid for this post. We were provided with a product to review, and we have provided our honest opinion as mothers. Thank you to the sponsoring company for working with HGF. You can view our complete PR policies here.

 By entering this contest, you certify that you are 18 years old or older and that you have read and agree with the rules, our giveaway policyand disclosure:

U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until March 11, 2012 at 11:59PM! The prize is a fitted diaper as listed above with a total retail value of Twelve dollars{$12}  All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 7 days by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case, greenchild creations. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

FRIDAY FOLLOW with G+ hOP!!

Thank you for joining the Friday Blog AND Google + Hop hosted by myself (Melissa) at and  Home Grown Families and Nicole at Mama to 4 Blessings .We invite you to join us every Friday to make more blog friends!

It's very easy to join in on the fun!

Add your main blog (PLEASE DO NOT LINK UP GIVEAWAYS) link (we ask that you please follow the hostesses in the first 2 spots ( Home Grown Families & Mama to 4 Blessings) Then leave us a quick comment letting us know you are following.

Then start blog hopping!

 Please feel free to grab our Friday Blog Hop button and add it to your blog and spread the word!

We have added to our Friday Blog Hop for readers to link up their Google + pages too!

Please type in (blog after your blog name or Google + if it's a Google + link)

EX: Home Grown Families (Google+)

Home Grown Families(Blog)

Please only enter your MAIN blog link and please G rated links ONLY - NO CURSING please. Home Grown Families and Mama to 4 Blessings are family friendly blogs.

__________________________________________________

OTHER GREAT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU LINK UP.....

Do you host giveaways? Feel free to come back every Tuesday and link them up here at Mommy Loves Tuesday Giveaways! You can also find a great giveaway directory here.


Mama to 4 Blessings and Home Grown Families have created a new Facebook Group for bloggers  (Bloggin' Social - Media Chat Blog Events) This group is about everything from social media topics to great upcoming blog events! We would love for you toJOIN.

Bright Starts InGenuity Cradle and Sway Swing Review

 

One of my big new baby fears was what to do with her during school time, or playtime etc. With 3 other small children to chase I couldn't possibly hold her all day long. I knew a baby swing was the best option but with sooo many choices out there picking the best one was going to be a process.  Luckily the search didn't take long.

I was thrilled to come across the Bright Starts Ingenuity Cradle n' Sway swing! 

The Bright Starts Ingenuity swing has some amazing features that make this swing comfortable for baby while mom is busy tending to other kiddos! 

• Deluxe seat featuring super plush fabric, with removable plush headrest for newborns.  This seat rotates 180 degrees, so no matter which direction you move baby can easily keep you in sight at all times. 

• The rotating seat also allows for baby to swing side to side or rock back and forth. I think it helps when baby is getting tired of the same ole thing, to change it up! 

• Seat easily reclines or sits upright for playful babies!

• 5 point harness keeps baby safe and sound! 

• SUPER quiet operation! This baby swing is almost silent- so even when she falls asleep I can easily restart it without waking her. 

My daughter fits perfectly in this swing(check out my G+ album for more cute pics!), and it has the power to put her to sleep instantly! She buckles in nice and snug so no need for the activity bar right now.

  The Bright Starts Ingenuity Cradle n' Sway swing has lots of great features for baby entertainment too including: 

• Music!! 8 melodies and 3 nature sounds~! 

• Removeable tray with attached activity toys.

• Mobile that swings out of the way! I am not sure who likes this more?? I love not hitting my head or hers with it!

• Soothing vibration unit to keep baby sound asleep! 

Mom likes quite a few things too! The controls are easy to use, with the option to set swing for certain minutes and up to 6 speeds. They are easy enough for my 4 yr old to restart the swinging if it stops!

 The only con I have is that I wish it had an ac adaptor to plug in the wall. I was really worried about having to change out batteries, but I have not changed them out once since she was born. We have used the same batteries for the past 12 weeks. The Ingenuity swings feature hybridive technology which extends battery life 2x!

My FAVORITE part of my new Cradle n' Sway swing.....peace.

BUY IT :  Bright Starts Ingenuity Cradle n' Sway swing retails for around $130 depending on retailer. 

 Be sure to check out other Bright Starts InGenuity products! You can hook up with Bright Starts on Facebook and Twitter to find out about new products and promotions!

DISCLAIMER:

HGF was not paid for this post. We were provided with a product to review, and we have provided our honest opinion as mothers. Thank you to the sponsoring company for working with HGF. You can view our complete PR policies here.

Munchkin Baby Bath Tub Fun Review and Giveaway

 

Munchkin has always been one of those brands you could rely on when it comes to baby products. Just part of the family- always dependable, durable, and there to make life a little easier(and more fun)! I have used Munchkin products for every step of my children's lives from newborn stages to toddlerhood- and I am always impressed with the high quality and spirit their products bring! 

We recently received a basket of new Munchkin bath tub toys- and my 2 yr old immediately demanded that it was bath time! Time to put these tub toys to the test!

First up.......Sea Squirts for my little squirt! These cute little sea creatures come 5 in the pack, so they can fill them up and squirt them out!

She had soo much fun lining them up and making them dive into the water! The Sea squirts are just $6- so cheap enough to throw out if they get yucky!

We also received the Dolphin Divers- for some fun pouring action! Great for fine motor skills! As they pour the water, the dolphins swim! I wish they moved a little faster, but she liked pouring!

 Of course, we saved the best for last!! Our favorite new bath tub toy is.......the STAR FOUNTAIN! 

Holy cuteness!! This adorable star fountain spins, floats, and lights up- making bath time run wayyyyy too long! 

 Make your little one's bath time fantastic with the new Munchkin bath toys! Check out the other fun bath tub toys!

BUY IT: Munchkin toys are available in local stores everywhere.

WIN IT: One lucky HGF reader will win a set of baby bath tub toys including the star fountain, dolphin divers and sea squirts! 

Tweet:  #WIN a BABY BATH TUB TOY SET from @Munchkin_Inc & @momtosprouts #giveaway http://bit.ly/w52BAK

ENTER BELOW USING RAFFLECOPTER 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLAIMER:

HGF was not paid for this post. We were provided with a product to review, and we have provided our honest opinion as mothers. Thank you to the sponsoring company for working with HGF. You can view our complete PR policies here.

 By entering this contest, you certify that you are 18 years old or older and that you have read and agree with the rules, our giveaway policyand disclosure:

U.S only except where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. Giveaway starts at the moment of the posting of this article and will run until March 10, 2012 at 11:59PM! The prize is a Munchkin bath toy set as listed above with a total retail value of Twenty dollars{$20}  All prizes will be awarded. A list of winners will be available after 7 days by writing MomToSprouts {at} yahoo {dot} com. All prizes are awarded and forwarded to the winner by the sponsor; in this case, Munchkin. Please see Official Rules for more details.

We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.