Monday, October 31, 2011

Zoey's first Halloween... So far :)

Last Sunday we had a play date with a good friend to pick out pumpkins. Zoey got to sit down with the pumpkins and we got her a Zoey sized pumpkin.

















On Saturday we carved a pumpkin for baby bird. Maybe we did it a little different than you carve a pumpkin. :D She couldn't quite figure out how to feel about it!



























Then she smelled like pumpkin, so we cleaned her off :)


















We went to the Zoo for "Boo at the Zoo" with a friend, and met some other Momma's there. Zoey unfortunately slept about half the time, but she liked touching all the plants, and we made sure to get lots of pictures.




































So far this has been a great first Halloween full of memories, and hopefully new traditions.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

OliveiraBags Review and Giveaway!

Mandy of OliveiraBags is a WAHM of two wonderful boys (ages 7 and 10). She is also a proud Military wife of 11 years. Mandy has been a SAHM for 10 years, and in the last year has began the adventure that is being a WAHM. She was great to work with!!

OliveiraBags makes canvas bags, reusable sandwich and snack bags, travel coloring case’s, photo pouches, card pouches, organizers, checkbook pouches, and potato bags.

























What I thought:
I reviewed a Travel Coloring. I had my niece help me out on this one since baby bird still thinks everything belongs in her mouth. She liked the pockets for the colored pencils and enjoyed the case. Her coloring area stayed much more neat!!























This would be perfect to bring on any trip, or keep in your car. Going out to eat would be a little easier when you have easy access to a good distraction. The pack is big enough to have good coloring space, but small enough to fit inside a diaper bag, purse, and a glove-box. One of the best parts about this case- It comes with paper, and Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils- Which do not melt. I know most of you have experienced a melted crayon somewhere. … The dryer, the car, a pocket. No worrying about that anymore!!

She started making these art cases for her two boys and they loved them (They are sure to keep one in the car at all times) Since her kids loved them, she began to make them for birthday gifts and family. She has found that using Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils work the best, because they don’t break or melt in a hot car and you never have to sharpen them.







The Details:
This case is made with new cotton fabric, stabilizer, warm and natural batting, and velcro. Each case comes with 6 twistable pencils and a 4x6 note pad. (there is room for two more pencils)

Finished product measures: 5in wide by 7in tall. When open it measures 10.75in wide.
Closure: This case closes with velcro.
All Oliveira Bags products are made in a cat and smoke free home.
Great for keeping kids entertained in the car.
Take it on the air plane.
A must have for eating out.

You can order from OliveiraBags here.
You can find OliveiraBags on FB here.


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Lilibean's Behinds

About Lilibean's Behinds:
I found Lilbean's Behinds while on a search for inexpensive soaker's to try for baby bird. I love her products, and her prices. She offers Fleece Soakers (to be used over fitted's or Prefolds), and Wool covers upcycled from sweaters (You don't get much more green than that!)

Cindy is a WAHM blessed with two lovelies, Lilith (3 years) and Everett (almost 1 year). She named Lilibean's Behinds after Lilith (who thinks she is the coolest thing around). She decided after discovering the price of childcare for two lovelies that it was better for her to stay home instead of going back to work. She decided to try her hand at sewing diapers for her little one. It had been 15 years, but she picked it up like she had never quit. She decided after seeing how well made and functional her diapers turned out that she would begin to sell them. She started selling locally and in diaper swap sites. She recently opened her FB page to centralize all of her orders. She is hoping to expand her product range in the next 3-6 months to include fitted diapers and custom wet-bags.

Cindy loves being able to spend time with her lovelies while working. She likes finding inspirational fabrics and turning them into something functional and beautiful.

My Experience:
My transaction was pleasant and fast! She was great to work with, being sure that any questions I had were answered within just a few minutes. She also made my custom order within one day, and had it shipped in 2 days. I am not much of a waiter, so this was great!

I used the wool cover of my leaky diapers. No leaks with this cover! Not only is it the cutest cover I have seen, but it does its job beautifully. She has been wearing it for playtime, and for bedtime. I can't begin to tell you how great it is not to worry about changing the sheets in the middle of the night. She also lanalized the cover for me, which I have found a lot of people do not do. This cover offers comfort, style, and functionality!






















The soaker worked equally as well. It is adorable and seems to be comfortable as well. I used this over diapers, and with a prefold. I had no leaks at all!! The only thing I would change about this cover is the rise (specifically for my baby bird... She is 26 inches tall and 12 pounds. She needs a small size waist and Medium size rise) When I spoke with Cindy about this she said that she could make the rise higher for me (another thing a lot of people will not do) Even with the rise a bit short for my skinny and tall babe I had absolutely no leaks. I will definitely be purchasing more of these!!






















Another cool thing about my order was I did not pay shipping. She always gives free shipping!!

Great Experience, Great Product, Great Momma!


You can order from Lilibean's Behinds here.

For Giveaway:
One lucky winner will get their choice between a Fleece Soaker or Wool Cover!


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Can you please vote for us!

Zoey is in a photo contest and we could really use your help!
She is in the lead but only by one vote!

If you could please go to this website HERE and "like" the picture.
Can you also please "like" Kinsley River Designs. (Votes only count if you "like" her page)

Thank you all so much for your support!!


Monday, October 24, 2011

Military Gals Jewelry Review and Giveaway!

To me there is nothing like a good quality piece of jewelry. One that speaks for itself, and tells a story. That is exactly what Military Gal's Jewelry offers.

This Momma has a husband that has served two deployments in the Army so far. She has been blessed with a 7 moth old, and somehow manages to keep everything together while still having time to make some amazing statement pieces. She loves to make custom pieces, and loves beading necklaces.

This Military Momma has been making jewelry since May of 2009. I really love that she buys all of her beads from The Bead Lady in Concord, NC (A family owned business). Kathleen and Amanda of The Bead Lady taught her how to bead during the first week of her husbands 2nd deployment.

When you buy from Military Gals Jewelry, you are not only supporting her Military family, but another family business!

What I thought:

I received a custom necklace. She asked me what my style was. I did my best to describe my personal style... Bohemian rocker (Yes two completely opposite styles... I'm special :) ) I thought for sure she was going to think I was nuts, and wasn't sure if there was a way to bring the two together in one piece. She proved me wrong. She also asked my favorite colors, which I answered: purple and turquoise.

This is what she came up with...





















Beautiful Perfection! This embodies my style!!
The Beads are magnetite, agate, and seat beads, and the clasp is made out of gunmetal. Beauty and quality!

I have worn this necklace since I got it in. I am rough on necklaces, never really taking them off. I forget and shower with them on, and sleep with them on. Zoey also likes to play with it. It is very sturdy, and very well made. The weight of the necklace is perfect!

Military Gals Jewelry is just getting started on FB, so be sure to show her some support.

You can order from her Etsy Shop here.

What is up for grabs?
A $25 gift card for any piece of Military Gal's awesome jewelry!

Go to her Store!



Chrystalj1204 Crochet Boutique: Review and giveaway #2

This is a second review is for a very special Momma. Chrystal at Chrystalj1204 Crochet Boutique has a wonderful story that a lot of us can probably relate to. She was working for a company that restructured, giving her two options. Either accept a layoff, or continue with the company in a position she knew she would not be happy with. She was brave enough to accept the layoff, and start brand new. She decided to back to school, and shortly after needed to find something to help relieve some of the stress caused by her new workload. She decided to learn how to Crochet. It was small projects at first, but before she knew it she had neighbors and friends requesting things. Someone introduced her to Etsy, and she hasn't stopped since. She is the Mommy to a very special boy named Cody, and works full time in a clinic with a Dr. She is a talented hardworking woman who puts care and love in every piece of yarn she works with, and man... it shows!!


What I thought:
Chrystal sent me a pair of her booties to match Zoey's sock monkey hat. They are AWESOME! They are two parts (which I was skeptical about at first) One part is the actual boot, and the other is the flower piece that goes around the ankle of the booties. Having two pieces not only makes it easier for me to put on, but it assures that they stay on my baby birds feet securely and keep her little tootsies toasty warm. I can't tell you how many unpairs of socks I have. She will take one sock off her foot, and it runs away. I don't have to worry about this anymore! (Now I just need to get a pair in every color so that she can wear them all winter!!)











These were wonderfully made, and again the service I got with Chrystal was fabulous.


Up for giveaway:
A brown head band with a pink detachable daisy size infant-1 year old.