Nature's Sleep Slippers {Review & Giveaway}

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, April 30, 2014



**The product for this review/giveaway was provided by Nature's Sleep. All opinions are my own.

When we moved into our new home, one of the biggest changes for me was getting used to all of the hard floors (or old house had a lot of carpet). Within days of moving, my feet were sore from walking on the hardwoods and tile. That was nearly three years ago, and ever since I wear slippers every single day (in the winter and the summer!). The problem is, I've never been able to find a pair that were very comfortable. That is, until I was introduced to Nature's Sleep Slippers!


For those who aren't familiar, Nature's Sleep designs products that are luxurious, affordable and that which protect the earth's natural resources. They supply a number of memory foam products that are comfortable, healthy and provide the gentle support and relief one needs. 


I was familiar with the Nature's Sleep and their mattresses and pillows, but did not realize they had slippers until I was asked to review a pair. With as much as I wear slippers, I was thrilled and couldn't wait for them to arrive!


When my Nature's Sleep Open Toe Memory Foam Slippers arrived, I couldn't wait to try them on. Right off the bat, I liked the open toe style. With Spring here and summer around the corner, temps will be warming up and these are just perfect!


I also like the neutral color. I can wear them with anything I have on at home and go great!


Of course, after looking them over, I couldn't wait to try them on! As I slipped each of my feet into the slippers, I couldn't believe just how warm and soft the terry fabric is. Even with the open toe, my fee stay warm and cozy and I can tell they will, all year long! 


As I walk in these slippers I can't get over the excellent quality. They are something I can tell will last me a very long time, even with daily use. YAY! 


One of the most important things about a slipper is that they are comfortable. And these have far exceeded my expectations. With the visco-elastic memory foam in the bottom of the sole, these are soft and comfortable. The sole contours and cradles my foot, providing amazing comfort and support. My feet are now more comfortable and my legs don't ache as much after being on them all day running around after the kids. They really help to distribute weight to reduce pressure points and improve circulation. I LOVE them and can't believe I've gone so long without them! They work great on the many different surfaces we have in our home. I wear them constantly!


These slippers are a must-have in my opinion and with Mother's Day around the corner, would make a fabulous gift for a special mom in your life (or even a treat for yourself!). You can learn more by visiting the Nature's Sleep website at http://www.naturessleep.com.


While you're there, be sure to check out the Art of Sleep contest where you can vote on your favorite entries.





Buy It: You can purchase the Nature's Sleep Open-toe Slippers for $25.


Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a pair of Nature's Sleep Slippers! (open to continental US Only)


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Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals SPA Gift Set {Review & Giveaway}

Posted by Jenna | Tuesday, April 29, 2014




**I participated in this event on behalf of Wendy's Bloggers for Fischer Pharmaceuticals Ltd. I received Dr. Fischer products to facilitate my review.

I like to plan ahead early for gifts, so I've been thinking about what to get my mom and mother-in-law for Mother's Day for quite some time now. I spend quite a bit of time deciding what to get each of them, as I always like for the gift to be thoughtful and pampering! That's why I was excited to learn more about the Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set...a perfect Mother's Day gift!!
If you've been reading here for a while, you know I'm a huge fan of Fischer Pharmaceuticals! If you're not familiar, Fischer Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in the development and manufacture of advanced health care preparations in the fields of dermatology, opthalmology and nutraceuticals. 

And, here's a little bit about Dr. Fischer himself:



At the age of 78 Dr. Eli Fischer doesn’t plan to retire any time soon. He is a scientist, a successful international industrialist, philanthropist and an international brand.

Dr. Fischer received his Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from the University of California and was a teaching fellow at Harvard. His first innovation was in the field of ophthalmology. He developed a medical preparation for treating glaucoma, which becoming the "drug of choice" for ophthalmologists worldwide. In 1965 he founded Fischer Pharmaceuticals in Israel specializing in the fields of ophthalmology and dermatology.


Dr. Fischer is active in interfaith organizations for peace, provides grants for research students, and donates to numerous charities that support women and children.

I've had the opportunity to review several Dr. Fischer products in the past and was thrilled to learn I was going to be sent a Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set to review...just in time for Mother's Day!

The Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set includes:
Mineral Creamy Shower Mousse
Mineral Body Butter
Mineral Hand Cream 
Mineral Shower Scrub

As a busy mom I don't have time to visit the Spa on a regular basis to get pampered. That's why I love when I have the option to have a spa treatment right at home! This gift kit offers exactly that with it's unique herbal, mineral and vitamin complex products, allowing for silky soft skin and protecting it from the aging effects of dryness. 

When the gift set arrived, I was immediately impressed with the great gift box. I love when companies take the time to display their products in such a nice way. The gift box it comes in makes it perfect for gift-giving...just another reason why I think this would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift this year!



I love that all of these products are made with high quality ingredients like tea tree oil, shea butter, almond oil, vitamin A, and more and couldn't wait to test them out! I've been using the Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals products for a while now and have definitely been impressed!

My favorite product would have to be the Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Body Butter! I struggle with dry skin, especially this time of year! I love gently and generously applying this body butter after my shower each day. It makes my skin feel extra smooth and I love the sweet, delightful fragrance as well! It really seems to absorb quickly and goes on smoothly which I appreciate as well.



Another favorite is the Dr. Fisher Dead Sea Minerals Creamy Shower Mousse! I love the way it cleanses and moisturizes my dry, sensitive skin. It makes it feel fresh, moisturized and super soft! 

The shower mousse is like a foam, so a little bit seems to go a long way. I love products where it doesn't take much to feel and see a difference. This is definitely one of those products and a new favorite for my shower routine!

The Dr. Fischer Mineral Shower Scrub has been equally as wonderful to try and use! I love that it is made to remove dead skin cells and revitalize the skin. After using my skin feels extra clean and moisturized which I love! Since it is a scrub, this product is recommended to use once or twice a week which has worked just perfect for my skin! 

The fourth product in the gift set is the Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Hand Cream! This is another favorite (okay, okay...they're all my favorite)! During these colder months here in the midwest, my hands get extremely dry. They often start to crack and even bleed at times! I wash my hands frequently which doesn't help either! I am always looking for a gentle, but effective hand cream that actually works and have found it with this product!

The hand cream is great for daily use and makes my skin feel soft and moisturized. With continued use it has really helped with the dryness, and the moisture really seems to last! I love it!

The following picture is a picture of my left hand just after using the hand cream, and my right hand before I had used it. The hand cream instantly made my skin look and feel more moisturized and smooth.

I've been extremely happy with each of the products included in the Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set! I love how gentle they are on my sensitive skin, the scent is perfect (not too strong, but enough so I can smell and enjoy it), and best of all...they each work to help moisturize my skin and make it feel and look great! 

This is definitely a gift set I am now considering as a gift idea for my mom and mother-in-law. I would recommend checking it out, even as a treat for yourself this Mother's Day!

Buy It: You can purchase your Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift set here at a special price of $47.95 for Mother's Day (that's a savings of $26!!). By buying this gift, you are supporting a special population of women with special needs at Bayit Cham-The Centers for Mental Wellness!

Win It: One lucky winner will win a Dr. Fischer Dead Sea Minerals Gift Set of their own! (One winner per household, email address or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winners must have a U.S.-based address to receive their prize.)

                

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Spring into Style with Gymboree! {Review}

Posted by Jenna | Friday, April 25, 2014



**The products for this review were provided by Gymboree. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

With Spring here and summer nearing, I am on the hunt for clothing for my kids. They are growing fast and with each new season comes a shopping trip for new clothes! As I shop, I look for quality, style and comfort. Thankfully, I know I can find all of that and more from Gymboree!



Dressing children since 1986, Gymboree offers an array of fashionable clothing and accessories for kids. Available in sizes newborn to 12 years, their clothing is designed with colorful, high quality fabrics and detailed touches that set them apart from other brands. 

As a mom of three, I am a big fan of Gymboree! Their clothing is high quality and couldn't get any cuter for both boys and girls! I was excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to work with Gymboree on a spring review, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect as I had just started my shopping for the kids new spring/summer clothes!

As some of you may remember, I've done a couple of other Gymboree reviews in the past. I usually go in-store and shop, but this time around I decided to shop online. It's quick and easy! Browsing their new selections, I was impressed with all the cute looks and mix and match outfits!

The new yellow and black collection really stood out to me for the girls. I just love the colors...they're perfect for spring and all occasions. Not only that, but the floral and geo prints are fun and adorable! 

For Kaelyn, I decided to go with the super cute belted geo print shortsThey are a nice soft, comfortable material and easy to pull right on without having to hassle with any buttons or snaps. There's also a cute removable tie belt which really adds to the look as well. 

Aside from the fit, Kaelyn's favorite part is the geo print. I have to say, it is mine too! They are a lot of fun and very easy to dress up or down. I also appreciated that there were several items in the yellow and black collection and matched these perfectly. 

Along with the shorts I got her the Gem Geo Butterfly tee and the Glitter Sunglasses Girl Tee. 

The Gem Geo Butterfly tee is bright and perfect for spring and summer. I love the split flutter sleeves, and Kaelyn adores the geo print and faceted gems. There's so much detail, I can tell a lot of time went into making this top such wonderful quality and unique. It matches the shorts perfectly too!

The Glitter Sunglasses Girl tee also matches the shorts well. The print on the front is very cute, as is the geo print, glitter and embroidery. There are also faceted gems on this shirt and I love love love the keyhold loop button on the back! 

The boys had equally as cute collections to choose from. One of my favorites was the new Beach Buddies collection

There are so many fun colors and styles, and best of all they can be mix and matched together to make many different outfits!

When looking for Caysen, I typically look for something that's stylish, but comfortable and easy to run around. At 2 years old, he's a boy on the move, and always running around or playing on the floor. I wanted to find something that's comfy, but cute and did just that when I came across the Play Swim Repeat outfit!

The Play Swim Striped Tee is adorable and I really love the colors! The quality is fantastic and something I can tell will hold up well which is much appreciated as well. 

The Cargo Terry shorts match the shirt well, and are just what I was looking for. They're comfortable, but look nice and can easily be dressed up a little too. They're easy to pull on and off and best of all, Caysen loves them!

Along with this, I got him the Tropical Slip On Sneakers. He still doesn't wear sandals too well, so I thought these would be a perfect summer shoe and go with many of the Gymboree clothes he already owns as well as this new outfit too. 

The shoes are a nice quality and very easy to get on and off. 

When looking for Kaden in the Beach Buddies Collection, I wanted to find something that was stylish and something beachy. He likes the comfortable type of clothes that can be dressed up and worn anywhere. 

I found the perfect thing when I came across the Sun and Sand outfit!

Again, I love these colors for spring and summer. They are fun and go with a lot of different things. The top is excellent quality and I love the embroidery too! It adds a nice touch of detail that really dresses the tee up some. 

This top pairs perfectly with the drawstring plaid shorts! They're a nice short that could easily be dressed up or down. Kaden tells me they are very comfortable and super easy to get up and down! He's able to easily run around and play in these which is great.

To complete the outfit, I got him a pair of flip flops. He likes shoes that are easy to slip on and off in the warmer months, so I thought these would be perfect. They match the outfit great and are very comfortable too. They also run true to size, which made ordering them online easy.

Overall I've been very happy with these two new collections from Gymboree. There were many other items I loved and have since went shopping at Gymboree again to pick up a few more things for each of my kids. I love that I can count on this brand for high quality, stylish and comfortable clothing that will hold up well to a lot of wear.

Buy It: You can find these and other great collections for spring and summer at Gymboree.com.


You can also connect with Gymboree on Twitter and Facebook.





**The product for this review was provided by Famosa. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

All three of my kids enjoy pretend play, especially when it mimics the things they see mommy and daddy doing. My daughter is especially nurturing, and even at 6 years old, still enjoys playing with dolls...feeding them, giving them baths, etc. I love to encourage this kind of play any way I can, which is why I was excited when introduced to a new toy from the Nenuco line. 


Famosa, known for high quality dolls with engaging and unique features, has been a leading European toy company for over 50 years. The Nenuco line was launched over 35 years ago and today is the #1 doll brand in Spain. They value imagination, creativity, motor skills, coordination and manual skills!

You may remember the review I did a few months ago featuring Nenuco. We have been very impressed with the quality and overall appeal of their products and were excited to learn of a new product.


New for Spring 2014, Nenuco Bath Time is a doll made for water. What kid doesn't love bath time, I know all three of mine do! That's why I knew they'd be thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review it for ourselves.

When the doll arrived, I was impressed with all that she included. Not only an adorable doll, but also squirters and an inner tube for floating in the tub!


Out of the box, I was immediately impressed with the quality of this doll, and the unique features that make her suitable for water. She is made with a special fast dry material, and has a soft body. She also has a nice baby scent to her too!



Speaking of drying quickly, the doll actually has feet with holes in it to help it drain more easily. Love it!

Like I mentioned, the toys she comes with make playing with her in the tub even more fun! The kids enjoy using the squirters, and the inner tube makes it possible for the doll to float and play right along with Kaelyn. She LOVES it! 


Now when bathtime comes for any one of the kids they enjoy taking this little cutie with them! Whether she's just playing with her squirt toys or floating around, it brings bathtime fun to a whole new level! I love that they're able to use their imaginations and have fun with this toy both inside and outside of the bath. 


If you have a little one who loves dolls as much as my kids, I'd definitely recommend checking out Nenuco and their new Nenuco Bath Time! The quality is fantastic and the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and open-opened play. 

Buy It: You can purchase the Nenuco Bath Time set for $24.99. 

You can also connect with Pinypon and Nenuco on Facebook where they are running many different giveaways.






**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Pull-Ups. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Potty training is an exciting journey that takes much time and patience. I always have appreciated finding tools and products that would make this milestone easier for my kids. That's why I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to trying out Pull-Ups with Caysen. 

After using the Pull-Ups Training Pants for a couple of months during the potty training process, we have noticed Caysen wakes up dry a lot more. Night time training is always more difficult so this has been very exciting for him and us! He is much more independent in using the potty now which I love as well. It's been fun to see him encouraged by his potty successes!


Having potty trained three children, I have learned some important things along the way. For parents starting the potty training journey, I think it's important to remember three main points:

1. Begin potty training when your child shows signs of being ready. This allows the process to go more smoothly and quickly.

2. Be consistent and patient.

3. Have fun and celebrate your child's successes (both trying on the potty and going potty)!

These tips have been important to me as I trained my kids. It has helped me keep the potty training journey less stressful and encouraging. Making sure your child is ready is key, as well as making the process fun. However, no matter your method or when you start...one of the most important things I've found is that it's a must to be consistent. That's why I've loved the Big Kid Time to help keep a routine and remind Caysen when he needs to try to go potty. This and other tools on the Pull-Ups website really do help maintain a potty training schedule.

At the beginning of potty training, Caysen didn't seem all that excited. I've found that the Big Kids Academy really helped encourage him. The Progress Chart and the Potty Dance have both been great for him!

If you're beginning the potty training journey, or are in the middle of it, I'd definitely recommend visiting the Big Kid Academy via the Pull-Ups website! Here, and on the Pull-Ups Facebook Page and Twitter Page, you'll find a variety of tools and resources (tips/tricks) that I have mentioned above. There's even a Rewards Wheel on Pull-Ups.com that's customizable and helps make every potty training lesson unique. 

Pull-Ups has also recently announced an exciting new partnership with The First Years, a maker of potty training systems and seats. The First Years offers a range of different potty training systems and seats, even some decorated with Disney characters to help make potty training as fun as possible. As I said, making it fun is a huge factor in helping to make it go as smoothly as possible.

With the purchase of a specialty potty system from The First Years, you will receive a free sample pack of Pull-Ups Training Pants to tackle the potty training journey. How great is that?! We have used a potty seat with all three of our kids and it has worked great to help transition them to becoming more independent in using the potty. Getting a pack of Pull-Ups Training Pants would make it even better! I'd definitely recommend anyone getting ready to start the journey, look into this great deal!



Walk on the Wild Side with Clawz Shoes {Review & Giveaway}

Posted by Jenna | Friday, April 18, 2014




**The product for this review/giveaway was provided at no cost to me. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.


I have a little girl who loves to stand out in a crowd. She has a contagious, outgoing personality and it's one of the things I love about her. When it comes to her clothing choices, she is no different. She likes to wear bright, colorful articles of clothing and fun, new styles. Knowing her personality, I knew she'd adore Clawz Shoes!

Clawz shoes are slip-on shoes in fluorescent colors shaped like animal claws! What girl or boy wouldn't love that?! It's part shoe, part play thing and all adventure! Clawz Shoes are a spunky, wild hybrid of ergonomic comfort and a creature for kids, teens and adults! 

I was excited when given the opportunity to review a pair of Clawz Shoes and although they have them for teens and adults as well, I knew Kaelyn would be a perfect candidate for this review. I used the size chart to figure out what size she would need. This is very important to ensure a good fit for your child and I greatly appreciate that this size chart was available. I then had her pick a color. Although she does love bright and colorful, she went with black so she'd be able to wear them with more things this summer. I don't blame her, they are a versatile shoe and one I'm sure she'll get A LOT of use out of!

When the Clawz Shoes arrived, I was impressed with the quality right away. They remind me of the other brightly colored molded slip-on shoes out there, but have built upon the comfort with a material that both repels odor and molds to the shape of your foot as you wear them!! How neat is that?! 

I appreciate that they don't get smelly and that they are so easy to clean. With a child wearing them, this is a must...especially during the summer months when we're outdoors a lot! I love that the material is also very versatile and makes it easy to wear everywhere from running on the playground or going on a walk to walking on the beach! 

It's also great that these shoes mold to the foot. It makes them more comfortable for her to wear them as she runs around. The air vents also keep her feet cool and she appreciates the rear strap that helps keep her foot secure. For older children/teens, the strap can be folded forward and out of the way for an easy slip on and off look. Either way, these shoes are super easy to get on and off which is also a plus when it comes to children! YAY!



As I said, Kaelyn went with the black color, but Clawz are available in a wild range of fun colors: lime, orange, black, blue, pink and white! She loves the ones we received, and most of all...LOVES the claw look to them. I mean, how cool are these?!

It stands out and she loves that it's different than anything she sees other kids wearing at school. We've had several people already ask us where they can find a pair for their own children. 


We have been very impressed with the Clawz shoes and Kaelyn absolutely loves them! They are fun and best of all, they are comfortable and hold up well! My boys now want a pair, so I have a feeling it's something all three kids will be sporting this summer! :) With spring here, and summer nearing...I would definitely recommend Clawz shoes for children (and adults) of all ages! 

Buy It: You can purchase the Classic Clawz for $29.99 or the Toddler styles for $24.99. AND, for A Mom's Balancing Act readers, use code balancing30 and receive 30% off all orders (coupon expires May 20th). This drops the adult and kids' prices to $20.99 and the toddler prices to $17.50! There's also free shipping on orders over $45. Head over to ClawzShoes.com and find the perfect pair for you or your little one today. 

WIN IT: One very lucky reader is going to win a pair of Clawz in the size and color of their choice!



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Our family enjoys family movie nights, so I'm always on the lookout for good movies everyone will enjoy. One of our faves is The Wizard of Oz, so I was very excited to learn more about a new movie coming to theaters May 9th...Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return.


Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return is a 3D-animated musical based on the adventure books by Roger Stanton Baum, the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum. A continuation of one of the world’s most popular and beloved fairy tales, Legends of Oz finds Dorothy (Lea Michele) waking to post-tornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends the Scarecrow (Dan Aykroyd), the Lion (Jim Belushi), the Tin Man (Kelsey Grammer) and Glinda (Bernadette Peters) from a devious new villain, the Jester (Martin Short). Wiser the owl (Oliver Platt), Marshal Mallow (Hugh Dancy), China Princess (Megan Hilty) and Tugg the tugboat (Patrick Stewart) join Dorothy on her latest magical journey through the colorful landscape of Oz to restore order and happiness to Emerald City. Set to the tunes of Academy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Bryan Adams, Legends of Oz marks a charming, family-friendly return to the Oz franchise.


If this sounds like a movie you and your family would enjoy as well, I'd recommend checking it out when it hits theaters next month! You may also be interested in learning more about the Legends of Oz Express Tour too! Join Dorothy and friends for a day of free family fun with activities, games, character meet & greets, and story time when the Legends of Oz Express comes to a town near you.

For the latest information on the event in your city, click here.

You can connect with Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return on Twitter and Facebook.




Amazon Facebook Blast! ~ $100 Amazon GC Giveaway

Posted by Jenna | Tuesday, April 15, 2014




amazonblast

Makobi Scribe is bringing you this Amazon Facebook blast where one lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card. The giveaway is open to everyone and provided by Makobi Scribe. Good Luck! If you are a blogger, you can sign up for this blast here.






**This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

It's hard to believe, but Earth Day will be here before we know it. April is just flying by! And, as the big day nears, Healthy Essentials Products have you covered! They are offering amazing printable coupons, tips, tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love! You can save over $55 by visiting HealthyEssentials.com this month and signing up for the Healthy Essentials program coupons and offers. 


While you're there, be sure to check out some of the fantastic deals below!
  • Save $1.00 on any JOHNSON'S® Baby Intense Moisture Cream
  • Save $1.00 on any LUBRIDERM® product (6oz or larger)
  • Save $1.00 on any (1) CLEAN & CLEAR® product (excludes trial and travel sizes)
  • Save $1.00 on any (1) NEUTROGENA® Sun product (exclude trial size)
  • Save $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE® SMART RINSE Anti-cavity Mouthwash, 500 ml
  • Save $1.00 on any (1) REACH® Total Care Floss, or REACH® Gentle Gum Care Floss, or REACH® Dentotape® or REACH® Access® Flosses
  • Save $2.00 on any (3) NEOSPORIN®, BAND-AID® Brand Adhesive bandages or JOHNSON and JOHNSON RED CROSS® Brand products (excludes all trial and travel sizes, First Aid Kits, 10 ct Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandages, and On-the-Go First Aid Kits. Must buy (2) different brand products to qualify for this offer along with a third product)
     Aside from these amazing savings, you can also check out Donate a Photo! This is a free app that allows consumers to make a difference by raising money and awareness for causes they care about through one simple act - taking a photo. For every photo shared through Donate a Photo, Johnson & Johnson will donate one dollar to one of its non-profit partners, which each consumer can choose from a rotating list. 

There's also helpful tips and facts on what and where to recycle! Recycling is so important, it's something our family is continually working to do more of, and sharing the need for it with our children as well! 

You can see J&J employees share their thoughts or sustainability in this powerful video

I'm really excited about all that is going on this month in celebration of Earth Day! I'd love for you to join us for a Healthy Essentials Twitter party all about shareable moments with friends and family - anywhere from online to in the store to your own medicine cabinet. You can use the #Moms4NJonsumer hashtag to follow along and see more details and RSVP at the Twtvite1! The Twitter party will take place Thursday, April 17 at 1 pm ET (noon CT/10am PT).






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