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

Infant Travel Bed

Jake and I love to travel, and with family spread out in Iowa, Colorado, and California we do a lot of it!  We always try to take as little as possible to make getting around easier, but with a little one we’ve learned that there really is no such thing as traveling ‘light’.  It always amazes me how much you need for such a little person!  I love when I find products that help make traveling easier, and Summer Infant’s Travel Bed is definitely one of those products.

The travel bed arrived folded up with the carry strap attached.  I was really impressed at how compact it was and how comfortable it was to carry.  Setting it up was so simple, just undo the Velcro attachment and unfold.  I love the neutral, modern colors and the quality of the materials.  Not only would this bed be great for traveling, but also for diaper changes on the go (especially for those squirmy little ones…the toy bar and the sides help keep your little one content and contained!)    

The bed comes with a premium mattress and a removable, washable sheet.  Also, the fabric on the sides and bottom allow it to be wiped clean with damp cloth and soap when needed.  I really appreciate that they have made it not only convenient to carry on the go, but also easy to clean. Another feature of the bed are the padded, structured side supports, which help prevent baby from rolling out.

The toy bar is another feature I really like about this bed.  It’s simple, but has just enough to keep baby entertained and content.  It easily detaches so you can choose when to use it/not use it.
   

I think this travel bed is a really great product for families on-the-go.  It is lightweight yet still sturdy, very portable, and great quality.  I love that instead of tearing down/setting up the pack-and-play, you can just grab this small, super portable bed instead!  Whether you’re flying to your destination or traveling in the car, this bed can easily be taken with you and make things a little more convenient! 

Sooth and Vibe

When we're out and about with Aliyah, it can be hard to soothe her to sleep when naptime hits. I've discovered that playing music or calming sounds on my phone will help, which means I'm often trying to creatively rig up my phone in the stroller or holding it over the car seat while on the road (don’t worry, not when I'm the one driving of course!). Summer Infant provides a great solution to this little issue with their portable Sooth and Vibe.

The Soothe and Vibe is a small, battery powered unit that can attach to baby’s car seat or stroller to help comfort your little one on-the-go.  The vibrations combined with the unit’s white noise, lullaby and heart beat sounds will help baby stay calm during a long commute or when you’re stuck out and about during naptime.  

There are two attachment options: hook and loops or retractable clips, both allow you to attach and detach the unit very easily. I love that I can quickly take it from my diaper bag, to car seat, to stroller when needed.  The retractable clips allow you to attach the unit to most infant items including cribs, bassinets, play yards, etc. 

The Sooth and Vibe plays 5 songs/sound and has adjustable volume and vibration speeds.  One feature I appreciate is the automatic 20-minute shutoff; it’s nice not having to worry about leaving it on and cause the batteries to wear out!  

Summer Infant has created two great on-the-go products.  If you are looking for ways to make getting out and about with your little one a little easier, I would definitely recommend checking out them out!

Buy It:  The Infant Travel Bed and Soothe & Vibe can be purchased online at SummerInfant.com 

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

I don't know about you, but summertime is the busiest time of year for us! Although we have a ton of fun, we are on the go constantly and frequently get behind on housework and things that need to get done. This includes laundry, and of course...ironing! I am always looking for ways to make my daily to-do list a little bit easier, which is why I was thrilled when asked to review the new Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus! 

We were sent a Down Wrinkle Release review kit and it arrived just in time. The laundry had been piling up and I had lots of clothes that were in need of ironing as we prepared to leave for our family vacation. I was able to first put the Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus to the test by using a tee that came in the kit. It was wrinkled, and I will admit I had my doubts whether the wrinkles would come out just by spraying the wrinkles away. 

Well...it actually did work and I was amazed! All this time I've been trying to find time to heat up the iron and iron one outfit after another when I could have just been using the Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus and taking some stress out of our busy schedule! I loved how well it worked so much, that I even brought one of the smaller bottles with us on vacation. It was a great way to make sure that our outfits that got a little wrinkled in the suitcase were ready to wear when the time came! 

So how does it work you ask?! Well...it really is simple (which I love as a busy mom!). You simply spray it on the clothes, give it a tug to loosen the wrinkles and then smooth them flat. As your clothes dry the wrinkles magically just disappear! Downy has perfected the sprayer to deliver a finer mist. It has broader coverage to reduce drying time. I'm thankful to have supply on hand, and will definitely be buying more when I run out!

This wonderbottle as it's known in its new campaign is not only great for reducing wrinkles in clothes, but it has many other uses as well! It can be used as a quick fix solution to remove creases from pillowcases, bed sheets, drapery, tablecloths, cloth napkins, ribbons on holiday decorations, and many other household items. It can also help to remove odors and freshen up furniture, pet beds and even infant car seats just to name a few. And for those who still like to iron, it serves as a better ironing aid than water without the residue of starch. I have even used it to help with static cling with great success!

I am very impressed with this product and would definitely recommend it to others. Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus is sold at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Publix and many other grocery, drug, and mass retailers. Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus is sold in a 1-liter bottle for $6.99 and a 500 mL bottle for $4.19. It is also available in a travel-friendly 3-ounce size for $1.99. For more information visit www.downywrinklereleaserplus.com.

**The product for this review/giveaway was provided by Little Tikes. All opinions are my own.

Summertime is our chance to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather! With just a few months out of the year where the weather is nice enough to do this, the kids and I soak it up as much as we can. I like for them to be able to run and play, while still having the opportunity to use their imaginations and engage in create and cooperative play with one another. That's why I love the products from Little Tikes!

We were sent the adorable Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Table which has everything kids need for summertime fun to keep them playing for hours on end!

Features/Benefits: 

• Fun pirate ship themed outdoor, water playset loaded with spinning features
• Keep water moving with pump or by pouring water into the crows nest and watch 
      everything spin
• Spinners cause current in the ship which moves floating objects around
• Kids can aim and squirt water from the water cannon
• Steering wheel spins
• Anchor raises and lowers by cranking the handle 

When the water table arrived, my kids were eager to get it out of the box and start playing with it. With three excited children, I was happy to find that assembly was simple and quick! In no time we had the legs put on and the accessories in place. Isn't it adorable?

My first thought was how cute it is for boys and girls both! The pirate theme is something that all children can enjoy and are drawn to. At least my kids are, and any who have been to our home to visit and play! The Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Table has definitely been a huge hit!

Not only is it great for the kids to play in the water on a hot day, but there are so many fun things for them to do. Squirt water from the cannon, create currents with the spinner, and so much more!! It really keeps their interest for a long time and I love watching as they engage in creative and active play so happily together!

Since this is something my kids love so much, I'm happy that the quality is top-notch! Little Tikes did not disappoint and I love that I can count on them for high quality toys that will last for years! I know this is something my kids will enjoy for a very long time. 

If you're looking for the perfect summertime toy, I would highly recommend checking out the fun Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Table from Little Tikes. While you're checking it out, I would also suggest looking at their other amazing selection of other fun toys for summer! There's something for everyone!

Buy It: You can purchase the Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Table for $79.99. 

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Anchors Away Pirate Ship Water Table for the special little ones in their life!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

For parents and babies alike, having the right mattress can make all the difference when it comes to getting a good night sleep.  When looking for a crib mattress, some of the things I am looking for include firm support (yet one that is still comfortable), a waterproof cover, durable seams, and one that is Greenguard certified.  The Sealy Brilliant Nights Crib Mattress has all of these things, plus a few more!  When receiving one for review, I was really excited to check it out and see how Aliyah would like it. 

When taking it out of the box I appreciated how thick it was, while still being so lightweight.  Right away I could tell that it was very well made and would be comfortable for Ali.  

A unique feature about this mattress is that it doubles as a crib mattress and a toddler bed mattress!  One side is firmer for children 0-2 years old and the other side includes softer, plush layers for ages 2-4.  I love that this mattress will be able to grow with Aliyah past her infant stage.  With its stain resistant cover and lock-stick waterproof binding to keep liquids from seeping inside, I have no doubt this mattress will last.  This mattress also features a pearl-embossed waterproof surface that wipes clean with a damp cloth or mild soap.  When dealing with diaper leaks or bed wetting, having an easy to clean surface is a must!  

Having a Greenguard certification is important to me.  There are so many chemicals and toxins in our environment, and though we cannot avoid them all, I do my best to limit Aliyah’s exposure where I can.  Sealy is made in the USA and has created this mattress to pass the Greenguard Gold Certification, ensuring parents that it has met strict standards for chemical emissions and does not contain any dangerous VOCs.  

Other features of Sealy's Brilliant Nights Mattress include:

• A 182 coil innerspring system for lasting durability and firmness
• Enhanced with secure edge steel borders all around the sides
• 6 EverEdge strength pillars to protect baby near corners and sides
• Hypoallergenic cushioning
• Meets or exceeds all flammability, lead, phthalate and CPSIA testing and does not contain toxic fire retardants
• Measures 27.5 x 52 x 5.5 inches for a snug fit inside USA standard size cribs and toddler bed frames

The crib fit perfectly inside our crib and I had no problem getting our standard size crib sheets to fit over it. 

From the outside everything looked great with the Sealy Brilliant Nights Mattress, but I knew the real test would be whether or not Aliyah liked it and slept well on it…

…and she did! Looks like it has past the ultimate test!  I would definitely recommend this product if you are looking for a safe, comfortable, affordable mattress that will last from crib to toddler bed!   

BUY IT:  You can purchase the Sealy Signature Brilliant Nights 2-Stage Crib Mattress for $149.99 at Kolcraft.com. 

                            You can connect with Kolcraft on Twitter and Facebook

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

There's nothing more fun for a child than to imitate mom and dad. For my kids, that means playing house, taking care of their babies, making us pretend meals and of course...mowing the grass and grilling outside in the summertime!! I like to find toys for my kids that encourage this type of pretend play. It's neat to watch as they imitate real life! 

Little Tikes offers a large variety of toys that make it fun for children to engage in creative play. From kitchen sets to playhouses...they really do have it all! We were sent the Cook n' Grow BBQ Grill and I knew it would be a hit, especially during these summer months when they see Daddy grilling often!

Features: 
BBQ Grill  has 2 age grade configurations
      1) When grill is expanded the height is just right for toddlers
      2) Compacting the grill makes it just right for preschoolers
  • Clicking knobs
  • "Starter" button
  • Grill doors open and close
  • Lots of accessories
  • Play food fits inside grill base for easy storage


I especially appreciate finding toys that are something my three children can each play with comfortably. That means it has to be a size that is suitable for all of them which is why I love the idea that this BBQ grill is a 'cook n' grow'! That means it is made to actually grow with a child and has two stages. Knowing this is what had me most excited to review it and we couldn't wait to get it out of the box when it arrived. 

I was happy to find that assembly was easy. We decided to set it up so the grill was expanded first. This makes it a height perfect for toddlers. Isn't it cute?! Caysen loves it this height!

We then set it up more compactly which makes it a great size for preschoolers. It works really well for all three of my kids, but my 2 and 4 year olds especially have fun with it!

The grill is high quality, which is what Little Tikes is known for! It is something that they can play with outdoors without me having to worry that it's going to break. I know it will hold up well to both indoor and outdoor use which is much appreciated! 

We all love that this little grill is so much like Daddy's. It really makes the boys feel like they're grilling just like him! It comes complete with a dual grill, lid and side burners. 

Best of all, it comes with tongs, a frying pan, spatula, hamburger/bun, hotdog/bun, ketchup AND a plate!! I was blown away that all of these accessories were included right in with the grill. This really completes it and makes it easy for the kids to spend lots of time playing and grilling up yummy food. 

I can't get over just how cute it is to watch the kids grilling and playing house. I love that Little Tikes has created life like toys that make pretend play easy and fun! This is definitely one of our favorite toys this summer!

Buy It: The Cook 'n Grow BBQ Grill can be purchased for $39.99. 

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Cook 'n Grow BBQ Grill from Little Tikes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway