**The products for this review were provided by Tommee Tippee. All opinions are my own.

We started using a pacifier with Aliyah when she was about a week old. As new parents we quickly learned what a lifesaver they can be! I also learned that not all pacis are created equal. There are several different styles and shapes, and some babies will be picky about which ones they will take (there was only one style that Ali would take!). When I was given the opportunity to check out Tommee Tippee’s pacifiers in their new line of Closer to Nature products, I was excited to try them out. The bottle that we use is also from their Closer to Nature line and so far it has been the only bottle that Aliyah will take; I was anxious to see if she would like the pacis as well.

These new pacifiers are orthodontically designed with a nipple shaped more like mom’s breast, making them more familiar to babies and resulting in a high acceptance rate. They also come in several cute styles and sizes ranging from birth to 18 months.

A few of the pacifier features are:

• Symmetrical orthodontic shape, making it easier for baby to hold in his or her mouth
• BPA and phthalate-free silicone
• Girl, boy and gender neutral colors
• Dishwasher and sterilizer safe

Aliyah took the pacifier on the first attempt (though she does enjoy chewing on it more than sucking now that she is teething!) One thing I like about this paci, that her other ones don’t have, is the little handle that makes it easy for her little fingers to grab. It’s the cutest thing to see her pick it up and pop it in her mouth!

I received pacifiers in the 'everyday' style, but there are several more fun styles to check out including:

• Night time: Traditional shield style with glow handle, making it easier to find in the dark. With night and sleep themed decorations.
• Air style: Air holes in the shield encourage improved air flow to help minimize risk of skin irritation.
• Fun style: Traditional shield style with bright and playful designs.

I have been very pleased with the quality of the Closer to Nature line of products. I love that Tommee Tippee actually does research with their products to make sure they are providing parents and babies with the best. Knowing that they take pride and care in their designs helps gain my trust as a consumer and makes me want to continue trying out new products as they create them.

Buy It: You can purchase the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature pacifiers for $5.99 at Target

**The product for this review/giveaway was provided to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Now that Aliyah is 6 months old, I have learned what her sleeping patterns are and understand just how important it is for her to get her naps in during the day. I often find myself rushing home with her after running errands so that she can fall asleep in her crib and not her car seat, knowing that if she does, I can pretty much say goodbye to her nap time…unless I want to keep driving around for an hour! 

There have been many times where I try to quietly take her out of the car with the hope that she will continue sleeping in her car seat once she is inside. More often than not, without the movement of the car, she is awake in no time and nap time is out the window.

The Dozer Car Seat Rocker is a helpful, easy solution to my car seat napping dilemma. This little device turns any car seat into a self-rocking cradle anytime, anywhere allowing your baby to continue sleeping with a soothing, gentle motion. It’s one of those simple, why-didn't-I-think of-that products, invented by sleep-deprived parents needing a different solution for getting their little one to sleep.

To use the rocker, simply slide the wedge under the car seat (in the front or the back), and flip the switch! It’s as easy as that and your baby’s seat is quickly turned into a soothing rocker. So genius! Here's a little video so you can see it in action...

I love how small and lightweight it is, making it convenient to throw in your diaper bag and take with you to a restaurant, Bible study, family picnic, or wherever you find yourself needing to rock your little one to sleep!

I also really like that you have the option to use either batteries or an AC adapter (purchased separately). 4AAA batteries will give you 11 hours of rocking when you’re out and about, and then when you’re home you can save the batteries and just plug it into the wall. With the help of this little orange wedge, I can keep Aliyah snoozing when we get home and she can get in the full nap she needs!


Buy It: You can purchase the Dozer Rocker for $29.99 at dozerrocker.com

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a Dozer Rocker and wall adapter! 

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I don't let my kids watch a lot of television. Not only have my husband and I made this decision because we want our kids to play, use their imaginations and stay active...but also, because unfortunately there's not a lot of choices when it comes to age-appropriate, clean tv shows for children anymore. Thankfully, when they do have the opportunity to watch something, I know I can always count on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

The kids love Mickey Mouse just as much as I do, so I was excited to learn about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Around the Clubhouse World on DVD this month! We were sent a copy to review.

Micky, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy and the gang go on a trip of a lifetime to explore France, Italy, China and more in one of their greatest global adventures. This DVD features two hours of song-filled fun and is packed with four additional episodes!!


Synopsis:

Pack your bags and grab your passport. Join Mickey, Minnie and pals on a whirlwind trip Around The Clubhouse World! Climb the Eiffel Tower in France and say “bonjour” to Mademoiselle Daisy and Monsieur Donald Duck. Then, rescue Gondolier Goofy when he goes adrift in Italy’s Grand Canal; solve the mysterious riddle of Pharaoh Pete’s pyramid in Egypt, and meet a dancing dragon at the Great Wall of China. With your help – and the right Mouseketools – your Clubhouse friends can get their special passport stamped at each wonderful location. Featuring over two hours of song-filled fun, including four additional episodes, this global adventure proves it’s a small world after all! My kids have loved watching this DVD and were tickled to find that it came with a FREE passport activity book which really made them feel like explorers! They enjoyed following the gang on their trip. It's an adorable DVD and one I'd recommend to any family with young children. It's full of adventure and keeps my kids' attention the whole time. 
About: Full Length Feature - Around the Clubhouse World
Additional Episodes - Donald and the Beanstalk
                               Goofy on Mars
                               Mickey's Handy Helpers
                               Pluto's Dinosaur Romp

Buy It: You can purchase the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Around the Clubhouse World DVD on Amazon for $14.99.

*I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for CaringBridge. I received product a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

CaringBridge exists to connect people with their community of support in times of need. In anticipation of Father's Day, CaringBridge created #theother364 campaign and needs your help! They want help catching dads in action - not just on Father's Day, but #theother364 days a year too. My husband is a great Father to our family year-round. He's hardworking and loves spending time with the kiddos. Whether it's making breakfast in the morning or helping our daughter with her homework, he's always there. These are the types of things CaringBridge wants to see! Whether it's packing a lunch, building a fort or something else, here's how you can be involved:

• Take a quick (under 30 seconds video) video of Dad doing an act your family appreciates 
• Submit your video here by May 29th, 2014
• CaringBridge will select their favorites and edit them together into a Father's

Here's another great deal from Crazy 8 I wanted to pass along. The Crazy 8 Star Spangled Sale is going on NOW! Everything in this new adorable line is $10.99 and under!! This offer is valid for a limited time, while supplies last so be sure and head over to check it out soon. 

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

One thing I love about watching my kids play, is that they enjoy being creative together. They love to put their heads together and come up with a show or concert to put on for us. I try to encourage this type of cooperative play, and am always on the lookout for toys and products that will do just that! Thanks to HABA, I've found our new favorite!

HABA has a number of high quality products for young children. We've owned several and have always been very happy with them. That's why, when I learned of their new HABA Doorway Theater I knew it would be right up my kids' alley!

We were sent a HABA Doorway Theater to review, and the kids were very eager to check it out the moment it arrived!

Out of the box, I was thrilled to find the quality of this whimsical set to be top notch! I love the the durability of the curtain, along with it's appealing colors for kids! 

This 67" tall x 31" wide curtain fits great in a doorway and even has poles that extend a bit further for larger door frames. The rod makes it easy to set up and keeps it secure. 

There are 4 telescopic rods that fit into the edges of the curtain, giving it a neat appearance. It hangs nicely and covers the door opening completely which the kids like so that we can't see them when it's just their puppets talking. 

I love all the details that went into making this one of a kind. It's wonderfully detailed with a cute porthole at the top for a puppet to make a surprise appearance. Kaelyn enjoys this, because on a step stool, she's able to reach it and can be the star of the show. 

There's also a red curtain that comes with tie backs to unveil the show and a little pocket window to display the name of the act! It really does include everything they need to use their imaginations and get creative with new shows every day! It's something that has already provided hours of puppet fun! Now all we need is to purchase more hand puppets and we'll be set!

The HABA Doorway Theater is definitely one I'd recommend to other families with little ones. It provides a wonderful way for kids of all ages to work together, using their imaginations.

Buy It: You can purchase the HABA Doorway Theater for $47.49 at HABAusa.com.

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win a HABA Doorway Theater of their own!

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I love finding high-quality products when it comes to my skin! I have sensitive skin, and even some make-up can be too harsh for it. That's why I was super eager to learn more when I was first introduced to Younique! 

Younique is a company committed to providing high quality, naturally-based cosmetics that enhance your natural beauty. I was invited to a couple of online parties and purchased several of their products this way. After trying them out, I couldn't help but want to join and help share about their great products with others - hence the reason I decided to become a Younique Independent Presenter! 

One of my favorite products, and the most popular, is the 3D Fiber Lashes! Have you heard of them before?! They are AMAZING! The Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes mascara is an eyelash enhancing duo that increases the eyelash in thickness and volume while still looking real and natural!

Naturally, I do not have the longest lashes, even with mascara on...so I was thrilled when I began using this and found that it really does work for me! I typically do not wear a lot of makeup, so being able to put on this mascara and have my eyes pop has been wonderful! Here's my results using the Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes from Younique! 

Of course, this is just one of their many products that I adore! A few of my other favorites are the Brilliant Daily moisturizing Gel, Awake Facial Cleanser, eye pigments and Glorious Primer!

The Awake Facial Cleanser is wonderful! It contains beneficial ingredients that help to awaken and cleanse the skin. I has been great for my skin in dissolving oil and makeup. I love how soft and clean my skin feels after using this product. I thought I knew what clean skin felt like, but this has been amazing for my skin!

The Brilliant Daily moisturizing gel is formulated to leave the skin hydrated as it nourishes with its powerful natural ingredients. It's made with Natural Silver, Ginseng and Pearl Powder from Freshwater Pearls. 

I've never had a moisturizer that I absolutely loved, until I began using this one from Younique. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized and super soft. I love it! 

The Glorious Primer goes on like silk, leaving my skin super soft! I have never used anything like it before! It helps to prepare and enhance the skin for mineral make-up application.

Finally, are the Moodstruck Minerals Pigment Powders. There are 32 vibrant shades to choose from and the color combinations are endless. It's 100% natural, chemical free, mineral based loose pigment powder that's free of talc, oils, preservatives, perfumes, synthetic dyes and parabens. What I love about these eye pigments is that they can be applied wet for a more dramatic look, or dry for a blended and softer look. 

Here's one of our Younique customers with her pigments on, as well as her Younique mascara! BEAUTIFUL!

Right now there's a fabulous special deal going on where you can get some of our most popular products at a great price! With this set you get the 3D Fiber Lashes, Luxe Lip Gloss, Angelic and Confident pigment powders all in a limited-edition Younique makeup pouch for $50! You check out the Exclusive Mini Collection, here.

As I said, I tried Younique products and ended up loving them so much that I decided to join and share/sell them to others! If you'd like to learn more about these products or want to order any of them, feel free to visit my website here. Also let me know if you ever have any questions! 

I'd love to hear if you've ever used any of the Younique products and how you liked them! Feel free to share in the comments!

**I am a Younique Independent Presenter and wanted to share our products with others who I thought would appreciate learning more about them. All opinions are 100% honest and mine, and not influenced in any way. I truly love these products and hope others will as well. All results and experiences are my own and may differ from those of others.

**I was not compensated in any way to write this post. There is one affiliate link, however all opinions are my own. I love these savings apps and wanted to share them for others who may be interested.

Although I love to save money and find great deals, I'll admit that I've never been that great or consistent with couponing. As a new mom I remember getting very serious about it, but the more kids I had and the more responsibility on my plate, coupon clipping got pushed to the back burner. I still clip a few here and there, but I enjoy finding easier ways to save money...ways that don't require quite as much of my time. 

Photo credit: OOingle.com

Thankfully, there are many apps out there that make it super easy to save money on all kinds of purchases I make. There are the store apps, such as Famous Footwear, Target, etc that have new mobile coupons all the time! There's also apps like Retail Me Not which makes it easy to save in store and online with thousands of coupons and deals to place I love to shop! No more having to print or forget a coupon again! That's something this mama greatly appreciates! 

We shop at Target a lot, so I also take advantage of the Cartwheel app which is a great way to save on the products I already buy. Have you heard of it, or use it? I simply add offers right to my Cartwheel from hundreds of available products and then have the cashier scan my phone at checkout to receive the discounts. It's that easy! There are new offers added regularly, so there's always something I can save on when buying groceries, clothes, and household necessities! 

It's fun to see the total drop as the coupons are scanned, but I also love rebates where I get money back for shopping! That's why I love the new app I found, Ibotta! It's a fun and easy way to earn money just for buying the products I regularly buy! It works in 50 plus national grocery chains, restaurants, and new stores are being added all the time too! 

To use, I simply redeem the offers I've used and scan my receipt to confirm the purchase. Once it is approved, the money is added to my total. Once the total hits $5, the money can be transferred securely via Paypal or used to purchase gift cards. I love it!! Just another fun way to shop and save! 

I would definitely recommend downloading the free app and checking it out. I would love if you would use my link to sign up, but of course, you do not have to. :) When you invite friends you can earn $5 and each friend you invite can earn a $2 bonus as well! 

So, which apps and coupon sites are your favorites? We'd love to hear!

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

I appreciate finding high quality toys for my kids that are fun, open-ended and encourage creativity. Thankfully, HABA offers that and more! 

For those who aren't familiar, HABA is known for their high quality baby and children's toys, games and dolls. The company's products are always seen in national parenting and lifestyle magazines plus they've won nearly every prestigious German and American toy Award. 

We've had the opportunity to review and own many HABA products over the years, and I am always impressed with the quality and over-all appeal. They are the types of toys my kids keep going back to time and time again.

Being such a big fan of this brand, I was thrilled to learn about the roll-out of some wonderful role play, dolls, and kitchen items this Spring. We were sent a few kitchen items to review and my kids couldn't be happier! 

We received the soft play American-style foods including the Apple Pie, Hotdog, Ketchup & Mustard and Salt and Pepper Grinders!

All of the products we received impressed me with their high quality! Even though I knew HABA makes great quality toys, they never cease to amaze me! The Apple Pie is made of polyester and includes 1 cake base, 5 green apple slices and one piece of lattice dough. It is absolutely adorable!

The kids love to play in their play kitchen, so this was the perfect addition and fit right inside their play oven. They have been serving us apple pie ever since they got it! It's fun to see them enjoying it so much!

The hotdog with bun and toppings is equally as fun! My kids cook up a lot of fun with this hotdog set. 

It's great for pretend play - especially when they're pretending to have a picnic or grill out. I am amazed at the detail that went into designing this plush hot dog. I just love all the fun toppings and so do the kids! It comes with two halves, 1 hot dog, 3 slices of cucumber, and several cheese shreds. 

Of course the kids enjoy pretending they're eating it too! 

The Salt and Pepper Grinders are also super cute! They are also made of the same type of material and very-well made! They are not your ordinary soft food toy though. They actually have a top that rotates with a real grinding sound!

They are such a nice size for little hands and I appreciate that there's a S on top of one and a P on top of the other. Kaelyn and Kaden both enjoy seasoning their food and using these realistic grinders.

Finally, one of my favorites is the Ketchup and Mustard! How cute are these?!

Not only do they look realistic, but they have a special surprise that the kids adore! They love topping their freshly grilled burgers and hotdogs, because when squeezed, a piece of red or yellow yarn "squirts" out!

And, when you're ready to put them away...the yarn pushes right back inside until you're ready to use them again! So simple, and so fun!

We have been very happy with all of these soft food items from HABA. The quality is fantastic, and the fun and open-ended play it provides has been great! I would definitely recommend these products to families with young children. They would make a fun addition to any play kitchen!

Buy It: You can purchase the Apple Pie, Hotdog, Ketchup & Mustard and Salt and Pepper Grinders at HABAusa.com.

You can also connect with HABA on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

Entry-Form

**The products for this review were provided by Luna Star Naturals. All opinions are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way.

Kaelyn is a girly girl and often asks if I want to do my nails with her. Of course I want to soak up as many memories as I can with my sweet girl, but the idea of using finger polish on her has always left me a little uneasy. Thankfully, I no longer need to worry thanks to Luna Star Naturals!

Luna Star Naturals has an award-winning collection of natural, non-toxic, hypoallergenic mineral makeup designed especially for young girls, as well as their PINKi Natural odor-free, water-based, peel-off nail polish! The Klee Girls makeup line is intended for ages 8-14 and the Pretendi Naturali line features pretend play makeup for ages 3 and up.

Kaelyn likes to pretend with makeup, but with flip flop season just around the corner, I knew she'd be most interested in checking out the PINKi Naturali water-based mineral nail polish. 

We were sent four of the fun nail polish colors from the PINKi Naturali line and Kaelyn couldn't wait to use them when they arrived! Of course I couldn't resist, I love to paint my nails too! 

All four product lines from Luna Star Naturals are made of safe and natural ingredients and shun harsh chemicals. PINKi Naturali nail polish is formulated with just water, natural mineral colorants and a non-toxic coating. It contains no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalates, toluene, camphor, acetates or alcohol! There are also no parabens or synthetic FD&C colors and lake dyes. Of course, knowing this made me even more excited, and at ease about using them with Kaelyn! 

Upon opening the nail polish, we both noticed that it's 100% odor-free. I love not having the strong chemical smell of finger nail polish, let-alone all of the toxic things in them! 

Aside from the smell, I was curious about the quality. As she and I began using the fingernail polish, I was very impressed with its thickness and how nicely it goes on. We've used different nail polishes in the past for kids that were thin and very cheap. These on the other hand, went on nicely and looked great!

She and I have both tried all four of the colors we received and love them all! There are 12 colors to choose from, so no matter your daughters preference, you're sure to find something she loves! The colors are: 

Nashville (Red) 

Augusta (Sunflower Yellow) 

Denver (Hot Pink) 

Concord (Baby Purple) 

Sacramento (Baby Pink Shimmer) 

Hartford (Baby Violet) 

Juneau (Pearly White) 

Indianapolis (Silver Sparkles) 

Montgomery (Peach) 

Saint Paul (Green) 

Salem (Metallic Blue) 

Little Rock (Powder Blue)

And, when it comes time to remove the nail polish there is no need for the typical, stinky nail polish remover! PINKi Naturali is designed to be easy to remove. The paint peels off easily when nails are soaked in warm water. It's really that easy! 

Overall I've been thrilled with the PINKi Naturali nail polish and so has Kaelyn. Young girls can now get hours of fun dressing up their nails with minimal adult supervision thanks to the safe makeup of these nail polishes! If you're looking for a clean, safe nail polish for a young girl in your life, I'd definitely recommend checking out PINKi Naturali!

Buy It: Find out where to buy on the Luna Star Naturals website.

You can also connect with Luna Star Naturals on Facebook

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided by Hamilton Beach. However, all opinions are 100% my own.

As a busy mom of three, I am always looking for innovative products that make daily tasks, like making meals, easier. That's why I love Hamilton Beach, one of the country's leading distributors of small kitchen appliances!

If you're familiar with Hamilton Beach, you know that they offer high quality products and a wide variety of options to suit the needs of their consumers. They are committed to helping make your day a little easier, more creative and flavorful by offering style and function in all of their small electric appliances.

As I browsed their website a while back, I was drawn to so many of their great products. Afterall, what busy mom wouldn't love something like the Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker

Or The Breakfast master Skillet and Waffle Maker!

We've owned several Hamilton Beach products over the years and have always been happy with the quality and innovative design. I appreciate that they desire to make life easier, which is why I was thrilled when I learned I was going to have the opportunity to work with them on a review! 

If you're like me, meal prep is not always easy with little ones running around. I find it easier to plan ahead and use the crockpot. No matter if it's a week night or a weekend, a crockpot is definitely a mommy must-have in my opinion! It makes balancing all of my responsibilities so much easier! 

I was drawn to the great crockpot options from Hamilton Beach and decided on the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Programmable 6 QT Slow Cooker for my review.

Features/Benefits:

• Clip-tight sealed lid for spill resistance
• 3 choices for easy, automatic cooking (Probe, Program, Manual)
• 6 QT size
• Detachable lid and removable stoneware
• Folding handles snap up for carrying
• Hinged lid stays up for serving
• Thermometer probe displays the actual temp of meat as it cooks

When the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker arrived, I couldn't wait to check it out! Out of the box I was instantly impressed with the modern and sleek design and look. It fits in well with my decor and other appliances.

The quality is top notch and something I can tell will hold up well to a lot of use! This is important, as I know this is something I will be using on a regular basis. 

Of course, aside from it's attractive appearance, I was curious how easy it would be to use. Thankfully, I couldn't be more pleased!  I simply plugged it in and then had three choices for easy, automatic cooking using the user-friendly control panel on the front. 

I have the choice of Program which is where I can set my cooking time and the slow cooker automatically shifts to warm mode when the time is up. This is especially useful when I'm away all day and want to come home to a home-cooked meal!

There's also the Probe option when cooking a large cut of meat. To use this, I simply plug in the included probe and insert it, set the desired meat temperature, and the slow cooker automatically shifts to warm mode when the temperature is reached.

Finally is the Manual mode, which is probably the mode I use most often since most days I am home. This makes using the slow cooker super simple. I simple select the traditional high, low or warm mode without setting a time. 

No matter which mode I choose, I have continually been impressed with how easy the program choices are to use. They make prepping and cooking dinner a piece of cake! 

I have been very happy with the 6 QT size and oval shape. It's perfect for a 6 lb. chicken or a 4 lb roast! 

Not only is this slow cooker great for making meals at home, but it's perfect when I need to bring a hot meal to parties and potlucks. Thankfully with the Set & Forget Slow Cooker, I can do this with ease and don't have to worry about spilling in the process. It's travel-friendly with it's clip-locked secure lid. It has a tight seal to ensure that there is no mess. 

There are also folding handles which is nice for storage. But the fact that they snap up makes it great for carrying when traveling. I love it!!

And, best of all, when it comes to clean up, Hamilton Beach has made it simple! The detachable lid comes off easily and the stoneware is removable as well. It makes clean up a breeze. 

Overall I've been thrilled with the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget 6 QT Programmable Slow Cooker. The quality is great and the options for programming make it easy to cook a delicious home-cooked meal whether I'm home or not. I love how easy it is to use and to clean. This is definitely my new favorite appliance in the kitchen and one I know will get lots of use! 

I would definitely recommend this slow cooker to others looking for a convenient way to make and take meals. You can learn more by visiting HamiltonBeach.com. While your'e there be sure to check out all of their other great products too!

Buy It: You can purchase the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker can be purchased from Hamilton Beach for $69.99.

You can also connect with Hamilton Beach on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest as well.

WIN IT: One very lucky reader is going to win a Hamilton Beach Set & Forget Slow Cooker like the one I received! Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. (No PO boxes, US Only)

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