Monday, June 21, 2010

Giveaway: FuzziBunz One Size Diaper


amy's bouquet

I am pleased to share with you a giveaway that is currently being hosted by a friend of mine, Megan Hunt, owner and operator of Princess Lasertron. Princess Lasertron features one of a kind vintage felt and button bouquets, headbands, and more! After I discovered her bouquets, I actually told Lucas that we needed to have a second wedding so I could carry one of them. Instead, I bought a button bouquet for the mantel and a headband : ) The bouquets are popular with brides, but could also be used as home decorations, keepsake gifts for new mamas, Mother's day, or whatever else your imagination comes up with! Megan also sells felt flower kits that you can use to create your own bouquet.

Megan recently had a sweet baby girl and is using cloth diapers. She is hosting a giveaway from my store for a FuzziBunz One Size diaper--to enter, simply visit her blog and leave a comment! I encourage you to browse through her blog (it is so creatively inspiring!) and visit her shop as well. You'll also find posts on fashion, decorating, and tips from a new mama. She has a great selection of headbands in stock at the moment, but they move fast!!!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Winners!

Finally got around to drawing the winners for the giveaway for Lou's All Natural Soap!

Congratulations to....


Lindsay and Erika, let me know what scent you would like! You can choose from Grapefruit Gingerlily or Lavender : )

Thanks to all who entered!!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Gritman Sun Protection: Natural Sunscreen


I wanted to highlight some of the new natural skin care products now available in the store. As previously mentioned, all Gritman products are handmade by a locally owned business here in the Houston area. To start things off, let's take a look at Gritman's Sun Protection. This all natural sunscreen combines calendula, shea butter, beeswax, raspberry seed oil, lavender, and peppermint to protect you from the sun's rays. Raspberry seed oil and shea butter, which contains cinnamic acid, both offer protection from UV-A and UV-B rays (source: raspberry seed oil and shea butter. Calendula is known for its anti-inflammatory, skin soothing, and hydrating properties (source). Beeswax acts as a thickening agent, and also helps to keep the skin moisturized (source). Lavender and peppermint essential oils are soothing to the skin.

Disclaimer: As with any skin care product or essential oil, it is recommended that you NOT use this product near or on open wounds or near the eyes, and should not be ingested. Skin sensitivities to essential oils can occur in some adults and children, so it is recommended that you test the product on a small area of skin first. Wait 12-24 hours and assess. If any signs of sensitivity occur (e.g., rash, redness, swelling, itching), then discontinue use of product immediately. Please consult your physician before using on children under 1, if pregnant, or currently nursing.

If you have any questions about this product, please feel free to e-mail me (button is on the sidebar...). Or, you can also contact Gritman directly--they are great and welcome questions!

And finally, I wanted to share a testimonial from a local mama who has used Gritman Sun Protection on her 3 kiddos and agreed to share her experience (thanks, Heather!):

"I have tried to be proactive in reapplying, but I'm like that with any sunscreen. What I've found is that I have to reapply just as often, not any more often, than other sunscreens. It is water repellant - I've seen the water bead on their skin after getting in the pool with it on. A got a sunburn (a little) Sunday, but I reapplied once, and he stayed in the pool ALL DAY. It was B's birthday party and I was busy and thought Daddy would remember to reapply. I truly believe he would have gotten that same amount of burn with any sunscreen because we didn't give a third application.

B decided she did NOT want her swimsuit on at her party, and wanted to swim just in her swim diaper. I sunscreened her little tummy, back, and chest (in addition to the rest which I had already sunscreened), which have not seen the sun as she's always wearing a tankini or a swim shirt. Her white tummy, chest, and back stayed white, after swimming and playing in the yard for a couple of hours. That's pretty good protection for bare-never-seen-the-sun skin.

We have been swimming for 1.5 hours without the need to reapply.

It has also lasted with A running around the backyard sweating for a half hour BEFORE getting in the pool for 1.5 hours with no need to reapply. Oh, and we used it on L today for a little swimming (yes, it rained, but sun can still burn through those clouds!) and he's not even pink. His skin also feels GREAT!

So far, I'm finding no difference - except B's hair being greasy! But that's to be expected, and easy to wash out. It's the nature of the sunscreen. Not a deterrent in use for me by any means. Oh, and even though DH says, "It smells like hippy," I really like the smell. A has decided it smells like honey when it's made (whatever that means!). He loves honey, so that's a real compliment!"

Thursday, June 10, 2010

New Product Line: Gritman Essential Oils



I am so pleased to have recently added a new line of natural skin care products to the shop. Gritman Essential Oils is a locally owned business here in the Houston area, operated by a personal friend of mine (Amy Laura), her mom (Meg), and Lou (maker of fantastic soaps and more). I have personally used Gritman products many times. When I was pregnant, Meg and Amy created a specialized EO blend just for me because of a strange rash (TMI?) that I developed and for which I was hesitant to use heavy medicated cream on due to the pregnancy. I also use their Sun Protection and No Fly Zone! on myself as well as on Lincoln. When Lincoln was still a newborn, we were fans of their Lavender Chamomile sticks.

In the shop, you will currently find the following products (click here to purchase):

Gritman Sun Protection

Tantrum Sticks

No Fly Zone!

Tea Tree Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Peppermint Essential Oil

Lou's All Natural Soaps

Over the next few days, I will explain a little bit more about each of the products and share more about the benefits of essential oils.

For now though, how about a giveaway?? Can anyone remember the last time we had one of those? HAVE we ever had one of those? Since I can't even remember, it is definitely time.

I will be giving away 2 (yes! that's right! 2 winners!) bars of Lou's All Natural Soaps. I am currently using the Grapefruit Gingerlily bar, and it is wonderful. These soaps are handmade and use all natural essential oils. Fan-tastic!

To enter, please leave a comment below. Just for fun, let me know your current favorite drink. It is hot here in Houston, and I can barely keep myself hydrated, so I am always on the look out for a tasty beverage. I am currently on a cherry limeade kick. Homemade style with Simply Limeade and grenadine. Hello, delicious :)

I will choose 2 winners next Friday, June 18th in the evening sometime (after Lincoln goes to bed, of course...let's say 9:00ish). Good luck! (note: previous deadline was June 15th-the giveaway entry period has been extended!)