Crave Photography is having a HUGE giveaway! https://twitter.com/OneMomsPOV/status/288646666976899072
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Friday, November 23, 2012
Amazing sale and giveaway at paintthemoon.net!
In case you haven't heard, Paint the Moon is having a huge sale right now, and are giving away an iPad and and Epiphanie bag! I would love to try the Luminosity set- every single image that she shares with that action looks absolutely incredible, and I really have no reason to hold out anymore now that everything is 25% off! Be sure to check it out!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Cloth Diapers 1, Mom 0. Time for a re-match...
The Cloth Diaper Adventures continue...
Alright, so the cloth diaper adventures have hit a slight snag. After giving the Thirsties Duo Wrap a solid try for the last several days (on each of our three little ones) it’s clear that they are neither a good fit for our various-sized children, nor a good match for the birdseye pre-folds we purchased. I’m sure that somewhere, these are simply perfect for someone else. However, we’ve had major problems from the onset. First, imagine trying to place the wrap under a wriggly toddler while then fitting the pre-fold on top of that in just the right manner. Then, add to that the disposable liner that is supposed to catch all the solids. Just getting all three things to align is a feat in itself, but next comes the oh so tricky part of bringing it up to attach it at the top. It must have taken three or four attempts at each diaper change just to get each step to work.
The fit itself is horrible for all three kids, as well. These ones claim to fit kids “tall or short, thin or chunky.” Well, mine are all tall, and they are stocky, really tiny, and a bit chunky- in that order. I figured these would be just perfect to fit my multi-sized family. Each child falls within the weight range for the “size 2,” so I purchased several wraps in different colors to pair with the pre-folds. However, even my tiny little girl has a difficult time with how snug these really fit. Don’t get me started on the other two…
I believe part of the problem to be the short span of the front. Every disposable I’ve even tried (as well as the one brand of all-in-one cloth diapers I’ve tried) all have tabs on either side that are meant to reach toward the back and help wrap the front more snugly. It hardly covers the belly, let alone the sides. The Thirsties Duo Wrap seems to be rather short in that respect and I find myself almost willing the sides to stretch and grow so I can feel like they are offering better coverage. Even with the rear aplix tabs attached at the front as intended, it seems there is a rather large gap along the sides that leaves a lot open for accidents.
So, after only a few days of use, the Thirsties will be retired and I will try something new. I have 3 Bum Genius 3.0’s to try out, and I’m hoping they offer better coverage and fewer headaches. At least I know the inserts will stay in place, and there will be no pre-fold to slide around. If the liners are able to do their job this time (instead of clumping up with the pre-fold within moments of wear, and thus negating any hopes of an easy clean-up)I might be willing to stick it out. Right now, I find my resolve weakening just a little, so I’m really counting on the BG’s to pull through. The adventure continues…
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Back into the world of Cloth Diapering we go...
Adventures in CD’ing: Day 1
When our younger son was born, we jumped head-first into cloth diapering. Having never tried it before, we found it a mix of confusion over how to properly clean them, (and remove stubborn solids- wow...) gratification that we were attempting to be a little greener, and a whole lot of “What the heck did we get ourselves into?" I had found what seemed like a great deal for a new stash on EBay- 24 one-sized all-in-ones that had adjustable snaps and came in impossibly cute colors. Little did I know, they were inferior quality, not the best at keeping everything in, and would soon become a source of disgust that nearly every outfit we put him into was trashed by the time the next diaper change came along.
After about 6 months of exclusively CD'ing, we went on vacation for a week. Since we wouldn't have ready access to a laundry facility at our hotel, (and were going to be spending long days at a busy theme park) we elected to use disposables during our trip. By the time we returned home, my husband and I made the silent decision to stock up on disposables and set aside the leaky, albeit cute, bum covers.
We've had two more babies since then, and I've always wanted to try again with a better set of diapers. Now that we have 3 kids in diapers (and another baby on the way) I decided it was time to try something new. Our son is now ready for potty training, and I am fed up with buying Pull Ups for him and regular diapers for the girls. I have been researching different reusable training pants, and after reading that nearly all will still leave a puddle after becoming wet, I decided to go a different route. I found the Thirsties Duo Wrap, which is a cloth diaper cover that can be used with regular pre-folds as a diapering solution. The tipping point for me was the fact that I could buy one size that would fit all three kids, and use them the exact same way for both diapering and potty training.
Of course, there is always the matter of, well, matter…but I also ordered a couple rolls of disposable diaper liners to place in between the pre-fold and the skin, so the theory is that the liner can be disposed of and also keep the solids off the diaper itself. (Many users have also suggested that liners that have merely been urine-soaked can be laundered with the diapers up to 4 or 5 times, which would really stretch that investment as well. Those that have caught solids just get thrown out.) As for the diaper cover itself, it has a waterproof interior that can be wiped clean in between changings and re-used right away, unlike a regular one-size cloth diaper that is used once and then thrown in the wet bag or diaper pail. The idea just seemed too good to be true, and I had to get them home and give them a try.
They are now here, and I have pre-washed my birdseye pre-folds several times to prepare them for a beating. I have a few liners ready to go, so now I just need to jump in and make that first diaper change. I’m a bit nervous to see how they work, and more than a little apprehensive about the laundering process in my high-efficiency front loader. It’s almost like I’m a newbie all over again. Here goes…
When our younger son was born, we jumped head-first into cloth diapering. Having never tried it before, we found it a mix of confusion over how to properly clean them, (and remove stubborn solids- wow...) gratification that we were attempting to be a little greener, and a whole lot of “What the heck did we get ourselves into?" I had found what seemed like a great deal for a new stash on EBay- 24 one-sized all-in-ones that had adjustable snaps and came in impossibly cute colors. Little did I know, they were inferior quality, not the best at keeping everything in, and would soon become a source of disgust that nearly every outfit we put him into was trashed by the time the next diaper change came along.
After about 6 months of exclusively CD'ing, we went on vacation for a week. Since we wouldn't have ready access to a laundry facility at our hotel, (and were going to be spending long days at a busy theme park) we elected to use disposables during our trip. By the time we returned home, my husband and I made the silent decision to stock up on disposables and set aside the leaky, albeit cute, bum covers.
We've had two more babies since then, and I've always wanted to try again with a better set of diapers. Now that we have 3 kids in diapers (and another baby on the way) I decided it was time to try something new. Our son is now ready for potty training, and I am fed up with buying Pull Ups for him and regular diapers for the girls. I have been researching different reusable training pants, and after reading that nearly all will still leave a puddle after becoming wet, I decided to go a different route. I found the Thirsties Duo Wrap, which is a cloth diaper cover that can be used with regular pre-folds as a diapering solution. The tipping point for me was the fact that I could buy one size that would fit all three kids, and use them the exact same way for both diapering and potty training.
Of course, there is always the matter of, well, matter…but I also ordered a couple rolls of disposable diaper liners to place in between the pre-fold and the skin, so the theory is that the liner can be disposed of and also keep the solids off the diaper itself. (Many users have also suggested that liners that have merely been urine-soaked can be laundered with the diapers up to 4 or 5 times, which would really stretch that investment as well. Those that have caught solids just get thrown out.) As for the diaper cover itself, it has a waterproof interior that can be wiped clean in between changings and re-used right away, unlike a regular one-size cloth diaper that is used once and then thrown in the wet bag or diaper pail. The idea just seemed too good to be true, and I had to get them home and give them a try.
They are now here, and I have pre-washed my birdseye pre-folds several times to prepare them for a beating. I have a few liners ready to go, so now I just need to jump in and make that first diaper change. I’m a bit nervous to see how they work, and more than a little apprehensive about the laundering process in my high-efficiency front loader. It’s almost like I’m a newbie all over again. Here goes…
Friday, August 19, 2011
Here is what I scored this morning so far for FREE!
Here a just a few freebies this morning. Hurry while supplies last!
Free 8x10 Collage Print from Walgreens
Upload at home, and pick it up in-store!
John Frieda Full Repair Instant Flyaway Smoother
Free Burberry Body Fragrance sample
“Like” them on Facebook and claim your free sample!
How many freebies can one mom score online? I'm out to learn just that.
I love free stuff. Who doesn’t, right? Well, my new mission is to scoop up as many freebies (or nearly free, anyhow) as possible. With four kids, a mortgage, a car, and a new kitchen to pay off, I am out to score as much as possible for as little as possible. I have seen those extreme couponing specials on TV, and I secretly envy how they have mastered the art of getting something for nothing. I swear, every time someone mentions the idea of couponing, my husband shoots me a look that lets me know he can see that glint in my eye. Maybe someday…
Online coupons
I never head to the mall or check out online without hitting up my favorite coupon printing site first. (If you have never used retailmenot.com, you are missing out!) Whether we order a pizza for delivery, buy shoes online, or want to head to the bookstore, that site has almost never failed. (Tip: Always type in the name of the store you are planning to browse and it will show any online or printable coupons available.) No need to sign up or opt in, although “liking” their Facebook page will send you daily updates with hot deals! Why wait for your favorite stores to email you coupons when these are instant, relevant, and often much better! Don’t ever hit the check-out button until you’ve checked for discounts and free shipping codes.
I can’t even tell you how many amazing deals I have found this way. The really fun ones are the free-item-with-any-purchase coupons I have printed out and redeemed in my favorite body and bath chain. Buy something for $1, and walk out with delicious shower gels and lotions in the latest scents. They even offer samples totally free sometimes, so checking back really pays off. You can’t beat the rush that only comes with scoring something so delectable and not paying a cent for it.
Online freebies
Recently, I have been searching for freebie deals online, and to my surprise, there are so many that I would actually use and enjoy. If it doesn’t require me to actually do anything but give my address, I sign up for the offer. My theory is simple: Ask for as many offers as possible, and soon enough, they will be pouring in daily. I can see it now… I pull the little mail door open, and I am showered with tiny mascaras, soaps, and other goodies to glorious to even imagine. Is this likely? Of course not. But who isn’t mystified by the idea of samples being shipped by the truckload, and having them magically end up on their doorstep? Sigh. If only…
So to all the companies out there with freebies to offer, look out. I’m going to take you up on it, and clean you out for all you’re worth!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
One Mom's View of BzzAgent.com
I came across a site called BzzAgent.com, which has you test a product in exchange for a product review, and they allow you to keep the product for your trouble. This sounded interesting, so I joined their site to see what all the "buzz" was about. So far, I have completed several surveys, which are supposed to gauge my interests and personality, and therefore increase my chances of being selected for a particular campaign. I did a quick internet search of the company, and a few people have said that they have been waiting to be chosen for quite some time, but I suppose part of that is due to demographics and selections made during the surveys on the site. Others have had great experiences, so it looks like it could go either way. For now, I will just have to wait and see.
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