Lille Punkin' Reviews

Review of Sun and Earth Cleaning Products

2009-07-08T16:22:00.005-05:00

Well, well, well.. time for another cleaning product review (yeah!) I really do love my products, and when I can find one that not only works really well, but smells fantastic, too -- I get super excited! When I was approached to review the entire line of Sun and Earth products, I had never heard of them! The packaging was very different-looking, and I didn't recognize it from anywhere. I'm glad I got a chance to try it, however.

Here's why:

1. The smell... oh, dreamy. They are the most refreshingly terrific odor of orange oil and orange zest. You use any of the products, and it really smells like you have an instantly clean house -- even if you haven't finished yet. It's not a chemical smell, at all. But lovely :)

2. The goodness. These products shine as safe alternatives to products that contain petroleum, chlorine, phosphates, dyes, and perfumes. Not only will you find none of that stuff in here, you'll also be happy to hear that they are made from plant, fruit, and vegetable oils. They are non-toxic!

How did they compare to other cleaners in the "cleaning" category? Awesomely. I didn't notice any problems, except that I had to dial down how much I used (the laundry detergent, specifically). They are concentrated, and you don't need as much as you think!

I had the chance to try the hand wash, laundry liquid detergent, fabric softener sheets, fabric softener liquid, counter top spray, glass cleaner, laundry stain stick, dish detergent packets, and the dish liquid (which is my favorite of all the products.) Do you want a chance, too?

We are giving away one complete set of everything I tested, plus a nifty branded reusable tote bag (perfect for groceries.) The total value of the prize is $52.00! That's everything you need to get cleaning right away!

Wanna win? Just leave a comment on this post with your favorite cleaning tip. It can be anything. You can enter every day (each subsequent entry after the first unique entry can just be a comment saying "Today's Entry"), and you have until July 24th, 2009 at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in!

Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. (Be sure to give us a way to reach you if you win, and remember that we will never use your email or contact info for anything other than to send your prize.) Good luck, and be sure to check out all of our other giveways!

Learn more about Sun and Earth at their website (www.sunandearth.com)

Kolcraft Play Yards Affected by Massive Recall!

2009-07-08T16:09:00.003-05:00

There are so many models affected by this recent recall of Kolcraft Play Yards and playpens. Please see the full details to see if one you own is affected. (Brands include: Carter's, Sesame Street, Jeep, Contours, Care Bear, and Eric Carle). 21 injuries have been reported out of over 300 reports of incidents.

Today's Freebies (July 8th)!

2009-07-08T11:27:00.002-05:00

We've got a few new samples for you today!

Walmart is offering a free sample of NIVEA for Men.

Free sample of Viva Paper Towels from Walmart.com.

Free 5-issue subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine.

NIVEA Touch of Sparkle Body wash sample from Walmart.com

Free savings coupons and a Buy One Get One offer from Alexia Baked Snacks.

Enfamil LIPIL® Formulas. Free sample Click Here

Pacifiers Recalled by Gromex Due to Choking Hazards

2009-07-08T11:23:00.001-05:00

These small pacifiers could easily be swallowed or obstruct a child's airway. Please see the full details of the recall at the CPSC website.

Find Adventure Games For Fun and Learning at Nick.com

2009-07-07T15:29:00.002-05:00

While I am not a fan of my kids sitting around wasting a day playing videos games or watching TV, sometimes it just needs to happen. So they usually head for the computer and Nick.com. I can’t complain about that one because it’s very kid friendly with a huge assortment of games for kids of all ages.

Having three all around the same age, they all want to play at the same time and if you have more than one computer, it can make things a lot more fun. It is awesome that Nick.com offers multiplayer games for my kids to play against each other. It keeps the fighting over turns to a minimum. Being able to play at the same time not only allows them to have fun together, it helps promote patience and good sportsmanship skills; as we all know, it’s not always easy telling your opponent congratulations. So when the rainy days come, I know I can count on them to play well together on Nick.com.

But they have their moments when they want to play by themselves and Nick.com has a lot to offer for single players. My girl is a fan of the adventure games so she heads for her favorite character, Spongebob. She loves how they can explore Bikini Bottom while playing a variety of adventure games featuring Spongebob, Gary and Patrick. My son likes a little more of a challenge and so he goes for the Avatar games. Quest Creator is one of his favorites because it offers a lot of action. I like that Nick.com has some strategy games on there that go hand in hand with challenging their learning skills. That is the mom in me! So I encourage them to play games like word searches or even hangman.

The games offered at Nick.com are ok in my book. The kids not only have fun, but they can learn while doing so. You can’t go wrong with that combination!

Do You Need a Fresh Start?

2009-07-06T22:43:00.003-05:00

We've all had times when we wish we could start over. (In fact, I feel this way almost daily, anymore.) If you've considered a "fresh start" to your life, career, or just your attitude, then I have a way that you might be able to do it with a huge advantage!

Carefree is a proud sponsor of the Carefree Fresh Start Fund, giving women a chance to win mega cash -- from $3K to $10K -- for a "fresh start!" What could you do with that kind of incentive? To be considered for the funding, visit the Carefree Fresh Start website and click the "Apply for a chance to receive $10,000" banner on the side. You will have a chance to tell why you want a fresh start for a chance to win the cash, a consultation from an expert, and a trip to NYC!

If you're looking to take smaller steps to a fresher you, Carefree also has a new UltraProtection Pantyliner that is an effortless way to feel great and confident. These small, light, and very handy liners are available in stores, and you can even request a free sample from Carefree's website!

Now's the best time to make a chance and start something "fresh" -- don't you think?

This is a blog tour compliments of Mom Central.

Father's Day Followup

2009-07-06T22:25:00.002-05:00

Yes, I KNOW! It's been a bit since Father's Day, when I promised you that I would share what I finally got my hubby from T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Well, here we go (and remember I paid no more than $25 per store for my purchases):

2 pairs of designer blue jeans (with a MSRP of $100 each!)
A pack of 12 socks
One aebleskiver pan

You're probably asking two questions:

1. How did I get all that for less than $50 total?
2. What's up with the aebleskiver pan?

Well, you can read all about my passion for fashion and saving money in previous posts I've done for Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. That should answer how I got everything so affordably. To answer the second question, you should know that I'm part Danish, speak a bit of the language, and love the food. Aebleskiver are a little round pancake ball that I LOVE to make, but have never found a pan that I like. Can you believe that I was strolling the aisles of Marshalls and found one there! Woot!

I'm one happy camper, my husband looks fine in his new jeans, and I'm making aebleskiver for breakfast at least once a week now. Father's Day was a breeze, compliments of Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. Thanks!

My Kiddos will Love Kideos!

2009-07-06T21:36:00.003-05:00

I love videos.. especially when they are FREE! Check out this cool online site I just found out about today: Kideos! It's kind of like YouTube, but without the junk that frightens parents into locking down the internet for good *chuckle* All the videos have been pre-approved by a parent!

Some of the best videos I watched instantly on Kideos include: Dr. Seuss: The Sneetches Part 1, Schoolhouse Rock Fireworks, and SpongeBob SquarePants Night Light (full episode.) We are going to be up late tonight watching some Kideos at my house!

Mom Central's Summer Giveaway Bonanza!

2009-07-06T14:05:00.004-05:00

We love Mom Central! We've been part of many of their promotions, and always enjoy their blog tours. Now they have a chance for everyone to be involved, with their new Summer Giveaway Bonanza!

Super cool prizes will be given away for the rest of the summer, and prizes include goodies from Crocs, Hoover, Super Soaker, Crystal Light, Crayola, Jeep Strollers, and Razor Jr.!

You can visit Mom Central to get all the hot details! Enjoy your summer :)

Today's Freebies (July 6th)!

2009-07-06T10:24:00.004-05:00

Lot's of cool freebies for what's looking to be a HOT week!

Full-length Album Download from Drew Copeland (of the band Sister Hazel) at Amazon

Free diabetes care guide "Diabetics on Medicare: We Connect You to Care and Savings" - via ClickOnHealth

2 Free Carefree samples to choose from at Walmart.com

Various Free samples (change every day!)

NatureMade TripleFlex supplement sample from Walmart.com

Kotex Overnight sample from Walmart.com

We are a Best Review Blog 2009 Runner-up!

2009-07-02T18:03:00.005-05:00

I'm so thrilled to have learned that Lille Punkin' Reviews was chosen as the First-Runner up for the Best Review Blog 2009, sponsored by Parent Reviewers! How very cool to be in the wonderful company of so many other worthy review blogs, such as:

A Family Completed (Winner)
Just A Mom’s Take On Things (2nd runner up)
3 Kids and Us, Life Starring The Kids and Me, SuperMom Central, Rave and Review, Mom Most Traveled and Two Of A Kind, Working On A Full House (all finalists)

If you haven't had a chance to visit the others and congratulate them, please do so! It was an exciting opportunity for us, with some fabulous prizes! YEAH! This is a super early birthday present (my B-Day's tomorrow... I was sad about turning 31, but now? Not so much.)

Thanks to all the judges and participants :)

Aqua-Leisure Inflatable Baby Floats and More Crib Recalls!

2009-07-02T16:58:00.004-05:00

Please check to see if you have an Aqua-Leisure Inflatable Baby Float at your home. Several styles have been recalled, due to the leg straps breaking and kids falling through into the water! Full details here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09261.html

The Simplicity crib recall has been expanded, as well. Check to see if your crib is involved:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09260.html

Be safe this 4th!

Guitar Hero on Tour for Nintendo DS - Did It Rock?

2009-07-02T10:44:00.005-05:00

Are you ready to rock? We are, and thanks to Mom Central and Activision/Nintendo, we had the opportunity to try a review copies of Guitar Hero on Tour: Modern Hits game AND Guitar Hero on Tour: Decades game -- both for the Nintendo DS system.

First, the GOOD:

These games really do rock! I'm a bit behind on my musical knowledge, so the Modern Hits game left me a little clueless (we also don't listen to that much rock at my house, so my kids didn't exactly know all of the songs, either.) However, I was totally grooving to the Fall Out Boy song and the Foo Fighters single, and doing my best to follow along on the kid's Nintendo DS. (Note: These games work on both the DS and the DS Lite, but not for the newest DSX.)

These games both captivated my kids for hours... I mean... hours! My 10-year-old loved playing it any chance she could get, and I had to tell her numerous times to do something else for awhile (that's a good thing, right?) My 2-year-old even snagged it when no one was looking and used the accompanying guitar pick to strum a few notes (even though he was too small to use the guitar grip component.)

We also really liked that the Decades game included wireless play options for more than one person! This is perfect for our house, since we like to include everyone in our gaming. We have cousins that all have a DS, too, so when we all get together, they can sit in the same room and jam together! Totally awesome!

(The games also came with some very neat stickers to "pimp out" the DS console. This was one of the highlights of the game for my daughter. Go figure.)

Now, the BAD:

Well, there isn't so much anything bad to say, but rather a few notes of caution for parents. First, the game is addictive. Since the way you hold the game can cause kids to get stiff in the arms and have some really bad "guitar-playing" hand cramps, be sure to get them stretching in-between songs. The product manual shows you the right way to hold the game console to prevent repetitive injury, which is a very cool thing. I like that Activision is helping to inform parents and players how to stay safe.

Also, we noted that the guitar grip piece slid out a few times at first. It comes with an adapter so that you can use it for both the DS and the DS Lite, and even though we have Lites at our house, the DS adapter was the only one that didn't feel loose. (Play around and see what works best for you.)

We have ONLY been playing this game in our DS systems since we got them. Maybe the newness will wear off, but with increasingly challenging rounds to play, I doubt it. Mama likes. :)

This is a blog tour compliments of Mom Central. For more info on Guitar Hero games, see their website at http://www.guitarheroontour.com/

Skateboard Wheel and Diving Wings Recalls

2009-07-01T23:00:00.002-05:00

Orangatang wheels for skateboards have been recalled. See the full press release at the CPSC website.

Poseidon Diving Wings have defective inner bladders that can cause a drowning hazards. See all the details here.

Mom Moments: My Laundry Routine

2009-07-01T22:34:00.006-05:00

I've been asked to describe my laundry routine, so here goes:

First, I make a trip to my cupboard to see what needs to be used up. I'm a bit of a laundry product junkie :) My favorite products are featured above!

Then, I give the rim of the washer a good cleaning. Hub's dirty work clothes are too much for me to handle at times.

After I wash, I hang out on the line. Then I bring it all back in a dump it on the couch. (I don't have a laundry room... )

Sometime later, I'll fold. Laundry really has me busy these days. Any clue why?

Capture the Flag!

2009-07-01T14:15:00.004-05:00

Save Big on BabyLegs! (Read our reviews for more information on this great product!)

I've Joined the Sharpie Squad!

2009-06-29T22:15:00.003-05:00

This Mom loves only ONE kind of permanent marker -- The Sharpie. I'm very excited to be part of the exclusive group of Sharpie fans -- The Sharpie Squad. You can read all about the new initiative here on the Sharpie Uncapped Blog. I am in fabulous company, including SavvyMommy's Victoria Pericon, Lauri Harrison of MomToBeDepot.com, Jeffrey Fulvimari, Jon E. Nemitz of superfineart.com, Mark Rivard, and LunchBagArt.com's Derek Benson.

We are already getting started creating some amazing things with our new assortment of Sharpies, so stay tuned. We'll have video, photos, promotional opportunities and more -- I can't wait to tell you all about it!

For the full scoop on everything Sharpie, visit the Sharpie Uncapped website.

*I am an online brand advocate for Sharpie. I maintain a relationship where I receive product to review in exchange for sharing new Sharpie happenings with my blog community. If you have questions regarding Sharpie or the Sharpie Squad, please email me.

Win $100 from Parent's Choice Formula!

2009-06-29T14:37:00.008-05:00

Whether you breastfeed, supplement, or go entirely 100% formula with your baby, many families are feeling the pinch of the economy. Before you consider cutting corners with Baby's nutrition, read the following information from Parent's Choice formula (and then see you how can enter to win $100 worth!)

There is good news for families with small babies who are looking for big savings without compromising nutrition.

Experts agree that mother’s milk is best and the least expensive option for infant feeding. If parents choose to supplement breastfeeding with infant formula or to formula-feed exclusively, they can turn to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers for store brands that offer the same safe, high quality, affordable infant nutrition.

Although all U.S. infant formulas must adhere to the same stringent FDA guidelines, they are not priced the same, as many leading store-brand formulas cost up to 50% less than national brands. In fact, parents can save up to $600 a year ($1200 for twins) by choosing a retailer’s store brand infant formula.

“A new parent today is met with a dizzying array of marketing messages when it comes to doing what is best for their babies,” said Dr. Barbara Levine , Associate Professor of Nutrition in Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University. “Nowhere is this truer than in the area of infant formulas. Thanks to strict government regulation, the fact is that there is very little, if any, differentiation in the nutritional values touted by the various national brands on the market, and in this economy, doctors are advising parents to switch their babies to a store brand formula so they can save money.”

FDA, in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, establishes strict guidelines concerning the ingredients and their levels in infant formula; all U.S. manufacturers must conform to these rules. In addition, all infant formulas must demonstrate growth, development, and mineral absorption equal to mother’s milk before they may be sold in the United States .

In light of a recent press report of a parent diluting baby formula with water in this difficult economy, Dr. Levine urges parents to read and strictly follow the directions on the labels of their formulas of choice.

In addition to switching to store brand formulas, parents can save money on infant feeding by:

Contacting their local service and religious organizations – state WIC agencies, local food banks, and churches may be able to offer additional assistance.
Look for coupons on the Internet and save money on items such as baby formula and diapers.

“It is critical that parents refrain from diluting baby formula with extra water during these tough economic times,” added Dr. Levine. “If parents choose to feed babies infant formula, they must remember it is an infant’s sole source of nutrition.”

That's great news, right? You can save even MORE with these cool tools from Parent's Choice:

A Savings Calculator designed to "Show You the Money!"
FREE Baby Formula samples
A Formula Finder to help you locate the store nearest you
A Facebook app that lets you gift your friends a sample of the formula

You can read all about Parent's Choice products at ParentsChoiceFoods.com and ParentsChoiceFormula.com

Wanna Win? We have an amazing opportunity to give ONE Lille Punkin' Reader $100 from Parent's Choice Formula (awarded in the form of a Walmart Gift Card)! That's perfect for this economy, huh? Just leave your best money-saving baby tip here in the comments to be entered to win -OR- visit the Parent's Choice website and let us know your favorite product. You can enter every day (each subsequent entry after the first unique entry can just be a comment saying "Today's Entry"), and you have until July 15th, 2009 at 11:59 pm CST to get your entries in!

Giveaways are subject to complete site rules. (Be sure to give us a way to reach you if you win, and remember that we will never use your email or contact info for anything other than to send your prize.) Good luck, and be sure to check out all of our other giveways!

Feeling Crafty?

2009-06-27T22:57:00.003-05:00

I'm hopelessly untalented when it comes to arts and crafts. If I can't follow along in a book, I'm not about to even try new projects. I was pretty proud of myself, however, when I started throwing caution to the wind and letting my kids do a lot of crafty "free play" at our dining room table this past month. Part homeschool curriculum, part just plain fun, I found 4 of the projects to be a big hit at our house!

They include:

Robots
Bubble Wrap Mosaic
Newspaper Fireworks
and one other fun idea!

Want to see our projects? Read the full instructions with photos at my recent Parenting Squad article: 4 Really Cool Green (and Red and Blue) Art Projects for Kids!

ShopWiki for Everything!

2009-06-27T22:15:00.003-05:00

If internet searches for the best prices on stuff for your kiddos has you frustrated, you're not alone! It seems like a lot of work to try different search engines, run comparisons on several sites, and make sure that the best-priced items are in stock and ready to ship.

Maybe ShopWiki would work better for you! I gave this little "engine that could" a try, when looking for some toddler clothes for my boys, and it was pretty impressive. In addition to offering several brands, styles, and price ranges for all kinds of items, they have a handy buying guide to help with sizing. These boys' cargo pants, for example, range in price from $3 to $100.

How does ShopWiki work? It's just like any other Wiki. Click the links to narrow down to the type of products you want to buy. They have thousands of choices in great categories, like children's books and nursery furniture. Unlike other shopping sites, they offer products from all retailers, NOT just those that they earn affiliate income from. More choices... more chances to save!

Mom Moments - It Must Be the Age

2009-06-25T09:44:00.000-05:00

(Future World Champ Dancer or Stunt Bike Professional?)

We are watching "So You Think You Can Dance", and I am laughing as my 4-year old is waltzing (yes, you heard me) across the floor. I am flooded with memories of my older son trying to cha-cha just a year earlier to the same show. So convinced were we at the time that Micah was going to be the next Benji (think world-class swing champ).

He danced at every opportunity he had. My husband groaned that he may grow up to be (gasp) a dancer. I tried talking him down from the ceiling long enough to explain that there were several really healthy dance classes for boys being offered in the next town, and that many boys I knew that took dance turned out very masculine and married beautiful wives. I brought up the football players that took ballet, the rehabilitation of injured Olympic hockey players through dance, and the fact that we could skip the modern dance portion and just teach him hip-hop if necessary.

Just about 2 months after winning that argument, my son changed. He put away his sister's tap shoes and drug out the toy guns. He was making pow noises, smacking things with sticks, and telling me stories about men killing monsters. (And through all of this, I promise you, our TV habits did not change!) Every show now needed a "bad guy" and a "good guy." Veggie Tales and Barney soon took 2nd place to Batman and The League of Superheroes.

My sweet little boy...... is still my sweet little boy. But he now no longer even glances at the TV when "So You Think...." comes on. He may get up and clap once in a while, but this is more to show me that he is just as performance-oriented as his little brother (remember, the waltzing one?).

So for about 3 more months, I can enjoy dancing with Matthias. He will probably let me hold his hands and do fancy twirls on the living room floor. He will grin and take bows when he is done. I will look at him and see all the world in his future. And one day not too long from now, he will stop dancing.

Or maybe he won't.

But if he does, my 2-year-old son is ready in the wings.

We're getting into Organic Gardening!

2009-06-24T21:57:00.003-05:00

My family has decided to NOT use chemicals on our garden this year. I'm happy with our decision, and while there has been a bit of a learning curve, there are so many more resources available to help us in our journey than there used to be. One product that I am curious to learn more about it this organic pest control from SaferBrand.

Our favorite garden treat is without a doubt -- tomatoes! They are delicious right out of the garden (especially when a bit warm from the sun), and I love that my son is just as big of a fan as I am! I used to stress out when he would sneak into the garden and eat them directly from the vine (without washing)! Now that we are going organic, however, I know that while the tomato would be best if it was washed, no harm will come of my little guy for being overly anxious to take a big bite.

Wanting to learn a bit more about solutions for the organic garden you've always wanted for your family? Check out this YouTube video, featuring SaferBrand, that originally aired Designing Spaces TV. (Cool!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU6umEU5nmM

Review of Robert's Dairy Products

2009-06-24T16:22:00.003-05:00

First of all, let me say that even before I was sent a few coupons to redeem for free Robert's Dairy products as part of my review, I was a HUGE fan of Roberts. You see, it is a local company, and it is the only brand-name milk offered at many of my local stores. I have always found it to be of high-quality, and I know what I'm getting when I buy it.

I'm not going to lie to you and say that I don't also buy generic milk.... But here is the kicker: Robert's almost ALWAYS has a coupon in the Sunday paper for 50 cents off a gallon of milk, and this actually makes it CHEAPER than my generic milk options.

I think their products are fab, fresh, and so useful for many quick recipes that I prepare! I love the cottage cheese with canned pineapple chunks for a healthy breakfast, and I dig the low-fat sour cream on all of my quesodillas, fajitas, and burritos. Then there is the milk.... we go through a LOT of milk at my house :)

So there's really no reason for me not to buy Robert's dairy products. It's high-quality, affordable, and it supports local business in the midwest. (Roberts also refuses to use milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormones.) I feel pretty good about making that decision.

You can learn more about Robert's Dairy at www.robertsdairy.com

I participated in this review as part of the MomSelect program.

Electrolux Virtual Lemonade Stand Helps Out in the Heat!

2009-06-22T16:11:00.000-05:00

It's hot out! Is there anything better than a cold glass of lemonade on an excruciatingly icky and humid day? I know that there's one place to go when I'm dying of thirst and the heat has gotten the best of me.. nope, not the local ice cream parlor. This frugal gal heads to her fridge!

Electrolux has embraced what makes hot days more bearable by teaming up with Kelly Ripa to create the Virtual Lemonade Stand campaign. It is designed to drive awareness and raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Want to get in on the action? You can!

Just visit electroluxappliances.com and start your very own virtual lemon-squeezing, money-making machine (or lemonade stand, as we used to call it.) You can even pick exotic and yummy flavors for your wares (like Rosemary Watermelon.. delish!)

Every time someone opens a stand, $1 will be donated to the cause, and for even more summer time goodwill, you can send glasses to friends and family to further the fund-raising.

But we didn't forget about you, either... when you open your stand and log in each day, you will get an entry to win a French Door fridge from Electrolux! (oooohhhh.... ahhhhhh.)

Drink up. Give to a great cause. Stay cool!

This post was part of a campaign by Mom Central.

Mom Moments - The Eclectic Desktop

2009-06-21T22:00:00.001-05:00

Once in a while we all need to take a moment and clean off our PC's desktop. You can do this dreaded task once a month, or you can choose my method: do it when you can no longer see the wallpaper of your kids at your last holiday celebration.

Whichever method you choose, take note --- you will find some odd things. Whether you choose to send these unique items into the recycle bin, an assigned folder, or keep it right where it is -- this is a choice only you can make.

Perhaps you will be surprised to see some odd things hanging on your desktop. I found the following items most recently:

Powerpoint Presentation of "Modern Pirates: How to Quietly Plunder a Nation." (hmmmm)

Car parts list for a Pontiac Bonneville (we don't own one.)

Popular ukulele chords

Homemade wind turbine instructions

An instruction sheet for care of your intact infant son (too much information)

20 top fiber-rich foods for better digestion

And I could go on and on about the bizarre things that my family takes an interest in and decides to save for later. Looking back on our many hobbies and information searches, I think we are addicted to learning. I just hope we pass that trait onto our children!

What do YOU have lurking on your desktop?