Defining Olive Juice

Gibson Shirt ($46.50), Christopher Polo ($29.50), Oliver Pant ($46.50)

I absolutely love the girls collection at Olive Juice, too. Everything looks feminine without being overly-girly.

Bailey Top ($34.50), Charleston Sweater Dress ($54.50), Straight Leg Jean ($56)

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Liam Topper is a great staple piece for a fall and winter wardrobe. It’s easy to wear and comfortable for your child and also machine washable so it’s easy to maintain for mom. The entire Back to School Collection is versatile and wearable so I think it’s worth considering a piece or two for your tot’s closet.

Or Not to Buy… There’s no reason not to buy the Liam Topper sweater. The price tag is slightly higher than I usually like to spend on my kid’s clothes, but I know both kids will wear it so that makes it a great “investment” piece.

Shop! The entire Back to School collection is available at OliveJuiceKids.com. The Liam Topper Sweater is $48.50. Make sure you check out the Summer Clearance Sale to save up to 60%. (Love the Audrey Top for $16.95 and Classic Polo for $12.95).

Olive Juice provided a sample to facilitate this post.

The Lots of Love Lollipop Treat!

I had a feeling this would be popular, but the voting wasn’t even close. The idea behind this Rice Krispies Lollipop Treat that you can make a regular batch of Rice Krispies Treats and quickly and easily make a special afternoon snack. You can make any shape you want using a cookie cutter, but the heart looks as sweet as it tastes. And, the shape – no matter what you decide to use – can be a great conversation starter with schoolkids of any age. For my little guy I said, “I love you very much. What did you love about school today?”

While you can make one treat from a regular batch of Rice Krispies, this recipe is to make an entire batch of Lollipops.

Rice Krispies Treat Lollipop Recipe

What You Need

• 3 Tablespoons Margarine or Butter (I strongly prefer butter!)
• 1 Package (10 ounce, about 40) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows (Get your kid involved tip: My son helped me count out 40 marshmallows)
• 6 Cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
• 2 Cups Chocolate Chips (I used milk chocolate but semi-sweet is perfect, too.)
• 1 Tablespoon Shortening
• 1 Cup crushed Nuts
• Cookie Cutter
• Lollipop Sticks

Directions

1. Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Mix in Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Spread the mixture using  a buttered spatula or waxed paper evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan coated with cooking spray. (To make them more even and compact, I place waxed paper on top and another pan on top of that to flatten them out.)
4. Let Rice Krispies Treats cool completely. Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out shapes.
5. Melt the chocolate chips and shortening together in a double boiler. (If you don’t have a double boiler, place a few inches of water in a saucepan, place a metal bowl into the pot leaving room between the bottom of the bowl and the water. Melt the chocolate and shortening in the bowl.)
6. Dip shapes in melted chocolate. Lay on waxed paper and sprinkle with crushed peanuts. Insert lollipop stick in the bottom of the shape to create a lollipop!
7. Let lollipops cool and then enjoy!

Rice Krispies Treat Lollipop keep well in the refrigerator for a few days. Makes approximately 12 lollipop, depending on the size of your cookie cutter.

This post is part of a compensated program for Rice Krispies facilitated by TheMotherhood.com. (Read the complete rules.)

ERGObaby Carriers are:

Products to make babywearing safe, easy and comfortable – a HandsFree System with an all-in-one baby carrier that can be used in the front, back and hip position, infant to toddler.

For more info see Kate’s Review of the ERGO Performance or my blog about The Original ERGObaby Carrier.

Side-by-side Comparison

Size, Shape and Weight

Size and Shape: The Performance has a slimmer fit with contoured shoulder straps and a curved waistband. The Performance feels slimmer and closer fitting and I like how the shoulder straps curve along my shoulder blades when using the front carry. However, I prefer the waistband on the Original. I like wearing the waistband low on my hips, possibly lower than recommended, I’m not sure. When I do this with the Performance, the curve of the waistband hits the top of my thighs when I walk, which I find uncomfortable.

The Performance can be extended to 5 inches longer in the waist (to 48″) and the shoulder straps are longer, fitting heights to 6’5″.

Weight: The Performance is a third lighter than the Original and I can feel this when I hold one in each hand, but not when wearing them. Both carriers are a comfortable, essentially unnoticeable, weight.

Padding

The shoulder straps on the Performance have a thinner foam to “provide cushion without the bulk.” The straps are less bulky, but I find them less comfortable too. If I could make one suggestion to the makers of the Ergo it would be to make the Performance shoulder straps more like the Original.

Breathablity

The Performance is undoubtedly cooler than the Original. We walk along the beach in humid Florida and it gets hot. I could feel a significant difference with the Performance. I was still chest to chest (or back) with my little thermonuclear reactor, so it wasn’t completely cool, but it is a noticeable difference.

Pockets and Features

Sleeping Hood: both Ergos have attached hoods. The Performance hood is a soft, fuzzy material and has a zip-close pocket. The Original hood is the same soft cotton as the lining of the carrier and stuffs in a pocket (no zipper).

Storage: both Ergos have a vertical zip pocket on the front that is the perfect size for a cell phone, keys, or a small wallet.

Overall Look

The Performance has a sleeker, sportier look and comes in grey and the spring green pictured. I can see it fitting in well with REI attire and hiking boots and the sport materials may stand up better to the elements. The Original has a nice look too and several color options. I think it looks sporty enough for any outdoorsy family and comfy enough for anyone.

Conclusion

Both the Ergo Performance and the Original Ergo are outstanding carriers and I would be happy with either one. I just put both on again to take photos and I can’t decide which one Kate is getting back. (Just kidding Kate.)

Shop! Both styles of Ergo can be purchased at www.ergobaby.com or Amazonfor $105 to $120.

Thanks for stopping by to link up and check out giveaways. Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

While you’re here, make sure you enter some of the fab giveaways at The Shopping Mama. The Skuut Balance Bike giveaway ends Friday – so enter now!

Don’t forget to head over to Baby Loving Mama to link up there, too! You should also enter to win four tickets to Six Flags. Fun!

About Eleven Collection

Our mission is to create wonderful shoes for little travelers who make each step an adventure. Based in the Northwest, Eleven combines quality footwear with independent style and modern accents. Made with attention and care for the journey that happens every day, our shoes don’t have a break-in period. All of our shoes feature artisan craftsmanship and city-chic style, making them perfect and functional for every occasion.

Boys Shoes for Fall

Eleven Collection’s new styles for fall feature many classic styles with a twist. For example, we received the Eamon in Brown for my 3.5 year old son. The shoe is a simple brown “trainer”-style shoe with with swanky sand-colored suede accents. To be honest, the photos of the shoe don’t do them justice. When they arrived, I literally squealed because they look so great. I love the Eamon, in particular, because it has the classic look of a lace up shoe with the ease of velcro. In other words, they look super cool (a little retro, even) and my son can put them on himself.

The shoes do more than look good. They are made of premium materials, including leather uppers and a flexible leather sole. Just holding them you can tell they are well padded around the collar and insole – and my son reports they are comfortable. He’s worn them with no argument, so that must mean they feel good because he would let me know otherwise!

In addition to the Eamon, there are some other great shoes for boys this fall.

Asher ($50), Miles boot ($56) and Josef in Brown ($50)

Girls Shoes for Fall

The Eleven Collection girls shoes are so adorable that I seriously considered buying the ruffled Mary Jane Alessia shoe for my daughter. To wear years from now when she grows into them. Like the boys collection, the girls shoes are classic styles with a twist, like the dots on the brown Layne boot and the pink leather stripe on the black and gray Zoe shoe. Does the Zoe shoe come in my size?

Alessia in Cranberry ($50), Layne ($56), Zoe ($50)

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Eamon shoes will be a staple in my son’s wardrobe for as long as they fit. They are very well-constructed, suitable for an active preschooler and they look awesome. The

Or Not to Buy… The only thing I can think of is that I want MORE. I’d love a great variety in shoes and perhaps some more “dressy” loafer kind of style for boys.

Shop! Eleven Collection shoes, including the new fall shoe styles are available now for purchase online. Eleven’s shoes are available in whole sizes 9-3 and are priced around $50. Shop now and get FREE SHIPPING on all orders!

Win! A Pair of Eleven Shoes!

How to Enter: Visit Eleven Collection and check out all the great shoes. Leave a comment with a style that catches your eye.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

• Follow Eleven Shoes on Twitter
• “Like” Eleven on Facebook
• Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do.
  Win a pair of Eleven shoes, perfect for back to (pre)school @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/9LP753
  
• Like The Shopping Mama on Facebook. Leave another comment if you Share the post on your Facebook wall.

Giveaway ends September 15. Open to US residents only.

I received a sample product and giveaway prize from Eleven Collection.