Oral-B Professional Care Toothbrush {Review & Giveaway}

by Kevin on May 23rd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Giveaways, Reviews

Some things in life are just worth the money.  At first glance, it may seem like a splurge to buy a power toothbrush, but once you try an Oral-B Power Toothbrush you will not ever be able to go back to a normal manual brush.  I have been using the Oral-B ProfessionalCare 1000 for the last two weeks and I have noticed my teeth being whiter and feeling cleaner.

With more than 20,000 pulsations and 8,800 oscillations per minute, removing up to two times more plaque than a manual toothbrush, it is no surprise that the ProfessionalCare 1000 gives me the “post-dentist cleaning” feel every time.  However, there is more than just the powerful spinning brush that makes using a power toothbrush better than a regular toothbrush.  The compact, round brush head surrounds each tooth for a tooth-by-tooth clean.  There is also various replacement heads, providing focus on specific cleaning actions such as Pro White or Precision Clean.  All of the brush heads include indicator bristles reminding you to replace your brush head every three months.  The brush head even contains a pressure sensor that stops pulsations to let you know that you are brushing too hard.

The ProfessionalCare 1000 also has a timer feature that provides a brief signal every 30 seconds ensure that you spend the appropriate amount of time on each of the four quadrants of your month.  Another longer signal indicates when you have reached the doctor recommended time of two minutes of brushing.  If this isn’t enough features for you, there are other ProfessionalCare brushes such as the  5000 with an in-handle smart display and wireless SmartGuide that provides real time feedback to maximize your brushing routine.

Shop! The Oral-B ProfessionalCare 1000 has a suggested retail price of $74.99, but it currently available on Amazon for $69.99 with a $10 mail-in rebate through June 16.  Replacement heads are around $5.00 each, the same price you would pay for a regular toothbrush.  If you are looking for that dentist feel every time you brush and want to remove more than two times more plaque, thus preventing and reversing gingivitis, an OralB ProfessionalCare power toothbrush is definitely right for you.

Win! An Oral-B Professional Care 1000 Power Toothbrush!

How to Enter: Leave a comment telling us you want to win and you’re entered. Super simple!

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

Giveaway ends June 1. Open to US residents only.

Petunia Pickle Bottom Faraway Fold-Out Tote {Giveaway}

by Kate on May 7th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

We are excited to offer a great Mother’s Day giveaway that combines two of our favorite things: shopping and Petunia Pickle Bottom. The Petunia Faraway Fold-Out Tote isn’t your average shopping tote. In addition to looking fab in our favorite Petunia prints, the Faraway Fold-Out Tote is a brilliant design perfect for busy moms. It’s no wonder the Tote is one of our fave finds in The Shopping Mama’s Mother’s Day Shopping Guide.

Meet the Faraway Fold-Out Tote

At the bazaar or boutique, shopping is simple and chic with the Faraway Fold-Out Tote.

  • Printed polyester fabric with coordinating glazed base
  • Lightweight and water-resistant fabric protects against the unknown elements in your handbag or diaper bag
  • Tucks away into a perfect little pouch
  • Wipes off for easy clean up
  • Iconic Petunia fabric coordinates with our other offerings
  • Wristlet strap and a soft webbed shoulder strap
  • Dimensions: Folded 4.25 X 9.25 inches. Open 16 X 20 inches.

For all the shopping space the Faraway Fold-Out Tote offers, it folds into a small self-contained zip up pouch. You can keep it in your diaper bag, purse or car without taking up any space and then it’s there when you need it.

The Faraway Fold-Out Tote is available in seven fabrics – from the attention-grabbing red of Travel through Tivoli to the classic black and white Frolicking in Fez to the flowery Lively La Paz. You can pick a Tote to match your diaper bag or pick a fun print to add some color to your purse.

Leather Cake

If you really want to spoil yourself or someone else for Mother’s Day check out the new absolutely stunning laser cut leather Cake by Petunia collection. Each piece is made of 100% leather cut into gorgeous details that mimic Petunia fabrics. Here are some of our favorites.


Cameo Clutch Blackout Fondant Cake


Hampton Holdall Marmalade Fondant Cake

Shop! The Petunia Pickle Bottom Faraway Fold-Out Tote is available for $44 from our affiliates Amazon and Layla Grayce. And, for a limited time, when you spend $250 on Petunia products at Layla Grayce you earn $25 shopping credit when you enter PPB25 at check out. 

Win! A Petunia Pickle Bottom Faraway Fold-Out Tote!

How to Enter: Visit Petunia Pickle Bottom and leave a comment here with something else you’d love to receive for Mother’s Day.

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

Giveaway ends May 13. Open to US residents only.

***

Shop RedEnvelope for Mother’s Day

by Kate on May 4th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews

When it comes to mamas (or at least me), you can’t go wrong with a custom gift because everything’s cooler with your name on it. If you’re looking to personalize a gift for Mother’s Day, RedEnvelope is a great online shopping destination worth a look. In case you’re not familiar with it (and you should be!), “RedEnvelope offers a unique and wide-ranging collection of thoughtful gifts for every occasion and everyone on your list — around the clock, all year round.” We love many of the unique Mother’s Day gift ideas and think you will, too.

Mother’s Day Gifts from RedEnvelope

Floral Measuring Cups

Languages of Mom Necklace

Family Tree Wall Art

Seahorse Family Canvas Tote Bag

Personalized Family Name Throw Pillow

Personalized Family Pillow

We had the opportunity to personalize a gift from RedEnvelope so our couch is now featuring a large throw pillow with our names. The pillow comes in two sizes –  18 inch square or oblong at 12 by 18 inches – and a variety of colors. I opted for a neutral ivory cover that has dark (almost black) writing. The top line has our family’s last name and the second line has all of our first names. My kids love seeing their names on the pillow! The pillow cover is made of thick canvas and fit perfectly over one of our pillows. I hope we have a chair or bench in an entry way at our next home because this would be the perfect way to welcome guests.

Undoubtedly one of the benefits of shopping online is the ability to send a gift directly to the recipient without having to step foot in a post office. RedEnvelope sent email updates at every stage of the process so there was no doubt when the package was delivered. I love the “it’s arrived!” email notification. RedEnvelope gifts can be packaged in signature red box with grosgrain ribbon and, of course, a gift message in a red envelope.

Shop! Mother’s Day gifts from RedEnvelope are available in a variety of prices for every budget. The Name Pillow is $49.95.

We received a sample to facilitate this review.

***

Flowers for Mother’s Day from ProFlowers.com

by Kate on May 4th, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Reviews

We all like to get creative and come up with unique gifts no matter the occasion. But, sometimes it’s best to keep it simple. And when it comes to Mother’s Day you can’t possibly go wrong with flowers. ProFlowers.com is a great option for Mother’s Day plants and flowers.

Great Mother’s Day Gifts

You can’t go wrong with a classic: two dozen red roses

I’d love to get this plant (wink, wink): Fragrant gardenia plant

Love this modern monochromatic arrangement: Purple tulips

Ordering is Easy

After finding your favorite bouquet, you can pick from several vases that best fit and coordinate with the floral arrangement. For example, if you opt for the colorful Mom’s Garden bouquet, there’s a choice between four vases or no vase at all.

After deciding on flowers and a vase, you can select the delivery date. You can even pick a Sunday flower delivery date to have your arrangement arrive right on Mother’s Day. Of course, the delivery fee will depend on the date you chose so if you are watching your budget you can make a savvy delivery decision while still gifting a generous arrangement. The ordering process is simple and straightforward and the customer service follow up emails are superb. You’ll get a delivery confirmation email so you get a head’s up before you get a “Thank you” phone call from mom.

Shop! If you’re looking for Mother’s day flower ideas, check out ProFlowers.com. Act fast to get the best selection and choice of delivery date. 

Thanks to ProFlowers.com for providing a sample.

***

Declare Mom a Beauty by Example {#PGBeauty Giveaway}

by Kate on May 3rd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

Olay is celebrating Mother’s Day by encouraging Facebook fans to Declare Mom a Beauty By Example. Folks are sharing stories of how their moms have demonstrated beauty by example. For me, the real challenge is figuring out how to put into words something that my mom does so effortlessly. She’s always carried herself with a grace that comes from wanting the best for her children and everyone she cares about. She is fiercely loyal and has/would do anything for her family – that dedication and selflessness is more beautiful than anything you’ll see in the pages of a magazine.

My mom has visited when each of my three kids was born, but after being disappointed by missing the birth of my first two kids, she drove to Alabama to be with us nearly three weeks before my due date. She put her life on hold to be a part of ours. Before Max arrived, she played with my older two kids, made us dinner, cleaned the house, rubbed my back and even went on a long walk with me in the middle of the night in an unsuccessful attempt to spur labor. When I was actually in labor, my mom’s support was even more amazing than I could have imagined. She knew just what to say to encourage me. There was nothing better than seeing her face immediately after Max was born.

I know I’ll never be able to fully pay her back for all the wonderful things she has done for me and my family. But I hope to pay it forward by being the kind of mother for my children that she has been for me.

Olay Beauty By Example

Head to the Olay Facebook page and share your story Beauty by Example. In honor of every person Declares Mom a Beauty By Example, P&G will donate one ounce of Olay product (up to one million ounces) to look good feel better – a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the self-esteem and quality of life of women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Win! A Gift Box of Olay and P&G Products!

How to Enter: Leave us a quick comment to tell us how your mom – or someone else – has shown you beauty by example.

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

  • Declare your mom a beauty by example on the Olay Facebook page
  • Like this post on our Facebook wall or give us a shout out.
  • Share this post via Facebook or Twitter (using our convenient little buttons below).

Giveaway ends May 11. Open to US residents only.

This is a sponsored post facilitated by The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.

Personal Creations for Mother’s Day {Apple Blackberry Pie Recipe}

by Amy H on May 3rd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, In the Kitchen, Reviews

Does a Mother in your life bake a delicious pie? Delicious enough that she deserves her own pie dish with her name on it? Or is it a casserole that’s her signature? Do her talents lie in other areas of the house? Would she love a welcome mat with her family name to rest at the front door, or a sweet garden pot with the names of her favorite little flowers? No matter what her specialty is or where her interest lies, there is something you could personalize a gift for Mother’s Day at Personal Creations to make her feel loved and appreciated this year.

I wasn’t too sure of my pie making skills when my personalized “Made with Love by Amy” blue pie dish arrived, as I hadn’t made a pie crust in many years.  I wanted a perfectly crusted pie to be in my culinary arsenal, which is why I wanted a personalized pie dish. I knew it would make me work on my pie making, so I got right down to business.

To celebrate my husband’s and my very first Married Sunday Dinner, I baked an Apple Blackberry Pie for dessert. It was following meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans, so I chose a simple, classic, American pie to follow a simple, classic meal.  Below you’ll find the recipe for the pie, which was absolutely delicious!  I’m not sure the blue (to match our kitchen) pie dish or having my name and “logo” on it made the pie taste better, but it certainly made it look extra awesome!

Shop! Personal Creations has affordable gift ideas for Mothers day, including the Pie Baking Dishes, which is $39.99. When you order the website indicates the earliest delivery date so you can make sure your gift arrives in time for the holiday.

Amy’s Apple Blackberry Pie Recipe

apple berry pie recipe

Crust

  • 2.5 cup ap flour
  • 1 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 15 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes

Filling

  • 6 large apples, any variety and combo will work and I like a combo of green and red
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries
  • 3/4 cup Sugar in the Raw
  • 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt

Directions

Heat oven to 420 degrees. Peel and slice apples. Add lemon juice, sugar, vanilla and salt. Sprinkle on corn starch. Stir and allow to rest 10-15 minutes.

Sift flour and sugar into cool bowl. Then add salt and butter. Work together with a pastry blender, until all butter chunks are pea-size. Add six tablespoons ice cold water, one at a time, until dough comes together to be a smooth ball. Divide into two equal portions, shape into disc, wrap with plastic and chill 30 minutes.

On floured surface, with floured rolling pin, shape first dough ball into round 1/4″ inch sheet. Roll dough up onto pin to transfer onto pie dish. Press edges and trim excess to make your bottom crust.

Add apple/berry mixture to raw pie crust. Then roll out second crust and transfer to make top crust. Seal edges together and crimp anyway you like. Make 6 slits and a star shaped hole in the middle of the crust. Sprinkle on a generous amount of sugar in the raw.

Put pie directly on middle rack in hot oven. In 25 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and slide a cookie sheet under pie. Cook for additional 30-40 minutes until crust is evenly brown and purple goodness begins to ooze out of the cracks around the edges. Allow to rest one hour before cutting. Best served with vanilla ice cream.

***

Thanks to Personal Creations for providing a sample.

Tad Carpenter iPhone Cases by Case-Mate

by Laura on May 3rd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Reviews

I’m a relatively new mom.  (My son just turned one!)  I’m still in the phase where I rarely put on makeup, wear jewelry, or assemble an outfit that’s any more complicated than a dress, a bra, and underwear.  I’ve started working through my extensive bag collection just to have a daily accessory that Charlie can’t chew on, pull off, or otherwise destroy.  So, I was pretty excited to try the Tad Carpenter iPhone cases from Case-Mate because I knew they would be a great way to jazz up the one accessory that is always in my hand.

About Case-Mate

We’re about happiness by design. It means we’re not just in the business of creating coveted accessories for mobile devices, even though that is what we do. Everything we do is designed to make people happy. From an ever-growing collection of innovative products to our passionate team who makes it happen, it’s all about happiness.  Our products can be found in 76 countries and have garnered top awards and praise. As we grow, our entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive the Case-Mate culture. After all, it’s what helped us build the world’s leading mobile accessories brand.

About Tad Carpenter

Filled with whimsical illustrations and colorful creations, Tad’s designs are created with a fanciful, fun approach.  Tad, who has been illustrating since he was a young child, is a storyteller at his core. Each design tells a visual story from his use of bold color to his unexpected character design. … His Case-Mate collection includes six designs filled with passion and quirky illustrations. For Tad, whose focus is adding whimsy and fun to our daily environment, the partnership brings his spirited drawings to the digital center of our everyday lives.

Bold, colorful, interesting

I’m no Lady Gaga in the fashion department, but I do find myself drawn to things (especially accessories) that make a statement.  My necklaces are always bright, big, and chunky.  My bags always have a graphic or a ruffle.  So it would make sense that my iPhone would reflect that love of flare.  The first case I tried on was the Honey Bear print, which was covered in images of that iconic holder of bee nectar.  I loved that it combined a modern look with such a kitschy image that anyone could recognize.  But the cover that has been gracing the backside of my iPhone since the moment I snapped it on is Tad’s Owl Forest print.  It’s a very mod look with owls and trees, in bright yellows, greens, and blues.  I love it!  On a practical note, the cases are sturdy and hard, but not huge and bulky like some of the more intense cases out there.  My iPhone still looks sleek and small but has a little pizzazz to it, especially since the case itself has a glossy clear shell over the art.  It’s easy to keep clean AND it looks nice?  What mother wouldn’t appreciate that?!?

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… These would make a great Mother’s Day Gift or just a great anytime gift for the lady who likes to make a statement…with her phone.  There is definitely something for everyone at Case-Mate!

Or Not to Buy… If I come up with a reason not to buy one of these cool cases, I’ll let you know, but I really need to get back to my Angry Birds game.

Shop!  The entire Tad Carpenter Collection, as well as other collections by a variety of other cool artists, is available straight from Case-Mate at their online store and our affiliate Amazon. The Tad Carpenter cover is $35.

***

Thanks to Case-Mate for providing a sample.

Say No to Jugs with method Laundry Detergent #cleanhappy

by Shannon on May 2nd, 2012  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Reviews

Ahem…don’t ask my husband about my laundry skills. This is the image he will immediately conjure…

Kate’s keeping it real with her recent posts regarding getting in shape. This is me keeping it real on the domestic front. Yes, that is preschool girl huddled up in the pile of laundry to be folded. Sadly, this is not a unique event in my house. Preschool girl and toddler boy love the warm laundry mountains and cuddle up in them for Thomas or George while I fold, so I’d like to think this is not a failure on my part, but rather family memories in the making.

I blame method for this situation. Admittedly, I have always dreaded folding and putting away laundry, but the efficiency with which I can get my laundry through the machines has increased 10X since discovering method’s detergent PUMP almost two years ago. Therefore, the clean laundry piles up much more quickly than I can put it away.

method Laundry

Why is the introduction of the pump dispenser so revolutionary? I’ll start with the reasons most near and dear to my heart and then work my way into those other reasons, like saving money and the planet.

Four pumps of method’s non-toxic, great-smelling detergent and you are done. For busy moms this means you can start your laundry one-handed (while holding a crying child), because there is no measuring. No measuring means no pouring. No pouring means no spill. No spill means no extra clean-up.

This is me keeping it real again. As many of you know, we moved into our current house last September. The former owner obviously used a myriad of detergents that had to be measured and poured from jugs. From the looks of my cabinets, she didn’t bother with the clean-up and the products stripped the paint off my laundry room cabinetry. With the method pump, problems of this nature are a thing of the past.

In addition to making the chore of laundry more efficient and less messy, the pump means no waste. No waste means no wasted money. Have you every looked inside the measuring cap of your laundry detergent jug to find out exactly where the “fill to” line is? Most people haven’t and simply fill the cup full for each load. This is a waste of detergent, which is horrible for the environment and hard for your budget. Other leading companies have been aware of this for years, but neglect to correct the issue because they sell more product.

With its ultra-concentrated formula, method laundry detergent can be packaged in much smaller containers than many of their competitors. This means it takes fewer fossil fuels to transport the product. And as if that weren’t enough, method uses 100% recycled plastic to make their pump and offers a refill package so you don’t keep buying large plastic jugs. Genius.

Need more convincing to switch to the method pump? Watch this!

Say No to Jugs! {Free Samples Giveaway!}

Still need more convincing? How about some free samples? method and The Shopping Mama invite you to “Say No To Jugs” with a laundry starter kit giveaway. The first ten people to comment on this post will receive a laundry starter kit (two 8-load bottles).

Say No to Jugs Facebook Photo Contest

method is hosting a “Say No To Jugs” photo contest on their Facebook page the entire month of May. One lucky person will win a year’s supply of method detergent and several people will win laundry starter kits (two 8-load bottles). The contest will feature two submission categories: one for existing “people against dirty” (i.e. method users) and one for potential “people against dirty” (i.e. current non-users).

Shop! method Coupon Alert: Every Thursday for the month of May, there will be a $2.00 off coupon for method laundry detergent on the perks tab of the method Facebook page. The coupon will only be on available to print on Thursdays, so don’t miss out. For our friends in Canada, instead of printing the physical coupon, you can get $2 off Method products available at http://well.ca using the discount code “WASHME.”

We are compensated method Mavens. Opinions are our own.
« Older Entries