3 kids... one wooden toy = Creative Play that even SaraSophia would be proud of ;)


 
Maddie: Her mommy runs BDPhotography





Early in the month we won this Labyrinth from the @FentonSlee She has a Blog called Paisley and Pretty's. This christmas has been all about wooden toys & handmade goodies & creative play... so winning this was jsut the icing on the cake! The kids sat there quietly for about 45 minutes... not kidding... MY KIDS!  and were VERY involved with making the balls make their way through the maze... Im so excited for our Creative Play christmas and seeing them with this just ensured that all my thoughts were right... Shortly after I decided to go this route for xmas - SaraSophia posted an AMAZING blog about their transition from plastic, overwhelming commercialized toys to real, true creative play... and it only inspired me MORE! I urge everyone to take a second to read it... its wonderful. So, as usual my Wordless Wednesday is full of words... I guess you could say I have a big mouth... err...keyboard? I dunno, lol but Ill hush up now so you can go read Saras post... then come back here and tell me what you think :)

Oh, it is love! Im always on the hunt for new and amazing ecofriendly products... and this time, they found me. Ecostore USA contacted me a couple weeks ago offering a review and giveaway. Yay! I got to choose two of their wonderful products to try out, and let me tell you, the hardest part was choosing which ones to try!



EcoStore USA has an AMAZING line up of "green" products... everything that us "crunchy" mamas need to keep our counters sparkling... our laundry fresh... and our babies clean. I love that they have a big lineup of household products at great prices... Dishwasher soap is definitely on my "to buy" list as well as their toilet cleaner and spray cleaner. These are normally such harsh & potent chemical filled toxins, but with Ecostore they contain No Nasty Chemicals. Now of course I love all of these options, but thats not all... they have a whole list of baby products!! Things like Baby Nappy Balm, which is great for all kinda of skin issues little ones can have... Cradle Cap, Diaper Rash, etc. Chamomile & Lavender baby soap...  Baby massage oil for moisturizing and relaxing baby. And my two personal favorites that I got the chance to try... the Shampoo and the Body Wash.

The shampoo was wonderful... Chamomile & Lavender scented... smooth, not overbearing at all... perfect for that bed time bath... Now, when you use all natural soaps, its hard to find ones that are "tear free" but I can honestly say (girl scouts honor) that there was not one tear while washing both boys' hair. It soaped up to a nice thick later... rinsed clean... and let their hair silky smooth.



The body wash compared just as highly as the Shampoo did. We used a "loofa" with the soap and just as the Shampoo it had a really nice lather with just a little quarter size amount of soap. A soft scent and left the boys' skin even softer...

I have to say - I think the EcoStore USA company has a new regular customer. I am that satisfied with the products... and did i mention the prices? They are totally budget friendly. Always offer free shipping on $25 & up. And right now, 40% of all items for the rest of the year.

Don't worry - Im not taking all the goods for myself! The EcoStore USA has offered for one lucky reader to win a $25 gift certificate to anything in the store, as well as free shipping on your items!

How do you win? Easy... just comment!
#1:  Mandatory entry:  Tell us how you would spend your $25 if you win...

Extra entries?? But of course :)
EACH ENTRY MUST BE LEFT IN A SEPARATE COMMENT TO COUNT!!!!!

#2) Follow us publicly here on (blogger) - Leave a separate comment for being a (old or new) follower on our blog.
#3) Follow/Tweet us (Twitter) - Leave a separate comment for being a follower and TWEETING about this giveaway on Twitter... If your already a twitter follower of ours, TWEET about it for an extra entry anyways :)
Tweet This: "Free $25 Gift Certificate for "green" momy & baby products from @ecostoreusa at the @RockeByeBaby blog!! http://bit.ly/5pF6CU"
#4) Write a blog about this giveaway and link back to this review. Leave an extra comment with the link to the blog.
#5) Fan RockerByeBaby on Facebook...
#6) Fan The Eco Store on Facebook... 
#7) Follow the Eco Store USA on Twitter...
#8) TWO EXTRA ENTRIES IF YOU Sign up for the Eco Store monthly newsletter. This is a great way to stay up on their promotions and discounts!! 

So the other day sucked... lots of drama and stress and sadness.... but when the mailman dropped off a couple packages it definitely helped perk me up a bit. My girls always know just how to make me smile. I had bought a OOAK Octo Hoodie for Izzaq from Rocky The Zombie.... which beings our collection up to 9 I think, lol And Brooke from Brooke Van Gory had a coule things to send me for orders & sets... and BLEW me away with my own OOAK diaper bag (Amazing - photos to come later, it deserves its OWN post...) and 4 pairs of t shirt pants for the boys.... we love it ALL!! I took lots and lots of photos to share with you. :)

The Octo Hoodie... and Izzaq with his model face... lol



Isn't it awesome?? And i was worried about size but its perfect... even a little big so they will get at least a good years wear out of it which is ALWAYS important to me. Up next are the AMAZING Brooke Van Gory recycled tshirt pants. When she started doing this i was blown away... such a genius idea and I hadn't seen anyone else on etsy doing it. What a great, fun way to be eco friendly and not compromise style... can you imagine the perfect toddler Misfits pants? Or toddler pants made from your old high school baseball shirt?? LOVE!! So yeah - she sent us four pair... they all equally rock and the boys love wearing them. Im totally jealous because they look SOOO soft and comfy. And the way they are made with the eastic band they will fit forever.... I can see around 5 or 6 cutting them off as shorts... REALLLY good investment for you mommies :)


Izzaq's showing you his big muscles, lol Looks like a poop face... or like his head might explode.... but... he's straining... hahahah. Below are more pics of the pants... and one more little shout out. "Peas of Mind" Carrot Fries...


I always talk about tryign to be good about what I feed the boys... for dinner they are eating All white meat baked chicken nuggets & baked Carrot Fries. I have been watching them at target and FINALLY they went on sale.. one bag was $3.50 (2/$7) They are almost $5 regular price so I was being cheap about it... but didnt know if the boys would like them. They come in 4 different flavors... Carrot fries, Apple Fries, Cauliflower Fries, and Broccoli fries. They have lots of other products as well. But for me it was all about taking a regular nuggets and tater tots dinner and make it healthy. The boys love them and they are a great way to get some extra vitamins & vegis.

"Baked Carrot Veggie Wedgies are made from real carrots and are high in Vitamin A for healthy eyes! These fries are crispy without the added oil and sodium of regular fries. Try them dipped in ranch dressing or hummus.
• Fat Free
• Gluten Free
• Dairy Free
• Soy Free
• Vegan"

Now - with that said... I think I could make my own... I want to make a pack of Idaho mashed potatos and puree a pound of carrots... throw in a little salt.... mix it ALL together... then roll it out in little sticks... bake them... then freeeze them... I really think it would be the same. Let me know if anyone tries it... Maybe Chef Jen would know how to do it :) A future recipe for The Toddler Cafe perhaps!? With a shout out to RockerByeBaby? lol alright... im done plugging. Be sure to check out all the shops I mentioned today... and I would love to hear some ideas about those vegi fries! The cheap, handmade version :) Brooke, you make your own baby food... get those wheels turning!!

This is my favorite part about blogging... I actually find myself looking forward to doing it... yay! And, it seems like people appreciate the feature on a popular blog as well... so I guess its a win win!



#1) CABfayre: Ummm..... can we say awesome? I dont even know what else to say... seriously... skulls... lime green... black... a little bling... chains... CHAINS!? im in love...

#2) Divokc: @StuffByXtine was part one of decision for the Lime & Black theme this week... so no doubt we had to get her in here! And look what I found! Super duper cute little lime & black argyle halloween magnets!! Free shipping on all Halloween items! Get them quick!

#3) DanzingZebra: Everyone remember the VooDoo Jack giveaway we did way back when? Well they are still EASILY one of my favorites... I STILL have this soap and it gets used all the time... its lasted forever, great stuff... and still makes my diamond all sparkly :)

#4) ANORIGINALJEWELRY: This really might be my new favorite etsy item... I get SO overwhelmed when I look for jewelry on etsy so I usually just DONT. There is too much and its all the same. But this little skull jumped right out at me and screamed... *HEY! YOU LOVE ME* and it was right ;)

#5) RockyTheZombie: My girl Rocky was part 2 in the lime black decision... and her green is a little dark, but she more than deserves a spot in the favorites list today :) If I had to could... I would say I have like...... 8 Rocky shirts for the boys? And i have 4 paintings up in the play room... yeah... i'm probably her biggest fan... I think in 5 years all her shirts will be screen printed and she will be a million year... it could happen. Her stuff is THAT great.

#6) StrawberryCremeKat: While fumbling through Rockys shop... I ran across another store that featured this SUPER rad necklace... I just had to add it in. I LOVE the squishy fake grapes... makes me think of my great grandma... but in a really cool, high fashion, pinup-y kinda way, lol

#7) AForestFrolic: Im a big fan... she has the CUTEST stuff... the best photos... an amazing blog... really, im just blown away by her talents with PAPER! Can you believe the little details? She is the perfect shop to go to when you wannt get some retail therapy... you can buy a ton of things... spend like $10 and find a great use for all of it!

#8) Wonky Rocket: How cute is this shop... well, besides just plain friggen adorable... I think, we need to get them to do a review & giveaway here at the blog... what do you think?Maybe we should all send them a message that says, PLEASE DO A REVIEW/GIVEAWAY @ THE ROCKERBYEBABY BLOG! :)

#9) Stoopidgerl: I heart her... were twitter buds... and facebook buds... and shes having a baby! So everyone go buy something from her shop so she can come buy a ton of stuff from me for the new baby ;) But really, how friggen cool is this skull necklace... she has one in turquoise too and I was just blown away by her creativity... Did you also see how rad her photos are?? Shes like the perfect etsyier... great stuff... great photos... and look at that... almost 2,500 sales... why? Because shes a rock star.



One more important favorite I wanted to mention... www.MiracleDiapers.org

I would LOVE it if some of my many MAMA readers could help out... old diapers... new diapers... money... whatever you can share. They will greatly appreciate it... Ill make a deal with you... If you DONATE 1 Diaper OR $5 to their paypal... I will send you a set of two booger bashers for free. Just Leave a comment here with proof of your donation.

"Past and Future
Miracle Diapers was founded in Oregon in January of 2005 to fill a need. There were many families who wanted to cloth diaper their children for health, economical, and environmental reasons but could not due to financial restrictions. Due to the overwhelming response, Miracle Diapers decided to to open two more chapters by the end of that year. Now, under new management, Miracle Diapers is now in our fourth year of service and looks forward to expanding even further.

Our goal is to someday have representatives all over the United States. Through this we hope to not only be able to serve thousands of families in need, but to be able to educate the public on today’s cloth diapers and therefore helping cloth become more mainstream."

"For Monetary ($) donations, please click here!,"
I just send them $5 its really easy and takes just a few seconds....

Another way to donate... Buy from Rockin Green Soap! "For every purchase of a 90/180 load bag, will donate $5 dollars to Miracle Diapers. "


"If you would like to donate , and you do not live in the area of one of our local drop off locations listed below, please send packages to:
Miracle Diapers Headquarters
23945 Franz Rd., Ste E, #126
Katy, TX 77493

Sending a package?

Donations: Please include a list of the items you are donating, your name, address, and an email address in your package as well as a note stating that it is a donation."