Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight! {Ella Bella Bum!}

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my review of it. I was not compensated in any other way. The reviews expressed in this review are my own.

It's time to share another sponsor for the Merry Fluffy Christmas giveaway hop! I am so excited to have Ella Bella Bum as a sponsor! 

Ella Bella Bum was created by Sam, a mother of four. Her and her family live in Canada. Sam began sewing diapers after her second son was born. She mad diapers for her own children for about a year before opening up Ella Bella Bum on Hyena Cart in 2010! Now Ella Bella Bum has it's own staff of workers and has become known throughout Canada, the US, and worldwide!

We received an Ella Bella Bum Wraparound Embellished One-Size Pocket Diaper in a Thomas the Train print! A one-size pocket diaper from Ella Bella Bum fits babies approximately 15-35 pounds. The diaper is made with an outer layer of waterproof PUL, embellished with designer cotton around the wings and bum. The inner layer is a athletic wicking jersey material. I've never seen this material on diapers before but I really like it! It keeps all the moisture away from babies bottom! 

The diaper came with an insert specifically made for the Ella Bella Bum pocket diapers that has an outer layer of bamboo and an inner layer of zorb! It is extra long and snaps together to add even more absorption. Zorb is so absorbent and great for heavy wetters or night time diapers! You can also purchase boosters to add to the absorbency of the diaper insert! The boosters are also made with Zorb, making them super absorbent!

Our Ella Bella Bum Thomas the Train diaper is probably Isaac's favorite diaper to wear right now! He loves Thomas the Train so he was so excited to have a diaper to wear that has Thomas on it! Mommy loves this diaper too! It's so well made! I love the jersey material on the inside! It really helps keep the moisture away from Isaac's skin while the absorbent insert absorbs all the moisture into it! It fits Isaac so well! He can wear it on the largest rise but the wings wrap around him almost completely. He'll be able to fit in this diaper for quite a while! We've only had this diaper for a few weeks so I haven't taken Isaac out and about with it yet, but he's worn it for naps with absolutely no leaks! And when he wakes up and I change him he feels dry and comfortable! 

Ella Bella Bum has a huge variety of diaper prints to choose from! They have Mickey Mouse, Dr. Seuss, and even holiday diapers! They also have a variety of baby bibs and cloth wipes to accessorize with your diapers! Ella Bella Bum is one of the cutest cloth diapers I've seen and they perform just as well as they look!

Buy It!

www.ellabellabum.com

Win It!

One lucky reader will win a Woodlands Creatures One-Size Pocket Diaper and an Insert and Booster set from Ella Bella Bum in the Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop! 

Get a head start on entries by following Ella Bella Bum on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

What's another print you'd love to have from Ella Bella Bum?

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight {Thanks Mama}

Our next featured sponsor for the Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop is Thanks Mama! "Thanks Mama is a family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama even ships worldwide!"

I was recently sent a BabyKicks Premium Pocket Diaper from Thanks Mama to review!  

Thanks Mama has a huge variety of cloth diapers and diaper accessories. Thanks Mama is dedicated to bringing the best cloth diapers, training pants and swim diapers on the market at the best value. They have many cloth diaper packages that have volume discounts built in, many come with complementary products and make shopping for cloth diapers in bulk easy. Cloth diapers for parents that are new to cloth are also available; they are great for trying different types and brands of cloth diapers. Thanks Mama has knowledgeable customer service that would be happy to help with any questions or concerns.

The BabyKicks Premium Pocket Diaper is one of the many cloth diapers Thanks Mama carries! I received the Baby Safari print that is an adorable print of baby elephants and giraffes! It's a great gender neutral print! It is one-size and fits approximately 7-40 pounds. The BabyKicks Premium Pocket comes in aplix or side snapping snaps. The side snaps are great for toddlers like mine who like to take their diapers off. It's not so easy for them with the side snapping diapers! It is made with a waterproof outer layer and a natural bamboo velour inner layer. It comes with a One Size Joey Bunz insert made with 6 layers of hemp and organic cotton jersey, yet is thin so the diaper stays trim. It also has an extra wing snap to fit well on newborns and to close up a soiled diaper when out and about!

Isaac is just over 25 pounds and this diaper fits him well on the largest setting about midway through the side snaps. This diaper has held up great for my heavy wetting toddler! Every time Isaac wears this diaper when I change him the diaper is soaked on the inside but there is not wet on the outside at all! I love the side snaps because he can't undo his diaper with side snaps! We've used this diaper for out and about and during naps and it has held up great for us!

I really love the BabyKicks Premium Pocket Diaper and I love the huge variety of cloth diapering products and other baby and mama products that Thanks Mama has to offer!

Buy It!

One lucky reader will win a $25 gift code from Thanks Mama in the Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop!

Get a head start on entries by following Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

What items at Thanks Mama would you purchase with your $25 gift code if you won?

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight! {Buttons Cloth Diapers}

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I'm so excited to share with you another wonderful sponsor for the Merry Fluffy Christmas event! This  sponsor is one I only recently heard of. Some cloth diapering mommy friends were raving about these new diapers they had tried and so I decided to check them out! I am so glad I did look into Buttons Cloth Diapers, because I love them too! 

Buttons Cloth Diapers was created by a husband and wife who wanted something both easy to use and affordable. They are based in the USA in the state of Washington. The Buttons diaper system is a 2-in-1 system using a waterproof cover and inserts that snap into the cover. The Buttons diaper cover is a one size cover that fits approximately 9-35 pounds. It has double gussets around the legs to keep messes inside the cover. It is made with durable yet soft elastic and strong buttons made to last! It also comes in nine super cute colors! 

The daytime inserts are made with four layers of absorbent microfiber and a soft top layer of fleece. They snap into the diaper cover so they stay put even with a little wiggly one! They come in two sizes for your growing baby, a small ( 9-20lbs) and large (20-35lbs). 

The Buttons cloth diaper system has become one of my favorites! I requested the large insert, since Isaac is 25 pounds, and it works perfectly! The cover fits him great on the largest setting and has a nice snug fit around the legs and waist without being too tight and leaving any red marks. The pictures below show the smallest and largest setting on the diaper. Note the insert I have is a large one which is why it pokes out some on the smallest setting of the diaper. 

Isaac has worn this diaper during naps, and during trips out and about without any leaks or mess! You can even purchase an extra night time insert that snaps on to the day time insert to use for a night time diaper. I haven't tried the diaper at night yet, but I have no doubt it would work great just from seeing how absorbent the daytime insert is! 

The color cover I received to review is Tangerine! It is the perfect gender  neutral color! The colors of the Buttons covers are so nice! I seriously want one in every color! With the snap in 2-in-1 system it would be super easy to have an entire stash of just Buttons diaper covers and inserts!

I just love the Buttons Cloth Diaper System! It works well, is well made, and looks so cute! I hope to add some more Buttons diapers to my stash soon! 

Buy It!

www.buttonsdiapers.com

Win It!

Button's Cloth Diapers is offering a $25 gift code to one lucky reader for the Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop! 

Get a head start on giveaway entries by following Buttons Cloth Diapers on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! 

What's your favorite diaper cover color choice from Buttons Cloth Diapers?

Merry Fluffy Christmas Sponsor Spotlight! {Zookaboo}

Disclaimer: I was sent these products in exchange for my review of the products. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

It is that time of year again and I'm excited to be participating in one of my favorite giveaway hops once again, The Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop! I have some really great sponsors to feature for this event so let's get started with our first! I am excited to tell you about Zookaboo! 

Zookaboo was created by Michele, a teacher turned work-at-home mom. She cloth diapered her children and started to create cloth diaper covers and other cloth diaper items, which is how Zookaboo came to be. Zookaboo carries diaper covers, covers with matching t-shirts, wetbags, cloth wipes, and much more! I was sent a diaper cover with matching t-shirt set to review for the Merry Fluffy Christmas event!

I love to let my little one wear just a t-shirt and diaper so I can show off his adorably fluffy bum so this matching set is just perfect for that! The Zookaboo t-shirts are a cotton short sleeved shirt and they are available in sizes 6 months through 3T. The front of the tee has an applique that matches the diaper and is cut and sewn on by Michele. The diaper covers are one-size or sized and made with an inner layer of PUL and a cotton outer layer. These diaper covers can be used over a prefold or fitted, or as a swim diaper by itself. The one-size diaper covers fit approximately 10-35 pounds and have a 13"-19" rise. Both items are machine washable with a cloth diaper safe detergent. 

Not only is the diaper cover and matching t-shirt absolutely adorable, but this diaper cover is very durable and does the job well! This diaper cover is truly a one-size diaper cover! It has three rise settings and, at 25 pounds, it fits Isaac perfectly on the first row of snaps down! It keeps the mess and wet in every time we've used it! Isaac has made sure to do his business both ways in this diaper cover and each time the cover has perfectly contained the mess inside! The matching t-shirt is so soft and looks adorable with the diaper cover. Michele did advise me that the shirts run a bit small so it's usually best to go a size up. I found this to be correct. I went a size up and got Isaac a 3T and it fits him perfectly! How cute is my little guy in his Zookaboo diaper cover and matching t-shirt?! 

Buy It!

www.zookaboo.com

Win It!

Zookaboo has put together a fun prize package for one lucky winner in the Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop, starting December 1st! 

Get a head start on giveaway entries by following Zookaboo on Facebook and Instagram! 

What's one item or print you'd love to have at Zookaboo?

Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Goody Bags!

Maybe you're looking for a quick and easy goody bag for your child's Thanksgiving party at school, for the children coming to Thanksgiving feast or just something cute to give your little one this Thursday? Whatever the case I've got you covered. I made these goody bags last week (and for very cheap!) for my son's Thanksgiving party at school.

I found the printable online through Happy Mommy Box for the goody bag and coloring page. I'm a subscriber to the box so it was free (non subscribers it's $10) OR there's always handy Pinterest. I found so many cute tags and coloring pages just by doing a quick search. Here are some examples: Goody Bag Tags and Coloring Pages. 

Ok, now for what is in the goody bags..

My kids are obsessed with lollipops, so I already had a big bag on hand as rewards. You can use whatever candy you'd like. Since Halloween was less than a month ago, I decided to skip on loading the kids down with candy. I went with stickers (the whole book was a $1 at Walmart and I ripped a sheet off each for each kid), mini bubbles ($1 walmart), coloring page and fruit snacks (I believe it was $3 or less for a pack of 10). 

I put all of the goodies into a ziploc bag, folded the goody tag that I printed on card stock and stapled it to each bag.

So simple, quick end easy! Three things that I love! 

Great for school parties, your kids, etc! The fact that they are undeniably cute makes them even better ;)

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith Book Review!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed are my own. 

Sherry Frith wrote Sticky Icky Booger Bugs after her sons, Kory and Kevin, were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She wanted to explain aspects of the disorder using words they could understand. Helped with colorful illustrations, and the knowledge they gained, they were able to deal with the sticky icky booger bugs using simple routines to keep their cystic fibrosis at bay. This story lets children know that they are loved, no matter what their medical situation may be. 

I was given the opportunity to review the book Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith recently. I was very eager to receive the book to read to my four year old son. The book talks about cystic fibrosis and tells the tale of a young boy's battle with it as he attempts to avoid the hospital. His name is Kory and he is just like any other kid his age. He plays soccer, explores the neighborhood and loves recess. It explains how with every sneeze, puff, and cough how Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun each and every day! 

This book is perfect for ages 0-7. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things about cystic fibrosis. I had no idea that 30,000 children are diagnosed each year and are battling it. There is also no cure for this progressive disease. This book really breaks this down to young children and allows them to see that although other kids may be different than you in someway you are all the same. It was illustrated to us clearly and through the words we were able to understand Kory's day to day activities and that he really  is just like any other child! 

My son loved reading this book as well as looking at the pictures. It is a great book to read to little ones. I highly recommend this book! Perfect read aloud book for at school as well. 

BUY IT!

http://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Icky-Booger-Sherry-Frith/dp/148080083X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

"Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" Veggies Tales DVD Review!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

My family and I love Veggie Tales! I grew up watching Veggie Tales as a kid and now my kids are growing up doing the same! Veggie Tales is a series of short movies that feature vegetables that talk and sing and dance! Every movie teaches a great lesson and brings the main focus on God and his love. 

I was given the opportunity to review the latest Veggie Tales DVD- "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas". This DVD features Si Robertson from the tv series Duck Dynasty as Silas the Okra! He narrates the story of Merry Larry, a Christmas elf in a mall. He meets a young girl with a big heart who is spreading the true light of Christmas. Merry Larry goes on an adventure like none before and shows his town what Christmas is really all about! 

Check out the trailer for "Merry Larry and the True Light Of Christmas" right here! 

We watched this DVD together as a family when we received it in the mail. The boys loved it,especially Merry Larry and Silas the Okra! My four year old recognized Silas as Si from Duck Dynasty right away! It kept their attention the whole time and afterward we talked about the movie and what Christmas was all about! It was a great opportunity to talk about the birth of Jesus and the importance of remembering that Christmas is not just gifts and Santa and toys. 

"Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" is the perfect holiday DVD for this season! It is funny and action packed but shares the true meaning of Christmas! It's one the whole family will enjoy! 

Buy It!

You can purchase Veggie Tales "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" as well as other great Veggie Tales products at www.veggietales.com!

Sale!

Now through December 2nd everything on the Veggie Tales website is 40% off! That includes the "Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas" DVD!! 

Strong Mom Series - Anonymous

I consider myself a "strong mom" because I take care of my children (ages 4 and 1) solo for a month while my husband works out of state. It is like this year around and he is only off and home for about 1.5 week at a time. It has been like this for as long as we have been together since 2007. All of my family lives across the country. All I have here are my children and some of his relatives that we do not see that often. It has been so hard, but we survive. I would like to tell you about my story and how I stay strong while raising my children while being somewhat of a "single" parent.

Our journey began when I was 18 and I got that positive pregnancy test! I was shocked, nervous, and excited. We were already planning to move across the country, but now we are moving and starting a life as a family of 3. I never even lived anywhere other than my small town, but now we were moving outside of a major city and what felt like a world away. I didn't know anyone there except for his family. I applied for a job, but quit before having my first born. It was very hard adjusting. I was depressed and felt lonely. Calls back home would get me through when he was at work as well as dinner at my in-laws' houses.

One day, I decided to join the BabyCenter community and that opened my eyes to other women who were pregnant and due when I was. This seriously was a saving grace for me. I met women who I could talk to, relate to and they became my friends. Almost 5 years later I am still friends with these ladies and they are some of my bestest friends today! They helped me get through some sad moments in my life as well as the best moments in my life! A few of them told me about meetup.com where you could go on there and find local moms in your area and connect for play dates, friendships etc. I was so thankful for that advice! I joined and made mom friends pretty quick. I'll just stop there for a second, are you seeing how having mom friends makes THE world of difference in your life? Before I became friends with ladies I could relate to I was so lonely and depressed. Fellow moms will lift you up when you need it and be the laughter that you need after a tantrum filled day. Have a good support system. Raising children really does take a village and do not be afraid to ask for help! I have this crazy pride issue, so sometimes I do not when I really need to more often.

We ended up moving again. This time I have met some great mom friends in my neighborhood and I am starting to become more outgoing about putting myself out there. I am so shy at first so that is hard for me, but you can't make friends and that village without trying to build it. I still at times feel lonely and wish I had what I would call a best friend that lived close by, but that's okay I have some pretty awesome ones that live close by so that's good enough! If you are going through something similar (single parenting, husband hectic work schedule, recent move, deployment) , I can not stress enough the importance of making mommy friends!

It was (and still is) very hard raising my children without their father home every day/night. Sometimes I get jealous of the families that have that luxury. But I remember that God never gives you anything more than you can handle. Never. I do things to stay busy. We go on play dates when we can, I reached out to neighbors who have children as well so the kids can play and I can be friends with the mom (very hard for me to do because I am an introvert!), go to the zoo, sports activities etc. It never really gets easier, but it's life and always how it's going to be. You could either complain and get down about your situation or you can make the most of it! I choose to make the most of it. I have to be strong for my children. They need that from me as a mother. Everything is for them. I feel like I am a strong mom because I suck up all of the loneliness feelings and I show my children that no matter the circumstance you can live a happy life. We make time to FaceTime with daddy (thank goodness for technology!) and talk to him often. I want my children to look back and see all that their mother (and father!) sacrificed, so that they can have a better life than we had. For that I am and know that I am a strong mother. There is no other choice but to be.

If you would like to share your story of how you are a strong mom please email me at mommyferg02 (at) gmail (dot) com! 

Tips for Purchasing Shoes Online {FitFlop Shoes Review}

Disclaimer: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for my review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A good pair of shoes is a must. Whether you are on your feet all day at work or trying to keep the kiddos from destroying the store at the mall, you want good shoes that don't slow you down! I was given the opportunity to review the women's Due Leather Shoes from FitFlop Shoes and I have some tips for you for  finding a great pair of shoes, online,  that will get the job done! 

Look for your style

When hunting for a great shoe you want to shop somewhere that has a variety of styles that will fit you and your personality! You want that shoe that stands out at you! The one you can just imagine yourself wearing all the time and feeling like a million bucks in! FitFlop Shoes have a huge variety of shoes from sandals to flats to boots! All of their shoes are stylish so you are bound to find a pair that is just your style!

Get the right size

Making sure you purchase the correct size is, of course, very important. When purchasing in store you can usually just try the shoes on and make sure you get the right size, but when purchasing shoes online you can't do that. So the best thing to do when purchasing online is to look for a sizing guide. On the FitFlop Shoes website there is a sizing chart that you can click on every time you look at a different pair of shoes. The sizing chart has step by step instructions on how to measure your foot so you get the correct size. 

I thought I knew my shoe size and failed to check the sizing chart. When I received my shoes I quickly realized they are a tad too big, so it really is important to check the sizing chart when purchasing shoes so that you get a great fit every time! 

Comfort

Comfort is a huge aspect in finding a great pair of shoes! You want to be comfortable in them all day! Not just for an hour and then be miserable in them for the rest of the day! At FitFlop they call their shoes Caffeine for your Feet! Their shoes are designed to make your feet feel fantastic when you are wearing them! The shoes are biochemically engineered and built with specific technology to keep pain and pressure away! 

The shoes I received from FitFlop shoes are so comfortable! It's like my feet are standing on a bed! They are soft and comfortable, yet supportive! I don't really understand all the technology into how they create such great comfort but I can definitely feel it when wearing these shoes! I don't work so I'm not on my feet the entire day, but I imagine that if I was these shoes would be a great pair to wear for that! 

When purchasing shoes online if you look for these three things you should end up with a really great pair of shoes that you love! FitFlop shoes has so many great styles for both men and women and makes it easy for you to find something you will love and something that fits great! Their shoes are designed to be comfortable for you and stay comfortable for you throughout your day! FitFlop shoes not only are a great place to shop for yourself but would be a great place to find a great gift for someone special this holiday season! 

You can purchase these and so many other great styles at www.FitFlop.com! Be sure to check them out on Facebook as well! 

What pair of shoes are your favorite from the FitFlop website?

Stocking Stuffers from iPlay Baby! {Review and Giveaway!}

Disclaimer: I was sent these products in exchange for my review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom is not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their giveaways. 

Christmas is just over a month away and that means it's crunch time when it comes to shopping for Christmas gifts for family and friends! When it comes to our little ones we want items that are fun, safe, and useful! Green Sprouts and iPlay Baby have some awesome stocking stuffers for babies and toddlers that are all of these! 

I was given the opportunity to review a few items that would make perfect stocking stuffers for your toddler or baby! I was sent a the silicone baby toothbrush, training underwear, and disposable potty covers! Isaac just turned two so all of these were great for him! 

The silicone baby toothbrush is probably Isaac's favorite right now. He loves to brush his teeth! The silicone baby toothbrush is Nitrosamine free and made with tiny bristles to get tiny gums and teeth clean! It is easy for little hands to hold and is very durable and strong! 

We are just dipping our toes into potty training so the training underwear and the disposable potty covers came at just the right time! The training underwear is made with soft elastic and a waterproof interlining that is perfect for little ones learning to use the potty! The waterproof lining helps contain any leaks but allows the child to know when they are wet. The best part is they are reusable and can be washed in the washing machine! They come in four different sizes ranging from 18 months to 4T! Isaac is 24 pounds and the 24 month size fits him perfectly right now! He's been wearing these quite often since he has been showing a lot of interest in the potty recently! 

Little ones who are potty training obviously don't know how germy and dirty toilets can be and have to be taught these things. So while they are learning the disposable potty liners are great for going potty out in public! They are plant based, petroleum free, and made with antibacterial materials! They come in a resealable bag so they are perfect to just throw in the diaper bag and use when needed! 

All three of these items make great stocking stuffers! They are useful, fun for the kids, healthy, safe, and affordable! I can't think of anything better to put in my children's stockings than something that is useful and fun! 

Buy It!

You can purchase these and so many other great baby products at www.iplaybabywear.com 

Win It!

One lucky reader will win their choice of one of the three items I reviewed! (Silicone Baby Toothbrush, Training Underwear 2 pack, or Disposable Potty Liners)

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Only one entrant per household allowed. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen at random and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 

JuicyDealz Holiday Giveaway!

Welcome to theJuicyDealz Holiday Giveaway! I am so excited to be participating in another great giveaway hosted by Thrifty Nifty Mommy and Viva Veltoro.

JuicyDealz is a brand new, up-and-coming daily boutique and handmade deals site. Founded by husband and wife team Cat and Andy, JuicyDealz stemmed from a simple idea: create a dynamic, online marketplace featuring an eclectic mix of American-based artisans and small businesses offering fabulous items at great prices. Every day, a new crop of deals pops up. You can follow JuicyDealz on Facebook to get sneak peeks of upcoming deals and subscribe to their daily email so you won’t miss a thing! Be it designer-inspired jewelry, personalized note cards, infinity scarves, trendy women’s clothing, accessories, home goods, or stuff for the kiddos, each and every day brings a new treasure trove of unique finds. You’ll need to purchase quickly as most of the deals only last 3-4 days and can sell out fast! You’ll feel good every time you make a purchase because you are getting not only a super unique, fun, and often one-of-a-kind product (at an incredible price!), but you are also helping to support a small business owner who is striving to support their family, while doing what they love. It is the passion, creativity, and hospitality of these amazing entrepreneurs that make up the heart of JuicyDealz, bringing you fresh, fun, and affordable deals every day. 

One LUCKY person will WIN a gorgeous jewelry collection from JuicyDealz worth over $300!

Just in time for the holidays, this amazing prize package includes an incredible assortment of stunning and unique jewelry (infinity bracelets, statement necklaces, designer-inspired jewelry, sports mom bracelets, owl earrings, watches and more!). Perfect for stocking stuffers, gifts, or to keep for yourself. Please note, actual prize package may vary slightly from what you see pictured above but will include items that are equally lovely!

This giveaway is open to the US only, ages 18 and up, and ends on 12/2/13 at 11:59 PM EST.

Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Prize fulfillment is solely the responsibility of JuicyDealz and not the participating bloggers. Giveaway is open to residents of the US states, age 18+. Giveaway will close at 11:59 PM EST on 12/2/13. 1 winner will be selected and will be contacted by email. If you have any additional questions, feel free to send an email to thriftyniftymommy (at) yahoo.com. If you're interested in having your company or products featured with a giveaway like this, please contact thriftyniftymommy{at}yahoo.com.

Christine's Essential Oils - DoTerra Balance Blend Review!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It was just this year that I started to hear more about essential oils and all their benefits. I was interested so I did some research and talked to some friends who used them regularly. Over the summer I made my first essential oils purchase and got some Lavender and Tea Tree Oil to try! Now I use essential oils every day! I just love them and all their benefits and how great they make me feel! So I was super excited when I was contacted by Christine, a DoTerra Essential Oils consultant and given the opportunity to review the Balance Blend! 

Balance Blend is made with frankincense  spruce, rosewood, and blue tansy and blended together perfectly to create a true calming affect. It gives off a woody aroma that can either be diffused or used topically. My favorite way to use it topically is to put a few drops in my palms and rub them together and then rub the back of my neck. 

I'm a very busy mom. I have my two little boys who always seem to have a full supply of energy! I have a house to keep clean, laundry to keep up with, and meals to cook! On top of that I have my blog and my crochet business! I am always busy! When things start to get super busy I get in to what I call "panic mode". which is basically when I freak out and get really anxious and tense. 

When I first started using essential oils I would use lavender when I felt overwhelmed and anxious. It would help me relax but it makes me sleepy too. When I started using Balance I noticed I didn't feel sleepy at all when I put it on. Instead I just felt calm. It's really awesome how it works. I can feel tense and anxious and then just rub some on the back of my neck and within a few minutes my muscles start to relax and I don't feel so tense anymore. I can focus on what needs to be done and get it done, instead of having an anxiety attack over how much I have to do. It really does help! 

If you are a busy parent, busy at work, or just suffer from anxiety and tension Balance Blend could be the relief you are looking for! I just love how it's a natural way to ease my tension and relieve my anxiety! I never thought essential oils would be so helpful in so many parts of my life, including stress! 

There are so many other great essential oils out from DoTerra that I want to try! Another blend I am planning on getting is the OnGaurd blend! It keeps the germs away and boosts immunity which is something we all need during these cold winter months! 

Do you use essential oils? How have they helped you in your every day life? 

Buy It!

You can purchase the Balance Blend and other DoTerra Essential Oils from Christine's Website! 

Also check out Christine's Essential Oils on Facebook! 

Wordless Wednesday- Noah's First Football Game!

University of Georgia Football! 

BabyKicks Washies and Duz-It-All Review! {Plus a Giveaway!}

Disclaimer: I was sent these products in exchange for my honest review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom is not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their giveaways.

When you have a baby accessories are a huge part of every day life. Yes, you need the big stuff like a changing table and a crib, but accessories are what get used every, day multiple times a day and most of the time you wouldn't be able to do what you need to do without some of these accessories. Today I'm going to share with your two awesome baby accessories that I was able to try from BabyKicks! 

Babykicks is a family owned and operated business that designs and makes cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories. They are located right here in the US and now are available in 15 different countries! 

I was sent a set of Washies and a Duz-it-All for review from BabyKicks! The Washies are basically cloth wipes but can be used for a number of different things! They are 7.5" by 9.5" ovals that are made with soft fleece just like the Babykicks prefolds. They are great for the the high chair, the diaper bag, and the cloth diaper stash! The Duz-It-All is kind of like a prefold/receiving blanket that is great for anything! Babies are messy and the Duz-It-All is great for baby messes! It's made with two layers of soft hemp/cotton jersey knit. It can be used as a burp rag, a doubler in a diaper, or even a backup diaper! 

I've been using the Washies for numerous things! I've used about half of the set for cloth wipes and the other half for cleaning my little guy's face off after eating, or wiping runny noses, or even cleaning off the high chair! The Washies are super durable and can clean up just about any mess even though they are fairly small! I love how durable yet soft they are so they are gentle enough to use no my baby's skin! 

After I wipe my little guy clean with a Washies I use the Duz-it-All to dry him off! It's really absorbent and great for drying things off! It's super soft so it's gentle enough to use on even a newborn! If Isaac were an infant and still needed to be burped after he ate the Duz-it-All is all I would use for a burp rag! It's ideal for that sort of thing! I haven't tried it out as a diaper yet, but I'm sure it would work great since it's so absorbent and soft! 

The Washies and Duz-It-All from BabyKicks are the ultimate accessories to have! If you cloth diaper or not, these accessories are great for any messes or cleanup you have when it comes to a baby! We all know babies are messy so having these great accessories makes life just a little easier! 

Buy It!

You can purchase Babykicks Washies, Duz-it-All, and other great cloth diapering products and accessories at http://www.babykicks.com/store/index.cfm!

Win It!

One lucky reader will win one set(10pk) of BabyKicks Washies! 

Must be 18 years or older to enter. Only one entrant per household allowed. Giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen at random and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 

"Beautiful" Skincare Review and Giveaway!

Disclaimer: I was sent this product in exchange for my written review. I was not compensated in any other way. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom is not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their giveaways. 

As a women a major concern for me is keeping my skin healthy and looking great for as long as possible! But another concern is what I'm actually putting on my skin to keep it looking that way. What kind of chemicals am I actually putting on my face when I use the creams and lotions made to keep my skin looking young? Is it really healthy for skin? The answer to most of the commercial skin care products out there is probably no. Which is why I am really excited to tell you about a skin care product I was able to try that uses no chemicals and only natural products to give your skin the nourishment it needs to be healthy and beautiful! 

Beautiful skincare  is an A.M. moisturizer and a P.M. revitalizer made for women to bring life and beauty back to your skin. It is made with live botanical oils, plant and fruit extracts, and NO chemicals or additives! These two products can replace your cleanser, moisturizer, toner, firming gel and all the other products we put on our face! 

Beautiful skin care has so many benefits! It actually feeds your skin the nutrients it craves! It cleanses your skin of dirts and excess oils and replaces it with healthy oils that our skin needs! It gives your skin all the moisture it needs and firms your skin as well! I've been using Beautiful for about a month now and I'm already seeing a great difference in my skin! 

First, I have to tell you about the awesome bottles Beautiful comes in! It is personalized just for you! So mine say "Beautiful Michelle" and yours would have your name on it! Pretty nifty and fun! I was pleasantly surprised to see my own name on the bottle when I opened the package! 

Now let's get to the nitty gritty! Does this stuff really work? Well I'm answering with a big YES! Like I said, I've been using it for about a month now because I really wanted to make sure I was getting results before I wrote about it. When I first started using it I was already loving it! It smells amazing! And it makes my skin feel so soft and refreshed when I put it on. It is an oil and it may seem strange to put oil on your skin, but it's really exactly what your skin wants! The instructions do say that about a week or two into using the products you may experience some breakouts or blemishs and not to worry because that's the product getting rid of all the toxins and gross stuff in your skin! I did experience some very small blemishs about the second week in that only lasted a few days. After that my skin has looked and felt great! My skin feels so soft even when I have nothing on it! I usually suffer from super dry skin this time of year and my face has not felt dry at all since I've been using Beautiful! The only somewhat negative thing I can say about this product is don't try to put it on right before you want to put your makeup on because it needs some time to soak in to your skin. Other than that this product is amazing! 

My skin is now glowing and healthy looking without the use of chemicals and makeup to cover up blemishes and dark spots. I literally love getting up and putting this on my face in the morning because it leaves me skin feeling so great! You can find out even more about Beautiful skin care by going HERE and there's also a men's skin care called "You're the Man" that's just like Beautiful but made specifically for men! 

Check out this recent picture of me and how great my skin is looking now! 

Buy It!

https://www.trustedhealthproducts.com/shop/index.php/products/beautiful.html

Win It!

Three lucky readers will win a bottle of Beautiful A.M. Moisturizer for themselves! 

Must be 18 years or older to enter. Only one entrant allowed per household. Giveaway is open to US residents only. The winners will be chosen at random and emailed. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. 

Special Deal! 

“The manufacturer is willing to offer my readers one FREE bottle. They said they would love to have our readers try out Beautiful A.M. Moisturizer (for women) or You’re the Man A.M. Moisturizer (for men) and agreed to send one bottle FREE if our readers would pay a minimal shipping and handling charge. This is a one-time only offer!  They also agreed to include 2 eye-opening reports – The Poisons You Put On Your Face Everyday and Why Your Skin Care Products Have Never Worked: The Truth Revealed .”  That’s a total value of over $40.00. Click here to get your FREE Bottle and FREE reports now!”

Enter to win the giveaway by filling out the Rafflecopter form below!