Lalabee Bathworks - Baby Bottom Balm Review and Giveaway

Lalabee Bathworks is a Canadian business that makes wonderful natural and organic skincare products for moms and babes. Everything is made by hand and is guaranteed to be very gentle and safe. All Lalabee Bathworks products are petroleum free, paraben free, biodegradable, and cruelty free. Lalabees makes a lovely body nourishing line for breastfeeding, pregnant, and new moms, as well as a gentle line of must have items babies.

I have been testing out Lalabee Bathworks best selling item ~ the Bottom Balm. This 100% natural, zinc free, balm is amazing and has completely cleared up my daughter's persistent rash. She has very sensitive skin and is prone to diaper rashes, so I am really loving that this balm is so gentle that I can use it throughout the day. The Bottom Balm contains natural oils, beeswax, and organic herbs such as calendula, chamomile, and lavender that are known to heal rashes gently and effectively. The Bottom Balm is scent free and is also compatible with cloth diapers, which is wonderful.

I love that Lalabee Bathworks shares many of the same ethics as myself. They respect the planet by using  organic and biodegradable  ingredients, and all packaging is recyclable. They are committed to safe skincare products and have signed The Compact of Safe Cosmetics. Lalabees never tests on animals and are members of PETA- yay. I also really appreciate that Lalabees sources most of their ingredients from local Canadian farms. Lalabees is a business I feel great supporting and recommending!

Buy: Lalabee Bathworks products are very reasonably priced and during the month of May you get a free citrus star bathbomb with all online purchases. You can shop directly online at Lalabee Bathworks or click here to find a local retailer.

The Giveaway: Lalabees Bathworks has offered to give one of my readers the same wonderful Bottom Balm that I tried.

To Enter: Visit Lalabees Bathworks and have a look around. Then comment below telling me what other product/s you would like to try.  (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)

Additional Entries:
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~ Like Natural Mama Reviews on Facebook and comment
~Follow Natural Mama Reviews on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link
~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment
~Grab my blog button on the left and comment
~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link
~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment

This Giveaway ends on May 22th at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, Canadian residents only.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review

FreckleDuck Snack Pockets Winner!

Congratulations to Julie (comment #9) you have won the FreckleDucks Green Lunch Giveaway. So you get your choice of 2 lunch pockets or a mini lunch kit in your choice of fabrics. I hope you enjoy your green lunch gear :) I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks so much to the wonderful and talented FreckleDuck Who sponsored this giveaway.

Green Toys Winner

Congratulations to Polly (comment #12) you are the winner of the awesome Green Toys Cookware & Dining Set from Wild Dill. This is one of my girls favorite toys, so I know a little one in your life will be very happy :) I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks so much to Wild Dill for sponsoring this giveaway.

Zen Threads T-shirt Review and Giveaway - CLOSED

Its T-shirt weather again (yay) and I have been living in my new tee from Zen Threads. This awesome Esty shop makes hand-printed t-shirts that are wonderfully original. They have a great selection of urban, vintage, and retro styles to choose from. Zen Threads also has some lovely environmentally themed, animal prints, and rock/pop culture tees That are great. Zen Threads tees are perfect for casual summer days and I completely love mine.

As you can see pictured below I had the chance to try a lovely Elephant tee from Zen Threads. This t-shirt is very comfortable and has a vintage feel that is butter soft. The cut is really nice as well, with flattering girly sleeves and a long torso. The quality is wonderful and my tee washes very nicely. I choose a green color and a black elephant print for my tee and I think It turned out beautifully. I honestly get many compliments on this tee every time I wear it. As I mentioned I have been living in my custom tee and totally recommend Zen Threads to everyone.

 Zen Threads really allows you to get creative and be an individual. You choose your t-shirt size, print, and even ink color - then Zen Threads hand screen-prints your tee. Zen Threads offers over 70 designs [and they are adding more all the time] plus they carry 13 different shirt colors and 10 ink colors. The design possibilities really are endless and you can pretty much guarantee that you wont see anyone else sporting the same tee. Your Zen Threads Tee will be a one of a kind creation, made just for you.

I love that Zen Threads is committed to being green and supporting fair trade. Zen Threads prints all of their tees by hand in the US, using sweatshop free ethically made American Apparel tees. They use completely biodegradable, eco friendly water based inks. Good for the planet, the people, ultra comfortable and stylish - I love everything about Zen Threads!

Buy your own Tee: Zen Threads Tees can be found at their Etsy Shop or on their website.

The Giveaway - Zen Threads has offered one of my readers the chance to win a custom tee- made just for you. You choose the Tee color, size, print and ink color and they will make you a beautifully original tee (men's or women's).


To Enter: Visit Zen Threads Etsy Shop and have a look around. Then comment below telling me your favorite tee (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count).


Additional Entries:
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~ Like Zen Threads on Facebook and comment
~ Like Natural Mama Reviews on Facebook and comment
~Follow Natural Mama Reviews and Zen Threads on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link
~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment
~Add Zen Threads as an Etsy fave and comment with your Etsy name
~Grab my blog button on the left and comment
~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link
~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment


This Giveaway ends on May 20th at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, US and Canadian residents only.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review

Mothers Day Giveaway ~ Odette Alfaro Jewelry {now with a discount}

Happy Mothers Day! To celebrate all of the wonderful mothers who read my blog I am teaming up with Odette Alfaro Jewelry and giving away a gorgeous Hand Stamped Mama Necklace (pictured above). These necklaces are sweet and meaningful making them perfect for commemorating Motherhood.

Odette Alfaro is a very talented jewelry designer who specializes in beautiful hand-stamped pieces that celebrate family, love, and individuality. The possibilities are endless with Odette Alfaro Jewelry - which can be personalized with loved ones names, initials, or your own personal mantra. Each item is hand crafted by Odette and is stamped just for you, making them completely one of a kind. I especially love the personalized pendants and beautiful silver cuffs.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to try a sweetly sentimental Donut Pendant with my three girls names stamped on it from Odette Alfaro Jewelry. It is hand-made out of sterling silver and came with a beautiful sterling silver chain. I love how this necklace allows me to keep my girls in my heart and mind even when we are apart. It has instantly became a cherished keepsake that I never want to take off. What I love most about this necklace however, was the response I got from my daughters when they saw the pendant. My two older girls were filled with pride and happiness when they saw that I had gotten a necklace custom made with their names. Seeing how the necklace made their faces light up was the best mothers day gift I could have gotten.

Odette Alfaro is a jewelry designer who makes beautiful creations out of her home studio in Vancouver, BC. She is inspired by her own children to make pieces with special meaning that celebrate what she cares about most - her family. Besides the hand stamped jewelry that I reviewed, Odette Alfaro also makes unique and delicate crocheted jewelry, an Organic series of hammered silver, and a Precious Stones series featuring colorful gems and pearls. Odette has been a joy to work with - and did a truly amazing job incorporating my three daughters names into a lovely piece of art that I will wear forever.

I really love the sentimental, yet modern and stylish jewelry that Odette Alfaro designs. I wholeheartedly cherish my pendant and haven't taken it off since it arrived. If you are looking for a meaningful Mothers Day gift, an inspired present for a new mom, or for a piece that will be worn close to your own heart I completely recommend Odette Alfaro Jewelry.

Buy: Odette Alfaro has a great selection of one of a kind and custom jewelry that can be ordered from her site. She has also generously offered my readers a 20% discount and Free shipping on all orders over 100$. Just mention my site when ordering.

The Giveaway: I am so delighted to be able to give away a lovely sterling silver Mama Pendant and sterling silver chain to one of my readers this Mothers Day.

To Enter: Please visit Odette Alfaro Jewelry and peruse her beautiful jewelry. Then comment below telling me what your favorite item is. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)

Additional Entries:

~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)

~"Like" Natural Mama Reviews on Facebook and comment

~Follow Natural Mama Reviews on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link

~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment

~Grab my blog button on the left and comment

~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link

~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment

This Giveaway ends on May 9th {Mothers Day} at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, US and Canadian residents only.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review

Abby Sprouts ~ Love Peace Onesie Winner

Congratulations Wanda (comment #220) you have won an adorable Organic Love Peace Onesie from Abby Sprouts. I will e-mail you soon.

A Special Thanks to Abby Sprouts for sponsoring this Giveaway.

Runners Wooden Balance Bike Review and Giveaway - CLOSED

                                  

I have been looking for a Balance Bike to get for my youngest daughter for her 2nd birthday for a while now. I wanted to find one that was made to last, reasonably priced, and eco-friendly. Well I have found the PERFECT bike - and its Canadian Too! Runners Bike makes beautifully designed, functional, safe, and easy to use wooden push bikes. These Bikes are very well made and are so much fun. Keep reading to learn more and to find out how you can win a bike for your little runner.

Runners Bikes are brilliantly designed to build children's motor skills and confidence in a super fun and safe way. The Runners Bike is a bike without pedals - your child uses their own legs for balance and movement. It  is made without any sharp parts, pinching spaces, or spokes - making it safe for even the youngest toddlers. They also are very sturdy, and don't tip over like tricycles or bikes with training wheels.  While running around on their Runners Bike, kids are not only having a ton of fun, but they are also building the essential balancing skills they need to learn to ride a traditional bike (but at a much younger age). After trying out a Runners Push Bike, I am a total convert and have been telling everyone I know about how amazing they are.

My youngest is not yet two, but she is already having so much fun on her Runners Bike. She isn't ready to run yet, but is already pushing it around the house and yard. She is so pleased with her "big girl bike" and asks to ride it daily.  Even after just a few days I began to see improvement in her balance and an increase in her confidence. I am sure she will be accompanying me and her sisters on our family bike rides in no time- yay!

Runners Bikes are beautifully crafted out of solid birch-wood and are completely eco-friendly. We really try to keep plastic toys out of our home (they look tacky, are bad for the planet, and can be unhealthy), and the Runners Bike is a nice departure from traditional plastic toddler toys. At first I wondered if the wood frame would make the bike heavy- but I was happily surprised that it weighs only 10 lbs. The Birch-wood is light, yet very strong and sturdy. We tried the traditional model of Runners Bike, but a "princess" model is now available with pink details and painted flowers - so sweet.

I really love the attention to detail and quality that I have seen in the Runners Balance Bike. The Bike features air filled bike tires that are great for even the roughest terrain. It also has a fun bell (that my daughter loves) and a wipe-able padded seat. The Runners Bikes seat is easily adjustable as well, so it grows with your child. I honestly love everything about this bike and feel great recommending it to everyone.

Runners Bike at a glance:
-Solid Birch-wood Frame
-Pneumatic Rubber Wheels
-Soft, Padded Synthetic Leather Seat
-Seat Adjusts from 13.5 - 16.5 inches
-Ages 2-5 years
-Weight: 10 lbs
-1 year warranty

Runners Crafted Bikes is a Canadian family owned and operated business that is based out of Alberta. The owners were inspired by their own two rough and tumble boys to design Runners Bikes. They knew that wooden push bikes should be strong, inexpensive, and designed for fun. I think the results speak for themselves! (you can see their boys having a blast on their bikes in the video below).

Where to Buy: Runners Bikes can be bought online at Runners-Bike.com or ordered over the phone (780 994 2612) for the amazing price of only 119 CAD.

The Giveaway: I am so excited to be teaming up with Runners Bikes to offer an awesome Runners Wooden Push Bike (just like one I tried) to one of my readers. You will love this bike!


To Enter: Visit Runners Bike and have a look around. Then comment below telling me something that you learned about Runners Bikes or what your favorite feature is. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)


Additional Entries:
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~ "Like" Runners Bike on Facebook and comment
~ "Like" Natural Mama Reviews on Facebook and comment
~Follow Natural Mama Reviews and Runners Bikes on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link
~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment
~Grab my blog button on the left and comment
~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link
~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment


This Giveaway ends on May 20th at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, US and Canadian residents only.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review

Green Works Winner

Congratulations to Silverneon 2000 (comment #171) you have won some great eco-friendly Green Works cleaning products. Happy Cleaning :) I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks so much to Green Works for sponsoring this giveaway.

Happy Earth Day!!

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"

~ Ancient Native proverb

For me Earth Day is really about children. They will be inheriting our planet, therefore I feel that my actions to be kind to the planet are really an extension of my love for my girls.
So I am embracing today as an opportunity to teach my girls why it is so important to respect the earth. I belive its important to nurture a love of nature and encourage responsibility at an early age. We will have a talk about how the small things our family does (recycle, use cloth bags, use cloth diapers, buy organic, etc) make the planet a cleaner, healthier, happier place. We're also going to do a nature walk and collect some treasure for a nature craft to add to our spring nature table - so fun!

What are you doing today to celebrate Earth Day?

Superfly Lullabies - Super Swank Bib Review and Giveaway

I love buying hand-made items for my girls- they just have a certain soul-filled beauty and individuality that I love. This is completely true of one of my new favorite Etsy shops - Superfly Lullabies. This Canadian shop sells gorgeous hand-made baby items that are cool enough for even the hippest moms.

My youngest daughter is the ultimate messy eater (as you can see below)- so she has had a blast trying out the Boldly Black Superfly Bib from Superfly Lullabies. This bib is so pretty, and very well made. Its also luxuriously soft and feels great next to babies skin. It is  generously sized to grow with your babe, and fit my toddler perfectly. The bib also washed up very nicely, which is so important for baby items like bibs that you wash over and over. If you are looking for a beautiful and functional bib for your little one or to give as a unique shower gift- the bibs at Superfly Lullabies are perfect.

Superfly Lullabies is best known for her gorgeous super-swank blankets that are treasured by both moms and babies alike. They are made with the most beautiful and unique fabrics and are designed to reflect a moms personal style. Each blanket is also lined with ultra soft minky fabric that babies love. Superfly Blankets are perfect for tummy time, and keeping your little one warm in the stroller, car-seat and crib. They are made to last and are sure to become a family keepsake.

Who is the super-fly gal behind Superfly Lullabies? Julie is a mom of two little ones who lives in BC and makes beautifully hip creations in her home. She started her shop when she became a mom and realized that it was hard to find high quality and stylish baby blankets. She has now turned her hobby into a way stay home with her kids - awesome! That's why I love to support mom-owned shops, and I completely recommend Superfly Lullabies.

The Giveaway: Superfly Lullabies has generously offered to give on of my readers a beautiful Superfly Bib too.

To Enter: Visit Superfly Lullabies on Etsy and browse all of the hand-made treasures- then comment below with your favorite item. (This first entry is mandatory and must be done before additional entries)

Additional Entries:
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~Add Superfly Lullabies as an Etsy fave and comment with your Etsy name
~Visit  Superfly Lullabies' Facebook page and "Like" it
~Visit  Natural Mama Reviews Facebook page and "Like" it
~Follow Natural Mama Reviews and Superfly Lullabies on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link
~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment
~Grab my blog button on the left and comment
~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link
~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment

This Giveaway ends May 12 at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, US and Canadian residents only.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review.

Britax Blink Stroller Review and Giveaway- CLOSED

Are you looking for a great light weight stroller for your summer travels? If so you have to check out the Britax Blink Stroller. This umbrella style stroller is as sturdy and comfortable as bigger strollers- but its conveniently small enough to pack with you everywhere. I have been really impressed with the great design and  how easy this stroller is to use therefore I am beyond excited to be teaming up with Britax to give one to one of my readers - Wooo Whooo!

As an avid baby-wearer, we never used a stroller for the first 20 months of my daughters life- so the fact that the Britax Blink stroller works so wonderfully for older kids is really important to me. Although it can be used  for babies as young as 6 months, it has several features that make it especially great for toddlers and small children. To start with the Britax Blink is very sturdy and has a  55 lb weight capacity. It also has a very tall seat, a foot rest, and an adjustable leg rest. The Britax Blink also has a 5 point harness to keep active toddlers secure in their seat. I know as my daughter gets too heavy for her baby carriers we will be using this stroller more and more and I am really excited that The Britax Blink will last her well into toddler-hood.

As mentioned the Britax Blink is the perfect travel stroller! Its light, fold-able, and has a very handy built in shoulder strap. The shoulder strap is especially great for airport or train travel- when moms really need all the extra hands they can get. For a limited time Britax is also offering a free stroller bag (with purchase). The Britax Blink is also great for packing in the car. Our family takes several big road trips each year- and traveling with three kids leaves us short on trunk space to say the least. I know this stroller will easily fit amongst our suitcases and will be great for long days exploring new towns and cities.

The Britax Blink has a super smooth ride and is a breeze to push. It has a standard double wheel design, all wheel suspension, and front swiveling wheels that give it a tight turning radius. It is especially great for maneuvering small aisles and crowded spaces. The front wheels can also be locked in place for when the terrain is a little more rough. The Britax glides easily over grass and dirt- but like other compact umbrella strollers it really does best on smooth surfaces. Another feature that makes the Blink very easy to push are the wonderfully high handles. They are even tall enough for my husband to easily use without stooping- and he's 6'4.

The Britax Blink stroller is easy to use and has many well thought out design features. The canopy is large and provides plenty of shade and also features a large peekaboo window. There are two storage spaces in the stroller- one small zipper pocket (keys/wallet) and a good sized bin under the stroller. The breaks and folding mechanism only need a gentle push- and are even flip flop friendly. The Britax goes from sitting to recline (and everywhere in between) making it great for napping on the go. We have had a lot of fun testing out the Britax Blink, and have found it extremely convenient and portable. If you are looking for a compact stroller for travel, shopping, or touring around town I completely recommend the Britax Blink.

Features at a Glance:

-Five-Point Harness

-All-Wheel Suspension

-Easy Fold Release Mechanism 

-Compact Fold 

-Heavy Duty Construction with 55 lb child weight capacity

-Large Canopy

-Lay-back Recline with Adjustable Leg Rest
-Lightweight (16 lbs)
-One-Foot, Linked Rear Brake locks both rear wheels with one step

-Portable carry strap

-Under Seat and Pouch storage

The Giveaway: Britax  has very generously offered to give a Britax Blink Stroller to one of my readers {a 169.99 CAD value}.


To Enter: Please visit Britax and have a look around. Then comment below with another item that you would like to try. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)


Additional Entries:
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~Become a facebook fan of Britax and comment
~Become a facebook fan of Natural Mama Reviews and comment
~Follow Natural Mama Reviews and Britax on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link
~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment
~Grab my blog button on the left and comment
~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link
~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment


This Giveaway ends on May 12th at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, US and Canadian residents only.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review.

Playsilks Winner

Congratulations Diana - Teacher Mom (comment #8) you have won two beautiful Playsilks from Bumblebee Toys. I'm sure your little ones will love these. I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks so much to Bumblebee Toys for sponsoiring this giveaway.

Nature Baby Review and Organic Sleepwear Giveaway - CLOSED

Nature Baby is a family owned business specializing in natural and organic products that are nurturing to parents and their little ones. Everything from Nature Baby is lovingly selected to be pure, natural, sustainable, and gentle on the planet. They carry a gorgeous selection of organic cotton and organic merino wool clothing  and bedding for babies and kids, as well as a great selection of furniture, baby carriers, cloth diapers, bath and skincare products, natural remedies, mealtime items, toys, items for mom, and more. All of the items they produce are made under fair working conditions, with many items being made in New Zealand where Nature Baby is based. I have been so pleased with the items I tried from Nature Baby and I completely recommend you stop by their beautiful shop.

Spring has finally sprung in my neighborhood so I was thrilled to try the beautifully comfortable and stylish Kimono Dress from Nature Baby. This wrap style dress is so pretty and has a very natural look that I love. It is also very easy to run and play in- which is essential for my active little toddler. I love the simplicity and versatility of this dress as well. It can be worn on its own in the summer or layered over pants or tights with a sweater or undershirt for cool weather. The Organic Kimono Dress is also exceptionally well made and becomes more soft and beautiful with each wash.

I also had the chance to try an adorable Sun Protection Swimsuit from Nature Baby. I try to avoid putting chemicals on my families skin- so a natural way to block the sun is a great find for me, and if it is super cute that's a bonus too. Nature Baby sent me the super stylish and fun red and white full swimsuit to try- and I completely love it. This suit  provides sun protection of SPF 50+ to protect against UV radiation and keep little ones safe while having fun in the sun.  It is made in New Zealand using the latest technology to not only protect from the sun, but also to be more than 4X more chlorine resistant than traditional swimwear and  mildew resistant.

The Sun Protection Swimsuits from Nature Baby are wonderfully deigned to cover the most sun sensitive areas and come in adorable red/white or blue/white stripes. They are also very comfortable and wearable- perfect for active kids. The short sleeved version I have also features a back zipper for easy on and off. Additionally, Nature Baby carries separates and long sleeved versions that are equally adorable. Nature Baby's suites are completely timeless and unisex- making them a great buy that can easily be passed down from child to child. If you are looking for alternatives to slathering on sunblock, or additional protection from the sun this summer I completely recommend the lovely swimwear from Nature Baby.

The Sleepwear from Nature Baby is also beautifully natural, safe, and so cozy. I am super excited to be able to offer one of my readers an adorable Free Range Baby Organic Sleeping Gown (fawn). This gown is neutrally colored with a sweet animal print and is great for either a boy or girl. The drawstring bottom is ideal for quick diaper changes and for allowing baby free movement while sleeping.

These Pajamas are so well made and soft - and are a great alternative to a blanket for cool spring nights. Most importantly these pajamas are safe and fire retardant free [Fire retardants are  toxic chemicals that never wash out of pajamas and have been linked to genetic abnormalities, cancer, liver and nervous system damage, ADD/ADHD, and skin irritation- just to name a few]. Nature Baby sleepwear is also made with pesticide and fertilizer free organic cotton and they never use bleach or other harsh chemicals in production- so you can be sure that their sleepwear is safe and gentle on babies sensitive skin.

As mentioned Nature Baby is committed to ethical manufacturing, but I also love that they are committed to  supporting ethical farming practices by buying from cotton and wool farms that strengthen rural communities, nurture our planet, and produce pure chemical free products. The organic cotton used in Nature Baby's clothing and bedding is grown by a family in India who use chemical free farming practices and pay their employees fair wages- improving the health of their community on so many levels. I was so impressed to learn that Nature Baby actually visited the farm before sourcing from them- now that's commitment!

I have been really impressed with all aspects of Nature Baby- from their great customer service to their commitment to ethical shopping. I was also very pleasantly surprised by how fast my items arrived. I was initially worried that shipping from New Zealand would be slow- but quiet the contrary - my items arrived within a week of ordering. Nature Baby also has a firm stance against any animal testing, which is something I really respect and value. Nature Baby is a business I love shopping at and feel great recommending.

Shop: The lovely items mentioned above, as well as so much more can be found online at Nature Baby. They offer free shipping WORLWIDE on all orders over 100$ - yay.

More Ways to Win: Right now when you sign up for Nature Baby's Newsletter you will be entered into a draw to win 250$ worth of Nature Baby products.

 

The Giveaway: Nature Baby has sent me the sweet and cozy Free Range Baby Organic Sleeping Gown  and a Knotted Beanie size 6-12 months (pictured above) in Fawn to give to one of my readers. This set is so beautiful and would make a lovely addition to babies sleepwear or a perfect natural shower gift.

To Enter: Please visit Nature Baby and look around their beautiful store. Then comment below with another item that you would love to try. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)

Additional Entries:

~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)

~ Read the Why Organic Cotton or the Organic Merino Wool Page at Nature Baby and comment with something that you thought was interesting.

~Subscribe to Nature Baby's newsletter and comment

~Become a facebook fan of Natural Mama Reviews and comment

~Follow Natural Mama Reviews on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet) leave a link

~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment

~Grab my blog button on the left and comment

~Blog about this giveaway and comment with a link

~Enter another giveaway on my Blog and comment

This Giveaway ends on May 5th at 9pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my e-mail before a new name is drawn. One entry (plus mentioned additional entries) per household, open to EVERYONE (world-wide).

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review.

Dyson {DC 25 Animal} Vacuum Review

Spring has sprung, and if your home is anything like mine that means your pets are shedding and leaving piles of fur everywhere. Well I have an wonderful solution- The Dyson Animal Vacuums. This line of vacuums is specially engineered  for homes with pets. Dyson has combined their renowned suction power with pet hair removing tools such as an extra motor in the canister head and a fast motorized brush bar to remove more pet hair and dander than traditional vacuums.

We were very lucky to have a chance to try out the Dyson DC25 Animal, and it works amazing. We are a family full of animal lovers, and besides our own furry family members we also regularly foster dogs for our local shelters. Needless to say our home can get really hairy - so we need a vacuum that really picks up hair. Well the Dyson DC 25 picks up hair like no other. I am honestly surprised at how well this vacuum works- it picks up dog and cat hair about 10X times better that our old vacuum and also cleans up all the other messes that 3 kids can make.

 With so much dog and cat hair to vacuum, I have always had issues with my vacuums getting clogged up with hair and loosing suction. Well not the Dyson- is has Root Cyclone™ technology that uses centrifugal forces to capture dust, dirt, and pet hair and spin it right into the chamber. So no matter how much vacuuming you do- you never experience any loss of suction.

If you have seen or heard of Dyson, you probably know that this vacuum is very different than most vacuums on the market today. The first thing I noticed was how wonderfully the Dyson vacuum maneuvers around the house- its completely in a class of its own. Its actually fun to vacuum thanks to the Dyson Ball™ technology, which allows this vacuum to clean circles around traditional vacuums- literally. While traditional vacuums roll on four wheels and only move back and forth, the Dyson rolls on a ball and can move in any direction. The ball makes the Dyson so easy and FUN to use that even your kids will be asking to vacuum.

I am truly amazed at the suction power of the Dyson- it not only picks up pet hair, but also everything else that ends up on our carpet. I saw the power of Root Cyclone™ technology for myself when my shiny new Dyson arrived. I had actually just finished vacuuming the house, but  I was so excited to try my new Dyson vacuum -that I vacuumed the living room again. Even though I had JUST vacuumed- the Dyson worked its magic and the chamber was 1/3 full of dust and hair  from our small living room alone. Scary to think about all that junk that our old vacuum left behind (especially since our "old vacuum" is only 2 years old and is a well trusted brand). This has totally made me a convert- and I'm sure I will be a life-time Dyson customer.

Dyson Vacuums are certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma Society of Canada, making them especially wonderful for families who experience asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues. As mentioned I was shocked at how much additional dust, hair, and grime the Dyson picks up. In Fact, the air that is expelled from a Dyson vacuum cleaner has up to 150 times less bacteria and mold than the air that goes in.

The Dyson DC 25 has a Quick-draw Telescope Reach™ wand  handle that partially detached from the body of the vacuum to clean high or hard to reach areas. I find the wand especially great for cleaning stairs, under couches, in corners, or sucking up spiders (I know this is not good- but they terrify me). The Dyson DC 25 also comes with some very handy accessories to meet all of your cleaning needs including; a Combination tool, Stair tool, Flat Out™ floor tool, and a Mini turbine head.

The Dyson is an Eco-Friendly choice as well. The Dyson motor is ultra efficient, yet uses much less electricity than traditional vacuums- saving money and the planet. The Technology in the Dyson motor also uses no carbon brushes, therefore the Dyson produces no carbon particle emissions- which is very cool. The Dyson will also last a very long time- meaning less waste in our landfills in the long run.

Don't let the price deter you from purchasing a Dyson. Once you purchase your Dyson- there is no additional costs. It comes with a Lifetime Hepa and washable filters, so there are never filters or bags to buy. This can save a ton of money in the long run. I hate to keep comparing the Dyson to my old vacuum, but with traditional vacuums- bags and filters can cost an extra $100 per year. So the Dyson will pay for itself in no time. The Dyson also comes with a 5 year parts and service warranty.

I never knew I could love an appliance as much as I love my Dyson DC 25 Animal! I'm not usually one to go gaga for gadgets- but alas I am truly in love with this vacuum. I completely wholeheartedly recommend the Dyson to everyone. If there are any husbands reading- your wife would be over the moon to get one of these for Mothers Day (the "no appliance" rule does not apply to Dyson- they are that wonderful). Oh and did I mention they come in pink too :)

More things I completely love about the Dyson DC 25:

-Its shiny and pretty and purple

-Its so quiet (and doesn't even wake baby from her nap)

-Its very light weight

-Easy to use on stairs

Buy: Right now when you buy your vacuum from Dyson.ca you get a free Spring Cleaning Kit and free shipping on all uprights, canisters, and handhelds. Shopping is so easy at Dyson, and they will even help you choose the vacuum that is right for you. I also should note that the shipping is so fast and the customer service is truly outstanding!

Connect: Dyson has a newsletter specifically for pet owners (how cool is that).

Win a Dyson: Attention engaged couples you can nominate yourself and have your friends nominate you here for a chance to win a Dyson Vacuum- the couple with the most nominations will win and everyone who nominates will also be entered into a random draw for another Dyson.

The opinions expressed in the above review are my honest experiences, and thoughts. I did not receive any money for writing this review.