Sick Days

Its official I am completely sick with the flu. I will be back in a couple of days with more reviews and giveaways- as soon as I'm well enough.
Thanks!

Masala Muslin Blanket Winner

Congratulations Elly (comment #349) you have won a lovely muslin swaddle blanket from Masala Baby. I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Masala Baby for sponsoring this giveaway.

beco Butterfly 2 {Baby Carrier} Review and Giveaway - CLOSED

My friends and family all know that my most loved carrier is my beco Butterfly. I bought one when my youngest was a wee baby, and pretty much lived in it for her first two years. I did a lot of research into the best carrier for my needs and beco was a clear choice. It has honestly been my most essential piece of baby gear- ideal for traveling, fussy babies, house cleaning, walking and hiking, and shopping.  Since I am obviously a huge fan of beco, I was over-the-moon when they offered to send me an organic beco Butterfly 2 for review.

As much as I loved my old beco, I am loving the beco Butterfly 2 even more. The beco Butterfly 2 is made with luxuriously soft organic cotton, comes in a variety of beautiful prints, and is amazingly well designed. It features a soft inside panel that keeps your baby or toddler secure and attached within the carrier. This makes it easy to adjust the carrier for comfort, switch between front and back carry, or pass your baby off to your partner without removing them from the carrier. I am also really loving the new features of the beco Butterfly 2 such as a removable baby insert, improved headrest, and the easier to adjust straps.

The beco Butterfly 2 is also versatile and easy to use. Once all the straps are adjusted it only takes moments to get your baby in and it works equally wonderful for small babies and toddlers. The infant insert allows smaller babies to sit high in the carrier, while being held safely close to mama. Then once baby is a few months old, the insert can be removed and the carrier can be used for older babies and toddlers (up to 45lbs). My toddler still loves her beco- and I love that it can easily be folded into my purse and used when her little legs get tired. Beco has a great collection of detailed videos to answer just about any beco wearing question you could have.

The beco Butterfly 2 is ergonomically designed for health and comfort. The beco has a padded waist belt for lumbar support, ergonomically curved cushioned shoulder straps, and is designed to allow babies weight to be perfectly distributed (mostly on the hips). It is honestly the most comfortably carrier I have worn; both for me and my daughter. Even though I have chronic back pain, I can comfortably wear my 30lb toddler in the beco Butterfly 2 for hours.

Another thing that really sets beco's apart from other carriers is how pretty and stylish they are. They have prints to suit just about every taste and are always coming up with new designs. I tried the gorgeous Lauren print and I completely love it. The back panel print looks like a unique and beautiful painting; in shades of orange and turquoise. The colors are so rich and match beautifully with the soft brushed espresso brown straps. I get so many compliments on this carrier and I really enjoy wearing my daughter in something so beautiful.

My beco Butterfly 2 also came with beco's new drooling pads. Although my little one is too old for these now- they are a complete must have for younger babies. In my experience teething babies love to suck on their beco straps- they are easy to reach and feel great on ouchy gums. The new ultra soft organic terry drool pads velcro onto your beco Carrier straps and provides an easily washable and soothing place for baby to suck and teeth.

beco Butterfly 2 at a glance:

•Newborn to toddler (7-45 lbs/3.5 - 20 kg)

•Removable head rest

•Removable infant insert

•Front and back carry

•Easy On and OFF features

•High quality tested materials

•Machine washable

•100% Organic Cotton Shell

•Carrier Weight: 1.8 lbs

•Removable infant insert

• Recycled Packaging (with soy inks)

I am completely passionate about baby-wearing and have been an baby-wearing mama for years. For me it is an essential part of parenting. It allows me to be close and loving to baby while being hands free. It feels so natural and has many benefits for both mother and baby. If you are new to baby wearing or are just looking for a truly wonderful carrier I wholeheartedly recommend a beco.

Shop: The beco Butterfly 2 as well as other great carriers and accessories can be purchase online though becobabycarrier.com and at these fabulous retailers. The Butterfly 2 reviewed above comes with a Head Rest/ Sun Hood, an Infant Insert, DVD Instructions, and an Owners Manual. It retails for $140 US.

The Giveaway: Beco has generously offered to give one of my readers an organic beco Butterfly 2 Lauren, just like the one I tried (yippee).

To Enter: Please Like beco on Facebook and let me know in a comment below. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)


Additional Entries:
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~Subscribe to beco's e-mails at the (bottom right) and comment
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow beco on Twitter and comment
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a beco Baby Carrier http://bit.ly/hV1t2K @mamareviews @becobaby #giveaway #win #babywearing" (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 February 15th 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.

My Mama's Love Winner

Congratulations to Janelle (comment 189) you have won the My Mama's Love giveaway. I am crazy about these products, hope you like them too. I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to My Mama's Love for sponsoring this giveaway.

Burt's Bees Winner

Congratulations to Trish (comment 509) you have won a fabulous gift pack of Burt's Bees Goodies. I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered and Burt's Bees for sponsoring this giveaway.

Maman Bidule {Review and Giveaway}

I am so please to introduce you to Maman Bidule - an amazingly creative, eco-friendly, and fun source for kids clothing and accessories. Maman Bidule uses clean recycled materials to make her beautiful and wearable couture clothes for little ones. Maman Bidule is Canadian and sells her unique creations on facebook and Etsy, as well as local (Vancouver Island) venues. Maman Bidule's prices are great, her attention to detail is amazing,  and each piece is truly one of a kind.

Maman Bidule sent me a completely adorable and oh so stylish striped tunic for review. The hip and pretty tunic dress features a cozy cowl neck design and a large ruffle pocket. It also has the sweetest details such as an adorable applique black bird and a lace and button bib design. I love how completely unique this dress is- just like my little one.

The Striped Tunic Dress by Maman Bidule not only looks fabulous, but it is also completely comfortable and play friendly. The striped fabric has some stretch to make it easy to move around in, and the cowl neck is warm and cozy. My daughter especially loves the big pocket that she happly fills with  her nature finds (rocks and pine cones mostly). The design is great too; I love Tunic dresses because they grow with your child- evolving from a dress to a long top as your little one grows. My daughter has been wearing this dress all winter with a long tee and leggings, but it will be adorable on its own in the summer.

Maman Bidule is the creative venture of Valerie, an incredibly talented designer and mom. Her facebook page is great and I am always looking forward to pictures of her latest fun eco-fashions. She is amazing to work with too, and just about the sweetest person. I complete recommend checking out her facebook page if you are looking for clothing guaranteed to be one of a kind and fabulous!

Maman Bidule has just started offering all natural play dough and it looks wonderful. This non-toxic and gluten free play dough is hand-made and available on her facebook page. It comes is yummy scents too: lavender, chocolate, orange and peppermint. Maman Bidule even makes the colors herself and each order comes in an eco-friendly glass vase.

Shop: Maman Bidule items can be purchased on her Facebook Page, which is such a fun way to shop. She posts pictures, and if you see something you like you just comment and she will get back to you. You can also comment on her wall, send her a message through her contact tab, or purhase items listed on her Shop Tab.  Maman Bidule is constantly adding new items to her page and she takes custom orders!

The Giveaway: Maman Bidule has offered to give one of my readers one of her lovely eco-couture creations: a fleece jacket (size 3/4). It features a blackbird applique on the back and the collar can be worn up or folded down. Wouldn't it be perfect for spring!

To Enter: Please Like Maman Bidule on facebook and comment below with your facebook name. (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 follower of Maman Bidule's Blog and comment
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a Unique Eco-friendly Girls Jacket from Maman Bidule http://bit.ly/gKm550 @mamareviews #giveaway #win" (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 February 10th 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.

Kristin Noel Handmade Jewelry Designs {Review and Giveaway}

If you love shopping for jewelry on Esty as much as me, you have to have a look at one of my new favorite shops. Kristin Noel Designs is a fabulous shop full of stylish and unique pieces hand-made in her home workshop. She uses recycled/reclaimed metals and high quality gemstones to create jewelry that is both beautiful and eco-friendly.

Kristin Noel Designs sent me lovely pair of hand hammered shell pearl earrings in green for review. These original designs are lemon shaped and feature an opaque pearl shaped shell bead. I think they are really classic and romantic, while also being hip and unique. They are so versatile too and look great for day-wear or a date-night out. I have been wearing mine since they arrived, and have been getting lots of compliments on them.

Kristin Noel's Hand Hammered Gold Filled Green Pearl Earrings are quality made and well designed. The gold wire is bent to a unique shape that holds the pearl afloat and gives the illusion of a hoop when worn. I love this design and have found the shape to be much more comfortable and easy to put in than a hoop. I tried the small size, but the Shell pearl earrings come in a variety of colors and sizes, I especially love the copper. Wouldn't they be so perfect for a bridal party? (especially with all of the color choices).

Shop: Buy the lovely pearl earrings above and an ever growing selection of quality hand-made jewelry online at Kristin Noel Designs on Etsy. Want a different color or size? Kristin Noel does custom work too, just convo her on Esty.

The Giveaway: Kristin Noel Designs has generously offered to give one of my readers a pair of Hand Hammered Gold Filled Pearl Earrings, just like the ones reviewed above.

To Enter: Please visit Kristin Noel Designs on Etsy and comment below with your favorite item. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)

Additional Entries:

~Add Kristin Noel Designs as a favorite on Etsy and comment below with your Etsy name

~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a pair of Pearl Shell Gold Earrings from Kristin Noel Designs http://bit.ly/i1RBqO @mamareviews  #giveaway #etsy" (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 February 8th 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.

Upper Canada Soap Winner

Congratulations to the winner of the Upper Canada Eva and Ella Gift Pack: missbobloblaw (comment #564). You will love this stuff! I will be in touch soon.

Thanks to Upper Canada Soap for sponsoring this giveaway and to everyone who entered.

Tassimo T45 Home Brewing System Review

As a busy mom who loves her coffee, I have been really enjoying my Tassimo T45 Home Brewing System. This single cup coffee maker uses the latest bar-code technology to produce a perfectly delicious cup of coffee (or tea) every time. The Tassimo System reads each disk individually and adjusts temperature, water volume, and brew time to product a perfect cup of coffee, tea, latte or cappuccino.

What I loved:
I found the Tassimo T45 Home Brewing System to be fast, easy, and convenient. It took me a bit of manual reading to get the Tassimo started, but after the first cup I felt like a Tassimo-pro. I love that even my blurry-eyed morning self can make a perfect cup in seconds (no measuring, pouring, or rinsing involved). The Tassimo consists of a tank in the back that is filled every couple of days, so all you need to do is pop in a disk and push a button to get a great cup of coffee or tea.

Our water quality isn't great, so I also love that the Tassimo T45 has an advanced Mavea® MAXTRA water filtration system on the back. The beverages that I make with my Tassimo feature clean filtered water, which makes for a healthier and tastier drink.

I tried two Tassimo beverages:  NABOB Espresso and STARBUCKS House Blend. The NABOB Espresso was my favorite- it consisted of a T disk of dark rich espresso and a T disk of concentrated milk. It was really delicious and for me comparable to a coffee house cappuccino. Its also really easy to make, simply load in the disks one at a time and push a button. The STARBUCKS House Blend was also great, and tasted similar to home brewed Starbucks that we often make.

What I didn't love:

As someone who tries to be green and reduce my footprint on the earth, I did not like that the Tassimo is not very eco-friendly. Although the outer plastic and cardboard inner dispenser portions of the cartridges are recyclable, it is a complete pain to separate these parts. You need to pry off the cover, peal away every scrap of foil, and rinse out the grounds. It took me 5 minutes per cartridge (cup) which, as a busy mom,  just isn't going to happen. So into the trash they go. Between me and my husband we drink 6 cups a day which means a lot more trash.

The other thing that makes me think twice about the Tassimo, is that the disks are pricey.  I'm a frugal shopper, and if I used Tassimo for my morning coffee it would cost me considerably more than buying a bag of coffee. The Starbucks T-disks retail for 10.99 CAD for a 12 pack, while if I use my standard coffee pot I can make at least 12 pots for the same price. For me the price isn't worth the convenience. For the Latte and other specialty coffees however, the Tassimo is quiet economical. A trip to my favorite coffee shop would set me back at least $5 for a latte- while I can make my own for less than $1 (7.49 for 8 small Nabob cappuccino).

More features of the Tassimo T45 Home Brewing System:
•Available in Glamour Red and Silk Silver
•Removable 1.8 litre water tank
•Innovative lift cup stand
•Noise reduction system
•Immediately ready to brew drinks
•No taste transfer between drinks
•Low energy consumption
•Fully automatic one-button operation
•Automatic cleaning and descaling program

Where to buy: The Tassimo T45 Home Brewing System can be purchased at these select retailers. Tassimo beverages can be purchased online through Tassimo.ca and at these retailers.

Lavena Naturals Winner

Congratulations jdjmcc comment #130 you have won the Lavena Naturals Giveaway. I hope you enjoy Lavena Naturals as much as I do, their clothing is so nice. I will e-mail you soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Levana Naturals for this great giveaway. 

Dyson Groom Review

My favorite household appliance (hand down) is my  Dyson (DC 25 Animal) Vacuum, so when I heard that Dyson had come out with a dog grooming tool I knew I had to try one. We have two dogs at home, which can mean lots of dog hair and dander (yuck). The Dyson Groom is a grooming attachment that fits on the end of your Dyson Vacuum and sucks aways loose hair and dander before it gets shed all over your home. Its a great mess free solution to dog grooming and is especially great for families with allergies.

The Dyson Groom removes loose hair and dander mess free and easily. It took me about two minutes to get acquainted with the Groom and start using it. It features slicker style bristles (which are the best at removing loose hair) and is designed for medium to long haired dogs. As mentioned, the Dyson Groom is also completely mess free.  It has a self cleaning cover that allows you to have a clean brush by simply releasing the groom button. Check out the great video's on the Dyson site to see the Dyson Groom in action.

We have been using our Dyson Groom often on both of our dogs and have found it be easy and effective.   Although my dogs were nervous of the vacuum sound and feel at first, after a bit of practice they are starting to enjoy it. The brush works especially great for sucking away their loose winter undercoats, which end up all over our house and clothes. When I brush them with a traditional brush, I always notice a lot of hair flying into the air and around the house. The Dyson Groom has powerful suction, so all of the pet hair and dander is sucked away and trapped in the Dyson's canister.

Another thing I really like about the Dyson Groom is that is sucks dust and dirt out my dogs coats as it grooms. My big fluffy dog (Lucy) loves to roll in the garden beds and then come in the house and deposit dust everywhere. I can often find a layer of fine dust on and next to her bed. The Dyson Groom sucks away all that dust, making our home noticeably less dusty and dirty.  

I completely recommend the Dyson Groom for anyone who wants to reduce the amount of dog hair and dander around their home. Although the price is considerably more than the brushes we usually purchase, if you are really bothered by dog hair or have allergies,  the extra cost is definitely worth it. I also really love how mess free the Dyson Groom is and how much of a time saver it is.

Buy It: The Dyson Groom comes with a 1 year warranty and can be bought from DysonCanada.ca for 83.99 CAD.

Green Works Giveaway

I have reviewed several Green Works Natural Cleaning Products, and they always work wonderfully while being safe to use in my home. Now many Green Works products have earned the National Products Association (NPA) certification, which recognizes them for their using natural, safe, responsible, and sustainable ingredients. To celebrate this achievement, Green Works Canada has offered to give one of my readers two of their most popular products: Green Works Naturally Derived All Purpose Cleaner and Green Works Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid.

I use several Green Works products regularly in my home. They are easy to find, reasonably priced, and I love that they are made with plant based biodegradable ingredients (derived from corn, coconut, and other renewable resources). Two of my favorite (previously reviewed) Green Works Products are their Green Works Naturally Derived All Purpose Cleaner and Green Works Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid. Now both of these products have been certified by NPA; which means they contain at least 95% natural ingredients and they only contain ingredients that are safe, responsible, and sustainable.

Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid: New-improved Green Works Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid works great. Its dermatologist-tested and is really gentle on my hands (which are sensitive). It smells so fresh and cleans my dishes beautifully without leaving any nasty chemicals behind. I'm really impressed at how well its cuts grease and washes away even the toughest grime. I also love that it is dermatologically tested and cruelty free.

Green Works Naturally Derived All-Purpose Cleaner:  With all the cleaning I do as a mom, using an all-purpose cleaner is a huge time saver. I have mostly been using this cleaner for my bathroom and kitchen, but it also works great for cleaning the highchair, floors, and walls. I also used it recently to do a thorough cleaning of my oven and range and I was happily surprised how well it took off burnt on grime and grease. Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner is so convenient and has amazing cleaning power without harsh chemicals.

Buy: Green Works cleaning products can be found in most drug, grocery,  and departments stores across the US and Canada. For a store locator and online directory check out the Where to buy page.

The Giveaway: To Celebrate their new NPA certification Green Works is generously giving one of you a bottle of Naturally Derived Dishwashing Liquid and a bottle of All-Purpose Cleaner.

To Enter: Please visit Green Works and then comment below with something else that you 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 Green Works on facebook and comment
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow GreenWorks on Twitter an comment
~Follow Natural Mama on Twitter and tweet " Win Green Works Natural Cleaners http://bit.ly/h0tz3d  @mamareviews @greenworks #giveaway #win " (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 February 2nd 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.

Bugalug Acesssories Review and Giveaway

I used to buy all of my hair accessories at the dollar store (cute things for a $1- yes please). But as my awareness of toxins and the dangers of 'made in China' has grown, I have become much more selective about what I buy for my girls. In my search for Canadian made non-toxic hair accessories I came across Bugalug. This fabulous Canadian business offers the most darling hand-made accessories for little girls and boys. Everything is quality made and they are always coming up with new and innovative products.  Best of all, unlike most hair accessories you will find on store shelves, Bugalug accessories are non-toxic and lead free.

Bugalug sent me a set of adorable and well designed Pretty In Pink Widestripe non-slip clips. These sweet ribbon covered, (clip style) barrettes are so sparkly and cute. They feature silicon gel non-slip grip on the inside of the barrette, allowing them to stay put all day. My daughter has fine hair, and I was really impressed that the clips didn't move an inch. They are also really comfortable and are one of the only barrettes that my daughter will actually leave in her hair.

We also had the chance to try the Oh So Cute! Pony Loops (3 Pack), and we completely love them too. These fun hair accessories feature an ouchless elastic topped with a unique button. I love putting pony-tails and pig-tails in my little ones hair and these Pony Loops work great. They are easy to use, comfortable, and completely adorable. Like all Bugalug products, they are hand-made beautifully and no two buttons are the same.

Bugalug has grown leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings in craft fairs in Alberta, but their dedication to quality and safety remains the same. As mentioned each item is non-toxic and hand-made by Canadian Parents and Grandparents in their homes. Although I reviewed their hair accessories, Bugalug also has a fun selection of other unique accessories and necessities for little ones including;  wrist cuffs, cinch belts, soother savers, and cinch clips.

Shop: Bugalug has a fabulous collection of hip and unique accessories for boys and girls. Their selection is huge, with nearly 100 styles of ribbon barrettes alone. The non-slip clips reviewed above retail for $4 for a 2 pack and the Pony Loops are $10 for a three pack. Both can be found online at BugalugBaby.com. Become a VIP and save 15% on all purchases, learn how here.

The Giveaway: Bugalug has generously offered to give away one of their new revers able Caution Cinch Belts (these are so clever).

To Enter: Please visit Bugalug and comment below with your favorite item. (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 Bugalug on facebook and comment
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Subscribe to Bugalug's newsletter and comment
~Follow Bugalug on Twitter and comment
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a Kids Cinch Belt from @bugalug http://bit.ly/idQchs @mamareviews #giveaway #win" (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

This Giveaway ends on January 31st 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.

Swaddle Blanket from Masala Baby {Review and Giveaway}

Masala Baby has created a bright and stylish line of muslin swaddle blankets that are a perfect blend of function and design. I really love the modern bold prints inspired by India and the lovely spicy colors. Masala Blankies are also a "must have"  baby essential and are wonderfully designed for swaddling. They are made with soft and light french voile muslin fabric that feels soft next to babies skin and allows them to feel secure without getting overheated. Keep reading to learn more and for your chance to win a Masala Blankie for the wee one in your life.

One of my favorite shower gifts to give to new parents are Muslin Swaddle Blankets. They are a complete essential for a happy baby for so many reasons. Swaddling new babies gives them the security they knew while inside moms womb, allowing them to gently adjust to life on the outside. It helps little ones sleep better and has also been shown to prevent SIDS, colic, and fussiness. Masala Blankies are perfect for swaddling, made from light woven muslin and cut large which allows for a good swaddle. They work great as a sun shade and nursing cover as well. I also love that Masala Blankies are made with azo free dyes.

We tried the gorgeous Mira Medallion Masala Blankie and it is amazing. It is so cozy and soft and my little one loves to wrap herself in it. Although she is too old to swaddle, we still use the versatile Masala Blankie often. It works great as a blanket, a lovey,  a pretty cover while she is in the baby carrier, and as a sun shade in the car or stroller. The print is so pretty and bright, and I love that this Blanket can be used as a beach wrap once the weather turns warm. Our Masala Blankie is also very well made and gets softer and more beautiful with each wash. I completely recommend Masala Blankies for any new parents looking for quality swaddle blankets that are also pretty and hip.

Besides making lovely muslin blankets, Masala Baby also offers a bright and stylish line of clothing for little ones from 6 months to 8 years. This mom owned business was created in 2009 with the goal of creating modern, stylish, unique, and wearable clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers. All fabrics are sourced from India where they are crafted by local artisans using traditional hand-looms, block prints, and hand finishing techniques. This allows Masala Baby to create pieces full of individuality and spirit. I am especially taken with the beautiful dresses from Masala Baby, so bright, unique, and fun.

Shop: The beautifully made Masala Blankies reviewed above are available in 4 designs (malibu paisley, blue elephant, mumbai ikat and mira medallion) and can be bought online directly from Masala Baby. They retail for $22 US.

The Giveaway: Masala Baby has generously offered to give one of my readers their choice of Muslin Masala Blankies (either Blue Elephant or Mira Medallion).

To Enter: Please Like Masala Baby on Facebook and let me know in a comment below. (this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)

Additional Entries:
~Subscribe to Masala Baby by e-mail at bottom of page (two entries, leave two comments)
~Follow my blog (two entries, leave two comments)
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow Masala Baby on Twitter and comment
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a Muslin Swaddle Blanket from Masala Baby http://bit.ly/g4ZTrb  @mamareviews @masalababynyc #giveaway #win" (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 January 29th 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. 

PINK Espresso Jewelry Winner

I'm super excited to announce the winner of the lovely jewelry gift pack from PINK Espresso. Congratulations to Soozle (comment #384). I hope you love your PINK Espresso jewelry as much as I do and I will be in touch soon.

Thanks so much to PINK Espresso for sponsoring this fabulous giveaway and to everyone who entered.

My Mama's Love Skincare {Review and Giveaway}

I am always looking for the most natural and effective Skin Care products for my family and I am truly impressed with my latest find: My Mama's Love. Each product is hand-made in the US and is completely organic and chemical free. My Mama's Love products contain only the most pure and natural ingredients and are amazingly effective for healing and relieving a variety of skin conditions. My Mama's Love products are ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities and are free of parabens, fragrance, yeast, gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and eggs.

I was sent the wonderful Baby Gift Set from My Mama's Love and I have really enjoyed trying everything out. The Kit contains three of their best selling items; Burn Out, Complete Skin Ailment Curative, and Lullaby Love. It would make a thoughtful and useful shower gift for new parents and is also just a great kit to buy for stocking your own medicine cabinet with natural essentials. I was also sent a jar of the popular natural decongestant rub Mama Nose Best.

Complete Skin Ailment Curative: This versatile balm is definitely a must have in any natural mama's home. I have been using it daily to help clear up a variety of skin issues on all three of my girls and it works great. I especially love the amazing results I have seen with my youngest's diaper rash. She has sensitive skin and always has a diaper rash, but after only a day of using My Mama's Love Complete Skin Ailment Curative the redness and pain disappeared. I have also been using it on rashes and eczema on myself and my older girls and I am really happy with the results. Its a completely hypoallergenic and gentle (with organic licorice and myrrh) way to relieve diaper rash, nipple thrush, bug bites, eczema, cradle cap and so much more. Check out all of the great testimonials of this product on My Mama's Love.com and on her facebook reviews. This skin balm has a huge following and I can see why.

Lullaby Love: I have really been enjoying My Mama's Love Relaxing Massage Ointment- Lullaby Love. It smells so good (like coconut and lavender) and is a wonderfully natural massage ointment for babies, kids, or adults. The relaxing lavender combined with gentle massage is a great way to calm and sooth- and the organic virgin coconut oil makes skin soft and healthy. It is very gentle and is especially perfect for infant massage. I have been using it on my toddler to help her relax before bedtime and it works great to naturally calm and sooth her.

Burn Out :This ointment contains lavender and eucalyptus to naturally sooth and help heal minor burns. I love this product and keep mine in the kitchen, where it can quickly be grabbed for my little cooking mishaps. It melts upon contact with skin and has a cooling effect that quickly relieves burn pain. Its a great addition to any first aid kit and is also very effective for healing and soothing sunburns.

Tis the season for coughs and colds, so I am also so thankful that My Mama's Love also sent me a jar of Mama Nose Best. Referred to by My Mama's Love as the "Vicks without the icks" (so cute) this balm is a great natural alternative to vapor rub. It doesn't contain any of scary ingredients found in traditional petroleum based decongestants, and it works even better. This all natural decongestant uses the power of natural essential oils of lavender, wintergreen, peppermint, and eucalyptus. I have been rubbing it on my little ones chest and neck all week to help with her night time stuffy nose and cough and it has been working amazingly well. Last night she jumped into bed with it in hand- asking mom to help fix her stuffy nose. It also works great for my indoor allergies!

As you can probably tell from my review I am really amazed by My Mama's Love. It is such a great company with so much integrity and heart. Like all of the best companies, it was born out necessity. This mom owned business started when Leslie became frustrated by the lack of truly natural products to heal her daughters persistent skin problems. She got to work and created her own recipes based on effective and completely gentle ingredients. She has since been growing her product line, while keeping her commitment to provide affordable, clean, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and completely chemical free products. I wholeheartedly recommend this company and I know I will be buying these products for years to come.

Shop: A comprehensive line of natural skin care for pretty much all that ails you can be found online at MyMama'sLove.com or at these Washington State retailers. The must-have Baby Gift Set reviewed above can be purchased in three different sizes, with prices starting at just 13.95 for all three products. The super-effective decongestant; Mama Nose Best comes in child and adult strength and retails for $10 for a large jar.

The Giveaway: My Mama`s Love has generously offered to give one of my readers a Baby Gift Set which includes- Burn Out, Complete Skin Ailment Curative, and Lullaby Love.

To Enter: Please visit My Mama's Love and comment below with another product (not mentioned here) that you would like to try.(this first entry is mandatory and must be completed before addition entries will count)

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This Giveaway ends on January 26th 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.