Strawesome Winner

Congratulations to Lisa (comment #23) you have won a fabulous glass straw from Strawesome. Please contact me so I can arrange shipping (your profile is set to private).

Thanks to all who entered and to Strawesome for sponsoring this giveaway.

Up Up and Away...

We fly off for a family vacation tomorrow ~ right across Canada. I'm so excited!!
I will be mostly absent from the blog for the next week, but will be back in early June. Have a lovely week everyone and wish me luck on plane travels with three kids :)

btw- I have developed a major fear of flying in recent years....oye!

Runners Bike Winner

Congratulations to Chels (comment #444) you have won the super cool wooden Runners Bike. I know you will love it!! I will be in touch soon.

Thanks so much to Runners Bike for sponsoring this giveaway and to everyone who entered.

Getting Ready for Summer with Essential Swimwear {Review and Giveaway}

It can be hard finding a swimsuit that fits and flatters my feminine form. (Is it just me or are almost all swimsuits made for 12 year olds?) Well last year I discovered Essential Swimwear and found that they carry the cutest, figure flattering swimsuits. So when I was searching for a new suit, I knew just where to look. Essential Swimwear offers reasonably priced high quality swimwear, made for real women.

As mentioned, I reviewed Essential Swimwear last spring and loved the suit I tried (and still wear it all the time). However, this year they have made some changes and I was eager to try one of their new and improved 2011 bathing suites. So whats new? Each top now has a more supportive top and the option of adding cup inserts, front twist tops have versatile new straps, halter tops have an additional strap, and they have designed a new high waste swim bottom. Essential Swimwear has also expanded their sizing,  now offering sizes X-Small to XX-Large. Keep reading to learn my thoughts on my new 2011 Essential Swimwear suit and to enter to win a fab new swimsuit for yourself.

I am crazy about Navy these days, so chose to review the new Navy Twist Front Top from Essential Swimwear. This ultra flattering swimsuit top features a stylish twist design and beautiful side ruching. The straps are the new halter style that can be worn several ways- giving you different levels of support and different looks. I am really love the new strap design- I have a long torso and a big chest, so I love that I can adjust the straps for added support and the perfect fit.  I have been wearing my straps criss-crossed at the back and they look pretty and are super comfortable. The new supportive top (with built in seamless cups and side boning) is also great. It gives a lot of support to my chest and keeps "The Girls" in place and looking good. This suit is very well designed and I cant wait to confidently wear it to the beach this summer.

I also tried the fun Periwinkle Striped High Waist Bottoms from Essential Swimwear. These bottoms flatter every body type and would also work great as maternity swim bottoms. The top can be worn up for added tummy control, or folded down for a hipster bottom look. I have been wearing my folded down, and have found the fold hides my lower tummy pudge perfectly while looking cute and stylish. These bottoms are truly flattering, hug my curves, and don't ride up (which I LOVE).

If you are looking for a new bathing suit that will flatter and fit,  no matter what your shape, I definitely recommend Essential Swimwear.

Shop:  Essential Swimwear swimsuits and accessories can be found online at Essential Swimwear.com. The Navy Twist Front Top retails for $34.99 and the Periwinkle Striped High Waist Bottoms retail for $18.99. Essential Swimwear has offered my readers a 10% discount - yay! Just enter the code NATURALMAMA10 at checkout.

The Giveaway: Essential Swimwear has generously offered to give one of my readers a fabulous swimsuit- winners choice!

To Enter: Please sign up for Essential Swimwear’s newsletter (Link here at the right) and then leave 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)
~Like Essential Swimwear on facebook and comment
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow Essential Swimwear on twitter and comment
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a fabulous new SwimSuit http://bit.ly/iT7MSY @mamareviews @essentialswim #giveaway #win" (daily tweet) leave a link
~Subscribe to my blog on left and comment
~Follow the Essential Swimwear Blog 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 June 7th at 9 pm. 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 WORLDWIDE.

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

Win An Outdoor Classroom for Your School

Kids learn so much from nature and just spending time exploring the outdoors. I know my girls could play in the woods all day happily. So when I heard about this Canadian contest I had to share. 

Majesta has just launched its Trees of Knowledge program - A nation-wide contest that gives the opportunity for Canadian schools to win an outdoor classroom valued at 20,000. You get to design a natural outdoor learning area and they will fund it! So if you are a parent or teacher who are interested check out the link below to learn more and apply.

Applications are HERE.

For a chance to win a Trees of Knowledge outdoor classroom, schools must submit:

· A completed application form, available to download at: www.majestatreesofknowledge.ca/apply

· A 500 word essay on why their school is the most worthy candidate for an outdoor classroom

· One to five photos of the school grounds, including the proposed site of the outdoor classroom

· A landscape-site plan

· A letter of commitment for the outdoor classroom project from the School Board

contest ends Aug, 11, 2011

I was not compensated for this post- just thought it was awesome and wanted to share :)

MPG Sport Clothing Winner

The MPG Giveaway has come to an end and a winner has been drawn. Congratulations to Pauline Milner (comment 196) you have won your choice of clothing from MPG's new Spring/summer line. I will be in touch soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to MPG for sponsoring this fab giveaway.

Silver Bobbin Litter-Less Lunch Winner

Congratulations to ktgonyea (comment #97) you have won a 2 bag set of re-usable bags from The Silver Bobbin (your choice of fabulous patterns). I will be in touch soon.

Special thanks to The Silver Bobbin for sponsoring this giveaway and all the great readers who entered.

Strawesome (Glass Straws) Review and Giveaway

I love discovering new ways to avoid plastic, and am very pleased with my latest non-plastic find- Glass Straws from Strawesome. This amazing family owned company makes beautiful, durable, and completely safe glass straws. Strawesome straws are made in the US out of super strong,  non-porous, hypoallergenic, and completely BPA free glass.  Best of all, Strawesome straws are so fun and creatively designed that your kids will love to use them!

At first I was a little concerned about glass straws- 'wont they break' I wondered? Then I found out that Strawesome uses borosilicate glass- the strongest glass available. Its the same glass used for Pyrex cups and on space shuttles. This glass is so strong that Strawesome actually offers a lifetime anti-breakage guarantee - so cool! My very active two year old has also been hauling our straw everywhere and it hasn't shown any signs of breaking, so my initial concerns have completely vanished.

We tried the beautifully decorated and perfectly fat Extra Long Bent Smoothie Straw. Its smoothie season at our house, and our Strawesome Smoothie straw works fabulous for even the thickest smoothies or shakes. We haven't been using straws for sometime, so my girls were so happy to have a perfect smoothie straw. It works great and is so pretty too (with handmade unique glass work). I also LOVE that Strawesome Straws are easy to wash and dishwasher safe. I completely recommend them and plan to stock up on enough straws for all the kids right away.

The two reasons I am switching to glass straws:  1. Safety: Plastic straws are made from cheap plastic, that can contain BPA or other toxins. This is especially concerning because my kids not only drink from straws, but also suck and chew on them. 2. Eco-friendly:  Plastic straws don't decompose, and add to the plastic filling up our landfills and polluting our planet. Glass straws, on the other hand,  are made from natural compounds, are recyclable, and will last for years and years.

Shop: Strawesome offers a wonderful range of sizes and designs, so you can order glass straws for all your drinking needs. I especially love the kid straws and smoothie straws. Strawesome Straws can be bought online from Strawesome.com and at these retailers.

The Giveaway: Strawesome has generously offered to give one of my readers a decorative Artist’s Choice straw.

To Enter: Please visit Strawesome and then comment below with your favorite straw. (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 Srawesome on facebook and comment
~Like Natural Mama Reviews on facebook and comment
~Follow Strawesome on twitter
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a Glass Straw from Strawesome http://bit.ly/ifw01t @mamareviews @BeStrawesome #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 May 27th at 9 pm. 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 Us and Canada Only.

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

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to my mom, the other amazing moms who have mothered me over the years, and to all my mama readers. I hope everyone has a wonderful day filled with love!

My mom and her big sister



Klara Coco Winner

Congratulations to Debbie (comment #53) you have won some lovely natural bath products from Klara Coco. I hope you love them as much as I do. I will be in touch soon.

Thanks to everyone who entered and to Klara Coco for sponsoring this giveaway.

New Runners Police Bike - Balance Bike {Review and Giveaway}

The weather is warming up and its time to take the kids outside for some fresh air and exercise. My favorite outdoor toy (and my daughter's) is our wooden Runners Balance Bike. We reviewed one of these quality made Canadian Bikes last year and were thrilled when we heard that Runners Bike was coming out with a new Police Bike. The Police Bike features a new deign and super fun police graphics. Keep Reading to learn more and to enter to win one of these fabulous bikes for your little police man or woman.

Runners Bikes Balance Bikes are wonderfully designed, kid powered, and eco-friendly. They feature a perfectly simple and fun design that allows kids to run and glide on their bike without the hassle of pedals. I especially love that Runners Bikes are beautifully made with a solid birch wood frame that is strong yet lightweight. Wooden toys are my favorite to buy- they are non-toxic, beautiful, and a much appreciated departure from all the plastic toddler toys out there. Runners Balance Bikes also feature soft padded adjustable seats, inflatable rubber tires,  and a completely adorable bell.

Balance Bikes are a wonderful way to teach 2-5 year olds the skills and balance they need to be skilled bike riders from a surprisingly early age. My (almost) three year old was able to learn how to balance and glide on her Runners Balance Bike after only a few minutes of practice. They are much easier to learn than traditional bikes and are the perfect size for little riders. Runners Bikes also build your children's biking skills, making the transition to a pedal bike easy and stress-free.

Runners Wooden Balance Bikes are safe too, which is great for moms (like me) who worry. They are compact, light, and low to the ground. This design makes them easy to handle and much less likely to cause falling than a traditional bike. They also are thoughtfully made with no sharp parts or spokes/chains that can pinch little hands and feet. Runners Bikes also have a unique front steering column that doesn't allow riders to make sharp turns (the most common reason for bike accidents). Once my little one is wearing a helmet- I know I can let her run and glide all day on her Runners Balance Bike worry-free.

My daughter completely loves her new Runners Police Bike and asks to ride it daily. I really enjoy watching her experience the joys of riding around on her bike and she is so proud that she was able to learn on her own at her own pace. As a frugal mom, I also really appreciate that this bike is so versatile. The rugged rubber tires glide easily over all terrains- from grass, to gravel, to pavement. The bike is also small enough for indoor riding, which is great in the cooler months. Runners Bikes are a toy that pretty much every kid will love and get a ton of use out of- I completely recommend them.

New Runners Baby Walker: Now your little ones wont be left out when it comes to quality wooden toys. Runners now offers Wooden Baby Walkers for children under three. They are a safe and sturdy toy that your pre-walker or early walker will love. The Runners Baby Walkers are a great way to help your baby develop their balance, promote gross motor skills, and help them become skilled walkers. The toy basin and clean simple lines make this toy a huge hit with babies and parents alike.

Runners Bike is owned and operated by a wonderful Canadian Family and is based in Alberta. They were inspired by their own active kids to create wooden toys that are well designed, built strong, and completely fun. Watch the great video below to see  their boys in action:

 Shop: Runners Bike Wooden balance Bikes can be found online at Runners-Bike.com. They are very reasonably priced - the Police Bike retails for $119 CAD - and comes with a 1 year warranty.

The Giveaway: Runners Bike has generously offered to give a Police Bike Wooden Balance Bike to one of my readers (yippee!!).

To Enter: Please visit Runners Bike and comment below with something that you liked or learned from their site.(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 Runners Bike on twitter
~Follow me on Twitter and tweet " Win a Runners Wooden Balance Bike http://bit.ly/iJxmrE @mamareviews #giveaway #win #bikes" (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 22nd at 9 pm. 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 Us and Canada Only.

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