Little BGCG and His Mama Review IT!

Scents From Nature

Nov 122011

I’m a scent girl, I always have been and I always will be, there is nothing I love more than walking into a house that smells delicious. I’m constantly burning candles, oils or Scentsy. Scents have this way of bringing you back to a different time and place. I think the best smells in the world are smells that are organic, the way your parents house smells, the scent of your newborn, the way it smells when the seasons are changing. Just the other day I stepped outside and the first thing I said was “it smells like winter”. B stepped outside and said the same exact thing.

I’ve always enjoyed scents from nature like fruits (Cucumber Melon has always been one of my favorites)!

Cucumber Melon reminds me of when I was younger and my Dad’s cousin used to babysit me, her daughters used to wear this scent and then wanting to be like my big cousin I started wearing it. It always brings me back to the days of running around with all the other kids and following my older cousins around which I’m sure they loved

Another scent I love is lemon! I wasn’t always in love with the way lemons smelled, but now I totally am!

It all started I believe when I got pregnant with Mason, for whatever reason, I was obsessed with all things LEMON!! I LOVED using it in my foods to cook with it and I love lemon scented things like candles and cleaning supplies! I don’t know if it’s because I’m still nursing or what but I never got over my lemon kick. I love pouring lemon juice and lemon pepper seasoning over my vegetables and pastas with lemon, garlic and wine sauces. To me lemons just signifies everything fresh and clean, not to mention it’s GOOD for you!

Another scent that I love and that can be found in nature is the smell of Gardenias!

Gardenias are pretty much the only flower scent that I really really enjoy. For the most part the scent of flowers reminds me of funerals, I know that’s awful but that’s what I think of! Gardenias on the other hand smell sweet and remind me of the country side.

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

My Baby Clothes Review & Giveaway

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Nov 062011

Recently I was able to review a super cute outfit from My Baby Clothes.com I <3 shopping for baby clothes , even more so than shopping for clothes for myself, I think the fact that they’re miniature sized makes it extra cute! I could literally spend hours browsing all the cute clothes that they carry, it left me aching for a little girl with all the cute tutus and baby headbands they carry! Unfortunately for me, I only have a little boy (for now) so instead I had to search for something really cute for boys and at My Baby Clothes I wasn’t disappointed at all! When I ordered the outfit I went with something fairly seasonal, a really cute pumpkin overall by Mudpie

How stinking cute is that?! I was so excited to get it for Mason, unfortunately it was too tight for him on the leg which is why I’m only using a stock photo which is super cute, I love baby hats that match outfits perfectly! It next time around I know that if I’m ordering over alls like this I’m going to have to go a size up to accommodate for moving around! See the buttons snapped but as soon as he bent down they all popped open!

I’m really loving their collection of Holiday outfits for boys!

Especially the Mud Pie outfits!!

Ready to win a gift card to My Baby Clothes? Enter below and remember Tweets MUST BE one hour a part! Continue reading »

Winners

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Nov 062011

Green Babies Entry #9 Amanda A

Enough Time Moms Planner Entry #21 Lori T

Mamarazzi, Plate to Pixel and Mom Blogging for Dummies Entry #311 Jamie

Winnie The Pooh DVD Entry #29 Kimberly S.

I know everyone was super excited about the Book giveaway, I was I could have picked you all as winners! They are amazing books so if you’re still looking to get them, I would, totally worth it!

Finding the Perfect Backdrop for Your Holiday Photos

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Nov 062011

There are so many choices out there when it comes to deciding on what holiday cards you want to get but for me that isn’t even the hardest part of ordering my christmas cards. For me the hardest part is deciding what I want to put Mason in and where I want to take the picture! Last year I got the cutest little out from Etsy so that part was fairly easy but deciding where I wanted to take the picture was a little harder.

Quite frankly we didn’t have the funds to go get our photos done professionally at a studio so it was going to be just me and my Point and Shoot. I was okay with that as long as I could find a good spot to take it. I kept thinking about all the places I could go around town but nothing seemed “just right” and then I looked in my back year, B had been collecting fire wood all season long and it was split and lined up next to our shed. The stump he used to split wood was also back there. A light bulb went off in my head and I knew that’s where the picture needed to be taken:

So many people asked me where my pictures were taken because they loved my back drop, when I explained it was my back yard they were amazed. Sometimes the best place to take pictures can literally be right in your back yard but just in case that isn’t the case for you check out the Shutterfly Family Photo Days website, it gives inspiration on how you can take the perfect picture! Here are some quick ideas to grab inspiration for where you’re going to take your next photo:

1. Right in your own back yard

2. Drive around downtown and explore roads you’ve never been down or haven’t been down in a while, you’ll never know what you’ll find

3. Visit local parks especially ones you haven’t been to in a while, they may have done updates while you’ve been away!

4. Your local Mall probably does a holiday display find a good area on a non busy day and snap pictures there!

5. Your own house, in front of the Christmas Tree, or baking holiday cookies!

Winnie The Pooh Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack (SHORT GIVEAWAY) Ends 10/29

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Oct 252011

I love these little widgets, almost as much as I love Winnie The Pooh. The bear is quotable! I can’t wait to see the movie which is being released TODAY! While you’re kids are waiting for you to run to the store or and pick it up you can have them play along with this fun Winnie The Pooh Widget! You can also get the new Winnie the Pooh DVD on Amazon!

Who’s your favorite? I picked Piglet! So cute!

Count Down the Days ‘Til Christmas By Celebrating Advent

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Oct 202011

The Holidays are rapidly approaching and I know in my house we’ve been counting down to Halloween and after that we’ll be counting down to Thanksgiving and finally to Christmas! This year I have so many ideas about how we’re going to do our own special Advent Calenders.

I never really knew much about the origin of Advent Calendars until I read this guest post:

Advent, from the Latin word for “coming” is a time to celebrate the holiday season leading up to Christmas. Advent generally starts between November 27 and December 3 and continues until Christmas Eve.

Although the original intent of Advent is religious, it often is a way for children to count down the days until Santa Claus visits with his sack full of toys. There are several Advent traditions, including the Advent Candle, the Advent Wreath and the Advent Calendar, which give both adults and children the chance to think about both the religious meaning of the season which, in the Christian traditions, marks the birth of Jesus Christ, and also the secular celebration filled with caroling, wassailing, bringing in the Yule Log, and children’s barely-contained frenzy of anticipation over the arrival of Santa Claus.

The Advent Candle is marked with the days of December, from the first through the 25th and it is burned a little each day, down to the marking for the following day, until Christmas Eve.

The Advent Wreath is usually an evergreen wreath that is laid down on a table, and in the wreath are placed five candles, three purple, one rose and, in the center, a white one. The three purple ones are lit, one on each of the first three Sundays of Advent, and the rose candle will be lit on the Sunday before Christmas. The White candle, representing the light of Christ is lit on Christmas Day.

Certainly the most fun for the little ones is the Advent Calendar. There are different types of Advent Calendars, but the most common one is a large card with little doors that open. The card may be shaped like a regular greeting card, or sometimes like a church, or a stable, and behind each door there will be a picture of something like holly, jingle bells, Santa’s sleigh or scenes from the Nativity. Many calendars have a place to hide a little gift like a small toy or piece of chocolate. This countdown with its daily surprises increases the children’s excitement and anticipation of the 25th, and helps them get through the seemingly endless wait ‘til Christmas. Even grownups would look forward to a daily chocolate treat.

Another kind of Advent Calendar is made of cloth like felt, and instead of the little doors that open, there are pockets in which to hide the gifts and chocolates.

No matter what kind of Advent calendars one might choose, it will be a fun way of marking the days of the Christmas season and sharing the anticipation of the coming holiday.

Diaper Daisy Giveaway!

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Oct 092011

Diaper Daisy is re-opening and to kick it all off they’re hosting an awesome giveaway on EIGHT different blogs (INCLUDING THIS ONE!!!!)! Diaper Daisy carries everything from baby carriers, to cloth diapers to stuff for Mom! They also have a section for parents who are new to cloth! It gives a great break down of the ins and outs of cloth diapers and how much you can expect to save which is A LOT!

One of the other things I LOVE about Diaper Daisy is that they offer a Cloth Diaper Trial pack, you get to test out a variety of diapers for two weeks without any obligation, you can also do a custom diaper trail where you get three weeks and five different brands to try out! This is perfect for newbie cloth diapers and veterans!

Another thing I love? They carry cloth training pants! Sooner rather than later I’m going to have to stock up on them!

Head on over to Diaper Daisy and check out everything they have to offer!

Want even more chances to win? Visit any of these blogs and enter away!!

Monday – Pickles and Paisleys
Tuesday- One Smiley Monkey and Me as a Mommy
Wednesday- Mama B
Thursday- Baby Dickey
Friday- Mama Dweeb
Saturday- Little BGCG and Dibs!
Sunday- Goodbye Disposable, Hello Cloth

Holiday Planning Tips

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Oct 052011

First it’s Halloween, then Thanksgiving and then before you know it Christmas and then we start the whole year over again. It seems like every year goes by quicker and quicker! Last year I kept say “I’m going to plan for the Holidays earlier this year” and guess what? I didn’t!! This year I’ve been a lot better and here are some of the things that I’ve been doing!

1. Plan your Thanksgiving menu early, figure out everything you’re going to make and what you’re going to need in order to prepare it!

2. Once you menu is created figure out what you can make in advance and separate it into different days i.e. Pies 2 days before,

marinating the meat 2 days before, green bean casserole 1 day before etc. Then make sure you actually do it! You’ll thank yourself on Thanksgiving Day when all you have to do is pop things in the oven and wait for them to be done!

3. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving make sure you have all of your decorations put together, place cards (if you have them) etc and do all the decorations the night before, if you have a little one wait until they’re asleep!

4. My biggest mistake last year was when I waited until the very last minute to get Mason’s pictures done for our holiday cards! My main problem was that I was afraid he was going to grow to much if I did it too early! He did g row a lot but not enough to justify. October is the perfect time to take your pictures, the weather is great for doing out door shots!

5. Order your cards early! There are so many options out there and the only thing hard about finding your perfect card online is choosing between all the amazing ones out there! One option you have is Storkie Christmas Cards! I love this one for a New Years Card!

6. Make a list and check it twice! Figure out exactly who you need to get presents for and WHAT you want to get them, having a plan before you head out is best!

7. Start shopping early, I know some people start as early as July, I don’t think I could do that because I would end up giving the gift to whoever I got it for WAY before Christmas but if you can do it, more power to you! When I say early I mean October! Which means NOW! HURRRRRY!

8. Wrap as you go! There is nothing worse then spending Christmas Eve up to 6:00am wrapping presents, please tell me I’m not the only one who has ever done this!!

9. Make some home made emergency gifts! In mid-November spend a day making home made gifts, some ideas :Cake in a Jar, Body Wash, Homemade vanilla, body scrub etc. The possibilities are endless, store them in your closet and when someone drops off an unexpected gift or does something really nice you can give it to them.

10. I think the best Holiday tip I can give is to have fun, remember what the season is about, it sounds corny and little cliche but it’s true. I think too many times we forget why we’re celebrating!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the Storkie holiday blogging program. I received compensation for my participation. All opinions are 100% mine.

#MMSGetCorny–I FOUND THEM!!

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Oct 042011

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been semi patiently awaiting the arrival of M & M’s White Chocolate Candy Corn and I’ve finally found them at the Walmart in NY while visiting my parents! M and A were really excited we found them too! They even fought over who got to hold the bag LOL!

If you’re a fan of Candy Corn, M & M’s or White Chocolate I would suggest you head out and get some before they’re all gone! They were a little hard to find at first but they should be in stores everywhere now! This what you should be looking for!

I think the Candy Corn M & M guy is so stinking cute! The M & M’s are bigger than normal ones (think peanut M & M’s so be careful with the little one!)

The inside is just plain white (I’m not going to lie I expected to see candy corn in there LOL)

All in all I thought they were pretty good, and I’m not a huge Candy Corn fan so that’s saying a lot! I can’t wait to bake with them! I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to make yet but I’ve seen a lot of good recipes using them lately!

M & M’s White Chocolate Candy Corn is throwing a twitter party on October 27, 2011 at 9pm EST! Be sure to check it out, I’ll be there too!

Check out my ThisMoment for the full shopping experience!!

Enough Time Moms Mom Planner R & G

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Sep 282011

Okay so I have a confession to make, while I love all things digital I have this crazy obsession with planners and stationary. I double <3 it in ways you couldn’t even imagine. I have a BAZILLION notebooks that are half filled because I never got to finish writing in one before I found the next one that I thought I *must* have. I’m the same way with planners. I often by 2-3 a year because I’ll find one that fits my needs at the time and then a couple of months later I’ll realize it’s missing something so I get another one until I either love it or the year is up and I need a new one anyway.

I practically jumped through the screen at the chance to review the Enough Time Moms Mom Planner. It’s made of genuine leather. Comes in four different colors: Red, Grey, Pink and Plum and is so stinking soft I about cried when I touched. I told you I love planners.

Check out how pretty they are:

This is a smaller planner that fits easily in a medium sized purse. I love it because it has lots of storage! It also doubles as a wallet, there are places to store money, your credit cards and ID. It has a button snap closure. And it has a ruler style clip that you can move each day so you can easily find where you need to be, we had these in our planners when we were in school so I love that, super nostalgic and practical in my opinion! It also comes with a note pad for you guessed it, notes!

My only problem with the planner is that I write SO big so normally I don’t go for planners of this size. I tend to go a little bigger even though it takes up more space because it allows me to write more. I tend to doodle and love to write down, lists and ideas on the actual days. For me it’s a fun way to look back. When my Mother saw the planner she loved the size so it really just depends on your personal preference!

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