Everyday Baby Steps

Startrite Shoes for Kids

marybabysteps — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:20:38 -0800

I just learned about a great company that sells shoes for kids, and it's called Startrite Shoes. Isn't that a great name? I think it really is important to start kids out in the right kind of shoes. From what I understand, learning to walk in a supportive pair of shoes is really beneficial to a child's physical development.

Startrite sells shoes for boys and girls of every age, but I'm particularly interested in their first walking shoes since that's the stage my Brady's at right now. Check out the shoe I like best. It's called the Mischief II, a name that certainly fits my little guy!

Isn't it cute? I like that it has contrasting colors, blue with a bit of red on the sides. It's different from most little kids' shoes you see. What I like most is that it has padding around the ankle and a flexible sole. These features are needed for a little one just starting to walk. The padded ankle offers support, while the flexible sole allows your toddler to better feel the surface he's walking on. It certainly doesn't hurt that they're so cute!

The Startrite website offers fitting tips as well. You can watch a video to see how the shoe is supposed to fit as well as read tips on proper fit. I think that's great because it can be hard to figure out just how a shoe's supposed to fit on such small feet. Startrite is a British company. You can order shoes online through their secure website if you're in the UK or enter your location to find the retailer nearest you.

So if you're looking for well-made, cute shoes for kids, give Startrite a try. They've got well-made shoes that are sturdy, comfortable, yet stylish - qualities both you AND your kids will love!

* This is a sponsored post. All views are mine.

L'Oreal Products You'll Want To Try

marybabysteps — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:48:20 -0800

L'Oreal is a trusted brand in cosmetics. They've been around forever. I've been a fan of their eye shadow for some time, but I've never really tried many of their other products. In fact, I never knew L'Oreal had such a wide range of products until they sent me a box of goodies to try after I put out a query to HARO about fall makeup. I was introduced to a wide range of products. They have hair care and color, skincare, cosmetics, even men's and kid's products. Here are my absolute favorites!

Collagen Filler Day/Night Cream

I have to be honest and tell you that I didn't think I'd be swayed by the skin care products. You see, I'm very dedicated to my Mary Kay. I admit it, I went in with a closed mind on this one. I've tried other skin care lines, and while it's fun to play and experiment, I always go back to my trusty standby. I've been using the L'Oreal Collagen Filler Day/Night Cream for well over a month now, and I love it.

The formula is creamy and thick. My skin feels so soft after using it. It looks plumper and smoother. It's been great now that dry skin weather is starting to set in. Though my skin is combination/oily, I tend to dry out once the furnace kicks on. I love massaging this cream into my skin and having no dry patches throughout the day. If you've got oily skin, you may like the Day Lotion better, rather than a thick cream. But I recommend switching to a creamy or dry skin formula for the winter months if your skin is at all prone to dryness.

Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle Repair Eye

I've found over the years that eye cream is a must. Without it, the skin around my eyes looks crepey and feels dry. I like that this eye cream has a formula for both day and night, all in one tube. You know how I love multi-tasking products for moms! The best thing about these eye creams is how gentle they are. I have extremely sensitive eyes. I've used some eye products that make my eyes sting terribly if I get even a tiny bit in them. I haven't had that problem at all with this product. The only recommendation I have is to be careful when dispensing the product. If you're not, you end up with too much cream. No one wants to waste product!

Clean Artiste Waterproof and Long-Wearing Eye Makeup Remover

This is great stuff! Simply soak a cotton ball or sponge, and wipe away the day's eye makeup. Again, remember that my eyes are super sensitive. Not an issue with this product. It's strong enough to do its job, but it's gentle to even the most sensitive eyes. I genuinely recommend this eye makeup remover.

If you're like I was, and you aren't very familiar with what L'Oreal has to offer these days, you'll want to visit their website to check out all the amazing products they've come out with recently. You'll also find makeup tutorials from my new obsession, Project Runway. You may even want to become a fan of L'Oreal on Facebook.

It Works Body Wraps

marybabysteps — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:36:12 -0700

I was lucky enough to be chosen to do a review of what seems to me to be a worthwhile product to add to your weight loss regimen. It's called It Works Body Wraps, and it's a natural applicator used to shrink and tighten the skin in the areas you choose. I was given the body wrap to try, and I used it on my waist. As you may know, I went to the Type-A Mom Conference last week, and I wanted to fit into a pair of jeans sent to me by Hanes Just My Size that were just a little too tight. So I was excited to try the body wrap.

I followed the best practices and drank lots of water. You may not see results right away: the website says it could take up to three days. I applied the applicator and waited 45 minutes, as the directions indicated. The process was easy. I just opened the package, unwrapped the applicator, and put it in place, being sure to smooth down and wrinkles. After removing the applicator and rubbing the lotion in, I took my measurements. I was surprised to find a 2 inch difference in the measurements after wearing the wrap for only 45 minutes!

I continued to measure over the next three days, but I did not notice any additional inch loss. Figures, I'm the exact opposite of what the company says could happen. Instead of happening gradually over the three days, my loss occurred right away. But it did occur, and that's the part I find motivational. Did I fit into my jeans? Unfortunately not. However; I feel that with a combination of diet and exercise, multiple applications of the It Works Body Wraps could really make a difference.

Check out some It Works Body Wraps Reviews on the website. And the reviewer at Everyday Mama Drama experienced excellent results. Read what she has to say. Maybe I did something wrong. Still, I would recommend trying this product out if you are currently working to lose weight in a sensible manner. In conjunction with a healthy eating plan and exercise regimen, the It Works Body Wraps would be a great enhancement to your weight loss.

Exercises for Back Pain

marybabysteps — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:45:47 -0700

I just found out about this website that offers back pain exercises. As someone who suffers from back pain, I thought it was definitely worth checking into.There are free exercises to check out, and Back2Yourself also offers a premium program in which subscribers can get access to a new video exercise every day, with individual progress tracking to keep you motivated. In fact, the program also sends reminders if you haven't exercised in a while. That's what I need!

The three-month subscription is far less expensive than visiting a chiropractor regularly. I've had to reduce my visits to the chiropractor by quite a bit lately, so this is something that is very appealing to me. Check it out!

*This is a sponsored post. The views, however, are my own. I only endorse products that I would personally buy and that I think may be useful to my readers and friends.

Celebrating With McDonald's

marybabysteps — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:59:44 -0700

I must confess, as a grown-up, I still love McDonald's. So when I was asked to help spread the word about some big things McDonald's is celebrating this year, I didn't hesitate to jump onboard. In fact, I had my very first birthday party at McDonald's when I was a kid! So I'm all about celebrating with Mickey D's.

The Happy Meal Turns 30!

One of the first things McDonald's is celebrating is the 30th Anniversary of the Happy Meal. Can you believe it's been 30 year? The Happy Meal launched in 1979 with a Circus Wagon Happy Meal containing toys like a McDonald's stencil, puzzle lock, McWrist wallet, ID bracelet, spinning top, and McDonaldland character erasers. Wow, that's a lot To celebrate the big 3-0, McDonald's is in the middle of a big TY Teenie Beanie Babies campaign right now. Teenie Beanie Babies are one of the most popular toys ever offered in Happy Meals, so they've brought them back. Your child will get a cute Teenie Beanie Baby with a special online code that can be used to visit McWorld, McDonald's online virtual world at www.happymeal.com. My kids received some complimentary Teenie Beanie Babies from McDonald's, and they've had a blast with them. They've played online games at McWorld, but they also just have fun making up stuff to do with the stuffed animals. What's cool is that new online activities are added monthly, so they'll never get bored. Your family can join in the birthday fun at www.mcdonalds.com/happymeal30th, where you'll find downloadable birthday planning tools and fun Happy Meal information and trivia. Hurry to get your Teenie Beanie Babies Happy Meal, as this campaign ends next week, August 13th!

The Top 10 "Happiest Cities for Families" in America

In conjunction with the 30th Anniversary of the Happy Meal, McDonald's has teamed up with Sperling's BestPlaces to name the Top 10 "Happiest Cities for Families" in America. Fifty of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation were examined, and the top list was chosen according to criteria such as number of social activities, recreational resources, and household expenditures on fun activities. The top 10 are:

Minneapolis, MN
Atlanta, GA
Virginia Beach, VA
Washington, D.C.
Portland, OR
Denver, CO
Baltimore, MD
Seattle, WA
Kansas City, MO
Austin, TX

35 Years of the Ronald McDonald House

The first Ronald McDonald's House opened in Philadelphia 35 years ago to help families in need. In honor of the occassion, Ronald McDonald House Charities is inviting you to share how Ronald McDonald House has inspired you or someone you know or how your life has been impacted by the charity. Visit the website to share your story and to read the stories of others. Someone's story will be featured in a national print advertising campaign!

What great memories do you have of McDonald's, either from your own childhood or from special times spent there with your kids? Which has been your favorite Happy Meal toy? Has Ronald McDonald House touched your life? Let me know!

Summer Soiree Finale - Rubbermaid Giveaway!

marybabysteps — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:58:06 -0700

Wow, it's the last day of the Summer Soiree, and it's been so much fun! Thanks to Angie at A Simple Kinda Life for inviting me to join in and to Andrea from Moody Mama Says for partying with us, too! And thank you to all of the sponsors who provided such wonderful products to review and give away. It's been a blast.

Onto the final giveaway in our Soiree - a 20-piece set of Rubbermaid storage containers with the EasyFind Lids! Rubbermaid sent me this set, and I must say that I am loving them. I have wanted to try them since I started seeing them raved about on other blogs. Trying to find matching lids in my messy cupboards drives me crazy. We have a lot of containers that look to be the same size but have very different lids, so we're forever searching for the right fit. But no more - not with our new set of Rubbermaid containers with the EasyFind Lids.

My Review

Love them, love them, love them. I really do. I appreciate that there were different types to test out in the box I received. There were the Premier, hard acrylic containers. I actually had some of these in my container collection, and they've been my favorite. Up until now, that is. My new favorite is the Produce Saver, which has an insert that keeps the produce off of the bottom of the container. The Produce Saver also has a built-in vent system in the lid to allow for additional air flow. That's genius! Lock-its have an extra strong, secure seal that prevents spills or leaks, and the Easy Find Lids are Rubbermaid's traditional containers with lids that snap onto the bottom so they're always close at hand.

Check out the variety. Rubbermaid makes a container for every need. I truly like them all. I haven't had any problems with staining or warping, and the lids continue to snap right onto the bottoms with ease. I'm no longer stuck searching for lids that fit. Yippee! Rubbermaid has graciously agreed to give one of you the chance to try them out, too. To win, all you have to do is visit the Rubbermaid website and tell me which product you'd like to try or which is your favorite. Entries must be received by July 12th at noon EST. You can earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

Bandals Review and Giveaway

marybabysteps — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:09:41 -0700

Today's giveaway is a good one for anyone who's a self-proclaimed shoe addict like I am. It's for a pair of Bandals. What's Bandals, you ask? Bandals is footwear that's "changeable by design". Bandals shoes offer different style bases with interchangeable bands that allow you to get several new looks to match any outfit without purchasing tons of different shoes. Check out the Bandals I received:

Yep, I got the Beach Bandals. I received the plain black base with black band. I also chose the Miranda band, a leopard print that's ever-so-slightly glittery. It's beautiful. Check it out:

Okay, don't mind my feet. I desperately need to polish my nails, but who has time with three kids, two blogs, and several freelance deadlines? Don't look at my feet, just check out the shoes. Aren't they cute? These are not your average flip flops. Check out the Bandals website to see all the varieties you have to choose from, for starters. There are tons of bands to choose from, and you can also choose your base color from black, brown, pink, and white. Each comes with a band of the same color. You can then purchase bands of any design you choose. The possibilities are endless. Amazing.

What's also amazing is the comfort of these shoes. Unlike most flip flops, Beach Bandals are cushiony and flexible. What's more is that they offer arch support. I've worn my Bandals on a shopping trip to the mall, with its hard, cement floor, and my feet didn't get sore. Love that! These are truly the most comfortable flip flops I've ever worn. The band is easy to interchange, and it stays on without slipping or sliding. I have nothing negative to say about them. That's unusual.

Win Your Own!

Okay, now I know you want a chance to win your own pair of Bandals. You're in luck because Bandals has allowed me to offer one lucky reader a pair of these incredible shoes. For your chance, head on over to the Bandals website and check out all the fun styles they have. Then come back and tell me which kind is your favorite. Entries are due by July 12th at noon EST. If you win, I'll put you in touch with Tom from Bandals, who'll hook you up.

Earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

B Is For Bob Review and Giveaway

marybabysteps — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:30:55 -0700

I was given the chance to hear a new CD for kids featuring Bob Marley songs, and I gladly jumped on the opportunity. Bob Marley's music is just all around good stuff and so much fun. I thought my kids would surely enjoy it, and I was right!

"B is for Bob" is a new relase of Bob Marley's old songs, produced by his son, Ziggy Marley. Eight of the original songs were transformed with kids in mind, while four remained untouched. Here's a video of Ziggy telling in his own words why he decided to put out this album and what it means to him.

B is for Bob -

The kids and I had a blast listening to the songs and dancing. Truthfully, the older kids thought the music was a little weird at first, but they soon joined in the fun when they saw the baby and I dancing around! I'd say this CD would be geared toward toddlers and younger kids. But even my "so cool" eight and ten-year olds had some fun with the songs.

What do you think? Do you love Bob Marley? Would you like to introduce your kids to some jammin "new" music? Well, I've got FIVE copies of the "B is for Bob" CD to give away. All you have to do is fill out the form below and tell me who you'd like to share this CD with. Entries are due by June 12th, at noon EST.

You can earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

Elf Island Review and Giveaway

marybabysteps — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:23:33 -0700

Elf Island is an online game for kids that parents can really feel good about. I don't know about you, but I worry about the things my kids are doing online. They often seem harmless until they surprise me with something So and So from school told them about some YouTube video. That's why I'm pretty strict about monitoring what they do online. With Elf Island, I don't have to worry, because it's set up to teach kids about giving back and doing good. Gotta like that!

Here's some information about the folks behind Elf Island:

As the parents of twin boys, the dynamic husband and wife team of Liz and Craig
Kronenberger noticed a glaring lack of positive gaming and empowerment within virtual
worlds for kids. From their professional experiences in the kids’ entertainment space, Liz
and Craig decided to blend their entrepreneurial spirit with their philanthropic passions.
Knowing that kids were flocking online to play, Liz and Craig saw a great opportunity to build
something that would entertain, while at the same time fulfill and foster strong social values.
Prompted to act, the Kronenbergers launched Elf Island in 2007, the first virtual world to use
games, storytelling and social interaction to empower kids to make a positive difference in
the real world.
Liz and Craig Kronenberger are committed to creating a fun place for kids that enables them
to give back, influence communities and environments, all through the entertaining world of
Elf Island. It’s empowerment through online fun.

Elf Island uses the phrase, "Play Games, Do Good" to descirbe their Gaming for Good philosophy. The Elf Island game allows kids to use the concept of Mirrored Gaming to practice doing good online while reflecting that same good offline. The game allows them to explore real world issues and to see the improvements that can come from positive action. I love that!

Our Review

And my kids loved it, too. They sat down to play, and I practically had to drag them away. They learned about pollution's effect on our waters and were able to tell me lots of interesting facts they discovered about all kinds of other things as well. Did you know that apples are better for your eyes than carrots? Yeah, me either.And Elf Island is safe for your kids. There are moderators watching what goes on at all times.

They had so much fun that they didn't even realize that they were learning. Elf Island will definitely be in this mom's arsenal for keeping the kids' minds engaged throughout the summer. I look forward to exploring the game with them even more in order to faciliate meaningful conversations about important issues in our world.

Win a One Month Membership

I've got three one month trial memberships to give away to your and your kids! All you have to do for a chance to win is join the Elf Island Fan Club on Facebook and leave me your Facebook user name. If you aren't on Facebook, you can simply tell me what you're doing to keep your child's mind active this summer. All entries must be received by July 12th at noon EST.

Receive extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!

isABelt Review and Giveaway

marybabysteps — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:22:18 -0700

Today's giveaway is a good one. It's for a new fashion accesory that will help you to look more polished and put-together. It's called the isABelt, also known as the "fashion fix-it". The isABelt is a thin, plastic belt that's virtually invisible. It keeps everything in place and ends the frustration of back-gap, slippage, and skirts that slide without the bulkiness of a traditional belt.

Elise, from isABelt, was kind enough to send me the new, unisex isABelt wide to try. I really like the idea of having a belt that isn't big and bulky. I've given up on belts for that very reason, but the isABelt is different. It's not bulky at all. It's very smooth fitting and can be adjusted to any size. Though I gotta admit that I had some problems adjusting it at first, even though Elise was sure to point out to me that you don't adjust the isABelt like a bra strap. Once I looked over the instructions on the box again and played around with it, the adjustment came easily. The isABelt website has an instructional video that I should have watched!

I also was afraid that the isABelt would break when I was trying to adjust it. No way. It's made of very strong material that didn't even come close to snapping. Once I got the belt to the proper fit, I just slid it through my belt lookps and follow the instructions to secure it underneath the button on my pants. Easy. And it really was helpful to keep things in place all day long. I hate it when your pants gap at the waist, and the isABelt took care of that quite nicely.

Wanna win an isABelt to try out for yourself? I have the isABelt Wide that's fully adjustable to fit up to 50 inches and the isAStrips, versatile fashion "fix-it" tape that allows you to fix things like sliding bra straps or to secure hems up for grabs. Winning is easy. Just become a fan of isABelt on Facebook, friend Elise on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter. Fill out the form letting me know which one you chose. You'll receive an entry for each one you do. This giveaway will close July 12th at noon EST. Earn extra entries by:

1. Grabbing our cute Summer Soiree button and posting it prominently on your blog.

2. Subscribing to my blog, either by RSS or email.

3. Add yourself to my followers in the sidebar.

4. Enter a giveaway at A Simple Kinda Life or Moody Mama Says.

5. Stumble this post.

6. Tweet this giveaway, including @marybabysteps in your tweet.

7. Favorite Everyday Baby Steps at Technorati

8. Blog about the Summer Soiree

For every one you choose, you'll receive an additional entry. There are lots of chances, so good luck!