product review + giveaway: lillebaby nordic baby carrier - CLOSED

I had intended to absolutely love wearing my baby. We had three baby carriers even before my son was born, set up and ready to go. To my surprise (shock and horror), baby wearing wasn't like I thought it would be. The big wrap carriers were hard on someone as short as me and with my body type. The others hurt my back and the least painful one, well, Ethan was stuck facing me in it -- and this was not something he enjoyed doing. I was just about to disregard baby wearing as another disappointment that didn't turn out quite like I expected it to until Lillebaby sent me their Nordic carrier to try. What I loved about the Nordic carrier off the bat was that it was a six position ergonomic carrier with the capability to grow along with your child.

When I first put Ethan in the carrier, he was apprehensive about the whole endeavor. He isn't a fan of being worn due to the fact in our other carrier, he is stuck staring at my neck and being totally restricted. Once he realized he was facing outward, he immediately changed his tune. I immediately noticed a difference in the way the weight was distributed with the Nordic carrier. My back didn't hurt and despite my awkward height and body type, the carrier fit in all of the right places. Ethan was secure, snug and content facing outward and exploring the park we were walking through at the time we first tried our Nordic carrier. There was no pressure on my shoulders or back, only the feeling of the carrier fitting properly on my hips.

Like I started saying, I love that this is a six position carrier. Ethan can be worn on my chest, my back, facing forward, facing me and on my side. The hood can be lifted for privacy for a sleeping or feeding baby and there is room for the baby's feet to be tucked in as well. The fact that the carrier can do all of this while being so comfortable is pretty impressive. It really is the only carrier you'll ever need, as it is able to be altered to grow along with your baby and to fit their spine, hip and pelvis growth as they grow. Ethan was content and comfortable as he sat in a way that felt most natural and cozy to him. As he continues to grow, I like knowing that our Nordic carrier provides the option of growing with him to make being worn in it a pleasant experience for him. I'm pretty sad I wasn't able to experience the Nordic baby carrier when Ethan was a newborn, but the carrier is able to hold children up to 42 pounds which means it's with us for the long haul.

BUY IT: The Nordic carrier by lillebaby retails for $80 and can be purchased online or by locating a store near you.



Want to win a Nordic baby carrier of your own? The amazing folks at Lillebaby are offering one of my readers in the US or Canada the chance to win one! This giveaway closes on March 8th. Good luck!


MANDATORY ENTRY: Make sure your e-mail address is visible or included in your comment!

• You MUST be a follower of You Are The Roots on GFC (Google Friend Connect) to be eligible for entry!
• Leave me a comment and let me know why you'd like to win the Nordic baby carrier by lillebaby!
  

BONUS ENTRIES: *Mandatory entry must be completed for these to count!

• Add lillebaby on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified.
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• Like You Are The Roots on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified!
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• Tweet the following message (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link to the tweet: #WIN lillebaby nordic baby carrier @YATRBlog 3/8 tinyurl.com/6tyxy3k
• Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (look to the left to see the buttons) - counts as one entry, can be once a day. Leave me a comment to let me know you've voted!
• 2 Entries - Add You Are The Roots to your circles on Google+ and leave your name so this may be verified.
• 2 Entries - Enter another giveaway and leave a comment with which one you entered.
• 2 Entries - Share this giveaway on your Facebook (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link!
• 5 Entries - Blog about this giveaway. Comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find your blog entry.
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AND THE WINNER IS...

green sprouts disposable bibs review and giveaway - CLOSED

It's pretty much no secret that i play and green sprouts are pretty much my favorites so it's been an absolute honor to work with them. Talk about a company who really values their products and the little ones who benefit from them!


My pack of bibs came in the mail just a few minutes before Ethan and I were setting off to meet some friends at the park. I was so excited to try them! Green Sprouts sent me a pack of 10 of their stage 2 (3+ months) bibs to review. I was really excited for these for a few reasons. For starters, these bibs are petroleum free and made from plants. Knowing they're both disposable and good for the planet is a huge plus. With Ethan being big into solids now and requiring a snack once in a while that isn't in bottle form, I've gotten used to packing bibs with me. Maybe it's just me, but when I'm out at the beach or the park with a yogurt-covered bib soaked in sand or dirt, it seems easier to just toss it than carry the filthy rag home in my bag and get into the wash. I've lost count of how many times the soiled bibs cause more of a mess inside my diaper bag that I'm left scrubbing out begrudgingly. These disposable bibs are just so convenient -- and so earth friendly!

Another feature I love is that they have the option of a flip pocket! The flip pocket was perfect to catch crumbs from Baby Mum-Mums without getting them all mushed onto Ethan's pants or legs. I love that these are waterproof and so totally absorbent, as they worked wonders in soaking up the spilled water from Ethan's sippy cup during our walks. They're even antibacterial!


Perfect for the park!


Great for impromptu trips to grandma's house!

We love these bibs and think you will, too! Through February 29th, i play & green sprouts are running a 20% off sale on their winter wear and their disposable products! To take advantage of this sale, visit www.iplaybabywear.com and enter code IPFB12 upon check-out!




Want to win a package of green sprouts' disposable bibs? Here's your chance! The giveaway closes on March 3rd and is open to US/CAN residents!


MANDATORY ENTRY: Make sure your e-mail address is visible or included in your comment!

• You MUST be a follower of You Are The Roots on GFC (Google Friend Connect) to be eligible for entry!
• Visit iplay and green sprouts and let me know something you've learned or another product you'd like to try!

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• Add i play on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified.
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• Tweet the following message (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link to the tweet: #WIN @iplayinc Disposable Bibs @YATRBlog 3/5 tinyurl.com/6sxr2zb
• Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (look to the left to see the buttons) - counts as one entry, can be once a day. Leave me a comment to let me know you've voted!
• 2 Entries - Add You Are The Roots to your circles on Google+ and leave your name so this may be verified.
• 2 Entries - Enter another giveaway and leave a comment letting me know which one(s) you've entered! 2 Entries per giveaway entered.
• 2 Entries - Share this giveaway on your Facebook (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link!
• 5 Entries - Blog about this giveaway. Comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find your blog entry.
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AND THE WINNER IS...

mymemories digital scrapbooking suite software review & giveaway -- CLOSED

I'm not crafty. In college, I took up scrapbooking as a hobby. It took over our bistro table in our makeshift dining room in our tiny apartment -- and only became more chaotic from there. Eventually I tossed everything into a bag and threw it in a closet. It just wasn't worth the frustration and so I went back to printing photos at the pharmacy and shoving them into photo albums.

I've read about MyMemories a lot around the blog world and I've constantly been in awe of the beautiful designs people are able to make. I remembered my college-era scrapbooking nightmare and convinced myself that I'd never be able to recreate those beautiful designs on my own. When MyMemories invited little old me to try their software for a review, I was over the moon but still a little nervous. In case you're wondering, their digital scrapbooking software is way more user friendly than cutting and pasting scraps of paper. Way more user friendly.

I started to get the hang of the MyMemories software right away. What I loved is that there are so many options! You can make anything you set your mind to, including cards, calendars, bookmarks, scrapbooks and way more. You're able to select the dimensions of your project so that anything is possible, even something as small as gift tags. One of the features I love the most is the many ways you're able to share your finished book or product. You can print it, burn it to a disc, turn it into a slideshow or e-mail it to friends and family. The slide show feature will come in handy when I'm ready to share my scrapbook of Ethan's first year with relatives who are dispersed around the country.

MyMemories offers a slew of premade layouts that you just slide your pictures into if you need a little help making your project come alive. They also offer you the option to create your own pages from a blank canvas, right down to the last detail, if you have an eye for that kind of thing. I literally meant right down to the last detail, be it the pattern of the tack holding the photograph to the page or the texture of your background paper.

After making some great scrapbooking pages to document Ethan's first year of life, I thought I'd try out some other projects. I started a calendar with Ethan's photos and I also made a bookmark with Ethan's picture on it.

I can't say enough how much I enjoy the creativity I'm able to express when I log into the MyMemories software. Whether you're creative enough to wing it from a blank canvas (I wish!) or need a little help getting started (like me!), the MyMemories software allows you to create personalized masterpieces featuring your special memories. This software would be perfect for party invitations and other little crafts that come with having a small child. Digital scrapbooking is a dream come true for a mom like me who wants to put together special keepsakes for my children to have to look back on. MyMemories makes this possible, easy and fun!

SAVE $10 ON YOUR ORDER: MyMemories have generously offered You Are The Roots readers an exclusive $10 off coupon! To receive $10 off of your order of MyMemories digital scrapbooking software, use code STMMMS27957 upon check-out.

HOW TO BUY: Visit MyMemories to purchase their software!

Want to win digital scrapbooking software of your own? MyMemories is offering one of my readers a chance to win software of their own! This giveaway is open to US/Canada residents and closes on 2/27/12 at 11:59 p.m. EST.


MANDATORY ENTRY: Make sure your e-mail address is visible or included in your comment!

• You MUST be a follower of You Are The Roots on GFC (Google Friend Connect) to be eligible for entry! Leave me a comment to let me know you're following via GFC.

BONUS ENTRIES: *Mandatory entry must be completed for these to count!

• Add MyMemories on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified.
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• Follow You Are The Roots on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter username so this can be verified.
• Tweet the following message (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link to the tweet: #WIN @MyMemoriesSuite Digital Scrapbooking Software at @YATRBlog 2/27 tinyurl.com/7w8q2e3
• Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (look to the left to see the buttons) - counts as one entry, can be once a day. Leave me a comment to let me know you've voted!
• 2 Entries - Add You Are The Roots to your circles on Google+ and leave your name so this may be verified.
• 2 Entries - Enter another giveaway and leave a comment with which one you entered.
• 2 Entries - Share this giveaway on your Facebook (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link!
• 5 Entries - Blog about this giveaway. Comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find your blog entry.
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AND THE WINNER IS...

product review: life is art creations

When I was contacted by Life Is Art Creations to do a review of one of their beautiful prints, I was excited. I'm a total sucker for personalized art to display around our house but I'm also a terrible decorator and a pretty bad procrastinator so there is a great deal of empty wall space (still) around our home. Not to mention most of my framed photographs stopped being updated in 2009 after our wedding. I'm constantly searching for ways to make our house look more home-y and I love that these prints do just that!

Life Is Art Creations takes the everyday and puts a fresh spin on it. Their artwork embodies just what their name says: that life is art. With the snap of a picture, objects that are overlooked in our everyday, busy lives become something notable and special. The unique way a vine is growing, a piece of old barbed wire, things we might not otherwise pay attention to are brought to life in this beautiful and unique photography.

I absolutely love the options that Life Is Art Creations offers in regards to their artwork. You can order anything from greeting cards to stretched canvas prints. There are premade prints, cards and canvases to choose from to send that someone special just the right inspirational message or everything can be customized to better fit your family or occasion.

As I mentioned, I wanted something that could help make our house feel more like home. In addition to one of my favorite quotes ("Other things may change us, but we start and end with family" - Anthony Brandt), Life Is Art Creations spelled out our last name using the beauty often overlooked in every day life.

The quality of their prints is absolutely amazing. Check it out for yourself:

On a whole 'nother note, I should point out that the customer service I received by Life Is Art Creations has been impeccable. It has been nothing short of a pleasure working with them!

You Are The Roots readers save 15%! Life Is Art Creations has generously offered my readers a chance to save 15% on a product of their choice! To get your exclusive discount code, e-mail lifeisartcreations@yahoo.com and mention you heard about them through You Are The Roots!

How To Buy: http://www.lifeisartcreations.com

You can also visit Life Is Art on Facebook or Twitter!

green sprouts glass bottle review & giveaway -- CLOSED

Ethan and I love Green Sprouts. He loves their teethers, rattles and stacking cups and I love what great, natural and safe products they produce. When Green Sprouts offered us the opportunity to try out one of their glass bottles, I jumped at the chance. Having to bottlefeed has always been a touchy subject for me and having to deal with plastic bottles never helped me feel much better. When I pictured glass bottles, I imagined them being infinitely better than plastic bottles but at the same time, I feared they'd be heavy, clunky and totally impractical. One of those things that in an ideal world would be a great idea, if only it were remotely practical -- and I was way wrong. These bottles? They're wonderful. We're officially Green Sprouts glass bottle converts.

We got to review a 9-ounce glass bottle. When I poured Ethan's milk into the bottle, I noticed a difference right away. I have issues with plastic bottles seeming grimy and dingy no matter how well you wash and care for them. There's something about glass that made it seem so much cleaner, purer and fresher. For good reason, too, as glass is the most hygienic and you don't have to worry about chemicals entering your baby's milk. I was also surprised to feel how lightweight the bottle was -- not at all heavy like I originally thought it would be. I had initially worried that the glass would be too thin and break easily while Ethan held it, however the glass is extremely thick and sturdy. The glass bottle is also resistant to thermal shock and free of BPA and PVC! iPlay and Green Sprouts were founded by a mother who wanted the best for her children and it is so apparent when you see their products.

Green Sprouts also sent us their bottle cover:

Ethan is now a little over 6 months old and while he's mastered the sippy cup, he's not one hundred percent able to hold his own bottles -- though he tries. This great neoprene cover not only keeps liquids warm or cool, but it has handles to help baby hold onto their bottle. Just like the collar on the bottle itself, the sleeve is able to be used on a range of other Green Sprouts products from the bottles to sports bottles and more.

In typical Green Sprouts fashion, every last aspect of this bottle is wonderful. The glass base is petroleum free and the anti-colic nipple is hypoallergenic silicone. Another thing that makes these bottles great is the green collar which allows the bottle top to be interchangeable with other Green Sprouts bottles. Something I've noticed with other bottles on the market is that you have to get the tops and nipples that match a certain size or style bottle, so the fact that these are interchangeable was extremely impressive. These bottles come in 2 ounces, 4 ounces and 9 ounces -- all with interchangeable tops and nipples.

My only regret is that I haven't been using these bottles since Ethan was born. I absolutely love them. There's nothing more important to me than keeping Ethan safe from harmful chemicals and Green Sprouts make it easy and fun to keep your household green and healthy.

Ethan is smiling because starting tomorrow, it's goodbye to all of our plastic bottles and hello to these wonderful glass bottles by Green Sprouts.

HOW TO BUY: Visit iPlay & Green Sprouts online to start shopping! Enter code IPJA12 upon check-out to receive 20% off of Green Sprouts bottles and i-Play Organically Grown layette items!



Want to try one of these awesome bottles? The great people at Green Sprouts are offering one of my readers the chance to win one of their glass bottles! This giveaway is open to US/Canada residents and closes on 1/22/12 at 11:59 p.m. EST.


MANDATORY ENTRY: Make sure your e-mail address is visible or included in your comment!

• You MUST be a follower of You Are The Roots on GFC (Google Friend Connect) to be eligible for entry! Leave me a comment to let me know you're following via GFC.
• Visit iPlay and Green Sprouts online and leave a comment with another product you'd like to try or something you learned!

BONUS ENTRIES: *Mandatory entry must be completed for these to count!

• Add iPlay on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified.
• Leave iPlay a Facebook comment to thank them for the giveaway and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified!
• Like You Are The Roots on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified!
• Follow iPlay on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter username so this can be verified.
• Tweet the following message (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link to the tweet: #WIN @iplayinc Green Sprouts Glass Bottle US/CAN 1/22 tinyurl.com/7ubsjm3
• Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (look to the left to see the buttons) - counts as one entry, can be once a day. Leave me a comment to let me know you've voted!
• 2 Entries - Add You Are The Roots to your circles on Google+ and leave your name so this may be verified.
• 2 Entries - Share this giveaway on your Facebook (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link!
• 5 Entries - Blog about this giveaway. Comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find your blog entry.
• 5 Entries - Grab my button and comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find it.

the santa video review and giveaway - 4 win! - CLOSED

See Santa? Yeah, he's standing in our living room. How cool is that?! When the folks over at The Santa Video asked me to do a review and giveaway of their customized in-home Santa videos, I was so excited! The holidays this year are more magical than they've been in some time thanks to Ethan's arrival and I couldn't deny what a great keepsake it would be to have a video of Santa coming to drop off Ethan's very first Christmas gifts!

Here's how it works:

All you do is upload a picture of your living room -- or wherever your tree is and where Santa will drop off the gifts. For example purposes, I used a picture of my living room in it's current state. For Ethan's actual Santa video, I plan on using a picture of our house in it's ransacked -- er, decorated -- state after our Christmas Eve party to give the video added authenticity. One of the many great pluses to The Santa Video is that you're able to snap and upload your living room photo and immediately receive your video by e-mail.

Once your photo is uploaded, you have the choice to select from various different Santas and scenarios, such as the direction from which Santa enters, where he looks, if he grabs a glass of milk (or not) and what the glass looks like. You can even go as far as to select gifts that are wrapped the most like yours. (I definitely went to Target and found a roll of wrapping paper that matches the one that the Santa we're choosing uses on his gifts in the video.) There's also the added feature to select music to play during your video. You can choose from a wide array of holiday songs or go music-less, whatever your preference is.

The Santa Video is just so cool and I know that I would have loved this as a child. When I was really young, our nextdoor neighbor would dress as Santa and come over to give us our gifts. These are certain things that you don't forget -- the validation that there totally is a Santa Claus -- and I know that Ethan will cherish his Santa video for years to come! How very exciting for him to see a movie that the Elves left behind of Santa in his very own home!





The Santa Video generously offered four of my readers the opportunity to make Santa videos of their own this holiday season!


MANDATORY ENTRY: Make sure your e-mail address is visible or included in your comment!

• You MUST be a follower of You Are The Roots on GFC (Google Friend Connect) to be eligible for entry! Leave me a comment to let me know you're following via GFC.
• Leave me a comment with your favorite Christmastime memory or tradition!

BONUS ENTRIES: *Mandatory entry must be completed for these to count!

• Add The Santa Video on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified.
• 5 Entries - "Like" this photo on Facebook and leave a comment with what vote number you are -- 5 entries for your "like."
• Leave The Santa Video a Facebook comment to thank them for the giveaway and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified!
• Like You Are The Roots on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name (first name, last initial) or URL so this can be verified!
• Follow The Santa Video on Twitter and leave a comment with your Twitter username so this can be verified.
• Tweet the following message (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link to the tweet: #WIN @TheSantaVideo Santa In Your Home! US/CAN 12/20 tinyurl.com/73baost
• Vote for me on Picket Fence Blogs (look to the left to see the buttons) - counts as one entry, can be once a day. Leave me a comment to let me know you've voted!
• 1 Entry Per Giveaway Entered - Enter another one of my giveaways and let me know which one you've entered
• 2 Entries - Share this giveaway on your Facebook (can be done once a day for one entry a day) and comment with the link!
• 5 Entries - Blog about this giveaway. Comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find your blog entry.
• 5 Entries - Grab my button and comment (one comment for each entry, 5 total) with a link to where I can find it.

Giveaway closes on 12/20 at 11:59 EST! Good luck!



AND THE WINNERS ARE...