So I guess you have all noticed that I have been MIA the past couple of months. Sorry about that. A kitchen remodel that moved my computer to a difficult-to-use location, followed by Thanksgiving, G turning 2 and Christmas have all contributed.
My first resolution of 2011 is to return to my blog!
I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year's celebration!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Rockin' Green Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #51-
helenlam said...
Congrats! I'm emailing you now!
tweeted http://twitter.com/helenlamby/status/26053408447
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Rockin' Green Review and Giveaway!~~CLOSED~~
Rockin’ Green is made of safe, phosphate free ingredients which makes it good for the planet and gentler on your little ones. Everything is made with love, and put to the test every single day on my own families diapers and laundry. So you know that I expect only the best from everything that I send out the door.
Ingredients: sodium carbonate , sodium percarbonate, natural chelating agents, sodium sulfate, biodegradable surfactants, natural fragrance oils (if scented is chosen)
And those scents? Super yummy! I chose to review Lavender Mint Revival. It made by laundry room smell heavenly :) but does not leave anything but clean on your diapers and clothing. I love Rockin' Green! My clothes and G's diapers are clean and I don't have to worry about anything rubbing off on his skin. As a bonus, the Earth is not getting more junk rinsed into the waterways: it's a win-win!
Mandatory Entry: Go to Rockin' Green and tell me which one you will pick if you win- tell me both the formula (Classic, Soft, or Hard Rock) and the scent!
Extra Entries:
~ Follow my blog
~ "Like" GGG on Facebook
~ "Like" Rockin' Green on Facebook
~ Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
~ Follow Rockin" Green on Twitter @rockingreensoap
~ Subscribe to my blog
~ Grab my New Button!!! (tell me where to find it!) ~ 3 entries!~
~ Tweet about this giveaway! May be done 2x a day at least 4 hours apart, use @betsyssi, @rockingreensoap, and #clothdiapers in your tweets!
Giveaway ends October 5th, midnight EST. Winner will be contacted by email and has 48 hours to respond.
I was given free samples of Rockin' Green for this review but was not compensated in any other way. An honest review was given.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Scribble On Everything Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #30-
Katie said...
Contacting you now, Katie! Congratulations!
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/Skaketgirl/status/22888417036
kt1969 at comcast dot net
http://twitter.com/Skaketgirl/status/22888417036
kt1969 at comcast dot net
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Produce Bags Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #9-
- already following with gfc. angiewith3 at live dot com
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Skoy Cloth Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #61-
- I tweeted #1 http://twitter.com/BedeliasSpot/status/23264643492
Friday, September 10, 2010
Bummas Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #123-
Chany said...
Congrats! Emailing you now!
http://twitter.com/chany10/status/23143836408
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Supergoop! Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #5-
- Penny W said...
- follow your blog
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Scribble On Everything Review and Giveaway!~CLOSED~
I came across Scribble on Everything while looking for cute things with which to decorate G's nursery. They have super cute wall murals in many themes and styles. They also make chalkboard murals, prints, and posters that are quite unique.
I was sent the Flourish Chalkboard Decal to review. It arrived in a poster tube and I got right to work setting it up in G's room. The decal came with very complete (and humorous) instructions on how to get your design on the wall. It was very simple and within a few minutes, I had a great chalkboard mural. I gave G the chalk (included!) and showed him how to write on it. He was thrilled and now he writes on it every time he walks into the room :)
Scribble on Everything was generously agreed to give one of my lucky followers a $50 gift certificate towards the purchase of anything on their site! Wow! I know you want to win this one! Here's how:Mandatory Entry: Head over to Scribble on Everything and tell me how you would spend the $50.
Extra Entries: Do as many of these as you would like!
- Follow my blog
- Follow the Scribble on Everything blog
- "Like" GGG on Facebook
- "Like" Scribble on Everything on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
- Follow Scribble on Everything on Twitter @scribbleonwalls
- Tweet about this giveaway- use @betsyssi, @scribbleonwalls and #win in your tweets- may be done 2x daily at least 4 hours apart
- Recommend me to your friends! If they join my blog and say that you sent them, they get an extra entry and so do you! (unlimited)
Giveaway ends 9/13 at midnight EST. Winner will be notified by email.
Scribble on Everything provided the product at no charge but an honest review was given.
Oops!
I know I said that today's giveaway would be for Selestial Soap but I did not quite have all the info I needed to run my post but it will run at the end of this week of giveaways!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Reusable Produce Bags Review and Giveaway!~CLOSED~
Now that I have gotten very good about bringing reusable grocery bags with me to the store (almost) every time, I started to be bothered by the plastic bags in the produce section. So I went to Etsy in search of an alternative. There I found Johnsonfamilyzoo. Lisa, the "zookeeper", makes super cute, reusable produce bags that come in a carry pouch. She uses great fabrics and color coordinated mesh to make being green fashionable and smart!
I took my produce bags down to the local farmer's market on Saturday and got a lot of pleasantly surprised looks from the vendors and other patrons. They liked the idea but hadn't seen it before! I then stopped at a local produce stand for a few items not found at the farmer's market and the store owner loved my bags! He said how much he hated handing out plastic bags all day long and wished there was an alternative. I told him that he should look into carrying these!
Did I mention how much these bags hold? A picture is worth a thousand words:
How many flimsy throw-away plastic bags would it take to hold that much produce?I now keep my bundle of produce bags in the back of the car with my regular cloth grocery bags and I am quite pleased when I can do a week's worth of shopping and not bring home unnecessary plastic :)
Lisa at Johnsonfamilyzoo has generously agreed to give a set of reusable produce bags to one of my lucky followers! Here's how to win:
Mandatory Entry: Visit Johnsonfamilyzoo on Etsy and tell me which pattern is your favorite!
Extra Entries: Do as many of these as you want!
- Follow my blog
- "Like" GGG on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
- "Heart" Johnsonfamilyzoo on Etsy
- Tweet about this giveaway- make sure to use @betsyssi and #giveaway in your tweets. May be done 2X daily at least 4 hours apart.
- Recommend my blog to your friends! If they join GGG and tell me that you sent them, they get an extra entry and so do you!
- Enter any other current giveaway on GGG- tell me which one(s).
Johnsonfamilyzoo has also offered free shipping on U.S. orders over $14 and International orders over $25. Just mention this blog in the comments when you check out!
This giveaway ends 9/11 at midnight EST. Winner will be contacted by e-mail.
I received this products free of charge but an honest review has been given.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Skoy Cloth Review and Giveaway!~~CLOSED~~
Now that we have changed to cloth diapers and cloth wipes, I felt the need to get rid of other wasteful paper use in our home. One of the big culprits is the paper towel. I searched around for an alternative. Of course dish towels are great for spills and wiping things down but I needed a multi-tasker. Something to replace the paper towels and the nasty kitchen sponge. Enter: The Skoy Cloth.
This ingenious little cloth is made of a blend of cotton and wood-pulp cellulose, can absorb 15 times it's own weight, is 100% biodegradable, and saves 15 rolls of paper towels each! Skoy cloths can even be cleaned in the dishwasher or washing machine. A quick option to disinfect it- throw it wet into the microwave for a minute or two. Awesome.
Skoy cloths can be used with cleaners but work great with just plain water. After use, just wring out and let dry until next time! These little cloths dry super fast and don't build up the stink that sponges do. I love Skoy cloth!
Skoy has generously agreed to give a 4 pack of their fabulous cloth to one lucky follower! Here's how to win:
Mandatory Entry: Visit Skoy online and tell me something you learned from the website
Extra Entries: Do as many of these as you like!
-Follow my blog
-Subscribe to my blog
-"Like" GGG on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
-Follow @skoycloth on Twitter
-"Like" Skoy on Facebook- comment on their wall that I sent you
-Tweet about this giveaway- use @betsyssi, @skoycloth, and #giveaway in your tweet. May be done 2x daily, at least 4 hours apart.
-Recommend my blog to your friends! If they join and tell me that you sent them, they get an extra entry and so do you!
-Enter any other current giveaway on my blog- tell me which one(s) you entered.
This giveaway ends 9/10 at midnight EST. Winner will be emailed.
Skoy sent me their product at no cost but an honest review was given.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Bummas Cloth Review and Giveaway!~CLOSED~
I have been cloth diapering my DS since he was 6 months old (about 14 months now) but we were still using disposable wipes because I couldn't seem to find the right material for a cloth wipe. Baby washcloths are too thin, I bought some bamboo ones (yummy and soft) but they were too thick. I felt like Goldilocks. Then I found Bummas. These cloths are the right size, the right thickness, and two different textures so you can use the side that best fits your need at the time :)
The Bummas cloths are super cute too. I was sent the set they call The Wild Ones. The vibrant colors with contrasting edges fit perfectly, folded in half, into my existing diaper warmer. A little wipe solution and we are set! No more disposable wipes!
Bummas can be used as a cloth wipe, a dry towel for patting baby's bum dry before diapering and to block that unexpected squirt! They wash well and are ready to use over and over again. My only problem now is that I only have 10...........
Directly from the company website:
Product Information - Cloth Baby Wipe
Eliminates the use of talcum powder. 100% Cotton - Woven Velour Terry Cloth milled in the USA. Variety of color combinations for nursery themes. Handy 5” x 7” size. Won’t pill, shrink, or fade. Durable. Just throw them in the wash and use again. They will last until your little one is out of diapers and beyond! Made in the USA
So I know you want to win these! Bummas has generously agreed to give one of my readers a set of cloth wipes of their choice! This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada. Here's how to enter-
Mandatory Entry- Head over to Bummas and tell me which color set you like best!
Extra Entries- Do as many of these as you like!
- Follow my blog
- "Like" GGG on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
- Follow @Bummas on Twitter
- Tweet about this giveaway~ please include @betsyssi and @bummas in your tweet. May be done 2x daily at least four hours apart
- Recommend me to your friends! If they join my blog and tell me that you sent them, they get an extra entry and so do you!
- Enter another current giveaway and tell me which one you entered
This giveaway ends 9/9 at midnight EST. Winner will be contacted by email.
Bummas sent me the product free of charge but an honest review was given.
Doctor T's Supergoop! Review and Giveaway!~CLOSED~
This summer I have had the hardest time finding sunscreens that I feel confident putting on G. There has been a lot of bad press on some of the chemicals found in most sunscreen products. I spent hours in the drugstore reading labels and being disappointed. I found Supergoop! online and was pleasantly surprised that they had addressed all of my concerns and had created a sunscreen that i could put on all of us and feel great about. Here's what the company has to say about the product:
About The Supergoop! Formula
Always innovating, Supergoop! SPF 30+ today stands fully committed to providing safe and advanced UV protection formulated in conjunction with the stringent standards for Healthy Child Healthy World while also also meeting the new European and Australian recommendations for High Protection Daily Suncare.
By avoiding possible carcinogens such as oxybenzone, proplyene glycol and octinoxate, and endocrine disruptors such as parabens still used in many leading sun protection products, we can ensure maximum skin compatibility and an environmentally-conscious line of products.
Each of our formulas have proven performance in independent clinical testing facilities and we have the paperwork to back the effectiveness, critical wavelength, broad spectrum protection and photostability in each ingredient deck.
Offering a whole new level in sun protection for 2010, Supergoop! PLUS with Parsol 1789 + Parsol SLX will be introduced providing a first-to-market combination of two sun filters plus a photo stabilizing booster against UVA and UVB rays.
Isn't that great! It has very little scent and went on smoothly. Nobody burned at our house this summer! I love that it also comes in a spray and in convenient wipes for sensitive areas and wiggly toddlers. Supergoop! will be a staple in my beach bag from now on.
Now for the fun stuff! Supergoop! has given me a 1.6 ounce tube of the Everyday SPF 30 Supergoop! for one of my lucky readers.
Mandatory Entry- Visit Supergoop! and tell me what product on their site you would like to try!
Extra Entries- Do any or all of these to gain extra entries!
- Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
- Subscribe to my blog
- Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
- Follow @supergoop on Twitter
- "Like" GGG on Facebook
- Recommend my blog to your friends! If they join my blog and say that you send them, they get an extra entry and so do you! Just mention their name in the comment box.
- Tweet about this giveaway! Use @betsyssi and @supergoop in your tweet. You may tweet 2x day at least 4 hours apart.
- Enter any of the other giveaways that I am running this week. Leave a comment here about which giveaway you entered.
This contest ends at midnight EST on 9/8.
Supergoop! provided the product to me for free but an honest review has been given.
Wild Week of Giveaways!!
Starting tomorrow, Wednesday August 25th, Garrick Goes Green will be hosting a back-to-school giveaway bonanza! A new giveaway every day from now until the end of August. Tell your friends because if they enter my giveaways and mention that you sent them, they get an extra entry and so do you!
Here's the schedule:
- 8/25- Supergoop!
- 8/26- Bummas
- 8/27- Skoy Cloth
- 8/28- Reusable Produce Bags
- 8/29- Selestial Soap
- 8/30- Scribble On Everything
- 8/31- Rockin' Green
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Chunky Monkey Diaper Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #6-
-
follow with GFC
ellisfan14 at gmail
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Chunky Monkey Custom Diaper Review and Giveaway!~~Closed~~
Have you ever wished that you could create the perfect custom diaper? The color, the fastener, the embroidery on the bum? Now you can! Christy at The Chunky Monkey will make you the diaper of your dreams. I contacted Christy about making one for my DS and it has quickly become a favorite in my stash!
What makes this pocket diaper so special, you ask? I designed it! Dark green outer, turtle print microchamois interior, snap fasteners and the cutest embroidery on the butt- Heal The Earth, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Replenish, Restore with Mother Earth in the center. I loved it on sight!
So how did it work for us? Great! It does not come with an insert so I used my favorite super absorbent bamboo and hemp flappers from The Nappy Shoppe. Christy puts her pocket opening in the front of the dipe so, if you get a #2 blowout, you keep your fingers clean! The double row of snaps means a perfect fit with no "wing droop" and the super soft interior feels dry against G's skin but sprays clean in seconds with my diaper sprayer!
Now for the fun part! I love my Chunky Monkey and I know you will too. You can visit the Chunky Monkey online here and buy one today. You can also win a completely custom pocket diaper from CM and Garrick Goes Green! Here's how!-
- Mandatory Entry!- Tell me what you would create as your perfect pocket diaper.
- Follow my blog publicly using Google Friend Connect
- Follow me on Twitter- @betsyssi
- Subscribe to my ramblings via Feedburner
- Tweet about this giveaway- use #clothdiapers and @betsyssi in your tweets, one tweet per day
- Help me get new followers!!!- recommend me to your friends, if they follow me from your suggestion, they get an extra entry and so do you (please tell me their name in your comment). This is unlimited. Send me as many friends as you want!
Product was sent to me free of charge but an honest review was given.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Compost Jar Review and Discount Code
I recently started composting at home with a tumbler composter that we got at Home Depot. I searched all over for a compost jar that I wouldn't mind looking at all the time on my counter. They were all either plastic or metal and boring. I went to my favorite place for unique and beautiful items- Etsy. There I found Suzanne and the Little Grouse School Workshop.
Suzanne was kind enough to send me a fabulous handmade compost jar that is a work of art! It looks great sitting on my counter and I look forward to stuffing it at every meal. She included some bio-bags for lining it and a charcoal filter inside the lid to keep the stinkies at bay. The jar has a flexible rope handle for transporting outside to the tumbler. I love this jar!
There's more than just compost jars at the Little Grouse School Workshop. She also makes hummingbird feeders, cups, bowls, yarn holders, bean pots and more! Each item is one-of-a-kind and would make the best gifts this upcoming holiday season!
Want to buy a jar for your kitchen and start composting today? Suzanne has agreed to give my readers 5% off their orders by putting "Betsy sent me" in your order details. So stop by and check out her Etsy shop today!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Bare Minerals Winner!
Random Number Generator chose #40
Angie said...
Congrats!! I'll be in touch!
following you on twitter as @angiewith3
angiewith3 at live dot com
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Fleece Soaker
DH inherited his grandmother's sewing machine a number of years ago and since he doesn't sew, it has been sitting in a closet. I used to sew. I have made a few things but it has been a long time. I decided to get in touch with my inner domestic goddess and get out the machine.
The sewing machine is a White and it is probably older than I am. But she was well cared for and is still in great shape. The manuals were even there so I familiarized myself with the parts and got started.
I wanted to make something practical. Something my DS could use. I decided on a soaker. I have 2 wool sweaters from the thrift store and a huge pile of fleece given to me by my brother. I started with the fleece. Seeing as I had several solid colors, I thought an applique on his bum would make it extra cute. So I traced the three arrows from the recycling box and made a paper pattern. Cut, sew and done. Not too bad! A little irregular looking but recognizable at least.
I searched online for a soaker pattern and found that everyone uses Katrina's Soaker
Pattern. Seemed easy enough so I printed it out, measured DS to decide what size (XL) and got started. A few pricked fingers and a few arguments with the machine and I had a soaker! I was so happy!
Off I went with DS to put him in it. It's kinda tight. I need a 2XL, I guess. She has that pattern too. I will do that for the upcycled sweater soakers that I'll try soon. What do you think?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Bare Minerals Review and Giveaway!
When I was younger, I used very little in the way of foundation in my makeup ritual. A little powder was all I really needed. As I got older, I started using liquid foundation but only if I was going out somewhere special, not every day. Then I moved to the "deep south".
Around the same time that I moved to southern Georgia, I developed Rosacea on my cheeks. The need for more coverage did not mesh with the 100 degrees in the shade weather that we have down here! One night, shortly after my move, I saw a late night infomercial that changed my face forever! It was for Bare Minerals by Bare Escentuals. A natural, mineral makeup that claimed great coverage in a lightweight and smudge resistant form. I had to try it. I ordered the starter kit and I have been a Bare Minerals girl ever since!
The BM foundation goes on as a light powder and gives full coverage better than any liquid ever did for me. It covered my Rosacea fabulously and even improved my skin by letting it breathe and not clogging it up with junk. This stuff is so good for your skin, you can sleep in it!
I have also purchased Bare Minerals from QVC. They get some exclusives from the company and the CEO, Leslie Blodgett, shows how to use the products and gives great tips!
Bare Minerals sent me their Summer Escentuals pack to review and I am so in love with it!
Included in the pack:
Pure Joy- a light neutral peachy eyeshadow with a hint of shimmer to brighten the eyes
This set is perfect for that light, healthy, fun summer look. I have also mixed and matched it with my other Bare Minerals makeup and created many different fabulous looks!
And now the good news- Bare Minerals want one of you to have the same Summer Escentuals kit! Here's how to enter:
Contest ends August 1st at midnight EST
Products were sent to me but this is an honest review.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Clingman's Dome
On our way back home to Georgia, following a great family reunion in Kentucky, my DH decided that we should take a detour through the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. We drove on the most beautiful (curvy) roads. We saw a momma black bear with a cub up on the side of the mountain. Then DH says that he wants to go up Clingman's Dome. I look it up and see that it is the highest point in Tennessee, the second highest point east of the Mississippi and 6,643 feet high! Did I mention that I don't really like heights?
So we begin the drive up the mountain. Up, and up, and up. Scary. After about a 20 mile drive (back and forth weaving up the mountain) we arrive at the parking lot. We changed shoes for the hike up the rest of the way. The paved trail leading to the top is only about a half-mile long but so steep that it takes about 30 minutes to hike it. DH pushed DS up the mountain in our Jeep jogging stroller. There are many places to stop and take pictures along the way. We found a cute rabbit that seemed unfazed at the people taking his picture.
At the top of the half-mile trail is a 54 foot concrete observation tower. I had already gone so far that I sucked it up and went to the top of the tower. The view was incredible! On a clear day, the view is almost 100 miles and seven states but it was overcast on our trip so we could only see about 20 miles. It was a little easier hiking back down the trail and the road didn't seem as scary on the way down the mountain but I sure was glad to be on sorta flat ground again!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
My First Winner!
Since I was running this on two separate blogs, I decided to count from #1 on No Snakes In New Zealand and continue to 499 on my blog. Random.org chose the #236 which is:
Mama Campbell said...
Mama Campbell said...tweet
http://twitter.com/MamaCampbell/status/18094958129
Congrats!!!- I'll send you a message ASAP!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Heading Out!
Well, I am on my way to Rough River State Park in Kentucky for a family reunion. Should take about 11 hours total to drive there, with an 18 month old in the backseat. This should be interesting! I have packed toys and snacks (for baby and parents :) ) and the clothes are almost all packed. We will be spending the night in Tennessee before heading the rest of the way to KY. I will take lots of pics and return next week to let y'all know how it was! Bye!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
My Nifty Nappy Review and Giveaway!
I found My Nifty Nappy cloth diaper site online while searching for diapers with cute prints not just solid colors. I certainly found them here! Vilate was kind enough to send me a Peachykeen pocket diaper for review. She also makes the most fabulous fitteds for you ladies who love fitted diapers!
When my diaper first arrived, my reaction was "Wow! This is such a cute print! How did she know that my husband worked on a boat?" Apparently by coincidence, I received a blue diaper with lobsters and anchors with rope all around it- the perfect nautical dipe for my little sailor!
Then I saw the insert. Super soft, yummy bamboo! My favorite material for inserts! I could hardly wait to prep it and get it on his bum. I put it on G and loved the fit! The peachykeen diaper is super comfy and the bamboo insert is super absorbent. It works better each and every time I use it (that is the nature of bamboo after all!).
The snap closure is always a plus for those of us tired of fighting the dreaded diaper velcro chain and the snaps can crossover the band for those babes with a skinny waist.
I love this diaper and it is one I reach for every time it is clean. The print makes me smile and I can be sure that I will have no leaks with the bamboo. I love My Nifty Nappy!
Now for the good stuff- Who wants to win a $35 gift certificate to My Nifty Nappy? I know you do! Here's how:
- Go to My Nifty Nappy website and tell me what fabric you would choose for your diaper and if you would choose a fitted or a pocket diaper
- Follow this blog- Garrick Goes Green
- Follow My Nifty Nappy's blog
- Follow me on Twitter @betsyssi
- Follow @myniftynappy on Twitter
- Suscribe to My Nifty Nappy's newsletter
- Tweet about this giveaway!! Tweets allowed once per day, using @betsyssi and @myniftynappy with the hashtags #clothdiapers and #giveaway.
Contest ends July 11, 2010 at midnight EST
Hello!
I guess I should start with the basics. This is my first solo blog. I have been a guest writer on There's No Snakes In New Zealand with my good buddy Danielle for a few months now and have enjoyed it so much :)
I am a wife, mother of one energetic 18 month old boy, and part-time dog groomer.
I was born and raised in New York but now live in southern Georgia. Major culture shock- in a good way :)
I cloth diaper, baby wear, and breastfed exclusively until he weaned himself a few weeks ago :( I also compost and want to start a garden soon (kinda late in the season I guess- maybe next spring!). My DH and I bought our house about 3 years ago and have been slowly renovating it. I try to use only green products for myself and my family whenever possible.
This blog will contain my musings, questions, commentary on life and lots of fun giveaways!
Join me, won't you?
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