Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Photographing Flowers

While I was out in my garden the other day photographing some flowers I noticed something peculiar. On one of my flowers was a honey bee, but it wasn't buzzing around collecting pollen. It was just sitting inside one of my rhododendron flowers not moving around at all. Upon closer inspection I saw a spider hiding inside the petals.

Crab Spider with captured Honey Bee. Look how much pollen this bee has!

I thought this to be an unfortunate fate for the bee, but fairly fascinating for my children to observe. As a homeschooling parent, I love nature studies! Anything to get my kids outdoors and exploring. We love getting out our cameras or nature journals to capture the gorgeous Earth at its finest. Charlotte Mason's nature studies are also some of my favorite things to read my children.

My kids came over to see what I was looking at so intently. I showed them and they were intrigued at what they saw. We had never seen this display in real life and never so up close as this was. Then little by little throughout the day my children found others. One had a bumble bee and another was just waiting to catch something. My kids were excited at what we found.

Crab Spider preying on a Bumble Bee.

We found out later through some research and inquiry that these spiders were called Crab Spiders. They are a certain variety of spiders that don't make webs, but instead hide out in flowers waiting to pounce on their unsuspecting prey. Some are brightly colored to match their favorite flower hiding spot and others can change their colors to camouflage themselves, much like a chameleon does.

Crab Spider playing hide and seek in the Snow Drops. Do you see it?

I believe all creatures are fascinating, even spiders! What a glorious world we live in! So diverse and intricate. So much to explore and learn. I love nature!

UPDATE: May 1, 2014

Can you see it? My daughter didn't when she picked this Dandelion.

My daughter Zari picked a dandelion that was going to seed because she loves to blow them around. Guess what we found lurking in the seeds of the plant? You guessed it! Another crab spider! I had my camera ready and captured it hanging onto the seeds. We believe that it was probably lost, because usually these spiders like to hang out in flowers that attract pollinators. This one was hiding in a dandelion that probably wouldn't be so attractive because of the stage it was in.

Crab Spider perched on the seeds of a Dandelion.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Tatutina Wooden Letters Review and Giveaway


Tatutina is a wonderful online store with unique products that are all very colorful and happy. Most of their products are hand painted and all of them that are, use paint that is certified non-toxic and lead free. They now can also personalize by hand painting a name in their own Tatutina style. They have such a fun and funky way of painting their designs! I fell in love with the colors and bright patterns.

We were asked to review their wooden letters and so I got to pick a name or word to have the wooden letters spell. My girls want an enchanted forest, woodland themed room. I picked the word ENCHANTED for the girls room because it basically encompasses the feel they want their room to have. I also chose pastel colors and mostly floral, rainbow/stripe, and hearts...with the occasional polka-dot.

Tatutina Pastel Wooden Letters: ENCHANTED

I picked these letters:
Wooden Letter E - Pastel Green w/Dots
Wooden Letter N - Pastel Pink w/Dots
Wooden Letter C - Pastel Rainbow
Wooden Letter H - Pastel Pink w/Heart
Wooden Letter A - Pastel Pink w/Flower
Wooden Letter N - Pastel Pink w/Stripes
Wooden Letter T - Pastel Pink w/Flower
Wooden Letter E - Pastel Pink w/Hearts
Wooden Letter D - Pastel Orange w/Heart

The letters you can pick from on Tatutina's website are painted in either pastel or bright colors. They are approximately 7" tall, with keyhole mount on the back for easy hanging. They are not heavy because they are hollow inside.

The wooden letters came all in one box and were individually wrapped. The box was fairly heavy, but held all the letters without leaving too much room for movement which is great so they wouldn't get broken in shipment. All of the letters arrived safe and sound to me.

I hung them all easily with thumbtacks above the girls window in their room. I didn't even have to get out any tools or hardware. I love how simple they were to put up and how they look in the room. These are a wonderful room decoration!

FOLLOW THEM
“Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter!

BUY IT
You can purchase Tatutina Wooden Letters for $8 each on Tatutina's website. They also have a wide assortment of other fun things to buy there as well.

WIN IT
Prize: A word or name of choice in Tatutina Wooden Letters of choice of pastel or bright colors.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product free to facilitate this review and post. Many thanks to Tatutina for providing the prize for the giveaway for free as well. Winners are picked randomly on rafflecopter. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation or altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review and giveaway. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Birthday Express My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Party Review

We received this product free from Birthday/Celebrate Express to facilitate this review. 

April 15th was my daughter, Teela's, 6th birthday and I scheduled her party to be on the 26th. She wanted it to be My Little Pony Themed and so I arranged for Birthday Express to supply the party pack. We invited guests via Facebook events and homemade invitations that my daughter colored and drew herself.

Birthday Express My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Deluxe Party Pack and Favors for 16

We received the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Deluxe Party Pack and Favors for 16 on the 23rd which was well before the date of the party. That was absolutely perfect because we had ample amount of time to plan where things were going to be placed before the big day.

This is what the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Deluxe Party Pack and Favors for 16 included:
  • 16 Dinner & Dessert Plates
  • 16 Cups, Forks & Spoons
  • 32 Lunch Napkins
  • 2 Tablecovers, Foil Balloons & Centerpieces
  • 18 Balloons (3 colors)
  • 3 Curling Ribbon Rolls (3 colors)
  • 6 Crepe Paper (3 colors)
  • 16 Cake Candles
  • 16 Thank You Notes
  • 16 Paper Tiaras
  • 16 Favor Boxes with Favors
  • 1 Standard Size Personalized Banner (18" x 61")
  • This is an officially licensed My Little Pony product.

Birthday Express My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Party Decorations

We set up everything the day of and it was perfect because I had arranged for the party to start at 3pm. I had the whole front half of the day to prepare and organize everything. The party table and decorations looked absolutely amazing! I didn't have helium, so I stuck the foil balloons on the sliding glass door with clear tape. We twisted three colors of crepe paper together for a tricolor effect and attached a different color balloon to each end and the middle. I hung the banner which was made of heavy vinyl above the window. I got to pick exactly what it would read and Birthday Express personalized it for me before it arrived. My son, Delbin, also made a small sign featuring the mane six's cutie marks to be placed over the switch for the fan so it wouldn't be a distraction for the kids at the party and he made a paper chain. I loved the cute centerpieces for the table and table cloth the most.


Decorated Birthday Express My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Party Table.


Birthday Express My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Party Favors

I loaded the guest's polka-dotted favor boxes with goodies that were supplied. The favors were awesome! I placed in each box a pink heart mirror, a pink brush, a rainbow ring, a rainbow star headband, candy necklaces, and a MLP blowout. I was very happy that the blowouts weren't noise makers. Then I decorated the boxes with the curling ribbon.

Delbin with a hat we had from a previous party: Unicorn Ring Toss

Teela's oldest brother Delbin was such a great sport and played along. He helped with the Unicorn Ring Toss game and pretended he was the unicorn with a pointed party hat we had left over from a previous party. I had these hoops that we used to try to loop over his "horn" :) The girls thought this was so much fun and lots of giggling was heard throughout.

Duck Duck Goose adaptation...Pony Pony Pegasus

The next game we played was a Duck Duck Goose adaptation we called Pony Pony Pegasus. We had the kids sit on the floor in a circle to play. The person who was "it" and the person they chose would run around the circle and try to take their seat. The person that got there first didn't have to be "it" the next time around. It held their attention for a while and then it was time for food.

Party Food

We had carrot cake squares with cream cheese frosting, strawberry shortcake, deviled eggs, finger sandwiches cut into heart shapes and a veggie/fruit platter with dip. We also had some apple juice for drinking. I know some of this isn't the most pony friendly food, but I did my best to cater to the masses ;)

Teela blowing out her candles.

We had Teela blow out her candles on her requested Strawberry Shortcake and sang her Happy Birthday Pinkie Pie style :) The food turned out to be a hit and was so yummy!

Teela's brothers having fun with the blowouts :)

Some of Teela's Gifts

After the food was cleaned up and the left over put away, it was time for Teela to open her presents. She received some awesome stuff! We got her the Twilight Sparkle hooded towel. The dress she is wearing is from her Nonnie. She also got some really fun MLP, Disney Princess, Barbie, and LEGO stuff. I love the Butterfly hair clips too! Of course it isn't about the gifts...it is about friendships. This is why Friendship Is Magic!!

Teela and her Party Guests.

The guests had a lot of fun at the party and wanted to come back again. They loved the decorations, party food, and games. I was so glad they could join us and I want to thank them for making Teela's day so special.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. 

Diva Cup: Toxic Free Alternative to Tampons and Pads Review and Giveaway

We received this product free from The DivaCup to facilitate this review and an opportunity to give one away for free as well.

I have been very curious lately and have been searching for a better product to use with my menstrual flow. I have learned that pads or tampons that you can buy at the store don't have the ingredients labeled on them. Because they are considered to be a "medical device", by law they are not required to give you full (or any) disclosure of the ingredients in their products. Most of them have potentially harmful ingredients in their products. I do not want these potentially harmful chemicals inside of me or close to my skin.

The DivaCup is a reusable menstrual cup that is simply made of soft, natural un-pigmented silicone. There is nothing bad that leaches out of the silicone when it is worn. When inserted correctly, The DivaCup should sit low at the base of the canal, away from the cervix with the point down. For more information please visit their Tips for Success. DivaCup's unique bell-shape catches the menstrual flow. The DivaCup is great for women of all shapes, sizes, and lifestyles. From the young woman just starting her period to the well seasoned woman, the DivaCup is the perfect alternative to mainstream pads and tampons.

A few things to keep in mind about The DivaCup:
  • The DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time since it conveniently holds one full ounce or 30 ml of menstrual flow (the average woman only flows approximately 1 to 1.4 ounces or 30-40 ml per cycle) and needs only to be cleaned 2-3 times a day with warm water and the DivaWash or a mild, unscented, oil-free soap.
  • Since The DivaCup is a personal hygienic product, a general guideline is to replace it once a year, but ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide when it is necessary to replace the cup.
  • There are two sizes that you can choose from, Model 1 and Model 2. Model 1 [1/8″ (~0.3 cm) smaller than Model 2] is recommended for women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by caesarean section. Model 2 is recommended for women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by caesarean section. The cup size is stamped inside the rim. Please refer to the sizing guidelines to find the right DivaCup size!


April was the first menses I got to use my new DivaCup, since it arrived after my menstrual cycle in March. Even though I am petite I picked out Model 2 because the sizing chart on the DivaCup website clearly showed me that it was the correct choice. I had a bit of trouble at first learning the proper way of inserting it, but I think I finally got the hang of it now. Not trying to be graphic, but my period sometimes gushes and I have had problems with pads not fitting the contour of my panty and leaking over the sides, even with wings. I have never cared for tampons, because of toxic shock syndrome. I did find that the DivaCup leaked a little, but the majority of my flow went into the DivaCup like magic. I will probably need to get/make some organic: 100% cotton or hemp/cotton blend cloth pads/liners to catch the small amount of leakage left. I also found that while using the DivaCup my flow wasn't fowl smelling. It was actually very interesting to see that the DivaCup holds quite a lot. In dumping it out and cleaning it I learned how much flow my body was really producing during my menses. I love how it is reusable. No more pad or tampon waste for the Earth to take. Great for Earth Day and Mothers Day! I love that it is also saving me money.


FOLLOW THEM
“Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and subscribe to The DivaCup eNewsletter!

BUY IT
The DivaCup is a great gift for any woman wanting to have a toxic-free menstruation. The DivaCup pays for itself in just a few months since it is a reusable product. The Suggested Retail Price of one DivaCup is USD/CAD$39.99. This reflects a savings of $100-150 a year when compared to purchasing disposables. The DivaCup can be found in store and online in 23 countries around the world. Their Store Finder and trusted e tailer web page can help you purchase The DivaCup.

WIN IT
Prize: A DivaCup, winner's choice in size.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product free to facilitate this review and post. Many thanks to The Diva Cup for providing this prize for the giveaway for free as well. Winners are picked randomly on rafflecopter. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation or altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review and giveaway. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Friday, April 18, 2014

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Family Discussion Guide and Prize Pack Giveaway #SpiderMan


We received The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Family Discussion Guide free to facilitate this review. I am also receiving the prize pack (one to giveaway one to keep) for free. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

The new Spider-Man movie The Amazing Spider-Man 2™ comes to theaters in May. Have you seen the previews? It looks like it is going to be epic and I can not wait to see it!

My household is a fan of comic book heroes. We are definitely a fairly geeky family. We love all things geeky and we love a good comic con every now and then.

Peter Parker is the definition of geek...that is before he became Spider-Man and received his spidey sense and super web flinging powers. Actually he has a lot of interesting character traits that make him very relatable. He's chosen to defend good and battle evil, but the and most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. Before he died, Peter's uncle Ben told him that with great power comes great responsibility and this is so true.


I was given the opportunity to review The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Family Discussion Guide. It is a Christian guide that goes through and helps parents discuss the movie and its parallels with the Bible with their children. I thought it was a very well written guide. It goes through 6 different subjects that intertwine to make or break a hero: the nature of power, you are somebody who is needed, time is luck and life is precious, live your own life and make it count, choices and destiny, and sacrifice. It is great for helping kids who have been bullied or are depressed.

It helps children learn:
  • to use their inner strengths/powers for good, responsively
  • to stand up for the innocent when others are abusing their powers 
  • that they are needed in the world 
  • to make every moment in the day doing something that is good
  • that what you do in life matters
  • that managing time and balancing responsibilities is very important
  • to emulate the good in others, not the bad
  • to strengthen their good talents and abilities 
  • to use their talents and abilities for good
  • to make good choices because it shapes who we become in life
  • how making sacrifices for a higher cause is heroic

The Trailer:


Official website for the movie: The Amazing Spider-Man
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamazingspiderman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/spidermanmovie


WIN IT
Prize: AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 Prize Pack (t-shirt, paper mask and phone case), Special edition: The Amazing Spiderman 2 Family Discussion Guide (electronic), and A chance to win a 4 pack of tickets to the movie opening weekend.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Many thanks to Propeller, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Foraging with Kids by "Wildman" Steve Brill Book Review

We received this book in eBook format free from "Wildman" Steve Brill to facilitate this review.

People these days have become so disconnected from nature. Our society has gotten so far away from gathering wild food. Foraging used to be a normal everyday occurrence, a way of life and a need for survival. Now it seems people are furthering themselves from this essential skill and losing touch with the natural world around them. Even agriculture is becoming far and distant for some. I for one, do not want my kids to grow up without this knowledge. I do not want this to become a forgotten skill.

My girls, Zari & Teela, last year with Dandelions
I love the outdoors and sharing my love of the outdoors with my kids is something I treasure. I love getting outside and learning hands-on and so do my kids. I love seeing the wonder on their faces when they are learning something new about the plants and other things that surround us. I admit that I sometimes am learning right along with them. My favorite subject was and still is science. It is the joy of seeing my kids having fun while learning that makes me also love homeschooling and drives me to make their lessons more of a enriching experience for them. Children definitely make everything more interesting and so much more enjoyable.

My hobby as a forager began when I was a child also. I learned about some edible and medicinal plants in Girl Scouts and later I picked up a book about edible flowers from our local library and devoured the contents. I don't really remember the title to the book but it had recipes too. I loved learning about how violets, dandelions, roses, and nasturtiums were all edible and what you could do with them besides add them to a salad. It was fun because the food involved something out of the ordinary for me.

Foraging is a wonderful survival skill, but it also teaches children (and adults) about all kinds of other needed skills as well. It teaches about: following directions, cooking and eating natural foods, where food really comes from, making discoveries, exploring, observation, collecting, and being in nature, etc. When you are teaching your child you can also dive into other things related that ties in with it like: science, health and nutrition, stories, folklore, history, poetry, games, and art.


This book, Foraging with Kids by "Wildman" Steve Brill, is a wonderful learning tool to teaching your children about plants that can be foraged for food. This book is perfect for the beginner of foraging with children or those that are beginners who want to teach children. It covers only those plants you can find just about anywhere with no poisonous look-alikes, especially edibles that kids tend to like a lot. It has a total of 76 wild edible species from the contiguous United States and Southern Canada. These plants are organized by season and plant type so you can easily identify the plant. It will take you through identifying characteristics, botany basics, where to (and not to) forage, how to forage without destroying the plant and wildlife surrounding it, a list of items to take with you foraging, and pictures of each plant to help you along the way get to know these plants well. Still a word of caution, you need to always verify a plant’s identity with 100% certainty before you eat it!

Foraging with Kids also has some wonderful tips, poetry, stories, folklore, history, games, activities, science, and recipes scattered throughout its pages. Each story, folktale, or blip about our history is surrounded by dashed and dotted lines and has a picture of a slightly open book with a dragon on the cover on the page so it is easily found. The science experiments and lessons are circled and have a funny anthropomorphic cucumber?? that is looking through a magnifying glass on the page. The recipes in this book are found with a drawing of a baby looking at a cookbook that says Cooking for Kids on the cover. They are all whole-food vegan (no animal products) recipes. Some have ingredients that you might not have available to you in your kitchen, but are easily found and bought at a health food store. These are all wonderful recipes without all the refined, processed junk and fillers.

My girls, Teela & Zari, this year with Violets
Dandelions and Violets are my daughters' favorites so far that we have found in our own yard. I love them too! Now that it is Spring I want to go out searching for more wild edibles with my kids. I enjoyed reading this book! It has a lot of great information packed into the 392 pages. I loved the stories and folklore and can't wait to try some of the recipes once I get to know each of these plants well myself.

BUY IT
You can purchase Foraging with Kids by "Wildman" Steve Brill for $54.95 for the print version or $12.50 for the PDF downloadable version.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this product for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Teach Your Child Herbs With Herb Fairies!


Herb Fairies is a magical tale of plants and their remedies as told by wonderful storytelling and fairies that look like the plant they are named after. These 13 interactive e-book stories were written by Kimberly Gallagher, the creator of Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Board Game. These help young and old alike learn herbs in a fun way. I love to use these in homeschooling! Both my sons and daughters love these.


Kimberly's husband, John of LearningHerbs.com will be releasing some really cool FREE recipes, coloring sheets, posters, activities and information packs along with information about how you can join the Herb Fairies book club along the way. So, make sure to sign up so you won't miss any of the fun!

Sign up here at HerbFairies.com to learn more and get instant access to the FREE stuff :)

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You can download the new Herb Fairies Cookbook and make some recipes and remedies like Dandelion Flower Cookies, Candied Violets, Lemon Balm Popsicles, Chickweed Grilled Cheese, Chocolate Elderberry Syrup, Pine Tea, and many more! There are 13 recipes total in the cookbook that use the plants from the Herb Fairies books.
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Also, I received a really neat kids activity pack free to give to my readers that goes right along with the Herb Fairies. This activity pack introduces you to Stellaria, the Chickweed fairy and gives you information on chickweed, a coloring sheet as well as a yummy recipe to use the herb in. Go ahead and download it and share it with your kids, Grandkids, or Godkids.

(right click to download)
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Sign up now to get instant access to more free downloads and information on how you can join the Herb Fairies Book Club!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I wrote this blog post because I thought you might be interested in knowing this information and taking part of this deal. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any compensation for doing this post. Affiliate links can be found in this post. Thank you for your support of this blog!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Zeenie Dollz Review and Giveaway

We received this product free from Zeenie Dollz to facilitate this review and an opportunity to host a giveaway.

The Zeenie Dollz are gorgeous dolls that teach children how to be more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly. There are a total of 6 dolls that represent a different cause and what they protect. These 12 inch dolls are made from recyclable, non-toxic materials: ABS and TPR plastics (not PVC like other dolls). They also have joints that feature 24 points of articulation for maximum poseability and playability. All the dolls come with a doll stand, brush, colorful bracelet and luggage tag. Because of the small parts these dolls are not recommended for ages under 6 years old.

Mother Earth
  • Zennia is the doll that started the Zeenie Dollz. She symbolizes Mother Earth and is the protector of the whole planet. To help her on the quest of combating the evil anti-environment villains that threaten to destroy the world she enlisted the help of the Eco-Warriors, fashion forward girls that save the planet and look fabulous while doing it.
Eco-Warriors
  • Lina protector of the rainforests, defender against deforestation. +ocelot friend Abby.
  • Sini protector of farmland, defender of mistreated and abused animals. +pet dog Misty.
  • Evee protector of the skies, defender against pollution. +pet parrot Lulu.
  • Kazumi protector of the polar regions, defender against global warming. +polar bear friend Ella.
  • Yana protector of the oceans, defender of marine conservation. +dolphin friend Serena.
Each doll character has its own online persona with information about its cause with games, downloads and activities on the website. There is even a free Zeenie App game for iPhone and iPad.

Saving the planet...that's our style!™ (Zeenie Dollz slogan)

Follow Them
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube


I received Zennia to review. She is a beautiful doll with bright blue eyes, green lips and blue hair that has streaks of pink and green in it. In her hair she has a blue headband with two blue & two green flowers and small sparkling jewels. Before we opened the packaging and got Zennia out, her headband had fallen apart, but Zeenie Dollz has great customer service and told me another headband is on the way to me along with a complimentary tote bag. Zennia has a neat tattoo on her chest that is of a vine that comes together in the middle as a heart and has a sun and moon above on either side. She also has a long flowing gown that has a bird, the Earth and a small heart on it. On her feet are some very Roman looking sandals. She has pretty leaf earrings too.

BUY IT
I love that these dolls have a wonderful message to teach kids. Also with your purchase, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations working to preserve the environment and protect all animals and the places they call home. Right now they are having a spring sale! If you buy 2 or more dolls you get 50% off! The dolls are regularly $49.99.

These dolls are perfect for Earth Day and Spring. They are also great for Easter Baskets too!

WIN IT
Prize: Winner's choice of one of the Zeenie Dollz.

I am trying out Rafflecopter on my blog. Please click on this post link if you do not see the script for it below. Also, if there is anything that is wrong with it let me know by emailing me: finamoon AT gmail DOT com I will try my best at fixing it. Thanks for being awesome readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Win the Ultimate My Little Pony Prize Pack

Click Communications: BLOGGER BUTTONS &emdash;
 I entered the following giveaway and thought you, my readers would also like to as well.

Two great (and reasonably priced) DVDs are available now from Shout! Factory Kids and are the perfect Easter basket stuffer. Get your readers in the Easter mood with these activity and recipe sheets from Noah's Ark and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – A Dash of Awesome, both available at retailers nationwide!



Shout! Factory Kids is giving away The Ultimate My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Prize Pack! 5 lucky winners will receive a Framed Animation Cel and a copy of A Dash of Awesome! win the Ultimate My Little Pony Prize Pack Shout! To Enter: "Like" the Shout! Kids Facebook Page and comment with either your favorite pony or episode!

Sneak Peak of "My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: A Dash of Awesome"


DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this information by email and entered the giveaway myself. I wanted to share this with you, my readers. I did not receive anything in return for posting this.

Monday, April 7, 2014

A Year with Six Sisters' Stuff: 52 Menu Plans, Recipes and Ideas to Bring Families Together Book Review and Giveaway

We received this product free from Shadow Mountain to facilitate this review, an opportunity to host a giveaway and participate in the blog tour.

One of my favorite blogs to read is the Six Sisters' Stuff blog. This blog was created by 6 biological sisters: Camille, Kristen, Elyse, Stephanie, Lauren, and Kendra that wanted to stay in touch and share recipes, crafts, projects and neat ideas with each other while apart. Growing up with just sisters and no brothers in my family I can relate with this blog a lot...even though I only have 2 younger sisters. These sisters also share another similarity with me...they are all of the LDS/Mormon faith. Their blog is also in the "Why Are YOUR Favorite Bloggers Mormon?" list of blogs that I frequently visit.

Six Sisters' Stuff is back with seconds with their newest cookbook, A Year with Six Sisters' Stuff. So many mouthwatering meal and recipe choices! It is jam packed with over 150 new recipes broken into 52 menu plans to share with family and friends. It has easy to follow instructions and every recipe is accompanied by gorgeous full color photos. Each meal has a entree, side dish and dessert. You can also take those meals and mix and match other recipes from the book to make different meal offerings. The ingredients that the Six Sisters use are usually found in the home making the meals even easier to throw together at the last minute. Making three-course meals couldn't be more simple and stress-free when following the Six Sisters. Also tucked in throughout are tips, crafts, helpful checklists, traditions, ideas and activities; all easily found by table of contents and index.

My favorite meals from this cookbook have to be the slow cooker ones. I love my Crock Pot! The Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas sound so good too! I really would love to try the Homemade Bread Bowls because I love soup. I am also on a fruit kick so the Ambrosia Fruit Salad, Berry Cheesecake Pudding and Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad look absolutely delicious. These and so many other recipes grace the pages of the A Year with Six Sisters' Stuff Cookbook.

I love that this cookbook makes it easier on the cook to make healthy and homemade three course meals for their family. Dinnertime especially is supposed to be family time. So gather around the table with your family and partake in the delicious food that Six Sisters' Stuff has in store for you.


BUY IT
You can purchase the Six Sisters' Stuff book at DeseretBook.com for $21.99 List Price $18.69 Sale Price (at posting date).

WIN IT
Prize: 10 winners will receive a copy of A Year with Six Sisters' Stuff Cookbook. This giveaway is the same giveaway hosted on my blog and all the blogs that are participating in the blog tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received products for free to facilitate my review. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Win the My Little Pony Claire's Spring 2014 Toy Collection

I entered the following giveaway and thought you, my readers would also like to as well. I did not receive anything in return for posting this.

The My Little Ponies have been Rainbowfied by the power of friendship! Don't miss your last chance to win the 2014 My Little Pony Toy Collection from Claire's for you AND two friends!

Enter now through April 9th. Click here for official rules, list of prizes, and how to enter for your chance to win: http://bit.ly/1dwNZ9X

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I received this information by Facebook and because I am a fan of MLP I entered the giveaway myself. I also wanted to share this with you, my readers. I did not receive anything in return for posting this.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Seventh Generation #FightToxins Petition

Fighting evil toxins by day, resting easy by night!
This post is sponsored by Seventh Generation and Social Good Moms. I will be compensated for this post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

My family doesn't like toxins in our home or in the world around us. Seventh Generation has picked my family to be Toxin Freedom Fighters and stand up to toxic chemicals. I am here to tell you about their awesome products, their Fight Toxins Campaign, and how you too can get involved.

Seventh Generation makes awesome: household cleaners, baby diapers, wipes, bath and body, skin care, and feminine care products that are all better for you and the environment. These products are usually natural, plant derived, or plant based and their ingredient disclosure is exceptional. Seventh Generation is working on goals of responsible sourcing; using materials from plants not petroleum; ensuring the health of our planet and the people on it; having an engaged, motivated workforce; and caring for their community. They work with CleanWell, are a certified B Corporation, a member of the USDA BioPreferred program and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and all their products are certified cruelty-free.

"The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1976 and has never been updated. Some people might assume that the chemicals used to make products sold in the U.S., like toys and food containers, are regulated and tested for safety — but they are not. Over 80,000 chemicals are currently available for use in the market. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) grandfathered in 62,000 chemicals when enacted in 1976 and over 20,000 have since been added. The EPA has required very few of these to be tested for their impacts on human health and the environment. Now is the time to update the regulation on these chemicals."

Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to many health risks, such as Cancer, Alzheimer's, learning disabilities, asthma, birth defects, and various reproductive problems. My family doesn't feel comfortable using these untested chemicals in our homes...especially around our children. Congress has the power to hold companies responsible for the safety of the ingredients they use.


Get involved and sign the petition to get congress to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)! Seventh Generation is working to push a reform on TSCA which would have all of these chemicals studied, evaluated and tested. Their goal is the collection of 100,000 signatures for the Chemical Safety Act by April 30, 2014; before this petition goes to congress. Help us and Seventh Generation fight toxins, sign the petition, and please spread the word to your friends and family about this too!

Even your pets want you to join in the fight against toxins!
DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by Seventh Generation and Social Good Moms. I will be compensated for this post. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Restaurant.com - Flavor at Your Fingertips Offer


US Family Guide provided me with this promotional information and offer to share with my readers. I am getting something for free in return for posting this information.

Find Flavor at your Fingertips with Restaurant.com's Mobile App!

Receive a FREE $10 Restaurant.com eGift Card with Your FIRST Purchase on the Restaurant.com Mobile App!* http://rst.cm/uKE4q



Using location-based technology, the Restaurant.com mobile app allows you to connect to great savings and restaurants on the go! Simply tap the "Deals Near Me" button to find restaurants near your location or type your zip code or city to locate flavor right at your fingertips. Did you know Restaurant.com offers nearly 50,000 online dining deals at thousands of restaurants nationwide? The deals are easy to use, never expire, and are available to use right away. The best part, if you change your mind on the restaurant choice, you can exchange anytime, no questions asked.

Found a restaurant with a great deal? Present the certificate to your server on a mobile device, and voila - the savings will be deducted from your final bill.

Don't miss out on this exclusive offer! Download the app now at Google Play or the iTunes App Store until Wednesday, April 30.

*Your first purchase via the Restaurant.com mobile application may qualify for a free $10 Restaurant.com eGift Card. You can download the Restaurant.com mobile application on iTunes App Store or Google Play. The purchase must be made between Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 1:00AM PST and Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 11:59PM PST to qualify, and must be your first purchase through the Restaurant.com mobile application. Restaurant.com reserves the right to change the promotional period at anytime. Previous purchasers via the Restaurant.com mobile application are not eligible. One free eGift Card per qualified purchase. The $10 Restaurant.com eGift Card will be emailed within 24-72 hours following the purchase. eGift Cards can be redeemed online at www.theidealmeal.com for a restaurant specific certificate. eGift Cards cannot be redeemed at any restaurant. Restaurant.com is not responsible for undelivered, lost or stolen eGift Cards.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Restaurant.com - Flavor at Your Fingertips Offer I am getting a $50 Restaurant.com Gift Card. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.

Coobie Seamless Bras Offer

US Family Guide provided me with this promotional information and offer to share with my readers. I am getting something for free in return for posting this information.

Coobie Seamless Bras are ultra comfortable and versatile without sacrificing style. These affordable, stylish bras are seamless, one-size (comfortably fits 32A through 36D), available in 7+ styles and 50+ fashion colors and patterns. There is also a full size version fitting up to a size 42D. They are perfect for every day wear, yoga, pilates, new and nursing moms, sleep wear, and more! Coobie Seamless Bras also has a large following of mastectomy patients that love the soft comfort and pad pocket to insert a form. This line is truly a fit for all women!


Promotion: Save 25% on any order of $40 or more at www.shopcoobie.com with promotion code USFG25.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Because I am posting about the Coobie Seamless Bras Offer I am getting my choice of two FREE bras - either a scoopneck or v-neck in one size (32A-36D) or a full size (38A-42D) from their collection. Thanks to USFamilyGuide.com for providing me this promotion information. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for posting this promo.