Great Wooden Fun ~ GIVEAWAY!!

Our little girl has reached the "chew on everything" stage! And, we've started to question what she's chewing on! Is it safe? So we were glad to discover a collection of wooden toys and accessories for children 0-5 years old that meet high safety standards!

HeidiKids is a family owned company based in Vancouver BC. Their wooden toys are designed in Canada and made in Germany to strict specifications. They are also the exclusive Canadian distributors for NIC & Walter toys and Tobi, a German manufacturer of a cool looking baby cot that can attach to Mom and Dad's bed! But more about HeidiKids:

Founded by parents who were searching for toys like they had known in their childhood, growing up in Germany, HeidiKids is all about these guiding principles: Safety, Sustainability, Highest Quality, Educational and Fun. That's certainly what we've experienced in the products we were sent.

We were very impressed with the attention to safety. Paints used are water-based, non-toxic and saliva-resistant. Attached parts can withstand the pull of 90 Newtons. The toys meet the requirements for Canadian toys and have been certified according to European norms as well (EN71). All other materials used such as strings, elastics and glues are also non-toxic and child-safe. Any metal parts such as clips and bells are nickel and lead-free.The wood used for the toys is taken from sustainable forests. The toys are crafted by traditional toy makers

There are some great toys in the HeidiKids collection! Pacifier holders, rattles, pram strings and car seat toys, clip-on toys and baby gyms and much more - all with bright colours, friendly creatures, and a variety of shapes to entertain your child in a safe and fun way!

We received 3 different items from the HeidiKids collection: a pacifier clip, a rattle and a clip-on toy.

Pacifier Clip
This is the only pacifier clip I've seen that clips onto a pacifier without a ring. Annalies finally condescended to a pacifier, the same day she started sucking her thumb! And, of course, it's a pacifier without a ring! Since then, we've convinced her to use another pacifier as well, with a ring, and this clip still does the trick! The clip part is very strong, there is no way it would come unattached by itself (like the ones with velcro). Also, the beads and "toys" along the clip make an interesting plaything, for when baby isn't sucking the pacifier. The clips come in many fun designs - we received the very patriotic "Oh Canada" model, and although I love the flag motif, the disk with the flag on is very heavy, and weights the pacifier down somewhat. Of course, if baby is very determinedly sucking the pacifier, it isn't going to come out. The pacifier clips come in different models and colours.

Motorik (Rollercoaster)Rattle
This has got to be the most fun rattle ever! Shaped like the number eight, the connected pieces (each one is a different colour) of this rattle allow you to twist it into many different shapes, even to a small circle! The blue bell attached adds extra interest, and the "knobbly" bits are great for chewing on! I think this is one of Annalies' favourite toys right now!

Clip-On toy "Busy Bee"
This toy has the same clip as the pacifier, so it's great for clipping onto a chair, car seat, clothing, whatever! The different parts of the toy are great for baby to look at, pull at and, of course, chew! The colours are bright and cheerful, and the toy allows for some manipulation, as the pieces are joined together by string. There are a couple of different kinds of clip-on toys in the collection.

HeidiKids products are available through a few retailers, as well as their online shop.

WIN IT!

HeidiKids is offering a Motorik Rattle to one lucky Glimpse winner! To enter, please check out the HeidiKids catalogue (on the products page) and let us know which other item caught your attention.

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

• Like HeidiKids on Facebook
• Follow HeidiKids on Twitter
• Grab our button
• Subscribe to our blog/feed
• Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
• Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
• Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
• Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
• Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA ONLY! Contest ends on June 14, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

**Disclaimer: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from HeidiKids in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Scholastic Monday - Story County: Here We Come!

Our book for Scholastic Monday this week is 100% adorable and FUN! The book that Scholastic Canada sent us to feature is none other than Story County: Here We Come! by Derek Anderson (a best selling author!) Since we live in the city, a farm is extra fascinating to our children, and the book does a fantastic job of capturing the FUN that several farm animals have when they get together to build their own farm. The story even coaxed a few giggles and laughs out of our kids, and the pictures are SO bright & colorful - they definitely capture a child's attention! The story is filled with things that children love...you know, things like rainbows, jelly beans, etc.! :) In the book the animals paint the barn a rainbow of colors, plant crops of jelly beans and candy corn (yum!), fashion the prettiest scarecrow ever seen, and more.

I love the whimsical nature of Story County: Here We Come!...and I have a feeling that it would be just the thing to brighten up a dreary day or would even put a smile on your face (or your kids' faces!) on a "grumpy" day. :) We really enjoyed reading this book from Scholastic Canada and think you would love it too!

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Little Toys for big and small!

One thing about having 3 kids in the house - we have a lot of toys. We keep saying we need to have fewer toys, but really, when they're all at different stages, they can't all play with the same stuff. Especially our baby - of course she needs her own special, safe for her age toys. And, the ability of a 2-year old is quite different than that of a 5-year old, although the gap is closing quickly! :) The motivation to be like your older brother can be a strong push! There are a few toy manufacturers we've come to recognize as having lasting toys that keep kids entertained...that provide creative opportunities for imaginative play...that don't break the first time you look at them!

One of these brands is Little Tikes. I don't think there's a single thing we own from Little Tikes that has disappointed us. And some of our Little Tikes stuff is 2nd (or more!) hand - it still makes for great fun! MGA toys, the parent company of the Little Tikes brand, and other brands as well (like Moxie Girlz, Bratz dolls, Nara battling bugs, Rescue Pets and more) is always bringing out new toys to their line - and we got to try out a couple of them this spring.

The first one is from Little Tikes: a Discover Sounds Alarm Clock! Don't worry, you can't set this one to wake you up :) although, if the kids start playing with it early in the morning, it might wake you anyway!

The clock feature an analog clock face, with hands you can move around yourself. As you move the hands around the face, the numbers are spoken aloud - in English, French or Spanish. The two alarm clock "bells" on top are actually buttons, that make the clock play funny sounds and songs. As well, a light flashes from the red dome on top. Our 2-year old has had great fun with the clock, even though it's a bit young for him in some ways: he likes saying the numbers along with the clock and recognizing the name of the number along with it's symbol. It is mainly geared for younger children though with it's press a button, hear a sound operation. The package says 12 months + and the website says 6 months +; I would say it's somewhere in between...and probably suitable until about 18 months, with some attraction to older toddlers as well. Like all Little Tikes toys, it's easy to operate and brightly coloured. The one thing I don't like about the clock is the volume. I find the sound to be quite loud, and there's no volume adjustment. (Hint: you can easily adjust the volume of toys by putting clear tape over the speakers, several layers if needed!) I really like that you can pick from 3 different languages and expose your child to the fact that different people say different words when they're counting. The Discover Sounds Alarm Clock is available at Wal-mart and Zellers; msrp $12.99.

The other toy we received is Dot Starlight, from the Mini Lalaloopsy doll collection. I've not entered the world of girls toys yet too much, so I wasn't familiar with the Lalaloopsy dolls; in case you aren't either, they are "rag dolls that magically came to life when their very last stitch was sewn! Each doll has their own personality that comes from the fabrics used to make them." Lalaloopsy dolls come in regular (13 inch) and mini (4 inch) :), the only difference apparent is the size. So if your little girl loves wee little dolls, the Lalaloopsy, or Mini Lalaloopsy dolls might just be the thing! The package the doll comes in becomes their home. A friend of the family's girl has been playing with Dot Starlight. She's nearly 4 and very into dolls - and old enough for mini dolls (recommended age is 4+). Miss L loved that the package is a house that can be used over and over, the doll is unique and funky looking (not just another typical doll), and the parents liked that it was a great tool for teaching your kids about a telescope, a globe, a rocket ship (all three were included with the doll). There were a couple of cons: the pieces are very small - you have to make sure to gather it all up again after playing with it, otherwise the parts would be lost, and with just one doll, you can't keep a 4 year old busy for long. My friend thought it would be good for taking along to the doctor's office, and they will likely buy more of these because they're so different from other dolls!

Each doll comes with a few accessories - Mini Dot Starlight comes with a bird (her pet), a rocket ship, globe and telescope (Dot Starlight's clothing is made from an astronaut's space suit). Other dolls are also available; check a major retailer near you (msrp $6.99)

**Disclaimer: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from Paradigm Public Relations for MGA Toys in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Another Winner!

The winner of a piece of Chewelry from Little Miss Headbands is:

Comment # 24: loriag

Congratulations! Please contact me within 72 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Winner!

Sorry - I guess I forgot to draw a winner for this contest! Oops!!!

The winner of a set of creams from Diane Lai is:

Comment #61: Dianne

Congratulations! Please reply to my email within 72 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Magnum Yum!

One thing I really like about the warm weather is all the cool treats we can enjoy! I got spoiled with all the deliciously rich chocolate and treats we could easily get when we lived in Europe...so you can guess my husband's reaction when we heard that Magnum, a brand of sinfully tasty ice cream bars, was being launched in Canada. He started salivating right away! :) I hadn't ever tasted one when we lived "over there" (can't think how that happened - I tried most every other chocolate thing!), so I was glad to try one here too!

We were sent a coupon so we could try out one box of Magnum ice cream bars. They come in 6 tempting flavours:

• Magnum Double Caramel, with silky vanilla bean ice cream, enrobed in a luscious chocolatey coating, rich caramel sauce and thick Belgian chocolate;
• Magnum Classic, silky vanilla bean ice cream covered in a thick layer of Belgian milk chocolate;
• Magnum Almond, silky vanilla bean ice cream covered in a thick layer of Belgian milk chocolate with crunchy toasted almonds;
• Magnum White, silky vanilla bean ice cream covered in a thick layer of Belgian white chocolate;
• Magnum Dark, silky vanilla bean ice cream covered in a thick layer of 60% Cocoa Belgian dark chocolate; and
• Magnum Double Chocolate, creamy chocolate ice cream covered in a chocolatey coating, molten chocolate sauce and a layer of crackling Belgian chocolate.

Not all of the flavours were available at our local supermarket, but we had a choice of 3, and we chose the Magnum Classic. Then, on a beautifully warm Saturday afternoon, we cracked open the box. This is the only downside I can find to Magnum ice cream bars: they come in boxes of 3 and we are a family of 4 ice cream lovers (I suppose our baby loves ice cream too, but she's too young for that yet!). How do you share 3 ice cream bars among 4 people? With difficulty!

Daniel's reaction: YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM!
Jonathan's reaction: You have to buy more of these Mama! These are the BEST!
Richard's reaction: Exactly how I remember them, delicious chocolate with tasty creamy ice cream.
Julie's reaction: Couldn't I have a few more bites please?! This is how chocolate covered ice cream bars should be! I'm looking forward to trying more flavours!

Ivanka Trump was on hand for the Canadian launch of the Magnum Bars on May 12. At the same event, Magnum opened it's campaign to search for the "Magnum Heir." Are you the next Magnum Heir? Watch the video to find out. You can enter this contest and find out more details at facebook.com/MagnumHeir. Imagine living like Ivanka for a year! The "Magnum Heir" will win a $250,000 VIP lifestyle for a year. Are you someone who could get used to having access to private chef and limo services, glamorous vacations, a wardrobe from Holt Renfrew, $100,000 in cash and more… I'm sure I wouldn't have any trouble adjusting to that! :)

Check your local supermarket for the new Magnum ice cream bar - and enjoy a delicious treat! You might want to wait until the kids are asleep if you don't want to have to share! :)

**Disclaimer: The product mentioned above has been given free of charge from Strategic Objectives for Magnum in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Be Confident With Graco

I don't know about you, but I like to hear my babies...and hear them well! :) I even like to hear my toddlers...because you just never know what they might get into or experiment with while you're not watching them. Graco is in the business of giving us parents "ears" to hear our children when we are not in the same room as them. We've spent the past few weeks using Graco's Secure Coverage™ Digital Monitor with 2 Parent Units. It has been fabulous. Previously I had been using monitors from the thrift store...they did the job, but now I think I may just be a little spoiled, because the Graco monitor set does the job so much better! The Secure Coverage Monitor claims to have a crystal clear digital connection, and I can vouch for the fact that this is TRUE! The monitor picked up even the quietest little cry or noise without any static or background noises! For the first time I have not had to struggle with a monitor that was getting interference, and it is truly a relief to know that I WILL hear my baby ever time she calls or cries. Sometimes with all the static and interference we received on our old monitors I just wasn't positively sure that I'd actually hear my little one! I love that with Graco I can be confident that our children will be safe and that I can easily hear if any troubles arise.

The monitor also features 2000 ft household coverage as well as has a vibration function to provide you another way to 'hear' your baby. I really like that I can wander a little farther with this monitor. In addition to all these great aspects of the Secure Coverage Monitor, you'll also have sound lights so you can SEE your babies sounds. There are 2 parent units to make monitoring your baby more convenient as well as a belt clip to use when you are out gardening, or simply running around the house! :) This baby monitor has been a great addition to our home and I would highly recommend it to other families.

BUY IT!
Graco offers many practical & quality products for babies and children. They are trusted brand that has earned their great reputation. Head over to see what Graco has to offer for you and your home.


**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Nip & Fab!

A lot of what you read about fixing problem spots involves a nip here and a tuck there! I'm not such a fan of drastic measures...so NIP & FAB sounded more like my thing!

NIP & FAB is a UK company just recently entering the Canadian market - in March 2011, their products became available at Shopper's Drug Mart stores across the country. They manufacture a line of "fixes:" body fixes and face fixes! Here's just a small list of some of their products:

Face:
eye fix
spot fix
frown fix
dark circle fix

Body:
tummy fix
dry leg fix
cellulite fix

When their Canadian PR firm first contacted me, I was immediately interested in the Tummy Fix - I was only 3 months postpartum at the time, and while I was fortunate enough to have lost the "baby weight" already, I still had a "jelly tummy!" Another product that caught my attention was the Multi Fix Oil. I've been trying out these products for a few weeks now, and here's my impression.

Tummy Fix

This gel helps to tone, smooth and tighten the tummy area. It goes on a little "sticky" at first, but as you continue rubbing, it absorbs into the skin and doesn't leave your skin sticky at the end. The recommendation is to rub it in twice a day. I have to admit, I've only gotten around to rubbing my tummy once a day most days, but I've still noticed a difference. My tummy is some tighter, less "jelly" like. Happily!

Multi Fix Oil

Multi Fix Oil is a multi-purpose skincare oil that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone while nourishing and moisturising the skin. Sounds perfect for new moms doesn't it? That's what I thought. This oil is pleasant, lightly-scented, and easy to rub in. As with anything that is supposed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars, it takes a while to work. That said, my skin's tone is much more even, and where I've been using the oil is smoother as well. One thing I really like about the Multi Fix Oil, is the "multi" part! It can be used as a bath oil, leg moisturizer, shower oil etc.

Some of the other products by NIP & FAB sound interesting as well. Especially when you're a new mom and running on a chronic lack of sleep, the "Dark Circle Fix" could be a big help! If you've got older children, maybe the "Frown Fix" is more for you. :)

Check out your local Shopper's Drug Mart for more products and give NIP & FAB a try!

**Disclaimer: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from Devon Consulting for NIP & FAB in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Chuggington Interactive Railway ~ GIVEAWAY!

There is something about trains that boys seem to love! Perhaps it's the fact that you can attach so many cars to your engine, or perhaps it is the windy train tracks, tunnels, bridges, railway crossings and the many places a train can visit that catches their attention! Whatever it is, I can't deny that our son loves his trains. Learning Curve has also caught on to the "train-fever" that children often have and has decided to expand their amazing line of Chuggington toys by offering a new (and VERY fun!) Chuggington Interactive Railway! The toy is a train set that I think would be loved by any little boy or girl. It's that fun. We received the new Chuggington Interactive Railway Wash & Fuel Starter Set. The great thing about this new set is that not only can you set up the tracks and drive your train around...not only are there train noises and sounds to go along with it, but the Chuggington Interactive Railway is true to it's name in that it is truly interactive! It features SmartTalk™ technology, and this allows the engines to recognize and interact with each other and with key buildings, tunnels, etc. The more engines, buildings and tunnels that you add, the more interactive and exciting this little Chuggington world becomes!

In the Wash & Fuel Starter Set we have Brewster...a solid little train that is built for heavy loads. We had such fun taking him through the Wash and watching and listening to him make his way through until he came out squeaky clean on the other end! It was also delightful to see him fill up at the Fuel Depot...we all know how important this is for a train that wants to keep traveling around the tracks. :)

Chuggington Interactive Railway is a fabulous toy for preschoolers...and I have a feeling it will be played with beyond just the preschool years as well. It is a unique toy that will capture your child's attention with all the interactive features. Pair that with the colorful, friendly, durable train engines and it is a top-notch toy or gift!

Available exclusively at Toys”R”Us.
WIN IT!
One of our readers is going to win a Chuggington Interactive Railway set of their own! In order to receive one entry, please let us know which Chuggington Interactive Engine sounds like it would be a favorite in your home.

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.
~ Like Learning Curve on Facebook
~ Follow Learning Curve on Twitter
~ Grab our button
~ Subscribe to our blog/feed
~ Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
~ Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
~ Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
~ Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
~ Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
~ Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA & USA ONLY! Contest ends on June 6, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Winner!

The winner of $25 (not including shipping) to Zimbali Boutique is:

Comment #21 - Heidi

Congrats! You'll have 72 hours to respond to my email before a new winner is chosen.

Winner!

The winner of a bottle of Simple Green is:

Comment #5 - Amy C

Congrats! You'll have 72 hours to reply to my email before a new winner is chosen.

The Solution is Pink!

A lot of my life seems to revolve around cleaning - somewhat sad, but true! House cleaning, clothes cleaning, kid cleaning...probably a lot of you are nodding! I find cleaning to be somewhat discouraging, as it seems like you just get finished and you can start all over again. And, let's face it, there are some parts of house cleaning you'd just rather not do, right? (like the bathroom!)

My "Eureka" moment with cleaning happened a few months ago when our son drew on the couch with a pen. Yikes! I did what any mom would do - asked my Facebook friends for help! :) My friends had all sorts of advice on what to do with the couch (not too many had advice on what to do with the boy!). Many suggestions involved cleaners we don't have and would rather not use - they may have worked, but we didn't want to try them. After all, in a house with 3 kids, you do have to be a bit careful. And, we're trying, as much as possible, to use natural, safe cleaning products. One suggestion intrigued me, as it was about a product I'd never heard of before: Pink Solution. Back at the computer, I googled "Pink Solution" and found out that this Canadian (HOORAY!) company makes a series of natural, safe cleaning products for many different applications. Wow! We had to try this and were so happy when they agreed to a review! Since we received our set of products, we've used them in many ways, and have been very pleased with how easy they are to use and how successful they've been!

"Pink Solution is a natural enzyme cleaner, which when mixed with water, emulsifies dirt, grease and grime, and restores finishes to their natural state."

It's 100% chemical free - completely safe to use around pets and children. It's non-toxic and biodegradable. It contains no ammonia or formaldehyde, or other chemicals common to most cleaners, and can be used to replace all household cleaners. It's available in different forms: Pink Solution, Laundry Bar and Mother's Choice paste.

Pink Solution is not pink! Weird but true. I watched a demo of this product at our local Costco (watch the Costco events page for when Pink Solution is at yours), and asked the lady about the lack of "pinkness." Apparently the creater of Pink Solution really likes pink, and the solution used to be pink, but it's now colourless. Nevertheless, it's still a catchy name! Pink Solution itself is a solid, sort of the consistency of soft margarine or shortening. When you heat it, it "melts" into a liquid, allowing you to mix it up with water to the desired concentration. The instructions tell about making a "light" solution or a "heavy" mix, and they're used for different things. The solution is unscented, making it perfect for households with scent issues. It's available in several different sized-containers.

A tip from the demonstrator about making an antibacterial cleaner: add a few drops of tea tree oil to your solution and it's great for cleaning taps, sinks, tubs, toilets, kitchen counters, etc - basically anywhere you need to kill germs!

We've used the light solution for:

• mirrors
• windows
• stainless steel fridge
• glass patio table
• car windshield washer fluid
• chrome bathroom fixtures

The heavy mix has been great for:

• laundry (especially for soaking the cloth diapers)
• stain removal
• washing marks on the wall
• the ink on the couch (also in our Little Green Machine)
• the seats and carpets in the car
• kids car seats (they've never looked so clean!)
• mopping the kitchen floor
• washing produce (diluted, and then rinse well)

These lists are by no means exhaustive - there are tons of uses for Pink Solution!!

Another product we received is Mother's Choice cleaning paste. This paste is 5 times stronger than Pink Solution, and contains a bit of pumice, so it's a bit "gritty." Used along with the rough-ish sponge provided (in the Costco kit - also available by phone, for 35¢), this paste has easily cleaned:

• our tub
• bathroom sink
• glass stove top
• crayon off the wall (scrub gently so as not to remove the paint too)
• shower (hadn't been done properly in a while - oops!)
• tile floor grouting (with an old toothbrush)

I haven't tackled the oven yet, but this is the task for which Mother's Choice was created! Imagine an odour-free oven cleaner!!! During the demo (at Costco), I watched in awe as the demonstrator removed baked-on gravy from a roasting pan - easily. The trick is to let the cleaner "sit" on the surface for a while first, to allow the enzymes to do the work for you!

With 3 kids and 2 clumsy adults in our family, it seems like I'm often working at a stain on our clothes. Since we started with baby food again, it's almost a daily occurence! Either a baby sleeve has gotten in the mouth full of sweet potato, or the sputtering baby has managed to completely cover the unlucky parent with spots of carrot! The laundry bar has been an absolutely wonderful new tool in my stain fights! :) I've been able to remove tomato sauce, fresh sweet potato stains (the week-old ones were a bit tougher and required a bit of sun bleaching), carrot, old unknown stains on a hand-me down tie, collar stains on a white shirt etc etc! Mainly, I've been able to take out the stain on the first try, but I've had to let a few stubborn stains "sit" for a bit, then rinse them out, and sometimes reapply the soap. This is my to new "go-to" when I notice something on our clothes! The laundry bar is 6 times stronger than Pink Solution and has the added help of Borax.

I would (and have been!) recommend these products! They have made many of my repetitive cleaning tasks so much easier. I can't say that I find cleaning fun :) but it certainly takes much less time. Something I really like about these products is that you only have to use a little bit - and it certainly goes a long way! In fact, even though I've mixed up 4L (1 gallon) of light mix twice and heavy mix once, you can hardly see that I've used any! And, there is a certain "triumph" in getting a dirty surface clean - especially something you thought would never be clean again!

BUY IT!!

Specially for Glimpse readers, Pink Solution is offering a 10% discount on phone orders. Just mention that you saw the review on Glimpse when you call 1-800-565-9972. Offer open to Canadian and US residents.

Check the special events page to see if Pink Solution is going to be at a Costco near you soon. Pink Solution is also available at some retailers: check the "find a retailer" page.

**Disclaimer: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from Pink Solution in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

A clean grin ~ GIVEAWAY!! 3 winners!!!

A sweet extra to the Crest/Oral-B review posted earlier this week - they're offering Glimpse readers a giveaway!! 3 winners will win a Crest/Oral-B Pro-Health gift pack. The pack includes:

• Oral-B Pulsar Pro-Health FOR ME Toothbrush
• Oral-B Pro-Health FOR ME CrossAction Toothbrush
• Crest Pro-Health FOR ME Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste
• Crest Pro-Health FOR ME Anticavity Fluoride Rinse

To enter, please comment on how you think Crest Pro-Health FOR ME will help your child(ren). 

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

• Grab our button
• Subscribe to our blog/feed
• Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
• Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
• Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook profile (use the handy buttons at the bottom of this post!)
• Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
• Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
• Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA ONLY! Contest ends on June 4, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

A Greener Home ~ GIVEAWAY!

There are a lot of "green" options out there today, and we love filling our home with most of them! We have tried, used and loved products made from bamboo and stainless steel...but one green option that we had not tried at all was hemp! After reading about hemp and all of it's fabulous uses (for food, clothing, and green items for your home), and all of it's benefits, we decided to give it a try! EcoConvenience sent us a 100% natural hemp shower curtain. It is WONDERFUL! It was just the thing we needed after years of plastic shower curtains that rip, tear, pull through the curtain hangers at the top and worst of all - get covered with layers of icky films, mildews and who knows what else! The curtain is made right here in Canada and has been been made well. It is tightly woven and keeps water in the tub - we haven't had any "leaking" issues at all with it! You can definitely tell that the hemp shower curtain is top-notch. Not only is it eco-friendly but it also seems very strong and durable and I am certain it will last for many years. Another feature that I just LOVE about it is that the shower curtain is resistant to bacteria and fungi - in my opinion this is a VERY important feature to have in areas that experience a lot of moisture and wetness (like the tub and shower!) The quick drying time of the curtain is a great feature as well. Now, this curtain does require a BIT more maintenance (monthly washing), but the few minutes that it takes to wash our shower curtain a month are certainly outweighed by all the benefits of a 100% natural hemp shower curtain!!

EcoConvenience is filled with many high quality, green products that are practical, useful and perfect for homes, offices, etc. They've got water bottles for the whole family - a great item for summer! And I've definitely fallen in love with their brilliant and beautiful (and eco-friendly!) art supplies. When it comes to earth friendly products, EcoConvienience is a great place to shop!

WIN IT!
One of our readers is going to win a hemp shower curtain to use in their home! In order get one entry, head over to EcoConvenience and tell us another green product that you'd love to add to your home AND 'Like' EcoConvencience on Facebook. (BOTH OF THESE MUST BE COMPLETED FOR THE MANDATORY ENTRY)

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.
~ Follow EcoConvenience on Twitter
~ Sign up for EcoConvenience's Eco Newsletter
~ Grab our button
~ Subscribe to our blog/feed
~ Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
~ Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
~ Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
~ Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
~ Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
~ Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA ONLY! Contest ends on June 2, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

BUY IT!
EcoConvenience is offering a coupon for 10% off your orders. Use the code: glimpse. Expires July 30, 2011.

EcoConvenience also has a general policy of FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $100 (and the hemp shower curtain on it's own also receives free shipping!)

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Healthy Smiles!

Many of you are probably aware that April was National Oral Health Month. Just because it's over, however, doesn't mean you can neglect your teeth now! :) If you missed checking out your smile last month, it's ok to assess your pearly whites in May too!

During the month of April, Crest and Oral-B revealed the 2011 Crest and Oral-B Great Canadian Smile Survey with new insights on how Canadians perceive oral care, smile attractiveness and what it means to have a healthy smile.
Additional Survey Highlights:

• 33 % of survey respondents state that the smile is the most important factor when considering the attractiveness of others, followed by the eyes at 30 %.  Physical fitness ranks a distant third at 18 %.  
• More than half (58 %) of Canadians expect people to have white teeth.
• 32 % of Canadians believe they follow the dentist-recommended regimen of brushing, flossing and rinsing, yet only 16 % reported that they actually do.   

Coincidentally, it was during the month of April that we found out our oldest son had to have some serious dental work done, partly because of not taking good enough care of his back teeth. :( So, when Crest and Oral-B's PR agency contacted Glimpse regarding the possibility to try out some oral health products, the timing was exactly right. We were all operating on "increased awareness" of teeth cleaning. This included the necessary struggles to floss and brush correctly. I'm happy to report that the struggles have gotten less - fortunately, as a great big war at bed time EVERY night is not really conducive to a good rest.

Recently, Crest and Oral-B released a new series of products for tweens: kids 8 and up. We haven't reached that stage yet, but I suppose this is when kids are not wanting help with brushing anymore, but aren't really enthusiastic about it either. The new "Pro-Health For Me" products are designed especially for kids, and are supposed to help motivate kids to take better care of their teeth. The new line includes brushes and floss (by Oral-B) and toothpaste and mouthwash (by Crest). There's something reassuring and trustworthy about brands that have been around since I was a kid, as well as being available around the world (I assume this means they meet the codes in various countries).

We received a sample pack of a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. Jonathan is only 5 1/2, so he doesn't qualify to try the products yet, although we did let him use the mouthwash. It's alcohol-free, comes with a measuring cup so you get exactly the right amount, and has specific instructions on the back. With careful supervision, he is able to rinse and feel like a "big kid." Both the toothpaste and mouthwash are in "Breezy Mint" flavour - a mild herbal mint. The daughter of a friend of ours tried the toothpaste and toothbrush. She normally doesn't like minty stuff, but she thought the toothpaste was actually quite nice. Her mom was pleased with how she liked the paste and brush - and how well she brushed with them as well! :) Guess the motivation factor worked after all!!

Just in case the adults were feeling left out, we also received a sample pack of toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash for adults. I smelled the Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection mouthwash and Crest Pro-Health toothpaste and thought it was too minty for me (I really don't like mint!). A friend of mine likes mint flavour, so she volunteered to help out with the testing, and here's what she thought: it's great that it's alcohol-free, which is very hard to find; it tastes really good; it leaves your mouth feeling refreshed. She would definitely buy it again.

As for the toothpaste, it's a a bit gritty so for the first couple of times it feels kind of strange, but now that she's gotten used to it, she likes how clean her teeth feel when she's finished brushing. In fact, it makes her whole mouth feel clean and has a medium-strong, pleasant mint flavour.

I've been using the Oral-B Pulsar Pro-Health toothbrush, and I really like it. It's shaped so it easily gets behind the my top molars (a trouble spot for me). You use it like a regular toothbrush, but it has the added "pulsar" feature that is a nice addition for cleaning teeth. I'm not used to a powered toothbrush, but I think this one does a great job of keeping my teeth clean.

Oral-B also has a line of products for children (Oral-B Stages) including toothbrushes designed for various age groups, toothpaste and floss. These feature favourite Disney characters: Winnie the Pooh and friends, Princesses, Toy Story and Cars.

**Disclosure: The products mentioned above have been given free of charge from MSL Canada (for Crest and Oral-B) in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of the testers and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Winner!

The winner of the 3 Mother's Day Scholastic Board books is:

Comment #109 - katrina Brady

Congrats! You'll have 72 hours to contact me before a new winner is chosen.

Scholastic Monday - The Very Cranky Bear!

Our book this week for Scholastic Monday is one that is REALLY fun...and sweet! It was especially loved by our four year old son who currently loves anything to do with lions, bears and the like. :) The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland is a book that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers...and well, let's face it - even moms and dads might enjoy it! (I know I did! :) ). The story starts when four friends (Moose, Lion, Zebra and Sheep) decide to take refuge from the rain in a warm & cozy cave. Little did they know that there was a VERY cranky bear inside that cave as well! They decide that it is going to be their job to cheer up this cranky bear...and of course, what better way than to make the bear look a little more like them? Maybe he'd be happier with some stripes? Or a mane? Or perhaps some antlers? When their plans to cheer up the very cranky bear fail, Sheep who thought she had nothing to give ends up making a pillow out of her soft wool for the bear to sleep on...and the very cranky bear was finally able to sleep...and hopefully wake up a lot happier, right?! ;)

This book is adorable...and fun, and filled with a few really great lessons! Such as, sometimes when you think you have nothing to offer/are too plain, etc., you may actually have the greatest gift of all to offer. OR, sometimes a cranky toddler can be that cranky bear and just needs a nap to cheer him up! lol. :) We really enjoyed The Very Cranky Bear and would say that it is a good read for kids!

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Handmade for Your Home ~ Discount!

I am a huge fan of products that are re-usable. Not only does it save the environment, but it saves money...and the savings really DO add up after a while! Nikki Designs recently added another fabulous, re-usable product to our home. We are now the proud owners of some organic hemp/cotton napkins for our kitchen table. They are made from 55% hemp and 45% cotton - and did you know that this fabric is actually FOUR times stronger than your average cotton?!? Even after only a few short weeks I can see and feel the durability of these cloth napkins. In addition to being durable, hemp also is a fabric that is anti-bacterial - which is a HUGE bonus when it comes to food, wiping face, mouths, hands, etc. The napkins come in a variety of gorgeous chttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifolors. We chose the beautiful wine red, and it looks just as stunning in real as it does on the photos.

Nikki Designs hand makes a great selection of other s for your home! I just LOVE the looks of some of their draperies and roman blinds...simply beautiful. Nikki Designs says that they provide "heirloom quality at an affordable price", and I can definitely see the truth in this motto. You'll find many beautiful, eco friendly products such as organic bedding, slipcovers and more...each handmade with quality, earth friendly fabrics such as hemp, organic cotton, silk, linen and tencel. In order to purchase some of these wonderful products for your own home or for a gift, head over to her online website, or take a look at Nikki Designs on Etsy!

BUY IT!
Nikki Designs is giving Glimpse readers a discount of 10% off anything on her website. Use the code: GLIMPSE1
Open to Canada and USA. Expires, June 12, 2011.

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Cool Drooling and Chic Chewing! ~ GIVEAWAY!!

What's a girl to do? You've reached that wonderful age where all you want to do is chew! Everything, absolutely everything MUST go in your mouth to be tested: can I eat this? Can I gnaw on it? But your Mum is worried about plastic chewing toys, and there's not much left to chew at but her finger! You've got your cloth rabbit, and cloth something else, and a wooden teething ring, but you'd like a little variety... If this sounds like it could be your child, read on!

Annalies has been chewing happily and/or aggressively for a few weeks now, and it's really hard to find something that she can easily hold, wants to chew on, that I feel is safe for her to have in her mouth. Especially since we've learned more about plastic and the potential hazards of mouthing plastic toys. I recently found a mompreneur on Etsy who makes a wonderful thing called Chewelry! Yep...you read it right: chewelry! :) “Little Miss Headbands” is operated by mum Ann – she makes headbands (of course), and some other great products, including a couple of great inventions for teething babies! Ann also has a Weebly site - Little Miss Headbands - with some additional items not on her Etsy page.

The first is a necklace for mums: untreated, unfinished natural wooden beads inside a fabric “tube”. The fabric is 100% organic cotton. Between each bead, the fabric is knotted, giving something extra to chew on (the knot) as well as keeping the beads intact. Baby can grab the necklace – and will! - and chew safely on it. The beads and knots provide pressure as the baby chews, and the fabric helps to absorb the drool. The Chic Chewelry necklace is 16 inches long, with a ribbon for attaching it (about 14 inches long on either side), and the length can be adjusted to your preference.

Another fabulous product Ann makes is the baby bling: it's more of a bracelet sized piece of the same construction as the necklace. It's very lightweight, and Annalies can hold it easily for a long period of time and happily chew away! In fact, I think this is the toy she's held on to the longest! I also really like that this is a quiet item – perfect to take with you when you want to give baby something to play with, but don't want to add noise. The baby bling is 8 inches long.

Ann uses a variety of different fabrics, and if you see a necklace fabric you like but you'd rather have a baby bling, or vice versa, all you have to do is convo Ann to discuss your options.

Both the Chic Chewelry necklace and the Baby Bling would make a great shower gift or new baby present – very original and very useful! Not to mention Made in Canada! :)

**Like any product intended for a baby to chew on, please supervise your child.

“Wearing Drool was never so Cool!!”

WIN IT!

One Glimpse reader will win a “Neopolitan” necklace (see photo below). To enter, please like “Little Miss Headbands and more” on Facebook.

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.

• Grab our button
• Subscribe to our blog/feed
• Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
• Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
• Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
• Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
• Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
• Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA ONLY! Contest ends on May 27, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

BUY IT!!

Little Miss Headbands is offering Glimpse readers a 10% discount. Use the code “glimpse” at checkout. Expires May 31^st, 2011.

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from Little Miss Headbands in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Winner!

The Winner of a cap of choice from Cute Capes 'n' Caps is:

Comment #39: Andrea

Congratulations! Please reply to my email within 72 hours, or another winner will be chosen.

Winner!

The winner of a fabulous Delta faucet is:

Comment #28 - Mama Lisa

Congrats! You'll have 72 hours to reply to my email before a new winner is chosen.

Winner!

The winner of a $50 Rona Gift Card is:

Comment # - roswell

Congrats! You'll have 72 hours to contact me before a new winner is chosen.

Sugar and spice and snaps and snails!

A couple of weeks ago, Andrea told you about a new carrier she's been using from Snaps & Snails, an online shop based in Atlantic Canada. Snaps & Snails focuses on cloth diapers and baby wearing products, although they do carry a few other baby products as well.

We've been trying out a fitted diaper from their cloth diapering collection. Handmade by Tetro, a Polish company, this diaper is made of organic cotton flannel. All Tetro products are certified in the EU as "safe for children" and also carry the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. Snaps & Snails sells fitted diapers, doublers, wool diaper covers and prefolds from Tetro.

This diaper is unique in that it attaches with a tie! I've never seen that before and it intrigued me. Guess what? it works great! It's easy to adjust the fit of the diaper around Annalies' waist. She's got quite a round tummy still, and yet there's lot of room for "expansion" in the diaper. To adjust the rise of the diaper, you simply fold the front flap down to the desired height. The diaper is intended to fit most babies from 5 to 30 lbs.

The Tetro fitted diaper is made of 8 layers of flannel, so it's quite a trim diaper on it's own. You can add inserts or doublers as needed, and of course you need to use a waterproof cover, but it's still a lot trimmer than some other diapers I've tried, and fits under A's onesie quite well. For daytime use, we've had no troubles without an insert. I really like the stripey cloth - it's very cute! Tetro fitted diapers are available in 6 different patterns.

Tetro diapers are designed with EC (infant potty training) in mind. The flap under the tie is easily and quickly pulled down and out of the way if necessary. I haven't personally tried this feature, but I can imagine that this diaper would work a lot better than others if you are trying EC with your baby or toddler.

Caring for the Tetro diaper has been easy as well. It's machine washable and can be dried in the dryer or on the line. Stains have washed out easily. The diaper needs to be pre-washed before use (like most others) to increase its efficiency and absorbency.

BUY IT!

Snaps & Snails is giving Glimpse readers a discount of 15% off any order! Use the code: glimpse15. Expires May 31, 2011.

**Disclaimer: The product mentioned above has been given free of charge from Snaps & Snails in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Winner!

The winner of a Karmin G3 Salon PRO from Hairtools.ca is:

comment #480: ksceviour


Congratulations! You have 72 hours to contact me before a new winner is chosen!

"Valley of Flowers" ~ GIVEAWAY!

The second I laid eyes on the hair accessories at Zimbali Boutique I was in love! I've seen plenty of headbands and hair accessories in my three short years as a mom of girls - but nothing has ever caught my attention quite the same way that the products did at Zimbali Boutique. Every headband is handcrafted and is absolutely gorgeous. Honestly? I could (and have!!) spent way too much time browsing through all the creations at her Etsy shop. Emily received Spring Comes Early headband from the SILK collection. It is perfect for this time of year and the colors are bright, vibrant and 100% "springy!" I love the cheery, happy look of this headband and it is perfect for both days around the home, or for special occasions! The headband fits her well and we had no troubles with it slipping off (well, unless she was being especially "wild" ;) )...and with the wide, soft elastic it seemed to be very comfortable for her as well. Jenna was sent a simple, but very sweet flutterby headband in pink. These are a best seller...and I can understand why! They are SO precious....perfect for both baby girls or toddler girls!

The quality of the headbands from Zimbali Boutique is great! You can definitely tell that there has been a lot of thought, effort and creativity put into each design. The PURE VINTAGE collection is especially neat - loads of unique, vintage designs that are unlike anything you'll find in any regular hair accessory shop! Zimbali Boutique is more than happy to create a custom headband for your little girl too. Or if you prefer your floral embellishment on a spring-mounted hair clip, brooch pin, or bobby pin simply let them know and they'll be happy to custom-make just the item you're looking for! The headbands and adorable hair accessories from Zimbali Boutique are some of the best that I've discovered so far and would not only be perfect for the little girls in your home, but would make wonderful gifts for newborn baby girls, or little girl-friends. :) Zimbali means "valley of flowers"...and I must say that I cannot disagree that a valley of {beautiful} flowers is what we discovered when we found Zimbali Boutique.

WIN IT!
Zimbali Boutique is giving a $25 gift certificate (not including shipping) to one lucky reader! In order to get one entry, head over to Zimbali Boutique and let us know which product you loved the most.

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.
~ Like Zimbali Boutique on Facebook
~ Grab our button
~ Subscribe to our blog/feed
~ Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
~ Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contest (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
~ Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
~ Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
~ Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
~ Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

FINE PRINT DETAILS
The gift certificate will not redeemable towards shipping costs. Shipping costs in Canada are $2 for first item and 75c for each additional item and the USA they are $3 for first item and 75c for each additional item.

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA & USA ONLY! Contest ends on May 22, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The product features expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of Use.

Happy Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Wishing all our wonderful mom readers a fabulous and blessed Mother's Day!

and a quote that I've heard before, but thought I'd share on this special day as well...

Just because you're not a mom, does not mean you don't have a mother's heart.

Happy Mother's Day!

"For the Birds" and the little bird watchers too!

All through the winter, we've had a few birds in our back yard. The boys enjoyed looking at them from time to time and we felt a bit sorry for them on the coldest days. Now that spring has sprung, we're really glad to hear all our bird friends again - there's something very cheerful about hearing the birds singing through an open window! But there's still not a lot of food around for them, except for some freeze-dried left-over berries - doesn't sound very appetizing does it? :)

"For The Birds" nature shop helped us out! Now our birds have a great feeder from which they are happily snacking. And, we've even more birds to watch, and because they're feeding, we can see them for longer at a time. The boys think it's great (and the parents too!)

"For The Birds" is a great shop based in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. As well as bird feeders of all sorts, they also carry other items for bird watchers including binoculars, bird houses and baths, garden items and books. In addition to the items for the birds, they also have a great selection of wind and weather instruments. Owners Brian and Kelly are (of course!) enthusiastic birders and want to share their enthusiasm with others, both new and experienced. They are ready to give advice as to which product may suit your family and birds the best. "For the Birds" operates an online shop all year round as well as a seasonal retail outlet.

After finding out about which birds we've noticed in our yard, Kelly recommended the Birds Choice Classic 12" Hanging Feeder with Weatherguard. We have a lot of squirrels in our yard, as well as some larger birds of prey and this feeder restricts their access while still allowing the littler birds we want to encourage to get their feed. Plus, the weatherguard is great for protecting the seeds from the rain - and it really does work! Birds Choice is the brand, and it certainly seems to be an apt name!  This feeder holds a good amount of seeds (5 lbs), has 4 feeding ports with perches and can be hung wherever you feel is best.

The weatherguard needs to be assembled onto the feeder and this is easily done. Finding the right location for us was a bit of trial and error - after all, we wanted the kids to see the birds without scaring them away! :) If the birds' presence is anything to go by, this bird feeder is a great hit!

"For the Birds" guarantees the best pricing in Canada on their products. Please visit their shop and check out their items - you might find something for the bird-watching mother or father, or maybe something to help the kids get more nature exposure like ours!


**Disclaimer: The product mentioned above has been given free of charge from For the Birds in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The opinions expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of use.

Winner!

The winner of a fabulous Baby Gourmet gift basket is:

Comment #9 - Tara, who said:

I would have to say the day my son was born. It was amazing to finally meet the little person that had been growing inside my belly for the past 9 months. It was love at first sight! :)

It's a simple memory...but I'd have to agree that the moments when I first laid eyes on each of my kids was completely unforgettable!! Happy Mother's Day Tara, and enjoy your gift basket!

So Simple, So Green ~ GIVEAWAY!

Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. Let's face it...some times we do a lot of cleaning! Whether it be laundry, mopping floors, or simply wiping off three sweet, but messy 'lil faces after a meal! While I am not a complete "neat freak" :), I do like to have things mostly clean and tidy around our home if possible. I really dislike clutter...so eliminating anything that's not being put to good use is always a good way to keep your home more organized and tidy. Speaking of clutter...it seems that in order to keep things clean we require quite the "clutter" of cleaners under our bathroom and kitchen sinks! One for windows, one for toilets, one for dishes and the list goes on. Well, Simple Green recently has introduced us to a new cleaner - one that is both effective and eliminates a lot of the "cleaner clutter" we have in our home! Concentrated Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is an environmentally-sensitive non-toxic cleaner/degreaser that can be custom-diluted for a multitude of different uses!! I love that with ONE cleaner I can clean all areas of the bathroom, the kitchen, the floors, the windows...even stains on the carpet! It's SO practical...and certainly has worked well for everything that we've used it on so far! Simple Green claims that it is able to clean just about anything that is dirty, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was true, as it has been wonderful for us so far. It even works well to remove stains in laundry! Like I said, you name it and Simple Green can most likely get the job done for you.

Another great aspect of Simple Green is that it actually SAVES you money. Instead of buying a whole cupboard full of cleaners, Simple Green can be a purchase that will cover the bases when it comes to cleaning in your home. It can remove some of the toughest stains around...and just to give you a taste of what these might be, it can remove: coffee, grease, oil, juice stains (even raspberries!), pet stains and more. We are definitely enjoying our Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner and would be pleased to recommend it to our family, friends and fellow bloggers! :)

WIN IT!
Simple Green is giving one of our readers a 32 oz. bottle of Original Concentrated Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner! Remember...this bottle will go a LOOOONG way! :) In order to get one entry, leave a comment with another products you'd like to try from Simple Green, or with something you learned from their website.

EXTRA ENTRIES - Please leave an additional comment for each extra entry.
~ Follow Simple Green on Twitter
~ Like Simple Green on Facebook
~ Grab our button
~ Subscribe to our blog/feed
~ Follow our blog via Google Friend Connect (publicly)
~ Follow us on Twitter & tweet about the contes (tweet ONCE PER DAY for extra entries and leave the link in your comment(s) please.
~ Become a fan of Glimpse on Facebook
~ Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment (5 entries)
~ Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)
~ Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs (vote ONCE PER DAY for extra entries)

CONTEST OPEN TO CANADA & USA ONLY! Winner must be 18 years or older. Contest ends on May 19, 2011. Please view our giveaway rules for more info.

**Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been given free of charge from the company or PR firm in exchange for being featured on Glimpse. The product features expressed in this post are those of Glimpse and have not been influenced in any other way. Please see the full Terms of Use.