Sunday, January 30, 2011
Ch-ch-ch-changes
I am going to be buying our own domain name!!! Since you guys are the ones who type it, I want your input! Please let me know which domain name you like best or if there is a name you would like better! I am looking to make the purchase sometime this week :) This should be an easy enough transition for all of us and is VERY exciting for me :D
Monday, January 24, 2011
ABE feedback
Jessica from My Silly Monkeys and I are looking for feedback from you, the readers, in regards to A Blogtastic Extravaganca! This feedback will help us to know what to improve, what to leave the same, and what to omit should we decide to do A Blogtastic Extravaganca 2.0 :)
A Blogtastic Extravaganca Winners
A Blogtastic Extravaganza was a blast! I hope that all of you had a great time hopping around and getting to see some new blogs! There were 1846 entries! We went from 320 blog followers to 750+ blog followers! I hope that you all stick around and participate in our blog happenings! I have no idea how many new twitter peeps joined the fun, but the first morning of ABE I had 90 new emails from Twitter!!!
Now...
Are you ready to hear who the winners are???
The first winner is #570! Tara Eschenbach won the Welcome Green Baby Boy package! Her winning entry was "following and tweeted http://twitter.com/tarajean56/status/27451798193176577"
The second winner is #1020! Jenni Jeske won the Welcome Green Baby Girl package! Her winning entry was "subscribe via email 1"
Congrats to our winners! I hope that everyone had a blast!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Welcome to A Blogtastic Extravaganca
Can you believe it, A Blogtastic Extravaganza is here!!! I am super excited to be offering two prize packages worth over a combined total of $400! Our theme is "Welcome Green Baby". Without further ado, here are the packages up for grabs!
"Welcome Green Baby Girl"
Custom nursing cover, matching burp cloth set and small wet bag from Maxwell Dean Designs
GoGreen Pocket Diaper from GoGreenPocketDiapers.com
Headband set from Picture Perfect Baby Boutique
3 paci-clips from Lilah Moo
Owl hat from Jessa's Sunshine Crochet
Paci/teether bib from Every Day Creations
Wooden Rattle from Earnest Efforts
A dozen cloth wipes from IttyBittyBums
Sock Monkey Blankie from Monkey Bug Crafts
BumGenius 4.0 from The Green Nursery
Lavender Diaper Pail Scent from Crow Mountain Crafts
Sweet Knees Trial kit from Eco Mom
Toodle Bugz leg warmers from Crunchy Angel
Amber Necklace from Bumbledoo
Set of SnugZee
"Welcome Green Baby Boy"
Custom nursing cover, matching burp cloth set and small wet bag from Maxwell Dean Designs
GoGreen Pocket Diaper from GoGreenPocketDiapers
Hat from Picture Perfect Baby Boutique
3 paci-clips from Lilah Moo
Owl hat from Jessa's Sunshine Crochet
Paci/teether bib from Every Day Creations
Wooden Rattle from Earnest Efforts
A dozen cloth wipes from IttyBittyBums
Sock Monkey Blankie from Monkey Bug Crafts
Diaper Pail Scent from Crow Mountain Crafts
Diaper from The Eli Monster
Pair of pants from Boodle Bottoms
White diaper from Bumbledoo
Amber Necklace from Bumbledoo
Babylegs from The Clothspring
Set of SnugZee
This is a simple simple simple entry! All you have to do is fill out the form below and you are entered to win!
These are COMPLETELY optional! Please fill out the form for each of these.
- Follow me @lifesemicrunchy on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet once every 3 hours. Copy and paste:
#WIN over $250 in prizes @lifesemicrunchy during #ABE #giveaway ENDS 1/22
- 3 extra entries Subscribe via e-mail! You must activate your subscription or it wont count. (Make sure you fill out the form 3 times!)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Freebies
You can get a FREE 8×11 PhotoBook from Snapfish – just pay shipping ($6.99). Enter the coupon code SOAPBOOK at checkout and make sure that you select a linen cover as opposed to leather for the book to be free! This is valid thru January 22nd!
Secondly, visit this link for a FREE sample of CoverGirl’s NatureLuxe foundation!
Secondly, visit this link for a FREE sample of CoverGirl’s NatureLuxe foundation!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Things to Come
I wanted to let you know of some of the fun things that you have to look forward to in the upcoming weeks here at Life SemiCrunchy! Many of you are already aware that Hubs, the kidlets, and I recently moved into a new apartment. We left behind the majority of our belongings back in UT when we moved out to NC and have yet to retrieve them. Essentially, we are beginning from square one with obtaining furnishings for our home! Luckily, CSN Stores have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from modern dining room furniture to nursery decor and cloth diapers to luggage and bags! I have a long overdue review and giveaway for Amyzing Creations! Amy is a gifted seamstress and her creations are truly Amyzing!!! There will be a review of BottomBumpers diapers and giveaway courtesy of Abby's Lane. We also have reviews (and some giveaways) of products from Crunchy Angel, Bummas, Crow Mountain Crafts, Tweetie Pie Bags, and Bootyful Baby Boutique!
I am also planning on writing a couple of none review post, imagine that! I have several post in the works including my goals for the year, several post on composting, and a special post on eating disorders.
As a lot of you know, I am in AZ currently having some major dental work done. While I am having this work done I am trying to take it as easy as possible so that I can recoup as fast as possible. I have Ren Pen with me here, but had to leave Little Boy Blue back in NC with his daddy. I have never been away from Little Boy Blue for so long and it really pulls at my heart strings. I know that it will all be worth it in the end and feel so blessed to be having this work that I so desperatly am in need of done. I am thankful for the love and support of my family, friends, and all of you!
Bloggy Blog Designz
Bloggy Blog Designz is having a Giveaway!!!
They are giving away all kinds of goodies.
Plus ALL entrants will receive 20% off any purchase through the end of the month! Be sure to check out their website for more information, or to enter yourself. Take a look at their portfolio and packages to see what's right for you.
The first 5 entrants will receive a $15 giftcard. The giveaway will close on January 22, so be sure to have your posts done and comments left by midnight! Good Luck to everyone!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
1000 Facebook Fans Giveaway Celebration Winners
Comfybuns Custom Cloth Wipes - Melissa Miller
things.bychristine (ponytail hat) - Zoe Hunter Lee
ali & swan - Newbie Mum
ABC- Audreys Baby Creations - Mamie Luhmann
Jessas Sunshine Crochet - Heddy Bee
everyday creation boutique - bows - Jessica Pero
Nesting Sticks - Brianna Beers
things.bychristine (owl hat) - Audrey Shawver
everyday creation boutique (diaper purse) - Dana White
Milestone Giftbaskets - Paget Cooks
things.bychristine (ponytail hat) - Zoe Hunter Lee
ali & swan - Newbie Mum
ABC- Audreys Baby Creations - Mamie Luhmann
Jessas Sunshine Crochet - Heddy Bee
everyday creation boutique - bows - Jessica Pero
Nesting Sticks - Brianna Beers
things.bychristine (owl hat) - Audrey Shawver
everyday creation boutique (diaper purse) - Dana White
Milestone Giftbaskets - Paget Cooks
Congrats Ladies!!! Thank you to everyone who participated in the 1000 fans giveaway celebration! Again, a huge thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors! Without our sponsors and fans, none of this would be possible!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Winner
We have ourselves a winner for the Accessorize Kait giveaway!
Lucky #13 :) Congrats to Vanessa!
Final Blogtastic Extra Entries
To receive an extra entry (one per company), go like our sponsor's facebook pages and return back here and let me know you did.
If you follow me on twitter, you get an extra entry
You may receive an extra entry for every time you tweet (leave a perma link) :)
"Enter to win over $250 worth of products @lifesemicrunchy Welcome Home Green Baby #ABE #giveaway www.life-semicrunchy.blogspot.com"
(Please enter each entry separately, that way I can ensure you receive all your extra entries.)
I cannot require that you thank our sponsors on Facebook, but it would be nice if you did :)
Remember that in order for your extra entries to count, you MUST come back DURING A Blogtastic Extravaganca and enter the one mandatory entry!
Holy cow, that is a lot of sponsors!!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A Blogtastic Extravaganca - Extra Entries Part 3
"I am a WAHM to 2 wonderful baby boys who are my life. I enjoys making quality products for others to enjoy so when the opportunity arose for me to stay at home with my babies, I jumped at the chance. In my quest to become more ¨green¨ I decided to stop buying things retail that I could make myself or buy handmade from another person.
I started by making simple paraffin candles and melt and pour soaps while I was in college. It was a fun hobby, but I was still using commercially produced ingredients so I broadened my horizons.
I now make my soaps and candles with only the best, most natural ingredients. I buy locally to support local farmers whenever possible and never use anything that was not produced, picked, or sold using fair trade practices.
My Goats Milk soaps are made from powdered goats milk from goats right here in America (usually from just up the road). My soy comes from farms in my own state of Arkansas. Dyes and colorants that I use are made naturally and I only choose the highest quality Essential and Fragrance Oils."
"Hi everyone. My name is Malia. My craftiness is inspired by my mom who always told me I could do anything if I put my mind to it. My mom sewed all my clothes, framed my Science Fair ribbons, made me a Care Bear quilt and curtains and created functional pieces that made life a little easier (and more organized!).
When I became a mother to my two boys I wanted to put my mind to it and give my children the same things that my mom gave me. Ever since I have been working on MY mother's touch to create useful functional pieces for my children. I hope that other mother's can find them as useful and functional while appreciating the handmade love that goes into each piece. Enjoy!"
When I became a mother to my two boys I wanted to put my mind to it and give my children the same things that my mom gave me. Ever since I have been working on MY mother's touch to create useful functional pieces for my children. I hope that other mother's can find them as useful and functional while appreciating the handmade love that goes into each piece. Enjoy!"
Crunchy Angel - A new shop in the cloth diaper world! She has a variety of wonderful products to pick from.
The Clothspring - A fellow blogger :) "Hi, I am new to blogging but I have always loved connecting with people and I hope you enjoy reading my yada yada! I am the mother of three awesome kids. Captain Underpants is a 7 yr old little girl, Cake Bandit is my 3 year old adventurer, also a girl and Baby Famous is my littlest guy. I just started cloth diapering and I love it!!! I hope you enjoy my adventures with my clothspring!"
"Once Upon a Time...
...two expecting moms, from two parts of the country, logged on to a pregnancy due date message board, hoping to find a way to help pass the time while anxiously awaiting the birth of their babies, due 3 days apart.
These two women spent a ton of time participating in "How Will You Feed Your Baby?" polls and "Will You Labor Naturally?"threads and "Sorry if This is T.M.I....But is This NORMAL?!" posts over those next several weeks. And during those last few months leading up to the birth of their babies, these two women found their conversations progressing from the message boards, to chat rooms, to Facebook, to instant messaging...until eventually they would find their way into each other's pockets by way of text messages in the form of "He's here! And he's PERFECT!!"
Now, it was at some point during those early newborn-baby days that these two found themselves in business together. When sleep is elusive but the air is permeated with post-partum elation, and anything that can make our job just a little bit easier by acting as a mother's hand when mother's hands are otherwise engaged is worthy of nothing short of our undying gratitude."
The Clothspring - A fellow blogger :) "Hi, I am new to blogging but I have always loved connecting with people and I hope you enjoy reading my yada yada! I am the mother of three awesome kids. Captain Underpants is a 7 yr old little girl, Cake Bandit is my 3 year old adventurer, also a girl and Baby Famous is my littlest guy. I just started cloth diapering and I love it!!! I hope you enjoy my adventures with my clothspring!"
To receive an extra entry (one per company), visit each of these companies and return back here and let me know a product that you would love to have or something you learned about the company. For The Clothspring, become a blog follower to get an extra entry! (Please enter each entry separately, that way I can ensure you receive all your extra entries.)
A Blogtastic Extravaganca - Extra Entries Part 2
vintage prints and patterns at an affordable price. All the items you will find in their shop are handmade and they are will combine shipping to give you more bang for your buck!
"My name is Jessica, a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful boys, Jaiden, 2, and Jackson, 5 months. I learned to crochet 3 years ago by watching YouTube videos and borrowing books from the library. With the support of my husband, I created Jessa's Sunshine Crochet in April 2010 but my business didn't take off till I made a fan page on Facebook and started making owl hats.
I'm always looking for new, fun crochet patterns to make and I love creating things that people love. I'm open to all suggestions and ideas, so if you don't see something you'd like, just ask! =D"
I'm always looking for new, fun crochet patterns to make and I love creating things that people love. I'm open to all suggestions and ideas, so if you don't see something you'd like, just ask! =D"
" We are a husband and wife team from Southern Oregon, about 65 miles from the beautiful Oregon Coast. Rick has been a woodworker all of his life and been with the Saturday Market for over 20 years. Heather has been a fiber artist for more than 16 years, and handknits and felts wool/mohair blended hats in addition to the woodworking. Each rattle, spirit shaker, and wood box is unique and individually crafted from woods that we have collected from the Pacific Northwest. We use copper coated steel bbs, Elmer's ASTM & ACMI certified non-toxic wood glue, and Clapham's all-natural bees wax for the rattles and spirits. We do not use stains. We now sell them to stores all over the US, Canada and Australia. We guarantee all of our artwork for as long as we are visiting this planet. No trees are ever cut for our artwork. Our new blog posts can be found at www.earnesteffortsnaturalwoodworking.blogspot.com Take care, be good & kind, and don't forget to laugh!"
ittybittybums.com "I'm Stefanie and I am a SAHM of 9 children. I enjoy doing natural things for my family including avoiding processed foods , harsh cleaning products and for my baby that means no disposable diapers , and no lotions or soaps laden with chemicals. You don't have to be radical about these things- just some simple changes to the way you think about things can make your life and your children's lives a little better. It doesn't have to take a lot of time. I was a working mother with 7 kids so I know the challenges that we all face as mothers. I hope you enjoy my products as I have enjoyed creating them and hope they can enhance your lifestyle as they have mine!"
To receive an extra entry (one per company), visit each of these companies and return back here and let me know a product that you would love to have or something you learned about the company. (Please enter each entry separately, that way I can ensure you receive all your extra entries.)
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A Blogtastic Extravaganca - Extra Entries Part 1
A Blogtastic Extravaganca is less than two weeks away! I am super stoked about this event, our prize packages, and of course the great companies that have sponsored! Our theme is "Welcome Green Baby" and we will have a package for a boy and a package for a girl!!! I want to go ahead and introduce you to the companies that have been so kind to us!
Maxwell Dean Designs was created from a need. Ashley was a recent stay-at-home mom, and she wanted some custom-made items for her new bundle of joy. She searched the Internet far and wide, but still wasn’t able to find anything that truly matched the vision she had in her head… so she decided to make her own! She enlisted the help of her mother-in-law, who’s been sewing for over 45 years, and soon their custom-made items were turning a few heads. Now they’ve partnered up to form Maxwell Dean Designs to sell their custom wares to the whole country!
Shortly after Leah had her third child she found herself buying diapers for 3. Not only did the costs really add up, but they were getting charged extra by the city of Boulder, CO for the ludicrous amount of trash they produced. She had never considered CLOTH diapers before, but, timidly, she purchased brand-name pocket diapers at nearly $20 a pop. To her surprise, they worked spectacularly, and were nothing like the leaky, prefold things with which she was familiar. No leaks, better absorbency, they were perfect! Except for the price. There's got to be a cheaper way to get pocket diapers, she thought- and then she found them, high-quality diapers for half the price! In fabulous colors no less! She gave the pocket diapers to all of her friends and they LOVED them. People kept asking Leah how to buy them, and that's how www.GoGreenPocketDiapers.com came about. Leah wanted to make it really easy for everyone to get these wonderful diapers. They're better for babies, better for bank accounts, and better for the environment. And they make diaper changing fun!
Paci-Catchers are wonderful because they are so multifunctional! All Paci-Catchers have an adjustable length and they hold most pacifier styles (Mam style adapters available). You can link two together to create an on-the-go bib using any burp cloth, napkin, or towel. Or you can attach a toy to the Paci-Catcher and clip it right to your child to prevent baby from playing fetch with you! Forget your nursing cover? Simply clip two Paci-Catchers together and attach to your handy blanket and there you go, a nursing cover!
The Eli Monster formed in 2007 after Stephanie began sewing diapers for her little Monster, Eli. After months of searching popular brands for cute, edgy diapers while sewing her own for Eli, she discovered that other moms were in the same boat. So Stephanie began the long process of designing and redesigning a great fitting diaper that was both trim and well fitting for both skinny minis and buddha babies alike. Using her original pattern and skills learned in school (Southern Illinois University-go Salukis!) she began creating diapers that are both trend forward and practical.
Boodle Bottoms is run by a great husband wife team! They created Boodle Bottoms after going through their own cloth diaper journey. They found out what so many of cloth diapering parents have found, what pants fit right!? Boodle Bottoms pants were designed specifically to fit cloth diapered babies. And in keeping with their family's motto to live lightly on the earth, they have committed to being as eco-friendly as possible, with every detail from the tags down to the shipping. Boodle Bottoms manufacture, package, label and ship their pants in the most eco-friendly manner possible. All fabrics are American made and 100% organic, then sewn in the USA by fairly paid workers. Boodle Bottoms pants are shipped in reusable cotton bags, also made in the USA, with recycled hang tags. Then they offset the carbon footprint of shipments while funding renewable energy research.
The Green Nursery is a division of Barefoot-Eco and Barefoot Kids. The Green Nursery was started to give online and local customers (Bloomington, IN ) a more user friendly platform for parents to find and organize the best products for their children. They offer safe and natural products for mamas and babies such as cloth diapers, nursing accessories, baby carriers, safe feeding products, co-sleepers and so much more.
To receive an extra entry (one per company), visit each of these companies and return back here and let me know a product that you would love to have or something you learned about the company.
Friday, January 7, 2011
FluffaLumps Jingle Ball Review and Coupon Code
We all know how much I adore my wool dryer balls and guess what, so does my two year old. For those of you who use dryer balls and have little ones, you know the people that I have. Every time I open up my dryer, a dryer ball grows legs and runs away! This is why I really enjoy FluffaLumps Jingle Balls! My son has his very own felted wool balls to enjoy and his do something that my don't, they JINGLE!!!
Little Boy Blue loves his "ding ding ball"s
I was really surprised by the size of these bad boys. I do not know why, but I was expecting them to be smaller, but I really like this size. The one downside to the size is that they are heavy. So watch out little sisters!
We got two balls, one blue and one red, and they make different sounds, which I like as well.
A picture to let you see the size. Please excuse these horrible pictures, they were taken with my cell phone. To the left is an apple and the right an orange.
FluffaLumps has been kind enough to offer a coupon code for the 20% off on any etsy custom toy ball, dryer ball or air freshener order! Use the code "Crunchy"
Accessorize Kait Review and Giveaway
I received a custom crocheted beanie for Ren Pen from Accessorize Kait! However, Ren Pen would not wear it so that I could take pictures of it (or at all). So we got to test it out on my niece, "LJ". As you can see the the left, she too was not but so willing to leave the beautiful hat on... silly babies! 
I am absolutely in awe of the beautiful scalloped edges!
Of course what really wins my heart is the great WAHM behind Accessorize Kait! Janel has been a wonder to work with and has an amazing talent! This momma is so willing to work with whatever you are looking for and I love that!
Check out these other beautiful items that she makes...
She makes darling boys hats!!!
I think that her crocheted headbands are just the Bees Knees!!! I want to get a couple for myself :)
Or how about these darling little booties! These make me want to run out and have myself a baby! Lucky for me, my sister is expecting, so I can control my baby fever!
Janel has offered to give one of our readers a custom crocheted item of their own!
In order to win you must be EITHER a blog follower or Facebook fan (if you are both you get an extra entry) and a facebook fan of Accessorize Kait.
If you follow Life: SemiCrunchy on Twitter, you get an extra entry!
If you leave a comment on this blog post, you get an extra entry :)
If you make a purchase from Accessorize Kait during this giveaway, you will get an extra 5 entries!!!
This giveaway will close at 11:59 pm January 14, 2011. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to respond via email or a new winner will be selected.
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