See Kai Run

*Disclosure: I have received product for review. These thoughts are solely my own. 

In 2004 a Seattle mother was looking for a shoe that was fashionable and healthy for children's feet. When she could not find what she was looking for she created See Kai Run. See Kai Run is now run by a teem of dedicated footwear makers carrying on her mission. 

See Kai Run has had a pay it forward mission for over ten years now. They are partnered with a number of other foundations to promote happy, healthy feet and happy, healthy children. 

I agree with the mission and fantastic style of See Kai Run. These sneakers fit Lex great and are so cute and fashionable. They have shoes of all styles and kids sizes for both boys and girls. 

Check out the See Kai Run website for more information. 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Alouette

*Disclosure: I have received product for review. These thoughts are solely my own. 

In the early 70's a French cheese maker decided to bring his passion to the states. He just so happened to pick the same city and state this blog is from, Lancaster, PA! 

Alouette has a variety of soft cheeses that are sure to tickle your taste buds! Le Bon dip has a variety of vegetable type dips that are great for crackers and vegetables! 

Alouette soft spreadable cheese is fantastic on bagels! Whether you are craving something sweet or something savory there is a cheese for everyone! This Cranberry Apple Spice had just enough flavor without being too over powering. Lex loved dipping graham crackers in the Vanilla Bean Cheesecake spread! 

Looking for the perfect little snack? Le Petite Fromage is the perfect single serving of cheese. I was spreading it on crackers and Lex and I indulged in a great treat! They also have Brie, spreadable cheddar, and crumbled cheese! These cheeses are fantastic for serving during the holidays or while company is over too! 

Check out the Alouette website for more information and flavors! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Swimtails

*Disclosure: I have received product for review. These thoughts are solely my own. 

The Swimtails mermaid tail are made from high performance swim suit material. You can choose your style, color and size and customize it to be your very own! It is 100% swimmable and easy to stretch and put on. Tails come in adult, kid and toddler sizes! 

In order to swim with the tail you need to also order a monofin. This allows you to be able to swim like a mermaid under water. Your feet simply slip into the slots and slip the strap over the back of your heel. Make sure that children are supervised at all times, are strong swimmers, and know the proper dolphin kick when using the tail to swim. 

I found this tail easy to slip on. The waist was loose of it fit in my height. Keep in mind you an get yours custom made to your specific dimensions. My feet feet snug in the monofin. This would be a great gift for your teen or adult that wants the feeling that they are a mermaid! Toddler tails are open at the bottom so they are able to walk but still have the feeling they are a mermaid like they are like their older sibling or guardian! 

If you want to order your mermaid tail and monofin you can check out the Swimtails website! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

BooginHead

*Disclosure: I have received product for this post. These thoughts are solely my own. 

If you are looking for some great gifts for ids this year check out the BooginHead products. They have a variety of products for kids of many ages. This SplatMat can be used in many ways from picnics, to catch food during lunch time, during a beach trip, or while the kids are creating beautiful art! It has a 52" round design, folds for easy travel, is BPA and phthalate free, reusable and durable! 

If your children love eating from pouches and your looking for a great reusable pouch, then look no further! Check out the Squeez'ems. These pouches are easy to clean with a screw top lid that is attached to avoid the loss of pieces. They are microwavable and freezer safe and BPA, PVC, and phthalate free. Keep a few on hand for an easy snack and to toss in lunch boxes! 

Speaking of lunch boxes, here is another great reusable solution to save you money! The Pack'Ems are great for all ages and feature a velcro closure. Both sizes come in one pack so you can choose how much of the snack you want to bring! They are even dishwasher safe! This product is BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free. 

If you want to shop for all BooginHead products you can check them out here. 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Giant

*Disclosure: I have received product for this post. These thoughts are solely my own. 

Did you know Giant has many of their own branded products for great prices compared to other name brands? I didn't either and what I found was very impressive. Two of Giant's products are their laundry detergent and their baby wipes. 

The laundry detergent is very comparable to Tide and it smells great. I have found that it works just like Tide but for less of the price! 

The Always My Baby Wipes are hypoallergenic and alcohol free leaving my little boys bottom clean and fresh. I am always weary when using a new product on them but these wipes were fantastic. 

Giant has many others of their very own brands that you can check out here and don't forget to check out your local Giant today for all kinds of savings! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Toddler Bath Salon

*Disclosure: I have received product for this post. These thoughts are solely my own.

The Toddler Bath Salon mat is designed to fit all standard bath tubs. The mat allows children to lay down in a comfortable position in order for parents to wash their hair. Once their hair is washed they can sit on the mat during bath time as well. The mat has a suction cup on the back so it can be easily hung on the wall of the tub. The product i phthalate free. 

I feel like Lex is a pretty easy child to bathe but he loved laying back on this mat to get his hair washed. He didn't get any soap in his eyes or water washing over his face. He thought it was fun to lay on the mat like it was a bed and even wanted to take it out to play with. 

It was easy to blow up as well. It took about 3 minutes to blow it up. Until we established a routine with the mat Lex thought of it more as a toy then a device to wash his hair. After he learned that we hang it up and then play in the water it was smooth sailing. 

This is a great device for children who hate to get their hair washed. If you would like to purchase the mat you can visit Toddler Bath Salon. 

Have a yummy day!

~Crystyn~

Santa Bags & More

*Disclosure: I have received product free for review. These thoughts are solely my own.

Need a great way to organize each of your family members gifts this season? Check out Santa Bags and More! Stacey is a busy work at home mom of two little ones that enjoys making personalized decor just for you! She started making santa bags for her children three years ago and it started to become a business as she was getting many requests! 

These bags measure 24x40 inches and fit quite a few gifts! I was able to fit ALL of the boys gifts in their bags and was very impressed with the size! They are personalized and individually painted unlike most bags that are vinyl decals. The bag itself is made from burlap. 

I put all of the boys gifts in their bags and carried them down the stairs and they were very sturdy. Since the bags are painted with a stencil there may be some imperfections but I personally love how vintage they look! The bags arrived very quickly and you still have time to order them all this week! 

You can get bags for other holidays as well! Send Stacey a message on Etsy, she is great to work and communicate with! You can find her on Facebook as well!

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Chic baby slings: Fil'up wrap

*Disclosure: I have received product for tho post. These thoughts are solely my own. 

This type of mesh wrap is new on the American market. It is made of pure cotton mesh. It is for newborn up to 33 pounds. The Fil'up does not stretch out of wrap. It can be extended in width but it is tightened in length. This carrier was designed and manufactured in France and comes in many different colors. 

Jack is about 12 pounds here and the wrap held him nice and firm against my body. Walking around it did not feel like it was digging in my shoulders but it does feel different then a woven or stretchy wrap. This wrap would be great in warm climates or for those who get hot easily. 

I did not feel like it was digging into Jack's legs for the amount of time I wore it. I have not yet worn it for a long extended amount of time. While I was wrapping it was a unique experience. It was an odd feeling for the wrap to extend so much in width. It was fairly easy to tighten the rails. 

Over all I am excited to try this wrap in the summer months here in Pa and get a good feel for how breezy it is! I would definitely check this out if you live in a warm climate year round! 

You can find the Fil'up here. 

Have a yummy day!

~Crystyn~

Gift Bloomsy Box

I received compensation in exchange for this post. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Getting flowers is something special to anyone no matter what the occasion. Bloomsy Box makes it possible to give and receive flowers once a month every single month. All you have to do is pick a Bloomsy Box subscription that fits what you need. They will pick out your flowers for you and all you have to do is enjoy or watch someone that you love light up with the delivery of flowers to them.

This is a great idea to do for the holidays and you can keep giving them all year long if you choose. The flowers that are delivered by Bloomsy Box are hand picked and also cut out the middle man making the time that they are chosen to the time that they arrive shorter. Your flower delivery will be more fresh and lively and you or your loved one can enjoy them for longer.

All Bloomsy Boxes come with absolutely free shipping so all you pay for are the gorgeous flowers. All of the plans also auto-renew so that you don’t have to worry about it and if you decide that you no longer want to be subscribed to the monthly service, you can cancel online at any time. Giving flowers has never been easier. The prices are also very reasonable with the smaller bouquet at $34.99 a month and the biggest being $48.99 a month.

Bloomsy Box is set apart from others because of their direct from the farm commitment. The flowers will go straight to you or your loved one straight from the farm. Their blooms come from the best farms around the world including South Africa, Holland, France and South America. They are to your door in less than 48 hours which is pretty amazing. The flowers that you would purchase inside a florist or store have been in that store longer than that.

Treat someone for the holidays or even hint to someone to treat you to the Bloomsy Box experience. Bloomsy Box wants to see your arrangements that you receive, so make sure that you post pictures online when you or your loved one receives them to show them off. This gift for the holidays is one that will brighten people’s faces and can continue to bring smiles all year long every single month.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BloomsyBox

Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bloomsybox/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bloomsybox

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bloomsybox/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGHseHbGd_4r3X-1hGJkDA

Nick's Bread Pizza

*Disclosure: I was not compensated for his post. These thoughts are solely my own. 

Love pizza but don't feel like making the crust? My step dad has a solution for that! All the pizza toppings on bread! First chop up any of the toppings you want on your pizza. Make sure to pre heat your oven to 350.

Lay down pieces of bread on your pizza pan or stone. The special touch is to first lay down american cheese on the bread. Then put down your pizza sauce. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top the sauce. 

Load up your individual pizzas with what ever toppings you desire! These are loaded up with veggies and meats! We also made some with just pepperoni for L. 

First bake your pizza in the over for about 10 minutes. Then take the pizzas and put them directly on the rack for another 3-5 minutes. This ensures that the bread gets nice and crispy! Pull them out and let them cool and BAM! individual pizzas for the whole family! Enjoy! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Olives & Applesauce

*Disclosure: I have received product free for review. These thoughts are solely my own.

Olives & Applesauce is a small family run business located in southern Vermont. All of the carriers are sewed in Northern America. The carrier features 5 carrier positions: Newborn front carry, infant front carry, newborn hip carry, infant hip carry, and back carry. You can wear the shoulder strap in two positions: backpack style or crossed. It features a cinching hood that folds into the carrier when not in use, a front pocket, a built in infant insert, dual adjusting straps, deep seat to keep toddler properly positioned and fits 8-50 pounds. 

Their website is very easy to navigate and features videos of each way the carrier can be worn. They have numerous prints and solids to suite most peoples interests. I have tried many carriers through out our babywearing journey thus far and this family owned business is right up there with some of the big named companies! I was very impressed with the amount of padding in the shoulder straps. The carrier fit comfortably for short and longer amounts of time. I wore both my 16 pound 4 month old and my 27 pound 2 year old in this carrier and loved how it fit. 

This O&A carrier came with some sleepy dust (babywearing terminology meaning he can easily fall asleep while being worn). J has fallen asleep while shopping, out and about, grocery shopping and all over! I prefer my straps as backpack style so I use the chest/back strap with it. 

If you would like to purchase your own Olives & Applesauce carrier you can visit their website here. 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Freshly Picked

*Disclosure: I have received product for this post. These thoughts are solely my own. 

Freshly Picked began as a one mom show. Susan, the owner, decided one day that her son needed a pair of shoes that were well constructed and stayed on his feet. She started designing a few pairs until she found the perfect design. Now that the business has grown larger she is able to pay others to make the shoes but with the same great quality. 

Freshly picked has moccasins to fit the tiniest newborn feet to a size 8 kids in soft soled, size 7-13 kids in hard soled and women's moccasins. Lex loves putting on his moccasins because they are comfortable on his feet so he can run fast! Although Jack can not walk, and won't for a few months, his moccasins play a big role as well; they are keeping his feet warm this Pa winter! 

Freshly picked moccasins have held up thus far to lots of wear! Lex has worn his on concrete, in grass, at the mall, and all over the place! They are also easy to clean off! They fit his feet nicely and he has a little room to grow into them. They are easy to put on and stay on! 

Baby shoes never stay on babies feet but Jack has yet to kick these off! I love how they stretch so you can easily put them on babies feet and they hug his ankles for a great fit. 

And we have a special treat for you! You have the chance to WIN a pair of Freshly Picked moccasins! Enter below for your chance of choice of in stock soft soled moccasin! (US Only)

If you want to buy your own pair check out Freshly Picked! 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

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Save money, time, and eat well with Giant this holiday season!

*Disclosure: I was compensated with gift cards for this post. This post is brought to you by Giant/Martins.

GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets is helping customers save money, save time and eat well for every holiday and celebration through the New Year.During the holiday season, GIANT/MARTIN’S customers have the choice of trying Own Brands Limited Time Originals Peppermint products, Simply Enjoy, World Menu and as a finishing touch, Etos beauty products. GIANT/MARTIN’S is your one-stop shop for entertaining essentials this year.

Save money of quality products

Just in time for the holidays Giant/Martins has come out with some new products. There are a variety of peppermint limited time originals such as peppermint cupcakes, ice cream, gelato, double layer cake and double peppermint filled sandwich cookies! Limited time beverages include peppermint seltzer, peppermint craft soda or peppermint tea. 

If you are looking to bake this season you can find new peppermint ingredients like crushed baking chips, milk chocolate covered marshmallows with crushed peppermint, chocolate bark, brownie and cookie mixes. 

And don't forget the home with peppermint soaps, candles and cleaning products! 

To help shoppers create more memorable meals the Simply Enjoy products are back with even more products. These items include frozen appetizers and desserts, deli dips, smoked salmon, fresh pasta and crackers. 

Earlier this year Giant/Martins expanded its World menu line. These internationally inspired products feature quality ingredients and easy preparation, including many Italian and Asian favorites to offer a new take on take-out. Grab a few varieties to keep in your freezer for quick appetizers when unexpected guest drop by. Don't forget to check for the Giant brand staples such as canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, chocolate chips and more! 

Eat well by lightening up holiday favorites

It is possible to make better choices, and eat well while still allowing yourself to indulge on your favorite holiday dishes this season.

GIANT/MARTIN’S nutritionists offer their “Top Five” ideas to lighten up your holiday festivities: 

1. Rather than skipping a meal because of a holiday party later in the day, eat a light lunch or snack to curb your appetite beforehand. Because you’re not starving when you arrive, you are less likely to overeat. 

2. Before grabbing a plate at the buffet, first take stock of what’s available. Fill half of your plate with seasonal vegetables, one quarter with lean protein and finish the remaining quarter with a starch such as potatoes or corn. 

3. There are plenty of lower calorie substitutes for your baking recipes. Whole eggs can be swapped with egg whites and applesauce in place of oil. Instead of sour cream, cream cheese or mayonnaise, opt for plain non-fat Greek yogurt. 

4. Both sugary and alcoholic beverages can contain a lot of excess calories so instead feature sparking beverages. A pitcher of sparkling fruit flavored seltzer water (calorie and sodium-free) can be dressed up with floating cranberries or orange slices for a festive beverage option. 

5. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the three bite dessert rule. Choose a small piece, take three bites and savor each bite. 

Saving you time

You can save time by choosing one of Giant/Martins great entertaining party trays, fully prepared dinner, desserts, and more all available to order! Visit the Giant or Martins website to order today. 

Also available at select Giants is Peapod. Peapod offers the convenience of online grocery shopping, and delivery to customers homes or businesses. You can also utilize Peapod's pick up service where you can shop online and schedule the time to pick up your groceries! Visit Peapod and type in your zip code to see if one is near you!

As part of GIANT/MARTIN’S ongoing commitment to help customers include more fresh and healthy meals into their busy schedules, the holiday edition of Savory Fast, Fresh and EasyTM hits store shelves and online in early November.View on the GIANT or MARTIN’S website or download the free Savory app.Packed with easy recipe and entertaining ideas. 

Rather than circle the mall parking lot for a spot, see what gifts you can get at your local GIANT/MARTIN’S. 

Did you know the floral department offers a wide selection of holiday centerpieces and arrangements perfect for gift-giving? Choose from a variety of styles or speak to a floral associate who can create a unique arrangement just for you.

You can also create one-of-a-kind gift baskets featuring snacks for the sports lover, sweets for the choco-holic or beauty care items, like GIANT/MARTIN’S simple, effortless and affordable Etos beauty products.

Don't forget the gift cards for the person that has everything!

For more holiday ideas stop by your local Giant or Martins or visit the Giant or Martins websites. 

MotherRoo

*Disclosure: I have received product for this post. All opinions are solely my own. 

MotherRoo started out as a mother-daughter team. The designer (daughter) Jessika and the seamstress (mother) Kathi. They started making stage costumes and formal wear and when the birth of Jessika's son came along the ever popular babywearing obsession happened and a new partnership was born. They now have a new seamstress, Meredith and an apprentice, Jessie, making MotherRoo an awesome quad of ladies! 

They are CPSC approved, lab tested in compliance with CPSIA regulations based on the ASTM2236 standard. 

I met Jessika virtually in one of the many babywearing groups I am in on Facebook. When we first started chatting about doing a post I had no idea what I wanted or all the options. One of the retailers had a sale on Natibaby wraps and I snagged it up. I messaged Jessika which wrap I bought and we started discussing my options about making it into a Mei-Tie (Asian styled carrier). 

I decided on a junior toddler size since L was (at the time) big for his age. Then came the fun part. I chose wrap straps, extra padding in the shoulders and I knew I wanted ears on my hood. Jessika then thought about making the reach straps have paws to go with the theme! How adorable are they! 

The hood can be worn Velcroed up or down (like a sun visor). And the ears are amazingly cute! Turn around time was amazing! 

Everything on this carrier is perfect. It is extremely well made and sewn together. I did not see any mistakes and the fit is perfect. I have been using it for a year now and it has fit Lex from 1 year old to 2 year old with plenty of room! It has a contoured body so you can fold the waist when they are shorter and unfold when they grow! I can wear this carrier for long amounts of time with no pain in my shoulders. And I forgot to mention the wrap I chose was Natibaby Panther. 

They are now also creating buckle carriers and buckle onbus, which I may have to try and snag a custom spot for myself! 

Do you want to find out all the deets about upcoming stockings? Get added to their group: MotherRoo: In the Loop. You can also find their Facebook and their website. 

Have a yummy day! 

~Crystyn~

Mama's Pumpkin Roll

*Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. These thoughts are solely my own.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. A day many Americans celebrate with their families with good food, crazy uncles, and laughter. We eat some of our favorite foods and keep some traditions. One tradition in my house is pumpkin roll. I love pumpkin everything, yes even the epic Pumpkin Spice Latte. If you are in a crunch and need an awesome dessert this season try my mom's special pumpkin roll! Here is a step by step of the process and I will post the recipe below. 

 First preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Beat three eggs until they are yellow and frothy. It should look foamy. 

 Next gradually add 1 cup of sugar and 2/3 cup of pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix). Beat the mixture until everything is mixed together. 

Gradually add 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, and 2 tsp. cinnamon to your bowl. Beat until the batter is smooth. 

Pour your batter evenly into a GREASED jelly roll pan (or cookie sheet). Make sure your pan is greased well so you can easily pop the batter out after it is cooked. 

Bake the batter for 10-12 minutes or until you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean. Immediately loosen the cake from the edges and invert onto a kitchen towel that is generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. 

While the cake is still HOT roll cake and towel together. While the cake is cooling it is time to make your icing filling. 

Beat 1 cup powdered sugar, 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and a splash of milk together until the batter is creamy. 

Make sure your cake is completely COOLED. This is very important so your cream cheese filling does not melt. Unroll the cake and evenly spread the filling onto the cake. Roll just the cake back up. 

Sprinkle the outside of the cake with powdered sugar to prevent it from sticking on the plastic wrap. Wrap the pumpkin roll up and refrigerate until you are ready to eat! Enjoy! 

Pumpkin Roll Cake

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup pumpkin

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

Filling

1 cup powdered sugar

8 oz softened cream cheese

1/2 tsp vanilla

splash milk

Beat eggs in large bowl on high until thick and lemon colored.

Gradually beat in sugar and pumpkin.

Gradually beat in flour, baking soda, and cinnamon until smooth. 

Pour batter into greased jelly roll pan. 

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Loosen edges and invert onto a powdered sugar towel. 

Roll towel and cake together, cool completely. 

Beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk together until creamy. 

Unroll cake. Spread on cake. Roll cake up and sprinkle outside with powdered sugar. 

Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate.