Bored Inc. Review & Giveaway

I love Bored Inc. They are so so so funny, and really have my sense of humor.

They have an awesome POO series.

And Wiener series bahahahaha

They carry purses, totes, jewelry, belts, shirts, onesies, stickers, buttons, wall decals, really cute greeting cards, and SO MUCH MORE.

Bored Inc. sent us some monster wall decals!!! Austin's nursery is almost complete! They sent me a pack of two and I begged asked my dad to buy the other set because there was only ONE LEFT! They both came in a cardboard packaging with the CUTEST drawings on them! I love seeing the time companies will take for their customers! I love cute little surprises :)

Okay here are the pics! Once again I called in the ranks, aka unwitting slave boy Christopher, to help me with the project!

Here's the little green man hanging out above the coat rack and monster bean bag chair!

Here's little blue dude down near the floor playing with Austin and his toys!

And this red guy was supposed to be a little lower and to the right. Grr. Still can't let it go... ;) But I rearranged the monsters and made it work... Notice there aren't any pics of Christopher putting it up, because I was doing something with Austin, and was not supervising the application of red guy.

And this orange fella is hanging out here to read with us in the reading area! See, he's raising his hand! He knows what the dog says, and what the kitten likes...

Cute right?! These decals are so perfect! I really really wish they were reusable, since we're just renting an apartment. Hopefully I'll be able to find them again if we ever move. But the more I find such great things to personalize our apartment (especially Austin's room!), the more like home it feels!

Head over to Bored Inc and check out there vast selection of really cute and funny swag!

Be sure to visit their Etsy Page for even more fabulous selections, check out their super cute blog, and "Like" their Facebook for great updates!

Also, Bored Inc is sponsoring a giveaway for Baby Bumble B's readers! One lucky person will win any tshirt of their choice! There are plenty of men, women, kid, and baby shirts to choose from!

Mandatory Entry-

Visit Bored Inc and tell me what shirt you would pick if you won! (Don't worry, you won't be held to it if you win!)

Extra Entries-

-Tweet about this giveaway (one entry a day!)

"Win a hilarious shirt of your choice from @TokyoBunnie's Bored Inc & @BabyBumbleB! http://tinyurl.com/3xm5v7u #giveaway"

-Vote for Pickles & Paisleys on Top Mommy Blogs (One entry a day!)

-Follow Pickles And Paisleys on Google Friend Connect

-Vote for Austin in the Applecheeks Summer Photo Contest by "LIKING" this photo! (3 ENTRIES!)

Giveaway will end on July 28th, 8pm. Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Good luck!

I was given 2 wall decals and I bought 2 (well my dad did... haha). I was not compensated for this review. These opinions are mine and honest.

SmartMom Jewelry Review & Giveaway

When I was pregnant and started this blog I was introduced to the world of giveaways and reviews. These necklace giveaways were like THE THING when I started blogging. And there is a good reason why!

SmartMom Jewelry carries tons of Teething Bling, a MUST HAVE for moms with teething babies. How many times have you been caught without a proper teething toy, or have been disgusted when baby drops said teething toy on the nasty ground, or all you have is a finger (and I hear those things are SHARP!)? Probably A LOT.

Teething bling is the best of all worlds... It's stylish, it's around your neck so no dropping on the floor, and it's the same silicone that most teething toys are made from. Most people think it's glass when they see mine and are so surprised it's not. Cause I would let Austin chew glass... But the point is, it looks really great! The clasp on the necklace does pop open with enough force, so don't worry, baby won't choke you to death ;) It's especially fabulous for the baby wearing mamas because your munchkin has something to play with and nom on that isn't your real necklace, collar bone, or the carrier itself... Austin has had his mouth full of Beco!

In addition to the infamous necklaces, SmartMom Jewelry carries bangles! The bangle is my favorite. It is made of the same silicone and I LOVE IT. It's the perfect size for Austin's little hands and I feel comfortable letting him play with it without wearing it. Plus it's really cute and if I was ever caught out without Austin and in the bangle, I'd keep it on!

SmartMom carries Tween Bling which are SCENTED. They also have keychains (genius, since babies like keys so much), and gift sets with one necklace and 2 bangles (which will definitely save you some $, making one of the bangles almost free). The colors are endless, solids and patterns. Zebra, marble, chameleon, list goes on. Some of the Tween Bling and all of the keychains come in heart shapes! They even have some cute and funny onesies!

I received Jade and Cotton Candy Blue colors since I figured the colors would fit with my Boy Event, but I really wish I got Onyx. The black would have definitely gone much better with all of my outfits. And I'd kill for a hot pink bangle... I also would be HAPPY to wear the teething bling that has Chris Noth attached to it on their webpage... Yumm...

But whatever the color, I wear it anyway because it's cute and I like to mix & match anyways ;) And Austin doesn't care what color it is, he's just happy to have something to put in his mouth that I'm not constantly taking away (my hair for example....)

Here is vintage Austin a couple of months ago (he's so wittle!) with the Jade bangle!

SO are you ready for your teething bling? Visit SmartMom Jewelry to pick up your bling!

OR

Win a Jade necklace AND bangle here on Baby Bumble B!

Mandatory Entry-

Tell me what your babe's favorite teething remedy is! Teething Bling? Sophie? Frozen wet washcloth? Don't have a baby yet? Tell me how cute Austin is (my favorite entry question hehehe).

Extra Entries-

(each entry gets a separate comment!!!)

-Tweet about this on Twitter! (one entry per day!)

"Teething troubles? Bored baby? Win some @TeethingBling from SmartMom Jewelry and @BabyBumbleB! http://tinyurl.com/2w22ox4"

-"Like" Teething Bling on Facebook

-Vote for me (Pickles and Paisleys) on Top Mommy Blogs! (one entry per day!)

-Follow P&P on Google Friend Connect!

Giveaway ends on July 23rd at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Good luck!

I was given a bangle and necklace to review and keep. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are mine and honest. I really really do love this product!

Back40Life Review & GIveaway

Austin's nursery is themed Monsters! I love it! But since we didn't pick and already-made-theme-in-a-bag we have just found things here and there. And as we all know, wall decals are THE nursery decor necessity!

As I browsed Etsy I came across Back40Life. They specialize in vinyl lettering, phrases, and also carry wooden signs. They also live in the good ol' South Carolina, so I know by that alone, they're fab ;)

Here are some of my favorite designs!

This is for the dance floor at a wedding reception. I think that's so smart! That would make for really neat pictures! They have a lot of different wedding reception decorations, and a lot of monograms for your home.

Back40Life has a ton of nursery/kid room designs. I really love these!

Back40Life has a lot of wodden signs to hang around your home as well.

I bet you're dying to see what I got, huh??

Austin in monster letters!!!!!

Back40Life has dozens of colors to choose from. I let Christopher help me out with this one, and he picked Lime. I'm glad he did, I really like it!!

The letters stuck to the paper at first and we had to peel so corners onto the paper that sticks the onto the wall, but it was a couple of weeks before we did this. I'm sure if we had done it "on time" it wouldn't have stuck. But it wasn't hard to do and thankfully Christopher has patience. He had no problem getting the letters on the wall and they look fabulous if I say so myself!

Back40Life has the best customer service, they're really genuinely nice people. But what else do you expect from SC?!

Check out Back40Life's Etsy shop to see what they have to offer. They are also happy to hear from you to do customs! The prices are great as well. Also be sure to check out their blog for updates and awesome offers and sales!

Buy your own personalizations for your home or nursery from Back40Life

OR

Win a $20 gift certificate from Back40Life here!

Mandatory Entry-

Visit their Etsy and tell me what you would want for your home or baby's nursery!

Additional Entries-

-"Like" B40L on Facebook

-Follow Back40Life on Twitter & Tweet about this giveaway (one entry a day!)

"Looking for a way to personalize your babe's nursery? Win $20 to @Back40Life on @BabyBumbleB! http://tinyurl.com/34fcddw"

-Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs! (one entry a day!)

-Follow Pickles & Paisley's (the main blog) on Google Friend Connect

Giveaway ends on July 21st. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Good Luck!

I was not compensated for this review. I was given a decal to review that I kept. All opinions are honest and mine.

Lil' LJ Review and Giveaway!

Lil' LJ is a company that holds a special place in my heart. Loree is the owner and struggled with infertility. Her husband named their future miracle Lil Loree Junior, and Loree named her company after the babe. Loree started out making clothes for babies whose parents struggled with infertility as well, making designs that include Answered Prayer, Worth The Wait, and more. Now Loree and her husband have had their prayers answered and are most definitely blessed with twin girls. Lil LJ has a whole line of infertility and multiples shirts and onesies for you to choose from.

Loree started to branch out in the utter cuteness that is Lil'. She started making shirts like Lil Peanut, Lil Monster, Lil Monkey, and so many more adorable designs that are sure feature your lil one's nickname! She also has a Preemie line and a ton of other adorable designs.

BUT the BEST PART of it ALL is that they are ALL PERSONALIZED! Your child's name and birth date/place (when applicable) are featured on every.single.design. I LOVE having personalized stuff. As a southern girl we stick our monograms and names on EVERYTHING that sits still long enough!

Here are some of my favorite designs from Lil' LJ!

I LOVE THIS. If I saw this one I probably would have picked it out. It says "S is for Sarah". I obviously would have picked "A is for Austin", and you could pick say... "Q is for Q'e'Nan" (Thanks A)

I'm getting this for Austin for his first birthday. Since his "theme" is monsters, I felt it was only appropriate! Won't he be so stinkin' cute?!?! (Hear that Loree?? Save me one, k?!)

Here is an example of one of the Worth The Wait series. These are a great addition to your little miracle's wardrobe. You can add your Lil' One's name and birthday.

And for our NICU grads! Austin would look great sporting this one too, I'm sure hehe. I love how you pick his birth year and the hospital name!

And last but not least, here is the one I picked out! I was going to go with the Lil' Monster shirt, but this was way too cute to resist!

It says Austin under "Mama's Boy" and along the bottom of the heart really tiny it says "Already wrapped around her finger". Ain't that the truth?!

But honestly. How COULDN'T you be wrapped around his finger? Or fingerS. All of them.

Lil LJ offers their clothes in either 100% cotton or 100% organic cotton. They are prewashed and, like I've mentioned 100X before, I stink with laundry, and it didn't shrink one little bit, and if it didn't happen to me, it won't happen to you! It's super soft and long enough for his cloth diaper butt! I've washed it multiple times and the design looks brand new. It hasn't faded or peeled or anything. It's definitely a great quality onesie. This is definitely an outfit that I will be devastated to put away when he gets too big.

In addition to Loree's story, she talks a little more about infertility and endometriosis, one of the factors in her journey. She has some great links for you to browse!

Each onesie or shirt comes in this super cute little baby block gift box!

Love Lil' LJ's designs as much as I do? Head on over and buy one for your Lil' Rock Star, or Princess, or Snugglebug!

OR!

Enter to win a personalized onesie of your choice right here!

Loree is offering a lucky reader of Baby Bumble B a onesie or shirt for your Lil One!

Mandatory Entry-

"Like" Lil LJ on Facebook!

Extra Entries-

-Tweet about this on Twitter! (one per day)

"Win a personalized shirt for your Lil' One from Lil' LJ and @BabyBumbleB! http://tinyurl.com/2dcqxof"

-Follow me on Pickles&Paisley's Google Connect

-Vote for P&P on Top Mommy Blogs (one per day)

-Tell me what Austin is cuter and/or more awesome than! (kittens, vera bradley, lifetime supply of diet coke... you get the idea)

Good luck! The winner will be chosen via Random.org. Giveaway ends on July 16th at 8pm!

I was not compensated for this review. I received a onesie that I get to keep. All opinions are mine and honest.

Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bustier Review & Giveaway!

Y'all know I hate pumping. I remember the day I almost threw in the towel. I just came home with Austin from our 2 week stint in the NICU and I was having to pump and give him fortified bottles. He slept all the time since he was just at that point supposed to be a 36 week old fetus and was exhausted from trying to grow. He was only 5lbs. I used the Medela Symphony at the hospital the entire time Austin was in the NICU. It is the hospital grade pump and super awesome. I got a Lansinoh pump from a friend and an old Pump In Style on Craigslist. Niether was getting what the Symphony did. They were hurting me and I wasn't getting much milk. THEN Austin was awake. He was AWAKE sitting in his swing, and I had to just look at him from across the room because I was plugged into the wall. I was so distraught. It was awful.

Eventually after we were able to breastfeed and not do bottles, my deep freezer broke and I lost 200+ ounces of breast milk. I had none on hand anymore, and looking back at my pumping experiences, I decided I would never pump again and just breastfeed exclusively.

That's worked FINE for me up until this past week. You may have read my post from earlier today, I NEEDED A BREAK. I broke the pump out. I could only find one tubing, but I did it. And this time, I had this awesome Simple Wishes Pumping Bustier.

Yes it still hurt, yes it was hard, but I had my hands! Austin was fussy and I got to sit on the floor and play with him! I could pick him up and tickle him and give him kisses all the while pumping some milk for him! It was seriously awesome. I really wish I had bought one of these back when I was pumping every 3 hours. It REALLY would have made my life a lot easier and I highly doubt I would have been so stressed out!

It is simple to put on. It has this huge velcro panel in the back so you can fit it to your body, and refit it if your body changes. My breasts changed about 28973487 times at the beginning, so something adjustable and customizable is necessary. Once you have it to your size, there is a zipper in the front for easy and quick put on & take off! The fabric is really really soft and it's PINK! :) It was perfectly comfortable. There is an extender for large busted women and straps that you can take on and off.

Check out the video to see how it works, awesome instances you can use it, how easy it is, and everything else you need to know!

Sorry guys, no pics of my using it ;)

The only thing that I wish was a little different is that it was less bulky and you could just wear as a bra. You could if you wore something thick probably, and I know it HAS to be bulky for it to actually work the way it's supposed to, but I don't think I could wear it under a fitted tee. It's definitely comfortable enough, but might look funny.

I love the name. Simple Wishes. It really was a simple wish of mine to be hands free back then and be able to play with my little baby while I pumped milk for him.

You can visit Simple Wishes and get a Pumping Bustier for yourself

OR

Win one here!!!

One lucky reader will get a bustier in the size of their choice!

Mandatory entry-

Tell me what YOU would do if you were hands free while pumping!

Extra Entries-

-Follow my blog with Google Connect

-"Like" Simple Wishes' Facebook Page

-Follow Simple Wishes on Twitter

-Tweet about this giveaway (one tweet, one entry per day.)

"Play w/ baby while pumping! Win a Hands Free Pumping Bustier by @SimpleWishes_ from @BabyBumbleB! #breastfeeding http://tinyurl.com/2ffawxq"

Giveaway ends on Wednesday June 16th at 8pm! Winner will be chosen via Random.org!

Good luck!

Pooters Fitted & Pocket Diapers Review & Giveaway (2 Winners!)

Pooters. Best. Name. Ever.
Pooters. One of. The. Best. Fits. Ever.

Pooters store has a ton of things to see. They have Pooters brand diapers as well as other brands (Thirsties, prefolds, Nifty Nappy, Happy Heineys), detergents, wipes, etc etc. Everything you need and want in a cloth diapering store. They also have some great videos on the types of cloth diapers, a cloth diapering checklist for newbies where you check off what types and materials you like from the videos and the essentials and a "nice to have" list (REALLY neat if you're just getting into cloth), and list of the best brands available. This list is divided into skinny legs, chunky legs, 35+pounds, potty training, newborns, and trimness and is order by price. This is fabulous. I wish I looked at this list before I made any diaper purchase. I will be going back to this guide multiple times I am sure.

Y'all know I'm always looking for a good FIT for Austin with his funny shape. Thankfully his little legs are getting longer so diapers aren't always to his knees. I'm always a little worried however when I try new diapers on him. I'm always skeptical because when I hold them in my hand, they look huge. I guess I still picture him as a 4 pound baby, idk, but with Pooters I was MORE than pleasantly surprised with the fit.

Let me start from the beginning ;)

Pooters sent me a bamboo fitted diaper and a bamboo pocket diaper. I'll start with the fitted ;)

The fitted is a onesize diaper. It will fit your babe from 8 pounds to 35 pounds. It has snaps (LOVE!) and the insert snaps in as well. It came with an extra soaker pad. I use fitteds at night with Austin since pockets DO NOT WORK overnight with him. I strapped this bad boy on him with a wool cover, and off to bed we went. The next morning I woke up dry with dry sheets, dry cover, dry baby. I changed him and yes the fitted was wet on the outside, but NOT as wet as the other fitteds I was previously using at night. I would definitely rate the absorbency of this diaper as HIGH HIGH HIGH. And I only washed it once before I used it. Y'all also know I have no patience, so I didn't prewash it 3-5 times to gain maximum absorbency. It is absolutely in my nighttime rotation, and when all are clean, it's the first one I snatch up.

The only thing I don't really like about it is that it has a wide crotch. Not a big deal though because Austin's just sleeping. And once he's bigger I'm sure it won't be an issue anyways. The boaster obviously adds more bulk to it, but it fits in our wool cover just fine!

Here are some pics!

TMI- Austin always takes a really big poop when he wakes up in the morning (since he nurses alll night longggg) and it has kept it all in every time! I have not been able to say that about any other fitted he's been in... Plus it's only $12. My other fitteds are priced at $30ish (can you guess which ones? And I bought them NOT new & NOT for $30 btw lol) and aren't as absorbent as Pooters.

Bottomline- On the top of my list for fitted diaper! Amazing price.


Next up is the pocket diaper. It is also a onesize dipe, fitting baby from 8 pounds to 35. It is bamboo lined and has a bamboo insert. Bamboo is really absorbent so it doesn't have to be thick. Pooters mentions on their website that this is perhaps the trimmest pocket on the market, and honestly, I will have to agree. As soon as I put it on him I picked up my blackberry and emailed the owner immediately. I LOVE this fit. It also has snaps (yes!). The pockets come in green, pink, lilac, white, and the most GORGEOUS blue (WANT!).

The only thing I was not a fan of with this diaper is that since the lining is bamboo, which is great, it doesn't stay dry. Austin doesn't care if he's wet though, I just do for some odd reason. Doesn't make sense since he's in a wet fitted all night long. But bamboo is antimicrobial, so there really isn't an issue with his bum being wet for a little bit. I usually put him in this diaper in the mornings when we wake up. He stayed in it a couple of hours the other day because he took an early nap, and we had no leaks! It has kept the poo in too ;)

When I spoke to the owner about the Snips, Snails, Puppy Dog Tails event she mentioned that she feels the pain of the boy mamas in finding awesome things for our sons and that she is designing a diaper specifically for boys! How awesome is that?! I absolutely cannot wait to see what she comes up with! I know I always find my diapers to be soaked in the front and nothing in the back, so extra absorbency in the front somehow would be a plus for me.

Pooters is offering a Pooters pocket diaper, your choice of color, AND a $10 gift certificate! That's two winners!

As a mandatory entry to win a Pooters or GC , please explain to me what YOU would like to see in a Boy's Only diaper!

Extra Entries
-Like Pooters on Facebook
-Follow my blog with Google Connect
-Tweet about this giveaway
"Win Pooters #clothdiapers from @BabyBumbleB (2winners!) http://tinyurl.com/29k8r9t"

Giveaway will end on Sunday 29th at 11:59pm EST. The winners will be chosen via Random.org (pocket first, then $10 GC).

I was not compensated for this review. I was given a pocket and fitted diaper that I get to keep. These opinions are mine and honest!

**BTW, a few of y'all have mentioned that the rise is very low. Austin has a long torso. He's long waisted like I am. This may not be so low on your babe. Not sure though. Check out Dirty Diaper Laundry for her review and see what she has to say...

LIVE Giveaway! RG Designs-closed! ;)

What is a live giveaway you ask? Just comment this post and talk and hang out. The 100th comment WINS an upcycled pendant of their choice from RG Designs!

Choose from one of these awesome ready-to-ship designs

OR

Personalize your own with a picture!!!

Cute, right?!

READY, SET, GO!

Please do not reply to someone's comment, it'll throw all the numbers off, and I'll just delete it ;)

Closed! That was fast y'all! Desiree wins it!

Baby Bond Review and Giveaway!

As you may have read before, I was a "lact-hater" (yes I made that up. Brilliant, right?!). I thought it was so inappropriate for women to nurse in public. I was so so so stupid. I'm embarrassed to say the least. I chalk it up to being 17, 18, and stupid. I wasn't even sure if I would breastfeed when I got pregnant, but thank the LORD my mind set drastically changed and I will say that breastfeeding Austin has been the BEST decision I have ever ever made.

I have NO qualms about breastfeeding in public. I'm a nursing-in-public ninja, and no one will ever see anything. I just wear a nursing tank under a shirt and lift the shirt and all that shows it what Austin is over. So, really, nothing shows. I don't cover up because it is HOT. I hate it. And honestly it brings more attention. I think it's fine for moms that want to cover, I just don't.

However, there has been a time at church that I wore a loooong dress. We had a spaghetti dinner afterwards in the fellowship hall and once I was done eating, Austin was ready for HIS lunch as well. I brought a receiving blanket with me to cover since I would have to nurse over the dress and I wasn't comfortable letting my boob hang out in front of father-in-law (HI!), the teenage boys, and the whole church family. OMG It was a PAIN. It was falling, I was about to drop Austin, it was so hot. It was not fun and I did not enjoy it.

Then just recently I came across Baby Bond. I LOVE their "mission statement"

BabyBond™ nursing accessories cover mom, not her baby. Mom is able to maintain her modesty. Baby remains uncovered benefiting from the infinite opportunity to make eye contact, interact, and communicate. After all, dining is social.

How cool is that? I never thought of eating like that. It IS a social event, and why should a baby be excluded? Basically it wraps around mom and just opens a little for you to poke through and baby to eat.

Baby Bond send me a Couture Baby Bond. There are 3 types, the Original, Flex, and Couture. The Couture is different than the other two in the way that you can also use it as a belly band to cover you stomach when you lift your shirt and nurse, creating the illusion of the way I nurse with a tank top.

When I opened it I was SO SURPRISED on how LIGHT it is! It's a really thin but sturdy fabric, which is fab because it won't make you hot AT ALL, which is a major plus here in Charleston. It's SO HOT! The instructions on how to "work" it are on a tag on the wrap, so if you forget and you're out with a screaming hungry baby, it is easy to refresh your memory on how to use it. And since it's so thin and light, it will roll up so tiny in your diaper bag and really take up NO ROOM. It'll even fold into itself!

I got the Couture in Hudson (black), but I kinda wish I got Riviera... But the Hudson will match my dresses that I'll have to nurse over the top in. ;)

aaaaah isn't he getting so big?! His butt used to sit in that left hand when I nursed him...

BTW the fabulous ladies at Baby Bond informed me that I have the cover on wrong... With the cover on my left shoulder he should be nursing from the right. Totally makes more sense. Oops. Check the pics on their website to see what it's supposed to look like haahahaha. But y'all know from my Bambino "MUAH" blooper I'm usually one to show you how to NOT do something!!!!

Head on over to BabyBond and buy a cover for yourself!

Baby Bumble B readers get 25% until June 5th with the code "bumble"!

OR

WIN one on Baby Bumble B!

Mandatory entry-

-Like Baby Bond on Facebook

Extra Entries (leave a separate comment for each entry please!)-

-Tell me what color & style you'd get!

-Follow me on Google Connect (3 extra entries! 3 separate comments!))

-Follow Baby Bond on Twitter

-Tweet about this giveaway (one entry per day!)

"Cover mom, NOT baby! Win a @BabyBond nursing cover from @BabyBumbleB! #breastfeeding #bfcafe #bfing http://tinyurl.com/34c28kn"

-Tell me how cute Austin is!

-Don't forget your extra entries if you RSVPed before the event began!

Good Luck! Winner will be chosen via Random.org. Giveaway ends Wednesday May 26th at 6pm EST!

I was given a Baby Bond nursing cover to review and keep. I was not compensated for this review. These opinions are honest and my own.