Bead for Life Review/Giveaway

October 5, 2011 By Anne

I heard about BeadforLife and knew I wanted to get involved somehow.

BeadforLife is a non profit organization and member of the Fair Trade Federation that works to eradicate extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Colorful recycled paper is turned into beautiful beads and jewelry. Shea nuts are also made into butter and then used for cosmetics and soaps.

BeadforLife is part of an international grassroots movement to overcome extreme poverty.

Our goal is for our members to be independent of BeadforLife within 18 months by being able to support themselves within the Ugandan economy. To assist members in launching their own small businesses or in creating new revenue streams, we provide entrepreneurial training, facilitate savings accounts, and make business funds available. In the rural areas our program focuses on agricultural development.

BeadforLife sponsors Community Development projects in health, vocational training for impoverished youth, affordable housing, and business development. These projects are financed with the net profits from the sale of the beads and shea butter products and support not only our members, but other impoverished people living in Uganda.

You can see here how the beads are rolled.

You can even host a Bead for Life party – check out the details here.

I received this blue bracelet and love it! The beads are a navy blue and then the beads in between are a light blue. It’s kind of hard to tell in this picture. I wear it on my navy blue scrub day and I think it looks very nice!

You can win one for yourself or save it for a gift! I have this red one for one Mommy Has to Work reader.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

Laser Pegs Light Up Fun!

October 3, 2011 By Anne

There are so many toys out there to choose from. Christmas is right around the corner and finding something different and unique, will be on my to do list. I was sent a very cool toy that any child would love, mine did!

We received the Mini Monster Bug kit. This is recommended for ages 7 and up and costs around $24. It was pretty easy to put together. My son did it by himself with a little hep from dad. It uses a power unit/cord and batteries. Think Legos that light up. My son put it up in his room. He’s the kind of kid that puts a Lego toy together and keeps it that way.

I have never seen anything like this before. A light up toy that you put together!

You can use these pieces along with more to create just about anything – a power sword, dune racer, peg laser gun and so much more! Even my husband was impressed with this toy!

You can purchase them at laserpegs.com or I saw them on Amazon too. These will a big hit this holiday season, I’m sure!

I received the above product to facilitate this review, opinions are my own.

Anne

Strawberry Shortcake – Growing Up Dreams DVD

September 26, 2011 By Anne

Strawberry Shortcake is such a cutie! I remember her when I was a little girl and now she’s back!

We don’t get to watch too much of her on TV, cause I don’t like to stations that show all of those commercials!!

So when asked to review this DVD, I was super excited!

We seen it a few times already, even big brother watched it with us. 🙂

Strawberry Shortcake and all of her friends can’t wait to grow up! In this movie the gang imagines what they will be, it’s so exciting. But when Mayor, Peppermint Fizz, very berry bossy, trouble falls on Strawberryland. Growing Up Dreams is all about getting along, working together, and believing in your dreams. Plus, no matter how big you get…you should never outgrow being nice!

Savannah has said she wants to be a princess when she grows up. A princess? I’m sure that will change in time.

We really enjoyed the movie and I thought it teaches how we should all get along and not boss each other around. This is perfect for any age really.

A great movie for the holiday!!

Anne

Fairy Tales Hair Care Review

September 23, 2011 By Anne

I never knew September was Lice month, did you? I guess because the kids go back to school?

I have been very fortunate not to have gone through that with any of my five children. A friend from work has gone through it numerous times – too may to count!

We were sent Fairy Tales Hair Care products to try out. These products not only make your hair clean they help prevent lice!

My daughter was super excited to try these, because she wants to be a PRINCESS! Yes – she tells me everyday she is going to be a princess. So what princess wouldn’t want to use Fairy Tales Hair Shampoo?

Created in 1999, Fairy Tales Hair Care is the worldwide leader in lice prevention! Rosemary Repel products are infused with organic oils of rosemary, citronella, tea tree, lavender, anise, cinnamon, peppermint and geranium to create a barrier of protection on the hair to keep styles in and lice out. Vitamins A, E, jojoba, aloe and panthenol are added to make hair silky soft, manageable and protected from head lice and other insects. Perfect for everyday use. SLS and paraben free, too.

We were sent the Rosemary Repel Combo Set including shampoo and conditioner, the detangler and the gel. We tried all but the gel. My son shaves his head (well almost) now and doesn’t use any gel.

The picture above is not as bad as the one below. Look at that mess!

Savannah has very tangled hair. Every morning she has a nest of hair flying around everywhere, so we have been using a detangler for a while now. The Fairy Tales Detangler works great and smells great too. The shampoo and condtioner are wonderful. Just a little bit goes a long way and all three products really help tame Savannah’s hair.

Be sure to check out their website www.fairytaleshaircare.com. There you will find all kinds of information about lice and how to track lice outbreaks in your area. I saw some info on bed bugs too. (Ask me what my brother in law does. He has a bed bug sniffing dog! I’ll get into that another time.)

I would love to try their Sun & Surf products this coming summer. Co-Co Cabana Leave in Sun Spray sounds yummy. There are also hair products for chlorine and salt water build up

I was sent the above products to facilitate this review. Opinions are always my own. This is a Team Mom review.

Anne

Dora’s Ballet Adventures DVD Review

September 8, 2011 By Anne

We love Dora in our house – I mean what little girl doesn’t? She always has a fun, learning adventure!

My son has had a few adventures himself! He’s been involved in baseball for years and the school chorus for the past 2 years. Being a part of chorus means performing in front of the whole school and parents!

Here is a photo of Hunter at the town’s amphitheater! He was so excited and maybe a little nervous about doing this performance. It was outdoors and anyone could attend. He practiced his songs at school and at home for weeks! The children had to help decorate too!

I was a very proud mama that night!

Dora’s Ballet Adventures features 4 fun-filled episodes. In the first episode, Dora must find her ballet slipper before the dance recital begins. Then you can help Dora and Boots lead a parade. What a fun episode that one is! Have a party at the silly fiesta and celebrate Boot’s birthday with a surprise party!! Both of my children sat down to enjoy Dora and Boots! What a great DVD.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Ballet Adventures, created by Nickelodeon Home
Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, is now available on DVD nationwide!

You can purchase this DVD on Amazon or Nick.com.

I received a copy of this DVD to facilitate this review.My Opinions are my own.