Remember date night? Think back… a little further back…. Before the kids…. Remember when you and your husband used to go out & paint the town red {or just relax at a quiet café}?  Have you been thinking it would be great to do that again – perhaps even on a regular basis, but you run into a little snag on who will watch the kids? Gone are the days when you can find a babysitter by checking community bulletin boards.  But going through all the screening that you would have to, to be confident in your choice can be really time consuming & exhausting. Good news! There is now a service that does it for you!

Meet Sittercity! They offer a four step screening process, free access to background checks, comprehensive sitter profiles, and sitter video interviews.

In addition to providing you with a babysitter for date night, they also offer senior caregivers, nannies, tutors, dog walkers, and house sitters.

From Sittercity:

Sittercity.com, America’s largest and most trusted online sitter network, makes it fast, safe and simple to find the perfect sitter. With hundreds – even thousands – of babysitters and nannies right in your own neighborhood, Sittercity.com puts the best local sitters literally at your fingertips. Find the perfect sitter with Sittercity’s four-step screening process and detailed sitter profiles that feature background checks, reviews from other parents, references, distance from you, availability schedules, photos, training and certifications, and more. Your perfect sitter is just a click away!

This is a great service! And it gets even better….

Sittercity has partnered with Mom Blog Marketing to give one Shake The Salt reader a complimentary 12 months of Sittercity services {$96 value!}. Sounds too good to be true? Here’s what you need to do:

First, visit Sittercity to find out how many sitters are available in your area. Include that number in your first entry.

Second, for extra entries: stumble this post, buzz it up, and subscribe to the RSS Feed. One extra entry for each action, but you have to leave a separate comment for each for it to be counted.

Third, win! Then plan date night!

Giveaway deadline: November 15, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST. 

Winners will be chosen & announced that weekend, so please check back.  J

SPECIAL OFFER:

Sittercity is offering 10% off memberships using code sitter10

Do you hate it as much as I do when you are wearing that great new top, and {oops!} your bra strap peeks out?  I must not be the only one because I’ve found the perfect solution (that doesn’t involve tossing that great new shirt to the far recesses of your closet, never to be seen – or worn! – again).

Enter Strappy’s, combining style with function. Strappys sent over the Pearl Twirl Jewelry Bra Straps, which really looks more like jewelry than a bra strap.  I simply love the silver with the pearl accent; it is beautiful.  In fact, you don’t have to hide it at all! 

A little history of Strappy’s:

 

Strappys Decorative Bra Straps was born out of necessity. Living in Southern California, founder Allison Mercer loved to wear tank and spaghetti-strap tops but found strapless bras didn’t provide the support she needed. “I am not one to just run around with ugly bra straps showing, so I had to decorate them. That was fun!” she said.

 

Then Allison discovered there were a variety of decorative bra straps on the market – along with other little-known fashion secrets to help women look and feel confident, pretty and sexy.

 

Now Strappy’s offers a full lineup of worry-free bra straps that are comfortable, pretty and affordable enough for the average woman – along with a variety of other products that make a big difference in women’s comfort and style.

Strappy’s is offering a 15% discount on all purchases through August 26, 2008 using code “shake it” for Shake The Salt readers.

Want to win your own set of Strappy’s Pearl Twirl Jewelry Bra Straps?  Go check out all the beautiful bra straps, then come back here and tell us about your favorite(s).

All subscribers to my RSS Feed, get an extra entry, so be sure to leave an extra comment and let me know!

Open to US & CAN mailing addresses.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008.

Check it out – MORE GIVEAWAYS!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

It has come to be that time.  B. is two years old and starting to show signs of readiness for potty training.  Huggies sent over the Potty Training Success Kit to help get us started.  Armed with a package of Pull-Ups, an informative DVD, reward stickers, and a small toy, we started on the potty training journey.  Turned out, B. wasn’t quite as ready as I thought at that time, so we took a little break and will try again soon.  Since the break, he has started showing even more interest, so we may be more successful this time.

Visit Huggies Pull-Ups Big Kid Central for articles & tools and expert advice to help you on your potty training journey.  More cool stuff: print a Pull-Ups coupon and print reward stickers!

If you would like to win your own Potty Training Success Kit, courtesy of Huggies, leave a comment a potty training tip that’s worked for you or one you’ve heard.

Only one winner will be chosen for the Potty Training Success Kit, but everyone gets the Potty Training Success DVD. (Click that link to claim yours!)

All subscribers of my RSS Feed get an extra entry, so be sure to leave a second comment and let me know!

Open to US shipping addresses only.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008.

Check it out – MORE GIVEAWAYS!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

I love anything personalized.  It just makes it feel that much more special.  When the family of colors note cards Dani sent over arrived, I couldn’t stop gushing over them!  I love the font, the way our family name is in lots of fun colors and how it is elegant and whimsical at the same time. 

DaniNotes offers everything from notecards and announcements to matching stickers and enclosures.  And so many great styles!  I especially love the monogram stickers.  The fabulous items at DaniNotes are perfect for thank you cards, a simple hello, or any type of note I may need to send.  These would definitely make a great gift for those on your Christmas gift list that “has everything”. (You know the ones!). 

 A little bit about Dani…

 

Dani has always had a passion for paper, design and illustration. She received her Masters in graphic designs from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and pursued her career in Atlanta, Georgia. While she enjoyed her work as an Art Director in the advertising and publishing field, Dani found the most joy in designing unique invitations, birth announcements, and holiday cards for friends and family. This creative freedom, and the personal touch of each design, is why she began Daninotes.

Dani Notes uses cool, stylish colors combined with sweet designs - from preppy stripes and whimsical flowers to classic, custom monograms with a modern twist.

She now resides in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and three little boys. The constant whirlwind of activity and energy gives her inspiration for creating designs that celebrate the special occasions in life…

  Want to win a set of fabulous notecards from DaniNotes?  Go check out all the great stationary products, then come back here and tell us your favorite(s).

A second entry is available to subscribers to my RSS Feed – leave a second comment mentioning that you subscribe! 

Open to US shipping addresses only.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008.

COUPON CODE:

Use code STS4U to score 10% off your total order!

For more giveaways, check out the left sidebar!

 Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

As moms, we all want the best for our little ones, and the search for the best has led a lot of us to search out natural and organic products.  For Your Bug-A-Boo sent over a bottle of Noli n Nali Chamomile Willow Baby Shampoo, made with organic and natural botanicals, for us to try out. 

First, it smells good.  I don’t care how well something works, but it doesn’t smell good I’m probably not going to like it.  And of course we have to have our babies smelling good!  It really lathers up, which means you can use less of it.  As per the bottle, it is made with Green Tea and Lavender to gently cleanse your baby’s hair without harsh chemicals and perfumes.  Leaves hair soft and shiny.  I think natural products are even more important for newborns as some baby products might be a little harsh.  We love this for our 2 year old, though, so don’t let “baby shampoo” fool you.

It comes in a pump bottle, which I love.  I always struggle with non-pump bottles to get it opened, get the amount I need, and close it while having a handful of shampoo or bath wash.  I do want to mention that my husband feels the opposite and prefers non-pump bottles (I never knew!), so I guess not everyone will agree with me on that, LOL!  (You can actually open it without using the pump if that’s your preference.)

Other great products available at For Your Bug-A-Boo include: Baby Bum Balm, Caring Hands Loving Hearts Baby Massage Gift Pack, Bosom Blossom Nipple Salve, as well as baby apparel, wraps & slings, bedding, play items, and so much more for your little one.  

A little bit about Cheri and For Your Bug-A-Boo:

I am a stay at home mom.  I used to work full time as a teacher and after having my son I wanted to be able to stay at home, but needed to make some extra income.  I started selling on E-Bay after my son was born and really enjoyed it so after looking into several other possibilities I decided to open my own web-site store.  I started with a few products that we used with our son and liked and the more I started learning about the toxins that are in our childrens’ (and adult) products the more and more I looked into selling safe, non-toxic products.

 

I looked high and low and spent many hours on the internet and visiting local stores to find companies with high quality safe products to sell.  I’ve been in business 1 1/2 years now and I really enjoy what I’m doing.  The more I learn, the prouder I am of the products that I carry.  My son Lewis turned 3 on April 5th and tests out many of the products I sell!  I also love it when I get a chance to chat a bit with a customer and learn a little about their little ones.

Most of my items are for children under 3 but I also carry some great wooden toys for over 3 years.  My products include: Organic, Natural, Fair Trade.  I keep a close watch on recalled products but none of my products have been recalled.  Many of the companies I buy from have been started by moms, which I love to support.

Be sure to use code SHAKE12 (case sensitive) to take 12% off your entire purchase through September 30, 2008!

For Your Bug-A-Boo is going to give one lucky Shake The Salt reader their own Noli n Nali Chamomile Willow Baby Shampoo!  To enter, check out all the baby must-haves then come back here and tell us what product(s) you love best!

A second entry is available to subscribers to my RSS Feed – leave a second comment mentioning that you subscribe! 

Open to US & CAN shipping addresses.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008.

For more giveaways, check out the left sidebar!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

What I love about NMC Toys:

The first… Kerry (President of NMC Toys) is part of the Firefighter family. Her dad is a retired NYC firefighter. I love promoting great products and WAHMs, but it is especially an honor when I get to do both for someone in “the family”.  Hats off to your dad for his service, Kerry.  Please pass along our thanks and appreciation!

The second… NMC stands for Not Made in China!  We have all had our frustrations with the myriad of issues resulting from China-made toys. Recalls out the wazoo!!  You won’t find those problems at NMC Toys.  More about that in a few.

The third… the toys… yeah… they are simply awesome.  Very cool stuff for your very cool kids!

NMC Toys sent over Interstar Links & Blocks – 50 pcs, Interstar Science Set – 49 pcs, and the Abacus 50 Beads.  We had a lot of fun getting hands on with these great toys! 

B. was simply fascinated with the Interstar links and blocks and I had a hard time keeping him from diving into Daddy’s little project!  Daddy built a truck – the best he could anyway since B. kept trying to get at it!  The science kit is also part of the Interstar system, so the pieces can work together for even more projects.  With the science kit you can build your own telescope, binoculars, and magnifying glass & have fun learning how optics work.  I love well-made wooden toys & I’ve always had a mild fascination with abacuses, so it was especially fun to play with the 50 bead abacus (oh, yeah… I did let my son play with it too and he loves it!).  This particular abacus has 5 rows of beads, (5 colored & 5 maple on each row) with the numerals 1-5 in bright colors on the base.  One thing that I would have liked to see on this toy would be to have the numbers as board puzzle pieces to add an extra element of fun and learning. 

About NMC Toys:

 

NMCtoys.com was developed by parents of two small children in 2007. We have made it our mission to provide quality toys that stimulate and challenge a child’s mind.There was much news regarding the quality and safety of toys produced in China during the summer of 2007. We walked through the toy department of a big box retailer and could not find a toy produced outside of China. Gone were the wooden blocks, dolls and wooden trains we played with as children. These toys were replaced with cheap plastic toys that had character ties to movies and cereals. We then turned to the internet and were frustrated by the lack of alternatives and lack of country of origin information. We experienced first hand the frustration and angst associated with taking away our child’s favorite toy that was recalled and we routinely threw away toys within a few days or weeks of purchase due to poor quality. These experiences led to the development of NMCtoys.com.

 

 

 

Continue reading HERE.

Some other toys I’m reading about and loving from NMC Toys: Dado Cubes, Natural ABC Blocks, lots of cool baby rattles, almost everything in the Playmats & Furniture category, and of course the wooden cars (c’mon, you know the mantra in our house… Cars. Vroom. Vroom.) and Bruder Dump Truck. On a side note, we picked up the Wooden Fire Truck (yep, the wheels move) at a yard sale quite awhile back and B. loves it.  I thought it was pretty cool to see it on the NMC Toys website.

NMC Toys is offering 10% off all toys through September 30, 2008 using code SHAKESALT.  I know you hate to hear it, but Christmas IS coming whether you are ready or not.  Just saying. 

NMC Toys is also generously offering FOUR gift certificates for $25 each! (NMC Toys will also pick up the tab for the shipping!)  For your chance to win one of these, go browse the NMC Toy Store, then come back and share your favorites. 

For a second entry, sub to my RSS Feed and leave an additional comment to let me know.

 Open to US mailing address only.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008.

 For lots more giveaways, check out the left side bar!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

If your child is headed to school this year, I’m sure you are familiar with the shopping lists some schools / teachers provide at certain stores or that your child gets on the first day of school (some even as late as Open House evening, after school has been in session and those supplies already needed).  There’s even a chance you have dealt with the frustration of some of the supplies being sold out if it is an item in particularly high demand. 

There’s an alternative to this frustration, to the searching for the specific, sometimes hard to find items the teacher or school insists the student needs, to dealing with items being sold out, to standing in long checkout lines during the back to school rush. 

Enter EZ School Supplies, a Denver, Colorado based company, specializing in simplifying school supply shopping and supporting your local schools.  There are two methods of shopping for school supplies using EZ School Supplies.  The first is to treat it like any online store, visit, choose your items, check out, and your items are on their way.  The second method is really what makes EZ School Supplies… well, easy.

First, your child’s school will need to be registered at EZ School Supplies.  Second, teachers are able to submit their supplies list.  Third, parents are able to log-in, locate their school / class and purchase the kit. The kit, known as the EZ Pack, comes in an 18“x12“x5” cardboard box created to be re-purposed as storage for your child’s schoolwork & artwork.

BTW, once your child’s school is registered, they will receive 10% of all purchases made through their lists as a check or in school supplies.  Great fundraiser!

EZ School Supplies sent over a sample EZ Pack, and on top of loving the concept, I love that they used high quality products.  The sample pack included: 

50 Sheets of 12”x18” construction paper

1 inch 3-ring binder

8 tabbed dividers for 3-ring binder

70 Sheet one-subject spiral notebook

50 Sheet pad of 8 1/2 x 11 graph paper

Plastic heavy-duty 2 pocket folder punched for 3-ring binder

2-pocket folder with prongs

2-pocket plastic folder with prongs (lighter weight than heavy duty plastic folder)

12” Plastic ruler

Crayola markers, 10-pack, fine line, classic colors

Blank CD-Rom disk

Fiskars safety edge scissors, includes blade cap with eraser

100 Lined index cards

Black ink pen

Hi-Liter

Dry-erase marker

Sanford magic Rub eraser

Plastic pencil box

6 extra name labels

School Memories box

I want to tell you a little about the box, because I just love the idea.  We throw away a lot of packaging and this will be one less thing that has to be tossed.  You are going to need something to put school memories in and let’s face it, it is hard to find something that will accommodate the larger pieces and still function in your space.  These boxes are very sturdy and stack nicely and easily fit in most spaces.  Now, all that all the need-to-know stuff is out of the way, these boxes are geared to look and be fun!  They come in colors (green and white, orange and white, etc), they have places to write in the student’s name, grade, teacher, school info for easy reference, plus they also have places to write in the student’s favorites (food, teacher, subject, song, etc) as well as likes and dislikes.  The box is also designed so that the student can color directly on it to make it more colorful & personal.  It even has a handle!  OK, tat’s a heck of a lot of talk about a cardboard box for crying out loud, but it just screams organization and creativity!

EZ School Supplies is offering 10% off your total purchase using code EZMB045.

Now… the part that you have been waiting for…  I bet you would like to get your hands on one of these sample EZ Packs, wouldn’t you?  I’m not going to let you down, because they sent over an extra Pack for me to give to one of you! 

For your first entry, go check out the EZ School Supplies website, browse around, then come back and tell us how this system would make your life simpler.  

For your second entry, as with all of the Launch Party giveaways, sub to my RSS Feed and let me know.

For your THIRD entry (Yep! You are getting an additional shot at this one!): Check to see if your student’s school is registered (top right of main page of site) and if not, print a EZ School promotional kit (see bottom right of front page of site) to take to your child’s school to let them know about this program.  Come back here and comment.  (NOTE: No personal info on your child’s school is required, just a simple yes/no if it is registered and if you printed the promo info).

Open to US shipping addresses only (this is a heavy package, folks).

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST August 25, 2008

For more giveaways, check out the left sidebar as we have lots going on during the Launch Party!! 

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

Karin at K Bella Bambino Designs sent over the Waterlily Ribbon Dress and I have to say it is the most beautiful little girl’s dress I have ever seen or laid my hands upon.  Completely darling!  This picture does not do the dress, nor the fabrics, any justice.  I think this picture shows the fabrics & design off a little better, even though that is for a top and a completely different style.  I am very impressed with the quality of the material.  It doesn’t just look beautiful… the fabric is high quality, and the craftsmanship of the dress is very professional. 

Because it is handmade, there are no tags (a good thing as many children have issues with tags in clothing), but there is also no sizing that remains part of the garmet (not so good down the road when trying to remember!).  A size tag and washing instructions tag are attached, so I would suggest taping the size tag inside the other folded tag and writing a description of the item and saving that for future reference. 

Some of the great items you will find at K Bella Bambino Designs are: Bibs, Burpies, Blankies; Little Girls Tops, Dresses, and Bloomers; Toddler Boys Apparel; Monogram Tees; some brand new fall items; plus the “Grow With Me” system that I just love! 

A little bit about Karin of K Bella Bambino Designs:

 

I am a stay at home mom of 2 beautiful children and a wife to a wonderful, supportive husband.  I enjoy playing with my kids, shopping, and having date night with my hubby.    

 

I started sewing as a creative outlet.  I started designing purses for me and found that after I made one a friend or family member wanted the same.  So I designed purses for close to 2 years.  And it just got stagnate for me.  I just didnt enjoy what I was doing.  One day after frustrated with the clothing for little girls in the market place I decided to look for a pattern for my daughter.  I knew being a mom of 2 growing children what I was looking for.  So with my sketches and 2 kids in tow we visited the local fabric shop.  I found a pattern similar to my sketch, I bought some cute Amy Butler fabric and went home to sew.  My first dress for my daughter was a simple a line dress.  Cute and simple. I have now extended my line to included some boutique baby items, boys apparel and new for fall a hip mommy and me line. I feel like I have found myself.  This is what I was meant to do.  Design cute, functional clothing for our adorable children.

Still doing some back to school shopping?  Does your little one need an outfit for a special day?  Just in love with K Bella Bambino like me and have no other reason?    By clicking this here very special link all your purchases at K Bella Bambino will be 20% off!  Discount available through December 31, 2008!!

K Bella Bambino Designs is going to make one little girl VERY happy with this special giveaway… the Reversible Pink Dahlia And Red Apples Sweetest Smock ($40 value).  Visit K Bella Bambino, (this link applies the 20% discount too) then come back here and tell us about your favorite item(s).

For an extra entry, sub to my RSS Feed & leave a 2nd comment to let me know.

Giveaway open to US and CAN mailing addresses.

Deadline to enter giveaway: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008.

To enter more giveaways, check out the left sidebar – lots of giveaways going on!!!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

Ooh, la, la.  I have discovered the home of some very beautiful & elegant jewelry.  If you are looking for just the right piece of jewelry to adorn that special outfit, you simply have to check out this boutique. 

Some of their great pieces…

A little bit about Gina & Jennifer of Two Sisters Jewelry Boutique:

Jennifer Michelson and Gina Paluch are twin sisters, originally from Walla Walla, Washington. After discovering that living away from one another was simply no longer an option, Gina made the move from the mild California climate to the searing heat of Phoenix, Arizona so that their families could be together once again.

Jennifer began hand-making jewelry in her spare time for friends and family as gifts. Requests kept piling in from friends and family to sell her hand made Jewelry. She knew if she pursued this as a business, she couldn’t do it alone, and called upon the expertise of her sister Gina, her business degree background and her natural creativity. The two new mothers decided to allow the rest of the world in on their creative designs, building a web-based business featuring their distinctive semi-precious stone jewelry.

Jennifer and Gina’s intention was to create exclusive jewelry that would allow anyone to accessorize her way to that perfect look. Their look is hip, yet classy… definitively chic and engaging… take a look and enjoy!!! 

 

Use code shakethesalt to take 20% off your total order!  Good through September 1, 2008.

 Two Sisters Jewelry Boutique is offering one special Shake The Salt reader a pair of their Rocky Silver Semi Precious Stone Earrings ($25 value). These are gorgeous!  If you would like an opportunity to win, take a few moments to browse around their jewelry boutique, then come back and let us know which pieces are your favorites. 

For a second entry, sub to my RSS Feed and leave an additional comment to let me know.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2008

US Shipping addresses only please.

For more giveaways, please check out the left sidebar - there are lots going on!!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!

I think I have stumbled into an amazing land of lists.  Lists for just about everything you can think of and then a whole lot of lists for stuff you haven’t thought of.  Yet.  But may very well need at some point.  It’s the mother load, folks.  We are talking lists for Business Planning, Clubs & Organizations, Contact Info, Family Matters, Financial Planning, Holidays & Special Occasions, Home management, Meal Planning, Memories Record, Moving, Personal Interest, Time management, For Fun, Relationships, Student planning, Travel Planning, with new lists regularly being added.  If you need a list for something, anything, my bet is you will find it here.  They even have lists & forms specifically for blogs!!

I’ve been perusing the site, checking out lists and getting really excited about putting together a household notebook.  Again.  I always slacked in the past making the pages, but all I have to do now is download and print and voila!  There are a lot of free resources out there that I am discovering, and I’m all for free, but if you want a source that has everything you could possibly imagine in the land of lists, a one stop shop sort of place, then List Plan It is for you.  They offer quarterly and annual memberships, which allows you access to all the downloadable forms.

From Jennifer of List Plan It:

 

I am a mom of 3 and wife of 14 years.  Lists have always been a part of my life in one way or another.  My mother used to assign me a list every Saturday morning.  I loved then, and still love crossing completed tasks off of my list.  Almost 2 years ago, I was making a mental list of the things that I needed to do.  It was just after the holidays and I was feeling overwhelmed and eager to start out the New Year right.  I began to imagine printing out some type of organized form and just filling in the stuff that was floating around in my head.  Within 6 months, I had over 200 lists and the launch of ListPlanIt.com.  Now, we have nearly 350 lists and more all the time.  A person can have access to all that ListPlanIt.com for 3 months or 12 months with the option to renew.  A member can print the lists that are right for her, her family, or her business.  She can distribute pages to her family members, punch holes and place in a binder for future reference, or she can hang a page on the refrigerator for easy reference.  Members will find shopping lists, meal planning pages, cleaning lists, to do lists, calendar pages, birthday/holiday planning pages, budget/financial pages, chore charts, and so much more! 

List Plan It is offering one third off a year’s membership by using promo code saltshaker! 

List Plan It also wants to give one lucky Shake The Salt reader an entire year’s membership to experience all that List Plan It has to offer!  To enter, tell us how this membership would help you to become more organized.

For an extra entry, sub to my RSS reader and leave a separate comment to let me know.

Deadline to enter: 11:59 PM EST, August 25, 2208.

Open to everyone!!

Click HERE to get bonus entries!!