One day left: Submit a Commercial Concept and you could win $400 and a MamaRoo!

I've told you how much I love the 4Moms website and their awesome products, giveaways and review opportunities (my original website review is HERE). Well, they've got a really awesome contest going right now through Tongal that you should check out.

The end goal of this product is to have a really great video for their MamaRoo. Phase One of the contest--submitting video ideas--ends tomorrow and five folks who submit the best ideas for the MamaRoo commercial will win $400 (plus  a 5% residual if their concept is chosen for production and wins) and their very own MamaRoo!

The following two phases of the contest are for folks who'd like to create videos and the prizes go from $750 to $3000 for the final winning video. The complete details for the contest phases, including phase 2 and 3 deadlines, are HERE. But hurry up if you want to submit a video contest--you've only got one more day!

Good luck friends!

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$25 for Pajamas Giveaway from Crazy For Bargains

Crazy for Bargains is an online one-stop-pajama-shop for the entire family. When they contacted me about doing a review and giveaway, I was shocked that I didn't know such a store existed! 

My family is always in need of pajamas. Andrew grows so quickly his pajama pants are capris now. My husband's pajamas are seven sizes too big (he bought them that way) and I collect pajamas like I should be on TLC's "Extreme Hoarders" (Ok, I'm not that bad). 

Needless to say, I was happy to hear from Crazy for Bargains. Shopping for pajamas while in my pajamas sounds like a good thing to me! Furthermore, I was really impressed by the high quality of the review samples they sent my way.

$13.99

I received a Red Henley Long Nightgown for me and the ridiculously adorable Sozo Giraffe Cotton Pajamas for Andrew. Despite my fear that I would feel like an old lady a nightgown that reaches my calves, it is actually really cute and so soft I could wear it all day (but will try not to).

Andrew's pajamas, aside from being the cutest darn pajamas ever, are also really soft. And despite my fears that they wouldn't fit because we received the 12 month size (he is 23-ish pounds) or would shrink in the wash, they actually fit and held up really well. I only noticed a bit of fading on the inside of the waistband from my heavy washing/high heat drying.

 

$19.99

Crazy for Bargains has pajamas available in a wide range of prices and even a lot of clearance/sale options. They have $5 flat rate shipping and free shipping on orders over $40. They also offer returns and exchanges within 30 days of purchase (with tags still on), but shipping is not refundable.

Store Credit Giveaway!!


One lucky reader will receive a $25 store credit to Crazy For Bargains (free shipping included)! Entrants must be 18 years and older and live in the US. Please comment below and you will receive one entry for the giveaway. For extra entries you can (leave a separate comment for each below):

1) Follow Rockland Mother through Google Friend Connect
2) Like Rockland Mother on Facebook
3) Visit Crazy for Bargains and tell me what you might use your prize on!

The giveaway will end 11:59pm on August 15, 2011. Good luck!!

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Lands' End Online Warehouse Sale + Free Shipping Code = Awesome

Lands' End is having a ridiculous online warehouse sale with up to 70% off their regular prices. I don't buy a lot from Landsend, but this did give me an excuse to buy one of their super-cute and highly-praised bathing suits. Regularly $99.50, I got the Women's D-cup All-over Control Slender Grecian Swimsuit above for $31.99. The regular (non D cup) is going for $28.79 from $89.50--both are steals!!

There are other amazing deals--on kids clothes, home goods, shoes, you name it--available at the Warehouse Event through July 27th. Plus, if you enter promotional code FREESHIPJULY with the pin 2406 at checkout, you'll receive free shipping. 

Happy shopping!

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I love Wet Skin Sunblock Spray!

At $11-$13 in-stores and online, Neutrogena's Wet Skin Kids Sunblock spray is a bit pricier than some sunblock lotions--but it is also amazing. 

At first I was a naysayer--when my cousin whipped it out by our pool, I thought "what is the point of this fancy-shmancy stuff?" The point is that you can spray non-cooperative tikes with the stuff in just a minute or two (no more rubbing and rubbing in lotion) and. most importantly, it really prevents sunburn! I even spray it in Andrew's hair--what an improvement over lubing his head with lotion.

Wet Skin Kids SPF 70 spray applies on wet or dry skin, is water-proof and sweat-proof, and is oil free (no slippery babies). And I think it smells pretty darn good! (I even use some myself--they do make an SPF 85 adult version that can be used on kids 6+ months too.) Sometimes the spray can shock an unsuspecting kid, though, so you may need to proceed gently, especially on the back of the neck. 

Be safe in the sun and enjoy the weekend!

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The Cutest Cupcake and Kokeshi Giveaway Ever!

I've been wanting an adorable cupcake charm for quite a while (is that strange?) I've been looking all over for one with just the right amount of realism and cuteness, and I think I've found a winner in Claybaby's adorable polymer clay products! I really think the items in Claybaby's Clay & Me Etsy shop are the most adorable cupcake charms that Etsy has to offer. 

I ordered the set of 4 blue cupcake charms pictured above for just $5.00 + $3.50 shipping. I think that's a pretty good deal since they came all the way from the Philippines. It also makes me feel good to support and artist who is working entirely by hand. But you, my dears, won't have to pay shipping because, for a limited time, shipping on all orders is free if you enter the code BIG100 at checkout.  Shipping is standard mail unless you choose otherwise and takes 2-4 weeks.

As you can see from my (poorly-lit) photo, each cupcake fits onto a quarter and has a hook on top for stringing on necklaces, phone chains, you name it. (For stringing on a necklace, you'll need to attach a jump ring first.) The pieces are made of polymer clay, which can be fragile, and they are tiny and chokeable so I wouldn't recommend giving these to small children. ClayBaby actually has a policy that they are not liable for any breakage after shipping--and, while packed well in a plastic egg, two of my cupcakes did lose a single sprinkle. Nothing a little craft glue can't fix, though! 

ClayBaby offers other charms--from cakes to Kokeshi dolls--that are super adorable. Carla--the woman behind ClayBaby--also does custom clay orders such as cameos, floral rings and pendants that are GORGEOUS. Check out her Facebook page for galleries that will make you want to shop!  

Giveaway!

Ok, you've been waiting patiently--onto the giveaway! I contacted Carla at ClayBaby after I had placed my order and she offered two adorable freebies for giveaway: a pink and purple cupcake charm and a kokeshi doll pendant. Both are attached to clips and chords for easy attachment to a necklace, cell phone, or elsewhere. Really, I wanted to keep these ridiculously adorable beauties for myself, but... :) 

To enter, visit ClayBaby's Etsy shop and post your favorite item in a comment below. For extra entries, like ClayBaby on Facebook, like Rockland Mother on Facebook, and/or follow Rockland Mother on Google Friend Connect and post a separate comment for each below stating that you did so. The contest will end at 11:59pm on August 1st. I will then contact the winner and wrap the charms well for shipping, but cannot be responsible for any breakage (my apologies!)  

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The Berenstain Bears Live!

I was generously offered press tickets to see The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters the Musical in NYC. While we haven't made it to a performance yet, I must let you know about this family-friendly musical before its limited run is up! 

Who of our generation does not remember the Berenstain Bears? Beloved Mama, Papa, Brother and Sister (and a few more familiar characters) make their way into this show, singing and dancing while teaching very important lessons for the little ones and big ones alike. (Full storyline info HERE.) 

The 60-minute show is appropriate for children of all ages, but I've been told it is best enjoyed by children over 2. With all the kids in the audience, however, who cares if your little one gets a bit restless? The worst than can happen is that you need to step outside for a moment (you'll probably have a lot of company!)

The details:

The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters the Musical

MMAC Theatre
248 W. 60th Street
Btwn Amsterdam
and West End Ave
(866) 811-4111

Performance dates:
June 25 - July 16, Sat & Sun at 2pm
July 23 - July 31, Sat at 2pm & 4:30pm, Sun at 2pm
Aug 13 - Aug 14, Sat & Sun at 2pm
Aug 20 - Sep 4, Sat at 2pm & 4:30pm, Sun at 2pm

Post show:  Face painting and photos with the Bears after each performance!

Tickets: $29.95-$59.95 

Purchasing info is HERE 

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Wayne Day Bazaar Starts Wednesday! (7/13-7/16)

Oh, the Wayne Day Bazaar. If you are a North Rocklander you probably have some pretty fond memories of this annual fundraising carnival for Stony Point's Wayne Hose Volunteer Fire Department. I remember way back when it was held at Lowland Park. And I've also gone to the carnival when it was held in Haverstraw and, finally, in Letchworth where it is being held again this year.

Now, the Wayne Day Bazaar is basically your typical town carnival with rides, carnival games and guilty pleasure foods--but to a North Rocklander like myself, it really feels like so much more. The memories and good chance that I'll run into old friends just up the ante for me. But, you don't have to be a townie (or newly remade townie like myself) to have a good time!

The Wayne Day Bazaar and Parade

Wednesday, 7/13 @ 6pm-10pm

Thursday, 7/14 @ 6pm-10pm

Friday, 7/15 @ 6pm-11pm

Saturday, 7/16 @ 6pm - 11pm 

Parade is Saturday at 2pm 

Event Facebook page is HERE.

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Shame on you, Martha. Your bath towels suck (or, rather, don't)

Another benefit of moving to the "country" is that we can finally break out some of the wedding gifts that have been collecting dust in my mother's hall closet for 3 years! One gift that I was particularly excited to try out were our new Martha Stewart Collection bath towels. I've mentioned before how I love Martha and her website, so you can imagine I was expecting super-soft, absorbent heaven in my bathroom thanks to her. 

Well, what a disappointment! These towels look plush and absorbent, but they don't do a good job of drying at all. While soft, they seem to just push the moisture around your body rather than soaking it up (you'd be better off air-drying). And, stupid me, I registered for the "midnight blue" towels--and boy do they shed! Even after three months of use, washing and drying they shed in the dryer, they shed on our skin, and don't even talk to me about the blue coating on my white-tiled bathroom floors. 

Shame on you, Martha! The same exact towels are still for sale at Macy's and there are quite a few reviews on the website from this year bemoaning the towels' low-absorbency and tendency to shed, so I'm not optimistic that these towels have had a redesign. But somebody better call the big lady in charge! How can she enjoy her luscious gardens and beloved Chow Chows when consumers are suffering with wet behinds somewhere?? 

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Strap Ease Bra Clips Really Work!

My mom is awesome in many, many ways--and one of them is that she buys As Seen on TV products that I want but never actually get the nerve to buy. Sure, over the years this has led to her having a room full of fitness equipment that is rarely used, but there are also the rare winners that she generously share with me.

Such is the case with Strap Ease Bra Clips. This product really works! Strap Ease is just a two-inch piece of plastic which simply and cleverly pulls your regular bra straps into racerback position. At $5 for a set of 6 assorted color clips on Amazon it definitely beats buying a racerback bra or tying your straps together with a hair tie!

The product is easy to use, comfortable wear, and invisible under most clothing (unless it is skin tight, of course). You get the added bonus of some extra cleavage if you do not loosen your straps too much. And I imagine they can also be used with bathing suits whose straps are a bit too loose.

What more can I say but that I wouldn't have been able to wear some great new tops I bought from Kohl's recently if my mother didn't have Strap Ease Bra Clips laying around. With all that's going on around the house these days--and me trying to save money--I know I would have never gone out to buy a racerback bra I would hardly ever use. Therefore a big THANK YOU to my mom and to Strap Ease. Love you both!

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Don't Miss Magic Beans' 31 Days of Giveaways!

Ahhh... this long-awaited break from the activities of a busy two weeks gives me time to tell you about Magic Beans' awesome annual 31 Days of Giveaways event which began July 1st. 

The Orbit

Bloom Fresco Loft
High Chair

Each year for the past 3 years the adorable Boston-area kids store (with an national web presence) hosts a 31-day giveaway of their favorite products. This years giveways include over $12000 of swanky prizes such as the $750 Orbit Baby G2 Stroller, the $500 Bloom Fresco Loft High Chair,  and the $650 Bugaboo Bee. 

Check the Magic Beans website each day to see which prize is up from grabs and to enter--and then cross all your fingers and toes like I do that you'll come up a winner. If only I could win the $600 Mountain Buggy Duet stroller that's being given away. Then we'd just need to make another kid to sit next to Andrew!

Good luck!

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