December 15, 2010
Part of my big kitchen makeover a few months ago included painting down the hallway. Because of the open floorplan, I decided that the hall should match the kitchen and living room. So, white walls and black trim went down the hall as well. The end of my hallway has always felt like wasted space; a little alcove that had no purpose. So, a toybox from my childhood that I repainted now sits there as a convenient place to throw shoes. The wall above, however, remained empty and begged to be filled. Then, I spotted these adorable bird cages at Dali Decals and knew I had my answer.
I adore Dali Decals. Vinyl wall decals are such a fun way to completely change a space. Last year I got this awesome, ornate name decal from Dali Decals and I get so many compliments on it. 
Their decals are high quality and really have the illusion of being painted on. I love the selection at Dali Decals and always find something I desperately need for my home. Actually, just today, I was browsing their site once again and spotted some new items that I am drooling over. Because, really, their new Modern Mosaic Wall Tiles are the perfect option for what I'm wanting to do in our bathrooms. So much more affordable and easier to install than going with the traditional tile backsplash I was planning on! Dear Santa, I would like a shopping spree at Dali Decals!
Another new item that I've got my eye on are the Custom Printed Canvases. For stretched canvas, custom printed, on a frame, these prices are fantastic. Definitely going to keep Dali Decals in mind for canvas printing jobs I've got coming up. 
Aside from these new fun and awesome items, Dali Decals still has all the vinyl wall decals that made me fall in love with them when I first found them over a year ago. From kids' rooms to your wedding decor, Dali Decals has amazing wall decals for every style of home and event. I love their selection and their prices are highly competitive. When someone asks me where to go for wall decals, my first answer is always "Dali Decals". Their shipping is quick and their customer service is great. If you're looking for a unique gift for someone this year, head over to Dali Decals. Until December 25th, get 10% off every order and free shipping on orders over $100!Buy it!You can get all the great decals, murals, canvases and mosaics from the Dali Decals online shopping site.Win it!One reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Dali Decals!US onlyends 12/28Mandatory to Enter: Visit Dali Decals and tell me something you'd spend your gift certificate on.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Dali Decals on Facebook- Follow Dali Decals on Twitter2 entries- Post this giveaway on the Dali Decals Facebook wall with a link to this post (Do not just post the link. Tell them what you like about them or that you are entering the Lolidots giveaway or something!)All other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Furniture and Decor
December 15, 2010
Earlier this year we got a report on the quality of the water in our area. Now, we're pretty lucky to live in an area where the water isn't too terrible but, I know we aren't alone in the growing number of people who are really becoming aware of the quality of the water being pumped into our homes. Most people I know have made the switch to some kind of filtering system on their drinking water. We personally use a filtered pitcher for our drinking water. The thing is, our drinking water is not the only water we are using. Ultimately, our goal is to have a filtering system on our entire house's water supply. For now, we have luckily been able to add an Aquasana Water Filter to one of our showers and we are loving the results. As seen on the Dr. Oz show, the Aquasana Shower Filter removes chlorine and enhances pH balance with a natural copper/zinc mineral called KDF-55D. It then uses a filtration that removes synthetic chemicals through carbonized coconut shell medium. The two-stage filter process is a unique filtration that gives you the healthiest shower possible. 
Jonathan Antin, Celebrity Hair Stylist and host of reality show "Blow Out" says that the Aquasana Shower Filter is "like showering in natural spring water!". In addition to the amazing filtered water benefits, the Aquasana Shower Filter installs easily and the filter cartridges only need to be replaced every 6 months. The shower head has an awesome adjustable pressure feature that is great for a relaxing shower. 
My thoughts on using this shower head? I was instantly blown away. The second I started showering under the Aquasana filter, I could tell a difference. My shampoo rinsed out easier, my soap washed off cleaner without a feeling of residue and when I was done, my skin didn't feel dry. Normally when I get out of the shower, the first thing I have to do is put on lotion. I couldn't believe it that first day because the thought of lotion honestly didn't cross my mind. My skin didn't feel deprived of it's natural oils but, still felt clean. My hair is better now too. My shampoo and conditioner rinses out completely but, my hair isn't as dry as it used to be. It's softer and healthier now that the cholrine has been removed from my water. My husband and I both are huge fans of this shower filter from Aquasana. We actually use the shower to fill up the bathtub for the kids' baths now because we know how much better the water is through the filter. We both highly recommend the Aquasana products and give the shower filter two big thumbs up. Aquasana has other filters avaialable as well. We really wanted their countertop water filter and another filter for the other shower but, because of other sinks and using water outdoors as well, we are definitely going to go straight for the whole house system. To me, Aquasana's price on that large of a filter is better than others I've seen, we already know their products are fantastic and it's a cost that we are willing to spend for peace of mind that all the water in our home is so much safer for us, our kids and our pets. 
After using the shower filter, it's easy for me to see why Aquasana is the #1 rated home water filtration system in America and it makes me really happy to support such a great business that is locally based here in my home state of Texas. Buying from Aquasana is not only a healthy choice for my family but, it's also a great choice for buying an American made product that's also good for the environment. By using a sink or house water filter and eliminating the need for bottled water, we can all help prevent more plastic containers from ending up in the landfills. I recommend Aquasana to everyone I know for so very many different reasons. Buy it!You can get any and all of these amazing filter systems from the Aquasana website.Win it!One very lucky reader will win their own Aquasana Shower Filter!US onlyends 12/28Mandatory to Enter: Visit Aquasana and comment here on something you learned that was not in my blog post.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Aquasana on Facebook- Follow Aquasana on Twitter2 entries- Comment on the Aquasana Facebook wall that you found them here, tell them something you love and that you are wanting to win this giveaway at Lolidots. Make sure you leave a link to this blog post in your comment on their wall. All other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Household
December 15, 2010
One of my absolute favorite things about winter is picking out new winter hats. I absolutely adore winter hats. It doesn't get super cold here but, it gets cold enough for us southerners to need to bundle up a bit. I always loved winter hats for me but, didn't realize until I had kids how fun it would be to dress them up in the cute winter gear. This year, my daughter has the cutest winter hat ever, thanks to Buddy Tops.
Seriously adorable, right?! I'm so in love with it.Buddy Tops is an NYC based company that specializes in adorable accessories for kids. Their animal hats and gift sets are over the top cute. The inner lining is so incredibly soft and the outer shell is just as cuddly as a child's favorite stuffed animal. My daughter gets really attached to her stuffed animals and she has become just as attached to her Buddy Tops Bunny Hat. Plus, parents will love that the hats are totally machine washable. 
Of course I love that my daughter is so enamored with this hat but, I also love that it really keeps her head incredibly warm. Whether we're in the fairly cold temps of the south or traveled to the colder temps in the north, I know that this hat from Buddy Tops would keep her warm. I like that the sides come down to totally cover her ears. Plus, there are so many different cute animals to choose from! As if the hats weren't cute enough on their own, Buddy Tops steps it up a notch with their Animal Hat Long Sets. These aren't just hats. They are hats attached to scarves with mittens on the end. Oh, how very cute!
Buddy Tops are high quality, super warm and insanely cute. I highly recommend them as gifts for any child and know that parents will love them too. If you're looking for a cute and unique gift for that special child in your life, definitely head over to Buddy Tops!Buy it!You can get Buddy Tops Animal Hats and the Long Sets from their online shopping site.Win it!One reader will win their choice of Buddy Tops Animal Hat!US onlyends 12/26Mandatory Entry: Visit Buddy Tops and tell me which hat is your fave.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Buddy Tops on Facebook- Follow Buddy Tops on TwitterAll other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Accessories
December 13, 2010
I was recently introduced to a toy company that totally took my breath away. If you've ever shopped in the toy section at Target, chances are you've seen or purchased the amazing toys from Schleich. I didn't realize until recently that we actually have Schleich toys that we've purchased at Target and that my kids have received as gifts. I can tell you that they are absolutely amazing. My son has a Schleich dragon that he got for his birthday a few years ago and it still looks brand new and he still adores it. 
Schleich has been in business since 1935 and their famous toy figurines have been around since the 1950s. Through those years their product line has grown. Their figurine lines include The Smurfs, Snoopy, Knights, Wild West, Elves, Dinosaurs, Wild Animals and more. I love how life-like their figurines are and I think that really helps add to the imaginative play of a child. As a parent and a consumer, I also love the high quality of the toys and how well they hold up to the rough and tumble play of my son. 
Schleich sent us their new Airplane from the Wild Life line of toys and some of the elephants from the same line. The elephants are absolutely gorgeous. I'm amazed by the details that Schleich puts in their toys. The airplane is so unique and such fun for little imaginations. The zebra print is perfect and I really do love being able to feel the high quality and know that my son is not going to break these toys. 
One of the things that I love about Schleich is their versatility. Whether you are shopping for a girl or boy, young or old, or even an adult collector on your shopping list, you'll definitely be able to find something amazing and perfect from Schleich. My kids have flipped through the wish list catalog from Schleich so many times and find something new they want every time. My daughter is mesmerized by the Smurfs toys from Schleich and I have a feeling we'll be adding some of those to her figurine collection very soon. 
In addition to the phenomenal toys at Schleich, their online site has a section called Playground that you and your kids will love. Every Schleich "Play World" has a painting template that you can print and paint or color, desktop background images, monthly desktop calendars, e-cards and game worlds. I actually just discovered the Play Worlds at Schleich and cannot wait to show my son. He will absolutely love it. I highly recommend all of the toys from Schleich. High end toys at affordable prices that absolutely feed a child's imagination are always winning gifts!Through the end of the year, while supplies last, specialty retailers carrying the Wild Life Airplane with the 75th Anniversary Jubilee symbol on the box will contain a voucher inside for a free collectible zebra-striped animal, redeemable online. Send your name and shipping address to collector@schleich-s.com to receive a free collector's booklet in the mail!Buy it!You can get the Wild Life Airplane and all of the other amazing Schleich toys from online sites like Amazon and retail locations like Target. Check out the Schleich website to find retailers nearest you.Win it!One reader will win an assortment of Wild Animals from Schleich!*minimum retail value of $25*assortment chosen by SchleichUS and Canada onlyends 12/19Mandatory to Enter: Visit Schleich and tell me something you loveExtra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Schleich on FacebookAll other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Toys
December 13, 2010
We started talking about Santa a few months ago in our house. This is the first year that my daughter actually "gets it". It's also the first year that she's started the age-old request for Santa to bring her a pony. I remember asking for a pony when I was a kid too. She's very into My Little Pony and I'm thinking she's expecting Santa to bring her a life-sized one of those. Well, thanks to Magic Cabin, Santa can get pretty darn close to that wish. This year, my daughter will wake up on Christmas morning to find that Santa has brought her the Princess Sit-On Pony from Magic Cabin.Magic Cabin is a sister site of some of my absolute favorite shopping websites, HearthSong and Plow & Hearth. At Magic Cabin you'll find absolute treasures for kids. I'm a huge fan of their make-believer toy section. They have the most amazing and imaginative dress-up clothes, playhouses and more for making make-believe time the absolute best. All of the toys, games and other items at Magic Cabin are the same high quality you get from HearthSong and Plow & Hearth. You'll find toys and games for baby up to 12 years old and for all interests. It's getting closer to Christmas so, shop with ease in the Ready-to-Ship Gifts section that Magic Cabin offers! You can even order as late as 12/22 by phone and get Next Day shipping rates! But, you can order standard shipping by 12/19 and still get their guaranteed Christmas delivery!
I'm loving this imaginative mushroom play tent.
Magic Cabin has insanely awesome outdoor toys!
My brother and I had blocks like these when we were kids and we adored them.
Love their dress-up clothes!
The Princess Sit-On Pony is, no doubt, going to be an enormous hit in our house. What little girl doesn't want a beautiful pink pony she can sit on and play make-believe? I already adore this pony with it's soft pink fur and long mane and tail. The cute little saddle is absolutely perfect and I love that it holds up to 150 pounds. That means that when my kids inevitably both sit on it, I can rest easy that it will hold up to the test. Plus, because I know it's coming from a company that I already trust and love, it's going to last a long time. My kids have a lot of stuff I've gotten them from HearthSong and I know that Magic Cabin is destined to be a fave as well. 
You'll find easy to search categories at Magic Cabin, weekly deals, a great clearance section and $4.99 shipping sitewide, plus a $10 reward card with orders over $50. In my opinion, the prices are affordable for the high quality of products offered and I know you'll be happy with any purchase made from Magic Cabin or the sister sites.If you're still looking for that one perfect gift for the special child in your life, check out the Magic Cabin Holiday "Wow! Gifts". Buy it!You can get the Princess Sit-On Pony and so many other amazing gifts for kids of all ages from the Magic Cabin online shopping site.Win it!One reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Magic Cabin!US onlyends 12/19Mandatory to Enter: Visit Magic Cabin and tell me what you'd love to get a child you love this year.Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry.- Like Magic Cabin on FacebookAll other extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Toys
December 8, 2010
I'm so happy to have this special "man edition" review and giveaway. Because I can't say it any better than my husband, here, in his own words is what he has to say about ManGroomer.I am a pretty hairy man. I have spent many hours in the bathroom in the name of “man-scaping”,with my special set of barber style hair clippers. It is a very time-consuming act, and very difficult toaccomplish on one’s own. After being married a few years, I’d begun calling my wife into the room tohelp with the hard to reach sections of my back. With a very un-enthused look, she’d help, but I reallycould tell she’d rather be doing almost anything else than shaving some guy’s hairy back & neck.Then one day, I received a package in the mail (orchestrated by my personal back-hair stylist {wife}).Inside the box were three products from a company aptly named ‘Man-Groomer.’ The first one thatcaught my attention was the Do-It-Yourself Electric Back Hair Shaver. Never in my wildest dreams didI imagine that a product like this would come to my rescue. I am a DIY kind of guy and really didn’t likeasking for the help in general, and especially for something as personal as back-shaving. (I’d rather she not even know that my back is hairy at all). So when I saw this shaver, I had high hopes. When I finally used the thing, I was amazed. Not only does it have a unique, telescoping design, but it shaves better when you are pushing it away rather than pulling it towards your grip; and not a chance of a blood-letting. What this means is that it is very easy to shave away that unwanted back hair without a great deal of difficulty, or fear of cutting yourself. This product is very easy to use, very effective, and should satisfy any Man-grooming men out there.
Once you have your back cleaned up and looking neat, you will probably realize that your back isn’treally the only place on your body with unwanted hair growth, or hair growth that’s gotten a bit out ofcontrol. Enter the ‘Private Body Shaver.’ This product is equally fascinating as it does a fantastic jobanywhere on your body (and I mean anywhere) without risk of nicking yourself in some very sensitiveareas. Removing the fear of cutting, and gaining such an efficient tool for this task has saved me somuch time. This method is so much better than razor shaving as it doesn’t leave your skin in thatsensitive to soaps stage, no razor burn, and with this method, the chance for ingrown hairs is reducedsignificantly over razor shaving. And that’s not all! These 2 products are rechargeable, and haveremovable power cords ! No chords means not getting all tangled up with them while doing your work– very nice perk!
Finally: the ‘Essential Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer'. Now, I already had one of these from some other well known company, which I was satisfied with. But due to the greatness of the previous 2 products, I was anxious to try this one out too. Once I did, the previously owned model went straight into the junk-box. This thing was amazing. I never realized that my old model was so inefficient. Sure it made a lot oftrimming sounds when I used it, but it never really got the entire job done leaving me & my tweezers tofinish the job; ouch!
With the combination of these three fantastic products from man-groomer, my time and safety havebeen spared, and I no longer dread ‘grooming day! I would recommend these to anyone!As you can see, ManGroomer has been a huge hit in our house. If you need a gift for your hubby or a man in your life, my husband and I both highly recommend the products from ManGroomer! They are easily a top choice in the 2010 Lolidots Holiday Gift Guide!Buy it!You can get all the ManGroomer stuff from their online site and retail locations like Walmart, Target, Walgreens and Amazon.com.Win it!One reader will win the Personal Body Shaver from ManGroomer!US onlyends 12/18Mandatory to Enter: Tell me who you would give ManGroomer to!Extra Entries: Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All extra entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Men's Gifts
