August 3, 2010
Several months ago, I attended a baptism that my husband was photographing. I wore new high heels that day. Gorgeous high heels that ended up being one of those "pain for beauty" type situations. My feet were killing me by the end of the afternoon. I really would have loved to change my shoes during the small reception but, I couldn't really tote an extra pair of shoes with me. Then, I found Delicate Soles. Delicate Soles carries incredibly stylish rollable shoes that are so compact, you can carry them in your purse and so fashionable, you can change into them at any time. 
I'm in love with the idea of rollable shoes and adore the rollable flats from Delicate Soles. With four perfect colors to choose from and incredibly affordable prices, you can have a pair of rollable shoes from Delicate Soles for every outfit in your closet. Delicate Soles sent me a pair of their rollable flats. As a stickler for detail, the first thing I noticed was the great packaging and all the extras that come with the shoes. The cute little storage bag is perfect to toss into any purse. I was amazed at how comfortable they are and just love how dainty they look. 
These rollable shoes are absolutely not just for high heel wearing women though. My neice recently made the cheerleading squad at school. The day I got my Delicate Soles she was at my house and on her way to cheer camp. I tossed her the cute little bag holding the rolled up flats and suggested she change out of her tennis shoes on the bus ride home from camp that day. Her little cheer friends oohed and aahed over them and loved the idea of shoes they could fit so easily into their bags. With school starting, there are so many women and girls out there who could absolutely fall in love with the rollable shoes from Delicate Soles. Teachers needing a break from the high heels, cheerleaders or other girls playing sports heading to the mall after practice and all the other stylish ladies headed out in their fabulous heels will love these shoes. I definitely recommend them to all women!Buy it!You can get your hands on all the great rollable flats from the Delicate Soles website.Win it!One reader will win their own pair of Delicate Soles rollable flats!US onlyends 8/15Mandatory to Enter: Visit Delicate Soles and tell me which pair you'd like to win.Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Extra Entries: - "Like" Delicate Soles on Facebook2 entries- Write on the Delicate Soles Facebook wall that you found them on Lolidots and leave a link to this post- Follow Delicate Soles on TwitterAll other Extra Entries can be found on the upper left sidebar here. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Shoes
August 1, 2010
I usually only go grocery shopping once a week. I plan my menu and get everything at once. Sometimes, that means that any fresh veggies I'm planning to use, sit in my fridge for a week or more. There are plenty of times that I have to go get new zuchinni, peppers or other veggies I've had in the fridge because I've let them sit in the bin for a few days too long and they are wrinkly and getting close to being unusable. And then there's the smell. The refrigerator smell, to be exact. We've all got it, at least at one point or another. Leftovers sit too long, that forgotten tomato reminds you it's in there and all the other smells that thrive in the closed in fridge. Sure, we've all used the box of baking soda to get rid of the smells but, what if there was something better?I recently received a product that I'm super excited about. The MiniMate is a device that uses activated oxygen to improve food safety, make your produce last longer, and save you money (the average family throws out overs $400 per year in spoiled fruits and vegetables). The MiniMate is specially designed to work with your refrigerator, upgrading its capabilities and fighting off the germs that can infect your food.
When I first got the MiniMate, I turned it on, put it in the back of the fridge and just forgot about it. I definitely noticed a fresher smell when I opened my fridge the next morning but, it wasn't until recently that I realized what it was really doing for me. When I went to clean out my vegetable bin, knowing I'd had some items in there for a couple of weeks and expecting them to be nice and rotten, I pulled them out to find that the peppers looked like I had just bought them and the zuchinni and squash were just fine. I was pretty confused at first and then I looked up and saw the MiniMate sitting at the back of the top shelf. Really, even fruit that is in tupperware seems to last longer now that I have my MiniMate. And, the absence of smells from leftovers is fantastic. Just look at these raspberries...
If you keep any fresh vegetables or fruit in your fridge, I highly recommend the MiniMate. I'll admit that I was skeptical at first and thought, "Well, I can use baking soda for smells." but, the MiniMate does so much more than freshen the smell and has already proven to be saving me money by saving my veggies. I don't worry about buying too many fresh things to eat in one week anymore because I know that they'll last longer than they used to. It's nice to know I'm saving some money. By the time you add up the amount of food you throw out in one month, the MiniMate pays for itself in savings!Buy it!You can get your MiniMate HERE.Win it!Two readers will each win a MiniMate!US onlyends 8/13Mandatory To Enter: Visit the MiniMate site and tell me something you learn there.Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Extra Entries:2 entries- "Like" MiniMate on Facebook2 entries- Write on the MiniMate Facebook wall that you found them on Lolidots and leave a link to this post2 entries- Sign up for the MiniMate email newsletter- Follow MiniMate on Twitter- Subscribe to the MiniMate YouTube channelAll other Extra Entries can be found on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Kitchen
August 1, 2010
I love the old-school, bluegrass type folk and country music. It's fun, upbeat and always lively. My kids love music with silly lyrics that makes them laugh. Recently, I received a cd that combines the two into one disc full of silly, upbeat and fun music with that awesome bluegrass sound that's very reminiscent of music that I like so much. The Okee Dokee Brothers Band is O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack meets Sesame Street. It's a great combination. The Okee Dokee Brothers Band's new CD, Take It Outside is wonderfully upbeat and perfectly silly. Every song gets my kids moving, dancing and laughing. The childhood friends that form this band toured for years in the Bluegrass circuit until one day they blessed all of us parents with their version of kid-friendly music. I am totally in love with it and so are my kids. 
It's rare to find music that is made for kids and doesn't make a parent wish for earplugs. The Okee Dokee Brothers Band have nailed a sound that is fun for everyone to listen to. It's perfect background music for a fun family day and, I'll bet that if you slipped it in the stereo during an adult party, the awesome instrumentals would be welcome even if there weren't any kids around. Really, this is a fun disc from a fun band that has gathered quite a grassroots following. The songs are filled with humor that kids can understand and adults can appreciate while paired with music that the whole family can love. If you're looking for some great family music, sick of the sing-songy tired old tunes, I definitely recommend snagging a copy of Take It Outside by The Okee Dokee Brothers. Pour some lemonade, pull up a barrel to sit on and clap your hands to these fantastic tunes!Sample it/ Buy it!You can check out samples of the songs and purchase them HERE. Win it!One reader will win a copy of Take It Outside by The Okee Dokee Brothers Band!US onlyends 8/11To Enter: Click HERE and sample some songs and let me know which is your fave.Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Extra Entries: - "Like" The Okee Dokee Brothers on Facebook2 entries - Write on their Facebook wall that you found them on Lolidots and leave a link to this post- Follow The Okee Dokee Brothers on TwitterAll other Extra Entries can be found on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Music
August 1, 2010
School is starting very soon in most parts of the country. No doubt, you are either already getting your Back to School shopping done or it's on the top of your to-do list. When it comes to shoes for school, I've got the perfect place for you to get the cutest shoes for your kids. Plus, you don't even have to leave your home. Online shopping is the way to go when it means avoiding the Back to School shopping crowds!Uneaks shoes are my absolute favorite when it comes to children's sneakers. What can be better than one pair of shoes that a child can customize just by changing socks? With Uneaks, it's easy for kids to express themselves. All Uneaks shoes have windows on the sides that allow the patterns on socks to be seen. You can wear any socks with them but, the socks you can get from Uneaks are even better because they are all double sided. One pair of shoes, endless possibilities. One pair of socks, two different looks. 
Uneaks shoes are incredibly well made. Both of my children have a pair and they have really stood up to all the running, jumping, climbing and craziness that my kids put them through. They are comfortable and support their feet really well. There are plenty of styles to choose from for boys and girls and even more socks to choose from. Uneaks also carries licensed Madagascar socks so kids can wear all their favorite characters from the movies. 
My son has the Camel Rev sneakers and I just love them. They are light brown suede lace up shoes that go with almost all of his clothes. He's had them for almost a year and the suede still looks great. My daughter has the Pink Rev sneakers and they are just so very cute on her. I love that both of the Rev shoes have a custom cup insole for added support. My kids run a lot and knowing that their feet are comfortable is important to me. Buy it!Uneaks shoes are affordable and I definitely recommend them for your Back to School shoe shopping. You can check out their online shopping right now and click HERE to save 10% off your order. Order from the Uneaks site and get free shipping on orders over $20!Win it!One reader will win a pair of Uneaks shoes and two pairs of socks!US onlyends 8/12Mandatory to Enter: Visit Uneaks and tell me which shoes you'd like to win.Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Extra Entries: - Tell me which socks you'd likeAll other extra entries are found on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Shoes
July 26, 2010
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
When it comes to cooking, I'm a cook that loves a good shortcut, a short preptime and easily prepared cuisine. I never really thought that kitchen tools made a huge difference in meal preparation. I've been ignorantly content with my mediocre kitchen utensils. It wasn't until I tried a ceramic knife from Vicera that I realized how wrong I had been about what a good kitchen utensil can do for you.Vicera means Beautiful Ceramics. For you and your kitchen it means ceramic cutlery that will exceed any expectations and make your time in the kitchen easier and more efficient. The knives from Vicera are beautiful. The blades are all hand made made using only pure Japanese zirconia ceramic. Why is a ceramic knife better than a traditional knife? "Ceramic knives are harder than other kinds of knives and are therefore able to resist wear to a much greater extent. Independent testing has established that ViCera™ ceramic knives retain their sharp cutting edge 300 times more than stainless steel knives."
Aside from the sharper edge and the retention of the sharpness, ceramic cutlery has chemical neutrality. That means there is nothing left on the food it comes in contact with. Ceramic knives are lighter than traditional steel knives and Vicera ceramic knives have a double beveled edge which means that both right and left handed people can easily use the blade. Vicera knives are easy to clean and I love that, because they contain no metal, they will never rust.I browsed the Vicera site before receiving my Santoku knife. I read all the information and was thoroughly excited to try the product. Nothing could really prepare me for how amazing this knife truly is. The Santoku knife from Vicera is absolutely my most favorite item in my kitchen. I cook most meals from scratch and deal with a lot of cutting of vegetables, meats and breads. My Santoku knife cuts through them all like a scorching hot knife through butter. Every time I cut something new, I'm again amazed at the ease at which this ceramic knife slices. Whether I'm slicing tomatoes, sausage, watermelon or sandwiches, I get a clean slice every time with little to no effort. I really had no idea how much my cooking life would change with such an amazing knife.
Vicera has several other blade sizes and I hope to add them all to my kitchen utensils. There's no way I'll ever need other knives. Vicera has me covered and their genius design and phenomenal materials make me certain that this knife and any others I purchase from them will last far longer than any steel knife I would purchase. Vicera is absolutely my go-to for cutlery and I highly recommend them to anyone who spends any time in the kitchen. These ceramic knives are a must-have for all cooks. Buy it!You can purchase the Santoku knife and the other ceramic knives from Vicera's online site.Win it!One incredibly lucky reader will win their own Santoku Knife from Vicera Ceramic Cutlery!US onlyends 8/6Mandatory to Enter: Visit Vicera and tell me another style of knife that you like. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Extra Entries: - "Like" Vicera on Facebook2 entries - Write on the Vicera Facebook Wall that you found them on Lolidots and leave a link to this post.All other Extra Entries are on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Kitchen
July 26, 2010
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED
My kids have a lot of toys. As a parent, I'll admit that I didn't always concern myself with the quality of their toys. These days, it's important to me that the toys my kids own are more than just fun for them. Educational value is important and if a toy can be fun, educational and something that will endure the tests of time and rambunctious playing then that toy is a favorite for all of us. Guidecraft has been making quality toys for over 40 years. From small beginnings in a woodshop in 1964 to the amazing selection online and in retail stores that Guidecraft now offers, this is a company that has always had the best interests of children at heart. Their toys are both educational and fun while maintaining a standard of craftsmanship that keeps customers coming back. When it comes to toys that my kids will love to play with and I can be sure will live up to my standards, Guidecraft is on my top list of stores. The selection of toys and furniture at Guidecraft is definitely impressive. You'll find toys and manipulatives for every age range, as well as furniture for classrooms, bedrooms, playrooms and more. Every item, from the doll furniture to the rocking chairs, the toy vegetables to the building blocks, the art easels to the sorting games, and everything in between is designed to stimulate a child's imagination and provide entertaining education. I'm constantly amazed at everything I see while browsing the Guidecraft site. 
Guidecraft sent us a toy that I know will always be a favorite with my son. The Construct-It Early Builder set is truly a "must-have" on my list of toys. I love that Guidecraft makes this building set just like the big sets but, the tools and pieces are bigger making it easy for the younger children to manipulate and build anything they can imagine. With 160 durable pieces, the Construct-It Early Builder set is easily an instant favorite toy for young builders. Both of my children love this playset and my 6 year old son can play with it for long periods of time. The look of joy and pride on his face when he builds something on his own is something I know that all mothers will love to see from their children. 
I have so many favorite items at Guidecraft and I recommend their site and products to all parents and anyone looking to make a child smile. If you're looking for the perfect birthday present for a child, especially "the child who has everything", you can be sure you'll find something at Guidecraft that child and parents will love for years to come. Buy it!You can get the Construct-It set and so many other amazing toys from the Guidecraft online store or search for a retail location near you!Win it!One lucky reader will win the Construct-It Early Builder Playset!US onlyends 8/5Mandatory to enter: Visit Guidecraft and tell me another item you love.Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Extra Entries:- "Like" Guidecraft on Facebook2 entries - Write on the Guidecraft Facebook wall that you found them on Lolidots and leave a link to this post- Follow Guidecraft on Twitter- Follow the Guidecraft BlogAll other Extra Entries are found on the upper left sidebar. You may do any or all of them.
Posted by Robin .. Posted In : Toys
