March 22, 2010
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSEDMy daughter reminds me of myself when I was a child. Not just because she's incredibly sassy and stubborn. She owns about eleventy million stuffed animals and half that many pillows. They are all adorable and dearly loved but, with that many pillows and animals, things can get crowded.If they were all like her Pillow Pets, we could cut the numbers in half. Pillow Pets are the cutest, softest stuffed animals ever. They come in plenty of adorable styles but, the best part about a Pillow Pet is that they go from stuffed toy to pillow and back again in no time. 
I must also say that it is very nice that the transition from pet to pillow is easy enough for my two year old daughter to do herself. Simply undo the velcro strap and, voila, you've got the comfiest pillow ever. Fold the pillow and reattach the velcro, bam, back to pet.
When I say "comfiest", let me assure you that I mean it. Pillow Pets are unbelievably soft to the touch and so squeezable. The best word to describe them as pillows is "cloudlike". Our whole family loves Pillow Pets. I reviewed a Pillow Pet before Christmas and we were thrilled when our son received one as a gift from a family member. I think Pillow Pets make the perfect gift for any child and any occasion. Just in time for your Easter baskets, check out the adorable new Bunny Pillow Pets!
We got one of these a few days ago and it is just way too cute. My daughter loves the floppy ears and I melt over the puffy tail. Pillow Pets come in a fantastic assortment of animals and you're sure to find the perfect one for that special kid in your life.Buy it!
Click HERE to purchase Pillow Pets!Win it!One lucky reader will win their own Pillow Pet!US only ends 3/29To Enter: Visit Pillow Pets, pick your fave and fill out entry form below this postExtra Entries:- Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect- Comment on a non-giveaway post- Follow Lolidots on Twitter and tweet the followingWin a Pillow Pet from @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways6 entries- Blog about your child's favorite stuffed animal, mention this contest and link back here
Posted by Robin Haws. Posted In : Toys
March 22, 2010
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSEDMy kids and I were enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather a few days ago and our backyard was filled with the perfect background music to a perfect day.What were we listening to?The new Daisy mayhem CD, Ranky Tanky.
I adore when musicians remake songs that adults know and love but, do it in a way that makes kids know and love them as well. All of the songs on Daisy Mayhem's first family music CD are covers of songs you'll definitely recognize. From the first track, Cat Stevens' "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out", to Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" and all the amazing music in between, this CD keeps you and the kids moving and happy from beginning to end. I like to put in a CD without looking over the tracks first. As we were enjoying our Daisy Mayhem while the sun shone down on our shoulders, I was wonderfully surprised when "Purple People Eater" came blasting out of the speakers. That song gives me some serious nostalgia and Daisy Mayhem totally rocks it. Daisy Mayhem is comprised of fiddler Rani Arbo, bassist Andrew Kinsey, guitarist Anand Nayak and percussionist Scott Kessel. Ranky Tanky is a wonderfully eclectic mix of different types of music performed perfectly by these talented musicians. To be honest, I'd never heard of Daisy Mayhem before I listened to this CD. After falling head over heals for Ranky Tanky, I'm off to check out some more Daisy Mayhem and, undoubtedly, add them to my playlists!Daisy Mayhem's Ranky Tanky CD is set for release on March 23rd. You can pick up your copy HERE. Or download the songs HERE. Click HERE to listen to a few of the fantastic tracks on Ranky Tanky.Win it!One reader will win their own copy of Daisy Mayhem's Ranky Tanky!
US onlyends 3-29To Enter: Fill out entry form below.Extra Entries:- Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect- Listen to the sample tracks and pick your fave- Comment on a non-giveaway post here at Lolidots3 entries- Put the new Lolidots button on your sidebar6 entries- Blog about your favorite kids' music and this giveaway and link back here
Posted by Robin Haws. Posted In : Music
March 16, 2010
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSEDI am not a baker. Really. Practically ever time I bake, something goes wrong. Normally, when I bake, it ends up sticking to the pan or burning on the bottom. I know that one of my problems is my lack of good bakeware. I'm now certain that if I had a cabinet full of Wilton products, I'd be one step closer to being a better baker. The history of Wilton is unbelievably interesting. They are a company that has been dedicated to cake decorating, candy making and teaching people to do both for 80 years. Throughout the years, Wilton has grown drastically but, the drive to give people the tools and teaching needed for fabulous baking and decorating has remained the same. Wilton is the number one source for nationally located decorating classes and always provides the highest quality products to go with their easy step-by-step instructions that can be found on their online site.For me, the first stop on the Wilton site needs to be Cake Decorating 101. This page contains super easy to follow instructions on everything from making icing to putting it perfectly on your dessert. When it comes to cake decorating, I'm a bit of a dunce. I never know what to do or how to make it work right. The next time I attempt a cake, you can bet that the Wilton Cake Decorating 101 page will be open right beside me!I had the opportunity to try out one of the amazing products offered by Wilton. Wilton is the #1 bakeware brand in America and their Bakeware Shop is extensive and impressive. Wilton sent me the Dimensions Giant Cupcake Pan. 
Really, this makes the cutest cake ever. The possibilities here are bountiful. I was both excited and nervous to try out this pan. I took the easy route and had my husband pick up some cake mixes and icing at the store. 
Let me say, do not fill the pan up this much.
Heed my warning and learn from my mistakes!
Even though I am baking challenged, Wilton Bakeware seemed to know and understand that. The cake came out wonderfully. It was cooked perfectly and I was floored when it slid right out of the pan, leaving the pan looking freshly washed. No burnt cake here! While your child licks the bowl, attach the top part of the cake to the bottom part with a thin layer of icing. I did actually think that the next time I do this I may use some kind of yummy pudding filling or something here. 
Once the cupcake is put together, decorate away! Now, here is where I could have used the Decorating 101 and a little bit of inspiration. Though, with such a cute cake, any kind of icing is fine. The next time I make this cake I will definitely be better prepared and decorate with much more gusto and make it much more fun. The possibilities with decorating are endless. 
All in all, despite my lack of baking skills, I adore this pan. I'm completely sold on Wilton Bakeware and can't wait to own some more pieces. This particular Giant Cupcake Pan will really make my daughter's birthday party fun this year. The best part about this pan is it's versatility. Yes, you can use it for a First Birthday but, you could also use it for Christmas or Halloween or a 10th Birthday just as easily. If you have any plans on making a cake any time in the future, I recommend that the Dimensions Giant Cupcake Pan become a part of your bakeware set. Buy it!Visit Wilton's online site to purchase any of their amazing products or to find their awesome tutorials and ideas!Win it!One lucky reader will win their own Giant Cupcake Pan from Wilton!US onlyends 3/23To Enter: Visit Wilton and find your favorite item. Then use entry form provided below this post.Extra Entries:-Follow the Lolidots Blog publicly in the google friend connect-Become a fan of Wilton on Facebook-Write on Wilton's Facebook wall that you found them on Lolidots-Follow Wilton and Lolidots on Twitter-TweetWin a Giant Cupcake Pan from @WiltonCakes and @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways3 entries- Sign up for the Wilton newsletter5 entries- Blog about your baking skills (or lack thereof), mention Wilton and Lolidots and link to this giveaway post10 entries- Make a purchase from Wilton's website during this giveaway
Posted by Robin Haws. Posted In : Kitchen
March 15, 2010
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
No matter what kind of party you throw, one thing is for sure. At the end, you're left with fun memories and, inevitably, trash. I know that when we've had parties at our home, I'm always amazed at the amount of trash that fills up my everyday trashcans. Living somewhere with no trash pickup, parties usually mean an extra trip to the dump in order to make room for the week's normal trash. I've also been to parties at parks where there wasn't a readily available trashcan. These situations can pose a bit of an inconvenience.I stumbled upon a company recently that offers a product that I am labeling a "must have" for any party thrower. Flings Bins are pop-up disposable trash and recycling containers. How genius is that?!!
These portable and decorative containers absolutely make cleaning up after a party so much easier. They are simple to pop up and even simpler to dispose of. Never again will you have to hang an ugly trash bag on the door during your party!Depending on the "dirtiness" of your trash, Flings Bins can be used again but, are affordable enough to throw out after the party. The Flings Bins Recycling containers are completely recyclable in most recycling centers. There are five different styles of Flings Bins to choose from to create the perfect finishing touch on every party. 
Like I said, these are definitely a "must have" for any party. I love the convenience that Flings Bins provides and I adore how affordable they are! Flings Bins will absolutely be on all of my party planning lists from now on. Buy it!You can purchase Flings Bins for your parties through their online store. Win it!One lucky reader will get hooked up with a four pack of Flings Bins!US onlyends 3/22To Enter: Visit Flings Bins and fill out the entry form provided below this post.Extra Entries: - Follow the Lolidots Blog publicly in the google friend connect box on our sidebar- Follow Lolidots on Twitter and tweetWin Flings Bins for your next party! @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways3 entries- Put the new Lolidots button on your sidebar. The html is located by the button on our sidebar.5 entries- Blog about a recent party you threw or an upcoming party and mention Flings Bins and the giveaway here at Lolidots (and link to this post)10 entries- Make a purchase from Flings Bins during this giveaway
If you complete any entries (tweeting or blogging or purchasing) after your initial form entry, you can click the title of this post and scroll to the bottom for the comment section. Leave your entry info in a comment but, make sure you've filled the form out for your first entry.
You may tweet once per day. Make sure you leave a comment for each tweet after your initial form entry.
Posted by Robin Haws. Posted In : Party Gear
March 7, 2010
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSEDI have really curly hair. And I hate it. Yeah, yeah, I know. All you straight haired girls are gasping and wishing you had curly hair, right? If my son's "magic wand" really worked, I'd give you my curls in a heartbeat. But, I can't get rid of them. Believe me, I've tried. So, I'm left with one option. Flat iron. And it's my best friend!I've been flat ironing my hair for probably ten years or so. I've tried tons of different brands of flat irons throughout the years. I've had my hair straightened at the salon with a Chi flat iron. I've used decent flat irons and cheap flat irons. They're all different and all do different things to my hair. Some I liked, some not so much. I recently had the immense honor of getting to try out the Hana Professional Flat Iron from Misikko. I'm not sure if I'll ever want to use another flat iron. The Hana Professional Flat Iron arrived at my house and I ripped into the box. Really, for someone who uses a flat iron as much as I do, getting a new one is on the level with maybe a new diamond ring. As I opened the box, I'm pretty sure I gasped aloud. The packaging was gorgeous. Silk flowers surrounding the shiny tin that I knew contained the new flat iron. Inside the tin was, indeed, my flat iron. Along with it, a heat proof travel pouch and a heat proof silicone mat. 
Let me take a moment and tell you how impressed I am by the silicone mat. I never would have thought of this but, now that I have it, can't imagine living without it. My flat iron gets used daily. I plug it in and go about my business. There are times when I don't make it back to the bathroom for quite a while, such is the life of a mother. I love knowing that my flat iron is sitting on that mat instead of directly on my bathroom counter. Sometimes I like to sit on the floor in the living room and watch tv while I straighten my hair. It is so much nicer to have the flat iron on the mat instead of on the carpet. If you have a flat iron, you need one of these mats!So, what do I think about the Hana Professional Flat Iron? I'm in love. Seriously. In addition to my curls, I have very thick, coarse, dry hair. This flat iron doesn't just straighten. It smooths my hair and makes it feel great. The Hana Professional Flat Iron features advanced Tourmaline Ceramic Plates for accelerated ion generation and maximum frizz-free, conditioning shine. The heat settings on this flat iron let me crank it up to 450 degrees and I love how quickly it heats up. The ceramic plates heat up evenly and it's got an incredibly smooth glide that never lets my hair get tangled as I straighten. I also adore how long the cord is and that it swivels to keep you from getting caught up. I really can't say enough great things about this flat iron. I'll admit that I'm always wary when I try a new one. The Hana Professional Flat Iron from Misikko exceeded my expectations and requirements for a ceramic flat iron. 
Want to know something else? It cut about 20 minutes off the amount of time it takes to straighten all my hair. That is huge for me! In addition to the Hana Professional Flat Iron, I also tested the Hana ShineShield serum. Because of my frizzy, dry hair and all the straightening I do, I use shine and anti-frizz serum all the time. Love the stuff but, some can leave my hair greasy or just doesn't work very well and needs to be reapplied often. The Hana ShineShield works really well. It's got an awesome scent and feels like silk. My hair never feels or looks greasy after I use it and I love putting it on both before and after styling my hair. From Misikko: ShineShield contains the natural magic of Jojoba oil for its superb
qualities of deep moisturization, fast absorption into hair follicles
and scalp, and unparalleled shimmer & shine. 
Bottom line: I'm thrilled with these products from Misikko. This is an amazing company that carries fantastic products. I would so love to try the FHI Technique flat iron. It's pink! And, the FHI flat irons simply look amazing. I'm absolutely in love with my Hana Professional Flat Iron and highly recommend it and the ShineShield serum to everyone. Misikko carries tons of other great hair care products and their staff is unbelievably helpful and nice. Buy it!Head over to Misikko and check out their selection of quality hair care products and professional flat irons. Be sure to hit the Winter Markdowns section for the latest sales!Win it!One lucky reader will win the Hana Professional Flat Iron! US onlyends 3/15To Enter: Visit Misikko then fill out entry form belowExtra Entries:-Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect-Enter one of the other Lolidots giveaways-Comment on a non-giveaway post (click here for main post page)-Follow Lolidots on twitter-TweetWin a Hana Professional Flat Iron! @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways/misikko-review-and-giveaway3 entries- Put the NEW Lolidots button on your site (If you have our old button, switch to the new one please!) 5 entries- Blog about why you need this flat iron and link to this giveaway10 entries- Make a purchase from Misikko during this giveaway
Posted by Robin Haws. Posted In : Hair Care
March 7, 2010
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSEDWhat do you get when two sisters mix function with unique and fun artistic abilities? The amazing products found at Able Mabel. 
Every item in this unique Etsy shop is full of fun and inspiration. From the adorable baby necessities to the unique home decor, you'll find the perfect gift for your loved one or yourself at Able Mabel. I've had a blast browsing this shop. I've pretty much convinced myself that there are some items that are definite "must haves" for me. While I wish I had enough light switches in my home to own every single light switch cover from Able Mabel, there are a few I really think would go perfectly with some of my rooms. They are all amazing and, better yet, inexpensive!
I really love this Poppy Glass Sign. L.o.v.e.
How adorable is the fabric of this Lovie? Oh, be still my beating heart!
I've been wanting a cute key fob for a while. At $5 each, how can you pass these cuties up?
There are so many treasures in the Able Mabel Etsy shop. I guarantee you'll find something you cannot live without! Don't bother with the chain stores where everything is exactly the same. Head over to Etsy for quality products that are handmade with care and immense talent! Able Mabel would like to give one very lucky Lolidots reader a $20 gift certificate to their Etsy shop! Be sure to check out Able Mabel's blog too!US onlyends 3/15To Enter: Visit Able Mabel's shop and pick your favorite item(s). Then fill out entry form below.Extra Entries:-Follow the Lolidots blog publicly in the google friend connect-Become a fan of Able Mabel on Facebook-Follow Able Mabel and Lolidots on Twitter-TweetWin a $20 GC to @ablemabel from @lolidots http://lolidots.com/giveaways/able-mabel-giveaway-If you are a member of Etsy you can "fave" or "heart" Able Mabel's shop3 entries- Put Lolidots on your blog roll3 entries- Grab our NEW Lolidots button for your sidebar (If you have our old button, please switch to the new one)10 entries- Make a purchase from Able Mabel during this giveawayRemember, if you do any of these extra entries after your initial form submission, just come back and fill out the form again with the new things you did. You can tweet once per day.
Posted by Robin Haws. Posted In : Gift Shopping
