Wednesday, May 30, 2012

TruKid Happy Face & Body Lotion Review & Giveaway

TruKid 
Made in the USA 
All Natural Happy Face & Body Lotion

“Have Happy Skin Everyday” 

The awesome team of TruKid company sent me 8 oz. Happy Face & Body Lotion to review on my daughter. Its an all natural lotion, eco-friendly, gluten free, bpa and phthalate free, paraben free, biodegradable free of all harsh chemicals and frangrance. Dermatologist and Pediatrician tested. It's a great  lotion. It comes with a pump so it makes it kid friendly. The lotion has a very nice smooth feel to it. It does have a nice scent to it which could be the flower extract they use on it.

My daughter uses it everyday wheather its getting out of the shower or getting ready for school in the morning. She applies it on her arms, legs, and face. She loves it so that makes me happy. If your looking for a All Natural lotion for your kids this would be perfect for your home, I would definetly recommend it to my readers, friends and family. TruKid also offers different products such as shampoo, detangler.


TruKid giving away
Happy  Face & Body Lotion to a Sew-Fatty reader you 
can submit your entries below using Rafflecopter



This giveaway ends at 11:59 EST on June 5th, 2012.
                          Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




 If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask???
Just comment below and I will respond ASAP. 
Thank you for reading my Blog

   I would love to thank TruKid
for giving me the opportunity to review there product.
Thank You, God Bless You






Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I was not paid to write this review, the opinions on my review are totally mine and what works for me might not work for you. This was written by me Pollyanna Valenzuela.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Reflection #Flatschallenge
Day - 7


I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  


Last day of the #flats challenge!!

I am forever grateful that I have a washer to wash my diapers. Washing cloth diapers has not been hard its been more like "when will I do them"?? trying to fit them in my daily routine gets exhausting and Its not real quick I would take me anywhere from 40- 60 mins not including putting them in the clothes line outside. 

I believe that If I had to do this because of a financial situation, I would be able to as a stay at home mom.
As a mom that has to go to work to provide for her family, I believe it would harder. Daycare does not always take cloth diapered babies, therefore they would need to buy disposable diapers for daycare and if need be cloth diaper at home. So at that point its not because the parents don't want to cloth diaper there babies but because they can't. That being the case I would look for coupons, sales.

I feel very accomplished to a certain point. 
What will I do with what I gained out of this experience??

I will share my experience with other moms I come across. I would love to donate diapers to charities that help out families that are less fortunate. I have learned that if GOD blesses me, then I too should be a blessing to somebody else.



What have you learned during the #flatschallenge???





Follow other on this last day of #flatschallenge

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Switch 2 in 2 Challenge
June 1 - 2

Alright mamas the Challenge is almost here are you ready????

Challenge will start June 1 & end June 2, 2012.

The challenge is to switch 2 plastic items you use in 2 days to more sustainable materials (glass, stainless steel, wood, aluminum, etc.)

Some ideas are: Plastic cups to glass or stainless steel, plastic hampers to wooden, plastic baskets to wicker, plastic diapers to cloth diapers, plastic grocery bags to cotton, etc.

When you sign up you will be entered to win a "THE" BALM! $50 Gift Card! "THE" BALM! products are always stored in sustainable containers.


By submitting this form, you are agreeing to participate in the Switch 2 in 2 Challenge. Hey..things happen, so please be honest; if for some reason you aren't able to participate after signing up, please email us so we can take you out of the giveaway & so we keep a correct count. (:

Click on the Picture
WHY? Most people are unaware that plastic is a huge issue, not just to our planet, but our health.


Planet: Plastic will NEVER break down. 2oz. of plastic will ALWAYS be 2oz. of plastic & can only be recycled / up-cycled so many times.


Health: When plastic is used for food or skin care containers, there are health concerns because plastic can leech, especially when warmed up. BPA is not the only harmful chemical in plastic, it's just one that has come to the public's attention.



ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE???

Memorial Weekend Oh My!!!
#Flatschallenge Day - 6

 I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  


I have survived this long, I can do anything after this point.

Yesterday I had a lot of flats to wash, since Ashton decided to poop 3 times. Yes it was not fun, thats a lot of poop in a day right?? Overall it was great, I finally finished washing them and It felt great to be done.

Today's post is a open topic.
 So what better to talk about then my weekend.
My husband's friend invited us to go over for a BBQ and some swimming since its been crazy HOT in texas these days. So the challenge for tomorrow is what will Ashton wear for his diaper in the pool since he doesn't have a swim diaper. How many diapers should I take??? So I will take 4-5 diapers prepared with a pad fold ready in the cover that way I put them on Ashton easily. The friends know that I cloth diaper Ashton but they have only seen him with his Pockets so I can't wait to hear what they say about this #flatschallenge. Im always up for talking cloth diapers, so thats not a problem.

I will go on about my day tomorrow and if we don't get back to late I will doing laundry at night, I really don't want to wait till sunday to do diaper laundry. So will see how many cloth diapers Ashton goes through today. This is what we plan on doing this weekend on sunday probably just have a chill day and ill be waiting very patiently for monday when Im able to use my washer!! I have learned a lot during this challenge, to be more appreciative of all the things we have such as the convenience of water out of our faucet. Washer, dryer, clothes line, covers, flats. 

Thank you to those of you who have been following my post on this awesome #flatschallenge. 

What have you learned??? 
What do you do while out and about???

Check out these blogs to see whats going on with them on the #flatschallenge !!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Grandma El's Diaper Rash Cream
Review & Giveaway




I’ve heard so much rave over the
 Grandma El’s Diaper Diaper Rash Remedy and Prevention. 
I had to try it to let all you mammas know how it works.

Grandma El’s is a Pediatrician Recommened Cream.
It creates a breathable barrier, it can be used with every diaper change to prevent rash, it soothes calms and heals. It’s a clear cream, you only need a little and it goes a long way. Its nice and portable on the go. It come in a tube so no need to dip your fingers in. I applied on Ashtons bum I noticed his bum starting to get a bit red so before it got any worse I applied it with a fleece liner on his cloth diaper. Next diaper change came and the redness was gone. Grandma El's packaging saids "Works Fast" that is very true. There not kidding when they put that on there packaging. Grandma El's is a must in your home whether your cloth diapering or using disposables. So definitely recommend this to my readers, friends, and family.

Be sure to visit and "Grandma El's " on 
Stay up to date on sales, news and Giveaways!!!

OR 

WIN IT 

Grandma El's is giving away

a 2.0 oz Tube to a Sew-Fatty reader you 
can submit your entries below using Rafflecopter

This giveaway ends at 11:59 EST on June 9th, 2012.
                          Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


                         If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask???
Just comment below and I will respond ASAP. 
Thank you for reading my Blog

   I would love to thank Grandma El's 
for giving me the opportunity to review her  awesome diaper.
Thank You, God Bless You






Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I was not paid to write this review, the opinions on my review are totally mine and what works for me might not work for you. This was written by me Pollyanna Valenzuela.

Tips and Learning Experiences
#Flatschallenge Day - 5

I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  


Ashtons Night Time Diaper !! Can you say super FLUFFY ?? 
Day 4 is down 3 more to go!!

Yesterday was a very challenging day for me. I had a lot of things to do. I was very tired and had no energy to wash cloth diapers. I got some motivation in me and found myself washing at 10pm. So I had to dry on the drying rack I have for the inside. After I was done I felt super accomplished and was ready to go to bed. 
I figured I could write the post today instead of yesterday.

Couple things I have learned while handwashing cloth diapers is ..  
Keep in mind that im using a wash board.

  • Pre-rinsing them in cold and agitating the crap out of them by stomping on them with my feet in the bath tub works wonders !!
  • Wash day by day, don’t let it accumilate because you will have more to wash and will get discouraged like for example last night I had one more flat from the previous night and so it made a total of 8 and I was like “ really one more” !! 
  • Just go day by day have fun with it. I was stressed out if I would have enough flats and honestly I have not touched like 11 of them. I’ve been using the same ones over and over and over. Wash & Use. Same thing goes for my covers I’ve only used the sassy flip, blueberry monkey, thirsties hoots that’s it.


I would like to try the bucket and plunger next year, just to see how different that would be. So far im feeling good about this challenge , though I do look forward to my washing machine on Monday.

What have you learned??? Any different you would do?? 

Thursday, May 24, 2012

My Thoughts on Flats & Handwashing
#flatschallenge Day - 4



I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

Wow, what a day!!!

Poopy diapers, arms aching, crampy stomach, doesn't get any better then that right??
Yesterday was a challenging day for all those reasons.
Remember I said " I had to brace myself for poopy diapers" well I did. Ashton made up for the day he didn't poop. I can honestly say that washing diapers is not hard its quite simple, its just not convenient. Those of us that are blessed to have washers throw our diapers in the wash and go on about our day.
Not having a washer or not being able to use it, I find myself wondering when should I wash before or after a poopy diaper, if I wait then ill just have more diapers to wash. Do I really want that??
If I wait to long then they won't dry in time. Diapers are always on my mind while hand washing making sure I have enough and if they are clean. I didn't really worry this much while using a washer just throw in the wash and make sure to add detergent. Its amazing to know that technology has and is always improving to make our lives easier.

Bucket full of flats.... 

Yesterday while washing on my washing board I had a vivid memory come back to me. Years ago when I was a young my parents let me go on a  long vacation to Mexico with my grandparents. Once there I had accumulated some dirty clothes I had to wash, I asked my grandma if I could wash. She then handed me a bar soap and said that the washing board was in the back room. I looked at her kinda puzzled wasn't sure what she was saying, I  mean my mom always washed my clothes what was I supposed to do now??

So I go to the back room and I see a concrete washing board and clothes that are sitting there to get washed. Hmm now what?? "Grandma how do I do this I've never done this we have a washer and dryer"? my grandma responds " Mija, we don't have a washer, but ill show you how to wash on the wash board I do it everyday" my mind was blown away.

I thought "Are you kidding me"? I could not do this everyday.

Well let me tell you I did it every other day  until the day I was getting ready to go back home. To this day I appreciate my grandma showing me  how to wash on a wash board. When I got home I told my parents about my experience. They were proud of me and I learned to appreciate my mom washing and drying and hanging my clothes.

For those of us that think " No way I could not do that "!! Yes you can and you would adjust to your situation, I washed every single clothes item I had while at my grandparents house. My grandma did not wash it for me I had to, so I did. So I know if I had to hand wash every single cloth diaper Ashton pees and poops in I would no questions asked. I'm very blessed to say I  have a washer and Im forever grateful for it, but I also know that if I didn't have it I would adjust to my situation and do without and hand wash.

Again its not hard its simple and more effective just not convenient in our modern day society that we live in today. Im enjoying this experience, and Im looking forward to the next couple days.


How are you adjusting?? 
Have you learned any tricks??

Check out the other bloggers to see how they are adapting to hand washing

Londonware Fleece Soaker Review & Giveaway

There is a wonderful WAHM behind Londonware her name is Wendy, whom just  recently was blessed with a little girl named Bryleigh. 

I had the pleasure of working with Wendy. I received a Cameo fleece soaker. It has a lot of nice features, It has a sewn in extra saoker booster in the middle. The band around the waist is nice and snug along with the legs. Ashton has worn the soaker with a BumGenius medium fitted, prefolds, flats. His bum looks very fluffy. This was my first time trying out fleece soakers. I didn’t know that fleece was  a great breathable alternative to PUL cover. So Wendy gave me the low down on the fleece and how it is a water repellent fabric, breathable, totally light, easy to wash and care. 



Londonware fleece soakers are very nice and soft and very well made. I mean they are made with LOVE. I was also worried on the “How to care for them” just because I had never used them before, but they are actually super easy to care for you just wash with your diapers or with your regular clothes, I always line dry but you can also use the dryer its just a personal preference.

Overall I love our fleece soaker its super cute. Wendy has a lot of different prints to choose from she makes Soakers, Longies, snack bags. Not to mention she has awesome customer service, make sure you go check out her Etsy shop.

WAHM are awesome they do this out of love for the hobby and to bring a unique product to you home. Be sure to support!!

Lil' Bam Bam sporting his Cameo Soaker

Keep up with Londonware on FACEBOOK

For news, sales, giveaways.


Only $ 7.00

Or 

Win It

Londonware is giving away a soaker to one of my readers
How awesome is that?


This giveaway ends at 11:59 EST on June 7th, 2012.
Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask???
Just comment below and I will respond ASAP. 

Thank you for reading my Blog, hope its helpful.

                           *I would love to thank Londonware 
for giving me the opportunity to review her  awesome fleece soaker.
Thank You, God Bless You





Disclosure: I received this product for the purpose of review. I was not paid to write this review, the opinions on my review are totally mine and what works for me might not work for you. This was written by me Pollyanna Valenzuela.



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Folds, Folds, Folds Oh My!!
Day-3 #flatschallenge


I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

Yay!! 2 days down 5 more days to go!!

Yesterday went great, it was a beautiful day. 
I did have more flats to wash compared to the first day.
 I didn't have any poopy diapers, which I essence is awesome right??? no poopy diapers ??? Now I should totally brace myself because maybe today he will poop more often. Fun times fun time!!  



Using flats I find myself tracking his diaper changes more often. Bringing back memories of when he was a newborn. Overall yesterday was great just had more flats to wash which was a workout!! 

What folds am I using??
I currently am loving the origami fold with a small padfolded flat for day time. For night time I am using a diaperbag fold with an extra padfolded for overnight heavy wetter. It's working great not having any problems I know that the first day I had a small leak but ever since I fixed the problem I haven't had any more leaks. Night time fold was great this morning he was drenched but no leaks so hey hey hey I must be doing something right??

Origami Fold with a small pad folded flat 
I tweeted this photo yesterday.
Booty Shot !!
Diaperbag fold with a pad folded in between for 
extra absorbency during night time.
Its a bit bulky but it works also used a 
blueberry cover they are nice and wide.

Learning experience is be grateful for everything I have. Sometimes I take things for granted without noticing so I thanked GOD for my blessings.

What folds are you using?? What is your night time solution?

Be sure to check out and follow other blogs participating in the #Flatschallenge!!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Supplies I'm Using #Flatschallenge
Day - 2



I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!  

 I didn't have much money to spend on new flats, so I figured I could trade some diapers for some flats which I did on Diaperswapper.com . That being said I did go to Walmart and bought a set of 2 flour sack towels for $1.98 which was great.




So here are my fluffy details:


Flats : 
I will be using a variety of Osocozy, Walmart flour sack towels, WAHM flats.


Liners: 
2 Fleece Liners for night time (Stay Dry)


Covers: 
Flips, Thirsties, Blueberry, Oeko Popo, fleece soaker want to try a few to see how each and everyone works with flats.


Fasteners:
Snappi size 1


Diaper Rash:
(that's) THE BALM


Wipes: 12 Swaddlebee, 12 Thirsties


Rinsing: Water hose


Washing: 
Washing Board that was given to me by my mom because she loves me so much :) She mailed it out to me before the challenge. She's a great supporter!!
Gloves, trash can bought at the dollar tree, Eco- Sprout detergent, Water.
Drying: 
I will be using my Clothes Line outside that hubby made for me.




Be sure to check out and follow other blogs participating in the #Flatschallenge!!!

Reflection on Day - 1

What a beautiful day to start the #Flatschallenge.
First change of the day was 6:14am Ashton was half way asleep and moving around I was not able to get a good snug fit so I had to wing it. After an hour I did experience a small leak on the back side of his thighs. I believe because I did not have it on properly.
So from now on I will do my best to get a snug fit on Ashton.

Second Cloth Diaper Change
At the end of the day around 4pm Ashton pooped for the first time in the day so right after that, 
I decided to go ahead and wash for the day. So I figured I would be better off rinsing Cloth Diapers outside with the water hose. Which was awesome, I didn't have to worry about spraying everywhere.

Before the start of the #Flatschallenge I said I would wash every other day, now that I am living it and experiencing it I will be washing everyday after the poopy diaper. I don't want the diapers sitting out for more then one day. It will get harder for me to wash. 

Rinsing Poopy Diaper Only had one today so not bad.
Spraying poop off cover !!!
Washing Tools: 
Wash board, gloves, eco-sprout, small bucket from dollar tree and my hands of course.

Washing by hand is definitely a work out!! 
My arms are hurting. I found myself second guessing myself if the diapers where clean enough, 
so I kept on washing away on my board. 
Finally rinsed and took outside.

How I washed : 
Sprayed the poopy diaper and cover outside with cold water.
Cold rinse while putting my hands in the get all the nasty's out!!
Hot wash with Eco-Sprout, wash, wash,wash, 
Rinse, Rinse, Rinse !! 

The Outcome!! 
 Line drying my flats and Sassy Flip Cover.

Lesson of the day: 
I am forever grateful for water, washer. 



How was your First Day on the #flatschallenge?? What did you learn?? How did the washing go??



I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry.  For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all.  You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post.  This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!