Baby Bond Product Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I am so excited to have the opportunity to review a Baby Bond nursing cover! I nursed my youngest son for a year, and went through several covers that I wasn’t too crazy about. Since I knew what I DIDN’T like, I was really excited to see that Baby Bond is different!

One thing that I LOVED about nursing my son was the bonding experience - and a big part of that was making eye contact. With so many nursing covers, you just can’t have that. But Baby Bond allows you to maintain eye contact, while still being modest.

There are three styles:

The Original - It’s worn like a sash - you separate the layers of fabric to achieve latch on. Belly and back remain covered by your own shirt. Has a built in terry velour burp cloth and stores in matching pouch.

The Flex - similar to the Original, but has a removable double layer terry velour burp cloth.

The Couture - is adjustable, creating a custom fit as your body changes! It’s a hybrid between a nursing top and a belly band - it can be worn to nurse from the top or bottom of your shirt. It rolls up into a self-storing pouch.

I chose the Couture in black. I really cannot believe how much I love this cover!!! It’s very lightweight, but well constructed. It’s a simple design, so easy to figure out, but they even include a tag on the cover with picture-instructions! This Baby Bond cover provides great coverage, whether worn as a sash, or as a belly band. And I love how easily it folds back into it’s pouch - very easy to throw in the diaper bag.


Now for the REALLY exciting part - You have the opportunity to win ANY in-stock Baby Bond item!


Here's how to enter:
Visit Baby Bond and tell me which nursing cover you think you'd like
Follow For The Luv Of Boys via Google Friend Connect
Like For The Luv Of Boys on Facebook
Tweet about this give away
Share this giveaway on Facebook
Blog About this giveaway for 3 entries


Leave a separate comment for each item you do to receive one entry.  Be sure to include a valid email address so I can contact you if you win!


Giveaway is now closed!!!


Winner chosen by Random.org

Sometimes it pays to be the last comment!  Congrats to Libby!!  Please respond to my email within 48 hours or a new winner will have to be chosen!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

April Fool's Day Fun!

April Fool's Day is one of those fun little days were we get to be silly and have fun!  I don't really like to do mean pranks, but I do like to fool people.  

Probably my best prank was pulled on my husband's old coworkers.  I was always sending good food to work with my hubby - breakfast burritos, sweet breads, and all kinds of really yummy homemade cookies.  I'm not the world's greatest cook by any means, but I make some great cookies!  Well, one April Fool's Day it hit me - I could change up a tried and true recipe and pull a prank.  I made snickerdoodles.  Only, instead of sugar, I used ALL salt.  And instead of cinnamon on top, I sprinkled chili pepper.  I brought the plate of cookies to my husband with a stern warning for him to not try them at all, but sit back and watch.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall.  He said everyone was in a meeting together and was so excited to see fresh baked cookies.  One after another they took a big bite, chewed, looked confused and spit it out.  lol  The downside, they never trusted my baking again!  

In the spirit of fun, not mean April Fool's Day festivities, here are some of my favorite ideas I've run across lately.  I'll be sure to post and let you guys know when I try some out!

This is Fakin' and Eggs that I found on Family Fun.

This mashed potato sundae is from Martha Stewart

And how stinking cute is this Mock TV Dinner from Delectable Edibles?!?!

What fun things do you have planned?

Domino Sports Necklace - Tutorial

As I've mentioned recently, it's baseball season.  We are in full swing now, which means The Chief and Con-Man usually have two games each, every single week.  I LOVE this!  I'm definitely a sports mom.  Not one of the crazy ones that's way too tough on her kids, or expects them to go pro.  I just love watching them play - whether it's baseball, basketball, football - whatever.  If they are having fun, I'm having fun watching in the stands.  I clap and cheer more loudly than I probably should, but I'm just such a proud mama!

Being a sports mom, I absolutely dress the part.  If I can get a team shirt, I wear it.  If not, I've still got to show my support somehow!  So that's why I decided to make myself a cute Domino Sports Necklace with my boys' names on it!

*Note - this necklace is for one of our team moms - I would NOT put my kiddo's name out there for potential crazies to see.*

Here is the easy as pie tutorial.  If you make one, I'd LOVE to see it!

Domino Sports Necklace

What you'll need: 

Domino

Chain necklace

Bead (big enough for chain to go through)

Mod Podge & brush

Sealant

E-6000 or other strong glue

Emery board

Scrapbook paper

Directions:

1 Print child's name on scrapbook paper

2 Trace around domino & cut out

3 Apply Mod Podge to domino with brush

4 Smooth paper onto domino

5 Use emery board to sand off any edges hanging over sides

6 Seal with spray sealant (OUTSIDE) and allow to dry

7 Apply extra layer of Mod Podge - I seal 1st because I use an inkjet printer and sometimes the ink will run if I apply the Mod Podge directly over the paper

8 Seal again, allow to dry

9 Apply bead on side of domino using E-6000.  Follow package directions to get the strongest bond.  Allow to dry.

10 Thread the chain through the bead and show your sports mama pride!

The great thing about this necklace is it's so versatile!  Since I have two boys playing, I put one name on each side and simply flip the necklace around depending on who's playing!  I'm also making some domino necklaces with pretty, girly paper and rhinestones!  

These are SUPER affordable.  I had the glue, Mod Podge and sealant here, so total I spent less than $2 on each necklace!!!  I think they'd be fun to make with the girls during a craft night.

Find me here:

Sorry for being soooo lazy!

Boy do I feel guilty!  I cannot believe I've been neglecting my blogs and my readers so badly lately!  I'm sorry, and I promise to do better starting.....now!

My older boys were out of town last week for Spring Break (went to visit family), and I was totally out of my routine and busy with the little guy.  I'll try to get a cute little tutorial up tomorrow - you guys are going to love it.  (I hope!)

Prayers and Support for Japan

Mornings in my house are always a hurried mess of running up and down stairs for school clothes, cereal flying across the table, and school papers being signed.  For some reason today, I took time to turn on the television to catch the news for a few minutes.  My whole morning stood still.  

Breaking news.  

Almost always scary words on tv.  Earthquake in Japan, devastating tsunami followed.  

The kids and I were glued.  We watched the news clips over and over in shock.  I told the boys that we needed the pray for these poor people and of course they agreed.  My boys are young - 8, 6, and 3.  They were filled with questions - why did this happen?  Where will those people live?  Did people die?  Did moms and dads die?  Kids?  I hate that children often have to see these disasters and learn hard truths about life.

During these natural disasters, it always warms my heart to see how people come together to help strangers.  People they've never met, and probably never will meet.  I think it really shows you the general love we all have for other people.  I want to show you just a couple of ways that you can help during this tremendous time of need.  You can donate directly through the American Red Cross - they make it so simple to even designate where you want your money to go. 

There are also some very generous shops on Etsy that have decided to donate a portion of their profits to help the many many victims.  I have even added a special item to help in this effort.  

Please help in whatever way you can, especially in prayer!

Blog Swap with Running with Glitter!

Alright guys - today we are doing things a little differently!  I'm doing a blog swap with one of my favorite new blogs.  You guys are going to love Kelly and all the cute things she does on her blog!  After you see this cute tutorial, please head on over to Running with Glitter and show her some luv!




Thanks for having me on your great blog! You have such great ideas and are very inspiring.

I'm Kelly form over at  Running With Glitter. I'm a mommy to two very busy and children and I'm always working on some sort of a project. My blog is a new blog and I have so many ideas I can't wait to share.

Today I'm going to share a little girly love. My daughter is 100% girl and hair pretties are mandatory in our home!

St. Patrick's Day Shrinky Dink Shamrock Korker Tutorial

 Who would want to pinch my little cutie pie?! Well just in case... I thought I'd put together a super cute hair pretty for Aubrey Rose.

 Making korkers and Shrinky dinks in the same project makes me smile. I'm a nerd, I know.. But hey, here is a little tutorial so you can be a nerd with me.

To make the korkers you need:

1/4 inch Dowel Rods. You can find these pre-cut in a package of 12 at Hobby Lobby

Wooden clothes pins.

3/8 inch Grosgrain Ribbon

Liquid Starch

Oven

Fire

 Take your ribbon and pin it to the clothes pin to hold it in place. 

 Start Twisting making sure that your ribbon is not overlapping and you don't have any gaps.  After you do it a few times you will be a pro and it will go super fast!

 Secure your Ribbon at the end with the other clothes pin

 So simple, right?! Bake at 200-275* for 20-30 minutes depending on how your oven runs. 

Remove from oven. Spray lightly with starch and let cool. 

Remove from dowel rod and see how cute these are! 

Cut your ribbon in 3 inch strips.  I used my paper cutter to measure and help hold them in place while I cut ribbon

Heat seal the ends of the ribbon by moving fire quickly over the ends. This will prevent fraying. 

Take a thick piece of thread/yarn place under the center of your ribbons and gather all your pieces tightly together. This can be a bit tricky so again I used my paper cutter to help hold them in place. 

Wrap the string tightly around your bow a few more times and tie a knot. There you have it.. A korker bow!

 Now for the Shrinky Dink fun! 

 I found this great Shamrock clip art here.

 http://www.leehansen.com/clipart/Holidays/StPatrick/pages/shamrock-orange-edge.htm

I loved the orange outline Because it gave me a line to cut on :)

Resize to 50% larger of your desired size. Print on InkJet Shrinky Dink paper. Cut out the clip art from your Shrinky Dink paper and follow the Shrinky Dink package instructions for baking and making your shamrock.

When the shamrock was shrunk I added a little bit of glitter. I love when I make something that can be glittered! {Though you can skip the glitter all together}

Seal the glitter with clear finger nail polish

Hot glue your shamrock and secure it to the Top. 

 Slip an alligator clip on the bottom under the string. {I personally do not like to line my clips with ribbon because they don't stay in as well.}

 There you have it! This hair pretty ensures NO PINCHING next week on St. Patty's day!

{Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think}

Mood Swings, Anyone?

Yesterday we spent the day at a local park.  We had a picnic, rode bikes, fed the ducks, played on the playground, and suffered a few CRAZY mood swings.  Here is a 3 yr old's progression from really happy to devil child.  

Complete meltdown in

10....

9....

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1.