reviews

personalized baby announcements from hallmark

**This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to our lucky winner, Barbara!**

It is no secret that I love cards. I could easily spend an hour in a card store choosing the perfect cards for everyone. I love sending people 'real' mail. and I LOVE when a sweet piece of non-junk, non-bill, non-credit-card-offer arrives in my own mailbox.

Hallmark.com has just added gorgeous Personalized Baby Announcements to its site. This new line also includes customizable shower invitations, plates and thank you cards – all photo-ready and featuring contemporary new designs.

If I had a boy, I would totally order this one:
 
I love the nest and the little birdies. Its so modern, not super traditional and I am all about this neutral color scheme.

For a girl, I'm thinking this is just gorgeous:
 
What a simple way to highlight a beautiful photo of your baby!  

And as the auntie of three adopted little ones, I love that they include adoption announcements. This one is my favorite:
 
And are you ready for the very, very best part? Hallmark will address your cards, add the postage AND mail the cards on any date you choose. For no extra cost! (Just the cost of the stamps!!) Isn't that amazing!?!? Can I get a collective cheer from the other overextended moms who barely have time to blink, never mind hand address cards!! AMAZING.

My sister-in-law used the gift card Hallmark sent me, since she just adopted two adorable little ones from Ethiopia and wanted to tell the world. She is a super busy mom (with 5 kids ages five and under!) so she was beyond thrilled with Hallmark.com! She loved how easy it was to design her invitation and said that having Hallmark mail her invites for her was the best new-mom present ever!

Use coupon code BABY20 for 20% off of any order from Hallmark.com’s personalized greetings collection (which includes customized greetings birthday, holiday and other special occasions beyond Baby).

Hallmark.com is generously offering a $50 gift certificate to one Thoroughly Modern Mommies reader! Use it to order your own birth announcements or get a head start on your holiday cards! Here's how to enter:
1. Contest ends Friday, September 17.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying what you would use the gift certificate for.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me you subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog or Facebook, Tweeting about it, and/or emailing  friends.
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

disclosure: i received a gift certificate from hallmark.com to facilitate this review as well as a gift certificate for my readers. i was not compensated for this review.

timi & leslie: charlie bag

I have to share one of my new fav finds for modern mommies: the timi & leslie Convertible Charlie II Diaper Bag. How cute is this bag?

Charlie comes in three gorgeous bright colors that are perfect for adding a pop of color to an outfit, and also come black and tan for a more neutral look. 
This diaper bag has everything - detachable/adjustable shoulder strap, six interior pockets, two exterior pockets, changing pad in mesh pocket (that would be great for throwing in another purse!),  matching stroller straps, an insulated bottle holder and even a a stylish clutch for all of mama's essentials!
The Charlie bag is a celeb favorite Kourtney Kardashion has been spotted carrying one and Jessica Alba has two! timi & leslie has been featured in People, Us Magazine, and tons of other go-to style magazines!
How can you not be organized with this bag?

The timi & leslie Charlie Diaper Bag retails for $149. Check ou the timi & leslie Hannah Diaper Bag , Marilyn Diaper Bag and the Baby Jane Diaper Bag as well! Super chic!

disclosure: this post uses affiliate links.

braza swim shapers

So its August... how is your bathing suit holding up? If its like mine, its doing great.... except for one little problem. You know those little removable foamy pad things they put inside the top? That always move around, wrinkle and are generally useless? Mine are a mess. The rest of my favorite, super adorable swimsuit is in perfect shape, but these pads look awful. I can't wear the suit without them for, um, coverage reasons. But they never lay right and are generally annoying.

So when I was contacted by Braza to try out their Swim Shapers, I was totally game. The email they sent me went something like this:
"Your suit just isn’t holding up as well as it did at the beginning of the summer. The foam pads in the top have become misshapen and out of place... Swim Shapers are available in either covered foam or silicon and in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different swimsuit styles and to provide different cleavage-bearing options. Swim Shapers are the perfect alternative to the cheap foam pads that come in swimsuits that usually get crumbled up or fall out."

I responded with a "Yes! How did you know I had that problem?" but I was thinking, "Did they see me at the pool at the Y trying to inconspicuously adjust those stupid foam pads in my bathing suit yesterday?"

Well, let me tell you, these things are amazing. My bathing suit not only looks like new, but it fits a lot better. I'm not, shall we say, as blessed as some women are in the voluptuousness, so a little extra padding is much appreciated. The triangle swim shaper fit perfectly into my halter tankini (as I tossed the yucky old foam pads that came with it with glee), they did not move or bunch up and were very comfy. Plus, they provided more coverage than the foam pads did, so I felt so much more comfortable.

And the best part - Swim Shapers are under $10 on Amazon and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. That's a lot cheaper than a new swimsuit. I highly recommend these to anyone! They saved my favorite swimsuit!

disclosure: i received a pack of swim shapers to facilitate my review. i was not compensated financially for this post. as always, all opinions are mine.

REVEAL - sustainable AND fashionable acessories

Spruce up your Summer style with REVEAL, the hottest eco-luxury handbags and accessories on the market… made from sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled polyester (made from reclaimed water bottles), hemp, jute, cruelty-free vegan leather and recycled zippers.

REVEAL is an innovative, sustainable fashion accessories line.  The line features fashion-forward women’s handbags and wallets, men’s messenger bags and bamboo accessories all made with the highest-quality eco-friendly materials.  With REVEAL, you don’t have to choose between fashion and a better planet.

All REVEAL products are meticulously designed to represent the real you – a fashion-forward trendsetter who cares about our planet and believes that together we can make a difference.  To review the entire collection, please visit:  www.revealshop.com.

One last thing you should know, when you shop at REVEAL, your helping to restore the planet.  For each item purchased, REVEAL will plant a tree. REVEAL works with American Forests, the oldest non-profit conservation organization in the US, to replant native trees in damaged eco-systems around the world. To learn more about our REPLANT program, please visit http://www.revealshop.com/pages/social-responsibility.  And to understand more about our sustainable practices, please go to http://www.revealshop.com/pages/sustainability.

Barista Bath and Body

I have to introduce you to the new Barista Bath and Body, the first full line of natural hair and skin care beauty products to leverage the revitalizing benefits of coffee.

Coffee, along with caffeine – its major ingredient - has the following advantages. It:

• Features a pH balance similar to the human body, meaning that it cleans better than ordinary soap or shampoo (read more here - very interesting)
• acts as a gentle exfoliant
• performs as an effective astringent
• promotes the appearance of smoother-looking skin, especially in cellulite-prone areas

I was just sent a gift set called I'll Take That to Go. And let me tell you, it is a little piece of heaven. It includes The travel kit contains 2oz sizes of perk it up shampoo, soothe those jitters conditioner, triple shot³ body wash, and room for cream lotion. The shampoo and conditioner were lovely. They left my hair smooth and silky, not at all greasy or gunky, and I love that it is safe for color-treated hair. (Last time I colored my hair, I hated the shampoo I had to use. Just. Yuck.) The body wash was so nice. I hate overly perfumed body washes and this had a nice scent without being overpowering. I have very sensitive skin and sometimes have reactions to new bath products, but I didn't have a trace of that with Barista Bath and Body products. They were very gentle.

And the lotion. I LOVE this lotion. Not only do I love the delicate scent, but it is just fabulous on my dried-out skin. It's so light and silky and leaves me moisturized, not greasy. I'm going to cry when my little sample runs out... and then order some more. Feel free to buy me some for my birthday in September. 

You can purchase Barista Bath and Body products on their website: http://www.b3products.com

Disclosure: I was provided with an I'll Take That to Go gift set for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this review.  As always all opinions are mine.

The Color Bar by Kendra Scott Design

Designing your own jewelry has never been easier: The Color Bar by Kendra Scott Jewelry has expanded! In addition to 12 different styles of earrings, Color Bar now includes five necklaces and the ever-popular Kendra Scott Otylia cocktail ring. Choose from 20 colorful stones and two metal finishes to create jewelry that is uniquely your own, or if you need advice just click on the color wheel for Kendra’s color suggestions. You can also save your creations online and share your designs with friends. Click here to get started!

I have a pair of these Jeanine Earrings from the Kendra Scott Color Bar Collection and they are so gorgeous. When ever I wear then, I get compliments! These would be so perfect for a wedding party or for finding something to make that little black dress really pop! (Personally, I'm eying that Otylia Cocktail Ring!)

You can see all of Kendra Scott’s designs at www.kendrascott.com.

disclosure: i received a pair of earrings from kendra scott at a blogging event. i was not compensated financially for this post.

amelia in-flight tote by ellington

I recently got to try out the Amelia In-Flight Tote by Ellington Handbags. I have diaper bags - having three kids - and lots of other tote-type bags already. (What can I say? I love purses!) But this bag's unique features convinced me to give it a try.

What they say:

• Durable, easy-to-clean microfiber
• Adjustable, removable cross-body strap with removable shoulder pad
• Main compartment has secure zipper closure
• Four exterior slip pockets, three zip pockets
• Two full width pockets with magnetic snap closures; front pocket has: zip mesh pocket, slip pocket, two pen slots, key clip; back pocket unzips at bottom to go over rolling luggage handle
• Removable coin and card wallet
• Interior side mesh pockets, zip pocket

What I say:

I love this bag. I can honestly say - without a doubt - that this is the best diaper bag I've ever tried. LOVE. IT.

This past week we went on vacation to Virginia and we took the Amelia In-Flight Tote along and it was a life saver. With two adults and three small kids, you can only imagine all the luggage we brought! The kids have their own backpacks and can roll a suitcase, but the rest is up to us. My husband and I were wrestling laptop bags, the beach bag, car seats, you name it. So the ability of the Amelia In-Flight to slip over a luggage handle was SO helpful! I was honestly wishing I had two more.

I love the fabric - the easy to clean microfiber fabric even withstood the beach. I also love how there a huge 'storage' compartment, but also has a smaller pocket that is perfect for holding your keys, wallet and phone. Perfect for travel. This bag is coming with me on all of my upcoming trips - and is such high quality that I know it will last far beyond when I need a diaper bag. (Imagine not needing a diaper bag...Sigh! I can dream!)

I highly recommend the Amelia In-Flight Tote. It retails for $84 and is available on Ellington Handbags's website. I'm buying one for my sister-in-law who just adopted two little ones - she'll need it - and I can't wait to check more of what Ellington Handbags has to offer.

UPDATE: The Amelia In-Flight Tote is currently on sale for half price!

disclosure: i was provided with an amelia in-flight tote to facilitate this review. i was not compensated financially for this post.

lighten up your workout with gabby reece

Gabby Reece, the celebrated professional volleyball player and working mom, provides expert tips for lightening up your summer workouts. Reece notes that “Everybody has an athlete inside of them or a kid inside of them, so it should be a little about playing.” I just love Gabby Reece - she is so adorable! Check out the next video in her series on Glo. <a href="http://video.msn.com?mkt=en-us&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:3c22cb44-635d-d9af-a7cd-f18cb24a3c72&showPlaylist=true&from=IV2_en-us_glo" target="_new" title="Lighten Up Your Workouts with Gabby Reece">Video: Lighten Up Your Workouts with Gabby Reece</a>

brighten your smile with REMBRANDT

I confess that I've tried at-home teeth whitening products before, with slight success, but nothing really spectacular. I've used those strips that start with a "C" and end in "est" along with store brands. They made a difference, but nothing major.  I had a lot of tooth and gum sensitivity with the store brand. And you all know how I love my coffee, red wine and Coke Zero. So when I needed a touch- up, I was so excited to give Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit a try!

It was super easy to use. I loved how the trays formed to fit your teeth to give you great results - and that they covered more than just your six front teeth. They hit your whole smile! The trays were not uncomfortable at all. My teeth look great - my husband even noticed as soon as he got home! As a busy mom of three, I appreciate that Rembrandt has developed a system that works in two hours - not two days, not two weeks. And I didn't have much tooth sensitivity after - which I've had with other teeth whitening systems. I feel it gave me better results than any other at-home teeth whitening product I've tried thus far. I'm planning on picking up some Rembrandt Intense Stain Toothpaste so I can keep drinking my beloved coffee without messing up my new whiter teeth!

Disclosure: Rembrandt provided me with a 2-Hour Whitening Kit to review. I was not compensated financially for this post.

strapdiva: no slip purse & handbag strap

When I recently heard about StrapDiva, the no slip purse strap, I was totally game. I am always losing my purse off my shoulder and it is so annoying!! Especially when you're trying to carry your purse, your diaper bag, shopping bags AND a squirming toddler!

What they say:

• StrapDiva is the ultimate handbag accessory for anyone who carries a purse on their shoulder. It will keep purse straps from slipping off your shoulder and you will look smart and stylish at the same time!
• StrapDiva is a cover that snaps on to a single purse strap or two handles together made of super soft and luxurious leather with a suede lining. On the outside, there is a special material to prevent slippage and help keep your straps where they belong.
• Uses two types of leather: lambskin and supple grain leather for the ultimate in durability and style.
• StrapDiva is available in six colors: Black, Dark Brown, Tan, Red, Light Gold and Dark Blue. Grain leather is available in Black, Tan, and Dark Brown at this time.

What I say:

StrapDiva delivered. I'm fairly sure I will never be taking it off of my laptop bag. It really is just the cutest, cutest bag, but the slippery leather handles always fall off my shoulders and it drove me so super crazy that I was thinking about getting a new bag. On my recent trip to New York City, I was trying to navigate the train and taxis, bundled up in my coat and carrying my suitcase and laptop bag. And my silly laptop bag was constantly falling off my shoulder - and that is not a light bag to have slipping around. I almost fell getting out of a cab! So that was the first bag I tried my Strap Diva on!

StrapDiva kept my bag in place - and I hardly remembered it was there! Its terrific! I probably wouldn't need it on my cute little satchel purses, but for my massive, overloaded "mom bags" its perfect!! And like I said, its great for laptop bags and diaper bags. I love that you can remove the Strap Diva and use it on multiple bags, so you'll really get your moneys worth.

You can get 10% off if you buy two or more StrapDivas and they offer FREE shipping within USA and Canada. And they offer secure online shopping, guaranteed delivery, and 30-day hassle free returns. 

disclosure: i was provided with a strap diva to review. i was not compensated financially for this post.