November 2012 - Brittleby's Corner

November 30, 2012

Crazy Christmas {Giveaway Hop} #CrazyChristmas Ends 12/8

Welcome to the Crazy Christmas Giveaway Hop hosted by GoingCrazy!! WannaGo??!! and Planet Weidknecht. During the Holidays, things can get crazy, but we are here to help you take a break and win some great prizes!! Each blog is sponsoring a giveaway of at least $25 value. So, join the crazy and Have Fun!!

At Brittleby’s Corner you have a chance to win Avishi Organics Intensive Repair Oil. This oil will help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars and can help prevent stretch marks from forming on pregnant women. Read my Sponsor Spotlight to see why I love this oil and why I think you should try it!

Enter on the rafflecopter form below for a chance to win! Giveaway open to US only and will end 12/8. Good Luck!

Posted by Brittney Minor at 9:01 pm 30 Comments

Filed Under: Baby, Bath and Body, Beauty · Tagged With: oil, organic, repair, stretch mark

November 30, 2012

Winter Wonderland {Giveaway Hop} #WonderHop Ends 12/15

Welcome to the Winter Wonderland Event hosted by Andersons Angels and Joy of Momma Joyner. This Event features a little bit of everything! Each blog has gathered up a unique Prize Package of $25 or more so be sure to visit each blog from the linky below and enter for your chance to win some really amazing prizes! This event will end on December 15th at 11:59pm EST.

At Brittleby’s Corner you have the chance to win a Zeta Compress from Zeta Technology. There will be 2 Winners! If your neck, shoulders, back and face are sore, then you need to try this form of natural comfort through far-infrared therapy.

Sponsor Spotlight

Enter to win on the rafflecopter form below. There will be two winners! The Zeta Compress is valued at $29.99. Open to US only. Giveaway ends 12/15. Don’t forget to enter all the giveaways listed below! Good Luck!

Posted by Brittney Minor at 9:00 pm 35 Comments

Filed Under: Bath and Body, Health · Tagged With: far-infrared, natural

November 30, 2012

LivyBelt: the Stylish, yet Functional Belt by Olive & Nell {Review}

My daughter is 3 1/2 and she is small for her age. She’s in that in-between stage for clothes. She fits in size 2T pants but they are a little short and 3T pants are too long and a little big around the waist. Solution: the LivyBelt (and cuffing her jeans). The LivyBelt is a fashionable, stretchy waistband created by Olive & Nell. The waistband is cute but also functional because it will hold your little one’s pants up.

Wear the length that’s right.

Step into the livybelt™ and slide to the waist.

They’re comfy, stylin’ and ready to go!

The LivyBelt comes in 3 different styles and multiple patterns to choose from: Lizzy, Lexi and Lila. The fabric is pretty and colorful. The fabric is very durable and made with great quality! My daughter is now requesting a purple one! The Lizzy is 9 inches thick. The Lexi is 4.5 inches thin and the Lila is 4.5 inches thin with bow. They are are “one-size-fits-most” waists, 14″-25″ which fits most 2-10 year olds.

They also have a limited addition Lila Holiday pattern.

Your "Lila" Limited Edition Holiday Pattern

I was sent 3 belts, one of each kind. My daughter looks so cute in these! I love that they are functional and stylish! They really do hold up her pants and she is so proud of her new belts. As she gets older she will still be able to wear the belts to spruce up her dresses and add flare to her outfits. I’m just glad that these keep her pants up and she doesn’t have to keep pulling them up!

You can buy all three LivyBelts online. The Lizzy and Lexie are $16 and the Lila is $18. These would make great stocking stuffers. They are currently having a Holiday Special: buy 3 LivyBelts and get free shipping!

Connect with LivyBelt on and .

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.

Posted by Brittney Minor at 8:42 pm Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Kids, Reusable · Tagged With: belt, clothes, stylish

November 30, 2012

Sore Back, Neck or Shoulders? Use the Zeta Compress to Naturally Relieve Pain {Review/Sponsor Spotlight} #WonderHop

I have another natural pain reliever to introduce to you from Zeta Technology. The Zeta Compress is soft, stretchy and flexible, and can be applied to the neck, shoulders, back and face. The Zeta Compress is delivers precise and rapid comfort and support, along with gentle warmth, and natural far-infrared.

Zeta Compress - Click Image to Close

I first met up with Zeta Technology at the NPA Marketplace this past June. Since then I have reviewed their Zeta Stone, Zeta Disc, and Zeta Pain Relief Pack.

Zeta Technology produces a range of therapy products that provide pain and stress relief. Using unique patented technology, these products channel Far-Infrared and other energies to the body, reducing pain, swelling, and surface bruising. Use Zeta therapy products to help treat arthritis, repetitive stress injury, muscular inflammation, and to provide overall stress relief.

For more info about the compress:

As a blogger, I am at my computer for hours everyday. This created tension in my shoulders, neck and back. I have used the compress to help relieve the soreness and love that it is reusable and easy to use. To use, dampen the smooth side and apply to hairless area. The compress will stick to you till you peel it off. I had the compress on my shoulder once for hours without it moving or coming off. If you are someone that strains your neck, back, shoulders or even your face on a consistent basis, I recommend using the Zeta Compress. I have never used it on my face, but maybe I would if I had bruising or other injury to relieve the pain.

You can buy the Zeta Compress online for $29.99. Remember that this compress is reusable and will last forever! You can also buy any of the other products I have mentioned online as well. {I still absolutely love my Zeta Pain Relief Pack}

Connect with Zeta Technology on , and .

Zeta Technology is giving away 2 Zeta Compresses in the Winter Wonderland Giveaway Hop! There will be 2 winners who will each receive 1 Compress. Please come back on December 1st to enter to win. Interested in getting an extra entry? Visit Zeta Technology and tell me something you learned or another product you would like to try in a comment below.

Posted by Brittney Minor at 9:58 am 16 Comments

Filed Under: Bath and Body, Health, Made in the USA, Reusable · Tagged With: far-infrared, natural, pain, relief, stress

November 29, 2012

Tech Lovers Christmas {Giveaway Event} 3 Winners! Ends 12/10

And a Special Thanks to our Co-Host:

First Place Winner

Xbox Bundle:

Xbox 360 4GB Console

Xbox 360 has blockbuster games, HD movies and controller-free fun for everyone
Built-in Wi-Fi for easy connection to Xbox LIVE
Super quiet with sleek new design plus matching controller
Ready for the controller-free fun of Kinect

Microsoft Xbox Live Gold Subscription Card

Boaderlands Game: In a distant future, the planets at the outer edges of the galaxy have become a beacon to fortune seekers and those yearning for a better life off world.

2nd Place Winner

Google Nexus 7 Black Wi-Fi 16GB Tablet – ASUS-1B16

The Google Nexus 7 tablet computer is the world’s first Android tablet that combines the latest Android 4.1 mobile operating system with a powerful quad-core processor for high-performance computing on the go. An eye-catching 1280 x 800 high-definition display is your touchscreen interface for this Google tablet. The Google Nexus 7 tablet computer’s LED-backlit IPS panel is made from scratch-resistant glass to offer crisp images, wide viewing angles and 10-finger multi-touch support.

3rd Place Winner:

Blue Hue” Laptop Bundle with optional matching accessories:

Blue Laptop
Case/Bag
Mouse
USB Flash Drive
Headphones

For a chance to win one of these three amazing prizes enter the Rafflecopter below. The giveaway will run from 11/30 – 12/10 and is open World Wide. If the winner is outside the use they will receive an online gift card in the prize amount in place of the physical prize. NO EXCEPTIONS. Good Luck!

Posted by Brittney Minor at 9:01 pm 2 Comments

Filed Under: Electronics · Tagged With: google nexus, laptop, Xbox

November 28, 2012

Avishi Organics Intensive Repair Oil ~ Natural Way to Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks & Scars {Review/Sponsor Spotlight} #CrazyChristmas

My babies are now three and four years old! I am glad my kids are growing up, but my body still shows the marks of pregnancy! With my first born, I didn’t even get stretch marks until the last month. I only had a few when I delivered, but was upset when they started to appear in the following weeks as my belly started to return to “normal”. Within 5 months I was pregnant again and my belly never fully healed. With my second pregnancy, the stretch marks that I had, continued to spread over the next 9 months! Years later, those stretch marks have yet to disappear. I have tried creams and lotions, but after using them for weeks, I saw no difference and gave up.

So here I am today, stretch marks and all. When the opportunity came for a chance to review Avishi Organics, I jumped at the chance because I hadn’t tried anything in a while. I was curious to see if their Intensive Repair Oil would work better than the creams and lotions I had tried in the past. I didn’t know if I would like rubbing oil on my tummy everyday…

Well…I actually love using the oil! I prefer to do it at night, but since it is a part of my routine I do it every night! I really love the way the oil feels on my skin. I rub it on my tummy and hips. I have been using the oil for the last couple of months and I have seen a decrease in the appearance of dark lines. The oil also smells really good and feels soothing on my skin. The oil can also be used on scars or as a massage oil!

So what exactly is Avishi Organics and Intensive Repair Oil? Avishi is a Sanskrit word that means “from nature”. Avishi was started by a mother to be who was in search of skincare products that were free of chemicals and safe to use. She decided to start formulating her own products that would work well and work fast while being 100% natural! You can read the ingredients HERE ~ just a bunch of oils mixed together!

Our Mission

We believe that healthy skin for mamas and babies can be achieved without the use of harmful chemicals found in typical skincare products. And we believe that natural formulations can be potent, effective and results-driven. Purity matters, but so do results. That is why our products are made from 100% natural ingredients that are renowned for their therapeutic and regenerative powers for skin that is radiant and glowing with good-health.

The Intensive Repair Oil activates skin renewal to minimize the appearance of existing stretch marks and scars, as well as reduce the possibility of new marks forming during pregnancy. Avishi Organics formula contains no synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfate, or other harmful additives/chemicals. The formula is concentrated with essential fatty acids and not watered down with unnecessary fillers. It is rich in vitamins, tocopherols and other antioxidants, nourishing, healing, anti-inflammatory and skin-cell regenerating, and made from pure botanical extracts and oils. Avishi also pledges to donate 1% of their profits to The Andora Project which helps Haiti’s child protection policies.

I would recommend Avishi to any pregnant woman or to anyone that has existing stretch marks and is looking for the right product to help them. I will continue to use the repair oil until it is gone. If I ever get pregnant again I will definitely be purchasing this to keep stretch marks at bay.

You can purchase the Intensive Repair Oil on Avishi Organic’s website. The repair oil is $38.50 and should last you a month. It is recommended that you use the oil twice a day and that you should see results in 8-10 weeks.

Connect with Avishi Organics on and .

Avishi Organics will be giving away one Intensive Repair Oil in the Crazy Christmas Giveaway Hop. Come back December 1st to enter to win. Interested in an extra entry? Visit Avishi Organics and leave a comment telling me one of the ingredients used in the Intensive Repair Oil {Look for an orange tab}!

Posted by Brittney Minor at 6:09 pm 20 Comments

Filed Under: Baby, Bath and Body, Beauty, Health · Tagged With: marks, oil, organic, pregnant, repair, stretch

November 28, 2012

Recycable Gift Wrap from Earth Presents {Review/Sponsor Spotlight} #GreenChristmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Unfortunately that means a lot of waste. The Christmas season is full of presents that contain tons of packaging and on top of that, are normally wrapped to give as a gift. I recently learned that most wrapping paper is not recyclable. I use to think that it was and that at least I would recycle it after it was used. Apparently, wrapping paper has additives like metal to make it shiny which makes it unable to recycle.

Earth Presents, a division of Peace Evolutions LLC, celebrates the perfection of our Earth and recognizes the gifts that she brings us all. Our mission is to honor the past, preserve the present and protect the future by generating a fundamental shift toward environmental responsibility.

Our motto is: Recycle the Spirit of Giving™

We all make a difference. We can continue to pollute as we do on a daily basis or change habits in small but effective increments. Earth Presents provides you with an easy choice to help make positive change. We are committed to being green in every aspect of our business.

Green Presents was started in 2007, when founder Julie Littell decided that she didn’t want to have bags full of wrapping paper to throw away at Christmas time. Along with not being recyclable, most gift wrap has dyes that are not good for the environment. And most wrapping paper is not made with recycled material. Did you know that every winter holiday, North America alone uses 38,000 miles of ribbon. That’s enough to go around the world and tie a bow…wow…that’s a LOT of waste! Earth Presents made it their mission to decrease waste during the holiday seasons. Their gift wrap is made with 100% recycled content, 100% post-consumer waste and processed chlorine free. They also use vegetable-based inks which makes the gift wrap 100% recyclable. They also created custom dyed bows from 100% post-consumer content: recycled plastic bottles! Their plastic packaging is biodegradable and their mailing boxes are 100% recycled corrugate and the mailing labels use Forest Stewardship Council and recyclable adhesive.

Build a Snowman

Earth Presents carries a Holiday and Spring line of gift wrap. Their designs are inspired by the artwork of artists with disabilities. A portion of proceeds from sales of their products benefit WVSA, School for Arts in Learning. The gift wrap comes in units of two 24″ x 36″ sheets, either rolled or folded. You can also order matching gift tags and bows. They just recently started carrying greeting cards which are designed my the same artists and made with 100% recycled content and vegetable based inks.

I was sent as assortment of folded gift wrap from their holiday and spring collection. The paper is beautiful in person and select prints have a cutting grid on the back. I was sent the Snowman, Reindeer and Christmas Tress holiday gift wrap. As well as the Purple Flowers and Blue Flowers spring gift wrap. As soon as I got the gift wrap, I was able to wrap a birthday present for a friend using the Purple Flowers gift wrap. I plan on using this gift wrap for Christmas and I will either save it to reuse next year or recycle it once it has been used.

You can see how big the sheet of gift wrap is. This is almost the width of my table. I even placed a pen in the middle so you could compare the size.

A beautiful finished product!

If you plan on wrapping presents this holiday season, please consider wrapping with Earth Presents. This company is doing their best to reduce waste and provide you with an eco-friendly alternative.

You can buy Earth Presents gift wrap, bows, gift tags and greeting cards online. The gift wrap is $5 for the 2 units, but you can add matching bows for $2.20, and 5 matching gift tags for $2. The greeting cards are $5 for a set of 10 with envelopes. Your school or church can also do a fundraiser selling Earth Presents, making 45% of all sales. The ordering process can be done online too making it an easy fundrasier.

Connect with Earth Presents on .

Earth Presents is giving away a 4 Rolls of Wrapping Paper with matching tags and bows {Winner’s Choice of prints; valued at $37) in the Green Christmas Gift Hop. Interested in an extra entry? Visit Earth Presents and leave a comment telling me a print you would choose if you won.

Posted by Brittney Minor at 9:00 am 21 Comments

Filed Under: Reusable · Tagged With: christmas, gift, paper, present, recycled, wrapping

November 27, 2012

Woolino Baby Sleep Bag {Giveaway Event} 2 Winners #woolinobaby Ends 12/26

When you first have a baby, you want them to stay warm at night, but putting blankets in their crib can cause lead to suffocation. So we are posed with the question of how do we keep them warm? There is no better way than a cozy baby sleep sack. Unfortunately so many of those on the market are made of synthetic materials that can cause the baby to overheat and actually increase the risk factor for SIDS. Woolino comes to the rescue by creating all natural 100% Australian merino wool baby sleep bags that keep baby warm at night in any season.

Woolino merino baby sleep bags have a host of amazing features, from being super easy to clean to having a convenient harness slot to use during travel. It is compact and warm, perfect at home or on the go. Snaps on both shoulders and an inverted zipper make dressing and diaper changes easier. Underarm snaps make it adjustable to fit small babies. Your baby will be comfortable in a Woolino 4 Season baby sleep bag in temperatures ranging from 63 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a travel bag, room thermometer, and it is in a plastic-free, ready-to-gift package which makes it perfect for a baby shower or Christmas!

Our Favorite Features:

Fits babies 3 to 24 months
Seat belt slot for easy transfer from car to crib
Naturally anti-microbial, anti-fungal
Naturally fire resistant without the use of harsh chemicals
Regulates temperature
Made with sustainable and 100% natural Australian merino wool
GOTS certified organic cotton outer
Machine washable
Super soft on baby’s skin

Purchase: The 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bags retail for $119.99 each, you can purchase it on the Woolino website. They also make toddler sleep sacks for kids 2 to 4 years old! The Woolino sleep bags are also available on .

Win One! Woolino is blessing two of you with a 2013 Collection Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag in size 3 to 24 months, one reader will win Sage and another Spring (both gender neutral).

Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends December 27th at 12:01 am, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!

Posted by Brittney Minor at 10:18 pm 3 Comments

Filed Under: Baby · Tagged With: sack, sleep, wool

November 27, 2012

Green Christmas Gift {Giveaway Hop} #GreenChristmas Ends 12/7

Welcome to the Green Christmas Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering, Going Green with Grizls and The Reynolds Mom. 40+ members of the Green Moms Network have come together to offer you tons of chances to win green-themed Christmas gifts! There’s sure to be something for everyone on your list. We hope you’ll discover some great new brands to add to your Christmas list too! Below my entry form, you’ll see the other giveaways to enter as well as information about entering to win the Grand Prize!

Our hosts are featuring 5 fabulous grand prize packages from these green and natural brands: For Your Bug-a-Boo, Blue Manatee Boxes, Bulk Herb Store, Snug Bug Diapers, Nosefrida, My Pretty Playhouse, Wonder Forge, Kelly Kits, Kerrific Online, LibreTea, Grounds for Change, Zulka Sugar, Justin’s Nut Butters, Better Life, ReuseIt, Strawesome, generationMe, Soybu, Purely Gorgeous, A Mothers Design, Dr. Bronner’s and Xmittens!

Click here to enter the grand prize!

At Brittleby’s Corner you have the chance to win an amazing eco-friendly prize pack for your kids. Your kids will be kept busy for hours painting and creating artwork. Also, this package contains recyclable wrapping paper to wrap these gifts and more! You can win:

An eco-friendly art kit from Artterro {$19.95}

Sponsor Spotlight

***Use code “BRITTART20″ for 20% off any order at Artterro.***

Wool Felt Bug Kit

All natural Paint Kit from Earth Paint {$17}

Sponsor Spotlight

Recyclable gift wrap from Earth Presents {$37}

Sponsor Spotlight

Snowman

Enter on the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win this $74 eco-friendly gift package in the Green Christmas Gifts Giveaway Hop. This giveaway is open to US only and will end 12/7. Don’t forget to enter all the giveaways below on the linky. Good Luck!

Posted by Brittney Minor at 9:54 pm 48 Comments

Filed Under: Kids, Play · Tagged With: craft, paint

November 27, 2012

Eco-Friendly Crafts from Artterro {Review/Sponsor Spotlight} #GreenChristmas

My kids love to do crafts. The hardest thing about crafts is the prep work. This is why I love finding all inclusive craft kits! Artterro takes it one step further and has created a line of eco-friendly art kits! Not only are the products eco-friendly, but the packaging is made of 100% post-consumer waste recycled boxes which are manufactured in Wisconsin at Green Bay Packaging. Every kit comes with a bonus project since the box can be turned into a frame for finished artwork.

Sustainable - No Wasteful Packaging

What Sustainability Means to Us

We founded Artterro with important core beliefs. We are committed to using as few resources as possible, respecting and enjoying the company of the people we work with, and taking into account the social and environmental impact we have on the planet and community at home. We will always strive to offer worthwhile, affordable products that encourage friends and family to connect with each other and the very human need to create beauty in our lives.

Artterro is committed to sustainability. All their packaging is made in the US, and they pride themselves on providing jobs here in the US. Their packaging is made with recycled products and vegetable based inks. The natural materials in the kits are 100% wool felt, 100% post-consumer waste decorative handmade paper, glass and wooden beads, cotton thread, hand batiked cotton fabric, and copper wire. The materials are high-quality, not junk that you will want to toss right away.

I was sent the Art Dolls Kit and the Wool Felt Bugs Kit for my kids. The materials are beautifully made and I love all the bright colors. My kids are a little too young for these crafts, but I was able to help them.

You can see all the beautiful colors used in the kits. I don’t have any finished artwork to display, but they are working on it! I can’t wait to hang up their work on the walls! My son will probably want to play with his bugs and my daughter will probably want to play with her dolls, so maybe I won’t have anything to hang up after all. These kits are meant for ages 7+, but with the help from an adult, younger children can work on these crafts. There are small beads and the kits do come with needles, so ideally older children will be able to be creative all on their own!

You can see some of the bugs and dolls below!

Wool Felt Bug Kit Art Dolls

You can buy these kits online and some select stores. Most kits cost $19.95, but they have products ranging from $12.95 to $26.95, including Art Journal Kits.

***Use code “BRITTART20” for 20% off any order at Artterro.***

Connect with Artterro on and .

Artterro is giving away a Art Kit {Winner’s Choice valued at $19.95} in the Green Christmas Gift Hop. Come back November 28th for a chance to win this eco-freindly package. Interested in an extra entry? Visit Artterro and leave a comment telling me which art kit you would choose if you won.