four little monkeys: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

ENDED Snack Taxi Giveaway

How many ziploc baggies does the average family go through every year? In the US alone it is estimated that 380 BILLION pastic bags, sacks, and wraps go to waste every year. That is a lot of trash in our landfills, and that makes for far too much trash in our cans!

SnackTAXI is the newest way that I have found to reduce my Ziploc habit. Here is how Erin, the owner and creator of SnackTAXI says everything got started.

"I invented snackTAXIs as a way to stem the tide of plastic ziplock bags that flowed from our house to the landfill when our 3 kids started school! We pack over 500 lunches every year, and had definatey fallen prey to the easy appeal of the ziplock bag.

snackTAXIs are easy too- really! They are made in our home-based workshop by talented (and fun!) local sewers- we are committed to keeping our business local, and will never outsource our labor.

We hope you'll enjoy using snackTAXIs as much as we enjoy making them!"

Erin's ingenious sacks come in 3 sizes so whether you're packing a sammy or need some pretzels on the run, there is a size that will suit your needs. They are machine washable, which makes them every mom's friend. I don't know about you, but if I find a product that works great but isn't easy to maintain it really puts me off. So, kudos for making these mom friendly, Erin! With adorable cotton outsides and a waterproof inner lining, SnackTAXI has everything you'll never miss from those plastic baggies!

Check out some of the adorable designs that are offered.

These have become our new diaper bag staples, and if you're actively making that carbon footprint smaller, you need to try them out! To help one lucky reader in their efforts SnackTAXI is giving away 1 sandwich-sack & 1 snack-sack!

How To Enter: Go to SnackTAXI's website and tell me which is your favorite pattern. {THIS IS MANDATORY. PLEASE, INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS}

Extra Entries: Please leave in separate comments
-follow me
-add me on twitter and tweet this contest: (GrabBagReviews)
-add my button to your sidebar
-post about this contest on your blog
-subscribe to Grab Bag Reviews (top left)
-"stumble" this contest
-fave me on technorati

Contest ends April 14th. Please leave your email address.

SkinMD and Kidsafe Ink Winner!

Congratulations to our 2 latest winners, April and shopannies!

Skin MD Winner


: I added your button!
aprilsmail at gmail dot com; Mar 18, 2009 11:06:00 AM

Kidsafe Ink Winner

shopannies said... 11: I like the heart tatoos
shopannies@Yahoo.com; Feb 27, 2009 7:28:00 PM

Monday, March 30, 2009

It's Monday All Over Again

This weekend commenced the first full week of Spring, and guess what I got? LOTS OF SNOW! We woke up Sunday to about 4 inches of snow on the ground after a while day and night of pouring down rain. There are still remnants on the ground, but mostly it's melted already. I can honestly say I've never ushered in Spring in quite the same way!

This week is going to be a busy busy week here at Grab Bag. I have some great reviews coming up form the like of Mam and Boon and some awesome giveaways that you'll want to be sure to enter. Keep your eyes peeled for all the fun that's coming! And make sure you enter all of our current giveaways before they're over!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Born 2 Impress

Newborn babies are beautiful, soft, squishy... and they all look a whole heck of a lot alike! I can't even begin to count the number of times that my boys were mistaken as girls, and I even remember one time when I was out with both of them, and my baby was dressed all in blue, blue socks on, and someone said what a pretty little girl he was!

If you have a little girl, I'm sure you've already bought a plethora of hair bows and headbands to make these moments less frequent. But the most adorable girly accessories I've found are at Born 2 Impress. Jennifer, the creator of Born 2 Impress, started making things for her little girl and after her collection had grown, started her website at the bidding of her husband. That to me says volumes. If someone is making things for their own child and loves them so much that they just HAVE to put it out there for the rest of us, then you know it's a product to love, and it comes already mom approved!

With sweet headbands, one of a kind hats and headwraps, clippies, and a plethora of other accessories, you can doll your little girl up with these unique designs! And don't worry, there are plenty of beautiful things, like totes and purses, to choose from for your older girls too. Check out Born 2 Impress for all your girly accessory needs.

CLOSED Radius Toothbrush Giveaway

Hygiene is an all-important part of life, and it's one of the hardest things to teach and keep up with our kiddos. I, myself, have a hard time remembering to brush my teeth and floss and gargle every day, let alone the twice a day that is recommended.

I recently switched to the Radius toothbrush, and this makes keeping up with mine and kids oral hygene so much easier! The base of the brush is much wider, which means that it get all of your teeth (front, back, sides) all at the same time. It also massages your gum which helps with oral health. It cuts brushing time in half, and I swear my teeth have never felt cleaner! With the boys it makes it fun. The brushes look different, are angeled, and come in fun colors so it's brought a new twist to regular brushing, and, because I'm not having to pry their mouths open, I have been able to clean their teeth more efficiently and in a shorter period of time.

Another reall unique fact is that Radius toothbrushes are made user specific, meaning if you're left handed they have a specific brush for lefties. It sits at the perfect agle to reach the maximum amount of surface area, with the least amount of effort. I really do love these, and will never go back to standard brushes again! With 6 gorgeous colors to choose from, you can have a different color for everyone in your family.

Don't like the look or feel of the Original Radius? They have several other options as well. The Scuba is very similar to the Original, but with a rubber handle for easy gripping, and 6 more colors to pick from. Then there is the intelligent which has a 2 minute timer and 3 months Wear Meter, or the Source that uses replaceable heads and is made of recycled dollar bills or flax. And Radius has yummy cranberry flavored floss that is made of silk and beeswax. Sounds decadent, no? And right now, if you purchase 2 Radius brushes, you get a FREE subscription to Organic Gardening magazine!

Want to win a Radius for yourself?

How To Enter: Go to Radius' website and tell me which is your favorite color. {THIS IS MANDATORY. PLEASE, INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS}

Contest ends April 17th. Please leave your email address.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

We All Love See Kai Run!

My friend Brandi of the Hip Hippo has a See Kai Run giveaway going on right now. See Kai Run is my absolute FAVORITE brand of kids shoes, so make sure you get all of your entries in! They recently released 11 new styles in their spring line, so even if you think you've seen all of their amazing stuff the selection has grown. Don't forget to poke around the rest of the Hip Hippo to learn more about Brandi and her adorable kiddos. And to see what I think of See Kai Run CLICK HERE!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wordless Wednesday

Rob Pattinson. Yum-o! I wonder if he tastes like vanilla?

It's The Simple Things That Mean The Most

While on vacation last week, I spent a a lot of time away from Grab Bag, and it gave me some much needed perspective. I am probably the most unorganized person under the sun (thus the Constructive Chaos tagline) and that can cause me to really lose focus of what my priorities are and, more importantly, what they should be. I realized how much time I was wasting and how inefficient I was at my housework, blogging, and taking care of myself. It also really opened my eyes to the amount and quality of time I was spending with my boys, as opposed to the what it could have been.

This morning we made muffins. Well, I made muffins while the boys salivated, but I still involved them in the process. I mixed, they tasted, my oldest threw away the garbage, and we all set the timer and then subsequently ran to the kitchen when it beeped. Then we all enjoyed our fresh warm muffins together.

Time. It's such a precious commodity, and one we treat as though we'll never have enough of it. I heard a quote while I was driving home that said (and I'm paraphrasing), "God gives us enough time in everyday to do everything he wants us to." How about that! We are given exactlly the right amount of time, and if we squander it, waste it, misuse it... that's OUR fault.

I don't want to wish there were more hours in my day. I want to use the hours, minutes, and seconds that I have to their full potential.

What are some ways that you use your time wisely, and how do you keep your priorities straight?

Monday, March 23, 2009

ENDED Autographed Music Giveaway: Corneille

I'm a music lover. Always have been, always will. My husband also loves to shake his groove thang to nice tunes but the problem is that, like most things in our lives, we're on opposite ends of the music spectrum. He moves fluidly from Al Green to Matisyahu and I jump from Indie Hanson to Paramore. I've often wondered if we could ever find an artist that we would both agree on.

Music Moms sent me a new CD, The Birth of Cornelius, to review just before we took our vacation and I didn't even open the package until I was getting the car put together. I figured I would surprise The Hubby with some new tunes. Being influenced by the likes of Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and John Legend I assumed Corneille would be an artist that The Hubby could get into. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all music, but I didn't know how I would take to new R&B, not being a superfan of it to begin with.

We were on the road for just a few minutes and I popped open the CD and slid it into the player. The Hubby raised an eyebrow waiting for some girly sound, but I told him not to worry, it was his type of music. The first song on The Birth of Cornelius is titled Back To Life, and it starts in with a nice soulful beat that put both of our heads to bobbing. The tag line from the song that got me was "Woman, you loved me back to life". That really is powerful! Every song kept up with the same emotional depth and raw honesty in the lyrics. Corneille's honey smooth voice releases sounds that are easy to listen to and easy to get lost in. Before we knew it we had finished the entire CD and started it over again!

With a tragic but triumphant life story, Corneille tells, through his music, the story of his loss, love, and liberation. He is bringing his amazing sound to America for the first time, and even in his lyrics he conveys how much promise he sees here, and the hope that America holds for so many around the world. When I heard the line quoted below while listening to A Man Of This World it made me think of the ideal melting pot that we are supposed to be. It made me feel hope and promise for our country from out country because of the place we claim to be. So let's give Corneille a warm welcome. Check out his website and listen to clips of his songs. I've given you a wonderful video of the first song on the album.

So the next place I stop
Will be the land of the free
A place where a million of colors and dreams dwell
Sounds like a place to me, where someone might understand
Just who I am, who I am

So, if you liked that video (and I know you did!) you now have a chance to win this AUTOGRAPHED CD!! By the way, did I mention he is such a handsome man!!

How To Enter: Go to Corneille's website and tell me which is your favorite song. {THIS IS MANDATORY. PLEASE, INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS}

Contest ends April 13th. Please leave your email address.

The Rest of Our Baby Fever Winners!

Baby Fever Week Day #3 Winner - Crane and Kushies

.♥.Charlotte.♥. (Life's a Charm!) said... 105

: i subscribe; Mar 5, 2009 5:05:00 PM

Baby Fever Week Day #4 Winner - Bug & Pickle and Mama Mio

Angela said... 44: Other than the Goodbye Stretch Marks, I could use the Boob Tube.; Mar 19, 2009 3:26:00 PM

Baby Fever Week Day #5 Winner - Natural Mat, Mod Mum, Kuster

Kaitlin said... 73

: I'm a subscriber.

kaitlinklaas[at]gmail[dot]com; Mar 8, 2009 3:10:00 PM

Baby Fever Week Day #6 Winners - Bagshot Row Bamboo Diapers
{3 winners!}

Chloe said... 143

: Blog Follower

springshoot5@aol.com; Mar 14, 2009 8:20:00 PM

valerie2350 said... 51

: email subscriber; Mar 7, 2009 11:48:00 PM

Kelly said... 78: I am also a subscriber; Mar 8, 2009 2:58:00 PM

Baby Fever Week Day #7 Winner - Monster Fluff Studios, Mutsy, Fresh Baby

April said... 73: I've got your button!
aprilsmail (at) gmail (dot) com; Mar 22, 2009 4:19:00 PM

We're Back!

What a whirlwind week it was! I know I was MIA around here for the most part, but there is nothing like actually vacationing while you're on your vacation. Sometimes batteries just need to be recharged, and mine are at full power now!

So, with that said, I'm going to be announcing the remainder of our Baby Fever Week winners today. Cross your fingers, say your prayers, chant, meditatee, whatever it is that you do and you'll know soon if you've won!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

ENDED Ecostore USA Giveaway

In my search to go green, I have tried a lot of different products. For cleaning I've tried the name brands that claim to be green {but still smell an awful lot like chemicals!}, I've tried the top organic brands cleaning supplies, I've tried Bronner's Magic Soaps, and I've even made my own. Health and beauty products offer even more alternatives than cleaning, so you can imagine how many of those options I've tried. One of my all time favorite brands is a company that is new to the US. Ecostore USA is a company that originated in Australia and is now bringing their spectacular line of eco-friendly cleaners and health and beauty products to the US through Meijer.

Everything that they manufacter is made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, free of toxic chemicals, and giving people environmentally safe solutions that also help to reduce our carbon footprint. Here is a list of my favorite products from Ecostore USA.

Dish Liquid - Ahhhh, this stuff is AMAZING! I live in the stone-age. I don't have a dishwasher. And the worst part is? I HATE WASHING DISHES! The Ecostore Dish Liquid cut through all the crap on my dishes, and I wet my sponge when I first started scrubbing and the bubbles and cleaning power lasted through my entire ENORMOUS load of dishes. You see that picture? Those are all of the dishes that I washed with one teaspoon sized squirt of the Ecostore Dish Liquid. Half way through the load, I was impressed, and as I neared the end my mouth was hanging open. I even dropped it in the dirty dish water, rang it out, and it still had bubbles and cleaning power in it! My favorite!!

Laundry Liquid - I love the dish liquid, but the laundry liquid runs a close second! At first I thought the bottle was small, and that I wouldn't be able to get many loads out of it, but you only use a few tablespoons, and it does an amazing job! This combined with their Pure Oxygen Whitener has my clothes smelling, looking, and feeling cleaner than I've ever seen them.

Pure Oxygen Whitener - This is a color safe whitener that does wonders on stains. If I have a particularly grungy load, I throw in a few tablespoon, let the load sit for 30 minutes or so, and then start it. It's magic! And best of all, you don't have to use that pricey, chemical layden oxygen cleaner anymore!

Naturally Antibacterial Spray Cleaner - This is an all-purpose cleaner that is great to use in kitchens, bathrooms, or any other hard surface. When I first sprayed this on my kitchen counters, I wiped it with a slightly damp microfiber towel, and then had to sniff the counter to make sure there was something more than water in here! It cleaned everything right up, but the scent is so minimal that I had to search for it! The days of spraying cleaners to make it smell like you were hard at work are over!

Baby Na ppy Balm - Nappies {a.k.a. diapers to us Americans} can cause painful rashes. Thankfully, we haven't dealt with one since using Ecostore's Nappy Balm, but that's the whole point. You apply this balm at every diaper change to prevent diaper rash!

Manuka Honey & Kelp Soap - I love the light, clean scent of this soap. It lathers nicely and rinses clean, leaving behind the faintest hint of sweetness.

Manuka & Sandalwood Shampoo and Conditioner - This yummy scented shampoo and conditioner combo has the lightest scent of rich sandalwood. This is one of my favorite earthy smells, and the manuka compliments it nicely. The shampoo washes clean easily, and the conditioner leaves your hair smooth and tangle free without feeling weighed down.

These and so many more great products can be found on the Ecostore website. Right now, when you checkout from Ecostore's online selection you get a $2 off coupon good towards any purchase an Meijer! This in honor of their big kick off they are having with Meijer stores.

Can't wait to buy it? Want to win it? Ecostore USA is letting me give one of my readers my 2 favorite products! So the winner of this giveaway will be getting Ecostore's Dish Liquid and Laundry Liquid. FABULOUS!

How To Enter: Go to Ecostore USA's website and then tell me one other product that you would love to try. {THIS IS MANDATORY. PLEASE, INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS}