Koala Fuzz...

..blues buster..

2012-01-05T11:43:00.001-06:00

Want to win some free stuff? Then you don't want to miss the giveaways here starting next month! A whole big giveaway-palooza sure to chase away the winter blues! I'll post a new blog button next week to give you an opportunity to earn extra entries, so subscribe now! You don't want to miss this!

..2012 approaches..

2011-12-28T14:32:00.000-06:00

Hard to believe it's almost the end of 2011. My holiday break is coming to an end. The bakery was so incredibly busy these last two weeks. One day we even sold 36 dozen cupcakes before lunch! That's a lotta frosting! :) But the holidays have been great, and it was wonderful getting to spend it all with J and the girls. They had lots of fun this year, actually getting to open their own present, and getting their first visit from Santa.

So what does 2012 hold for the blog? Well, I have lots of new reviews and giveaways coming up, so make sure you're subscribed so you won't miss anything. Also, there will be more projects and recipes, as one of my resolutions is to take more time for myself, and do what I like to do! :)

So I wish you all a very Happy New Year, and I'll see you in 2012! :)

..cut-ups..

2011-12-22T21:43:00.000-06:00

..how to decorate a tree at a bakery..

2011-12-13T16:36:00.001-06:00

With cupcake ornaments of course! And I found this pink tree which just fits perfectly with the shop. Thank goodness for the cupcake craze which made decorating the shop easier :)

..christmas wish list..

2011-12-04T12:09:00.000-06:00

So you want to hear my ridiculous Christmas wish list? It's a hard one! If you can make any of these happen, let me know! I'd like:

*More spare time
*J to get the job that he has an interview for on Dec. 13
*Our local library to stay open a bit later
*Better organization skills
*Someone to find me the perfect tile for my kitchen so I don't have to look at a bare backsplash anymore

So, can anyone help me out with that? :)

..pow wow..

2011-11-25T22:23:00.000-06:00

Wanna see something too funny? :)

..wham..

2011-11-06T23:40:00.000-06:00

That's what it felt like when 'tired' hit me today. Not really sure why. I slept a decent amount last night, unless it wasn't good sleep. Not sure.. But today I have been so draggy. I meant to do lots of housework today. Nope.

Tiredness could be a result of chasing two pretty, spunky, wild little girls all over the place. Preventing paper eating, toy stealing, water spilling and sock hiding. And it couldn't be better kind of tired :)

..mad about..

2011-10-31T11:40:00.003-05:00

Plaid! I am so digging some plaid right now. Apparently the rest of the world is too, because this pattern is popping up all over the place this season. I actually watched an episode of "Wow Wow Wubbzy" earlier today, and they visited a city where everything was plaid, lol.

LOVE this plaid dress and plaid coat..

Tell me how long getting these done would take?! But they're really cool!

Plaid boots for a rainy day? Yes, please!

This is a really neat way to do plaid on a cake without it being too busy..

And what about plaid bridesmaids' dresses?

These little plaid candy earrings are just adorable!

So what do you think, are you a plaid person? :)

*All photos courtesy of and linked to their respective owners*

..more to shop for at eden fantasys..

2011-10-30T18:51:00.000-05:00

When you think of EdenFantasys, you may only think about intimate items for couples. But they have so much more than just that! Need something to spice up your wardrobe? They also have a lot of great choices for clothing and lingerie.

I really like this purple Rock top, especially the longer length. I think the shape would be really flattering if you were a size 2 or a size 12. I'm really into leggings this fall, and this would be perfect with a pair!

And this Splashy top is really cute too, I love the sleeves. I would wear it with jeans, but it's so cute with the white shorts.. very summery!

I'm not one who likes to show a lot of skin, so these are great for keeping covered, while still being a little flirty. They also have some really pretty gowns, and their sizes range from Small to XXLarge, so most everyone is sure to find something in a comfortable fit!

Want better news? EdenFantasys gives you a free gift with every order, and you can get free shipping with orders over $59.00. They even have a Wish List option, so you can pick out things you'd like, then drop a hint. Christmas is right around the corner you know!

..cakeface..

2011-10-17T22:35:00.000-05:00

I took lots and lots of photos, and still have lots to share.. but I couldn't resist giving you a little showing..

Before; a taste test:

After; taste test passed:

Hooray!

..fun monday 10/17..

2011-10-17T12:06:00.000-05:00

Since Monday is the only day of the week I have home from the bakery, and now that I have a totally working computer (*knocks on wood*) then I'd like to do something special. So I thought Fun Monday would be, well, fun! :)

Here are the rules.. don't worry, they're not too strict :)

1. Search the web and find something fun! It could be a craft, a recipe, a new online boutique, or anything. Then make a post on your blog about Fun Monday and link to your fun find!

2. Come back here and leave a link to YOUR blog post about Fun Monday!

3. Visit other bloggers' Fun Monday posts and leave them some love.

4. Tell your friends! :)

If you'd like, you can grab the Fun Monday button and post it on your blog if you'd like.

So for today, I give you my fun find..

Check out that adorable stitched project. It was made by mj for the September Stitch-Along over at Feeling Stitchy! I love love love this site. They do a different stitch-along every month, and the patterns are always oh-so-cute. And it's really neat to see how different the projects turn out, because everyone has a different style! The pattern is free, and you can see the patterns from the past months too. Go check it out, and get to stitchin'!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to mj and feelingstitchy.com*

..cuteness squared..

2011-09-27T21:56:00.000-05:00

I finally got the girls' 9-month photos back.

Next month, 1 year!!!

..fun monday 9/26..

2011-09-26T10:19:00.000-05:00

Look at these sweet little felt bows! They were created by Disney on her blog Ruffles & Stuff! She shares a tutorial and shows just how easy they are to make. Check out her blog, she makes all kinds of adorable stuff.

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to www.rufflesandstuff.com*

..fun monday 9/19..

2011-09-19T12:38:00.000-05:00

Want to do some fun pirate-y stuff? Here ya go, lots of links!

*Go here to download a printable pirate paper doll

*Here you can find instructions on how to make a Pirate Party set

*How about a toilet paper roll pirate castle?

*Everyone should have their own pirate hat!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com*

..beach babies beach babies..

2011-09-13T11:32:00.000-05:00

There in the sand!! :) We're on vacation in Destin at the moment, and we're all loving it. Yes, I actually took a vacation from the shop. I had to, I needed a break!

So that means it's time for super cute beach photos :)

..dirty little lunch faces..

2011-09-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

11 months old tomorrow.. I just can't hardly stand it.

Piper

Layla

..fun monday 8/29..

2011-08-29T10:20:00.000-05:00

These would be great as a pin, in a little girl's hair, or you could use them for lots of other craft projects. There are all kinds of other great tutorials at Little Birdie Secrets, you should check them out!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com*

..simple green review & giveaway..

2011-08-28T15:07:00.001-05:00

**THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING**

Recently I was sent a sample of Simple Green to try and review.

Simple Green is a non-toxic and biodegradable cleaner that comes in several strengths and variates, including those for every day household use, non-abrasive stone cleaner, pet stain & odor remover and more.

I was sent a bottle of concentrated Original Simple Green along with a dilution bottle and instructions so that I could choose the strength that I wanted to use. I mixed up a bottle of regular strength and went around looking for things that needed cleaning. Here's a short video of me cleaning the bathtub.

As you can see, it cleaned up that mess really easily. One day I went to get my Simple Green cleaner from the closet and it wasn't there. My husband had taken it and had been using it while he was working on his car. He had taken my bottle and amped it up to extra strength. He used it for everything from cleaning car parts to pouring it onto greasy spots on our driveway. My husband and I can now both recommend Simple Green. We definitely put it to the test ourselves and were very pleased with the results.

Giveaway
One person will win the same thing that I received, a 32oz. bottle of concentrated Original Simple Green, a dilution bottle and instructions.

How to Enter
-Visit the Simple Green website and tell me which cleaner you could use in your home. (1 entry)
-Be a follower with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
-Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (1 entry)
-Follow Simple Green on Twitter (1 entry)
-Follow Simple Green on Facebook (1 entry)
-Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done 2x a day for 1 entry each)

Giveaway is open to US only. Entries must be received by Sunday, September 11, 2011.

*All photos courtesy of SimpleGreen.com. I received product for review and was not monetarily compensated in any way.

..costumes at eden fantasys..

2011-08-22T23:14:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that it's almost Fall again. One of my favorite things about Fall is Halloween! Last year I didn't get to dress up because I had two newborn little bitties at home, but this year I can. I was browsing EdenFantasys and saw they had some cute (and sexy) costumes. Some of them are more revealing than others, and I haven't shed all of my baby weight yet, lol. But there were lots of them that had great coverage, like this Pirate Wench costume! I love the hat!

I also really like this Cougar Catsuit costume, and the Eskimo costume.

Even if you're not in the market for a costume, they have lots of other items too. I found some beeswax aromatherapy candles with a nutmeg scent that I bet smell amazing! And this Chemistry Bubble Bath set is just too cute!

Scents like Lemon Mint and Rose, yum! Give me the bubbles and the candles surrounding the tub, and don't disturb me for half an hour!! :) So check out EdenFantasys for all kinds of fun stuff, even if you're not Halloween shopping. They have so many different products that I'm sure you'll find something you like!

*All photos courtesy of EdenFantasys

..getting some early shopping done..

2011-08-20T15:32:00.000-05:00

Vera Bradley is having an extra sale this weekend only. Through tomorrow (Sunday) you can take an additional 20% off everything in the sale section! No code necessary. And some of the sale colors are cheaper than the others, so you can get an even better deal.

With the extra 20% off, this On the Go hobo purse is less than $22.00, regularly $65.00! Pretty good deal.

..fun monday 8/15..

2011-08-15T10:58:00.001-05:00

Will be here shortly.. I have a dentist appointment!

ETA: I got caught out shopping today.. not like you were really waiting on this Fun Monday anyway, right?

..fun monday 8/1..

2011-08-01T20:50:00.002-05:00

I ~~stalk~~ follow a blog called The Crepes of Wrath, where you can find all sorts of great recipes, with lots of step by step instructions (and pictures, for people like me who need to SEE what it's supposed to look like!). There's a cinnamon roll recipe on there that I am also really dying to try out..

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to crepesofwrath.net*

..go-to meals..

2011-07-31T20:44:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of weeknights where I just don't feel like putting a lot of effort into dinner. I don't mind cooking, I just don't want to make something that has a lot of steps, or that involves me standing in front of the stove for a long time. So here's a list of some of my 30-minute or less meals..

~Sloppy Joes, mashed potatoes (instant if I'm really tired, Idahoan Golden Buttery are pretty good), and a veggie
~Kielbasa and kraut (slice up the kielbasa, throw it in a deep saucepot with the kraut to heat through), mashed potatoes, and Bush's black eyed peas.
~Taco Pie (recipe to follow soon)
~Breakfast dinner which consists of pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs
~Stuffed baked potatoes, especially good if we have leftover BBQ meat

So what are some of your quickie meals? Share, especially if you have a recipe to it! :)

..pureayre review..

2011-07-24T16:16:00.000-05:00

Between my husband and the girls, there are LOTS of odors that can happen in my house. So I was really excited when I was contacted by the company PureAyre to do a review for their odor eliminating spray. PureAyre is different than other odor eliminating sprays because it contains no toxic chemicals or artificial fragrances, but instead is made with plant-derived enzymes. This was really important to me because I don't want toxic chemicals around my kids. Also, it doesn't just get rid of bad smells, it actually cleans the air at the same time, helping you to breathe easier.

PureAyre sent me their Odor Eliminator for Baby, and I was really excited to try it. I can tell you, I really put it to the test... diaper pails, burp cloths that had been spit up on, crib sheets and even the carpet in their bedroom. Knowing that PureAyre is enzymed-based, making it the only food-grade odor eliminator available, I had no reservations about using it around the girls. I was very, very happy with the results. It definitely got rid of the bad smells, and kept them away, it didn't just cover them up. Hours after spraying, the smell was still gone, and it never came back.

Another unexpected test came about when my husband accidentally spilled some gasoline in the back of his car. (ETA: He wanted me to put that it was 2-cycle weed-eater gas, because he said that is actually stinkier than regular gas) He was going to have to drive the girls around later that day, so he knew he needed to get the smell out of the car. He rolled down his windows, and blasted the air for a while. Then I suggested he try the PureAyre spray. He sprayed the carpet that the gas had spilled on, as well as the air inside the car. After a couple of hours he went back and could tell a huge difference in the smell. By the time he left with the girls, the smell was almost completely gone.

If you want to get your own PureAyre, then you can buy online, or find it in a few select retailers. You can also check them our on Twitter and Facebook!

*All photos courtesy of PureAyre.com. I was sent a sample for review purposes, and was not monetarily compensated in any way.

..fun monday 7/18..

2011-07-18T11:14:00.000-05:00

Sew cute right? :) This is one pattern that I definitely see making. It's pretty simple, and you can do all kinds of variations with the buttons!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to craftinessisnotoptional.com*

..t-shirt printing review..

2011-07-18T01:21:00.003-05:00

Recently I had the opportunity to review a product from a cool company called TShirtPrinting.net. They're an online company based in the UK, and are all about, you guessed it, screen printing! They can take your logo and put it on a number of different t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, camis, polos, hats, and much more. They can even embroider your logo as well!

TShirtPrinting.net sent me one of their printed t-shirts to wear and review. The first thing I noticed about the shirt when I put it on was the weight. This was not some thin, flimsy, feeling shirt. It was a quality weight without being so thick that it was hot or heavy. Another thing was that the shirt was soft, even before I washed it. The screen printing on the shirt was also really nice. The colors were vibrant.

So if you need printed shirts for work, sports, or even for a fashion line, then contact TShirtPrinting.net, and see what they can do for you!

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.

..fun monday 7/11..

2011-07-11T20:34:00.000-05:00

Ok, so apparently I think I'm still on Monday vacation. Sorry to be late with this week's Fun Monday! I actually had to go into the shop today for a bit and then we had the girls' 9 month pics taken today.

And these..

And there's TONS more lovely little jigglies to look at, recipes included. So cool! I'm guessing with some tweaking, you could make them without the alcohol, which would be great for kids. I might have to try some for the girls' 1st birthday!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

*All photo credit to jelly-shot-test-kitchen.blogspot.com*

..gerber baby contest..

2011-07-05T20:18:00.002-05:00

So I entered the girls in the Gerber Baby Contest. If you have a Facebook page and can spare a couple of votes, I would greatly appreciate it :) They each have their own voting page so that you can vote for both of them, and you can vote once per day for the next 27 days :)

Piper is here

Layla is here

..happy 4th..

2011-07-04T19:09:00.000-05:00

Wishing all of my American friends a safe and happy 4th. Giving big thanks to all of the veterans and troops who make it possible for us to celebrate.

..what i'm doing tonight..

2011-07-02T12:08:00.001-05:00

Won't be around for the rest of today. I'll be driving to Nashville to eat some good food, and then I'll be going to watch...

Bono and The Edge live and in person.. but in Nashville, not Milan unfortunately. Still, I am be-yond excited :D

..need something to do?..

2011-06-28T23:06:00.000-05:00

I am a tutorial HOUND! I love tuts, and thought maybe some of you do too. So I thought maybe I would compile some of my faves. But I didn't want to just throw a bunch of them at you all willy nilly.. because let me tell you, tutorial posting is not the time to be willy nilly. Yes, willy nilly does have it's time and place.

Anyway, I thought I would put together some categories. That's how I would want to see them.. Wanna start with some kids' projects?

Faux Tie @ icandy handmade
A-Frame Tent @ Cakies
Fish Hat @ Knitty
Ruffle Leg Pants @ the Sewing Dork
Ruffle Sunsuit @ little betty
Fish-in-a-Bag Soap @ Martha Stewart
Softie Doll @ 60piggies
Popcorn Cupcakes @ Under the Table and Dreaming
Little Legwarmers @ Smashed Peas and Carrots
Little Boy Shorts @ Taylor Made
Monogram Bow Holder @ Momma's Kinda Crafty
Fabric Blocks @ Ruby Jane's

Go... create... have fun :)

..fun monday 6/27..

2011-06-27T12:17:00.002-05:00

It was made by Susan from the blog Susie Stamp A Lot! She has a lot more pictures of the inside, so you should go check out her blog. I miss my scrapping time!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

..caking..

2011-06-23T21:51:00.000-05:00

Wonder what keeps me from the blog for a few days at a time? Well, besides these two lovely little bugs?

That would be these..

Just a few things I've been up to..

..fun monday 6/20..

2011-06-20T11:06:00.001-05:00

It's made by the talented Alison from SheBlogs SheBlogs! And the tutorial is easy, so you can make a necklace for every outfit :)

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

..i love patterns..

2011-06-19T20:11:00.000-05:00

I'm fortunate enough to have several craft/fabric stores in my city. About every couple of weeks, at least one of them will run a sale on sewing patterns. They usually lower them to $1.99, and occasionally they lower them to $.99. At either price, I try to stock up. Last week I snagged some Simplicity patterns on sale. I found some really cute ones for dresses for the girls. Here's a few of them..

Now if someone would just run "free time" on sale, I'd buy that up! :)

..when you have 10 mins..

2011-06-13T22:40:00.000-05:00

Between wedding season at the bakery, the girls being mobile and teething, and the hubbo's recent injury (he's fine), I have like, zero free time lately. I'm talking maybe even less than zero, if that's possible. Last Saturday, when I had four weddings in one day, I got to the bakery at 5:00am, and didn't get home until 9:00pm.

However, the girls have started going to bed at a decent hour (around 8:30), I didn't cook dinner tonight and the laundry is all done. So I found myself with a few spare minutes. I bought some ribbon and hair clips at Hobby Lobby today because they were both 50% off. I pulled out the hot glue gun, pulled up a couple of tutorials like this one at the Sweet Shoppe Blog, and went to town. Ten minutes later I had a couple of cute bows and some clips for the girls...

I miss my crafting time!

..fun monday 6/12..

2011-06-13T00:29:00.003-05:00

They're so pretty and shimmery!

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

..late night baking session..

2011-06-11T00:04:00.000-05:00

So it's 11:45pm, and what am I doing? Baking cake layers! After work today, I went home and fed the fam, got the girls in bed, and then headed back to the shop. I have four weddings tomorrow. Four. Weddings. In one day. I have NO idea what made me do that.. and the worst part of it is two weeks ago I ALSO had 4 weddings in one weekend. It was hard, and after tomorrow I will NOT be doing four weddings in a weekend. I'm even thinking two a weekend might be too much. Just one is stressful enough, sheesh! So this is my last overbooked weekend. If I can make it another 20 hours from right now, I'll be on Cloud 9. Wish me luck! :)

..fun monday 6/6..

2011-06-06T09:19:00.000-05:00

This super cute card from the blog Just Jingle. I love the bathing beauties, that's just an adorable stamp.

Now it's your turn. Link up to your Fun Monday post!

..fun monday 5/30..

2011-05-30T07:41:00.003-05:00

Woo hoo, Fun Monday #2!

*Photo Courtesy of PrettyPetalsHair*

The colors are soft and pretty, and best of all, it comes in any size! That means I could get one for the girls, and get one for me to match! :) Super cute!

..summer cuteness..

2011-05-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

Found some really cute stuff for summer...

From Payless.com

From OldNavy.com

From Belk.com

And I can't talk about summer cuteness without showing you these two..

.. fun monday..

2011-05-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

It's very darling and oh-so-summer! Share your link to your blog post below!

..happy mother's day!..

2011-05-08T11:52:00.000-05:00

Wishing all of the mommies out there a Happy Mother's Day!

..yay!..

2011-05-05T22:36:00.000-05:00

Today is new laptop day!! :) Here's what it looks like..

Lurve it! <3

*Photo courtesy of www.bitdynasty.com

..hmm, hummus!..

2011-05-03T17:11:00.000-05:00

I have a new love that is hummus! I don't know why I've never given it a chance before. But I've had it, and I like it, so I wanted to share two recipes that give you hummus two ways! One recipe uses chick peas, and one uses black beans.

Plain Hummus

2 (14.5-ounce) cans chick peas, drained and rinsed
4 cloves minced garlic
2/3 cup tahini, well stirred
1/4 cup lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup light olive oil

Directions

In a food processor, add the chick peas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, to taste, and puree until the mixture is soft and smooth. Remove from the processor to a serving bowl and stir in the chopped parsley and olive oil. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

Black Bean Hummus

1 cup cooked black beans
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges

Directions

Blend all the ingredients in a food processor until almost smooth. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

You can serve these on pita chips, slices of soft pitas, or if you want a carb-free option, serve on lettuce!

..more winners..

2011-05-02T13:40:00.000-05:00

Since I have a laptop to borrow for today, I'm posting more winners! And some good news, my new laptop has been ordered. I can't wait to have a working computer again!

Plume Pretty Giveaway Winner:

Breaking Free From Old Ways said... I follow rebecca on twitter

Party Printables Giveaway Winner:

tamiv said...
I entered Lou Lou Bell!

Congrats to the winners, I am e-mailing you right now. You have 72 hours to respond or I will draw a new winner. Thanks to everyone for entering all of the great Spring Fling giveaways. Keep an eye out for more great giveaways coming soon!

..easter cuteness..

2011-04-25T21:30:00.000-05:00

Just had to show off my little bunnies!

..perfect timing..

2011-04-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

This is a winners and apology post. I know I have been late announcing winners for some of the Spring Fling giveaways. My computer, the one that is only two years old, the one that has already been sent back to Gateway once, died. In the two years I have had it, I've been able to use it maybe a combined total of 6 months. That's SO annoying. And not only is it annoying, it's unfair to my readers and entrants. So I apologize to all of you. I actually have a couple of extra giveaways to post, I hope that helps make up for it.

So now what about some good news? How about some winners?! :)

My Baby Clothes Boutique Winner:

deanna said... follow you on twitter

Yummie Tummie Winner:

sueparks2003 said... public gfc of you and OMFOTCN

LouLouBell Handmade Winner:

Sarah said... I follow both blogs

Born Free Winner:

Kerry said... Follow Born Free on twitter

Congrats to all of the winners! There are still two giveaways left open to enter.

..party printables giveaway..

2011-04-16T23:24:00.003-05:00

Planning a party can be stressful. Invitation, party favors, thank you cards.. who has the time? Well what if I told you there was a place to get it all.. and you could get it all in a matter of a few hours? Well then check out this super cute shop called Forever Your Prints!

Forever Your Prints was started by a mom who decided she didn't want to go back to work full time after her daughter was born. She wanted a way to work without spending too much time away from home. So she turned her love of digital scrapbooking into a great business! So now she creates beautiful personalized printable photo cards & announcements, like these..

At Forever Your Prints, you can find invitations, announcements, thank you cards, cupcake toppers and more. And the best part, is once you pick what you like, you can simply print it out! She can even design coordinating cupcake toppers, place cards, bag toppers, thank you cards, bottle wraps and more...the possibilities are endless.

Buy It:
You can see and purchase all of these great personalized printables at Forever Your Prints.

Win It:
One person will win a Personalized Party Package, complete with invitation, thank yous, return address labels and cupcake toppers!

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit Forever Your Prints and tell me another item you like (1 entry)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Like Forever Your Prints on Facebook (2 entries)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "#Win a personalized party package at the Koala Fuzz Spring Fling Blog Event! http://tinyurl.com/3vhxb8c RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

*Grab my Koala Fuzz button and put it on your blog's front page. Leave a link to where I can find it (2 entries)
*Grab the Spring Fling Event button and post it on your blog's front page. Leave a link to where I can find it (3 entries)
*If you posted our button on your blog before the event started and left a comment on the intro post, then you get 5 extra entries.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING.

..another spring fling winner!..

2011-04-16T09:43:00.003-05:00

Winner of the Sweet Mod Bird Necklace

Comment #104 belongs to:

ACMommy3 said...: I entered One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's Amazon giveaway. Congrats ACMommy3! I'm emailing you right now, and you have 48 hours to respond.If you didn't win, don't worry. There's still lots ore giveaways to enter here at Koala Fuzz and over at One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest!

..plume pretty giveaway..

2011-04-14T22:15:00.002-05:00

I'm a sucker for any kind of hair accessory, so I went gaga when I found an Etsy shop called Plume Pretty. Owner Sharleen makes some of the prettiest little hair accessories and jewelry. Look at these..

A.dor.a.able! Both of these sets are just perfect for Spring. And look at this ring..

Can you say little black dress worthy? :) And all of her prices are very affordable.

Buy It:
You can see and purchase all of Sharleen's pretty little products at her Etsy shop, Plume Pretty.

Win It:
Sharleen has generously donated a set of Vintage Rose Flower Hair Pins to one lucky winner. She even has an extended offer for the winner!

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit Plume Pretty and tell me another item you like (1 entry)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Like Plume Pretty on Facebook (2 entries)
*Follow Plume Pretty on Twitter @plumepretty (1 entry)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "#Win beautiful vintage hair bobbies from @plumepretty at the Koala Fuzz Spring Fling Blog Event! http://tinyurl.com/42qrz8t RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

..born free review & giveaway..

2011-04-13T22:39:00.003-05:00

All moms want what is best for their babies, and I'm no exception. When it comes to bottles and sippy cups, most people think, "A bottle is a bottle. What's the difference?" Well, there are lots of differences. Big ones. BornFree® specializes in products that combine safe materials with the smartest innovations.
Founded in 2006 by three concerned fathers, BornFree® has revolutionized the baby product industry in North America with its insistence on BPA-free materials.

How are BornFree® products different?

BornFree® products are 100% BPA-Free! Lots and lots of plastic bottles, cups and containers are made with BPA. Bisphenol- A (BPA) is a chemical compound that is a key ingredient in the creation of polycarbonate plastic, a hard, clear plastic. A growing body of scientific research suggests that the chemical may leach out of polycarbonate feeding bottles and containers, especially when the contents are acidic, high in fat, or heated. Research also suggests that BPA may act as an endocrine disruptor, a substance which mimics natural human hormones and could cause developmental and neurological problems in children such as early puberty, and attention disorder syndromes.

BornFree® has introduced the world’s first sustainability program for baby bottles! Their 5oz and 9oz Eco-Friendly bottles will be recycled into new product lines such as toys, furniture and household utensils. The bottles can be registered for return, with no-cost-to-you shipping.

BornFree® ActiveFlow™ bottles have been clinically proven to significantly reduce colic symptoms. The BornFree® Venting System simple two part venting system is specially designed to reduce the vacuum build-up inside bottles that often can lead to gas, spit-up and painful colic in newborns.

I was recently sent two 9oz. Eco-Friendly bottles to try out. The first thing I noticed was the wide mouth. Then as I took the bottles apart to wash them, I noticed that the venting system is no more than a couple of disc-shaped pieces that fit together and sit snugly inside the neck of the bottle. Very easy to pop in and out. If you have ever had a baby with colic (both of my girls had it at the same time!) then you would probably appreciate this. I only wish that I would have had these bottles earlier, because a 2011 Colic Clinical Study shows 80% of mothers of colicky babies using BornFree® ActiveFlow™ bottles reported a significant reduction in colic symptoms within one week!

Another thing about these bottles that I really like, is that they are larger around than most bottles. My girls are 6 months old, and they're starting to hold their own bottles. These larger, shorter bottles are actually much easier for them to hold.

Buy It:
You can see all of the BornFree® products on their website. Besides bottles, they also make cups, bottle washing liquid, sterilizers and much more.

Win It:
One lucky reader will win a bottle or cup of their choice from BornFree®.

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit BornFree® and tell me which bottle or cup you would pick if you win (1 entry)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Like BornFree on Facebook (2 entries)
*** Bonus! If you write "Harley from Koala Fuzz sent me!" on the BornFree Facebook wall, and you are picked as the winner, you will receive a bonus prize!
*Follow BornFree on Twitter @NewBornFree (1 entry)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "#Win your choice of cup or bottle from @NewBornFree at the Koala Fuzz Spring Fling Blog Event! http://tinyurl.com/3uqvdnk RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

..fun tuesday hop!..

2011-04-11T20:06:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Fun Tuesday Hop hosted by :

Ourfamilyworld,

The Professionally Insane M Blog,

One More Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

We are so excited to see you again this week on The Fun Tuesday GFC hop. It's a great way to discover amazing blogs and make new blog friends. Each week, we will share with you a blogging tip we discovered. Come link up and start hopping.

How it works

Each week a blog will be selected randomly (from the previous week’s entries) to be on the spotlight. An email will be sent to the spotlight few days before the hop. The spotlight of this week is : KOALA FUZZ. Let’s read more about her and show her some love : She is a wife, mommy to twins, bakery owner, scrapbooker, crafter and life lover!

Follow the 3 hostesses (spot 1, 2 and 3) and the Star of the week (Spot 4) and leave us a comment so that we can follow back. If you are already a follower, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Add your blog to the linky. You only need to add your URL once and it will show in all the other blogs.
Follow as many blogs as you wish. Make sure to leave a comment so they can visit you back.

Blogging tip of the week: Improve your Alexa ranking by downloading Alexa toolbar.

Having a good Alexa ranking (The lower score on Alexa, the better) improves your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and attract sponsors. Alexa ranking is based on visits and pageviwes. Alexa counts the visits to your blog/site through their toolbar. So, if your visitor does not have a toolbar, it will not count. You can download their toolbar for free.

Feel free to add our button to your blog, Tweet about it, share it on facebook, so that you help spread the word!! It means more followers for everybody. Have fun hopping and thank you for visiting our blog. Hope to see you next week.

..$45 csn gc winner..

2011-04-11T12:56:00.000-05:00

Winner of the $45 CSN Stores gift card is:

Karen said...I follow you on twitter as: kapbaker 1 of 2: Thanks, Karen; Congrats Karen, I'm emailing you right now! Thanks to everyone who entered, and we still have a week of giveaways left!

..dress up your hair giveaway!..

2011-04-10T11:44:00.003-05:00

I recently found this lovely little Etsy shop called LouLouBell Handmade based in Canada. Lyndsay makes these beautiful silk flowers, which she then uses to make clutches, brooches, hair pins and more.

Aren't those just pretty? Lyndsay makes lots of items for weddings. She says the clutches make wonderful bridesmaids' gifts, and she even makes custom-colored flowers to use on garters, shoes, or on your cake!

Buy It:

You can browse all of Lyndsay's handmade goodies at her Etsy shop, LouLouBell Handmade.

Win It:

Lyndsay has generously offered a set of 2 fabric flower hair pins, winner's choice of color!

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit LouLouBell Handmade and tell me another item that you like (1 entry)
*Make a purchase from LouLouBell Handmade (5 entries)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Like LouLouBell Handmade on Facebook (2 entries)
*Follow LouLouBell Handmade on Twitter @LouLouBellSews (1 entry)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "I want to #win @louloubellsews silk flower hair pins at the Koala Fuzz Spring Fling Blog Event! http://tinyurl.com/3lvx5br RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

..yummie tummie review & giveaway..

2011-04-08T23:19:00.004-05:00

Before the girls were born, I used to walk all the time. With the girls being born a little early, and right at the beginning of the cold weather season, unfortunately we didn't get to hang out outside until just recently. Not sure about you, but for me, being sedentary in the house all winter equals a little hibernation blubber. Not gonna lie.. I'm a little thicker around the middle than I was before I got pregnant, and cold weather really has prevented me from being able to get out and walk it off. Now the weather is warm, and unfortunately I've had to put the baggy clothes away. Enter the shapewear...

Yummie Tummie is the first body shaper garment that is top oriented and designed to be worn each and every day as a foundation or layering piece. The effects of Yummie Tummie are dramatic for the wearer, both physically and mentally. Yummie Tummie will give you a boost of confidence! It is extra long in the body so it provides coverage as you bend and move.

I've recently had the privilege of reviewing the Yummie Tummie Original Tank. Now you have to understand, this is shapewear. It's tight. It's supposed to be, to hold all the jiggly bits in. The good thing is that it looks like a regular tank top, so you can layer it under just about anything. It also is a little longer in length, which I love. They don't just do tanks though. There are slips, skirts, shorts and even clothing. plus, they have shapewear for men!

So, what did I think? Well even though the tank is snug, it's really comfortable. And I did something really brave... I took pictures. When you look at these, be kind. remember I had twins, and all the weight I gained went right to my belly. The first picture is WITHOUT the tank, the second picture is with the tank (I left it hanging out underneath so you could see it):

These photos haven't been retouched at all, and I promise there's no sucking in. Now, this isn't a corset.. it's not going to take your midsection in 14 sizes or anything. But it will make you look less lumpy, less puffy. You can see in the second picture that my tummy looks a little more pulled in. Overall, this tank does enough to help my self-esteem.

Buy It:

You can get the tank or any of the other great shapewear products at Yummie Tummie. They have completely free shipping with no minimums.

Win It:

Yummie Tummie has offered a tank just like the one I reviewed to one lucky winner (valued at $62.00).

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit Yummie Tummie and tell me another item that you like (1 entry)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Like Yummie Tummie on Facebook (2 entries)
*Follow Yummie Tummie on Twitter @yummietummie (1 entry)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "I want to #win a @yummietummie tank at the Koala Fuzz Spring Fling Blog Event! http://tinyurl.com/3k8od2s RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

..my baby clothes boutique review & giveaway..

2011-04-07T23:59:00.005-05:00

This post comes with an incredibly cute picture. You have been warned! :D

Since the birth of my girls, I have become obsessed with baby clothing. One online shop that has some fantastic clothing at even more fantastic prices is My Baby Clothes Boutique. They really have some cute and unique clothing that I really haven't seen anywhere else.

Here's a little note from Michelle, the President of My Baby Clothes Boutique:

"We feature the most fashionable and trendy clothes and accessories available. Our mission is to bring you a distinctive selection of designer baby apparel for your little girl or boy. We take pride in offering high quality, comfortable and unique children’s clothes. I hope you enjoy browsing our large selection of cute clothes, dresses, baby outfits, and baby gift sets.

We offer seasonal clothing and accessories for newborns, infants, and toddlers. Your baby will be in style with our hip clothes for spring, summer, winter and fall."

And it's not just clothes. They also carry blankets, diaper bags, toys, gift sets and more. Recently, My Baby Clothes Boutique sent me two of the most adorable little hats to review. Here comes that picture I warned you about earlier. Here's Piper..

Unfortunately Layla was asleep during the photo shoot. But I can tell you that she looks equally cute in the hat. These hats are really well made. The hat part is made of a thicker thread, so it's not flimsy. And I can tell you that the flower is really on there. I mean, Piper yanked on it several times while I was taking pictures, and it didn't budge. It's reinforced on the inside, covered in soft felt so that it doesn't hurt her head. That's the kind of detail that makes a product a really good one.

Buy It:
You can see all of the cute products at My Baby Clothes Boutique. Right now, for a limited time, they are offering free shipping on ALL orders. No minimums.

Win It:
My Baby Clothes Boutique has generously provided a $25 gift certificate to their site. With their great prices, there is lots to choose from in that price range!

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit My Baby Clothes Boutique and tell me another item that you like (1 entry)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Like My Baby Clothes Boutique on Facebook (2 entries)
*Follow My Baby Clothes Boutique on Twitter @MyBabyClothes (1 entry)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "#Win a $25 @MyBabyClothes gift certificate from the Spring Fling Blog Event at Koala Fuzz http://tinyurl.com/3fwp5hy RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

..beautiful necklace giveaway..

2011-04-05T20:54:00.005-05:00

Ready for another Spring Fling giveaway? I'm actually really jealous that I don't get to keep this prize for myself, it's that pretty!

Our next giveaway is from Lana at the Lana0Crystal Etsy Shop!

Take a look at some of the beautiful pieces that Lana makes:

I'm seriously drooling over here. And the best part? The majority of the items in her shop are under $25! Talk about some great gifts *cough hint to hubby cough* :)

So, want to know what you could win? Lana has graciously donated this Sweet Little Mod Bird Lariat (valued at $26.00) as a prize for one lucky winner. I only wish I could be that winner, haha! Look how cute!

How to enter:

MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
*Visit the Lana0Crystal Etsy shop and tell me another item that you like (1 entry)
*Make a purchase from Lana0Crystal (5 entries)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on Twitter @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "I want to win the Sweet Little Mod Bird necklace from the Spring Fling Blog Event at Koala Fuzz http://tinyurl.com/3fwp5hy RT @hayatiggs"

*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for entering!

..free 8x10 from walgreen's today!..

2011-04-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

It's almost like Walgreen's knew we were starting our Spring Fling Blog Event today! Today only (4.3) Walgreen's is offering a free 8x10 enlargement (valued at $2.99) with in-store pickup. Simply add the 8x10 enlargement to your cart, then use the promo code DEAL8X10 when you check out.

..spring fling kickoff!!..

2011-04-03T12:43:00.003-05:00

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING!

Who's ready to get this Spring Fling Blog Event started? I am! I'm so excited to be partnered up with Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to bring you two whole weeks crammed full of reviews, giveaways, and just plain fun! And we're giving you LOTS of ways to earn extra entries into the giveaways. So let's jump right in with our first giveaway!

Prize:
CSN Stores has donated a $45 gift certificate for one lucky winner

How to enter:
MANDATORY: This giveaway is part of the Spring Fling Blog Event. You must be a public follower of my blog and One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to win. Leave me a post letting me know you are a follower of both (this will be confirmed). Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

*Visit CSN Stores and tell me an item you might pick if you win (1 entry)
*Enter any other current giveaway on my blog and tell me which one (1 entry for each)*Enter any of One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest's giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry for each)
*Follow CSN Stores on Twitter @CSNStores (1 entry)
*Follow Rebecca from One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest @TheRhinoMisses (1 entry)
*Follow me on Twitter @hayatiggs (2 entries)
*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)
*Tweet about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here (can be done once daily for 1 entry)

Sample tweet: "Spring Fling Blog Event with more than 30 giveaways and reviews! April 3-16 http://tinyurl.com/4x4yuut RT @hayatiggs"

*Blog about the Spring Fling Blog Event with a link back here, and leave a link to your post (2 entries)
*Grab my Koala Fuzz button and put it on your blog's front page. Leave a link to where I can find it (2 entries)
*Grab the Spring Fling Event button and post it on your blog's front page. Leave a link to where I can find it (3 entries)
*If you posted our button on your blog before the event started and left a comment on the intro post, then you get 5 extra entries.

Giveaway open to US and Canada, but please know that the International shipping taxes to Canada are not covered by the gift card.

Giveaway open until Sunday, April 10. Good luck!

..spring fling blog event!..

2011-03-20T00:27:00.000-05:00

It's almost Spring.. can you feel it? I can! It's getting warmer here, and the days are definitely longer. I love this time of year, so I wanted to do something special. This leads us to the...

Spring Fling Blog Event! I have teamed up with Rebecca from One More Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest to organize a great little event filled with lots of reviews and giveaways.

The Spring Fling Blog Event will run from April 3rd-16th here at Koala Fuzz and also over at One More Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. That means two places to win some great prizes. Just to get you excited, here's a few of our sponsors:

CSN Stores
Simple Green
Lana0Crystal
Yummie Tummie
ERGObaby
My Baby Clothes Boutique
Born Free
& lots more.

Want to earn some extra entries in these giveaways? Then post our Spring Fling Blog Event button on your blog for the duration of the event, and leave me a link here! If you do this before the Blog Event starts, then you will get 5 extra entries in all of my giveaways. You will find the button and the code on the right side. So post away, and let's get ready for Spring!

..since we'll be here awhile..

2011-03-16T17:19:00.002-05:00

So, J and I hope to one day build a house. But that's probably going to be a few years down the road. Until then, we're in our current house (the only one that we've ever owned) and it's starting to feel a little blah. When we moved in, we repainted the living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen, and even repainted cabinets and put in wainscoting in the kitchen as well. But that was almost 5 years ago. Now I'm feeling like I need to do some more updating.

I don't want to do any more painting, mainly because I hate it.. but also because I really like the colors we have. So I'm trying to figure out what else we can do that won't cost an arm and a leg. Recessed lighting? New throw pillows on the couch? Hang a few new pictures up?

I'm all open for suggestions. How have you revamped your house in the past, without shelling out mondo bucks?

..csn gc winner!..

2011-03-08T19:28:00.001-06:00

Did you think I forgot to draw a winner for the CSN giveaway? :) My computer went out (yes, again!).. I have had the worst luck with it, even though it's only a year old. I think a new laptop is in my future! :) Anyway, on to the part that everyone wants to hear about. The winner of the $40 CSN GC is comment #116, janetfaye! Congrats, I'll be emailing you in just a few!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

*Winner was chosen via Random.org

..winner winner chicken dinner..

2011-02-24T19:47:00.004-06:00

Except it's the Starbucks giveaway.. not a chicken dinner :) Anyway, I'm so excited to have so many new followers. I appreciate every single one of you!

And now the big moment.. the winner of the $5 Starbucks Gift Card is...

Shawnee! Congrats girlie.. I'll be emailing you shortly!

..warning..

2011-02-20T12:49:00.006-06:00

Cute baby picture alert!

4 months old already, seriously? Both girls are rolling over, laughing out loud and eating cereal out of a spoon! We moved up into size 2 diapers, and I almost had a crying spell. It's going by too fast!

Piper loves to be on her belly. She also discovered that she can blow raspberries, so she does it all of the time. At the moment (and I'm sure this will change) she seems to be my more independent one.

Layla is my talker. She yells out loud, which makes her laugh at herself too. She loves to hold onto you while you're holding her. She might be a momma's girl :)

They both love to watch tv, especially Sesame Street. They laugh when Elmo comes on :) So, now I'm just trying to come up with some way to keep them this size forever... *sigh*

..starbucks giveaway..

2011-02-17T19:42:00.004-06:00

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks! :)

This might quite possibly be the easiest giveaway you could ever enter... seriously. All you gotta do is follow me over there ----> with Google Friend Connect. That's it. When I reach 100 followers, I'll draw for a $5 Starbucks Gift Card. You don't even have to comment telling me you follow.. I'm going to draw from my Followers list! So, follow away, and spread the word! :)

..shop for charity!..

2011-02-16T16:08:00.006-06:00

My Baby Clothes Boutique has partnered with the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance to help aid in their fund raising efforts. Tuberous Sclerosis is a genetic disorder that is either inherited or spontaneously mutated. What this means to you is that TSC affects nearly 50,000 people in the United States and more than one million people worldwide. At least two children born each day will have TSC. Current estimates place TSC-affected births at one in 6,000 live births. The affects of this condition are varying in every case, which is why the medical professionals are researching to gain more understanding. Symptoms and areas affected are the skin, brain, nervous system, kidneys, heart, and tumor growth. Research has linked many cases of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, severe mental retardation, behavior problems, and unexplained tumor growth to Tuberous Sclerosis.

So how can you help? By shopping!! How easy is that? My Baby Clothes Boutique will donate 12% of all orders for customers who enter the code "GIVE2TSA" in the promo box during checkout.

Enter the code “GIVE2TSA” during checkout at My Baby Clothes Boutique to donate 12% of the total purchase to TSA. Now is the best time to buy those little tutus you have wanted but were waiting to buy. Next time you watch her twirl in her new tutu, think about the child you helped with your purchase.

..csn stores review & giveaway..

2011-02-07T16:25:00.005-06:00

If you're a fan of one-stop shopping, then you would love CSN Stores. Started in 2002 as just one online shop, CSN Stores is now comprised of more than 200 different shopping sites. Most sites are named for their primary product offerings or the styles they provide. These include: Luggage.com, AllModern.com, WritingDesksAndMore.com, Cookware.com, and BedroomFurniture.com.

Here is what CSN Stores has to say about some of their products:

"Beyond stellar customer service, our 200+ sites at CSN Stores offer the largest selection of items for most home and office goods. And these items are priced right to be very competitive with other sites, providing our customers with strong savings, too. This combination of benefits is rare among online retailers and is what sets us apart.

Leading brands on CSN Stores' sites include: La-Z-Boy, Herman Miller, iittala, Kartell, LG, Rachael Ray, Sanyo, Diaper Dude and many, many others. The variety of products is also staggering, with some one million available.

CSN's product categories cover everything from cookware, ultra modern furniture, bunk bed-office combinations and fitness equipment to gaming chairs, grills, greenhouses and much more.

If it's a piece of furniture or an appliance that you need for your home or office, you should check for it at CSN Stores first, as there's a good chance we carry it and at a competitive price."

Recently, they sent me a Set of 2 Feather Bed Pillows from Sleep Line to review.

I can openly admit that I am somewhat of a pillow snob. I love feather pillows. They're the only thing I sleep on at home, and I carry them with me when I'm staying overnight in a hotel.. I'm also picky about the kinds of feather pillows I sleep on. Don't give me some little thin, flimsy thing. I need a big, fat feather pillow!

I've been sleeping on these for a couple of weeks now and they've been great. One thing that I'm really happy about is that they don't go flat. They hold their "poofiness" very well - tell me that's not the perfect description when talking about pillows! I do wish the cover was a little thicker to keep some of the feathers from poking through, but that's pretty much to be expected. Otherwise, they are really comfortable, and they don't get really hot at night. That's a big deal, since I sleep next to a heater of a husband.

CSN Stores had graciously given me a $40 gift certificate to send to one lucky winner. You can buy yourself some pillows like mine, or one of their thousands of other items in one of their 200+ shops. Here's how you enter..

MANDATORY: You must be a public follower of my blog to win. Your email must be visible in your profile or comment. If I can't contact you by email, you can't win.

Main Entry: Visit CSN Stores and tell me an item you might pick if you win.

Extra Entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

*Follow me on Twitter @hayatigg s. (2 entries)

*Follow CSN Stores on Twitter @CSNStores. (2 entries)

*Tweet about this giveaway with a link back here. Can be done once per day. (1 entry)

*Like CSN Stores on Facebook (2 entries)

*Blog about this giveaway, with a link back here. Leave a link to where I can find it in your comment. (5 entries)

*Grab my button and put it on your blog's front page. Leave me a link where I can find it. (5 entries)

Giveaway open to US and Canada, but please know that the International shipping taxes to Canada are not covered by the gift card.

Giveaway is open until Sunday, February 27. Good luck!

..snow babies!..

2011-01-24T00:24:00.005-06:00

So did anyone else get hit by that crazy weather last week? We ended up with 12" of snow! I read that it hasn't snowed like that here since 1936. That's crazy! Even though they won't remember it, I think it's neat that the girls were around for it. J and I made a snowman while the girls took a nap. When they woke up, we got them all bundled and headed outside. I thought they might freak out, but they stayed surprisingly quiet. They just kept looking at all of the white around them :)

Check 'em out. Even though their little snuggly bear suits were a little too big, they're still terribly adorable :)

Told you... terribly adorable :D FYI, it's Piper in the pink and Layla in the purple :)

..equmen review..

2011-01-14T12:30:00.002-06:00

So recently I was asked to do a review here on my website, but it was different... it wasn't for me. This review required my hubby :)

When you hear the word shapewear, most people think about it for women. But there's a new trend emerging.. shapewear for men. Men want to look good too, and Equmen is now helping to make that possible. Equmen enables men of the world to be at their best. Using the latest high performance athletic technologies, their precision-fit seamless compression wear is engineered to optimise and energise the body, from street to sport, work to weekend.

Designed with physiotherapy and ergonomic insights, Equmen products immediately improve health, well-being and visible appearance. It's about looking sharp and living smart. Every man, every day, every wear. In conjunction with a group of experts across the sport science, physiotherapy, and fashion industries, Equmen fused the physiological insights of advanced sportswear with modern styling to create patented undergarments that deliver against men's daily ergonomic needs. The result is a range of innovative products that truly advance the benefits men's underwear and can provide: improved posture, reduced back pain, a more stable core, and a visibly slimmer appearance.

*Photo courtesy of Equmen

The hubs was sent a Core Precision Undershirt to try out, and here is what he had to say..

When the undershirt arrived, I was excited to try it out. I wanted to see how it felt, more importantly, I wanted to see how it made me look. The wife was still skeptical about my ability to wear the garment for minutes, much less hours. I found the shirt to be quite a bit more “compression garment” than the base layers I currently wear. I ordered an XL and when I pulled the shirt out of the packaging I thought for sure they had sent a shirt intended for my wife rather than myself. This thing was small. Tiny. Itsy bitsy. “If it’s this small, it’s gonna squish my jiggly bits that much better,” I thought, so off to the bedroom to try it on, with my wife still giving me the “I’ve already told you so” eye. While putting the shirt on I realized, that while it was definitely going to be a tight fit, it looked like it was going to work. I put the shirt on and wore it for a little bit. It WAS tight. It almost felt at first like I was going to need an extra set of hands to pull the shirt over me, but I was able to get it on and once I got used to the feeling, the shirt was not that bad at all. After all, compression is the name of the game.

So how did it work? Well, the instantaneous change from chunky to less than chunky was not there. These shirts are not miracle workers. However, they are very effective. The shirt slimmed me down quite a bit and made a great noticeable difference in how I felt about my outward appearance. The wife was the first to see me in it and she mentioned that it was most definitely slimming. It didn’t slim me down 20lbs, but I think it easily slimmed me down 5-10lbs on looks alone. I tried on some shirts that were previously too snug for my current love handle situation and they felt great.

The shirt is definitely takes some getting used to. After wearing the shirt for several hours, I was not completely comfortable with the level of compression and had to take it off. It was just too much for me at the time. My wife had indeed, told me so. The shirt did it’s job, very well. I, as a host of the shirt however, did not hold up my end of the bargain. I wound up throwing it into the wash and it went into my dresser drawer and sat for quite a while.

After a few weeks in the drawer, I decided that I had given the shirt the proper opportunity and decided to try and give it another shot, maybe to even prove to the wife she was not 100% right. I decided to wear it out over the Thanksgiving weekend as a test to see who, if anyone, noticed my new look.

So, while dressing for the family Thanksgiving dinner with the inlaws, I quietly donned the shirt in an attempt to prevent my wife from knowing that I had put the shirt on, I also made sure I wore a shirt I had not worn in quite some time (since it was one of the love-handler snuggers I mentioned earlier) and prepared to leave the house.

Throughout the evening, I had a few “have you lost weight?” questions. “Ahh, I think it’s just my clothes” was the answer. I didn’t want to lie to anyone. The day went fine and I found myself more able to put up with the compression – maybe due to the fact that I was willing to give it a shot this time.

I have attempted to wear it a few more times and while I can usually put up with the compression for several hours, as the time passes, I begin to get more and more tired of wearing it. I believe this is more of a personal issue than a fault of the garment. So overall, I would recommend this product. Like I said, it won't slim you down 20lbs, but it can help.

Equmen Website here

Equmen Facebook page here

Equmen Twitter page here

..3 months and it's flying by..

2011-01-09T12:38:00.003-06:00

Friday the girls turned 3 months old. Hard to believe. They are getting big so quickly. I mean, I'm finally able to get them in 0-3 month outfits! Lol. And they're both even out of newborn size diapers and into size 1. Long way from preemie sizes being too big.

They're both such smiley babies, and they're both starting to get very curious. Rattles, bright colors, anything that moves :)They also like it when I read to them. We all get on the bed on our backs, and I hold the book above our heads. They will sit and stare at every single page, like they know exactly what I'm saying and they're just following along. It's so cute :) We're dealing with a lot of spit up right now. They both spit up a pretty good bit, not sure why. We had them on reflux medicine for about a month but it didn't help. Neither did the sensitive formula for spit up. So now we're just hoping they'll grow out of it eventually.

I found them the cutest chandelier for their nursery. It's white, and it has hot pink shades with little round crystal beads. Very cute :) Their nursery is still a work in progress, but it's getting there. They still sleep in the bedroom with us though :) Hey, those were doctor's orders, but I'm happy to oblige :)

..2010 in q & a..

2010-12-31T21:26:00.002-06:00

What did you do in 2010 that you hadn’t done before? - I had babies!! :)

Did anyone close to you give birth? - See #1 :)

Best thing you bought? - Hmm, a pregnancy test? :)

Where did most of your money go? - House and flight school payments

What do you wish you had done more of? - Time with the hubbo

What do you wish you had done less of? - Trying to please other people all the time

What kept you sane? - My pregnancy and my new bakery :)

What made you celebrate? - See above :)

What made you sad? - My mom's heart attack

How was your birthday this year? - Just another day

What would you like to have in 2011 that you didn’t have this year? - 1 year old twins :)

What date from 2010 will be etched in your memory and why? - October 7th.. you all know why :)

What song will remind you of 2010? - Hmm, a good one. Soul Sister by Train because it kinda became the girls' song.

Best new person you met this year? - People.. my daughters :)

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? - I don't make resolutions. If I want to make a change, I don't want to wait until a certain time of the year to do it.

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? - DVR.. I miss Martha Stewart on the days I'm at the shop :)

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier :)
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, got a lil' bit more baby fat to shed :)
iii. richer or poorer? Just about the same :)

What was your favorite TV program? - CSI, always

What did you want and get? - Babies!!

What was your favorite film that you watched this year? - Alice in Wonderland

What one experience do you never want to repeat from this year? - Mom's heart attack, scary!

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? - XXL, lol. All maternity wear :D

Where were you when 2010 began? - At a friend's house, shooting fireworks

Who were you with? - The hubbo and several friends

What was your favorite month of 2010? - October :)

Did you do a lot of drugs in 2010? - Umm, does an epidural count? :D

What are you most looking forward to in 2011? - Every single minute of it :)

..little teaser..

2010-12-31T16:53:00.002-06:00

Just a little something to get you through to the new year! 2011 is going to mean some new things going on around here. One example being more new product reviews AND giveaways! :) Everyone likes free stuff, right? One review I'm excited about is from CSN Stores. CSN is comprised of over 200 websites to help you find whatever you might need, whether it's modern duvet cover s, pool toys or Calphalon cookware!

Right now they've even got a bunch of items on Clearance. So if there's something on your "Got To Have" list, then check out CSN Stores. They just might have it! :)

..late merry & early happy..

2010-12-29T00:14:00.000-06:00

That's for Christmas and New Year's! :) Hard to believe that at the beginning of the year I wasn't even pregnant. Now I have TWO 2 1/2 month olds. Funny how life works out. I actually took this week off from the shop for "vacation" because the hubbo is off all week. Nothing like getting to sleep in late with him and the girls!

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..ho ho ho..

2010-12-18T20:06:00.004-06:00

The cutest little elves I've ever seen! You don't even want to know how long it took me to get this shot, but it was worth it :D It's not even the shot I had in mind.. I wanted them in matching outfits. But, I've learned with twins, you take what you can get! :)

..heads up!..

2010-11-20T17:17:00.007-06:00

Cute Baby Clothes Alert!!

My Baby Clothes Boutique is having a sale :

15% OFF our entire catalog!

MyBabyClothesBoutique.com is offering 15% off our entire catalog from,

November 22nd - November 24th 2010.

Place your orders before the holiday rush to get first pick of our holiday items before they run out of stock!

Use the discount code below to get 15% OFF any order. Simply enter the code during checkout at MyBabyClothesBoutique.com

* Promo only valid from 11/22/2010 - 11/24/2010. Cannot be combined with other offers. Shipping not included.

DISCOUNT CODE: BEATTHERUSH2010

Cyber Monday – One day only sale –

25% OFF our entire catalog!

MyBabyClothesBoutique.com is offering 25% off our entire catalog from,

November 29^th

Use the discount code below to get 25% OFF any order. Simply enter the code during checkout at MyBabyClothesBoutique.com

* Promo only valid from 11/29/2010 12am – 12 am est. Cannot be combined with other offers. Shipping not included.

Discount Code: CYBERSALE2010

..growing like weeds..

2010-11-16T12:53:00.004-06:00

They don't go back for another doctor visit until the first of December, but I'm pretty sure the girls are both about 6 pounds each now. They will be 6 weeks old Thursday, and it just doesn't seem like they should be that old. I'll blink and they'll be 6 YEARS old! :)

Piper, waving hi to all our friends out in Blog Land :)

Layla, wondering what in the world I'm doing..

It's exciting that they can actually fit into some of their clothes now :)

..some bath time cuteness..

2010-10-31T14:04:00.005-05:00

Ok, so as you could assume the girls keep me kinda busy :) Since they were born a little early, they've had more doctor visits than normal, just mainly for weight checks. But they're back up to their birth weights now so everything is going great!

Just wanted to share a couple of cute bath time pictures. And yes, there will be posts that consist of nothing but cute baby pictures. I'm a mommy, that's what I do now :D

Layla, getting coiffed :D

Piper's turn! Love that little curl on top :)

..we have babies!!!..

2010-10-11T17:00:00.005-05:00

*Mommy on Cloud 9 over here!*

The girls are snoozing, so I thought I would take a few to post all the good details. They were born Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 36.5 weeks. Piper Ann was born at 1:08pm, weighed 4lbs 12oz, and was 18.5" long. Layla Marie was born six minutes later at 1:14pm, weighed 5lbs 6oz, and was 19.5" long. Piper looks just like Jeff did when he was born, and Layla looks just like I did when I was born. It's really a crazy thing to see :)

Even though it wasn't the norm, the pediatrician and nurses let us take the girls home with us after 48 hours. Even though technically they're "preemies" they all said they have never seen 36-weekers do so well, and they just didn't see a need to keep them. *ahem, superstars!* :D

So today they're 4 days old, had their first doctor visit, and got more good news that they weigh the same as they did when they left the hospital (4lbs 8oz and 5lbs). Good news because they didn't lose as much as most babies do.

Lots more to tell, since I do want to post my birth story, but it's about feeding time again. They may be small, but they like to eat! (They get that from me, lol)

Don't worry, many more pictures to come :)

..well..

2010-10-06T19:59:00.002-05:00

It looks like we will have babies tomorrow :D I've been in labor (early stage) for the last couple of days now. I'm having contractions but they're not painful. I'm dilated to 3cm but completely effaced. And I won't go into the gross details, but let's just say Piper is making it known to the Dr. that she's ready to come out!! :)

So I go to the hospital at 5:00am tomorrow to start my induction, if my water doesn't break on its own before that, which it very well could.

Can we say anxious?! :D I'm not nervous, it's the waiting part that's getting me. Now that I know it's happening, I just want to get started, lol. But I'm using tonight to wash some baby clothes and bassinet sheets, get the hospital bag together, and then hopefully get some sleep.

Don't fret though, I will be updating from the hospital if I have time! :D

..acrobats..

2010-09-21T12:59:00.003-05:00

I think my girls are going to be contortionists. They make my belly move and change shape in ways I didn't think possible, lol. It makes me wish there was a little tiny camera in there so I could see what they are doing.

I get another ultrasound tomorrow to check their weights. Last ultrasound (which was August 27) they weighed over 3lbs each. They should hopefully be close to 5lbs each now. I'm 34 weeks along at the moment, and my doctor thinks I'll go to 36. Not sure how he knows or why he thinks that, but he's the expert, not me, lol. I guess I'll know more after my visit tomorrow!

..hello september!..

2010-09-02T19:19:00.003-05:00

Am I the only one it snuck up on? It was like BAM! Out of nowhere :) I've spent the last couple of weeks just baking cupcakes and babies, lol. Speaking of babies, wanna see something adorable? J and I took a childbirth class, and the last night, he got to see what it was like to swaddle and diaper a baby :)

I think he did a really good job :) Even if he did have the baby squeezed between his knees part of the time, lol. But he'll get plenty of practice very soon.

So, September. Great month :) For me it means:

*Less than 7 weeks til the girls get here

*Mine and J's 4 year wedding anniversary

*New season of CSI!

*New season of Bama football!! Roll Tide!!! :)

Like I said, great month :)

..my one day off..

2010-08-21T10:41:00.003-05:00

So we got the shop going and really hit the ground running! We've been open for two weeks now, and I don't have people lining up out the doors, but I do stay busy all day. Not too shabby for a business who's only advertising at the moment is word of mouth and some Facebook time!

So this is the first day I've really had "off" even though the shop is only open Monday - Thursday. I usually spend Fridays and Saturdays working on special order birthday cakes and wedding cakes.

Enough cake talk, let's talk about the babies!!! :D I cannot believe that I only have about 8 weeks left until the girls are here. I mean, 8 weeks at the most! I've had three baby showers, and have been so very blessed with so many wonderful items. Lots of diapers, LOTS of clothes (because who doesn't love buying clothes for twin girls?!) and lots of other goodies.

And because they are just too stinkin' cute, I have to share a couple of the dresses that we got. I'm a sucker for a little girl in a polo dress, lol.

We also got this one in a pink and white stripe as well.

And then we got two of these, and they are just precious..

Ahh, be still my heart :) I can't wait to start playing dress-up :D

With getting the shop set up and open I had to put the nursery on hold, but it's almost done now. That's what I plan on working on today. A super cute new fabric store opened up near me and they carry all of the "designer" brand fabrics, like Heather Bailey, Heather Ross, Anna Maria Horner, and all those. So she has the fabric that I want to use for the nursery, yay!

And, so I don't get any complaints from the peanut gallery (you know who you are!) I leave you with a belly shot :) This one is a couple of weeks old, and yes, I have gotten bigger since. I will take a recent one today! But until that one gets posted, this one can tide you over :)

..my new sign!..

2010-07-23T22:24:00.003-05:00

The graphics guys came the other day and put my new shop window sign up. I think it looks great, what do y'all think?

It will look really good once I get my display window all dressed up. That should happen early next week. I'm still pushing to open two weeks from today. I'm gonna try my hardest! :)

..summer blog tour..

2010-07-15T12:18:00.002-05:00

Holly from The Work at Home Woman and Abbey from Living My MoMent have put together an amazing Blog Tour. 60 blogs in 60 days, and today is all me! :) But you can see the entire list here to catch up on ones you may have missed.

As for my post for today.. are you tired of hearing about babies yet? Hope not :) The hubbo looked at me last night and said, "You're really enjoying the whole pregnancy thing, aren't you?" I told him I could totally see how women would want to be pregnant all the time. Aside from the sickness in the beginning, being pregnant is a feeling that you just can't describe. It really does have to be felt. And the fact that there's two in there just makes it even more special!

I got to see the girls via ultrasound again at my doctor's appointment yesterday. Layla has flipped so they are now both head down. Maybe they will stay that way for the rest of the pregnancy *fingers crossed* Lol. Piper weighs about 1lb 8oz and Layla weighs about 1lb 10oz. It's hard to believe they're that big already!

And, since I'm all about fun facts that very rarely come up in conversation, here's some "did you know?" stuff about twins!

*Up to 22% of twins are left-handed. In the general populace, only 10% are left-handed. (For the record, hubbo and I are both right-handed)

*Twins do not have to be born on the same dates. The longest gap between birth is 85 days.

*27 lbs. and 12oz. Total is the heaviest combined birth weight of any set of twins. (Eep!)

*Once you've had fraternal twins, you are 3 to 4 times more likely to have another set!

*Female fraternal twins have an increased chance to have fraternal twins at an actual rate of about one in 60 births or more.

And now you know :)

..i'm making this so hard!..

2010-07-06T20:10:00.007-05:00

Ok, so, this whole fabric for the girls' room thing.. I'm driving myself crazy with it. I'm still not convinced that I really love any of the fabric choices I posted about previously. Part of that I think is because I discovered the Nicey Jane collection by Heather Bailey. I think it really has that shabby chic feel that I like. The fabric doesn't actually have any birds on it, but it is floral, and it has all of the colors I wanted to use. Check out some of the patterns..

And see, those great patterns are making me want to do things like this..

Patchwork! I want to do patchwork so bad! Check out these awesome patchwork pillows, made by Kathrin of Where Your Heart Is!

They're actually made with lots of the Nicey Jane fabric, and I LOVE them! Ooh ooh ooh, look!! I found this awesome crafty blog called Tiggle Giggles, and look what she made with Nicey Jane!

How gorgeous! I think I might not need any more convincing.. it's just so pretty. So very Cath Kidston :)

**All photos linked to their owners**

..i'm nesting!..

2010-06-29T09:31:00.004-05:00

Figuratively and literally I suppose :) In getting ready for the girls to make their appearance, I've finally decided how I'm going to do their nursery. I'm going to do like a shabby chic-ish bird theme. I want to use all different colors so that I'm not limited by anything. The walls are a light khaki color, and the molding and all of the furniture is a dark espresso.

These pictures inspired a lot of what I'm going for (I know these are bedrooms and not nurseries, but you get the idea):

I've got two birdcages that I'm going to paint white, and I've bought a couple of little small things too. I also really want to put a small chandelier in as the light fixture. Nothing like, huge and fancy. Now I'm just stuck on fabric choices for the curtains and crib skirt. I'm trying to find a bird pattern that I can pair with a solid or two, but I've found three that I really like.

First, there's this one.. it's hard to tell , but the background is actually a little on the cream-color side, not totally white. I like that it has several different colors as well as the colors of the walls and furniture.

Then there's this one, which is very bold and would really stand out. Hubbo likes it the best. The only thing I don't like about it, is that it doesn't have any blue in it.

And then last, there's this one. It's mine and hubbo's least favorite, but it is cute and vintage-y looking.

I really wish I could see these fabrics in person. I'm one of those that likes to see and feel stuff, lol. So, give me input!! :D I need thoughts and opinions :)

**Update** Lookie what I found! It's a fabric from the same pattern line as choice #2.. it coordinates and it has blue in it! We might just have to have two patterns and a solid :) FYI the background is white, like the other.

..much ado about nothing..

2010-06-26T18:51:00.002-05:00

It's Saturday and I'm being a bum :) I'm sitting here at the computer, entering all kinds of baby giveaways and watching it rain. I'm telling myself that I need a day of doing nothing though.. earlier this week I had the scare of my life. Tuesday afternoon my mom was at my house and told me that she didn't really feel good. She had heartburn really bad. I asked if she wanted to go see her doctor. Of course she said no, and said she would be fine. Early the next morning I got a phone call from my brother saying that mom had hurt so bad all night that she hadn't slept at all, so I rushed to her house, picked her up and took her to the hospital.

My mom had had a heart attack. My mom, who I consider to be young at 52 years old, had a heart attack. We couldn't believe it. Everything happened so fast at the hospital. Once the on-call doctor saw her EKG results he immediately called in a cardiologist, who told us he was rushing her to have an arteriogram. He didn't know how much damage had been done, but the possibilities ranged from stents to open heart surgery. Seriously, I have never been more scared in my life. He didn't waste any time starting the arteriogram, and so for the next 45 minutes we waited to hear something. He came back letting us know that she only had full blockage in one artery, and that they put one stent in and she was going to be fine. She came home from the hospital today, and is on strict orders to take it easy for a while, but she feels really good. Actually, she said she felt better than she has in a long, long time. I guess clearing up an artery can do that :)

The cardiologist let us know that heart attacks are so dangerous for women because most women don't have the "classic" heart attack symptoms, such as a tighness in your chest and numbness in your left arm. He said most women feel like they have heartburn really bad, just like mom did.

On a much happier note, we found out the girls like music :) We've been putting headphones on my belly at night, and the girls move nonstop while the music is playing. It's so incredibly fun :) They're really active anyway. All of the nurses think it's hilarious that they have to chase them to get hearbeats with the Doppler or the ultrasound machines. I've got wiggle worms :D

Off to fix myself a BT sandwich. That's a BLT without the L, since I don't have any :)

Peace, love and koala fuzz y'all!

..isabella oliver review..

2010-06-21T11:02:00.005-05:00

So as my belly is getting bigger and bigger, it's getting harder and harder to find clothes to cover it, lol. Well, I happened to stumble upon a maternity clothing company called Isabella Oliver. They make some super cute clothes! Here's a little about them from their website:

Isabella Oliver was launched in 2003, and has since become home to two essential women's wear collections; Isabella Oliver Maternity and Isabella Oliver 365.

The brand was founded by Baukjen de Swaan Arons, Vanessa Knox-Brien and Geoff van Sonsbeeck; three passionate individuals whom aspired to create a clothing brand that women would love to wear.

Every Isabella Oliver piece exudes the brand's ethos; pregnancy style solutions for today's multitasking woman. Timeless classics are given a contemporary twist with ruche and wrap accents to create comfortable and stylish maternity essentials in easy, wearable fabrics. We aim to produce effortlessly chic collections; multifunctional must-haves that provide style confidence when you need it most.

And it's not just me that thinks they make cute clothes. They have clothed some of the most famous pregnant women out there! We're talking Angelina Jolie, Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba and Gwen Stefani just to name a few.

Isabella Oliver sent me their most popular item, the Wra p Around Top, to try out.

I'll have to admit, when I first took the Wrap Around Top out of the box, I thought there was no way it was going to cover all of me, because it comes as one piece that looks like this:

The two long "tails" are the pieces you wrap to completely cover your belly. Well, I tried it on anyway and started wrapping. Let me tell you, this is some seriously stretchy fabric! It just kept going and going! It covered all of my belly and tied into a cute little knot on the side.

So now you're probably wondering, if it's so stretchy, do you feel like you're all wrapped up in an ace bandage or something? Well that answer is nope! This is definitely one of the most comfortable tops I've ever worn. It is snug against the body, but not in a way that feels too tight or constricting. Best of all, after the girls are born, I can still wear this top! So bonus for the dual use! :)

So if you're in need of maternity clothes, and you're tired of the tops that make you look like you're wearing a tent, then check out Isabella Oliver. They carry more than just tops too, including dresses, jeans, bathing suits, and lots more!

Note: I received a complimentary top from Isabella Oliver for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received for my opinion.

*All photos courtesy of the Isabella Oliver website.

..officially official..

2010-06-02T11:07:00.004-05:00

Well the babies definitely cooperated yesterday. We got wide open shots, lol. The ultrasound tech had no doubt that we are having two little girls :) They have gotten so big since the last time I got to see them. And of course they were wiggling all over the place. The tech kept having to chase them down to get good pictures. By the end of the ultrasound they were fighting! One was punching the other in the butt and then she was kicking the other one in the head. Ahh, the joys of little girls :D

It took us forever to come up with one girl name and one boy name. So after finding out we needed another girl name I thought it was going to be a big, drawn out argument and that they might be born and Baby B still might not have a name. But standing in the checkout line at Wal-Mart last night, out of nowhere, Jeff said a name, and we both love it. So, both of our girls have a name...

Piper Ann and Layla Marie :) Their middle names are after mine and his grandmothers. We're going to be swimming in pink around here, and I can't wait :)

..6 days left..

2010-05-27T15:42:00.004-05:00

Until I (hopefully) find out what these critters are! I hope they cooperate at the ultrasound Tuesday. I'm supposed to drink 36oz of water before the appointment and go in with a full bladder. Umm, you want me, pregnant with twins, to load up my bladder and then let someone push all over it?! That's going to be torture, lol :) But they said it pushes the babies up and makes them easier to see. I guess whatever gives me an advantage :) I've had three dreams about them so far, and in each one it has been a boy and a girl. I don't know if that's intuition or just me really hoping. I guess we'll find out.

In the meantime it has been wedding after wedding, and lots of prep work trying to get ready for the new shop. Here's some cakes from a wedding last weekend..

The groom is a big turkey hunter, and the wedding had sort of an Asian theme. It was beautiful, lots of light and dark pink everywhere. I loved it. These aren't the best photos, I made them with my phone. The good photos will be on the Sugar on Top website in the next few days. Better lighting and no one's head in the background :D Hope all of my wonderful friends out here in blog land are having a great summer.

Peace, love and koala fuzz y'all!

..i think i've lost it..

2010-05-08T19:18:00.002-05:00

I've heard that pregnancy brain can make you think/say/do some weird stuff, but I didn't think it would make me go insane. Let me tell you what my 3 1/2 month pregnant crazy self did this week... I signed a lease on a shop for Sugar on Top. As in, I'm going to have an actual bakery. No more renting kitchen space, no more special-order-only. I'm going to have an honest to goodness storefront! I'm going to have babies in 5 months and I'm opening a shop! What was I thinking?! I think I wasn't thinking.. but the perfect spot became available. It's a spot that I've wanted ever since I decided to start doing cakes, before I even got pregnant. It's right in downtown, it's the perfect size, and it's cheap. They said, "It's available," and I said, "Wrap it up!" I can't believe it, but I'm so excited. And I think I'm more nervous about starting this shop than about having twins! Maybe 2010 will just be my year :D

..earth mama angel baby organics review..

2010-05-01T12:01:00.004-05:00

I first discovered Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics when doing an online search for organic pregnancy products. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew I didn't want to cram my body full of chemicals. Your whole way of looking at things changes when you realize you're not just taking care of yourself anymore. Being responsible for these babies makes me think a little differently. So I was happy to find Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics. Here's a little of what they're about, pulled directly from their website:

"We use the highest-quality, certified-organic or organically grown herbs and oils for our teas, bath herbs, gentle handmade soaps, salves, lotions and massage oils. Our products are 100% toxin-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes. Our commitment to honor the earth and her valuable resources extends to our packaging as well - we use only eco-friendly recyclable or reused/resuseable packaging and packing materials. It's true - we are even the proud recipients of the BRAG (Business Recycling Award Group) for our green practices.

Just as our foremothers did, Earth Mama Angel Baby honors the ancient knowledge of natural and herbal remedies and plant medicine. The wisdom we rely on has been passed down from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother to daughter, which we combine with the safety and assurances of contemporary evidence-based research."

Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics recently sent me some of their new Happy Mama Body Wash to try out.

"Earth Mama Angel Baby’s exhilarating new body wash is safe for pregnancy and ideal for noses that are sensitive from morning sickness. And since Earth Mama Angel baby products are formulated to be safe for pregnancy they are safe, and perfect, for the entire family. With fresh Ginger to combat queasiness, Happy Mama Body Wash is USDA Certified Made With Organic ingredients, including zangy organic Lime and organic Pink Grapefruit essential oils to give spirits a lift, in a naturally safe organic olive oil castile soap base. No harsh detergents and zero toxins mean it's safe for pregnant women and the whole family."

This body wash smells SO good! The ginger and the grapefruit really wakes you up in the morning. The lather is wonderful and it rinses away clean. Sometimes body washes feel like they leave a residue on my skin, but this one definitely doesn't. I also love that it can be used not only for pregnant mamas, but for babies as well.

They also have much more than lotions and body washes. For tea drinkers, they have several blends including Morning Wellness Tea, Heartburn Tea and Third Trimester Tea. This was the first product from Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics that I've tried, but it definitely won't be my last. I've got my eye on the Happy Feet Herbal Foot Soak and the Natural Stretch Oil (I have a feeling that with twins, I'm gonna need this!).

So if you're looking for organic products that you can feel good (and safe) about using on yourself and your little ones, then have a look around Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic's website.

*As always, no monetary compensation was given for my opinion. *All photos courtesy of www.earthmamaangelbaby.com

..3 months!..

2010-04-21T22:18:00.002-05:00

I'm 12 weeks this week, woot! I can't believe it's been 3 months already. A little over 5 months and they'll be here! Speaking of not believing, who's belly is this? It's like I can literally see and feel myself getting bigger every day, but it's so cute :) You can finally tell I'm actually pregnant, and not just hooked on Krispy Kremes, lol. I've got to get some belly pics up. The morning sickness is much better. The only time I usually feel bad is at bedtime. I think laying down makes my heartburn bad, which makes my nausea worse. Luckily Tums help, and my doctor said that I can always take over the counter meds like Prilosec. 3 weeks until I get to see the critters again, I can't wait.

Oh yeh, did I mention I'm on a big mashed potatoes and gravy kick? LOVING me some KFC lately, lol :D

Peace, love and double the koala fuzz y'all!

..bun in the oven chronicles..

2010-04-14T15:11:00.005-05:00

Ok so I got a little bit of a surprise yesterday. I had to go back to the OB for an exam and some bloodwork, and they said since my doctor didn't get to see me when I was in last week (he got called for a delivery), that he wanted me to have another ultrasound. That was fine by me, because I'm a worry-wort and I'll take any chance to see the critters! :)

They said they were still right on track size-wise, and their heartbeats were good. Baby A was flipped upside down, lol. They were both just hopping all over the place while we were watching, it was crazy :) Also, they said they want to see me every 4 weeks until I hit 6 months. Then it will go to every 2 weeks until 8 months, then it will be every week. So when I go back I will be 15 weeks along. My new due date is October 18th. The Dr. said that with twins, "full term" is only 38 weeks. So, it's really crazy to think that they could be here in just 6 short months! I've already started stockpiling diapers, just to make it a little easier.

..bun in the oven chronicles..

2010-04-08T14:47:00.005-05:00

Well, today certainly was a crazy day. We had our first doctor's appointment. They said they were going to do the ultrasound first, and it felt like it took forever to get us in a room. I know it was really only a few minutes, but I was super nervous and excited all at the same time. I got in and laid down, and Jeff sat in the chair next to me. On went the gel (which was surprisingly warm!) and then the tech went to work. I knew something was up when the first words out of her mouth were, "Oh my." So then I start straining to see the monitor, and she asks, "So this is your first?" And I'm thinking good grief what is it? Well, have a look. (Click on it to see the whole thing)

That's not two pictures of one baby :D We're having twins!! I couldn't believe it. But it's really weird, because I've kinda had that feeling all along that it might be more than one. So super excited! :) She said that both babies looked good as far as size, and that their heartbeats were really good.

Here's Baby A, waving for its closeup :)

And here's a profile of Baby B. I just love its little belly :)

Yeh, so we're excited, and freaked out a little, and totally on cloud 9 a little too. I mean, one was enough to be happy about. Two is just great, and sorta insane :D The nurse said I'm like the 5th set of twins they've seen in the last month, but I'm the only one who got them without fertility drugs. I will go back in 6 weeks for another ultrasound, and the tech said we should get to find out genders then. She also said that based on what she could see as far as the sacks they were in, that they're probably fraternal. That makes me happy, because that means it could be a boy and a girl. That would be awesome :) But honestly, we just want healthy!

..preggie pops review and giveaway..

2010-03-30T12:10:00.006-05:00

So, I'm 9 weeks along and I have made it no secret that nausea is definitely present in my life. I've been battling it for about 3 weeks now, and it's really inconvenient, lol. Because of that, I was very excited when Three Lollies sent me some Preggie Pops and Preggie Pop Drops to review.

What are Preggie Pops?
Preggie Pops are naturally flavored and specially formulated lollipops made for pregnant women. For generations, women have sought out certain natural therapies to ease morning sickness. As healthcare professionals, we have developed a solution: convenient, delicious, high quality and all natural lollipops. Preggie Pops offer relief via a combination of essential oils, aromatherapy and our unique delivery system. In addition, our Preggie Pops alleviate dry mouth, provide quick calories and energy during labor, and are an overall soothing and comforting way to address the needs of pregnant women. Preggie Pops are also drug free and healthcare provider recommended.

What are Preggie Pop Drops?
Created by popular demand, our Preggie Pop Drops offer a more discreet form of our highly successful Preggie Pops. Preggie Pop Drops are an all natural remedy for morning sickness. Made for women searching for a drug free method to combat a queasy stomach in pregnancy, our products have met with great success. Developed by healthcare professionals these delicious sour fruit drops have the same special formulation used in Preggie Pops. Each flavor has been specially selected. This special recipe includes essential oils which not only provide an effective way to soothe the tummy, but also alleviate dry mouth and give you a quick energy boost.
*Photos and info courtesy of Three Lollies

What I think:

I received the sour fruit flavors, and they have definitely helped me. They take away that unsettled feeling in my stomach. I honestly have one in my mouth as I'm typing this review. The sour flavors are great, with the orange and lemon being my favorite. The Preggie Pop Drops are individually wrapped, so I can toss some in my pocket or purse, and carry them with me wherever I go. So when I get that queasy feeling, I can just pop a Drop and feel better! I think another wonderful thing about these, is you don't have to have pregnancy sickness to use them. Three Lollies also makes Queasy Pops and Queasy Drops to help combat nausea associated with motion sickness and chemotherapy.

Get some:

Visit the Three Lollies website

Find a Retailer

Three Lollies Products start at just $3.95 a box. Check out the FAQ page for lots more info.

Win some:

Three Lollies sent me some Preggie Pops and Preggie Pop Drops to give away. To enter, visit Three Lollies and leave a comment telling me something else about the company or their products. This must be done for any extra entries to count.

Extra entries:

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..big changes this week..

2010-03-15T12:50:00.003-05:00

For me, I hit the big 2-8 today. Not a classic "milestone" birthday, but maybe because of being preggo, it feels kind of important to me :) The actual big changes are all baby's. This being my first pregnancy, I'm following all of the stages of development, and I'm just in awe of how much growth there can be in such a short amount of time. I'm 7 weeks today, and the little one is about the size of a blueberry (I like that!) :) By the end of this week, it will double in length from 4-5mm to 11-13mm. What is really tripping me out is blueberry's little hands and feet. Here's about what they look like today:

And by the end of the week, the hand will look like this:

(photos from www.i-am-pregnant.com)

Pretty crazy huh? My pants are getting tighter, the nausea is still there (ugh), and just the thought of some foods makes me want to run to the bathroom. But, it's all part of the experience, right? :)

..bun in the oven chronicles..

2010-03-12T12:31:00.004-06:00

I've decided that's what I'm calling the pregnancy writings. Cute, huh? :) 6 weeks, 4 days, and nausea has hit me hard. No actual trips to the bathroom, just that queasy feeling all day long. Makes it difficult to concentrate on things like baking. My sense of smell makes that REALLY difficult. The bean is very picky about what it'll let me eat right now. So I'm surviving on chicken noodle soup and those Totino's frozen pizzas, lol. I've gained 5 pounds since before I was pregnant, but I have a feeling some of that is bloating. I feel like a big balloon, and I can only imagine how much worse that feeling is going to get!

..5 weeks, 1 day..

2010-03-02T13:57:00.002-06:00

That's what I am today.. I'm sitting here, entering baby giveaways like mad. I'm also sitting here forcing myself to eat one more bite of a pb&j. I got about 3 bites into it, and it's not agreeing with me. Maybe an early indication that baby won't like pb&j? :D