Buttons Cloth Diapers Review

One of the very first cloth diapers I used on Eleanor was from Buttons.  I actually had the opportunity to review them when she was a newborn (see it here.)

These diapers are one of the ones I recommend the most when people ask me about diapers.  They are easy to use (a cover with a snap in insert) and are an affordable way to cloth diaper.   The covers are $11 for solids and $12.50 for prints.  Inserts range from $10.50 (for a 3 pack of microfiber) to $23.25 (3 pack of hemp/cotton).  So if you reuse a cover more than once by changing the insert- which I do as long as it's just wet and not dirty - it's a good affordable option. 

Since that first review I've acquired several more covers and inserts when Eleanor needed a bigger size.  

And with a new baby on the way I want to get even more.  I don't really need any more diapers, BUT.... I could totally justify it by saying that since these worked early on and still are working I can get a good 2 years out of them and make it worth it.   And there is the fact that Rob has said I can get some more if this baby is a boy.  When he said that I was a little surprised, but ready to spend all the money, lol!

So  getting back to the diaper, I was sent a microfiber insert as well as a hemp/cotton one.  I've tried the microfiber before and just like with those, this one was no different.  It absorbed well even after one wash cycle.   The hemp/cotton was actually a new experience.  Again I didn't prep this one as long as was recommended because I'm impatient, so I didn't leave it on as long as I may have but I liked it.  Converting to natural fibers is a goal of mine for this next baby. 

I apologize for the picture quality.  Eleanor didn't want to sit for pictures (can't blame her-she is 2), so I hope they are enough to convey how it fits. 

It fits well with no gaping at the thighs and back.   I have used this cover a few times now (with several insert changes each change), and have yet to experience leaking.  She hasn't had a dirty diaper in it yet (surprisingly since that's usually the first thing she does with a new diaper-lol), but I'm confident it would hold in any mess (and her poops range from peanut butter to ploppable to the loose ones that I'm thankful are held in).

I've tried both the microfiber and hemp/cotton blend inserts and after several washes the absorbency has improved- which is why they say to wash it several times first. 

As far as trimness it actually is pretty trim as you can see in the pictures above and below (and it totally looks like she's posing). 

Overall, I love these diapers.  They come in lots of adorable colors and prints (the one I reviewed was MIDNIGHT), and have several insert options (two sizes, doubles and different materials).  I would (and do) recommend them to anyone cloth diapering- especially those on more of a budget).

To see all their product offerings and to order check out their site here

You can also connect with them on facebook, twitter, pinterest and youtube

WaterWipes (#waterwipes #ic #ad)

“This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.”

We use baby wipes for lots of things, from the obvious use with diaper changes, but also for cleaning up faces & hands after meals and even paint messes when Eleanor does art projects.  

Cleaning her duck with WaterWipes

So it's safe to say we go through a lot.  I do my best to be aware of the ingredients in them, but sometimes I just buy the cheapest or what is the most convenient (such as the prepackaged with the flip lids as opposed to the big bags of them). 

 WaterWipes are 99.9% water and .1% grapefruit seed extract; so no chemicals used. They are a European brand and although I've been seeing them around the blogging world for a little while now, I haven't had the chance to try them.   I didn't even realize that my local Meijer store even carried them.

 

Because they are chemical free and thus have no preservatives they are good for up to 15 months unopened and 1 month opened. 

Something that I haven't seen before with wipes if that WaterWipes are not connected like other brands.  This is so they can remain sterile and as a result they also don't recommend transferring to another container. 

With another baby coming soon (3ish months is soon right?), I know we are about to go through way more than we already do.  I want to do my best do look for products that are better than what we use now.  WaterWipes are a better choice in wipes.  

Although they are more expensive than other wipes, and I am usually a cheapest product wins kind of girl, somethings are worth the extra amount.  Especially when it comes to something that comes in contact with that precious baby skin.  Other wipes would work fine and I wouldn't say I'd feel guilty using them, but using WaterWipes is something I definitely feel better about. 

To learn more about WaterWipes and where you can find them check out their links below.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterWipesUSA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaterWipesUSA
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/waterwipesusa/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/waterwipesusa/

Store locator: http://goic.io/udOkx2

Dial Soap

 I was provided this product to test for in exchange for a review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. 

Soap isn't exciting.  I've tried several kinds and while I generally like them when they smell good and moisturize my hands, it isn't something I'd run down my street proclaiming my love for.

My latest product that I was able to test is Dial Micro Oil Hand Soap.   It is infused with Marula oil and nourishes and hydrates through micro oil technology.

Although my preference in soap is a foaming soap, I did like this soap.  I thought is had a nice smell to it and it is something I'm comfortable with Eleanor using.  

As with any type of soap, the most important thing, more than smell or style, is if it actually cleans.  This one absolutely does. 

Review~ Anti-Aging Moisturizing Cream

I've been bad about taking care of my skin in the past.  I wear sunscreen in the summer (I know I should do it year round) and if I wear makeup I wash my face before bed and that's about it.  

I'm going to be 30 later this year.  Although I don't feel like I'm almost 30, I also don't want to look like I'm almost 30 either and knew it was time to take better care of my skin.  

So when the opportunity to review Adeline anti-aging moisturizer came around I knew it would be a great idea.

Handmade in the USA Adeline products are free of parabens, SLS and other petrochemical derivatives and have no extra additives or fillers.    

The anti-aging mosturizer contains Matrixyl, Witch Hazel, Hyalyronic Acid, Vitamic C & Vitamin E which help fight wrinkles and rejuvinate your skin.

I've been using it for almost two weeks and while I'm not sure I look younger, I feel better.  I'm not sure if it's a combination of all the ingredients, or something else, but I will continue to use this.  It's forced me to take better care of my face (I wash and use this twice a day) and so I feel better just because of that.

Before & After Shots

Before & After

You can buy on Amazon for around $35, but they offer some great sales and deals on this and other products as well. From the looking around I've done it seems a good price and it's ingredient list eliminates the need for multiple creams.

Reese's Spread ~ Yum!

I received this product from Influenster for review purposes.  All opinions are my own. 

Recently I had the opportunity to sample the Reese's new spread. Reese's peanut butter cups are a favorite treat of mine (I may or may not be hording some from Halloween still)  

Even though I love them (because of the chocolate mix) I don't really love peanut butter, so I was curious to know how it would stack up.  

From that first spoonful I was hooked.  It is sweeter than I expected, but not in a bad way.  It just means that I can't have a lot of it in one sitting.  It does taste a lot like a peanut butter cup which is great!

I tried it with pretzels, bananas, apples and on a sandwich.  It was delicious on all.   I've been contemplating putting it on bacon because bacon and chocolate seems to be the in thing to do.  

You can purchase it at most grocery, convenience and drug stores for $3.89 for a 13 oz jar. 

Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate

I received this product complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are my own. 

Marie Cavanaugh spent hours in her South Dakota farmhouse each Christmas season making pecan rolls and homemade chocolates for holiday gifting.

"It started when my aunt sent her pecan-rolls recipe," Mrs. Cavanaugh recalled. "I gave the recipe my own touch and started making the yummy specialties. Then I began dipping chocolates. Our friends and neighbors loved these treats, encouraging me to start a candy business. Finally, I decided it might be a good idea.'"

Her husband and children helped fill demands for her homemade sweet and in 1972, the family moved to Utah, leaving good friends and their beloved cattle ranch. 

"It was a difficult decision, especially for George," Mrs. Cavanaugh said. "He was excited about making our new venture, which we chose to call Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candies, a great success. We felt Utah was blessed with good chocolates and that we would enjoy - and could compete with - those who pride themselves on making excellent chocolates."

Millions of pounds of chocolates later, Mrs. Cavanaugh's candies have earned a reputation for unquestionable excellence....

You know this is a product to be excited about when my husband who is dealing with major stomach issues really is bugging me to let him have one.  
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The carmel one was awesome!  This is the one we fought over.  The carmel was really rich and creamy.



This cherry cordial was amazing!  I love these things.  The cream was a lot lighter than in the more commercially produced ones. . That's the best way I can describe it.

Surprisingly I haven't devoured the box yet so I haven't tried all the kinds yet.

I also had a white chocolate coconut almond bar which was good.  I'm not a huge fan of white chocolate (I love the dark chocolate the best), but I still liked it.


Readers will receive Buy 1 lb Get 1 lb FREE of Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolateswhen they use promo code: usfamily2014 http://www.mrscavanaughs.com

Baby Banana Brush Review & Giveaway

I was provided with this product for review.  All opinions are my own.

Like any other child teething comes and goes.  I almost always tend to blame her fussiness on teething and lately she's ramped it up, had spurts of drooliness, and chewing on things she normally wouldn't. 

So when the opportunity to check out the banana brush presented itself I hoped it would be a good fit.  The brush says its for babies up to 12 months, but Eleanor is close to the mark and with the teething symptoms I had to try it. 

The brush was invented by a mom who is also a hygienist.  It is made of silicone and helps to soothe sore gums.  The handles are easy to hold on to and it's dishwasher safe (which I think all kid products should be) and is safe for the freezer - which I haven't tried yet. 

It arrived, I opened it up and washed it, and handed it to her.   Or tried to, she didn't take it.  So I showed her what it was supposed to do, and handed it back to her.  She chewed it for a moment and then dropped it and wandered off.   

She didn't care to much for it.  It's not a product issue, but more so that she just wasn't interested. I guess she really was to old for it.    Thus the reason for the blurry pictures.  I had to try to be fast and failed. 

 I do plan to just keep it in her toy bin and I'm sure she will find it and love it periodically.

If you have a teething baby you can enter to win one!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Braun No Touch Forehead Thermometer

I was sent this for review from Influenster.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

When I got that email saying I was chosen for the Braun vox box I was really excited.  It's definitely a 'you know your a mom moment' when you get excited over a thermometer.  But I was.  A thermometer that reads in just a few seconds and you don't even have to touch it to the forehead. Yes please!

We take her temperature the old fashioned way (If you know what I mean?).  It's the most accurate way for a baby, but as she get's older she's a lot less cooperative - and really can you blame her?  That's no fun.

This is her watching me take my temperature.

With cold and flu season coming up I am really happy to have this.   This will easy become my go to thermometer.  I'd still take her temperature the other way if it was borderline, but this would function every other time.

And it is so easy to use.  Seriously takes the temperature in seconds.  I had to pin her down to take a video because otherwise she would grab for it.  I turned it on, took her temp, read it and had it back off in ten seconds.  With a squirmy wormy girl this is a must.

And another amazing thing about this is that you don't even have to touch it to the forehead.  You can just hold it an inch or so away.  You can touch the forehead, but if you have a sleeping sick baby you don't even to disturb them.   There is a slight variation in temperatures (like 98.7 to 98.9) from touching the forehead to not, but I expected that.

It's got a huge screen and a back lite to make it easy to read the temp which is nice.

I love this thing and would absolutely recommend it.

Little Acorn Boutique Shop Spotlight

* I received this item for review.  No other compensation was given.*

I came across this shop initially because I entered a giveaway on instagram and when I started getting the pictures in my feed I just loved the fun prints.

So I contacted the shop owner Krisit and asked if she was interested in a review and was excited when she agreed to make and send a pair for Eleanor.  I love to dress up Eleanor and love when I can find items that no one else has even more.

 

So Eleanor really didn't care as much about the leggings when they arrived, but she loved the card that came with them.  She made a beeline straight for it.

(I apologize for the lack of quality images below.  Getting a baby on the move all the time to not be on the move is pretty tough.  I tried!)

First off these pants are even more adorable in person than in a picture!  I love the peachy color and the pattern.  Rob's a hunter so it was a fun way to kind of recognize that but still keep it girly.  I'm really hoping they will still fit in the fall when deer season opens.

I think that they will because as you can see in some of the images they are a little long.  This isn't a fault of Kristi, the maker of these wonderful things; I asked for a 12 month size because sometimes Eleanor can fit into that size and with cloth diapers they add a little bulk to them. 

They were very soft and have stretch to them so they will be comfortable. 

Eleanor has become very mobile lately so a pair of pants that can stand to a lot of wear (especially on the knees) is super important. 

Around the waist they fit snugly enough that I don't feel like they are going to fall down, but with enough room so they aren't to tight and that she still has room to grow.  Does that make sense?  The images below kind of show a gap in the back of the pants to show what I'm talking about.

Eleanor seems pretty happy in them.  I had them on her when my mom came over to babysit her, and later that day my sister in law and her kids came over and she got lots of compliments on how cute she looked (sidenote:  I want to find another coordinating solid top or onesie to pair them with other than white.  Suggestions?).  And when I posted a picture on instagram of her in them I got the same 'those are so cute!' reaction.

The craftsmanship of the pants is well done.  I've seen some pants where the patterns on the pieces didn't line up, and while that's okay sometimes, in some pants it doesn't look right, but these didn't have that issue.  The stitching was great (I have an inability to sew a straight line so I'm impressed). 

She's worn them a couple of times so they have been washed a few times. They didn't fray, threads didn't come lose and they didn't fade at all. 

Rob's a hunter and these leggings were a fun way to incorporate that but still keeping it girly.

You can find your own adorable pair through her instagram page or Etsy shop.