I’m learning about living green.  I’m not totally crunchy yet, but we are doing pretty well.  Our garden was fun, we recycle, and we buy organic products when possible.  We are teaching our kids to reuse instead of throwing things out.  My daughter couldn’t believe that we could use an empty soy sauce bottle as a vase!   I’ve been buying natural cleaning products for a while now.  The last big area of my life that I’ve clung to so tightly was personal care products.  I am not sure why.  Partly because I am so loyal to the brands I love, and I think also because many products can be bought for a song at CVS and other stores.  In the past year or so, my family has developed sensitivities to all kinds of personal care products and we knew we needed to make a change.   We’ve tried new brands of sunscreen, makeup, and even shampoo.   I’ve found that these products are typically at least as good as the products that we’ve been using, and often the quality surpasses our favorite brands.  It makes me feel good to know that my kids are safer because we’re using products with safer ingredients.

One brand that we recently tried was Original Sprout.  These products are made by a mom/stylist and it’s obvious that she took the time to develop a product that she could use herself.  The products are formulated with fragrances made with naturally derived ingredients. Since frangraces  are usually what set off my dermatitis, this factor was really important to me. Original Sprout products are certified FREE of phthalates, lavender, tea tree, PG, DPG, parabens, dioxanes, benzenes, formaldehydes, acetaldehydes, styrene, toluene, chlorobenzene & glycol ethers.  Whew!  What a long list of scary ingredients.  I don’t have to worry about this stuff touching my kids’ skin when we use Original Sprout.

We used the Island Bliss shampoo and conditioner, scrumptious baby cream, and the miracle detangler.   The products arrived just in time for our trip to Pennsylvania, so I tossed them in the suitcase as we were leaving.  The containers were perfect for travel.  They didn’t leak one bit.  My whole family used the shampoo and conditioner while we were out of town.   We took family pictures during our trip and I think my kids’ hair looked great.  The shampoo and conditioner smells so good, lightly fragranced, and rinsed out very easily.  I hoarded the baby cream for myself because it was soooooo luxurious.  It’s perfect for really dry areas like elbows and heels.   The detangler is great for those mornings when my daughter complains about her hair being too tangled….. just a couple of spritzes and we’re good to go.   Whenever I browse the Original Sprout website, I always find products that I want to try.  The next item on my list is the natural styling balm.  I also want to try the 2-in-1 body wash/shampoo (my hubby loves to use that when he travels.)   I hope to see Original Sprout expand to a cosmetics line someday.   Their products are certified vegan, which is a feature that my current makeup touts.  Oh my.  I could shop there all day.   The products are comparably priced to salon brands, so if you’re used to spending on those products then the sticker shock won’t hurt you.   To me, it’s worth spending a little more to know that my family isn’t exposed to a lot of dangerous chemicals.

Of course, I still look for a discount!  And here’s one for you.

When you place an order, use code FIRST_ORDER_10-U to get 10% off your first order at Original Sprout.  Their products are also available at select natural food stores and salons.   You can get in touch with Original Sprout on Facebookand Twitter, too.

Have you heard of NeoCell?  I never did before I recently received a few of their products.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was hoping for some reduction in the aging that is starting to show on my face.  Showing my age isn’t something that I’ve worried about before now.  I am in my 14th year of teaching 6th graders, and it has kept me young in my mind.  I still feel 25!  But I realized the other day that I’m the same age as most of my students’ parents.  That was really a rude awakening.  When I look in the mirror these days, some forehead wrinkles are starting to surface, and I can practically scoop up the skin off my cheekbones.   Kind of depressing.  My skin is pretty sensitive, so it’s important for me to be careful with the products that I use.  I received these products from NeoCell:

Of these three, my favorite product is the refreshing mist.  Instead of using it on my face, I spritz it on after a walk or a swim.  It’s very light and clean.  The Neocell Collagen serum is really powerful—a little goes a long way.  I think this bottle, although rather small, will last a long time!   It’s not something I would normally have bought because I tend to stay away from collagen products, but I’m glad that I was able to try it.  The Hydra + H.A. serum is ah-ma-zing.  It reminds me of a very expensive anti-aging product I used to sell and is just as effective.  I love using it.  It makes my skin feel healthy without being heavy and oily.  Again, it’s not something that I would have considered before, simply because I’m so stuck in my ways when it comes to beauty products.  So glad that I was able to try this new brand!  NeoCell is launching their new website soon, so the product details aren’t available on their site, but you can view their PDF to find out about other NeoCell products.

You can connect with NeoCell on Facebook and on Twitter.

Interested in trying NeoCell?  Use code CIP001 for $5 off when you purchase NeoCell on iherb.

NeoCell is offering one lucky reader a $65 SRP prize package!  The giveaway is featured in the Better Late Than Never giveaway event on September 1-9.  Click here to enter!

Free 8/24

Sorry that I haven’t posted a free Nook download in a while! I’m hoping to redeem myself with this one. It’s a young adult book that looks rather promising. Who doesn’t like a little bit of magic thrown in with zombies?!

Here are a few more downloads to keep you reading this weekend.  Enjoy!

free 8/24

Free 8/24

Free 8/24

This one’s still free! 8/24

Free 8/24

After my recent post on apps for kids, I got to try another cool tool for kids. This one is from Kid’s Academy Company and is an interactive ABC app.  One of the things I liked best is NO ADS!  The app also doesn’t encourage kids to go on Facebook or other social networks.  My kids know that they’re not supposed to be on those sites, but it’s still tempting for them when they are playing a game and then prompted to click on something else. This app is so kid-friendly.  The images are very simple and clean.  They have fun animation that kept my son entertained.   It takes a while for the pages to load (just a few seconds) so my son’s patience was a bit tattered after playing with it for a few minutes.  The music is a little annoying…..you can turn it off on the parents’ “Setting” page.   Those are just the little things though.  The basic idea on this app is to teach your child the alphabet in a fun way.  For my son, who isn’t really interested in learning his alphabet, this is teaching through the back door of his brain.  He has a great memory and apps like this really turn on a light bulb for him.  I like the stats page for parents so that you can monitor your child’s progress.  Overall, this is one of my favorite apps for making learning fun!

If you have an  iPod touch, iPad, or iPhone, apps like this one from Kid’s Academy Company are a budget-friendly way to get an educational toy without spending a bundle.  Rather than buying a separate game, you can just use the device you already have and enjoy this alphabet app for kids.

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.

Keeping your baby in diapers can be pricey!!  I applaud cloth-diapering mamas.  Since I worked full-time, my kids were in childcare and cloth-diapering wasn’t an option for us.  We spent about $60 per month on diapers for years.   We did buy the name brand diapers (Pampers only) because I found that my kids had breakouts and rashes more easily with other brands.   Here are a few strategies I used  to save money while buying something that would inevitably end up in the trash can.  I hope these ideas help you, too!

1.  Order your diapers online.  It seems like it would be more expensive, but it’s ever so convenient and very cost-effective.  I have tried several companies.  One of my favorites is Diapers.com.  It’s now part of Plum District, and they’re offering a $10 off coupon!  Use code diannag to get the discount.  Getting $10 off a pack of diapers is super.  I usually ordered two packs so I would qualify for the free shipping.   Not paying tax is an extra savings!    Plus it’s sooooo nice to have that big box delivered to your door….no lugging it to the car while you’re trying to balance the baby at the same time.  You can still use coupons on Diapers.com, you just have to send them in.

Back in the day when Amazon Mom was offering their great promotions ($10 off an order, for example) I also ordered my diapers from them.  Getting additional months of Amazon Prime for free was a nice bonus (up to a $79 per year savings!)  plus there was always a discount on the subscribe-and-save option.  Although you can’t redeem paper coupons on Amazon, there are often clip-and-save coupons on the product page.   For example, subscribe and save makes this big box of Pampers Swaddlers Diapers Economy Pack Plus Size 2 204 Count only 19 cents per diaper. Not too bad!
2.  If you have a friend who has an older baby in diapers, tell her what size your child is wearing.  I always had a lot of too-small diapers when my kids transitioned into the next size.   Rather than throwing them out, I would pass them on to my friends with younger babies.  Even if you just toss them as emergency diapers into the diaper bag, it’s money that you don’t have to spend.

3. Don’t forget to look for unopened packs of diapers at consignment sales!  For the same reasons as I posted above, many moms have a stash of diapers that they can’t use.

4.  Shop for diapers at CVS where you can use coupons and still cash in on the ECB savings.  There’s often a deal for a $10 ECB given for a $30 purchase.  It’s easy to spend $30 on diapers, right?

If you have other ways to save on diapering your sweet one, let me know.

(Note that this post contains my referral/affiliate links.)

I’m a fan of direct-order products.  Once upon a time I was an Arbonne consultant because their skincare line was the only product I could use on my daughter’s sensitive skin.  I loved it so much that I became a consultant and did home parties and direct sales.  It was so much fun but it was not working out for my family’s busy schedule and I had to drop it.  Still, I love supporting mom-preneurs and trying new products.  There are several direct-sales brands that I enjoy purchasing.  Here are just a few that I buy from:

Pampered Chef

Thirty-One

Matilda Jane

Kelly’s Kids

Chez Ami

Longaberger

Discovery Toys

Silpada

Lia Sophia

Scentsy

Southern Home

Do you find yourself loving these products, too, but holding back because of the expense?  While it’s true that these items can often be pricey, there are ways to save.  Here are some ideas from my experience as an independent consultant.

1. Find a consultant who you love and stick with her.  Loyalty is a great thing in direct-sales, and your consultant will take care of you if she knows that you are going to buy from her.  The Matilda Jane consultant who I buy from lives in another state.  We’ve never met, but she always makes sure I get a great deal on my order.  So don’t worry if your consultant is not local.  What matters is great customer service.
2. Sign up for the emails.  Usually the newsletter will be sent out once per month, and it’s often loaded with specials and deals.  You’ll miss out on these FYI’s if you don’t subscribe.
3. If there’s a specific item you’re longing for, tell your consultant.  She can keep an eye out for you.  When that item goes on sale or she can get you a good discount, she will try to help you out.   This is how I get good prices on the more expensive things I want.
4. Have a catalog show.  If you don’t have time to host a party in your home, set out a catalog at work.  Many busy moms don’t have time to attend a party but they’ll always find something they want to order. You’ll get some freebies this way and it’s so much easier than having an in-home party..
5. Consider getting the consultant deal if it works for you.  With Arbonne, I was able to get a 35% discount for one year plus a free product for my $29 sign-up fee.  There was no minimum purchase or requirement to sell the products.  It was a no-brainer for me!  When I did parties, I often encouraged customers to sign up so they could get their free product (they could even get the $79 night crème for free!)   While this meant that I didn’t earn the commission from the sale, it saved my clients money and that was more important to me.
6. Pay attention to the specials.  For example, Thirty-One always has great deals going on that are really good savings at low minimum-order amounts.  I take these opportunities to grab gifts, too.
7. Just ask how you can get a better price!  I was always able to find a way for my clients to get what they needed at a price that we could both live with.  Sometimes I was able to wiggle on the shipping rates by combining orders; other times I could figure out a way to stack the discounts to make the bottom line even lower.  Often times my clients would tell me not to worry about it, they were fine with the price (Arbonne products are THAT good!)  but I always tried to get the best price for my customers.

Do you have a good tip for saving with direct-sale companies?  Share, please!

If you’re an independent consultant for a company, I’d love to hear from you, too!  Please share your tips and bargains for customers.  Feel free to leave your contact info and/or website in a comment below!

A few weeks ago we received this CD to review.  My 8 year old daughter immediately stole away with it.  It’s been playing continuously since!!   She keeps it in her CD player and falls asleep to it each night, and plays it all day long when she’s home.   The lyrics are really catchy and I’ve found myself singing along more than once.   The tunes are kind of like folk music…..soothing, fun, and something you can be-bop to.  We like to dance to it while cleaning or putting away clothes.  My favorite part of this CD is that I don’t have to worry about my kids listening to it.   With so many “tween” music stars, I have to preview the music because I’m very selective about what my kids see and hear.   Sing Loud is mom-approved in this house!   I’d love to hear more of Melissa Green’s music.  I’m sure we’d love it.

You can buy Sing Loud!  on Amazon but it’s much cheaper on Melissa’s website.
You can also follow Melissa Green on Facebook and Twitter.

Want to listen, too?  Grab a couple of free downloads and some coloring sheets.   Sing loud!

This post contains affiliate links.

I joined the Over the Edge book tour  even though historical romances are not normally  my favorite genre.  I’m so glad I did!   I found myself thoroughly loving this book that Litfuse group sent me.  There were several areas where the editing was too relaxed and the passage didn’t quite make sense….I had to read it a second or even third time. As far as the story goes, though, Callie is awesome as a main character—I want to be her when I grow up!  I love her feisty personality and the way that she will do anything to take care of her little one.

I haven’t read any of Mary Connealy’s other Kincaid Brides books, so I was a little lost on some of the history.  Still, the book was able to stand alone and still be an enjoyable read.   There were enough twists and turns in the plot to keep things interesting.  When the story starts out with Callie shooting at her husband, it makes you wonder what he did to make her so mad.  Don’t you think?   This was a book that I would even read again.   I appreciated the clean humor in Over the Edge.   If you enjoy some drama, a little romance, and some definite tension in a book, be sure to check out Over the Edge

Recently I had the opportunity to read Tidewater Inn and was excited to read more from Colleen Coble.  This was a really interesting book that kept me guessing.    The first chapter was already chock full of suspense and surprise….it was that way throughout the entire book.   There was just enough romantic tension to keep things fun.  Like the main character, I’m interested in architecture and old buildings.  I could visualize the locations that were described throughout the chapters.  Sometimes the detail was a little thick but I really enjoyed those parts overall.

The cover of Tidewater Inn is just beautiful.  I can visualize the scene perfectly.  It seems that the story would continue because there were so many interesting characters in this book.

Although I thought the plot would be predictable, the end of the book completely threw me for a loop.   If you are interested in reading Christian fiction that isn’t dripping with cheesiness, this would be a good choice.

The book tour concluded with a giveaway event.  Did you win?

Our family has been without a landline for at least twelve years.  Once my husband and I both had cell phones, we used those exclusively to make long-distance calls as well as our daily call routines.  Now that we have little kids, though, I feel the need to have a landline again.  For one thing, my daughter is old enough to start calling her friends just to chat.  I don’t want her using my cell phone all the time for that, and she’s not really responsible enough to keep up with her own cell phone just yet.  Also, we are outside at the pool a lot and I’d like to have a cordless phone to take outside with me—one that is NOT my cell.  Finally, I just want one here for emergency purposes.  Call me old-fashioned, but it just seems easier to teach my kids the whole 9-1-1 spiel using a “real” phone instead of a cell phone.   Especially since they would have to dig in the abyss of my purse to find said cell phone if such a need should surface.  Therefore, I set upon a quest to find a great deal on a landline.

Under no circumstances did I want to go back to the traditional phone service.   We spent about $60 per month on that when we had it, and rarely used it.  Since we will only use our landline for occasional calls, this needed to be a major budget-friendly phone service.  So traditional phone service=strike one.

We did the whole bundle thing with our cable company.  You know the deal…Internet, TV, and phone for one low low price.  Yes, it was only $5 per month for unlimited calling.  I used my cable phone exactly three times.  I called my friend to let her know what my new number was.   I called my mom.  I called myself so I could record the number on my cell phone.  That night we had a power outage and the cable phone never worked again.  My husband determined that something had happened to the line, so he disconnected it. The cable and Internet all work great….just no phone.  Strike two.

Then I heard about VOIP from NetTalk.  Available at Target, this handy device connects your phone to your router or computer.  You can also use WiFi!  The VOIP has many of the features that landlines offer—caller ID, voicemail, and more.  When you buy the device (retails for $45.99 plus tax), it includes one year of service.  After that, you can choose your package.  The packages start at around $29.95 per year for basic service.  I set mine up in about an hour and I am not tech-savvy at all.   They also offer tech service if you need help setting yours up.  Since you can buy it at Target and other national retailers, it’s super convenient as well as affordable.   Homerun!

Connect with NetTalk on Facebook and Twitter.     NetTalk is offering one lucky reader a NetTalk unit.   Giveaway ends 8/25 and is open to US/CAN readers. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

(Note: I experienced technical difficulties & lost the Rafflecopter entries for this giveaway. I had to restart the giveaway on 8/23. The data did not save from the entrants, so I couldn’t contact them. If you entered, please email me and I”ll add you to the form. Or you can enter again!)