I DO Love Baby Star

Waaaay back when, in 2009, Baby Star sent me one of their completely awesome tote bags for review. I wrote about how much I loved it here at The Full Mommy.

Well it's two years later and I don't have a baby anymore but I am still carrying my Baby Star Tote bag. It's the perfect size, the perfect material for someone like me who tends to be hard on gear and it has more than withstood everything I've dished out to it. I'm talking whole Starbucks green tea latte beverages spilled inside of it. 

I've looked around thinking one day I should downsize a little and stop carrying around so much stuff, but I can't find anything I love as much as my "big silver bag". I love the length of the straps and I love how comfortable it is to lug around. So color me super excited that there is a massive sale going on over at Baby Star for totes. Here is the skinny from Baby Star:

Super sale on totes at over 60% off! our signature and stylish rock the tote comes with a wipe case and is the perfect accessory for spring. plus great prices on bedding, fitted sheets, knit blankets, ruffle skirts for girls and johnny pants for boys. 

notes = quantities limited to inventory on hand and please allow for 1 week to ship. no returns or exchanges on sale items. 

Check out all the available styles here and snatch one up before they all gone.

Trying Something New: Hip Shaking ZUMBA

I'm a runner. I like the way that sounds. I'm going to say that again: I'm a runner.

But here's the thing about running: If you do it a lot, it's hard on your body. I run at least 20 miles a week and I'm 40 years old and I've had 2 kids. I have my usual aches and pains, sure, but what is happening to me now is that running is putting stress on my hips. Not my hip bones, per say, but all of those muscles that surround them. Pretty much every day they are sore, stiff and in need of major stretching.

I talked with my doc about this because there is no way I'm going to stop running and he advised that while running is great for your legs and glutes, it doesn't do much to strengthen your core or your hip flexors so he suggested I try to vary my routine. I asked him, have you met me? I don't like change.

Still, faced with the option of burning out my hips or really causing an injury to myself I decided to check out my choices: Swimming? Too cold. Weights? No. Wait a minute, what was that thing my boss told about that she loved so much? It was kind of like dancing? There was salsa music? Oh yeah. Zumba. Let's look into that.



Doesn't that look like fun? IT IS!

I took a Zumba class. Yes it took a few weeks to learn the moves and yes I felt kind of silly when I went in the wrong direction and yes it takes a little while to get used to shaking your groove thing in a room full of strangers but..

Yes this was the most fun form of exercise I've ever tried and yes I feel great when it's done and yes dancing makes your spirit feel lighter.I worked up a sweat, worked my hips and my abs and felt more like I was having a good time than working out. It also made it easier to rock the treadmill when I've had a break for a couple of days. When is the last time you tried something new? What was it? Weren't you happy?

Thank you to P&G’s Have You Tried This Yet? program and Kroger for sponsoring my writing about trying new things and breaking out of my everyday routine. Click here to find great savings on high-performing P&G products at a Kroger store near you. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.

My New Croc Boots

So it's March and it's kind of slushy, sort of rainy and just plan messy out. It's not cold enough to wear your winter boots -- or maybe you're just sick of wearing your heavy winter clunkers.

Lucky for you, Crocs aren't just for clogs and summertime fun. Crocs sent me a pair of these Crocband Hi Lined Boots which are totally perfect for spring. They keep you warm and dry, yes, which is important, but never have your little piggies been so comfortable in the process.

I'm a devoted Crocs fan, so I wasn't surprised that this spring time model features all the comfort and cushioning of the traditional Croc sandal, with the benefit of being waterproof. They look cute with jeans and totally work with my yoga pants. I wear them with socks and without. I've even worn them with tights and a denim skirt. I absolutely love them.

I ordered them one size up, thinking I would need room for cold weather socks but I didn't really need them. They don't really make my feet look any smaller but I don't care at all. My feet are too happy to care.

Thank you to Crocs for sending me a pair of Crocband Boots to review. As always, my opinions are my own.

The Crocs totally rock(s).



New Releases: Minnie's Masquerade DVD & Mickey Mote

You know what I love about the Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse videos? Here's one for the girly-girl pre-schoolers that they will absolutely adore, but will be able to sit down share with their brothers too.  This new release, Minnie's Masquerade is a DVD that celebrates friendship, teamwork, sharing, problem solving and ... dressing up!


The nice thing about this pack is that it's the DVD and the Mickey Mote. The Mickey Mote can be used with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode feature. To date there are more than 11 titles that can be used with the remote control, just take a look at the back of your package to see if your DVD will work.

Here's what Disney says about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade:

"Minnie’s Masquerade starring Disney’s Fab Five -- Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Daisy – takes viewers on an all new adventure as they dress-up in their favorite costumes for Minnie’s Masquerade Ball. In this episode, Minnie needs some help getting everything ready for her party including making royal crowns for their costumes, searching for Sir Goofalot’s lost shoe, stringing up paper lanterns and much, much more. At the ball, Professor Von Drake hosts the great Clubhouse Costume Show and gives out prize ribbons to all the friends who have dressed up in some funny and fancy costumes. All it takes is a heaping helping of imagination…and the right Mouseketools."

Thanks to Disney for providing me a copy of the Minnie's Masquerade DVD for review. As always my opinions are my own. M-I-C.. See you real soon!

New Release: Bambi DVD & Blu Ray Combo

I have such fond memories of sitting in a beautiful old fashioned theater with my parents, chomping on popcorn and falling in love with Faline, just like Bambi did. Remember this?


If you are like me and have a soft spot for Bambi, you can now enjoy this classic over and over by bringing home Walt Disney's Bambi which is available in a DVD & Blu Ray Combo pack.

Here's the synopsis: (Like I need to remind you)

"For the first time ever, the wonder, music and majesty of one of Walt Disney's greatest triumphs comes alive in glorious detail through the magic of Blu-ray high definition! Now Bambi, Walt Disney's beloved coming-of-age story, will thrill a new generation of fans with its breathtakingly beautiful animation, soaring music and characters who will touch your heart-Bambi, the wide-eyed fawn, his playful pal Thumper, the loveable skunk Flower and wise Friend Owl. Plus, all-new immersive game and special features that reveal the extraordinary creative process behind the making of this timeless classic take you deeper into Bambi's world than ever before."

 Plus there's more: The special features include:

• Disney's Second Screen - Content comes alive on your laptop, or iPad as you watch the movie.

• Disney View - 16x9 Full frame viewing experience

• Intro by Diane Disney Miller

• Inside Walt's Story Meetings - Enhanced interactive edition

• Two never-before-seen deleted scenes

• Deleted song

• Blu-ray interactive galleries

• Game: Disney Big Book of Knowledge

• Classic DVD bonus features

Bambi is available now. Don't miss this one!

Thanks to Disney for sending me a copy to review and share with my kids. As always my opionions are my own. I love love love those "doe eyes." 

Dacron Pillow Review

Have you noticed all the January and February White Sales? I have. The Christmas season ends and moms everywhere go in search of new bedding products.

(I do anyway, but recently found myself replacing a number of key bedding items due to an unfortunate stomach virus that hit my two year old, but that's all I'm going to say about that!)

I don't mess around when it comes to sheets and pillows. When you think about how much time you spend in your bed, it's not worth it to scrimp on inexpensive or poorly made stuff. I want my sheets soft and my pillows firm. It was perfect timing that just as I was on the hunt for the perfect pillow, DACRON® offered to send me one mini-pillow to review.

INVISTA recently launched the new DACRON® Fiber Quality Seal to help busy (and distracted with two-year-olds) consumers like me. The new quality seal will be featured on packaging of bedding and branded fiberfill from INVISTA. Plus the taglines read: "Trust What's Inside" and "It Just Feels Good".  

So does it feel good? Yes. Definitely. My kids fight over it on a daily basis. I would tell you that's it's given me the best night of sleep ever, but that wouldn't be really true because I don't sleep. But when I do, it's really great and a full sized Dacron pillow is a worthy investment.

Dacron provided me with a mini-pillow, but my opinions, unlike multiple hours of restful sleep, are mine.

New Releases: Beverly Hills Chihuahua

Out now on Blu-Ray DVD is the fun and family friendly comedy, "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," starring the voices of many of your favorite stars including George Lopez as "Papi".

I recommend this one for movie night with kids. Bust out the popcorn, settle in and prepare to spend some quality time with this Disney flick. Chloe & Papi are back in an all new adventure and their family just got bigger. Look at that photo! Don't you want to bring those puppies home?

Here's a synopsis:

From the creators of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, everybody’s favorite talking Chihuahuas are back in a comedy that’s a pack of outrageous fun for the whole family. Puppy mayhem turns the lives of newlywed Chihuahua parents, Papi and Chloe, upside down when their playful puppies present one challenge after another. But, when their human owners find themselves in trouble, the tiny pups will stop at nothing to save them—because in good times and hard times, the family always sticks together. Papi, Chloe and the puppies embark on a heroic adventure, proving once again that big heroes come in small packages.

Both the Blu-Ray and DVD include Bonus features including a Music Video (This is My Paradise By Bridgit Mendler) and Blooper Faux Paws. Here's a sneak peek:

You too can meet this rambunctious, mischievous and hilarious litter on February 1, 2011 when Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 comes out on a Blu-ray™ combo pack (include Blu-ray and DVD of the movie), 1-disc DVD.

Thank you to Disney for providing me with a copy of this new release. 

I love puppies in all forms and would happily devote another Saturday night to watching them perform hilarious antics. You would too.