Decorate Your Blog with Depositphotos

You may have noticed that I tweaked the design of my blog in the past few days--particularly the background and the header.  Being an artsy-craftsy kind of gal, I obsess over beautiful things, so naturally I want my blog to reflect who I am and be visually appealing.

I'm also one to illustrate my blog posts, frankly because I find posts with photos or illustrations much more interesting, especially that it naturally breaks up large chunks of text and enhances your writing topic.  Why not just put a bird on it?

Where does one go to find free stock images?  Depositphotos has all your needs covered.  Whether you're looking for decoration images, like for a blog background like I used or  photos of food to illustrate a post on cooking, or really any kind of clip-art illustration, Depositphotos provides everything you need, royalty-free.

You can even find many versions of the uber-popular (or is it already waning?) chevron pattern.  That could be a fun background for your blog.

You can get free stock images when you sign up for a free 7 day trial membership and download 5 images per day.  It's simple to use, and the files are easy to open and save.  They're yours forever too, unless disaster strikes your hard drive.

When I browse the site, I'm awestruck at the amount of images available.  I like a lot of the embellishment images, like this old-timey one:

So many possibilities with that vector set, like a party invitation or stationary.  And I love the variety of labels you can download too.  Perfect for creating a pretty and organized home or using in scrapbooking.

These scroll banners are also useful and popular too.

There are all kinds of photos to illustrate whatever topic you might be writing about.  Even poop, I looked.  I'll spare you the imagery though. 

Now go forth and make your blog and life more visually appealing!
Disclosure: I received a complementary membership in exchange for writing about Depositphotos.  All opinions are my own.  If you have a blog, you might want to get in touch with Depositphotos too. 

La Tartine Gourmande {Book Giveaway}

As a home cook, I love paging through cookbooks and blogs looking for inspiration to change-up the usual menu in my kitchen.  Most recently I came across La Tartine Gourmande, both the blog and the subsequent cookbook of the same name, and both by Beatrice Peltre.

What a fabulous book, both in its photography and content.  La Tartine Gourmande, Recipes for an Inspired Life, is a beautiful read, filled with foods for all times of day, snacks and desserts included.  Oh yes, desserts!  Like the Spiced Panna Cotta below, the recipe of which can be found here.

The book has inclinations toward French food, due to the author's French heritage, however the recipes are simple and accessible (really, isn't most French cuisine like that anyway?  Fresh ingredients, simple and traditional techniques, etc.).

Beatrice Peltre writes in a friendly, upbeat manner and her charming stories and vignettes pepper each chapter, reflecting on her upbringing in France and her experiences in the US and abroad.

I like that her recipes use fresh ingredients and are also encouraging of gluten-free diets.  Peltre herself has a gluten intolerance, so many of her recipes use flours other than wheat-based ones.  Yet the recipes don't seem fussy or weird; I doubt I'd miss wheat much if cooking my way through this book.

While I've yet to really knead my way through the recipes, I did have a chance to make her Nutty Maple and Vanilla Granola.

Super-delicious, really easy, and great for her yogurt and fruit parfaits.

I'm certain it's will be my go-to granola recipe from now on.  The pumpkin seeds are a wonderful addition.

La Tartine Gourmande is a great companion to my kitchen, and I look forward to trying more of Bea's recipes throughout the year.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win a copy of La Tartine Gourmande from Roost Books!  Enter via Rafflecopter below.
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Disclosure: I received a copy of La Tartine Gourmande for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Songs for Little Cowpokes {Putumayo Kids Giveaway}

Giddy-up!  Another Putumayo Kids recording is coming out on May 22nd.  This time they head out West for a collection of classic buckaroo-inspired songs called Cowboy Playground.

We've been enjoying listening to a sample cd on car trips, and even for someone like myself who's not really into the whole cowboy-thing, I really enjoyed this collection.  I was surprised how many of the tracks I knew, like Home on the Range, Happy Trails, I'm An Old Cow Hand, and Don't Fence Me In.

This album is sweetly nostalgic in a sleepy, folksy way, not because I grew up with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, but because I somehow remember my mom or aunts singing them when I was growing up.  And I somehow remember singing these types of songs around a campfire, maybe with Girl Scouts or maybe just from some random TV show or movie I remember. :)

Either way, Cowboy Playground is sure to evoke some memories and feelings for you, as well as create some new ones for your little buckaroos.

You can listen to a few of the tracks HERE to get a taste of the album.  I think Cowboy Playground would be a perfect soundtrack for road trips and backyard dreaming under the stars!

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win a copy of Cowboy Playground! Yippee Yi Yay!!  Enter via Rafflecopter below.
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Disclosure: I received a copy of Cowboy Playground for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

Coffee with a Purpose: Avodah Coffee {Giveaway}

Coffee is one of the bright spots in my day as an at-home mother.  Not just for the caffeine pick-me-up (or start-me-up, in most cases), but for that little getaway where I may just have a chance to savor a quick, hot cup of coffee.

I'm not a coffee snob by any means--well, maybe a little--but I do prefer to have a cup of good quality coffee.  I'd hate to waste my coffee breaks on cheapo stuff that is bland and watery, since there are very few times in my day that I can relax.  Coffee time is one of them, usually.

When I heard that my blog friend Jessica and her husband Jordan too the plunge (pun totally intended, French Press lovers) and started a coffee roasting business, I was excited for them.  Like caffeine-high excited.  What a great way to make a livelihood and a way to wake up to the world, both literally and figuratively.

They call their business, Avodah Coffee which is not just a personal business venture for their family, but also a charitable endeavor.  

According to their website,

The word Avodah is Hebrew, and describes action that is simultaneously work, worship and service. It means that the work we do is more than a job – that bringing the awesome to our customers is about serving you, the farmers who grow the coffee, and those who benefit from the organizations we support.  All this combines under a lifestyle of Avodah, through which all we do becomes an offering.  When you see Avodah, you know you’re getting great coffee with a great purpose.

I feel a bit lowly just sitting around here, savoring the world but not saving it. But at least I can do my part and buy some of their brew.

So how does it taste?  Really, really good.  Jessica sent me the Mocha Java and the Avodah Blend, and I made some time to try both of them in one day (it was a double-caffeine sort of day).

Chris and I tried the Mocha Java this morning, and it had a full-bodied flavor and richness about it.  We compared the freshly-ground beans (we ground them ourselves) to some Dunkin' Donuts grounds we had lying around and remarked on how dry DD was compared to Avodah.  The Avodah beans shined with those tasty oils that make good coffee sooooo good.

The Avodah Blend was our after-lunch treat.  It's not quite as strong as the Mocha Java, but just as tasty.  It seems more of a breakfast blend to me than a french roast (try their Meet the Deadline for that).  We found both coffees to be very sensual, in that they stimulated our senses with their thick smells, the shiny look and feel of the beans, and of course their smooth tastes.

I'm impressed that Avodah's coffee not only supports charitable work, but is priced reasonably ($8.50/12 oz. bag) in order for regular folks and families to afford it.  I'm more impressed with this business at every turn and hope to support it however I can.  I hope you will too!

Avodah Coffee is very social, as you'd imagine it would be, with a blogger at the helm.  You can connect with them via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and even their own blog.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win a 12 oz. bag of Avodah Coffee.  Winner picks the blend.  Enter via Rafflecopter below:
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Disclosure: I received samples of coffee for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

25 Years of Graco Pack 'n Play {Giveaway}

Can you believe the Graco Pack 'n Play is celebrating its 25th birthday this year?

I don't know how parents survived before the invention of the Pack 'n Play.  We've used ours especially on vacations, naps at the grandparents', as well as during those first days when my sons were newborns and I wanted to keep them close by in the living room or bedroom.

Some key facts and features about this parent-happy invention:

Features: 

• The first playard to feature a reversible napper and changing station, all-in-one Toy bar features soft toys to amuse baby 
• Removable, full-size bassinet provides an extra-comfy spot for infants to nap 
• Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage 
• Beautifully-styled, soft fabric cuddles baby for naps while the wipe-clean fabric resists messes 

Pack Facts: 

• The first Pack ‘n Play was created in 1987 
• Pack ‘n Plays are currently available in more than 60 models and fashions Pack ‘n Plays can range in price from $49.99 to $229.99 based on model, and are sold online and in stores at Babies ‘R Us, Target, Walmart, Amazon.com, GracoBaby.com, Buy Buy Baby and specialty retailers 
• More than 30 million sold 

 WIN IT!

As a member of the Graco Nation, I'm super-pleased to be giving away a Pack 'n Play® Playard with Reversible Napper and Changer™ to one lucky reader!  Enter via Rafflecopter below.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no compensation or sample item for this post. All opinions are my own, including my esteem of the Pack N Play.

Keeping Babies Clean and Dry with Huggies

With my baby, I try my best using my older son's hand-me-down cloth diapers, but some days, I just can't manage it.  Usually those are the days when there's nary a clean one in sight, and that's when I need to wrangle my little squirmer into a Huggies diaper

I find that Huggies are reliable diapers, especially for Jude, who is a tummy sleeper and a boy, so all the business is up in the front.  I was sent a package of Huggies Snug & Dry diapers which now feature an improved Leak Lock to pull wetness in and lock it away.  I've yet to find a leak, even when during the night.

I admit that we have had an occasional leaky Huggies diaper in the past, but it's always because we didn't fasten it tight enough or put it on right.  User error.

Huggies has also improved their wipes, which I tested out on our sloppiest eater.  By far Jude is messier than Soren ever was.  Blame his thumb-chaser, wherein he finishes every bite by sucking his thumb.

Thus the food makes its way all over the high chair, hands and face.  It's utterly adorable, despite the mess.

Here he is, having just finished some of my bean stew.  

I tested out the Huggies wipes with a goal cleaning everything up with ONE wipe.  Did it pass my test?

Face? Check.  Tray? Check. Hands? Check.

Ding! ding! ding!  We have a winner!

And a tasty package too.  Though I don't recommend it for nutrition or flavor.

Yes folks, one wipe did it all.

Really, I'm not surprised. I've never had any reason to doubt Huggies Wipes, since they're thick and durable, and great on baby butts too!  I honestly haven't even noticed a difference between the "old" and the improved ones, other than maybe the newer ones are a little thicker.

I encourage you to put Huggies new and improved products to the test.  Huggies Spokespersons and comedians David and Leigh Koechner did, as you can see in the video below.

You can connect with Huggies on Facebook and @Huggies on Twitter for more updates and information.
Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central for Huggies. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating

Salad Days with oxo {Giveaway}

As mentioned earlier this week, we're ankle-deep in salad days here at our house.  Our lettuce and spinach are going gangbusters out in the garden, and what better way to dress them than with homemade salad dressing.

While I typically use the leftover dijon mustard jar for mixing (a great way to use up those last bits of mustard that you can never quite free from the container), I was eager to try out oxo's Salad Dressing Shaker.

Like your typical dressing jar, oxo's Salad Dressing Shaker has measurement guides on the side, a pour spout, and is sealed well to prevent liquids from spraying out while shaking.  The pour spout is sealed well with an adjustable flip top.  And the spout is really well-designed; no drips or weird pouring where the dressing drips down the side of the bottle instead of where you want it.

Unlike your typical salad dressing shaker, oxo's has a screw top with a large opening (the entire width of the bottle), allowing you to easily incorporate larger, messier ingredients like spoonfuls of yogurt, herbs, and mayonnaise, rather than trying to stuff it through the spout.  Plus it makes it SO easy to clean.

I imagine I'll be using this all summer for greens, since it's so easy to measure and mix your dressing all in this convenient container.

WIN IT!

One lucky reader will win an oxo Salad Dressing Shaker in green!  Enter via Rafflecopter below:

Celebrate Derby Day with Pure Leaf Tea

I'm excited for summer--iced tea season!  Not that I don't enjoy the drink all the time, but it's so much nicer downing some cold tea on a hot and sweaty day.

I prefer my tea unsweetened, and if you share my taste preference, you'll know how hard it is to find an unsweetened tea in a bottle.  There are a few pricey brands, but often I just end up making my own and taking it with me.

When I heard about Lipton's new Pure Leaf Tea, I was eager to try it.  Especially that they offer "unsweetened" as one of the varieties.

Mom Central Consulting hooked me up with a few samples.  Check out the box it arrived in.

Made with fresh-brewed tea and natural ingredients ( no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup), Pure Leaf teas are created by Master tea blenders who personally hand-select the teas from around the globe.

Tea is sourced under the guidance of three pillars: environmental, social and economic. Even the Pure Leaf packaging has environmental advantages; its square shape is lightweight and allows for more bottles to be packed onto a pallet, saving on fuel costs for transport.

With the Kentucky Derby this Saturday, May 5th, I thought I'd make a drink based on a recipe from Gail Simmons, Top Chef judge, called the Ginger Tulep, which uses mint, ginger and Pure Leaf tea.

LEMON GINGER "TULEP"

Makes one serving

3 tablespoons ginger simple syrup (recipe below) 

6 to 8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish 

Ice 

1 cup Lemon Pure Leaf Iced Tea

Cold club soda 

Candied ginger, for garnish

In an old fashioned glass, muddle ginger simple syrup with mint leaves. Add ice and Lemon Pure Leaf Iced Tea; stir well. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with a slice of candied ginger and a sprig of mint.

To make a cocktail: Add 1.5 ounces overproof Kentucky bourbon before adding the tea.

Developed by: Gail Simmons, judge on BRAVO's "Top Chef" and Food & Wine magazine contributor

GINGER SIMPLE SYRUP

Makes 1 1/2 cups

1/2 cup fresh ginger, thinly sliced 

1/2 cup sugar 

1 1/2 cups water

In a saucepan, combine the ginger, sugar, and water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove the pan from the heat and then set aside to cool. Strain the syrup and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to one week.

I first created the simple syrup using water, sugar and ginger slices. 

In a glass, I muddled some mint leaves from my garden with a pinch of sugar, which helps macerate the mint and release its oils. 

Then I added ice, a bit of the ginger syrup, and the Pure Leaf Lemon tea.  It was fantastic!  I chose not to add the club soda, as I didn't have any on hand, and the Tulep was still tasty.

A perfect blend of tea, mint and ginger.  Add a sprig of fresh mint and chill out on your porch, or if you're lucky, in Kentucky.

You can find more Pure Leaf Tea recipes via their Facebook page.  Just what your summer needs!
Disclosure: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Lipton Pure Leaf. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Safe Sleeping with HALO

Hey friends, today I'm over at Crib Notes, the HALO blog, sharing my thoughts on decorating the nursery, not the crib.  Check it out, I'll wait!

But since I have peaked your interest with that topic, I wanted to share my thoughts on a new arrival from HALO Sleep, a wonderful company dedicated to protecting our littlest humans from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)--their SafeSleep Crib Set.

You may recall the hub-bub over Jude's nursery last year, and how I loved decorating it.  And surprisingly to some people, I didn't use bumpers or decorate the crib other than with a playful, patterned sheet.

Rather than take the risk of having Jude suffocate from baby bumpers, I went bumper-less.  So far it's been fine, no bumps or bruises, though we have had the occasional leg caught in the bars, but he lets us know. :)  But that's only when he's not wearing a SleepSack, like during warmer weather.

With news of bumper-bans across the country, particularly from the American Academy of Pediatrics, I'm impressed with the ingenuity of many baby bedding brands in coming up with stylish alternatives.  HALO is no exception, having recently released their own SafeSleep Crib Sets, one of which I was pleased to try out in the nursery.

Available in six themes in blues, pinks and neutrals, the SafeSleep Crib Set comes with:

• HALO® SleepSack®Swaddle (Newborn)
• HALO® SleepSack® wearable blanket (Small)
• Two 100% cotton jersey fitted sheets
• Decorative skirt

The My Dog Sam set looks great in the room, but most importantly, it keeps Jude safe from loose bedding.  The bed skirt adds a bit of color to a boring crib, which the coordinating jersey fabric crib sheets tightly fit the mattress.

Since the birth of my first son, I've been a big fan of HALO's SleepSack wearable blankets, and Jude is no exception. I've used them along with the SleepSack Swaddle from the get-go.  Here is Jude modeling the SleepSack.

Unfortunately, the newborn swaddle that came with the set is too small, but will find a good home with a friend.

According to HALO Innovations founder Bill Schmid,

Too often parents ‘overdress’ the crib with quilt and bumpers, both of which can pose a breathing threat for baby.  The Halo SleepSack and SleepSack Swaddle are the only things a baby needs in the crib to stay warm and sleeping safely.

I couldn't agree more!  Why take the risk just for style. You can find HALO products on Amazon or Babies R Us.

You can keep up with the company and their mission of safe sleeping for babies via Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Disclosure: I received a SafeSleep Crib set for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Eco-Friendly, Stylish Bags from GreenSmart

I hear about so many things being made from recycled plastic--carpets, toothbrushes, plastic lumber--but my mind is blown when I consider that plastic can actually be recycled into fabric.  A-maze-ing.

GreenSmart is a company that turns your trash into attractive, durable goods like messenger bags, laptop sleeves, and wine and water bottle covers.

Their business model is clear and forthcoming:

To make great bags using green materials.
To use smarter manufacturing practices whenever possible.
To provide smarter ideas for our own lives, as well as our customers.
To help educate and influence others through our products and practices.
To be passionate about everything we do.

I tried out the Narwhal messenger bag in orange, and am impressed with this bag's comfort, style and durability.

It's a smaller messenger bag, which works great for me and my 13" laptop or tablet, but is roomy enough to add extras like a folder, office supplies, and even holds things like business cards in its organization pocket. And *gasp*, even a diaper or two! (not like I've tried that out...)

The strap is comfortable, adjustable, and is reminiscent of seat belt material, and also has a handle on the back to carry your bag luggage-style.

There's a small zippered pocket in the front

and smaller pockets on the side (which seem a bit useless--they're not deep enough for much).

The bag itself is impressive, in that its interior and exterior fabrics are created with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

My only complaint about the Narwhal bag is that it takes some effort to squeeze my laptop inside, and mine is pretty small to begin with.  It fits, but it takes some wiggling to get it in, but once it's there, it's protected by the cushioned pocket.  Best to investigate some of the full-sized varieties if you have a bigger laptop. 

The Narwhal is a great bag for on-the-go, fitting your essentials and your productivity gadgets inside, all while going green by using a recycled product.

You can learn more about GreenSmart products via their website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Disclosure: I received a Narwhal Messenger bag for review purposes. All opinions are my own, as always.