Pirose by Reno Rose Review

I am so happy to say I got the chance to review the Pirose. It's from http://www.renorose.com/ and to quote from their website, it's a "stylish and innovative scarf with endless fashion potential." I found the Pirose through a random tweet and have wanted one ever since. They have two kinds of Pirose scarves, one is the fashion scarf (which I received) and the other is a nursing scarf. I want to point this out because if this would have been available when I was nursing, I would have had several in various patterns. I am so happy that nursing continues to be promoted and that clothing is starting to catch up with nursing. Now you can be stylish in ways that were never available to me thirteen years ago.


I got the Pirose in the Ori print. I can't tell you how many compliments I get when I wear the Pirose. They send along and instruction card with twelve different ways to wear the Pirose. It also comes with a storage pouch in the matching fabric to protect your scarf when it's not being worn.

I found some other great information at their Facebook page and you can keep up with what the Reno Rose company is doing on Twitter as well.

This first picture of me is how I wore the Pirose for church. You wrap it around your neck like a regular scarf than tuck one end through the slit so it hangs nicely in the front and in the back at the same time. I loved it because it's so easy to create the look, but it looks a lot more complicated than it really is.

This second photo is how I have seen it worn a lot. You just take the longest side and put the point so it is cascading down one arm. Again, you can't get any easier to create this look, but it will garner many compliments. I'm still trying out the other suggestions and finding out which styles look the best on me.

If you've never seen the Pirose before, I would encourage you to take a look and see all their patterns and styles. And for any nursing moms out there, I would have loved to have the Pirose for Nursing when I still had children who were nursing.

Do you have a Pirose? What is your favorite way to wear it?

WINNER: Ma Mi Skin Care

Congratulations to the winner of the Ma Mi Skin Care Sample Pack. It's comment #1 from HK. Sometimes it pays to be first.

I know HK is excited about trying a skin care system for moms. Congrats!

Tips on Tuesday: Online Photos Showing Your GPS Location

Here's an important video for anyone who posts photos online. If you have a phone or device with GPS, you are most likely sharing your location without being aware of it.

Please watch and beware!

Fun Fair Winners

The boys participated in the Fun Fair for piano. They had to learn scales, chords, cadences, arpeggios, music theory, a performance piece and do sight-reading and ear-training. It's a lot for these kids to do and we are so proud of them for trying. They have about two and a half hours to get to all their rooms and events. No parents allowed so they have to figure out how to time manage and get everything done.

Both boys did terrific! We are so proud.

Nathan got a trophy.

The fair celebrated the music of John Williams who wrote the Star Wars score. So Darth Vader made an appearance on stage for a photo op.

Andrew won a Ribbon award.

They did so well and we are just proud, proud, proud parents!

Winner: Learning Workroom Educational Software

Congratulations to Nebraska Fillemans!


She won a copy of the Learning Workroom software of her choice. The winning comment was #2, she's a follower.


Congratulations, again!


Be sure to check the top of the blog for other great giveaways. I'm trying to have at least one new giveaway every week. Enjoy!

CLOSED: Roundabout Cupcake Sleeve Review and Giveaway

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy being a blogger? I get to try out the coolest things and this was one of them!

Roundabout Sleeves are cupcake decorative cupcake wraps. They are self-adhesive strips of paper that quickly transform your regular old cupcake into something extraordinary. You can use them with things that are found at the grocery story or party store to make them darling. There are over 70 designs to choose from and you can make things like popcorn tubs, animals, gumball machines, ice cream cones and more.

I got to try the cheeseburger wraps. You take white frosting and use food coloring to make it brown like a bun. (Of course, we were out of one color of food coloring so went with a yellow bun instead.) Then sprinkle on some sesame seeds and it looks like a cheeseburger.

Sean helped me out with the toppings and he made the cupcakes look so darling. I made them to take to a teacher appreciation dinner. The office staff thought they were so cute that they left them on the desk to show the teachers until it was time to eat.

The only flaw we found was that the strips are flat and cupcakes are tapered. It worked better for us to take off the cupcake wrapper and slide the Roundabout into the place where the wrapper used to be.

I received a note from the creator of the Roundabout sleeves regarding what I saw as a flaw. She wanted to clear this up for me and I thought everyone would like to know what she said.

"I wanted to let you know this is by design.  Roundabouts are NOT meant to taper, they were thoughtfully designed to create a cylindrical shape.  This not only creates a sleek new look for cupcakes, but it serves to make a more stable cupcake! They transport easier and stack against one another nicely.   When wrapped snugly at the widest part of  the cupcake, Roundabouts almost make a 'stand' for the cupcake, often propping it up a bit."

You have the chance to win a package of Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves for yourself.

**Mandatory Entry**
Head over to Roundabout Sleeves and tell me which one you would choose if you win. (This will be the one you receive so make sure you pick the one you want.)
PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to be a blogger to enter this contest, but you must leave a way for me to contact you. Use the anonymous comment form to enter and leave an email.
*You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*

**Bonus Entries**
{Leave separate comments for each entry}
1. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect (current followers, too) {1 entry}
2. Subscribe to my blog {1 entry}
3. Follow Coolestmommy on Twitter {1 entry}
4. Follow Coolestmommy on Networked Blogs (Found on right sidebar) {1 entry}
5. Follow Coolestmommy on Facebook (Click "Like" on the right sidebar) {1 entry}
6. Follow Roundabouts on Facebook and leave a message on their wall telling them Coolestmommy sent you. {1 entry}
7. Follow Roundabout Wraps on Twitter {1 entry}
8. Add my blog to your blog roll/sidebar {1 entry}
9. Email three friends with the link to this giveaway inviting them to enter. Remember to cc me at coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com {2 entries}
10. Tweet about this giveaway {can be done once per day} {1 entry per tweet} You can use this:

@Coolestmommy has a Roundabout Cupcake Sleeve #giveaway you can #win. Ends 2/21 http://bit.ly/hKWXNB


**Rules**
•Giveaway ends Monday, February 21, 2011
•Winners will be chosen via Random.Org. and contacted by email
•Winners will have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen
• Open to addresses in the United States (including PO Boxes)


 

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. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review and giveaway Disclosure.

Wordless Wednesday

Life is not measured

by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

My favorite restaurant when we visit our folks...

Chick-fil-A

Yum

WINNER: RelaxZen Day and Night

Congratulations to the three winners of RelaxZen Day and Night samples.

There were THREE winners for this giveaway. Congrats to Pain SUX, Bison61 and Aleksandra. They were the three winners.

Please be sure to check out my other giveaways. I have several going on right now and more coming every week.

Congrats again to the winners!

CLOSED: God Gave Us the World Book Review and Two Book Giveaway

God Gave Us the World by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Price: $10.99

Published by: WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

In her newest book, God Gave Us the World, Lisa Tawn Bergren explores the idea that although there are many kinds of bears on earth, they were all made by a loving and creative God. Mama Bear and Little Cub talk about the different kinds of bears and where they live. There's even some discussion about how we need to take care of the earth. I thought it would be a nice way to springboard into a discussion about being more green.
I have thoroughly enjoyed each of the books in the God Gave Us series. This book does not disappoint. It enchants and delights children of all ages. It's a perfect bedtime story. Laura J. Bryant has once again given us charming bears that delight the senses.
This book is another one that should be on all children’s bookshelves as a keeper. It’s a classic that you will read over and over to your children.

Yesterday, I got to review The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari. Today, I'm giving my readers the chance to win one of these books. You can choose either The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari or God Gave Us the World.

**Mandatory Entry**

Tell me what your favorite book or story was when you were a child.
PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to be a blogger to enter this contest, but you must leave a way for me to contact you. Use the anonymous comment form to enter and leave an email.
*You MUST do the mandatory entry! All bonus entries will be deleted if it's not done first!*

**Bonus Entries**
{Leave separate comments for each entry}
1. Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect (current followers, too) {1 entry}
2. Subscribe to my blog {1 entry}
3. Follow me on Twitter {1 entry}
4. Follow me on Networked Blogs (Button on right sidebar) {1 entry}
5. Follow me on Facebook (Button on right sidebar) {1 entry}
6. Follow WaterBrook on Facebook AND leave a comment telling them Coolestmommy sent you. {1 entry}
7. Add my blog to your blog roll/sidebar {1 entry}
8. Email three friends with the link to this giveaway inviting them to enter. Remember to cc me at coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com {2 entries}
9. Tweet about this giveaway {can be done once per day} {1 entry per tweet} You can use this:

@Coolestmommy has a Picture Book #giveaway you can #win. Ends 2/18 http://bit.ly/hW1XQ5

**Rules**
•Giveaway ends Friday, February 18, 2011
•Winners will be chosen via Random.Org. and contacted by email
•Winners will have 48 hours to respond to the email or another winner will be chosen
• Open to addresses in the United States and International addresses.


Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided to me by WaterBrook Multnomah for a MamaBzz review. I was not given any other compensation for this review.

Wordless Wednesday

Life is not measured

by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

Santa eats at Whataburger...

As we walked into Whataburger the week before Christmas, we saw a sight that drew us up short. Sitting at a table eating a burger was Santa Claus. Seriously!!!

I was impressed that all the parents stopped their kids from 'bugging' Santa while he ate. They all (Rebekah included) walked past and waved, but kept moving.

After he finished eating, he came around to every table and spoke to every child. He posed for photos and even had jokes and stories to share with Andrew (the teenager). Was he paid by Whataburger? Nope. He had been somewhere in the morning and stopped there to eat on his way to an afternoon event. I was impressed (and thankful) that he had the true spirit of Santa and gave of his time before leaving the building. Every child got to talk to him, have a photo if they wanted to...and a big hug.

It was truly a wonder in our season to be so blessed by a man who was off the clock and didn't have to stop. He could have smiled and waved on the way out and nobody would have thought twice. But his generosity of spirit shone through.

Thanks, Santa!

The Dragon and The Turtle Go on Safari Review and Giveaway coming tomorrow

The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark

Price: $11.99

Published by: WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

I discovered Donita K. Paul and her Dragon Keeper series for grown up kids a couple years ago. I’ve loved her stories and books, but never knew she also writes children’s books. Her partnership with Evangeline Denmark has created an enchanting new children's book series. I am delighted to report that the same quality of storytelling shines through in this picture book. Dragon and Turtle are on a big safari at the base of Mount Sillymanborrow. Over the course of their adventure, we start to discover that the base of Mount Sillymanborrow might also be the backyard. Yet, I have a lot of sympathy for two young boys trying to be brave and spending the night alone in a tent.




Dragon and Turtle are determined to brave the entire night in their tent. But will strange sounds and a middle of the night adventure cut their safari short? Be sure to read and find out.


I enjoyed the story as much as my children did. Included are a bonus story and conversation starters for us big kids (adults) to use when talking about character traits like showing concern for others and encouraging others. I loved being able to share with my children in a manner that doesn't preach at them. They got my point of view within the context of the story.


I have one other children's book that I am reviewing tomorrow. In that review, find out how you could win The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari.


Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided to me by WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not given any other compensation for this review.

Tips on Tuesday: One Little Word Update

This week, I took time to look up my word in the dictionary. There are 40 references for 'give' as an action/verb. Some days, I think I bit off more than I can chew with this word, but reading all the definitions, I know I found the one God has for me this year.

I also discovered that this originates from a site called My One Word. If you've never done this, I encourage you to check out their site and my past posts. It's a life-changing way to select a quality to emphasize, instead of resolutions. I find it much easier to do and that some of my resolutions get done within the context of applying the word to my life.


GIVE:
verb, gave, giv·en, giv·ing, noun




–verb (used with object)
1. to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow.
2. to hand to someone.
3. to place in someone's care.
4. to grant (permission, opportunity, etc.) to someone.
5. to impart or communicate.
6. to set forth or show; present; offer.

7. to pay or transfer possession to another in exchange for something.

8. to furnish, provide, or proffer: to give evidence.

9. to provide as an entertainment or social function.

10. to deal or administer.

11. to put forth, emit, or utter; issue.

12. to assign or admit as a basis of calculation or reasoning (usually used passively).

13. to produce, yield, or afford.

14. to make, do, or perform.

15. to perform or present publicly.
16. to cause; be responsible for (usually fol. by an infinitive).
17. to care about something to the value or extent of (something fanciful).
18. to relinquish or sacrifice.
19. to convey or transmit.

20. to assign or allot.

21. to bestow (the object of one's choice) upon, as if by providence.
22. to be connected with, as by a telephone operator.
23. to present to an audience, as an entertainer, speaker, or act.
24. to attribute or ascribe.
25. to cause or occasion.
26. to apply fully or freely.
27. to award by verdict or after consideration.
28. to inflict as a punishment on another; punish by; impose a sentence of.
29. to pledge, offer as a pledge, or execute and deliver.

30. to propose as the subject of a toast (fol. by an indirect object).

31. to bear to a man; deliver (fol. by an indirect object).
32. to sire upon a woman; father (fol. by an indirect object).
33. to concede or grant, as a point in an argument.


–verb (used without object)

34. to make a gift or gifts; contribute.

35. to yield somewhat, as to influence or force; compromise.
36. to yield somewhat when subjected to weight, force, pressure, etc.
37. to collapse; break down; fall apart; fail.

38. to be warm and open in relationships with other persons.

39. Informal . to divulge information.
40. to afford a view or passage; face, open, or lead (usually fol. by on, onto, etc.)


–noun
41. the quality or state of being resilient; springiness.


—Verb phrases
42. give away.
43. give back, to return (something), as to its owner; restore.
44. give birth to. birth ( def. 10 ).
45. give in.
46. give of, to devote or contribute generously of: to give of oneself; to give of one's abundance.
47. give off, to put forth; emit: The gardenia gives off a very strong fragrance.
48. give out.
49. give over.
50. give up.


—Synonyms
1. offer, vouchsafe, impart, accord, furnish, provide, supply, donate, contribute. Give, confer, grant, present may mean that something concrete or abstract is bestowed on one person by another. Give is the general word: to give someone a book, permission, etc. Confer usually means to give an honor or a favor; it implies courteous and gracious giving: to confer a degree. Grant is limited to the idea of acceding to a request; it may apply to the bestowal of privileges, or the fulfillment of an expressed wish: to grant a charter, a prayer, permission, etc. Present, a more formal word than give, usually implies a certain ceremony in the giving: to present a citation to a regiment. 18. cede, yield.


—Antonyms
1. receive.

Since I believe what goes around comes around, I see how the full circle is that giving brings receiving. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it's true. I don't give to get, and yet I still receive.

What is your word for 2011?