Gift the Gift of Piece of Mind to New Mothers with Newborn Play Mats by Baby J and Company! #Giveaway 12/4

There never seems to be a shortage of babies here at Slow Road to Insanity. Whether they're mine, my nieces/nephews or even children belonging to friends there are always more than enough chunky baby thighs and pinchable cheeks to go around; especially, it seems, around the holidays. Several close friends have just given birth and while I can never say no to those cherub cheeks and drooly smiles it seems like I've given every baby gift known to man on top of searching for gifts for everyone for Christmas.

How many diaper pails, jumbo diaper boxes and baby bath time baskets can one person buy before you have to say enough is enough and start the search for something a little more personable? This year it seemed like personalizing my friends' experience with their new babies have been a constant nagging thought..most recently a close friend of mine gave birth to a handsome little boy and the road lately seemed to be a little rockier than most.

That being said I wanted to do as much as I could for her when it came to buying gifts for her little one and on a limited budget it was a little tough but I managed to find some super adorable baby items for her as well as a few Mommy-in-mind items as well.

On my quest to find suitable gifts that wouldn't leave me dead broke and coincidentally during my hunt for shops to feature in our Holiday Gift Guide I came across the Baby J and Company.

Baby J and Company, founded and owned by fellow Mom, Jennifer Jacobellis, specializes in Chic, baby friendly play mats, burp cloths and bibs for those precious little ones in your life.

Jennifer says this, about Baby J and Company,

"Baby J Company started when my son, Luca, aka Director of Product Development, was just a few months old. We ventured out to mommy and me classes and play groups, armed with just a blanket for him to lie on. After class, I would fold up my blanket and stick it in the diaper bag, knowing that when I got home it would have to go straight into the laundry basket. There had to be a better way, I thought.

 

One day I decided it was time to solve this problem since there were no other options on the market. I ran to the fabric store and began tinkering. I designed this play mat with keeping my germ-a-phobe tendencies in mind, as well as being soft, baby friendly, and chic. This Baby J play mat is soft enough for baby to lay his face on, and the minky dots give him something to poke at. Not to mention, the modern and chic fabrics will make any mom look and feel fashionable the second they pull it out of the diaper bag. This is a definite must have for a new mom and baby.

 

We design and manufacture in Los Angeles, and most of our fabrics are shipped in from Utah, New York, and Mississippi. All of our finished products are proudly made in the USA and we wouldn’t have it any other way."

 While working with this great Mommy operated and owned company I was sent one of their Zoology Newborn play mats in Blue/Gray for my review and was in tickled pink when it arrived.

 It was perfect. The mat is 100% cotton, crafted from designer fabric and boasts the softest minky. Its design features darling Zoo critters and trees on a background of gray and measures 29"x35" when open. When closed the measurements are 14"x8"x5", a perfect to fit into your tote or diaper bag and features a Velcro closure that ensures one side stays neat, clean and sanitary for your little ones.

If you're looking for the perfect baby gift for someone special or scouting out potential baby products for your own little bundle of joy Baby J and Company has you covered. Afterall, what Mama doesn't long for a break now and then? I know I'm guilty of laying down a blanket for my little ones and getting some relief from all the constant baby toting!

Like what you see at Baby J Co? The lovely Jennifer behind the talent at Baby Jo and Company has very generously offered to host a giveaway to one of my readers for a chance to win their very own Newborn Play Mat! Just get those entries in on the rafflecopter form below and stay tuned to see who the lucky duck is this giveaway!



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Give the Gift of Steampunk with C.Marie Creations this Christmas!

Christmas gift buying has never been my strong suit. I'm usually the last one to finish their Christmas shopping list, the girl standing in the middle of an isle with the look of confused helplessness or the one who wanders aimlessly around the department stores for hours on end unsure of what I'm even looking for.

This year has been drastically different. On top of doing most of my shopping online this year I've also found a great little shop for some of those folks on my shopping list that have proved a bit more tricky than the rest.

C.Marie Creations has a fabulous selection of unique, handmade trinkets for all tastes ranging kids to adults with products in categories from Steampunk to Whimsical and to help facilitate my review, C.Marie Creations sent me this little charmer from their Etsy shop!

 

This fascinating necklace features large and small metal clock gears in silver, bronze, and gold tones. These gears, along with several clock hands have been brought together to form the shape of an owl. His eyes are made of watch batteries and his tail is made from compass hands. He measures approx. 2 inches by 3 inches and is strung onto a coordinating bronze or antique silver toned metal chain measuring 18 inches. This necklace is made up of nearly 30 individual parts and is very light weight. It ships in a small gift box.

I have to say that as cool as the Steampunk Owl necklace looks in pictures it looks far more perfect in person. I know a certain someone who is going to be over the moon when they unwrap their own C.Marie Creation this Christmas!

To find out more about C.Marie Creations or to browse some fantastic gift options you can visit them in their Etsy shop.

To ensure you never miss an update from C.Marie Creations you can also become a Facebook follower.

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Give Your Pets a Taste of the High Life With Paws n' Silk #Giveaway 12/4

There is nothing quite like the blissful feeling of climbing into a comfortable bed at the end of a long day or taking a leisurely nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Now that you've begun to envision what it would be like to go sink down into your own bed imagine if you will the pleasure your pet gets on a daily basis from the very same thing only they don't always have the option of a comfy bed and you know darn well that most pets are banned from making themselves a nest on the upholstery of your couch/loveseat.

This Holiday season why not pamper your pooch or kitty by dumping them headlong into the lap of luxury with a pet bed by Paws n' Silk?

Paws n' Silk all natural and chemical free, is made of 100% breathable cotton and long stranded grade A tussah Silk, is an all-season pet bedding and apparel product line. It provides a barrier against allergens, dust mites and pet dander and is resistant to mold and mildew growth. By providing them with a cleaner and more restful sleep, Paws n' Silk will help boost your pet's immune system.

Check out this wonderful addition to our Holiday Gift Guide, Life in the Lost World's Paws n' Silk review!

Our 4 bolster Paws n' Silk daybed is truly one of those products that the furbabies view for position over. I had our little terrier mix and miniature Schnauzer in mind when it arrived but more often than not, big overgrown cooper tries to cram his 80 pound self into it too! We often see 2 or 3 of the cats lazing about on it and they seem to love it just as much as their canine siblings do."-Read Jayedee's full review here 

The wonderful folks at Paws n' Silk have generously offered one of you the chance to win one of their fabulous 4 bolster Pet Beds, in the size of your choice, just in the for the holidays! Thanks so much!

Want to enter for your chance to win, then just fill out the easy entries on the Rafflecopter form below and stay tuned!


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Spoil Your Furbabies With Newmans Own Organic Premium Pet Food! #Giveaway Ends 12/3

As part of our Holiday Gift Guide, we will be featuring not only our own sponsors and giveaways but that of our co-hosts Life in the Lost World and Naturally Frugalicious. 

We humans have it soooo good all year 'round and during the holiday season we indulge in the finest feastings imaginable. Our question here at Slow Road to Insanity, Naturally Frugalicious and Life in the Lost World is, why shouldn't our pets have it just as good? They're our babies, our friends and in some cases little people disgusted in fur coats..so, shouldn't they be indulged and spoiled just as much as we are during the holidays?

Of course they should and with that being said, head over to Life in the Lost World and check out Jayedee's review for Newmans Own Organic Premium Pet Food.

"Certified organic by Oregon Tilth, ingredients have been grown on farms that have not used artificial fertilizers or pesticides for three years or more. All products are carefully formulated to contain ideal ratios of fat to protein to support the nutritional needs of adult dogs and cats."-read Jayedee's full review here. 

Would you like to try these wonderful organic offerings for your own furkids? Well, you're in luck because the wonderful folks at Newmans Own Organic Pet Food have generously offered one of you lucky readers the chance to win either a dog OR cat food sampler pack, like the ones Jayedee was sent for her own furbabies!

Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below and stay tuned!

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Welcome to Our Holiday Gift Guide 2013!

Welcome to our Holiday Gift Guide! It never ceases to amaze me how quickly a year can fly by. It seems like just last week it was Christmas of '12 and now here we are again coming down the homestretch of Christmas 2013. Yikes!

This year Slow Road to Insanity has teamed with the the awesome ladies over at Life in the Lost World and Naturally Frugalicious for a unique, handmade holiday season. In keeping with that theme, we created our first Holiday Gift Guide that is handmade and centered around the hard workers of small businesses featuring talented artisans, online shops and local businesses.

We've had the pleasure of working with some really spectacular shops and small businesses this holiday season, working with them to bring you our first annual holiday gift guide! Throughout the next few weeks we will be working hard to share with you our featured shops and favorite gift guide items, in addition to a few really super giveaways, right in time for the holidays. 

Hanukkah Holiday Gift Guide • Gifts for Him • Gifts for Her

Gifts for Teens • Gifts for Kids – Gifts for Toddlers & Babies

Gifts for the Home • Gifts for the Kitchen • Gifts for Pets

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Christmas Decorating Made Special With Wreaths for Door #Giveaway 12/2

As part of our first ever Holiday Gift Guide, we will not only be featuring our own reviews and giveaways but also be featuring the wonderful reviews and giveaways of Lifeinthelostworld and NaturallyFrugalicious as well.

Wreaths for Door has the perfect selection of fresh, fabric, artificially preserved Wreaths and more for your Holiday needs this year. You can use the coupon code Z2RC26FST to save an additional $5 on your Christmas order and shipping is always free!

I was sent a GORGEOUS Blueberry Country Christmas Door Wreath to review here for you today. I was so excited when the delivery man pulled up into the yard and handed me my big old box. I could smell that evergreen right through the box..and when I opened it...oh my! I just couldn't resist almost burying my face in that gorgeous greenery it smelled so glorious!-read Jayedee's full review of Wreaths for Door here!

The folks over at Wreaths for Door have generously offered one of our readers the chance to win a Blueberry Country Christmas Door Wreath, like the one reviewed by Jayedee, for their own festive Holiday display. Just get those entries in on the Rafflecopter below and stay tuned to see if you've been selected as the lucky winner!


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Make It An Event To Remember With Ariana Victoria Rose! Galaxy Wine Glass #Giveaway 12/2

If you're looking to leave your guests speechless at this years social gatherings, trying to make a special night memorable or on the hunt for the perfect gift for that one hard-to-buy-for person then look no further than a site we're all familiar with, Etsy, and an artist who has made it her mission to create wonderful, unique and hand-painted masterpieces on a canvas of everyday items ranging from Mugs to Phone cases, Ariana Victoria Rose.

Now, even though I don't host many social gatherings and I'm not currently doing any dating, I was super stoked when Ariana offered to send me a set of 2 of her Galaxy Wine Glasses from her Etsy shop for my Review. The Galaxy glasses have since proven to be a subject of admiration and of course, envy but remembering the first time I ever saw them, first online and later, in person, I was a bit envious myself. I had never seen anything so amazing and once they'd arrived on my doorstep I took the greatest care with opening them and admiring them. Oh, yes, they were even more stunning in person and now have a place of honor on a shelf high above the reach of any admiring touches from my toddler!

Goodness, I have a hard enough time not taking them down to admire them myself! Each glass is hand-painted with a special enamel paint that is baked on to become dishwasher safe on the top rack although as she cannot guarantee no scratches or chipping will occur, Ariana recommends that the Galaxy glasses be hand-washed. I second that recommendation and will be oh so carefully doing the same!

I've seen some amazing works of art in my 25 years but I'm absolutely mesmerized by the pieces that Ariana has created. If you want to find out more about Ariana or her products then you can find her on Etsy at Ariana Victoria Rose.

Make sure you never miss a thing from Ariana Victoria Rose by becoming a Facebook follower! You can also view Ariana's artwork by following her on Instagram.

For all of my readers who might be at home oogling these beauties and turning green with envy, cheer up. Because she is every bit as lovely as her artwork, Ariana Victoria Rose is sponsoring a giveaway for a set of 2 Galaxy wine glasses to one of you lucky duck readers! a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Add a Little Extra Festive Flair To Your Chanukah Celebration with Shem Tov Art! #Chanukah Tablerunner #Giveaway 11/22

If you've been in the market for Chanukah items then look no further than Shem Tov Art, an Etsy Shop, that specializes in Judea and Chanukah items such as customized shirts, aprons, wall hangings and tablerunners. When it seems like the pickins are slim for Chanukah trinkets in today's market let Shem Tov Art wow you with their wonderful array of handcrafted, affordable items! If you're looking for a gift for someone special or even if you're looking for yourself Shem Tov Art is a great place to start.

You can read Lilah's complete review on Shem Tov Art and their beautiful Chanukah Tablerunner here.

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Bringing Peace of Mind Back to Your Bathtub with SlipX Solutions! Ends 11/29

In a home where slips in the bathtub are a common occurrence it seems like we're always searching for the next fail safe way to prevent them. For us adults its mostly a painful inconvenience but with a toddler and a 7 month old a slip in the shower/bath could mean a trip to the local ER. 
If you find yourself slippin' and a'sliddin' around your bathtub then check out this excerpt from Life In The Lost World's review of SlipX Solutions!  

"SlipX Solutions offers slip resistant bathtub and shower mats made of durable, high-quality, allergen-free vinyl, it’s lightweight, strong, long lasting AND machine washable!With over 100 suction cups to firmly adhere to the tub’s surface, they are designed to be extremely slip resistant, reducing even more risk in the tub than a conventional bath mat, and built to last longer in the home. That means more bang for your buck and I like that too!" – read Jayedee’s full review of SlipX Solutions. 

To check out SlipX Solutions products for yourself you can head over to their website and check 'em out. 

Never miss out on the latest happenings at SlipX Solutions by following them via Facebook and Pinterest!

Want to be entered for a chance to win your own SlipX Field of Flowers bathmat in your choice of color? Just fill out the easy entries on the Rafflecopter form below and stay tuned! 

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Feeling Like You've Searched High and Low For The Perfect #Chanukah Gift? Check Out RK's Embroidery Boutique! Chanukah Tote #Giveaway 11/22

Having a hard time finding the right shop to take care of your embroidery and monogrammed needs this Holiday Season, then look no further than RK's Embroidery. Their shop is home to some of the cutest embroidered totes, aprons, scarves and other unique items for babies, toddlers, youths and adults.
Already have everyone crossed off your shopping list for this year? RK's Embroidery has something for every occasion whether it be Chanukah, Birthdays or event the most casual of events!

Lilah's full review for RK's Embroidery Boutique can be read HERE!

In addition to a Review RK's Embroidery is offering one of Lilah's readers their Chanukah Essential Tote Bags or an item of the winners choice worth up to $25!

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