Mama Thoughts

Girly Girl reader The Bradley Family says " To me being a mother is the most amazing gift in my life. Not a day goes by that my children don't make me laugh or even cry. It is a gift I would not trade for all the money in the world. "

Mama Palooza- Cafe Press Giveaway

CLOSED

Congratulations! Winners  #7 Mary Alice and steffie

Cafe Press is the perfect place to shop if you are looking for a personalized gift this Mother's Day. They carry a large number of unique products that can be personalized to fit anyone's personality. You can choose one of their numerous designs for your item, whether you are looking for something funny, cute or heartfelt, they have it. You can even create your very own unique creation using their design tool.

I searched through their Mother's Day items and found some really great designs  I thought would make great gifts for moms, grandmoms, wives, friends, or anyone in your life that is a mom and deserves some recognition. Is your mother a coffee lover? Then this travel mug would make a great gift.

Do you have a grandma like mine that's always out and about? This tote bag would be perfect for my nana to carry her stuff around town and these even make nice reusable shopping bags.

I also think these pajamas are pretty cute and wouldn't mind a pair. *hint hint* wink wink* Chris!

So if you are in the market for something unique and personal for that special mama CafePress is the ultimate destination for coffee mugs, funny t-shirts and other personalized gifts! You can follow them on Facebook and via Twitter.

Two Girly Girl readers will get the chance to win a $30 gift certificate each to spend at Cafe Press!

To Enter: Visit Cafe Press and tell me an item you would purchase. You can also get extra entries for following GGG through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

In addition if you leave a comment via our contact form or email telling me what it means to be a mom to you or something special about your mother you can gain an extra entry into any of the giveaways you enter during Mama Palooza. Just be sure and leave a comment on the giveaway saying you left a comment. I will be posting these comments throughout our Mother's Day event.

This giveaway will end on April 21, 2011. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US and Canada entries only.

***Monica***

I did not receive any form of compensation for writing this post. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in anyway by anyone.

Gifts for Mama- Babo Botanicals

babo Botanicals is a line of natural hair, scalp and skin solutions for babies and kids. Their products are created with the highest quality organic ingredients. They are sulfate free, paraben free, pthalate free and contain no icky chemicals, synthetic fragrances or colors. In addition all their products have been allergy tested and are safe for little eyes.

I know that from the time my little girl Penelope was born I have always been really cautious about the products I use on her. I try to keep away from harsh ingredients and because she has sensitive skin I avoid anything that is not hypoallergenic or that contains dyes and perfumes. I am always eager to try any new pure and natural bath products that I come across and so when I heard about babo Botanicals I had to check them out.

First of all the name babo comes from founder Kate Solomon's son. Babo is the name of her son's security bunny friend that comforts and soothes him. I thought this was very cute and also a very fitting name for these products.  The botanical ingredients in these products help to relax and calm little ones as well as help soothe any discomforts.

Lavender relaxes, soothes and facilitates more restful sleep

Calendula Oil is known to help soothe scalps with cradle cap or dry patches

Oatmeal helps comfort skin associate with eczema, dry patches or chafed skin

Soothing Organic Aloe Vera and Cucumber moisturize and comfort scalp and skin

babo Botanicals products also contain a Certified Organic Nutri-Soothe™ Blend rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants combines Chamomile, Watercress, Kudzu and Calendula.

I was given a 3 in 1 bubble bath and shampoo and wash to try as well as a calming moisturizing lotion from their Lavender Meadowsweet collection.

I do not typically like lavender scents, they are usually much too strong and floral for me but I was pleasantly surprised by how nice and subtle the lavender scent is in these products. It is not overwhelming at all. Penelope loves the way her new "soaps" smell. Like me Penelope already has a thing for bath products so she was very excited to receive these as well especially the 3 in 1 bubble bath. Bubble baths are a special treat for Penelope because many commercial children's bubble baths I have tried on her have irritated her skin and given her a rash. I was a little hesitant to try the 3 in 1 product as a bubble bath but I did and I am happy to say her skin was not bothered in the least bit. These are really wonderful, gentle products I definitely recommend them to all you moms with little ones.

babo Botanicals also sells their products in several gift set forms which would make great gifts for a new mom or soon to be mom this Mother's Day. You can purchase online or at several retail locations.

***Monica***

Mama Thoughts

Girly Girl reader Bruce says "Something special about my Mom. Even though I'm grown up, with kids and wife of my own, my Mom still looks after me. When we go visit for supper, we get leftovers. When she goes garage saleing, she picks me up vinyl. When she goes antiquing, she looks for stuff for me. Always looking out for me and my family.
Thanks Mom."

***Monica***

Mama Palooza- Novica Review and Giveaway

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Congratulations! Winner  #68 Mary Alice

From their website:

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.

NOVICA. The World is Your Market.

Novica offers some wonderful selections from artists in different regions of the world.  You can find a large variety of  handmade jewelry. From beautiful turquoise necklaces created in Mexico to amber studded earrings artfully made in India. They have some really gorgeous pieces that would make great Mother's Day gifts.  They also have some beautiful home decor. Things like photo frames, vases, and other unique gifts and collectible pieces to fit any one's style or personality.  

Since Novica allowed me the opportunity to review one of their products I decided to do a search for elephants on their site. My mother collects elephants and I was hoping to find her something that she would love. Guess what I did! After looking through all the creations I found this Ceramic Teapot, Elephant Green Tea.

With all the elephant figurines and trinkets my mom has I knew this one would be a unique piece to her collection. This lovely piece of art was handcrafted by artist Putu Oka Mahendra in Bali. It is dishwasher safe, microwave safe and lead and toxin free, but I really think my mom is just going to display it somewhere for all to see.

I was very impressed at how quickly I received this item from Novica, it was packaged with great care. When I received my package it was dented ( most likely done while in the shipping process ) and I feared the worse. I was pleasantly surprised to find my tea pot was completely protected and safe. I also received an artisan story card with a beautiful picture of Bali on it and thoughtfully signed.

All in all I think Novica is a great place to purchase something different. If you are interested in getting something for mom but still not sure what check out the suggestions for Gifts for Mom at Novica.

 

Novica is generously offering one Girly Girl reader a $50 gift code.

To Enter: Please visit Novica and tell me something you would purchase. You can also get extra entries for following GGG through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

In addition if you leave a comment via our contact form or email telling me what it means to be a mom to you or something special about your mother you can gain an extra entry into any of the giveaways you enter during Mama Palooza. Just be sure and leave a comment on the giveaway saying you left a comment. I will be posting these comments throughout our Mother's Day event.

This giveaway will end on April 20, 2011. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US entries only.

***Monica***

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.

Mama Palooza- Olimax Soap Review and Giveaway

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Congratulations! Winner  #8 judy gardner

I am absolutely a lover of bath products. Bath bombs, bubble bath, bath soaps, you name it. I especially love unique bath products that you don't find in your everyday drugstore. Handmade scented soaps are one of my favorite things. Not only are they usually very pretty but they tend to come in your not so average scents.

Olimax Soap makes luxurious and whimsical hand crafted glycerin soaps using only the finest ingredients. Spa quality soap scented with sensuous fragrance oils and essential oils and kid-friendly soaps with scrumptious scents. The soaps are created in small batches so new two will be exactly like. Olimax also uses quality ingredients and stays clear of detergents or surfactants.

These Sugar Scrub Cubes look good enough to eat and I am dying to try them. They are all natural and contain no preservatives. They are also made to order and come in a variety of scents like Creme Brulee (Yum!) and Brown Sugar and Fig.

I also think these Donut Shaped Soaps are way too cute. I mean seriously I don't know whether to wash up with them or pour myself a tall glass of milk. To top it if these smell like chocolate! Need I say more?

I was given the opportunity to review Olimax's Rock Star Salt Bar Margarita Soap.

" even though you can't always party like a rock star, you can at least feel as pampered as one!  This bar is special - glittery pinky purple on the top, brazilian sea salt scrub on the bottom and pure  glycerin soap all around to make your skin feel and look its best.  Margarita scent is a fresh, fun fragrance with layers of lime,orange and of course tequila."  

As soon as I opened the package I received from Olimax this delicious smell filled my senses. This bar is beautiful and smells great. My husband first said it smelled like Trix cereal and believe me to him that's not a bad thing. After opening it up and using it we agreed that it really does smell like a margarita, very citrus-y. And yes my husband is also a fan of bath products but ssshhh don't tell him I told you. *wink* This bar leaves a light sheen while using it from the glitter but the glitter does wash off. I also think the salt scrub layer works great to exfoliate the skin. This soap bar is not only fun but it does it's job and leaves your skin feeling moisturized with a slight scent immediately after use. I just wish the smell lingered longer then it does.

I think bath products are a great gift for mother's, AND WIVES. It's the perfect way to show you appreciate all the hard work and say "now it's your turn to relax and feel pampered". Visit the Olimax Soap Shop online and pick out some fabulous products to put a Mother's Day basket together with, and don't forget the Donut Shaped Soaps!

How would you like to win a Rock Star Salt Bar Margarita soap like the one I was sent as well as $15 coupon to shop along with FREE shipping on your order? Awesome!

To Enter: Visit Olimax Soap Shop and tell me a product that you are excited to try. You can also get extra entries for following GGG through GFC, Subscribing via email, liking us on Facebook and following via Twitter.

In addition if you leave a comment via our contact form or email telling me what it means to be a mom to you or something special about your mother you can gain an extra entry into any of the giveaways you enter during Mama Palooza. Just be sure and leave a comment on the giveaway saying you left a comment. I will be posting these comments throughout our Mother's Day event.

This giveaway will end on April 17, 2011. I will choose the winner using Random.org. Please leave a valid email address if it is not visible in your profile. US entries only.

***Monica***

The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone.