Rave and Review

Naturalizer Footwear {Review & Giveaway}

Holiday Gift Guide - Day 2

In my busy days taking care of kids there’s really no excuse to not wear comfortable shoes.  I already know I’m going to be chasing toddlers, carting bags and strollers, and walking a good deal, so there’s really not much room in the schedule for uncomfortable footwear.  This is why my shoe collection looks like a teenager’s – tennis shoes, sneakers, flip flops, etc.

Or, rather, it used to.

My shoe collection just got a big makeover with the addition of the Naturalizer Arness boots that arrived earlier this month.  Perfect for fall with some tights and a skirt or with jeans for the perfect fall look, the Arness boots are not only cute, they are also incredibly comfortable.  So comfortable, in fact, that it prompted a trip to our local Naturalizer Store where I loaded up on some of the sale shoes, bags, and sandals this past weekend. 

I was incredibly excited about the range of styles available at the store as well as the colors and sizes they had in stock.  And, we’re not talking “grandma shoes” with tons of support and little style, Naturalizer really has a great range of footwear for women.  From heels and peep-toes to Dr. Scholls and sneakers, Naturalizer has it all.

At the Naturalizer sale, I scored two pairs of sandals, an adorable pair of flats, and some dressier heels for going out.  And although I really needed new shoes, I couldn’t pass up their amazing handbag sale that gave me a percentage off their already reduced prices, making their purses less that $15!  I left the store looking like a sponsored ad for the company and have ever since as I’ve been sporting my shoes and bags.
 
So now instead of a teenager’s shoe collection, I have an age-appropriate shoe wardrobe that can go from any of my daily activities, no matter what the weather.  You wouldn’t believe the compliments I get from the other moms in our play group as they admire my new footwear.  I love that the first question is always “are they really uncomfortable?” as if shoes have to pinch, rub, and chafe, and I love that I can tell other moms how unlike other shoes the Naturalizer collection is. 

If you’re looking for style and comfort, you should definitely check out Naturalizer to find the shoes, boots, sandals and bags that are hot this season.  Bonus – If you’re shopping for boots, you will be happy to note that there is an awesome boot sale going on right now so it’s a great time to get your fall and winter boots at a great price!

Want to try this comfort on your own? You're in luck because one lucky person will win their choice of shoes from Naturalizer!

To enter, simply visit Naturalizer and comment below with what shoes you would pick if you win

 And, as always, there are extra entries available!  Please leave a separate comment for each completed.

1 Extra Entry {per method} if you follow Naturalizer on Twitter and/or like them on Facebook.

1 Extra Entry {daily} - Twitter.  Simply tweet the following after following us both:

Awesome Naturalizer #giveaway from @RaveAndReview and @NaturalizerShoe! http://t.co/2i47TJSM #win with #MyBlogSpark

2 Extra Entries {per follow method} - Follow Rave & Review!  Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll.

3 Extra Entries - Button Love. Place my button in your sidebar on your blog or website with an active link to R&R

3 Extra Entries - Blogger Bonus.  Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post and leave an address where I can find your writeup

1 Extra Entry - Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

On November 16th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US Addresses.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

18 Beth Hill said... like naturalizer on facebook

A big thank you to Naturalizer and Brown Shoe Company (through MyBlogSpark) for providing shoes and information for me as well as a Naturalizer gift card for one lucky giveaway winner.  All opinions are 100% ours and no monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Naturalizer Rescues BlogHer '11 - will you be there?

Are you getting ready for BlogHer in August?  Want a tip that I wish someone had told me before my first blogging event?  Wear comfortable shoes!  You will be on your feet all day long, walking, standing, and yes, running, and you will be very appreciative if you have comfortable shoes.

If you know me, you know how much comfort decides my wardrobe.  And, if you looked into my closet right now, you would find only shoes designed for comfort.  With a baby, a toddler and a very active lifestyle, I just don’t have time for shoes that pinch, bind, or strain.  That being said, you also won’t find “grandma shoes” in my wardrobe, either. 

I have always been very choosy about my footwear and what makes the cut for casual events, work meetings, and for conferences and parties, which is why I love Naturalizer, a company that understands how important stylish comfort is.  If you remember, last spring I found Naturalizer N5 Comfort Elements shoes and was singing their praises in terms of comfort and style, and I can honestly say the honeymoon still isn’t over.  I wear my Naturalizer shoes at least a few times a week, and they have held up nicely as well as becoming even more comfortable.  Yes, it’s true, even MORE comfortable with wear – how is that possible?   

As if I needed yet another reason to love Naturalizer, I just heard about their brilliant plan that will endear themselves to every BlogHer attendee who doesn’t heed my advice and bring comfortable shoes to the conference.  By handing out an adorable pair of free Naturalizer shoes to those in need of a “shoe rescue” and those tweeting with the #Naturalizer hashtag on Twitter, they are sure to be the hit of the conference and make some life-long blogger fans.

As the badge above very loudly proclaims, I will be heading to BlogHer this August and of course will be sporting my Aurora Dress Sandals from Naturalizer {or maybe even these little beauties to the left} whether I’m wearing denim, dress plants, a cute summer dress, or a skirt, because, frankly, they both just go with everything!  So, when I heard they were looking for a blogger to help out at the event and help spread the Naturalizer love, I knew I was the perfect fit for representing the company. 

Who wouldn’t want to make dozens of attendee’s days and develop friendships with fellow bloggers by bonding over adorable footwear?  In addition to FREE SHOES, I would also be handing out some great coupons so you can load up on summer and fall styles even after the conference ends.  Yes, that’s the Leanne Trifecta for you – cute shoes, coupons, and meeting new people.  Can you say “perfect fit”?  

Want to meet up with me at BlogHer {even if I can’t get you a brand new pair of Naturalizer Shoes}?  I would love to meet you in the conference halls or at one of the many parties we'll be attending and chat about the future of blogging, mom style, and comfortable shoes, or anything, really, and meet some of you awesome bloggers in person!  In the meantime, be sure to “Like” Naturalizer on Facebook … a little birdie told me you can get a $10 off in-store or online coupon certificate to get your BlogHer shoes now!

This opportunity was presented to me by Naturalizer and the Brown Shoe Company, through MyBlogSpark, and this post serves as my entry to win a sponsorship for my attendance at the 2011 BlogHer Conference.

Cute and Comfortable OKA b. Sandals {Review & Giveaway}

Get Out and PLAY Event - Day 10

Now that the nice weather is {finally} here, I am ready to unwrap my toes from their layers of wool socks and wiggle them into a comfy pair of sandals.  But, with the sun usually comes cheap flip flops, little support, and even less style.  That I was not ready for.  Lucky for me, I was able to find OKA b. shoes just in time.

These shoes are more than I could have hoped for in so many ways.  The first thing I noticed was that they were actually cute!  The sandals were a flattering bronze color that made my blindingly white winter feet actually look pretty decent.  The slight heel was also an improvement on my previously owned flip flops.  I am slightly challenged in the height department and the little boost was much appreciated, while also making the sandal look dressy enough to wear in more places than just the beach.  The flower attached to the top at first tickled my toes and seemed a little distracting, but I quickly got used to it and I love the pop of color.

So looks-wise I was really happy with the sandals, but the real test came a couple days later when I decided to wear them to a barbeque.  I knew that I was going to be walking around and standing for hours, and normally after standing in floppy flip flops, my feet and my back are killing me.   OKA b. sandals have a reflexology-inspired design that is supposed to be good for your feet, but I was a little skeptical about how comfortable they would actually be. 

As I slipped my feet into the OKA b. sandals, the first thing I noticed was how the small beads in the soles cushioned my feet and massaged them into a state of tootsie bliss.  The shape of the sole also gave me a ton of support and I had high hopes for a comfortable barbeque experience.  Walking around in the grass, the shoes didn’t slip around like most sandals tend to do and my feet stayed so comfortable for the whole day that I didn’t want to take them off by the time I got home!

I was also really impressed with how the shoe is constructed.  It is made from one continuous piece of antimicrobial material, so the sandal will last forever.  This also means it won’t start to smell after a couple of days of wear, but if you should need to wash them, you will be happy to note that they are machine washable.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a cute pair of sandals that I can wear to the beach and bring home still looking and smelling great!  These shoes are also made in the USA with environmentally conscious material, are recyclable, and even with all of the benefits, they are relatively affordable, ranging between $20 - $40.  Shoes that love you, indeed!

After wearing OKA b. sandals for a couple of days, I am smitten with both their cute style and their comfort.  Since they come in many different styles for both men and women, I will be sure to stock up on a bunch of different pairs, just so my feet will be prepared for an amazingly cute and comfortable summer.

Visit http://www.shoesthatloveyou.com

 One very lucky Rave and Review reader will win a pair of Oka b. Sandals of their choice!

To Enter: Simply visit OKA b. and tell me what sandals you would choose if you win

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) "Like" Shoes That Love You on Facebook

3) Tweet about this Giveaway after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

Kick off summer with a pair of adorable and comfy sandals from @OKAb and @raveandreview! Enter here http://bit.ly/kPjXHK

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) NEW!  "Like" Rave and Review on Facebook! (3 entries!)

On June 24th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn via Random.org, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian Addresses.

Thank you to Oka b. for sending sandals for review as well as offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Adorable Kids Shoes from See Kai Run {Review & Giveaway}

As many of you already know, one thing that can really pull an outfit together is your shoes.  This is just as true with children’s shoes, and sometimes even more so.  At our house, we take great pride in dressing our children up in fun outfits that really highlight their personality and style, and their shoes are a key component in this.

From the very moment we found out we were expecting our first child, we began to dream of all those adorable shoes we had been eyeing in boutiques for years and planning which ones we wanted and in what sizes.  At the time, I didn’t realize that nearly all the shoes we had fallen in love with were made by a local Seattle-area shoe company, See Kai Run. 

While the first thing that drew us to See Kai Run was the adorable styles and the fact that they look like shrunken down versions of grown-up shoes, what really impressed us was all the technology and thought that goes into each one.  Not content with just making cute shoes, See Kai Run really goes the extra mile and make shoes that are designed to work properly for your child as they learn to walk and run. 

Splitting their shoe line into three categories {Smaller, original See Kai Run, and Eleven}, it makes it easy for you to find shoes that are right for your child’s needs and ability.  From the Smaller line of soft soled shoes that offer the utmost flexibility for your child as they learn to crawl up to the original See Kai Run line that has more traditional soled shoes for your steady walking eight year old, you can be sure that your See Kai Run shoes are perfectly matched to your child’s feet every step of the way.

One thing that is consistent through all their shoes is that they just feel right.  From the moment my daughter held the shoes, but before she even got them on her feet, she had already declared them "comfortable" and asked to wear them right away.  Once she got them on her feet and velcroed them all up, she was so incredibly excited that she was dancing around confirming that they were, in fact, incredibly comfortable.   

The first thing you’ll notice about their shoes is that they are really light, which seems like a pretty basic idea for kid’s shoes but is often not the case with other manufacturers.  Second, they are ridiculously soft.  The leather used is clearly high quality which makes it soft and easy on your child’s feet, and also very flexible.  The third thing is that this flexibility continues into the soles of all the shoes, even for the older kids.  While still offering protection from the hard ground, the soles flex enough to allow their feet to develop properly and offer the utmost in comfort.

While all this adorable-ness and engineering does cost more than a shoe at a discount store, I would argue that $30 - $40 for your kid’s feet is worth it.  I grew up with a grandmother who wore ill-fitting shoes growing up and then suffered with foot problems her whole life, which made me adamant that I would protect our kiddos’ feet by buying good quality shoes.  Besides, shoes are actually one of the few clothing items you really get your money out of.  Unlike that shirt you just love or the sweater they look so cute in, you never have to wait for their shoes to come out of the wash, and you won’t be embarrassed to put them in the same shoes all week (or even all month) long. 

As if adorable shoes wasn't enough, See Kai Run has now added certified organic cotton socks to their line!  They are super soft, come in various patterns and colors to coordinate with their shoes, and have great non-binding cuffs to hold them up, even when the kiddos are playing hard.  From simple and stripey to adorable patterns and argyle, See Kai Run socks are sure to be as beloved as their shoes.

Whether you are shopping for boys shoes or girls shoes, See Kai Run has styles for every personality as well as adorable socks to mix and match.  Seriously, I love See Kai Run so much that I really wish they made shoes in my size and my husband’s size so we could all wear our See Kai Run shoes as a family.

http://www.seekairun.com/

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a pair of See Kai Run or Smaller Shoes {the Eleven line is excluded} of your choice!

To Enter: Tell me what size and style your little cutie would rock this spring and summer.

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Like See Kai Run on Facebook {no need to comment on their wall!}

3) Tweet about this Giveaway after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

I'm hoping to start off spring with a new pair of kicks from @SeeKaiRun and @raveandreview... enter to win at http://bit.ly/elFfbo!

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On April 7th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian Addresses.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank  you to all who entered and congratulations to: #11 Susan said... Leanne! See Kai Run is adorable! I seriously have a problem looking for shoes for Manney.  He would definitely wear the 'Satchel' style in size 5!

A big thank you to the PTPA seal of approval winning See Kai Run for providing us with a sample to facilitate this review as well as a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this very Rave Review.

Giving back with the Pediped Foundation, one adorable shoe at a time

I resolve to... give back 

I love it when I find a company that makes good, quality products and then learn that they are as committed as I am to giving back and supporting charities that are making a real difference.  Pediped is one of those brands and they have quickly made it onto the list of one of new favorite brands.  Besides having adorable shoes (and they do!)  they also have created the Pediped Foundation that gives back to children in need.

But, before I get to all the great things about the Pediped Foundation and how to give back, I want to talk about all the adorable shoes they carry that are truly awesome.  Designed to give parents a footwear option for little ones that are “the next best thing to bare feet”, Pediped knows that kid’s shoes shouldn’t just be miniature versions of adult shoes.  Rather, they should give your child good support and the most flexibility possible so they can be active and move naturally.

To help you find the best fit for your child, Pediped categorizes their shoes into three main lines: Originals for pre-walkers that mimics barefoot walking, the Grip n Go line that helps toddlers transition from early walking, and the Flex line that combines soft and flexible rubber soles with older styles for your active kids.  I love that this makes it easy for new parents to navigate the site, and was thrilled that the site gives you a great sizing tool to help find the best fit for baby, toddler, or kidlet. 

We got to try out a shoe, or rather a boot, in the Flex line for my toddler and instantly became big fans.  The Elizabeth Shearling Lined Boots by Pediped Flex are stylish, easy to put on thanks to the side zipper (yes!), and reportedly are very, very comfortable.  They have this amazingly squishy and soft sole that Pediped calls a “gum sole” and I really wish they came in my size.  Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development and with cool features like a 2mm insole to customize the fit for your child and extend the length of time your child can wear them (included with all Flex styles), you will love these shoes as much as your little one will.    

But something I love even more than adorable shoes is giving back, so I love that Pediped is dedicated to donating to children’s charities.  Since the company’s inception 5 years ago, Pediped has donated nearly $700,000 in monetary and product donations to children's charities.  And now with the newly established Pediped Foundation, they are poised to raise even more. 

To kick things off, during the Purchases with Purpose fundraiser (thru February 4th, 2011), select styles available on pediped.com will be marked down as much as 50 percent and half of the sales from the promotion will be donated to the pediped foundation™.   The funds will be used to provide monetary support to organizations including Make-A-Wish foundation and other worthy children’s charities.  Yes, that’s right, just by buying a pair of Pedipeds, you’re helping children in need and teaching your children the importance of charity. 

Pediped offers a full footwear collection that can take you from first shoes up to sizes for your 6 year old.  Visit the Pediped site for more details on their different shoe lines as well as where to purchase.  You can also connect with Pediped via Twitter & Facebook to stay up to date on what’s happening. 

For more information on the pediped foundation™ visit www.pedipedfoundation.org or http://www.pediped.com/

A big thank you to Pediped for sending their Flex shoes to be reviewed as well as providing us with information on the awesome pediped foundation!  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Holiday Shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls {Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 36

This past year has been all about saving money, which means that we really only go shopping when we have a huge coupon or when we’re headed to a discount store.  Because of this, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have been my main source of new clothing purchases and gifts throughout 2010.  Naturally, they are also the first place I turn when my holiday list starts growing and I need to get good, quality gifts for everyone on it without spending a huge amount of money.

We recently visited our nearby TJ Maxx with our list in hand and got so many great deals (that unfortunately I can’t tell you about… don’t want to spoil anyone’s holidays).  However, I can tell you that we ended up with a cart full of bargains that were too good to pass up and had a great time shopping together. 

But, the best part is the fact that no digging was required.  I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I really hate discount stores that are 90% junk and so overstuffed that you cannot move down the aisles without dragging half of the store behind your cart.  In all of my many {many, many} trips to TJ Maxx and Marshalls, I have always found a very organized store and well displayed merchandise, something that I cannot appreciate enough.

Besides all the great deals on clothing and gifts, we always find great household items at both T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.  From lamps to pictures, and pans to kitchen gadgets, we always have a blast seeing what treasures we can find.  Since 10,000 new items arrive in store each week, it’s really like visiting a new store each time you go, and with prices up to 60% lower than what you will find at the mall, it’s really no wonder I’m raving about them.  

This year we found some seriously awesome treasures in the kitchen aisle for numerous people on our lists – including roasting pans for under $20, copper sauté pans for under $30, and a whole bunch of gadgets, sauces and more that would be perfect for filling a gift basket.  They also have a ton of Christmas decorations, great electronic gadgets, stocking stuffers, kids' toys and more that are at huge discounts and perfect for gifting {and receiving…} this year.   

If you’re like me and still have people on your list you’re shopping for, you should definitely check out your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls – or both – this holiday season and see what deals you will find.  With quality gifts for everyone on your list and name brands at discount prices, you are sure to leave happy. 

Visit http://www.marshallsonline.com/ and http://www.tjmaxx.com/ online today to see what new arrivals are coming to a store near you.  You can even purchase gift cards online for your recipients to spend on whatever they would like after the holidays!

 

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a $25 gift card to use at TJ Maxx or Marshalls for some after-holiday shopping!

To Enter: Simply visit Marshalls and TJ Maxx online and tell me what you are excited to search for this holiday season.

 And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) "Like" TJ Maxx and Marshalls on Facebook (1 extra entry each, just leave FB name in comment)

3) Tweet about this giveaway using @raveandreview, @Marshalls, and @TJMaxx with the link to this post (http://bit.ly/fy12HX) after following us all (daily Tweet, just post link here)

4) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

5) Place my button in your sidebar on your blog or website  (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

6) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

7) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On January 4th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US Addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to:

#755 JASMINE said...  I love their housewares section, too! So many great deals!

A big thank you to TJ Maxx and Marshalls who provided a gift card for review as well as a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Bobux Shoes and Silly Billyz Bibs for your Little One {Review & Giveaway}

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Day 20

Do you remember when baby shoes were all made of stiff leather and had a boring white or brown color?  Thank goodness that’s not the case anymore, because cute shoes on cute kids is my weakness.  When you add in the fact that these adorable shoes are actually better for kid’s feet, easier to put on, and actually stay on through all sorts of kicking, crawling and more, it’s easy to be grateful that those old baby shoes are a thing of the past!

I was recently introduced to Bobux Shoes, which are soft-soled leather baby shoes that are made by hand in New Zealand.  I love that they are made from buttery soft Eco-leather, which is safer for your baby and the environment.  With a flexible, slip resistant suede leather sole that is recommended by experts for babies and toddlers learning to walk or crawl, they are the perfect first shoes for baby.

Of course, they are also adorable and available in a rainbow of colors with over 75 different designs in total, which means it won’t be hard to find a soft-soled shoe for every outfit your child owns.  Whether you are looking for a grown up design or something truly eye catching for your little one, they have the perfect style for you.

We got to try out the Bobux Originals for our littlest reviewer and I was extremely impressed by the quality.  Unlike other soft soled shoes that have exposed elastic or a tightly gathered heel piece that cuts into baby’s delicate skin, we really loved that the Bobux had a good, thick leather shape to it with a high attention to detail and comfort.

It should be said that my husband is not a huge fan of soft soled baby shoes in general, but even he loved the Bobux Originals on our little man.  The fact that they wear well and don’t look cheap or flimsy really added to his appreciation of the Bobux shoes as well as the fact that the design we received was rather muted in comparison to others we have tried. 

Our newborn reviewer has been wearing the Star design Originals for weeks now and we still love them just as much as when they arrived.  Even though he is nowhere near walking {and thank goodness for that}, they are so helpful in keeping his socks on during the day and helping keep his feet warm when we go out. 

Things we love:  The designs on the shoes face baby, which I think is pretty cool and something I can’t believe other baby shoe manufacturers don’t do.  It’s a small detail, but it’s important.  Also important is how to keep them looking great, which is why I love that when they need washing, we can simply toss them into a mesh bag and throw them into the washer.  When they are clean, we then can air dry them with paper stuffed inside to retain their shape. 

If you have a little one on your list, you can go check out Bobux’s huge variety of designs available in their original soft soled style {here}.  While you are there you should check out their sale items to get these great soft soled designs at really good prices. 

Since you are already online shopping for baby, you should definitely check out Silly Billyz, a company that I had not heard of a little over a month ago.  They make the coolest bibs for baby and something I really wish we would have had when our nephew was little.  Our nephew was the drooliest baby I have ever met and literally every time I saw him he was dripping wet from the collar of his shirt all the way to his chest. 

His mom got fed up with bibs and the fact that they really overwhelmed his little body, were awkward to keep on, and were really unattractive to boot.  If I had known Silly Billyz existed back them, my nephew would have owned every color. 

The Silly Billyz Snuggly Toweling Biblets are the perfect solution for a drooly baby because it allows you to keep a soft, snuggly neck close to baby’s skin but still absorbs all the drool a baby can dish out.  The fact that they are small and unobtrusive and come in very plain colors means that you may actually forget your child is wearing it, which is absolutely not the case with traditional large bibs. 

Snuggly Toweling Biblets are made from 100% velour cotton and have a soft waterproof nylon back.  They have two snaps to make them adjustable and better fit your baby and are PVC free, lead free, and stain resistant.  They are really absorbent and help keep your kid dry, whether it is just for bottle time or if it’s for all day use.  Of course, these are machine washable as well and can be machine dried. 

If you have a baby on your list, you should check out Bobux and Silly Billyz and see their full line of products from newborn up to toddler.  You will find some good, practical presents that both you and baby can appreciate well after the holiday season. 

See more products at http://www.bobuxusa.com/ and http://www.sillybillyz.com/ 

 
One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a Bobux Original and Silly Billyz Biblet Set!

To Enter: Visit Bobux and Silly Billyz and tell me what design you would love of each.

 And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this giveaway using @raveandreview and #giveaway and the link to this post (http://bit.ly/hRt3GP) after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage (2 extra entries, just post the URL where I can find your writeup)

4) Place my button in your sidebar on your blog or website  (2 extra entries, must have an active link to R&R)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways and/or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

8) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On January 7th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US and Canadian Addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to:

#154 ReggieMann said...I entered your Plow & Hearth $50 GC Giveaway ReggieM1961 [at] gmail [dot] com
A big thank you to Bobux and Silly Billyz for sending the shoes and biblet for our newest reviewer.  All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Wee Squeak Shoes {Review and Giveaway}

Everywhere we go, we are greeted with smiles.  Not just because we're cute (which we are, mind you), but because our two year old squeaks when she walks.  Well, at least her shoes squeak, thanks to Wee Squeak, the makers of children's shoes that come with a removable squeaker in the heel.

I will never, ever forget the first time we put the Wee Squeak Mary Janes on her and she did a fast-paced series of circles on the floor trying to see what she was stepping on.  Not unlike a dog chasing his own tail, no amount of circling was fruitful and finally she gave up, coming to a standstill.  Her face was absolutely priceless when she finally realized that it was her own feet making the adorable squeaks.  She immediately jumped into the air to make her shoes squeak extra loud and yelled, “I bounce, I squeak!”  The shoes were then dubbed her “Squeaks”.

Wee Squeak Shoes come in a wide variety of styles and colors for boys and girls (from size 3 all the way up to size 12 in some designs) and they are all adorable.  We went with the Brown Hot Pink Daisy Mary Janes for our daughter, which are a modern take on the classic little girl’s shoe.  As we hoped, they seem to go with just about every single outfit in her closet, which makes the fact that she wants to wear them daily much easier on all of us.   

Aside from being heart meltingly cute, Wee Squeak Shoes have some really cool features for you and your little one.  From helping you keep track of your busy toddler while you are out and about to encouraging your kiddos to do proper heel-to-toe strides when they walk, the Wee Squeak Shoes are sure to become everyone’s favorite kicks.  And, they certainly are the favorite shoes in our house, being requested each morning and again after the afternoon nap.   

One of my favorite things about the Wee Squeak Shoes is that they help me persuade my sometimes distracted walker to get moving in a hurry or, conversely, getting her to slow down merely by asking her to make her shoes squeak either slow or super fast.  But, a benefit I hadn't thought of was making getting ready easier when your toddler is dying to put on their "Squeaks".  Every single time we are in a hurry, I simply coerce my daughter to get her shirt, pants, and socks on quickly so we can put on her Wee Squeak Shoes.  This immediately gets her racing to get dressed and grab out the “Squeaks”, which my perpetually late self really appreciates. 

Once we are out around town with her Wee Squeak Shoes, they certainly get a lot of attention from both friends and strangers wanting to know where to buy them.  More times than I care to remember, someone will tell me the story of how their parents used to tie bells to their shoes when they were young, but how much better of an idea (and much less of a choking hazard) squeaker shoes are. 

One thing that we haven’t tried yet is the removable squeaker function that allows you to quiet the shoes for church, weddings, library dates, and other events where squeaking when you walk might be discouraged.  So far, I have found that anywhere that is two-year-old friendly by default must also be squeaking-friendly and everyone we meet seems to agree, telling me that my little squeaker and her Wee Squeak Shoes are the cutest thing they have ever seen.

http://www.wesqueak.net/

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a pair of these awesome Wee Squeak Shoes of their choice!

To Enter:  Just comment below with what style and size of Wee Squeak Shoes you would love to win. 

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and http://tinyurl.com/25coust #giveaway after following (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage and http://www.wesqueak.net/

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry, just tell me what rank R&R has)

On August 22th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Winner, winner!  This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered and congrats to Amber Smith:

#321 Amber Smith said...

Voted for you today 8/18 - #30

 
A big thank you to Wee Squeak for providing a pair of adorable Mary Janes for us to review and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.   All opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this Rave Review.

Naturalizer N5 Comfort Shoes Review and Discount Code

Many of you already know my non-negotiable rule: the only time you will ever find me wearing uncomfortable shoes is when I am a bridesmaid.  That means that roughly 99.999% of the time I will be wearing comfortable shoes, and why I’m so excited about the N5 Comfort Elements collection from Naturalizer.  I am extremely picky about what makes it into my footwear collection, especially when I’m searching for stylish shoes that fit my requirements.  So, when I heard about the Naturalizer N5 Comfort Elements collection that was hailed to be both comfortable and stylish, I had to see it for myself. 

One look at the Naturalizer site and I had a 5 pair wish list that I was dying to try out.  The whole Naturalizer line is extremely practical, but the N5 especially has a whole range of footwear that can fit anyone’s taste.  We’re talking sandals, mary janes, slip-ons, oxfords, dress shoes, boots and office footwear all with N5 all-day wearability. 

So, which style did I choose?  It was a tough choice, but because we’re really thinking Spring here in the NW, I decided to go with one of the open toe designs.  Since most of our traveling happens when the weather’s warm, finding shoes that can go with both skirts and jeans is always a huge priority to me.  The Aurora Dress Sandals from Naturalizer are perfect for all my Summer apparel and even go well into Fall since they easily work with slacks, khakis and jeans just as well.  In fact, even though they are sandals, I prefer them peeking out from under jeans, adding a red pop to my outfits.  

As you would expect from the N5 line, the Aurora Sandals are extremely comfortable and incredibly practical in my days of chasing a toddler.  The outsole of the shoe is nonskid and rubberized so you can wear it anywhere safely, which for me is an absolute necessity.  The thicker heel base is also a little bit bigger than a dollar coin and gives you a wider base to stand and walk on, making the short 1 ¾ heel a whole lot less dangerous for a non-heel wearer like myself.   

The Aurora insole is made with extremely soft leather than cushions your foot with each step and has an inner suede patch throughout the arch of your foot, which means your bare foot doesn’t stick to the leather with each step and gives you a much more comfortable hot Summer option.  Another feature I absolutely love is the elastic sandal upper that gives your foot a custom fit.  As someone with abnormally thin feet, I always appreciate when shoes are adjustable, especially when I can still slip them on in a hurry.  

And, it’s no wonder these Naturalizers are so comfortable.  With years of engineering and design behind them, Naturalizer has taken comfort to a whole new level by bringing on their own reflexologist and mother of three, Michelle Ebbin.  Her goal is to reach out to moms and encourage them to take care of their feet – a body part that is often very much overlooked in our days of caring for young children.  The tips below are ones that Michelle Ebbin has developed to help moms find the most comfortable shoes for their busy days:
 
•  15 minutes of…comfort: When selecting a shoe, you should be able to walk for at least 15 minutes without discomfort or pressure to any part of the feet. Even if you live in heels, you should be able to feel balanced and stable enough so that you are not carrying all of your body weight on the balls of your feet.  Balance ensures that your core is stable and energy circulation can flow easily. Stability promotes stress relief and improved posture.

•  Breathe easy: Every woman knows how annoying sweaty, sliding feet can be. And when your feet can’t breathe, your energy can’t flow. Find shoes with a breathable lining. By keeping your feet cool, and comfortable, you can relieve and prevent energy blockages in the feet.

•  Lighten up and embrace the softer side: Hard, clunky shoes are more than just ugly, they can affect your circulation. The lighter the weight and the softer the cushioning, the less pressure on your feet, which means better circulation.

•  The 2010 shoe mantra – NO BREAKING IN: Flexibility means no “breaking-in” period. Supportive, lightweight shoes lessen the impact of gravity, which can wreak havoc on your feet and your entire body. Buy shoes that feel good straight out of the box.

If you're looking for comfort straight out of the box, you should check out Naturalizer's full line of shoes.  And, to help get you started, Naturalizer has offered Rave and Review readers a discount code to get 15% off the .com and .ca sites (some exclusions apply).  Use the coupon NTWELL -  good thru 6/10/2010.

http://www.naturalizer.com/

I received a sample and discount code from Naturalizer as part of a campaign through Family Review Network.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Nowali Moccasins Review and Giveaway

The Pacific Northwest has at least another 3 ½ months of cool weather before things start heating up for Spring, which means we’ve still got months of sweaters, coats and even mittens left in the year.  My favorite part of Seattle’s chilly spring?  Family cuddle nights that don’t have to end on March 20th.  So, while some may be looking forward to tank tops and skirts this time of year, I’m still looking for clothing that can keep us all warm and cozy on those family snuggle nights ahead. 

The Swedish-based Nowali Moccasins knows all about chilly Spring weather, which is why they have introduced their new Spring styles of their classic moccasins just in time to become a cozy family tradition this season.  There’s a reason these little booties look so familiar; these are the same classic moccasins from our childhood.  The same high quality and durable moccasin slippers parents have trusted for 60 years are now available for our little ones and they are just as cute as ever. 

In addition to being adorable, I love the fact that, even in a day of automation and machinery, each traditional Nowali Moccasin is hand-stitched.  Nowali’s are made with yarn and foxing materials that meet the Oko-Tex Standard 100, an eco standard ensuring that they contain no harmful dyes or substances.  I love that the Nowali Moccasins are all non-skid, especially now that my daughter is growing out of all her newborn and toddler socks with the anti-skid coatings and can’t seem to slow down her pace to compensate.  Popping a pair of Nowali Moccasins on her is quick and easy and keeps her warm and toasty as well as upright, and still keeps her comfortable all day long. 

The double elastic ankle keeps them on her feet even during all sorts of wild moves, and are much more comfortable than shoes for wearing around the house.  The Nowali anti-skid sole is made of a durable leather designed to flex and move naturally with your child’s foot, but the inside is warm and cozy like a favorite pair of socks.   And, just like a sock, when your little one’s Nowali Moccasins get dirty, just toss them in the washing machine and they are ready to wear again.

This Spring, Nowali Moccasins has introduced 4 new fun styles to help celebrate the season: the Dots & Stripes (in pink or red), Frog (in blue or brown), Sailboats and Spring Flowers.  They are all kid pleasing and adorable, and just the perfect amount of warmth to wear year-round.

Price: $26.95, and right now Nowali.com is offering free shipping on all orders over $50.  Detailed sizing info to help you select the right size is available on the Nowali website.

www.nowali.com

And now for the Giveaway...

One lucky Rave and Review reader will win a pair of Nowali Moccasins from the Spring Collection! (One of the four styles listed above.) 

To Enter: You must visit Nowali and tell me what size you would like and which of the four styles you would choose if you were the lucky winner!

And, as always, there are extra entries available!

1) Subscribe to Rave and Review, top of right sidebar (2 extra entries, must be verified to count)

2) Tweet about this Giveaway using @raveandreview and @Nowali after following us both (daily Tweet, just post link here)

3) Blog about this Giveaway with links back to this post as well as the www.raveandreview.com homepage 

4) Place my button or logo in your sidebar on your blog or website (must have an active link)

5) Comment love.  Enter any of my other Giveaways or comment on any non-giveaway post!

6) Email love.  Share this Giveaway with friends and family via email and cc Leanne (at)raveandreview (dot) com (I will never, ever contact your email recipients)

7) Vote for Rave and Review on Top Baby Blogs, logo in right sidebar (daily entry)

On March 4th at 11:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and notified via email.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  Giveaway open to US residents.

A huge thank you to Nowali for keeping my little one cozy and comfortable and for offering a giveaway to our fabulous readers.  No type of monetary compensation was received for this Rave Review.