My love affair with all things Skip*Hop began with my purchase of the company’s clever Splash bottle drying rack a few years ago, and I continue to be impressed with the company’s large range of useful and gorgeous products (including their new crib bedding collections, TreeTop Friends and Flower Burst).  Charlotte immediately fell in love with the Hare, toddling about with a comb and brush in each hand alternately attempting to comb her own hair, the dog’s, mine, or the carpet.  When I showed her the mirror on the base of the rabbit, I swear she started chanting “Mirror mirror in my hand, who’s the prettiest princess in the land?”  Her breath, saliva, and lips all left marks on the mirror, she was holding it that close to her face (I really should get that on video).  I can personally attest to the durability of the Hare, as the day it arrived was also the day it sailed down the stairs and onto the hardwood floor after it ‘slipped’ from the tiny fingers of a girl who loves to see what happens when things get pushed through the baby gate at the top of the landing.  That mirror is, as promised, shatter proof, and I’m happy to report that the Hare had not a scratch on it as a result of its adventure.

We have successfully worked the Hare into our morning and after-bath routine.  I love how easy the brush, comb, and mirror are for Charlotte’s little hands as well as my own to hold thanks to their excellent rubber grip.  The comb has really smooth teeth without pointy edges, while the brush has nice soft bristles.  This Skip*Hop creation is BPA, Phthalate, and PVC free, and was designed for children aged zero and up.  My favourite part, though, is how the brush and comb each form one of the rabbit’s ears – the Hare is just so cute!

The Hare is available in orange or green, and costs $20 USD through the Skip*Hop website.  Put up your hand if you think the Hare would make an excellent Easter gift!

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hello books are available in robot mission (above right, and the one we were sent to try), princess castle, monkey business, and yum yum bakery (new!) themes.  Each pack contains a 5″ x 30″ accordion book that forms the basis of the ‘story’ (made from FSC-certificed recycled paper) that can be folded back down into a 5″ x 5″ book and is perfectly sized for putting into the mail for that special someone.  Five sheets of removable stickers are also included, and it’s the stickers that make these books different from traditional sticker books.  hello books’ stickers are buildable and abstract, so that your child’s version of a robot will be completely unique – every time.  Luckily for Oliver (aged three and a half) and myself, the packaging of our robot mission hello book gave us some examples of what we could do with all the neat shapes, but we quickly moved on from these to come up with our own cool robots, rockets, planets, and unnamed creatures.  While Oliver is a little young yet to get the actual creation of a story line concept of the hello books, I can see how older children will run with building sticker characters and backgrounds to tell a story.  As for our robot mission book, Oliver has his robot saying ‘hi’ on the cover of his – too cute!

You can purchase any of the four hello books through the hello hanna website for $10.95 USD, or from our favourite Canadian on-line retailer, Raspberry Kids, for $10.99 CAD (use discount code spiltmilk15 at checkout for 15% off of your purchase!).

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hello hanna generously provided us with a monkey business hello book to give away to one lucky Spilt Milk Moms reader!  Thanks hello hanna!To Enter: Go to hello hanna’s website and then leave us a comment HERE (one per day only, please) telling us which hello hanna hello book you think your child would like best and why. Once you’ve entered by leaving this mandatory comment, you can gain additional entries like this:

• Follow @annehellohanna and @SpiltMilkMoms on Twitter and tweet ” Enter to #WIN an @annehellohanna monkey business hello book for your creative child! http://tinyurl.com/3pp9szm @SpiltMilkMoms #giveaway “ and leave us the link for extra DAILY entries.
• If you ‘Like’ hello hanna on Facebook, leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
• If you ‘Like’ Spilt Milk Moms on Facebook, leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
• Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave us a comment with the link for one extra entry.
• Subscribe to Spilt Milk Moms by RSS or Email Subscription and leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
  

This giveaway ends at 12:01am PST on Friday, April 22nd, and the winner will be selected using Random.org.  The winner will have 7 days to respond to our notification email before another winner is selected.  This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents.  Good luck!

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Introducing dringdring hand-painted bicycle bells!  dringdring designs and creates the most beautiful, bright, artistic, colourful and unique bicycle bells I have ever seen.  I don’t know who was more excited when the company agreed to send us one to try out, me or my son (I think it was me, actually).  Each original metal bicycle bell is hand-painted at the company’s Montreal, Quebec-based studio, and I promise that you will have a hard time choosing just one.  The bells are painted using Eco-friendly paints without solvents or toxic fumes, and they are first painted and then baked, making them resistant to all types of weather.  I love that the company uses a local organization that provides employment to young people from a diversity of backgrounds to apply the bells’ base coats.

Oliver was sent the company’s Bike Alarm bicycle bell (pictured above) to try on his new bike, and it is not only very cool but also very shiny with the most pleasant dring dring sound I have heard (neither harsh nor shrill).  My son spent the better part of his first time out with the new bell attached to his bike pushing his bike alarm ‘on’ and ‘off’, pretending to park the bike to go to work.  The bell was really easy to install (Oliver helped), and it is a quality bell that is built to last (both hardware and artwork-wise).

dringdring makes a huge range of beautiful bells with five categories to choose from: flowers (love the Orange Daisy), people, animals, special edition, and all (the LITE-BRITE, Broche, Polka Dots, and ART DECO are all right up my alley, while some fun ones for kids include the Ice Cream, Little Princess, and Soccer Ball versions).  Buy one for each member of your family or as a special gift starting at $24 CAD through the dringdring website, from the following retailers, or if you are in the Montreal area, at the company’s studio (I love the photos on this page).

dringdring’s hand-painted bicycle bells may just inspire you to get on your bike instead of into your car this spring … dring dring into spring!

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Welcome Spring is a board book for babies to toddlers aged two (my three year old still loves it, too).  What’s really captivating about this book is its bright and cleanly illustrated pages, each of which contains textures that will help your child experience spring through seeing, touching, and hearing.  The page below, for example, allows your child to feel the red rubber boots!

Little Scholastic’s Welcome series also includes Welcome Winter, Welcome Summer, and Welcome Fall, each with the same bold, beautiful illustrations, fun tactiles, and all follow the same pattern of ending with the child safe in one of his/her parent’s arms.  Purchase your copy from your local Chapters or through Amazon.com from $5.99 USD.  Happy spring!

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Silkberry Baby was founded by Carrie Shan, who started the company because of her daughter’s allergic reaction to synthetic fibers and polyester filled bedding.  What’s unique about Silkberry Baby’s line of products is that they are made using  mulberry silk floss, which is the highest quality of silk available on the market.  Mulberry silk floss is:

• 100% natural, odourless, and hypoallergenic.  Natural materials like silk and cotton result in less allergic reactions, and both my three year old son and 18 month old daughter have incredibly sensitive skin so this is really important to me.
• Soft, light. and durable.  When the Toddler Comforter arrived, I couldn’t believe how light the bedding was given its generous size (117cm x 102cm).  And soft … I can’t even begin to tell you how incredibly soft the comforter is!  It was such a big hit upon arrival that Charlotte and Oliver fought over the blanket all afternoon, alternately laying on the floor snuggling in it and exclaiming, “It’s SO soft, Mama!”
• Breathable and comfortable.  My children sweat like crazy when they sleep, so I was excited to learn that silk filled bedding absorbs moisture and releases it into the air, which regulates body temperature and keeps babies and toddlers from feeling too hot or too cold during the night.  Sure enough, after testing it on my son for a few weeks, I can honestly say that he is no longer ‘sticky’ at night and wakes up having slept much better because of the even body temperature the comforter provides.
• Eco-friendly and sustainable.  Silk floss comes from renewable resources as it is produced by silkworms, the farming of which leaves little ecological footprint compared to the production of petroleum-based bedding products.

I am absolutely thrilled with the quality of the Silkberry Baby Toddler Comforter.  It is incredibly soft and unbelievably well-made (so well made that I had trouble finding the well-hidden zipper to see how the silk filling could be removed).  I love how it keeps my son or daughter (depending on who wins the fight to sleep with it) warm but not overheating at night, and that it is light and portable yet durable and easy to clean.  Also, I cannot say enough about the charming art work adorning the company’s products – how cute is the sheep on the Toddler Comforters or the elephants on the Sleeping Sacks?  Adorable!

Silkberry Baby has a great range of Eco-bedding products for children including Comforters, Sleeping Sacks, Silk Fleece and Bamboo Blankets, and Cuddly Pillows.  The company also has a mulberry silk-filled Candy Pillow and a line of Eco-friendly bathing products coming soon!  Purchase Silkberry Baby Eco-bedding through the company’s website, or from the following retailers.

I am so delighted with the Silkberry Baby Toddler Comforter that I’m heading to my local retailer to pick up one of their amazing Baby Sleeping Sacks with removable silk filling for my daughter this week!

Silkberry Baby has TWO fabulous promotions on right now!  Get a FREE Cuddly Pillow with the purchase of a Toddler Comforter (valid until April 26, 2011) or get FREE SHIPPING with the purchase of a Sleeping Sack (valid until March 31, 2011).  To take advantage of either of these great offers, make your purchase online through www.silkberrybaby.com and then email the company at carrie@silkberrybaby.com (for the free Cuddly Pillow, use subject line ‘Buy One, Get One Free‘).

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Juice is a treat for my kids, and when I do let them indulge I give them Leading Brands’ babyblue line of juices, which are made especially with children in mind.  Charlotte and Oliver love the yummy taste of babyblue juices, and I rest assured knowing that their ‘treat’ is a healthy one.

babyblue juice is made by the same Canadian company that produces TrueBlue juices, which may be familiar to those of you living in Western Canada and in the States.  babyblue juices come in blueberry (our favourite), blackberry, or raspberry flavours, and what I love most about them is the list of (or lack thereof) ingredients.  For example, the babyblue blueberry juice contains: water, concentrated grape juice, concentrated wild blueberry juice, concentrated black current juice, concentrated cranberry juice, natural flavours, and asorbic acid (Vitamin C).  A nice short list of things I can pronounce, but also an obvious lack of added sugar.  I like the subtle taste of babyblue juices because they aren’t sweet, yet they taste refreshing and pure.  Additionally, while most other juices and blends on the market are comprised of ‘filler’ juices like apple or pear (which are high in carbohydrates and sodium), babyblue juices include only Superfruits high in Polyphenols (naturally occurring antioxidants) like blueberries and black currents.

For adults and older kids, Leading Brands has a varied line of Poyphenol rich juices available as well, all of which have truly full-bodied, rich, natural flavours.  The TrueBlue line of blended blueberry juices are available in seven wild blueberry and Superfruit options including Wild Blueberry, Wild Blueberry and Pomegranate, Wild Blueberry and Acai, Wild Blueberry and Cranberry, Wild Blueberry and Blackberry, Wild Blueberry and Raspberry, and Lite Wild Blueberry.  Just out is the new TrueBlue 100% Juice Blend line, in Wild Blueberry, Pomegranate, and Blackberry flavours.  Finally, Leading Brands Pure Blends line, which includes PureBlack, PureBlue, PureRed, and PureWhite, are concocted out of varietal wine grapes mixed with Superfruits for a unique taste and high antioxidant value (without the alcohol content!) – they also contain two servings of fruit per bottle.

All of Leading Brands’ juices are 100% natural, made with premium ingredients, and do not contain added sugar, artificial colours, flavours, or ‘filler’ juices.  High in antioxidants, just one serving of these juices will also fill your daily Vitamin C quota (which has been great during cold and flu season).  Because it isn’t summer yet, I haven’t tried out my theory that any of these juice lines would make great popsicles.  The company’s website provides some creative recipe ideas for all kinds of salad dressings and vinaigrettes, main courses, deserts, and drinks (cocktails, smoothies, shakes, and punches).  I really like adding a little sparkling water to my juice for a refreshing drink.  Summer – here we come!

Leading Brands’ line of juices can be purchased at grocery stores across Western Canada and the States.  Thank you to Leading Brands for providing me with samples in order to write this review.  For Vancouver residents interested in trying out the kid-friendly babyblue juice line, we’d like to thank Leading Brands for the following special coupon offer (see terms and conditions below):

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I try to do my part in this world to reduce the amount of waste my family creates.  Over the last few years, this has included asking retail staff not to staple my receipts together (or print one at all).  Staples are great at holding paper together, but what a hassle when it comes to pulling them off paper before recycling.  In the big scheme of things, however, it wasn’t until I received a fabulous EcoStapler from my friend Lara last Christmas that I realized just how wasteful staples really are (and that doing my recycling properly was actually the least of my worries when it comes to these little steel fasteners).  For example, did you know that if every office worker used one less staple per day, we’d conserve more than 120,000 tonnes of steel per year?  The EcoStapler website really puts the environmental impact of staple use into perspective:

When you look at a single staple, it doesn’t look like much. However, when you consider that more than a billion tons of steel are used every year to make staples, then that one staple appears to be more than it is. As well, in order to make all those staples, raw-materials need to be mined and drawn from the Earth, refined, and then shipped to a factory in order to be manufactured into paper staples.

Each step in the manufacturing chain causes damage to the environment. Whether it’s taking natural resources from the Earth, or greenhouse gases caused by transportation, that one little staple becomes an unfriendly and pricy enemy of the environment. And remember, billions of tons of metal are used each year in order to make staples.

So how exactly does the EcoStapler work?  First of all, you should know that it can only staple a maximum of five pages together, so if you’re looking for a Eco-friendly solution for those bigger jobs, this isn’t it.  However, if every retailer in North America alone used this clever little device for receipts and office workers put it to use when they could, imagine the positive impact it would make on our environment!  Logistically, the EcoStapler works by using the paper itself to fasten it together.  How it works is actually really unique – as you push the EcoStapler down, it punches through the paper like a hole punch and then weaves the excess paper back up through the pages (pictured below).  It’s hard to describe, but the way in which it ties and binds the paper together really is ingenious and virtually indestructible!

If you want to be an Eco superhero like me, you can order your own EcoStapler by purchasing the two pack through the company’s website for only $14.99 (CAD or USD).  I think the EcoStapler makes a great gift for Eco-conscious friends and family (thanks Lara!), so keep it in mind for that next special occasion.

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Looking for a unique way of expressing your love?  Feast your eyes on this beautiful Tree of Love metal sculpture by Anvil Island Design of Nanaimo, Canada.

I almost never write about things which I do not own or receive, but I’m going to admit that I do not have a Tree of Love hanging on the wall in my dining room (that’s the spot I have picked out).  However, I came to know about Tree of Love from my co-worker, who bought one at a local fair a few years ago and showed me pictures of it hanging in his house (thanks Paul!).  We’re in the middle of saving for ours, so I figure it’s safe to share with you, dear readers, despite not having my hands on one at the moment.

Tree of Love metal sculptures are created by artist Jack Willoughby and are modeled after Japanese maple trees.  This is what the Anvil Island Design website says about this tree: “Usually the focal point in a garden, the Japanese Maple is loved for its elegant, delicate foliage and bright vibrant fall colour. In legend and lore the tree is also thought to tie humanity to the soul of earth and create connectivity with man to nature. Often the central tree in a bonsai garden, the pruning and care of a bonsai Japanese Maple was said to inspire harmony and creativity and evoke a sense of tranquility and peace.“  Mr. Willoughby takes his version of the Japanese Maple a step further by adding the custom carving of initials and/or dates to help people celebrate their love or a special occasion (as pictured above and below).

Purchasing your Tree of Love is a completely personalized experience and there are a variety of options available to select from in the creation of this unique piece of art.  This metal sculpture is available in only one size, 16 ¾ inches high x 35 ¼ inches wide (42.5 cm high x 89.5 cm wide), but you select both the style and finish.  There are two styles – wall mounted (so it can be hung on a wall), or table standing (which comes with a base so it can be placed onto a window sill or bookcase).  Finishes include steel, matte black, or bronze.  You can then decide whether or not you want to add up to two sets of initials and a date (which appears as Month/Day/Year, with the month abbreviated to the first three letters).

Each customized Tree of Love costs $195 CDN plus shipping and handling ($28 for Canadian orders, $39 for US orders – international orders will receive quotes prior to processing) and can be ordered through the Anvil Island Design website.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Anvil Island Design is generously offering the readers of Spilt Milk Moms a 15% discount on Tree of Love orders!  To use this promotional code, please contact Anvil Island Design directly (do not use the online order form) by phone or by email referencing Spilt Milk Moms to place your order.  Thanks Jack and Anvil Island Design!

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1.  Write a love letter. So simply, so cheap, and so … meaningful.  Really, when was the last time you sat down and penned a love letter to your special someone?  And I don’t mean Tweeted about your love, or texted him or her ….  Why not put some time into making or buying a a beautiful card and then telling your Valentine about how you really feel – Shakespeare style!

2.  Pull a John Cusak from Say Anything. Okay, maybe don’t go as far as holding your iPOD over your head in front of your loved one’s house.  But honestly, is there anything better than getting a really good mixed tape/iTunes collection (besides a love letter)?  I still have a special mixed tape from my university years that I cherish to this day, and if you get it right this gift may keep giving and giving and giving.

3.  One word – CHOCOLATE. And not the cheap stuff either … go buy a really quality box of chocolate for your love (maybe even one packaged in those heart shaped boxes).  Not only will the chocolate be thoroughly enjoyed, but there may even be some sharing!  You’re probably thinking, “You had me at chocolate,” so enough said.

4.  Breakfast in bed. Okay, I take back the “in bed” part, but only because I’m a bit of a neat freak and am certainly not interested in getting my beautiful Margaret Muir sheets dirty.  But I’ll definitely take breakfast made for me, especially if it includes pancakes in the shapes of hearts with strawberries on top.  Sweet!

5.  Roses. Who doesn’t love flowers?  Although I’m feeling pretty certain that anyone peddling flowers around Valentine’s day is likely to gouge you for the purchase of a measly dozen roses, splurging just this once is definitely a way of saying “I love you.”

6.  Tree of Love. Read our review about Anvil Island Design’s Tree of Love on Thursday!  You will love this unique and totally personalized gift.

We want to hear from you.  What will you be doing for your special Valentine next week?

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I adore the company’s value statement: Natural.  Pure.  Simple.  Clean.  I spend a lot of time and effort ensuring that the food I put into my children is natural and good for them, so why wouldn’t I do the same with the potions and lotions I put onto them?  Coco & Tini’s product line includes Body Wash, Bubble Bath, Shampoo, and Conditioning Detangler, and each bottle is adorned the most adorable graphics (check out the owl, below, and for extra fun meet all of the Coco & Tini characters on the company’s fun Our World page).

We have been using the entire Coco & Tini range of hair and bath products for about two months now, and I am in love, love, love.  Aesthetically speaking, my kids get a real kick out of the cute graphics on each of the bottles (and this is how they remember what is in each bottle at bath time).  I can honestly also say that my kids have never been cleaner … I don’t know, but somehow after a Coco & Tini bath they’re especially squeaky clean and lovely smelling.  I think this has everything to do with the natural products the company uses, and there’s just something about the scent of lavender and chamomile that is so pleasantly clean and wholesome smelling.  If I’m in a rush, I use only the Shampoo and Body Wash, but I have to say that the Conditioning Detangler gives the kids’ hair an extra nice sheen and leaves it silky smooth.  When we’re really cutting loose, we add the Bubble Bath to our water as well, and despite the company’s disclaimer that natural bubble baths won’t ‘produce bubbles up to the ceiling’ I actually find the bubbles produced to be just the right amount.

I think that the only thing which may hold some people back from purchasing Coco & Tini hair and bath products would be the price.  The product line is sold in 225ml bottles, and the Shampoo retails for $16.95 CAD, the Conditioning Detangler for $19.50 CAD, the Body Wash for $15.95 CAD, and the Bubble Bath for $19.95 CAD.  However, I’ve been using these products sparingly on my two children for over two months and I’m not even a quarter of the way through any of the bottles – a little goes a really long way to get your little mud monsters clean, which is enough for me to justify purchasing these fabulous products.  Coco & Tini all natural hair and bath products can be purchased through the company’s website or from these fine online and local retailers.

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Coco & Tini is generously giving away full sets of their hair and bath product line (Shampoo, Conditioning Detangler, Body Wash, and Bubble Bath – valued at $72.35 CAD) to TWO lucky Spilt Milk Moms reader!  Thanks Coco & Tini!

To Enter: Go to Coco & Tini’s website and then leave us a comment HERE (one per day only, please) telling us why you are interested in trying out OR what you like about this line of hair and bath products. Once you’ve entered by leaving this mandatory comment, you can gain additional entries like this:

• Follow @CocoandTini and @SpiltMilkMoms on Twitter and tweet ” Enter to #WIN the full @CocoandTini all-natural hair&bath product line for kids! http://tinyurl.com/4mqcxlb @SpiltMilkMoms #giveaway “ and leave us the link for extra DAILY entries. This entry method will count as TWO ENTRIES for this giveaway (leave two comments, please).
• If you ‘Like’ Coco & Tini on Facebook, leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry. This entry method will count as TWO ENTRIES for this giveaway (leave two comments, please).
• If you ‘Like’ Spilt Milk Moms on Facebook, leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
• Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave us a comment with the link for one extra entry.
• Subscribe to Spilt Milk Moms by RSS or Email Subscription and leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
  

This giveaway ends at 12:01am PST on Tuesday,  February 8th, and the winners will be selected using Random.org.  The winners will have 7 days to respond to our notification email before other winners are selected.  This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents.

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If you’re familiar with Vapur’s original .5L water bottles, then we just know your family will love these new additions to the Vapur family.  Big enough to quench a kid’s thirst, but small enough to pack around even when full of liquid, these are perfect for everything from sporting events to school days, not to mention that you’ll be doing your part to save the environment from unnecessary disposable plastic bottles.  My three year old finds it pretty hilarious to have a mini matching Vapur bottle to the purple one I tote about.

You may remember that we’ve reviewed Vapur bottles before, and if you aren’t familiar with this company’s unique bottles then here’s what you need to know.  Vapur bottles:

• are more environmentally friendly than disposable plastic water bottles;
• are shipped flat, which takes up 90% less space than traditional bottles, AND the packaging is printed using wind power on 100% post-consumer paper (the company also participates in 1% for the Planet);
• are made in the USA using durable, FDA-approved, BPA-free polymer;
• the original .5L bottles hold 16oz (473ml) of liquid and the new .4L bottles hold 14oz;
• have an inner layer is odour, stain, and taste resistant;
• stand up when full and collapse when empty;
• come with built-in carabiners, handy for attaching to your bag or belt or however you roll;
• are dishwasher safe (top rack);
• have sports caps (made out of FDA-approved, BPA-free 100% virgin Polypropylene) rather than the traditional twist caps (replacement spouts are available from $2.95 USD for a set of four);
• can be put into the freezer and used for emergencies or for keeping things cold in the cooler when traveling;
• are available in the following some pretty stylish colours: cyan blue, green, smoke, pink, and purple!

I’d like to thank Sue from Raspberry Kids for providing me with my .4L Vapur water bottle samples in the two-pack orange so that I could write this review.  Raspberry Kids carries the entire line of Vapur bottles and accessories, including their hot new limited edition raspberry coloured Vapur bottle (get it?)!  Purchase your Vapur bottle from Raspberry Kids for $19.99 CAD, and while you’re at it don’t forget to use discount code spiltmilk15 at checkout for 15% off of your purchase (excluding the Vapur 4 Bottle Bundle).

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After only a few days of trying out both versions of eos’ lip balms, I was already a fan of both and for the same reason – their presentation/packaging and the quality and long lasting effects of the lip balms.  The smooth sphere has a twist off lid and contains a cool little round ball of balm that ensures every inch of your lips are covered.  The smooth stick comes in a sleek, modern and stylish applicator that fits neatly into your pocket or purse – and I absolutely love the vanilla bean flavour.

eos’ smooth sphere lip balm (pictured above) is available in five flavours: summer fruit, lemon drop spf 15, honeysuckle honeydew, medicated tangerine, and sweet mint.  I’m definitely going to have to track down the rest of the flavours in this collection with names and diverse flavours like these (one for each purse and pocket!).  As I said, I’m a fan of the type of coverage the spherical shape of this lip balm provides, and my kids are constantly asking for this lip balm because they (a) like to play with it, and (b) think it’s fun to put on their lips.

The smooth stick lip balm (pictured above) comes in three flavours: vanilla bean, pomegranate raspberry, and sweet mint.  I’m a fan of its sleek, sophisticated packaging, and the ergonomic lid.  Smitten with the vanilla bean flavour, I can’t wait to get my hands on the sweet mint (I adore anything and everything mint).

Both of eos’ lip balms are certified USDA Organic and are not tested on animals.  Additionally, they are:

• 95% organic and 100% natural;
• Gluten, Paraben, Petrolatum, and Phthalate-free;
• long-lasting moisturizer is provided by the anti-oxidant rich Vitamin E and soothing Shea butter and jojoba oil ingredients;
• the soft-touch packaging is recyclable and comes in funky, vibrant colours.

I am a huge fan of eos’ unique and diverse line of product (read my review of their excellent shave cream here), and these lip balms have now also become a permanent fixture at my house and in my bag!  Purchase lip balm from either of eos’ two collections starting at $3.29 USD from the company’s online store or US retailers including Rite Aid, Duane Reade, Target and Walmart.  eos lip balms are also available in Canada at Shoppers Drugmart and RW & Co locations across the country.

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Butternut Squash Soup

1 Tbsp red curry paste

2 pounds pumpkin or butternut squash

4 cups chicken stock

1 1/2 cups of coconut milk

Place a saucepan over medium heat and add the curry paste; cook for one minute.  Add the squash and chicken stock; cook for six minutes or until squash is tender.  Place contents into a blender and puree until smooth, then return to saucepan.  Add the coconut milk and heat for three minute.  Serves four.

Red curry paste and cans of coconut milk can be found in the ethnic/Thai food section of your grocery store.  Costco sells pre-cubed ready-to-serve butternut squash, and it is exactly a two pounds package – get it there if you can or buy one to cut up at your local market.

I’m hoping that you will be inspired to share your favourite soup recipe with us in our comments section!  Soups are incredibly easy to make, and I know I’m always looking for new recipes to add to my collection, so please … add yours here!

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Humidifiers are appliances intended to increase the humidity levels in a room and are commonly used when babies or children have a cold because they work to relieve congestion, especially while sleeping.  Humidifiers also alleviate the physical discomforts of dry noses and throats by keeping airways moist and mucous thin.

We are into the double digits with the amount of colds we’ve had since September, and our old humidifier (circa 1981) was ineffective, spouted water like a fountain, and the resulting humidity levels were so high that it more or less helped us to grow our own mushrooms in our children’s bedrooms.  Not only that, but my three year old son, Oliver, was not a fan of our prehistoric model, often telling us that the noise level and look of the machine frightened him.  I was so happy when Crane agreed to send me one of their Adorable Animals Cool Mist Humidifers to try out!

Here are the features I love the most about Crane’s Adorable Animals Humidifiers:

• Both of my kids love the frog shape (above) of the Crane humidifier.  Oliver especially thinks it’s really funny that the mist of this particular model comes out above the frog’s eyes.  The company’s Adorable Animals line also includes elephant, cow, pig, penguin, panda, cat, dog, and dragon models, so you’ll be sure to find one that excites your child (below).

• These humidifiers turn themselves off when the tank is empty!  This, as you can imagine, is a huge step forward from our 1981 model, which continued to blow air and make sounds like a dying cow long after the water tank had emptied midway through the night.  Dying cow sounds are not conducive to a happy toddler.
• Speaking of making sounds like a dying cow, this is not even remotely an issue with our new Crane humidifier.  The first time I used the frog unit in Charlotte’s room during her bout with a particularly bad cold, I could not get over how quiet it was.  I still can’t, actually.  And because it’s ‘whisper quiet’, I know that it won’t keep my sick children awake all night while it’s running.
• The tank doesn’t require refilling during the night, and on the minimum setting you can get about 11 hours of use out of the humidifier before it empties.
• You can control the intensity level of mist produced by these humidifiers.  Crane recommends that humidity levels in a room be kept at about 30-50% of relative humidity, so the flexibility of being able to adjust the mist setting allows you to prevent damage from condensation that may build up on your windowsills.  Not only that, but making sure the humidity levels are kept at ideal levels keeps bacteria and fungi from growing.

Crane’s Adorable Animals frog humidifier really does help alleviate the discomforts of my children’s colds.  As I’m sure you know, there is nothing worse than a sick baby or toddler with a runny nose and a sore throat.  Lots of rest and quality sleep helps them get better faster, and a humidifier paves the way to a speedy recovery for my family ….

Should you purchase an Adorable Animals humidifier, be sure to teach your children that, while cute, they are not toys and read the use and care instructions for the disinfecting of the tank and water basin to prevent the buildup of bacteria and mold.

Purchase a Crane Adorable Animals Humidifier from these retailers from $59.99 CAD.

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Crane is generously giving away one of their Adorable Animal Cool Mist Humidifiers to one lucky Spilt Milk Moms reader!  Thanks Crane!

To Enter: Go to Crane’s website and then leave us a comment HERE (one per day only, please) telling us which of the Adorable Animal Humidifiers you think your child(ren) would like best. Once you’ve entered by leaving this mandatory comment, you can gain additional entries like this:

• Follow @CraneHumidifier and @SpiltMilkMoms on Twitter and tweet ” Enter to #WIN an Adorable Animal Humidifier @CraneHumidifier for your child! http://tinyurl.com/4g3dhsf @SpiltMilkMoms #giveaway #contest “ and leave us the link for extra DAILY entries.
• If you ‘Like’ Crane on Facebook, leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
  
• If you ‘Like’ Spilt Milk Moms on Facebook, leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
• Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave us a comment with the link for one extra entry.
• Subscribe to Spilt Milk Moms by RSS or Email Subscription and leave us a comment letting us know for one extra entry.
  

This giveaway ends at 12:01am PST on Tuesday,  January 25th, and the winner will be selected using Random.org.  The winner will have 7 days to respond to our notification email before another winner is selected.  This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only.

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Want to keep you newborn infant warm in his or her car seat this winter?  Check out these gorgeous Winter Pockets by Canadian company Ocena.  As beautifully embroidered as the mimiTENS, their fleecy soft interior will keep your little one snug and cozy when you’re out and about.  Intended for babies aged zero to nine months, Ocean Winter Pockets can be purchased through the company’s website for $96 CAD.

US company Patagonia produces well-made outdoor and winter clothing for babies, kids, and the entire family.  One of our all-time favourites is their Kids Puffer Vest, but now that a West Coast winter is in full force, we are loving Patagonia’s Baby Down Sweater and Reversible Puff-Ball Jacket.  Cozy warm and cool!  Purchase at your local Patagonia retailer or through the company’s website (prices vary).

Canadian company Stonz makes the funkiest flexible and cozy winter boots for little feet.  These water, wind, and skid-proof booties are super light weight, stay on kid’s feet, and can be machine washed.  We especially love that you put multiple layers of socks and/or slippers on your child’s feet before putting the Stonz on – that’s how roomy they are!  Stonz can be purchased through the company’s website or these retailers from $46.95 CAD and fit children aged zero to three years.

Let us know how you’re keeping your children cozy and warm this winter.  Leave us a comment telling us about your favourite product of the season!

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