Saturday, July 30, 2011

Lovely Pocket Diapers Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Lovely Pocket Diapers Giveaway is...

#681- KarilynAley


Congrats! You have won a diaper of your choice from 
Lovely Pocket Diapers.
Please respond to my email within 48 hours to claim this prize.
If you do not I will have to redraw.

Thank you everyone for your patience, I am still going through a very
difficult time and continue to need your prayers and kind thoughts.
I have a few reviews that are VERY behind that I am trying to
work on promptly!

Lovely Pocket Diapers Review & Giveaway*CLOSED



Lovely Pocket Diapers provides affordable, quality
(and cute) fluff for those little bums.
Owner Melissa, started Lovely Pocket Diapers
after the birth of her first child and being disappointed
by the high prices of most One-Size cloth diapers.
After much research she found a manufacturer offering
inexpensive cloth diapering options and
Lovely Pocket Diapers was born.

Lovely Pocket Diapers offers two different styles
of cloth diapers, the Classic and the Rave, both
of which I was sent for review.


Melissa was generous enough to send me a 
zebra print Classic and The Rave in pink.

The Classic Lovely Pocket Diaper is a 
One-Size pocket diaper, available in a
variety of colors and prints.
The Zebra print exterior is fuzzy and soft;
several other prints are also available "fuzzy".
With a hidden layer of PUL, this diaper is
waterproof and can make a wonderful out 
and about diaper! 


The inner material is soft as well and feels
like suede cloth; this material is very easy to clean
and wicks moisture away from the skin.


The inner thighs are encased with nice, stretchy elastic
which provides a wonderful fit on even my
super chunkster! The elastic in the rear of the diaper
is also very strong, and works great at keeping
even super messy poos in!


The pocket opening is located at the very rear 
of the diaper. This keeps the insert clean
when the diaper becomes soiled with a B.M.


The Classic Lovely Pocket Diaper has a one row snap closure.
Nice, strong, secure snaps are easy for me to unfasten
but not the baby, who has figured out how to take her diaper off!
I love that the tabs can cross over for 
babies with smaller waists, though 
Olivia doesn't need that feature ;)

The fit of the Lovely Pocket Diaper Classic 
is super trim and hugs Olivia's body wonderfully!
The print is to die for and I reach for it EVERY TIME.
It is also very absorbent and we have yet to 
have any leaks!




The Lovely Pocket Diapers Rave is also
a One-Size pocket diaper and is available
in a handful of fuzzy prints and beautiful solid colors.


The pink Rave I was sent is wonderful.
The color is not too bright but not too dull.
The features of The Rave are even more impressive.
The exterior is PUL, which like in the Classic, 
makes this diaper waterproof.
The inner is also like the Classic, 
what seems to be a suedecloth-like material.
The pocket opening to The Rave is different
than the Classic Lovely Pocket Diaper;
instead of opening at the very rear of the diaper
near the elastic, it opens just below on the 
top part of the inner part.


I did have a minor issue with poo getting 
inside the pocket but only once
and that was with an EXTRA nasty B.M!

The Rave has inner thigh gussets that work 
very well at keeping messes in;
and that it did!
Even though I had an issue with poo getting inside the
pocket opening, I never had a leak at the thigh area;
The inner gussets held it all in. 

inner gussets
The Lovely Pocket Diapers Rave has a two row snap closure.
The wings of The Rave do not cross over
like the Classic does but since
this feature is of no use to my chunky baby
I didn't really miss it.
The snaps are very secure and even my houdini
was unable to unsnap them.

Two rows of secure snaps. Great fit around waist

great fit around bum and thighs

The trim fit of both the Lovely Pocket Diapers is impressive!
Still a nice fluffy bum but I can easily 
fit a pair of pants or a onesie over these diapers.
They both have a nice low rise that rest below the belly but
and sits right at the hip line; but not too low to 
expose Olivia's high butt crack. ;)




I am truly impressed by Lovely Pocket Diapers!
Both the Classic and The Rave are wonderful 
in each their own way!
They are cute, trim, work very well but they
are VERY affordable!
These would be a perfect addition to anyones
stash and I would recommend them to even a beginner.

Lovely Pocket Diapers store also carries other 
cloth diapering accessories such as Crunchy Clean detergent, 
BabyLegs, extra inserts, wipes, prefolds and MORE!

Would you like to add a Lovely Pocket Diaper to your stash?

BUY:
You can purchase Lovely Pocket Diapers
(Classic or The Rave) 
from their online store. With so many cute
prints and colors, there is sure to be one for you!
Classic: $7.50 
  The Rave: $12.00 for Solids and $12.50 for Prints
Each Diaper includes one microfiber insert


WIN:
Lovely Pocket Diapers would like to give ONE lucky
reader a cloth diaper of their choice.
Winner can choose color/print and style!

GIVEAWAY:
Mandatory Entry: 
This counts as ONE entry and must be completed before all other entries! 
**Make sure to include your email with all entries** 
Follow Crazy 4 Fluff blog PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect
AND
Visit Lovely Pocket Diapers and tell me which diaper
(The Rave or Classic/ Solid or Print)
you would likely choose if you won!

Extra Entries:
**Like Lovely Pocket Diapers on Facebook (Leave your Facebook name)(+1)
*Please thank them for this giveaway*
**Like Crazy 4 Fluff on Facebook (Leave your Facebook name) (+1)
**Follow Lovely Pocket Diapers on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name) (+1)
**Follow Crazy 4 Fluff on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name) (+1) 
**Follow Lovely Pocket Diapers' blog via GFC (Make sure to follow publicly) (+2)
**Follow Crazy 4 Fluff via Network Blogs (+1)
** Subscribe to Crazy 4 Fluff via email (+2)
**Grab my button. Leave a link so I can find it (+3)  
**Tweet about this giveaway. 
Please include @crazy4fluff & @LoveDiaps
You can tweet once daily. Include a permalink in your entry. (+1)
**Share this giveaway on Facebook, 
tagging both  & Crazy 4 Fluff and Lovely Pocket Diapers
You can share once per day.(+1)
*Blog about this giveaway, leave me a link so I can find it. (+2)
**We're on the fence. Vote for Crazy 4 Fluff. 
You can vote once per day! (+2)

**Enter another one of my giveaways. Additional entry for each entered.

**Make a purchase from Lovely Pocket Diapers
For every $1 that you spend you get ONE extra entry. 
Purchase is on valid if made during this giveaway.
Email me an invoice at crazy4fluff@yahoo.com


**I am only human and a busy mama of two girls,
I strive to fix all grammar errors in my reviews
but I occasionally miss some. If you find an error
Email me at crazy4fluff@yahoo.com
and earn some extra entries! 


This giveaway will end July 25, 2011 at 11:59pm CST.
OPEN TILL FURTHER NOTICE
                    Winner will be notified by email and posted on my blog!
Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.


**This is not a paid post. The opinions of this product are strictly that of my own and completely unbiased!
**Thank you to the sponsor for the chance to review this product and for giving one lucky fan a prize!


Friday, July 22, 2011

Featured Fluff Addict: Cassondra of Mamas Passions


Photobucket

1. What's your name? 
Tell me a little about yourself.
My name is Cassondra.  I am a 26 yr. old SAHM to 2 boys. Married my high school sweet heart after 8 years of dating.  We live in a very small apartment but we are saving up for a nice big house, just like we saved up for a nice big wedding.  Although the house, we might still have to owe on it after we move in. HA!  Anyways, I love to enter giveaways, watch trashy Reality TV Series, eat sour patch kids while drinking Mountain Dew, sew ( I am going to open up my own shop here in a few months!),
take my oldest out to his sporting events ...
WOW!! I even breastfeed full time pretty much, cloth diaper (duh! haha) & try to be the best mama I can be while blogging about parenting, kids, cloth diapering, giveaways / reviews, makeup and fashion.





 2. Tell me about your family. 
How old are your little ones? Names?
I am married to Bobby.  We met online at age 15 and started to date at age 16.  We are now 26 with two young boys.  Chayden is 5 (okay, in August) and Colton is 8 months old (October Baby).  We are a very busy family, always on the go.  Camping, sports, shopping, and hardly any time to relax. 


3. How long have you been cloth diapering?
Why did choose cloth?
I only Cloth diapered my youngest, Colton.  When Chayden was little, nobody used it.  Or at least, I never seen it or really heard of it!  Colton was 2 months old and since 3 days old, his bum was bleeding.  Literally.  I could not get it to stop!  I brought him in to his ped. and he gave me yeast infection cream.  Helped ZERO percent.  So, we switched different brands of diapers and went to sensitive wipes.  Nothing.  Still a bloody mess.  You don't even want to know!  So I hopped on my mommy group and seen a section about Cloth Diapers.  I hesitated and then did some addicting research.  Within days, I went ahead and bought some seconds prefolds and covers.  Enough for 3 days worth for less than $50.  By day 3, Colton's butt was clear!!! He was a little over 2 months old, around Christmas 2010.  Since that day, I never touched a disposable nor will I ever look back.  I am fully, addicted! 


4. How has your choice to cloth diaper 
affected your family and friends?
My friends and family thought I was a cook a doodle for choosing cloth.  They would sit there and watch as I changed a diaper like they had seen  ghost!. Then they would ask me questions about laundry and care, etc etc.  They now think I'm pretty awesome, or so they tell me to my face.  My non-parenting friends want to cloth in the future and I switched over many people TO cloth.  They all thought you had to be a hippy to cloth diaper.  I thought that too.  But I'm not a hippy.  I think I'm pretty fashionable and awesome =]  Cool parents can Cloth Diaper too yanno! =]


5. What is your Go-To diaper? Why?
My Go-To diaper is a pocket diaper.  
Don't ask why.  Its just because we have mostly those.  
I will go to anything really.  Its just whats next in line.  
Dang it, I'm addicted!  
I don't CARE what diaper it is, 
just as long as its absorbent! =]  


6.What is your favorite type? Why?

My favorite type of diaper is any WAHM diaper.  
Yes, thats not a "type" but I fully appreciate 
anything a WAHM can do!  
Which is why I am so inspired by 
them that I am going to start up my own ... 


7. How do you wash your diapers? 
Any tips or advice for newbies?
Summer time, Handwash.  I don't want mold on the diapers because it is so hot and humid in our place.  Every morning, I toss the diapers in the sink with hot water and Rockin' Green Soap.  Soak and squish the diapers around for 1 hour, rinse, hang out side, we're good.  The sun bleaches them so we're good on looking ... "good". 
I also live in an apartment.  We share a washer with other residents.  I do machine wash and we have hard water.  I rinse everything in the sink before putting into the wet bag  or Pail so that I end up doing one hot wash load in the machine, toss in dryer, and we're good. I love to use Sweet Cheeks CD Detergent off of etsy.  That is the only stuff that gets our diapers super clean and stink free, machine wise. 

 8. I know you're a fluff addict, tell me about it! 
No judging here! Promise.
For 6 months now, thats all I ever talk about.  Thats all I ever buy or research now a days.  Cloth diapers.  I hang them outside so neighbors can see.  I purposly expose them out in public so others can ask, "What the HELL is that?" LOL.  I am starting a newborn stash right now for baby #3 even though we aren't TTC yet!!


9. How big is your fluff stash? 
How many? What kinds?
OH we have all sorts! Prefolds / Fitteds / Flats (receiving blankets) / Pockets / AIO's / AI2's. I'd say we have about enough diapers for 50 changes + some.
We have pretty much at least 1 diaper from almost every brand out there. Happy Heiny, Thirsties, Smart Bottoms, etc etc ...


10. Show me a picture of your stash! 
Okay, this is the most current pic;  March.  Since then, we have more than doubled what we have.


12. What was your very first diaper? 
Do you still use it?
Prefolds - Still use
Wonder Wraps Covers - Do NOT use. just Sitting there.
Sweet Doll Baby Diapers - Do NOT use.  All the elastic or PUL ripped / broke. The "good" ones are the swimming diapers now.


12. Tell me more... Has using cloth diapers 
made you take other steps in Going Green?
ER ... no.  


13. Anything else you want to share? 
Any tips and/or advice about CD'ing? 
{If you have a blog, share it with us!}
Not really tips.  Just have fun with it!  
Get those cute prints and show them off!  
My blog is:  http://mamaspassions.blogspot.com/


Thank you Cassondra for 
sharing your fluff addiction :)

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Muir Botanicals Review & Giveaway*CLOSED


Muir Botanicals is owned and operated by Katie,
a licensed herbalist who is passionate
about the healing affects of plants and nature.
Her shop offers a variety of bath and beauty
products that promote a healthy body and beautiful skin.


At Muir Botanicals you will find products for
oily and dry skin, scar minimizing gel,
chapstick, bath salts, hair serum and MORE!


I don't have many skin issues but I do have dry 
skin issues with my feet and elbow area.
Muir Botanicals sent me a bottle of their
Extra Strength Moisturizing Cream.

Sorry for the low quality, my camera wouldn't focus
 Muir Botanicals' Extra Strength Moisturizing Cream
comes in two different sizes, the travel size 2oz
or the larger 8oz bottle.
This cream is n all natural herbal cream that is
made to help treat eczema and dry skin problems.
This cream ingredients are all natural and organic
so it is safe for our environment as well.
I love that the ingredients are listed directly
on the bottle:
grapeseed oil, water, beeswax, 
plaintain- Used to relieve itching
chamomile, Berberis aquafolia,
Trifolium pratense, licorice, calendula, 
borax, Vitamin E.
**This cream also jasmine which is not
to be used while pregnant. Muir Botanicals
urges pregnant women to contact her for an
unscented version.

The Extra Strength Moisturizing Cream has done
wonders for my heavily callused heels;
It has not gotten rid of them but it sure
makes them feel less like sand paper.
My elbow are nice and smooth and my hands
show no sign of "wear and tear".
They actually might feel like a women's hands now :)

My hubby agreed to try out Muir Botanicals on
his dry knees and elbows as well.
Though he wont admit that he
notices a difference I sure do!

I love this cream!
I adore that the bottle is small enough that
I can take along in my purse.
It doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy like 
some moisturizers do, It simply leaves 
my skins silky soft.

Of course, Muir Botanicals is no miracle worker.
They want everyone to remember that
good health and beautiful must start from within.
If you have a chronic skin or health condition
you can contact Katie at 
muir-botanicals [at] hotmail [dot] com 
to set up a consultation.

BUY:
Having problems with your skin, 

hair, or want a natural herbal remedy to
diaper rash, etc: You can purchase all 
Muir Botanicals' products from their Etsy shop.
The travel size extra strength moisturizing cream retails
for $6.00 


WIN:
Muir Botanicals would like to give ONE
 lucky reader a 2oz bottle of the Triple Action Foot Lotion.  
Retails for $6.00

GIVEAWAY:
Mandatory Entry: 
This counts as ONE entry and must be completed before all other entries! 
**Make sure to include your email with all entries** 
Follow Crazy 4 Fluff blog via Google Friend Connect
THEN
Take a look at Muir Botanicals Etsy shop 
and tell me what product you NEED.
(Please include a link)

Extra Entries:
**Like Muir Botanicals on Facebook (Leave your Facebook name)(+1)
*Please thank them for this giveaway*
**Like Crazy 4 Fluff on Facebook (Leave your Facebook name) (+1)
**Follow Crazy 4 Fluff on Twitter (Leave your Twitter name) (+1)
**Follow Crazy 4 Fluff via Network Blogs (+1)
**Heart Muir Botanicals on Etsy(Leave your Etsy ID) (+2)
** Subscribe to Crazy 4 Fluff via email (+2)
**Grab my button. Leave a link so I can find it (+3)  
**Tweet about this giveaway. 
You must include @crazy4fluff 
You can tweet once daily. Include a permalink in your entry. (+1)
**Share this giveaway on Facebook, 
tagging both  & Crazy 4 Fluff and Muir Botanicals
You can share once per day.(+1)
*Blog about this giveaway, leave me a link so I can find it. (+2)
**We're on the fence. Vote for Crazy 4 Fluff. 
You can vote once per day! (+2)

**Enter another one of my giveaways. Additional entry for each entered.


**Make a purchase from Muir Botanicals
For every $1 that you spend you get ONE extra entry. 
Purchase is only valid if made during this giveaway.
Email me an invoice at crazy4fluff@yahoo.com

**I am only human and a busy mama of two girls, 
I strive to fix all grammar errors in my reviews
but I occasionally miss some. If you find an error

Email me at crazy4fluff@yahoo.com
and earn some extra entries! 


This giveaway will end  August 1 8, 2011 at 11:59pm CST.
                    Winner will be notified by email and posted on my blog!
Winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.


**This is not a paid post. The opinions of this product are strictly that of my own and completely unbiased!
**Thank you to the sponsor for the chance to review this product and for giving one lucky fan a prize!

My Little Hipster Giveaway Winner

The winner of the My Little Hipster giveaway is:
#923- Jackie 


Congrats mama! You have won a custom My Little Hipster diaper!
Please respond to my email within 48 hours to claim your prize 
or I will have to redraw a winner.

Thank you everyone for entering.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Featured Fluff Addict: Regina of Regi:Create

My name is Regina.  (photo attached) I am a happily married, stay at home, homeschooling mama of two beautiful kids.    Our family lived in Japan for a while as missionaries, and it was while living abroad that my ideas of cultural norm were challenged.  I didn't realize until I left the states just how much culture plays a role in our decisions and parenting style.  Once I realized that fact, I started rethinking many things that I wouldn't have given a second thought to previously.  Cloth diapering is just one of those things.  I don't want to stereotype..... I know that everybody is different.  That being said though, I feel that many times, here in the states, decisions are made based upon convenience.  Disposable diapers are convenient.  I've just come to realize that, at least for me, the convenient thing is not always the best thing.  And so... I embarked on the journey of cloth diapering!  My son was almost one already.  Next on the agenda - convincing my husband it's actually pretty easy to do.    (A year later, we're still not quite there... LOL)

In our family we have myself, my husband Josh, our Daughter Claire, and our son Jeremiah.  Claire is six going on sixteen.  She is extremely articulate and has been since she was a wee thing.  People tell me all the time that she's a mini adult.  We have a lot of fun together.  She was the only one for her first 5 years of life.   She's quite smart (not bragging... it just is what it is...).  It's funny... even though she's a smart little thing, she's still just a little girl.  Sometimes with kids, especially gifted ones, we forget that they're just kids.  She says and does things that are reminders of that sometimes.  It's pretty funny.  We have a running joke in our house.  There are "mensa moments" and "non-mensa moments"   We have a jolly good time pointing each other's out.   Then there's Jeremiah.  He just about the cutest little person there ever was.   He is a product of my change in parenting style.  With Claire, my style was way more "self" focused.  How can I get enough sleep?  How can I get MY stuff done?  I need ME time...ect.  With Jer, it's been different.  He is very affectionate.  He is my snuggle bug for sure.  He just turned two, and he's discovering he can get into EVERYTHING.  I joke that he is my two year old twister.  It's quite amazing.... You know how Thanksgiving meal always takes so much time and effort to make, and yet it's done, over, destroyed, eaten in a matter of minutes?  Yea.. that's how my house is. 

I've been cloth diapering for about a year now.  It all started with the desire to be more frugal with our money actually.  I thought that if I could eliminate the monthly diaper cost, it would free up money for other necessities.  All of my diapers are either homemade by me, or purchased second hand.  Diaperswappers.com is amazing.  We decided that we would invest only the amount of money we would save in a month, per month into the stash.  Meaning, since I could save 30-60 dollars per month not buying sposies, that was my budget in a month for cloth.  My stash gradually grew as the months passed.  We reached a comfortable plateau a while back, and the savings started to take effect.  On occasion, we buy a small pack to have on hand for those times that we leave the kids with a babysitter or check him into a nursery. 

The choice to cloth diaper hasn't had much affect on my family, but I think on friends, one comment I get often is, "why do you go through all that hassle?"  I'm able to explain how simple it really is and I like to think that I'm doing my small part to help the cause......  I think when people see it in action, they realize it CAN be done.  I think many people's fear of cloth diapering is rooted in the fear of the unknown.  Just like anything else, it's easier if you have a buddy.  My cloth diapering friends have been such a great source of information, support and encouragement to me.. I only hope I can pass that along.


My Go-To diapers are my prefolds.  They're my workhorses.  They are the peanut butter and jelly sandwich of cloth diapers.  Not deluxe, but always easy to come by and get the job done.    Beyond that is my pocket diapers.  They're like the Mac and cheese of cloth diapers.  A bit fancier, but still straightforward and good for the everyday.  All in Ones... with snaps... ooohhh...   Steak dinner.  That's what you present to visitors (and grandparents).


I am a kawaii baby pocket diaper lover.  The way they fit my son is perfect.  Trim with no leaks. 

Well... I wash in Trader Joe's detergent.  I start with a cold rinse, then I wash in hot water.  Then I do another soap free hot wash cycle.  Then I rinse one last time.  I then hang them to dry and once they are fully dry, I throw them in the dryer for 10 min to give them soft fluffing.  I dont' really have any advice for newbies because I'm still collecting advice for myself.  Case in point:  The ammonia smell.  Ah!  It's like a creditor... you get rid of it for a time, but it always comes back!

Ok.... don't laugh.... you know how some people peek in the medicine cabinet when they use someone else's bathroom?  I peek at what laundry detergent people use.  And I love stash pictures.    Also, I always study people's pictures of their kids to see if they are cloth people.  Fluffy cloth booty is so stinkin' (sometimes literally) adorable, ya know??

My stash is pretty modest actually.  It consists of 24 Indian prefolds, 36 homemade prefolds, 3 homemade covers, 12 kawaii pockets (that I also use as covers)  a dozen homemade inserts, and 6 AIOs.  I had a wool shortie for nighttime, but FYI....make sure you tell your hubby what can go in the dryer and what can't........And I have two swim diapers.  Plus an assortment of wipes, wipe solution, snappi's and such.  Thats what I have currently in circulation.   I have 12 girly AIOs that are packed away in the closet for someday if I have a girl. 

My very first diaper was a homemade set.  I do in fact still use it.  That being said, it's not nearly nice enough to pass along when I'm done with it. 

I don't know how green I am.  It's hard to answer that for myself.  And to be honest, everytime I think I'm gettin' "greener", I come across someone who puts me to shame.  I'm kinda chartreuse.  I'm trying to get my own food growing, I recycle, I cloth diaper, I avoid plastics,  I buy local, I took the handmade pledge ( 
http://buyhandmade.org/), I'm doing what I can.  But on the other hand, I'm not obsessed with it.  I still use shampoo, I use disposable feminine hygiene products, and I prefer the old light bulbs.  I don't worry myself with reducing my carbon footprint.  Carbon is a by-product of life, and I value human life over the effect of carbon on the environment.  I guess you could say I care deeply for our planet, but I care about human life more.  Hope that makes sense.  :)

I love cloth diapering, I love the community of cloth peeps, I love knowing I'm doing what's best for my kids, and I love hearing what other people have learned from their mistakes so I don't have to make the same ones.  I love to hang out with my husband, bond with my children, sing, sew, cook, clean, read, nap, swim, travel, and blog.  You can follow along with me as I create fun memories for our family at http://regi-create.blogspot.com/