Love & Fleece "Lamby Lambpants" Review and ***Giveaway***

.

 

 

GIVEAWAY CLOSED - WINNER CHOSEN.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

I recently had the awesome privilege to work with an incredible company named Love and Fleece who's motto is, "When it comes to what we get to do for a living, each day is a kiss from the Good Karma Fairy." How could I NOT work with a company and people like that?

Let me introduce you to Lamby Lambpants, an absolutely adorable stuffed lovey "invented over five years ago, a sassy cartoon lamb with blue cuffed pants and a plastic water bottle cap for an eye."  Lamby has a perceived disability with his missing eye. This gives parents, caregivers, or teachers the ability to help children learn that any disability, quirk or flaw they may have can be worn as a badge of courage. It's OK to love yourself exactly how you are.


There is also a digital component to each lovey where you can explore Lamby Lambpants' online world and listen to silly song parodies, wisdoms, and stories.. However, when you get your your OWN special toy, you receive a secret code so you can enter a special section on the site with even more content.

When I first got my package in the mail, I had to assure the doggies that it wasn't anything for them. Once I opened it and showed them Lamby, all of them except Mumbo lost interest. Mumbo wanted to see every little bit of Lamby (I kept the plastic on him because I have plans to give mine to a family in town with 4 children, one of whom is developmentally delayed). I let Mumbo rest his chin on Lamby (through the plastic) and he loved how soft Lamby was. Then I had to tell Mumbo to go away as I was going to really inspect Lamby.

I completely fell in love with him... he is so cute, I love his little jeans and how he moves his arms and legs. The bottle cap eye is actually adorable and truly unique. Something that would be great to start a discussion with your children, especially if you know someone that has a disability. I also LOVE the online site that Lamby has with his songs and stories, you really have to get one to get the full effect of the site. Kids will have so much fun with their toy and the site together. It is really well thought out.


The only problem I see with having one Lamby is if you have more than one child, they are not going to want to share because he is too cute and cuddly.

One of my absolute favorite things about this company, however, is the fact that they have what they call their "When you buy, We give" policy..... for every toy you buy, they give one to a sick or needy child. How truly wonderful is that!! Doesn't that make you want to go out and buy at least one right now? With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness month, think of all the good we could do if we all just bought ONE and Love and Fleece could match our purchase? How many happy children would that be.....

Well, one of my lucky readers has the chance to make one child very happy in the next two weeks because I have the awesome privilege of giving one Lamby Lambpants away through the extreme generosity of Love and Fleece, LLC.  Here is what you need to do to enter the giveaway:

MANDATORY entry: Head over to Love and Fleece website and tell me one thing you learned about the company or the people who run it. (To be fair, it cannot be the same as the entry before yours - at least let me know you looked at the website.)

Extra Entries (after mandatory entry has been done)

~ Like Love and Fleece on Facebook (1 entry) - leave your FB name

~ Follow Love and Fleece on Twitter (1 entry) - leave your Twitter name

~ Follow Love and Fleece on Pinterest (1 entry) - leave your Pinterest name

~ Follow @LorieShewbridge on Twitter (1 entry) - leave your Twitter name

~ Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email (1 entry, either) - tell me how

~ Follow me on Network Blogs (1 entry) - leave your follow name

~ Tweet about this giveaway using @loveandfleece and @LorieShewbridge (may be done once a day for 1 entry each day) - leave tweet link

~ Blog about this giveaway (5 entries) - leave blog post URL, NOT main blog URL

Now the boring legal stuff:

-All entries must be individual comments and include your email address if it is not clearly in your profile, if I cannot find it, you cannot win.

-Winner will be drawn on Monday, Sept. 24th at 10pm ET via Random.org.

- This is for U.S. contestants only. (Sorry my Canadian & other out of the country friends.)

-Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email, or another winner will be selected.

***More wonderful news from Love and Fleece... if you cannot wait to see if you won, or even if you want more than one and you DO win, the lovely people at Love and Fleece have decided to offer my fabulous readers free shipping on all orders placed in the month of September by using the code: freeship when you place your order.*** 

Let's make lots of children happy this month and good luck to all of you.

Disclosure: I received a product for purposes of review to write this post, no other compensation was received and all opinions are 100% mine. All photos courtesy of Love and Fleece website.

.

@HooverClean Elite Rewind Vacuum Review

.

.

As many of you know, my faithful Hoover vacuum that I had for 17 years died about 3 weeks ago. It was a terrible day in our lives as that vacuum was a part of my new life after divorce from my first husband - my life as an independent woman. Not to mention that it work fabulously up to that day.

Well, the wonderful folks at Hoover saw how distraught I was and sent me this fabulous Elite Rewind vacuum to replace my broken one.

The vacuum comes in three pieces that is so simple to put together that I could have used my Swiss Army knife, but didn't - Bill put it together with a regular old Phillips head screw driver, the 3 screws are already attached.

Here are some of the features of the Elite Rewind Vacuum:  

~ Full power three carpet height settings plus bare floor setting all while having light weight (only 17 lbs.)







~ Rinsable filter, so you save money by not having to buy replacement HEPA filters.

 ~ 25' Rewindable power cord with the step on a button

~ Clip on the back of the handle to hold the wire out of the way while you are vacuuming

Not to mention all the On-Board Tools:

• Air-Powered Hand Tool - puts hard-to-reach cleaning in the palm of your hand
• 12" Extension Wand - extends reach of the hose
• Crevice Tool - helps clean nooks and crannies

..... and:

~ Simple unlock and dump bagless, easy-to-see-when-full canister

It's actually my hubby, Bill, who uses the vacuum every day (I know ladies, I am the luckiest wife in the world and he is rewarded well) so I asked him what he liked about this vacuum.

He loves the way it sucks up all the hair in the carpet - and with five doggies and my long, curly hair, you know there is tons of hair on our floor. It also picks up all the little bits of dog food that the babies leave on the kitchen tile, even between the grout. He really finds the retractable cord very convenient, not that he minded winding up the other one, just a nice new feature.

The clip to hold the wire while he is vacuuming is really a nice feature so that he doesn't run over the wire because he is always trying not to run over doggies who are trying to "get" the vacuum while he is using it - it's a game to them.  Since we live in a two story house, he really likes the lighter weight of the Elite Rewind compared to our older vacuum.

The thing that Bill likes the most is the bagless feature... he loves that he can see when the canister is getting full and how easy it is to empty. Not to mention the fact that we don't have the added expense of buying replacement bags.

I really like the fact that it is much quieter than the older one and many other vacuums that we have tried... and that it is PURPLE - isn't it pretty???

So, up to this point, we have no complaints with the Hoover Elite Rewind and are so happy to have had the chance to do this review.  The only thing we are hoping for is that it lasts 17 years like our last one. We are convinced that Hoover is an excellent company and will be our vacuum company for the foreseeable future.

Thank you very much, Hoover for the opportunity to use this vacuum and tell others about what a fabulous company you are, not only with the products you make, but in your customer service. You have a customer for life in the Shewbridges.

{Disclosure: We received no compensation other than the product to facilitate this review. All opinions are mine and 100% honest. See full disclosure at the bottom of the blog.}

.

My Review of Bear’s Stairs™ Five-Step Mini Value Line Pet Stairs in Beige

Originally submitted at CSN Stores

Pet steps are fast becoming an indispensable aid for concerned owners who value the independence of their pets. Pet stairs are useful not only for elderly or infirm dogs and cats but for little creatures that cannot reach their favorite places without jumping or human assistance.

Bear’s Stairs™ Five-Step Mini Value Line Pet Stairs in Beige

Perfect for our Doggies

By Mom to Many Pups from Central Florida on 1/27/2011

4out of 5

We purchased this for our 5 Yorkies and 1 Min-Pin/Chihuahua to get up and down off the bed. We put it at the bottom of the bed and they started using it right away, the 2 little ones who are only 6 pounds and have 3 inch legs LOVE it and took to it right away. They love having the freedom of getting up & down during the night and I love that I don't have to keep picking them up each time they get down. It is very well made and very sturdy. Because it is carpeted, the dogs have no problem going up and down, they don't slip at all.
The only two problems that I have with it is that it isn't really portable as advertised because it is pretty heavy. Also, you can see the nail heads in the sides where the stairs have been nailed into the sides because I purchased a light color. I'm sure they wouldn't be as visable in the darker colors.
Overall a wonderful purchase that we are very happy with.

(legalese)

I Need Help ~ Dining Room Tables By the Hundreds

Most of you know that we are building a new house (good times!) and we have been looking to maybe replace our dining table because it is really just too big for the two of us.  I only use it for blog work and scrapbookking and when we occasionally have company for dinner.

Here is a photo of the dining room in the model home, it is kind a square room and my dining room table is rectangular, so I think it won't really look as good in this room:

I have been looking at these beautiful drop leaf tables, but can't really decide which one I want to choose. 

I love this square one with the tall bar-height chairs in the dark cherry wood. (left photo)

Then there is the espresso wood in square with the more traditional style chair. (right photo)


Then, I came across this round table with a gorgeous pedestal base that was really different from anything I have ever owned.....

Oh, man, it's a good thing that I still have time, because there are so many to choose from at Dining Rooms Direct, that I think I am going to have to keep looking. If anyone can help me out, PLEASE feel free to offer suggestions!

{Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for CNS Stores and I was compensated a gift card, however, the opinions expressed are 100% mine, I truly LOVE all the CNS Stores and cannot wait to purchase several things for my new home from the CNS Stores.}

DiamondEarrings.Org Review

I was lucky enough to receive a free pair of earrings from DiamondEarrings.org to review.  Let me first tell you that I LOVE jewelry and I have a LOT... an armoire full, to be precise, so it takes good quality to impress me. TeeHee

First let me tell you that these are not real diamonds - would be nice, huh?  But, they are really very good quality synthetic diamonds which arrived in a very pretty jewelry box.

I find them to be very comfortable and a really nice size to be worn either alone or as a companion piece in a second hole.  They are also very believable as real diamonds for those of you who are worried that they may look "too big to be real."  I wear them in my second hole and have worn them every day since I received them about a month ago and have gotten several complements on the sparkle that they give off.  They are also princess cut, which is my favorite cut: my wedding ring has a princess cut diamond in the center and my wonderful husband got me a "Past, Present, Future" ring for one of our anniversaries that has princess cut diamonds.

Here's what they look like all alone and next to my genuine diamond earrings.. hard to tell the difference, right?

I really do love these earrings and the fact that they aren't real diamonds doesn't bother me at all. They look really pretty and you cannot tell that they aren't genuine.

You too can have a pair for yourself for just the cost of shipping because DiamondEarrings.org is a start-up company that wants to get their name out to as many people as possible.  Head on over to their site to see the details and for $3.77 for a limited time you can own a pair of these beautiful earrings yourself.

{FTC Disclosure: Thank you to DiamondEarrings.org for providing me these earrings for review so I can give my honest opinion of the product. No other compensation was provided.}

Happy First Blogiversary to Me

 

   

I couldn't believe it when I looked back on my blog and saw that this week marked the one year anniversary of my regularly blogging.  I cannot believe how quickly it has gone by and how much has changed - for the good! 

I first started blogging quite sporadically in 2005 and really just let it fall by the wayside.  Then in 2009 after my spinal surgery while I was recuperating on the couch and couldn't do much of anything but watch TV, my darling husband {who is the most wonderful man in the world, by the way} suggested I try entering some giveaways on blogs that he saw on a sweepstakes site that he was entering other giveaways.  He told me I had a "flare for that kind of thing," and it might keep me from being bored for the next 3 months.  So, I started to enter the giveaways and then I won a few... but more than that, I started to read other posts on the blogs.  I started to learn about the incredible women (and a few men), some who where a lot like me, some who where nothing like me, but had these interesting lives and these great families with whom I started to become friends.

Then I thought, maybe, I could start to write about what we were doing and start posting photos of us and even post things that others might find interesting.  So, I started posting, first about my doggie, Nano - my little baby and love of my life, and then some info about nutritional supplements I learned from other sites and then a Father's Day post.  Interspersed with posts about other people's giveaways, I did my posts about what we were doing and uploading photos of our daily life here in beautiful central Florida.

I remember how excited I was to get my very first follower and my very first commenter - they were both the same person ~~ Crystal from Simply Being Mommy.  Crystal has been there for me since then as a follower, commenter and most especially as my friend.  I was so lucky to meet her at the Disney Social Media Moms Conference this past February.

I continued to make new friends and read other people's blogs with their wonderful reviews and enter their giveaways... then I was offered MY very first review.  I was so excited and I gave it my all, as I continue to do with each and every review I do to this date.  Then came my first giveaway and I felt like a giddy school girl with my first crush... I still get this way each time I'm fortunate to represent a company and giveaway one of their products.

Now as I continue to write and upload my photographs, which have gotten better thanks to the most wonderful man in the world for getting me a MUCH better camera, I want to thank all of you for your support and for continuing to visit my blog and reading what I write - for reasons I still don't understand!!  I am so lucky to have you all as my friends and look forward to continuing this relationship and growing it for a very long time into the future.  Hugs to you all!!

Until next time..... Lorie

***CLOSED***"Project Future: The Inside Story Behind The Creation of Disney World" *** Review & Giveaway ***

****CLOSED*** Congratulations to Barb @ Winterbabe98!!

I think everyone has heard of Walt Disney World... many of you have even been there, several of you have even been there more than once. Many of my readers have been there LOTS of times, just like me... It is known as "the happiest place on earth."


But, do you know the amazing set of events that allowed Walter Elias Disney to finally bring his vision of Disney World to reality in those rural swamplands and orange groves in central Florida? Right near where I live...


The book "Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World" is that story - from Walt Disney's search for an Eastern site for an amusement park through the opening of Walt Disney World on October 1,1971.


The book is written by Chad Denver Emerson who interviewed several former Disney executives and personnel from Reedy Creek Improvement District (the entity responsible to provide for surface water control and drainage, utilities and mosquito control; roads and bridges; land use regulation and planning; fire protection; emergency medical services; environmental services). Chad also did tons of research at countless libraries and Florida state and National Archives, because he had no official help from Disney and was given no access to their archives. There is an extensive list of those that helped him and the publications that he got his information from in the book.

Lee Cockerell, who wrote the foreword, says this book does an "excellent job providing rich details and historical context to the incredible efforts that individuals like Walt and Roy Disney... and many others took to make Walt Disney World a reality." He also went on to say, "I hope that you, like me, enjoy this trip back to where the magic began." I know that I certainly enjoyed this book thoroughly! I loved reading all about Walt Disney, as he is a hero of mine and, as you all know, I ADORE everything Disney and it was so wonderful learning more about the place that I love to go to several times a month. I know any of you who like Disney or like to read about the history of Florida will truly enjoy this book..... I read it in two days!!

You can purchase this book on Amazon.com for $13.45 ***OR***

*** One of my lucky readers can WIN a copy of this book from the very generous author Chad Denver Emerson..... Thank you Chad!!***

Here is how- (Please leave me a way to contact you, either public profile or email in comment)
~ Mandatory entry: Please let me know your favorite thing about Disney

Extra Entries (You may do as few or as many as you wish) Please leave SEPARATE comment for each entry-

~ Follow me on Google Friend Connect (left sidebar) +1 entry
~ Subscribe via Reader or Email (left sidebar) +1 entry
~ Follow me on Twitter (left sidebar) (please leave me your Twitter name) +1 entry
~ Tweet this giveaway - You can use your own words but has to contain a link to this post (may be done once daily). Please leave tweet link. +1 entry per tweet
~ Add my button to your blog or blogroll (upper left sidebar) +1 entry
~ Blog about this giveaway with link back to this post (Please leave link to your post - not your main blog link) +5 entries (leave 5 comments please)

Giveaway will end on April 30, 2010 11:00 pm (ET) .....Thank you for entering and Good Luck!!

Until next time..... Lorie

{FTC Compliant: I received a copy of this book to read for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% mine and not influenced at all by anything except my undying love for all things Disney}

Very Nice Experience with Panda Cub Productions Representative

I just wanted to pass along a very nice experience I had with a representative named Patrick from Panda Cub Productions. Patrick noticed a comment I had left on Go Graham Go regarding an iPhone app that she had reviewed, and offered me the chance to review the app on my blog. I had to decline the review because of my recent surgery and I would not have been able to give the time I felt the company deserved for a real review. Here is the response I received from Patrick:


"Hi Lorie,

I hope you have a fast recovery! I had an operation some years back, and I know all about the ups and downs of the post operation time...so you have my full support!

Here is a free promo code and don't worry about reviewing it...just take it and enjoy...if it helps to lighten the load and bring a smile to you, then that is good enough for me :P

XXXXXXXXXXXX (actual code given to me and used by my grandson)

if down the road you do want to give a review, then let me know and i can give you our press release/pics...does that sound good?

Hope you have a wonderful New Year and a speedy recovery!

With Peace,

Patrick"

I have never worked with this company before, so there was no need for Patrick to give this to me, it was just a very kind thing for him to do, so I wanted to let you all know about it. If you have the opportunity to work with this company, please do so. I hope I get another chance, as I was really impressed.

By the way, I had already purchased the iPhone app "iMoo", and it is really cute, you can check out the review on Go Graham Go to see all of its capabilities - Nano really likes how I recorded my voice saying, "Mommy loves you!"

Thank you very much Patrick for your generosity, and I look forward to a continued relationship.

Until next time..... Lorie

{I received no compensation for this post, I just wanted you to know about a great experience I received from a wonderful company... Full FTC Disclaimer on bottom of blog.}

My Name Necklace Review

A couple of months ago, I was lucky, and very happy, to win a beautiful sterling silver necklace custom made with my name from My Name Necklace. It arrived in a very lovely box with a beautiful gold bow. When I opened the box the necklace inside was presented in such a nice way, you could read my name very easily, and I am very happy to report that it was spelled correctly... YIPPEE!

Then I put it on.... it fell right into place, just like it was supposed to, so that anyone looking at it could read what it said. Look how nice it looks against a black shirt. It also looks great right against the skin and feels nice and smooth against your skin because there are no rough edges to stab or scratch you.

I really love the necklace because it is so hard to find things with my name correctly spelled.

If you are looking for a really nice gift for someone this holiday season, I suggest going over to My Name Necklace and take a look around, there are several different styles to chose from that I am sure you can find something to satisfy even the most persnickety person on your list. Plus, they offer free standard shipping anywhere in the world (please allow 18 days for crafting and delivery).

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Until next time..... Lorie (with an "e" at the end)

{I received NO compensation for this review. As mentioned in the post, I won a necklace from My Name Necklace, however the opinions in this post are strictly mine alone. ~ My complete disclosure policy is at the bottom of my blog.}

I am Now an Official Event Chaser

I would like to let you all know that I am now an Official Event Chaser!! WooHoo... and I am SO excited!! I will be going to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra just in time for my birthday!! I cannot wait, so look for an official Event Chaser Review in the coming weeks.

If you don't know about Event Chaser, just click on the badge on my left sidebar. They are an amazing company that can provide incredible Broadway Tickets, Concert Tickets, and even tickets to Sporting Events.

I cannot wait to see the show, and review it for you all.... Until next time..... Lorie