Addalock is a company dedicated to providing families with security while at home or when travelling. I am especially excited about this review because I am a super paranoid (if you know me this is true) mama of two daring boys, who travels a lot. That being said, their safety has always been a contributing factor to my nerves when travelling. The Addalock portable door lock makes me a lot more comfortable!! I now have my addalock in my luggage ready to go so I never leave home without it!


What is it?The Add-A-Lock is a portable door lock that can be easily installed and removed in seconds on almost any hinged door that opens inwards giving you added privacy once you are locked behind it. Addalock can be installed on the front door or any other doors of your home where you require that additional privacy. The Add-A-Lock is an ideal travel lock that you can use on your hotel/motel or rental unit and ideal for students away at college. The Add-A-Lock is made from chrome plated carbon steel and together with its unique shape makes it adjustable to almost any door thickness. The locks come with their own travel pouches. 

Now I can get a good nights rest knowing my munchkins are not trying to escape! Thank you Addalock!!

This company is on a roll!!! Addalock has recently come out with 2 other products: The Burglabar and the AddAHook two equally useful products. The Burglabar is a self-locking hinge that attaches to any sliding door and is transparent so no one will even notice! I have installed this on my patio doors within seconds, and it is truly amazing! My children can't get out when it is locked and no one will even notice it is there--in case someone 'tries' to come in ;)

As for the Addahook, I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! Often when travelling, it is hard to hang items to dry or even find a hook that is strong enough to hold a fair amount of weight. Well, the Addahook does just that! It is a self holding suction cup hook that holds up to 10LBS!! I have now included this in my purse....I know, strange, but being the germaphobe that I am (yup I hate germs too) this comes in handy when using public rest rooms to hold your diaper bag, purse or camera. 

Want to try these products for yourself?Addalock is offering Lil-sugar readers all 3 products for only $30! A savings of $8.90!
Click here: http://www.addalock.com/blogger-special.html

Visit Addalock at: http://www.addalock.com/ 

Just Fruit and Grains is a new snack by Sunripe! Much like any breakfast cereal bar, the bars are all individually packaged and sold separately or in a box. The difference is that it combines a breakfast cereal bar with a fruit bar for a textured taste.

Initially, my husband and I really enjoyed these bars. It is nice to know that you are getting health and convenience, especially on the go! Hubby is an avid oatmeal eater so that helps with the texture part of it. The kids (3 and 5) were not overly in love with these fruit bars at first, simply because they have a 'gritty' taste. This soon subsided after indulging in a few, and now they LOVE them!

It is a bonus that the bars have a balance of 70% fruit or fruit and veggies and 30% grains and seeds, with nothing else added – no processed or refined sugars, no fillers and no bad stuff.

As a parent this is important, especially when looking for alternatives to a school lunch-time snack. Convenient, affordable and reassuring ;)

I was recently given a pair of Viking Sandals to review. Giving a woman shoes is like giving a kid candy, so I was not going to pass up this opportunity! With over 12 styles to chose from in their Spring collection I was on cloud nine!!  I quickly chose the 'toe thong' style by Viking for its versatility, and chic design (so hard to chose). I am usually a size 7-8 and matched the size perfectly to the chart. Unfortunately for me they arrived huge! 

The Baker Shoe Company was AMAZING for returning their product quickly, efficiently and super-friendly service! I would recommend going down a size if you are ordering online. When my new ones arrived in a smaller size I was so eager to try them on!! For years I have opted for this style of shoe because they are easy to throw in your bag for a weekend away, wear to the beach, or even for long walks, the comfort of these shoes make them a favourite wardrobe essential. Well, after wearing the Viking Sandal for 2 weeks now, I can tell you personally they are now my new favourite brand!! So comfy, so soft, and sooooo versatile! 

Take a Look:
 

I am super-excited for the nice weather, these shoes will definitely get their wear this year. I think I can even pull these off under a maxi-dress too (can you tell I love them?). The best thing about these shoes is that they don't give your feet the added pain at the end of the day. I love a shoe that looks great and feels even better! Next time, I will have to opt for a funkier colour or shiny finish! 

Here's one more pic:

A little information about the company: Baker Shoe Company, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is an importer and distributor of fine, comfort footwear and it has been in business for over 50 years!!  Baker Shoe is known for its commitment to quality footwear and top notch customer service. It believes that its success is dependent on the success of its own customers. Baker Shoes is a leader in providing comfort footwear to independent retailers all across Canada. For more information Visit: http://www.bakershoe.ca/BAKERSHOEviking.html 

WANNA WIN A PAIR OF VIKING SANDALS FOR YOURSELF?
Enter below for your chance to WIN!!
Prize: 1 pair of Viking sandals (the value is $64.99)Open to Canada only, excluding Quebec. Contest closes on April 23rd at 12:01am.

Disclosure: I was provided a pair of Viking Sandals to review as part of a promotion through Influential Media (www.influential-media.com). All opinions are my own. 

When I received the Ooma Telo for review, I had no idea what it was or why a person would use this. Since its price-point was pretty high ($229) I thought why not give it a try. The box simply states that it is a free nationwide calling and advanced telephony service. It is digital phone line with calling features just like a regular home-phone, along with calling nation-wide for free! Since it plugs into any broadband Internet connection and existing home telephone, I was eager to try it out and see if it did exactly what it said it did. Initially, I thought this idea was for a basic second line, something I was looking into purchasing anyway. I hurried home to set it up and within minutes (literally 25 mins or so)I had my new Ooma Telo phone line hooked up and working.

The diagrams in the manual show exactly how to set up the box, making it easy even for the not so technical person, like me! Once online, you have an array of options at your fingertips. A new number is easy to find depending on your area, even gave the same area code and first 3 numbers to any phone number in my community. With the Ooma premier service ($9.99/month) you have options such as, having a second-line, 3-way calling, Multi ring, back up phone number, Google voice, advanced voice mail, call privacy options, personalization and my favourite FREE calling between Canada and the US!!

YES, this is possible! I am living proof that this service has all these features and SO many more! I was in disbelief that a service this low in cost could give you so much! The only downside I found was (there is a catch) was that the company only provides you with 5000 minutes of air time per month. I throughly tested this because I thought that 5000 minutes wouldn't be enough for a chatter-box like me lol. Guess what? I did not even come close to using these minutes in my moth trial!! 5000 minutes is actaully a lot when you think about it, it is over 3 hours per day!

Guess what I did next? Since, I LOVED this service and voice reception, I decided to make the Ooma Telo my permanent home line. I have ported over my number (took a short 2 weeks) and I am loving this service even more with my original phone number, no one has noticed the change and I love having all the extra options even though I don't need half of them! I calculated a savings of over $300 a year! I also love that you can bring the Ooma telo box wherever you may be vacationing or visiting so that people can call you even when you are not home without paying long-distance or having to change a thing. As long as you have a broad-band connection, your good to go! This will come in handy when spending our winter vacation at my parents Florida home!

This product is definitely one that I will be recommending to all my friends and family, it does exactly what it says i does and gives you so much more! Worth every penny!

Ok, I know you are all looking at this product with a little disbelief and probably a little bit of 'what is it' and 'why would they do that to the poor child.'  The Juppy Baby Walker is the newest alternative to wheeled baby walkers, quite simply it is putting your child on 'strings.' Lets face it, the pre-walking time period is probably the toughest on a parents back.

Lets first start off by pointing out the negative, I am not a fan (only like the black) of the colors, but then again all baby items are a little cheezy in that respect, nor do I like the personalization, unless it is used for something other than the baby's name. I mean, I wouldn't want everyone calling my child's name on the street! Secondly, this walker involves some work on the parents behalf--something most parents will dislike.

On to the positives! (there are a lot)

I really love that this walker is easy to slip on and throw in your purse! As well, it is easy to clean and fits just about any toddler and any parental height. I also found The Juppy Walker to be perfect for parents who like to know where their children are at all times, does not let them out of your site for a minute. I used this on my friends child, and she loved it! it was simple, and fun! I personally think she thought she was in a ride of some sort, she quickly scampered around the room looking for things she could now try to reach--great thing was, we had total control of her!

No bending required, and full support for the child! I wish I had this for my first child because he was an early walker and tiny in frame, The Juppy would have made my back a lot less stressed from the constant bending. One quick tip: We attached a toy to the strap so that the child had something to play with while in movement, this gave the mother some time to rest and the child a little bit of practice with her balance. 

Someone should have thought of this product sooner! Would have avoided the sad statistic of over 21,000 injured children annually related to wheeled baby walkers! Whats better is that it is affordable! prices start at $19.99!! 


If you have a pre-walker you may want to enter our giveaway here for your chance to win your very own Juppy Baby Walker!

For more information visit:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thejuppy
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thejuppywalker
The Juppy Blog: http://thejuppyblog.com

Would love to introduce you to the latest in function and fashion!! Teethease is fun but useful for mothers, fathers and care-givers alike. Most parents agree, that when you have a little one that is teething it is almost impossible to sooth their gums with a 'commercial' product. In my opinion, children always tend to sway toward adult-like objects that are firmer and more tactile to their small hands than a large, hard to grasp piece of plastic. I also found it impossible to locate the teether in the past because I always had to dig endlessly into my diaper bag or purse! 

Teethease necklaces, bangles and pennants are a fun, functional and fashionable piece of jewellery that is an accessible alternative to digging through a purse or diaper bag. Teethease is made of FDA approved medical grade silicone, free of BPA, PVC, latex, heavy metals, phthalates and meets the highest international safety standards (EN-71).

I currently do not have a child that is teething, so I put this product to the true test with my friends daughter who is anxiously reaching for everything in sight at the moment. I received the pendant style necklace for review in purple, and it was lovely, something I would actually wear! My friends child loved it too!! It was a perfect size for her small hands and the fact that she thought it was mine, made it all more fun (many times they want what they cant have). We also attached this teether to a sling and it was GENIUS!! she still loved it! 

Must be something about its small size, form, and  aesthetics that definitely appeals to little ones! I personally love the idea of a fashionable, safe and fun alternative to the products already on the  market! I will be purchasing these in the future for all my 'hip' mamas to be!!

Check out the selection at   http://teethease.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage 

Be sure to enter our GIVEAWAY for one of your very own!! 

COMPOSER CAT MOZART plush toy, along with CD, and beautifully illustrated book are a refreshing change in today's toy market. I have to admit, when i first received this toy I thought my children would hate it! I was pleasantly surprised when they became engaged in the music and listened attentively to the story. 

This is now a bed-time favorite in our house! My boys cant wait to get into bead and hear the Mozart mystery storybook along with their own personal touch of music while pressing the cat endlessly.

 This is a toy that every parent will enjoy! A nice change from the super high pitched sounds of 'playtime' music that we so often hear toys play and a story that engages even the oldest of readers! Music to mommy's ears!

In our house, like many others it is impossible to stay organized with 2 children. So, through the years I have tried out numerous label companies trying to find the right one. The main reason I have done this is because no matter what, labels get ruined, lost or just plain 'lose their stick.'  Not to mention, many of the times they are boring or childish. It is very hard to find the right balance of aesthetics and durability. Here is where it gets interesting....

Since I am so picky with my labels I was thrilled to try Oliver's Labels!  I have used them before in the past, on school supplies, backpacks, shoes, water bottles and toys. But this time I was really going to put them to the test. I took these labels on our recent trip to Cuba to see if they withstood the trip with my two very messy kiddos!

The Original Labels were used on sippy's, bowls and even sand toys. While we saved the skinny labels for ice-packs, markers and cutlery. The shoe labels were on all water shoes and runners. And lastly, the NO IRON labels were used on jackets and hats--did I mention they require no ironing or sewing since they adhere to the care-tags quite nicely and wash AMAZINGLY!

My overall experience with them has been very positive and I cannot wait to order more (I am a label-oholic lol)! Here's the rundown in case you are interested in learning more about each item: 

The Original Labels
-probably the most versatile of all the label options. They’re big, the text is easy to read, and can be stuck on anything. PLUS they are dishwasher safe! 

Skinny Labels:

-like the Original Labels these are very versatile and can be used on any item that may require a smaller label. These are also dishwasher safe! 

The Shoe Labels
-They were easy to apply and waterproof!  Great for school and in my case for the beach!!
The Stick-eez Clothing Labels -unique in that you don’t have to sew or iron anything. Simply peel and stick one to the tag of a garment, and in seconds your kid’s clothes are
ready to go! Washer and dryer safe, but can be removed if your child outgrows the clothes. 

The starter package starts at $26.95 and can be customized to your family's needs. Oliver's Labels also has labels for allergies and can be customized according to your favorite font or color choices. You also have the choice of placing 'Found-it™' codes on your labels. Found-it works like a lost and found system--Only it is ONLINE!! Love this idea!! This unique
code connects you to your item via your email address, while remaining anonymous.

Readers Here Is YOUR Chance to WIN a $20 Oliver's Labels Gift Card!! Enter Here

 You can find Olivers Labels at any Staples Business Depot or Online at  www.oliverslabels.com

Tegu blocks are the new-wave in cognitive play for children! This product allows for children to experiment, learn and dream. A genius remake of the simple block set. Durable, fun and functional! Tegu blocks are non-toxic and made from sustainable wood. They have magnets embedded in them for hours of creative play for children (and adults) of all ages! 

My children sat for hours playing with these blocks, they even figured out that they stick to the fridge! Tip: use a baking sheet to allow for continuous creative play! The blocks are definitely heirloom quality and will withstand many generations to come. A great investment at a slightly high price-point ($125 for 52 piece set). The way I look at it is that I rather spend a little more on Eco-friendly toys that are simply creative and fun, then a bunch of plastic toys that last a few days before boredom sets in. 

The set includes cube shapes, large planks, small planks and jumbo planks. The set also comes in a very durable package that can be used for later storage. The company, based in Honduras' main focus is to help the crumbling economy. Through the sales of Tegu blocks, trees are getting planted and child education in Honduras as well as Holistic employment for its people. Great company, excellent product and hours of imaginative fun!  

I am so excited to announce that I have been able to review the LuxeBox by Loose Button for the past 2 months! I have been keeping this little secret from my followers so that I could better understand and confirm that this service actually works and does what it promises.

**Warning** this post may be long!! I REALLY Love this concept and this company!!


My November Luxe Box looked like this:

Each box comes personalized with your name (nice touch) and a card that describes all the wonderful goodies in the box!! In November I received:

Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub 
Lise Watier Couleur Folle Mineral Loose Powder Eyeshadow 
Mereadesso Lip Treats
Benefit Cosmetics B. Right Total Moisture Facial Cream

Oil of Olay Wrinkle Cream

**BONUS**
Teaopia Cactus Fig Tea Kit


I love the Loose Button concept of introducing brands in a 'trial' way. I mean, women in general (and some men) are really partial to trying new things when it comes to skin care and make-up. This way, you get something new to try every month! What a treat! 

Then, when you find what is right for you, you can buy it without actually 'over buying' like many of us do. This month, I really fell in love with the Lise Watier Mineral Eyeshadow, and I found the Benefit Cosmetics Facial Cream really light and smooth! Definitely be purchasing these!
 

My December 'Holiday Edition' Box Was AMAZING! 


In it I received:
Kerastase Elixir Ultime
Velour Upper Lashes
Prada Candy and Infusion D'Iris
DDF Advanced Firming Cream

**BONUS**
Belgian Chocolate with Loose Button Logo

This month was especially special because it marked the end of the year for me, and the beginning of 'change' so to speak. Normally I would NEVER consider wearing false lashes, but once again Loose Button has convinced me otherwise with their inclusion of Velour Upper Lashes in the Luxe Box this month! Retail value on these babies is $60-$65 and well worth it if you ask me-they are amazing! PLUS! If you are a subscriber you have pretty much gotten your money's worth right here! 

The other FANTASIC pruduct I now cannot live without is the Prada Candy perfume! OMG!! It is to die for! pretty, sweet and sophisticated :)

Once again, I cannot stress enough how much I love this company. I mean, I used to buy magazines worth half of the value of one of these boxes monthly! Loose button Luxe boxes are a treat for any woman! Imagine going to the mail every month and getting a pretty package just for you with products just for you! Heaven right? 

Ordering a Luxe Box is simple!  If you chose to do so through a subscription, you will receive 3 to 5 "deluxe-sized" samples from participating brands. The deluxe-sized means that the samples are generally bigger than you would receive for free from the store which are only usually good for a few uses.  There are three different pricing packages available. You can chose a yearly subscription (from what I learned is the best value for product and pricing) whereby you recieve a Luxe Box each month for a year at a cost of $120. A reaccuring every 3 month trial subscription is also available for $36. The $12 package is for a month trial package. All packages include FREE shipping!!!

Check out www.loosebutton.com

PLUS!!! Lil'sugar Readers, you can WIN a LuxeBox of your very own by entering our Contest  for 1 of 2 January Loose Button Luxe Boxes!! (Canadian Residences Only)