Buddy Fruits! Review & Giveaway!! CLOSED

This giveaway is now 

CLOSED

Maddie is opinionated.

I think that's a pretty common description for every 4 year old though and not just mine. Food tends to be a bit of a battle at times in our house. According to Maddie she likes what she likes and that's what she likes. Most of the time her quirks aren't a big deal. Some days she wants to eat a pint of grape tomatoes for lunch. Whatever, it could be worse. Then we go grocery shopping and the barrage of I WANT starts. Ugh. I know I am not the only mom that hates that. Yes Maddie I know you want those fruits snacks filled with sugar and ingredients I can't pronounce but it's not going to happen. Cue the whining. Blah. Well let me tell you I heard birds singing and babies cooing when Maddie threw Buddy Fruits in the grocery cart last week. 

What does your child not randomly throw things into your shopping cart? Lucky you. 

Of course it was time to turn the package over and see what Buddy Fruits really were. OMG. Fruit. That's right 100% fruit. Nothing else. Who knew such things existed. Buddy Fruits come in two forms either Pure Fruit Bites or Pure Blended Fruit To Go. Let me tell you I am in love. During that before mentioned shopping trip I allowed Maddie to pick out one of the blended fruits to enjoy while I shopped in peace. She opted for the Apple & Banana one and I am pleased to report the ingredients are: Apple, banana, concentrated apple juice and lemon juice. I kid you not that is all there is but they are super cool to my 4 year old because they come in awesome squeezy pouches (ahem no mess, no spoon) and they have cute pictures of happy fruit on the front. Win.

The Facts:

- Buddy Fruits come in two different forms The Pure Fruit Bites (fruit snacks) and Pure Blended Fruit To Go (apple sauce)

- The Blended Fruit flavors include: Apple & Multifruit, Apple & Cinnamon, Apple & Strawberry, Apple & Banana and Mango Passion & Banana

- The Pure Fruit Bite flavors include: Orange, Raspberry, Pomegranate & Acai and Apple

- 1 package of Buddy Fruits equals 1 serving of fruit

- Buddy Fruits are 100% fruit!!!! 

No preservatives

No colorings

No genetic modifications

No dairy or gluten

Nothing artificial

As a mom I can say I truly love Buddy Fruits. They are great on the go snacks especially because both forms of Buddy Fruits come in resealable packages. The Pure Fruit Bites are even in BPA Free packaging. I will admit they are a bit pricey (my store has them for 89 cents a piece) but I suggest looking out for sales and even if you only purchase a few just to keep in your My Child Is Driving Me Insane I Need Something To Make It Stop Stash they are totally worth it! Hubby has even enjoyed taking Buddy Fruits to work for a quick on the go snack. Maddie likes that the Pure Fruit Bites even have cute little facts like that the Raspberry bites are made using 16 raspberries and 7 slices of apple. It may not make up for the lack of character shapes but she thinks it's pretty cool!

For the complete listing of where Buddy Fruits are available for purchase look HERE. I was able to also find them at my local military Commissary.

GIVEAWAY

Alright are you sold on Buddy Fruits? Are you ready to try some? Well Buddy Fruits was nice enough to offer one of you lovely readers a display pack of a Buddy Fruits!  
Thank you Buddy Fruits!

Mandatory To Enter:

Visit Buddy Fruits and tell me either something you love about them or what flavor you want to try!

Extra Entries:

-Follow Funny Days With Mommy and Maddie

-Tweet about this giveaway and leave me a link (allowed once a day)

PLEASE remember to leave your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you are the lucky winner!!
Other important stuff:
This giveaway is only open to US residents.
This giveaway will close on Saturday April 2nd.

Disclosure: I was so impressed and in love with the first package of Buddy Fruits I bought that I immediately e-mailed the company and asked if they would be interested in a review and giveaway. They said yes! The display package of Buddy Fruits pictured above was sent to me by Buddy Fruits to facilitate this review. We love Buddy Fruits though and that is that.

Carolina Pad Studio C Review AND Giveaway!- CLOSED

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.



The summer has flown by and I am sure lots of you are busy getting your little ones ready to head back to school!

When I was little I LOVED back to school shopping. New clothes, new backpack, new school supplies- oh my was I a happy girl! I remember heading back to school decked out in all my new Fall clothes despite the fact that jeans and a sweater were less than appropriate for the first day of school in Connecticut's 80 degree weather.

My most favorite part though was school supplies shopping and frankly it still is. When I get the Sunday paper with the Target, Walmart and Staples catalog I go a little crazy. Glue for 25 cents!!!! Oh and the pretty, pretty colors! Notebooks and folders can put me in a tizzy! This is where the wonderful and stylish Carolina Pad comes in!

This past week I was super excited to find this amazing box of goodies on my doorstep!

Carolina Pad has a fantastic array of designs part of their Studio C collection and I am thrilled to share them with you! The Studio C collection includes designs from Hot Chocolate, Techno, Royal Twist, Zensational, Sasquatch and Dreamsicle. Its hard to choose but I think my favorite is the Royal Twist collection. Although I do love that the Sasquatch collection is made mostly of plant and recycled pulp materials- eco-friendly school supplies is a big plus in my book!

Carolina Pad school supplies can be purchase at Walmart, Target, Staples, Office Max, Michaels and CVS. You can also purchase online HERE. For the month of August use the code: August and get FREE shipping!


Are you excited yet? I hope so because you now have a chance to win the same selection of goodies that I received! That's right one winner will be receiving a box full of Carolina Pad's Studio C Collection!

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive these goodies:

• 1-subject notebook
• 2-pocket folder
• 1" binder
• Composition book
• Idea book
• Journal

And now how do you win you ask? Well......


Mandatory- must do or else! Visit Carolina Pad and tell me which collection or item is your absolute fave!

Want a few more chances to win? For one more additional entry each:

• Follow Funny Days With Mommy and Maddie on Google Friends Connect. Already a follower? Just let me know!
• Follow @carolinapad on Twitter!
• Become a fan of Studio C on Facebook!
• Become a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook too!
• Tweet this giveaway! You can tweet once a day but please include a link to your tweet! {Enter to win a great prize pack from @carolinapad and Funny Days With Mommy and Maddie! http://tinyurl.com/2394o8o }

Don't forget to leave a comment for each entry! Please remember to leave an e-mail address where I can contact you!

This giveaway is open to all US and Canada resident. Individuals who have won a prize package from Carolina Pad in the last 90 days are not eligible.

This giveaway will close on Thursday August 12th. I will post the winner on Friday August 13th.

*I received a free product (or products) for review purposes. I did not receive any form of compensation from the company. All opinions are my own and not influenced in anyway. All reviews are my personal and honest opinions. Other people's views and experiences with the product or products might be different from mine.*

Giveaway Time! -CLOSED

A few Favorite Friday's ago I posted about the Rumba watch I found in a recent issue of Real Simple magazine. I was so excited about the watches I sent a quick e-mail to the company letting them know I was featuring them and within hours I was organizing a giveaway for all of my lovely readers!

Rumba watches are digital silicone watches that have a nice thin band and weigh only 10 grams. Hubby ordered one for himself (Only $20!) and said he barely even notices it is on his wrist. The watches are water resistant to 30 meters making them perfect for the beach too! They come in a ton of different colors, although I am still partial to the purple haze one! I have a feeling I will be ordering a few different colors though! Rumba watches are perfect for kiddos too! Madison has been sporting a glitter one lately and loves it!

One of the newest styles available is the Glitter Collection, and I may happen to have 2 watches to give away to you! I have a medium and large sized watch to give away. The medium says it will fit most woman and men at 7 " and the large says it will fit some men at 8". I know I don't know most men that will want to wear a glitter watch BUT it will also fit a woman just a little loose so you can wear it as a bracelet.

GIVEAWAY

Prize: I am giving away both a large and medium Rumba watch from the new Glitter Collection. I will choose two winners, and the first winner will have first choice of size.

Entry #1 [mandatory]: Visit the Rumba website and tell me what your favorite color and style are!

Additional Entries
**be sure to leave a comment for EACH entry**

Entry #2 Become a follower of Funny Days With Mommy and Maddie through Google Friend Connect (on my sidebar) if you are already a follower just let me know!

Entry #3 Grab the Funny Days With Mommy and Maddie button for your blog!

Entry #4 Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to it!

Entry #5 Tweet this giveaway! You can use your own tweet or use this one {Win a @Rumbatimedotcom glitter watch from Funny Days With Mommy and Maddie! Enter here: http://tinyurl.com/23j29dk } **you can tweet once a day, please leave a comment for each tweet with a URL**


Be sure to leave a comment for each entry!
**Please remember to leave your e-mail so I can contact you!**


This contest will end Monday June 14th. Winners will be announced Tuesday June 15th.

{This contest is sponsored by Ruma. I was compensated with one watch for my personal review of the product. This review is 100% my personal views on the product.}

Friday Favorites

Oh I have some lovelies for you this Friday!

You must head over to The Pioneer Woman right. now. Why? Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas and Restaurant Style Smashed Potatoes. Oh yes. Go now. I will wait.

Amazing right? Both are on my menu for next week. Yippee!

Photo from Rumbatime.com

Next up.... check out these super cool watches! I am rather partial to the Purple Haze. Did you hear that sweetheart? Purple Haze.

Photo from Tangentedesigns.blogspot.com

Of course I have to show you an amazing tutorial I am in love with too! Hubby may be noticing a new piece of artwork in our moving boxes soon.... Head over to Tangente to find out how to make your own canvas collage. I am thinking a nice ocean blue color would look fab with our new decor.

Photo from 3musketeers.com

If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen me mention the delish new 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp Bar. It has this light airy crisp but with all the creaminess of a regular 3 Musketeers. Does that make any sense? No? Go try one and then it will.

Photo from crayola.com

I was super excited to find these window markers from Crayola at the NEX this week! Madison loves them and I love that she washes my windows when she is done! Stay tuned this week for a full review and maybe and surprise for a few of you!

Photo from madamemenu.com

Have you visited Madame Menu? Miss Amy happens to be my bestie from high school and also a fabulous cook, oh and she has a super cute little boy that sneaks into the pics too! I planning on whipping up some of her Goat Cheese and Sundried Tomato Spread this weekend. It is inspired from a dish at my favorite restaurant here in Connecticut ~ Caffe NV.

That's all I have for you this week!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Friday Favorites

Hmmm... let's try something new and see how it goes.

I am so digging Picasa. Have you used it? It's free so check it out. I made my new header with it this week. If you jump over to Clover Lane she has a great tutorial on making a custom header with Picasa.

Umm yeah so those ridiculously addictive Pretzel M&M's are amazing. Salty sweet perfection my friends.

Photo from 9 o'clock Dance of Joy!


Once again I will state that yes I know we are moving but really that's doesn't stop my from buying and crafting more home projects. Look at that beautiful Welcome post from 9 o'clock Dance of Joy! Don't you want one? I think I am headed to Home Depot soon.....

Recently I discovered a new blog that I am now completely obsessed with and want to make every single recipe! How Sweet It Is. Go there now. Be prepared though your stomach may start growling. The Whole Wheat Orzo With Grilled Chicken and Roasted Veggies is fantastic!

Oh did I mention I did another home decor project this week? Nothing big, but uber cute!

Cup from Old Navy. Coasters from Monika Designs.

Old Navy trip this week ended in these super awesome cups $3.30 each! Love em'! Best part is the straw is hard so no crazy chew marks the minute Maddie gets her hands on it!

And how cute are Mad's new $5 Old Navy sunglasses?!?!

Product Review: Superstructs Pinklets Fairy Garden Building Set

Last month I mentioned the wonderful opportunity that we were offered - a chance to review a product from CSN.com!
Madison was giddy with excitement last week when a special package was delivered to our doorstep. Together we chose to review the Superstructs Pinklets Fairy Garden Building Set and I am so happy we did!


Product Overview from CSN.com:

Superstructs Pinklets-The Fairy Garden is designed for girls and the way girls play and build. Pinklets embrace the themes young girl builders want with easy to assemble components and just enough structure. Children create charming environments for nearly endless role play and storytelling fun. The magical world of pinklets opens in a beautiful garden that young builders create themselves. The 29 page illustrated Guide helps channel their imagination. The fairy garden theme comes with 110 pieces that include rods, connectors, wheels, decorative flowers, leaves, fairies and wings. Built on the award-winning Superstructs building system, Pinklets can be used in conjunction with other Superstructs pieces and sets and allows for endless play possibilities.

I have to say I am really pleased with this product! Superstructs are very similar to the Tinker Toys of my childhood, the big difference would be the building materials themselves. Superstructs are made out of plastic and foam instead of wood. This package came with a whopping 110 pieces which means we can easily build a few masterpieces before having to dismantle any. The pieces are bright and colorful which is always enticing! Even better the pieces are dishwasher safe - you know just in case someone spills yogurt all over a fairy house or something.


Madison was eager to browse the included booklet and build a fairy swing set. The recommended age for this product is 3 and up but I think the average 3 year old may need a bit of assistance the first few times. The pieces fit together rather snugly the first few times they are used making it a bit difficult for little hands.

Although Madison had a few troubles the first day she was eager to build a fairy house all on her own a few days later. The Superstructs seem to have a permanent place in our living room for now but have provided Madison with plenty of imaginary play time.

Disclaimer: Thank you to CSN.com for providing this Superstructs product. This review relates my own personal and unbiased opinions and experience with the Pinklets Fairy Garden Building Set . Yours may differ.

Stay Tuned!

Have you discovered CSNstores.com and all it has to offer? Let it be said if you are looking for something chances are you WILL find it at one of the many, many stores through CSN!

With our upcoming move this summer I will be checking out CSN's store devoted to kids bedding and furniture at allchildrensfurniture.com for sure. You can also find some fantastic toys on allchildrensfurniture.com too! I am in love with the variety of building blocks that they offer - something we surprisingly do not have at our house.

Stay tuned for a product review of one of the many wonderful products offered at allchildrensfurniture.com. Madison and I fell in love with the Superstructs Pinklets Fairy Garden Building Set and we can't wait to tell you all about it!

Holiday Puppet Kits

Last year during the post holiday sales I picked up two adorable Martha Stewart puppets at Walmart. Madison loves them and I love that they are actually quality materials so the puppet isn't destroyed within minutes!

Plus you can't beat $1.95!

The puppet kits come with all of the materials needed which makes them even better because we can do them anywhere! Madison is pretty capable of doing pretty much the whole puppet herself too! We have done a few other Martha Stewart craft kits and I am usually very pleased with the product. Generally I find the kits on discount at Walmart, Michael's and The Christmas Tree Shoppe!

Toasty toes

Ugh, Madison hates socks. I can't blame her though because I never wear socks either but we live in New England and frankly it gets cold. We used to have an adorable pair of bunny eared slippers for Mad but she had a hard time walking in them and therefore refused to wear them. When I stumbled upon Mom's Blankies on Etsy I fell in love! I don't usually peddle products on here but I can just assume plenty of you have non-sock children too!

When Madison was a baby we had a TON of Robeez and they were fantastic but of course they don't fit a toddler size 9 so when I found Shoopers on Mom's Blankies there was no hesitation and I immediately ordered Madison a pair! For $12 these was an awesome bargain and a great solution for Madison cold toes.

Since her polka dot shoes arrived Madison has worn them every day. They are very well made with a nice no-slip bottom and fuzzy fleece insides. There are a quite a few different fabrics available, so I am sure there is something available for everyone! Right now Shoopers are available up to a toddler size 10 which I am getting ready to order next; room to grow!