Spark Story Starters {review & giveaway}
The key is using your imagination. There are no right or wrong answers. Child led, imaginative play is a big deal right now and the Story Starters are a great tool for this. Another awesome aspect of the cards was the dialogue it opened up between Miss Button and I. We love reading together (which at this point just involves me reading and Miss Button following the pictures), but what I really love is hearing what is going on inside her head! With the over 5 set it can be even more difficult to get them really talking to you. The cards are interesting and low-key enough to open up communication without putting any pressure on your little one.
They are recommended for ages 4 and up. Miss Button is 3 and we had a fantastic time with them. I would agree with the age recommendation in so far as some of the questions are a little complex and open-ended for a toddler (great for older kids), but nevertheless you can start using the cards whenever you want. I asked children as young as 2 years old some of the simpler questions and hilarity ensued; it was great fun. You can even get everyone involved on a long car trip!
Mr Button and are both huge iPhone geeks. Like many toddlers, Miss Button uses the phone quite adeptly, for fun and we have various child friendly apps on there for her. We love the Story Starters iPhone App. One of my favourite aspects of the app, is that the Miss Button is not passively playing a game, or watching a show unfold. It’s guilt free fun, not to mention convenient and discreet enough to be used when you’re waiting for the food to arrive in a restaurant or even sitting in the waiting room at the dentist. If you’re familiar with the iPhone it’s worth noting that you just have to shake your phone to get a new question up. Not fiddly or complicated at all; a huge bonus. It’s also available for the iPad, iPod and Android! If you’re a West Coast Android reader we’d love to hear how you liked the app on Android.
Spark Your Imagination also has a brand new iPhone app out that we think you’ll love too. Check out KidCart. It is possible to have fun grocery shopping!
You can buy Spark Story Starters online at the Spark Your Imagination website (they’re having an Easter sale right now) or at a great many fantastic retailers across BC.
Spark Your Imagination is a family-run, Canadian company!
The Giveaway
Spark Story Starters is giving two West Coast Mama readers their very own Spark Story Starters!
Mandatory Entry
Check out Spark Story Starters and come back and tell us why you would want to win a set.
Submit one comment for the mandatory and one for each extra entry you complete.
Extra Entries
- Join the West Coast Mama Google Friend Connect.
- Become a fan of West Coast Mama on Facebook.
- Become a fan of Spark Story Starters on Facebook.
- Follow @westcoastmama on Twitter and retweet this giveaway (once per day): Win a set of Story Starters from @sparkastory & @westcoastmama http://bit.ly/embCYl (Can & U.S.) 05/10
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link.
- Comment on any one of my non-giveaway reviews, let me know which one you commented on.
- Subscribe via email.
- Subsribe via RSS.
- Grab my Button.
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We would like to thank Spark Story Starters for sending us these great story starters! We were not compensated for our review.
Welcome back, have you subscribed to my RSS feed yet? Thanks for visiting!
Have-a-Hoot {review & giveaway}
Have-a-Hoot products wouldn’t look out of place in an artisan 
The felt used is Eco-fi, which is an awesome fabric made 100% from recycled plastic bottles. Love! This type of felt is popping up more and more in Canadian products and is an awesome alternative, indistinguishable from regular felt. Have-a-Hoot clips are beautifully made, expertly finished and the clip holds well and feels comfortable (toddler approval here). We went for a regular snap clip as Miss Button likes them, but alligator clips are also available.
Some of my favourites from Have-a-Hoot are the Russian Nesting Doll clips (so intricate, I can’t resist), Cherry Blossom clips and of course the wonderful Owls. You can purchase Have-a-Hoot products in their gorgeous Etsy shop as well as contact them on Facebook (some super cute pictures of the accessories being modelled!
The Giveaway
Have-a-Hoot is giving a hair clip of the winners choice to a West Coast Mama reader!
Mandatory Entry
Check out Have-a-Hoot and come back and tell us which hair clip you would love to win!
Submit one comment for the mandatory and one for each extra entry you complete.
Extra Entries
- Join the West Coast Mama Google Friend Connect.
- Become a fan of West Coast Mama on Facebook.
- Become a fan of Have-a-Hoot on Facebook.
- Follow @westcoastmama on Twitter and retweet this giveaway (once per day): Win a recycled felt hair clip from @westcoastmama http://bit.ly/g1VLcJ (Can & U.S.) 05/02
- Heart the Have-a-Hoot Etsy store.
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link.
- Comment on any one of my non-giveaway reviews, let me know which one you commented on.
- Subscribe via email.
- Subsribe via RSS.
- Grab my Button.
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We would like to thank Have-a-Hoot for sending us the very cute hair clip! We were not compensated for our review.
BMod Designs {review & giveaway}
I love leg warmers to protect the knees of crawlers as well as keeping little legs snug, warm and covered without committing to tights. Perfect for spring and summer. Also if you’ve seen your little girl slipping around on hardwood floors in tights you’ll know it can be scary, as well as hindering the fun. I pair leg warmers with Miss Button’s dresses and she can run around without worrying.
We love Miss Button’s leg warmers and I will without a doubt be heading back for more! B:Mod Designs is a Mom owned business, based in Ontario. You can shop online at the B:Mod website as well as their beautiful Etsy shop.
The Giveaway
B:Mod Designs is giving a set of leg warmers of the winners choice to a West Coast Mama reader!
Mandatory Entry
Check out B:Mod Designs and come back and tell us which set of leg warmers you would love to win!
Submit one comment for the mandatory and one for each extra entry you complete.
Extra Entries
- Join the West Coast Mama Google Friend Connect.
- Become a fan of West Coast Mama on Facebook.
- Become a fan of BMod Designs on Facebook.
- Follow @westcoastmama on Twitter and retweet this giveaway (once per day): Win a pair of super cute leg warmers from @westcoastmama http://bit.ly/h50eyS (Can & U.S.) 04/28
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link.
- Comment on any one of my non-giveaway reviews, let me know which one you commented on.
- Subscribe via email.
- Subsribe via RSS.
- Grab my Button.
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We would like to thank B:Mod Designs for sending us the very cute leg warmers! We were not compensated for our review.
Summer Fresh {review & giveaway}
I love dips! If I can dip something, I dip it. Icing, chocolate, spinach dip, hummus, I will dip. I’m also known to call something such as a cracker a “spinach dip transporter.” There are a lot of different brands in the grocery stores, but one I really like and had the opportunity to try a few different flavours is the Summer Fresh line of gourmet dips, hummus and salads.
Since I’m such a dip fan, I decided to try out flavours I would normally not try and see how I liked them. Every single one I tried I loved. I loved them so much that they did not last more than one day in my house. Which one was my favourite? The Spicy Artichoke and Asiago Dip. On crackers or bread it was delish! I also tried out the Spicy Tzatziki and the good ol’ Spinach Dip. I was very impressed with all three.
As for hummus, I tried out the Garlic and the light flavours. The Garlic has a bit of a kick and the hubby was not up for a smooch that night 
The light is quite nice too, doesn’t come across as a “light” dip.
If you’re wanting to make something a little fancier than crackers or bread and dip, the Summer Fresh website has tons of great recipes and ideas. I’m looking forward to trying out the Avocado Hummus Brie Sandwich. Just the name of that one melts in my mouth! How about Salmon Spinach Dip Tea Sandwiches? Ok… you’ve got to check them out for yourself.
The Giveaway
Summer Fresh is giving a $10 gift certificate to be used for any Summer Fresh product to a West Coast Mama reader!
Mandatory Entry
Check out Summer Fresh and come back and tell us which dip or hummus you would love to try!
Submit one comment for the mandatory and one for each extra entry you complete.
Extra Entries
- Join the West Coast Mama Google Friend Connect.
- Become a fan of West Coast Mama on Facebook.
- Become a fan of Summer Fresh on Facebook.
- Follow @westcoastmama on Twitter and retweet this giveaway (once per day): Win some yummy Summer Fresh gourmet dips from @summerfresh & @westcoastmama http://bit.ly/hY50dm (Can) 04/25
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link.
- Comment on any one of my non-giveaway reviews, let me know which one you commented on.
- Subscribe via email.
- Subsribe via RSS.
- Grab my Button.
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We would like to thank Summer Fresh for giving us the opportunity to try out some great gourmet dips and hummus! We were not compensated for our review.
Scentsy {review & giveaway}
Unlike many other products that bring nice scents to your home, the warmer actually adds to the decor. No more hiding white, clunky, or obvious looking devices. The warmer is of very high quality and beautiful design of Mediterranean inspiration. There is a really wide range of designs so you’re sure to find one that fits your style.
I used to love the ambiance of candlelight all over my home but with the introduction of a busy toddler it just wasn’t practical, or safe anymore. Even with candles out of reach, it’s too much of a risk for me. Plus this busy Mama sometimes rushes out without double checking everything and I wouldn’t want to leave a candle burning! With my warmer I feel like I get the best of both worlds. The warmer contains a bulb but the soft light emitting from the warmer has the exact same look and feel as candlelight. Actually Mr Button was convinced it was a candle until I showed him the inside!
Easy to use? Very. Easy to set up? Yes. I’m not the most technically minded Mama and I found it refreshingly simple. The scented wax comes in a handy Scentsy Bar, made up of break-away cubes. You simply screw in the bulb, pop the plate on top, toss in a hardened wax cubes and turn on. Really. There’s even a handy on/off switch on the cord. The bulb glows, the wax slowly melts and the yummy scent starts filling the room.
Now, I know I’m sometimes put off by the cost of refills. Not a problem with the Scentsy Warmer. It’s just wax so you can keep melting over and reusing until it has all evaporated. I’ve been using the same cube for around 10 hours over the course of a week now and it’s not even close to being gone. They come in packs of 8 cubes, so you an imagine how long that would last, not to mention they are very reasonably priced. Scentsy recommend that when you’re ready to turn of the warmer you just pour the warm wax back into the Scentsy Bar container and give the plate a quick wipe. This worked perfectly and would be great if you felt like changing up the scents too. When I was in a rush I just turned off the warmer, let the wax go hard on the warmer plate and then it melted up again very nicely next time I turned it on. Low maintenance, which I love!
I tried out the Home Sweet Home Scentsy Bar. I loved this scent, it was warm and cozy and was neither harsh nor artificial. I’ve had a ton of compliments already.
All in all the Scentsy Warmer is a great investment. Easy to use, looks pretty, is very reasonable to refill/maintain and Alisa is so helpful. Would highly recommend! Contact Alisa and check out the Scentsy range on the Scentsy Website.
The Giveaway
Alisa Mabray (Scentsy Consultant) is giving a Scentsy Warmer and three scent bars (value $45) to a West Coast Mama reader!
Mandatory Entry
Check out Scentsy and come back and tell us which Warmer and what scent you would love to win!
Submit one comment for the mandatory and one for each extra entry you complete.
Extra Entries
- Join the West Coast Mama Google Friend Connect.
- Become a fan of West Coast Mama on Facebook.
- Follow @westcoastmama on Twitter and retweet this giveaway (once per day): Win a Warmer & 3 scent bars from @scentsy & @westcoastmama http://bit.ly/fWXiUr (Can & US) 04/22
- Blog about this giveaway and leave the link.
- Comment on any one of my non-giveaway reviews, let me know which one you commented on.
- Subscribe via email.
- Subsribe via RSS.
- Grab my Button.
Winners will be chosen using Random Number Generator. Winners will have 48 hours to confirm your win by email or a new winner will be chosen.
We would like to thank Scentsy for sending us the apron and for the opportunity to try a Scentsy Warmer! We were not compensated for our review.
Follow Us!
Sponsors
Sponsors
Grab our Button
Blogs we Like
Web Design by: PinkStudios.net