Lovable Labels Giveaway for Camp and Back to School Labeling

First let me say, I love the Lovable Labels motto, "Labels that stay put because kids' stuff doesn't!"

Since my oldest child starts kindergarten in the fall, I am getting ready in a neurotic way! I want everything to be perfect! Needless to say, I was excited when I got the chance to try Lovable Labels new Splash of Color Camp Labels Pack. Since my daughter and I are huge nature lovers, the choice was easy for us and we selected the Nature Lover option. They have lots of other cute themes for your labels including sporty!

I was very impressed with the way the stickers arrived all organized into an easy to handle book with each page labeled clearly at the top with the sticker type and use. I am also very impressed with the quality of labels. Not only are they shiny and visually appealing, but they are really great quality and really stay stuck!

Ultimate Camp Pack includes:
•15 Regular Sticker Labels
•40 Slimline Sticker Labels
•72 Press n'Stick Clothing DOTS
•12 Shoe Labels
•2 Mini-Metal Tags
•12 Square Labels

I especially loved the 2 mini tags which will be great for labeling her backpack and lunchbox. They are so cute with the little ladybugs! I also love that the labels are waterproof, dishwasher safe, and laundry and dryer safe! This label pack has a different shape and size to cover all my needs! I can label everything from her notebooks to her shoes!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One lucky reader will win one ultimate camp pack of labels from Lovable Labels.

Giveaway Dates: July 1- July 16, 2010 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
To enter this Giveaway, you need to do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Lovable Labels and select your favorite camp pack
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or RSS
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in right margin
4. Like the Lovable Label Facebook page
5. Follow MWYT on Twitter and Lovable Labels on Twitter
6. Tweet or about this Giveaway:
Enter to #win Lovable Labels Camp Pack Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT @lovablelabels
7. Place my blog button on your blog or website and leave web address I can visit
8. Blog about this giveaway and include a link, leave web address I can visit (+2)

Giveaway Rules:
Open to residents of USA and Canada, age 18+ to enter. Winner selected through random.org GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Congratulations to Katie!

Lovable Labels did provide me with a camp pack to try in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

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Procrastination in the Bedroom

I am usually not a procrastinator. Shocking, I know, since nearly everyone I know is a procrastinator. However, I have been totally procrastinating on getting a headboard! In fact, I have been putting it off for years! Since it is in my bedroom, no one ever really sees it but I think I would really enjoy the way it completes the bedroom look and feel.

I have picked out some headboards that I like that would go with my current dresser. I always really loved the wrought iron ones but I am concerned out how comfortable that would be. Anyone have experience with this? Which headboard do you like the best?





I think I like the bottom ones the best. I tend to go for simple but pretty! Thanks for sharing your opinion with me on this!

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Cute Baby and Toddler Bamboo Clothes at Flying Colors Baby

Flying Colors Baby is an online retailer of fine children's clothing offering "the best new styles and fashion, season after season. With personal attention to quality, comfort, and style, each piece is handpicked to provide a splash of color and creativity into any child’s wardrobe!"

I found Flying Colors Baby because I was searching for bamboo clothing for toddlers. I had never felt or seen bamboo clothing and I was very curious about it. I had heard of the many benefits of bamboo clothing:
* Bamboo plants can grow successfully without any fertilizers or pesticides.
* Bamboo grows extremely fast - it’s the fastest growing plant on the planet. Bamboo has been known to grow 3 - 4 feet per day! Very sustainable.
* Bamboo doesn’t require a lot of water to grow.
* Bamboo plants release lots of oxygen into the air. A grove of bamboo release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees.
* Bamboo is a very earth friendly plant. It can reduce soil erosion and desertization. It can actually improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas.
* Bamboo fabric doesn’t need chlorine to bleach it and it can be dyed easily with minimal water requirements.
* Bamboo fabric dries very quickly.

I tried a Organic Bamboo Tee Shirt By Kicky Pants. I got blue because figure it will fit my daughter this year and my son next year! I am very impressed at how soft and smooth it is. It feels and looks a lot like silk to me! It is almost shiny and looks fancier than a cotton t-shirt but it wears comfortably and washes easily. When Sierra tried it on, she asked, "Can I sleep in this tonight?" "Why?" I asked. "Because it is so soft and comfy, she replied." I love my first experience with Bamboo clothing!

Flying Baby Colors Clothing also has several other bamboo clothing offerings for your baby or toddler. I am very interested in the polo as I think it would be great for their school uniform. They also have a super cute ruffle dress in long sleeve and short and comfy looking pants. If you've got a baby, you're sure to love the bamboo coveralls!









Flying Colors Baby is also having a huge clearance event right now that you may want to check out by clicking on the banner and/ or you may want to like the Flying Colors Baby Facebook page to keep with the latest sales and new products.


Flying Colors Baby did provide me with the bamboo t-shirt in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Sterling Silver Charms and Charm Bracelets from the Charm Factory

I love charm bracelets! I think it is so fun to collect different charms that have meaning to you. I remember when I first got one in the 7th grade and it was a big deal!

I just discovered the The Charm Factory and what I really love about The Charm Factory is that their charms and charm bracelets are sterling silver and they are produced here in the USA. Charm Factory charms are all free from nickel, lead and cadmium and because they are made with .925 sterling silver, the highest quality silver available, they are very shiny and beautiful.

I selected a finished sterling silver charm bracelet with crystal hearts
and it is really elegant. I like the look of the figure 8 links that are woven throughout the bracelet and I love the way that all of the charms come professionally attached so they are very secure. I also love the way it comes in a lovely protective gift box so you can unwrap a present to yourself or give it as a gift easily. Though it is finished just as it is, I have been checking out the charm selection!






I spotted these awesome custom jewerly tags charms that I would love to add to my bracelet with my children's names. Then maybe I would top it off with a Leo charm and a peace charm.




I also spotted some great gift items! They have cell phone straps so you can add charms to your cell phone. My sister-in law would love that! They also have an amazing assortment of sterling silver animal charms that I would have loved when I got my first charm bracelet! I can see myself buying those for my daughter when she gets a little older. With thousands of charms to choose from, you can easily personalize a bracelet or necklace for a great gift or a treat for yourself! Plus you get free shipping on orders over $25!



You may also want to check out the Charm Factory FaceBook page for discounts, giveaways, and new charms.


The Charm Factory did provide me with a charm bracelet in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. The opinions expressed are my own.

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How to Make Rolled Paper Beads- Fun Kids Craft

Here is a fun and easy craft for kids that my 5 year old really loved.



1. First you draw skinny triangles on paper. These will form the beads. There is no set rules on the exact size of the triangle but I would say have the base be about 3/4 of an inch and the length be about 6 inches. It works well if you have slightly thick paper. You can use construction paper and have solid beads of different colors or you can start with a patterned paper or white paper and let them color on different patterns.

2. Cut out the triangles.

3. Starting at the wide end, roll the triangles up. You can use a toothpick, chop stick, or pencil if it helps you. When you are about half way rolled, add a drop of glue and keep rolling. Then add one more drop of glue when you are almost to the tip and spread it towards the tip to hold the bead shut.



4. You can string the beads on a ribbon, or cord. We used an embroidery thread.

This can be an eco-friendly craft if you use old scrap paper or magazine pages to make the beads.

Easy and fun!

You might also like my post about how to make a birdfeeder with your kids craft.

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Potty Talk I Like!

I overheard my son and daughter talking today.

Sierra (5 years old): Do you need to go to the bathroom?
Leo (3 years old): No
Sierra: Maybe you should try anyway. That way you won't have an accident. Just try.
Leo: No
Sierra: Well, if you have to go, just stop what you are doing and run to the potty. That's what I do.
Leo: OK.

She's such a little mommy! It is good to have tips from big siblings!

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Good Science Books for Kindergarten Aged Children

I am a science major myself so I naturally encourage my children's interest in science. At this point, we largely explore it through interacting with nature. They also love doing occasional science experiments for kids- we often get ideas from her kids National Geographic magazine. I used to volunteer, in college, to do science experiments at a local elementary school. Kids love seeing how things work and I love helping them develop and explore their natural curiosity.

This is a guest post by Vicki M. Thompson on the subject.

Curiosity about science is something to develop and/or encourage in kids. As in a lot of things, an early start, specifically in kindergarten, is a great start. To get the young student having fun and interacting with science, here are some books that should point him or her the right direction or may serve as a teacher’s guide to science fair projects.

Here are 5 good books that should adequately point a young, budding scientist in the right direction:

1. The Everything Kids Science Experiments Book (Tom Robinson)

This introduces your kindergartner to the scientific method, which they'll use to conduct interesting experiments:

• role of the chlorophyll and the seasons in the life and color of leaves
• chemical reactions in cleaning pennies
• how the seesaw operates, factors that play in the colors of light
• acid rain, the seasons
• the five senses, action, and reaction

Paperback at Amazon or Adams Media Bookstore ($8.95). Also library binding ($16.95) and Kindle Edition ($8.36).

2. Hands-On Physics Experiments (Activity Book, Grades K-2, by Cherie Winner, illustrations by Gary Mohrman)

Aimed at teachers, but parents/mentors can use this to point a kindergartner to promising science fair projects. Experiments cover properties of objects and materials; position and motion of objects; and light, heat, electricity, and magnetism. The book's a bit tricky to find, but it's listed in teachersparadise.com ($10.77).

3. Einstein's Science Parties: Easy Parties for Curious Kids (Shar Levine and Allison Grafton)

Fun activities that give budding scientists good foundation. Exploring fossils (three types) and dinosaurs (different kinds) and working with experiments that can be eaten should hold their interest. Not to mention make kids' parties educational. Paperback at Amazon ($12.95), hard cover at Jossey-Bass (print on demand, 3-5 days).

4. The Everything Kids Nature Book (Kathiann M. Kowalski)

Create clouds, make waves, defy gravity. Activities to excite the outdoorsy kid. Add science to forest hikes and campouts by investigating, say, the details in coniferous forests or the moss on the forest floor; not all of science is inside a lab. Amazon carries this title ($7.95).

5. Experiments in Science: How Does It Work? (David Glover)

Boasts of experiments involving the simple circuit, wind and water forces, light and shade, and tracking sounds. After each experiment, there is useful information to help the young scientist understand the result/s. Amazon, $21.99.

While kindergarten-age kids should be encouraged to explore to feed their scientific curiosity, it’s important to keep in mind that their safety is ensured. Adult supervision is especially necessary when the experiments involve chemicals, sharp objects, and other materials that might cause injury. Guidance and encouragement should go a long way. A brilliant scientist might just be some years and science fair projects away.

You may also like to read Tips for Healthy School Lunches .

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My kids' favorite new toy and Oh! Toys Giveaway

With summer here, it is game time more than ever! My children, like all kids, love to play. Being that they are only 3 and 5 years old, game choices, especially games that I can enjoy playing with them, are limited. We recently got Zimbbo's Elephantastic Pyrmaids from Oh! Toys and it is our new favorite game!


I really love Zimbbo's Elephantastic Pyrmaids for lots of reasons. When we first got them and unpacked them we all loved the great colorful wooden blocks with the very cute designs. We also all liked the way they are grooved and stack together in a variety of ways and have a great weight and size that make them easy and fun to handle. I liked that the elephants are numbered 1-10 as I suspected this would help my 3 year old learn his numbers and it really has! It is so fun and easy and a natural part of the game that he doesn't even know he is being taught. We all love the divider bars or "balancing bars" as my daughter calls them that allow you to make more complex designs and the cute joker characters as well. My favorite part about Zimbbo's Elephantastic Pyrmaids is that I actually enjoy playing it with the kids just as much as they do because it is different each time you play.

My other favorite part about Zimbbo's Elephantastic Pyrmaids is that they love playing with it by themselves in free play mode. I can not tell you how many hours my son as spent playing with the block pieces all by himself! At first, my son and daughter would spend time stacking them in all sorts of ways. Now my son makes elaborate zoos with the Zimbbos animals. He has lots of other animals but those are the ones that occupy him.


The experts say children playing with blocks are:
* Learning how to control small muscles and how to coordinate eyes and hands to stack and balance the blocks.
* Developing mathematical concepts by sorting the blocks by size and shape and figuring out what number of blocks are needed to fill a space.
* Experimenting with fundamental principles of physics, learning to predict cause-and-effect by discovering how high the blocks can be stacked before they fall.
* Gaining self-control, independence, and self-confidence.

The Zimbbo's Elephantastic Pyrmaids game is great because it combines block play with an organized framework that helps kids learn about taking turns, reading a die, and strategizing about placement. In short, we love it!

Zimbbo's Elephantastic Pyrmaids is just one of many usual, cool wooden toys that you will find at Oh! Toys. Each toy at Oh! Toys is selected for wonderful design along with a toy's developmental and educational qualities. The owner, Ken Kahn, has a true passion for the fun and joy that toys can bring as well as the intellectual development and exercise that a toy can give and it really shows in his selection and devotion to finding quality toys.

The Oh! Toys web site is hosting a short scavenger hunt with a chance to win a $50 Gift Code to the site! The code will be awarded on July 16, 2010 to one randomly selected qualifying entry so go get your entry right now at Oh Toys Scavenger Hunt.



Oh! Toys did provide me with Zimbbo's in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Organic and Fair Trade Birch Clothing and a Reader Discount

Did you know that in the USA, one third of a pound of chemicals are used to grow enough cotton for one tee shirt?!

The elimination of exposure to these toxic chemicals for ourselves and ecosystems, is one reason Birch Clothing chooses to use organic cotton and other great fabrics like bamboo, merino, hemp, and tencel. Birch Clothing also chooses to use natural dyes or fiber reactive dyes that do not use heavy metals or other toxins and minimize the residual dye in the wastewater (unlike conventional dye). These dyes have excellent color fast properties and produce bright rich colors.

As you may have guessed, Birch Clothing is a boutique for consumers seeking to shop their values, as well as those who simply appreciate classic and contemporary styles made from high quality fabrics and materials. Birch Clothing is exceptional quality clothing and accessories all made under fair labor conditions and with sustainable fabrics and materials.

Here I am enjoying my Birch t-shirt! I love the colors and the great unisex image of the unique and beautiful Birch tree trunks. It makes me think of all my walks in the woods in New Hampshire when I was little. The t-shirt is super soft and washes well. I also really love that the sleeve has a box on it like the one you always see with all the Nutrition Information on foods, except that it is clothing facts! 0% Sweatshop Labor, 0% Pesticides Used, 0% Plastic Prints, 0% Harsh Resins, 100% Cerified Organic Cotton, 100% Water Based Inks. I thought that it was really cute but it also makes you think. Can you imagine if that was on all our clothes?

Birch Clothing Eco Fashions has offerings for the whole family as well as accessories, linens, and jewerly. Here are a few of my favorites:

Eco-Friendly Men's Cothing: Organic Cotton Men's Button Down Dress Shirt


Eco-Conscious Women's Clothing: Hemp/Tencel Coco Dress


Eco Fashion Intimates: Bamboo Crossover Bra


Eco-friendly Baby and Toddler Clothing and Accessories: Organic Salsa Skirt and Baby Leggings


Organic Cotton Onesies and Bodysuits: Organic Cotton Baby Bunting

Birch sells apparel, accessories, gifts, linens and towels that are:
* Well constructed and of contemporary design;
* Made from sustainable, earth friendly materials;
* Made under fair labor conditions.

So go ahead and be the change you want to see in the world and enjoy 20% off on one order from Birch- Style for Eco-Conscious Living. Just use promo code MWYT at check out. Offer good through June 30.

Birch Clothing did provide me with the t-shirt in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions.

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Twitter Hop Thursday: Find Interesting Tweeps Who Follow Back

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Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The
King's Court IV, Little Yaya's and Blessed, Review Retreat and Moms Wear Your Tees!

Wondering how to get more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses on Twitter? Come and join the hop!!

1. Add your Twitter URL (example http://twitter.com/MWYT) to the MckLinky. It will appear on all blogs that grab the code.

2. Click on the Twitter ID for the five hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. Please follow 1-6 so that we can follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they'll know where to follow you! The more people you follow, the more follow you back!

We have selected a Twitterer of the Week from last week’s entries and the lucky winner is Living the Scream!!! They will be in the #6 spot! We will choose next week’s winner from everyone who participated today.

Spread the word by tweeting this link! You can use the share button right below the post. You can also add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you'll see "Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code...." Have fun Twitter-Hopping along!



If you like this post, you may also be interested in How to Use Twitter as an Effective Social Media Tool.

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Fun Steps for Making a Meaningful and Memorable Keepsake Gift for Grandma

Guest post by Vicki M. Thompson. This sounds like a great project that would be fun for the kids to help out with.

To make a wonderful keepsake gift for grandma, gather up great pictures of you and grandma, choose your frame, bring out your scrap-booking materials, paste your pictures, use your painting and coloring materials, look up some of your favorite quotations or bible verses, decorate your gift, frame your work, and wrap it up.

Despite so many gifts that you can buy for your grandma on her birthday or any other special occasion, the one that will leave a lasting memory is something that you make yourself. Handcrafted keepsake gifts made straight from the heart are sure to make her feel very special and loved. Here is how to make your own keepsake gift for grandma that she will really love:

Gather up great pictures of you and grandma

Pictures are always wonderful to include in keepsake gifts. They are treasured things that everyone loves to look at every day. Gather up all the pictures you find of you and grandma: your baby pictures, your grandma’s baby pictures (if you can find some), and other family pictures. From these pictures, decide which ones you want to use. You can simply choose one of your favorite pictures with grandma or use your favorite family picture. You can also pick your favorite baby picture and your grandma’s baby picture to be put side by side. You could make a collage out of all these wonderful pictures you have gathered and make labels later on. If these pictures are precious to you, you can have these photos recopied or scanned before pasting them.

Choose the frame

To make your keepsake long-lasting, use a frame. Pick your grandma’s favorite color. You can choose a large single frame that your grandma can hang on her wall or a double frame for her side table. Large and double frames are great so you can put more on your keepsake. Do not make it too crowded. Keep it simple and cute.

Bring out scrap-booking materials

Check out whatever scrap-booking materials you can use, such as papers, ribbons, stickers, and other decorative items. Do not forget your scissors and glue. Use your scrap-booking paper as your base paper where you can paste your pictures and other decorations. Make sure your base paper fits your frame. Ask your mom or dad for with the right size. You can also put a margin on your paper to be sure the whole project fits the frame perfectly.

Paste pictures

You can now paste your pictures and arrange them any way you want. There is no wrong way to do it as long as it is not upside down. If you are planning to put on some quotes, dedications, and other decorations, make sure there is enough space on your paper. Paste your pictures carefully and do not put too much glue to keep your presentation clean.

Use painting and coloring materials

It is time to bring out your creativity. With the use of painting and coloring materials, you can add some drawings and marks on your gift. You can get really messy by pressing one of your hands in an ink pad and then on the paper, without overlapping the picture. If you are using a double frame, use one side for the picture and another for your hand print. If you are using a big frame, you can press your inked hand below the picture.

Another great idea is by writing a simple dedication to your grandma. Make it more touching by having your mom and dad write theirs, too. Use different colored inks to add more fun to your keepsake gift. A picture of your grandma may be placed at the center of your frame, surrounded by your heartfelt dedications.

Look up some of your or her favorite quotations or bible verses

If you prefer a collage of pictures or one big picture with a simple dedication, you can also choose a wonderful quotation or a bible verse to make you present more meaningful. You can use colored markers on this or you can shape and cut out letters from colored papers or old magazine pages.

Decorate your gift

After you have placed your pictures, dedications, and quotations, you can fill some empty spaces of the paper with the rest of your scrap-booking decorations. You can make use of stickers, ribbons, or colored paper cut-outs . You can also draw little pictures as fillers, especially on the corners of your paper. You can draw flowers, ribbons, balloons, cakes, and other cute things.

Frame your work

Now that you are done with your handcrafted keepsake gift, you are ready to frame it. Ask help from your parents to avoid breaking the glass of your frame and getting cuts. Make sure the back lock is properly hooked so that the picture does not fall out of place.

Wrap the gift

To add to your surprise, wrap your gift using colored papers or other interesting materials you find at home. There are also many wonderful gift-wrapping materials you can buy at gift shops. Just make sure to put your frame in a box first to ensure it does not break. Complete your gift with a lovely ribbon and a gift tag.

When your grandma opens your gift, you will be surprised to see how a fun and simple labor of love can go a long long way to making your grandma extraordinarily happy and loved.

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15 Easy Ways to Go Green AND Save Money

This post is by a guest blogger. She is the self described,"Environmentalist, Wildlife Warrior, Book Lover, Green Gal, Nature Nut, BeachcomberChristian Homeschool Mom of 2 boys on the FL coast", author of Is There A Bathroom on This Ship? Blog. Click the blog button to check out her great blog.

Think going green is too expensive? Think again. Here are 15 simple ways to go green and save green at the same time!

1. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins. A friend blessed me with a beautiful king sized sheet, but I don't have a king sized bed. I cut it into 16-inch squares and stitched the edging by hand (I don't have a sewing machine). My family has lovely cloth napkins that can be washed and used again and again. Use fabric remnants you already have or search for inexpensive fabric at thrift stores.

2. Make some of your own household cleaners. Vinegar, water, baking soda, and lemon juice work wonders for most household cleaning tasks. Check your local library for books such as Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan to find specific recipes and instructions for making many different types of cleaners.

3. Start a compost pile. It's a great way to reuse vegetable and fruit scraps, thus cutting down on the amount of trash you're sending to the landfill. Visit Composting 101 for specific information on what to compost and how. If you cannot have a compost pile where you live (i.e. you're renting, it's forbidden by community deed restrictions, wildlife such as venomous snakes make it dangerous, etc.), consider making a homemade tumbler out of a garbage bin. You'll end up with a nutrient-rich soil that's fabulous for your outdoor plants and/or garden.

4. Reuse your junk mail. Any paper without writing can be reused for making shopping lists, library lists, children's art doodling, etc. When you're finished, add it to your paper recycling bin, and take pride that you gave it a second life.

5. Wash in cold water. Yes, I said cold water. Your laundry will be effectively cleaned, and you'll save energy not using heated water (not to mention it will keep your electric/gas bill lower).

6. Hang laundry to dry. If you are able to use an outdoor clothesline, by all means harness the sun's energy to dry your laundry instead of using a dryer. Community deed restrictions, apartment/condo dwelling, weather, and other factors often make outdoor drying impossible though. In those cases, utilize your indoor space to air dry at least some of your laundry. An inexpensive garment rack or shower rod will work wonderfully. Not only will you reap the benefits of a lower electric or gas bill, but your clothing will last longer not going through the wear and tear of the dryer.

7. Support your local farmers, especially those using organic or certified natural methods. Visit Local Harvest to find farms, farmer's markets, CSA's, and co-ops in your area. Most farmer's markets do offer local produce, but many have it trucked in from hundreds of miles away - don't be afraid to ask where it's from. Buying local and in season will save you money and cut down on the amount of fossil fuels being used to transport produce to your table.

8. Give growing some of your own produce a try if you live in an area where local farms are not abundant or you really enjoy gardening. A USDA Hardiness Zone Finder for North America through search engines or search your local library for books pertaining to growing in your zone/state to help you achieve optimum results. Consider lasagna gardening as an inexpensive way to get started. Also consider checking with local bakeries for 5-gallon buckets they no longer need. Many places will give them to you for free, and they make excellent containers for growing herbs and some vegetables (be sure they food grade quality and did not previously contain any chemicals or hazardous materials).

9. Reuse your old or worn out clothing. Socks can be use for cleaning window blinds and ceiling fans. T-shirts can be turned into cleaning rags. Jeans and other clothing items can be redesigned into a rag quilt.

10. Don't use the heated dry feature on your dishwasher. Simply turn off the dishwasher at the end of the wash cycle, and leave the door ajar slightly to allow dishes to air dry.

11. Don't allow the water to run while you brush your teeth. It seems logical enough, but how many people are guilty? My husband for one! Not only will you save a precious resource, you'll cut down on your water bill if you are charged for your usage.

12. Reuse glass jars. Glass doesn't leach chemicals, so it's a far better choice for storage than plastic. Jelly jars, mayo jars, pasta sauce jars ... you name it ... are fantastic for storing dried beans, popcorn, nuts like almonds, pecans, and walnuts, dried herbs, etc.

13. Shop yard sales, thrift stores, and rummage sales as much as possible. Buying used instead of new will lessen the load on our landfills and can help reduce our dependence on petroleum.

14. Combine trips. Plan your trips to combine as many errands/stops as possible to reduce your vehicle's mileage and fuel consumption.

15. Say "no" to bottled water. Using plastic bottles of water is not eco-friendly and can compromise your health. Invest in a water purifier for your home (most are quite inexpensive), and purchase a couple of lidded glass canisters to keep filled with water in your refrigerator. You can also find stainless steel, BPA-free water bottles at prices that won't break the bank in a variety of stores such as Marshall's, TJMaxx, Target, and Walgreens.

You may also like to read Organic Coupon Sources.

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Gone Berry Picking!

I went to my mom's today to pick blueberries at a farm near her house. It was lots of fun! My kids love picking berries and I love for my kids to see where foods come from and how they grow and how they are harvested. We have blueberry bushes in our yard but they are still small and the birds always beat us to the berries.

Leo with the loot!

My grandmother is 96 so she didn't tramp along the bushes with us but she watched from the porch and enjoyed the view. My grandmother and I are very much alike and we both love to be busy!

My mom and daughter make a great berry picking pair. My mother insisted that I need twice as many berries as I thought was enough. "That's enough," I said to which she replied calmly and as if in agreement, "Yes. That's not enough at all."


Me with my mini-me and our buckets of blueberries.

You may also like to read Tips for First Time Gardening.

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Tea Collection Kids Sleepwear Giveaway

Tea Collection has stylish, high quality kids clothes for ages 0-8yrs. The brand name is inspired by tea- "Tea, the drink, is shared in nearly every culture around the world—offering inspiration, warmth and mindfulness. In the same spirit, we offer children’s fashions with the tagline “for little citizens of the world,” celebrating the beauty found in cultures around the world." It is available in more than 400 stores including Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Takashimaya, and the best boutiques throughout the US and abroad.



I saw some photos from the Tea Sleepwear Collection in Parenting Magazine and I loved their designs! Upon checking out their website, I think that their awesome patterns are part of what make them so unique. Whether it is on dress, sandals, or sleepwear, I just love the assortment of beautiful patterns such as Chrysmum Bud, and Bellflower. I was super excited to try a pair of Tea girl's pajamas and boy's pajamas.

My daughter selected Tossed Butterfly S/S Pajama Set and my son chose the Dragon and Clouds Pajama S/S Set. Both sets are so cute and very loved already. My son, who is three, had a very tough time understanding that he couldn't wear his new dragon pajamas every single night (not to mention all day). These kids PJs are close fitting, and made from a luxurious Pima cotton in a cozy knit rib. They have great detailing with matching solid color cloth around the neck and waistline. The pima cotton washes very well and feels even softer! I am glad I found Tea Collection and I look forward to trying out some of their daytime selections!


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Tea Collection is generously offering one reader their choice of one pair of girl's pajamas or boy's pajamas.

Giveaway Dates: June 21- July 13 Midnight CST

How To Enter:
To enter this Giveaway, you need to do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Tea Collection and leave a comment with which PJs you want to win
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or RSS
3. Like the Moms Wear Your Tees Blog Facebook page in right margin
4. Like the Tea Collection Facebook page
5. Follow MWYT on Twitter and TeaCollection on Twitter
6. Tweet or about this Giveaway:
Enter to #win Tea Collection Kids Sleepwear Giveaway http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT @teacollection
7. Place my blog button on your blog or website and leave web address I can visit
8. Blog about this giveaway and include a link, leave web address I can visit (+2)

Giveaway Rules:
Open to residents of USA and Canada, age 18+ to enter. Winner selected through random.org GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Congratulations to Kerri!

Tea Collection did provide me with sleepwear for my kids to try in the hopes that I would share my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

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