I have to admit something...yes another admission. As you all must know by now, I am pregnant with my 5th child. Here is the admission. In all of the 4 previous babies, I have never owned a nursing cover. NEVER. I was always a mom that used the blanket and fought with the kid under it and inevitably ended up flashing my exposed breast to the world on a daily basis. Sad but true...

So, I absolutely JUMPED at the chance to test out and review the Baby Bond Nursing Sash. I picked the Couture style to try out.

Now, with my last baby, I was able to try out a certain nursing cover out that actually made it a bit easier as I did not have to hold or balance the blanket while holding the baby-it just tied on to my neck and hung there. BUT I had some complaints, I still could not really see my baby down there buried under the covering, and I was cold-that's right cold nursing the baby. I usually pull up my shirt to nurse (occasionally the shirt is easier to pull down, but generally I end up pulling up the shirt). So, I leave my whole stomach/back area exposed and cold. This is part of the reason I chose the Couture style to review/test out.

The Couture style can be used in 2 ways. One is as a Nursing Sash where you wear it at the top and pull your shirt down. It is not bulky and does not cover the baby up, but it DOES cover you up and keep you modest! When using the sash that way, it has an opening where you can open the latch to nurse the baby.  It works like the picture at the top of this post.

The second way this style can be used is as a belly band that you essentially wrap around your belly like a belt and it keeps you covered (and warm) while you nurse when pulling your shirt up (as I typically do). 

Now, as I said, I am pregnant right now and baby is not coming until April, so I have not had the chance to try this out with an actual baby nursing yet, but I did get it out of the box and try it out. The first thing I want to not is how compact it is when rolled up-you could easily tote this around in even a small diaper bag. 

I was afraid I would have trouble figuring out how to make this work (since I have never used anything like this before), so I was very thankful for the easy step by step, simple instructions on the box AND on the tag in the band itself about how to use this as either a sash or a belly band. It took me a couple tries to figure it out, but in the end I got it.

I really like it as a belly band especially. It covers me and keeps me warm. And it is great as a Nursing Sash too since it lets you nurse your baby without lots of bulk in the way. I LOVE that on their website they say that "After All, dining is social." I SO agree with that and I really look forward to using this product with my baby when he is born in April.

BabyBond has a special for AH...Deals..Beckeesdeals readers if you want to purchase this for yourself (or for someone you know that could use it). You can get a 75% discount on the BabyBond website if you order a BabyBond on babiesrus.com. How that will work is like this:

1. You go purchase a BabyBond on babiesrus.com.

2. Email a copy of your receipt from babiesrus.com to missy@babybondnursing.com

3. She will reply with the discount code that will allow you to order another BabyBond on the BabyBond website with 75% off.

4. That will enable you to get 2 BabyBonds for less than $46.

Go check out their products/website here!




I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

There is a lot of FREE Christmas Music you can download out there right now. Here is a round up of the ones I have heard of:

First is the Music World Holiday Sampler from Amazon. Looks like a lot of great music on that one!

Next is a great one for the Country Music fan! It is 8 FREE Country Music Christmas songs from People Country Magazine. You will have to use the code: TWJWRN96WTWH to get this one, and the offer expires 1/7/11. Again, some awesome music on this one!!

AND also on Amazon, you can STILL get a FREE MP3 Download of The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree!

AND you can see a long and awesome list of other FREE CHristmas Music to down load in this post at Adventures in Savings.

Thanks Adventures in Savings.

Remember, as with EVERY Friday, today is Mega Swag Bucks day! That means more chances to earn more Swag Bucks! So, makes sure to use Swag Bucks for all your searching needs today!

If you have not joined yet, click on my referral link here and start earning Swag Bucks with me! This is a GREAT time to join-with Mega Swag bucks going on today!! As an FYI, I have gotten $130 in Amazon Gift cards so far and I have enough to get another $5 with 156 Swag bucks left. (450=$5 Amazon card).

If you are new to Swag bucks, please read my explanation of Swag bucks here. And my explanation of the changes to Swag bucks here.

WOWZA! I love when I get to join groups that give me the opportunity to try and review products AND do product giveaways for you, my loyal readers! It is an added bonus when the group is associated with products I already love! So, I can say I was completely ecstatic when I was asked to join the Carmex® Blog Squad!

I have always been a big Carmex® fan since I was young, but I really only used the tubs of original Carmex® and occasionally the tubes. I had no clue they had so many different products though! So, when I received the first item to review I was pleasantly surprised to see it was something I had not even heard of yet. I was sent 2 Carmex® Moisture Plus ultra Hydrating lip balm, one with a sheer pink tint and one with a sheer peach tint. Check them out:

First off, from a visual perspective, I loves the packaging. It seems sleek and inviting to me. I could not wait to open up the first package and test it out. Before I tell you about it though, I want to mention a few of the awesome aspects of these products. They have vitamin E & Aloe, there is sunscreen/SPF 15 included, and they are made with a slant tip. I was grateful to see the SPF listed right on the front because I have a child allergic to sunscreen and that let me know right off that he could NOT try this (you would be surprised at how often that is not easily posted on packages).

Now, I tried both of the tints out. Both tints were a bit more color than I expected. They are subtle color, but I expected it to be even less or more subtle color/tint than they are. I am still not sure how I feel about the tints. Neither of the colors really was great on my skin, neither was horrible either. So, by themselves on my lips I was a bit unsure of whether I liked the tints. However, the lipstick I use in my everyday life is very dry and I usually put a chap stick over or under it. When I used either of these tints over my lipstick, they actually looked great and each tint gave just enough of it's own color to make my lipstick look slightly different-I liked that it mixed up my colors a bit!

As far as moisturizing, these cannot be beat! My skin is overall, and my lips particularly are quite dry with the change of season going on here now. When I put these Moisture Plus lip balms on, I feel like it is bathing my lips in wonderful moisture! They really live up to their name of being ultra hydrating! I adore how they feel on my lips and kept wishing Carmex® had lotion like this so my whole body could feel like my lips do with this on! SOOOO nice!! And as an added bonus, that moisturizing feel lasted a long time. I did not find myself reapplying over and over! (By the way-I looked on their website here and found that they DO make lotion and now I cannot wait for a chance to try that out!!!)

Overall, I really liked these 2 Carmex® lip balms, though the tints were a bit too much for me and did not quite match my skin tone. However, even with the tints, I would still wear this lip balm and loved the chance to try it out!

Would you also like the chance to try it out?! You can purchase Carmex Moisture Plus Tints exclusively at Walgreens stores or online at Walgreens.com. 

OR maybe if it is your lucky day, you might win one right here!!! Carmex® has provided me with the exact same 2 items to give away to one of my readers!

Here is how to enter the Giveaway (PLEASE make sure to leave an email address in each comment so I can reach you should you win, also note this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents):

MANDATORY ENTRY (Must do this first for other entries to count): Just leave a comment, any comment on this post! (Easy as can be right?!)

Once you have done that, you can get up to 6 extra entries by doing the following things (Just make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, and leave me your email address in each comment so I know how to contact you should you win):

1. Become a Google Friend follower of my blog (You can do this over on the right side of the blog where the followers box is). If you are already a follower, just let me know that in your comment.

2. Subscribe to my blog via Email or an RSS feed/reader. (Yes-you can use this entry if you are already an email or RSS subscriber- just let me know how you subscribe to my blog).

3. Refer a friend to this blog and leave a comment after they become a follower or subscribe.

4. Become a Facebook fan of the blog here.

5. Tell me how you found this giveaway/blog.

6. Follow me on Twitter here.

This giveaway is for USA and Canada residents only.

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry with your email address. The winner will be chosen using Random.org on Thursday December 16, 2010 at about 11:59 PM Central Time.

**By way of disclosure, the makers of Carmex® contacted me and provided me with the products to review and to giveaway. No other compensation was given for this review and as always all opinions expressed are my own.**

Remember that every Friday in November, Burger King will give you a free 12 oz cup of Seattle's Best coffee if you drop in before 10:30am. No purchase necessary! (But you can add flavored shots of syrup or whipped cream for an additional charge.) One per customer per day on November 5, 12, 19, and 26. Participation may vary, so call your local Burger King to see if they are participating.

I used Random.org to generate a winner in the Pillsbury/Scrapbooking prize pack. I had 101 entries, and Random.org chose comment #33 which was Laura!

Laura said...
Our sweet Sunday morning moments are always shared on our way to sunday school. Our pastor brings donuts for us all, and we grab one on our way to class!

I have emailed Laura and she has already gotten back to me!

Below are the best prices I have found this week in Omaha for the ingredients I need for my Thanksgiving recipes. I thought I would post this in case you are looking for the same ingredients I am!

Turkey

• HyVee Young Whole Frozen Turkey $.49/lb with $25 order (Hy-Vee)
• Norbest Turkey $.47/lb with additional $25 purchase (No Frills)
• Our Family (generic) Premium Turkey $.33/lb (with additional $25 purchase) + buy any turkey on Thanksgiving week, get a coupon for $5 off your next purchase of $50 or more (Bag N Save)
• Jennie-O Turkey (frozen) $.68/lb (Baker's)
• Fresh HoneySuckle Whole Turkey $.98/lb (Baker's)
• Fastco Basted Turkey $.58/lb (Fareway)
• (Super Saver claims to have "Turkey Insurance" and that their Turkey price will be at least $.02 per pound less than the lowest advertised price of their competitors)

Mashed Potatoes

• Russet Potatoes 10 lb bag $1.49 (Aldi's)
• Butter (generic) 16 oz $2.19 (Bag N Save)

Gravy

• Swanson Broth 14 or 14.5 oz $.48 (Hy Vee)

Sage "American" Stuffing/dressing

• Stove Top Dressing 5-6 oz $.88 (with in ad coupon) (Hyvee)

Orange-Cranberry Relish/Sauce

• Ocean Spray cranberries $1.28 (Hyvee)
• Cranberries (generic) $.99 (12 oz bag) (Aldi's)
• Navel Oranges 4 lb bag $1.99 (Fareway)

XiaXia's Rolls (Below are some options in case you don't want to make from sratch!)

• King's Hawaiian Dinner Rolls $2.48 (Super Saver)
• Super Saver Dinner Rolls, white or wheat 12 ct. $.88 (Super Saver)
• Rhodes Dough 18-34.5 oz $3.69 (Bag N Save)
• Pillsbury 8 oz Crescent or 12-13 oz Cinnamon rolls $.97 (Bag N Save)

Yams/Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

• Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows 10 oz $.78 (No Frills Fresh)
• Fresh Yams $.29/lb (Bag N Save)
• Sweet Potatoes $.33/lb (sold in 3-lb bag for $.99) (Aldi's)

Ambrosia

• Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows 10 oz $.78 (No Frills Fresh)
• Dole Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges or Tropical Fruit 15-20 oz $.99 (Hy-Vee)

Jello Salad

• Jello gelatin 3 oz $.38 (Super Saver)

Olive/Pickle/cheese appetizer tray

• Best Choice Chunk Cheese 8 oz $.98 (Super Saver)
• Our Family Pickles (16 oz Sweet whole gherkins or Bread and butter chips or 24 oz dill spears) $1.69 (Bag N Save)
• Our Family Pitted Olives 6 oz $.99 (Bag N Save)
• Hy-Vee Pickles 24 oz 2/$3 (HyVee)
• Hy-Vee Green olives (selected varieties) 5.75-6 oz $1.18 (Hy-Vee)

Cheese Ball with crackers

• Nabisco Snack Crackers 7-10 oz assorted varieties $1.88 (Fareway)
• Nabisco Ritz Crackers 7.5-16 oz $1.99 (Baker's)

Cranberry Cookies

• Cranberries $.99 (12 oz bag) (Aldi's)
• Butter (generic) 16 oz $2.19 (Bag N Save)
• Nestle Morsels 11-12 oz $1.74 (Super Saver)

Pies

• Sara Lee Assorted Pies 37 oz 2/$5 (Super Saver)
• Pumpkin or Pecan Pie (fresh baked) 24 oz $4.66 (Super Saver)
• Belmont Homestyle Pecan Pie 32 oz $4.99 (Aldi's)
• Mrs Smith Pies assorted flavors 27 oz 2/$5 (Bag N Save)
• Apple Pie filling (generic) 21 oz $1.29 (Aldi's)
• Bake House (generic) Refrigerated Pie Crusts 2 count, 15 oz $1.89 (Aldi's)
• Pillsbury Pet-Ritz Frozen Pie Crusts 2/$4 (Hy Vee)
• Kraft Cool Whip 8 oz $.77 (Bag N Save)

Ham/pickle/cream cheese roll ups

• Hy-Vee Pickles 24 oz 2/$3 (HyVee)
• Our Family Pickles (16 oz Sweet whole gherkins or Bread and butter chips or 24 oz dill spears) $1.69 (Bag N Save)
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese $.69 (8 oz) (Bag N Save)

Green Bean Casserole

• Cupboard (generic) Cream of Mushroom Soup 10.5 oz can $.59 (Aldi's)
• Chef's Cupboard (generic) French Fried Onions 6 oz $1.99 (Aldi's)
• Our Family (generic) vegetables 14.5-15.25oz (includes Green beans) $.25 (No Frills Fresh)

Here are my favorite deals in Omaha grocery this week (As an added bonus, I will also be posting my Thanksgiving list and the best prices for the items I use to make my meal in another post.):

Hyvee

• HyVee Young Whole Frozen Turkey $.49/lb with $25 order
• Swanson Broth 14 or 14.5 oz $.48
• 7-Up 12 packs 4/$10 (with in ad coupon)
• French's Fried Onion 6 oz $2.97
• Dole Pineapple, Mandarin Oranges or Tropical Fruit 15-20 oz $.99
• Hy-Vee Pickles 24 oz 2/$3
• Hy-Vee Green olives (selected varieties) 5.75-6 oz $1.18
• Ocean Spray cranberies $1.28
• Stove Top Dressing 5-6 oz $.88 (with in ad coupon)
• General Mills Cereal 2/$4 (8.7-11.8 oz assorted varieties + Golden Grahams 12 oz)
• Pillsbury Pet-Ritz Frozen Pie Crusts 2/$4

No Frills Fresh

• Norbest Turkey $.47/lb with additional $25 purchase
• Our Family (generic) vegetables 14.5-15.25oz (includes Green beans) $.25
• Coke Product 12 packs 4/$11
• Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows 10 oz $.78
• Bar S Jumbo Franks $.99
• Whole Beef Brisket $1.99/lb

In addition to their regular week long special, No Frills also has a 3 Day Price Buster Sale  Friday 11/19-Sunday 11/21 that includes the following

• Lay's Potato Chips 10.5-11 oz $1.98
• RC Cola, 7 Up, or Dr Pepper 6 pack half liter bottles $1.75

Bag N Save

• Our Family (generic) Premium Turkey $.33/lb (with additional $25 purchase) + buy any turkey on Thanksgiving week, get a coupon for $5 off your next purchase of $50 or more
• Fresh Yams $.29/lb
• Celery $.37/stalk
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese $.69 (8 oz)
• Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers 12 oz $.69
• Pillsbury 8 oz Crescent or 12-13 oz Cinnamon rolls $.97
• Kraft Cool Whip 8 oz $.77
• Mrs Smith Pies assorted flavors 27 oz 2/$5
• Rhodes Dough 18-34.5 oz $3.69
• Butter (generic) 16 oz $2.19
• Our Family Pickles (16 oz Sweet whole gerkins or Bread and butter chips or 24 oz dill spears) $1.69
• Our Family Pitted Olives 6 oz $.99
• Fresh Boneless Chicken Breast $1.99/lb

Baker's (Remember their sales are almost always WITH card)

• Jennie-O Turkey (frozen) $.68/lb
• Fresh HoneySuckle Whole Turkey $.98/lb
• Nabisco Ritz Crackers 7.5-16 oz $1.99
• Coke Products 2 L $1
• Dr Pepper, 7-Up, or A&W products 2 L $.88
• Gerber 2nd Foods 3.5-7 oz $.89 

Aldi

• Cranberries $.99 (12 oz bag)
• Sweet Potatoes $.33/lb (sold in 3-lb bag for $.99)
• Chef's Cupboard (generic) Cream of Mushroom Soup 10.5 oz can $.59
• Chef's Cupboard (generic) French Fried Onions 6 oz $1.99
• Russet Potatoes 10 lb bag $1.49
• Apple Pie filling (generic) 21 oz $1.29
• Bake House (generic) Refrigerated Pie Crusts 2 count, 15 oz $1.89
• Belmont Homestyle Pecan Pie 32 oz $4.99

Super Saver

• Sara Lee Assorted Pies 37 oz 2/$5
• (generic) Frozen Vegetables 14-16 oz $.72
• Jello geletin 3 oz $.38
• Pumpkin or Pecan Pie (fresh baked) 24 oz $4.66
• King's Hawaiian Dinner Rolls $2.48
• Super Saver Dinner Rolls, white or wheat 12 ct. $.88
• Nestle Morsels 11-12 oz $1.74
• Chex cereal 12.8-14 oz $1.58
• Coke or Pepsi Product 24 packs $5.48
• Best Choice Chunk Cheese 8 oz $.98
• Northern Bath Tissue 12 double rolls bonus packs $5.88
• (Super Saver claims to have "Turkey Insurance" and that their Turkey price will be at least $.02 per pound less than the lowest advertised price of their competitors)

Fareway

• Fastco Basted Turkey $.58/lb
• Nabisco Snack Crackers 7-10 oz assorted varieties $1.88
• Navel Oranges 4 lb bag $1.99
• Capri Suns or Kool-Aid Jammers $1.89

***Remember that I generally just price match at Walmart as much as I can rather than go to all the stores separately! I LOVE being able to do that. You can also pricematch at Target, but I find it easier to pricematch at Walmart.