5 easy tips to keep the bathroom organized with kids!

If you have little kids at home, you know that the bathroom is a spot that gets trashed everyday.  I am here to share a few tips on how we try to keep our bathroom ship-shape with out 3 kiddos.

Tip 1 and 2 Rob Hooks

Tip 1: Hang robe hooks low enough for the kids to be able to hang up their towels themselves.  We hung ours over our heater so that in the winter it also acts as a towel warmer. 

Tip 2: Hang a robe hook low enough for the kids to reach to hang the hand towel. I know from experience that the towel never makes it back on to the towel rod because it was too high and the towel was always on the floor... now, it is on the hook! 

***I got my robe hooks from Unhinge.  They are super reasonable for prices, ship fast and come with quality hardware to install. They have many quality bathroom hardware for you to choose from.  We love how these hooks are helping us keep out bathroom clean in style!   Check out Unhinged Hardware here!***

Hooks in Satin Nickel

Tip 3: How to hide the toys.

I have a bin that we keep the bath toys in (I believe it was supposed to be a magazine holder).  When I have company coming over we take the whole bin and put it in the shower and close the curtain... toys gone!  

Tip 4: Where to put the extra Toilet Paper.

I don't like to keep my extra toilet paper under the sink because it is messy under there and I don't want my guests to have to search for it.  So I got a Paper Towel holder and placed it on the back of the toilet and it is a great way to stack the TP.  This way I can also see if we need to restock since it is out in the open.  I sometimes turn it into a snowman in the winter too.

Tip 5: Brush/comb Organizer

Another kitchen tool turned bathroom hack. I got this hanging basket at Ikea.  It is supposed to be used in the kitchen but it also works great in the bathroom to keep all those brushes, combs, make-up brushes up off the sink or toilet.  Easy to put in and take out of and the kids can do it too. We hang it on our towel bar.  It could also work for bath toys hanging off an extra shower rod - like this. 

What are some easy ways you keep organized in the bathroom with kids?  We would love to hear your ideas! 

***Thank you to Unhinge for providing the Robe Hooks in Satin Nickel.  All opinions are 100% honest.***

Whimsy Couture Review and Giveaway!

***This giveaway is closed!***

I have always admired Denise from Whimsy Couture.  I love her designs and her style.  Her patterns are always just the right amount of cute + Sassy!  So, I was thrilled when she asked me to do a review for one of her patterns!!

The hard part was picking which pattern to choose... she has so many amazing patterns to choose from.   After much deliberation I finally settled on the Retro Romper.  I love  that you could do it in 3 lengths (Shorts, Capri and Pants) 

Here is my version.  I picked up this green embroidered fabric for 60% off at an outlet store and it is perfect for this project!  I made the pants version first because it is still a little chilly here for spring.  But, I cannot wait to make some shorts versions for this summer!

Here it is on my sweetie of a girl!   I made the legs long since she seems to be growing out of everything I get for her. 

The pattern is easy to follow with step-by-step pictures the whole way through.  It also comes with instructions for different variations you could add (all with pictures).   It comes with a sizing chart for nb - girls 10!  The directions are very clear.  I had no problems following along and I love the end products!  I cannot wait to make more!

Whimsy Couture is also giving away a 3 pack of patterns of your choice!   There are so many pattens to choose from I know that you will find several that you will like! 

Here are some of my favorites: 

Ruffled Neckline Rompers

Twirl Knot Dress

Bubble Skirt

To enter just like Whimsy Couture on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me that you did!

Giveaway ends Friday 4/20 and is open to everyone! 

You can also save 30% off your total with the code SAVE30 in the pattern shop

Just Ducky Originals Dress Review

Just Ducky Originals makes ADORABLE custom made clothing for children!  They have their spring catalog ready and I am so lucky that I got to review one of their dresses for my daughter!

I choose to review the Reversible Sundress... because it is 2 dresses in one! 

I worked with Dana (one of their awesome costumer services reps) and she made sure that my dress came out to be perfect for my Little Sunshine!

My daughter is turning 2 this spring so I wanted a dress that she could wear at her party! 

 I love the balloon applique with the #2 we added to the front.  

You get to pick out the fabric, ribbons, and applique.  Dana was such at doll helping me make sure that everything matched just right! 

And since it is reversible... it can be her birthday party dress one day and a sweet bird dress the next!

Party girl above and play time below!

The dress is well made and I love how it turned out!  It really fits my party girl's personality!  

Here is what Just Ducky Originals has to say:

Every mom wants to doll their children up in fun, classic clothes that are hand-made as if grandma sewed them herself. Obviously, there isn’t always time for mom or grandma to sew your little one up the adorable outfits you dream of. And money is tight these days, which is why affordable, custom, quality clothes can be hard to come by. Just Ducky, an American-made, custom children’s clothing manufacturer offers a solution to finding unique, high quality garments for your little one. Just Ducky sells their creative, custom line of children’s threads throughout the U.S. using their “Home Show Program”where mothers hold trunk shows at their homes & receive discounts and rewards for their very own sweet duds. Want to know some of the benefits of being a consultant with
Just Ducky?

 * Earn cash commission and a 40% discount on your clothing purchase.

 * Just Ducky Collections include affordable cotton knit Essentials
   lines from sizes 6 months to 7/8 so every child in your house can
   look fabulous!

 * Easy-to-use training materials will help you make your Just Ducky
   Home Shows successful!

 * Consultants have access to an online design page where you can
   show your customers what specific garments will look like in
   different fabrics.

 * Last but not least, if you become an Area Consultant and manage
   other consultants you can earn both cash commission on all parties
   and a 40% discount on your clothing purchase.

 * Too busy to be a consultant but want a little “bonus?”
   You can simply host a home show and earn 10% clothing credit based
   on your sales!

For information on finding a home show near you, or to apply to host a show or be a consultant and reap the glorious rewards, check out our website: www.JustDuckyOriginals.com  Or request a catalog & spend some time choosing your most beloved baby duds. You can also “Like” Just Ducky on Facebook for all of the latest news as well as “Flash Sales” offering you sweet, discounted
lovelies at half their retail price!



 

Charlie's Soap Review and Giveaway!

These days most of us would probably say that we would prefer to use cleaning products that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. But let's face it, most of that stuff is quite expensive, and during this tough recession, we've all had to make budget cuts.

That's why I was so excited to have the opportunity to try and review Charlie's Soap. I have been making my own laundry detergent for several years because of the high cost of natural cleaning products. But not only is Charlie's Soap environmentally friendly, but the laundry detergent is actually cheaper per load than the stuff I make (as little as $0.13 per load for the 1000 load bucket)! I did the math over and over again just to make sure. And there's no need for softeners, which means even more savings! Besides the amazing price, my favorite thing about CS laundry detergent is the smell of my clean clothes. They call it unscented, but I call it "a hint of fresh." I don't like strong scents (another reason I prefer to make my own detergent), but I am in LOVE with how my clothes smell after being washed in Charlie's Soap. Also, it's excellent for cloth diapers. I am potty training 2 toddlers, and after a couple washes all the pee-smell was gone from my boys' pants and underwear. Not only did it get my clothes clean and fresh, but the inside of my washing machine was also cleaner. I was bummed when I ran out, I had to go buy more right away. And as a bonus, Charlie's Soap laundry detergent can also be used in the dishwasher! How cool is that? (For best results, Charlie's Soap recommends using their Laundry Booster & Hard Water Treatment if you have hard water).

 In addition to the laundry detergent, I also tried Charlie's Soap Kitchen and Bath cleaner. Let me just say: AMAZING. This stuff works so well at cleaning up messes and grime. I have been using it on my counter tops and appliances, and everything is sparkling clean. I also cleaned the bathroom with it, and it works great there too. As with everything they make, the Kitchen/Bath cleaner is environmentally safe, which I love. It is not only for kitchens and bathrooms though. It can be used on virtually anything. I have sprayed it on pans that have crusted-on food, and within 5 minutes the food wipes out as easily as if it had been soaking for hours. It also cleans walls, floors, hands, machine parts (yep!), and much more. When I cleaned my kitchen floor with CS, my rinse bucket was dirtier than it's ever been, which is a good thing because it means Charlie's does a BETTER job of cleaning than what I was previously using. I am one of Charlie's Soap's newest customer's. I love it.

To enter to win FREE samples of Charlies Soap visit Charlie's Soap's website and come back to tell us your favorite product.  

Want another entry?  Like them on their  Facebook page and come back to tell us!

***Giveaway ends on Sunday Feb 5th at Midnight.  Winner will be notified by email***
US RESIDENTS ONLY

This post sponsored by :

myDealCompass. No Frills Just Deals!

Come back on Friday for an AWESOME map/compass project contest hosted by myDealCompass!

Shabby Apple Dress Review and Discount code!

I love my new Shabby Apple dress!
This is my 3rd Shabby Apple dress and they are all fabulous!
{See my other reviews HERE and HERE}

I got the Da Vinci dress. I love how cute it is, yet it is jersey knit so it is completely comfortable!

Seriously... it is like wearing pajamas all day long, but you look fabulous.  It is the perfect dress for the mom on-the-go.  Throw it on over legging and you are good!  

I love the cap sleeves, the kangaroo pocket and the length.  Just my style, comfy-chic! 

I dressed it up with a scarf.. just to make it feel fancy. 

The fit is generous so you get to order a size smaller! 

Here is the Shabby Apple model in the same dress:

Shabby Apple is giving F&J readers a 10% off discount. 

Just use the code: Fireflies10off
{Code expires 2/3/12}

Shabby Apple is having a site wide (excludes the Side Saddle Line) sale right now! 

20% off  now until the end of January with the code: NEWYEAR

***Disclaimer: I was supplied with this dress free of charge, however the opinions are 100% honest and my own!  Also- I am an affiliate of Shabby Apple.***

Lifestyle Crafts Review and Discount!

I was so excited when Lifestyle Crafts ask me to review their Epic 6 die cutter and die cuts! They have some REALLY fun die cuts that can be used on paper, fabric, felt and more! It is a DIY-er's dream!

The Epic 6 is super easy to use!  It comes with directions {including pictures for visual learners like me!}  Here is a simple run down of how it works:
Place your die cut on the cutting board (the cutting board is marked on the side)Place your paper patter face down on top of the die cutPlace the cutting mat on top of the paper (also marked to which side should be up)Send it through the Epic 6

And out comes your shapes  Their die cuts work in any die cutting machine so if you already have one, you still can get their fun die cuts! 
I used the Rosettes die cut.  I love Rosettes and I am so excited to have a die cut that will make PERFECT rosettes each time! There are so many fun ways to use a rosette.

My Favorite use for rosettes right now is as a gift tag! 

I also used the Photo Easel die cuts to use as a gift tag for the grandparent gifts!  The grandma's are not going to even care what is inside the box with this cute tag.. and they can display it for all to see with the fold out easel in the back!

And these boxes are too cute to pass up!  Here is the Matchbox that is great to add a little treat inside!

And the Mini Take-out Box is ADORABLE too!

 There are so many really fun and useful die cuts over at Lifestyle Crafts you really should check them out!

All F&J readers get 20% off Lifesyle Crafts by using the code: FIREFLIES

 LiteStyle Crafts is also giving away Instax Camera, Holga Lens, & FilmCheck out all the details here!

***Disclosure: Lifestyle Crafts sent me their products to review for free, however all my opinions are 100% honest!***

 

OttlLite Craft Caddy Lamp Review AND Giveaway!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!***

When it comes to lights for crafting, brighter isn't always better. Bright light sources reveal vibrant colors but also cause a harsh glare, causing the eye muscles to squint, and headaches. Other light sources reveal high contrast so that edges of objects appear clear, but the drawback is distorted color. Also, the more intense the light, the more energy is used, generating more heat.

 OttLite is a favorite choice within the crafting community because of it’s 508 technology - which brings the quality of High Definition Natural Lighting™ indoors, providing the ideal balance of brightness and contrast. The result is reduced glare, less eyestrain, less fatigue and low heat. So what does this mean? When using OttLite lamps while crafting, you will have the ability to do what you love longer and more comfortably.

OttLite lamps allow crafters to see colors that are true to life, and details with more clarity. What’s more, OttLite products are eco-friendly and energy-efficient.

I reviewed the Craft Caddy Lamp... I love that it is easily portable to where you want to craft and has places to store all my crafty things!   This light is amazing!  It truly is easier to see what I am working on.  I also love that is has an extra outlet on the back to pug in my glue gun if I need it too!

Here it is all nestled in by my sewing machine and surger! 

All loaded up and ready to go!

Ottlite is also giving away one Craft Caddy Lamp to one F&J reader!  You know you want one! 

You must be an F&J follower to win.  Visit Ottlite and leave a comment telling me what lamp you love the best!  One entry per person.  US Residents only please.

***Ottlite supplied me with one Craft Caddy Lamp free of charge... however my opinions are always honest!***
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