Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby

Cece Post: Letterpress Love

2012-01-23T23:36:00.002-05:00

There's something incredibly endearing about a hand written note. Be it a Thank You, special occasion, or simple "Hello", there is no card, in my opinion, that can compare to a thoughtfully written letter or note. Combine the art of letter writing with a perfectly sweet letterpressed notecard and you get the beauty of Cece Post.

For those who don't know, letterpress printing is the art of using an inked reverse raised surface to obtain a positive right read image or text on some form of paper. The image is literally pressed into the paper, leaving behind an inked recess. I recently had the opportunity to sample a large variety of notecards from Cece Post using this method and must say that I was more than impressed. The first thing to notice is the substantial weight of the cardstock Cece uses for her notecards. I have purchased many handcrafted paper goods over the years, but none has compared thus far. According to her web site, Cece uses 130lb Strathmore Writing Woven Ultimate Stock. A connoisseur of cardstock I am not, however, I can tell intuitively that this is the good stuff! It's clean and smooth, feels substantial in your hand, has beautifully colored edges, and makes writing a dream. The second thing to notice is Cece's magical ability to combine the fun and whimsical with the elegant and chic in her designs. I can show you much better than I can tell you, so...

Nautical Themes

Nature-Inspired Themes

Grown Up Fare

Just For Fun

...and many, many more. With Valentine's Day coming up, I'm planning to ditch the run-of-the-mill Hallmark drivel and send my Sweetie a Cece Post love note! I hope you will take a minute to stop by and take a look around at the wonderful world of letterpress over at Cece Post. If you do, be sure to sign up to receive Cece's emails first and get a free gift prior to shopping!

*Disclaimer: I received sample notecards from Cece Post for the purpose of this review. All thoughts expressed are solely my own and based on my honest experiences with this product. Information provided to me by the company has been noted in the review.

Hello, Anybody Out There?

2012-01-16T22:58:00.001-05:00

Photo Credit: Jennifer Williams (AKA: Yours Truly!)

To send New Year's wishes seems quite tardy now, but Happy New Year's nevertheless!! The holidays were wonderfully blessed in the Williams' household this year, as we had the opportunity to spend an amazing amount of time with family in Texas. The kids traveled fabulously (yes, we did the 2 day drive each way again this year!), and were able to get in lots of play dates with cousins while we were there. Mommy and Daddy even got in a few play dates as well! It took a little while to get everyone back on schedule, but we've finally done it :)

Now it's time to get back to biz. Up first is a little eye candy from the lather lab. I've been putting together some really fresh essential oil blends for Spring. The one pictured (as of yet unnamed) uses a combination of green tea, lemon, chamomile, and a touch of mint. Still waiting to be cut, but smells incredible!

I also have a review coming up for Cece Post, an incredibly talented artist whose medium is handcrafted note cards that are playful and whimsical, yet elegant. If you love the art of letter writing and appreciate the thought and sincerity that only a handwritten note can bring, you won't want to miss it!

Back in a bit...Toodles!

Candyland Couture!

2011-12-20T14:31:00.000-05:00

Be sure to stop by Green Wedding Shoes and check out this super sweet, beautifully sophisticated Candyland inspired rehearsal dinner. Here is a sneak peek at the goodies styled by the uber talented Miriam Corona Events and photographed by the keen eye of Lukas VanDyke Photography. Look closely and you'll see our very own Gingerbread Man Soap favors peeking out from the place settings and the hot cocoa bar! Cheers!!

* Photo credit: Lukas VanDyke Photography

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-08T20:46:00.001-05:00

Happy Thursday, Sweets! Just a quick note to let everyone know that we will be closed from December 15th through January 14th to spend the Holidays with family and prep for the New Year ahead. We are so thankful for the blessing that our customers have been to this business and look forward to serving you safe, soothing, luxurious bath and body treats in 2012!!

Save Now Through December 15th!

2011-12-01T17:01:00.002-05:00

Save 3 Ways On Cyber Monday!

2011-11-28T08:09:00.000-05:00

Have Your Milk & Cookies Too!

2011-11-11T16:07:00.000-05:00

Just added to the shop: Gingerbread Goat Milk Soap (CP)

Available in limited supply, we've taken freshly ground spices, mixed in a heaping helping of unrefined organic shea butter and skin nourishing oils, and blended it together with fresh, nutrient-rich goat milk...a truly decadent treat for the skin!

15% OFF Today Only!

2011-10-28T09:29:00.001-04:00

It's Friday, Baby, so let's have some fun! From now until 11:59pm EST today enjoy 15% off any Ellia C. Naturals order using discount code: FRIDAY (no minimum required!).

Run, Run As Fast As You Can...

2011-10-26T19:34:00.000-04:00

...to catch our Holiday Survival Spa Set while you can! Includes a Gingerbread Man Soap, 4oz Gingerbread Solid Sugar Scrub, 4oz Gingerbread Body Meringue, Natural Fiber Loofah, and reusable Natural Cotton Gift Bag (Fair Trade/Fair Wage). Stay ahead of the hustle and bustle this Holiday Season and pamper yourself deliciously!

Oh. My. Pumpkin. Sweetness!!

2011-10-10T17:37:00.001-04:00

Image Credit

Happy Monday, Lovelies! I stumbled across this site last month and am love, love, loving it! Darla of Bakingdom has loads of super sweet recipes, fun tutorials, and fabulous printables to share. My favorite to date? This adorable yummy How To for Cinnamon Caramel Apple Pumpkins!

Image Credit

Scroll down a little further and sink your eyes into this scrumptious play on a salted caramel...Oh my salty sweetness!! Have a great week...toodles! :)

Fresh off the Curing Rack!

2011-10-01T08:53:00.000-04:00

Goody Gumdrops Shea Butter Soap

A delicious treat for your skin and your senses!!

Attention FB Fans: Action Required

2011-09-29T22:36:00.000-04:00

Attention Lather Lovelies:

There are new changes to Facebook! For those following along with us on other social media sites, FB now controls what shows up on your news feed via their algorithm formula. This means if you post a comment or like my posts from time to time, then most likely you will see my future posts. However, if you are a silent reader and do not comment or like any of my posts you will no longer see me in your news feed (a big thanks to the very talented Jessica from Party Box Design for the info contained in this post!).
So don't forget to stop by and "Like" a post or two! Thank you ♥

Welcome, Great Pumpkin!

2011-09-13T17:26:00.002-04:00

Well, it's official...although our midwestern weather cannot seem to make up it's mind, it seems as though the rest of you are definitely ready for all things Fall! It also seems as though pumpkin, and all it's goodness, is on the brain for many of you when it comes to bath & body delights.

Thanks to my incredible customers, I've been deep in the trenches of the soapy studio whipping up sugar scrubs, lip polishes, and loads of meringue. What? Did I say meringue? That's right! Now you can get your pumpkin fix with our ultra decadent, triple whipped body meringue, as well as our edible lip polish and sugar scrub cubes. Ohhh, the deliciousness!!

Photo Credit: www.wikipedia.com

Farewell For Now

2011-09-08T10:52:00.000-04:00

We are now officially sold out of Verte until next Spring/Summer. Thanks to all of our incredible customers for making this such a popular blend this year!!

Run, Run As Fast As You Can...

2011-09-07T11:30:00.001-04:00

...you won't catch these guys because they are on their way to a super sweet Hansel & Gretel themed birthday party! BUT, hang onto your sweet tooth because the first 3 orders of the day will each receive one of these sweet & spicy treats for FREE!!

Happy Shopping!

Update: Wow, those went fast! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit the shop today and pick up some super sweet bath & body treats. Those who placed the first 3 orders have been notified via email of their good fortune and extra special treat that will accompany their orders :)

Let the Holiday Shopping Begin!

2011-09-02T09:25:00.000-04:00

September is officially here and so is our Fall/Winter line up of deliciously good for you bath & body treats.

New this year, you'll be able to indulge in your favorite products, like edible lip scrub, solid sugar cubes, Fizzypops, and more with real antioxidant rich cranberries and pumpkin!

Stop by today to indulge in the natural goodness your skin has been craving!!

A Super Sweet Makeover!

2011-08-30T17:44:00.000-04:00

Decided to give Orange Ya' Clover a new look this year. Here's a sneaky peek in the mold before putting it to bed. Fighting a serious urge to satisfy my sweet tooth right now!

Fresh off the Curing Rack!

2011-08-29T13:06:00.001-04:00

Fresh off the curing rack and ready to give you the shower your skin has been craving!

Udderly Creamy Shea Butter Soap

French Connection Complexion and Shave Bar

It's Giveaway Time!

2011-08-26T11:19:00.000-04:00

That's right, Lovelies...time to win some Ellia C. Naturals goodies! Erin at SIMPLE Reviews has posted an amazing review of our Fall/Winter Line, as well as some of our year round customer faves. Be sure to stop by today to check it out and enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Ellia C. Naturals to spend as you wish! Plus, there's a discount code for 15% off. Let the shopping begin!!

School Lunches in a Snap!

2011-08-20T23:56:00.002-04:00

Photo Credit: www.5dollardinners.com

Looking for some time saving tips for back to school lunch prep? Searching for ways to get your picky eater to engage with new foods? Need some ideas for adding a punch of fun to school lunch in general? Check out these clever but simple suggestions from 5DollarDinners! I've already picked out a few of my faves...I especially love the idea of using an inexpensive towel roll holder (pictured above) for storing all of my sandwich/cookie cutters!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2011-08-12T15:18:00.000-04:00

Well, the vacation is definitely over and we've hit the ground running since our return last week! This week was filled with meringues, foot scrubs, and FizzyPops out the wazoo, plus, I managed to squeeze in a few batches of CP soap for the fall line (yay!).

Both Festive (above) and Frost (peppermint EO) have received makeovers this year as well as some possible name changes/tweaking (to be revealed...). I've also been busy blending up loads of fresh pumpkin and coconut milk for our popular Autumn Harvest bar (nom, nom!). Of course, most of this has taken place in the wee hours of the night, as my days are committed to squeezing in as much remaining summer fun as possible with the kiddos before school starts. Needless to say, I've been back for almost 2 full weeks and feel as though I'm due for another vacation :)

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend!!

Back to Business!

2011-08-03T15:59:00.002-04:00

Greeting Cards Already?...Oh Yeah!

2011-07-22T14:25:00.000-04:00

Just popping in to say a quick hello and thank all of you for staying with me during this much needed vacation! There's still 1 more week of my hiatus left, but I wanted to touch base to tell you about an amazing opportunity from Twin Sisters this weekend on QVC.

I was recently introduced to the Twin Sisters' product line when approached about doing a review of one of their educational workbook/CD combo packs (more on that after next week, including a fabulous giveaway for you!). This weekend on QVC, Twin Sisters will be hosting a Christmas in July rebate offer through which you can receive a FREE set of 10 holiday greeting cards, 10 holiday CDs, 10 festive holiday seals, and 10 envelopes (valued at $39.99 per set) for each set of holiday cards purchased through QVC (maximum of 3 free sets).

Tomorrow morning, July 23rd, the company's President, Kim Thompson, will be on air selling Twin Sisters new 2011 holiday greeting card box sets. However, the greeting cards will be available for purchase all weekend long on QVC's web site. Each free set of cards will be from a prior year's collection (shown above), giving you even more variety this holiday season. Why not get your holiday shop on now and save big to boot?

Have a glorious weekend! We'll be back in full swing at the end of next week :)

* Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review. I will receive 1 box set of holiday cards in exchange for my assistance in promoting this sale. Details regarding the offer were provided by Twin Sisters. I have not reviewed this particular product to date. However, I have had the chance to review another Twin Sisters product with which I was genuinely pleased. I received no additional compensation for this post.

Taking a Break

2011-06-27T22:05:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder that we'll be taking a break for the next couple of weeks to enjoy time with family and re-energize for the second half of the year. Ellia C. Naturals will officially be closed during this time, though you can feel free to visit us and make your wish list of goodies for when we re-open in late July!

Wishing everyone loads of sweet and safe summer fun!

All In A Name

2011-06-20T13:24:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to LeahGoGreen@gmail.com! Your (slightly abbreviated) suggestion of "Sweet Tea" fits the smell and feel of this bar perfectly!! Please forward your preferred mailing address to me at info@elliacnaturals.com, so I can get your prize out ASAP :)

A BIG Thank You to everyone who took the time to post a suggestion. This was super fun for me (and hopefully you too!)...definitely in need of a repeat sometime. Perhaps in time for the release of the Fall line??

Have a super sweet day!!

You Name It, You WIN It!!

2011-06-10T16:04:00.001-04:00

Ok, Lovelies, I'm in search of the perfect name for my latest bar of cold processed shea butter soap and stuck in a creative block. So, I'm turning to you, my super fabulous followers, for a bit of inspiration. Up for grabs, your very own bar of this delightfully fresh blend! That's right...if your suggested name is chosen, you win some naturally decadent bath time bubbly!!

A bit about the bar:
One of our classic shea butter soaps made with a refreshing essential oil blend of fresh lemongrass, sweet lime, and juicy tangerine, blended with antioxidant rich green tea and skin soothing chamomile. This blend has an earthy sweetness with VERY subtle hints of citrus...would not necessarily pick out the citrus notes on first sniff :)

The "Name Game" will be open to U.S. residents from now until 8pm EST on June 17th. Just leave a comment with your suggestion to enter (please include your email if not attached to your profile so that I can contact you if you win!).

Thank You!

2011-05-17T09:14:00.000-04:00

A very warm Thank You to everyone who helped to make yesterday's Deal of the Day such a big success! This is going to be a very busy week in the Soapy Studio :-)

Amazing Deal of the Day!!

2011-05-16T10:58:00.001-04:00

Woot, woot! It's Monday and we're starting the week with an unbelievable Deal of the Day over at Market Mommies. Stop by today to find out how you can get $40 worth of our skin-loving, all-natural bath & body goodies for only $20!! Offer valid Monday, May 16th only. Receive $20 off orders of $40 or more using special code found HERE :-)
Happy Shopping! * Note: Offer not valid for purchase of gift certificates.

Art Time with 1-2-3! Textured Products

2011-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

Art and science projects are favorites in our household. All of the kids, regardless of age, seem to gravitate to hands on learning projects and love creating new things with even the most basic items. So, when offered the opportunity to review a textured craft from Preschool Projects' 1-2-3! Textured Products line, I jumped at the chance. The premise behind these products is to provide children with a simple medium to work on fine motor and tactile skills using a range of textural materials. Preschool Projects' mission: to nurture a child's creativity and developmental progress and facilitate a love for learning at an early age. There's nothing I love more than to find a company that produces a quality product in line with my own teaching philosophies and, even better, chooses to produce it right here in the U.S.A!

The boys are really into reptiles right now...crocodiles, alligators (you know they aren't the same thing, mom), snakes, etc., so Hissy the Alligator was a natural choice for us. Hissy measures roughly 4.75"x1" and comes with 3 packets of textured medium for decorating. I chose to do this project with my 3 youngest kiddos ranging in age from 2-5. I really loved watching the different strategies the kids used as they worked together to make Hissy his scaly best! My 2 year old took on the task of pasting Hissy onto a half sheet of construction paper which she had previously decorated with marker scribbles and circles (a mix of fine motor skill levels on par for her developmental level). My 3 year old decorated the back half of Hissy by first applying paste and then sprinkling various textural materials with a pincer grasp, while my 5 year old decorated the front by carefully placing individual pieces of the textured material where he wanted them (advanced fine motor given the size of the pieces).

The kids had a wonderful time completing this project together and have asked for more to keep in our art cabinet. One of things I love about this product is that it is compact enough to slip into a purse, diaper bag, or carry-on. Pair it with a glue stick (less mess) for a perfect activity to occupy idle hands when on-the-go!

Be sure to follow @PreschoolProj on Twitter to stay up to date on all the happenings with 1-2-3! Textured Products. Another bonus to purchasing from owner, Linda Scanlan, is that she uses some of the proceeds to provide free educational activities to schools and orphanages in Haiti.

* Disclosure: I received a craft kit, free of charge, from 1-2-3! Textured Products, for the purposes of this review. All views and opinions are my own and based on the personal experiences of my family.

Friday Food for Thought

2011-05-06T09:38:00.000-04:00

If you have a mom,

there is nowhere you are likely to go,

where a prayer

has not already been.

~ Robert Brault

Mothers hold their children's hands for a while,

but their hearts forever.

~ Anonymous

Mother Love is the fuel

that enables a normal human being

to do the impossible.

~ Marion C. Garretty

Cinco de Mayo Special!

2011-05-05T10:15:00.001-04:00

Buy 3 of our yummy, lip-licking Lip Smoothers lip balms, get 1 FREE! No coupon code required...just note your FREE selection in the Notes To Seller at checkout. Offer valid today only.

Happy Cinco de Mayo & Happy Anniversary to Vernie & Bart!!
Love you, guys!

And The Winner Is...

2011-04-30T17:19:00.000-04:00

Woot, woot...Congratulations Lindsey! You're comment, "GCF follower right here!" was selected as the winner in our Boysterous Boy Sports Action Figure Giveaway :-)

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. Be sure to stop by and visit us soon...the next giveaway will be one our very own from Ellia C. Naturals!!

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Pamper Mama with FREE Shipping!

2011-04-29T17:04:00.000-04:00

FREE Shipping within the continental U.S. going on now! No minimum order requirements, no special discount codes...just select MOTHER'S DAY under shipping options :-)

Have you seen our limited edition Mother's Day Gift Sets? Check them out HERE & be sure to order by Tuesday, May 3rd for guaranteed delivery by Mother's Day!

Friday Food for Thought

2011-04-29T12:34:00.002-04:00

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

~ The Doxology

Photo credit: hotel-online.com

Singing praises today for the fabulous mini family vacation we were blessed to be able to take with our kiddos this week. Just getting back from 3 days of non-stop water park fun at the Kalahari indoor water park and resort...and we are exhausted! We are definitely the parents of 4 little fish, two of whom would much rather control the splashing than be caught in the midst of it :-) The kids played from sun up to sun down and slept very hard each night! The wave pool was the hands down fave with a couple of choice water slides in close second for the 2 older boys (this pic doesn't do the magnitude of the park justice by far). They had fun in the arcade, caught a little mini golf under black lights, and even had the chance to pet a 5 week old baby lion named Mufasa...very cool!

I am so very thankful to be able to share these experiences with my little ones and praise God for his continued blessings! Have a fabulous weekend!!

Last Day To Enter!

2011-04-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to stop by CupcakeMag to get the scoop on all things fashionable and enter to win a $40 Gift Certificate to my shop, Ellia C. Naturals...the perfect way to pamper mom this Mother's Day!!

Giveaway ends 11 pm tonight!!

Earth Day Savings!!

2011-04-22T10:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Earth Day!

Celebrate now with some of our luxurious natural bath & body goodies...

Good for you & the environment!!

Save 15% now through Sunday (4/24) using
coupon code: EARTHDAY

2011-04-22T09:40:00.001-04:00

Thank you, Lord, for loving me, dying for me, and conquering death to free me from my sins!

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Good Friday

Sweet Fizzy Fun!

2011-04-19T16:02:00.000-04:00

Now available on our web site...Fizzypops! Dressed up in their lollie best, these little treats are perfect for party favors, teacher's gifts, or pampering yourself!

So Sweet Souffles!

2011-04-19T06:00:00.012-04:00

I adore these yummy looking Little Lemon Souffles from Martha Stewart...the perfect nibble to round out a fabulous Easter feast! Super cute, right? I'm already working on my holiday dinner time management schedule because I definitely want to give these a try this weekend. Admittedly, the idea of making a souffle always makes me a bit nervous, but these are just too stinkin' cute not to try! For anyone else who's interested, you can find the entire recipe HERE :)

* Photo credit: www.marthastewart.com

Goody, Goody Giveaway!

2011-04-18T11:43:00.001-04:00

Have you met our friends over at Cupcake Mag yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Cupcake Mag and their adorable sister blog, Cupcake Mag for Littles, will keep you in the know about what's hot in the area of all things fashionable for grown ups and their munchkins!

And now, their site is just a little sweeter with an incredible giveaway from yours truly, Ellia C. Naturals!! Stop by now for your chance to win $40 to get your shop on with our luxurious, natural products for bath and body. Plus, every reader of Cupcake Mag gets to cash in on a special discount code!!

Silly Snake Snacks!

2011-04-13T13:33:00.003-04:00

Here is a yummy nummy, super sweet, good-for-you after school or anytime snack that the kiddos will love and you can feel good about serving! I modified this adorable little guy from a great little book I picked up at Target. It's called Fun Stuff: Silly Snacks published by Publications International, Ltd. As the name suggests, it's filled with fun and silly snack ideas to get the munchkins to nosh on healthier fare.

Mr. Silly Snake is pretty self explanatory from the picture above (which is admittedly not my best work, but I could barely keep him around long enough to snap this pic before the little ones gobbled him up!). However, for those who learn best by reading, here are some quickie instructions :)

Ingredients:

2 small ripe bananas

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

10-12 medium strawberries, hulled

2 small strawberries

1 slice kiwi (optional) - * the seeds are used for the irises of the eyes in the book...I opted for a dab of decorator's icing instead :)

1. Cut bananas crosswise into 1/4 inch slices. Place in a medium bowl and toss gently with the lemon juice (to prevent browning)

2. Leave 2 medium strawberries whole. Cut the remaining berries crosswise into 1/4 inch slices.

3. Place whole strawberries on serving plates for heads. Alternate banana and strawberry slices behind the heads to form snakes. Arrange small strawberries (or the hind ends of one of the sliced berries, as I did) to form the end of the tail.

4. Cut 4 small pieces of banana for eyes (I cut a 1/8 inch round and quartered it to make eyes for 2 snakes). Arrange on snake heads. Use a toothpick to place kiwi seeds in the center of each eye, if desired (or dab with decorators icing, as I did!). You can also cut a sliver of strawberry to use as a "tongue".

Makes 2 servings

Personal Notes:
1. Ideally, you want to find strawberries with a similar diameter to your bananas. In my case, the berries that were available were mammoth size (as you can see)! Never fear, I guarantee it did not interfere with the presentation as far as the kids were concerned at all :)
2. The best part about this project is that the strawberries and bananas naturally have a "sticky" juice, so you do not have to put the slices on a skewer or toothpick (nice to avoid when serving toddlers!). However, the eyes and the sliver of "tongue" can be slippery suckers, so I recommend a dab of royal icing or decorator's frosting to hold them in place. If not available, a toothpick cut to size would do nicely, just be sure to remove prior to letting very young ones dig in!
* Recipe courtesy of Fun Stuff: Silly Snacks by Publications International, Ltd

Manhattan Toy: Boysterous Action Figures

2011-04-08T12:52:00.000-04:00

With 3 young boys in the 3-7 age range, I find myself getting more and more frustrated with the toy selections on the market today. We do not encourage or allow weapons play of any kind with our children and I am constantly frustrated by the myriad of toys today that are marketed to very young boys that contain guns, missiles, swords, machetes, and other such "accessories". Even classic toys, such as Legos (TM), are filled with them. That's one of the reasons I was so excited to have my little guys try the Boysterous Action Figures by Manhattan Toy. This exciting, innovative line of sports action figures is perfect for my fellas, all of whom love sports and physical activity of all types. The Boysterous line includes 5 sports-themed action figures as well as an awesome activity field that doubles as a carrying case.

We received Boysterous Boy Goalie Gavin and Boysterous Boy Slope Shreddin' Sean. Both figures are made of cloth but include bendable rods that run through the interior to allow for posing. They also include magnetized hands and feet that allow them to "hold" and "kick" a number of different accessories. It also allows each action figure to change between sports activities and share "equipment", which is a great feature. Gavin comes with a magnetized soccer ball and Sean comes with a metal snowboard. We also received the Extreme Sports Zone, which the boys love! It allows them to switch activities from the soccer field to the skate park to the football field and more. It also zips back together quickly to double as a handy carrying case...perfect for family outings, play dates, or just carting around the house! Another thing that I can appreciate as a parent is Manhattan Toy's attempt to offer some level of diversity with this action figure line. i was pleased to see the 5 Boysterous Boys offered in a number of hair colors and at least 2 skin tones, something I find is often overlooked by big toy manufacturers. Please note that these products are not intended for children under 3 as they contain small parts that can be considered as choking hazards and magnets, which should never be mouthed in any way.

The best part about the Boysterous Boy Action Figures is that Manhattan Toy is generously offering one lucky Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby reader a Boysterous Boy of their own!
You can enter to win by doing one or more of the following, just make sure that you leave a separate comment for each entry you select (also be sure to leave your email addy if it is not visible in your user profile, so that I can contact you if you win!):

1. Stop by Manhattan Toy and let me know which action figure you like best
2. Follow Manhattan Toy on Twitter
3. Like Manhattan Toy on Facebook
4. Follow ElliaCNaturals (that's us!) on Twitter
5. Like ElliaCNaturals (still us!) on Facebook
6. Follow Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby in Google (or let us know that you already do!)

Contest ends April 29th. Winner will be selected by Random.org. Open to U.S. residents only.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

* Disclosure: I received Boysterous Boys Action Figures/toys free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are solely based on my own experiences and those of my children. No other compensation was received.

Friday Food for Thought

2011-04-08T10:20:00.003-04:00

The difference between perseverance and obstinacy

is that one comes from a strong will,

and the other from a strong won't.

~Henry Ward Beecher

Tea For Two!

2011-04-01T17:25:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we had a faaaabulous tea party to celebrate 2 yrs. with our youngest munchkin, Miss Bean. The week has flown by filled with other things, but I finally had a chance to edit a couple of shots of the festivities.

I really love the way the centerpiece turned out (even if the pic is a bit blurry...sorry, I shot this one one handed with Bean on my hip)! I paired the bright floral arrangement with a classic Victorian-style tea pot and a beautifully ornate dark pink enamel frame, complete with a sweet pic of our happy wee ones (just out of frame...yes, I'm still weird about posting pics of the kiddos online!).

Of course, every girl must have her own signature drink, so here is Bean's...a delicately sweet Pink Palmer made with sweet green tea and tart pink lemonade. Let me just say it was a total hit, mmmmmm!!

These gorgeous little nibblers came courtesy of Crafted Cookies and were the perfect compliment to our line-up of tea party fare. Even better, they were yummy nummylicious!!

This time around I decided to keep my cupcake toppers simple but oh so elegant by using fresh edible orchids. I love how they make these scrumptious cuppies pop!!

We also had loads of delicious finger sandwiches, mini crudites, fresh blueberry scones, extra large pink fluffy marshmallows, and loads of giggles and smiles from the Birthday Girl. All in all, I'd say it was a tea fit for the Queen herself!

Get Your Spa On At Home!

2011-04-01T13:32:00.003-04:00

Introducing Verte, the latest in our line-up of popular handmade shea butter soaps. The French word for "green", Verte combines the fresh, green, earthy notes of basil and violet leaf essential oils with a harmonious combination of sweet orange, rose, and jasmine to create an aromatic spa-like blend. This tranquil bar is currently available for pre-sale and will ship on April 12th.

**All of our artisan soaps are handmade in small batches using the cold-processed method to give you the freshest, purest, most luxurious bathing experience possible. Each of our bars weighs in at a minimum of 5 hefty ounces and will easily last a month or more if allowed to dry thoroughly between uses.

Fashionably Organized with CSNStores

2011-03-29T09:49:00.001-04:00

With Spring just on the horizon, my insatiable need to organize (and

re-organize!) is in full bloom. My latest project, to find a way to organize

the media section of the basement play area, which is particularly important right now because Miss Bean is into everything! What I really need is a way to contain all of the components (cable box, learning program console, speaker, etc...) as well as the kids' educational videos in a lockable cabinet of some kind.

Having solved multiple storage challenges at CSNStores in the past, I was off to check out what they offer in terms of LCD TV stands. I quickly found some stylish possibilities, because after all, it is not just a play space, but a family entertainment area as well :-)

I love the clean lines and classic styling of both of these options!

I also found these great stackable CD/DVD holders to help keep the area behind the glass doors looking clutter-free!

Now that I've got options for media organization, it's onto taking the clutter out of the laundry room! Happy Shopping!!

* Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I will receive a gift code to CSNStores in exchange for sharing my virtual shopping experience with you. All opinions expressed are honest reflections of my own personal experiences.

Sweetness Alert!

2011-03-28T13:27:00.001-04:00

OMGoodness, can you stand the sweetness?! Check out these AMAZING Cupcake Cookies by Callye of The Sweet Adventures of SugarBelle. Callye is an incredibly talented cookie decorator who gives us a peak into her journey of new and exciting trends in baking through her blog. Her latest coup...these adorable little treats constructed wholly from sugar cookies, royal icing, and sweet nothings. Stop by HERE for her complete tutorial with step-by-step instructions and pics (looooove tutorials with lots of pics!!).

Friday Food for Thought

2011-03-25T09:27:00.000-04:00

It's nice to be important

but it's more important to be nice.

~ Anonymous

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Fabulous Fan Sale!

2011-03-21T16:59:00.000-04:00

Have you had a chance to "Like" us on Facebook yet? Stop by today and check out some of the "extras" we post there that may not make it onto the blog...there's a Sa-weet Fan Sale going on right now!!

Mommy's New Toy!

2011-03-15T09:41:00.000-04:00

I'm so over the moon with this surprise from my husband! I've been desperately wanting a more upscale camera for some time now to improve the quality of both my product photos and our kids' action shots during sporting events. My Canon PowerShot is fine for quick pics on the go, but it just can't deliver the depth and artistic feel I want for my products and definitely can't get the money shot during live action.

Enter the Nikon D90...I'm really looking forward to learning about all of the cool features associated with this camera, but alas, I am truly a novice photographer at best right now and am afraid I have my work cut out for me. Fortunately, it comes with some fantastic "auto" features designed specifically for my lack of expertise! The other great thing is I was able to get a fabulous bundle at a super price. The package came with the camera, 2 (yes 2!) zoom lenses, a camera bag filled with pockets and dividers for all of my gadgets (love!), a 4GB memory card, rechargeable battery, charger, and an "Understanding Digital Photography" DVD (big score for me who has much to learn!). Even better yet, it was $200 off plus an extra mail-in rebate!!

I apologize in advance if I go on a little photo-spree for the next little while, but I just can't wait to start playing...um, working with my new favorite toy!

SpellQuizzer Review

2011-03-11T23:19:00.001-05:00

Over the years, I've been amazed at the verbal skills of our 4 young children. They all talked early and rapidly developed expansive vocabularies. Now that my oldest is in First Grade and in the throws of spelling tests and vocabulary drills, I am happy to say that he continues to excel. In fact, he quite often gets bored with the run-of-the-mill curriculum presented to him in the classroom. I find myself constantly needing to do enrichment activities with him in order to hold his interest, which can be a challenge. Therefore, I was thrilled when offered the opportunity to review the SpellQuizzer program.

SpellQuizzer is an interactive spelling program produced by TedCo Software. It is incredibly user friendly for both the parent/teacher and child and includes fun features like the ability to voice record vocabulary words and sentences (how cool is that?). This is a great resource for children in traditional classrooms and homeschool programs alike due to the large degree of flexibility built into it. One of my favorite features is the ability to import any spelling list you want, giving you the ability to choose from pre-composed lists or create your own. The program even comes with its own lists that are ready for you to download.

There is a built-in spell checker that recognizes both US and UK spellings and a function that automatically re-quizzes your child on any words he has missed once the first pass through the list is completed. Once a list is entered, you still have the option to edit, which I love. My little guy has a memory like you wouldn't believe, so the ability to change word order or throw in a new word here and there throughout the week is priceless (he's very good at memorizing in sequence!). As an added bonus, this is a computer program, which means a little more computer time for my son (a big incentive in convincing him to get a little extra practice in on the words!).

SpellQuizzer offers a FREE 30 day trial if you want to test it out first (gotta love that!). You can also buy the program HERE for only $29.95. Be sure to look for SpellQuizzer on Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch for updates and much more!

* This is a Mama Buzz review. I was provided with a copy of SpellQuizzer for the purposes of this review. All opinions expressed are honest and based on my personal experience with this software. No other compensation was received for this review.

A Soapy Sweet Deal!

2011-03-11T12:55:00.001-05:00

This Weekend Only:

Get a FREE Lather Lollie with every order of $20 or more!

No coupon code needed. FREE Lather Lollie will be chosen at random by ElliaCNaturals from our yummy collection. Offer applies to pre-tax order total and is open to U. S. residents only. Offer ends 11:59pm EST on 3/13/11.

Friday Food for Thought

2011-03-11T11:12:00.001-05:00

If we had no Winter,

the Spring would not be so pleasant.

If we did not sometimes taste of adversity,

prosperity would not be so welcome.

~ Anne Bradstreet

Yesterday was rainy with no spot of snow on the ground. This is the view of our backyard today. Come on Spring, bring on the prosperity!!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

A Little Eye Candy!

2011-03-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Lemon Pucker, Sassy Pants, & Rainbow Splash Lather Lollies

Have a super sweet day!!

Friday Food for Thought

2011-03-04T09:07:00.000-05:00

Faith isn't faith

until it's all

you're holding on to...

~ Anonymous

Snow Day Savings @ ElliaCNaturals!

2011-02-25T14:13:00.000-05:00

Help me turn this frown upside down and make this snow day fun for everyone!

Today only: Save 20% on all orders of $15 or more from

Ellia C. Naturals using discount code: SNOWDAY at checkout.

Happy Friday!!

Friday Food for Thought

2011-02-25T08:35:00.001-05:00

When it snows

it pours!

~ Twist on a classic by Moi!

(so ready for Spring!!)

Happy Friday, Lovelies!

Friday Food for Thought

2011-02-18T17:28:00.000-05:00

Stupid is

as stupid does.

~ Forrest Gump

* Sometimes, you just have to keep it simple! Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend!!

Spreading the Love!

2011-02-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweets!

Wishing you all a lifetime filled with love, joy, and happiness!

Valentine's Printable from Bird's Party Blog

2011-02-08T12:47:00.001-05:00

Be sure to stop by and visit our friends over at Bird's Party Blog and get this super cute FREE printable Valentine's Bingo Game! Perfect for entertaining the munchkins at home, sharing at a class Valentine's Party, or playing at your own festive get together!!

God Gave Us The World

2011-02-02T11:10:00.000-05:00

Reading is an extremely important past time in our house and I'm always on the lookout for quality material to add to our ever growing collection of books. I recently had the opportunity to review a wonderful piece written by Lisa Tawn Bergren. God Gave Us the World is a book filled with Biblical principles, child-friendly prose, and a celebration of diversity. The story centers around Little Cub and her mother as they visit a museum filled with exhibits celebrating bears from around the globe. As Little Cub contemplates the many differences she sees, she begins to wonder why so many of the bears are so vastly different from her. Her mother explains that, as the creator of this world, God chose to fill it with incredible diversity so that we would understand both how amazing He truly is and the scope of His love for us. The unique celebration of differences we see in the world shows us the extent of His power and provides us with unending beauty to appreciate during our time here.

I was particularly impressed with the author's ability to discuss such an expansive topic in a very child-friendly way, touching on everything from geography, to physical characteristics, to individual likes and dislikes. She does a very good job of implying that these differences are to be celebrated and can make for strong and lasting friendships. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical and perfectly suited for this story. All 4 of my children (from almost 7 to almost 2 yrs.) enjoyed this book and have requested it numerous times since our first reading. I have also used it in our collection of works for my 1st grader's reading practice.

You can purchase God Gave Us the World for $10.99 from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. You can also stop by and visit them on Facebook :-)

* Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of this review. All views expressed are based on my own honest experience with this book.

The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari

2011-02-01T14:29:00.000-05:00

In case you are not already familiar with them, Roger the turtle and Padraig the dragon are two imaginative young reptiles always on the lookout for fun and adventure. The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari is the latest book in the popular series by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark. In it, we find the two friends on a over night adventure in the great outdoors. Determined to spend the entire night outside and with imaginations running wild, the friends look deep inside to find the courage needed to face the mysterious creatures that lurk at the base of the famed Mount Sillymanborrow.

My little guys were enthralled by the imagery evoked through the author's use of silly names, word play, and friendly banter. They even decided to add on to the story with other adventures they imagined the two friends would have together. It took them just a minute to realize that Roger and Padraig were not, in fact, on an African safari, rather on a fantastic adventure in their own backyard. Once they did, I could see their wheels spinning and knew they were each planning some incredible backyard camping trip of their own for this summer! My boys are (almost) 7, 5, and 3 and they all really enjoyed this book. I think some of the imagery was lost on my 3 year old, but with very basic explanations, he understood that this was a make believe adventure being played out in the backyard.

I must add that I adore the illustrations in this book! They are colorful and imaginative and play a large role in helping the reader determine the difference between fantasy and reality in this fun adventure.

You can purchase The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari for $11.99 from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Be sure to stop by and check them out on Facebook.

*Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, for the purpose of this review. The views expressed are my honest opinions based on the experience of me and my children.

Valentine Treats!

2011-01-31T13:12:00.000-05:00

Be sure to stop by and check out all of our limited edition Valentine Treats. The perfect way to say I Love You to your skin!!

The Perfect Way To Say I Love You

2011-01-28T23:31:00.000-05:00

*On Sale Now*

The perfect way to say "I Love You" to your skin this Valentine's Day!

From The Heart Nourishing Clay Soap

2.5-3 oz ea.

An Exciting Progression!

2011-01-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

We are excited to announce that

Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby Boutique
has merged with our sister site, ElliaCNaturals!

Please visit us at our newly remodeled digs! http://www.elliacnaturals.com

Friday Food for Thought

2011-01-21T08:37:00.002-05:00

Make the most

of being yourself

for that is all

there is of you.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

From the Heart Nourishing Clay Soap

2011-01-20T12:58:00.000-05:00

Here is my spin on a wonderful heart shaped sea salt bar tutorial by Helen of Triage From Home. I love the way these little cuties turned out! These limited edition cold processed bars include all of the skin loving butters and oils of my other shea butter soaps with the added benefits of Pink Kaolin Clay, Dead Sea Salt, bergamot, and chamomile.

Pink Kaolin Clay is thought to stimulate circulation and provide gentle exfoliation without drawing oils from the skin. It is very mild, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Dead Sea Salt has a high concentration of minerals, such as magnesium, bromine, potassium, and calcium, which are hailed for their superior cleansing and detoxifying properties. When applied topically, they are also thought to impart nourishing and softening benefits to the skin. Bergamot is an uplifting essential oil thought to revitalize and reduce tension. Finally, chamomile has long been used topically to soothe skin irritations and promote regeneration of skin cell tissue.

I have a limited number of these bars that will be available in the next 2 weeks, just in time for Valentine's Day :-) They weigh in b/w 2.5-3.0 oz. each and will retail for just $3.50 per bar!

Best Parent Bloggers of Ohio!

2011-01-18T23:03:00.000-05:00

A BIG Thank You to Angela of Mom Trusted for including me in her list of Best Parent Blogs in Ohio! I am thrilled to be in such wonderful company with such amazing fellow mama bloggers. Please be sure to stop by and show Angela and her very informative blog some love :-)

RelaxZen Day & Night {Review}

2011-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Managing a busy household with 4 very active and inquisitive little ones can definitely take its toll on ones energy level from time to time. Couple that with nurturing a growing young business (much of which happens late at night when the house is finally quiet), and it's no wonder I feel like I've been hit by a Mack truck every now and then! Even after a busy day, when the house is quiet and I can finally climb into my cozy bed, I find my mind spinning with thoughts of everything that needs to get done the next day.

RelaxZen has created a product line that is designed to help manage energy levels throughout the day while allegedly promoting increased focus and balance in your mood. **Please note that I am not making any nutritional or medical claims regarding this product. In fact, I always recommend seeking the advice of a licensed, trusted health care provider before using any and all supplements (whether over the counter or prescription). That being said, I have had the opportunity to try both RelaxZen Day & Night for myself and am happy to share my experiences with you.

RelaxZen Day is designed to reduce the feelings of stress and fatigue while increasing alertness and improving overall mood. The primary energy boosters are a heaping helping of B vitamins (B6, B12), passion flower extract, and acai extract. According to the nutritional label, this product contains no carbohydrates, including sugar, and the ingredient list does not note the inclusion of any artificial sweeteners. Each bottle contains 2.5 fl. oz. of slightly thick, sweet, fruity liquid, though not nearly as disgustingly sweet as many energy drinks on the market. I had pulled a very late night the day before using this product, and I will admit that I did feel a little spark of "relaxed energy" for a couple of hours (not jittery, just a calm that allowed me to keep moving despite a lack of sleep the night before). I made sure not to indulge in a yummy latte on this particular morning to better examine the effectiveness of the product. I am happy to report that I did not experience any form of energy "crash" later in the day, as can so often occur with coffee-related caffeine loading and typical "energy drinks".

RelaxZen Night is designed to do many of the same things as the Day formula, but includes soothing chamomile extract and B5. I chose to test it out on a day where I purposely structured things to allow me to get to bed at a reasonable hour. I drank the bottle (again, 2.5 fl. oz.) about an hour before I planned to hit the pillow. The taste was very similar to the Day formula, though the consistency was a bit more watered down. By the time I was ready for bed, I felt good. Not overly concerned with what would need done the next day, though I did still go through my mental check list for about 10 minutes before finally drifting off.

My Overall Impression: Using these products one time each certainly did not provide a miraculous result that would have me shouting from the roof tops, but in all fairness, I do not believe that is the intention. I will say that I did not feel any ill effects from the products and did experience a certain subtle "calm" when testing them. Whether that was a direct effect of the product or a placebo effect based on my hopes for its performance is hard to judge.

RelaxZen Day & Night can be purchased at various retailers, including Thirstmonger.com where you can use the code SMILE to receive 10% off plus FREE shipping through January 31, 2011. You can stop by and "Like" RelaxZen Shots on Facebook or follow @RelaxZen on Twitter.

* Disclaimer: I received 1 sample each of RelaxZen Day & Night for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. The views expressed are honest and based on my own experiences with these products. This post is not intended to be construed as medical advice in any way. You should always seek the advice of a licensed health care professional before using any supplement.

Bountiful Bubbles!

2011-01-12T23:48:00.000-05:00

Looking for a great way to sample luxurious cold processed soaps before committing to a full-sized bar? Try our Bountiful Bubbles Gift Set! You'll get your choice of 3 of our decadent shea butter soaps, a natural/unstained wooden soap deck (essential for proper drainage and getting the longest life out of your bar soap), and a natural fiber loofah. Perfect for gift giving or stealing away for yourself!

Just a Quick Note

2011-01-11T16:40:00.000-05:00

Just popping in to apologize for being a blogging slacker lately. So far, this month has been filled with restocking bath & body favorites, plugging ahead with the Spring Line, and of course, decreasing any remaining inventory of Holiday bath & body treats. Be sure to stop by and check us out on Facebook...we've been having some killer deals on Holiday goodies and FB only Grab Bags!

Glee Gum Winner!

2011-01-09T23:15:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to CT Mom! Your comment was selected by Random.org as the winner in our "Make You Own Kit" Giveaway from Glee Gum.

Thank you to all who entered! This will be an exciting year for Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby, with some wonderful changes in the works. I really appreciate all of you for following along and hope that you thoroughly enjoy the time you choose to spend with me :)

I Joined The Village!

2011-01-06T16:55:00.000-05:00

I am so pleased to announce that Ellia C. Naturals is now a proud member of Sampler Village. What a clever idea! Now you can sample loads of fabulous handmade goodies from talented artisans far and wide without having to spend a fortune. Items included in each sample pack can include candles/wax tarts, bath & body treats, soaps, jewelry, paper goods, perfumes, candies and more.

A big Thank You to Traci of Sampler Village for inviting me to be a part of your super sweet Sampler Boxes!

Giveaway: Make Your Own Gummies From Scratch! (Extended to Jan. 8th)

2011-01-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

This giveaway has been extended until Jan. 8, 2011 to give those of you who were away for the Holidays a chance to enter :)
My 2 oldest boys are at ages where they love to do basic science experiments: acid/base reactions, exploring color changes, making prisms and soft crystals, studying evaporation/condensation, etc...So, when given the opportunity to make our very own gummy candies from scratch using all-natural ingredients, I jumped at the chance.

Glee Gum is an all-natural, gluten, dairy, soy, and nut-free chewing gum that is made without preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or artificial sweeteners. It's made right here in the U.S. using an old fashioned process with chicle. In addition to their natural chewing gum, the makers of Glee Gum have expanded their product line to include 3 child-friendly Glee Kits: Make Your Own Chewing Gum, Make Your Own Gummy Candy, and Make Your Own Chocolate.

The boys decided to try the Make Your Own Gummy Candy Kit, in part because of their fondness for Gummy Bears (TM), and in part because they were curious about the notion of using seaweed to make candy! This particular kit uses the natural gelling ingredients of carrageenan and agar found in seaweed, rather than gelatin. The seaweed provided comes in two forms, powdered and a dried/sterilized piece of seaweed that is soaked in water to extract the gelling agents. The kit comes with an informative story about the world's oceans and the people living in coastal communities who grow and process seaweed.

We decided to use (well cleaned) household drinking straws to make "gummy worm" molds in our vegetable (molding) starch. After extracting the gelling components from the dried seaweed, we combined everything as instructed and watched the transformation of our liquid mixture into yummy gummies. The boys though it was "cool" that seaweed could be used for something other than squishing between your toes at the beach and thought it was even more "awesome" that they were able to eat the results of their science experiment :) The directions were very easy to follow and I thought it was the perfect kit for kids in the 5-8yr. age range (I'm sure older kids would find it interesting as well, but in terms of level of difficulty, it is more fitting for the young primary school age range). The texture of the gummies was not as chewy as traditional store bought candies and the sugar content is still quite high (as expected), but I liked knowing that the sweet treats they were eating were made from natural ingredients with which I am familiar and can pronounce! The boys gave them a thumbs up for taste and they didn't seem to mind the texture, though they did say they were a little more "squishy" than "gummy". Overall, I think this kit provided a wonderful learning experience and allowed the boys to see an amazing transformation using ingredients available to us in nature.

Buy Your Own: Glee Gum and the series of "Make Your Own" Kits can be purchased HERE for $10-13, depending on your selection. There are also a number of accessories, such Glee Gum Dispensers and clothing.

Win It: The makers of Glee Gum have generously offered to give one Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby reader a "Make Your Own" Kit of your choice! Choose from the Chewing Gum Kit, Gummy Candy Kit, or Chocolate Kit.

To Enter: Simply stop by Glee Gum and take a look around. Then, come back here and tell me which kit you would love to try.

For extra entries, do any or all of the following and leave a comment letting me know for each. Make sure to leave your email address if not visible in your profile so I can let you know if you win:

1. Follow my blog with google friend connect
2. Follow me on Twitter and leave me your twitter id
3. Tweet about this giveaway mentioning @ElliaCNaturals and leave the link (once per day)
4. Like Ellia C. Naturals on Facebook (our all-natural bath & body shop) and leave your FB id
4. Blog about this giveaway or post it on your sidebar
5. Grab my button and place it on your blog

Giveaway ends ~~December 31st~~ January 8, 2011. Open to U.S. residents. Winner selected by www.random.org. Winner will have 72 hrs. to respond to email notification or alternate winner will be selected.

Disclosure: I was provided with a Make Your Own Gummy Candy Kit for the purposes of this review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and based on my personal experience with this product. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.

Holiday Vacation

2010-12-17T12:45:00.000-05:00

Just a friendly reminder that we'll be closing up shop beginning tomorrow for a much needed holiday with family :) All orders received from Dec. 18th - Jan. 2nd will promptly be processed upon our return on Jan. 3rd. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

Just in Time for Christmas!

2010-12-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

Just a friendly reminder that today is the last day to order for guaranteed delivery by Christmas!

Pillow Pets for Less!

2010-12-06T14:41:00.001-05:00

If you're like me, you've got someone special (or 4 someones in my case!) with one of these fluffy friends on their holiday wish list. And, as always, because they are so hot, no one is having a sale on them...well not entirely true. The official Pillow Pet site is currently offering them for $15.95, which is $4 off of their advertised retail price of $19.95. However, you still have to pay $5.95 in p&h, which puts you right back around the $19.99 that local stores are charging for them.

Just when all hope was lost for a bargain, I have a little Holiday Cheer to spread for my deal lovin' mamas (and daddys!) out there. Grab your Pillow Pet from Bed, Bath, & Beyond, add one of their timely $5 off coupons, and you really can get these babies for $14.99 (normally $19.99 at BB&B). Have an out of date coupon burning a hole in your pocket? Never fear, BB&B will still honor it (though they are slowly going to start honoring expiration dates in the future). Tried this first hand myself over the weekend and scored one for each of my 4 littles for only $14.99 ea. Did I mention that you can use 1 coupon per item...not 1 per transaction like some chains...bonus!

Friday Food for Thought

2010-12-03T12:03:00.000-05:00

The customer

is always right

and

nice guys don't

always have to finish last!

~ Marshall Field & a re-interpretation by Moi!

Happy Holidays!

Oh My Cupcake Heaven!

2010-12-01T12:32:00.000-05:00

I do believe I've found the perfect compliment to my holiday teacher's gifts thanks to Our Best Bites. Check out these decadent Peppermint Fudge Cupcake Jars!

I can't help but salivate over that layer of ganache, tucked neatly between the creamy frosting and moist, rich cake!

*Photos property of www.ourbestbites.com

Ellia C. Naturals Giveaway!

2010-11-30T13:54:00.001-05:00

Be sure to stop by Life On The Mom List to see the super cute bachelorette party favors I created for Alana and get your chance to win your very own set of goodies!

Up for grabs:

1 Lemon Lavender Soap Pop (pink/white)

2 Lemon Lavender Herbal Tub Tea Sachets

1 oz. Travel Size of Lemon Lavender Mama Meringue

You'll also get a chance to read Alana's hilarious re-cap of her party planning woes...definitely worth reading!

'Tis The Season For Shopping CSN Stores!

2010-11-30T00:08:00.003-05:00

With more and more online venues offering fabulous holiday savings, it's now easier than ever to complete your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home. Armed with jammies, fuzzy slippers, and a hot latte (with extra whip!), I decided to check in with one of my go-to sites, CSN Stores, to see what's hot this Holiday Season. With over 200 stores, it's easy to find a little something for everyone's wish list.

A sophisticated suede briefcase for the office.

A delicious cotton candy machine for the party fanatic.

A nostalgic retro kitchen for the budding chef.

A pair of stylish leather boots (or faux, depending on your preference) for the shoe lover!

With a variety of super sales going on throughout the Holidays, CSN Stores can help make your shopping a breeze!

*Disclaimer: These opinions are solely my own based on my personal experiences with CSN Stores and may vary from others. CSN Stores will be providing me with a gift card for writing this post.

2010 Best Handmade Gifts for Women!

2010-11-29T10:18:00.000-05:00

A big Thank You to Missy of The Marketing Mama for naming our Goody Gumdrops cold processed soap as 1 of 2010's Best Handmade Gifts for Women!

Stop by and pick one up for someone special on your Holiday list today!

10% Off Now Through Monday!

2010-11-27T14:06:00.002-05:00

Now through Monday, enjoy 10% off all Ellia C. Naturals products using discount code: CYBERWEEKEND!

Black Friday Super Cyber Sale!

2010-11-26T12:54:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to stop by today and check out the Super Cyber Deals at Ellia C. Naturals! Combine your savings with our exclusive Newsletter coupon for an even greater deal!!

How to Carve Your Thanksgiving Turkey

2010-11-24T14:23:00.000-05:00

Ever wondered how to get a perfect looking platter of turkey for your Thanksgiving holiday table? It's all in the carving! Here are some handy tips, compliments of Saveur Magazine, to help you create the perfect presentation.

1. Steadying the turkey with a carving fork, remove the leg at its joint with a sharp knife; separate the drumstick from the thigh.

2. Slice the thigh into strips parallel to the bone; slice the drumstick while holding it upright.

3. Remove the wing at its joint (you may have to dig a little).

4. Make a long horizontal cut at the bottom of the breast (this will allow the breast meat to fall away easily when sliced).

5. Using an even, downward stroking motion, cut the breast into slices.

6. Repeat with the turkey's other side; arrange slices neatly on a serving platter.

Wishing you all a Blessed & Happy Thanksgiving!

* All images and instructions compliments of www.saveur.com

$250 Giveaway From GameStop!

2010-11-22T09:55:00.001-05:00

Looking for the pièce de résistance of Holiday giveaways this season? Well hold onto your hats because TodaysMama and GameStop are giving us a chance to win some insanely cool prizes (happy dance time)!

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you (squeals of holiday delight!!).

1. What is your holiday wish for your family? That we are all grateful of our blessings and that we pass on a blessing to another family in need.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition? We usually travel to TX to visit family for the holiday and often wake in a hotel for the last leg of our trip on Christmas morning. We cuddle up in bed, have a wrestling match or 2, put on a holiday cartoon, and fill our bellies with pancakes before heading out for the rest of the road trip :)

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be? My practical side says a house cleaning service for a year! However, if I'm being truly decadent, I would say a 2 week vacay to Figi with white glove service in a cute little villa on the water :)

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money? We have lots of family traditions. We bake Holiday cookies, make a gingerbread house, count down the days with our Advent House and Christmas Helper (similar to Elf on a Shelf), and sip hot cocoa in front of the lit Christmas tree with the room lights off...love, love, love!

5. What games did you play with your family growing up? Rook, PIT, UNO, Rack-O, Spades

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood? Even though we live far away, Christmas with family is still top priority. We make the trip from OH to TX every year yo carry on this most important tradition!

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip? I would love to show my children Christmas in New York...so beautiful and nostalgic!

8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year? A PS3 for hubs (who touts its use as an "entire entertainment station" over its simple gaming feature...uh, yeah!), a Wii for everyone (ours, ahem, was broken a few months back), and some of their awesome sports games to go with it :)

Be sure to stop by today and enter for your chance to win!

Black Friday Goodies...Today!

2010-11-20T19:19:00.000-05:00

Black Friday came early for me this year, and I am thrilled! Every year I gear up for the rush of great bargains to be had on Black Friday, and I usually make out pretty well. My kids are just getting to the ages where they have true preferences when it comes to their gifts, so in years past, my Black Friday escapades were primarily for items for the house or adult gift-giving. Last year I learned that it's a whole different ballgame when you get into Black Friday toys. People can be ruthless! So much for manners and pleasantries...if you aren't careful, you can spend more time watching your back than the deals on the shelves you happen to be passing.

Needless to say, I am still planning to brave the madness next Friday, but I scored a couple of fabulous deals today that I just had to share!

First up, for Miss Bean, we have Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Blu Ray & DVD (combo pack) for $9.99...yes, $9.99! This set is listed at Target (and other like retailers) for $29.99. I found a $10 off coupon on Disney Movie Rewards (which I highly recommend joining - for free - if you have kiddos in the Disney movie age ranges). I also had a Target coupon for $5 off any Blu Ray listed at $16.99 or more from the 11/21/10 Target circular. Armed with my handy coupons, I was ready to pay $14.99 at checkout, but much to my surprise, when the clerk scanned everything, the Target coupon alone reduced the price to $19.99, followed by my $10 manufacturer's coupon for a total of $9.99. Super score (remember, this is for the Blu Ray/DVD combo and I got it for $10 less than the MSRP of the DVD alone)!

Next up, 2 great activity storybooks for Sweet Face's Tag Reader...Toy Story 3 and Pixar Pals Puzzle Time. And the best part, I didn't have to do a thing! Regularly priced at Target for $13.99, I scored these gems for $9.99 a piece (in store sale). Not too shabby for just showing up at the store today :)

I also picked up a couple of board games, armed with some handy coupons compliments of www.target.com, and a couple of storybooks for the kids. Then, it was off to the grocery store. I usually like to go fresh to the fryer with our turkey (yes, we fry our turkey every year and it is super moist and oh so delicious!). However, fewer places seem to be carrying fresh this year, so rather than hoof it out to no man's land the day before Thanksgiving, I decided to buy frozen. Which leads me to my final deal of the day...

This mama landed a 19 1/2 pound bird for $9.50!! A big Thank You to Giant Eagle for an incredible sale that will keep our little bellies fat for many meals and left over creations!

An early Happy Thanksgiving to you all! What deals have you scored in the pursuit of merriment?

Oh My Cupcakes!

2010-11-19T12:39:00.000-05:00

New to the Ellia C. Naturals lather line-up...made to order Cupcake Soaps! We're baking these sweet treats up daily, so be sure to stop by and check out our lip-licious list of flavors. Perfect for stuffing those Holiday stockings!!

New Items On Sale!!

2010-11-19T00:45:00.000-05:00

Beat the Black Friday rush and get in on some incredible deals now! Visit our Sales link for some yummy nummy stocking stuffers!

Win Goodies From Ellia C. Naturals!

2010-11-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

Be sure to stop by and visit the super sweet Tracy, of Sweet Harper fame. She's currently hosting Sweet Harper Holidays filled with oodles of goodies from an uber talented selection of small biz mamas, like Monkey Toes Shoes, Bundled, The Playful Table, Bugaboo, JensenHaus Designs, and more!

Take a lookey today and get in on your chance to win a Slice-O-Suds Gift Set & $15 Gift Certificate to

Ellia C. Naturals!

The Sweet Smell of Scentsy {Review}

2010-11-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

I love the smell of a fabulous candle with a great throw (the area over which a candle casts its wonderful scent). Particularly in the Fall and Winter when the fresh air of the outdoors is not really practical, I enjoy filling the house with warm, cozy scents that impart a relaxed, snuggly feeling through and through. So, when presented with the opportunity to review a full size Scentsy Warmer and Scentsy Bar of my choice, I jumped at it!

I have admired Scentsy products from afar for some time now, but just never took the plunge. Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of testing out their Tannenbaum Warmer, which is stunning. Decorated with a festive Christmas tree nestled among a winter tree-scape of evergreens, this warmer is finished in a neutral color palette of deep sage and cream. Unlike some other warmers I've seen, I love that the Tannenbaum adds to the decor of my home as well as the aroma. Another difference between this warmer and others I've seen is that the Scentsy Full Size Warmers work off of electricity by way of a small light bulb, cord, and on/off switch. A nice alternative to an open flame for mamas of curious little ones! The base does, however, get warm with extended use, so it's still a good idea to keep it out of immediate reach of children.

As for scent, I selected the Christmas Cottage Scentsy Bar. A true treat for the senses, this bar combines a cozy blend of Valencia oranges, raspberries, cloves, and spices for a warm, festive aroma. As for throw, I would say this particular scent has a medium cast. I currently have it on a shelf in my kitchen, which is open to the rest of the first floor. I can easily pick up the smell of this yummy bar throughout the kitchen and into the dining area, but it does not permeate the whole first floor like some of my stronger scented traditional candles do. That being said, Christmas Cottage is also not a knock you in the face kind of scent. It's warm and cozy and not at all pungent, which I love. Overall, I am very pleased with my selection.

Scentsy offers a variety of gorgeous warmers, including Full-Size Warmers, Mid-Size Warmers, and Plug-In Warmers. All are designed with home decor in mind and include Holiday varieties, sports themes, and college affiliations.

Scentsy also offers a variety of scents, including Cranberry Spice, Central Park Pralines, Autumn Sunset, Citrus Sun Tea, and Hemingway (for men). I love that they have scents that appeal to both men and women and varieties that span the spectrum of fruity to flirty to cozy to relaxing. My Full-Size Warmer is large enough to hold an entire bar of yumminess, and when I want to try out a different scent, I just pour the warm wax back into its original container. It will solidify back into bricks for use at a later time. How's that for eco-friendly?!

You can get your own array of Scentsy products HERE just in time for the Holidays. Perfect for gift giving, they carry a little something for everyone, from full-size products to those designed for when you're on the go. Prices vary depending on which products you order, but warmers range from $15-$30 and Scentsy bars, to go with your warmer, generally run $5. Join the Scentsy team during the month of November and receive a free set of Mini Testers to get your business off to a great start! Just send Kimberlee an email at Escentialstars@yahoo.com, to let her know you heard about Scentsy from Jen at Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby!

* Disclaimer: I was provided with a Full-Size Warmer and Scentsy Bar for the purpose of performing this review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. All opinions stated are my own and based on my honest experience with these products.

A New Addition

2010-11-17T15:57:00.000-05:00

Our custom Herbal Tub Tea Favors have been such a hit lately that I've decided to add them to our line-up permanently. Enjoy a luxurious spa-quality experience in the comfort of your own home!

You can currently find them in the Party Favors section of the site. They will also soon be added to the general Ellia C. Naturals section under For Her!

Bubble-n-Scrub: Gift Set Goodie!

2010-11-12T10:55:00.000-05:00

About a month ago a friend of mine gave me this great little "soap bag" to try. She swore by it for her bar soaps (still a die-hard bath poof gal for her liquid soaps!) and thought I would like it too. Like is a bit of an understatement...I love this handy little guy. It's like a washcloth and soap deck all rolled into one. Made from all natural unbleached fibers, the reverse side of the bag has the texture and weight of a great spa washcloth. The more open weave on the front of the bag allows your bar soap to drain between uses, preserving the life of your favorite soapy sweets! To top it all off, because you drop your bar into the convenient little sack, you can use it down to the last luscious drop, then just drop in another gem...no wasting the little nubs at the end of the bar!

Needless to say, I loved my ECO Bag so much that I contacted the company. As a result, I am pleased to introduce our newest little gift set...the Bubble-n-Scrub! Suds up your soapy sweets and scrub your grimies away :)

* Bubble-n-Scrub should be listed and ready for purchase later today :)

Friday Food for Thought

2010-11-12T09:07:00.000-05:00

Happiness is not

the absence of problems

but the ability

to deal with them.

~ Anonymous

Adventures in Odyssey: Cause & Effect

2010-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

During busy days of running errands, going back and forth to school, and hustling to and from extra curricular activities, we love to pop in a good "book on CD" and let our minds wander into some great adventure. Recently, we've been listening to Adventures in Odyssey: Cause & Effect. Though geared toward children slightly older than my own, I must say that these stories captivated the attention of all riders with the exception of my 18 month old (who was understandably more intrigued with the trees and cars passing by the window!). These particular disks contains both inspirational stories and child-appropriate mysteries. The boys were particularly fascinated by the mysteries. In fact, they got so into the story plots and life lessons that they began asking to listen to them during their limited television time (you can imagine my surprise!) and while doing other activities throughout the day.

From the Publisher:
It’s all-new Adventures in Odyssey episodes in volume 52, Cause & Effect. Join Eugene and Matthew as they investigate why the clock tower at City Hall seems to be counting down to a mysterious deadline. Could it have something to do with the anniversary of a lost love from twenty years ago? Barrett couldn’t be more excited about getting the lead role in the school play. But when his first practice is interrupted by a mysterious booming voice, Emily Jones must investigate the “phantom of the school play.” Also, perfect for the holiday season, are stories on Thanksgiving (“A Thankstaking Story”) and Christmas (“Grandma’s Christmas Visit”).
Adventures in Odyssey is fun and exciting audio entertainment that teaches quality character traits and ignites the imagination of all who listen. Imagine, Discover, and Grow with Adventures in Odyssey.

You can purchase you own copy of Adventures in Odyssey: Cause & Effect for only $16.49 on Amazon (regularly $24.99). You can also stay informed about more great offerings from this publisher by following @TyndaleHouse on Twitter and Tyndale House Publishers on Facebook.

Pretty in Pink & Green

2010-11-09T12:52:00.000-05:00

I had so much fun working on this wedding shower! The hostess decided to mix things up a bit by taking her vibrant color palette of hot pink and lime green and pairing it with the deep, earthy, herbaceous, festive scent of peppermint. Flirty and fun and oh so yummy!

Vibrant pink & white striped soap pops...the perfect treat for game prizes!

Individual Tub Tea Party Favors for relaxing after the day's festivities :)

A Very Merry Baby Shower!

2010-11-08T12:35:00.000-05:00

My younger cousin and her husband are expecting their first child (a little boy!) this Christmas. Yesterday was her baby shower, so I thought I'd share the festive little creation I put together for Baby Logan and his new family!

The top of this Very Merry Diaper Cake was actually a baby bouquet filled with cotton baby socks for little Logan. The front of the top layer was the perfect resting place for our friend The Gingerbread Man after a long day of being chased!

Another shot of Gingy and the festive topper :) I made sure to fill this little treat with all goods things a new mama might need...loads of diapers, burp cloths, onesies, Munchkin Meringue, and Smooth As Buttah to pamper mama and sweet baby Logan!

I was solo for this outing (a rare treat!) and it was so nice to sit and talk with family and friends that I haven't seen or visited with in a while. The perfect end to an already great weekend.

Congratulations Carla and Matt! I hope you love parenthood as much as I do!!

Friday Food for Thought

2010-11-05T09:44:00.000-04:00

Success means having the courage,

the determination, and the will

to become the person

you believe you were meant to be.

~ George Sheehan

Impressed With Impress!

2010-11-04T13:24:00.000-04:00

Photo property of Impress Rubber Stamps

I had the distinct pleasure recently of winning a fabulous prize from Impress Rubber Stamps through a giveaway hosted by the always incredible TomKat Studio. In fact, fabulous seems like such an understatement to describe all of the amazing goodies I received.

For starters, the prize itself was a super generous $100 gift certificate to Impress...YOWZA! I spent a full 2 1/2 hours browsing their beyond wonderful product line. The site was easy to navigate and filled with incredible items. They even have a link loaded with ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Here's a peak as some of my fabulous finds!

2 1/4" Tree Branch Punch, Floral Medallion, and Small Papercut Snowflake

Extra Giga Scalloped Circle (a whopping 3"), McGill Fancy Square Punch (love!)

Instant Eyelet Setter and Slot Punch Tool Set

Yes, I know, I went pretty heavy on the tools and punches, but just think of all of the amazing things I can create with these babies! And, as if the prize itself was not incredible enough, the lovely ladies at Impress really took things over the top by including these vibrant pigment stamp pads by Fresh Ink.

36 gorgeous colors in all...and did I forget to mention that these were in addition to my actual prize? Not part of the gift certificate, just the delectable frosting on the dessert!! I've only just begun to dabble with my new toys and am so excited to see what fun goodies I can create with them.

A BIG Thank You to the ladies at Impress and Kim from TomKat Studio...thanks to you, Christmas came a little early for me this year :)

A LaunchHER Exclusive!

2010-11-03T11:45:00.001-04:00

The amazing ladies over at LaunchHER have included a super sweet feature on Ellia C. Naturals and I'm excited to say that we've officially been Launched!! Stop by today to check it out. Thanks Salli and Kara for such a wonderful review :)

Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby

Cece Post: Letterpress Love

Hello, Anybody Out There?

Candyland Couture!

Happy Holidays!

Save Now Through December 15th!

Save 3 Ways On Cyber Monday!

Have Your Milk & Cookies Too!

15% OFF Today Only!

Run, Run As Fast As You Can...

Oh. My. Pumpkin. Sweetness!!

Fresh off the Curing Rack!

Attention FB Fans: **Action Required**

Welcome, Great Pumpkin!

Farewell For Now

We are now officially sold out of Verte until next Spring/Summer. Thanks to all of our incredible customers for making this such a popular blend this year!!

Run, Run As Fast As You Can...

Let the Holiday Shopping Begin!

A Super Sweet Makeover!

Decided to give Orange Ya' Clover a new look this year. Here's a sneaky peek in the mold before putting it to bed. Fighting a serious urge to satisfy my sweet tooth right now!

Fresh off the Curing Rack!

It's Giveaway Time!

School Lunches in a Snap!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Back to Business!

Greeting Cards Already?...Oh Yeah!

Taking a Break

All In A Name

You Name It, You WIN It!!

Thank You!

Amazing Deal of the Day!!

Art Time with 1-2-3! Textured Products

Friday Food for Thought

Cinco de Mayo Special!

And The Winner Is...

Pamper Mama with FREE Shipping!

Friday Food for Thought

Last Day To Enter!

Earth Day Savings!!

Sweet Fizzy Fun!

So Sweet Souffles!

Goody, Goody Giveaway!

Silly Snake Snacks!

Manhattan Toy: Boysterous Action Figures

Friday Food for Thought

Tea For Two!

Get Your Spa On At Home!

Fashionably Organized with CSNStores

Sweetness Alert!

Friday Food for Thought

Fabulous Fan Sale!

Mommy's New Toy!

SpellQuizzer Review

A Soapy Sweet Deal!

Friday Food for Thought

A Little Eye Candy!

Friday Food for Thought

Snow Day Savings @ ElliaCNaturals!

Friday Food for Thought

Friday Food for Thought

Spreading the Love!

Valentine's Printable from Bird's Party Blog

God Gave Us The World

The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari

Valentine Treats!

The Perfect Way To Say I Love You

An Exciting Progression!

Friday Food for Thought

From the Heart Nourishing Clay Soap

Best Parent Bloggers of Ohio!

RelaxZen Day & Night {Review}

Bountiful Bubbles!

Just a Quick Note

Glee Gum Winner!

I Joined The Village!

Giveaway: Make Your Own Gummies From Scratch! (Extended to Jan. 8th)

Holiday Vacation

Just a friendly reminder that we'll be closing up shop beginning tomorrow for a much needed holiday with family :) All orders received from Dec. 18th - Jan. 2nd will promptly be processed upon our return on Jan. 3rd. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

Just in Time for Christmas!

Pillow Pets for Less!

Attention FB Fans: Action Required