The Master Of My Domain

Thanks to a lot of encouragement from the ultra-fabulous The Wannabe WAHM, this weekend I pulled out my credit card and made a very exciting purchase: www.thanksmailcarrier.com.

Our bags are packed! We're ditching that old place and moving on to bigger and better things!

What does that mean for me? I get to be the proud owner of this tiny part of the internet, one more .com in a sea of zillions of them. I get to continue on this journey that I started, this thing that I figured might be fun if I could get a person or two to come by and read it... this place where I write and rewrite each word over and over in hopes that it's the right one, the one that will make you smile or even laugh or just think, hey, I know what she's talking about and I see why this product would be great in my life.

If I don't happen to accomplish any of those things, well, at least you have the chance to win something cool, right?

And what does my new domain name mean for you? So far it appears everything is transferring over very smoothly, so hopefully you won't have to do a thing except for update your bookmarks or, if you're one of the awesome people that has my cute button up, grab the new code for it. Other than that, just keep on coming by to visit. Whether you leave a comment as a giveaway entry or on a review or just to say hi, every single one gets noticed and appreciated around here.

This blog wouldn't be much without any readers, so whether you're here for the first time or an old pro, thank you. I wouldn't have considered this step if it weren't for how far this blog has come and the potential it has to go even further with you along for the ride. There's much more to come on Thanks, Mail Carrier, so thanks for helping make it all possible.

Now, back to more important things.

Has the mail come yet?

This last box that was delivered... I don't remember ordering these, but they sure are fun...

HearthSong {Review & Giveaway} Come Climb Inside the Great Big Outdoor Playball

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Considering the amount of toys that my girls and I have seen over the years, I would have thought it might be hard to find one that could still really impress us. After all, if you combine the toys from the baby showers, birthdays, holidays, clearance sales, LOTS of garage sales and Grandma visits that have occurred around here, our house actually already resembles a toy store in itself.

Don't get me wrong, my girls love and appreciate the toys that we have and, without fail, are still interested in playing with them each and every day. However, from the time I began browsing the HearthSong website, I knew that I had discovered someplace great.

And when we received a Great Big Outdoor Playball (they even included an Electric Pump) from HearthSong, saying that we were impressed doesn't cover it. We were downright jaw-dropping, eyes-bugging, speechlessly blown away.

A whopping 52" in diameter, the Great Big Outdoor Playball (GBOP) encourages imaginative play and pure enthusiasm that is unmatched in the world of toys. What else is out there that can begin to be compared to something like this? If another toy exists that allows children the opportunity to run and laugh and experience the world from a new perspective while instilling wonder every time that they see it... well, I sure haven't found it.

Unfortunately, it was a little too cold and snowy outside for us to play with the GBOP in the yard but I wasn't going to let that stop us from having a blast with it. As I moved a few pieces of furniture, my husband spent about 20 minutes inflating the GBOP with HearthSong's Electric Pump (each section is separate, making them stronger and so that if there ever was a leak, the entire thing wouldn't deflate).

When it was finally ready, Big Sister E could barely contain her excitement.

She climbed in, she climbed out, she called, "Roll me! Roll me!" over and over and laughed continually the entire time her body flipped and turned inside the GBOP, which easily withstands being actively tugged or pushed around. Big Sister E also took turns rolling the ball (even though it's quite a bit taller than she is) and giving various stuffed animals rides throughout the room, all the while commenting on the fun they were having inside.

My husband thought that Little Sister B might be scared of the GBOP, seeing as it was a mountain compared to her, but, after contemplating it for a while and giving it a few pats, she also ventured in.

Little Sister B loved the GBOP as well and even though we didn't roll her around in it, she still had a great time climbing and exploring. The holes were great to play peek-a-boo through and, because the blue and green plastic was translucent, she had a blast getting up close to look through at me. Later on, she and Big Sister E spent well over an hour going in and out with toys and books and I was informed that their "house" was extremely comfortable.

There are so many HearthSong Exclusives, the toys that you can't find anywhere else, that are unique and exceptional that really show the company's commitment to helping parents provide their children with educational, entertaining, high-quality playthings. Their slogan, Toys You'll Feel Good About Giving, is more than accurate because of the level of enjoyment that they will bring for years to come.

Whether shopping for your own children or for a gift, HearthSong's items actually end up being enjoyed by the whole family, which is a big bonus when making a purchase. Even though the GBOP is recommended for ages 6 and up, Little Sister B and Big Sister E have been in love with it since the first day we inflated it (Mommy and Daddy think it's pretty fun, too) and everyone who has come to our house to see it is amazed.

"The bubble! The BUBBBBBLLLLLLLE!" Big Sister E cries, getting a running start, as soon as she glimpses the blue and green colors while Little Sister B crawls right inside without hesitation. What will their imaginations have it be today? So far the GBOP has been a bus, a train, a rocket, a boat, even a bed... and of course the coolest ball we've seen. Sure, it has the word Outdoor in its name, but that definitely hasn't stopped it from being a year-round toy at our house.

Think the GBOP might be a little too big for your kids? In that case, there is the GBOP Jr. (shown at left), a red 36" ball that can still be rolled, raced, thrown or kicked as well. Or, think the GBOP isn't quite big enough? Coming next month, HearthSong will offer the Incred-A-Ball, a yellow and orange 65" version! I can't imagine what kids and adults could come up with in that one!

From their huge selection to their competitive prices to their stellar customer service, visiting HearthSong always continues to amaze me. They accept nothing less than your complete satisfaction and guarantee it with no conditions and no time limits. If, at ANY time and for ANY reason, you aren't happy with your purchase, you can exchange it or receive a full refund. I don't think I have ever seen a company stand behind their products to that degree and it says an awful lot about HearthSong that they not only care about their customers but that they fully believe in the long-lasting value of their collections.

Also, thanks to HearthSong's tremendous generosity, I am really excited that one person will get to bring running, rolling, turning, and spinning joy into their home because...

One lucky person will win a Great Big Outdoor Playball AND Electric Pump of their own! ARV $90!

To enter to win: Check out all of the amazing items that HearthSong offers and tell me which one(s) you would love to own. It will be hard to choose just one! Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted)

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you request a HearthSong catalog and/or subscribe to HearthSong's emailed newsletter. If you enter your email address when requesting a catalog, that will subscribe you to their newsletter, so you get both entries!
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Come PLAY INSIDE HearthSong's Great Big Outdoor Playball!! Win one + Pump (ARV $90) @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/a3ETFE #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and HearthSong. Please leave an address where it can be found.


Giveaway will end on March 11th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A great big GIANT thank you to HearthSong for providing a GBOP and Electric Pump for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. We are so smitten with your company and products, it's ridiculous! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Tommee Tippee Explora Drinking Cups {Review}

When Big Sister E was first really becoming a toddler and turning from an innocent, laid-back baby into her own opinionated little person, I called my mother. And apologized.

I don't have crystal clear memories from my childhood, but of the ones that stick out, I know I wasn't the easiest kid to deal with. Fortunately for me, my mom claims that she doesn't remember the same things I do... unfortunately for me, I think karma has begun to pay me back with two fairly stubborn daughters of my own.

Little Sister B is sweet and adorable and loving... and persistent. Very, very persistent. When she wants something, she goes for it. And when she doesn't want to participate in whatever you're attempting to make her do, oh, she won't do it. Therefore, every time that I've tried to get her to drink from a sippy cup, I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. She just tosses them aside (without bringing them anywhere near her mouth) and I am left wiping up the puddles. What's a mom to do?


As luck would have it, Tommee Tippee, an award-winning, number-one brand from Great Britain, is making its way across the United States and showed up at my door just in time. From bottles to pacifiers to cups to bibs, Tommee Tippee has a wide selection for all ages and stages of children. Their array of BPA-free infant and toddler feeding products are made to ease the transition into independence at mealtime for little ones everywhere and their Explora line is just what we needed around here.

Prior to the arrival of the Tommee Tippee cups, I had tried a variety of other styles with Little Sister B in hopes that she would find one that she liked. However, it seemed as though she either had to suck too hard (something she wasn't willing to do) or drink fast enough to keep from getting showered (she's not a fan of that, either) and the combination was leading to her refusal to use a cup at all, as well as a mess everywhere.

However, Tommee Tippee's Explora cups feature their advance-flo valve, an innovative way to remain completely spill-proof and leak-proof while requiring hardly any effort to get a drink. Starting with their Stage 1 trainer for 6+ months (shown at left) and moving all the way up to a Stage 5 insulated drinking cup, Tommee Tippee's cups each have a specific spout and grip depending on the needs of each age.

The bright colors and designs immediately caught Little Sister B's eye (Big Sister E was pretty exited about them too) and she was eager for me to hand one over. After examining it and giving it a taste or two, she seemed pleased with the new arrival. For me, the fact that no matter how much she shook it or whichever direction she held it, the cup didn't spill a drop.

After trying out both the Stage 1 and Stage 2 cups for a while, we are all still happy with the results. As well as being leak-proof, I have come to appreciate the other great features that the Tommee Tippee Explora line includes. The convenient flip-top hygiene cap keeps dirt and germs away and the fact that the tops to the cups are interchangeable across all of the Stages is really handy. I love that I just toss them all in the dishwasher and don't have to worry about which pieces go together when they come out.

Tommee Tippee items are available now at Babies 'R Us (and are coming soon to Toys 'R Us) and the Explora line retails for $4.99 for a single cup and $7.99 for a pack of two. Visit their website to find out information about all of their unique products and keep up with all of the newest Tommee Tippee developments by following them on Twitter and Facebook as well.

Thanks, Tommee Tippee, for bringing your high-quality and innovative products to the United States and sponsoring a blog tour to introduce them with Mom Bloggers Club. Now when I see Little Sister B happily tossing her cup around, I can rest easy that the milk is going to stay inside. And, for braving the snow to bring the box to my front door, thanks, Mail Carrier.

(Other than the Explora cups [two Stage 1 and two Stage 2] that I was sent from Tommee Tippee due to my membership at Mom Bloggers Club, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company and their great products.)

Keep The Romance Alive All Year Long With Eden Fantasys {Review & $50 Gift Card Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

*Disclaimer: Eden Fantasys, people. You know what this review is going to be alluding to, right? Please check to make sure your little one isn't reading over your shoulder before continuing.

Is there an age that I'll reach when I'll start actually feeling like an adult? In my early twenties I was still young and carefree and even when I was out of college, I didn't feel like I was really "grown up." After I got married I remember thinking "That man is my husband. My husband," every time I looked at him, but it didn't really change how I felt about myself.

Now that I have children of my own... well, there are still those moments when I wonder what these kids are doing in my house. I'm somebody's mother. Two somebodies, actually, and as much as I love them fully and completely, one of the few things that has changed about me since they arrived is how I feel when I look at myself in the mirror.


Let's face it, the way you feel about your body is almost as important as the way your significant other feels about you. With the exception of a small group of women, what do a whole lot of moms see when we look at ourselves? Our battle scars of giving birth: stretch marks or loose skin or c-section scars or the pooch that won't go away... all lovely reminders of what our bodies went through to bring our children into the world.

I'm not at all saying that it wasn't worth it, because of course it was. However, seeing it all sure doesn't make a mom feel very sexy, does it? So, whether it is Valentine's Day or any day throughout the year, when it comes time for romance, it's nice to have something to put on so that you can feel a little alluring and step away from being just Mom for a while.


But where do you go to fine lingerie that will have a wide selection of styles and sizes but you won't feel completely awkward walking in the door or making a purchase? Look no further than Eden Fantasys, where every variety and type of lingerie is clearly displayed and easy to browse and you won't ever have to make eye contact with a salesperson (and the box will arrive completely nondescript).

If you are going for a softer, sweeter look, check out the gowns, chemises or babydolls that Eden Fantasys offers in all colors and lengths. Maybe a little something more provocative? How about their sexy panties, corsets or bustiers? Or, if you're really looking to add a little fun in the bedroom, there are 105 different costumes that can have you dressed as a sexy maid, sheriff or Little Miss Muffet in no time at all.

When I removed Eden Fantasys' sexy satin corset and g-string (shown centered above) from the box, I was immediately impressed with all of the small details that go into making this a quality set. The fuchsia satin includes boning up the front to add support and shape and the lace highlights the vertical lines and your curves. The ruffled mesh trim and lace-up back (which allows it to be completely adjustable to your figure) give this corset a sassy edge to it... and there's nothing wrong with a little sass now and again.

Putting on this satin corset is easy with the busk closure (the studs on one side slide into a series of clasps on the other side) on the front and it automatically gives a feeling of lift and highlights your waist. Immediate self-confidence and poise by doing something as simple as slipping this on? Now that's sexy.

If lingerie isn't on your shopping list this Valentine's Day, Eden Fantasys has thousands of other options to choose from. Whether you're looking to enjoy a quiet, intimate evening or really spice things up with your partner, this is the website that will help you do just that.

Even though Valentine's Day will have passed when this giveaway ends, one person will get to have a fun shopping spree at Eden Fantasys to keep the romance alive all year long, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 gift certificate to Eden Fantasys!

To enter to win a $50 gift card from Eden Fantasys: Head over and check out the selection at Eden Fantasys and tell me something you would like to own. If you're not comfortable with that, tell me which Aromatherapy Candle sounds nice to you.

Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Eden Fantasys on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and/or subscribe to the RSS feed of Eden Cafe (Eden Fantasys' blog).
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

A $50 Eden Fantasys gift card means every day can be Valentine's Day! Win some romance @thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/c89mey #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. I've moved! Please update your button code! Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Eden Fantasys. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on March 4th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to residents of U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to Eden Fantasys for providing a sexy satin corset and g-string for me to review as well as a $50 gift card for one lucky giveaway winner. Bringing sexy back, baby! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.