Congratulations Jill! The new Talkin' Sid the Science Kid will be taking up residence at your house very soon :)
Santa was gracious enough to loan us a few of his best elves this Holiday Season and it's a good thing...Ellia C. Naturals has been busy, busy, busy! Bullfrogs & Butterflies has had its share of Holiday cheer as well, but it seems like the bath & body goodies are flying off the shelves (whoo hoo!). Which leads me to wonder...
The Holiday Season is a magical time, especially for the little ones in our lives. It seems these days that as early as Halloween, they're all a buzz with talks of reindeer and Santa's arrival. In our household, we are careful to instill the true meaning of Christmas in our children based on our Christian viewpoint and discuss with them the importance of giving over receiving.
Photo courtesy of www.bell'alimento.com
Take a gander at my latest neck candy from Happy Haven...isn't it B-eautiful?! You may remember Becky's lovely designs from the feature I did last month on her contest to raise Breast Cancer Awareness. This little lovely is called Autumn Tree and I have truly fallen (hee-hee) for this piece! It arrived tucked in a too cute gift tin with a silver ball chain. I've worn it both with the silver chain and with a chocolate brown satin ribbon (for a casually chic spin) and love that I can dress it up or down. Be sure to check out Becky's shop HERE...you're sure to find some goodies for your Holiday gift giving (and some for yourself!).
It's Baaaack! Our super hot seller, Autumn Harvest, is fully cured and back on the shelves. Come indulge in this delicious treat for the skin HERE.
Our friend, Mandy, over at When & Where Invites just informed me that she has completed her holiday collection for this year and it is too cute! You may remember Mandy from a feature and giveaway I hosted for When & Where earlier this year (see the article HERE). She makes it so easy to get fabulous stationary at a really affordable price. Simply choose your design (or email her to custom create one of your own!) and send an email with the images you would like to use. Within 48 hours, Mandy will send a proof for your approval. Once approved, you receive a high resolution file that you can print at any photo finisher or from home all for only $12! Print as many as you like, the price for the file is still the same. Don't feel like printing your own? No problem, Mandy can also print them for you and send them in the mail. Can't beat that!
Symptom | Cold | H1N1 Flu |
| Fever | Fever is rare with a cold. | Fever is usually present in 80% or more of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3-to-4 days is generally associated with the flu. |
| Coughing | A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. | A non-productive, non-mucus producing cough is usually present with the flu. It is sometimes referred to as dry cough. |
| Aches | Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. | Severe aches and pains are common with the flu. |
| Stuffy Nose | Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. | Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chills | Chills are uncommon with a cold. | 60% of people who have the flu experience chills. |
| Tiredness | Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. | Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu. |
| Sneezing | Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. | Sneezing is not common with the flu. |
| Sudden Symptoms | Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. | The flu has a rapid onset within 3-to-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains. |
| Headache | A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. | A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases. |
| Sore Throat | Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. | Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu. |
| Chest Discomfort | Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. | Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu. |
Da, da, da, da...and here is the fruit of yesterday's labor! What do you think? Perhaps not as refined as some, but I really like the deconstructed layers. I think they give an earthy quality to such a refined scent. Now for a name...
Well, it's done. Everyone that is able to receive the regular flu vaccine has. Little Micah Moo is exempt due to an egg allergy (for those who are not currently aware, the vaccine is cultured using egg protein, therefore, those with egg allergies should not partake), but I must say that all others involved were incredibly brave (including Daddy!) and did great :)Always wash your hands after:
Of course, it's also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.
How To Wash Your Hands:
It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps:
Keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future.
The Mayo Clinic also provides guidelines for using alcohol-based hand sanitizer as follows:
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don't require water — are an excellent alternative to soap and water. If you choose to use a commercially prepared hand sanitizer, make sure the product contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Then follow these simple steps:
If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are another option, although they're not as effective as alcohol-based sanitizers.
Hand washing, whether with soap or hand sanitizer, doesn't take much time or effort, but can go a long way in helping to prevent illness. Adopting this habit withing your own family can play a huge role in keeping your loved ones healthy this winter season (and always!).
Thank you to The Mayo Clinic for some great information regarding proper hand washing!
Isn't this the sweetest face you've ever seen! My little guy turned 4 years old yesterday (can it be true?). We were so busy celebrating that I'm just now getting a chance to give him his shout out :)
No worries here about small pieces coming loose and posing a hazard for little Miss Ellie Bean (though, as always, please consider any item with small parts a choking hazard for children under 3 yrs. and monitor while in use). I particularly like the fact that the felt itself creates a "slip-proof" grip for her hair, rather than having a separate grip adhered to the clip (no risk of having it come loose or detached!). The colors are vibrant and versatile enough to fit in well with Ellia's wardrobe and seemed to captivate her during "mirror play"!
Stop by today to pick up something sweet for your little one!
All photos provided courtesy of Babble Blossom
Since taking a step back from healthcare management 2 years ago to become a SAHM/WAHM, I've often imagined how difficult it must be for my husband to accept the loss of an extremely lucrative income and watch me blindly fumble my way through establishing my own business (in a totally unrelated area I might add!). I know he realizes the benefits of having me home with our 4 munchkins, but there are definitely those days when the extra income would be more than "just nice" to have around.
Masala Baby is a fabulous new company steeped in the traditions of India with a modern, spirited, urban flair. With vibrant, earthy colors and an eclectic mix of textures, these pieces are incredibly stylish, yet durable enough for active little ones.
I recently had the distinct privilege of reviewing the Peacock Tunic from Masala Baby's Free Spirit Collection. The beautiful embroidery is an ode to the dancing Indian peacock and is truly exquisite. This elegant design sits proudly atop a sumptuous soft cotton voile fabric.
This is an incredibly soft, light-weight tunic with wearability that transcends the seasons. It washes well in cold water on the gentle cycle and should be hung to dry to preserve the integrity of the design. Designed to fit munchkins 6 months to 4 years, my little sweetie is just big enough to start sporting this adorable piece. The tunic style is free-flowing, which is great for an active baby on the cusp of learning to crawl! Ellie-Bean was captivated by the vibrant colors of the embroidery and got plenty of practice with her pincer grasp as she tried to pluck the threads for a closer look. Never fear, though, this piece is well-constructed and she never did succeed in her quest!
Masala Baby also carries some fabulous fundamental pieces like this Moti-Dog Applique Onesie. Stop by today and get your spice on! Masala Baby has a little something for every palate.
Check out the latest edition from Ellia C. Naturals...Limited Edition Autumn Harvest.
Made with raw organic pumpkin and coconut milk, this is one decadent body treat!
Get yours HERE.
The Once "Toxic" Coffee Table
I am soooo happy to have found Lindsay's blog. Her ideas are simple and practical enough for the beginning to intermediate DIY-er (something I used to pride myself in, but lost the drive for in the midst of growing our brood!). With this new inspiration, I may just have to get myself back in the saddle!
Original photos compliments of Living with Lindsay and Pottery Barn. Compilations provided by Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby
A coffee connoisseur I am not. My palette is not skilled in the art of differentiating the nuances of a dark vs. a light roast or honed for the appreciation of a full-bodied whole bean. I do, however, love me some fru-fru coffee delights (sorry to those of you who take your coffee more seriously)...the more whipped cream and chocolaty, carmely (?) goodness the better! That's why I'm all about the new Wild Pumpkin goody over at Caribou Coffee. Can you say Yum-O? They've taken their signature White Chocolate Mocha (which I also adore BTW) and infused it with the delicious essence of pumpkin for a terrific fall treat! And never fear, it also comes in Decaf for us nursing Mamas :) Ahhhhh, I think I may just have to indulge myself in one of these yummy nummies tonight!
Photo compliments of www.cariboucoffee.com
UPDATE: Mmmmmmmm, can you guess what sweet delight I'm sipping on right now? :)
Tomorrow is the last day to enter to win your choice of shoes by Beibi. 
What could be more beautiful than these handcrafted pendants you ask? The cause for which they were created! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Happy Haven is raising awareness in a big way by holding a fabulous contest. 
