toytoy :: cardboard armchair

Simple. Eco-friendly. Reasonably priced. Playful. Colorful. Portable. Lightweight. FUN!

When I first saw the ToyToy armchair design I immediately started thinking of all the places my son would have fun sitting in it. Part of the beauty of this simple product is how versatile it can be in the ever evolving life of a child.

Created by two parents who wanted products that would help build the world instead of taking away from it, ToyToy products help families consume less and use materials in a smarter way. The ToyToy armchair is constructed out of one piece of cardboard. It comes in a flat package (incredibly portable) that you can quickly assemble anywhere. With solid attention to design engineering this piece cardboard transforms into a very functional and fun chair. From a parent's perspective it's a little bit awesome.

• My son and I are able to transport this chair anywhere (it is incredibly lightweight)


• I don't have to worry about my son tumbling off the chair or scratching the floor as he pushes it around -- the design is child-friendly and very forgiving


• Creativity is inspired through the design -- I have watched my son climb on it, use it as a table, hide things in the cubby hole, push it around like a car, store his stuffed friends on it and flip through countless books while sitting atop this very cool chair
  


• It is at a price that any parent can love -- children work hard to tear things apart, but at this price that idea doesn't induce fear

Again, there are so many great ways to use this chair and places to sit in it. And think of what a great gift this could make -- it comes in transport friendly packaging (gift when visiting friends or relatives with kids), it is at a very reasonable price point (all those neighborhood birthday parties), it can be stored easily just about anywhere for occasional use (grandparents homes).

You can visit ToyToy over on Facebook as well!

ToyToy Cardboard Armchair : $14.99

A SIMPLE COUPON:

The ToyToy chair is already reasonably priced at $14.99, but today through June 30th, 2011 you can save an additional 25% off! At such a great deal you might want to consider getting one in each color -- and don't forget those gifts. Just make sure to use the coupon code: SIMPLE at checkout.

*I was provided the chair shown above to conduct this review using personal experience. The opinions expressed are my own*

chaos simplified :: the womans planner {giveaway}

I am a list maker. I think this is actually a category of people. You know -- free spirits, athletes, tall people, list makers... In my constant quest to check things off my list I am always looking for the best way to keep my lists and schedule organized. I have used index cards (they easily get lost or mixed up), empty spiral notebooks (a lot of energy to create your own calendar) and any number of store bought planners. The biggest issue I have with store bought planners is that they don't really align with my life.

Well, I can FINALLY put a giant check in the box next to "find perfect planner." The Womans Planner from Chaos Simplified was designed with active women and moms in mind. Really, it was designed by a mom who couldn't find a planner that met all of her needs -- so she made her own. And I am glad she did.

Here is a list of just some of the highlights that make The Womans Planner so fantastic:

• 8x10 coil book -- it can lay flat and ALL the way open on a table (no loosing your page)
• 3" fold over page marker -- you can turn straight to the page you want
• A monthly 'budget page', 'birthdays page', 'yearly finance page' and 'social planning page'
• A half page format -- so you can see the week AND the month in the same glance
• Contacts -- no need for two books for this
• Notes -- you will never need a random scrap of paper to write something on
• Pocket dividers in between each month to hold all those bills, cards, school notes etc. -- this is not to be ignored... a pocket for EACH month!

My life is complicated enough without having to throw multiple half-functioning planners into my daily juggle. And now I no longer have to. Thank you Chaos Simplified!

The Womans Planner from Chaos Simplified :: $28.95

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One SIMPLE reader will win The Womans Planner from Chaos Simplified. Here is how to enter:

• Visit Chaos Simplified and come back here to tell me in a comment something else you learned about The Womans Planner (Required)
• "Like" SIMPLE on Facebook
• Facebook :: Daily - Leave a link :: Post a status on your facebook hyper linking SIMPLE and this giveaway
• Twitter :: Daily - Leave a link :: #Win a fantastic Chaos Simplified planner over at @simplereviews: http://tiny.cc/1lp3b #giveaway
• Sign up for our daily emails
  Publicly follow SIMPLE via Google Friend Connect
  
• "Like" this review on Facebook below (make sure to leave a comment telling us you did)

Winner will be randomly chosen on June 22, 2011. Please reference Giveaway Rules at the top of the page before entering.

*I was provided The Women's Planner show above to conduct this review using personal experience. The opinions expressed are my own.*

tiny prints :: business cards

Have you heard of Tiny Prints? Well, if you haven't, you need to know about them. They have great products! Here is a little about them:

Tiny Prints provides simple, modern and unique stationery from Mothers Day cards and Fathers Day cards to graduation announcements, thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Offering exclusive designs from the nation’s top designers, easy card personalization, a powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality, their designs have been lauded by numerous television networks, publications and celebrities. With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch! They offer perfect party invitations for every occasion and memorable personalized photo-gifts like notebooks, photo cards, photo books and calendars.

I was provided with some business cards for my photography business. Here they are:


Aren't they cool?!?! Well, I think they are at least. And they are very unique, which is another thing I like about Tiny Prints. They aren't your typical online printing company. The quality is great, the paper is thicker and they are just plain classy in my opinion!

Now that I have my business cards, I guess I better get working on a better web page... Hmmm... :)

Tiny Prints Business Cards :: $49.50 for 50 business cards (like the ones shown above). Many other styles are available.

*I was sent 100 business cards, shown above, to conduct this review using personal experience. The opinions expressed are my own.*

Epic 6 Tool/Letterpress Combo {Lifestyle Crafts :: Giveaway}

I am so excited about today's review/giveaway! I have been wanting to be able to letterpress at home for a while now, so I was thrilled to learn about the Epic 6 Tool and Letterpress Combo set from Lifestyle Crafts.

I had tons of fun playing with this awesome craft tool. I made cards, tags, bag headers, and more. It is easy to use and (did I say this already?) fun! I actually posted a tutorial on my personal blog today for how you can make both of these two (easy!) projects featured below.

This tool can be used for letterpressing and die-cutting - so you can use it for card making, scrapbooking, gift-giving, party planning, and MUCH more! It is very versatile and you will LOVE having one of your own!

A SIMPLE COUPON!
Use coupon code SIMPLEBLOG to score 20% off your entire purchase from Lifestyle Crafts. Coupon valid through 4/18/11.

{*GIVEAWAY CLOSED :: CHECK THE WINNERS PAGE TO SEE IF IT WAS YOU*}

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
One very lucky SIMPLE reader is going to win an Epic Die-cut/Letterpress Tool as well as an assortment of accessories!

To enter, leave ONE COMMENT telling us how you would use your Epic Die-cut/Letterpress Tool! Scrapbooking? Card making? Party planning? Spill the beans on how you would put this baby to work.
Please make sure to leave a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!

One entry per person; giveaway open to residents of the United States only.


Giveaway ends on 4/13/11. Good luck!!

*I was provided with an Epic 6 Tool/Letterpress Combo and accessories to showcase and review on SIMPLE. My opinions are my own*

Organized? {Glow Baby}

Glow Baby has just released their 2011/2012 Organized Family School Year Calendar for pre-order! This calendar is the ultimate tool to keep every family member on schedule from week to week and month by month. Keeping track of everyone’s busy days has never been this easy with the help of this unique calendar that won't add clutter to your home.

The Organized Family School Year Calendar contains a 12 month calendar running from Sept 2011 to Aug 2012 with an additional 52 specially designed, removable, weekly planner pages so the family can view the entire month at a glance and still have a detailed weekly plan all in the same place. When the week has gone by, simply tear-off to reveal the next week’s planner page. The weekly planner pages are perfect for keeping track of extra-curricular activities, work and social calendars and accommodates up to 6 individual schedules to keep even the busiest families organized. There is also an extra column to write down and check off weekly chores and separate areas for to do lists and notes. The stylishly designed pages open to an overall size of 14” x 21.5” and it is easy to hang up in your kitchen or on a bulletin board to avoid clutter.


The calendars are available to order now for shipping in May and Glow Baby is offering a 23% discount! The calendar’s retail for $26 but are available now for $20!







*I just wanted to share this great deal with you*

Divine Twine {Whisker Graphics :: Giveaway}

If you love modern, colorful designs, then you're going to love Whisker Graphics!  They have an ever-growing selection of personalized stationary, paper goods, unique printables, and creative packaging items.

One of my favorite items from Whisker Graphics is the Divine Twine - baker's twine that comes in twelve delicious colors!  My picks for spring are blueberry, lemon, and green apple.  I've been using this twine on everything: cards, gifts, baked goods, and more!  It instantly elevates your packaging to a whole new level.  Each spool is $15.

Another fun thing about at Whisker Graphics is their printables!  I have been enjoying the Bird Recipe Card Set, which is an editable printable into which you can paste your favorite recipes before printing.  It's a sweet deal at just $10, since you can print as many as you want!

Whisker Graphics also offers a selection of stationary items.  I love these Cosmos Flower Flat Notes, which are available in two colors.  They even have matching labels with many of their designs!

You'll also want to check out their super fun blog here!

SIMPLY A GIVEAWAY!
Today I am giving away a spool of Divine Twine (color of choice) and a printable (winner's choice) to one lucky SIMPLE reader! Here is how to enter (leave a separate comment for each entry):

• Required entry: Leave a comment on this post telling us what item(s) from Whisker Graphics is/are your favorite. 
• Follow the Whisker Graphics blog
• Tweet this giveaway: Enter to win a spool of Divine Twine from Whisker Graphics on @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/4uvkc8j #giveaway #contest

Please make sure to leave a valid email address so we can contact you if you win.

Winner will be randomly chosen on April 6, 2011. Good luck!

*Disclosure: I was provided with an assortment of items from Whisker Graphics to showcase and review on SIMPLE. My opinions are my own.

Angelique, Ink Review & Coupon

I have been coveting one of these gorgeous address stamps from Angelique, Ink for some time now, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review one!  I received a custom address stamp (similar to the one pictured below) and I have been using it constantly.  It makes even the most mundane correspondence classy!  As soon as I received it in the mail, I sat down and wrote seven (no lie!) letters just because I was so thrilled to use it.

I wish I could show you my stamp, because it is just GORGEOUS, but I'd rather not share my home address with the world.  I promise you, though, Angelique, Ink's stamps are more beautiful in real life than in the pictures! 

 

And how sweet is this custom bookplate stamp?

Visit Angelique, Ink to purchase your own stamp.  Address stamps are $39-45.

SIMPLY A COUPON!
Use code "SIMPLE10" to score 10% off your purchase through 4/30/11!

*Disclosure: I was provided with a custom address stamp from Angelique, Ink to showcase and review on SIMPLE. My opinions are my own.

Sarah + Abraham Stationery

Growing up, the kids in my family were always required to follow proper etiquette regarding thank you notes. What started as as a chore for a little girl quickly grew into my current love of all things stationery. So it was no surprise that when my son was first able to hold a pen I began having him help me with his own thank you notes.

Truthfully, I was a little disappointed in the generic "thank you" cards I found at the store when I went out searching. And then I came across Sarah + Abraham.


Started by a fellow mom, Sarah + Abraham is an online store offering clean and modern personalized paper goods and gifts. The sophisticated and simple designs are amazing and definitely in line with what I was hoping to find for my family stationery. I first fell in love with the mix-n-match silhouette collection that allows you to customize the design based on your family. This same customization can be applied using the olliegraphic designs. The calling cards I received in this design make me smile every time I see them -- the little boy looks just like my son!

I am addicted to these designs and have already helped my little man send his first note (I know his Nanny and Papa in Florida will love the whimsical note cards too).

A SIMPLE COUPON!!! Valid for 10% off any product at www.sarahandabraham.com. Expires March 31st, 2011. Code is SIMPLE

*I was provided with Sarah + Abraham paper goods to conduct this review. These opinions are my own*

Garnish Your Holiday Season!

When I found out that I was going to have the opportunity to review products from Garnish, I literally squealed with excitement! I've had a pretty big crush on Garnish for a while now, to be quite honest. Please allow me to introduce you.To the unimaginative soul, Garnish sells lots of different sized cardboard boxes. But to those of us with a creative outlook, Garnish sells the building blocks to create beautiful gifts, clever packages, and magazine-worthy parties. (And if you're not the creative type, Garnish offers ideas aplenty!)
At Garnish, you'll find cellophane bags, multi-sized boxes, tissue paper, striped straws, to-go containers, glassine bags, wooden cutlery, and so much more!Hands down, though, my favorite item from Garnish is their red & white bakery twine! It's beautiful and elegant, and I want to tie it on everything! It beautifies plain brown paper packages and it has a life long past Christmas (Valentine's day, anyone?). When mine runs out, I'll definitely be getting more!Garnish is affordable and offers fast shipping for a flat rate of $6. Shop now to get what you need for holiday gift-giving and party-throwing!GET YOUR OWN! Visit Garnish to check out all of their great products. Garnish is offering a coupon code to all SIMPLE readers. Use code "simple10" to score 10% off your purchase through 12/31/10!

*Disclosure: I was provided with some awesome goodies from Garnish to showcase and review on SIMPLE. My opinions are my own.

i like book

As a parent I understand how easy it is to get caught up in all the busyness that we experience in today's 'go-go-go' society. It is easy to become over scheduled, over stretched and under connected with our family and kids.

The i like book is a great way to help connect with your kids on a daily basis. The basic premise of the book is to tell your child something that you like about them on a daily basis by writing it down and then telling them.

Each book is divided into twelve, one month long sections with a space for both mom and dad to daily record what "i like..." about your child. It only takes a couple of minutes, but it means so much to the kiddos. This week the entries for my oldest included "i like... that you surprise me with making my bed. You are such a helpful and thoughtful little girl!" and "i like... that you have such a kind heart and are so helpful with your baby sister." Her eyes just lit up from the praise!

GET YOUR OWN!!! The i like book is available in four different colors, so each kiddo can chose their favorite and with the coupon code "kids2010" for 40% off your order how can you not get one for each kid!?! This coupon for SIMPLE readers is even good on pre-orders of their i like book for couples! *NOTE: to use the coupon code you need to "register" an account. If you try the "guest" register there isn't a place during checkout to input the coupon code.

WIN YOUR OWN!!! One lucky SIMPLE reader will get their own copy of the i like book in green! To enter just like The I Like Book on Facebook and come back here to tell us about it.

Extra Entries: (leave a separate comment for each, if the original method of entry has not been done subsequent entries will be disqualified)

• Tell us who you think would like to hear a daily "i like..."
• Tweet this giveaway: Enter to win a green "i like book" from @theilikebook over at @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/mkulsd #giveaway
  

WINNER will be randomly selected and announced on November 27, 2010.

*I was provided with a i like book free of charge to conduct this review.*

Baby's First Foods

Okay, anyone else have trouble keeping track of what foods your baby has tried already?  With my first baby I had this giant whiteboard in our kitchen that I kept a running tally on.  Not very convenient when I needed to go grocery shopping, travel, or send her to the grandparents for the night.

This time around I knew I would NOT get that whiteboard out again and that we needed to find a more efficient way to keep track of the foods we had tried.  That's when I found Baby's First Foods from Glow Baby.

Baby's First Foods is my new organizational BFF when mealtime comes around!!!  It has tabbed sections to let me quickly find all the vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, dairy or snacks that we've already tried and each page is for a separate entry allowing me to keep track of all the important info you want to know as a parent.  For example,  it was important to know that green beans were tolerable when cold and completely horrid when warm or room temperature.   Take a look at the sample log page below or click here to see a larger image.

Because Baby's First Foods is small (5.5”x7.5”) and flat, it easily fit into my diaper bag when we went to the doctor's office for  my baby's latest check up.  I loved that I was also able to have an impromptu dinner out with a friend and our kiddos last week without sacrificing the scheduled feeding for my daughter since Baby's First Foods was tucked in the diaper bag.

I can now easily communicate with my husband, sitter or other family members what foods we have already tried and are okay to feed my baby without having to actually be there.  I have yet to fill in any entries on the "Allergies & Sensitivities" page at the front of the book, but I am glad it is there for "just in case."

GET YOUR OWN!!! Visit Glow Baby online to purchase Baby's First Foods and check out all of Glow Baby's other organizational items for parents, including their Baby's Firsts Journal (I wish I had found this before I had my babies). 

*I was provided with Baby's First Foods free of charge in order to conduct this review.  The opinions provided above are my own!*

Hoot Design Co.

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a new baby in your life... or for a unique shower gift for a friend's baby? Hoot Design Co. has some wonderful products that are sure to make an impression!

I'm just in love with this Simply Baby print (seen below in "Jill"). What a perfect decoration for a nursery!And, of course, there is one in a more boyish color scheme too (seen below in "Jacob").
I also think Hoot Design Co.'s holiday cards are unique and adorable! Stock up now to be ready for the season.

GET YOUR OWN! Visit Hoot Design Co.'s shop to view their many wonderful items! Use code SIMPLE (in the message to seller section) to score 10% off your purchase until 11/17/10.

WIN YOUR OWN! One lucky SIMPLE reader is going to receive an 18x26 Simply Baby Print in either Jacob or Jill (A $54 value!). To enter this giveaway, visit Hoot Design Co., then come back here and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.

EXTRA ENTRIES (Leave a separate comment for each entry)

• Follow Hoot Design Co. on Twitter
• "Like" Hoot Design Co. on Facebook
• "Favorite" Hoot Design Co. on Etsy
  
• Blog about this giveaway providing a link back to SIMPLE and Hoot Design Co.
• Tweet about this giveaway: Enter to win a Simply Baby print from @HootDesignCo over at @simplereviews: http://tinyurl.com/2amenxe
• "Like" SIMPLE on Facebook
• Follow SIMPLE via Google Friend Connect

WINNER will be randomly selected and announced on November 10, 2010.

*Disclosure: Hoot Design Co. has provided this Simply Baby print to give away to one SIMPLE reader. My opinions about their designs are my own.