TRM's Christmas Gift Guide :: ReUsies Reusable Sandwich & Snack Bags {Giveaway Ends 11/18}

Have you stopped to think about the wasteful impact of plastic bags in packed lunches? Have you found an eco-friendly, reusable alternative yet? I have a solution that you will surely love and your kids will too!

ReUsies is a company started by Seattle moms with a mission of leaving a smaller footprint for future generations. Their line of reusable sandwich and snack bags are an earth-friendly, safer alternative to the multiple plastic bags that each packed lunch uses each day. Using ReUsies can effectively cut back on your families exposure to plastic, and also cut back on the overwhelming amount of plastic showing up on beaches and in landfills.

 I received a 2-pack in the Happy Fruit print. All 2-packs come contain a sandwich size ReUsie and a snack size ReUsie of the same print. ReUsies are made from 100% cotton and lined with leak-resistant nylon and Velcro closures. They are BPA and phthalate-free, and are CPSIA compliant and FDA approved making them food safe. They can be washed by hand, in the dishwasher, or even the washer and dryer. With so many ways to easily care for them, ReUsies won't add any extra work to your busy routine.

I'll admit, I do like plastic baggies for certain snacks (mostly just the more wet ones), but ReUsies are definitely encouraging me to make a positive change in this area. Although the print I received is a bit girly, I like to add Buddy's snacks in these for errands and outings. They're great for raisins, crackers, and even his cars and little toys have made their way in them too (he knows where I put the bags in the kitchen)! The sandwich size ReUsie is quite generously sized for my gluten-free breads (which tend to be small), so it's easy to add a granola bar or some other long and skinny snack in there with a sandwich.

I really like that the flap on both sizes folds down part of the orange cotton material with it (see the crease in the orange cotton on the left?). This not only helps keep snack in the bags while closed, but also encourages a better seal for freshness too. The vertical velcro design allows you to fold the flap higher or lower on the velcro, depending on the contents inside. Another neat feature of ReUsies is that they have a strip of elastic on the back of the bags too so you can fold them in half for storing or for use when the bags are less full.

ReUsies makes a lot of fun prints that are appropriate for children and adults too. Seeing one of these prints in your lunch would probably put a pep in your step for the rest of the day, right? I think so!

Christmas gifts should be practical, reusable, and fun too. ReUsies are a bit of each and help you pack a lunch that uses healthier, eco-friendly choices which contribute to waste-free lunches. ReUsies would be a great stocking stuffer! Help your kids go green with their school lunches at the start of the new year at school!

Price: ReUsies 2-packs - $16

 

Buy It: Check out ReUsies.com to shop today or find a retailer near you!

 

Win It!

One winner will receive a 2-pack of ReUsies (your choice of print)!

Mia Mariu Cosmetics :: Review & Giveaway {Ends 11/11}

Mia Mariu is a direct sales company dedicated to helping women succeed through selling natural health and beauty products. Their products are made in the USA and they focus on beauty and health on the inside and out. It's hard to find natural makeup in mainstream grocery and drug stores. So, I must usually scour the web for awesome brands that offer what I'm looking for. Lately, I've been looking for some truly all-natural mascara and concealer to wean me off my chemical-laden ones so I was excited to check out Mia Mariu. I received the following four items to review:

Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara Black - $13 - Pretty great! It actually covers my eyelashes without clumping, and it doesn't take multiple coats. Some natural mascaras are dry from the get-go, but this one seems pretty moist and does the job. The ingredients look pretty good, and it's definitely better than what I've been using. It does contain phenoxyethanol though which is a controversial ingredient that has concerns of contamination and skin irritation among other things. There are also lots of other ingredients I don't recognize (and seem unnecessary) but I was able to do some research and overall I'm okay with this mascara. It appears that Mia Mariu has recently (or at some point) changed their formula completely. On the packaging the current ingredients were on a sticker that cover their old ingredients. I took off the sticker and noticed right away that this mascara used to contain lots of parabens so bravo to Mia Mariu for making an effort to go more a little more natural.

Intense Eye Liner Black - $11 - This eye liner is very comparable to the organic one I already use. I'm happy with what I already have, but this one works great too! It applies easily without multiple strokes, but also doesn't transfer to my eyelid half way through the day if the line is too thick. It's not a super dark black so it looks natural on and also blends well for a smokey eye look. There were no ingredients on this eye liner so I have no clue what's in it.
 

PERFECTING FINISH Mineral Cream Concealer Vainilla - $15 - Okay, I really, really wanted to love this concealer. I've been using a mainstream, available-at-Walmart concealer for years, and I needed to find a much more natural one that actually works. While this one does work and I was initially thrilled with it's silky texture and flawless application, I failed to take a look at the ingredients before using since I assumed that all Mia Mariu products were pretty natural. Color-wise this concealer is excellent, covers well and doesn't have a yellow tint that many fair concealers tend to have. However, this concealer contains three different parabens and a long list of ingredients I can't pronounce and really don't feel comfortable using. It's very disappointing.
 

Secret Weapon Concealer Brush No. 10 - $18 - This brush is fantastic for applying the cream concealer to precise areas needing coverage. I'll definitely be using this with my powder mineral concealer to cover up breakouts and redness I occasionally experience.

While I wanted to loved everything I tried from Mia Mariu, I just couldn't and still be true to myself and what I believe constitutes a truly "natural" cosmetic. The mascara is one that I will probably permanently replace my old favorite with, but I'm still on the hunt for the "perfect" mascara and concealer, if they even exist. I really wish Mia Mariu would take more pride in their ingredients and disclose them on their website for all to see too. I guess I assumed that since Mia Mariu focuses on mineral cosmetics (which are generally natural), then that's all they would include. But the unnecessary ingredients are just too much for me to rave about them.

If ingredients aren't a huge factor in your buying decisions for cosmetics, then I would definitely check out Mia Mariu. Their brushes are great for anyone at least! If ingredients are a concern, make sure you contact them before buying so you can make an informed decision.

 

Buy It: Check out MiaMariu.com to shop today!

 

Win It!

One winner will receive the same four items I received! {$57 RV}
(Winner's choice of color for the concealer)

TRM's Christmas Gift Guide :: Florsheim Dress Shoes for Boys {Giveaway Ends 11/16}

When it comes to dress shoes, you want the best, right? You want experienced shoe manufacturers that have been around for years, offer high quality materials and are stylish too. Check out this next sponsor of my Christmas Gift Guide and get your boys' feet ready to show off at holiday parties this season!

Florsheim has been offering dress shoes for men and boys since 1892. They hold a well-respected reputation for high quality craftsmanship, real leather and details in their shoes and accessories. My husband had a pair of Florsheim dress shoes when he was teenager and wore them for over 10 years after until he finally decide they were 3 sizes too small. He loved his classic wing-tip Florsheims and wish he had a great excuse to buy new ones! Needless to say they held up wonderfully and we were thrilled to check out Florsheim for Buddy.

These are the Lakeside Jr. Slip On Moc Toe in Brown. I ordered Buddy's regular size of 13 and I've found them to be true to size. This style is considered to be a boat shoe and features a leather and man-made upper and a sturdy rubber sole. How cute are they!? They are so classy! They slip on easily because of the elastic on each side of the tongue. However, they stay on Buddy's feet with no problem at all. The craftsmanship is beautiful and the stitching detail throughout adds interest and fun personality. This style is available for boys only in sizes 10 through 6.

I was initially worried that they were too narrow for Buddy's wide feet, but they are actually plenty wide and Buddy tells me they are comfortable. I adore these shoes on him and they can be easily dressed up with khakis or dressed down with shorts and a button-down shirt. They make him look all grown up and so handsome! The Lakeside Jr. is also available as a Lace Up Oxford if you prefer laces. I personally love how easy Buddy can put the Slip On Moc Toe style all by himself.

Not only are Florshiem dress shoes the perfect happy medium for Sunday church functions, but also for holiday parties and family gatherings this holiday season. Is Grandma asking you for a practical gift idea for your boys this year? Tell her to order some Florsheims!

Price: Lakeside Jr. Slip On Moc Toe - Brown, Cognac or Navy - Boys size 10-6 - $50

 

Buy It: Order at Florsheim.com or find a location near you!

 

Win It!

One winner will receive a $60 gift code towards your own pair of Florsheims!

TRM's Christmas Gift Guide :: Delicious Macaroons from Hail Merry! {Giveaway Ends 11/15}

 

I've featured Hail Merry in the past, and I've brought them back! With their fabulous macaroons that I can't resist and all their gift options available, they go gorgeously well with my gift guide. 'Tis the season for yummy treats. But even better, go raw, organic and healthy!

Hail Merry makes the most awesome macaroons I've ever tasted. They want YOU to feed your body royally with their delicious, healthy snacks. Ever since my review last year, I've been absolutely hooked and I have a hard time not throwing a bag into my cart each time at Whole Foods! Hail Merry macaroons fit into my real-food, gluten-free diet, without any refined sugar, artificial ingredients or GMO's.

These are vegan, gluten-free macaroons that are packed with high density nutrients, good fats, and excellent raw food benefits. They are dehydrated at low temperatures to protect the organic coconut oil which contains those medium chain fatty acids that burn quickly as energy and also contain no cholesterol. They taste absolutely heavenly and are the perfect bite-size treat when you're craving something chocolatey or sweet. The coconut is fine enough that they melt in your mouth with just a little texture and not much chewing. 

Blonde Macaroons: organic shredded coconut, natural almond flour, organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic maple syrup, raw Madagascar bourbon vanilla, sea salt.  
 

Chocolate Macaroons: organic shredded coconut, dark cocoa, organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic maple syrup, raw Madagascar bourbon vanilla, sea salt.

Because they are dehydrated, they are best eaten as fresh as possible. They can sit out for 30 days and be fine, but you can extend their freshness by popping them in the fridge for up to three months. I like to pull mine out of the fridge and let them get to room temperature before I enjoy, but sometimes I can't resist and enjoy them while they're still a bit hard (although the coconut oil eventually let's them still melt in your mouth!).

If you arrive at a holiday party with Hail Merry macaroons in hand, you better be sure you have enough for the whole crowd. These are delicious and definitely hard to resist! If you have a natural foodie lover on your list this year, you can't go wrong with adding some yummy macaroons from Hail Merry!

Price: 3.5 oz. pouches retail for around $3.99 and contain 8 macaroons

Buy It: Find a location near you (check your Whole Foods Market!), or just order your macaroons directly from Hail Merry. They sell cases that contain 8 packages (like I received), gift tins and assortments too.

Win It!

One winner will receive a Rhythm 'N Blues Macaroon Tin! {$15 RV}
(winner's choice of chocolate or blonde!)

TRM's Christmas Gift Guide :: Canvas Prints Made Easy with PRINTCOPIA! {Giveaway Ends 11/14}

I have the perfect gift idea to give to grandparents and relatives this holiday season! There's nothing more fun and easy than wrapping up a framed photo of your kids from a recent photo shoot, right? But have you thought about a beautiful canvas print?

PRINTCOPIA, a new online resource to order photo prints of your precious memories, was recently launched this year. They offer canvas prints in a variety of sizes, with different options too. It took me just a couple minutes to order mine, it's that easy! 

This is the canvas print that I ordered! This one measures 16" x 20" but you can select from many standard sizes starting at an 8" x 8", or you can even create a custom size for your needs. Other options include an increase in the canvas thickness from .75" to 1.5" (for an additional fee), three different border options, optional color finishing or image retouching (for an additional fee), and wall mounts for just $1.49. Once you upload your chosen image and go through the optional features, you're done! It was so easy to order and PRINTCOPIA has made the process easy for you to get through. It was completely frustration free! The hardest part was actually just choosing the photo I wanted to use!

My canvas print is the standard .75" thickness and I opted for the "Image Wrap" around the borders. The quality is exceptional and I'm so impressed! Canvas prints are simply stunning and I've always wanted to own one. To me, they seem to scream high value and expensive but really they are quite affordable.

This canvas print came at the perfect time! My hubby and I recently celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary and it's wonderful to finally have a large print of us from our special day. Since we're in a new home with pretty bare walls still, I'm so thrilled to have this print to build off from once we repaint the walls. I'm planning on making a gallery wall style arrangement with other framed photos and wall decor on our family room wall at some point, and I'd like this to be a focal point along with another canvas print I'll have done of our son. Since we haven't painted our walls yet, I haven't hung it up yet. But, because of the hardware on the back, it should be pretty easy to get our new canvas print displayed when we're ready! 

Take the guesswork out of gift giving this season. You simply cannot go wrong with canvas prints from PRINTCOPIA. Be sure to check out PRINTCOPIA's other sites if you're looking for car magnets, banners and cheap signs too. They work similarly to PRINTCOPIA which means it's super easy and fast to create and order!

Price: 16" x 20" Canvas Prints start at $85.16

 

Buy It: Check out www.Printcopia.com to order yours today!

 

Win It!

One winner will receive a 16" x 20" Canvas Print from PRINTCOPIA!

TRM's Christmas Gift Guide :: Glass Straws for Every Occasion from GlassDharma! {Giveaway Ends 11/14}

 

I love using glass for many things in my kitchen. It's non-porous, easy to clean, and the safest to microwave and to use in general. From bowls and cups to mugs and more, I've come to prefer it other the years to other materials. But what about glass straws? Yes! Glass straws really do exist and are an amazingly fun addition to any eco-friendly enthusiasts' kitchen.

GlassDharma was created as a solution to the ever-so-wasteful plastic straws. They don't offer just one simple style of glass straw either. They come in different lengths, diameters, straight or bent, and even decorative dots on them for a touch of elegance. You can even order cleaning brushes to making washing a breeze, or just put them in the dishwasher to clean! They're an eco-friendly choice for keeping plastic out of our landfills, and are made right here in the USA so your money is staying in our country too.

I generously received four different glass straws and 2 cleaning brushes to review. What a fun sampling to get a good idea of what GlassDharma makes! Looking at the photo on the right, here's what I received from left to right:

Decorative Dots - SIPPER in Blue - 7mm x 6.25" - $8.00
Decorative Dots - ICE TEA in Red - 9.5mm x 9 " - $9.00
The Simple Elegance - SMOOTHIE - 12mm x 6.25" - $8.50
Beautiful Bend - ICE TEA - 9.5mm x 9 " - $8.50

Although I love each one for different reasons and for various drinks, I really enjoy the Beautiful Bend or the Decorative Dots in red for my hot tea. The ICE TEA diameter seems to be great for tea! I never thought of drinking my tea with a straw but it's really fun! The Decorative Dots collection is simple yet elegant and adds that extra touch of class. They would be amazing to buy a bunch to serve fun drinks for a get together or just display in a glass jar on your counter top to match your decor. In addition to red and blue, the Decorative Dots collection is also available in Green, Amber, Clear and Black.

What shorter straws for your kids? Check out The Simple Elegance "shorty" straws with a perfect 6.25" length. I found that the Decorative Dot SIPPER we received was the right length for Buddy's short glass cups so he's pretty much claimed that one as his.

 

Yeah for fresh green juice!

I enjoy making smoothies for my family, but I dread giving my son a plastic straw to go with it. Some of my smoothies are thin enough to just drink straight from the cup, but some are thicker and more enjoyable through a straw so I needed a solution. Plastic straws just seem so toxin-filled and a lot of times I find they have this white powdery film on them (yes, I always rinsed them thoroughly if I noticed that)! This was enough to make me forgo the straws altogether and just risk the mess. The SMOOTHIE straw we received has been the perfect solution for us and I definitely need to get at least a few more. Glass straws are a step in the right direction as my family tries to cut back on disposable products and they're surprisingly fun to use too! I also like that I can use them for hot or cold drinks and are even dishwasher safe. So far I've just hand washed mine and used the cleaning brushes (they make it super easy) but I like knowing that I have that option.

GlassDharma straws are made from the highest quality bororsilicate glass which is the strongest glass available commercially. You will not need to worry about having glass straws around your kids, or with using glass straws in a glass cup. They are extremely sturdy and very well made! They also have a Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage which means you can buy pretty much risk free. You will most likely never need to use their guarantee because I accidentally tested the strength of GlassDharma straws for you!

Actually, it's quite a funny story.....Just a couple days after I received my straws I was showing them to my dad. I had opened the cardboard little box from one end to take one straw out and handed it to him. As he handed it back I was explaining the awesome lifetime warranty. He thought it would be funny to "test" the strength of the straw by dropping it, but I told him no way! Somehow while we were talking I had flipped the cardboard box over, opened the other side and proceeded to put the straw in the box. It went straight through the box since both sides were now open and hit my hardwood floor! I think both of our jaws hit the floor as we braced for the impact! Of course, the straw was completely fine and unharmed. We had a big laugh about it since we were just talking about the lifetime guarantee. If a glass straw from GlassDharma can survive a fall like that, I'm positive it can last for years and years with proper use!

This holiday season, I recommend checking out GlassDharma to cross off some names on your gift list this year. They can be easily added to a gift basket or tucked into a stocking too. With just a little introduction, anyone can easily make the switch to glass straws and make a healthy impact for their family and environment.

 

Buy It: Check out GlassDharma.com for individual straws or straw sets!

 

Win It!

One winner will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to GlassDharma!

Winners Announcement!

The winner of the TETON Sports giveaway is...
 

Rafflecopter Entry #409, Kristina C.!

The winner of the Tiny Prints $50 code giveaway is...
 

Rafflecopter Entry #934, Heather C.! 

The two winners of the pair of SoleRebels tooTOOs are...
 

Rafflecopter Entry #2,970 Jenny S.! 
Rafflecopter Entry #4,671 Lisa B.!

The winner of the Alter Eco giveaway prize package is...
 

Rafflecopter Entry #546 Apple B.! 

 

The winners have been contacted by email! Congratulations to you all!