What Social Media Works for You?

I'm a Facebook girl myself. Started out of course finding high school classmates, old neighbors, and even a childhood friend that I was delighted to meet again. Though I do still touch base with all of them, Facebook has become more "business" for me now. I "Like" almost 250 websites, companies, blogs, etc and I love it because I find the best deals, the coolest products, and even make some "facebook" friends.

I have a Facebook page for Crunchy Beach Mama. At first, it was just another thing I felt I had to have to be a part of the blog world. But now - I LOVE my Fan Page. I love interacting with my BeachBums. I love being able to tell them first about what great Features/Giveaways are coming up. I want it to become a page where all us Crunchy Mamas gather together to help one another out. We need that right?

I was hesitant about installing the Facebook Social PlugIn on the sidebar because it was another button that was taking up space that I might need. But I've gotten good feedback from it and my new BeachBum followers seem to enjoy the simplicity of it. So JOIN US right over here ------------------------->

EDITED to ADD - I have a $5 Amazon Giveaway going on my wall right NOW :)

I STILL don't have Twitter down pat. I know some of you tried to teach me about it once before because you really like it and think it works well for you. I use it of course, but not to the extent I should. There are many features of it I know I'm not taking advantage of. Just another thing to learn!

How do we find the time to be everywhere? :)

Which Cloth Diaper for Me?

I'm in need of a new diaper or two. I'm doing laundry to much! Help me decide what to get since I can't seem to WIN one from any of you bloggers :)

Currently, BumGenius takes over my stash - Pockets & AIOs. Their organic cotton AIO is probably my favorite diaper but it's not a leave-on-forever-especially-nights diaper. And I only have one.

Or my Doodle Dypes from Hyena Cart are FANTASTIC and Sandy's the best! Go look at all her Halloween Dypes for tonight's stocking...are you drooling...I am

I've gotten lazy and hate stuffing pockets. I'm thinking of going the Hybrid route. There are soooo many different kinds these days. But I have to have CUTE. Suggestions? I've been eyeing the WeeHuggers...

Or the SoftBums or Nicki's Best Bottoms (but she does not have cheap shipping)

What do YOU think? What do you LIKE best? Or tell me some more crafty MAMAs who make great diapers?

Lisa with Lil Boppers Giveaway

I came across the cutest little shop the other day as I was Etsy snooping. That site is so dangerous! I came across these rattle giraffes that I instantly clicked and into Lil Boppers I went.

Oh P'Diddy would have so much fun with this stuff I thought! Then what caught my eye was something I knew he would love the most...a crinkle toy! I contacted Lisa and she was kind enough to send him one! It was so funny because on the day we received our new toy he was trying to play with paper which I constantly have to keep away from him. He loves the noise it makes! Our package arrived and out of his hand I took the paper and into it, his new crinkle square. He gave me that look that said, "Aren't going to take this away from me?" And into his mouth it went. A win win for both of us!



We love the minky feel!

Another item I ordered was for my older boys. I couldn't leave them out right? Lisa makes Boo Boo Packs that you can keep in the freezer to make cold or put them briefly in the micro to keep warm. Perfect! And she makes pirates! Argh! O'Bear fell down the next day and ran straight for the freezer where I was storing our Pack. And C'Man came home from football practice and wanted me to warm it up for his aching back (or maybe his pretend aching back?! hee hee).

Let's hear a little bit more about Lisa ~

I am originally from Pennsylvania & am an avid Philly sports fan.  I have 4 grown children & 2 granddaughters Emma who's 10 & Kenley who's almost 2. My love of sewing stems back from when my Grandma taught me on her old Singer push pedal machine.  I enjoyed spending the time with her & learned so much!

How did you get started?

When Kenley was born her mom asked me if I could make a few burp cloths because the ones from the stores weren't absorbent enough. Her friends asked where she got them & that's how Lil Boppers was born!  As the baby has grown her needs changed from burpies to bibs & now toys.  My business has grown right along with her!

Are you a crunchy mama?

I guess your definition of a Crunchy Mama would not hold true to me since I am not a vegetarian. I love my Filet Mignon!

That's ok Lisa, I'm not a vegetarian either! :)

She makes lots of neat items. Here are a couple more I want to show off to you!


Isn't everything just the cutest? Lisa is so kind and wants to give you the chance to visit her shop and win either a Boo Boo Pack or a Crinkle Toy. You get to choose! To enter - click into Lil Boppers and tell us what your favorite item is. Comment your answer below. You must also be a BeachBum follower to win which is on the right sidebar.

After you've done that, we'll give you extra chances! One comment is one entry.

Follow Lil Boppers on Facebook here (it is called Kenleys Korner) & tell her Crunchy Beach Mama sent you! ~  1 entry

Heart Lil Boppers on Etsy ~ 1 entry

Purchase something from Lil Boppers (she will consider wholesale orders on certain items too!) ~ 5 entries

Like Crunchy Beach Mama on Facebook using my new FB plugin on right sidebar! ~ 2 entries (there is a $5 Amazon eCard giveaway on my wall!)

Network with Crunchy Beach Mama though Twitter, RSS Feeds, Email Subscriptions (links above) ~ 1 entry each

Tweet or FB status about the giveaway - '#Win a Boo Boo Pack or Crinkle Toy from #Etsy shop Lil Boppers #Giveaway @crunchybchmama http://tiny.cc/7jvyb' (or @Crunchy Beach Mama - on facebook) ~ 1 entry per day

Grab My Button (show me the link so I can see and thank you!) ~ 1 entry

Lil Boppers sent me a crinkle toy to review for this giveaway but I was not compensated in any way for the post. This giveaway will end on Oct. 4, 2010 at 10:00pm ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents all over the world and you must be 18 years of age or older.

This is Me Again

I was tagged by Heather from Acting Balanced blog to do a little questionnaire. I thought it might be fun to get to know me a little better with some fun questions :)

Here's how it works: I answer her 8 questions and then tag 8 people to answer 8 questions that I make up. Sounds simple, right?

Here it goes...

1. What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it?
I am ALWAYS reading a book! And I read many different genres. The last one I finished was called Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Book 5) by Richelle Mead. This series is awesome and keeps me going but this was my least favorite in the series so far, but still good!

2. How often do you post on your blog? Do you have a schedule?
My goal is every other day. But no, not a set schedule. You have to be organized for that! :)

3. What is your favorite blog topic?
For me to read? About anything/anyone green, organic, natural. For me to write? Featuring Mamas (or anyone who makes homemade items. They are so talented and I love promoting them!)

4. What did you have for lunch today?
It's not lunch time yet but for breakfast I had a breakfast burrito

5. Where do you get your news?
From Hubby. He keeps me informed!

6. How do you handle stress?
Pray a lot to God, try to get some good sleep, and maybe a nice cry to let it all out.

7. What is your all time favorite movie? Why?
Not sure I have an all time favorite but I love musicals - Mamma Mia, Grease, Sound of Music are a few of my top favorites.

8. What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
That I am not 100% crunchy, especially when it comes to my eating habits.

That was painless! I am tagging the following people from some of my FaVoRiTe FuN blogs...
 
Julie from A Year With Mom and Dad (visit her on Monday for a GREAT giveaway!)
Jaye from Eco-Friendly & Frugal (my idol blog :)
Kim from Chubby Cheeks Thinks (I visit almost daily because there is always something going on!)
Amy from The Cheap and Choosy (lots of cloth diaper giveaways right now!)
Melanie from Going Green With Noah (a great green blog with a fun Hop!)
Melissa & Tiffany from Home Grown Families (a wonderful family friendly blog!)
Krystal from The Clever Mommy Chronicles (one of the first blogs I ever followed. Love her look!)
Nicole from Mama to 4 Blessings (congrats on your 4th you'll be a busy mama!)

Your questions...

1) I'm also going to use the book one because I love to see what people are reading.
What book did you finish last and did you like it?

2) What are you up to this weekend?

3) When and Why did you start blogging?

4) What is your favorite part of your blog or blogging in general?

5) Do you recycle?

6) Are you crafty?

7) What is your favorite sport? A favorite team?

8) And I have to ask. Are you a crunchy mama? (definition up top under Steps to Being Crunchy)

That was SUPER fun! Can't wait to hear the answers and see who you pass it on to :)

This Is Me

Except for our cat ran away and the dog died. This is exactly how I've been feeling lately! I've been on overload between the kids starting school, participating in sports, watching extra kids after school, starting a part time job from home, promoting my blog, trying to keep the house clean, dealing with a crabby baby, getting no sleep. Shall I go on? You mama's know how it is! But would I change it? No! A crazy, busy life is a good life. Well maybe I could use a little more sleep :)

Inspired By Finn ~ Baltic Amber "Teething" Necklace Giveaway

It has not been fun around our household at times. Many times. Seven teeth in P'Diddy's first seven months. We've done the wet washcloths, the cold teethers, and I even broke down and tried the Baby Orajel once. I wish I would have had this wonderful "natural" remedy much earlier! Have you heard about the healing powers of Baltic Amber? It was long ago considered one of the leading "medicines" of its time. And I bet you think it's a stone. Nope, it is a fossilized tree resin.

Inspired By Finn operates out of Hyena Cart and they sell a TON of beads in different sizes, shapes and colors. We chose Earth Tones in the Chip style.

I have learned a lot about amber since receiving the necklace. I wanted to make sure P'Diddy was getting the full benefits of the necklace so we are following these simple "rules"

- make sure the amber is on direct and continous contact with the skin. So wear the necklace inside your shirt instead of out.

- should be worn as much as possible - take off at bathtime and sleeptime for little ones.

- the lightest color of amber contains the most succinic acid so has the greatest therapeutic benefit

- wear your amber as close to the discomfortant site as possible.

Did you know that Baltic amber is also good for many many things? Headaches, arthritis, carpal tunnel are a few and Inspired By Finn sells bracelets too! AND I was super surprised to see bead strands for your back! I ran to tell chiro Hubby about it. Helps with back pain and even menstrual cramping! 

Would you like to order from Inspired By Finn? I have some DISCOUNTS for you!

"Like" Inspired By Finn on Facebook and receive 20% off your order. Code FB20 at checkout.

"Like" on Facebook + "Suggest to Friends" and received 25% off your order. Code FB25 at checkout.

Would you like to WIN a necklace? Which one would you choose?

MANDATORY - Visit Inspired By Finn and tell me what 16" or smaller piece of jewelry you would pick! Comment below! Also, must be a BeachBum google follower of Crunchy Beach Mama for your entry to count.

Looking for more chances to WIN? Each extra comment is one extra entry!

Like Inspired By Finn on Facebook - tell them Crunchy Beach Mama sent you!

Make a purchase from Inspired By Finn during the course of this giveaway. Let me know what you bought! 5 extra entries/comments for this!

Request to be on Inspired By Finn's email list to receive sale and product information forfinn@yahoo.com

Like Crunchy Beach Mama on Facebook using my new FB plugin in right sidebar! ~ 2 entries (there is a $5 Amazon giveaway going on my wall!)

Network with me! Twitter, RSS Feeds, Email Subscription (confirmed!) - links above. Comment for each one.

Tweet and/or Facebook Status - '#Win Baltic Amber Necklace from @Inspired By Finn #Giveaway http://tiny.cc/rip15'. One per day.

Grab My Button

Inspired By Finn sent me a necklace for this giveaway but I was not compensated in anyway for the post. This giveaway will end on Sept. 27, 2010 at 10:00pm ET. Winner will be drawn via random.org. Once a winner is drawn I will contact them and they will have 48 hours to reply before I draw a new winner. Giveaway is open to residents all of the US & Canada and you must be 18 years of age or older.