Mother's Touch Comfort Bath Sling

This review is brought to you by Christine who writes The Bilek Family blog.

MESH BATH SLING

Last summer as we were packing up the truck to head down to the beach, I was overwhelmed with how much STUFF kids need and how much we had to pack to go through our daily routines. With a 1.5 yr old and a 4 mo old...I had all kinds of gear to bring, you know, double stroller, travel swing for the baby, pack and play for bedtime, etc. I had to draw the line somewhere, and that line was drawn at bringing the baby tub. I just felt a tad ridiculous dragging that along with us.

I had to run in to the local KMART (gag...sorry, I am a Target girl) down in Myrtle Beach, I breezed through the baby section and stopped dead in my tracks. You see, bath time wasn't going so hot in the tub at the beach...it has one of those sliding glass doors on a track, so my ribs were a tad irritated with me. I was also still doing bath time, one kid at a time (I just realized that when I went to find the picture...it was named "first bath together")

I found this mesh bath sling that I could lay the baby on in the tub, which would keep her head elevated and out of big brothers way, while staying nice and warm in the water. Holy cow, she looks like such a chunk...I swear she was only 14lbs!

I loved it, it was cheap (probably only 5 bucks or so) and I ended up using the sling until my little lady was almost a year old! (she's rather petite)

PROS:

• The mesh dries quickly and easily slips off to be washed
  
• It made it so much easier to get through bath time, both kids could be in the tub and I didn't have to hold the baby up the entire time...she could just lounge and big brother had more interaction with her.
  
• I swear that having used the sling for so long has made my daughter WAY more comfortable laying on her back in the pool to learn how to float, and she also doesn't freak out when I lean her back to rinse out her hair. That sensation must feel more normal to her.
  
• Keeps your baby warm since they are in the water...I don't like the idea of the ones that sit up in the air...hello, wet and cold baby!
  
• As she got bigger and had more control, she could either sit up in it or lay back, and I didn't have to worry about her falling out.
  

CONS:

• You have to keep an eye on the water level so that the sling doesn't start to teeter when your baby gets a bit top-heavy, I would just let a bit of water out and the problem was solved
  

I couldn't find the exact model on the Kmart website, so I did a bit of Googling, and I like the looks of this one even more than the one I used for so long...I think the plush sides are nice, and from the reviews, it helps keep your baby warm! It's a few bucks more, but I think this item is totally worth it. I have a friend who is due with twins and I think I'll order her 2!

Hady Tip

By Kerrie at The Minivan Soapbox

As much as I love to look out my kitchen windows and see my garden, the work and sweat I have to put into it each year is exhausting. Gardening and mulching can also be very dirty work. The path from our front driveway to our backyard is a good hike - and can seem even longer when having to take 20 trips back and forth from the car hauling bags oaf mulch or flats of plants.

A wheelbarrow would come in handy for those trips - however, those can be expensive and take up needed space in our garage. I've found a much handier way of doing things - and I was able to re-use something we have laying around.

We're past the age of spending all our time in a stroller - and if I do still need it from time to time, I simply cover in a large trash bag before using for yard work. Makes those trips back and forth MUCH easier - and clean up afterwards is one trip back. The stroller also folds down for storing, as most strollers do - simply store away during the winter months, and pull back out for spring.

I may look a little silly - but my back thanks me at the end of the day.

Laser Hair Removal

This review is brought to you by Kerrie at The Mini Van Soap Box

Review: Laser Hair Removal - Reveal Med Spa
Cost: $1800; included their current 30% off promotion
Area: Underarms & Bikini

I had been playing with the idea for a long time. Every day I heard the same commercial on the radio on my way to work - and I knew I would like to try it. However, like any commercial that does not inform you of the cost, chances were it was going to be far too expensive.

I finally managed to find some time to call and get an idea if it was even feasible. I had to endure a good 20 minutes of Corporate BS before we even got the the pricing...It was starting to remind me of a time share "opportunity". I gathered all the information that I could and prepared for the next hurdle: My husband.

Surprisingly, he was pretty supportive of the idea...so off we went to being (further) in debt.

Here's the basic idea behind it:

Women like me, dark hair/fair skin, are by far the best candidates for this procedure. You may have some issues if you are blond and/or very dark skinned. You are scheduled for five to six appointments, each no less than six weeks apart. During the 30 some odd weeks that it takes for the complete 'process', there is no waxing, plucking, tweezing or any other form of removing hair from the root. Shaving is completely acceptable. There is an initial consultation, where you will discuss the procedure and take some 'before' pictures.

Initially I was nervous about the pictures....My crazy brain started imaging pictures of me...down there...splashed all over the internet. Turns out it was harmless and only about a 1 x 1 picture for comparison purposes after everything is said and done.

The appointments themselves are....interesting. A hand held, gun shaped device is what the clinician uses for the treatment. In essence, it grabs the skin in small sections and sucks it into the opening just a bit - which is where the laser is. I won't use the word painful, but it can sting a bit, but only momentarily. As I stated above, I'm having my under arms and bikini area done and the underarm stings a bit more - but mostly because that skin is pulled a little tighter.

The other 'area' is just plain bizarre - but mostly because of where it is - and what she has to do. I embarrass pretty easily and she has to kind of 'get in there'. It can be very awkward. The tech that does my appointments is very easy going and we chit chat a great deal.

Lastly, water is sprayed from a spray bottle at each application site. Can be very cold.

I'm three appointments in, and to date I can't tell any difference what so ever. From what I understand, they increase the laser strength with each visit - hence why it takes six appointments. They warned me about this in the beginning - but I still find it rather irritating. I feel as though I'm not getting anywhere yet.

Pros: The staff is pleasant and professional
When it's over - I feel as though it will have been worth the cost

Cons: Expense.
If you are like me, and get uncomfortable just going to the OB, it can be awkward.

I will update again when all six appointments are done...but I probably won't share my before and after pictures!

Hercules Hooks

This review is brought to you by Brooke at Sylvester 4

Review: Hercules Hooks

Cost: @ $14

Despite all of the “only sold on TV” commercials, I found these at the Walgreens. And seriously, there is almost nothing bad I can say about them! I have avoided hanging pictures for years after moving into a new house, because I hate trying to find studs in the wall, etc…

However, Hercules Hooks actually do what the commercial says they do!! Can you believe it? Yes, they do!

You just push them through the wall. You twist them. You push them all the way in. You hang stuff on the hooks. They hold. That’s it… Really.

The only times they don’t work is if you hit a stud, in which case you have to get a nail, or, if your walls are plaster. In that case, you’re on your own.

Pros: Cheap, easy to get, easy to install, and when you move, you can just take them out of the wall and take them with you! Plus, the holes they leave are so small- easy to cover with a dab of toothpaste!

Cons: I, personally, haven’t experienced any cons. However, I have seen quite a few reviews from people who had a lot of trouble with ordering the hooks straight from the company. Apparently they found themselves signed up for a lifetime supply of hooks- and repeated charges on their credit card bills.

My suggestion- Buy them at Walgreens and avoid dealing directly with the company.

Enjoy!

About Us

Welcome to Reviews For Change!!

Anyone can find a thousand reviews on a digital camera or laptop, our goal is to provide honest product & service reviews for every day items.  Our group of writers, pulled from the blogging community, takes the time to try old and new products - and inform you of the results.  No product is too small.  If it worked for us - we'll let you know.  In these hard times that many of us are facing - let us help you stretch those pennies.

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Kerrie - Editor
She's a beliver.  If you hock it on the tube: SOLD. You sell one and we get one  free: SOLD.  You add 4 irrelevant items just to sweeten the deal: SOLD. Now the crap better work cause she’s gonna out you here if you fail…. You can also find Kerrie at The Mini Van Soap Box.

Brooke - Guest Author (Webmaster) 
Brooke... was waiting for the 21^st century all her life…now that it’s here, there’s just so much to buy!! Imagine all the great things the modern world can deliver to yor door step. Now imagine she bought them and is going to tell you all about it right here on this cool modern age blog spot thingy… Brooke hangs out at The Sylvester 4

TJ - Guest Author
TJ... is the husband of an infomercial victim and technology stalker. His presence on this review site is an exercise in financial self preservation and liberation from instruction manuals and online help. He is the writer of GTFO- premiering soon.

Christine Bilek - Guest Reviewer.  Christine has a fabulous blog - The Bilek Family

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