Archive for the ‘uncategorized’ Category

It’s more than time for me to get sewing for school.

I was lucky enough to be the recipient of some “hand me down patterns” from a good friend.  I’ll be making both the dress and top from Sandi Henderson’s Portabellopixie Claire Pattern.

I told my girls I would make the dress pattern without the apron for school and heard a chorus of “Oh please, make the apron, I love it!”  I’m not so sure about an apron for a school dress, but we’ll see.

I’m hoping the top can be worn all year with a long sleeve layer underneath.  It certainly will make it through fall and spring with a sweater.

I’d also like to make the 2 + 2 Blouse and Pleated Skirt pattern from Oliver + S.  The skirt is especially high on my to do list.

Both patterns are a few years old, but have a nice timeless quality about them.

Speaking of timeless.  I love this Jump Rope dress pattern from Oliver & S.  It’s on my wish list to make for my girls.  I think it would be perfect in a soft grey fabric.  My girls would prefer it in purple or aqua.  The pattern is out of print and only went to a size 3… but I’d love to find something just like in my girls size.

After being neglected a bit this summer, my sewing machine needs to be put to good use, just in time for school.

And so I don’t totally neglect my son the homemade school clothes department.  I’ve had my eye on this tutorial for a while.  My son would love a shirt with a cool pic of his boys best friend, Finn.  There’s a great tutorial found at the Long Thread.

And now for the winner of the $25 Visa Gift Card Giveaway courtesy of the Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge:

Congratulations Kristie!  Email me with your address so I can get your gift card sent out.  Yes school supplies are high on our list too.  Oh my.

I’ve have loved being part of the Arm & Hammer Switch & Save Challenge.  But I must admit to feeling a little daunted when I knew a tube of toothpaste was on it’s way for me to use and review.

I’m more than a little picky about my toothpaste.  I’ve used the same brand for years and I am hopelessly stuck in my ways.

Once, I tried a different brand of toothpaste, in a pinch at a friend’s house.  I gagged.

Testing toothpaste was going to be a REAL challenge for me.

So, when the box arrived in the mail with my new ARM & HAMMER Advance White Brilliant Sparkle Toothpaste, I did what any good mom would do and made my kids be the guinea pigs.

They were all game to brush their teeth in the middle of the afternoon, so I stood in the doorway of the bathroom and watched.  My two kids who like my minty toothpaste gave me an immediate thumbs up.  My girl who still uses fruity toothpaste gave it a sideways thumb moving toward a thumbs up.

OK.  That’s encouraging.  Much better than expected.  If they could handle it then maybe so could I.  It does have my favorite baking soda in it after all…

That night I bravely tried it out.

It was such a pleasant surprise!   The flavor is nicely minty… with a bit of a saltiness that I actually liked.  It tasted more natural than my brand… which I loved.

But far and away, my favorite thing about Baking Soda toothpaste was how my mouth felt after brushing.

My teeth felt smooth and really clean.  And there is no doubt, it rocks at knocking out bad breath- like after eating my sister-in-law’s yummy bruschetta with lots of garlic and goat cheese.

Since my Arm & Hammer Toothpaste arrived at my home several weeks ago, I haven’t once gone back to my old toothpaste.  That is truly amazing to me.

As for whitening, the jury is still out.  I can’t wait to see if it really works, but it will take several months to know.

Yet again, I am truly happy and impressed with my Arm & Hammer product.

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This is a sponsored post for Church & Dwight Co., Inc, the maker of ARM & HAMMER branded products, who is paying me to try different products.

Sign up for a free sample of Advance White Brilliant Sparkle Toothpaste. And then head over to The Switch & Save Challenge to keep up with all of the bloggers and enter to win $25,000