pumpkin patch visit #1 pictorial

Saturday afternoon Papa, Nana and Mr. Blonde took LA and Boatboy to a local pumpkin patch. Mrs. Blonde couldn't make it as she got held up doing make-up for a bride who's schedule got pushed back three hours on her big day. In a couple weeks, we'll make our pilgrimage south for the real annual stop. But, we did have great fun at this one.

Wordless Wednesday

LA and his favorite friend! This girl makes him smile from ear to ear!

Less Naughty. More Nice.Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics (giveaway)

{Less Naughty. More Nice. is a way for me to promote amazing products with reviews and giveaways! I am sharing ethically produced products in advance of the Christmas buying season. I have a heart for fair trade, eco-friendly and U.S. made companies. It will continue through November 11th. I am receiving no financial compensation for these promotions. However, I have received sample product in order to supply you an authentic and honest review.}

Oh sweet LUSH! Let me tell you about some new awesome LUSHness again! I said this last time ...and the time before. But, their products are out of this world. From the amazing smells to a fun, fresh, responsible, organic (often vegan) cosmetic company.

My new favorite product is the KING OF THE MODS Styling Gel. It's a soft-hold gel fragranced with grapefruit and lime. And it happens to work for our entire family. We all either have wavy or super curly hair. Our need is to keep the curls and frizz under control. It really works. The smell is so fresh and clean. The gel is made with almond and camellia oils that

keep our hair looking soft and healthy. If you haven't smelled a grapefruit and lime hair cocktail you're in for a real treat!
On top of all of the amazing products LUSH offers, they have an outstanding code of conduct dedicated to ethicals ways of doing business. They give to charities through their Charity Pot body lotion.

And, they have some Halloween and Christmas treats that you must have. Why not have fresh handmade products? Just how fresh is it? Each product has an expiration date on the package.

Buy it: King of the Mods styling gel retails for $16.45

Win it: Lush is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader their own King of the Mods styling gel (and therefore fall in love with). Leave me a comment telling me one other product you must have and why!

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.

Thanks so much for entering. I will randomly select a winner October 11th. Thanks LUSH!

Less Naughty. More Nice. Fair Trade Soccer Ball (giveaway)

{Less Naughty. More Nice. is a way for me to promote amazing products with reviews and giveaways! I am sharing ethically produced products in advance of the Christmas buying season. I have a heart for fair trade, eco-friendly and U.S. made companies. It will continue through November 11th. I am receiving no financial compensation for these promotions. However, I have received sample product in order to supply you an authentic and honest review.}

Let me introduce Fair Trade Sports, Inc. This company is amazing! I am so excited to have found this company. I love sports and have always looked forward to buying my little guys' some equipment. Even though I played every sport except soccer, I thought a soccer ball would be fun to kick around at the park with the boys. But this isn't any ole soccer ball created by any ole company...

Fair Trade Sports is the first sports equipment company in the U.S. to launch a full line of eco-certified fair trade sports balls, ensuring fair wages and healthy working conditions for our adult workers. They also offer sweatshop-free apparel. Learn more about their certifications here.

I had the opportunity to review this club size 3 soccer ball. Which is for children under 8.

Why it's great!...

1. Colorful and fun! My 1 and 3-year-old have a blast with it.
2. Fair Trade!...which means the adults who have produced this ball received a fair wage at no extra cost to you.
3. Eco-certified, union-made and vegan. WOW! I didn't know soccer balls could be vegan!
4. All after-tax profits go to children's charities.

I know us Moms are all buy sporting goods multiple times a year. Especially in thinking toward Christmas gifts for the special kiddos in your life. I encourage you to support this very unique company.

Buy it: Eco-soccer ball club size 3 retails for 34.99

Win it: Fair Trade Sports is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara winner a Eco Soccer Ball (Club Size 3 Dots). Leave me a comment telling me who will be kicking this ball around and one other product that you would like for yourself or family.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Follow Fair Trade Sport Blog.

Thanks so much to Fair Trade Sports for creating such an incredible company and allowing me to partner with you during Less Naughty. More Nice.

Thanks for entering! I will randomly select a winner October 10.

a perfect Saturday morning for...

...some home movie viewing

Less Naughty. More Nice. 3 REVIEWS/GIVEAWAYS IN 3 DAYS!

Fair Trade Sports - Eco Soccer ball giveaway

Smart Mom - Teething Bling necklace giveaway

LUSH - King of Mods styling gel giveaway

The fun starts tomorrow! Be sure to enter and tell your friends about Less Naughty. More Nice. I will select 3 winners randomly on Wednesday!

Less Naughty. More Nice. UPrinting poster print (giveaway)

{Less Naughty. More Nice. is a way for me to promote amazing products with reviews and giveaways! I am sharing ethically produced products in advance of the Christmas buying season. I have a heart for fair trade, eco-friendly and U.S. made companies. It will continue through November 11th. I am receiving no financial compensation for these promotions. However, I have received sample product in order to supply you an authentic and honest review.}

UPrinting has been a leading online printing company for over 25 years. Their mission is to give back to the community by helping non-profit organizations achieve their charitable goals. And my favorite thing about the company is their ecological consciousness through FSC certification, SFI certification, use recycled papers and soy inks.

They are generously offering a high-gloss or semi-gloss 18x24 poster. This is the photo I selected for my poster. My two adorable boys as photographed by Full Pockets Photography!
Buy it: 18 x 24 poster for $24 Check out all of the amazing photo gifts like calendars. Grandparents LOVE these!

Win it: UPrinting is giving one 18 x 24 poster print to a lucky Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Leave me a comment telling me how you would use your free print.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will randomly select a winner on September 30th. Thanks for entering one of many giveaways during Less Naughty. More Nice.

Random number 7 is the winner. You have 3 days to contact me.

Please tell everyone you know about this event.

Boatboy and Momma on the carnival slide

If LA is the calculated risktaker of our two boys, Boatboy is the daredevil. He tends to dive in first then see if the water's hot so to speak. So, we thought we would take him on the big carnival slide last weekend. Check out the video embedded below. The look on his face right before he starts laughing is outstanding! As is LA's expression at the very end of the video.

cuddling with Nana

There's just something magical about a grandchild and his grandmother. LA isn't even that tired here. It's at 5 o'clock in the evening on a fun-filled Saturday. He just wanted his Nana to carry him around for a bit.

Less Naughty. More Nice. Hip Handmade T-Shirt!

Let the ribbon cutting ceremony commence! Blondes, Poop & Mascara's first even blog event is off and running. Time for us all to get a little Less Naughty. More Nice. Thanks for reading.

{Less Naughty. More Nice. is a way for me to promote amazing products with reviews and giveaways! I am sharing ethically produced products in advance of the Christmas buying season. I have a heart for fair trade, eco-friendly and U.S. made companies. It will continue through November 11th. I am receiving no financial compensation for these promotions. However, I have received sample product in order to supply you an authentic and honest review.}

Let's kick if off with THE ROCKING PONY. The Rocking Pony is an etsy store that creates hip and stylish clothing for our little children. You will only see original designs featured in this store!! The owner is a Mom of 4 children and still finds time to produce these amazing quality t-shirts!!

So let me tell you about our first of many The Rocking Pony designs....stylish, unique, fun, creative, and quality. The designer herself believes every little one deserves hip and stylish clothing. With The Rocking Pony's original designs you'll never be mistaken for boring again!

So let me share about the uniqueness and quality. You are might be thinking...my child will wear this shirt maybe 2 times and it will fall apart. Not the case, we have wore this shirt at least 10 times since we received (about 2 times a week, no really) and looks just as great if not better than when we received it. I have been stopped many times and asked where I got LA's shirt.

Being a trained designer myself, The Rocking Pony has got it going on. I promise you won't see a guitar shirt like the one we have any where else!!

Buy it: Support The Rocking Pony by your kids up a shirt for back-2-school or a gift. You will be very pleased with your purchase!

Win it: The Rocking Pony is giving away a shirt of choice to one Blondes Poop & Mascara reader. Leave me a comment of your favorite product and who would be wearing it!

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will randomly select a winner on September 26th. Thanks for entering the first of many giveaways during Less Naughty. More Nice.

Please tell everyone you know about this event.

Vincent Shoes heads back to school

Here we have it! Another amazing collection from Vincent children shoes. Fashionable with an edge of funkiness. We love them! You know I have a thing for children shoes. Especially for my boys (LA: 3yrs / Boatboy: 16mos.). If you don't remember Vincent from my last feature in the Spring, you will once you see LA's super cool shiny silver rock star Leo shoes.

Vincent has come out with an amazing back-2-school collection. We selected the Liam in black for LA. With the winter months fast approaching I wanted a low-cut boot for him to run around in. They look adorable on LA. Flexible and easy to put on. They have a velcro fastener and stretchy laces. What else can you ask for in a toddler shoe?

If or when I have a little girl she MUST have these Matilda boots! I don't think they could get any cuter! Vincent continues to design unique fashion forward children's shoes.

More about Vincent Shoes: Two Swedes, who have been in various areas of the fashion world, Patrick at H&M and Thomas a model, couldn’t find anything to suit their tastes for a little guy in their life. Soon, they were designing a collection of kids’ shoes. Patrick and Thomas derive their inspiration from global trends and runway fashions of Paris, Milan, London and New York.

Fall/winter and spring/summer collections both range from soft pre-walkers and comfortable indoor shoes to day and dress shoes as well as boots for girls and boys up to about age 8.

Go and buy a pair of back-2-school children shoes from Vincent Shoes.

It's Friday! SWEET(s)

Why have just one when you can have two? At least that's how it works when Papa's (Mrs. Blonde's Dad) in charge of dessert.

Giveaway: Zhu Zhu Pets hampsters & play set

If you're like Mr. Blonde and I, you asked your parents for some at some point in life. Or multiple points in life.

"Can I have a hamster?!"

I'm sure my Dad would have like to have responded with "Why, yes. Yes you can have a rodent you'll think is fun for two weeks, urinates all over it's cedar chips every other day and runs in a squeeky wheel every night from 3 to 4am that your mother will end up caring for instead of you. Great idea, beautiful smart daughter! In fact, let's get a dozen of them so by this time next year, we have 186 of them!"

You know that part about us at Blondes, Poop & Mascara enjoying things that simplify and enhance family life? This is precisely the point.

If fake hamsters make kids happy then you won't ever have to get your children real ones!

It is true! ZhuZhuPets and Playset come with very fun and loveable little hampsters of all different colors. They chitter and chatter and scurry all over your floor.

We had a blast for hours with our new playset and furry friends. And, the little rascals never bit anyone! We had a Zhu Zhu Pets Hampster Party with some little friends. Thanks to Mom Select and ZhuZhuPets we had a hampster for everyone. We were sent 10 Zhu Zhu Pets along with an exercise room/wheel, surfboard/dome, skateboard/uturn, car/garage and a slide/ramp. It was fun for LA (3+ years of age) to let he and his brother's (15mos of age) hampster run through the playset. But, oh my was it fun to see 10 little hampsters all running through the playset together. They would bump into each other and just keep going. I have to be honest...I didn't think it would work. A bunch of robot hamsters running around in this thing? Come on! But, they did. It really fun. And all of the kids are still playing with the hampsters. One of the little girls is still insisting her mom let her sleep with it each night!

The only thing that could have been easier was assembly of the playset. The parts didn't fit together perfectly. However, with a little time and patience it did ultimately work just fine. And, it's fun for a wide age range. My 15-month-old Boatboy loved his hamster and a 10-year-old friend of ours wants the entire set for herself.

And, because they're fake there's no pellet poop to clean up either!


Buy it: Find ZhuZhuPets in your neck of the wood by clicking here. Visit the ZhuZhuPets blog too.

Win it: ZhuZhuPets is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara winner a hampster in white or yellow with extra batteries. Leave a comment telling me which color you would choose and your favorite thing about ZhuZhuPets!

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will select a winner on September 22nd.

Thanks to Mom Select for the opportunity to review this product and offer my readers a giveaway!

THE WINNER IS RANDOM NUMBER 56. THANKS FOR ENTERING.

stuff

Stumbled across a fantastic little video and website called The Story of Stuff that speaks to our stuff and its effects in our lives. Not only do the facts seem pretty accurate, but the video is produced and scripted in a very clean very organized manner.
The piece is twenty minutes in length so don't get started watching it unless you have time to watch it all the way through. It's best when viewed in all its intended context.
Lastly, the video doesn't leave you with a "Things are jacked up (PERIOD)." notion. There are several leave behinds for activism called Another Way.''
Here's a short teaser video for the full video...

Giveaway: Less Naughty. More Nice. - 1st ever BPM blog event

Less Naughty. More Nice. is a way to promote amazing products with reviews and giveaways! I am sharing ethically produced products in advance of the Christmas buying season. I have a heart for fair trade, eco-friendly and U.S. made companies. It starts this Wednesday and will continue through November 11th.

I am sharing only some of the amazing companies that will be featured during this event.

Body Systems
Boon
Fair Trade Sports
Fashionthropic
Jessie Steele Living
Lauren Nicole Gifts
LUSH
Sleepy Wrap
Smart Mom
Sugar Apple Designs
The Rocking Pony
ReUsies
Warner Brothers' Eating Right Kids
and more!

Win an amazing prize right now! Support this event by posting the Less Naughty. More Nice. button in your cyber space. Blog it. Facebook it. Tweet about the event. Spraypaint your car. Shave it on your cat. Just do the right thing and promote it. Do so and leave me a comment for each effort. Then you get a chance to win a very special prize. The only clue that I'll give you about what I'm giving away is to remind you that I'm a make-up artist.

I will select a winner on September 16th.

Thanks for your support and be sure to enter all of the amazing giveaways coming up in Blondes, Poop & Mascara's Less Naughty. More Nice!

RANDOM NUMBER 3 IS THE WINNER!THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Giveaway: Temple Touch thermometer

Great timing for my new noninvasive thermometer. I am thankful I've only had to use it while Boatboy (16mos.) has been teething the last couple weeks. I was excited to try it out on our eldest, LA (3yrs), just for fun and not for some unknown bug which is likely learking around winter's corner. Not only did he not mind it, he thinks it's fun and wants me to take his temp often.

The ReliOn Temple Thermometer uses R.A.T.E. technology that measures the heat radiating from your little one's body. I know...crazy! Unlike other forehead-type thermometers, the ReliOn Temple Touch is unaffected by local conditions for more accurate readings. It only takes 6 seconds! Did you hear that? SIX seconds! Very easy to take a temp while baby is sleeping.

I was expecting lots of details to set it up and turn it on. Not the case. Simply hit the only button twice, wait for 2 beeps and apply to the temple. Six seconds later...whala! You have a temp.

LA was happy to smile for you while I took his temp tonight during pooping time. I have been very impressed with this thermometer. It is so simple and as I mentioned before so noninvasive!

Buy it: It's only $9.95 at retail and ReliOn.com

Win it: ReliOn has giving away a Temple Touch for a Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Leave me a comment telling me why you must have this therometer.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

Thanks to Mom Select for the opportunity to review this product
and offer my readers a giveaway!

Run my first 5K (check)

So...I did it. "I" meaning the husband and myself. My first ever 5K run. I've been talking about it for 2.5 months. It was a beautiful autumnish morning for a trail run. It was harder than expected due to the terrain, but it was SO much fun.

It was a lot of fun to talk to the other runners and be inspired by their inspirations. Let's profile them shall we...

* All in the family: We briefly got to know an adorable and sweet running family of four. Dad, Mom, 11-yr-old girl and 8-yr-old girl. The 8-year-old is leading her age group in the series of these runs. And, she finished ahead of Amos (only by 40-some seconds he says)!

* The mature: An 80-year-old woman that started the race directly behind Amos. Yeah, you read that age right. 80! Are you kidding me?!

* The big ones: There were a select few number of big dogs. We're talking 50ish guys weighing 250 or so. Girls in their 20s well over 200. Amazingly inspirational!

* Greased lightening: There was a 15K that started 10 minutes before our 5K. One of them lapped Amos around the 2 mile mark. He went on to win the 15K. This guy was blazing through this hilly/rocky 7+ miles in less than 7 minute miles. Then, he and his buddy (15K Men's 2nd place) went running after the race. I guess they weren't tired yet!

* The logger: Maybe it was a Friday Lunch special at White Castle. Maybe it was the 19 Pabst Blur Ribbons you sucked down with your buddies last night. I am uncertain. But, I have it on pretty good authority (the assault on my olfactory senses) that fecal matter should never under any circumstances be that color, carry that scent or be left in a public port-o-let prior to a racing event. -Mr. Blonde In regard to the girl that used the bathroom prior to him. Btw, he only pee'd.

A few thank yous of note...

1) A huge thank you to my friend and running partner Maureen. There is NO chance I would have done what I did this morning had I not been training with you. And, sorry for asking How much longer so often. You're my fav flapper!

2) To my amazing hubby who thought of this cool idea as a part of our "5" celebration (5yr anniversary). Thanks for letting me run with Maureen in the evening during our time. And supporting me! Love you!

3) Huge thanks to Ahnu for my awesome shoes. Eco-friendly, fair trade, super cute and they have been fantastic for my little doggies during this time of training.

We'll be doing it again for sure. And, before that time, I'll be investing in some high quality running socks. Do NOT need another one of these...

For all you time people out there, Mr. notched a heavy 31min and I crossed the line at 37min. I will get faster!

Giveaway: ChicBuds earphones

Why settle for plain-looking earbuds when you have a stylish pair by ChicBuds that has a built-in retrator? Good looks meets functionality. The retractor allows the cord length to expand to five stopping points while the clip prevents the cord from bouncing around. Now, if my window blinds would be so kind.

As most of you know I have been training for my first 5K. Which is tomorrow morning. I used to start my run off by trying very hard to untangle my husband earbuds for the first 5 minutes of my run and then find a way to stop the cord from hitting me while I blazed through the sideroads of our neighborhood not unlike a graceful gazelle in the cool morning sun. Quite a sight to see, I know. These earbuds truly retract to the length I need them and the cord does NOT bounce. Very nice. And, ChicBuds are very pretty with Swarovski crystals on them.

Chic Buds offers many earbud designs. Another nice thing is their support of many causes including breast cancer awareness, AIDS research and ChicBlvd Fitness partners with the American Heart Association.

ChicBuds earphones are compatible with the iPod, iPhone, MP3 player, CD player, airplane connectors…basically any listening device.

ChicBuds retailers and partners include Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fred Segal, Intuition, Ceasar’s Palace, Wynn Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Dillards, Fred Meyer, Regis, Nordstrom, Radioshack.com, BestBuy.com, Buy.com, KMart.com and hundreds of boutiques nationwide. ChicBuds are also distributed in Japan and Australia and are sold in over 10 countries.

Buy a pair: Pick up a pair of ChicBuds for yourself or as a gift starting at $29.99. Be sure to check out all of ChicBuds other products.

Win a pair: ChicBuds is giving away a pair of ROCKBUDS to one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader. Just leave a comment telling me your favorite earbuds with your email address. Let me know your favorite track to workout to as well if you would. I need to update my workout playlist!

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog publicly through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Tell me your favorite thing about my blog that isn't a review or giveaway.
4. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
5. Tweet about this giveaway.
6. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
7. Grab my Less Naughty. More Nice. button and post it to your cyber space.
8. Blog about this contest and leave the link in your comment.
9. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will select a winner September 10. Thanks for entering!

Rise by Fashionthropic

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF, 2006) believes that the number of children trafficked annually
is around 1.2 million.

It is estimated that two children per minute are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

About $28 billion of this is generated from commercial sexual exploitation. (International Labor Organization)

Learn more about The Problem in this handy pdf.

Love146's vision is "The abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation. Nothing less." They were founded in 2002 and are a Better Business Bureau certified 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Amos and a friend of his have been working together for a few months now on a Fashionthropic shirt to benefit Love146. They just completed Rise last night. It features a little girl both before and after she was rescued from sex trafficking. While in the depths of the pit, she's scared. Dirty. Malnourished. Abused. Discarded. Once she rises, she smiles. She's nurtured. She's healed.

Twenty-four hours after it was posted, an administrator at Skreened found it and listed it on the homepage as one of her favorites! Thanks, Michelle!

Check out the shirt. Make others aware of the problem of child sex trafficking. Talk about Love146. Follow their blog. Let's work together to end this hell.

I'm gonna getcho