What is greener than recycling with a plastic trash can? Recycling in a compostable, recyclable container.
Clean Cubes is a new patent-pending biodegradable, disposable and recyclable trash bin available on Amazon. It was invented by Javier Colayco, a New York City-based Harvard graduate and web entrepreneur, and his wife, Thuy Minh.

What really impressed me was that after only 2 weeks on Amazon.com – not even available in retail stores yet – Clean Cubes™ received a prestigious 2012 International Housewares Association Innovation Award at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.

Honestly, this is one of those products that makes you sit back and think, “why didn’t someone think of this before?” We all want to live green and reduce our carbon footprint. Yet we are using metal or plastic tins for our recyclables. I know a friend that uses paper bags for her recyclables, but that paper bag rips far too easily and – let’s be honest – doesn’t look nearly as clean.

In fact, it was the clean look as much as the sustainability that went into the design for Clean Cubes.

“Colayco, 34, thought of the Clean Cubes concept when devising a solution to the constant trash pileup in his small New York apartment. He and Minh, 30, were constantly frustrated with an overflow of trash whenever they had guests. “

Instead of bringing out big, ugly trash cans or just the bags, the Clean Cubes are cute and can be placed throughout your party space for recyclables. They are sturdy enough to be used multiple times. And if they happen to get filthy, you can put them in the recycle bag and get another one out.

I for one think they deserved that housewares award. They beat out over 400 other products for good reason. It cuts down even more on our consumer waste!

What do you think of the Clean Cubes? Isn’t this one of the most useful inventions so far?

Disclaimer: I received compensation to tell you about the Clean Cubes. After reading the press release, I was so impressed that I added my personal commentary and that is 100% my opinion. If you don’t like compostable trash bins, that is totally cool! Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Friday morning I woke up at 3am. Full of adrenaline, I drove to Kansas City and flew to Chicago to be part of the Verizon Super Savers Kick off event!  Nineteen bloggers from the midwest were chosen to work with Verizon to promote their devices and deals and I was really excited to join them.

If you remember, I already worked with Verizon before. So this was a no-brainer!

I arrived and got settled into the Hard Rock Hotel. Let me tell you, that place is so fun to stay in! Then we all gathered in a conference room and listened to the super-fun Alli Worthington speak! She shared her favorite apps and some hilarious social-media photos/facts she found through Pinterest. We chatted and discussed WOMMA disclosure. We all introduced ourselves and it was just an all-around fun time.

Then it was finally time to open our mystery devices! Ever since we found out we were going to work as “Verizon Savvy Savers” we were given clues to guess what device we’d get first. We had no idea. You should have heard all the squeals as we opened and saw the shiny new Motorola Xyboard tablets! They come equipped with data plans, 4G capabilities and ready to use!

Then we went back to the hotel and I took a nap. A glorious, quiet, kid-free nap. It was Heaven! Verizon treated all of the Savvy Savers to a delicious dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Navy Pier! (and I had fun getting dressed without kids pulling on my skirt. )

Navy Pier was beautiful! Just breathtaking! It was such a relaxing dinner – I had the swordfish!

After dinner, I went back to my room and slept. I was kinda exhausted – you know, 3am and all!

The next morning was breakfast with our team and introduction to Verizon devices and plans. Then we talked more about our role as Savvy Savers – what we will talk about with our readers and such – and then we heard from a Motorola Representative that taught us how to use our tablets.

I’m really excited about this device. It can be my remote, connect to my computer remotely, my Hulu watching device, eReader, calendar, and so much more. I’ll definitely keep updating you all with what I learn about my tablet and how I use it.

Then it was time to go home. I was so missing my family.  Unfortunately I took the wrong turn and ended up like an hour the wrong way.  But then I whipped out my XYBoard tablet and it gave me turn-by-turn navigation home. It took me around the tolls, out in the country roads. I got some lovely shots – isn’t that sunset breathtaking?

So excited to be a Savvy Saver! Click the button to the left for the full disclosure, thanks!

I used to subscribe to the CPSC email list and would get an email almost every day full of recalled baby and children items. But I quickly unsubscribed when I just ran out of time to scroll through the text-only email and try to find items that I owned or planned to own.

The Recalls Plus app is a beautiful, easy to use app that actually alerts you when an item you own or plan to own is recalled. You don’t have to check online constantly, you don’t have to google or scroll through hard-to-read emails. It tells you. That is the kind of usefulness I love in an app!

Here is a little more info about Recalls Plus from the  makers:

Our diverse team consists of parents and others who are focused and passionate about parenting issues — working around the clock to make sure we don’t miss catching a recall on kid’s products or food with undeclared allergens. Recalls Plus is designed and built for busy parents like you so you can focus on the important things in your life.

The Recalls Plus app is available on iPhones and Androids. And if you don’t have one of those, you can use the Facebook app.  This is truly available for everyone.

This is so user friendly! Just tap the “Add Stuff” button and put stuff on your watch list. Then you wait and if something you are watching is recalled it will ding on your phone. No other efforts from you.

What is it they say on infomercials? “Set it and forget it!”

Here is a quick and easy link for you to download the plugin!

Thank you SheSpeaks for this amazing opportunity.  Loved working with you – all opinions are 100% mine, I did get a fun little Amazon.com gift code as a thank you for writing this.

Once in awhile I find a book that transports me to another time. I feel, and smell, and taste that era. And even better – the book emotionally connects me to the readers without engulfing my entire psyche.  The Soldier’s Wife by Margaret Leroy is just that book.

This book is set during World War 2 on an island near Great Britain.  It becomes occupied by German soldiers and the locals have to decide whether to accept these intruders or to shun them as the horrific enemy.  The main character is a kind and multi-layered woman named Vivienne.  She is married to a man who is away fighting the war. Her marriage never had any spark, or romance. In fact, he cheated on her and they have only been married by law, not love.

She has a teenage daughter and a 4 year old daughter and cares for her aging mother-in-law who is struggling with dementia.  The best part of the plot happens when Vivienne falls in love with one of the soldiers – who is also married – that moves in next door to her house.

Forbidden love is such a delightful thing to read! And the ending really grips you and makes you ask – really? But would you honestly have it any other way? (I am not spoiling it – you have to buy it and read it yourself!)

My favorite thing about Margaret Leroy’s writing is her attention to forestry detail. She is always recreating the smells and textures of the island. I found myself desiring to visit this island to pick the flowers and walk along the lanes and taste the sea air!

Twitter Party Alert!

The author will be tweeting with her fans tonight!

Time: 8pm CST

Hashtag #Gr8books

More info/discussion questions: Great Thoughts blog

See you there!

I received this book for my review. I loved it, that is my honest opinion. You should read it and see if you agree!

You know what makes me scream? When I try to take the trash sack out of my trash can and it rips. Drippy cans and dirty diapers fall all over my floor. That is what I get for saving a measly buck on a box of bags.

No thanks.

That is why I only use Glad bags. They stretch so far and do not rip! Believe me, I have put them to the test. I especially love using these bags at birthday parties when I have to cram boxes into the bags. No ripping. Oh the bliss.

  Wanna see something funny? Check out the Glad Facebook page where they have this hilarious video about a family in a messy house – ok, scary messy – and what happens.

They are all wild animals and it is a really cute video.

Also from Glad? A super fun auction on eBay!

You can bid on original artwork by Jason Mecier. All the art work is of beautiful wild animals. My favorite is the raccoon.  The auction runs April 16-26 – it is almost over so go place your bids! These are seriously one of a kind works of art.

And for more fun – follow the @GladWildLife on twitter. This account follows the family of six wild animals featured in the Facebook video. Really fun times!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Glad Black Bag and received a Glad Black Bag product and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. I was also asked to “pin” one (1) Glad Black Bag Art Auction photo on Pinterest.

It is Lizzie’s turn to get spoiled in my reviews.  Lizzie loves the soft cowgirl boot slippers from Cicciabella so much that she actually wears them. This is saying a lot coming from a child that prefers to be “au natural” 24/7.

Lizzie loves cowgirl stuff! It all started when she became a fan of Jessie on Toy Story. From then on she was “Lizzie the yodeling cowgirl.”  And we have hardwood floors and she hates wearing socks – so what better way to keep her feet warm than adorable cowgirl slipper boots?

And they are sooooo cute and soft!

I also love how they are soft but not too thick. The embroidery is a very lovely touch. And speaking of touching – Lizzie loves to wear these with her bare feet. I would too – the inside is lined with super soft faux sheepskin. And the bottom is rugged enough that Lizzie can wear them outside.

Our favorite use for these boots? She wears her ballet slippers then puts the boots on and wears them to ballet class! They are so cute that she doesn’t look silly wearing “slippers” out of the house.

I do wish they were a smidge lower priced. On Amazon.com they are $47 a pair.  They are so cute and soft and long lasting that they can be an investment and last many children, but still. Almost $50 for slippers? I would have to ask for them as a gift from people at that price.

Do you have any little cowgirls in your life? 

Lizzie received the slippers to review. All opinions are 100% my own.

I’m a sucker for sweets. I can give up salty foods without an issue, but cupcakes and ice cream? As Annie says in Oklahoma, “I’m just a girl that caint say no!”

I also love promoting and supporting other WAHMs. And I like lip balm.  And all three of these things are on For Goodness Grape! Lisa has sold over 4,000 items on her Etsy shop For Goodness Grape and just opened a website over the weekend – I am so excited for her! She makes delicious lip balms, sugar scrubs and perfume sticks.

Browse her new site and if the pictures don’t make you hungry, the names probably will.

Snow Cone Lip Balm

Iced fruit pops lip balm

and Watermelon Mojito lip balm

are my favorites. I really cannot wait to try the Watermelon Mojito….I might be smacking my lips all day!

About the products

Lisa makes her products in small batches, keeping the quality high and the room for error low.  In addition to the amazing and fun scents, each product has a combination of at least 2-4 different highly moisturizing butters and 2-3 different superior skin softening oils.

Connect with For Goodness Grape!
Main Site: http://www.forgoodnessgrape.com
Etsy site: http://www.ForGoodnessGrape.Etsy.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/forgoodnessgrape

Blog: http://www.forgoodnessgrape.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/4GoodnessGrape

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP (The Grapevine-Member Only Specials)
http://eepurl.com/BfE1

And every time you visit my blog, check out my sidebar! I have a For Goodness Grape button over there to remind you to visit and get your For Goodness Grape gifts and treats. (It is not an affiliate link…..you should totally click over and check this site out!)

Then, come back here and tell me what flavor you love most. She even has an Audrey Lip Tint – inspired by Audrey Hepburn! This site is so much fun.

Disclosure: For Goodness Grape is an advertiser on MamaDweeb.com. This post is 100% written because I am a fan of her products. Check it out, you will become a fan too!

Guest post by:
Becca Bernstein of Picaboo Photo Books

I can’t smell. It’s the funny thing called anosmia, which basically means my nose doesn’t work. If there’s a defect to be born with, this is it, as it doesn’t affect me the much. Except when it comes to my memory. It’s horrible.

I can remember I had Pad Thai for lunch yesterday and my parent’s old phone number. But I forget a lot of things. Like memories. I totally forgot about the food fight in the 3rd grade that almost had me suspended. Or my daughter’s first birthday when she had an allergic reaction to cinnamon.

Because of this, I’m a huge fan of memory books and I make time to organize my digital photos. (Full disclosure starts here) Now, I must say, I work for Picaboo.com. Picaboo helps you turn digital images into memorable photo books, collage posters, calendars and holiday cards. Before I worked for Picaboo, I was true scrapbooker. Every January, I made a life poster and in December, I made an annual report of my life. This was my ritual. Now, I make Picaboo photo books and calendars that document our life. But the thing is, I’ve never been great at photography until Stephanie Glover joined Picaboo’s 365 Photography Project. Each week, she shares a new photography tutorial, which I’ve applied to my own learning. I’ve learned how to read a histogram, understand the rule of thirds and better understand white balance.

Photography isn’t the only thing that inspires me. I also really enjoy looking at the books our customers make. For instance, this book titled Little Brown Bear, is a sweet adoption story about a boy who found his way into the right home. I also love this book about Joshua and his climb from new kid on the baseball team to a pro. It’s inspiring to see what people create. And if you’re interested, here are 14 photo books made by Picaboo customers that moved me greatly.

How’s your memory? Do you remember things better than me? I hope so. But just I case you can’t, making a Picaboo photo book is a good option.

In March, Dove® Men + Care® celebrated men who are comfortable in their own skin and understand the importance of caring for themselves and others. They let everyone get up close and personal with basketball icons Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash, and Tom Izzo as part of the “Journey to Comfort” campaign.

And as part of this campaign, Josh got to review some of the Dove products – the body wash and deodorant.  When I asked him to pick one word to describe these products, he said, “hmm….Elastic.”  I rolled my eyes. Seriously?  This is not Mad Libs, Josh! But he just shrugged and said, “I’m clean. I smell good. It works great. Oh, and I needed a new loofa, so that was cool.”

What is really cool to me is that Josh’s skin is softer when he uses body wash as opposed to that bar soap he used to use. But I didn’t just say that.

For some reason, talking about a dude’s bodywash and deodorant just isn’t “cool.” Why not??  That is the whole point of this campaign. And that is why they picked “manly” guys like Shaq to go on video and talk about self-care.

And this is pretty cool: Dove has a cool Facebook app called Shaq’s Big Excuse” – a unique Facebook app that allows fans to send out customized voicemails from the “Big Diesel” himself (a.k.a. Shaquille O’Neal). To awesome. Seriously.

Scandinavian Child is part of the Svan company and they make the most beautiful and long lasting baby gear I have ever seen.

I am not kidding. I have tried since I conceived Lucy to get a Scandinavian Child high chair to review. I drooled over other reviews – like this one from my friend Candice. Finally. Finally! My time has come!

I get to tell you all about the new Signet high chair that was just released in February. The beauty of this chair is the wood, the color, the simplicity, and that it lasts from cute little baby to beautiful adult.

I need more of these, my kids are always fighting over who gets to sit in the “new chair.”

There are two types of Signet high chairs available. I was sent the first one – the Signet Essential. The Signet Complete chair comes with all the attachments to make it a high chair for small babies. Hence the word complete – it completely grows with your baby to teens.

I was so excited when I got to choose not to get the tray accessories. Lucy prefers to sit at the table with the rest of the family and this chair fits her like a glove so she can.

I love this picture! She is now a member of our family at the table with us! And it looks just like a normal chair, just made to fit her little size.

This chair is 100% adjustable – even the foot rest. So Lucy’s little piggies can rest on the footrest, unlike if she was in a booster seat strapped to the chair.

I cannot say enough good things about the thin profile of this chair. It has such a sleek, modern look to it. It doesn’t look like a bulky, plastic high chair – because it is not bulky nor plastic. It is thin and wood and beautiful.

This Signet Essential Chair is $200 and worth every. single. dime.

This is why I prefer this chair to a plastic booster seat you strap to a chair:

• This is prettier
• It cleans up better (no food falling underneath the booster seat and getting gross)
• It keeps my other chairs nicer. A booster seat strapped to a chair cuts the life of the chair down quite a bit.
• No need to store or get rid of booster seats – this chair grows with your child.
• It is wood, not plastic. I just love wood products more for sustainability

The only drawbacks of this chair compared to others is that it does not have wheels and it does not fold up for storage, you have to take it apart. However, since it grows with your child and can hold teens, there is really no need to store it. And as for the wheels – I had a high chair with wheels. Baby Lucy was pushed around my kitchen by her brother and sister way too much. I prefer not having wheels.  (This chair does come with soft pads beneath so it does not scratch your floor and glides smoothly as you move it)

As for assembly: It has an instructional video online if you need it. (Like I would).  Josh is handy and wanted to see how fast he could put it together. He clocked in right at 15 minutes. There are not a whole lot of pieces and the instructions are very clear.

And I am all about supporting a company I love with my money. And I love Svan.

Today, Svan is a global company known for beautiful, bentwood, Scandinavian-designed children’s products that parents are proud to showcase in their homes. Svan is owned and distributed in North America by US-based Scandinavian Child Int’l (SCI). For more information or to purchase the Signet High Chair, please visit www.svan.com.

Connect with Scandinavian Child

Check out their website – they have a lot of other beautiful and long-lasting baby gear products. Also, chat with Svan on Facebook and follow @SCIChild on twitter for updates on deals, new products and more!

I received this chair to review. All opinions are 100% mine.