A Crunchy Mama Giveaway

Ashley and Katie are stay at home Moms in a small town just outside of Salem, Oregon.  Together they started a little business making organic beauty and wellness products they call, Crunchy Mamas.  They produce cleverly named products such as Menth Head, Smelly Face, Nipstick, and Achy Breaky.  Their mission is to provide you with chemical free alternatives to commercial products.  They avoid everything artificial:  NO dyes, NO GMO’s, NO fragrances, and NO preservatives.  Their love for all things organic is what excited them about the opportunity to sponsor TLB.  After all, what is more natural than leaky boobs?

 Read on to get to know the goofy ladies behind Crunchy Mamas and enter to win one of four awesome prizes!

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TLB:  What should TLB readers know about Crunchy Mamas?

Katie:  Crunchy Mamas was born one year ago to two stay at home Moms that prefer a more natural and simple approach to life.  This business started out with a batch of 50 lip balms and now it has expanded beyond our expectations.  We hope that we can help raise awareness about the dangers of commercial products and help people feel confident about the products they are using for their families.  But please know, we aren’t perfect.  We have been known to drink Diet Pepsi and eat Little Caesar’s while making batches of Crusty Foot!

TLB:  How did this venture into handmade organic products start?

Katie:  Having kids changed everything.  Not only was I responsible for myself, but I was in charge of two little humans and they depended on me to make the best choices possible on their behalf.  I began learning about dangerous chemicals in various commercial household products and that really fired me up.  I promptly packed up my baby shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, and household cleaners and tossed them in the trash.  This led to me researching essential oils and various recipes for homemade goods.  It is very empowering to know exactly what the ingredients are that I’m using on my babies and why they are beneficial.  You can get to know us better by reading our blog post on our mission to be Crunchy.

TLB:  What is it like, working together with your sister-in-law?

Ashley:  Let’s be honest, I feel like a fraud calling it “work.”  Katie is one of my best friends and I have so much fun getting to do this with her.  We both have different weaknesses that are made up for by our different strengths.  I’m in the running for the most impatient person on the planet, where Katie could sit contently and watch paint dry.  This adventure is enjoyable because we are getting to do it together.

TLB:  How do you balance work and family life?

Ashley:  Most importantly, I try not to separate my family from my work.  My kids play a big role in Crunchy Mamas.  They help me label products (this explains why you may receive a bottle of hand sanitizer with the label upside down), pack up boxes, and keep me company when we sell our products at our local farmers market.  I love that they are getting to see how much hard work and care goes into operating a small business.  Also, my husband helps with whatever he can.  In fact, he and Katie’s husband are appropriately referred to as the “Crunchy MAN-mas.”  We couldn’t do it without their tremendous amount of support!

TLB:  What is your favorite breastfeeding tip?

Ashley:  Oh boy, how do I pick just one?  Breastfeeding was very difficult for me in the beginning, so I’d like to target all the newbies with this tidbit of advice.  DON’T GIVE UP!  No one ever told me that breastfeeding could be painful, uncomfortable, and bloody.  I had a 9 pound baby with a really strong sucker.  I tell ya, that kid could have sucked a nail right out of a wall.  (It was this experience that prompted me to start making Nipstick.)  Fortunately, in the moment, I had cheerleaders around me encouraging me not to give up.  They assured me it would get better and it did.  If you’re new to nursing and are on the verge of reaching for that bottle, please don’t give up and seek a strong support system if you don’t already have one.

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Ashley and Katie are giving away four different prizes to four lucky Leakies.  The prizes are:

1.  An expecting Mamas gift set.  One tube of our pregnant belly relief – About to Pop.  A tube of our Baby Butt Balm.  Lastly, a tube of our fabulous nursing nipple relief – Nipstick.  Retail Value:  $25

2.  One of each of our amazing Lip Balms.  Flavors included are: Naked, Grapefruit, Honey lemon, Sweet Orange, Lime, and Mint.  Retail Value:  $18

3.  A bottle of our all in one facial moisturizer – Smelly Face.  Retail Value:  $19

4.  A collection of products perfectly suited for your all-natural first aid kit.  One tube of our cuts and scrapes healer –  Scab Stick.  A tube of our all natural vapor rub – Menth Head.  Finally, a bottle of our Lavender-Lemon Hand Sanitizer.  Retail Value:  $15

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Currently Leakies can find these and other all-natural wellness products on the Crunchy Mamas website, www.crunchymamasgoods.com.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from April 29, 2013 through May 6, 2013.  A big thanks to Ashley and Katie and Crunchy Mamas for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is restricted to U.S. residents only.

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KangarooCare Giveaway

Thanks to the World Wide Web, The Leaky Boob’s community has Leakies all over the world.  In the same way, TLB now includes a few sponsors beyond the North American continent.  One such sponsor is KangarooCare, located in Estonia (that’s in Eastern Europe, in case you weren’t sure).  The owner of KangarooCare is Varja, a mom of 2 kids, currently enjoying a family vacation with a fair amount of traveling.  Varja and her mom make adorable hand-crocheted nursing and teething necklaces.  These necklaces are what are featured in this giveaway.  Read on to learn more about KangarooCare, some of Varja’s tips on traveling, and how you can enter to win a KangarooCare necklace!

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TLB:  Tell us a bit about your business, KangarooCare.

Varja:  KangarooCare is a place where you can find breastfeeding and babywearing necklaces and toys for you and your baby.  The KangarooCare necklaces are designed for mommies to wear while holding and/or breastfeeding their babies to prevent from pulling, pinching, and squeezing Mommy’s hair, clothes, or the other breast.  All KangarooCare items are also safe for the baby to play with and chew on.  The necklaces and teething toys are made using crochet-covered wooden beads, which help to massage Baby’s gums and absorb drool.  Try it out!  You will love KangarooCare – Breastfeeding & Babywearing Necklaces as much as your little one!  : )

TLB:  You have recently been traveling with your family; how do you keep your business going when you’re far away from it?

Varja:  It is not so easy to have full control over the KangarooCare business while I am away from my studio, but I try to check my mail as often as possible, and reply to everyone in a timely way. I have my very own “work” time every day (which is about 2 hours), when my hubby is playing with children, so I can get things done. I also have my mom & best friend, who stayed in Estonia, to take care of KangarooCare. They crochet, put the necklaces together, and send the packages out. I totally trust them : )

TLB:  When you’re traveling, what accessories can you not live without?

Varja: Earrings, bracelets and, of course, necklaces. Having an unlimited access to the KangarooCare studio, I’ve had a hard time choosing the right necklaces for our trip, but I finally did it.  : ) My personal favorites are the solid-colored necklaces and the rainbows. I love simple outfits, so they’re the best choice for me.

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TLB:  KangarooCare is often coming out with new products; what do you have new for us this season?

Varja: I LOVE making something new! : ) I am constantly adding new color combinations & styles, so there can be a wide choice for everyone. Being a woman, I know how important it is to have an appropriate accessory for every outfit.

I am planning a lot of new KangarooCare stuff this season, but that’s a secret! : ) Stay tuned by liking KangarooCare – Breastfeeding&Babywearing necklaces on FaceBook!

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You now have a great chance TO WIN one of KangarooCare’s breastfeeding necklaces!

Varja is giving away 3 necklaces to 3 lucky Leakies. Every winner will get a necklace of their own choosing!!!

Retail value $12.00 – $29.00

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Currently Leakies can find these and other breastfeeding & babywearing items in the KangarooCare online shop.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from February 6, 2013 through February 12, 2013.  A big thanks to Varja and KangarooCare – Breastfeeding & Babywearing necklaces for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page, and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to international entries.

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The Vintage Honey Shop Giveaway

Much like The Leaky Boob itself, The Vintage Honey Shop started out as a hobby for Jennifer and Melissa; an outlet for their creativity and crafty side.  Encouraged by family and friends, their handmade items have turned into a local shop where they can both make and sell their paper and fabric creations.  With their online Etsy shop, these items are now available for people all over the world wide web.  Their handmade teethers are their most popular items and you have the opportunity to win one today through The Vintage Honey Shop giveaway on TLB.  See below for details and get to know Jennifer and Melissa a bit better via the following short interview. 

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TLB:  Tell us what TLB readers should know about your company

Jennifer & Melissa:  We both co-own and run our handmade shop, The Vintage Honey Shop.  Not only are we best friends, but we are sister-in-laws! (We married a set of cute brothers!)  We are both originally from Northern Ohio, but moved south to Nashville, TN.  Our business sells a variety of handmade fabric & paper items, but we are known for our teething necklaces.

TLB:  What inspired you to create your business?  What’s the story behind the name?

Jennifer & Melissa:  We decided to open up our shop on Etsy because our friends & family would tell us that we should try to sell our crafty items.  We decided to go ahead and take the jump…and The Vintage Honey Shop was born!   We started our shop as a hobby, but it has turned into a business that we love and enjoy!!  Our business is the perfect fit for us.  We are able to express our talents, hobbies & interests while running our shop, but best of all we are making products that others enjoy & love!

TLB:  How do you balance family life and finding time to create and run your company?

Jennifer & Melissa:  The short answer to a very difficult question is that FAMILY COMES FIRST!  We both stay home during the week, so when we are not running our kids to school, reading books to our kids or snuggling them in our arms, we do our sewing, crafting and returning emails.  We do a lot of our business during the early mornings, during naptime or after the kids go to bed.  We have also become great multi-taskers out of necessity!  The majority of the items we sell in our shop are ready to ship, and the ones that are made-to-order we allow enough time to be able to hand make them without putting stress on ourselves & family to hurry to get them out.  We really enjoy our business and everything that comes with it, but we make sure that our husbands & kids come first!

TLB:  How would you describe your mom fashion style?  How do you like to dress yourself up when you’re out with your kids?

Jennifer & Melissa:  When we are home with our kids, we will be honest…we would NOT want The Fashion Police to critique our style!  We pretty much rock our p.j.’s, workout clothes and jeans & t-shirts!  Comfort comes first!!  When we go out without our kids, we like to accessorize, put on our skinny jeans & rock out boots!  Our biggest fashion tip to women to spice up your outfit is to accessorize with bracelets, earrings & necklaces!

TLB:  What is your favorite breastfeeding tip?

Jennifer & Melissa:  Find support!  If you feel alone, having breastfeeding issues or questions, you don’t have to do this on your own.  If you are having a problem, someone else has had the exact same one as you!  Call your pediatrician’s office to find out when & where local breastfeeding support groups meet or find support on breastfeeding websites such as The Leaky B@@b!  Above all, follow your heart.  Mama’s have good instinct…don’t worry about what others may say or think!

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Jennifer & Melissa, from The Vintage Honey Shop are giving away 1 Teething Ring Necklace to one very lucky Leaky!

Retail value $25.00

This teething ring necklace is the perfect accessory to wear at home or away!  They make great breastfeeding/nursing necklaces to wear while feeding.  Not only are they cute, but they serve as distractions for the baby whose hands like to grab everything (like Mama’s hair, face & glasses)!  Since it is close to baby’s eye level, it promotes those first fine motor skills of grasping, all the while nursing & bonding with Mama!

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Currently Leakies can find this and other nursing/breastfeeding necklaces in the shop of  The Vintage Honey Shop.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from January 28, 2013 through February 4, 2013.  A big thanks to Jennifer & Melissa and The Vintage Honey Shop for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@theVHshop) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is restricted to U.S. residents only.

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