Super Stocking Stuffers: Gulf Coast Cottage Review and Giveaway!

Are you looking for a way to stock your child's play kitchen this Christmas? I was thrilled when I discovered Gulf Coast Cottage's adorable PDF patterns! Gulf Coast Cottage offers a variety of felt food patterns that are quick and simple to create, even for a beginner sewer.

I made the above items from the Felt Food Boxes and Canned Goods PDF Pattern. I'm extremely new to sewing, so this was a huge undertaking. I was a little scared to attempt the felt food after learning that the creator was a professional upholster and seamstress. But, all my fears quickly faded away when I received the PDF pattern. The directions were so clear and precise and I really liked that the patterns were of actual size. In addition, I really appreciate that on Gulf Coast Cottage's blog, she has kindly posted a tutorial about the blanket stitch, which was used when creating the above felt food. I am so excited with the way the felt food turned out and can't wait to make more!

The creator of Gulf Coast Cottage had this to say, "Two years ago for my Daughters birthday- I was looking for safe, imaginative, toys. It was really difficult to be sure the items I found in stores were REALLY safe. So- I commissioned my Father to build a kitchen set from solid wood- (immediately upon it's completion it was painted pink) and there began my obsession with felt. I had never really been a big fan of felt- (things certainly have changed) but it seemed to be a great medium to start with. Being a professional upholsterer and seamstress- it was a task that was new and exciting. And so, my designs of play food and toys have been coming ever since."

Gulf Coast Cottage has agreed to giveaway one PDF pattern to a lucky reader!

You have 10 chances to WIN:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Mandatory: Visit Gulf Coast Cottage and choose which PDF pattern you would like to create for your child's stocking.

2. Make a purchase from Gulf Coast Cottage during the giveaway period.

3. Become a follower of Gulf Coast Cottage's blog.

4. Become a fan of Gulf Coast Cottage on Facebook.

5. Publicly follow my blog (Izzie, Mac and Me).

6-10. Post about the Gulf Coast Cottage giveaway on your blog. (Be sure to leave a link and you will need to leave 5 separate comments, which can be short and simple, such as #1, #2, etc). If you feature Gulf Coast Cottage on your blog, you will receive a free sushi roll pattern. Click here for more details.

The giveaway will close at 10pm (EST) on Thursday, December 17. One lucky reader will be randomly drawn.

Disclaimer: The product reviewed was provided for me free of charge in return for writing a review and hosting a giveaway.

Thrifty Thursday: Homemade Play-doh

I like to get the kids at church and our playgroup a little something for Christmas. So, this year, I decided to make them homemade Cinnamon Play-doh. It turned out great and smells delicious!

I saw that Mari-Ann from Counting Coconuts recently made some Play-doh, so I asked her for the recipe. This is what she sent me:

"I got this from another blog, My Montessori Journey – it’s the BEST playdough recipe I’ve found. Here you go: Homemade Playdough

1 c. flour

1/2 cup salt

1 T. cooking oil

1 T. cream of tartar

1 c. water

Food coloring of your choice

Add-ins of your choice (i.e. spices, extracts, glitter, etc.)

Stir ingredients together well. Just measure them into the saucepan you will be using to cook the dough, but mix them well before heating up the pan. Over medium heat cook the dough, stirring constantly until it forms a ball. (NOTE: When it starts to pull away from the sides somewhat and clump together and most of the "wet-looking" parts look dry, it's ready to remove from the pan.) Turn dough onto a board (or the countertop) and knead until very smooth. (NOTE: It will be pretty warm to the touch, but try to knead it until it becomes a nice, smooth ball. If it feels sticky, you can work a little more flour into it and it will be fine.) Cool. Store in a covered plastic container OR in a sealed ziploc bag. (ANOTHER NOTE: This dough does seem to always stick in the saucepan somewhat. I have tried spraying the pan first, but I still have a crusty residue on the pan when I'm finished. I am used to this now and just plan on soaking the pan after I make a batch. I just wanted you to know about that though so you wouldn't think you had goofed something up if that happens.)

When I add spices, I usually start with about a teaspoon (though I never actually use a spoon). I just shake a bunch in until I think it's going to produce the desired level of scent. (I like a LOT of scent.) If you are adding an extract like vanilla or peppermint, for example, probably just a teaspoon will be enough, but you can experiment with a little more than that. Also add gradually if you are doing glitter. I would still start with only about a teaspoon and go from there."

I packaged one ball of red and one ball of green Play-doh in a holiday goodie bag. I attached a cookie cutter to each bag. I found the bags (20/pack) and cookie cutters (6/pack) at the Dollar Tree.

To see more Thrifty Ideas, please check out Brilliant Moms!

Super Stocking Stuffers: Lou Bugs Boutique Review and Giveaway!

This time of the year, we spend more time in the car traveling. Thankfully, Izzie has a tendency to fall asleep on long drives. However, she also has the droopy head sleeping position, which looks and probably feels very uncomfortable.

I was so excited when I discovered the perfect solution for her droopy head sleeping position! It's a Car Seat Travel Pillow by Lou Bugs Boutique. A travel pillow would be a comfortable addition to your child's stocking!

Lou Bugs Boutique offers a variety of adorable designs for the Car Seat Travel Pillow. The travel pillows are made out of flannel fabric and are filled with 100 percent fiberfill, which makes them extremely soft and cozy! Each pillow is 9 inches wide and 7 inches long, the perfect size for an infant or toddler to use while riding in the car.

I'm thrilled with the way the travel pillow fits perfectly around Izzie's neck and how it prevents her neck from drooping to one side. The pillow can also be placed around the back of the neck. The Car Seat Travel Pillow by Lou Bugs Boutique is a must have for all children, who tend to fall asleep in the car!

Lou Bugs Boutique has agreed to giveaway a travel pillow to one lucky reader!

You have 10 chances to WIN:

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Mandatory: Visit Lou Bugs Boutique and choose which travel pillow that you would like for your child's stocking.

2. Make a purchase from Lou Bugs Boutique during the giveaway period.

3. Subscribe to Lou Bugs Boutique.

4. Publicly follow my blog (Izzie, Mac and Me).

5. Grab my new Izzie, Mac and Me button for your sidebar.

6-10. Post about the Lou Bugs Boutique giveaway on your blog. (Be sure to leave a link and you will need to leave 5 separate comments, which can be short and simple, such as #1, #2, etc).

The giveaway will close at 10pm (EST) on Sunday, December 13. One lucky reader will be randomly drawn.

Disclaimer: The product reviewed was provided for me free of charge in return for writing a review and hosting a giveaway.

Let It Snow...Let It Snow!

We woke this morning to our first snow of the season!

We have all been under the weather this week, hence the lack of blogging. So, we won't be taking the girls out to play today. Instead, we are baking cookies, drinking hot cocoa, and watching college football...Go Gators!

Christmas Gift Reviews: Dolls and Action Figures

It's that time of year again, when I start researching for Christmas gifts. I'm always curious to know what other parents are buying for their children. I read countless reviews on toys that I'm considering to buy because I want to know the pros and cons for each toy. The best way to really discover a toy is to ask other parents and children too. I would love to know what your children favorite toys are. So, each week, I will have a different category to review. Click here for the category list and dates. Please feel free to share your views about toys in each category too.

This week's theme is Dolls and Action Figures.

Izzie is not much into playing with baby dolls. However, she does enjoy dressing-up her Melissa and Doug Magnetic Dolls!

Pros: Another durable product from Melissa and Doug. This set comes with two dolls, which are the perfect size for a preschooler's hands. It's nice that there are stands included to place the dolls in. There is a large amount of clothing and accessories with bright colors and patterns. Izzie can spend an hour at a time dressing up her dolls!

Cons: There isn't a lid, which is problematic! It's hard keeping all the "stuff" together. The shoes and hats are extremely small, which could be a possible chocking hazard.

*This set can be found at A.C. Moore, where you can use a 50% coupon on it!* I buy most of our Melissa and Doug products here for this reason.

Disclaimer: I did not contact or receive any products from the above companies. These are my opinions, which may vary from your experience with these products.

Please link your child's favorite Dolls and Action Figures too!