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The U.S. Food & Drug Administration is trying to draft a law that would put small, independent cosmetics and personal care manufacturers out of business by forcing them to pay outrageous registration fees (up to $12,000 per year) and comply with burdensome paperwork. A lot of these small businesses help keep their owners at home with their children. Big cosmetic companies like Carol’s Daughter and Burt’s Bees started out small and would not have survived had this legislation existed when they first started. So this legislation will basically hinder potentially successful businesses. Please take the time out to sign the petition to help support businesses like j.blossom and co, Shea Radiance, Bee Simple, and Wild Woozle Soap Company.

Etsy.com is full of gorgeous handmade items that will have you spending your bank account dry. A few days ago I decided to look around for some small accessories for myself. Mama deserves a treat every once and a while, right? I am addicted to anything with a cowry shell on it. I love wearing jewelry made with cowry shells. I love stringing cowry shells in my hair. So what did I search for on Etsy? Cowry shells! In the first page of results I found a delicious pair of Fatigue Cowry Hoop Earrings that I HAD to have. They were from seller KeeyshasKreations. I quickly snatched them up and she quickly sent them over and included a hair adornment as a bonus! I am too cute now! Thanks Keeysha’s Kreations!

Baby Cheapskate’s having a HUGE cloth diaper giveaway. She’s giving away 12, yes 12 Bum Genius 3.0 all-in-one cloth diapers! These would be a GREAT addition to the cloth diapers we’ve been collecting! I’m crossing my fingers and toes for this one! The giveaway will run through Wednesday, August 6 at midnight, EDT or until she has 5000 entries.

But there ain’t no bugs on Paula Harmon and Pamela White, the winners of the Hugs, Not Bugs! Giveaway! Congratulations you two, we’ll be in contact with both of you shortly!

We want to give a big thanks to Jamila White of j.blossom for sponsoring this giveaway, and also to everyone who entered! You all gave some pretty interesting ways to keep bugs away, especially those of you who said dryer sheets. I honestly have to say that I’ve never heard of that one before. Next time I head out for a barbecue, I think I’ll rub myself down with some Bounce and watch as bugs try to break through that forcefield of flowery meadows!

Well, we have more giveaways lined up for you all, so stay tuned!

Also, for those of you throwing giveaways out there in bloggyland, I recommend submitting your giveaway to Prizey, because dude, 146 entries?! For a couple bottles of bug spray? Wow!

One thing that I dislike about the summer are the BUGS, especially the ones that BITE. When I get bitten by mosquitoes, the bites swell up pretty big. And although I have this reaction, I avoid using insect repellent because I don’t like how strong commercial repellents smell. Since having Jayden, I worry about little critters nibbling on his little body. He’s not old enough to use insect repellents sold in most stores, so I decided to find some tips to help keep buggies off him.

Instead of, or in addition to, using insect repellents, there are also many steps that you can take to avoid insect bites. These protective measures include:

* dressing your kids in thin, loose-fitting, long-sleeve clothing that doesn’t include bright colors
* encouraging your kids to wear socks and shoes instead of sandals
* avoiding spending time outdoors during evening to early morning hours (dusk to dawn)– when mosquitoes bite the most
* avoiding scented soaps and other things that might attract mosquitoes and other bugs
* using a bug screen over your child’s stroller
* controlling mosquitoes and other insects where your kids play
Credit goes to Vincent Iannelli, M.D.

After looking for these tips, I decided to see if there were any chemical free insect repellents that are safe for infants. I’ve come across quite a few online shops that sell completely natural repellents. I’m still debating which ones I’d like to try, so I will report back with my selection. One insect repellent for toddlers that really caught my eye is called Hugs, Not Bugs! by j.blossom. It is recommended for ages 3 and up so of course Jayden isn’t old enough to use it, but I am! The whole family can actually use it, including the dog! Isn’t that something?

I wanted to try Hugs, Not Bugs! for myself since I’ve become lunch to the critters down here in the south. I also wanted to see how the product worked on myself to see if this would be something I’d like to use on Jayden in the future. Hugs, Not Bugs! all-natural insect repellent body spray is packed with 10 of nature’s most powerful bug-blasting herbs. Hugs, Not Bugs! has a fresh lemony-citrus scent that I love. I can SMELL GOOD and at the same time not get attacked by swarms of bugs! The formula does not contain DEET, parabens, or any other toxic chemicals. To add to its eco friendliness, Hugs, Not Bugs! is packaged in a recyclable green PET plastic bottle.

Check out this testimonial that made my mouth drop down to the floor!:

“I special ordered a gallon of this stuff to take back to Tanzania because it’s the only thing that keeps the big African mosquitoes off us!” — Wariko Waita mother of 4-year-old twins from Tanzania, East Africa.

Who would have known that you could fight off African mosquitoes using all natural ingredients?

Be sure to check out j.blossom for all natural bath and body products for girls! A haircare line is in the works! j.blossom believes every girl is beautiful, and their products are about helping girls feel good on the inside as well as on the outside! Every product is made with laughter and love and has a positive affirmation right on the bottle, such as “Short or tall, thick or thin, I love the skin that I am in!” The affirmation for Hugs, Not Bugs! is “I love the Earth and the Earth loves me!”