Smiling Tree Home giveaway - Something for mom!

Welcome to the Something Special for Mom Giveaway Hop hosted by the Lindsey Blogs and Viva Veltoro. Mother’s Day will be here before you know it, which is why a group of fabulous bloggers have come together to share gifts and giveaways that are perfect for the special lady in your life - or maybe even yourself! Be sure to hop around to them all, including the TWO Grand Prizes. Viva Veltoro has an amazing gift package for one beautiful Mom featuring products from Cake Maternity, Chewbeads, and Poncho Baby and on Lindsey Blogs you'll find Gift Cards for Jamberry Nails and aka originals hand stamped jewelry.

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I'm in home-nesting-mode. The almost 2 years of living in a renovation has begun to wear on me and I would love to turn this somewhat construction zone into a homey space. Is it counter productive? Sure. Does it make me happy? Yes. So here we go.

Obviously hanging pictures is not in the cards for each room or even every wall because moulding needs to be installed here, or we have plans for that weird space over there. So I pick and choose, but this summer my interior goals are to hang curtains in the family room and kitchen, as well as make the kitchen a more welcoming space. 

My favorite pop of personality is to have truly personal items that have a use. A few months ago my MOPS group coordinated a craft where we etched our last names into a pyrex dish. Perfect! It can beautifully display my homemade lasagna or be an easy way to know where a borrowed dish should return to. 

So today I'm going to share with you the fabulous Smiling Tree Home line, which offers customized wood decor, kitchen utensils and toys! You'll be familiar with them if you've seen my reviews on their custom wood Christmas ornaments. I was so excited when I got my hands on their customized wooden bar board, which is perfect for all kinds of presentation.

Isn't it lovely? I can mix it up by placing my favorite soy candle or a few little treats when guests come over.

In addition to these bar boards, Smiling Tree Home has customized wooden spoons, larger cutting boards, wall hangings and of course, their beautiful wooden children's toys.

Smiling Tree Toys

handcrafted. natural. heirloom.

Enter to win your own customized mini bar board!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for my honest review. The Pierogie Mama, So Easy Being Green, Viva Veltoro, and the Something Special for Mom participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill prize obligations.

Thankful for YOU! / Smiling Tree Toys Giveaway

This post was originally part of the Thankful for our Followers Giveaway Hop

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2 years ago, I began the journey of taking my blog to the next level. When I started this blog in February of 2012, my goal was to keep an online journal / baby book for Penny. After a few months of writing about topics that were important to me, I saw my stats and numbers increasing!  As an attachment and natural parent, I found that my parenting style was supported and influenced by bloggers sharing their experiences and I wanted to be a part of that. There were so many occasions where I doubted my gut and instincts because what I was doing wasn't always the way my friends and family did. I never got harsh judgement, mind you, but I would get such relief when I'd find a blog post, written by another blogger, talking about and justifying some of the choices I was making.  This experience drove me to also become a source for moms in their journey.

One of the first businesses that I worked with was Smiling Tree Toys! I approached Kathleen because I loved the esthetic of wooden toys and their approach to providing all natural, safe products for families. We worked together on my first review and giveaway - Penny's first Christmas ornament! It was only fitting to work together again on Ruby's first Christmas ornament too.

I'm happy to see that even after two years, the quality and craftsmanship with Smiling Tree Toys remains the same, even though the popularity of the business grows! The ornaments (as well as any of the other wooden products in their shop) are created from sustainably harvested American Maple trees and finished with their homegrown Camelina oil and beeswax. These ornaments will be heirloom pieces for my girls; that will be hung on Christmas trees for many decades past my time and enjoyed by future generations of my family. And I think that's root of Smiling Trees Toys goal too - to create products that will be enjoyed for years and years while being respectful to our Earth and honoring the gifts it gives.

Smiling Tree Toys is expanding their product line this season - in addition to ornaments, rattles, balancing toys, wooden blocks, wooden musical instruments(and so much more!), they are launching Smiling Tree Home. Keep an eye on their facebook for more teasers and information!

Keep up with Smiling Tree Toys 

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And don't forget all the ways you can be social with
The Pierogie Mama!

Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Pinterest // Bloglovin'

This giveaway is over - thanks to all for entering! 

Keep an eye out for more Pierogie Mama Giveaways.

Disclosure: I received product in exchange for my honest review, no other compensation was provided.

Christmas is coming...Smiling Tree Toys {Giveaway}

Lately I've been on the search for the perfect ornament for Penny's first Christmas. My mom started the tradition of getting each of us kids a special ornament for the tree, and the year Adam and I got married she passed on all of my ornaments for my own tree.  This year, I get to start this tradition for Penelope!

Baby Bianca's first Christmas ornament

One of the main things I looked for when choosing Penelope's first ornament was quality. I want this ornament to last a long time, something that I dream to pass down when she gets married as well. It'll need to withstand tipping trees or over-eager helping little fingers. I also wanted it to be eco-friendly and unique.









So least to say, when I came across Smiling Tree Toys I knew my wishes had been answered! When this darling elephant ornament arrived in the mail, I gave a huge sigh of relief - this little pachyderm will last through the years.. my own poor pink elephant has definitely seen better days.  But then again, this will be her 26th Christmas so we've got to give her credit for lasting this long!

Now Baby P gets her own elephant ornament!

This ornament is so beautifully crafted. It's not super heavy (so it won't weigh down a branch), but not super thin either. It's sanded down to silky smoothness so I don't have to worry about stray splinters. The engraving is clear and has a year stamp on the back too - not like I'd forget, but hey - maybe Penny's granddaughter will inherit it! "Hey Grammy P, what year were you born? 2012? Holy cow that is ANCIENT!"

One of my favorite things in working with family owned companies is learning their very distinct stories. Doesn't it make it just that much more special to know that the things you own have a face behind them? 

Justin and Kathleen's commitment to literally making the world a better place, one toy at a time, by donating to various Peace Corps worldwide youth development projects is so inspiring! I love that I don't have to worry about if Penny's ornament eventually does make it to her mouth that it won't be met with chemicals and plastics, but instead ingredients straight from Mother Nature.

So this holiday season, why not gift a handmade ornament or toy from Smiling Tree Toys? Check out their store for a great variety of toys from teethers, rattles, blocks, wheeled cars to puzzles..they even have a little wooden camera for your aspiring photog!

And now for the fun part.. Smiling Tree Toys has agreed to giveaway one personalized ornament for The Pierogie Mama readers! This giveaway is open worldwide, and one winner will be notified by December 14th, 2012.

This giveaway is over - thanks to all for entering! 

Keep an eye out for more Pierogie Mama Giveaways.

Disclaimer: 

I received the beautiful elephant ornament pictured above for review. 

All opinions are my own.