Giveaway: CSN Stores $45 Gift Certificate

If you like one stop shopping, you'll love CSN Stores! They make it easy to shop for blenders, bistro sets, pressure washers, bamboo flooring, or cribs all in one convenient visit.

As a "green" mom, I'm pleased CSN's 200+ stores offer a variety of organic products such as.....

ferm LIVING Rush Hour Kids Organic Cotton Pillows

and

West Paw Design Organic Bumper Beds for Dogs

With Christmas rapidly approaching why not skip the "mall madness" and shop with ease via CSN Stores?!

Would you like to experience all CSN Stores has to offer? ONE of my readers will receive a $45 gift certificate to use as you wish! (Please note the gift certificate does not cover any shipping costs.) Entrants must be a resident of the United States or Canada. Entries will be accepted through 11:59pm EST on September 24, 2010. The winner will be selected using random.org on September 25, 2010 and notified via email. The winner will then have 48 hours to reply to the email, or another winner will be selected.

Mandatory entry: Visit CSN Stores, then leave a comment telling me a specific item you'd love to purchase if you win the $45 gift certificate. (Note: You are not required to purchase the item you name.) Please leave your email address in all your comments if it is not available via your blog profile.

Bonus entries: You may do any or all of the following for two additional entries each. Please leave two separate comments for each.

* "Like" CSN Stores on Facebook.

* "Like" Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? on Facebook. (Current followers also qualify.)

* Follow @CSNStores on Twitter. (Please leave your username in your comments.)

* Follow @aussiemamma on Twitter. (Please leave your username in your comments. Current followers also qualify.)

* Subscribe to Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? by email. (Located toward the top of the right column. Subscription must be activated. Current subscribers also qualify.)

* Follow Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? via Google Friend Connect. (Current followers also qualify.)

* Tweet/retweet this giveaway. (You may do this once per day for two additional entries each. Please leave a link to your tweet/retweet in your comments.)

This is a CSN Stores sponsored giveaway. I did not receive any monetary compensation or product for this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.

The Nature Connection (Review w/ Giveaway)

Title: The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms
Author: Clare Walker Leslie
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Format: Softcover (304 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-60342-531-5
List Price: $14.95

From the back cover: Step outside and look around! You'll notice many curious things you never knew were happening, no matter where you live. Full of fun ideas for what to look for and do every month of the year and with plenty of room to record what you find, The Nature Connection is your guide to exploring and discovering the wonders of the natural world all around you.

About the author: Clare Walker Leslie is a nationally known naturalist, artist, and educator. She teaches workshops and classes on nature observation and journal-keeping for colleges, education centers, and schools nationwide. She is the author of ten books, including Keeping A Nature Journal and Drawn to Nature Through the Journals of Clare Walker Leslie.

WOW! Clare Walker Leslie's The Nature Connection is an educator's dream!! This lovely book is divided into three parts sure to appeal to children of all ages (parents and grandparents as well!). Part One guides children in "how to be a naturalist." Children and adults alike will enjoy keeping nature observations for a week and discovering what lives in your area, writing a nature poem or story, and adventuring on a field expedition. Part Two is all about "learning the sky." Learn all about clouds, observe the sights of the sky, have fun with shadows, learn about nocturnal animals, keep a moon journal, gaze at the stars, and so much more. Part Three guides readers through "exploring nature" during the individual months. Enjoying, exploring, and appreciating nature is easy to do with the fabulous year-round projects and activities presented in The Nature Connection.

My children are quite a bit apart in age (preschool and 6th grade), however, they both think this book is fantastic. They can easily work together or do activities individually as they so choose. They love expanding their knowledge of this amazing world in which we live and are delighted by the information and accompanying illustrations. The Nature Connection is a terrific science tool for homeschoolers and public educators alike.

The Nature Connection is available for purchase from Storey Publishing and other retailers.

Storey Publishing is generously offering ONE of my readers the opportunity to receive a copy of this wonderful book! Entrants must be a resident of the United States. Entries will be accepted through 11:59pm EST on September 24, 2010. The winner will be selected via random.org on September 25, 2010 and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with his/her shipping information, or another winner will be selected. Storey Publishing will ship directly to the winner.

Mandatory entry: Visit Storey Publishing, then leave a comment telling me another of their great titles you find interesting. Please leave your email address in all comments if it is not available via your blog profile.

Bonus entries: You may do any or all of the following for two additional entries each. Please leave two separate comments for each.

* "Like" Storey Publishing on Facebook.

* "Like" Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? on Facebook. (Current followers also qualify.)

* Follow @StoreyPub on Twitter. (Please leave your username in your comments.)

* Follow @aussiemamma on Twitter. (Current followers also qualify. Please leave your username in your comments.)

* Follow the Inside Storey blog via Google Friend Connect.

* Follow Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? via Google Friend Connect. (Current followers also qualify.)

* Subscribe to Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? by email. (Located toward the top of the right column. Subscription must be activated. Current subscribers also qualify.)

* Tweet/retweet this review with giveaway. (You may do this once per day for two additional entries each. Please leave a link to your tweet/retweet in your comments.)

I was provided with a complimentary copy of The Nature Connection in order to provide an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, and I was not required to write a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Glamour of Grammar winners!

Congratulations to entrants #21 Randi, #75 Lisanne624, and #84 Kayla - each will receive a copy of The Glamour of Grammar. Many thanks to all who participated!!!

Lily Organics winner!

Congratulations to the winner of a gift basket from Lily Organics - entrant #16 Janelle! Many thanks to all who participated!!

Naked Binder winner!

Congratulations to the winner of the Eco-Friendly Naked Binder prize package - entrant #19 Rosemary! Many thanks to all who entered!!

Fabkins winner

Congratulations to entrant #28 Yvettewithdt - she will receive a set of two Fabkins organic cotton cloth napkins for kids! Many thanks to all who participated!!

Goodbye sweet friend

I will be taking a break from the blog for several days as I, and my children, need to grieve and regroup. Our beloved cat passed away and being huge animal lovers we are saddened deeply. August has been a month full of bombshells for our family, and this was not a pleasant way to round it all out. We are bruised and broken and need time to cry. My heart is elsewhere for now.

Goodbye sweet friend. We are honored to have been your family and will miss you. Thank you for touching our hearts to the very core. You will live there forever.

Comments have been turned off for this post as I wish to just let things be at what has been stated with no discussion. Please respect this. I know the thoughts and prayers of all animal lovers are with us at this time, and I thank you. Giveaways will still end at the appointed times, and winners will continue to be announced and contacted.

Artterro Eco-Friendly Art Kits Review with Giveaway

For more information about the Cool For School Blog Bash, visit HERE.

Artterro offers award-winning eco-friendly art kits for children allowing them to let their creativity flow. Artterro art kits are designed to provide kids and families, novices and seasoned artists with a meaningful and quality art experience. No two kits are alike so your finished creations will be unique in more than one way! Sustainability is important to Artterro, and they very wonderfully provide needed jobs (the kits are assembled at and shipped by Goodwill Industries in Milwaukee, WI). Artterro has also donated art kits to Project Kids in Cambodia and will be partnering with other similar programs to bring well deserved art experiences to a vareity of children.

My family has a love for the outdoors, and we've been enjoying the process of making wonderful creations using the Garden Art Kit. This awesome kit is suggested for children ages 8 and up and contains materials (high-guage copper wire, thin colored wire, marbles, and glass beads) to make four different garden sculptures plus an idea and instruction guide. This kit retails for $16.95 and is sure to delight boys and girls alike (moms and dads, too!).

Visit HERE to locate a retailer or online retailer carrying Artterro kits.

In celebration of Cool For School, Artterro is graciously offering ONE of my readers the opportunity to receive a Garden Art Kit of your very own! Entrants must be a resident of the United States. Entries will be accepted through 11:59pm EST on September 13, 2010. The winner will be selected on September 14, 2010 and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with his/her shipping information, or another winner will be selected. Artterro will ship directly to the winner.

Mandatory entry: Visit Artterro, then leave a comment telling me something you learned about Artterro I didn't already mention or the name of another kit you'd enjoy. Please leave your email in your comment(s) if it is not available via your blog profile.

Bonus entries: You may do any or all of the following for TWO additional entries each. Please leave two separate comments for each.

* "Like" Artterro on Facebook.
* Follow @Artterro on Twitter. (Please leave your username in your comments.)
* Subscribe to Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? by email. (Located toward the top of the right column. Subscription must be activated. Current subscribers also qualify.)
* "Like" Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? on Facebook. (Current followers also qualify.)
* Follow Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? via Google Friend Connect. (Current followers also qualify.)
* Follow @aussiemamma on Twitter. (Please leave your username in your comments. Current followers also qualify.)
* Tweet/retweet this review with giveaway. (You may do this once per day for TWO additional entries each. Please leave a link to your tweet/retweet in your comments.)

I was supplied with a complimentary garden art kit in order to provide an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, and I was not required to write a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids Eco Products Review with Giveaway

For more information about the Cool For School Blog Bash, visit HERE.

Faber-Castell offers an amazing array of products to spark any child's imagination at Creativity for Kids. Did you know they also offer eco-friendly products?

My children and I have been having a blast using the Faber-Castell 24ct. Triangular Colored EcoPencils. My oldest child quickly proclaimed these pencils are the best he's ever used simply because of the shape. The triangular design not only makes them easy to grasp, but they will not roll when placed on the table. It seems we are always chasing pencils rolling off our dining table during our homeschool studies, but these do not present that problem. These great pencils are made from reforested wood, have break-resistant leads that won't fall out, are non-toxic and acid free, and at $6.99 they won't break the bank. The colors are vibrant and transfer smoothly.

Another extremely fun product my preschooler loves is the Faber-Castell 24ct. GRIP Watercolor EcoPencils. These wonderful pencils are also triangular shaped, made from reforested wood, and have break-resistant leads that won't fall out. Soft-GRIP-Dots cover the entire pencil making them easy to grasp. Each pencil contains watercolor paint so any artist, regarless of age, can just add water to their creations via a paint brush that is included. This set retails for $16.99 and is a fun way to go beyond the ordinary.

Not only can you use these fantastic pencils for any project imaginable, but Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids offers an array of Coloring & ARTivity books sure to capture the hearts of all children. We've been enjoying Ecology & Me which retails for $5.99 and features coloring pages, animal facts, hidden picture games, paper crafts, word find puzzles, projects made from recycled materials, and more.

All these fun products are available for purchase through the website or through a variety of retailers.

In celebration of Cool For School, Faber-Castell is generously offering ONE of my readers the opportunity to receive all three products featured above! Entrants must be a resident of the United States or Canada. Entries will be accepted through 11:59pm EST on September 13, 2010. The winner will be selected on September 14, 2010 and notified via email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with his/her shipping information, or another winner will be selected. Faber-Castell will ship directly to the winner.

Mandatory entry: Visit Faber Castell- Creativity for Kids, then leave a comment telling me another of their products you or your child(ren) would enjoy. Please leave your email address in your comment(s) if it is not available via your blog profile.

Bonus entries: You may do any or all of the following for an additional TWO entries each. Please leave two separate comments for each.

* "Like" Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids on Facebook.
* "Like" Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? on Facebook. (Current followers also qualify.)
* Subscribe to Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? by email. (Located toward the top of the right column. Subscription must be activated. Current subscribers also qualify.)
* Follow Is There A Bathroom On This Ship? via Google Friend Connect. (Current followers also qualify.)
* Follow @aussiemamma on Twitter. (Please leave your username in your comment. Current followers also qualify.)
* Tweet/retweet this review with giveaway. (You may do this once per day for TWO additional entries each. Please leave two separate comments and a link to your tweet/retweet in each.)

I received a complimentary set of the products featured in order to provide an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, and I was not required to write a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

snackTAXI Review

For more information about the Cool For School Blog Bash, visit HERE.

snackTAXIs are are a terrific, eco-friendly way to carry sandwiches and snacks wherever you go!

The large sandwich-sack retails for $8.95-$9.95 and is available in 21 fun designs. The small snack-sack retails for $6.95-$7.95 and is available in 35 whimsical designs. Both are an environmentally friendly solution to using plastic zip top baggies. These beautiful soft-sided bags are great to tuck into a purse or backpack as they don't take up a lot of space. The handy velcro closure makes it simple for kids of all ages to open and close. Wash, reuse, and say goodbye to plastic baggies that end up in the landfill.

snackTAXI products are available for purchase through the website or from a variety of retail locations. You can also connect with snackTAXI on Facebook.

I was provided with a complimentary sandwich-sack and snack-sack in order to provide an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, and I was not required to write a positive review. Any opinions expressed are my own.