Need some suggestions for baby shower gifts? Why not use Johnson’s Baby products? Johnson’s Baby products are a staple in so many new mom’s homes. They were in mine for both of my daughters and I still keep Johnson’s Baby Powder in my home to this day.

I received a box filled with Johnson’s baby products – Pink lotion, Head to Toe Wash, Desitin, Johnson’s Gold Shampoo, Oil, Powder and the new Bedtime Bubble Bath and what memories I had! First off the smell is the best. I mean baby’s have that wonderful “baby smell” anyway, but it seems that using Johnson’s Baby products makes that smell just right.  Desitin is my favorite product for preventing diaper rash and for taking care of it if it happens. Of course, Johnson’s Gold Shampoo is tearless and was used when I was a baby. The bubble bath was new to me, but I like that it’s tearless and gentle for baby.

Now for baby shower gift suggestions:

• A changing table organizer – Buy a basket covered in fabric with the color of baby’s nursery.  Fill it with the Johnson’s Baby Products, diapers and wipes. Add a small photo album or brag book.
• A travel case for the mom on the go – Purchase a small plastic container that closes well and has a handle. Add sample size Johnson’s Baby products, a washcloth, some bath toys and a toy for baby’s car seat.
• A bed time gift bundle – Along with crib sheets, a small blanket and a safe stuffed toy, bundle together Johnson’s Baby Sleep Care products.

Savings Alert! Find coupons for many Johnson’s Baby products along with other offers.

Johnson’s products make baby shower gift purchasing easy and fun.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Johnson’s and received samples of Johnson’s Baby products to facilitate my review

Halloween is getting close and if you want a well made unique costume then the New 2009 Costumes and Accessories from Costume Express are for you.

No need to look through the same old costumes in your local store that so many others have looked at. No need to go to more than one store, or wait in line, just shop online and choose from hundreds of costumes. Customer Service is even open 7 days a week!

Here’s the Cuddly Lion Child Costume – Medium:

I loved the way it was packed, not in in an envelope, but in a box:

Check out the detailing:

My Review: The order process is simple. There’s a size chart to help you out. And if you by chance you order the incorrect size, you can make an exchange and not pay for shipping and handling. The costume is very well made. I have no worries that it will last well beyond Halloween. The price is just right too. There are categories for FairyTales, TV and Movies, Animals and Superheroes. Lots to chose from.

Purchase: Infant, Children, Tween, Teen and Adult costumes are available from Costume Express . There’s a few discounts available right now including Free Shipping on orders $75 or more and a Clearance section too.

Giveaway: Win a $50 Gift Certificate to Costume Express.

The Rules:

1. Contest starts now and ends Monday, Oct. 5th at midnight EST.
2. Open to adults 18 and over in the US.
3. Only one entry per person. (including all entries allowed in this giveaway)
4. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize.
6. Have fun and tell your friends.

How To Enter:
For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

Mandatory to be entered into contest – Visit Costume Express and leave a comment about what costume you’d chose and for whom. If this entry is not done, all other entries will not be counted.

For Extra Entries:
1. Write a comment about how you celebrate Halloween.
3. Write a blog post linking to this post including a link to your post. (Worth five entries. Please leave five separate comments such as Blog Post One)
4. Follow my blog on Facebook – use the Networked Blogs widget on my sidebar – Leave your Facebook name please.
5. Follow me on Twitter. Leave your Twitter ID please.
6. Become a fan of Brain Foggles on Facebook. Leave you Facebook name please.
7. Tweet about this contest and leave a link to your tweet please. You can tweet about this contest once per day (please leave a comment for each tweet):

Win $50 to Costume Express from @ConnieFoggles And Celebrate Halloween! http://tinyurl.com/ybv2beq PL RT

This post and giveaway sponsored by Costume Express. I was provided with the costume above. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

*CONTEST ENDED. WINNER ANNOUNCED.*

Consignment sales are in high demand due to hard economic times. Just Between Friends of North Tampa is not your ordinary consignment shop. It is a indoor yard sale with only gently used or new children’s and maternity items held just twice a year. A franchise owned by sisters-in-law Christina Ruhling and Holly Ruhling, this 3 day event is huge

JFB North Tampa is a highly anticipated event. Besides the public sales dates there is a pre-sale event only open to first-time moms, military families and volunteers. No children are allowed at pre-sales since it is so busy.

How much money can you save at a JFB North Tampa Sale? There’s no guarantees of course, but prices are set to sell. According to the following segment from My Fox Tampa Bay, a woman saved about $100 on her shopping spree. All items are checked thoroughly by hand. No stains, no recalled items, no damaged items are allowed. (Please note this video’s dates and times are from last year.)

You can also earn money through Just For Friends North Tampa as a seller for their consignment sales. Sellers earn 65% and volunteers earn 70%. If you refer a friend you earn an extra 5% on your sales.*My Consignor Number is 856* Here’s what you need to do to sell your items:

1. Chose only your best items and be picky. Consider if others would purchase before you decide to sell.
2. Clean and iron all clothing.
3. All clothing must be on hangars and zipped or buttoned up.
4. Check if toys or other items are on the CPCC recall list.
5. Clean all toys, baby items, car seats, etc. thoroughly.
6. Package toys with small parts in plastic bags.

For more detailed information on preparing your merchandise visit the JBF North Tampa How To Get More Cash For Your Item page. You also will need to price and tag your items at home. All instructions are provided and you can even purchase a tagging gun for $20 to make the process easier.

The charity portion of the Just Between Friends consignment sales are what really makes this an event you can feel good about participating in. When you tag your  items, be sure to check the charity button so that any unsold items are donated. For the upcoming sale, The Spring in Tampa is the designated non-profit.

The Fall Sales Event will be held
October 29-October 31, 2009
at the
Tampa Bay Baptist Conference Center
15601 Lake Magdalene Boulevard
Tampa, Florida  33613

Consignment sales like Just Between Friends offer a unique way to save and earn money without the hassle of running your own yard sale. There are franchise opportunities available also.

It is possible to be frugal when buying baby formula. Of course the most frugal and healthy way to feed your baby is breast feeding, but for those who choose not to or unable to, you can save money by purchasing store brand powdered formula.

Consumer Reports has been recommending this to parents for years. Now their book, the new 10th edition Consumer Reports Best Baby Products summarizes these years of studies. Store brand is less expensive that brand name formula and it has the same nutrients. All formula made in the United States has to meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards for infants.

When I was a single mother I received help from WIC, Women, Infants and Children, a government-run program that provided food and medical check ups for my daughter. I wasn’t able to nurse her after about three months due to medication I had to take, so she began taking formula. WIC gave me coupons for store brand powdered formula. They instructed me on nutrition so I knew that this was safe and healthy for my baby.

To check on the costs of store brand vs. national brand formula, use this baby formula savings calculator. You’ll be amazed to learn that you can save about 50% by choosing a store brand such as Parent’s Choice. And now, everyone needs to find ways to be frugal.