More Little Bites of Heaven

VT Luxe

2011-04-04T06:43:00.001-05:00

I work from home + spend many days either in my 'pajamas' (yoga pants + a t-shirt) or just throwing on a pair of jeans + a t-shirt because it is quick + easy. But, I decided that I wanted to 2011 to be different and so I made a commitment to myself that as of the New Year, I would start embracing my own style more days of the week. That means putting in just a tiny bit of effort every day to actually get dressed. My main problem now, is that I keep selecting the same pieces + putting together the same outfits day after day.

Clearly, I still have much to learn...

So, I soak up every bit of fashion knowledge that is throw my way lately. Blogs, interviews, books, magazines, etc... And I take away bits + pieces from each thing I come across that work for me. Ever so slowly, my style is evolving + ever so slowly, I am learning what works for me.

VT Luxe is a new brand launching on QVC this week. Creators by Jesse Garza + Joe Lupe, the line features special accessory pieces to enhance your wardrobe + help you create your signature look. With touches of luxury, each is crafted with excellent quality and attention to detail.

And you can win your very own piece of their newest collection launching today! Just visit BlogHer for details about the contest.

To learn more about VR Luxe...

Visual Therapy on QVC
Visual Therapy's blog
Visual Therapy on Facebook
Visual Therapy on Twitter

I wrote this blog post while participating in a blog campaign by BlogHer on behalf of VT Luxe + will receive a copy of this book as a thank you.

Hope for Haiti

2011-01-11T11:21:00.001-06:00

It has been a year since the earthquake destroyed Haiti and I can still see clearly i my mind the images of the devastation. When I think back to the horrors the Haitian people endured and the losses so many suffered...my heart breaks. And yet, as difficult as it is to imagine, life somehow continues on. They, we all, move forward...babies are born, people fall in love, art is created. What is destroyed can be built again...

The Heart of Haiti Project, http://bit.ly/HeartofHaiti-ShopforABetterWorld was founded by Fairwinds Trading CEO Willa Shalit to support the artists in Haiti. Using objects as varied as recycled oil drums, paper maiche and stone, Haitian artists are creating incredible works of art. Each item is one of a kind and the proceeds go to support nutrition, health care and an overall better life for the people of Haiti and their communities.

I am in love with some of these pieces...such as this canvas wall print and this mirror. To read more on the Heart of Haiti Project and see the products available for purchase, you can visit the Macy's storefront at http://www.macys.com/heartofhaiti

I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.

GiveBack.org

2010-12-16T19:56:00.001-06:00

GiveBack.org is the brain child of Stephen Palatta, who won Oprah's Big Give in 2008 to the tune of $1,000,000 to give back to the causes he supported. The experience let him to create a foundation to support causes important to his hometown and as a result was inspired to make it easier for others to do the same.

And it most certainly does just that.

It is a company supported fully by its sponsors that enables you to organize and manage all of your charitable giving in one spot. Basically, once you sign up for your account, you are able to choose the charity/charities you want to support by creating your own foundation. The best part is that it's free...100% of the money you donate goes directly to the charity/charities that you support. And when tax time rolls around? All of your information is in own place, so you only have to be worried about one receipt.

They have also set up a network of stores, where you can earn up to 15% of your purchase to give back. The list of shops is pretty impressive featuring over 4oo stores...from the NBA Store to Meijer to The Disney Store.

Once you have your account set up (which is super easy to do, it took me about 60 seconds to set up and another 60 to select my charity and make my first donation) you can recruit your family and friends to help you support your cause(s) and even set up campaigns to help increase your donations.

I could go on + on, but you may as well watch the video...and then head over to GiveBack.org to set up your own account today!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by One2One Network on behalf of GiveBack.org.

SWAGG

2010-12-14T12:48:00.000-06:00

SWAGG is brilliant.

It is an app for your smartphone that allows you to store all of your loyalty + rewards cards; and in addition it also allows you to store your gift cards. You simply enter in all of your information (card numbers, user name, etc...) + it stores everything in one spot. When you head to the store, or use the online store, all you have to do is pull up the information on your phone (or in your account) and the SWAGG retailer can then simply scan your phone (or enter the numbers) and that's it!

You can even specify which offers you would like to receive, so the experience is completely customizable. When you are ready to redeem your credits or gift cards, simply log into SWAGG, select offers and choose if you would like to use it in store or online and complete your purchase.

No more chunky wallet, stuffed full of plastic...no more fumbling to find that card you know you have stuck in one of those pockets. With SWAGG, all you need is your phone! Seeing as I am that person who can never find the card I need in the checkout lane, that is even more reason for me to upgrade from my current carrier and current phone to one that has more uses than I know what to do with!

For a limited time, for every download of the app between now and December 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to non-profit Stand Up To Cancer up to $125,000. Visit the Stand Up To Cancer website for more information at http://www.standup2cancer.org

SWAGG is a free mobile app (download here) that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone. Buy, send or swap SWAGG GIFTS and organize your old school plastic gift cards.

For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) , up to $125,000.

Clever Girls Collective and SWAGG are sending a pair of movie fans to the Sundance Film Festival! Download the SWAGG app and then visit the Ultimate SWAGG Getaway Sweepstakes site to enter to win a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival. Entry deadline is January 3, 2011, 11:59pm, PST.

Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.

"Community" | The Christmas Episode

2010-12-09T07:30:00.000-06:00

My husband and I have been watching "Community" since its premier earlier this year. Though it hit a couple of rocky notes for me midway through the first half of the season, overall we both have come to love it + look forward to tuning in every week. Needless to say, I was super excited to get an advance copy of this week's episode to review!

I grew up on stop animation, clay-mation movies during the holidays...watching Rudolph as a family remains one of my most treasured holiday memories growing up. And despite my reluctance, I totally loved "Community"'s take on the concept.

The episode centers around Abed's obsession with finding the meaning of Christmas and his journey becomes something of concern to the entire group. The resulting journey is filled with notes of humor, wit and even some tenderness. They managed to convey the nostalgia of the medium, while also retaining the sarcastic humor that defines the series. And as an added bonus? They also managed to share the spirit of the holiday season without being too...well...cheesy

Tune in tonight at 8/7 Central to watch!

Some notes from One2One about the series...NBC's "Community," a smart comedy series about a band of misfits who attend Greendale Community College. At the center of the group is Jeff Winger (Joel McHale, "The Soup"), a fast-talking lawyer whose degree has been revoked. With some help from his fellow classmates, Winger forms a study group that eventually learns more about themselves than their course work. Also among the series stars who comprise the group are: comedy legend Chevy Chase ("Chuck") as Pierce, a man whose life experience has brought him infinite wisdom; Gillian Jacobs ("The Book of Daniel") as Britta, the 20-something dropout with something to prove; Yvette Nicole Brown ("Rules of Engagement") as Shirley, a sassy middle-aged divorcée;Danny Pudi ("Greek") as Abed, a pop culture junkie; Alison Brie ("Mad Men") as Annie, a high-strung perfectionist; Donald Glover ("30 Rock") as Troy, a former high school football star trying to find his way, and Ken Jeong ("The Hangover") as Señor Chang.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by One2One Network on behalf of Community. They sent me an advance copy of this week's Christmas episode to facilitate this review.

Dar Williams | Free Download

2010-12-06T11:24:00.001-06:00

Dar Williams just released her eighth studio album, two discs featuring her 'best of...' and more. One of her most popular songs is a tale of a young girl + her beloved babysitter titled 'The Babysitter's Here.' It is so sweet + I am thrilled to be able to offer it to you all exclusively as a free download.

You can find it right here...

http://razorandtiepublicity.com/darwilliams/darwilliams-thebabysittershere.mp3

Enjoy!!!

Norah Jones | ...Featuring

2010-11-28T09:34:00.006-06:00

Norah Jones' first album, Come Away With Me, debuted the same year I met my husband. And so, her melodies and unmistakable voice always trigger something nostalgic in me. Her newest release, ...Featuring, is a beautiful mix up of her performances with other artists. Some of which are her songs featuring other artists, some of which are other artists' songs featuring her. The track listing is 18 songs long and highlights a variety spanning her entire career, including the musical talents of Willie Nelson, Ryan Adams, Outkast, Belle and Sebastian and many...many more.

Norah says about the album..."A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries. Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together." And I couldn't agree more with her last statement. As I first listened to it, I was struck by the discordance of songs and yet at the same time it all felt right.

As I worked, her album played in the background and I found it both inspiring and calming...Norah working her magic as she poured herself into each note, each collaboration. The result is a spectacularly soulful compilation of songs, each carrying a different perspective on her talents. This is an album that has made its way into a top spot on my album list and I find myself selecting it as the one to listen to more often than not.

You can find out more information, including how to purchase the album on Norah's website http://bit.ly/norahsite and Facebook page http://on.fb.me/norahFB

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by One2One Network on behalf of Norah Jones. They sent me a copy of her new album, ...Featuring to facilitate this review.

Shutterfly

2010-10-27T22:22:00.032-05:00

I can't lie...as a photographer, I typically design my own holiday cards each year + many for my clients as well. However...the new designs at Shutterfly are definitely worthy of a look in my opinion. They have a wide selection of beautiful holiday cards, but they also carry so much more including wonderful business Christmas cards and personalized thank you cards, all of which can be utilized to best fit your needs. There are just so many possibilites!

Sophisticated, clean + modern, I think that their cards are a wonderful choice for displaying your images if custom designs are not an option. They are meant to showcase beautiful photographs and the variety is astounding...it is highly unlikely that you won't find something on their site that you will just adore.

The designs range from incredibly simple to traditional to elaborate. My favorites include an folded 5x7 card in aqua blue and red featuring three images, a flat 5x7 design showcasing one image with a colorful overlay of holiday wishes + a flat 5x7 card that includes space for a family update and includes room for three smaller images. All different designs, each beautiful on its own.

If you would like to blog about Shutterfly's new designs, you can sign up here to do so and to get 50 free cards in return!

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

KT Tunstall | Tiger Suit

2010-10-21T11:07:00.001-05:00

KT Tunstall just released her third studio album, Tiger Suit.

Taken directly from her website... "KT Tunstall has had a recurring dream since she was a child. She sees a tiger in her garden and goes outside to stroke it. She returns indoors and is seized by the fear that she could have been killed. Over the years, it has occurred to her that the reason the tiger responds so passively is that she herself is disguised as a tiger. That she is wearing a tiger suit."

If you aren't familiar with her name, you will most definitely be able to recall hearing one of her pervious hits..."Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," "Suddenly I See," Other Side of the World" or "Hold On". Her newest release is the dawn of a new era for KT Tunstall, deviating somewhat from her previous albums. She has dubbed the sounds that fill Tiger Suit, 'Nature Techno'...combining organic instrumentation with dance-friendly textures, she has managed to create something that is fresh, raw.

The album's first single, “Fade Like A Shadow" quickly rose to a Top 20 radio hit!

To hear an exclusive preview of KT Tunstall's amazing new album 'Tiger Suit' http://bit.ly/KTpreview Tweet or FB post to hear it. Or if you just want the entire album, it's now available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/KTamazon

“Making the album felt a bit like an archaeological dig, digging deeper to uncover what most turns me on. The best way I can describe it is that I felt I discovered the indigenous part of myself by going back to campfire dance music just as much as club dance music. When I grind my boot heel into the floor it’s connected to when I went clubbing in Berlin. Losing yourself in the middle of nowhere around a fire is no different to losing yourself surrounded by hundreds of people on a dance floor.” KT Tunstall

If you hope to see her perform live, you are in luck. KT is hitting the road in November playing a 17 city US tour. And...tickets are on sale now! Dates below...to find out more information visit KT's website.

Oct 31 Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR

Nov 1 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC

Nov 2 The Showbox SODO Seattle, WA

Nov 4 Knitting Factory Spokane, WA

Nov 5 Knitting Factory Boise, ID

Nov 7 Knitting Factory Reno, NV

Nov 8 Warfield Theatre San Francisco, CA

Nov 11 The Music Box Los Angeles, CA

Nov 12 House of Blues San Diego, CA

Nov 16 Ogden Theatre Denver, CO

Nov 18 Epic Minneapolis, MN

Nov 19 The Vogue Indianapolis, IN

Nov 21 Vic Theatre Chicago, IL

Nov 22 The Crofoot Detroit, MI

Nov 23 Phoenix Theatre Toronto, ON

Nov 25 Club Soda Montreal, QU

Nov 26 The Trocadero Philadelphia, PA

Nov 27 9:30 Club Washington, DC

Nov 29 House of Blues Boston, MA

Dec 1 Terminal 5 New York, NY

And to keep up with the latest news + all things KT...

* Website: http://bit.ly/KTsite

* Twitter: http://bit.ly/KTtwitter

* Facebook: http://bit.ly/KTfbook

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by One2One Network on behalf of KT Tunstall. They sent me a copy of her new album, Tiger Suit to facilitate this review.

Ultimate Family Vacation

2010-10-15T19:24:00.002-05:00

Sponsored By

Cheerios® is giving you the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, your ultimate family vacation. As part of a paid promotion for their “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, Cheerios® is sponsoring my post today about what my ultimate family vacation would be. Read mine, Enter the Sweepstakes for a chance to actually win your own fantasy family trip or one of a bunch of other great prizes.

My husband was born in London, his father's family is from Italy and my mother's family is from Croatia...so our ultimate family vacation would be trekking our way through Europe, exploring each country we visited, celebrating each unique culture. I would love to get to know the places where our families were started, get to know who and where we come from. Though they were born in America, both my mother and my husband's father still have family in their parents' home countries. My immediate family would begin the first half of the trip (my husband and I, our four children) flying into London, traveling through France + Germany, visiting Spain and The Netherlands and Greece. But, we would eventually make our way to Italy where our entire family would join us, both of our parents + our siblings and their families. We would tour the countryside, visit landmarks and major cities and eventually we would travel across the sea and spend the remainder of our time in Croatia exploring the beauty of it's coast.

Ahhh....a girl can dream...

Where would you go? What would your Ultimate Family Vacation be?

Don't forget to enter the “Do What You Love” Sweepstakes, for a chance to win your own ultimate family vacation. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Healthy Choice

2010-10-06T14:04:00.000-05:00

Healthy Choice has rolled out a new line of frozen entrees...featuring fresh + simple ingredients and cooking with steam for the freshest flavors. There are a variety of dishes and each feature key nutritional ingredients such as fiber, whole grains and antioxidants. Steaming keeps the vegetables crisp and the flavors vibrant.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Healthy Choice and received samples of their new steaming entrées to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Dove | Movement for Self Esteem

2010-09-28T13:20:00.002-05:00

At thirteen, I thought I knew a heck of a lot more than my parents. I thought I was worldly and wise and could handle just about anything life threw at me. Until I met my first true bully, who left me feeling ugly, worthless, beat down and good for absolutely nothing.

At thirteen, I wish I had known that she was wrong.

It took me another twenty years before I truly and fully believed that.

I have always been impressed with Dove's Real Beauty campaign, encouraging women, young and old, to appreciate their own unique beauty. I want my daughters to grow up strong, knowing that they are beautiful, inside and out, no matter what others tell them. Knowing that no matter what life throws at them, they have the power to face it and to overcome any obstacle. I want my daughters to believe in themselves. And you know? To be honest, I want the same things for my son.

Dove has now launched a Movement for Self Esteem and their tagline is 'The Dove Movement for Self-Esteem invites all women to join us in creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.' It doesn't get much better than that.

To stay updated on the Self Esteem movement visit Dove online at http://dovemovement.rxlmedia.com and on Facebook at http://bit.ly/aRXKXA.

Olivia

2010-09-27T08:06:00.029-05:00

Olivia is 6 3/4 years old, but that doesn't stop my 3 year olds from being utterly fascinated with her every time she appears on our television screen. They love to follow along with her on adventures and watch as she navigates sometimes murky waters.

When the box from Team Mom arrived, they helped me tear into it and were thrilled to discover that nestled inside were both a plush Oliva and 2 in 1 play set. That very day, one of my girls adopted big Oliva and the other adopted little Olivia and my son, well, he adopted the entire play set. They walked around with them for a week straight, until they realized that they were here to stay, at which point they decided that it was perfectly acceptable to play with other toys and limit Olivia play for to only half of the day.

To say they loved the toys is an understatement. And what a fabulous idea. The play set opens on one side to feature Olivia's home and when you flip it over the other side opens to a pirate ship. Each comes equipped with accessories to aid in the imaginative play and my only complaint is that those pieces are small.

The 2 in 1 Transforming playset is from http://www.spinmaster.com/ and includes the base, an Olivia figure, s sticker sheet and 23 accessories. The Olivia plush doll comes dressed in all of her favorite outfits...including Artist, Opera Singer, Cow and Outfits. Both are available for purchase from Toys R Us, Target and Kmart.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Team Mom on behalf of Spin Master. They sent me a playset and plush doll to facilitate my review.

Electrolux | Rumpled to Runway

2010-09-22T07:53:00.006-05:00

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and Electrolux and Kelly Rips have teamed up again to raise awareness and funds to support research for ovarian cancer. They are hosting a 'Rumpled to Runway' fashion show to demonstrate how their ingenious Perfect Steam can take any outfit from rumpled to runway ready in a matter of no time at all.

Visit http://www.kelly-confidential.com/ and play along to learn how you can go from wrinkled to fashionable...and for each time that you do Electrolux Rippa will donate $1 to OCRF. And from 9/8/10 to 9/30/10, Electrolux will donate $200 to OCRF for every Turquoise Sky Perfect Steam™ washer/dryer pair purchased at participating retailers in the US, with a maximum of $100,000.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Select on behalf of Electrolux. I have been entered for a chance to win the gift as part of the Electrolux program.

today...

2010-09-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

i will be remembering those who lost their lives, praying for those who miss them, reflecting on all that it means and thanking those who serve and protect us all.

American Public University

2010-09-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

I never completed my college degree...I have several semesters worth of credits, at least three years worth, and nothing to show for them. I attended three different schools during my pursuit of my bachelors degree and not one of them truly fit my needs. The closest was a junior college that allowed me to telecommute to my classes, but even the few courses offered in that format still required physical attendance. I wasn't great on my follow through in everything that pertained to school, but when it came time to physically go to class, that is where I struggled the most. I was a very young single mom, living with my parents and raising my daughter, and attending a traditional campus atmosphere wasn't something that I enjoyed. Or fit into, for that matter.

That is why I really appreciate the value of a school that offers a full online format...it really allows the space for a non-traditional student to excel. The flexibility of scheduling, the opportunity to pursue a variety of degrees and the chance to change career paths...all enormously important to anyone attending college, but especially so to a non-traditional student. Unlike the traditional mortar and brick structure of a traditional university, American Public University offers classes on a monthly basis (rather than semester), with accelerated programs that allow their students to obtain their degrees while still meeting the demands of work and home life.

APU offers more than 100 quality, accredited degree and certificate programs ranging from homeland security to management to liberal arts. And due to a Book Grant program, it is affordable, finding its tuition rates stable over the past 10 years and among the lowest in the country for accredited online universities with a simplified fee structure that makes it easy for students to estimate and cover expenses. Only $750 for a 3 credit undergraduate course and $900 for a 3 credit graduate course, the overall cost for undergraduate tuition is nearly $21 per semester hour less than the avergage four year four-year public university (College Board 2009-2010 data).

If you are looking to advance your career or even begin a new one...consider APU and visit www.studyatapu.com/moms for more information

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of American Public University. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Avacado

2010-08-25T08:09:00.001-05:00

I adore avocado...chopped in a salad, sliced on a sandwich, mashed into guacamole or even just scooped out of the skin on its own. I love to eat the creamy, almost buttery, yumminess called an avocado.

My favorite way, by far, however is to toss the avocado with chunks of garden tomatoes (yes, homegrown...there is nothing like a homegrown tomato, of which they are bountiful come summertime in Illinois) thinly sliced red onion, olive oil, a bit of vinegar, salt and pepper, a little bit of lime juice and some toasted cumin. With a hunk of whole grain bread or just on its own, It is the freshest way to enjoy an avocado.

Avocados are packed full of nutrients and rich in healthy fats. Each serving, about one fifth of an avocado, contains nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (which is a fancy way of saying nutrients derived from plants). Some of the many benefits to you, include their antioxidant properties, assistance in helping enhance the body's immune system, as well as promoting skin health and tissue repair.

You can find recipes and additional nutrition information, as well as tips and hints at The Amazing Avocado. While you are there, be sure to check out The Big Hit Sweepstakes and vote for the finalists. Avocado League participants will be announced on September 1st and public voting begins in late September. The Big Hit site will contain both personal profiles for the eight finalists as well as their featured recipes!

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Moon Dough

2010-08-24T10:02:00.002-05:00

My kids love to play with anything they can mold, such as clay or play dough. The only problem is that it dries out quickly and becomes more difficult to work with. We end up pulling it out for activity time and discovering that it has hardened into an unmovable object. Not so much fun...for them or for me when the tears ensue.

Moon Dough is a brand new molding compound that does't dry out. Ever. It is incredibly soft, seriously the stuff feels like marshmallows, easily moldable and perfect for little hands to sculpt into their own creations. Plus, and a big bonus here for many families, it is hypo-allergenic and wheat-free. My only complaint is that it falls apart easily and sticks to nearly every surface almost like styrofoam. But, a plus is that it is super easy to pick up with a little ball of Moon Dough and it is even easier to clean up!

There are several play sets to choose from...a barnyard (which my kids adore), a pizza shop and a doghouse just to name a few. They all come with packs of Moon Douhg, but it can also be purchased in refill packs as well. It is available for purchase at several large retailers, both online and in store, such as Toys R Us and Amazon.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Team Mom on behalf of Moon Dough and received one product necessary to facilitate my review.

Gatorade | Beat the Heat

2010-08-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

I was an athlete growing up. Though my career was cut short, partly due to injury and partly due to my own short sightedness, I do know the importance of proper hydration. Not only to replenish lost fluids, to keep your body in optimal shape to ensure your highest level of performance, but to help prevent heat related illnesses as well. My daughter is a volleyball player, entering her Freshman year of high school, and her coaches have stressed since day one how important it is to drink plenty of fluids during these long, hot August practices.

Heat related illnesses can be caused by many different factos, but dehydration is a leading cause. When your body is dehydrated, it makes it difficult to function properly and performance declines. Water is incredibly important, but it doesn't always provide athletes with enough hydration as effectively as Gatorade. Gatorade supplies the body with not only fluid, but with electrolytes and carbohydrates which quickly replenish and refuel what athletes lose in sweat. It also provides energy to keep them going.

Other factors to keep in mind to prevent dehydration and heat illness in young athletes include regular breaks + unrestricted access to hydration before, during and after practices and games, as well as wearing the proper equipment (ie: light net-type jerseys, t-shirts and shorts, avoiding excess clothing, etc...) As moms, it is incredibly important that we help our children appreciate the importance of proper hydration. You can learn more and download a free Gatorade Heat Safety Kit at www.nfl.com/trainingcamp. And for every unique download Gatorade will donate $1 to “Beat the Heat” charities up to $20,000.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Gatorade’s “Beat the Heat” campaign and received Gatorade samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

The digene HPV test

2010-08-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

I have a very dear friend who was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer. She went from going about her normal everyday family life, working at a job she loves, going to graduate school and spending time with her husband and children, to undergoing treatment for cancer. After a radical hysterectomy and months of chemotherapy and radiation, she is finally finished with her treatment. But, the side effects linger, making her feel exhausted and sick. And it has certainly taken an emotional toll on her as well. She is strong, so she pushes forward continuing to do many of the things at the same pace she did before. But...it has taken its toll and she still has some recovery time ahead of her. Not to mention the follow up appointments throughout the coming years.

Her cancer was discovered during an regular check up from abnormal results from her Pap test. Which is why annual visits to your doctor are extremely important. She could have gone undiagnosed for years and faced a much graver prognosis.

There is now a vaccine, given to girls ages 9-26, that helps protect women against HPV, which is one of the most common causes of cervical cancer. But there are also tools for women over the age of 30 now as well. Along with your annual Pap there is a test that can be done at the same time, the digene HPV test, that will help identify your risk for developing cervical cancer. However, it isn't something that your doctor will automatically use, so be sure to request it.

You can find information about the test at their website, http://www.thehpvtest.com, along with a vast array of educational materials...FAQ's about the test, tools to help explain the results and even to aid you with looking into your insurance coverage.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of the QIAGEN digene HPV test. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Shred Sled

2010-08-09T09:47:00.000-05:00

As my daughter far too quickly grows closer to the age where she will be leaving the nest for college and eventually for good, I find that it is incredibly important to keep encouraging her to play. She begins high school, her Freshman year, next week and I only hope that her ability to embrace the part of her that is still a child and enjoy life continues throughout the next four years and beyond. I have noticed that if I pull out or bring home a toy that is novel and/or interesting, it makes it so much easier for her, for all of us really, to let go of shoulds and should nots and just have fun. It had been a while since I introduced a new toy/game, so the timing on the arrival of the Shred Sled was perfect.

The Shred Sled is very similar to a skateboard, but it really is an entirely different piece of equipment. I can ride a skateboard...the Shred Sled gave me a run for my money. (I should note here, that once we figured out how to get on the board, Lydia picked up on how to use it in about 1.5 seconds.) There are four inline wheels and two decks, rather than the standard one on a skateboard, with a flexible connector in between that allows the boards to rotate around both the vertical and horizontal axes, making the Shred Sled easier to maneuver. Each deck also has a rough grip surface to maximize traction and stability. The movements used to propel it are similar to ones used for surfboards and snowboard, using hips and arms and legs to move it forward, rather than pushing off the board with your feet.

Lydia and I laughed so hard, our sides ached, as we attempted to master simply getting on the board. The recommendation is to hold onto a wall to steady yourself as you attempt to ride it. It is so unlike anything I have ever used before, that I couldn't even hold my balance long enough to do that at first. But once I figured out how to get on the board and what movements propelled the board forward, I kind of, ever so slightly figured out how to maneuver it. You have to twist your hips and both legs to keep it moving forward, which is so contrary to my body and mind who are stuck on a skateboard and wanting to push off with my foot. Lydia on the other hand, was riding back and forth through our hallway in no time.

The Shred Sled is available in three colors (red, black or blue), it has 4 x 80 mm polyurethane wheels and ABEC-5 bearings, both of which are smoother and stronger than standard hardware and both of which rarely need replacing. And, the boards aluminum casters far surpass the quality of older boards' metal casters which often rusted. The Shred Sled is appropriate for ages 8 and up. It retails for approximately $59.99 and is available for purchase nationwide and at www.ShredSled.com.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Team Mom on behalf of Shred Sled and received one product necessary to facilitate my review.

Waterpik

2010-08-07T07:06:00.000-05:00

We have needed a new shower head on our bathroom for quite a while now. In fact, we even bought an inexpensive, standard one at the store a few months ago. It just hasn't been installed yet because it requires using sealing putty and though it isn't complex to install, it certainly isn't easy. So the shower head sat, still sits in fact, on my nightstand waiting to be used.

Cue stage right...and enter WaterPik to save the day...

It arrived sleek and shiny, begging to be installed as soon as I opened the box. Thankfully, the installation was easy...even easier than getting the thing out of its packaging. Seriously, it was a piece of cake to install and no sealing putty or tape was necessary.

The Waterpik EasySelect 5, is designed for ease of use. There is a spray selector on the removable handle featuring five different spray modes. And, all Water Pik showerheads are designed using their patented OptiFLOW technology, to maximize water pressure by increasing water force by up to 30%!

Water Pik recently completed a survey that discovered "50 percent of moms say they use the shower as a time to escape". I am not going to lie, I love our new shower head...it is invigorating and refreshing. But, by far, the people in my house who claim to be its biggest fans are my three year old triplets. Washing their hair has always been a chore because they hate the cups of water dumped on their heads that allow the shampoo to run directly into their eyes and mouths. With the new Waterpik shower head...that chore has now become a favorite part of their day!

II wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Select on behalf of Waterpik and received one product necessary to facilitate my review.

BabyPhotographers.com

2010-08-03T12:30:00.000-05:00

Babyphotographers.com is a wonderful resource for parents who are looking for a photographer to capture those fleeting moments in their child's first year and beyond. It provides parents a one stop shop to discover the photographer that best fits their family's style and budget. The website and blog are packed full of information, helpful tips and ideas; featuring articles discussing topics such as how to prepare to have the best session possible.

I think the site is well designed and efficient in delivering what it promises. I am a little biased though, since unbeknownst to Team Mom, my own photography business (http://rachaelmariephotography.com) is featured there!

Right now, babyphotographers.com is hosting a 'smile, baby' contest. They want to know how you get your baby to laugh...and the more outrageous your antics, the better! The grand prize is a $2000 gift certificate from babyphotographers.com to the photographer of your choice! Second place will receive a $1000 gift certificate and third place will receive a $500 gift certificate. For official rules and to enter visit the contest page for details.

You can also find Babyphotographers.com on Twitter and Facebook.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Team Mom on behalf of babyphotographers.com. Ironically, Team Mom was unaware that my own site is listed http://blog.rachaelmariephotography.com there as well. Which means you could potentially win a session with me!

Lilith Fair | Chicago 2010

2010-07-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and by the makers of ob tampons, CAREFREE Pantiliners and STAYFREE pads.

I remember when Lilith Fair first toured the country, I was 20 years old, I had a one year old daughter and I lived with my parents. I missed out on the experience of leaving home to attend college and so I lived through the music I listened to; and at the time my playlist was filled with female artists.

I really, really, really wanted to go…to celebrate being a woman, to enjoy beautiful music, to be with friends.

Sadly, attending didn't fit into my budget or my schedule, and each of the subsequent years only increased the un-liklihood that I would be able to attend. And then the tour stopped. Life moved on and I forgot about those 'when I was younger' dreams of one day going. Then last week, when I was given the opportunity to not only attend the concert, but to photograph the artists' performances as well.

The day was hot and incredibly humid, the sun shining bright without the relief of any clouds to hide behind. My husband and I wandered around, sipping water out of the fountains and taking in the chaos of varied concert-goers and sponsor tents. Sweat dripping, I headed off to find the bathroom and with an enormous thank you to Lilipad, created by the makers of STAYFREE® pads, CAREFREE® liners and o.b.® tampons, I finally found an oasis.

I walked through the doors and instead of the expected concrete floors and walls and smothering heat, I found a soft faux astro-turf floor and an incredibly cooler climate. Everywhere were displays of freebies...cold, wet towels to wipe the sweat off your brow and cool your core body temperature to a more manageable degree, makeup remover for the inevitable running mascara and smudged eyeliner, toothbrushes as well as ob tampons and Carefree pantyliners. I knew that Lilith Fair | Chicago was going to be sporting more upscale bathrooms than one would typically find at a concert, but these felt way more luxurious than I expected.

There was also a climate controlled Lilipad tent set up that offered plenty more freebies, including a special edition Self magazine featuring interviews with the artists participating in Lilith Fair and a full, fresh towel bar featuring a variety of the scented and unscented cool, wet towels. They even had a photo booth where concert-goers could take photographs as if appearing onstage with their favorite musicians! And I must say that the Lilipad tent was a very popular place to be, because both times I visited it, there were so many people there I could barely turn around.

As far as the music itself...it was powerful, the performances moving and the musicians enormously talented. There were several artists on two side stages prior to the start of the performances on the main stage. I was only able to catch Meaghan Smith, but she was so much fun to watch perform. Her music was new to me, but I loved it. She is retro with a modern twist…many of her songs well woven tales of past loves (complete with back stories), set to beautiful melodies played out on the guitar.

Once the performances on the main stage began, we headed to our seats and for the first three songs of each artist's set, I was able to be right at the foor of the stage to photograph the performances. Kate Nash opened the main stage performances and rocked it hard with a punk edge. Courtyard Hound followed and in contrast they played softer tunes, strumming expertly on the varied string instruments (banjo, violin, guitars...). Heart was up next and played their classic hits with such vibrancy and unrivaled energy as they danced across the stage and the lyrics. Mary J. Blige came out ready to have fun and surprised me as she poured her heart out onto the stage, tears falling from her face during her performance of No More Drama which followed her incredible covers of U2's One and Led Zepplin's Stairway to Heaven. Sarah Maclachlan closed out the performance beginning with two of her greatest hits, Angel and Building a Mystery were powerful and moving, haunting and beautiful all at once. She also peppered her set list with some of her newer material.

The music was diverse and as a result, the crowd that filled the amphitheater was varied...women and men, younger and older, gay and straight. The uniting factor of all those who performed was that they were all women who had pursued their dreams to share what they loved with the world. And their passion came through in waves of powerful emotion. I left the concert inspired...partially because I was able to experience such an amazing even and partially because I was able to photograph beautiful artists as they poured themselves onto the stage and into the audience. I left the concert ready to take on my own dreams, once and for all making them come true.

BlogHer is graciously offering you the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. All you have to do to win is answer the following question...

Think of a dream that you hold close to your heart...one you may not have been brave enough to share with anyone yet. Tell me about that dream, be open and vulnerable to the world and share it here. And then answer me this...what is holding you back?

Please include your name and a valid email address so that I can get ahold of the winner. The contest runs for one week, beginning July 29, 2010 and ending on August 4, 2010. I will select a winner via random.org and notify the winner via email.

Please visit here for the official rules.

I was commissioned to write this post by the makers of o.b.® tampons, CAREFREE® pantiliners and STAYFREE® pads and I received monetary compensation, as well as concert tickets and transportation to and from the concert.

Pop On Pals

2010-07-28T11:58:00.000-05:00

Pop on Pals arrived on our doorstep the very day my youngest three turned three. They were thrilled to get an early 'present' in the middle of the afternoon and I literally could not pull them away from the Amusement Park Playset after they tore it open. They had so much fun playing with the roller coaster and ferris wheel, that the only complaint I have is that the set doesn't come with more than one Pop on Pal.

The Pop on Pals design is incredibly smart; they are small, which is perfect for developing fine motor skills You simply press down on the pal and pop on any of the mix and match rings to change the look and each change produces the signature 'pop' to make it even more fun. There are so many different characters to choose from and they can be put together to become anything that little ones want to create, which fosters wonderful imaginative play. So, for example, the princess can become a fireman and the fireman a baker...the possibilities are truly endless!

There are several Pop on Pal playsets available...Pet Pack, 2 'n' 1 Vehicle Set and Pop and Go School Bus just to name a few. You can find them (and more!) at the Pop on Pals website and they are available for purchase at several retailers including Target and toys R Us.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Team Mom on behalf of Pop On Pals and received one product necessary to facilitate my review.