Thanks, Mail Carrier

Winners!

2012-05-19T12:52:00.000-05:00

The lucky winner of Dale and Thomas gourmet popcorn is...

The lucky winner of a Miracle-Gro Kids Gardening Set is...

The lucky winner of Star Wars Fighter Pods is...

The lucky winner of their choice of wooden Moover toy from HABA is...

The lucky winner of a Lalaloopsy Sew Magical Mermaid Doll is...

The lucky winner of a Classic Battleship Movie Edition game and a KRE-O Battleship Combat Chopper set from Hasbro is...

The lucky winner of an 11x14" Stretched Canvas Print from UPrinting is...

The lucky winner of a fun Fincredibles electronic pet fish from Gemmy is...

The lucky winner of a $100 gift certificate to Stanley Steemer is...

Thanks to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! Have a great weekend!

Style and Comfort with Fresh Produce {Review}

2012-05-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

Even though I spend the majority of my days in either jeans or sweats (or, ahem, pajamas), that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate having the option to open my closet and find high quality, timeless articles of clothing as well. After all, sometimes it just feels good to pull on something relaxed and carefree that also adds a bit of a dressy, stylish touch to my life.

While I can easily walk into any department store or through the mall to find those articles of clothing to spruce up my wardrobe, they can often start to all look pretty much the same. Instead, I love finding a company that understands how to dress a woman's body in a way that is flattering, feminine, colorful and, of course, fashionable.

Which is why as soon as I was introduced to Fresh Produce, it was easy to see that their dedication to creating feel-good clothes that women want to wear every day comes through with each and every piece of apparel they offer!

Co-founded and still run by a mom entrepreneur, Fresh Produce is primarily made in the USA and is available in Fresh Produce stores and more than 500 specialty retailers throughout the US and Caribbean. From island dresses to lightweight cardigans to shorts and pants of every length, there is a fun, playful print that you're sure to adore.

After looking at page after page of womens sun dresses, flowing skirts and casual tunics, I was not only ready to experience Fresh Produce in person, but I was even more eager for summer to arrive than I had been before! Each piece has such a beachy feel, that it's almost hard to not hear the waves in the background.

When the Harmony Tank Dress arrived, I was immediately in love with the simplicity, elegance and complete versatility that it would provide.

Featuring a soft knit top with a cool cotton sheeting skirt, the photos of the Harmony Dress caught my eye because of a multitude of reasons. Along with the comfortable styling, 100% cotton material and small details at the neck and hem, my eyes rested on the pockets and I was convinced. A cute summer dress! With adorable pockets! I'm sold!

As I had suspected, I loved the features of this dress in person just as much as I had when viewing it on their website.

The mid-weight rib top has a comfortable, tank top feel, with just enough stretch to form to the wearer's body and straps just wide enough to cover a bra. The addition of the raw-yet-delicate detailing along the edge was a perfect touch to give a finished look to the overall piece.

At the same time, the raw edge detail at the bottom hem comes as a triple-layered effect and really takes the whole dress from standard to unique.

Add in the gathering at the empire waist and my beloved pockets, and the overall result is a dress that can be worn for a multitude of occasions. Pair it with flip flops or flats for a day out with the family or add on some jewelry and heels and you're ready to head to dinner in a casual, stylish way.

After noticing that reviews of this dress on the Fresh Produce website had mentioned that it ran small, I was concerned about how it would fit. However, I ordered my regular size and found that it was spot on!

From the clean lines to the quality construction (made in the USA) to the way that the Harmony Dress makes me feel confident and put together without any effort or work, I have no doubt that I will be wearing this all summer long and beyond!

Regularly retailing for $56, the Harmony Tank Dress is currently on sale from Fresh Produce for $38.99 and is now only available in black. However, if you're looking for color, there is no shortage of options when it comes to finding a cotton beach dress that will surely make a splash in your wardrobe.

Be sure to visit Fresh Produce on their website as well as connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter to never miss the latest and greatest information. As they now ship to over 200 countries, it doesn't matter where you live - even women outside the US can enjoy the comfort and colorful styles, too!

(Other than the Harmony Tank Dress that I was sent from Fresh Produce, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this product.)

Harlem Globetrotters Summer Skills Clinics {Coupon Code!}

2012-05-18T21:12:00.000-05:00

When it comes to the Harlem Globetrotters, the magic and entertainment just can't be denied. It doesn't matter if you've been to 25 games or have only seen these amazing athletes in television commercials, you can't miss just how charismatic and fun it is to see them in action.

The music, the tricks, the dunking of the basketball, the spinning of the ball on their fingertip, the cheering and the laughter... no wonder the Globetrotters have played in more than 25,000 games for everyone from Presidents to Popes!

For the first time, however, children have the opportunity to do more than simply watch the Harlem Globetrotters in awe, as they can get in on the action themselves! Starting this June, the Globetrotters will be conducting summer skills clinics to bring boys and girls ages 6-14 behind the curtain to see the Globetrotters' electrifying skills and tricks, while also having fun staying active.

Taking place in 24 Hour Fitness Clubs in nine states over a 10-week period this summer, the innovative clinics will focus on drills for the fundamentals (shooting, dribbling and passing), scrimmages and games with the stars, and more. Kids will even have the chance to create their own signature move, perform a Magic Circle on court and receive their own personalized Harlem Globetrotters nickname!

These 3-hour clinics will take place in the following cities: Phoenix, Houston, San Francisco, New Jersey, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, St. Louis, Miami and Las Vegas (a full list of dates and locations can be found here).

As well as the exercise, enjoyment and amazing memories that each participant will receive from attending one of these clinics, there are even more bonuses as well:

A complimentary ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2013 World Tour
A free 3-day trial pass to 24 Hour Fitness for mom or dad
Autographs and photos with the stars

If your child is a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters, don't miss this opportunity to give them the experience of a lifetime! Space is limited in each clinic session to ensure maximum interaction with the stars, so now is the time to register and reserve a spot.

The cost for participation is typically $59 (remember that this includes a $40 ticket voucher to an upcoming game!) but right now you can save $10! Simply enter the coupon code USFAMILY on the cart page after completing your registration or mention it when calling 1-800-641-HOOP (4667) to take advantage of this special offer.

Find out more information and registration info on the Harlem Globetrotters website today!

I am receiving passes for my family to attend a Harlem Globetrotters game in 2013 in exchange for sharing this information, but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Versatility and Style: Cuddly Monkey Totes {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-18T09:17:00.001-05:00

Oftentimes when I'm out shopping and see the handbag/purse/tote bag section, I get a little bewildered by all the choices and how they would relate to my life.

On the one hand, I'm a casual person. When I'm out and about, it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll be in jeans or athletic pants, so it's hard to imagine the need that would arise for a stylish, dressy handbag or chic little clutch.

On the other hand, however, I like all of those stylish, dressy options in handbags and purses. Because they just make me feel... like an adult. Even though I want to grab a bag that is larger — something big enough to fit my busy mom-on-the-go lifestyle, whether that means we're headed to the park, the pool, after-school activities, the gym, etc — it can still look good, right?

There's just no reason to throw your workout gear or towels into an old duffel bag anymore, because a dose of high quality and fashion can do wonders to reinforce the fact that you're not in sweats with dried macaroni & cheese stuck to your sock. Instead, the perfect solution is a tote bag that can work when mom is out shopping on her own or when she is rushing to ballet lessons without missing a beat: Cuddle Monkey.

Born in the heart of Soho in the design studio of Stag&Hare (a team of brand strategists and designers with a passion for creating and exploring), Cuddly Monkey tote bags are the definition of stylish but functional fun. These 100% canvas tote bags feature a simple, sleek, stylish outside that is in stark contrast to the bright, clever design or illustration found on the bag's lining. They are the best of both worlds!

Browsing the collection at Cuddly Monkey proved to be more difficult than I had expected, as each bag was more vivid and humorous than the next. Finally deciding that The Babe would be just right for nearly any occasion around here, I couldn't wait to see this tote in person.

Calling out for a trip to the beach, The Babe captures the combination between crisp white and bright color in such a fun and fashionable way.

The outside features durable white canvas accented by light grey handles, which fit perfectly in your hand, the crook of your elbow or slung conveniently over your shoulder.

Along both the front and the back, The Babe has three easily-accessible deep pockets (a total of six) that are just the right size for sliding any number of necessities inside. A bottle of sunscreen, a cell phone, a camera, sunglasses... just about anything!

However, the uniqueness of this great bag really becomes apparent as soon as you look inside. How can you not be instantly cheered up when you pop open your tote to reach for your magazine and you find...

Love it! The first time I showed The Babe to Big Sister E and Little Sister B and asked them what they thought of the lining, they both shouted, "Watermelon!" and giggled. What better way to sum up the feeling that you get from seeing the bright red inside?

Each time I have used our Cuddly Monkey tote, I have enjoyed it a little more. As it measures in at 20"W x 15"H x 5 1/2"D, there is plenty of room to store our belongings no matter where the girls and I are running around town. I especially appreciate the addition of the snap closure and inner zipper compartment, as I feel glad knowing that my items won't fall out if the bag is tipped and my valuables are kept secure.

No matter if you are looking for sophistication with a touch of elegance or practicality with a rugged twist, Cuddly Monkey will have a modern bag that will leave you stylishly ready for anything. The collection retails from $68 to $94 (The Babe has an $80 price tag) and, while that is on the higher end for a tote bag, this is not just your basic tote bag.

The functionality, versatility, high quality, and downright fun colors and designs will make your Cuddly Monkey bag the first one that you reach for for your next outing. I'm looking forward to using this for quite some time to come!

Sold exclusively on their website, you'll want to visit CuddlyMonkey.com to see photos (especially of the great linings!) and find out more about how their great selection of totes are perfect for any stylista on the go.

Thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be prepared to hit the beach or the gym or just run errands very fashionably as well, because...

One lucky person will win The Babe tote bag from Cuddly Monkey!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Cuddly Monkey for providing The Babe tote bag for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Save Energy and Money with GE Energy Efficient Light Bulbs {#CBias #SocialFabric #GELighting}

2012-05-17T17:38:00.002-05:00

When it comes to going green, there are days that I feel as though we're doing a good job... and then there are days that I feel completely and utterly overwhelmed. Where to start? How to continue? Where to even go to look for more information or natural products?

We do "standard" aspects such as recycling and not leaving the water running, but when it comes to taking things one step further in areas such as saving energy, I found our to-do list seemed rather short. We had new windows put in throughout the house a few years ago, as well a new furnace installed... so, other than turning off the lights or television when they aren't necessary, where does that leave us?

Thanks to GE, I found that the answer to going green and saving money lay right in their light bulbs.

I'll admit that for a long time I've thought that a light bulb is... a light bulb. Some are brighter, some are dimmer, and I've always wondered what would happen if I put a 75W into a lamp that states that it can take a bulb with a max 60W. Would it self-combust right then and there?

But now GE has come out with energy efficient light bulbs and, as soon as I heard more about them, it was clear that they are an easy and smart change to make. GE Energy Efficient Soft White Light Bulbs offer the closest alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs (e.g. the size, shape and performance are the same) but with a 28% energy savings!

At the same time, GE Energy Smart Bright from the Start CFL bulbs illuminate quickly, last eight times longer and use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Just by switching, you'll save an average of $39 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

After hearing stats like those, I pulled a few bulbs out from our lights and found that they somehow seemed...

Thanks for nothing, regular and Reveal bulbs. Why haven't you been saving me money all this time?

...dim.

Along with their lack of efficiency or money-saving capabilities, it seems like we have had to constantly change light bulbs in our house since we moved in. In fact, my husband and I have had a long-standing joke that as soon as we stop being lazy and go get a new bulb to replace one that is burnt out in our kitchen, living room or dining room, then the next one goes out!

It was time to put a stop to the light bulb madness by checking out the lighting options at Walmart (see our full shopping trip in photos here). Knowing that GE has energy efficiency covered, I was looking forward to checking out the selection and bringing home the bulbs that would start putting money back in our pocket.

While I'm always amazed at the size of Walmart Supercenters, it didn't take more than a minute or two of looking around in the Home section before spotting the inflatable light bulb hanging from the ceiling to know that we had found our aisle.

Glad to see that there was such a large selection available, I quickly began to feel a little overwhelmed at just how many different choices there were.

So much #GELighting!

Fortunately, my husband and I managed to look through the many bulbs offered (and he could define things like CFL and LED for me) and we were happy to find that the GE Energy Smart Bright from the Start CFL and Soft White Light Bulbs were exactly what we needed.

Even better, the selection available was large enough for us to fill our cart. Now all we had to do was get them home to start swapping out all of our incandescent light bulbs!

GE is so sure that we're all going to save money by switching to their energy efficient light bulbs that they've not only put together this cute little video to get the idea across...

...but they also have created a GE Energy Smart CFL Savings Calculator so that you can truly get an idea of just how much money you can save annually as well as over the lifetime of your bulbs.

You've got to head over and find out your estimated energy savings, it just might surprise you! It told me that we can save nearly $300 per year and almost $1,600 over the life of our bulbs... and that's no small change!

Ready to make the choice that is good for the earth as well as your pocketbook? Find out more about GE and all of their great light bulbs at GELighting.com, and don't forget to connect with them on Twitter and Facebook as well.

I'll be checking back in next month to compare our energy bill from last year with this year to see just how much of a difference GE has made in our home. As they say, "A small change can create big change," and I'm looking forward to seeing just how much of that big change is going to end up staying in my bank account!

I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ but all thoughts are honest and my own. #CBias #SocialFabric

Let Energizer save you money with the Utility Cash Program {Energizer Max AA Batteries Giveaway}

2012-05-17T07:38:00.002-05:00

When it comes to the companies that are known for making a differences, one of the first names I think of is Energizer.

While most people hear Energizer and immediately think of batteries, those are only one aspect of this company that can be found in more than 160 countries across the globe. In fact, Energizer has spent decades supporting organizations helping to make a positive impact in local communities and around the world.

This spring as part of the Energizer campaign — that’s positivenergy — they're "building" on that commitment in a new way through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Working with baseball legend and philanthropist Cal Ripken, Jr., Energizer is donating more than $300,000 and 1,000 volunteer hours to Habitat through a multi-city series of volunteer projects to help build new homes and revitalize existing homes for those in need.

A donation of $300,000 and 1,000 volunteer hours? That's not too shabby, Energizer!

But they haven't stopped there — beyond helping Habitat for Humanity, Energizer wants to help all of us as well! With the rising cost of utilities, we can all use a little bit of assistance, especially if you live in a climate that will have a really hot summer.

In addition to the series of volunteer projects, you will see the Energizer and Habitat for Humanity partnership coming to the shelves of your favorite stores. Through the Energizer Utility Cash program, you can collect codes from select Energizer battery and lighting products and redeem them online for savings, up to $25 total savings each per person/household/email address, off of your utility bill (or you can help make a positive impact and choose to turn the codes into a donation to Habitat for Humanity).

Finding the specially marked packages of Energizer batteries is easy, as you simply keep an eye out for the bright yellow label letting you know that you can help save money!

Once you've purchased your batteries, the steps to submitting your info are also just as easy:

Once you are finished collecting your codes, visit www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/utilities to enter your codes.
You must enter your codes all at once.
The last day to redeem codes is 3/31/13 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

You start earning rewards with just two codes and will need 10 codes total to earn the full $25.

This spring and summer (and beyond), keep an eye out for your favorite Energizer batteries to not only provide long-lasting performance for your gadgets and devices, but to save you money as well. It's a win-win situation!

And, thanks to the generosity of Energizer, one person will be on their way to spending less on their utility bill as well, because...

One lucky person will win two specially marked packages of

Energizer Max AA batteries with special codes!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Energizer for providing two packs of Energizer Max AA batteries for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Do you craft? Don't miss Factory Direct Craft!

2012-05-17T07:29:00.001-05:00

While I've joined the rest of the world in embracing Pinterest, I've found that browsing around over there is quite a dangerous task. Not only can an hour fly by in the blink of an eye, but I'm left with my head swirling fulls of recipes that I want to try and craft projects that I want to create.

The problem? First of all, finding time. Second of all, not being disappointed that my results... aren't quite as pretty as the photos. Does my pie look as mouth-watering and delicious? Not really (although it still usually tastes pretty darn good). And do my handmade gifts or scrapbooks or wall art pieces end up as gorgeous? Unfortunately not.

In the end, I'm okay with it (and only slightly jealous). We still get to eat something yummy and I am usually satisfied with the party favors I've created or the way that a refurbished picture frame has a second life. Plus, thanks to FactoryDirectCraft.com, there's no need to even leave the house in order to get started!

Founded by a stay-at-home mother in the 1980′s who was searching for a way to help make ends meet after finding her husband had been laid off from work, Factory Direct Craft Supply now processes thousands of orders each week and ships worldwide. As this family-operated business strives for nothing less than perfection in their customer service, you can rest assured that you will receive only the highest quality treatment.

With everything from country primitive decor to basic craft supplies to decorative mirrors and so much more, the real question is Why would you shop elsewhere? Instead of having to get the family in the car the next time you are planning on crafting for the home, holidays, an upcoming party or are simply stocking up on craft supplies for kids, it only takes a few clicks through Factory Direct Craft before your products will be at your front door.

The hardest part? Deciding what to purchase!

With such easy navigation options laid out, browsing Factory Direct Craft is quick and simple. You'll find candles and accessories for decorating, doll making supplies for your next gift, wedding reception supplies for upcoming nuptials, glitter and pom-poms for your child's art project, and much, much more.

To go along with their huge selection, Factory Direct Craft has the low prices that your budget will appreciate. Pick up Handcrafted Round and Flat Glass Beads for only $2.97, a 5oz bag of Vintage Buttons for $7.99, a package of 100 cute American US Flag Toothpicks for $2.49... the list never ends! With prices like these (and even better bargains on their sale page!), you can feel good about filling your craft bins for current and future projects.

No matter if you are an avid crafter or you don't know which end is up on a glue gun, Factory Direct Craft is there to meet your needs. Combine that with their prompt, quality customer service and you'll be on your way to creating your next project in no time.

Have you visited FactoryDirectCraft.com? You're bound to be inspired!

This post was brought to you by Factory Direct Craft, but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Kiddie Academy Franchising: North Wales, Pennsylvania

2012-05-17T07:10:00.000-05:00

After having been introduced to Kiddie Academy recently and learning about their educationally focused daycare and the work that they put in to providing only the highest quality care for the children that attend, it has been clear that I was immediately impressed. Being a mom who wants the very best care for my children (like ALL moms), I love hearing about ways that can be made possible!

At the same time, I found the franchising opportunities with Kiddie Academy intriguing. What a great concept for folks that not only want to know their son or daughter's childcare location and staff inside and out, but make it their business as well! After highlighting the successful franchises in Bradenton, Florida and League City, Texas, I wanted to hear about more people that had turned Kiddie Academy into a part of their lives. He is...

Dwight Wilkinson opened his Kiddie Academy, located at 1020 Horsham Road in North Wales, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 2003, at the age of 42. He has remained dedicated to educational excellence, which, along with a passion for children’s mental and physical development, has helped him and his academy achieve success.

Background: As a previous business owner of a Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Shop, Dwight Wilkinson was looking for a business concept that would grant him more time with his wife and four children. He began researching opportunities with a Monday - Friday schedule to help accommodate his family-oriented lifestyle and responsibilities as a community volunteer and coach of his children’s soccer, basketball and baseball teams.

Dwight narrowed his search down to the child care franchise industry due to his love of children and managerial background. After two years of looking at child care companies, he chose Kiddie Academy for its warm, caring personality. He found Kiddie Academy to have a vested interest in the success and well-being of their franchisees.

Goals: Dwight often sets goals around educational achievements and finds opportunities for his academy to reach a higher standard. He continually looks to improve the quality of services at his Kiddie Academy, whether through hiring qualified, passionate staff members or adding educational resources. Dwight hopes to grow his academy’s enrollment and is looking into the possibility of opening a second location in the future.

Challenges: Each new generation of parents find a new way to communicate with each other, their children and their child care providers. For Dwight, finding the most effective way to communicate with his families has proved to have its challenges. However, by experimenting with various communication methods, including take home folders, outdoor signage and technology, he has learned more about the consumer and how to reach his target audience.

Results: Dwight’s hard work and commitment has earned him great success. His academy was recently licensed by the Department of Education and accredited by AdvancED, which is an achievement no other child care in his area can claim. From a personal stance, becoming a Kiddie Academy franchisee has been both fun and rewarding for Dwight. It has given him a better quality of life and allowed him time to spend with his children and family.

Stay tuned for future posts on more franchisees to see how Kiddie Academy has changes their lives as well! To find out more and see if this opportunity might be right for you, visit the Kiddie Academy Franchise website.

I am partnering with Kiddie Academy Franchising to write a series of posts, however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Paint your own Reusable Stickers with Gelarti {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-16T09:14:00.001-05:00

In preparation for kindergarten next year, Big Sister E was recently asked to answer a single question for her future teacher: What do you like?

While the question is meant to be very open-ended, my 5-year-old's answer was simple: drawing.

You said you like drawing? I asked her when I heard about the query. Drawing what?

Just drawing, she shrugged. I just really like to draw.

Having admired her creativity and imagination from a very young age, I already knew that this was the case. She can't be left alone with even a plain piece of paper without turning it into some sort of artistic creation that has an intricate story to go along with it. That's my girl!

Therefore, when I was introduced to a new line of reusable stickers that can not only be used again and again, but are custom painted by the young owner, right away I knew that there would be nothing but love for Gelarti by Moose Toys.

Designed with kids and parents in mind, Gelarti allows children to paint, peel, place, remove and reuse their uniquely designed stickers without leaving messy residue behind. Perfect for brightening spring's rainy days while inspiring creativity, these unique clings arrive with their own specially formulated paint so that kids can customize and decorate them until they are just right to place nearly anywhere.

When a Gelarti Activity Pack arrived, the bright colors and cute sticker options (more than 50 of them!) caught Big Sister E's eye, bringing an immediate need for craft time.

Including five paints, one marbling tool, eight pages of sticker sheets, two bag tags, and one card, Big Sister E pondered over where to begin for a minute before eagerly getting started.

As this Gelarti Activity Pack was recommended for ages 5 and up, I wasn't too worried that Big Sister E would be able to use and control the paints easily enough. Sure enough, we found that the pens were just the right size for her hands and that without applying too much pressure, the paint came out slowly enough that staying within the lines wasn't a problem.

While the act of painting these stickers was fun in itself, the included marbling tool was a great addition. Simply by swirling the tool in the paints, a new, brightly-colored, one-of-a-kind result happened, leading to endless discussions about the science of primary and secondary colors.

I appreciate that Gelarti sets are designed for open-ended creativity, while also coming with an activity book to help inspire and give ideas for what a final project might look like.

Big Sister E had such a great time decorating her Gelarti that it was difficult to convince her to take a break to eat or to participate in any sort of other activity. She just wanted to keep on painting!

Finally having to stop for bedtime, I told her that we had to leave the Gelarti to dry for a minimum of six hour anyway, so they would be ready for her in the morning. With one last glance at the stickers that she had painted, she reluctantly went to bed.

The following day, after I verified that the stickers were dry, my young artist was thrilled to get to peel them off and decorate the walls and windows. I hesitantly removed one to be sure that it wouldn't leave the typical sticky residue... and it didn't!

Instead, I was happy to let Big Sister E add bright spots of color and cute design throughout the house and know that she and Little Sister B can easily move them from the walls to the windows to the mirrors and more.

The ultimate Gelarti Activity Pack retails for $16.99 and, along with the rest of the Gelarti collection by Moose Toys, is available exclusively at Toys 'R Us. Big Sister E has had a blast with these paint-your-own stickers and I can't imagine any child who loves arts & crafts and being creative would feel any differently!

Thanks to the generosity of Moose Toys, one person will be able to provide an engaging and creative experience over and over again as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Gelarti Scene Pack!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Moose Toys for providing a Gelarti Activity Pack for me to review as well as a Gelarti Scene Pack for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Join SwimWays for National Learn to Swim Day on May 19th

2012-05-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

While my children are looking forward to all of their usual fun aspects of summer (outdoor play, T-ball classes, summer camp, etc), there is a special excitement in the air when it comes to swimming.

Thanks to the swim lessons that both girls have been taking for the past few months, they are much more comfortable and confident in the water — something that makes all of us extremely happy. I love seeing them kick and splash and laugh in the pool, all the while knowing that they are learning life-saving skills for now and far into the future.

Therefore, I was thrilled to hear that SwimWays, a leader in the pool and leisure marketplace, has designated that this Saturday, May 19th, is the first annual National Learn to Swim Day.

Timed to coincide with National Water Safety Month (May) and the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, National Learn to Swim Day is an effort to raise awareness about the importance of teaching children to swim, and provide resources to parents for teaching their kids the important skill.

According to the American Red Cross, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14... a statistic that makes my heart race just seeing it. Along with it, the Red Cross has found that children ages 1 to 4 drown most often in home swimming pools and children were often out of sight less than 5 minutes and under the care of one or both parents at the time of many home pool drownings.

While being vigilant is always of the utmost importance, the following tips and tools can also help to stress the importance of water safety for your family:

There are many ways to get involved in your own community on National Learn to Swim Day. This weekend would be a great time to introduce your children to the water with at-home swim instruction, host a group swimming lesson, visit a community pool as a family, enroll children in swim lessons at a local YMCA or Boys & Girls Club, and much more.

What will you do to take advantage of this special day?

No matter if your child is new to swimming or a pro, National Learn to Swim Day and SwimWays are a winning combination for everyone!

For more information on the upcoming National Learn to Swim Day and SwimWays, head over to TeachMeToSwim.com.

As a member of the SwimWays Swim Steps Ambassador Program, I am receiving product and information from SwimWays. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Need to add Bliss to your life? Try Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss Creamer! {#CBias #NaturalBlissWM}

2012-05-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

Coffee will always be one of those things where there will be people on either end of the spectrum. There are people that scoff at it, those who like it, more that love it... as well as a subset of that last group that might be tempted to take some sort of action if you told them that they couldn't have their daily cup(s).

If you had asked me two years ago which category I fell into, I probably would have shrugged. Sure, I had tried coffee before, but I just never seemed to really get what the big deal was.

Fast-forward to today and I wouldn't call myself a coffee fanatic, per se, but it's just a better situation for everyone involved if I can wake up enjoying my steaming mug. If it happens to be in a quiet room while sitting in a comfortable chair positioned in the sunshine, all the better.

However, since that doesn't often happen, I'll settle for just ensuring that my coffee is made the way that I like it. Forget black coffee, I need the addition of the rich flavor of delicious creamer to sweeten up my morning cup. Most recently, that has been happening perfectly thanks to the new Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss.

Mmm, #NaturalBlissWM!

While I have never been loyal to one particular coffee creamer before, my interest was peaked when I heard that Coffee-Mate had created a natural creamer. Whenever I can end up with great taste while avoiding any unnecessary ingredients, I consider that a winning combination.

And Natural Bliss creamer? It's just about as simple as you can get with only four natural ingredients: milk, cream, sugar and natural flavor. That's it! No matter which of the three delicious flavors you choose, the lightly flavored taste is just the right complement to your coffee.

What more could I ask for?

Picking out a time when both of my girls were in preschool (yes, it's a luxury to shop alone), I took a trip over to our local Walmart to pick up a bottle of Natural Bliss. After all, what better way to enjoy my few free moments than by shopping for an item that would make my mornings even better?

It should have been a clear instance of foreshadowing when I arrived to find that Walmart didn't even say Walmart on the front of the building. What in the world?

Click here to see my full shopping trip in photos.

As I didn't want to spend any more of my alone time at the store than I had to, I went straight over to the Food section of the store to find that it was indeed under construction.

While I appreciate that the end result will be a Walmart with an convenient little grocery area included...

...in the meantime, I found myself frustrated. Because while under the construction, there were quite a few aisles that looked pretty bare.

Heading down the Dairy aisle, I crossed my fingers that I would see the crisp white top of the Natural Bliss creamer. Twenty steps later I was standing in front of the one small cooler of creamers and, while the selection of Coffee-Mate creamers was quite decent, it appeared that I wouldn't be enjoying any natural coffee creamer here.

Taking a few laps up and down each of the cooler aisles, it was fairly evident that now just wasn't the time to shop for food. Fortunately, I knew that we would be driving by a Walmart Supercenter in a few days, so I headed out to enjoy my last few moments of peace and quiet before having to return to pick up the girls from school.

Sure enough, that weekend we made sure to add a Walmart stop to our to-do list... and I already felt positive about our chances of finding Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss simply because there were no outward signs of construction as we were pulling in. Hey, it even said Walmart on the building!

Leaving my husband and Little Sister B to fill our cart with a few grocery staples, Big Sister E and I headed straight for the sign indicating Dairy in the back of the store.

As we rounded the corner, I spotted the coffee creamers right away but not the signature white top of the Natural Bliss quite yet.

Alas, I should never doubt my Walmart Supercenter. It always manages to come through for me!

While I would have liked to try the Caramel flavor (that's one coffee creamer flavor that I have yet to taste), I found my options were between the Vanilla and Sweet Cream.

Kicking myself for not printing out the Walmart coupon to save $1 on 2 Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss creamers so that I wouldn't feel guilty about buying them both, I decided to stick with my favorite creamer flavor, Vanilla. You just can't go wrong with a classic!

Knowing that it was time to head home, Big Sister E and I met back up with our shopping cohorts and we headed up to the register to making our healthy purchases.

Now that I've gotten my Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss creamer home, the upcoming week will be my taste test to see how it compares with previous creamers that I've tried. Whether or not it will lead to more time to relax and enjoy my coffee in the morning is still yet to be seen, but check back in a week for my overall thoughts!

Want to try switching out your usual creamer for Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss? Visit their website to find out more about this new creamer and the four (four!) natural ingredients that it includes. You'll also want to connect with them on Facebook as well as print off that money-saving coupon so that when you head to Walmart, you'll be more prepared than me!

Now. Who's ready for a second cup?

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. #CBias

Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars DVD {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

I have admitted before that, prior to having children, Barney was a character that I was certain I wouldn't have in my house. There's just something so... big, and... purple about him.

And the singing and dancing and super-de-dooper talking? Oh no, not my thing.

However, my feelings from years ago don't really matter because here I am with two kids who think that Barney is top notch — the bigger and purpler the better! As for me, I've come to see why this friendly dinosaur is not only an Emmy winner but is on one of the top-rated preschool shows today. The way that he displays sharing, caring, imagination, and learning is something that I'm glad my girls want to watch.

Therefore, when he invited my kids to embark on fantastic adventures in an all-new tee-riffic DVD of transportation exploration, I knew that there would be happiness found in Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars.

Arriving today, May 15, 2012, in DVD, Digital Download and On Demand formats from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars invites viewers along on a dino-mite ride filled with laughter, friends, fun and song with Barney and his playground pals.

With a running time of 79 minutes, this DVD lets your child's imagination be their guide as they trek to places near and far by air, ground, rail and sea – all without ever leaving the comfort of your home – in these four new, transportation-themed adventures.

Beep beep! Toot toot! Make way for Barney and friends as they embark on fantastic adventures to places near and far. Using planes, trains, cars, boats and their imaginations, Barney engineers fun with songs and stories about exciting places. He shares important safety tips with kids such as buckling seat belts and more, and I always appreciate when messages like these are promoted to my kids.

Episodes Include:

On the Road Again
Airplanes
The Magic Caboose
Way to Go

This DVD also includes two fun bonus features:

Barney's Color Train Read-Along
Barney's Loop De Loop Counting Game

As with past Barney episodes, Big Sister E and Little Sister B were mesmerized by the catchy music and the upbeat characters that they know. As usual, it was easy for me to see why this show is trusted by moms and adored by children (it is aimed at ages 1 - 5), as Barney displays sharing, caring, imagining, dancing and learning. Add in the much-loved topic of transportation and it's a clear winner!

Retailing for $14.98, Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars (on Amazon for $11.93 with free shipping) would be a great addition for young Barney fans anywhere. This DVD does a great job of bringing education, entertainment, and fun time and time again!

Thanks to the generosity of Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, one person will soon discover just what a great time the child in their life can have with transportation, because...

One lucky person will win a copy of
Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars on DVD!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment for providing a copy of Barney: Planes, Trains & Cars on DVD for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

JumpSport AlleyOop Sports 14ft VariableBounce Trampoline Safety System {Review}

2012-05-14T16:51:00.002-05:00

Lately Big Sister E has taken to asking, What did you dream about last night? to her sister, father and I, which always makes me smile.

After all, no matter if the answer is something realistic or imaginative, I've always thought that dreams are one of the essential symbols of childhood. Whether their minds conjure up real possibilities (a new outdoor play structure, taking a family vacation, having a big slice of cake, etc) or those that are destined to stay as just dreams (having a pet unicorn, learning to fly, the return of dinosaurs, etc), the creativity of young minds never ceases to amaze me.

So... what happens when dreams become reality?

The excitement over the cake is somewhat short-lived and the enjoyment about the family vacation comes to an end not long after returning home. But when the dream was adding something new, amazing, inspiring, entertaining and enchanting to your yard, the fun never ends when you've brought home JumpSport.

Founded in 1997 and well known for producing only the safest trampolines, trampoline safety nets, trampoline accessories and trampoline parts, JumpSport is clearly a leader in the world of trampolines. In fact, JumpSport's CEO was the inventor of the trampoline safety enclosure back in 1995 and, as far as I'm concerned, forever changed the world of trampolines. That one idea has literally protected millions of children worldwide for the past 15+ years!

After having been thoroughly thrilled with the JumpSport iBounce Kids Trampoline earlier this year, it was nothing short of a dream come true when the AlleyOop Sports 14ft VariableBounce Trampoline Safety System from JumpSport arrived at our door.

Featuring a heavy-duty steel frame, 96 high-performance springs, extremely durable padding and a safety enclosure system that can easily keep kids and adults secure, this VariableBounce Trampoline really does have it all. Designed for users up to 245 pounds each (and tested to a combined weight of over 800 lbs), this is one form of entertainment that the whole family can embrace.

And embrace, we have.

The assembly process for this trampoline was hassle-free, thanks to the detailed instruction manual that led us step-by-step from the beginning to the end. Starting with the strong, 1.9" diameter, pre-galvanized steel frame, we laid out the forest green pieces, connected them together, and began attaching the springs and jumping mat.

While we initially wondered how difficult it would be to stretch the springs into place, that was immediately dissipated after trying the instruction booklet's tip of using one spring to hook and pull another into place.

In less than an hour, we had two large boxes emptied and one 14ft trampoline completely assembled that reminded me of those from my youth. I still have memories of being afraid when jumping on trampolines at friends' houses because I was always sure I was going to fall off the side or in between the springs!

Of course JumpSport would never allow their customers anything less than the utmost in safety, so we moved on to the next steps: the padding and the enclosure system.

I appreciated that the high-density foam padding (UV- and water-resistant) easily covered the springs and securely attached to the underside of the trampoline frame, ensuring that it wouldn't slip or slide out of position. From there, we assembled and attached the vertical poles (covered with more foam padding) to the frame and began adding on the net.

By the time we were completely finished, it did take between three and four hours to put the complete AlleyOop Sports VariableBounce Trampoline together, but it was very clear that every detail included was another safety measure that showed JumpSport's dedication to going above and beyond.

Instead of at all worrying about the possibility of users falling, having a forceful impact, the net breaking, etc, etc, I knew that every aspect had been covered. All we had left to do was quickly assemble and hook on the 2 Step Trampoline Ladder...

...and we stepped back to see 113 square feet of pure, uninhibited fun just waiting for us. Is there any way to look at something like this and not hear it calling out for you to come jump?

Although the AlleyOop Sports VariableBounce Trampoline is recommended for children ages 6 and over, Big Sister E and Little Sister B wasted no time in climbing right inside to try it out.

Right away I could tell that the 2 Step Trampoline Ladder was the perfect addition so that they could reach to easily get inside. As they pulled back the overlap in the net, I was thrilled to see that they could complete the process on their own, yet still stay fully safe inside as the opening immediately disappeared when the net was let go.

All that was left to do was jump!

Jump, jump, jump!

The love affair with this trampoline started that day and hasn't slowed down since. It doesn't matter if the girls are practicing standard, mostly-vertical jumping...

Yes, those are Arthur slippers. Didn't you know they made jumping more fun?

...attempting to try out creative, twisted jump positions...

...to all-out gymnastics moves...

...the enjoyment hasn't lessened one bit.

Not one.

We've had friends over who have tried the AlleyOop Sports VariableBounce and have agreed that it is, in fact, the most fun they've had in a long time. Adults climb in and can't help themselves as they get in on the fun, while kids are up the ladder and inside jumping within seconds of their feet touching the yard.

And it doesn't matter if our visitors possess any amount of skill or not, the sound of laughter fills the air and only pauses for excited talking about what game has suddenly been invented, what animal someone is pretending to be, or just how cool it is to get to play on the trampoline.

One especially talented 7-year-old friend of ours.

The one and only disappointment that has occurred since this trampoline arrived has been that the weather has prevented us from playing on it each and every day. This spring has shown us a few rainy, wet days and the sad, sad faces that my girls have when they look out the window and see the drops are reminiscent of those from people who have lost their best friend.

Think I'm exaggerating? Check out this video and you'll not only see how much fun we've been having thanks to JumpSport, but you'll see just how eager these two truly are about playing on the trampoline every free second of the day...

I don't foresee us ever growing tired of this trampoline, but, on the slim chance that ever begins to happen, all it takes is one look at the trampoline accessories that JumpSport has to offer and I know that the interest level would be sky-high once again. A basketball net? A GameMat? A BigTop Trampoline Tent? Who could resist?

While the AlleyOop Sports 14ft VariableBounce Trampoline is an investment (it has an MSRP of $1,599 but retails from JumpSport for $1,399. The 2 Step Trampoline Ladder retails for $59.95), I can honestly say that it has changed our lives in ways that I wouldn't have imagined.

I have no doubt that my kids will play on this for years, along with it being a huge hit at play dates, birthday parties, block parties... and an extraordinarily large number of mornings, afternoons and evenings of quality time for my family.

Even better, I love knowing that this trampoline is completely safe due to JumpSport's 15+ years of experience and the way that they have always made safety a top priority in their products. My kids have bounced straight into the net or right down on the padding on the springs and haven't flinched at all. No hard metal is accessible anywhere to get hurt on and there is no possibility of them falling out with the 360° protection.

Now, whether or not they realize that the net is there for safety and not just another piece of entertainment, that is yet to be seen.

To find out much, much more about the AlleyOop Sports 14ft VariableBounce Trampoline Safety System and the rest of JumpSport's large collection of extremely high quality products (they have trampolines for kids or fitness, as well as huge line of backyard trampolines and accessories), visit their website and be sure to connect with them on Facebook.

If it is in your budget to bring home one of the World's Safest Trampolines, you won't regret it! Young or old, male or female, the love of trampolines is universal!

We're not the only ones having a blast thanks to JumpSport! Be sure to head over to Rave & Review for 50+ things to do on a JumpSport Trampoline! If you've thought that a backyard trampoline was just for jumping, you won't want to miss all of the creative games and activities that they have invented! As soon as I can get these two in from the backyard, they're going to be thrilled to see all of the new ways that we can play on their beloved trampoline!

(Other than the AlleyOop Sports VariableBounce Trampoline and 2 Step Trampoline Ladder that I was sent from JumpSport, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this absolutely amazing product.)

Musselman's: At Home, On The Go and Delicious Recipes! {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-14T09:19:00.003-05:00

Now that spring is here, I love finding time to step outside and spend a quick moment taking it all in. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and daylight stretches later into the evening, leading to even more minutes to enjoy this wonderful time of year.

Along with changing over our wardrobes so that snow boots are packed away and shorts are filling the dresser drawers, I appreciate finding any and all reasons that my family can get out and reconnect with nature. Whether that means playing at the park, going for a hike or hopping on our bikes for a ride, there are few necessities that I need to pack for us to be ready.

Water bottles for staying hydrated, sunscreen and hats for protection from the rays and healthy snacks for quick, easy and tasty refueling. Our most recent favorites? The delicious and nutritious flavors from Musselman's.

If there is another name in apple sauce, I don't know it. Musselman's fully believes that making healthy, delicious apple sauce is more than just a job, it's a way of life for this 100-year-old grower-owned co-operative. Along with their traditional apple sauce, they offer apple sauce blended with other fruit flavors, lite apple sauce for those who are counting calories, apple juice, apple butter, and more.

Now that the growers in Musselman's orchards are finished with winter pruning and preparing for apple blossoms, it is the perfect time to bring home the great taste and versatility of their apple sauce. It's not just for eating anymore (although it's still delicious that way, of course), it's now a must-have ingredient in recipes that will quickly become family favorites.

While we have long been fans of Musselman's apple sauce, I have to admit that I have never tried cooking with it. How am I this behind the times?

Even though my kids were clamoring to eat the Musselman's Original and Cinnamon apple sauces that arrived, I promised that they would end up enjoying it just as much once we had tried out some of the yummy recipes that had come along with them. The hardest part was deciding which to try first, as the Chewy Fruit Bars, Easy Low Fat Granola and two types of cookies sounded delicious (as well as perfectly portable to eat at home or on-the-go)!

After much debate, we opted for the Fruit & Nut Trail Cookies and got right to work gathering our ingredients.

Ingredients

½ c. Musselman's Natural Apple Sauce
½ c. sugar
½ c. brown sugar
1½ tsp. vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1¼ c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. cinnamon
1 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked
½ c. chocolate chips
½ c. dried cranberries
½ c. pecans (optional)

Directions

Beat apple sauce, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. In another bowl, use an electric mixer to beat egg whites until they are frothy and begin to firm up. Fold egg whites into apple sauce mixture.

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Fold into the egg mixture. Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and cranberries.

Drop by heaping teaspoons onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.

I was expecting to like these cookies, but I was not prepared for just how much I would fall in love with them. The combination of the flavors all came together to work perfectly for a satisfying, sweet bite each and every time — these are definitely in the running for my new favorite cookies!

Although I would like to say that our Fruit & Nut Trail Cookies lasted long enough to be packed to enjoy on our next outing, I have to admit that they didn't (mostly because of my immediate addiction to them).

The kids and I loved the sweet, slightly sticky texture of the apple sauce and oats, while the addition of the chocolate chips and dried cranberries gave an extra burst of flavor in each one. I'm definitely making these again very soon!

We also had the chance to try out Musselman's Chewy Fruit Bars and Easy Low-Fat Granola and they both proved that baking with Musselman's is a definite must. Along with the four tasty recipes that were sent over, I realized there is a huge collection of recipes right on their website so that we can find new and delicious ways to incorporate apple sauce (and Musselman's other products) into many more meals and treats to come!

Whether enjoyed straight out of the container or cooked with other ingredients into a mouth-watering snack, Musselman's is perfect for eating at your kitchen table or when away from home. We tend to keep a large, family-size plastic jar in the refrigerator to pull out at meals, while the single-serving cups are a convenient favorite to pop into lunchboxes or bring on picnics. Either way leads to quite a bit of excitement!

Be sure to visit Musselman's website to find out more about their whole line of products, find coupons and check out their recipes. Watch out, though! Once you start eating what you've baked, it's hard to stop!

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to bring home the wholesome goodness of the best apple sauce around as well, because...

One lucky person will win a prize pack of Musselman's
apple sauce products*!

*Prize pack will include the four recipe cards, Musselman's Cinnamon Apple Sauce single-serve cups, Musselman's Natural Apple Sauce multi-serve jar, and Musselman's Apple Sauce single-serve cups.

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Musselman's for providing a prize pack for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Outdoor Living in Style with Cost Plus World Market

2012-05-13T14:30:00.000-05:00

While I'm thankful for every square inch of outdoor space that we have — plenty of yard, a large deck downstairs and a smaller, but still very usable deck upstairs — we've never been able to fully capture the feeling of outdoor living.

We love entertaining and having people over, as the open layout, ample seating options and fully-stocked playroom makes hanging out indoors quite easy. But once you step out the sliding door? Just not all that thrilling.

I have dreams of filling the emptiness with furniture and decor that are neutral and casual, while also adding in bursts of bright colors in things like accessories, pillows and decorations that are pleasing as well as welcoming.

My new favorite place to shop for just the right pieces, big or small, is none other than Cost Plus World Market and their unique and beautiful furnishings for indoors as well as out.

We were only a mere few steps inside Cost Plus World Market and, as usual, my eyes weren't sure where to look first. We've often stopped in to browse the selection of items available or to see which products were currently being featured in another of their amazing deals, and I was far from disappointed on this trip.

With 25% off on many of their Mother's Day promotional items, I happily headed over to browse the shelves and see the large collection of jewelry, women's clothing, items for pampering, items for relaxing... what more could a mom want?

I've always loved the affordability of shopping at Cost Plus World Market as well, as you can easily stop in for a gift or for an item for your own home and know that you will find one well within your budget.

I was drawn to this display of extremely soft, luxurious-feeling scarves and assumed I would see a price tag similar to those in other stores (somewhere around $24.99). Instead, I turned over the card and was shocked to see $9.99!

Pulling away from shopping for myself, we headed over to the many displays of outdoor furniture, happy to see that it was a featured special as well: 20% off select items. No matter if you are shopping for large or small, there is something for everyone!

I was near-giddy over the fun and chic accessories that I could see working perfectly with our style. Big Sister E was sure we needed a Yellow Pig Serving Platter...

I completely agreed with her! He's adorable!

...and I had to hold myself back from filling our cart with every item off of the displays of outdoor lighting and colorful accents.

But when it came time to make a decision, the quality wood furniture, comfy cushions, colorful umbrellas and more was the proven way to bring fashion to the outdoors (for less)!

After browsing them all, we took into account the amount of space that we were trying to fill and our need for being able to collapse and store our items during the long, cold, Midwest winters. It wasn't long before we settled on the wonderful Bistro Table & Chairs Collection.

While I had plans to take this set immediately home and get to work styling it and deciding what the perfect accessories would be to accompany it (I already had a mental list of my favorite cushions, rugs, lighting and decor right there from World Market), we hit a snag when the Bistro Table was nowhere to be found.

Even though the very friendly store staff searched and searched (after having verified on the computer there there was one in-stock), it ended up an unsolved mystery. Although I was slightly disappointed, I know that waiting another two weeks for the table to come in won't be a problem.

Plus, we didn't head home completely empty-handed and have already started to get a feeling for how our cute new sitting area is going to look.

In fact, with a little help from the Cost Plus World Market website, a little imagination, and a bit of squinting, I can start to picture just how quaint and perfect this little set it going to be for us.

Now I just have to wait for the call to let me know that my Bistro Table is available and I'll be able to head over and pick it up... and have an excuse to do a little more shopping so that my decorative accents dreams can become a reality thanks to World Market!

Want to get an idea of just how much you're going to love Cost Plus World Market? Visit their website to browse their beautiful selection, latest ad, and to find a store location near you. You'll also want to connect with them on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the latest and greatest... as well as to be a part of their Facebook giveaway: Cost Plus World Market is giving away two $50 gift cards once they reach 500,000 fans!

If that isn't enough, World Market is currently holding a fantastic sweepstakes in which the grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to Rio de Janeiro! Even better, one lucky Facebook fan will win a $100 gift card to Cost Plus World Market every single day — it ends May 18th, so don't miss it! Go enter!

This shop has been compensated by Cost Plus World Market, but all my opinions are honest and my own.

Winners!

2012-05-12T00:03:00.000-05:00

The lucky winner of a set of personalized Thank You Cards from Pear Tree Greetings is...

The lucky winner of a $50 gift card to 1-800-Flowers.com is...

The lucky winner of a $50 gift card to FTD.com is...

The lucky winner of a Mother's Day Prize Pack from Hallmark is...

The lucky winner of a Sterling Silver and Diamond Pendant from Helzberg Diamonds is...

The lucky winner of Pampers USA diapers and wipes is...

The lucky winner of their choice of Purely Pampering Product from Perfectly Posh is...

The lucky winner of their choice of luxury Personal Pepper purse from Velvet Pepper is...

A big thank you to everyone who entered these fun giveaways! Have a great weekend and a Happy Mother's Day!

Love Gift Cards? Then don't miss Gift Cards Rock! {$25 jcpenney Gift Card Giveaway}

2012-05-11T08:29:00.000-05:00

As young kids, gift cards aren't the most exciting gifts. What's this piece of plastic? More importantly, where's my toy?

As the years pass, however, the allure of a gift card starts to become clear. You mean I can take this piece of plastic to the store and get exactly the toy that I want?

By adulthood, I think we all realize that gift cards can often be a lifesaver. Shopping for the friend who has everything? The high school graduate heading off to college? The neighbor who is a casual acquaintance? The family member who lives across the country?

No matter what their interests, there is a gift card that can provide the perfect present. And the convenience, versatility, and all-around love of gift cards is the backbone of the innovative Facebook community, Gift Cards Rock.

Gift Cards Rock is for people who love to give and receive gift cards. It's as simple as that! This online community brings together those that want to express their love for gift cards, while sharing great deals and exciting gift-giving tips. Just by joining, you can easily meet other people who share your adoration for gift cards and make a friendly connection.

Right now is the perfect time to head over to Gift Cards Rock because, as we all know, Mother's Day is upon us and Mom deserves a gift customized just for her. If she's a music buff or loves her apps, start talking iTunes gift cards. If she adores the Bloomin' Onion, it's time to chat about an Applebee's gift card. If she loves to shop, don't just sit there! Go get her a gift card to her favorite store!

While Mom clearly already has the best gift of all (you!), it's time to show your appreciation for all of her efforts the whole year through. Whether that comes in the form of pampering, movies, shopping, food or more, a gift card is the perfect solution. And the community over at Gift Cards Rock? Well, they completely agree.

Thanks to their generosity, one person will have a belated Mother's Day gift (or something fun to use on themselves) as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift card to jcpenney!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Gift Cards Rock for providing a JCPenney gift card for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends Classic Collection 2-Disc Set {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-11T07:53:00.000-05:00

When it comes to the children's shows that have entertained children for decades with their imaginative tales and adventures, there are a few that immediately come to my mind. After all, some of the characters that I knew and loved as a child are ones that my girls are still watching today and that always strikes me as such a testament to the thought and ideas that went into making such a popular and long-running show!

One name that comes to mind as a part of that list and has always been universally-loved by boys and girls of all ages is surely Thomas & Friends, proved once again with their release of Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends.

Created by a father for his son over 65 years ago, today Thomas the Tank Engine is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story and they are able to embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

In this all-new adventure, the diesels are moving full steam ahead with the Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends 2-DVD Set available May 15, 2012 on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. This new release from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment and is sure to have young fans cheering for more and parents appreciating the value of the multiple discs.

Giving aspiring engineers a thrill with over 20 favorite Thomas & Friends episodes, Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends brings viewers along with Thomas, Toby, Percy and more favorite engine friends back to the classic adventures that started it all.

From first meetings to learning about cooperation and discovery to realizing that the best adventures of all are the ones you can share with friends... Thomas fans won't want to miss this timeless collection of Sodor's finest moments of friendship on the tracks.

Episodes include:

Thomas and Bertie's Great Race
Trouble in the Shed
Saved from Scrap
A New Friend for Thomas
Granpuff
Sleeping Beauty
Make Someone Happy
A Bad Day for Harold
Twin Trouble
Edward the Really Useful Engine
Rusty Saves the Day
Emily's New Coaches
Thomas and the Rainbow
Thomas and the New Engine
Thomas and the Statue
Follow that Flour
Toby's Afternoon Off
Edward Strikes Out
Hide and Peep
Emily and the Garbage

Along with that long list of action-packed episodes, these DVDs also include a variety of fun bonus features:

Sir Topham Hatt’s Scrapbook
Picture Puzzle Fun
Who Am I? Trivia Game
Gordon’s Memory Game
Which Island Picture is Different?

Retailing for $16.98 (a few dollars less on Amazon), Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends will provide 149 minutes of train-related entertainment that is sure to be an instant favorite for any child that loves Thomas. After 65 years, this is one train that just can't go wrong and you'll want to come all aboard for some of the most memorable stories of friendship from the Island of Sodor!

If you're looking to find a way to join Thomas and his friends and learn how the Steam Team first came together; how Percy became Thomas' best friend, and how every engine tries to be Really Useful, this set will show all of that plus more. Most importantly, however, the greatest destinations are often those closest to home... as long as you have your Engine Friends. Isn't that a life lesson that applies to us all?

Thanks to the generosity of Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment, one person will be able to bring this 2-pack of DVDs home to find out for themselves, because...

One lucky person will win the Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends 2-Disc Set on DVD!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below. If you have any questions or problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment for providing a copy of Thomas & Friends: Engine Friends for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Kids Birthday Invitations from Pear Tree Greetings {$20 Gift Certificate Giveaway}

2012-05-10T08:17:00.000-05:00

Every year that I put in hours of time planning, cooking, cleaning, and throwing my daughters' birthday parties, I always tell myself that next year I'll make changes so that I'm not so exhausted.

And then the following year arrives and I'm just as overwhelmed and tired. But does it matter? Nope. It's all worth it when I see the happiness of my daughters and their friends.

So even though I don't consider myself anywhere near an expert party planner, I still know that the first step in throwing a great bash is to have great invitations to let people place the date on their calendar and to know the creative, fun theme that we've chosen.

I always think that it won't be that hard to find cute kids' birthday invitations, but then I start looking and seem to run into the same main obstacles over and over. The invitations are either too expensive, poor quality or just plain ugly. Other than spending even more time (that I don't have) creating my own, what's a mom to do?

Visit Pear Tree Greetings, of course!

Offering everything from coloring cards to birthday invitations to stickers and more, Pear Tree Greetings makes it possible to get your party started off on the right foot quickly and easily. Their large collection of invites range from princess parties to pirates, cooking to camp outs, cowboys/cowgirls to monsters and much more that are guaranteed theme-makers.

I love that no matter if you're shopping for an invitation featuring superheroes or ice cream, Pear Tree Greetings has one that is eye-catching, bright, colorful, and customizable to your needs. Whether you opt to include photographs, such as in the Monster Bash or Colliding Collage invites...

...or if you opt to focus on the creativity of options such as the Calling All Superheroes! or Round Em' Up invitations...

...you'll find plenty of choices to best express your message and the upcoming celebration.

Whether you are interested in elaborate and vivid or simple and straightforward, the hardest part of shopping at Pear Tree Greetings has always been deciding on a favorite. With all of their birthday invitation options, it's hard for me to not want to start planning my daughters' upcoming parties months and months in advance!

But Pear Tree Greetings doesn't just stop at invitations. When it comes to their kids' collection, they also offer coordinating products that can be used for your party or for everyday. Their kids' address labels are adorable, their kids' birthday favor stickers are unique and fun, and their thank you cards for kids are just the thing to send to friends afterward to express your gratitude.

The only thing better than celebrating your child's birthday with Pear Tree Greetings this year is saving money while doing it! Right now if you enter the coupon code BBKIDS10 you'll receive 10% off of orders of your order of kids' birthday invitations, with no minimum purchase. This promo code expires on June 1st, so hurry over!

And, thanks to the generosity of Pear Tree Greetings, one person will be prepared to plan their next party as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $20 gift certificate to the Kids' Collection (invitations, stickers, thank you cards and more) at Pear Tree Greetings!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below - if you don't see the form, click here! If you have any problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Pear Tree Greetings for providing a $20 gift certificate for one lucky giveaway winner. As a member of Pear Tree Greetings' Bargain Bloggers, I am receiving promotional items and a gift in exchange for my posts. However, the opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas with a Gift Card from Restaurant.com

2012-05-10T00:14:00.000-05:00

With Mother's Day right around the corner, appreciative husbands and children should hopefully be putting the final touches on the plans they've made to show their wife and mother that she is special.

When it comes to finding just the right token of appreciation, gift ideas can range all across the spectrum in terms of creativity and budget. One sure winner? Giving Mom time away from the kitchen by letting her dine out in her favorite restaurant. Who doesn't love when someone else does the cooking and cleaning for you?

Which is why there is still time to head to Restaurant.com to not only pick up a gift certificate, but one that will provide a savings at more than 18,000 restaurants with more than 45,000 daily printable options. Mom would be proud!

This year, rather than simply presenting Mom with the gift card, why not do it in style? The Restaurant.com team has come up with a variety of fun and affordable ways to surprise her and show that you've done a little something extra. Here are a few of my favorites:

Basket of Muffins
Basket – $8
Muffins – $4 (homemade or purchased from your local grocery store)
Tissue paper – $2
$25 Restaurant.com Gift Card – $10
Total: $24 and completely adorable!

Gardening Supplies
Flower pot – $5
Gardening gloves – $6
Chalkboard sign – $1
Seeds – $1
$50 Restaurant.com Gift Card – $20
Total: $33 and so creative and fun!

Mom's Favorite Dessert
Strawberry cake (or other favorite) from the local grocery store – $7
$50 Restaurant.com Gift Card – $20
Total: $27 and extremely delicious!

Colorful Flower Bundle
Bouquet of Spring Flowers – $15
Vase – $6 (or re-use a vase you have at home)
$100 Restaurant.com Gift Card – $40
Total: $61 and a gorgeous twist on a classic gift!

Restaurant.com Gift Cards are also available as e-gift cards for last-minute shoppers in denominations of $25 for $10, $50 for $20, $75 for $30, $100 for $40 and even $250 for $100 and $500 for $200. So you can take any of the above ideas (or your own!) and purchase the gift card that will best match your budget.

This Mother's Day, show Mom that you care while also being smart and saving money on dining deals at Restaurant.com. Be sure to visit their website to find out more about their gift cards as well as to find participating restaurants near you. You'll also want to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter so that you never miss their next great deal.

I occasionally receive compensation in the form of gift cards and products for posts. However, the opinions I share are solely my own.

Complete your Wardrobe with Colorful Spring Flats from Jenlinn.com {Giveaway}

2012-05-09T09:23:00.001-05:00

Shh! Don't anyone move, but I think spring has possibly arrived for good.

All over the country there have been some crazy ups and downs (heat wave! Snowstorm! Pouring rain!) but I've got my fingers tightly crossed that the sunshine and pleasant temps are here to stay this time. I can always dream, right?

So when it comes to pulling out those shorts, dresses and skirts that have been tucked away in the back of the closet all winter, the only thing that is needed to go along with them is a great pair of sandals or flats. Much to my husband's chagrin, I'm one of those people that believes that you can never have too many pairs of shoes and warm weather footwear is my favorite category.

Which is why I love knowing that Jenlinn.com makes it easily possible to find the latest styles of fashionable heels, pumps, platforms, sandals, flats, and boots without ever paying too much.

On a mission to provide a variety of fashionable styles at great prices, Jenlinn.com consistently searches for the latest trends to add to their massively large collection. They have long embraced the idea that by combining high quality, low prices and stellar customer service, women can end up with an overall better shopping experience.

Even after featuring Jenlinn.com reviews many times here in the past, I never get tired of visiting again and again to see the latest and greatest shoes, clothing, handbags and accessories that fill their website to complete your look.

After all, even when I've seen that they have a huge collection of women's flats, then I come across the unique colors and patterns of the Breckelle Josey-15 Ballet Flats and they manage to bring a whole new smile to my face!

Currently available in Black or Pink, there will also be Tan and Aqua versions of the Josey-15 available on Jenlinn.com in the near future. These simple yet charming ballet flats feature a round toe, cute bow decor, a trendy Aztec/tribal printed upper with contrast fabric lining at collar, and a cushioned insole for your comfort.

Easy to slip on and off, these flats are just the thing to add a colorful kick to an otherwise casual and comfortable look. Pair them with a classic white tee or with a solid color sundress and you're set for a touch of fun that is sure to turn heads.

While a pair of colorful and whimsical shoes like these might retail around $29.99 or $39.99 elsewhere, Jenlinn.com sells their Josey-15 flats for the very affordable price of $14.99. At that price, you can pick up the Black as well as the Pink... and still return for the Aqua or Tan!

Whether you like patterns, solids, bright colors, simple black, sequins, peep toe, casual, dressy, or more, Jenlinn.com has the flats that you're sure to love this spring. Combined with their simple return policy and true sizing and there are no worries that you won't be happy with your choice... provided you're able to pick a favorite from their massive selection!

Are your feet ready for spring and summer? Thanks to the generosity of Jenlinn.com, one person will be able to be ready for the upcoming season in a fashionable and stylish way, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of Breckelle Josey-15 Ballet Flats from Jenlinn.com!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below - if you don't see the form, click here! If you have any problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Jenlinn.com for providing a pair of Josey-15 flats for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Peppa Pig: Muddy Puddles and Other Stories DVD {Review}

2012-05-09T09:06:00.000-05:00

Often my kids prove that they have the attention span of... well, children, by obsessing over a character, show or toy for one minute and then not caring less about it the next.

I thought you loved that [insert name of stuffed animal, board game or toy], you told me yesterday it was your favorite!

The response? Typically a shrug. Or maybe an I dunno. And then they turn and go back to having completely moved on.

So, I was expecting something similar when introducing them to a new animated series. Never mind that it is award-winning and massively popular across the pond in the UK, I just assumed that we would watch it once and that would be it.

And then we turned on Peppa Pig and life hasn't been the same since.

A longtime favorite with British children, Peppa Pig arrived in the U.S. in early 2011, airing on Nick Jr for preschool-aged children. This charming series stars Peppa, a loveable, energetic little piggy, along with her family – her little brother, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – as they play games, go to school, take family trips and, best of all, jump in muddy puddles.

While the program claimed that parents would enjoy watching the show with their kids, I was skeptical that I would find myself all that interested in a family of talking, laughing, snorting pink pigs. Popping in Peppa Pig: Muddy Puddles and Other Stories on DVD, we sat back to see what all the fuss was about.

As soon as the uncomplicated animation, upbeat, cheerful theme music and sweet, British accents began coming from the television, I found myself surprisingly intrigued. The colors were bright and attractive, the plots were adventurous and fun, and even the snorts that popped out each time one of the characters spoke all managed to be entertaining and somewhat addictive.

We were surprised to find that each of the 12 "peppasodes" on the DVD were only around five minutes long, ensuring that short attention spans don't ever get bored. At the same time, I found that each of the storylines still managed to contain plenty of Peppa's signature lighthearted, laugh-out-loud approach to storytelling that makes the show truly enjoyable for both children and parents.

As each of the episodes centered around a different family activity, it was clear to me that they were designed to be simple and easy for kids to understand while still promoting a positive message. Whether the theme was visiting grandparents, playing with friends, parents having to work or going camping, the underlying message was always the celebration of the values of family, friendship, fun and humor!

All 12 episodes of Peppa Pig: Muddy Puddles are not only fun, but are made so that preschoolers can easily relate to the topic. They include:

Muddy Puddles
Mr. Dinosaur is Lost
Polly Parrot
Best Friend
Hide and Seek
The Playgroup
Mummy Pig at Work
Camping
Gardening
Bicycles
The New Car
Snow

I appreciate that while my kids are laughing at things like Daddy Pig having to sleep in the car during Camping or a bird making a half squawk-half snort sound in Polly Parrot, that they are also able to subconsciously receive the lessons behind each one.

From Peppa learning that it isn't bad so include her little brother while playing to finding out that it just takes a little detective work to find a missing toy, this show is filled with sweet and simple messages about important topics in childhood.

My kids have asked to watch Peppa Pig: Muddy Puddles and Other Stories over and over and over and I have yet to tire of seeing these cheeky little piggies and their friends as well! If you are ready to invite Peppa and her family into your home as well, check them out on Nick Jr Monday - Friday at 12:00pm and 12:30pm and on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm and 2:30pm.

You can also connect with Peppa at PeppaPig.com, on Facebook and on NickJr.com, where you'll find lots of fun crafts, recipes, printables and more to really catch the Peppa Pig spirit today!

(Other than the Peppa Pig DVD and a selection of other Peppa swag items that I was sent in conjunction with my membership to Team Mom, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this entertaining show.)

Want to Party on the Red Carpet? ET's Hanging with the Stars Sweepstakes is on Now!

2012-05-09T09:00:00.000-05:00

While I enjoy watching a variety of award shows each year, I find that my husband and I often seem to be more interested in seeing the stars don their fancy duds to stroll the red carpet beforehand. Even though the cost of one ball gown equals what I spend on my entire wardrobe for the year, it's still entertaining to see the luxurious fabrics and jewelry worth more than our house, right?

This year one lucky person will have the opportunity to not only watch the movie stars on their television, but they will get the chance to hobnob with them in person as well! Through May 24th at 4:59pm PDT you can enter for your chance to win a trip to ET's Exclusive Emmy Gala Party!

Just think, it could be you strolling in with your favorite celebrity on your arm...

There are a variety of prizes (full details can be found on the Sweepstakes page), including:

ONE GRAND PRIZE: A trip to Los Angeles, California for the ET's Exclusive Emmy Gala Party on Sunday, September 23, 2012. Prize consists of round-trip, economy class air transportation for winner and one guest, round trip ground transportation between the airport and your hotel, two nights accommodations in a 3 star or better quality hotel, round trip transportation between the hotel and the party and two tickets to the ET's Exclusive Emmy Gala Party. The winner and winner's guest will be able to walk the red carpet at the party and have two seats in the VIP section during the party's music performance!

WEEKLY PRIZE: A total of eight Weekly Prizes will be awarded, including a 10 to15 minute private, off-air call with one of Entertainment Tonight's show talent, Mark Steines or Nancy O'Dell.

DAILY PRIZE: A total of twenty Daily Prizes will be awarded. Each daily prize winner will get at least his or her first name and last initial on Entertainment Tonight in an on-air graphic within the ticker, bumper or end credit.

Entering couldn't be much easier, as you simply head over to visit ET on Facebook and enter using your name, birthdate and email address.

What are you waiting for? Head over and enter... and be sure to let me know if you win! And, you know, if you happen to need someone to take along as your guest, I can make sure that my calendar is clear in September...

(I was compensated for bringing you this post but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. This would be an amazing contest to win!)

How Clean are your Carpets? Take the BISSELL White Sock Test to Find Out! {BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System Review}

2012-05-08T18:00:00.000-05:00

Considering the amount of dirt that my kids track in and out of our house, the way that they seem to have yet to meet a meal that doesn't result in just as much of it on the floor as in their mouths, and the uncanny way that crayons and markers manage to fall tip-side down, it's pretty safe to say that our floors have seen better days.

It seems that no matter what I do, there continue to be spots and stains appearing on the hardwood and carpet throughout the day. As much as I'd like to say that I immediately get down and start scrubbing them... it just doesn't happen. From the mud to the glue to the jelly, most any mom can agree that stain-fighting is a full-time job.

But... just how dirty is my carpet? Do I really want to know?

Thanks to BISSELL, the experts in clean, it was time to find out by taking their White Sock Test.

Just as the iconic white glove test instantly detects dust on hard surfaces, BISSELL's White Sock Test exposes the unseen dirt that is lurking in carpets. This simple, at-home, do-it-yourself method can quickly and easily test your carpet cleanliness and help you see that vacuuming just isn't enough to clean carpets thoroughly.

After hearing the description, I took a look at this video by BISSELL and found myself even more inspired...

Along with being inspired, I was intrigued (and also a big concerned over what I might find) and ready to put our carpets to the test. After all, we replaced some of our dirtiest carpet with hardwood in our last house remodel, but that still left the rest of the house. But, really. How badly could our hallway, bedrooms and stairs fail this test? They receive foot traffic, but not that much – and not usually with shoes.

With my confidence slightly renewed, Little Sister B and Big Sister E donned our sparkling clean white BISSELL socks and decided to hit up the stairs. As the instructions for the White Sock Test couldn't have been easier – put on a white pair of socks, wet them, and then cut loose dancing The Twist on the carpet for 30 seconds – we were eager to get our groove on and see what happened.

These two are always up for an excuse to show off their dance moves!

After 30 seconds of our best twisting and turning moves, I sat them both down to see just what our white socks would reveal about the state of our carpet.

The results? Oh, yes. They spoke for themselves.

Eeeew!

Now that I have seen for myself that vacuuming alone does leave dirt lurking in my carpets, I can see why the experts at BISSELL recommend a deep cleaning at least twice a year. Even more for homes with pets, children, people with allergies or smokers, as those should deep clean more frequently – about four times a year.

While hiring professionals can end up quite costly, BISSELL has a great selection of Carpet Deep Cleaners that can provide the results you're looking for anytime you want them. As I was thoroughly disgusted by the amount of dirt that was clearly sitting in my carpets, I was more than ready to pull out the BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System and let it work some magic.

Providing two machines in one, the BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System is a combination upright deep cleaner for entire rooms and a portable spot cleaner for hard-to-reach areas together in one convenient machine. Whether you're focusing on the carpet in your dining room, the upholstery in your living room, or are looking for a way to be prepared for all of those unexpected messes that happen in life, this is one cleaner that can do it all.

Knowing that we had a long list of places that needed a deep cleaning, I pulled the pieces to the Lift-Off Cleaner out of the box and was ready to get to work.

Any initial concerns that I had about a complicated or time-consuming assembly quickly dissipated when I saw that the Lift-Off Cleaner came nearly completely put together! After inserting the handle into the base and tightening the screws, I was ready to remove any dirt and grime hidden in my carpets.

Right away it was easy to see that the 12 rows of 2X DirtLifter Powerbrushes and the built-in hot water heater (which heats the water as well as the cleaning solution) were features that would easily maximize the overall cleaning performance of the Lift-Off Cleaner.

While the upright base includes Surround Suction for powerful edge-to-edge floor cleaning, the ability to lift off the removable spot cleaner is a brilliant idea on BISSELL's part. I knew that deep cleaning our stairs wouldn't be an issue and I already had my sights set on the interior of our cars, not to mention the ground-in spots on our couch.

I was able to simply lift this portable, lightweight portion by the carry handle and bring it right to the stairs to get started. The long, flexible hose and 3" Tough Stain attachment made it easy to do spot and stain cleaning, not to mention made it possible to get into every last hard-to-reach area there was.

Using the BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System really couldn't be much easier and I love seeing it spray, scrub and suction my carpets and upholstery clean! Whether pulling it out for regular cleanings or just having it on hand for the accidental spills, there is really no need to pay an overpriced cleaner to come into my home again. This Deep Cleaner retails for $259.99, but will easily have paid for itself after one use!

In fact, after seeing the results of our first BISSELL White Sock Test, I decided to give it a second try once we had used the Lift-Off Cleaner to check the difference. Pulling on one more pair of crisp white socks, the girls once again did The Twist, but this time at the end of 30 seconds we found...

Those clean white socks are exactly what I want to see!

How clean are your carpets? BISSELL is letting you in on the action of the White Sock Test as well and giving you the opportunity to win some great prizes for doing so... did someone say $15,000 Home Makeover?

That's right! Visit the BISSELL White Sock Test contest page on Facebook and upload a photo from your own White Sock Test to be entered to win a $15,000 makeover for your home. Remember, all you have to do is get a clean white sock, wet it, and then find the most "lived upon" area of your carpet do The Twist for 30 seconds. Snap a photo showing what your sock looks like afterward and you'll be set to enter!

But that's not all. BISSELL is also hosting an Instant Win Game for a chance to win home cleaning products such as this great Lift-Off Deep Cleaner, a SpotBot Pet, $25 Visa gift cards and more. There are no photos required for this portion, simply sign in every day (yes! Enter daily!) between now and June 10th, click to send your virtual BISSELL cleaning and you'll be entered to win!

When it comes to clean, no one knows more than BISSELL! For more details about their White Sock Test and accompanying contests, visit BISSELL on Facebook. To learn more about their innovative, high quality deep cleaning products, visit www.bissell.com.

(I was provided with a Lift-Off Deep Cleaning System for review and was compensated by BISSELL for my participation in their White Sock Test. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.)

Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid Doll {Review & Giveaway}

2012-05-08T09:41:00.000-05:00

I won't mention the particular ones, but there are some dolls that my kids see in advertisements or in the store that make me cringe. Even though dolls are consistently one of the most universally loved types of toys for girls everywhere, it's hard for me to be okay with some of the outfits, styles or messages that some of them display. My children are quite impressionable, after all!

Therefore, when I'm introduced to a line of dolls that encourage girls to be positive by promoting the idea that anything is possible as long as you stay true to yourself and never give up on your dreams, I'm all for them. Why not incorporate the message that you can accomplish anything that you want to as long as you believe in yourself in with a high quality, unique doll?

Which is exactly why the confidence and courage of Moxie Girlz and the mission behind them is a welcome addition to the world of dolls and the messages that I like to see promoted to girls everywhere.

Combine that positivity with the large variety of styles of dolls available and it's no wonder that Moxie Girlz are a popular collection that parents as well as kids can be proud to own.

Available in all different skin tones, hair colors, outfits and much more, Moxie Girlz are all about expressing themselves and reaching for the stars. Along with the traditional dolls, the newest addition to the lineup comes from the Moxie Girlz imagining themselves as sparkling, magical mermaids!

Available in a blond or brunette version, the Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid Doll is the only doll that magically swims like a mermaid when placed in the water. With no on/off switch needed, girls only need to place their doll into the bathtub or swimming pool to see her automatically begin to swim on her own.

Considering how much my kids enjoy their time spent in the water, I had no doubt that they would love the Avery Magic Swim Mermaid Doll when she arrived.

After removing Avery from the packaging (which took a bit of effort), we were happy to find that she is nearly as entertaining out of the water as she is in. Her flowing hair can be brushed and styled and her arms can be easily posed at her sides, above her head, and away from her body.

But of course the main entertainment that Avery provides is when she puts her rubbery pink mermaid tail to use for swimming.

As she arrived without batteries included, it simply took unscrewing the compartment on her back, installing two AA's right inside and closing her tightly back up so that no water would get in.

Utilizing two small, round, silver sensors on her rear end...

...Avery automatically began swimming any time the sensors indicated that there was water.

Big Sister E and Little Sister B were amazed to see her sparkling tail flip back and forth and watch her propel herself around the bathtub. Right away they tried positioning her arms and body (she can swim on her stomach, back or even sitting) in various ways to see her move straight or in a curve.

While the Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid Doll does make a continuous motorized sound as she swims through the water, neither of my girls have minded at all and are instead always excited to see her sparkle and shimmer as she swims around and around them. We have experienced a time or two that Avery didn't stop swimming when she was removed from the water, but it only took a quick wipe with a towel over her sensors and she was ready for a rest.

In all, this doll has been a great addition to our bath and playtime routines, as she is able to partake in traditional hair and fashion styling but also come right to life once in the water. Designed for ages 3 and up, any young fan of mermaids would surely love to have her own graceful aquatic friend to swim with in the bath or pool.

Retailing for $24.99, Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid Doll Avery or her brunette pal, Kellan, can be found in stores or online now. And, thanks to the generosity of Little Tikes (Moxie Girlz' parent company), one person will soon be able to bring home a unique doll with a positive message as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below - if you don't see the form, click here! If you have any problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Little Tikes for providing a Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.