Resourceful Mommy

Twitter Baby Shower for #HuggiesMom Monday!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:43:00 +0000

You're invited to a very special Twitter party - a Twitter Baby Shower for Marcy from Stretching a Buck!

When: Monday, December 7th from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST

Where: Twitter using the hashtag #HuggiesMom

How: Please RSVP below and join us Monday using the tag to participate!

While we're very excited to be helping Marcy celebrate her upcoming bundle of joy, we're also partying to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network!

Huggies is proud to be a sponsor of the Children's Miracle Network and has committed to donating $1 for every person who attends Monday night's party! Please invite your friends and let them know that not only will we be having a great time Monday at the #HuggiesMom event, but we will also be raising funds for a great cause.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Twitter party if there weren't prizes for you, as well! Huggies has generously donated 20 coupons for a free box of Huggies and 20 $10 Walmart gift cards because as always, moms and moms to be can find Huggies and products to meet all their parenting needs at Walmart.

Prizes will be awarded to winners and participants who do the following...

1. Follow @huggiesmom and come back to comment on this post.
2. Visit Huggies for Newborn and create a congratulations message for Marcy.
3. Register for baby gifts on Walmart.com and come back to comment on this post.
4. Place an order on Walmart.com for Huggies diapers and comment on this post. Be sure to save the confirmation number for verification!

5. Visit the http://www.huggiesfornewborn.com/ and leave a tip.
6. Nominate a Mom to Be for the next Huggies Online Baby Shower.

7. Tweet with us Monday night using the #HuggiesMom hashtag.

There are also prizes for the Huggies for Newborn Baby Pool (see below).

Huggies for Newborn is a fabulous resource for Mom and Mom-to-Be with:

*Tips for how to save money with new baby: You can also submit your own tips and they will post on the page to help other moms!

* Baby Pool: Visitors can guess the new baby’s weight and arrival date. After the baby arrives, those closest in each category will receive a prize.

* Sign the guestbook and be sure to sign up to hear about special offers from Huggies.

* Nominate a Mom: Wondering how YOU or someone you know can be the Guest of Honor at the next Online Baby Shower? Nominate a mom-to-be at http://www.huggiesfornewborn.com/!
* Special Offers for Huggies and more

* Products Information: Learn more about Huggies Little Snugglers for New Babies; Pure & Natural Diapers; Huggies Gentle Care Sensitive Baby Wipes, and more...

* Send Marcy a congratulations message through YouTube and post it to the site!

Remember, for every participant at Monday's event, Huggies will donate $1 to the Children's Miracle Network, so RSVP now and bring a friend! Tweet you all soon.

RSVP Here:

#TastyHoliday Twitter Party Friday with Sara Lee!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:17:00 +0000

This holiday season, let Walmart and Sara Lee ease the stress of holiday entertaining with products from Sara Lee and Hillshire Farms that are perfect for your family get-togethers! Hillshire Farm favorites such as Lit'l Smokies and new Turkey Lit'l Smokies with 2/3 less fat are a staple at many holiday gatherings, but don't forget the fresh products from the Sara Lee bakery to craft special sandwiches for your family with all of those holiday leftovers! And why not start your holiday partying a little early with a #TastyHoliday Twitter party sponsored by Sara Lee? With fun food facts and prizes galore it's sure to be a delicious event:

Please join special guest hostess @Delightful_Toni and tweet with us from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST this Friday the 5th using the hashtag #TastyHoliday. We've got holiday gifts for many of you! In fact, this event will have 75 winners!! Now that's a celebration!

To enter to win:

Participate in Friday's event and be sure to watch @Delightful_Toni for fun questions and prize prompts!

Prizes:

-50 coupons for a free Hillshire Farms product

-15 coupons for free Sara Lee Fresh Bakery products

-10 $25 Walmart gift cards

Be sure to visit http://www.tastyholidayideas.com/ to start planning your holiday celebrations now!

RSVP for Friday's party:

A Disney Memory: That Perfect Moment

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:04:00 +0000

Thank you so much to Suzanne Shaffer for sharing this incredible story with us. Her post is part of my continuing series of Twitter friends' favorite Disney stories to celebrate my own families vacation this year.

"When my children were in high school, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since my mother died from the disease, we all expected that it would eventually overcome me as well. My family braced for the worst and I began the treatment: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It was a long two years, and in the midst of it all my son joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. He was scheduled to leave for boot camp in September after his graduation and I was still having chemotherapy treatments. With my doctor’s approval, we scheduled a family vacation between treatments and headed off to Walt Disney World in Florida.

We spared no expense since we felt this could possibly be our last family vacation together. We stayed on the property at a Disney hotel, purchased the full dining package and park hopper passes. We got up early every day to get in the extra hours before the park opened to the public; and stayed late until the park closed every night. It was one of those weeks that you wish you could freeze in time. Our kids were teenagers and we all enjoyed the rides together as a family—experiencing the Haunted House, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Alien Adventure, the evening firework shows, and dinner in Cinderella’s castle.

But for me, the defining moment happened during the Electrical parade down Main Street one afternoon. We were all standing outside a candy shop, the four of us, together and happy. I was in the back, with the kids up front and my husband standing next to them. I realized that this was my one perfect moment: our family together at Disney enjoying the magic and the joy together. I froze the looks on their faces in my mind and realized that right then, there was nothing that could touch the love that we all had for each other and the happiness that this vacation brought our family. We forgot about cancer, the treatments, and the future. We were all transported to a magical world where happiness was the order of the day and dreams really do come true if you believe—and they did!"

Please check out Suzanne's site Parents Countdown to College Couch.

Holiday Recommendation: Craft Caravan

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:14:00 +0000

If you're looking for a unique gift this holiday season I am recommending Craft Caravan. Keri at Craft Caravan contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing this service, and while the craft they sent is adorable and perfect for my daughter, I was honestly sold on the idea just from the description.

The Craft Caraven Kids Craft Club provides Card Making Kits and Craft Club Projects to your children through the mail. Each Craft Club craft is seasonal and theme-based and comes complete with all craft supplies, illustrated instructions, and a fun fact sheet related to the theme. The Card Making Kits come in a variety of themes including birthday, thank you, and invitations. The craft kits start at $9.99/month and the card making kits at $11.99 per kit.

What I love best about the service is that my children receive a fun item in the mail. My children are still at that age where they love to run to the mailbox in the hopes that something has come for them, and I'm sure they would be even more excited to find that not only did they receive mail, but they received a fun project to complete. I also love that this is a consumable gift. The kids will enjoy it, learn, complete the project....and then it will go away. With all of the plastic clutter that fills up our homes, the Craft Caravan is a welcome respite!

For more information please go to www.craftcaravan.com, and thank you to The Craft Caravan for sending my children a sample of a month's activity!

RSVP Now for Three Twitter Parties!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:02:00 +0000

We've got three fun Twitter parties coming up in the next seven days, and while you'll be able to learn more about each event in upcoming posts, we're making it easy for you to RSVP to every party right here, right now!

Please join us this Friday at 9p.m. EST for our traditional Friday night Sitewarming with a twist. Welcome our new hostess, Toni-Lynn of @Delightful_Toni! Toni-Lynn will be hosting some of our upcoming parties, and we're so happy to have her join the Sitewarming family. And it's going to be not only a delightful, but also a delicious event....sponsored by Sara Lee. Be sure to check back for more information later this week including how to win prizes!

RSVP Here for Friday's Sara Lee Sitewarming with @Delightful_Toni:

Many of you attended our #HuggiesMom Online Baby Shower for Mercedes...and now we'll be showing Marcy with well wishes while Huggies and Walmart shower you with prizes. Be sure to join us Monday from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST for this fun Twitter baby shower. More information regarding how to register to win one of forty available prizes will be coming soon. RSVP now below!

RSVP Here for Monday's #HuggiesMom Baby Shower:

Want a sweet treat this holiday season? How about celebrating National Brownie Day with the folks from Cheryl's Cookies? Please join @Delightful_Toni this Tuesday from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EST for fun conversation and giveaways that will make your mouth water...every five minutes! More information regarding how to win will be posted in the coming days, but be sure to RSVP early below!

RSVP Here for Tuesday's 8:00 p.m. EST Cheryl's Cookies National Brownie Day Party:

Holiday Recommendation and Giveaway: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:57:00 +0000

The second book that my husband and I are giving our children on Christmas Eve this year is The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman, illustrated by Gail de Marcken. I love tradition, especially when it comes to Christmas, and this will be the first year that I share the story of The Nutcracker with my daughter. I especially love this version of the story because of the absolutely gorgeous and detailed illustrations. My hope is that reading The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and then going to see it performed at our local theater becomes another tradition in my home.

Giveaway: Two lucky winners will receive their very own copy of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King! To enter, please leave a comment telling me what holiday tradition you'd like to start in your own family this year!

Contest ends Wednesday, December 9th at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Disney for Foodies

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:37:00 +0000

photo: My children visiting with Mickey Mouse at the Tusker House character buffet in Animal Kingdom.

In preparation for my family's vacation to Walt Disney World, I interviewed AJ from Disney Food Blog. Disney is a foodie's paradise, so I'm happy to turn the reigns over to an expert when it comes to wining and dining at the World!

What is your favorite restaurant in each of the four theme parks (not including water parks and Downtown Disney) at Walt Disney World?

It's always difficult to pick a favorite! Chefs, menus, and preparations change every once in a while, so restaurants can go in and out of favor as the years go by. That said, here are my answers (table-service) *today*:

Epcot: Le Cellier -- This was slipping off my list for a while, but the arrival of some new dishes has put it back up there.

Magic Kingdom: Liberty Tree Tavern -- food quality is always good, service is top-notch, and they have a great burger for lunch.

Hollywood Studios: 50's Prime Time Cafe has always been a nostalgic favorite of mine, and it's a great representation of Disney imagineering and performance.

Animal Kingdom: Tusker House -- I loved this restaurant when it was a counter service location and like it even more as a table-service buffet/character meal. It's interesting, has some different foods to try, and always has great service in my experience.

I've got a picky eater in my family. Where can I get a good meal and still make the kiddo happy?

Disney park food is geared toward families visiting with kids, which means you'll always find something your picky eater can enjoy; unfortunately, that same fact might make some adventurous eaters feel stunted. Just about any restaurant you visit in a Disney park or resort will be able to get their hands on some mac and cheese or chicken strips, so head to a restaurant you're interested in visiting, and trust that the kids' menu will provide. My suggestions for straight table-service: California Grill at the Contemporary for a fancy meal and Chefs de France or Rose and Crown in Epcot for a mid-priced meal. My suggestions for buffets/family style: Cape May Cafe Clam Bake at the Beach Club Resort or Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. My suggestions for counter-service: Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot's The Land.

I've heard that the Disney buffets are some of the best to be found. Are the rumors true? Do you have a favorite?

Disney buffets are excellent and easily beat out just about any other buffet I've had anywhere. They've had a long time to tweak and improve their buffets, and you'll now find some more intriguing dishes along with the standards. If you only have space for a couple of buffets, try to get to either Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge or Tusker House at the Animal Kingdom; these will offer you some interesting African dishes that you might not have the chance to try otherwise. Then, for a character meal, visit either the Cape May Cafe Clam Bake at the Beach Club Resort, Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom, or Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. Each offer fun, location-specific dishes that are legendary among disney-goers.

I've got the time and budget for one character meal - what do you recommend?

First, choose whether you'd like breakfast, lunch, or dinner (breakfast will always be cheapest). For breakfast: 'Ohana's Breakfast with Mickey and Friends. What makes this the winner is that you're seated at your table and they bring the food to you, which means you're free to focus on the characters (and you won't miss one while you're getting more Mickey waffles!). This one also gets you close to Mickey, who, let's face it, is the character we all want to see without waiting in line. For lunch or dinner: Chef Mickey's would be my choice. It's a nostalgic favorite; you get to take the monorail into the Contemporary Resort, which is a neat experience; and they have a decent selection of dishes. Plus,this is one of the only places you can meet and greet all of the fab five characters.

I would like a night out with the hubby while gma watches the kiddos. Budget and reservation problems aside...where do we eat?

For incredible food and service, make a reservation at Victoria and Albert's. Orlando's fanciest and highest-rated restaurant, you won't be sorry. For a great "show," book dinner during the fireworks at the California Grill in the Contemporary Resort -- delicious food here, too. And for romance, head to Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge; the dark atmosphere and rich dishes are why we chose this for our Valentine's Day dinner this year.

What restaurant offers the most unique menu in the World?

While California Grill's and Victoria and Albert's market-inspired menus change consistently, always bringing delicious, fresh dishes to their guests, I'd have to say that Kouzzina on the Boardwalk and Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge's Kidani Village currently have the most unique menus. Inspired by Greek and African/Indian flavors, respectively, these are the restaurants where you'll see more ethnic authenticity right now.

It's time to play favorites - what is the best overall restaurant at Walt Disney World?

Again, Victoria and Albert's is rated by those in the know as the best restaurant in Walt Disney World for food and quality. That said, if I were to choose the "best overall restaurant," I'd have to include entertainment/show (as that's what Disney's known for), along with service and food considerations. With those qualifications, we rarely schedule a trip without visiting the California Grill. The show kitchen, sunset and fireworks views, and incredible quality make this a not-to-be-missed experience. I'll also add that my husband's first response to this question was Citricos in the Grand Floridian Resort. His idea of a wonderful dinner is quiet, comfortable, and delicious, and Citricos, which is tucked into a back dining room of the Grand Floridian, can't be beat if that's what you're seeking. California Grill, on the other hand, with it's show kitchen and the prevalence of kids, can get loud.

Holiday Recommendation: Penbo

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:26:00 +0000

I have blogged more than once about my love for catalogs around the holidays, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it again during this review. Apparently this love of looking at all items available to purchase is genetic, because my children will sit and look at mailers for hours, returning again and again to see which toys are recommended for kids in each age group, what the prices are, and their favorite thing to point out: "That's for kids 8 and up! Wow!"

Looking at a holiday catalog is how my children first met Penbo the penguin. While we saw just a photograph of Penbo and her baby, you can see Penbo in action on YouTube.

While most of the items my children see remain on their minds for only moments after the catalog disappears, Penbo kept coming up in conversation. One day I noticed she had been circled in her catalog...in permanent marker. That's when I decided I need to check Penbo out myself. Penbo is not cheap - $79.99 - and while Santa brings each child one large and a few small items each Christmas, we do not take that large purchase lightly. I wanted to see Penbo before I allowed her to waddle onto my daughter's wish list.

I reached out to a PR friend who agreed to send us a Penbo to try and send back. The day that Penbo arrived was incredibly exciting! Every few minutes I reminded my kids that Penbo was only visiting, not moving in, but they didn't seem to care. Both my five and three year old loved playing with Penbo, but this is clearly a toy for kids older than my son. Once Penbo had been here awhile and Noah calmed down, he played much more gently, but Penbo takes patience.

It was not, however, Noah who wanted Penbo. It was Emma, and she was even happier with Penbo than she anticipated. Suddenly we found ourselves in a predicament. I thought the idea of Penbo sounded cool, but wasn't sure that I was willing to invest the money in purchasing her. I secretly hoped that Emma would tire of playing with her quickly, I could write a review, and we'd move on. But that hasn't happened. On many occasions we'd hear Emma quietly playing with Penbo on her own in quiet moments: during Noah's naps, while I was working, while Noah was working on a project with his dad. And we realized that not only did Emma want Penbo, but we wanted her to have her.

So what is this pink robotic penguin that has stolen our hearts?

Penbo is a an interactive penguin that responds to both the touch and sound of your child. She has an egg inside her tummy that contains her Bebe, and she also responds and interacts with Bebe when her wings are pressed. Not only does Penbo play fives games, but she also reacts to the way your child interacts with her. If she is ignored, she makes sad noises. When she is happy, she purrs. By her very nature she draws children back to her time and time again, which is why we decided that Santa will be bringing Penbo to our home on Christmas morning.

For more information visit Penbo online at http://www.penbo.com/.

Product was provided for the purpose of this review, but was returned to the manufacturer at the conclusion of the review period.

Holiday Recommendation and Giveaway: The Christmas Magic (Scholastic)

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Every year my husband and I give our children each one present on Christmas Eve. These presents are not from Santa, but instead are the gifts from us to our children, despite the fact that "Santa" would be bringing them items from their lists the next day. We always give them new Christmas themed books for these gifts and then read the books to them before beginning the rest of our Christmas Eve ritual: a candlelight church service, sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn, and placing chocolate milk and cookies on the hearth.

This year we will be giving them The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson with illustrations by Jon J. Muth as well as The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (review and giveaway to be posted 12/2).

The Christmas Magic follows Santa as he prepares for Christmas Eve and his magical flight around the world. The beautiful illustrations show a fun and loving Santa, more than just a man in a red suit with a long, white beard. I chose to review this book because I know that it will make my children smile on Christmas Eve, just like the excited reindeer on the book's cover.

Giveaway: Two readers will win a copy of this beautiful book! To enter, just leave a comment telling me what makes the holidays magical for you. This contest ends Monday, December 7th.

To learn more visit the online Scholastic Store.

Littlest Pet Shop Friends for Wii - Review

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:44:00 +0000

The hype: Grab your friends, grab your pets—it’s time to party! The second edition of the LITTLEST PET SHOP video game brings the party to you with a new cast of quirky pets and their best friends. Play tons of new mini-games and explore new towns with your favorite pets. With enhanced multiplayer features, you can even double your fun by playing with your best friend! Venture on quests, deliver invitations, serve up ice cream, and style your pets as you get ready for the biggest LITTLEST PET SHOP party of the year. And be prepared for a few surprises along the way, like an all-new mystery pet that just might show up at your party! LITTLEST PET SHOP Friends is available now for Nintendo Wii (or DS).

The truth: This game really is adorable and fun for kids. My daughter is nearly six and loves the idea of playing video games, but we have worked very hard to shelter her from many of the mature graphics and themes that you might find in popular video games. The first Wii game that we purchased for our kids was a Dora game, which we enjoy and play often, so I gladly said yes when the offer came to review the Little Pet Shop Friends Wii game. She already plays with the Littlest Pet Shop line of toys, so like the Dora game, this was a great introduction into Wii games beyond the Wii Fit activities we've allowed our kids to try. What I love is that my children can play together or with a friend, so there's no battle about whose turn it is to play. It's also nice that there are mini-games so that play does not creep over the allowed screen time for the day.

To learn more please visit the EA product page.

Want more Littlest Pet Shop gaming? Visit the pets online at LPS Online World. I have not had a chance to try the online gaming long enough to give a definitive review, but wanted to pass along the information for all the biggest LPS fans.

The Search for Flat Stanley's Next BIG Adventure - Vacation Giveaway

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:48:00 +0000

Everyone in the world has heard of Walt Disney World....but have you heard of Adventures by Disney?

Adventures by Disney combines the magic, the quality, and the service you've come to expect from Disney with trips to some of the most beautiful and educational locations in the world. My personal dream is to some day travel to see the castles of Europe with Adventures By Disney, but you could win your own adventure now!

This fall HarperCollins Children's Books and Adventures by Disney partnered to bring The Search for Flat Stanley's Next BIG Adventure contest and the opportunity for one child to win a trip of a lifetime. Tomorrow, November 30th, is the last day to enter, so be sure to visit www.FlatStanleyBooks.com/AdventuresbyDisney now. If you win, be sure to leave room in your suitcase for me!

Disney Memories from @ADisneyFamly

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 00:36:00 +0000

Photo: Noah seeing It's a Small World for the first time at the age of two and a half...

Some time ago I reached out to my friends on Twitter to find other Disney fans willing to share their favorite memories. Because this is the week of my own family's Disney vacation, I thought it was a great time to share these stories with you!

Tonight's story is from my friend Valerie of @ADisneyFamly.

"Whenever I hear someone say that they want to wait to go to Walt Disney World until their kids are old enough to remember it, I cringe....because they will miss so much of the magic. There is something so extra special about going when your kids are little. Want to know why? It's because they believe..... Young children believe in all the magic that Disney World represents. It truly is a Fantasyland of a kids reality land.

There is nothing more wonderful than watching your toddler or pre-schooler see one of their heroes. There is a sparkle in a young child's eyes when they meet their favorite princess or any character that they love for the very first time. It's because they believe, they truly believe it is who they think it is. After around age six, they know it's not really Cinderella or Buzz. However from the ages of 2 to 5, it's magic! And it's so much fun to be with a child this age experiencing WDW. You can't help but skip along with them, and wave to everyone in the parade, and soak in all of the excitement. The MAGIC of it all.

At age 3 1/2 my twin girls had been to WDW a handful of times already. And here they were standing in front of Cinderella's castle, one wearing her Cinderella dress and the other in her Snow White dress. They were holding hands, and looking up at the castle in awe. Hailey says to her twin, 'Which one do you think is her bedroom?'

Promptly without hesitation Ashley answers, 'Oh, I think it's the one with the light on,' and points up.

'That's what I was thinking!' answers Hailey.

And they turned to each other just astonished and wide eyed, and just laughed that girly girl laugh.

Talk about a priceless moment! This has to be one of my all time favorite moments at WDW. And it's because they believed, they truly thought that this is where Cinderella really lives. And this is why I tell everyone, 'Go when your kids are young!' Sure, it's a little more work, but it is so worth it."
- Valerie Loftin

Stride Rite Cyber Monday Fan Celebration Day! (aka - prizes for YOU)

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:34:00 +0000

This Cyber Monday, November 30th, Stride Rite is celebrating its fans with a day of giveaways on Facebook! From 9 am to 9 pm EST, Stride Rite Facebook fans are eligible to win hourly giveaways including gift cards and gift bags from Stride Rite Children's Group brands such as Saucony Kids and Sperry Top-Sider Kids. There will also be a fan-only coupon available for Cyber Monday shopping on http://www.striderite.com/ and a mystery prize valued at over $600 that fans can enter to win throughout the day!

We're helping Stride Rite get the party started early with a Pre-Party on Twitter Sunday the 29th from 9 to 10 p.m. EST!

To participate in the event and be eligible to win, you must follow Stride Rite on Twitter and the party hostess @slpowell, then tweet with the hashtag #SRCyberMon that night between 9:00 and 10:00! Participants are also urged to become a Stride Rite Fan on Facebook in order to win more prizes throughout the day Monday. Throughout the event winners will receive gift cards to Stride Rite valued between $10 and $50. Want a bonus entry? RSVP below for an extra chance to win.

RSVP here:

The Tote Buddy Review: eco-friendly meets user-friendly(TM)

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:10:00 +0000

If you're like me...and thousands of other moms...the floor of your car is covered with cereal, socks, soccer balls, straw wrappers, tissues, pieces of dried leaves....and reusable shopping bags. While I can't offer to come vacuum your van for you, I can tell you about The Tote Buddy. This was a review offer that I couldn't refuse, because I knew that it could potentially solve a huge problem.

The Tote Buddy is a reusable shopping bag organizer. The Tote Buddy, very simply, holds all of your reusable shopping bags in an easy to wipe clean folder of sorts with an adjustable velcro strap. You use the straps from one of the bags that it holds to carry it into the grocery store, then remove one bag at a time as needed. The product description says that The Tote Buddy holds up to ten bags, but I was able to easily fit all 12 of my reusable grocery bags. However, I did not try to fit the reusable bags for cold items because of their added padding.

With the holiday shopping season in full swing and holiday travel right around the corner, now is a great time to clean up the shopping bag mess in your car....the smushed Cheerios are completely up to you.

You can order The Tote Buddy online with one shopping bag included for $9.99 or with three bags included for $12.99.

Thank you to the folks at The Tote Buddy for sending me one to try! I got mine in black so that my husband could use it when he does our grocery shopping. Life is good. :)

Update: Womentorz Black Friday Sitewarming

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:26:00 +0000

The Black Friday deals are hot this year, and the ladies at Womentorz have stepped up their game by offering more ways to win and more prizes. Please visit the Womentorz party post to learn more about how to win at tonight's Twitter party.

Good luck!

Womentorz: Brainz. Broadz. Big Ideaz. And a Twitter Party Friday!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:47:00 +0000

I've always considered myself to be an idea person. That is the main reason why I chose the name Resourceful Mommy, and why I have enjoyed working in various settings as a consultant. But truly, women everywhere have learned to be resourceful over the years as they've run their lives, run their families, run fortune 500 companies....

Now there is a home online for resourceful women - women inventors - to showcase their ingenious gadgets and gizmos that are not yet available in the mainstream marketplace: Womentorz.com.

Womentorz.com is a marketplace for you to see the latest inventions made by women for women that can't be found in stores. It's a great place to find unique gifts and interesting gadgets that solve problems in daily life. You will also have peace of mind that you are supporting a network of creative women and sustaining their independence.

Womentorz was founded to provide a mutually supportive and informative online community dedicated to helping creative women bring their ideas to market. Their service is simple: Womentorz.com provides a user friendly, membership-based e-commerce website which allows women inventors to sell their products directly to consumers, thereby eliminating cost and dependency on retail distribution. Womentorz eliminates the high costs of getting product to the marketplace - they've done the legwork for you!

After spending the day shopping in the same old stores, for the same old things, relax at your computer this Friday night and get to know more about Womentorz.

What: Womentorz.com Sitewarming Party on Twitter

When: Friday, November 27th from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST

Please join me, your hostess for the night, as we chat about this great new service and give away fun prizes....invented by women!

Prizes: updated!

- $25 gift card to Macy's - SIX winners!

- 1 pair of Fit In clouds

- 21 Hookupz individual charms

- 2 sippy straw cleaners

- Mommy Mitten

- 2 Carry-Hers

- 19 Ficklets - mini charms for childrens' glasses

- 1 Plantronics Internet Calling PC Headset

- 1 Spooneez

- 1 baby dipper

- 1 Carry-Her t-shirt

- 1 Say-n-Play

- 1 Missy Fissy Picky Sticky Stickers

- 2 Boy-o-Boy Picky Sticky Stickers

How to Enter: Complete any or all of the following steps and leave a comment to this post to gain one entry.

1. Follow Womentorz on Twitter

2. Become a fan of Womentorz on Facebook

3. Subscribe to the Womentorz blog feed

4. Sign up for the Womentorz mailing list by sending an e-mail to info@womentorz.com

RSVP below and/or tweet with the #Womentorz hashtag any time on Friday through 10 p.m. EST to automatically be entered to win.

RSVP:

Global Influence Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:46:00 +0000

Holiday shopping season is here again and the Global Influence network has some great gift ideas for you, tried and tested by real moms. Click on the links to check out what our team of reviewers had to say about each of these gift ideas, and then take a moment to enter our fun giveaway and take a chance at winning some of these fabulous products.

Featured Reviews

Pouchees -

Busy moms need all the help they can get to stay organized and keep life as simple as possible. The Pouchee is the perfect solution to keeping all those little things together, putting everything you need, right at your fingertips.

Duck Hunter -

Duck Hunter turns the excitement of the hunt into an activity the whole family can enjoy. Launch the duck in the air and try to hunt it down with the toy shooter as it flies freely in the air. A fun choice for those who love outdoor sporting.

Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry

Just Elfin' Around

Card Cubby

Harumika By Bandai

Harumika Runway Showstopper

Harumika Style Starter

Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo

Strawberry Shortcake Playset

Kota Monty Rex

Wall to Wall Basketball

Nerf Pocket Vortex

Busy Ball Popper

Talking Chuck Truck

Leapfrog My Pal Scout

Leapfrog Tag Jr

Leapfrog Scribble and Write

Animal Planet Polar Land Playset

Animal Planet Dinosaur Playmat

Onionhead Adult/Teen Feelings Pack

Onionhead A-Z Feeings Magnet Set

FotoboxPlus

MeTime Tees

Fun Holiday Giveaway!

For this holiday guide, we want to share the love with the blogosphere! Some of our generous sponsors have donated prizes to be given away to lucky readers! To enter to win one of the following fabulous prizes, simply fill out the form here: http://tinyurl.com/y8t92rw

Prizes include: Things Remembered Custom Couture Jewelry Pouchee Elfing Around Harumika Onionhead Feelings Pack Nerf Wall to Wall Basketball Baby Alive Whoopsie Doo MeTime T-shirt

Entries will close on December 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be contacted by email after the close of the contest.

Global Influence Member Guides Need more ideas for this holiday season? Check out the guides that some of our Global Influence members have put together on their own sites! Thrifty Jinxy, Happy Healthy Hip , And Twins Make Five , Because Two People Fell In Love, Mommy Musings , Lipstick to Crayons , Bargain Briana , Mommy PR , Shop With Me Mama, Santa Picks, Connected 2 Christ , 3 Boys and a Dog, The Classy Closet , Contest Corner, Lisa Reviews , A Giveaway Every Day, HulaHoopinMom, Spalibrations, High Impact Mom, From Cribs to Car Keys

All reviews listed in the Global Influence gift guide were product provided. Featured positions were purchased by sponsors. Member gift guides are not affiliated with Global Influence.

Public vs. Private: Blogging Our Children

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I recently read an article in Newsweek about the continuously expanding trend of moms writing publicly about their children. The article noted that Christopher Milne, son of Winnie-the-Pooh creator A. A. Milne, was so disgusted by his life as the original Christopher Robin that by adulthood he was unable to even look at a teddy bear. The article specifically lambasted a mom who recorded in a book for the world to read the failings of her son. In her published tome she complained of his drug abuse among other things, and seemingly felt her need to share was more important than his right to privacy.

I read the article and thought of mine own children, their smiling faces proudly displayed on the pages of my blog. Surely a Wordless Wednesday is harmless compared to publishing a book about your own child's demons and faults....right?

The line between what is public and what is private is drawn in a different location for every blogger. I have been shocked by bloggers who air their grievances with other bloggers in video diaries that look to be straight out of the MTV Real World confessional. Another blogger I recently stumbled across writes frequently about her custody dispute...complete with real names and photographs of the children involved. Recently I read about the exposed blogger movement and while impressed....decided immediately to stay clothed. You're all welcome.

So again I ask...what is bloggable? In this case, what can we or should we do to protect the privacy of our children? Some ideas...

1. Avoid showing faces: My friend, Amy, at TeachMama does a wonderful job of taking beautiful and informative pictures while avoiding photographing her children's faces. She has chosen, however, to use her kids' real names, which leads me to...

2. Create pseudonyms for your children: I have to say that I wish I had thought of this before I began blogging if only for the entertainment value. Some bloggers refer to their children only as initials while others come up with cute names. Popular blogger Sugar Jones, for example, refers to one of her children as Sugar Cube. Adorable.

3. Use photo editing programs: When I published pictures of my daughter on her first day of school, I realized that the index card on the front of her dress included all of her identifying information in one place: Full name, home phone, address, my cell phone number... Not good. I used the pixelation feature on Picnik to blur that part of the photograph and was able to still use my favorites for a back to school post. You can blur faces of your kids, faces of their friends, and information in the background of your photo that may identify where you live.

4. Don't publish embarrassing personal stories: While it's great to share our trials and tribulations as parents - after all, that's what brought most of us online in the first place - one step you can take to ensure your children's privacy is to simply choose not to cross certain lines in story-telling. In the case of the mom whose own bad judgement is now forever immortalized in the pages of Newsweek, she simply chose not to draw those lines in the first place...

What techniques do you use to protect your children...and do you believe they are necessary?

Twitter Party Calendar - Updated!

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:29:00 +0000

Do You Know a Champion Against Child Hunger?

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Is there somebody in your life who is working in his or her community to end child hunger?

The Champions Against Child Hunger contest hopes to recognize those working hard to help end child hunger across the country.

Brought to you by ConAgra Foods Foundation and Sandra Lee of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade along with Share Our Strength, this contest collects the uplifting stories of those who are making a difference every day and rarely get the recognition they deserve. To nominate a family member or friend, visit www.ChampionsAgainstChildHunger.org any time from now until January 22, 2010, and fill out the easy to use and quick nomination form. For every entry submission, ConAgra Foods Foundation will donate $10 to Share Our Strength up to $20,000. Once voting begins on the finalists, you will have the chance to raise even more funds for Share Our Strength!

If that wasn't enough to inspire you to nominate those who inspire you, the finalists and winner will receive grants for their hunger relief organization of choice. Each of the top five finalists will receive a cash prize of $500 and a matching donation of $500 to Share Our Strength or the hunger relief organization of their choice. The grand prize winner will receive a trip to New York city, a tour of The Food Network studios, a cash prize of $1500, and a donation of $5000 to Share Our Strength or the hunger relief organization of their choice.

While you're worrying about over-eating this holiday season, think about someone in your life who is making a difference in ending child hunger, and make an impact yourself by nominating them for this powerful contest!

#ShopCyberMonday Twitter Party and Giveaway Tuesday

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:45:00 +0000

With the holidays just around the corner, the shopping season is about to kick into full swing. For many, that means taking advantage of online deals and free shipping opportunities, but do you know where to find the best deals and how to shop safely online?

Please join us this Tuesday for a #ShopCyberMonday Twitter Party:

When: Tuesday, November 24th from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EST

Where: On Twitter using the hashtag #ShopCyberMonday.
New to Twitter parties? Try Tweetchat.com. Sign in using your Twitter ID and password, then enter the hashtag #ShopCyberMonday to participate.

What: Follow hostess @ResourcefulMom and special guests Scott Silverman of @ShopCyberMonday and Beth Jordan of @officialAVGnews.

We will be learning about how and where to find the best deals this holiday season. Do you know where to find daily deals, free shipping, and more? Did you know that cyber deals last all holiday season and not just on Cyber Monday? What do you need to do to shop safely this year? Learn all of this and more during Tuesday's party!

Prizes:
What would a party be without fun prizes? Some of CyberMonday.com's retail partners have generously donated valuable gift cards to be awarded during the event.

- $50 gift card to Zales - three winners
- $50 gift card to eBags - three winners
- $50 gift card to The Sports Authority - three winners
- $50 gift card to Office Depot - six winners
- $50 gift card to Jockey - three winners
- $50 gift card to Saks - three winners

There will be multiple additional winners throughout the day on Tuesday drawn at random from those tweeting with the #ShopCyberMonday hashtag taking the total to nearly $1500 in prizes! Also, follow @ShopCyberMonday for even more gift card giveaways through Cyber Monday, November 30th.

To Enter to Win at the Party:
Complete any or all of the following steps then leave a comment to this post. Each comment is a separate entry. No need to comment for the RSVP or hashtag use.

- Download free anti-virus software from AVG to shop safely

- Follow @officialAVGnews on Twitter

- Become a Fan of AVG on Facebook

- Follow @ShopCyberMonday on Facebook

- Tweet using the hashtag #ShopCyberMonday any time beginning Monday, November 23rd

-RSVP below:

Beyond Back to School - Subway School Rewards (Giveaway)

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:16:00 +0000

With the end of the year approaching, all of the back-to-school buzz has long since died down, and that initial push for school fund-raising may have passed. But the holidays are the perfect time to think about Subway School Rewards because Subway gift cards make great stocking stuffers...and can earn money for your favorite school.

The Subway School RewardsTM program is an easy way to raise money for your school without soliciting the neighbors or having family fill out forms. Besides, if you're already taking advantage of the healthy choices available at subway for lunches and parties, Subway School Rewards can easily become part of something you are already doing.

Any U.S. school grades K to 12 can enroll in the program including homeschooling families! To see if your school is already enrolled, just visit http://www.subwayschoolrewards.com/. If your school is not listed, you can ask your school's principal or fund-raising chair to contact schoolPAX directly by calling 1-877-724-5729. The funds raised for your school from the Subway School Rewards program can be used however your school chooses.

Ready to use your stocking stuffers this year to raise funds for your favorite school?

1. Purchase a gift card at your local subway

2. Link the card to your school at http://www.subwayschoolrewards.com/

3. When the recipient uses the card to pay for their Subway meal, your school will automatically earn a contribution!

Want to get started with a $100 Subway gift card....on Subway's dime? Win one now!

To Enter:

Tell me in a comment to this post what your school might buy with their Subway School Rewards.

*Bonus Entries*

1. Subscribe to Resourceful Mommy and leave a comment

2. Become a fan of Resourceful Mommy on Facebook and leave a comment

Contest is open to all U.S. residents age 18 or older and ends Monday, December 7th at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Want more for your school? Tell your child's teacher about Subway's Random Acts of Fitness Kits: These kits are a way for Subway to give back by helping educate kids about the importance of regular exercise and good nutrition. The kits contain a reproducible letter to parents, lesson plans, posters and more. Your child's teach can request one by following the Fitness Kit link.

Resourceful Living: The Best Wrapping Tool

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:17:00 +0000

This product was not provided to me, nor does Pampered Chef have any idea that I wrote this post. However, it would be pretty darn amusing if suddenly their i-Slice sales shot through the roof and they had no idea why...

I have a secret to share with you. While store shelves are lined with wrapping paper holders, tape dispensing wristlets, and enough colored tissue paper to wrap the world, all you really need is one tiny little tool to make your holiday season easier.

The Pampered Chef i-Slice.

All year long this little four dollar gadget hangs by its internal magnet to the top of my refrigerator door, and while I pull it down from time to time throughout the year, the i-Slice really earns its keep come the holiday season. What does my little friend do?

The i-Slice has a tiny little blade that only cuts through a thin layer of anything. For example, I can slice through wrapping paper and not mark the table below. Note: don't press, just slide. According to the product description you can: "Clip recipes and coupons, cut shrink-wrap, and open CDs and DVDs with this lightweight ceramic blade."

This is how I actually use my i-Slice this time of year.

- It slices open the packing tape of every present I've purchased online.

- It slices open the tape on the box of each gift so that it's easy for the kids to get to their toys, yet the boxes still look fresh and new.

- It cuts all of the wrapping paper for every gift that I wrap all season long.

And there's one more wrapping secret that I'll share with you if you promise not to tell the kids...

This year in your letter to Santa, ask him nicely to have the elves skip all of the crazy packing. Request no more twist ties, tape, or those insane plastic lock-downs that require a Phillips head screwdriver just to free your child's coveted toy from its box.

Then while you're wrapping each gift quietly in the middle of the night, use that i-Slice to carefully open the boxes first, slide the toys out, and remove those packing nightmares yourself. Suddenly Christmas morning is filled with joy and laughter instead of cursing and scissors. And may I suggest putting the batteries in as well?

Happy Holidays.

Delicious Dairy Twitter Party Monday

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:29:00 +0000

Who knows more about delivering dairy goodness than dairy farm moms? This holiday season, Monday's event sponsor Midwest Dairy Council wants to help moms on a mission save money without sacrificing nutrition. It is possible to get a better bang for your holiday entertaining buck by preparing more dairy-packed meals and snacks for your crowd.

No one knows this better than Midwestern dairy farm moms, one of whom will join us to share her own recipes and entertaining tips that will help you fill your table with money-smart, nutrient-rich dishes, without skimping on flavor. Plus, a registered dietitian will share nutrition knowledge and answer questions to help moms everywhere consider easy ways to get the most from the superior nutrition and economic value of milk, cheese and yogurt.

Join us on November 23 at 8:00 p.m. CST/9:00 p.m. EST and tweet your own holiday entertaining tips and recipes that maximize dairy’s nutritional and economic value and win prizes! We will be joined by dairy farm mom Shannon Squibb (@topwindsdairy) and registered dietitian Steph Cundith (@scundith), tweeting live with us as we take a moment to collectively prepare our shopping lists and meal plans for the holiday seasons … don’t miss it!

Be sure to RSVP and participate in Monday's party with the #dairymom hashtag in order to win one of the following prizes:

- three $100 grocery gift cards

- 6 giveaway bundles with full value coupons and items to help you out in the kitchen this holiday season

RSVP Here:

Build-a-Bear Workshop Party with MomSelect Monday

amy@resourcefulmommy.com (ResourcefulMommy) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:13:00 +0000

It's time for another awesome Twitter Party with MomSelect!This party is brought to you by one of our every kids' favorite brands- Build-A-Bear Workshop®! They are in the holiday spirit and are bringing you a fantastic animated television special to celebrate the season.

Join us as we anticipate the movie premiere debut of Holly and Hal Moose™- the antlered duo that are sure to be the hit of the holiday season. Their television special, “Holly and Hal MooseTM: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure,” airs nationwide on ABC Family on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7:00 PM ET/PT.

Before you get to know them on your TV screen, party with them in the Twitterverse! This is a kid-friendly Twitter party so let your little ones in on the fun!

Holly and Hal Moose™/MomSelect Twitter Party

Date: Monday, November 23, 2009

Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. EST

Location: #HollyandHal

Host: @MomTalkRadio (Maria Bailey, Founder of MomSelect)

This festive party includes lots of opportunities to win great prizes, from Holly and Hal themselves to Build-A-Bear Workshop® gift cards! Grab the kids and join us at #HollyandHal for a little holiday “hoofla”.

And as usual, we have ways to win long before the party even starts. Enter to win a $25 Build-A-Bear Workshop® gift card by:

- Clicking HERE to register
- Tweeting the details of the party between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As always, be sure to follow @ResourcefulMom and @MomTalkRadio throughout the evening for updates, prize information and contest details.

Tweet you there!