Mama Hill

Five Mom-Inspired Driving Tips!

2012-01-25T16:43:00.005-06:00

Driving alone can be crazy enough, but when you add children, it’s a whole new ball game! Here are five tips to help your family drive time be a little more pleasant!

Be Prepared! Whether this means having the dvd player set up, having snacks ready to hand out or the favorite sing-a-long cd locked and loaded, be ready! This is especially great on long trips. When children start getting fussy because they are hungry or bored, it can become quite distracting and dangerous to be on the road. Have food and activities within reach at all times and you should be ok!

Take the stress out! Leave early and plan your route! Look at a map before you head out, so you know where you are going. If I’m going somewhere new, sometimes I’ll even drive there the day before to make sure I know where I’m going so I don’t end up stressed and late!

Buckle, Buckle, Buckle Up! I know it seems like I shouldn’t even have to mention this, but there is not a week that goes by that I don’t see a kid standing up in their vehicle, not buckled in. People, this is no joke, buckle them up and buckle yourself up…it’s the law and it’s the only smart thing to do!

Avoid the crazies! Driving with your kids is no time to be changing lanes like a maniac and running yellow-ish traffic lights! Get out of the fast lane, stop when you should, observe the speed limit and just take it easy. When you take your time, it’s a lot less stressful and you are able to me aware, and giving yourself more time to react to what comes your way.

Don’t drive while tired! Oh, the sleepless nights of a mom! Especially moms of infants, but we all know the lack of sleep never stops! I know it’s hard to get sleep and we end up quite sleepy a lot of the time. Please, Please, PLEASE do not get behind the wheel if you are tired. There is nothing that important that can’t be rescheduled if you are feeling that tired. I know we often think “I can do it”, but this is not one to be taken lightly. It’s so easy to nod out from the lull of the car when we are overtired. Get some rest and do it later! That’s a decision you will never regret!

I hope all my readers stay safe while driving and I would love to hear any tips you may have to staying safe while driving your precious cargo!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

New Carmex Healing Cream and Lotion Review and Giveaway!

2011-11-29T22:26:00.005-06:00

Carmex has done it now! Finally, after years of fixing our lips, they are now tackling our skin! Yay!

I got to review their New Healing Lotion and Healing Cream. The Healing Lotion is a great lotion with Aloe and Vitamin E that can be used daily. The Healing Cream has 9 healing ingredients and is more concentrated to be used on your driest, roughest skin.

I have been using the Healing Cream on my elbows. They have gotten quite rough over the last few years. I can tell you it works GREAT!! No more elbow snagging on my sweaters (ew, gross!).

My husband has been using both on his fingers. He has some weird thing going on every winter. His fingers get so dry and chapped that he can barely make a fist. We have tried several things including going to bed with lotion and gloves on, using products that were made for cows, and almost anything else you can think of! This has actually worked quite well for him. It is not all gone, but it is so much better than it has ever been since it started, so we are very happy about this!

I'll admit one of my favorite things about the lotion and cream is the smell! It has a faint smell of the original Carmex in a jar! My grandma always had them laying about her house, so it brings back very fond memories and it reminds me that I am using a product from a brand I totally trust!

Carmex sent me two bottles of each! The Healing Lotion came in a 5.5 oz and a 1 oz (perfect for my purse) lotion and the Healing Cream came in a 4 oz and a .75 oz bottle. Guess what? They want to send you one, too! Double Yay!

Enter the form below!

Contest ends 12/05/11 at 12:01 a.m.

Tips for staying cold and flu-free this season!

2011-10-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

Flu season is upon us! Boo! The only thing worse than getting the flu is watching your little one get it! I've put together a few tips on how to stay cold and flu-free this season.

Washing your hands! Ok, this might seem like a no-brainer, but it is oh so important. Kids touch everything and they stick their hands in their mouths often. I'm not a big fan of hand sanitizer gels, so we use good ole soap and warm water. Luckily our kids enjoy "playing" in the running water, so it's not too hard to get them to do this one!

Stay away from sick folk! I know there are a lot of people who will go to work sick, still bring their kids to playgroup, etc. Watch out for those with the sniffles. Even if they say they are fine, don't risk it and keep your distance! The same goes for you...if you aren't feeling well, stay in so you don't spread anything.

Bring tissues! Make sure to bring tissues wherever you go. While covering your sneeze with your hand or arm is polite, it still spreads germs...use them for yourself and hand them over to your sneezing friends!

Stay Healthy! This is a big one. Getting sleep and eating well can actually help you. If you get run down, your immune system is also prone to getting run down as well. We all lead busy lives, but if you don't take the time to take care of yourself, you won't be getting much of that to do list done, anyway!

Vitamin C, take it! We all know vitamin C helps us, we take it and our kids take it. They make yummy chewables now that go down easy and leave the kids asking for more. Making it a habit to take vitamins is always a good thing. Especially for kids, as they will be more likely to continue as they grow older.

Bundle up, peeps! I know often times with myself, I tend to think, “Oh, I’m just running to my van”. Even if you don’t plan on being outside, it’s still good to be prepared and to be warm during those times. One thing that bugs me to no end is to see parents walking around with jackets on, but their kids don’t have them on. If you are cold enough to need one, they are, too! Keeping an extra set of clothes for everyone in the trunk is a good idea, too. Just in case there is a spill…there’s nothing worse than being wet AND cold!

I hope these tips help a little as we move towards winter. Do you have any tips to add? I would love to hear what you do to keep your family cold and flu-free! Here’s to everyone staying warm and healthy this year!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Ten ways to de-clutter your kids room!

2011-09-28T08:58:00.002-05:00

Kids equal mess, right? Not necessarily! Just because you have kids does not mean you have to be stepping on cars and sitting on blocks for the next several years! Here is a list of ten things you can do to keep you kids room organized and free of the dreaded clutter!

Set up goals! As always, it's great to put in writing what you want. While this may seem like a silly idea, you would be surprised how many goals you might have when it comes to organizing their rooms! It's always good to know what you want, make a list, start doing and crossing items off that list!
Rotate Toys! My husband and I love to do this. It has two great purposes. One is that it keeps the room clutter free. Two, when we bring the "new" toys out, the boys get all excited like they've never seen them before! It's like a mini Christmas! We keep the toys put away in a locked closet and every few weeks, we trade out for the toys that are in the toy box!
Toy Boxes! Speaking of toy boxes...USE THEM!!! You can hide a lot of junk in those things! It's a good idea to get a big, heavy toy box that can't be lifted by your children. I've learned from experience that they will tip the entire contents out on to the floor if it is possible!
Clean up, Clean up! Make them help clean. Before my boys move on to another task, before we leave the house and before they go to bed, they are cleaning their room. They are only 2 and 3, but they clean very well and very fast. It's never too young to start them cleaning their own room. It saves you time and it builds good habits!
Use Organizers! Whether you prefer baskets, buckets or bins, use something! Blocks in one, barbies in another! This can keep your child from pulling everything out looking for her ponies!
Label! Make it easy to tell what goes where. This also helps a lot if you have grandma or a sitter over. It can keep you from having to re-do a lot of organizing! It also helps as your child is learning to read.
Keep it Simple! My kids would rather play with a balloon, a piece of tape or a piece of string than any fancy toy that lights up and spins. Take a look around and see what your kids play with. Get rid of what they don't. Don't feel like you always have to buy the latest things! Kids would much rather hang out with you than have everything they ask for.
Donate, Donate, Donate! No matter how bad we have it, there is always someone in our community that has it worse. Talk to your kids about the other children in your area that don't have anything. Let them be part of the decision of what stays and what goes. This is a great teaching moment for children. Make it a quarterly or yearly thing...right before Christmas is a great time! It can make some less fortunate children have a great Christmas and make room for the new toys coming at your house.
Keep it up! Like I mentioned, my boys clean their room several times a day. This keeps the room from getting too out of hand and too overwhelming for them. Consistency is always key with children. If you make them do it for three days, but don't make them the next three, they will play on that. Make it routine, for you and them.
Make it fun! Make a game out of cleaning the room. Crank some music and do some funny dancing while you clean or make it a race to see who can pick up the most pieces! Find what your kids enjoy most and run with it. Keeping things neat does not have to seem like a punishment!

In doing these things I manage to keep a clean room, happy kids and no headaches! Well, at least not because of their room! Do you have any special things you do to keep organized in your kids' rooms? I would love to hear them!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hot Wheels® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Carmex Vanilla and Lime Twist Lip Balm and Picnic Blanket Giveaway

2011-09-24T01:17:00.002-05:00

I am so proud to continue to be part of the Carmex Blog Squad! They really have the greatest lip stuff out there!

Once again I get to test out a couple of their new products! This time, it's the Carmex Ultra Moisturizing Lip Balm in two flavors. Vanilla and Lime Twist! These are not only great with mouisturizing your lips, they also have a SPF 15 sunscreen in them as well! Yeah! Great stuff!

I really like the lime twist! It's not too overpowering, it's quite delicious, actually! It's a refreshing taste to have on a summer day. I liked the Vanilla just as well, but I will be using it more during the fall/winter than I will the lime twist! I did get a little spoiled with the Moisture Plus Tint because I love the fact that you can wear it and skip the lip gloss or lipstick, but these are great if you don't feel the need to get "all done up".

Not only did they send me these two great lip balms, they also sent me an amazing picnic blanket! This thing is fantastic! Have you ever had to haul your blanket around to an outdoor event so you don't have to sit in the grass? Well, this blanket rolls right up into a little package! You velcro it together and hold it by the handle. It even has a great little zipper pocket great for holding your keys and money!

Guess what? They want to send you the same package I go! That's a Carmex picnic blanket, and the Vanilla and Lime Twist Lip Balms! Yippee! You are gonna love it all!

How to enter:
I'm going to make this really easy, guys! Just leave a comment about Carmex! What is your favorite product of theirs? Have you ever tried them? Anything you want! Easy Peasy!

Extra Entry:
Only one extra entry available today! Subscribe via email! That's it, leave a separate comment!

Giveaway ends at 3:00 pm CST Monday, Sept 26th and the winner will have 24 hours to respond to the winning email or another name will be drawn! Sorry for the time crunch...deadlines, deadlines! Open to US residents only, please!

disclaimer: Carmex sent me product to review and keep, no other compensation was provided. The opinions expressed in this post were my own and were not swayed by receiving product or anything else!

We have a winner!!! #28, Diana! Congrats! You have been emailed and have 24 hours to respond!!

My 2 Year Olds Sense of Style!

2011-07-27T18:48:00.000-05:00

My 2 year old son has a very funny and individual sense of style…or lack of! I was actually shocked that he would be so adamant about certain things this young! I thought I would be dressing him till middle school! Haha! Not! Let me tell you about a few…

Socks, Mommy, Want Socks! This kid loves socks! It doesn’t matter if it’s 105 degrees outside! It doesn’t matter if he is wearing sandals. It doesn’t matter if the socks are yellow (why do we even own yellow socks?) and don’t match a thing he is wearing! HE WANTS SOCKS! Really, he cracks me up. Out of the blue, he will walk over to his sock drawer and pick out a pair. Usually he goes for the red ones…I think they are his favorite. Even if he has his green frog shoes on, he wants socks. I’ve finally given in to his requests…it’s all about independence, right? I mean, it has to be obvious that he dressed himself when we go out! That’s what I keep telling myself, anyway!

Who needs pants anyway? He other rockin’ style is go around with no pants on! Hmmm…socks and no pants…think Tom Cruise when he was two! He loves to take his pants off. There is usually a little song and dance immediately after he disrobes. I don’t know if they annoy him, he feels “freer” or he just wants to use the pants as a weapon against his brother, but he doesn’t hang out in them often! I am happy to say that although he must wear his yellow or red socks out, he does leave his pants on in public!

Is he going to be a rapper or a plumber? Another thing I’ve noticed with him is that he always (well, when he’s wearing them!) pulls on his pants. He likes to have them so low, you see a little “plumber action”, if you know what I mean! It’s funny, because I would have thought I would be getting on to him about that in his teenage years, but noooo, he has started already! With no boxers underneath to hide the goods! Oh, well, at least it’s kinda cute since he’s two! Probably not so much when he’s 40, but we have a little time to work on this!

Do your kids have any quirky “style” habits? Any baby divas? I can only imagine how much worse it will get when they start learning what’s cool to wear and what isn’t! Tell me your stories!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and jcpenney blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Ten Reasons I Want to Visit Virginia Beach!

2011-07-11T19:39:00.001-05:00

Other than being a complete beach nut, there are a ton of reasons to visit Virginia Beach! Reasons beyond the beauty of the actual beach including some great historic places and museums! I'll share my top ten reasons with you!

The Beach! Well, of course I want to hit the beach! With 3 different beaches (The Chesapeake Bay, Sandbridge and Resort Area) there are 35 miles of beautiful beach! Great waves and sand...does it get any better? Oh, and it's FREE! You know I love free!
The Boardwalk! While next to the beach, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk can be a totally different type of fun than basking in the sun! It is three miles long with a separate lane for biking (or rollerblading!) and has loads of fun all along! There are a few stages to enjoy live entertainment during the summer, restaurants, shops...oh, and don't forget the amazing 24 foot King Neptune bronze statue! Too cool
Funk Fest! Doesn't that just sound awesome! Funk fest is a festival that has been going on since the 1960's. It's in August and has some great "funky music" all weekend...oh, and once again, it's FREE! Go Virginia Beach for all the free stuff!
The Weather! Ok, I live in Texas...it's hoooot here! And oh, so humid! While it's 103 here right now, it's 83 in Virginia Beach, dipping into the mid 70's at night! Need I say more?
The Food! Hello! This is the beach, people! We are talking AWESOME seafood. I can't even begin to list all the restaurants I would love to try. I'm from Florida and I miss fresh seafood!
Dave Matthews! Ok, so he doesn't play there anymore, but did you know he used to? He played several gigs in Virginia Beach before he hit the big time. I would love to hit up a few of those hot spots and just imagine him sitting there!
Fishing! Yes, I love fishing! There is no shortage of fish on this coast! You can surf fish, pier fish, or my favorite, book an offshore fishing trip! You are sure to come back tired and with a cooler full of the good stuff! Can you say fish fry?
History! There are a few good places to check out while your there, including a couple of lighthouses, the Old Coast Guard Station, and it wouldn't be right if I went and didn't take the Naval Air Station Oceana Tour!
Boating! I love and miss the water dearly and there isn't much I love better than boating! Depending on how adventurous you are, there are several types of boating experiences. You can parasail (not me!), cruise along on a sail boat, dolphin watch, kayak...whatever your heart desires! I'm thinking fishing and a dinner cruise!
My Husbands Roots! My husband is from Virginia! While not from Virgina Beach, it is a place he spent a lot of time while growing up and I would love to share that with him!

I can think of plenty more reasons to go, but then it wouldn't be my top ten list, would it? I've been to Virginia, but hoping to make it to Virginia Beach on my next trip! Have you been? Are there any "must sees" that you can recommend?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach Tourism blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Ten time saving tips for busy moms!

2011-06-22T15:37:00.007-05:00

Hi fellow mamas! Summer time is here, let the fun begin! I know life is going to be much busier now that all the kids are home from school, so I thought I would share a few tips on how to save time and make things run a little smoother!

Multi Task! I've gotten very good at this! If I'm waiting for something to heat up in the microwave, I'm doing or putting away dishes. If I'm in the kitchen cooking, I'm also cleaning out old food from the fridge. Have a favorite TV show? Clean house during the commercials! Not only do you get things done, the tasks don't seem near as daunting as when you tackle them alone.
Delegate! Are your kids old enough to wipe the table after eating? Your husband is! It's ok to ask for help! You don't have to hand out a full on chore or "honey do" list, but asking nicely here and there can really help you get things done. Don't forget to show your appreciation, everyone loves a pat on the back (and makes them quicker to help next time).
Plan Ahead! I am a night owl, so this is a big one for me! If I plan to hit the gym in the morning, I might actually go through with it if I pull my clothes and sneakers out and have them ready to go! I also like to plan meals ahead. I don't have an actual calendar set up, but I have in my mind what I'll make during that week and just pick one of those ideas. Making lunches and snacks ahead of time work well for me, too!
Get some sleep! While this might not sound like a time saver, I mean, sleep less-do more, right? NO!!! Not true! If you are tired, it's going to slow you down, so make sure you get your rest. Having more energy for your tasks is much better than having a couple extra hours and dragging! Oh, and getting more sleep also helps you lose weight!! Bonus!
Hire Help! While everyone can't afford to have a regular housekeeper, etc., it's nice to have a little help here and there. Whether it's for yard work, random things around the house, a deep cleaning or hiring a trusted sitter to allow you to get some things done, try it out. People who are paid to do a task are much quicker than you or I, and a little can go a long way.
Get Organized! This one is tough for me...my husband is super organized and I am the opposite! There is so much wasted time looking for things. I find myself often saying "I know I put it right around here". Take a day and organize your things. It really makes a difference in the long run. Not only do you save time, you will also feel better knowing you are coming home to an organized space. Too overwhelming of a job? Take it piece by piece. Go through stuff while watching TV...have a bag for trash and get at it!
Order Online! Are there things that you use all the time that you can order online? You can actually save time and money this way. Diapers, wipes, toiletries, pantry items...they can all be ordered online. If the only time you have to go to the store is to get actual perishable foods, you are in good shape!
Prioritize! Sit down and think about what really needs to be done and what can wait. Instead of jumping in and trying to do everything, get the important stuff out of the way and start whittling down the little things!
Don't Delay! Have a leaky faucet, but you keep "forgetting" to call the plumber? Don't wait until some Saturday afternoon when it's an absolute emergency. Not only will that put a damper on your plans, it will also put a damper on your wallet! If something needs to be done, just do it! If you see some dishes in the sink, wash them. You don't have to wait til there is a full sink load to do!
Keep It Up! In my house we have a saying/motto/mantra (whatever you want to call it). "Don't put it down, put it away!" You would be amazed how much time this can save! Instead of dropping all your things on the table when you get home, put them up. This saves you from having to go back and do it all later!

I hope you can take one or two of these and put them to use. Do you have any time saving tips that help you out? I hope you all enjoy your summer and keep cool!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Charley Harper/AMMO Books Winner

2011-02-08T15:33:00.001-06:00

Random.org chose #26, Gale!

I will contact you in a minute, congrats!

Gale says:

Saturday, February 05, 2011

I love the Kid Made Modern book!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:26Powered by RANDOM.ORG

CSN Stores Review Coming...Does it get any better?

2011-01-26T15:13:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to get to do another review of CSN Stores! I say this, because I am continuously finding new things there that I want! I mean, how can you not...I don't know too many places where you can get swing sets and cookware AND dog bones! Really, dog bones!

CSN Stores really is a one stop shopping site! My favorite feature, of course, is that most of the items have free shipping...oh, and it tells you how many items are in stock or how long it will be before they get it in stock again.

I've had my eye on a digital voice recorder for my husband. He is a musician and this would be perfect for him to record his songs and upload them on to the computer! Let's see if I can hold out till March to give it to him for his birthday!

My ideal U.S. family great getaway!

2011-01-26T14:37:00.002-06:00

The Beach! The Beach! The Beach!

I live in Austin, Texas now, but I’m from Florida. I’m a beach girl through and through! I often think about my ideal vacation and it would most definitely be in Hawaii! I mean, is there a better beach in the U.S.?

This vacation would be for the whole family, of course. My boys have never been to the beach before, but they would love it! They love to play in the sand and love water. Teaching them to build sandcastles on the beach in Hawaii sounds heavenly to me! The clear water seems so inviting. I would love to take a few surfing lessons. The weather is perfect all year, so there wouldn’t be a bad time to go! Most people like to go during the winter, but I would probably go during the summer to escape the Texas heat and humidity.

I would also love to show them a volcano, heck; I would love to see a volcano!

There is so much culture in Hawaii and so many neat things to do. We would have to go to a luau and try all the amazing, traditional Hawaiian food. Can you say pig roast? We would also have to learn how to hula dance. I would make my husband get up and hula…don’t worry, I would video it and post for all to see! We could learn how to make our own lei’s. I think the boys would really enjoy doing that!

My dream would be to have an ocean view room. A condo with a kitchen would be ideal so that we wouldn’t have to eat out for every meal. A massage on the beach would be fantastic!

I think the most important part of this vacation would be to leave the electronics at home!! No laptops, no cell phones, no Ipods! Ok, maybe my Ipod, but no checking email on it! We are always so tied down by all the technology; it would be freeing to be ‘unplugged’. It would be very easy for my husband to leave it all behind; I’m the one who has a hard time getting away from the screen!

This is a total dream, but if I could, I would love to take an aunt or a grandparent with us. We wouldn’t go without our boys, but it would be nice to have someone there to watch them so that my husband and I could go out by ourselves a few times, too!

Some people want to go to Disney, but that’s just too busy for me! Give me sand, water and sunshine, baby and I’m there. I really can’t think of any better U.S. vacation other than Hawaii! Hey, a girl can dream, can't she?

Do you have an ideal U.S. vacation destination?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Charley Harper/AMMO Books Review and Giveaway!

2011-01-24T15:16:00.002-06:00

This is a very fun giveaway for me! These aren't your ordinary toys! Have you seen Charley Harper's collection over at ammobooks.com ? If you haven't, I suggest you go check them out!

I was sent two very amazing toys from this collection. One was the Charley Harper Nesting Blocks. These are absolutely wonderful. There are 10 nesting blocks and they incorporate the ABC's and the numbers 1-10 with the beautiful illustrations by Charley Harper. My kids have so much fun with these! Sometimes we like to stack them, sometimes we just love to look at the pictures and practice our ABC's. These nesting blocks are actually my new secret weapon! They love them so much, that I don't let them play with them all the time! They stay packed in my big 'to-go' bag. Any time we have a Dr.'s appointment or need to be out in public for a long period of time, they get to play with these! Works like a charm. They can play with these for hours without getting bored! This is a fantastic gift...so different and refreshing from the normal neon plastic toys!

As if that weren't great enough, I also received the beautiful Coloring Book of Birds. Also illustrations by Charley Harper, the 32 pages of black and white birds brings a whole new meaning to coloring book. Every time I look at this book, I get the urge to break out my color pencils! Trust me, this book would be loved by adults and children alike! The tops of the page are perforated, so that you can pull the page out and display it...or if you are me, you can pull it out ahead of time so your child doesn't color every page in one sitting!

I hope you enjoy browsing the kids collection over at ammobooks.com . They really do have some amazing "toys". If you know anyone in to art or you just want to give a unique gift, this is the place to find it! My children love their stuff!

To learn more about their other products or to buy either of these two items I mentioned above, visit Ammobooks.com

Or...you could WIN A TOY! AMMO Books would like one of my readers to enjoy one of the products they sent me!

Mandatory to enter: Head over to Ammobooks.com and tell me what other product you like!

Extra Entries:

1. Follow my blog on Google friend connect

2. Subscribe to my blog via email

3. Sign up for the AMMO Books newsletter

4. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily!)

"RT Enter to win your choice of Charley Harper toys on Mama Hill http://bit.ly/fYOb26 @bucbratt"

Be sure to leave your facebook/Twitter name in your comment so that I can verify!

***Please leave a separate comment for each entry!***

Contest will end 02/06/2011 at midnight CST

Must be over 18 & live in the US or Canada

Winners have 72 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be selected.

Please make sure you leave an email address or have it on your blogger profile!

disclosure:

AMMO Books provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Winner of Tropical Traditions Laundry Detergent!

2011-01-23T23:45:00.000-06:00

Congrats to jdjmcc! Random.org picked #65!

jdjmcc says:

Sunday, January 09, 2011

I follow on GFC!
jdjmcc@aol.com

I will email you shortly to get your informations!

Thanks for entering everyone!

Tropical Traditions Laundry Detergent Review and Giveaway

2011-01-07T14:17:00.003-06:00

The holidays are over!!! Back to REALITY! Boo! You know, back to laundry...ugh! Speaking of laundry...

You like my snappy little intro there? Really, I don't need a snappy intro to talk about Tropical Traditions! We all know I'm a fan. Anyone who has tried ANYTHING from them is a fan as well.

Oh, yeah! Back to laundry! Not only does Tropical Traditions have awesome coconut oil, amazing organic skin care products, and sooo many others...they also make laundry detergent!

This detergent is free from fillers, perfume, dyes and phosphates. It also cleans and safely bleaches your clothes with the added power of Oxygen Bleach Destainer and Deodorizer.

I have to admit, when I first got the container, I didn't think it would last long. Their laundry detergent comes in a 5lb container...much smaller than your normal, bulky boxed detergent. I've been very pleasantly surprised, though! You only use 1/4 cup per load, so it's lasting a loooong time! The container is great! It's very attractive and doesn't take up much space. I also love that the lid screws on. If it happens to fall over (very possible with two toddlers running around!) it won't spill out!

Great..so it's packaged good, but how good does it clean??? It cleans great, it really does. I have no complaints in that department. It also has no smell, which my husband (he has allergy issues) loves! Our clothes don't come out smelling like perfume, they just smell clean...it's hard to explain!

To learn more about their laundry detergent or to buy it now (it's on sale from $30.00 to only $16.99) Click Here

Or...you could WIN IT! Tropical Traditions has graciously offered one of you a 5lb container of their

Mandatory to enter: Head over to Tropical Traditions and tell me what other product you would like to try!

Extra Entries:

1. Follow my blog

2. Subscribe to my feed via email

3. Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter

4. Tweet about this contest and leave me your status link (Can be done daily, just copy the one below)

"Enter to win Tropical Traditions Laundry Detergent at Mama Hill http://bit.ly/eT0xlQ @bucbratt"

5. Follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter

6. Follow Tropical Traditions on Facebook
7. Follow me on Twitter

Be sure to leave your facebook/Twitter name in your comment so that I can verify!

***Please leave a separate comment for each entry!***

Contest will end 01/21/11 at midnight CST

Must be over 18 & live in the US or Canada

Winners have 72 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be selected.

Please make sure you leave an email address or have it on your blogger profile!

disclosure:

Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Carmex Tinted Lip Balm Winner!

2010-12-17T16:41:00.001-06:00

The winner of the Carmex Tinted Lip Balm is comment # 35

Audrey says:

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I would love to give one to my daughter as a stocking stuffer and keep one in my purse :) Thankyou
audreymorgan1971 at gmail dot com

Congrats, Audrey, I will email you in a minute!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:35Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Molesting Alligators? Check out my picture!

2010-12-16T23:30:00.001-06:00

I entered a contest on Facebook about an experience I had in Florida. While most people have posted Disney World pictures, I have a very interesting photo...you don't see these signs too often!

While you are there, I would love your vote!

Click here to see the picture!

Thanks everyone!

Molly Shannon and Centrum, looking for America's Most Amazingly Energized Woman

2010-12-15T21:49:00.004-06:00

Is that someone you know? Is that someone you?

Centrum is having an amazing contest going on right now. They are searching for that woman that has endless energy! She does it all, all the time, with a smile on her face. She might be the woman you wish you see as a role model...she could be you!!

They are looking for someone that does it all during the holiday season and stays healthy doing it! If you know or are that person, head over to LoveFeelingHealthy.com make your nomination! Before January 3, 2011, in 300 words or less, submit your nomination.

Here's what you could win:

Grand Prize: $3,000 XPERIENCE DAYS Gift Certificate.

Four (4) Runner-Up Prizes: $400 XPERIENCE DAYS Gift Certificate

Sweepstakes Rules & Regulations Here.

The submissions will be judged by five panelists and then the public will cast their vote!

While you are at the website, check out Molly Shannon's tips on how to get the most joy out of the holidays by living to the fullest!

There is also a coupon to save $3.00 on your next Centrum (Mens or Womens) purchase!

Good luck!

disclosure:

I am a member of One2One Network and this post is part of a member project

where I am eligible to win prizing. I make no claims about

Centrum as a product or it's effectiveness.

Not Your Grandmas Carmex! Tint Lip Balm Review and Giveaway

2010-12-09T18:28:00.002-06:00

Ok, one of my fondest memories of my grandma includes the smell of carmex! My grandma had a little tub of Carmex in every room of her house and was always dabbing a little on. Any time I smell Carmex it takes me back. Not cookies, not bread...Carmex!

Well, Carmex has come a loooong way since then! They have now released their first ever tinted lip balm! VERY COOL! As part of the Carmex Blog Squad, I got to try out two new Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balms. One is Sheer Pink and the other is Sheer Peach.

Ladies, it doesn't get any better than this! Not only do you get a fabulous satin gloss to your lips, you also get ultra hydrating balm that has some great ingredients including vitamin E, aloe, shea butter and avocado butter and has an SPF 15. I love it! All in 1! After using this for a few weeks, my lips feel great and haven't been dry once since the cool weather has started.

I think the tint is perfect! I love the look of lip gloss, but I've never liked the sticky feeling it left. Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balm does not leave any sticky residue. It glides on and feels great!

I love the slim package it comes in, too! It's adorable and would make a perfect stocking stuffer for any girl you know, from 6 to 60! You can get them at Walgreens or Walgreens.com.

Win It:

Carmex is providing one of my readers the same as I got! One Peach and one Pink!

It's the Holidays and everyone is buys, so I'll make it easy for you!

Mandatory entry:

Tell me what you will do if you win...Keep one, give one...give both, KEEP BOTH? It's ok, really!

Extra Entries:

Follow me on Twitter and leave your handle
Follow Carmex on Facebook
Follow me on GFC
Tweet about this giveaway:

"Carmex Tint Lip Balm #Giveaway http://bit.ly/ePpcF7 ends 12/16 @bucbratt"

Subscribe to my blog via email

Each extra entry should be noted in a separate comment!

Contest will end 12/16/10 at 11:59 CST

Open to US residents 18 and over

Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen

Please have email available in your blogger profile or leave it in the comment.

disclosure

the makers of Carmex contacted me and provided me with the products

to review, but the opinions are all my own

"Community" Christmas Episode, Watch it tomorrow!

2010-12-08T18:23:00.001-06:00

NBC's hit show, "Community" is having an awesome Christmas episode tomorrow night. I got the chance to preview it today and it was really great! The show is in stop motion animation (think rudolph) and is really worth watching!

"Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas"

Abed is in search for the meaning of Christmas. His buddies are worried about him, so they set up an 'intervention' style therapy session. Abed takes them through his winter wonderland, where he turns them all into awesome Christmas characters, including Jeff-in-the-Box!

Watch tomorrow to find out what the meaning of Christmas is! Actually, it's worth watching just to see the characters he turns them into! Very funny!

Community, the special Christmas episode will air Thursday, Dec. 9 on NBC at 8 pm EST/7 pm CST

You can hook up via social media here:

Community on Facebook

Community on Twitter

CSN Stores Review Coming! Love this place!

2010-12-07T21:09:00.000-06:00

Are you done with your holiday shopping yet? I'm not! You should do like I am and hurry on over to CSN Stores! They have everything from briefcases to beer steins! So, if you are looking for a gift for a corporate professional or a college student, they have what you need!

Seriously! They have over 200 online stores to chose from! If you can't find a gift for someone at CSN Stores, there is something seriously wrong! One of my favorite things is that it tells you up front how many they have in stock. They don't wait til you have placed the order to say "Oh, sorry, you won't get that til NEXT Christmas!"

I'm thinking of getting my husband a wireless weather forecaster...sounds exciting, huh? He is forever asking me to check the weather for him online. Often times, when I sit down at the computer, the weather channel website will be up! Yeah, I think I'll get him one!

Happy shopping!

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop Winner!!

2010-12-07T01:14:00.001-06:00

Congrats to #52 Yaya's Mommy! I will email you shortly!

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ says:

Friday, December 03, 2010

Follow you on twitter as 1blessedmommi
itzacin at aol dot com

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:52

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop

2010-11-30T23:34:00.001-06:00

Yippee! It's Here!

The Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop!

I'm so excited to be part of this carnival.

Today, I have up for grabs Winners Choice

You can go practical or not!

You can chose either a $35 Jiffy Lube GC or a $25 Pappas GC
(good at any of the Pappas restaurants Locations Here)

Entry is easy!
Follow me on GFC and tell me which GC you would like!

Extra Entries:
Subscribe via email
Follow me on Twitter

Giveaway ends on December 5, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Good luck!

Don't forget to hit up the next blog on your list!

Win Rayovac batteries! Join the campaign!

2010-11-28T02:58:00.001-06:00

Everyone uses batteries, so this is an awesome campaign for everyone!

Rayovac has launched an exciting sweepstakes where 3 Lucky winners will win $1,000 cash from Rayovac. In addition, 20 First Place Prize winners will receive a Rayovac Jam kit including a Paper Jamz guitar, drum, amp and guitar strap as well as 2 packs of Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 packs (prize package valued at $90).

To enter:

1. You must “Like” Rayovac on Facebook: Facebook.com/Rayovac
2. Log on to Rayovac.com, complete the entry form and at their option, tell Rayovac in 120 words or less how you (or your mom) rocks the holidays.

Mom Spark is also giving away a $50 Visa Gift Card, Paper Jamz Guitar, and one pack of Rayovac Alkaline AAA 24 pack batteries to 5 winners! Visit Mom Spark to enter.

DISCLOSURE: Followers who promote the Rayovac Mom Rocks the Holidays Sweepstakes may receive gifts from Rayovac.

New Norah Jones Album is out! "Featuring" Review

2010-11-17T02:11:00.001-06:00

Featuring! That's the name of the album. Perfect name, since it is a collection Norah Jones doing duets with other stars. They have been recorded at different times over the last decade.

This album was just released YESTERDAY! Order it here on Amazon

More info/where to find Norah:

Website

Facebook

YouTube

When One2One Network offered to let me review this cd, I was pretty excited! I've always loved Norah Jones' voice and I love duets, especially when the two are from completely different genres. Boy, was I in for a treat! I had no idea how different they would all be! One minute I was listening to her and Willie Nelson and the next minute, it was her and Outkast!

If you don't believe me, here is the list:

1. Love Me – The Little Willies
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones
10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward

How cool is that? This is what she has to say about this album:

“A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries,” says Norah. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”

I absolutely love the album. It really took me back with some of the classics, but it was still fresh. Again, I think she has a very beautiful voice and it was a lot of fun to hear her with all the other artists as well.

disclosure

this review is my personal opinion, I was not paid or required to write a positive review. By writing this review, I am entered to win a gift card through One2One Network.

Winner of the Rock N Learn Dvd, Post # 26

2010-11-16T23:02:00.002-06:00

Steph says:

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/mnsteph/status/2373150008418304

Congrats! I'll email you shortly!