Isn’t it beautiful? It was 85% off! I don’t remember exactly but I’m pretty sure I paid under $10 for this awesome accessory! Whenever you purchase something you instantly get an order number and as soon as it ships you will receive the tracking information. That way you stay informed of the entire process.

One of the best things about nomorerack? They have something for everyone. It’s not just fashion, they have kid items, techy things, and so much more! Everyday brings more new items! They even have some deals you can get for free if you refer so many friends that sign up! How cool is that?

Sign up today for their email alerts! You won’t be sorry!

It’s available on iTunes for $1.99 for iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. We have iPod Touch and iPhone. I try not to let the kids ever on my phone for fear that they would mess something up. More times than I wish to admit they have deleted tons of app, and messed up my dock. We invested in some used iPod Touches off eBay and I’m pleased that they have their own device to play on.

It’s recommended for ages 4 and up but Cutler is just 2 years and 8 months and plays it just fine. Think whack-a-mole but better because it has the fun Max & Ruby background music. Cutler likes to name the color of the hats of the moles that pop up. Don’t know where he got the idea but I encourage it! I’m happy he’s learning his colors while he’s having fun. It’s available in Arcade and Puzzle Mode, right now he only plays Arcade mode. It will be a while before he’s ready for Puzzle Mode. That’s probably more for the 4 and up ages.

Want to see it in action? Check out Cutler playing Max’s Mole Mash.

We’ve really enjoyed playing Max’s Mole Mash!

What’s your child’s favorite app?

Starting January 4th this year I have been focused on working out. This is a HUGE challenge for me. I can’t stand working out. I have a large selection of DVD videos that range from the Firm, P90X, 10 Minute Solutions, 20 Second Fitness, to Zumba and Latin Dance. I work at a gym and yet I’m not actually able to work out there.

See, I’m the child care. Meaning that there is no one to watch my kids, because when I close up shop, daycare is closed too.

We have a treadmill in the basement along with all my husbands workout equipment. I never get down there because frankly, working out sucks. But with the new year comes new years resolutions and I need to get heart healthy, tighten up and get stronger! I decided I was going to begin using the treadmill and count calories. This way my husband can watch the kids when he gets home from work while I work out and they eat dinner. So far it’s working!

The first few times I only did the 20 minute program that is 1 mile. I walked more than I ran. I wouldn’t even call what I do running, I jog. I tried jogging to music, but it was going to take time to keep adding new music to my library and setting up playlists. I’m kinda sick of what I have on there now. So I have begun to watch shows on Netflix streaming from my phone! I just finished watching the first season of Walking Dead and now I’m starting Sons of Anarchy. I tried watching Mad Men, but it’s just not good for running. I need something fast and action packed so the time goes by without me noticing. I can push myself faster and harder when I’m not actively aware of the ticking clock.

I knew if I was gonna get anywhere I need to be tracking not only my workouts but my food intake too. That’s when I downloaded My Fitness Pal on my iPhone. My Fitness Pal is available on the web, Droid, Blackberry, Windows Phone and iPad too! So there is no excuse, if you have internet access you can track your calories. Log in today!

The interface is really easy to use. You start with the weight you are, the goal weight and how many pounds a week you want to lose and it will give you the calories you are allowed per day. Of course, when you workout you get to add calories back into your day. Which is real nice.

So far I’ve lost 5 pounds in 5 weeks. If you want to friend me on there we can encourage each other! I’m hablab7. So I’ve made food changes, I’ve started working out 5-6 days a week and I’m actually losing weight! It’s coming off slow but I know that’s the safest way to lost weight and keep it off. Just yesterday I did 2.54 miles and burned 488 calories! It took me about 40 minutes. I’m really getting to enjoy my time down there. It’s both being able to escape the kids and all the mom responsibilities that go with it, and being able to completely zone out and enjoy a show without the show being interrupted umpteen times.

So how do you lose weight? Are you using My Fitness Pal or another similar app?

I found this little number at Staples. They had a few other cute designs in stock but I went with basic black/white with lime green. LOVE it!

Right next to them I found the cutest little tabbed dividers. I snatched up 2 sets. I may not use up all 10 tabs, but just in case, I bought them anyways. My first 5 tabs are:

1. Calendar – my printable pages found on google
2. Homemade Mom – my blog topics, current sponsors, giveaways, etc.
3. Schedule – my daily schedule (I’m not referring to this like I thought I would)
4. Menu Planning – my printable pages found on google
5. Cleaning – a laminated cleaning checklist (not used as it should be)

I googled 5×7 printable calendars and finally found something simple that I liked. There were so many to choose from, but I went with simple. I find that when I have the planners that have designated sections for each family member, most of each day goes blank. I want to actually use the majority of each page. Otherwise why even do it?

Near the tabbed dividers I found small pocket folders. One pack contained 5 pockets. I have 3 in the Homemade Mom section so I can keep my papers for my product reviews all in one place. This is working great right now!

Blade Buddy

The next 5 sections include:

1. to do – not really being utilized
2. bills – not being utilized at all, this should be receipts
3. gifts – when a family member mentions something they want I jot it down
4. notes & ideas – random things that have no where else to go
5. Side project that’s in the works (very secretive!)

My menu planner is one month all on one page. I really need to get my butt in gear and start planning. Most pages are still blank. I’m a work in progress.

I think I may need a coupons folder so I can those with me. I always have this in my purse.

Do you have a portable planner you take everywhere? What sections do you have?

First I started by emptying each shelf and putting it all back in, one at a time

Having a cleaned off shelf allowed me to take stock of what I have and put it back in place with like things together.

Here’s the second shelf, with all things lined up in a row:

I added a container to the third shelf to help corral things that would have normally gotten lost

Here’s the 2 together, it’s much nicer now

The next shelf has 2 containers, one has lunch meat and the other has cheese. Below that is the booze. It’s not usually so stocked, but we were entertaining, so we had to fill up!

My fruit drawer is in desperate need of some apples! It’s usually overflowing with fruit and yogurt. Clearly I need to do some shopping!

My bottom drawer is our veggies, it’s always fully stocked too!

The door got cleaned up and straightened out too!

So can you tell the difference?

Before:

After:

It took me about an hour. Each shelf and drawer were wiped clean as I went. I used a container in the top left of the freezer too. It holds all our frozen pancakes.

While I was at it I straightened up the pantry too.

Before:

(Pic was a little blurry, but you get the gist.)

After:

Honestly I should do this more often. It makes me take stock of what I have, what I have too much of and what I need. I used to think my fridge was big, but now it just feels small.

How do you maximize your fridge space?

DVD Special Feature include Learn to Draw Lucky

AVAILABLE MARCH 6 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

Puppy lovers rejoice! Pound Puppies: Homeward Pound will arrive on DVD on March 6, 2012, from Shout! Factory Kids in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc.  The DVD set will contain bonus feature Learn to Draw Lucky.

The Pound Puppies are a team of fearless dogs whose sworn mission is to find homes for lonely puppies. Even though they look like regular dogs, these pro-active pooches match up pups with loving families fulfilling the mantra of a pup for every person and a person for every pup—all while they keep the humans at Shelter 17 clueless. Sometimes dogs are dogs’ best friend!

The Pound Puppies series is currently airing on The Hub in the U.S. and YTV in Canada. The DVD release marks the North American home entertainment debut of Hasbro Studios’ hit show.

Episodes:

Homeward Pound

My Fair Rebound

Quintuplets

K-9 Kid

Zoltron

Bonus Feature: Learn to Draw Lucky

Pound Puppies: Homeward Pound is priced at $12.99 MSRP.

Did you have these as a kid? I don’t remember a cartoon ever existing, but this would have been fun to watch years ago! I’m just glad it’s coming out now! My sister and I used to have tons of these little puppies (kitties too) all over the place. I loved rescuing them from “the pound” when we played. I have a feeling that little girls may take to this more so than little boys, but either way, I’m showing it to my boys. I’m sure it’s going to be adorable!

POPULAR KIDS SHOW MAKES ITS DVD DEBUT!

Drivers, prepare to buckle up! The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Friends To The Finish will arrive on DVD on February 14, 2012, from Shout! Factory in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc. Featuring 10 exhilarating episodes, The Adventures of Chuck & Friends also touts a color-your- own-cover activity.

 Follow CHUCK THE DUMP TRUCK character and his incredible cast of friends in this delightfully fast-paced, song-filled, high-energy series for preschoolers. Every visitor to the truck stop where CHUCK lives fuels his exciting fantasies, and he enlists his pals DIGGER, BOOMER, ROWDY, SOKU, BIGGS and HANDY to turn those fantasies into reality.

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends series is currently airing on The Hub TV Network in the U.S. and on Treehouse in Canada.

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends: Friends To The Finish is priced at $12.99.

Trailer

Best in Show

Practice

Chassis’ Dance

Over, Around and Through

I’ve never seen these shows before, but Cutler has many of these trucks and I know he’d enjoy being able to play with the toys as he follows along with the movie. All my boys loved trucks and seeing them come to life is a perfect kid friendly adventure!

Have you seen these? They are the next generation press on nails by imPress.

The nails are in a container that is shaped just like nail polish! So cute!!!

Then I dumped them all out and tried to test fit each one until I had it right.

My nails before are very uninspiring.

The back of each one has a small paper that needs to be removed to expose the sticky part.

One down 9 to go!

Don’t they look so cool! I LOVE them!

If applied properly they are supposed to last up to a week!

Bottom line? I was impressed with how they look, very nice and very custom. However, after 3 hours I had 2 nails pop off. That bothered me. I was hoping to get a few more hours out of them.

Would I buy them? Probably not, but then again I never get manicures or get my nails done. If this was important to me then I think the imPress Manicure is a great frugal alternative.

Path – Introducing Path 2 from Path on Vimeo.

My friend Daniel shared it with me and I’m downloading it now! It seems to be like Facebook, Instagram, video sharing, music sharing all in one! Love that! I wonder if I have any friends already using it?