Valentines for Kids from Peaceable Kingdom {Review}

I love the way that kids view holidays. There's just something so great about the innocent excitement in their eyes when they talk about what they're going to dress up as for Halloween or how cool it was that a leprechaun visited for St. Patrick's Day.

Valentine's Day is no exception. Whereas it is easy for adults to get jaded against February 14th if they aren't in a relationship, kids just know that it is one day that symbolizes love. Love for their family, love for their friends, love for their teachers... just love.

So when it comes to handing out Valentine's Day cards, I find it fun to get in on the joyous spirit with my kids. Whether they are decorating a shoebox to collect all of those colorful cards at school or just hand-delivering a sweet message to neighbors, I enjoy helping them find valentines that they are excited and proud to hand out.

This year I was introduced to a new collection of adorable styles and unique features thanks to the innovative minds at Peaceable Kingdom.

From traditional Valentine Heart Packs that can be folded and sealed with stickers to creative Valentine Super Fun Packs that include scratch-and-sniff, temporary tattoos, paper airplanes, and more, there is a bright, cheerful option for boys and girls of all ages. Whether your child is into trucks, unicorns, monsters, monkeys or many others, Peaceable Kingdom has a style that is sure to be a hit!

After much discussion and contemplation, Big Sister E narrowed down her favorite to the Scratch & Sniff Chocolate Super Valentine Fun Pack and couldn't wait for them to arrive.

Showing up in their own cute handled tote box, this Chocolate Valentine Pack contained 28 valentines (seven of each of the four designs) and 28 envelopes that, due to the fun chocolate treat-themed illustrations, would have been enough on their own.

After all, who doesn't love a chocolates, ice cream cones, cookies or cupcakes?

Along with the bright colors and cute-but-not-overly-cutesy designs on the front of these cards, the back of each one revealed a short message, enough room to fill in the recipient and sender's names, and a little reminder that the valentines are scratch and sniff.

While the chocolate scent is there as soon as you pick them up, these cards aren't anywhere near overpowering enough that they would be bothersome — something I definitely appreciated. Instead, they have just enough yummy smell to them that it's hard to keep from giving them a big sniff over and over again.

Now we're left to anxiously count down the days until February 14th, as Big Sister E can't wait to hand these out to all of her friends. Who wouldn't be excited about spreading a little chocolate-smelling cheer to those that you care about?

For a unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, Peaceable Kingdom's Super Valentine Fun Packs and Valentine Heart Packs are sure to grab some attention and bring a smile. These fun cards have retail prices of $13 and $5, respectively, but are actually priced slightly less on Amazon when you go to make your purchase.

Visit Peaceable Kingdom on their website to browse all of their fun valentine designs (they also offer great games, birthday cards, books and stickers) and be sure to connect with them on Facebook as well.

(Other than the Super Valentine Fun Pack I was provided by Peaceable Kingdom, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this company and their fun products.)

Clorox Lemon Fresh Scent Disinfecting Wipes from CleanItSupply.com {Review & Giveaway - 2 winners!}

When it comes to cleaning, I think it's pretty safe to say that convenience and time-saving are two of the features that are high on the list of must-haves. Who wants to spend all day scrubbing and scouring with a bucket full of a million different products?

Instead, when you've found the ideal quick cleaning choice for everything from everyday household cleaning to stains and spills to janitorial applications, you know that you've found a winner. And when that product provides a quick and easy way to clean and disinfect a variety of surfaces and environments and leaves your home smelling clean and citrus fresh? Then it just has to be Clorox Lemon Fresh Wipes from CleanItSupply.com.

Specially formulated to handle a wide range of cleaning jobs, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are the disposable cloth wipes that are designed to disinfect while providing a deep and thorough clean when used. With these simple to use wipes there is no need for multiple products and the convenience of being able to pull one out and know that you can wipe, clean and toss can't be beat.

As I was already loving the convenience of the original Clorox Wipes, I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to use a case of six canisters of the Lemon Fresh Scent thanks to CleanItSupply.com.

Around here, everything from the counter tops in the kitchen to the sink in the bathroom to the chairs in the dining room (and let's not forget the doorknobs, toys, windows, and more), need to not only be wiped off, but disinfected to keep away the germs. And these Wipes are just the thing to do it!

Offering powerful disinfecting and sanitizing power, these pre-moistened wipes kill up to 99.9% of germs including viruses that cause colds and flu. So the idea that I don't have to even get out a washcloth or paper towel to clean faucets, tiles, wood, glass, mirrors and much more has proven to be just the versatile solution that I needed for quick cleaning.

In less than a minute, I've pulled out one sweet-smelling wipe and have watched my house go from its typical state to a clean, disinfected, sanitary, lemon fresh replacement!

There's no doubt about it that these Clorox Wipes are here to stay. Plus, just as our past experiences with CleanItSupply.com have proven, picking up their household cleaning products in bulk means that I don't have to worry in the slightest that I'll be running out any time soon. I have a container of these Lemon Fresh Wipes in multiple rooms of the house and love knowing that they're always ready and waiting.

A case of these Clorox Wipes would retail for more than $46 elsewhere online, but CleanItSupply.com offers it for $28.82. With this one affordable purchase (that's a savings of almost 40%!) and their lightening fast shipping, you'll be able to relax the rest of this winter knowing that you are keeping your home germ-free quickly, easily and with a quality product.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, two people are going to be prepared to disinfect in a lemony fresh way as well, because...

Two lucky people will win a case (6 canisters) of 75-count
Clorox Lemon Fresh Scent Disinfecting Wipes!

To enter to win: Visit CleanItSupply.com and leave me a comment about an item there that catches your eye.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow CleanItSupply.com on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and/or sign up for CleanItSupply's Super Saving Program.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

2 winners: Win a CASE of Clorox Lemon Fresh Scent Wipes from www.CleanItSupply.com! http://bit.ly/wbYbDG @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 17th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to CleanItSupply.com for providing a case of Clorox Lemon Fresh Scent Wipes for me as well as for two lucky giveaway winners. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Sassi Momma Handbags {Review}

From the time I was pregnant with Big Sister E until now, I've gone through a variety of bags.

At first, I went with the diaper bag that seemed to be rated highly in baby books... only to find that it was huge and bulky and not something that I wanted to carry around unless we were taking longer trips. I also had a stylish little diaper bag that was given as a baby shower gift, but it was impractical in its small size as well as its mainly-white fabric that was instantly dirty the first time I used it.

There were others (many others, actually) over the years and yet, here I am now on the tail end of needing a diaper bag and I'm looking back thinking of the wasted money. Not only did it add up by purchasing multiple bags, what am I left with? I'm not going to carry a bag that looks like a diaper bag when I no longer need to, so they're destined for friends, donations or my next garage sale.

Instead, it makes much more sense to select one. One unique, high quality, ultra-fashionable, extremely versatile handbag that can be used pre-baby, throughout childhood, and then beyond that essentially transforms to meet the needs of women through all of the stages of their life.

Introducing: Sassi Momma.

With a desire to improve the dreadful appearance of current diaper bags as well as alleviate handbag organizational difficulties for all women, Sassi Momma's elegant, one-of-a-kind line of D'imorga Handbags are everything you need all in one place.

Hearing that I would be able to utilize a handbag as a diaper bag, an ordinary purse, a laptop bag, an overnight bag or more and still have it be this attractive, well, I was just slightly over-eager to see the Jordyn Bag in Tangerine in person.

Jordyn, where have you been all my life?

Measuring in at 16.75" x 16.75" x 4.25," this is a substantial handbag that really does managed to include every feature that I could possibly need. The genuine leather is soft and vibrant (it is also available in Sky Blue) and from the moment I removed it from the dust cover, it was clear that this was a very high quality bag.

Opening it up, I was amazed at the two large zippered compartments - not only because there was plenty of room to store all of my belongings (and those that I might need for my children), but at the sheer number of pockets. I have never been more organized in my life since Sassi Momma came into it!

As I peered inside, it became evident as to why they had so thoughtfully included illustrations as a hint to what each compartment might be used for...

I have never been so amazed by the organizational possibilities of a handbag before, I really haven't.

First, the side for mom:

The outer portion of this compartment features a key hook, cell phone pocket, wallet pocket, and a jewelry/accessory pocket and each one is exactly the size it needs to be. Instead of trying to cram my wallet in where it doesn't really fit or slipping my cell phone into a pocket where it slides around, Sassi Momma found just the right measurements.

On the other side of this compartment, there is a small upper pocket where you could put change or keep the included Sassi Momma Signature Mirror safely tucked in, a sunglasses/eyewear pocket, and a makeup pocket.

I have never been a fan of dropping my prescription sunglasses into the depths of my purse, not to mention that always leads to me not being able to find them when I want them. Instead, they now have their own pocket... and I can even pull out the perfect little Signature Mirror to check how I look in them!

Just on "my" side alone, there is plenty of space so that I can easily have all of my items within reach and no matter if I'm going to dinner, for an overnight trip or traveling, the multifunctional aspects are really great.

However, that's just one side! The second compartment for baby (or bonus) contains just as many innovative and convenient touches:

The outer portion of this compartment features a pacifier or iPod nano elastic pocket, a diapers or iPad/Kindle pocket, a wipes or coupons/receipts pocket, a covered, separated pocket for jars of baby food or small bottles of water, and two slots for baby utensils or pens and pencils.

Did I mention that the Jordyn Bag can keep you organized? Love it! Of course if you don't carry coupons or your iPad, you can use those pockets for just about anything, but the fact that they are there and make it possible to place your items into their own spots makes it so much less likely that you'll be digging and digging when you are trying to find them.

The final side to this bag, the inner portion of the second compartment, features a pocket for a changing pad (the Jordyn Bag comes with a gorgeous genuine leather one), baby clothes or an address book/calendar and two elastic pockets that are designed for toys, bottles, lotion or clothes or shoes for you.

The entire interior of this bag is made of waterproof nylon, so wiping up spills or liquid is a breeze and just being able to reach inside and know precisely where my water bottle or Little Sister B's extra pair of shorts are located is nearly priceless.

The attached arm strap measures approximately 16" and easily rests on my shoulder or in the crook of my elbow without problem...

...but for longer trips or when I just feel as though I need extra length, the detachable shoulder strap, which measures around 32," allows the Jordyn Bag to hang comfortably over my shoulder or across my body as well.

I have yet to find something that the Jordyn Bag can't do.

When I'm driving, I don't have to take my eyes off of the road to pull out a tissue for Big Sister E. When we're at the park, it takes only a second to go straight to the pocket with Band-Aids for Little Sister B. When I'm heading to the library or a coffee shop for peace and quiet, my laptop slips right in and I use the elastic pockets on the bonus side to hold my mouse and cord.

I've seen handbags in the past that have claimed to be multifunctional, but Sassi Momma has created one that truly can transform to work for all of the different needs that women have and which role in our lives we are in.

Although their bags cost more than what you might find in the store (the Jordyn Bag usually retails for $280 but is on sale now for $170), these aren't just going to serve as a diaper bag or just as a laptop bag, the high quality of their items are going to last a lifetime. A handbag from Sassi Momma would make an amazing, frustration-eliminating, jaw-dropping, stylish gift!

More information (and drool-worthy pictures) about Sassi Momma's collection of bags (as well as their D'imorga Handbags, they have beautiful oversize clutch bags) can be found on their website. You can also connect with this innovative company on Facebook and Twitter.

(Other than the Jordyn Bag I was provided by Sassi Momma, I was not compensated or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my honest opinion of this company and their amazing products.)

Reed Timmer and Storm Chasers trust Bosch ICON Wiper Blades {Prize Pack Giveaway!}

What is it about reality television that draws us in? Do we just want to compare our own lives to those featured to see if we appear to be normal? Or, more likely, is it just that we want to shake our heads at those on the screen and wonder how in the world they ended up doing something quite so crazy?

The perfect example: Reed Timmer and his fearless team on Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel.

I don't mind a nice rainstorm or even a little lightening now and again, but I strongly prefer to watch it from the warmth and safety of my couch (or possibly peeking out from under the covers in bed) rather than being out on the road driving in it. The darkness, the rain, the unknown... no, I'm not purposely heading out there in that.

Reed, on the other hand, is out there with his crew driving straight for the action. They not only want to track down the twisters, but their goal is to actually go inside them. I'm shivering just thinking about it.

Fortunately, the Chase Team isn't out driving around in my minivan, but rather in the "Dominator," a technologically-advanced vehicle that is built to acquire all of the data that they are gathering while also keep them from getting swept up and away and dropped down in Oz.

Check out what this mobile marvel can do!


Crazy, right?

One of the features that Reed talks about in the "Dominator" is the importance of a great set of windshield wipers, because what good is chasing a tornado if you can't see where you're going out the window? After doing research to find the most advanced wipers, the Bosch ICON wiper blades were determined to be the highest quality and best for heading directly into a storm.

These bracketless wipers are designed without metal or plastic brackets, joints or hinges, which means they're an improvement over conventional wiper blades. Not to mention that everything from high-tension springs to an aerodynamic design to the customized, precision fit to the curve of the windshield means that these wiper blades will be able to perform in all types of weather.

Although when I'm out driving it's not to get precisely in the path of a tornado, I still want to know that I won't have a problem clearing my window in anything from rain to sleet to a splatter of mud and the Bosch ICON wiper blades are just the thing to do that to keep my family safe.

Plus, with up to a 40% longer life, it is easy to see that the amount of engineering that went into these wiper blades has resulted in a long-lasting, high quality, must-have product — no matter if you are driving home from soccer practice or into the path of a tornado.

To celebrate the release of the Bosch ICON wiper blades, Bosch is currently holding a contest on Facebook for a prize pack of incredible prizes (e.g. iPad 2, Bosch ICON wipers, iTunes gift card and more). On top of that, one lucky fan will win an experience of a lifetime: an all-expenses-paid, five-night VIP Storm Chasing trip for themselves and a guest with Reed Timmer!

If you've ever wanted to experience storm chasing, this is the contest for you! Be sure to visit the Bosch Facebook page to enter as well as to see Reed documenting his experience with the Bosch ICON wiper blades in a series of great webisodes.

And, thanks to the generosity of Bosch, one person will be prepared to head out safely in their car in nearly any type of weather, because...

One lucky person will win a Bosch ICON Prize Pack (total ARV $195!)*!

*The prize pack includes:

• A set of Bosch ICON wiper blades ($50 value)
• "Storm Chasers - Season 4" DVD ($55 value)
• A signed copy of Reed Timmer’s book "Into The Storm" ($20 value)
• A Bosch C3 6V/12V Fully Automatic 4-Mode Battery Charger ($70 value)

To enter to win: Leave a comment telling me your favorite or least favorite type of weather. (For instance, do you love thunderstorms? Hate hail? Thrive in the snow?)

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you Like Bosch on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a Bosch ICON Wiper Blades Prize Pack (ARV $195) for quality & safety on the road! http://bit.ly/AaIxd1 @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 16th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to Bosch for providing a pair of Bosch ICON wiper blades for me as well as a prize pack for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.