Sunday, July 31, 2011

Driving versus Flying: How do you travel?

Somehow August has ever so sneakily arrived around here (does anyone remember May? Because I'm not convinced that it actually happened) and it seems that everywhere I turn I'm hearing about vacations.

Beach vacations, camping vacations, staycation vacations, and more have been bringing fun to families across the country and will continue to do so until school starts up again in the fall. However, aside from the staycations, most every vacation requires some sort of travel - mainly driving or flying.


Personally I'm a fan of... well, neither.

Driving doesn't require quite as much pre-planning and will most likely save money, of course. Even if you factor in a car inspection and the cost of gas, you're pretty much guaranteed to have quite a bit more money in your pocket when you arrive at your destination.

If you're a road trip type of person, you probably enjoy packing up snacks, drinks, your favorite music, movies or games for the kids, and whatever else is needed to pass the time. You also might spending time putting together a fully mapped out trip, including stops along the way, all planned out.

Finally, you even might like the actual act of spending hour upon hour in the car seeing the wonderful scenery, visiting unique stops and being able to get out and stretch your legs, and in general experiencing a great deal of our beautiful nation.

I don't really enjoy any of that.

Flying has the major benefit of getting you from Point A to Point B in a fraction of the time. Even when you factor in getting to the airport early, all the horrible time spent in lines and security, you're most likely able to get started on your vacation that very day.

If you happen to be someone who is flying sans-kids (or with very well-behaved ones) and are a relaxed passenger, you can sit back and enjoy the time spent on the plane. Eat, sleep, read a book or a magazine, watch a movie, and voilà! You're there!

Not only that, am I the only one who didn't know how much safer flying is compared to driving? Due to how much more of a big deal is made over each airplane crash, I guess I never realized that your odds of something happening are SO much higher when you're in a car. Add that in with the shorter travel time and no wonder people enjoy this mode of transportation.

Nope, not a fan of flying either.

Unfortunately, unless I'm going to start traveling by train or bus, it seems that my options are back to flying or driving.

Even though flying costs more money, gives me motion sickness, causes internal panic over every new security regulation and makes my brain race with thoughts over missing my flight, it still wins out in the end. How those of you who enjoy road trips can handle that many hours in the car, I'll just never know.

How do you prefer to travel?

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Supplements to Improve Your Digestive Health: Member's Mark 4X Probiotic {#digestivehealth}

Digestive Health SupplementBefore having kids, I didn't really think about my health all that often.

To be honest, other than fretting over the extra pounds that I wanted to lose, I considered myself to be pretty healthy. I ate what I wanted, I got plenty of sleep, and I made it in to the doctor for annual checkups. What more is there?

Now that I'm a mom, however, staying well is a top priority all-around. I don't want my children or my husband getting sick and having to miss school or work and, as for me, being a stay-at-home mom is difficult enough on its own, let alone when I'm not feeling my best.

Having made some positive changes around here this year (mainly losing nearly 25 pounds with Nutrisystem), it has felt great to know that I'm doing something that will help benefit my overall well-being and life, not to mention set a good example for my kids.

But as well as winning the battle of the bulge and working to fight off colds and keep the germs away as much as possible, an aspect of our health that can often be overlooked is our digestive system. With factors like stress, poor food choices, little time to exercise, and more playing a role in our digestive health, staying in control of what's going on with our bodies can be difficult.

Fortunately, I've been given the opportunity to improve my wellness a notch for the next three months by trying Member's Mark 4X Probiotic.

supplementsEven though I haven't experienced any digestive health issues of note, I'm looking forward to incorporating Member's Mark 4X Probiotic into my daily routine to further boost what I do to take care of my body.

I've never tried a digestive health care supplement before, but have heard endless good things about probiotics and how these bacteria can help maintain a healthy digestive system. With these caplets, I simply take one once a day and they release vitaminsgradually over time to ensure that they'll have the most benefit.

To make things even easier, the individual packaging makes these easily portable and each one is labeled with a specific day of the week. For someone who would most likely stand there staring at the caplets wondering if I've taken one that day or if I was thinking of the previous day, this is a much-needed feature.

I'm beginning this supplement tomorrow and will check back in about two weeks to see what may have changed and how Member's Mark 4X Probiotic works to improve what my hectic lifestyle might be doing to my health.

If you're interested in finding out more about this supplement or joining me to improve your digestive health, visit your local Sam's Club to check them out. Also, stay tuned to hear about upcoming Twitter parties on the topic where you can win product, gift cards, and more!

Member's Mark review
This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Warning Labels for Smart People

I consider my husband a smart man.

He was valedictorian of his high school, almost never received a single grade less than an A in his entire schooling (I think there was one pesky B in college that ruined the perfect streak), and, his smartest decision yet, he married me.

He knows when to stand back and let me go ahead with my crazy ideas (e.g. painting our kitchen bright green or bringing home yet another large, unnecessary toy from a garage sale because it was a deal that I couldn't pass up) and he knows when to step in and point out that no, a square dinner table is just not going to fit in our dining room no matter how much I point out how pretty the Jofran 6 Seater wood diner table might be.

So, being the smart man that he is, sometimes when he does things that are, to put it nicely, not so bright, I just can't help but shake my head in wonder at him for days. The most recent? His "run in" with these:

Innocent hot cinnamon candies, right?

I'm personally not a fan, but my husband seems to like them. So much so, that about a week ago he was eating a box of them at work and, whether he was just really enjoying them or eating them mindlessly, he finished what he claims as half the box.

With normal candy, that would probably result in nothing more than a stomachache. But apparently with these, eating too many hot candies gave him a chemical burn on his tongue.

I think that last part bears repeating: he ate so many hot candies that he literally burnt his mouth. Who does that?

On the one hand, that seems like an issue with the candies themselves because, really? Eating candy shouldn't be a dangerous occurrence. On the other hand is the question that I've asked him multiple times since he told me that he had a doctor he works with diagnose the burn: Why didn't you STOP EATING THEM when your mouth started to hurt?!

He can only shrug as an answer.

When I see warnings on everyday products like Letting your kid stick their head in this tiny plastic bag is bad or This deodorant is meant to be used on underarms and not ingested, I always wonder how unintelligent the people must be that need them.

Apparently, though, even smart people need them sometimes, too.

Winners!

I didn't hear back from one of the winners of the WhoNu? giveaway, so that means someone else was given the chance to enjoy these delicious cookies and a $25 Walmart gift card...

Congratulations, Crystal K!

The lucky winner of a Go Anywhere Booster Seat is...

Congratulations, Laura!

The lucky winner of a Chex Mix Muddy Buddies Prize Pack is...

Congratulations, mom2boys!

The lucky winner of a Camo Towel Buddy Bag from The Children's Place is...

Congratulations, Cassie!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered these great giveaways! Next weekend I will be in San Diego at BlogHer so the winners post will probably be delayed a bit, but be sure to get those entries in!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Tea Collection: Gorgeous Apparel for Women {Review}

Shhh! Don't tell every other clothing brand out there, but I'm pretty sure Tea Collection is my favorite.

It's not to say that there aren't other places to find children's clothing that will result in my girls looking fashionable... but there's just something special about Tea. From the modern styling to the great use of color to the overall unique and high quality look, it's like their clothing can sometimes come to life on its own through the texture and hues.

But as much as I fell in love with each piece of girls' clothing (and even some boys' clothing) that my daughters have worn, I was equally as impressed and awed when given the chance to write a Tea Collection women's clothing review and see the flattering lines and shapes of this collection in person.

After thoroughly enjoying the comfortable fit and the unique style (and the endless compliments) from that review, when it came to deciding what apparel I was going to wear to BlogHer in San Diego this year, there was no doubt in my mind that Tea Collection would be able to outfit me in a look that blends casual and beautiful just right.

When the La Rambla dress and Blanket Plaid Scarf (currently unavailable) arrived, there was no doubt in my mind that I was right.

Available in the Black Plum color that I received or an Olive Drab green tone, the La Rambla dress combines so many of the features that I look for in clothing. The soft, 100% cotton has the ability to drape and flatter while hanging on the body, while not clinging to any areas that I would rather keep hidden.

I love small details that Tea included with this dress, such as the ability to button the rolled sleeves and the way that the fabric has a texture to it, so when you're up close you can see the high quality uniqueness to it.

Tea does note that this dress runs slightly large, so I took that into consideration when choosing a Small instead of a Medium. The result? Perfection!

Whether worn loose or more fitted with the removable tie belt (or any belt, really), I can't wait to customize this dress to fit me perfectly and wear it at BlogHer to feel great while interacting with thousands of other bloggers, companies, and more.

As I've been hearing about the cool weather that San Diego has been experiencing, I'm so glad that the Blanket Plaid Scarf will be making the trip with me as well, as the combination of the soft colors and the luxurious feel of the cotton is going to make it come in handy for multiple times of day.

Measuring around 79" x 44," this isn't a small scarf that can only be used as a fashionable accessory (even though it truly is). It can be tied, draped, wrapped and more and the lightweight 100% cotton will continue to feel great against your skin and add color to your outfit.

I plan on having it handy to pull out to throw around my shoulders as a shawl with my La Rambla dress to make the outfit even more complete as well as add warmth when the air conditioning gets too high in the conference or when out in the evening...

...as well as being able to use it more as a scarf to add style to any outfit that I put together for the day for this trip as well as beyond.

I couldn't be more excited to get to show off the fashion and style that Tea Collection is known for! Both of these pieces are machine washable, so I don't have to worry about doing anything special to take care of them, and due to the high quality of all of Tea's pieces, I know that they will hold up and last for season after season to come.

Everything from the extra details and small touches to the ability to wear their clothing to just about any occasion and look put-together is something that I appreciate about Tea and love for my children as well as for myself. They know how to make distinctive, beautiful clothing that works for all ages!

That prices at Tea are on the higher end of the scale (the La Rambla dress retails for $98 and the Blanket Plaid Scarf was originally $88), but I truly do believe that they are worth it just for how great I feel when I'm wearing these and any other item from the Women's Collection. They're just that amazing and I couldn't have asked for anything more for the upcoming trip!

For more information about Tea Collection, visit their website and follow them on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on their latest and greatest. I love checking back to see what's new, as I don't think I've come across a single piece I haven't found beautiful!

(Other than the dress and scarf from the Women's Collection that I received from Tea Collection in order to facilitate my review, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this company and their amazing clothing.)

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Diapers {Review & Giveaway}

Seventh Generation{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Amy V!}

When it comes to having a baby, there's no way to get around diapers.

Whether you choose to use cloth, disposable or a combination of the two, at some point all moms will use disposable diapers on their baby. Whereas cloth diapers have transformed and improved over the years, disposable diapers have mostly stayed the same. They're still fast and easy to use, but the statistics on their impact on the environment haven't really changed, not to mention the chemicals that are in them that rest against a baby's sensitive skin.

We all want to do what's best for our children and our world, so fortunately there are companies that allow us to make choices that can benefit them both. And, when it comes to diapers, that's what Seventh Generation does with their Free & Clear Diapers.

Seventh Generation diapers reviewNewly relaunched, Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers have the same great performance that parents demand from diapers but without all of the unnecessary extras. By not including chlorine processing, fragrances, latex and petroleum-based lotions, you can rest assured that your little one's delicate skin will always be protected.

When it comes to the earth, Seventh Generation has that protected as well. In an effort to contribute less overall landfill waste and continue to ensure a premium standard of absorbency, the new Free & Clear diapers have been redesigned with a lighter-weight core.

Plus, by using processed chlorine-free wood pulp in their Free & Clear Seventh Generationdiapers, Seventh Generation also makes certain that no chlorine is released into the environment during the totally chlorine-free (TCF) whitening process of the diapers and training pants.

If that all wasn't enough, Seventh Generation has also reduced the size of the diapers' plastic packaging, meaning that each pack now contributes even less overall landfill waste than before. In fact, Seventh Generation Free & Clear diaper packaging can now be recycled at local supermarkets where plastic bag recycling collection boxes are available. How cool is that?

As we began trying out these eco-friendly diapers, I immediately felt as though they were high quality, well-made and durable enough to stop leaks.

eco-friendly diapersAfter thoroughly testing these diapers out, Seventh Generation Free & Clear passed inspection perfectly. They proved to be extremely absorbent and the fit was just right to allow Little Sister B to be as active as she is without ever having even the tiniest of leaks.

diaper reviewOverall, I was very happy with these diapers not only on their performance but on how they treated Little Sister B's skin. It felt as baby-soft as ever! I love the idea that something so good for my daughter's well-being can also be so eco-friendly and beneficial for the earth. Seventh Generation really has thought through all of the aspects of these great diapers!

Retailing for $12.99 a package, Free & Clear diapers are available from newborn up to size 6. And, thanks to the generosity of Seventh Generation, one person will be able to try these great diapers as well, because...

One lucky person will win a package of Seventh Generation
Free & Clear diapers!


To enter to win: Tell me what impression you have of the new Free & Clear diapers OR what you love about eco-conscious baby products.

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 Seventh Generation on Twitter and/or Like them 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 package of Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers! http://bit.ly/pblD9t @SeventhGen @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win #myblogspark

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly 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.
3 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 August 19th at 11:59pm CST. 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. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Seventh Generation for providing diapers through MyBlogSpark for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Find It Games: VeggieTales Find It Game {Review}

Find It GamesSomehow this summer has flown by even faster than usual - how do the days pass so quickly?

Along with getting outside to enjoy the sunshine (on days when it wasn't 90°+ or storming), summer months also include travel. From hopping in the car for a drive across town or a trek to the next state, keeping kids entertained with games on the road is a necessity. You can only point out the cows and trucks to my girls so many times before they just don't want to hear it, you know?

Fortunately, Find It Games has made it possible to keep kids entertained at home or on-the-go quickly and easily with their VeggieTales Find It game.

From seeing the bright colors and cute pieces (as well as hearing that this game is the winner of a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval), I knew right away that my girls were going to enjoy this unique handheld scavenger hunt.

This fun and innovative game is perfect for the car, waiting for an appointment or just a quiet moment on a rainy day, as there is nothing more required than an imagination and a love for a good search!

When the game arrived, the girls couldn't wait to get it out of the box and start examining it. As I looked it over, I was impressed with just how thick and durable the construction of the cylinder is, making me not worried about my kids playing with it. No matter how much they might shake it to move the pieces or toss it around (I even later caught Little Sister B standing on it), I knew it was going to hold up and last for quite a long time.

With 39 objects waiting inside – including recognizable characters like Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and Madame Blueberry, as well as objects like a Viking Helmet, umbrella, rubber ducky, and more – the girls immediately liked twisting and turning the game to search within the sea of colorful beads for them.

The Find It game also includes a small pad of paper that lists all the objects (the list is also printed right on the bottom of the cylinder!) so that kids can keep track or even compete to see how fast or how many they can find, but Big Sister E and Little Sister B were more into the hunt and getting excited about discovering what was inside.

What a simple concept that results in such a fun game! The cylinder is large enough that the girls can maneuver it easily when they are shaking, spinning or turning it around, yet it is easily portable enough that it can be brought along in the car, to an appointment or anywhere that quiet time might be required.

For a unique and entertaining way to encourage curiosity and learning while also being able to remove the pressure of winning, VeggieTales Find It is great for travel or home and one that my kids have returned to time and time again!

Find It Games are sold in national retailers everywhere such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hallmark, Target, and more. With a retail price of $25, VeggieTales Find It can also be purchased directly from the Find It Games website. This creative company can also be found on Facebook, where fans everywhere share their love and obsession with this line of innovative and addicting games!

(Other than the VeggieTales Find It that I was sent from Find It Games, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this unique game.)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Friendly Friday: July 29th

blog hop           blog hop
         

Welcome to Friendly Friday!

Remember, YOU can host the link list on your blog, too! Just get the InLinkz code and copy it directly into your post. The code is different every week, so be sure to get the new code when hosting Friendly Friday on your blog. Hosting the list is a great way to get even more traffic to your blog and make Friendly Friday more beneficial for everyone.

Thanks for joining the Friendly Friday celebration hosted by Xenia at Thanks, Mail Carrier, Christi at Frugal Novice and Charla at Healthy Home Blog! We invite you to join us every Friday to make more friends in blogville, get more blog followers and follow other great blogs out there.

To join in the Friendly Friday celebration, include your family-friendly link in our list, follow the hostesses in the first 3 spots and then start blog hopping! Visit other blogs on the list and comment to give them some blog love. Then take a minute to follow them through Google Friend Connect - this is a good way to keep up with other blogs, but also lets us show support to each other! Please DO NOT list your giveaways here, links must be to either your homepage or your Friday posting with your blog title. All others will be deleted.

When people comment on your blog and let you know they're a part of Friendly Friday, return the favor and follow them back. This way everyone gets traffic and followers out of participating, and it's a win-win situation. We would love for you to also grab our Friendly Friday button and post it on your blog and/or in a post - the more bloggers that find out about Friendly Friday and participate, the better!

Spotlight on Friendly Friday Followers!

We love your participation and want to show it! In addition to gaining followers, each week we’ll select one blog at random and will feature links and a write-up for that blog in the content of next week’s Friendly Friday post. There are so many seriously wonderful blogs out there, and this will be a great way to highlight one of those each week. Say hello to the lucky chosen blog and blogger for this week (and feel free to stop by and give her a little extra love):

Ang, the blogger at Sparkles & Bugs, jumps out at you right away as an energetic and fun person. She is a wife and mom to four kiddos, and she likes to blog about a variety of things she loves, including:
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Food
  • Crafts, DIY & Cute Stuff
  • Great Finds, Great Ideas & Great Deals
  • Organization
  • Homemaking
  • Mommyhood
Every Friday she does an event called Fitness Friday, where readers can follow along with her fitness journey and get motivated to continue on theirs! And trust us, this mom of four does not look like a mom of four - she has been working diligently to get back to her pre-baby weight. On other days you'll find crafts that you can try yourself, like her friendship bracelets using - get this - girls' tights! What a great way to reuse something and turn it into something fun. She posts recipes as well, so her blog is really a mix of resources for readers!

Now that you know about this wonderful blog, it's time for you to join in! Add your family-friendly link below and we'll see you back here every Friday! And don't forget, you can get the InLinkz code to share the link list on your blog, too.

All three hostesses appreciate followers through Google Friend Connect AND Twitter and we'll follow you back - just be sure to leave a comment with your URL and/or Twitter username. Have a great weekend, everyone!


Make Your Own Hand Stamped Jewelry with Beaducation {Review & Giveaway}

Beaducation{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, ctsk!}

When it comes to what is popular in accessories and jewelry, various fads seem to come and go. One day large, shiny bling is what's in, the next day it is simple, understated pieces.

But one type that is universally loved and, as far as I can tell, never going to go out of style is hand stamped jewelry. There is something so much more meaningful and unique and beautiful about those little discs that are personalized just for you. Every time I've visited a new shop that offers them, I see a new design and think of what saying or image I'd like next.

However, instead of spending more money every time you find new hand stamped jewelry only to have to wait and hope that the completed piece will be everything that you hoped for, you can now take creative matters into your own hands and make it yourself thanks to Beaducation.

craft suppliesIf you've ever wanted to make your own hand stamped jewelry but thought that you either don't possess the talent or just wouldn't even know where to begin, Beaducation is the answer. Founded by Lisa Niven Kelly (a pioneer in the hand stamped jewelry industry), this online jewelry-making haven offers all of the tools and supplies that you need... as well as the video classes to teach you all that you need to know.

Whether you are a beginner or a jewelry pro, Beaducation's step-by-step video classes are taught by some of the nation’s best instructors and offer the perfect opportunity for learning the latest techniques. Getting started really couldn't be easier! After watching the Stamping on Metal class and the Stamped Jewelry Design Ideas class (both FREE!) it seemed that all I needed was the equipment to get started.

Fortunately, Beaducation makes that simple as well with their Stamping on Metal Starter Kit.

Beaducation reviewThis kit contains nearly everything you need to get started creating your own personalized jewelry. From the 3/32" Economy Letter and Number set to the stamping blanks to ball chains, the only pieces missing are a mallet and a Steel Bench Block, which Beaducation sent along for me.

After checking out all of the items I have to admit that I felt slightly overwhelmed at first - would I really be able to do this?

hand stamped jewelryHowever, Beaducation has a great online resource in their Create Stamped Metal Jewelry page, which gives all sorts of information about tools and tips as well as links to many of their online videos so that you can really get a sense of the process.

Not only that, the Starter Kit comes with an eight page instruction booklet filled with an explanation of each piece, how to have the proper workspace, using the right tools, finishing your pieces, and step-by-step instructions for spacing, contrast and more that are easy to follow. The whole process really couldn't be easier - simply choose your design and stamp away!

stamping jewelryUsing the copper practice sheet, I played around a little bit while trying to inspire my creativity and trying out tips that Beaducation offered. When it's time time to do the "real thing," it's great to know things such as using painters tape to keep your letters in a straight line (as well as hold the disc in place) and a ruler to find the center of your disc so that the wording is evenly spaced.

jewelry craftingIn pretty much no time at all, my pile of parts turned into my own unique creations that I love! I started simple and made one double-disc design similar to this...

hand stamped jewelryExcept, you know, with my own kids' names

...and then moved on to a layered item because I always love the look of the copper and silver together.

hand stamped jewelryI just need to figure out what stamp to put on the smallest disc! I had such a great time creating my pieces and immediately could see how addictive it could get to be able to make such amazing things right at my own table. How many times have I struggled to come up with a gift for a birthday, Mother's Day, the holidays, a baby shower, etc? With Beaducation's help, now I know that I will always have the option of giving a handmade gift that will be just right!

From stamping tools to letter sets to design stamps, Beaducation has the supplies that you need and the online classes that you'll enjoy. This site has it all for your path to becoming a jewelry artist! And, thanks to their generosity, one person will have to be careful to not get completely hooked as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Stamping on Metal Starter Kit
from Beaducation! ARV $69!


Beaducation giveawayTo enter to win: Visit Beaducation and tell me something that you learned there or why you would like to try this Starter Kit.

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 Beaducation on Twitter, Like them on Facebook and/or become a subscriber to their blog.
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 Stamping on Metal Starter Kit (ARV $69) from @Beaducation to create custom jewelry! http://bit.ly/r2qXDV @thxmailcarrier #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (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.
3 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 August 18th at 11:59pm CST. 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. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to Beaducation for providing a Starter Kit and Steel Bench Block for me to review as well as a Starter Kit 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.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Stardoll Fashion Comes to jcpenney {$50 Gift Card Giveaway}

JCPenney logo{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, guettel78!}

Although my daughters are slightly on the young side to be true fashionistas quite yet, I can already envision the years to come where they will be much more adamant about what they wear. After all, looks are everything to teens and tweens, aren't they?

Fortunately for those stylish girls out there already, jcpenney is making it easier to have a wardrobe filled with clothes that are from the brand names they want that are high quality and affordable. And now, with the addition of their new Stardoll collection, girls can even take their love of the online community and bring it home!

StardollOne of the world's largest online communities for teen and tween girls (the majority between the ages of 9 and 17) who love fashion, shopping and design, Stardoll.com is a virtual entertainment destination that blends childlike play with social networking to deliver a fun-filled approach to dressing up.

Players are able to build "MeDolls" and dress them in an extensive collection of garments, accessories and makeup from a variety of real world and virtual brands. Updated weekly with new dolls and hand-crafted fashions, Stardoll has over 90 million members who are clearly interested in these clothes!

Considering its popularity, the launch of the Stardoll collection of apparel and accessories at jcpenney is just in time to send girls back to school feeling confident and happy. Instead of just enjoying these clothes online, they can now show them off to all of their friends!

But more than just the launch, jcpenney is taking their great Stardoll line one step further and giving fashionistas an opportunity to connect directly with the designer from the Stardoll collection in a live video chat. How often do girls get a cool chance like that?

To participate, they will simply have to visit Stardoll.com on August 3, 2011 at 2 pm EST and they'll be ready to talk fashion with the best of them! If you have a Stardoll fan in your life, you'll want to make sure that they don't miss it!

And, thanks to the generosity of jcpenney, one person will be ready to pick up a few pieces from the Stardoll line in time for school, because...

One lucky person will win a $50 gift card to jcpenney!

To enter to win: jcpenney wants to know: What question would you like to have submitted to the Stardoll designer that could be answered during the live video chat?

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 jcpenney on Twitter and/or Like them 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!

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Outdoor Adventures with Backyard Safari Outfitters Essential Field Gear {Review}

In the minds of my kids, summer seems to call for a few specific things: playing with water whenever possible, eating ice cream at every available meal, and having a good time outdoors any time that it isn't raining.

Or even if it is.

There seems to be something addictive about the fresh air and sunshine that increases their excitement and curiosity about the grass, sticks, and bugs that we come across... and who am I to stifle that?

Instead, I have been happy to help them take their imaginations one step further by providing toys and gear to transform our backyard from a plain stretch of lawn in the suburbs to an action-packed, fun-filled adventurous terrain. Last year we were fortunate to do so with a Backyard Safari Outfitters review that introduced us to their innovative and high quality products, so this spring I knew the girls would be just as overjoyed to try out their new line of 2011 Essential Field Gear.

After being thrilled with the Essential Cargo Vest, Land & Water Mega View Periscope and Bug Wrangler's Extreme Suction Bug Vacuum, when a box of new additions arrived, Big Sister E and Little Sister B were begging to head outside to explore the wild outdoors.

After seeing all of the gear that was perfect for bug wrangling to bird watching, I had to admit that even I was ready to join in while my kids discovered and learned about nature. Each component was just right for play while also having an educational experience!

As we already loved the Essential Cargo Vest from last year, having a second one was exactly what we needed so that both girls were dressed and in the mood for outdoor adventures.

A must-have for every Backyard Safari kid, this polyester vest has the rugged, tough appearance of heading out on a real safari. The six D-rings and various cargo pockets of all sizes are all easily accessible and convenient for clipping on gear or storing any number of interesting finds.

Designed for ages 5 and up, this Cargo Vest is a little big on Big Sister E and quite a bit big on Little Sister B, but that definitely doesn't stop either one of them from being excited to throw it on to get themselves more into character.

But what true explorers don't have a camp to go back to? The new Base Camp Shelter is a lightweight, portable, easy to assemble half-tent that comes right in its own travel bag. I was slightly concerned at first that I wasn't understanding how to put the pieces together so that the tent form would take shape, but once I had it laid out and glanced at the instructions, it only took a few minutes until we were ready to go.

Standing over 40" tall, the Base Camp Shelter is just the right size for both girls to sit down to rest (I love that it has a bottom to it in case of wet grass) or get out of any inclement weather we might be having.

There are plenty of storage pockets on the inside to stash their gear and being able to hook our Mini Lanterns to the carabiner clips at the top gave the fun illusion that we were outside at night... even though the sun was shining in the middle of the afternoon.

As a bonus, the large window on the back of the Base Camp Shelter has made it so that one of my kids can have quieter moments on her own but not feel as though she is missing out on the action while the other is off exploring. Just peek out and see what's going on!

But if the Base Camp Shelter wasn't enough fun on its own, the Camouflage Netting was just the thing to make it so that the girls could hide while in plain site. We simply tossed the 5' x 8' sturdy rip-stop green nylon right on top and suddenly they felt as though the die-cut, stretchy netting was allowing them to blend right into their surroundings.

This Camouflage could also be placed over a bush, connected to a tree, across two chairs or more - pretty much anywhere that kids want to stay hidden!

While hanging out (and blending in, of course), we have had a good time checking out the each of the Backyard Safari Pop-Up Field Guides that come along with the products. Featuring missions, information and illustrations to really get kids interested in the science aspect of their exploration, both girls like the unique pop-up design and go back to "read" each one over and over again!

As well as the Guides, Backyard Safari Outfitters has implemented a new Patch Program that is a cute way to reward kids for completing the missions outlined in them. As many of the fun products come with a special patch that can be ironed onto the Cargo Vest, it's a way to keep kids continually entertained, engaged and interested in learning more about nature!

But as much fun as my girls have had hanging out and resting and looking at the Pop-Up Guides, they had even more of a good time getting out and exploring the yard with the Expedition Two Hiking Stick and the Explorer Kit. Who wouldn't want to carry around this cool Hiking Stick when they are ready to head out on the trails?

The hand-carved look on a sturdy, natural-looking 48" walking stick gives this item an appearance that catches the eye of everyone who has seen it. The soft grip on the handle makes it easy to hold and even though we haven't needed to use the Hiking Stick to help keep us steady on any rugged expeditions yet, it has come in handy for poking and prodding and reaching up to high levels.

The Explorer Kit, however, has been a huge hit! Filled with the must-haves for visual exploration, Big Sister E and Little Sister B couldn't get enough of the Magnifier and Pocket Spyglass and just how much they can discover and investigate with them.

This Kit also comes with three carabiners so that attaching the great accessories right onto the Cargo Vest is a breeze!

For getting outside to sight-see at home, at the park, while camping or more, Backyard Safari Outfitters has the gear that will provide hours of fun and adventure. Their previous products as well as the new 2011 collection take playing in the yard to the next level... and beyond!

These entertaining and education items can be found at Toys R Us, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, and Target and prices of the ones featured in this review range from $14.99 to $39.99. Backyard Safari Outfitters can also be found on Facebook and Twitter to stay connected and never miss a new release!

For explorers of all ages, these are sure to be a hit! Want another opinion? Check out the Backyard Safari Outfitters review on The Life of Rylie... & Bryce, too! and see how much fun they have had as well!

(Other than the information and aforementioned products that I was sent from Summit Toys in conjunction with my membership to Team Mom, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this incredibly fun field gear.)