Friday, December 30, 2011

Cupcake Pets + Giveaway

Here's what they have to say: Well Made™ Toy Manufacturing Corporation, introduces PetCakes™, a new collectible plush pet line that will be a sweet treat for children ages 3 & up. Combining sweet faces and cuddly plush with a clever cupcake theme, PetCakes are collectible and provide hours of open-ended imaginative play. PetCakes make perfect gifts for a special friend and for pet lovers. They are ideal for birthday party favors, stocking stuffers and as rewards for good grades. Most of all, PetCakes deliver the kind of fun kids eat up!


These are the cutest animals I've seen in a long time. PetCakes are "deliciously cute" animals that turn into cupcakes. At first your child thinks they're getting a sweet treat to snuggle with when SURPRISE there's an animal in there!
The cuties above are from their Series 2 Forest Animals Limited Collection. We were so blessed to receive a box in the mail on Christmas Eve and my girls each got to review their own PetCake. Even my 8 yr. old thinks they are the coolest stuffed animal.


My 2 yr. old proceeded to turn her animal upside down to show me how the animal doesn't hide. She then turned it the right way and told me how it does hide. When they play with them they put their cupcake  holders on the table until their all done playing. My girls love to play with their PetCakes!


Each animal comes with a frosting top (don't forget the cherry), and a cupcake holder to place them in. Each animal has a name and nice little story about them. You can collect them all! 
 There is a great sale going on now: Buy (4) or more PetcakesR Collectibles plush toys and receive the PetCakes Collectibles Minis - 4 pack FREE you only pay an additional $1.99 shipping and handling. 
You can purchase your PetCakes here for a great price.




"Like" PetCakes on Facebook 
"Follow" them on Twitter 

GIVEAWAY TIME
The wonderful folks at Well Made Toy Corp. are giving you the chance to win your very own PetCake from Series 2.
We received Honey Cakes & Bamboo Berry to review. This is out honest opinion.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Magic Runes (Originally published in 1888)

Enter to win this free book.
Check it out on my book blog:
The Magic Runes

Wholesome & Sweet + Giveaway

With a few products from Wholesome Sweeteners you can turn your favorite food or dessert into a more natural/organic treat. I just made some yummy chocolate chip and walnut cookie bars using the organic sugar and organic light brown sugar from Wholesome Sweeteners. They came out soft and chewy  and very delicious. My family and friends thought so too.


Their Mission:
  • To supply only the finest organic and natural sugar products from ethically and environmentally responsible growers and manufacturers;
  • To provide consumers with the choice of safe, flavorful, organic and natural sugars that are produced with respect for the environment, human welfare, food safety and the health and nutritional needs of consumers' families;
  • To be the premier supplier of added-value natural and organic sweeteners to retail, food-service and industrial food manufacturing markets of North America.
 Wholesome Sweeteners holds fast to a "Fair Trade, Not Aid" philosophy. This was very interesting to me. Fair Trade was all over the packaging and I was wondering what it was all about. I love this! 
 Fair Trade Certified means
  • Farmers receive a fair price: Democratically organized farmer groups (called cooperatives) receive a guaranteed minimum price and an additional social premium for certified organic products. Farmer organizations are also eligible for pre-harvest credit.
  • Fair labor conditions: Workers on Fair Trade farms enjoy freedom of association, safe working conditions, and living wages. Forced child labor is strictly prohibited.
  • Direct trade: With Fair Trade, importers purchase from Fair Trade producer groups as directly as possible, eliminating unnecessary middlemen and empowering farmers to develop the business capacity necessary to compete in the global marketplace.
  • Democratic and transparent organizations: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers decide democratically how to invest Fair Trade revenues.
  • Community development: Fair Trade farmers and farm workers invest Fair Trade premiums in social and business development projects like scholarship programs, quality improvement trainings, and organic certification.
  • Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
      
    You can read more about this in the link above.  
    There are so many products to choose from!
    *Organic Stevia seems to be the big sweetener these days. My husband took a box to work because all the guys in his squadron love that stuff! Organic Stevia has NO calories, NO artificial sweeteners and is LOW on the glycemic index. Perfect for hot and cold beverages, cereal and for sprinkling over fruit, we believe this is the Best Tasting Stevia in the world!
    * If your not a stevia fan try Oragnic Raw Blue Agave: Its processed at low temperatures and lightly filtered for a rich, full flavor. It is great in coffee, tea, cocktails and all for all of your on-the-go sweetening needs.  Use wherever you would use a table sugar. Organic Sweetness On the Go!
    * There are 4 different flavors of the Organic Raw Blue Agave Syrups. They have Cinnamon, Strawberry, Maple, and Vanilla. My kids loved the strawberry. The 1st comment out of my 8 yr old's mouth was "Hey, my syrup's not red!" I gladly told him that there's no artificial junk and food coloring in it. That's what syrup should look like! 


    There are so many more products that you can find information on here.
    I am in love with everything I've tried. I can be sure we have a wonderful product that I am feeding my family. Thank you Wholesome Sweeteners for caring!
    "Like" Wholesome Sweeteners on Facebook 
    "Follow" them on Twitter
    Subscribe to their blog. There's a lot of great information there!



    GIVEAWAY TIME
    The wonderful folks at Wholesome Sweeteners is offering this beautiful gift basket to one of my readers!
    I received the above products for my honest review.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Oral B Stages Mommy Party

We love Oral B in our house, so I was very excited to learn that we were selected for a Mommy Party. What an awesome time we had that Thursday morning. I had some of my mommy pals and their kiddos over for some great fun. My kids helped set up our movie theater. We got the concession stand ready to go. I had the flash cards ready. The guests arrived and the fun began.



In our Oral B stages party supplies we received:

Movie Theater
-Disney Winnie the Pooh Movie DVD
-Oral-B Goodie Bags
-Oral-B Balloons
-Popcorn Boxes
-Oral-B Stages Toothpaste in 3 different Disney themes: Cars, Toy Story, and Princess. (so the boys & girls could have their own kind)
-Oral-B Stages Disney Winnie the Pooh Toothbrushes
-Winnie the Pooh Disney Naturals Hair and Body Wash
-Coupons and Oral-B fact sheets
Concession Stand
-Oral-B Flash Cards
 
Waiting for the movie to start
 
I had the kids eat first and then they all went to the theater room. While they waited for everyone to finish eating they played with the balloons. All the moms were very happy with their gift bags as well the kids. They all got a body wash, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to take home for their children. 

The kids watched the Winnie the Pooh movie and seemed to enjoy it. They were laughing so loud at the funny parts. After the movie they headed back to the concession stand. It was just so fun to get together. Thank you Oral B Stages and MomSelect for this opportunity!
 
 
These products were provided by MomSelect and sponsored by Oral-B Stages. This is my honest review of the products and party.
 
 

A Conscious Choice + Giveaway

Conscious Box is a monthly delivery of pure and sustainable products that are handpicked from businesses that care for the planet, just like you do.
December Conscious Box
Now, what you do is subscribe for their monthly delivery of wonderful products. It totals about $19 for 1 month which includes the shipping. You can get more for less as well. You can choose between a 3 month and 6 month subscriptions. The longer the subscription, the more you save. They really do stuff these boxes full too. When I first received the box I was surprised at how "small" it was and wondered how could they possibly fit anything in here! I opened it up and was shocked by all the wonderful samples inside! I'm really excited to have discovered these companies I've never heard of that make products safe for us and our environment.


What will you find in your Conscious Box?
  • Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month
  • From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites
  • Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes
  • Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!
Conscious Box Mission:
Conscious Box is dedicated to introducing you to the most ethical, sustainable, and honest businesses that create the purest products available. We scour the marketplace to find those that stand above the rest. Discovery defines the Conscious Box experience.


That's how great these people are at Conscious Box! They do all the hard work for you.  All you need to do is order the box, and you can be sure that whoever receives the box will have the best of the best.


"Like" them on Facebook
"Follow" them on Twitter
And then there's nothing else to do but Get the Box

GIVEAWAY TIME
1 Winner will receive the January Conscious Box. (I hear it's AMAZING)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Extreme Couponing: All Your Questions Answered



I wouldn't classify myself as an extreme couponer. I do collect coupons from my neighbors, I am part of a coupon train, and I do carry a binder of coupons everywhere I go. OK, maybe a little extreme. I thought I knew everything I needed to be a successful saver at the store. I had the privilege of reviewing an awesome video program called "Couponing: The Extreme Video Course." This course will teach you all the right ways of couponing to get the most savings. This course does teach the basics, and I knew a lot of the things already, but I learned a few things too. You don't have to do the course all at once either. Watch them at your own pace, and take it all in. If you forget something, go back and watch it again.

Who teaches the course?
Rayven Perkins, a 10 year couponing guru. She has "helped thousands of women (and a few men) learn how to use coupons to save them money each time they shop, and have helped make it possible for them to stay home with their kids. As someone who understands how saving up to $5,000 -OR MORE- a year can make a drastic difference in a family's lifestyle, I've helped moms across the country understand that a using coupons can make your life easier, and more complete."

What's included in this course?
  • 14 Couponing Videos to teach you absolutely everything you need to know on how to start shopping like the pros
  • 7 Rules to Couponing you need to learn to maximize your savings
  • How to set up a coupon binder to keep your coupons and store sales organized and portable
  • What to do with your stockpile to keep it under control as you'll soon be filling every nook and cranny in your home with your deals
  • Store specific guides to help you learn how to shop with rewards cards and store coupons 
  • How to handle jealous cashiers that will try their best to prevent your deals from happening 
  • 2 Bonus Videos one, on couponing resources, and the other, on how to save drastic amounts of money on food...without using coupons 
**BONUS VIDEOS will be available on December 15, 2011; the rest of the course available instantly
  • Members Only Resource Website the perfect place to go to get quick links to coupon sites and resources throughout the web 
  • Couponing Workbook for those who learn better by reading, or for those who would like to print off a handy reference guide 

Not only all that awesomeness, but also a 90 Day, No-Hassle, 100% Money Back Guarantee!

If you would like more info about this course and saving money then check out stay a stay at home mom.


 







I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

TruKid + Giveaway


I TOLD YOU WE WOULD BE HOSTING A GIVEAWAY THIS MONTH!.

First, I have to tell you that you must read the story about the creator of TruKid products. Jennifer is truly inspiring. 6 KIDS...OH YEAH...you read right!
 I just love their philosophy too: We encourage kids to form healthy habits that last a lifetime. By combining all natural skincare with fun and education, TruKid™ cultivates a relationship between healthy habits and being a kid. In turn, our goal is that kids will grow up taking care of themselves, each other and their environment. From our Friendly Face Wash™ to our Funny Foot Cream™, families receive only the best in ingredients, attention and dedication to their well being.

My kids got to try out a few products. They liked every one of them of course. The Bubbly Body Wash was a hit! The more bubbles the better, and they made some bubbles! My girls have very sensitive skin so it's nice to find a product that doesn't dry them out and irritate their skin. This all natural cleanser smells like a mild coconut. This is a mild, safe cleanser for skin that effectively removes surface oil, and dirt without stripping or drying sensitive skin. It's great for my kids so I will definitely be purchasing more in the future.

The other item my kids tried out was the Silly Shampoo. TruKid's Silly Shampoo is a mild, safe cleanser for kids' sensitive skin and hair that effectively removes surface oil, and dirt without stripping natural oils. Lightly scented with TruKids essential oil blend, there are no parabens, SLS, artificial colors or fragrances in this biodegradable formula. Another great product for kids with sensitive skin! I love using this on my kids' hair. It doesn't have a strong smell and does what it is supposed to do. My kids hair is so soft and shiny after we're done. The best natural shampoo I've found that doesn't irritate my daughters' skin! The pump is great to because it makes it easy for the kids when the';re on their little independent streaks. They can do it themselves without getting too much.


We also had the privilege of trying out this new product called Rockin' Rash Relief. It was perfect timing because my daughter had just developed a blister from her new shoes. It was pretty nasty too. I put the ointment on and it didn't sting her! That is truly a first! It's not a thick creamy medicine either, so none of that pushing and pulling on the skin when you apply it. It goes on easily and then cover with a band-aid. This ointment provides a natural relief from everyday emergencies: cuts, scrapes, scratches, and any other skin irritations. Her blister healed within a few days. I seriously need a tube of this stuff!



I LOVE the TruKid products. I already have a list of the items I need to purchase. Which includes the conditioner and hair detangler!

Like TruKid on Facebook
Follow TruKid on Twitter
Subsrice to TruKid's Blog
GIVEAWAY TIME
1 winner will receive the same products we did!
 Bubbly Body Wash & Silly Shampoo
 We received these products from the wonderful people at TruKid for our honest review.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Crayola Innovative Holiday Prize Pack + Giveaway

CONRATULATIONS TERRA S.

We all know Crayola is the greatest source for arts and crafts supplies for the kids (and grownups). You can imagine how my house sounded when we found out we would get to review some great products from Crayola! YES, LOUD SCREAMS OF JOY and thanking Jesus!


The first thing the kids tried out was the Crayola Crayon Tower. I love this! The crayons aren't all over the table and floor anymore. The kids see that the crayons have a special place and they make sure to put them back. This tower makes coloring so much fun with 150 different colors to choose from. The Telescoping Crayon Tower™ compacts neatly for storage and comes with a built-in sharpener for convenience. Retails for $17.99.

The second thing they pulled out of the box was the Crayola Glow Book. My son has the the Glow Board, so he was very happy to do this review. He had 4 boards to color and draw on, which was great! Each kid got their own boards and then put them all together to watch the glowing scene take place. Crayola says this about the Glow Book: Create glowing, moving, animated art! Design your own cartoons, multi-message signs and sequential drawings—the possibilities are endless! Glow markers wipe clean with a damp cloth. Create new images as often as you like! Recommended for children ages 6+, the kit includes one Glow Book with 4 clear pages, 4 animation tracing guides and 6 glow markers and retails for $24.99.



The Crayola Jewelry Boutique allows you to create awesome accessories like necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more! There's a spinner that turns small amounts of Model Magic into swirled beads. All the beads will have their own unique color and look. For a dazzling finish, coat designs with bead glaze. For even more sparkle and pizzazz, add gems, and interchangeable pendant and bracelet charms! Recommended for children ages 6+, each Jewelry Boutique kit includes 8 packs of Crayola Model Magic to mold 160 beads, 5 bracelet charms, 3 pendant charms, 2 shape cutters, a bead dryer rack, 5 toggle sets, 4 earring posts and ear wires, a bead punch, 18 gems, 2 necklace cords, 1 elastic cord, bead glaze, and the Jewelry Boutique Spinner with storage areas and retails for $24.99. My daughter can't wait to make her very own jewelry!

My son is working on his self portrait for an Art Class assignment. Crayola's Ultimate Art Supplies gives them everything they need. This retails for $16.99

This set contains
  • Plastic storage case with organizing trays
  • 8 washable markers
  • 24 crayons
  • 12 short colored pencils
  • Paintbrush
  • 8-count washable watercolor pan
  • 1¼-ounce school glue
  • 1 pair of scissors
  • 25 colored paper sheets
Lots of endless fun for sure! Since my kids are home schooled, we have a lot of arts and crafts lessons because that is their favorite subject! Crayola has helped out our lessons big time. Make sure you sign up for their newsletter!
Check out the Crayola Holiday Gift Guide Website
Like Crayola on Facebook
Follow Crayola on Twitter
GIVEAWAY TIME
Thanks to the wonderful folks at Crayola & My Blog Spark you can win your very own
Crayola Prize Pack


Disclosure: The Crayola Innovative Holiday prize pack, product information and prize pack for giveaway have been provided by Crayola through MyBlogSpark.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Santa, Santa, Santa or Not

It's the Christmas season and the question "What do you tell your kids?" is starting to surface. I just wanted to share how it works in our house. My kids see Santa impersonators and call him Santa. They're not anti-Santa. My youngest doesn't really understand it all to begin with. My other 2 know that it's a regular person like us dressed up in a costume.
I do share the story of St. Nicholas with them. The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.*
The story we tell our kids is of God's greatness and goodness. We open our bibles and read the Christmas story. The greatest gift ever given was God's son Jesus Christ. We now have a hope and peace that can't be replaced or outdid by any human gift. We tell our children that God has blessed us throughout the year so that we can bless them and others with gifts. We do a lot of donating throughout the year and even more in the month of December. We go shopping so they can pick something out for others. We want our kids to have an understanding that it's not what they get, but what they give, and that doesn't stop with materialistic things either. Why not have this mentality and spirit year round? It doesn't just have to be the Christmas season to pour out love and blessings.
We still sing all the Christmas songs whether Santa is mentioned or not. We still have ornaments and wrapping paper with Santa on them. It's not like we pretend the persona doesn't exist.
I have told my kids that they are not allowed to tell other children that Santa isn't real. Those children will find out one day and it's not my kids' place to interfere. My kids know the truth about it. Someday these other children will eventually find out that Santa doesn't really come to their house when they're sleeping, so we don't even go there. Now, they are free to share why WE celebrate Christmas. Everyone should be aware of that!

My kids are still very excited to see what is put under the tree for them. It's still a joyous and "magical" time. I just pray that my kids will always remember the reason for the season and will pass it on to their children. If it wasn't for Jesus there would be no gifts under a tree, no Santa, and no Christmas.

Bible verses for the Christmas Story:
Luke 1:26-38
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 2:1-14-20
Matthew 2:1-12



*Info from St. Nicholas Center