Friday, March 29, 2013

LYSOL No-Touch Hand Soap





Kids are messy....boy, do I know that! Being that I have many little boys who are typical little boys, I have seen first hand the creativity kids can have, and the messes- and I'm sure you have, too! I've been chosen to receive samples and try out the LYSOL No-Touch Hand Soap with my family!

LYSOL No-Touch Hand Soap can help the kids, and you, save a step in the cleaning up process- and adds a fun "magic" step to the process. 

This simple little contraption is magic. Well, at least my kids think so! Wave your hand in front of the sensor and *poof* you have soap in your hand ready to scrub those germs (and messes!) away! The base is refillable, so you only have to purchase it once... and it even comes with batteries to make sure you are able to open and use!

The Center for Disease Control says that handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Making handwashing easier can mean a more healthy family. Since germs like to live on most surfaces, and since you generally touch a hand pump before you wash the germs off your hands, it can be a place where germs really stick around. The magic that really happens is how the No-Touch Hand Soap System  helps to stop the spread of germs by eliminating the need to touch that germy soap pump. 

I personally think this is a MUST HAVE in the bathroom. Since we all share one bathroom, I definitely would love to not have the kids pick up extra germs, or have the added germs on a soap pump when I go to use it! 

On February 25th LYSOL launched The Kid Who Touches Everything Contest, the grand prize is a trip to Disney! What kind of messy situations have your children gotten into? Did you happen to snap a picture of it? Well, get that picture uploaded in one of 5 messy categories for a chance to win*!

What's the messiest mess that your child has gotten into?


*No purchase necessary. Contest runs from 2/25/13- 5/25/13. Open to US residents ages 18+. Void where prohibited. Click here for official contest rules.*



I participated in a campaign on behalf of MomCentral Consulting for LYSOL®. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. All opinions are entirely my own.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Horrid Henry- Hilarious Family Fun






When Henry fails yet again to hand in his homework for the umpteenth time, he inadvertently sets off an unexpected and curious chain of events. He forms an unlikely alliance with Moody Margaret, the infuriating girl next door, wins a talent contest, and stands up to his ultimate nemesis. With each antic crazier than the last, Henry finds himself inexplicably trying to save the very school which he has always professed to hate!

With a run time of 93 minutes, the movie is rated PG for some silly humor, and features a rocking soundtrack including Katy Perry, The Saturdays and LMFAO’s Party Rick Anthem and will be sure to get everyone on their feet dancing!

I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of live-action kids movies. I like cartoons... but some of our children are outgrowing them. Our 7, 8, and 9 year old boys are really starting to enjoy the live-action kids movies...and Horrid Henry did not disappoint. What did happen, though, is I actually found myself enjoying the movie!  Now, it is a bit cheezy- but that's the nature of a lot of live-action movies for children. The movie is still fun, has some great music, and didn't put me off from watching it.

We enjoyed a wonderful family movie night. The kids laughed, and that to me is priceless.
Horrid Henry is currently available at Walmart, and the kids will LOVE the fun slime pack included with the DVD! 

Check out the trailer below:


I received a family movie night pack, along with a gift card to purchase items for our movie night, to facilitate this review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Cooper Tires for the Road! #spon



This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cooper Tire. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm  not sure about you, but I don't think about my tires all that often, unless I have to replace them. The truth is, however, that tires are a very essential part of your vehicle- and the type you use definitely matters.

 Here in Northern Michigan, I need to have good tires that can handle all the season...especially snow.
Being that I am a rural mail carrier, tires are even more important to me. I currently use Cooper (Discoverer) tires on my delivery vehicle!  I love that I can count on my tires, and I don't have to worry (or think) about them very often.

Cooper Tire has been crafting tires for life’s road trips for nearly 100 years. Boasting a full product portfolio, fitting most vehicles on the road today, Cooper manufactures quality passenger, light truck, sport utility, performance and winter tires. Check out Cooper Tire's website and Facebook page to learn more and check out all the options available! They have a very helpful "Find Your Tires" search at the top of the page, making it easy to find the perfect tires for your vehicle!

Currently Cooper Tire is hosting a Cooper Tire's My Every Day Road Trip Contest and you have a chance to win! . Running March 1 through March 29, fans of Cooper Tire’s Facebook page can share their not-so- everyday road trip stories by submitting video, written stories or photos. For inspiration, you can view the two featured videos below,  that detail the extraordinary daily drives of two unique Cooper Tire owners, and the role Cooper tires play in their every day road trips.



The top written story will win a $100 gift card to use toward gas for one week while the highest rated photo entry will receive a $500 gift card to use toward gas for one month.

The top five video finalists will each win a new set of four Cooper tires and advance to the final phase of the competition. In the final phase, Cooper Tire Facebook fans will be encouraged to vote for their favorite Every Day Road Trip video, to help determine the final winner. The video with the combined highest score and most votes will be awarded a gift card for $5,000 toward gas for one year to fuel their daily drive.

Cooper Tire is also offering its fans a chance to win a Road Trip Kit just for voting during the My Every Day Road Trip sweepstakes. Beginning April 15, fans can vote for their top video to help determine the overall Cooper Tire Facebook video winner. For each vote (one per day), fans will automatically receive an entry to win a Road Trip Kit. The prize pack includes several items to keep them on-the-go, including a $100 Cooper Tire auto service voucher, a $50 gas card, $50 iTunes gift card and Cooper gear!

Visit Cooper Tire’s Facebook page for complete contest and sweepstakes rules and submission guidelines.

Video, photo and story submissions are accepted March 1-29. Voting (for an opportunity to enter the sweepstakes) begins April 15.


Visit Sponsor's Site

Monday, March 18, 2013

Sports? Stains? Fight it.



Got kids? Do they play sports...or...do they play outside  You've probably had to experience some of the stains below! Check out these helpful tips!



Image provided by: ciscoathletic.com.
Want to add this illustration to your site too? Click here to get the embed code.

Compensated Post.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Nuby Stretch Mark Cream





If you've been pregnant, you've probably been worried about stretch marks. Some times they are inevitable, a wonderful gift passed down from your family (thanks, genetics).  I was one who was given plenty my first pregnancy. As a young mom, I was more self conscious than ever, and the stretch marks really did bother me. It bothered me even more that, even though I had been vigilant with coco butter being applied to my belly twice a day, every day, I still ended up with so many.

After talking with my doctor, he explained that stretch marks can't really be prevented... but creams can lessen them and lighten them. Keeping skin moisturized can help reduce the damage caused while stretching to accommodate your growing figure. 

Nuby has a Stretch Mark Cream in their Natural Touch Skin Care Line.

Nûby’s Natural Touch™ skin care for mothers is specially formulated with you in mind. Our rich emollient butters, creams, and lotions are enriched with natural ingredients like vitamin E, cocoa butter and Lanolin.

I personally love that it is so thick. I've enjoyed using it so far this pregnancy, the thick cream feels like it is really covering my skin and helping to keep it moist and nourished.  I am hoping that my stretch marks will not get any worse this pregnancy (they haven't really in the last few), and maybe even fade a bit with this cream. 

You can purchase the Stretch Mark Cream at BuyBabyDirect, currently for $4.99 per tube.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A Touch of Tranquility.







Ever had one of those nights where you just can't relax? You can't calm down and get to the point where you need to be to sleep? Well, I am sure (as you probably know) children have those nights, too. A Well Being recently sent me their new Tranquility Oil & Spray Combo to try out for just those occasions!


I've been using the spray for about two weeks now, I spray it on my pillow, and the kids' beds as well. The smell is so nice, and it definitely has a calming affect!

Tonight, I decided to try it in Luke's bath. He's been quite crabby recently, and I thought that this might help... it sure did! I think I likely used to much (I squeezed a bit to hard), but it sure did smell nice! Once I got Luke into the bath he fussed a little like he always does, but then he calmed. As he lay in the bath he started to noticeably get sleepy, his eyes were heavy and he closed them often. I couldn't believe it! He seemed so tired, and it happened within 10 minutes of getting in the bath!

I decided I didn't want to wake him when I took him out of the bath, so I took him out and got him ready for bed before he had a chance to actually fall asleep. Once placed in his crib, though, he was out! I am definitely excited to try this with some of our older children soon!

You can buy the combo pack at A Well Being for $29.99 currently.

I received the product at no cost to facilitate my review, no monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Seventh Generation Wipes @SevenGen #Giveaway!





Some of you may be familiar with Seventh Generation, but until recently, I haven't had a much experience with the brand. I had tried out their disposable diapers a few years back, but nothing on a long term scale. Well, I recently was sent several packages of Seventh Generation Free & Clear Wipes, and I have to say... I am in love!

We've tried a lot of wipes, even cloth wipes, but we've stuck with one brand over the years because of the thickness and durability of them. I never thought I could find another brand that gave us the strength we wanted, but the convenience of disposable wipes. I.Was.Wrong. These wipes are it. The biggest bonus is how much better these wipes are for our baby than the other brand!

The Seventh Generation Free & Clear Wipes are free of fragrances and dyes (awesome for sensitive babies), free of parabens and pthalates, hypoallergenic, and made with renewable resources!
Plus, they are made in the USA.

The wipes are thick, and not stiff. On the package it says they clean with plant-derived ingredients. Free from synthetic fragrances, dyes and alcohol. Alcohol is in most baby wipes I have used, and can be very stinging to the bottom! I am very glad these wipes do not have any in them.

The wipes come in a 64 pack, and they are priced at $2.99 per pack, which I find very reasonable for a product made in the USA!

I really can't say enough about these wipes. The only thing I missed a little was the scent from our old wipes during those smelly changes... but the benefits of the Seventh Generation wipes definitely outweigh the stinky smell!



I have been provided with samples and compensation for this post, all opinions are my own and not of the company. Images are owned by Seventh Generation.

Friday, March 8, 2013

BISSELL CleanView




Every minute counts, right? Well, with the BISSELL CleanView and it's OnePass technology you could be saving some precious time!

We LOVE BISSELL at our house. Really, we've owned a BISSELL vacuum continuously for the last 5 years. In fact, last fall we purchased a BISSELL Premier Pet vacuum. When we received the BISSELL CleanView, I knew it would be likely that we liked it...but I didn't realize we would like it even more than our other, more expensive, BISSELL!

Yes, that's right... The BISSELL CleanView, which retails for about $79.99 has exceeded our expectations and impressed us so much that we love it more than our other BISSELL. Why? The suction! I'm guessing it has to be the OnePass technology, which allows for fast and easy cleaning.  To do our test we first vacuumed with our old vacuum. It looked clean... there wasn't any visible debris on the floor, but then we vacuumed with the CleanView. Wow. WOW.  The CleanView sucked up so much more, especially sand that had fallen deep into our rug. We didn't realize how much dirt our other vacuum was leaving behind!

Since we are used to BISSELL vacuums, we were a little stunned at the change in design for the dirt holding compartment. With every other BISSELL it slid out, and you were able to dump it out. The CleanView's entire middle comes out, and the bottom "flaps" open to release the dirt that you have picked up. It's different, but it's definitely growing on us (it seems less dirty, and the kids can't get into it)!

Maneuvering the vacuum is easy, even our 9 year old was able to vacuum without a problem. It's lightweight enough that I didn't have a sore arm after thorough vacuuming, too. The attachments that came with the vacuum are great, there is a 4" turbo brush (great for chairs and sofas), 10" crevice tool, and an 11" extension. 

My wishes for our CleanView... I wish it had the rewind feature that wraps your cord up for you. I DO miss that when comparing it to my more expensive model, but the suction really does make up for this.


Overall, I really think the BISSELL CleanView vacuum is a superb value, and I would highly recommend it!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for BISSELL. I received a product sample to help facilitate my review.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Free Paint Weekend!





Ace Hardware Kicks Off Spring Painting Season with
Free Paint Saturday

What:








Why:








How:


Where:

When:
If you¹re thinking of starting a paint project this spring, come to Ace Hardware for a free quart, in the color of your choice! Ace Hardware will continue its Free Paint Saturday campaign on March 9 by offering customers the chance to find their Œsoul paint¹ by giving away a free quart of flat enamel interior Clark+Kensington® paint+primer in one.*

Additionally, customers can enter to win** one of ten $1,000 Ace gift cards and a personalized paint color recommendation from one of Ace¹s Design Experts.


As the temperatures warm up around the country, homeowners are beginning to tackle their home maintenance and décor projects that have been on their minds all winter. To get started, Ace Hardware is offering customers a free quart of Clark+Kensington®, which was rated #1 for its satin and semi-gloss interior paints in recent tests by a leading consumer magazine. Available exclusively at Ace Hardware, Clark+Kensington® not only saves time and money by eliminating the need to prime and paint surfaces separately, but it also takes the guesswork out of designing with 120 harmonious colors to choose from.


To receive a free quart of paint, customers must present a Free Paint Saturday coupon, which is available at www.facebook.com/acehardware and acehardware.com/coupon.  

Participating Neighborhood Ace Hardware Stores Across the Country

Saturday, March 9, 2013



*Free Offer Limits: Valid March 9, 2013. Valid on Flat Enamel primary tint bases (SKU #s 1485184, 1485226, 1485242) and includes tinting to most colors. While supplies last. Average availability 40 quarts per store.  Limit 1 free quart per household per calendar year. Must present coupon to redeem free quart.

**SWEEPSTAKES: No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the U.S., 18 years and older. Sweepstakes entries will be accepted only at participating Ace retail stores during business hours on either (a) March 9, 2013 with a fully completed coupon obtained from: March 9 dated circular, Ace retail store, Ace Rewards email, Ace website email, acehardware.com, or Facebook, or (b) March 16, 2013 with a fully completed March 16 dated coupon obtained from: Ace retail store, Ace Rewards email, Ace website email, acehardware.com, or Facebook. Entries will be accepted on each date whether or not free paint remains available. Limit one sweepstakes entry per household. Odds of winning depend on total number of eligible entries received. Subject to official rules available at acehardware.com.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

@Nuby Step Up Stool





Step stools are nearly a necessity when you have a toddler. How else can they reach the sink, or reach that book on the bookshelf? We've purchased several step stools over the years, but they always break. 

We were recently sent the Nuby Step Up Stool for review, and WOW. This stool holds up! In fact, it can hold up to 800 pounds!


The top is No-Slip, so little ones can be safe, even in the bathroom or kitchen. The legs also have No Slip padding, so there's no sliding across the room when leaning to turn on a faucet! 

I love that the stool is large enough to make you feel secure on the stool, but still small enough to store. 

You can buy the Step Up Stool at BuyBabyDirect currently for $12.99.

I received this product for the purpose of the review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this post.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Go Breakfast! #ShareBreakfast



A lot of adults make the choice to not eat breakfast everyday... but breakfast really is a very important part of the day. Your body needs to refuel, and breakfast is a great way to give your body what it needs! I've started making breakfast a priority and I have realized how much better I feel throughout the day. I feel happier in the morning (I get quite grouchy when hungry), and less tired. I also feel more alert and focused... these are all things that we need to feel!

While adults can make the choice to go without breakfast, there are many children who do not get that choice. Did you know that 1 in 5 children go without breakfast every day? Kellogg's wants to help those children, and through the Share Breakfast program it is easy for you to get involved, too.



Kellogg's and Taye Diggs have teamed up together, and starting today, you can help share a breakfast with a needy child just by sharing the public service announcement below:


For each view, share, and comment Kellogg's will share breakfast! You can also Like, or comment on the Share Breakfast Facebook page., and pin the public service announcement on Pinterest.

I, personally, know what it is like to live below the poverty line. I grew up pretty poor, and sometimes we didn't have enough to eat. No child should have to understand that, and a program that can help support children I feel is something worth sharing. This is probably one of the easiest ways I have seen to help kids, all you need to do is comment, like, and share... things most of us do on a daily basis anyhow! So what are you waiting for? Get clicking!

The Kelllogg's Share Breakfast program ends on April 15, 2013, and Kellogg's will donate up to $250,000- the equivalent of 1.25 million school breakfasts!



I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Kellogg’s. I received a product sample as well as a promotional item as a thank-you for participating

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Dove Body Wash #DoveTruth




So, it's been a couple weeks and I've had a chance to use the Dove Body Wash with NutriumMoisture. In my last post, I was hoping to ditch the lotion routine. After using the Dove Body Wash routinely for several days, I did notice that my skin was less dry- my legs especially. I wasn't able to forgo the lotion completely (which I really feel that the very harsh Michigan winter has lead to my skin being especially dry), I was able to use lotion less.

I've been a Dove Body Wash user for a while, and I have always liked it. The new formula which includes NutriumMoisture, with 100% natural moisturizers that skin can absorb, replenishes lipids lost during cleansing to keep skin smooth and nourished. The new formula has definitely helped improve my experience with Dove Body Wash, and I do plan on continue to use Dove Body Wash.  I noticed a lot less itching due to dry, tight skin and a lot less "flaking" (you know, that white dry look that skin gets). Another great aspect of the new Dove Body Wash is how gentle it is, and yet you don't lack the luxurious feel of rich lather. The Glycinate ingredient, typically found in high-end body washes, not only reduces damage to proteins during cleansing, but also creates a soap-comparable lather that rinses cleanly.

Overall, I have been highly pleased with my experience as a Dove Mom Ambassador, and I have absolutely loved trying out the Dove Body Wash. I would recommend that everyone try it (especially if you are in need of an extra gentle or extra moisturizing body wash)! 

Check out my video review, too!

Taker a look at the video below and see how stripping some cleansers are, and check out how gentle Dove can be... and don't forget to like Dove's Facebook Page!

 I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Dove and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Google is mad at me.



So, I haven't posted in a bit. A large part of that is because our household has been stricken with illness after illness, especially the last two months, but it is also because I have been doing a lot of things behind the scenes. See, Google has taken my Page Rank away.  Now, most people won't have any clue what that is...and I really don't have perfect knowledge about it, but I know it is important.

Page Rank helps Google decide where in the search results my posts should show up. I prefer the first page of results- that would get more people to my blog....but of course, that's not up to me. So, anyhow...long story short: Google took away my Page Rank of 2 (not great, but not horrible) and put me back at 0. I have been changing links and trying to look into areas where I may not have been following Google's rules as they thought I should have. We'll see if I can get this resolved in time.

I am still here, and I still plan on blogging for all of my faithful readers! I just needed to take some time and decide that it will be okay, and I can work through this small bump in the road on my blogging journey! 
 
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