Saturday, April 30, 2011

Episencial Summer Skin Care Review and Giveaway




Episencial Summer Skin Care products are perfect for my family. We all have blue or green eyes with very sun vulnerable skin. We don't tan we burn! I have always tried to be sun safe for myself but since my son  was born I want to be sun safe and chemical free. The current brand of sunscreen we use it not chemical free and that concerned me. My husband also hated the slimy feel of our old sunscreen on my sons skin.

We tried Episencial Sunny Sunscreen for the first time on Easter. We were having a picnic and day out at the park and in the Cali sun we always need lots of sunscreen. The first thing I loved was the texture of the sunscreen. It went on my sons face smooth and absorbed quickly. He didn't even seem to notice it was on his skin. Our last brand he would rub and wipe his face form the minute I put it on him. I was a little concerned that it was only SPF 35 since I normally put SPF 50 or more on my family. I was impressed that he was not red or anything on any of his skin when we got home that night. We were in the sun for 6 hours on Easter and he was fine.

I suffer from seasonal allergies that always make me have to constantly blow my nose. No matter what brand of tissue I use I always get really dry skin around my nose. I tried the Soothing Cream on my nose before bed and woke up with almost completely healed skin. I was shocked and pleased that I now know what brand I can use for my dry skin on my face.

We walked around the baseball field by our house on a windy day last week and before we left I put the Protective Face Balm on my little guys cheeks. He tends to get dry skin and a chapped look on windy days. He had a blast running around the baseball field and when we got home he was as cute as a button as always, and no red cheeks! I will use it on the underside of his nose next time he gets a runny nose.

Overall I really liked the Episencial line of skin care. I of course love the organic ingredients and the label but I loved the most that they worked. We have sensitive skin so it was nice to find a great product that was not overwhelming with scents. I would definitely try these for your self.

Company Product Info:



Sunny Sunscreen SPF 35
Have fun in the sun without exposing your skin to harmful UVA and UVB rays or harsh chemical sunscreens using this natural blend of zinc and titanium minerals. Organic ingredients like shea butter, beeswax and avocado oil nourish and soften skin while green tea extract neutralizes sun-induced free radical damage. 

Additional Features & Benefits
•       Environmental Working Group top-rated sunscreen for safety and effectiveness.
•       Never greasy, does not leave a white residue.
•       Water-resistant




Soothing Cream
Bring comfort to dry, itchy, irritated skin with this intensely nourishing multi-purpose moisturizer featuring an organic blend of calming calendula, oat extract and borage seed to enhance natural lipids and restore moisture balance. Acidophilus and neem boost immunity while oxysomes protect skin from harsh elements. Perfect for after-sun too!

Additional Features &  Benefits
•       Multi-purpose moisturizer helps treat rashes and red, irritated skin.
•       Fortified with probiotics, and made with a 50% aloe vera base to help soothe, cool and comfort bothered skin.
•       Insider tip! Great as diaper cream for use with cloth diapers; or to sooth adult skin post shave or wax.




Protective Face Balm SPF 6
Insulate baby’s vulnerable skin from wind, sun, and the ravages of runny noses and drool-y chins with this organic licorice extract and raspberry butter infused, intensely hydrating facial balm. Also protects chapped skin with zinc derived SPF 6 and shea butter.

Additional Features & Benefits
•       Ultra-healing facial balm.
•       Soothes and hydrates, chapped cheeks and lips.


All products are:
•       Enriched with Skin Immune Complex - an exclusive blend of natural ingredients for actively healthy skin
•       Baby safe and free from the bad stuff.
•       Loaded with healthy organics.
•       Timeless for all ages, 0 – 150 years!


May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As a reminder to wear sunscreen Episencial and DermStore are having a promo sale:
Offer: Get 15% off all Episencial products with the purchase of Episencial Sunny Sunscreen!
Promo code: DSSUNNY.  
Offer valid: May 16-23 only.


EPISENCIAL GIVEAWAY: 

To Enter This Giveaway for the 3 products I tried in this review.

Visit the Episencial website Store Locator and tell me the store closest to you that carries the Episencial brand. 


*Leave a comment telling me the store near you. Be sure to leave your email address if it is not public on your Google Profile*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry.
If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Episencial on Facebook +1
-Follow Episencial on Twitter +1

-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +2
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +5 (top left hand side) 

-Enter other current giveaways on our blog +1 for each entered


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 30, 2011 and ends on May 10, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provided for free a sample of the products from Episencial mentioned in this post. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.


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Big Momma's: Like Father Like Son DVD Movie Review


Big Momma's: Like Father Like Son DVD will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on June 14, 2011. This will be just in time for Father's Day!

 My husband and I are huge movie fans. We love to spend the evening watching movies or going on a date night to the movie theater. We have watched the other Big Momma movies and thought they were hilarious! Martin Lawrence does a great job at making these movies funny with a good story line and some action. I refuse to watch the "other" actor that tries to mimic the Big Momma type of movies. Simply because I am a loyal fan to the Big Momma line! 


 The Big Momma's: Like Father Like Son movie is even more meaningful to us since we now have a son! I notice that now as we watch movies certain parts of movies reach me more now that I think like a parent. Its kinda like you never notice a certain type of car until you own one and it seems to be everywhere now.

We thought it was really funny how his step son joined him in dressing up and going  "undercover" as a woman. The movie had everything the other Big Momma movies that made them funny with the added extra dressed up character. I do not want to giveaway too much of the plot line so I won't include any spoilers. I think it was a great way to continue the Big Momma franchise in adding his step son. This movie would be great for Father's Day as a movie everyone can watch.




Starring Martin Lawrence as Big Momma and FBI agent Malcolm Turner and Brandon T. Jackson as Big Momma’s stepson Trent and grand-niece Charmaine. 

From the Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment website:

After stints as an undercover grandmother and an undercover nanny, FBI agent Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) adds “undercover housemother” to his resume in BIG MOMMA’S: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. In this hefty new comedy, Big Momma is hired to go deep undercover as the Headmistress of the Atlanta Girls’ School for the Arts attended by aspiring music student and leading love interest Haley (Jessica Lucas). Proving “like father, like son,” Turner brings along his stepson Trent (Brandon T. Jackson) to double as Big Momma’s grand-niece Charmaine and go undercover as a student in the school with hilarious results. The duo tries in vain to derail attempts by the school’s security guard (Faizon Love) to get control of the debauchery.



**Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment provided me a copy for free of this movie to review for this post. I was not paid or compensated. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.
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Friday, April 29, 2011

I missed the Royal Wedding!






I am so sad to say I missed watching the Royal Wedding. We watched a movie I am reviewing and stayed up too late and I fell asleep! I really wanted to see it live! My mom told me she watched Princess Diana get married when she was pregnant with me. I wanted to watch it with my son. I am searching for a way to watch a re-airing of it somewhere and I do not have cable tv! If you know of anywhere to see it please let me know.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Where is your Diaper!?!



Yesterday I was having a blast playing with my little guy. We were chasing each other from his room to the living room, playing with his drum (he head butts it to make it work!) and rolling the basketball back and forth. I was so happy! He is at the point where he is running to everything and has so much energy. He wants Mama to be his side kick as he plays and I adore every second of his attention.

We took a break to have some juice and he was standing by the couch leaning on it looking so cute when he had a concern look on his face and there was pee running down his leg and the whole front of his overalls were getting soaked! I found this to be very surprising since I had just changed his diaper. I thought for a moment to myself "Did I not put a diaper back on him!?" But I realized I am not going crazy over here but he had taken it off in his room when we were playing chase. I was relieved to see it clean and still closed on one side diaper on his bedroom floor. He has been doing that a lot lately, sneaking his diaper off and kicking it out the bottom of his pants of shorts. I was just glad it was only pee!

What do you do when your little one won't keep their diaper on?
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Amy Adele Free Shipping Sale






The Amy Adele store is super cute! For my sons 1st Birthday we had a custom shirt made for him that was so cute. I love it so much and snuggle it anytime I see it! We also had a custom shirt made with his nickname on it. I really like the cute characters and style of their products. They make invitations and stationary too!

They are having a FREE Shipping sale with no minimums form now until Saturday 4/30 by using the code:
FreeShip427



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Parents Magazine Cover Contest



I was standing in line at the grocery store when I read the cover of the Parents magazine. They are having the 2011 Parents Magazine Cover Contest to get your kid on the cover of their magazine. I am soooo entering my little guy in this one. I hope my sister will enter her two boys as well. I know as a mom we all think our kids are the cutest ever and we should! I just want to try to enter this one, because like I say you will not win if you don't enter! How cute would it be to see my little guy or my nephews on the cover of a magazine. I just bought the cutest ocean blue polo onsie from Kohls for my little guy and I will having his mini photo shoot tonight!

To enter:

Upload photos of your child by June 25, 2011. 10 winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to be photographed for an upcoming issue of Parents magazine! One child will appear on the cover. To enter, your child must be between 3 months and 6 years of age. See official rules here.

Vote for your favorite entries! Each weekly winner will receive $250.


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Monday, April 25, 2011

You know your geting old when.....




I had a "I'm official an adult" moment on Easter! I used the phrase, "those darn teenagers" it made me laugh after I said it because I know it means I am getting old! We were having a picnic at the park for our Easter celebration. We laid out our blanket, got our picnic basket out, and got comfy. We started to notice a few teenagers with cardboard shields and swords walking in our direction. I was a bit puzzled as to what they were doing but figured they were teenagers who knows what they are up to. Slowly over the next 15 minutes more and more teenagers dressed in cardboard armor we setting up next to us on the grass field under beautiful oak trees. I told my husband I think there is going to be a battle of some sort, then the ammo arrived! There were about 30 or more teenagers gathered next to us when they all got excited at the huge crate full of eggs that a few teenagers were walking over to the group.

At that moment I declared we really need to move our picnic! We gather up all our stuff and headed to the other end of the park just in time. We looked over to where 5 minutes early we were relaxing and there was an all out battle! These teenagers were going wild having a egg fight! There were raw eggs flying through the air and splattering all over their cardboard armor. It was funny to see them having so much fun but my thoughts were, "so much food going to waste when there are hungry people", "what about the salmanola in raw eggs" and "oh their poor mothers who have to do their laundry". I knew at that moment I am official old and a party pooper! lol

The grassy field before we had to move!
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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter



Happy Easter everyone!! We hope everyone has a happy and blessed day with the people you love!





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Friday, April 22, 2011

Space Race Web Based Cartoon Poster Review and Giveaway




I have always liked Space themed cartoons for my son. I want him to learn about space and science. We watch a few of them on tv. They are informative and I like them but I think my son isn't as engaged as he could be. When I found Space Race on the web I was so excited! It is a fun, educational web based cartoon show. The animation is stunning! The character development is something I really like. The other shows we watch are flat animation with little to no personality. The webisodes each feature one of the characters of Space Race and teach about a part of our solar system. 



Our favorite character is Eagle Windstrong. He is cool, funny and strong willed, just like my little guy!  We are very excited that Space Race will be coming out with a feature film in 2013. I know we will be eagerly awaiting the release. You can watch the trailer to the movie here.



The website is full of interactive activities you can share with your kids after you watch the webisodes. There are Coloring PagesSpace Worksheets, Space Race Online Game, and Space Race Trivia game.



Space Race Poster in his room! He was hitting everything with the shipping package the poster came in. We recycled it into a sword!

Space Race Poster Giveaway

To Enter This Giveaway

Visit the Space Race Website and tell me your Favorite Character.

*Leave a comment telling me your favorite character. Be sure to leave your email address if it is not public on your Google Profile*



Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry.
If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.

-Like Space Race on Facebook +1
-Follow Space Race on Twitter +1
 

-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +2
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +5 (top left hand side) 

-Enter other current giveaways on our blog +1 for each entered


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 22 , 2011 and ends on May 3, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provided for free the poster mentioned in this post. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

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Three Olives Olive Oil Review



Three Olives Olive Oil is the newest product offered by The Artisanal Kitchen. The Artisanal Kitchen is a website offering gourmet foods, coffees, and other delights. Their olive oil is unique and fresh in a number of ways. All of the olives used to make the oil are grown in California. They are all grown and processed on one estate. Three different types of olives are used and blended together, creating an oil that tastes rich and fruity, yet mild and mellow. Growing the olives and making the oil all in one place, gives much more control of the quality and freshness needed to to make the best possible product. All of this careful attention to detail pays off in delivering an olive oil that is delicious in taste and flavor. Combined with a loaf of warm, crusty French bread, it makes for excellent dipping.

I used it to make a vinaigrette for a salad of spinach and fresh baby greens. I also drizzled it along with seasonings on a batch of asparagus that I roasted in the oven. Each time I've used Three Olives, I have been very pleased. It definitely has a lighter and more mellow taste than the name brand oil that I normally use.

Like many of us, I'm looking for ways in the kitchen to improve my health, and my families' too. Cutting back on butter or margarine and substituting olive oil is a good idea. Olive oil is heart healthy and may help to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Three Olives Olive Oil is a new staple in my pantry. The price is also comparable to other quality oils. I can't wait to try it on salmon or a new pasta dish. Delicious!

For more information on The Artisanal Kitchen and Three Olives Olive Oil you can follow them on Twitter and be a fan on Facebook.
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Thursday, April 21, 2011

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Foundation and Gloss Balm Review



I have not always been much of a make up girl. In high school yes, after marriage not so much. I am not sure if its I did not put in the effort or I just was not sure what to buy. I have tried a few natural products over the years and had a luck with a few. But than can be expensive. I was excited to be able to review the CoverGirl line of NatureLuxe products. Since my mommy makeover on my hair and eyebrows I have been trying to put in more effort on wearing make up as well.

The foundation was light weight and had a bit of SPF which for me is a must in any foundation. It contains cucumber water and a hint of jojoba and rose hips extract. The coverage it offers worked great for me. Something that works but doesn't feel like you have make up on. Plus they carry it at Walmart and Target so be on the look out for coupons to get an even better deal.

The Gloss Balm I loved! It smells good to me and I have to have that since I am super sensitive to smells. It contains mango and shea butter which make your lips super soft and hydrated. I liked that its not a lip stick or a lip gloss but combo type of product. It gave color, a dash of shine but stayed on and did not feel slimy like some lip glosses can. It comes in 15 shades including coral, cinnamon, tulip, thistle and clay the one I tried. It was a nice subtle pink with brown hues. Plus it has a SPF of 15.

I really enjoyed theses products and plan on purchasing them again in the future. You can find info and contest from CoverGirl on their facebook page.


** I am a BzzAgent and was provided the products to use for this review for free.
I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions.
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Alphabet Circus Rock N Learn DVD Review and Giveway


After reviewing the first Rock N Learn DVD for our moms event I was thrilled to be able to review Alphabet Circus. My son loves music and these DVDs use music  and singing to easily incorporate learning. I enjoyed the circus theme and hope to next year take my little guy to a real circus. Alphabet Circus is really upbeat and fun. There is a ring master who goes through each of the letters in the alphabet using several circus themed words for each letter. I was laughing when they did "H" it was Horse and we have been trying to say the word horse and my son was trying and then the Horses were Hopping. Oh my was he excited about that! He was hopping all over the living room and trying to say horse. It sounds more like hhhowwwsss but hes trying!



I know for me as a kid I can remember all the songs that we were taught more so than facts and numbers so I really feel like the singing and dancing my son really learns from Rock N Learn. I took more pictures of him dancing but they were a blur from all his dancing. I think I need a better camera!

GIVEAWAY:

Rock N Learn has generously offered one of our lucky readers the chance to win a DVD or CD of their choice.

To Enter This Giveaway:

Mandatory entry is to Like Rock N Learn on Facebook 

*Leave a comment telling me your a facebook fan and be sure to leave your email address*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry.
If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.
 

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC (top right hand corner) +2]

-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +3
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +2   

-Follow Rock N Learn on Twitter +2
-Visit Rock N Learn and tell me what product you would pick if you won +2

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +5 (top left hand side) 

-Enter other current giveaways on our blog +1 for each entered


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 21, 2011 and ends on May 3, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provided for free the book mentioned in this post for this review. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

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Sunny Days and Jet Skis



The other day it was really nice outside. I opened up all the doors and windows and let in the sunshine. My son has a mini jet ski we got him at Toys R Us and he loves riding it. My husband picked it out and its very cool! My son dances to the music it plays and drives his jet ski all over the living room. Occasionally he likes to drive over stuffed animals and giggle when they get stick under his wheels. He has a thing for his dads white hat that now has little finger prints all over it. When I opened the door up he thought it was great to ram his jet ski into the screen door over and over. Then for a moment he turned around and gave me a sweet smile through his binkie and returned to ramming the door with his jet ski. I caught this pic just after he smiled at me. I love those moments where hes in the middle of something but then turns to make sure Mama is watching him. He melts my heart with those kinda smiles when he sees that yes he does have Mamas full attention.
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

FREE Bambi and Tangled Easter Activity Sheets

FREE Bambi and Tangled Easter Activity Sheets





These are really cute and many more than the two pictured. We LOVE Bambi and watched it many times as a kid. I still quote Thumper as he says' "Eating greens are a special treat, they give you long ears and great big feet.....but it sure is awful stuff to eat!
 
Activity sheets include:
Tangled Easter Egg Holders
Tangled Easter Brunch Recipe-Tangled Frittata
Bambi Easter Egg Holders
How to Draw Thumper
How to Draw Bambi
 
You can click here to find them all!
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World Without Fish Book Review and Giveaway 2 Winners


The book World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky is very knowledgeable and a great book for families to have. Its is so full of facts and information on how to live better with the waters around us to not only preserve animals but to preserve our food supply. For me is a bit odd to love fish since I did not eat anything other than canned tuna until I was about 20 years old. I would tell myself, "If I can swim with it I wont eat it!" Funny as a kid I never thought about tuna being from the ocean! As an adult I LOVE fish! I am allergic to shellfish so fish is the only option for me in the seafood category. My son adores fish and I am very thankful for that. My husband would eat crab, shrimp or lobster everyday if it was possible. I am am sure so many other families are the same way. We try to make the right choice for our seafood selections but this book has shown me I am not as fish friendly or informed as I thought.



This book is also about much more than the eating of fish but about the conservation of fish for other animals who rely on fish as a food source. Most people love dolphins, whales, sharks and other "cool" ocean animals but without the blue fin tuna and other fish humans love to consume they will not survive. Of course I m not saying to not eat tuna just eat the other varieties in moderation. I  think the book has a valid point of saying leave it for the animals we can find other fish to eat until the species finds it way back to thriving. I found it interesting that shark mature slowly and produce very few offspring, making it impossible to keep up with commercial fishing. I knew about albacore canned tuna being higher in mercury and other pollutants than regular tuna and I do try to avoid it, even though its tasty! Another thing I learned was about the heath benefits of sardines like being rich in omega 3. My husband always tries to get me to eat them and wants to give them to our son. Oddly I have never tried them but will definitely be tasting them in the future, not only for the health benefits but since they are in large amounts and readily available.



The book is for kids 9 years and up and for adults too. As a reader I liked the illustrations, the cartoon strips, and kid friendliness to a serious topic. Very easy to read and understand. The author Mark Kurlansky is a commercial fisherman and wrote the book with his young daughter in mind. I know it may sound cliche but children really are the future. I know I want my son when he is big enough to understand this knowledge to be aware if what we can do as consumers to make the oceans and the animals in it thrive.



This book is full of of great facts I could go on forever about all the stuff I learned but that would ruin the book for you! World Without Fish also covers pollution, climate change and information on how to eat seafood that is more sustainable.


Here is a list of some fun facts to share with your family from the book
10 Fascinating Fish Facts from World Without Fish 
(I found the part about Orange Roughy very interesting to share since I love it but have not bought it in a few years for the reasons stated in the book)
A video of Mark and his daughter discussing the book here. If you would like to hear Mark speak and have him sign your book you can visit him on his book tour. Dates and times are located here.


BOOK GIVEAWAY 2 Winners

To Enter This Giveaway

Follow me on Google Friends Connect (GFC top right corner)

*Leave a comment telling me your a GFC follower. Be sure to leave your email address if it is not public on your Google Profile*

Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry.
If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.
 

-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +3
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +2
-Like Workman Publishing on Facebook +2
-Follow Workman Publishing on Twitter +2 

-Add our button to your blog and leave a link of where it is located +5 (top left hand side) 

-Enter other current giveaways on our blog +1 for each entered


*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts April 19 , 2011 and ends on April 30, 2011 at midnight PST.  Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. I was provided for free the book mentioned in this post for this review. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.



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365 Thank Yous: The Year A Simple Act Of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life Book Review




365 Thank Yous: The Year A Simple Act Of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life
By John Kralik

John Kralik opens his life to us in this surprisingly honest and heartfelt story. In 2007 John, an attorney, finds himself being a very unhappy person. He is constantly broke, despite having his own law practice and firm. He is in the middle of his second divorce, not at all close to his grown sons, being sued, overweight, unhealthy, and just plain miserable. The two lights of his life are his sweet and lovely seven year old daughter, and the girlfriend he adores. Unfortunatley, his girlfriend has just dumped him. Could his life get any worse? Hiking through the mountains on New Years Day, John broods about everything, including the fact that he is really alone. Out of nowhere, he hears a voice, warning him that unless he is grateful for the things he has, he will never receive the things he wants. This is what leads John into his writing of 365 thank you notes. He writes notes to everyone. His family, his friends, his clients, his hair dresser, even his local barista at Starbucks. At the heart of each note is a simple thank you. Gradually, the changes begin in Johns' life. Many of the problems he has either go away or are lessened. He reconnects with his sons, dear old friends become a part of his life again, the lawsuit against him is thrown out. Even his financial situation greatly improves. He comes to understand that he is a man with a blessed life.

I enjoyed this book very much. I felt a lot of compassion for the author and was rooting for him to change his life around. The story moves along at a nice pace, keeping you interested. After reading this book one might be inspired to start writing some thank you notes of their own. Saying thank you is such a simple thing to do. But as this book clearly shows us, it could change your life.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book you can find it at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. The book is also available in eBook format.


**I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided the book mentioned in this review for free by the publisher.
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Monday, April 18, 2011

Nightmares and Happy Things

Last night at around 3 am my 4 year old JJ was standing in the hallway crying. I woke up and went out there to see what was going on. As he cried he told me that he was afraid of the "bad guys that were burning the babies". I wasn't sure that I heard him correctly with all of the crying so I made him repeat it. There were bad guys and they were burning babies is what he told me (broke me heart), he was obviously dreaming but he still doesn't get the concept that it is a dream and not reality. We talked about it for a little bit and I explained that it was not real and that we are here to protect him and all that jazz... Well he was still so spooked he cried about going back to his own room. I felt so sorry for him so I let him come in our bed for the rest of the night. He was satisfied with that and climbed in. Again he told me what happened and whenever he has a nightmare I tell him to think about happy things. I told him to think about Dora (the explorer), turtles (they are the animal of the hour around here), and my husband threw in bunnies (for Easter time?). JJ interrupted our list of happy things with this- JJ: Mom. Me: Yes honey JJ: Mom Me : (Again) Yes honey JJ: I am going to think about Mom because that is a happy thing. Thinking about you Mom makes me happy. OH HELP ME I started tearing up and my heart exploded right then and there at 3:15 am as we were all huddled under the covers, drifting off to sleep, thinking about our happy things. I love being a Mom :)
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Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure DVD Release on 4/19



Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure DVD Release on 4/19 is only a few days away! I watched the DVD and it was cute. Lots of music and Dogs! My son was dancing to the music and shouting "DOG" every time he saw Sharpay's dog. Sharpay is spoiled and has to get use to the life on her own no maid, no chef and no money. Her dog is not allowed in place she was going to live so she has to make new plans. ( that happens to us all in life, we make plans and the world changes them for us!) There is a love interest in this movie of Sharpay's moms friends son who is a amateur film maker. I will not say too much more as to not spoil the movie for anyone. Its really cute and one of those movies where there is a happy ending! Disney movies are always great!



Here are some fun facts about the movie behind the scenes:

THERE WERE NO DOGGIE DISASTERS!
“Thankfully, there weren’t any doggy mishaps on the set of Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure,” giggles actor Bradley Steven Perry. The dogs were really good on the set. They were really well trained and well behaved. They were a joy to work with!”

ASHLEY CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY ON THE SHARPAY SET!
“It’s my birthday on July 2, but I had to work it last year because I was busy shooting Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure,” reveals Ashley. “I ended up celebrating it on the set, which was really cool! The cast and crew decorated my trailer and we had some amazing birthday cake. It was definitely a birthday to remember!” 

THE NEW MOVIE IS VERY DIFFERENT TO HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!
Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure isn’t a musical, but there are definitely musical elements to the movie,” reveals Ashley. “Sharpay gets to perform some great musical routines, which were a lot of fun to work on. Trust me… You’re going to love it!”

ASHLEY’S MOM JOINED HER ON THE SET!
“Whenever I had time off from the movie, I would hang out with my mom,” says Ashley. “I was so happy that she came along to Toronto, where we shot the movie. I love my mom! She was always helping out whenever she could!”

THE NEW DVD IS CRAMMED WITH EXTRAS!
“There are lots of fun extras on the DVD and Blu-Ray discs for Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure,” giggles Ashley. “There are behind-the-scenes features on the making of the movie, as well as a piece on the evolution of Sharpay’s wardrobe."



A $8 off coupon for this DVD is available here. Its always great to save money on DVDs. It leaves more money for popcorn!



** I was provided a copy of Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure to review for my post. I was not paid or compensated. The extra info about behind the scenes was provided by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sometimes the box is as good as the item inside



My son loves it when the mail man, UPS or FedEx guys comes to our house. He claps his little hands when he sees a box. He doesn't want what is inside he wants to hold the box, stand on it, or smash it. Its so cute! My sister and nephew have used the term "special delivery" for when we get stuff to review. We now call it that in our house. I was in the office the other day and my husband yelled to me "Special Delivery" I came out of the room and my little guy was holding the UPS box waiting for me to let him destroy it! He loves the boxes that are big enough to climb into. Its such a cute phases when they just want the box, I will savor until the time when he is big enough to tell me he wants an XBOX!! lol
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Bright Starts Convertible Cart Cover Review






I have tried my hardest not to be a germ a phobe. My husband tells me all the time now to not freak out so much. Before my son was born I was way worse than I am now. I try to go with the flow a bit more. I did not buy a cart cover when my son was first born since I thought there is no way I would ever put him in one of those carts. My plan was to keep him in his stroller while I shop. Well motherhood has taught me that what I thought before I was a Mom is nothing of what the reality of being a mom is!! My son hates being in the stroller in a store. Outside or at the park he loves it but in the store he wanted to sit in the cart. The first time I let him was when it was pouring down rain and there was no way I would be able to get him in his stroller without him getting soaked.

I was a bit worried since the first thing he did was bite the cart handle that I am sure hundreds of people had touched. Well I did not let it bug me I figured and my husband pointed out, my mom raised 5 kids without a cart cover and we were fine! But after about two months of cart riding he did lick the handle and within an hour of returning home he was sick! I blamed the cart, I am sure it could have been something else and a cold here and there is good for his immune system. I still wanted a cart cover for the times when I think he needs one and for if he is sick he wont spread his germs all over the cart. I did not want a regular cart cover. Some of them seem very big and not as cute as I wanted. I found the Bright Starts Convertible Cart Cover and it is perfect for what I wanted. It is colorful and functions as a mini play mat too.



The Bright Starts cart cover also works for most restaurant high chairs. I like this function since my little boy has the tendency to wipe his hands all over any high chair I put him in. The cover made it easier to just pick up the cover toss it into a bag and wash it when we got home. It held up great in the wash and its easy to roll up and toss into the backseat of the car. When I rolled it out as a mat he jumped on it and started doing sit ups. He cracks me up with his workouts! You can buy this cute cart cover at Target, Toys R Us and Walmart for $19.99.


You can be a fan of Bright Starts on facebook. They are having a facebook contest to win the InGenuity Collection.



** I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free the item in this post for review purposes.
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Friday, April 15, 2011

Tumbleweed Tantrum


The first time I saw my son do what I now call the "Tumbleweed Tantrum" I laughed. I was really shocked he could get so upset over anything to just flop onto the floor and lay all the way out and roll over from his tummy to back over and over. He has been doing this for about a week and I am worried he may get hurt if he does this in public. I know its normal kids throw fits but oh my he rolls around like a wild tumbleweed! I have done the just ignore it, the talk to him to see what he is upset about and the pick him up and comfort him. Well he is just as mad and at times even more mad if I address him and what has made him mad. It seems it just he is either tired or hungry and something minor has made him ticked! So for now I will offer him his giraffe ( his best friend!) or his juice and he seems to mellow out. It just shocking to now see my sweet little Bubba get so mad he tumbles around about it. My husband wants to capture it on film so we can remember one day the CUTE way he used to get mad, as I am sure it won't be as cute when hes big lol. All these emotions in someone so small is amazing to see.
What funny things has your little one done when they get mad?
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Scrubbing Bubbles and Lemon Pledge Review

 Since my clean freak days are out the window now being a mom.  I realize when I do take the time to clean it needs to be with products that work without much effort. I have tried to avoid harsh chemicals when I can but sometimes it seems things such as the bathtub will not get clean. I tried the Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer and was not impressed at all! It smelled really bad and I still hard to scrub the tub just as much as with organic cleaners. For me not worth the chemicals to use. But I really liked the Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaning Gel. It was fun to use, odd but for me it was lol. I put two of them in the toilet just so I could use the mini wand dispenser twice! It actually works too! They are a little gel pack that with each flush it cleans the bowl. I do have to say for houses with little ones you will need a toilet lid lock since I am sure they can be pulled off the inside of the toilet.

I also test some Lemon Pledge. I have not used Lemon Pledge in over 10 years! Its something I really forgot about as a brand. The lemon smell brought back fond memories of my mom cleaning her beautiful hutch with all the picture frames on it. My sister and I would help sometimes but mainly watch. Lemon Pledge seems classic, however I did not like that it came in an aerosol can. Maybe they can make a spray bottle version.
I loved the smell of lemon! Its funny how a smell can be associated with the thought of clean.




We were also sent some new scents from Glade. I put the Crisp Waters plugin in the bathroom and it was pleasant. I have to have subtle scents or it gives me a migraine. The candle I placed in my office was Sparkle Spring. I did not light it though since I can smell it without using it. I am sure other people who do not get migraines would enjoy using it as a candle. It is a nice scent.


** I am a BzzAgent and was provided the products to use for this review for free.
I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions.

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