Wednesday, February 29, 2012

This has definitely become my motto!

I know we have all seen this by now. I bought this cup last week just because I thought it would be great to drink my afternoon tea out of when I'm on the go. But it just occurred to me that "Keep Calm and Carry On" is really something we should all try to do for our own sake. For my health and peace of mind, I'm going to start doing this.

Did you all know that this actually came from an old WWII poster in England? It was a proclamation from the Queen in hopes of keeping everyone calm and functional during the war years. So it's really just the thing to drink my tea out of. Maybe I should make some scones to go with it. Sounds yummy to me!
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Hartstrings Kids Clothing Online Leap Year Sale Promo Code for 25% Off


Shopping online is almost a hobby for me! I love to find great buys with sales and using promo codes. I will not shop at a online store unless there is some sort of discount. Call me frugal but I feel its a great incentive to shop at a companies online store. You can find promo codes for a brand on their website newsletters, twitter and facebook accounts.



Shopping for my son online has to be my favorite thing to shop for. I can pick his size then go from there. He does not need to try stuff on and he wears anything I pick out for him. I recently learned about an online store Hartstrings.com 

The site is easy to navigate and I can even shop by size. It makes it much easier to shop that way. I often find something super cute only to realize its not in his size. This way I can see what I can select from and it makes it much more enjoyable to put together an outfit.




Hartstrings has super cute boys and girls clothing from size newborns to boys 14 and girls 16.  They have classic cute clothing for all occasions. Casual and formal clothing that your little ones will look great in. I have been wanting to get my sons pictures taken again and wanted a new outfit for him but also something he could wear afterward.

I have always wanted to get him a jean jacket but since he is growing like a weed I was never sure how long he could wear it. Now that he wears a 2T - 3T he seems to have stayed that size for this winter and upcoming spring. Corduroy has always been a favorite of mine. It has great texture and is just so cute on little boys. I found a great price on a classic denim jacket, tan corduroy pants and a green plaid button shirt to go with them making a nice outfit for my son. Plus I can mix and match the pants and jacket into his current wardrobe.




I found these three items all on sale and used a Promo Code. The total cost was only $39 for high quality clothing.




From now until midnight Wednesday February 29th 2012 Hartstrings.com is having a Leap Year Sale. You can save 25% off your order with the promo code: LEAP29

With the code my total went from $52 to $39! This would be a great opportunity to purchase some Spring and Easter clothing for the upcoming holidays. Many pictures will be taken and with Hartstrings your kids can look cute and stylish!

You can learn more about Hartstrings as well as keep up to date with sales and promo codes by following them on twitter and being a fan on facebook.

I even found super cute pajamas for only $13.60 before the 25% off. I would have gotten them too but they were not in my sons size.






*This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. 
All opinions expressed in this shop are my own and your experience may vary. #Cbias
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Making Winter Care Kits with Energizer and Champions for Kids #EnergizerCFK






I love that through the power of my blog I am able to share ways to donate to the community around you. I have always done the holiday donations like most people and we do our best to give to food and diaper drives. Since finding the non profit organization Champions for Kids I have been energized to give each month a donation or my time. Champions for Kids makes it easy to know what to donate by each month giving you ideas of what to do and giving you a place to report back to. Its a great organization.



Earlier in the week I went shopping to make an Energizer Light Up a Life Winter Care Kit to donate to a local charity. I shopped at Walmart to buy batteries, flashlights, first aid items, anti bacterial items, winter hats and gloves, water, snacks and activities. The Winter Care Kits are geared towards what kids would need in an emergency. Here in California there is rain and cold that does knock out the power and during the summer months there are rolling black outs when the power grids get over whelmed causing the lights to go out. As a kid having your own flashlight, snacks and activities makes it easier to get through situations that can be scary.

I purchased Snoopy band-aids for my kit. Love the Peanuts characters!

I found many great emergency kit items in the travel section including this to go first aid kit.

Hand wipes with anti-bacterial are a must have. I like to purchase Wet Ones for the quality.

Batteries are a must have item for any emergency kit.

I found the cutest cartoon character flashlights made by Energizer.

These mini flashlights are good to have too.

I like to use rechargeable batteries in items. It saves money and the environment.

Any Winter Survival kit needs hats and gloves.

Your kit should also include extra regular batteries for times when your rechargeable are out and you have no way to plug in the charger.


Snack food items are important for survival but also to keep kids feeling like things are normal. I wanted to get granola bars and fruit snacks since they are kid friendly and not too high in salt. I included some yogurt bites in my kit for a tasty snack that requires no refrigeration. Dried fruits and raisins would be good too. Water is a must have and I purchased the junior sized waters that make it easier for kids to carry. I think water bottles are easier to use to keep track of your supply and less likely to spill.








My parents always found a way to make times during a storm much more relaxed with board games so I purchased a few decks of cards. They are small enough to fit into a bag and can be used for all sorts of card games. I also included glow in the dark bracelets for fun and function. I thought that a necklace might be a bit of a hazard in the dark but a bracelet would be fun.






I took my son with me to donate our Energizer Winter Survival Kit to a local charity that helps families with kids transition to a home with job training and life skills. I selected this charity since they help families who are homeless. It can happen to anyone who loses a job then their home, I want to be able to make transitional living just a bit easier with my donations. The manager will make sure my kit is donated to a family that lives there.


Giving our donation to the charity manager I was telling her everything that was included in the kit.

My son at Home Start donating our Energizer Champions for Kids Winter Survival Kit #EnergizerCFK








You can learn more about Champions for Kids and Energizer by visiting their websites:



 You can read my Google+ story all about our shopping trip and donation here.



*This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. 
All opinions expressed in this shop are my own and your experience may vary. #Cbias #EnergizerCFK #ChampionsforKids
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iPlay Insulated Waterproof Winter Coat Review and Giveaway




A winter coat is a must have no matter what part of the USA you live in. We dont get the snow like some people do here in CA but we get wind and rain that requires a good coat. My son is out growing his current winter coat and I wanted to find him one that was durable and stylish. I also wanted to make sure it had a touch of brown, its oddly one of my favorite colors. His current coat is brown but my husband thinks maybe a bit more color will have him seen better so I picked a blue coat.

iPlay makes cute clothing for kids that is safe for kids by the products that make the clothing. They use organic cotton  and the coat contains no PVC while still being waterproof. We reviewed a Waterproof Insulated Jacket that is great for the winter and rainy spring time.  My son looks cute in blue and I know he will be able to wear the coat again next year.




Product info about the coat:
Warm waterproof winter jacket. Elastic around hood helps keep ears warm. Front pockets to keep little hands warm and zip-front closure. Girls’ has elastic gathering in back. Waterproof microfiber with hypoallergenic poly fill insulation and microfleece lining.




GIVEAWAY

Win a iPlay Waterproof Insulated Winter Coat in your choice of size and blue or pink color.
 

To Enter This Giveaway: (mandatory entry before extra entries)


What other iPlay Outerwear item do you like?

*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*

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 iPlay Inc. on Facebook +1
-Follow iPlay Inc. on Twitter +1

-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
-Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)

-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)

#Win a Insulated Waterproof Coat from @iplayinc at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 03/07 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2012/02/iplay-insulated-waterproof-winter-coat.html

*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts February 28th, 2012 and ends on March 7th, 2012 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. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.
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Monday, February 27, 2012

2 month mark!


Love the creases in the legs!


2 month old? I know we always say time flies when they are so little, but really it does. Miss Ashley is already a little over 2 months old! She has been my "best" baby. She hardly fusses, she sleeps really well and is always smiling :) We love this little girl more and more every day.
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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Fruit And Veggie Love At Seattle's Pike Place Market





One of my favorite places in Seattle is The Pike Place Market. It's very well known as a tourist attraction here in the city and the crowds do get heavy with visitors in the summer time. Over ten million visitors pass through here a year. I was here last Tuesday and it wasn't crowded at all. It was really lovely to stroll down through the main arcade and look at all the produce that was for sale.


The colors are so beautiful that I just had to start snapping pictures! I love buying vegetables here because I am helping to support all the farmers who come here from all over Washington State to sell their produce. The quality is always excellent, too. Did you know that at one time the Market was going to be bulldozed and a parking lot put in it's place? Fortunately, the citizens of Seattle rallied together to save it and give it historical preservation status, insuring that it will be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy. I love Pike Place Market and all it has to offer. Some people say it's the heart of Seattle. I agree.



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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Spring is Coming



I am getting happier as it gets closer to March 1st. To me that means Springtime! I am loving that it stays lighter out a bit longer. I can feel that the warm weather is on the way. No more cold nights, no more running the heater and shorts weather will be here soon. I want to plant a garden, make sun tea and have picnics at the park. My son has changed so much since last Spring and I am looking forward to the many new experiences we will have. I want to get him his own little fishing pole for the lake and a mini pool so I can show him the basics of swimming.

What are the signs for you Spring is coming and what do you look forward to this year?
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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Magic Mouse Toys in Seattle


My family and I moved to the Seattle area when my youngest child Megan was six years old. We loved walking in all the different neighborhoods in Seattle and making new discoveries of things we liked. In Pioneer Square we found the most delightful toy store called Magic Mouse Toys.

This has become our favorite toy store, and we have come here many times through-out the years to pick out birthday and Christmas presents. There are two floors filled with the most beautiful and unique toys imaginable. Dolls, puzzles, educational toys, games, cars and more will be sure to completely delight you and your child. And if you don't have a child, this magical store will delight the child in you.

My daughter Megan is all grown up now. We were recently walking by Magic Mouse Toys and I said to her "Remember?"

So if you are in Seattle, or planning to visit Seattle, go to Magic Mouse Toys. Like the name says, this store really is Magic.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

T-Fal 2-Slice Avante Deluxe Toaster Review


I love using a toaster. Bread, english muffins, eggo waffles, toaster strudel and my favorite bagels! My last toaster was attacked by ants on a hot summer day when a toaster strudel got over cooked and I could not get it out. While attempting to extract my burnt strudel the side was torn and sticky cinnamon goo went everywhere. Then the ants came! It was not good! Some of the ants even got stuck inside the toaster and the toaster was ruined. I have been weary of getting a new one until I knew what needed to be improved on my toaster so this did not happen again. Mainly the extraction of toasted items is when things are broken or torn on your toasted delights. With this in mind I looked for a toaster that would make it easy to get items out of it.

The T-Fal 2-Slice Avante Deluxe Toaster was just what I was looking for. The toasting area is at an angle so it makes it easy to see and remove your toast. Pus it has a lift button that pushes your item up above the toaster level for an easy grab of your toasted items. This toaster has two other great functions that I have not has on a toaster. 


The bagel button made me say "oh yes!" Since I am a huge bagel fan this was an awesome feature for me. The first time I made a bagel I did not push the button just to be able to compare the results. The first bagel came out burnt and I wondered if I really did to use the bagel button. I tried it again using the button and it came out perfect! Not too tasty and warm all the way through. The stop button is great too. If you see its getting to toasted you push is and up pops your toast.



The angled design provides effortless viewing of the bread while toasting as well as safe and easy removal of toast. With 1200 watts of power this toaster toasts bread 40 percent faster than conventional toasters. The extra-wide self adjusting slots that are ideal for any bread thickness so you'll get perfect toast every time.
  • Bagel toasting technology toasts the inside and gently warms the outside
  • One touch light-up function to toast frozen breads
  • 7 customized toasting levels for desired browning quality
  • Brushed stainless steel front with cool-touch exterior
  • Stop button stops toasting process at any time





If you are in the market for a toaster I would recommend this one since its simple but up to date on cool extras like a slanted angle for easy pull out, a lift lever to push the toast to you, a Bagel button (so cool!) and a stop button.



*I was not paid for our review. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others. I was provided the product mentioned in this post to review for free from the PR company that represents them. 
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