reviews

cheap flights!!

Southwest Airlines has launched an air fare sale in which some flights cost the same as what other carriers charge to check a bag. Dallas-based Southwest on Tuesday announced one-way travel as low as $25, based on the length of the flight. 

The discount carrier says fares are $25 for travel up to 375 miles. The price is $50 for travel between 375 and 549 miles, and $75 for flights between 550 and 999 miles.

Its only a 72 hour sale, so if you need to travel get over there!!

bubbles to bubbly philly

Last night I had a terrific time at  Wisk Bubbles to Bubbly Philly Party! As usual, it was great to catch up with some of my favorite local mom bloggers in real life! Sarah from Genesis Moments was our hostess with the mostest and bubble expert.

After chatting, we headed into the Bubble Lab. First we learned about laundry detergent. (I usually don't give much thought to detergent - I tend to just buy whats on sale.) Turns out that more bubbles does not equal cleaner clothes. Wisk HE laundry detergent saves your HE washer by having less bubbles.

Then we learned about a  type of bubble that is much more fun, but not as much a part of my daily routine: Champagne!! We tasted some different priced champagne, trying to guess which one was more expensive. Turns out that more bubbles, and tiny bubbles, means it is a better bubbly! Who knew?

And now I want to share the fun contest that LaundryHe.com is running. Test your Bubble IQ and enter to win a HE washer & dryer at LaundryHE. And because we know that all HE machines require HE detergent, they are also giving away five one-year supplies of Wisk HE detergent, as well as 5 bottles away daily. And you can enter up to once a day for a month for the chance to win. Fun! 

It was a great night, a great party and a great group of ladies! Thanks so much, Sarah and Wisk, for bringing Bubbles to Bubbly to Philly!!

bought a baby einstein dvd in the last 5 years?

The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC) has announced that anyone who has purchased a Baby Einstein DVD or VHS in the last five years can receive a full refund.  Why?

In 2006, the CCFC issued a complaint to the FTC about Disney’s practice of marketing Baby Einstein videos as “educational.”

You can read more about this story on the CCFC’s website or go onto Baby Einstein’s site to see their full refund and moneyback guarantee.  If you’re interested, check it out soon as the offer expires in March of 2010.

video games for little ones from ubisoft

This morning I had a great time meeting some blogging friends at Barnes & Noble to talk with Ann from Ubisoft (a company that makes games for Nintendo DS, Playstation, wii, PSP, etc) to  see some new games for kids and talk about what moms look for and how we choose the games our kids play. It was a great time and I got to see some really cool games. Here are a few of my favorites:

• imagine: Wedding Designer - Gracie sat quietly for about 30 minutes and planned a whole wedding. (Let me remind you that she is only FIVE.) She loved, loved, LOVED it - she's already asking when she can get her own DS so she can play again. I actually thought it looked really cool and want to take a turn. They take something that girls would love - like a Makeover game - and take it to the next level by not just doing makeovers, but having you run your own salon! What a great game for a little girl.
• Battle of Giants Dragons - I love how they have taken something older boys will love - fantasy, dragons and battles - and made it cool and age appropriate. As a mom, can I just say thank you? Its refreshing to see a game with fighting that is not full of guts and gore.
• Style Lab: Jewelry Design - This is so cool. You design your own jewelry. Then you can upload them to the Style Lab website and they will send you your creation!! How fun is that?

Now we're at the stage in our house where we are starting to outgrow the Leapster and not sure where to go next. This convinced me that the Nintendo DS is probably the way to go. There are so many games that our girls will totally love and it will be a good investment, since surely Colin will grow into it before I know it! If you're looking for some great gifts for the little gamers in your life, check Ubisoft out!

jenerations baby: natural & organic hair and body care products

I was recently contacted by the people at jenerations baby. I was immediately blown away by their commitment to products are made with the finest natural and organic ingredients that create only the safest and highest quality products for your children. I was intrigued and agreed to give them a try.

What they say about it:

• It contains no sulfates, parabens or tea tree oil and lavender which scientists say disrupt a child’s hormone levels
• jenerations baby^® is committed to being on the forefront of scientific research, changing the products as necessary
• completely hypoallergenic, physician-tested and includes two versions of children’s shampoo/bodywash, detangling conditioner, moisturizing lotion, and even hair gel, all made with only the safest natural and organic ingredients.
• A salon owner, Jennifer Reilly developed the products to perform to salon standards
• jenerations baby^® has an impressive celebrity client following including stars Holly Robinson Peete, Angela Bassett and Ali Landry.

What I say:

I got to try out the duo shampoo/bodywash and conditioner set and the hair gel. I'm totally in love with the hair gel. It smoothed my girls' crazy hair nicely and held it in place (as much as a 5 year-old's hair is ever in place!) It wasn't sticky and didn't make their hair feel stiff and gross.

The shampoo and conditioner was perfect for my baby boy. It smelled wonderful - clean, not over fragranced or flowery. And his yogurt-covered head was squeaky clean when I was done, his hair soft and smooth. He has very sensitive skin and it didn't bother him even the tiniest bit.

I love how jenerations baby is committed to being organic, completely hypoallergenic and free of any harmful chemicals.  And their commitment to keep up with scientific research, so I can trust that they are ahead of the game on what is safe for our kids. AND a portion of their proceeds go to Asperger’s education and research. This is a company I can trust with my baby!

jenerations baby is available at www.jenerationsbaby.com , buy buy Baby, www.babiesrus.com and many other stores throughout the U.S.

disclosure: as stated above, i received a shampoo, conditioner and hair gel to review. i was not compensated financially for this review.

gifts that give back

vera bradley's market tote bags:  They are available only at participating retailers October 17 through November 2 for $18. $10,000 of the proceeds of these market bags will be donated to The Hunger Project (THP), a non-profit that works to end hunger and poverty in Africa, Latin America and South Asia. THP will use this funding in its work to mobilize communities, empower women, and forge effective partnerships with governments so that women, men and children in the developing world can end their own hunger and poverty and become self-reliant.Like you needed another excuse to go indulge in some Vera!

avons crusade tote: This adorable tote is designed by Marimekko. (ultra hip!) Its only $10 and $6.24 of each sale goes directly to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. So cute!! 

Oceana’s Adopt a Creature program: It provides a fun and meaningful baking gift for all ages and generates important funds for Oceana’s efforts to protect coral reefs, address climate change, protect sea creatures and promote a healthy and abundant ocean.  Oceana’s Adopt a Creature set offers online shoppers up to 6 sea creature cookie cutters and 4 sea creature plush toys they can virtually adopt in someone else’s name. Gift recipients receive an adoption certificate, creature facts and a sugar cookie recipe with the cookie cutters. Such a cute idea for the little environmentalist in your life!

fresh minerals

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by freshMinerals, a mineral makeup line that offers great products at a a great price. I've been using mineral foundation for awhile now, but I've never used any mineral makeup beyond that.They sent me the SlyEye Collection and a Luxury lipstick to try out.

What they say:

• Mineral make-up is the most simple and natural product you can put on your skin.
• The ingredients in mineral make-up allow the skin to breathe and doesn’t block or clog the skins pores.
• Mineral make-up offers protection from UVA light and protects the skin from environmental pollutants.
• Their products are water resistant, so they won’t come off with perspiration. freshMinerals make-up lasts all day with no need to re-apply.

What I say:
I applied the black super volume mascara and black pencil liner makeup that first morning and went about my crazy busy day. My husband came home that night and asked me if I was going out.
"What? Why?"
"Your makeup!"
My eye makeup actually stayed on all day long and that was so odd that my husband noticed and mentioned it. I've never found mascara that stayed on like that - this is big, people. The Luxury lipstick wouldn't budge either. Incredible.
What has sold me on freshMinerals - besides how long they last - is their prices. The SlyEye Kit is only $12. If you went to Target and picked up a mascara, an eyeliner and a liquid eyeliner - not even mineral versions - it would cost you more than that. Why wouldn't you get for a higher quality version from freshMinerals?

disclosure: as stated above, i received a sly eye kit and luxury lipstick to review. i was not compensated financially for this review.

sugarloaf crafts festival **giveaway**

***This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Sharon and Melissa!! Enjoy the festival!!***

I am so excited to go to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival the weekend of November 6-8 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. There will be more than 300 acclaimed artists from around the country exhibiting and selling their original handmade art, including pottery, fiber, and other fine art. The show will also feature live demonstrations, gourmet foods, and family entertainment. What a perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays!

Dozens of specialty food purveyors will offer delectable confections and gourmet creations for sample and purchase. Visitors can learn how Sugarloaf artisans make their one-of-a-kind treasures during live demonstrations of paper and pottery making, metal spinning, iron forging, woodturning, and furniture painting. Interactive childrens' entertainment will be provided by Middle Earth Studios.

As you may know, I LOVE handmade gifts and adore Etsy, so you can bet I will be shopping up a storm!!  Would you like to join me?

Sugarloaf Craft Festival is giving TWO lucky Girlymama readers a pair of tickets to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival! Here's how to enter:

1. Contest ends Friday, October 23.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite type of craft.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog, Tweeting about it, emailing  friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader) OR by joining the Sugarloaf Craft Festival fan page on Facebook.
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!!

the busy people's fast and frugal cookbook **giveaway**

***This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Grace, comment #41!***

Today is the launch of the new cookbook, The Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook by Dawn Hall, and I was able to get an advance look.

What they say about it:

• Perfect recipes for any cook with little time and even less money.
• Dawn Hall shows home cooks how to prepare simple and fast food that’s as healthy as it is easy on the budget.
• Every recipe is low-fat, budget-friendly, seven ingredients or less and prepared, start to finish, in 30 minutes or less.

What I say about it:

I like that it contains all types of meals – appetizers, breakfast, brunch, soups, side dishes, breads, main meals, desserts, beverages, salads, and so on. The book is set up for quick browsing and easy meal prep.  For example, recipes are sectioned off by how long they take to prepare. She also includes a wonderful sidebar section for each recipe with a supply list for the meal,  a divided grocery list for the meal, and recipe suggestions to complete the meal along with a timeline to help you get that meal on the table. Its well-organized and easy to follow.

I did wish that she used less packaged and processed foods. I know they can be faster and cheaper, but tend to not be as healthy. However, you could easily substitute fresh or unprocessed ingredients and modify the recipes as you wish.

Overall  this is a great cookbook full of recipes you will actually make. If you like Sandra Lee or Rachel Ray, you'll like this! It would make a good gift for a busy working mom or a college student navigating the kitchen for the first time. 

Dawn Hall is giving a lucky Girlymama reader their very own copy of The Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook. Here's how to enter:

1. Contest ends Friday, October 23.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me your favorite fast and frugal meal.
4. Entry #3:  Leave another comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting about it on your blog, Tweeting about it, emailing  friends, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
5. Winners will be selected by Random.org, announced back here on this post, and notified via email with further instructions.

Good luck!!!

***
Obligatory Disclaimer: as stated above, i received a copy of this cookbook to review. i was not compensated financially.

disney on ice - bringing disney magic to philadelphia

Last night, thanks to Mom Central and the Feld Family Activator Program my family was at opening night of Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic in Philly. To say that my girls were super-dooper-crazy-excited would be the understatement of the year! They were off-the-wall bonkers excited!

It was, of course, amazing. What else do you expect from Disney? The costumes, sets, the special effects and skating were all completely incredible. And our kids were in awe. We left Colin at home and brought Ellie's friend, who had never been to Disney, and it was so, so sweet to witness her first time seeing Disney characters in real life. My very favorite part was when the scene would change and suddenly a whole new set of characters would come out. They would shriek and yell, "Mom! MOM!! Look!! Its BELLE!!! SCREAMMMM!!!" My husband and I enjoyed the show too (I loved it being the total Disney nut that I am) but the very best part was watching the kids.

The pictures we captured will tell the story much better than I can:

"Its SNOW WHITE!!!!!"

waving to Mickey                                      Dancing along

     the finale (so cool)                          getting up close and personal

If you're in Philly and you have little people in your life, you don't want to miss this show! And Mom Central is offering a super discount: use the coupon code MOM at www.ComcastTix.com in the promotional box — for four tickets for $44 for Monday through Friday matinee shows, and $4 off Friday night and weekend shows.
You don't want to miss out on the chance to see some Disney magic in your own backyard!!