reviews

Zhu-niverse Tour

The Kung Zhu™ are teaming up with the rest of the Zhu Zhu Pets™ family and are taking the country by storm on the nationwide Zhu-niverse Tour.

The Zhu-niverse Tour will include games and activities that will have families interacting with their favorite Zhu Zhu Pets™ and Kung Zhu™ Special Forces and Ninja Warriors in an exciting new way!

Click here for more information about the tour

The Zhu-niverse Tour will stop at The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia on July 28-August 1. Go check it out!

Aqua Net UpDo

This must be the hottest summer ever in the history of the world. Okay, maybe its not THAT hot, but it has been realllllly hot this summer. And my hair shows it. Yuck. Enter Aqua Net UpDo:  it sets any style and dries soft - not hard and flakey, lasts all day, feels light and doesn’t weight hair down, doesn’t give the “wet look” of other gels and offers a hint of shimmer. 

It works great, both on my hair and my little girls'. Their hair is so soft, it usually just slips out of the ponytail holder or barrette and just ends up a disaster. But adding a touch of Aqua Net UpDo made a huge difference - and they loved the hint of shimmer. (It really is a hint. You won't like like you sneezed in a bucket of glitter, don't worry.)

Aqua Net UpDo has some great tips on how to stay cool and look chic with a summer updo. They’re quick and easy and can easily hide any bad hair day:

• Try a different kind of ponytail! Braid the “tail” part, tease your roots before gathering hair in the elastic, or put a bump a la “Jersey Shore” in your pony!
• Try a braided bun! Create two braids on either side of your hair (starting with the hair above the ears). Take the braids and the rest of your hair and gather into a low, messy bun.
• Try a casual, sexy updo by pulling all the hair to one side of the head and making a low bun. Pull some strands of hair free from the opposite side of the bun and let them hang free.

Aqua Net Updo is availableat supermarkets and drug stores for around $2.99.

Disclosure: I was provided with Aqua Net UpDo for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this review.  As always all opinions are mine.

Natural Vines Licorice - a healthier indulgence

I recently got to sample new Natural Vines brand Licorice. Even though I totally have a sweet tooth, I mean, although I hardly ever touch sweets (ahem) I decided to give them a whirl!

What they say:

• all natural ingredients
• no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
• no high fructose corn syrup
• low in fat, cholesterol and sodium
• vegetarian, vegan, and kosher
• resealable bag
• from one of the oldest confectionary manufacturers in America

What I say:

YUM! It tastes like its from an old fashioned candy shop on the boardwalk! My kids gobbled  them up - thanks to Grandma (who loves licorice) they all love it too!

We've been on a mission lately to eat less processed foods, so I was very excited to find such a great treat! I love that there is no HFCS and now artificial colors. We have so many friends who have children who are SUPER sensitive to food dye - its just awful. But I would feel confident sharing this as a treat! The strawberry licorice used BEET JUICE instead of red dye! I love it!

I highly recommend these if you're a licorice fan. A terrific way to indulge in a healthier way!

Disclosure: I was provided with Natural Vines Licorice for review purposes. I was not compensated financially for this review.  As always all opinions are mine.

Back to School with SIGG

We are huge fans of SIGG in our house - we all have them. Well, except my two-year-old, who really wants to get his own.

Every SIGG bottle is extruded from a single piece of pure aluminum making it completely durable and 100% recyclable at the end of its long life. SIGG bottles do not leach any harmful chemicals such as BPA's or phthalates unlike many of its plastic counterparts. Equipped with a baked on, non-porous interior liner, SIGGs are taste neutral so you can have lemonade in it one day, milk the next and water in your SIGG on a Saturday, and there won't be any lingering taste or odor.  SIGGs are offered in over 100 different styles and sizes for the entire family.  They are companions to eco-conscious parents, outdoor enthusiast and fashionistas alike who value the environment, hydration and style. 

 SIGG is perfect for sports bottles and lunch boxes and is an absolute MUST for your back to school shopping!

You can now customize your very own SIGG at http://www.siggskins.com/ and upload you own personal photo or create your own unique graphic with their image library. 

 SIGG also has these adorable aluminum lunch boxes in eye popping colors so your little one can take easily pack his/her lunch for school. Fabulous!

Book A Brighter Future with Macy's and Reading Is Fundamental

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) and Macy's have teamed up to create Book A Brighter Future, a national partnership to raise awareness and support of children's literacy.

Now through August 1^st, Macy's customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off one purchase of $50 or more at any Macy's store nationwide. Macy's will give 100% of every $3 to RIF.

Its a great way to get a jump start on your Back to School shopping and support children's literacy at the same time!!

 

Celebrate and Honor Teachers with Avery Dennison

Due to budget cuts and the current economic climate, many teachers and students across the country go without even the most basic school supplies. Studies by the non-profit organization, World Vision, show that teachers spend on average at least $500 of their own money each school year on supplies for their students.

My sister is a teacher in an inner city school and I remember her Christmas list being 80% things for her classroom and students. Even my sister-in-law who works in an upper class, award winning school district spends loads of money on school supplies every year.

Well, Avery Dennison is setting out to alleviate some of this financial burden, as well as pamper a few lucky teachers.

Avery Dennison will be giving away a grand prize package valued at $1,000 to one teacher through the sweepstakes hosted at: www.avery.com/teachersweeps. Teachers are encouraged to submit as many entries as they would like (up to one a day) between now and September 15, 2010, and also will be eligible to win additional second and third place prizes. Prize packages include an array of Avery-brand school supply products, Spa Finder gift cards and/or Starbucks gift cards.

Avery Dennison has a long-history of supporting education. This announcement comes on the heels of its parent, Avery Dennison Corporation, launching the Give Back to Schools program in late June. Created as a way to give back to the communities that have made the company's success possible in its 75th anniversary year, Give Back to Schools will provide 10 deserving U.S. schools with a truck-load of Avery-brand school supplies, valued at approximately $10,000 each. For Official Rules and to enter to win, students, families and supporters (ages 18 and older) can vote for their local K-8 school now through August 31 at http://www.AveryDennisonGiveBacktoSchools.com.

Pest Quest - new web-based children's show

There's a new, educational web-based children’s show in town and its all about bugs, rodents and wildlife. What kid wouldn't love that? The show, aptly named “Pest Quest,” is produced by the National Pest Management Association in partnership with their children’s website, PestWorldForKids.org.

Each short episode of “Pest Quest” stars a group of children scientists who share fun bug factoids from a colorful science lab set. The show is perfect for kids who are looking for something fun to keep them entertained this summer, and for parents who want to provide their children with safe, educational, not-for-profit online content. If you have a chance, check out the first episodes at www.PestWorld.com/PestQuest/ (and check back often because new episodes will be posted twice a month!).

We can't wait to check it out!

encouraging our kids to read during summer with v.tech

Showing kids that reading can be fun is one of the many challenges of parenting – especially during the summer, when school is out and kids want to play. VTech, creator of the V.Reader e-book for kids, asked TheMotherhood.com, an online community of moms, to provide their ultimate tip list for encouraging kids to read. Moms came through with hundreds of suggestions, and here are the top ten:

• Integrate Reading into Real Life: Show children that reading can be both practical and fun. Try reading recipes and creating goodies together, or read a story and then re-enact a favorite scene for other family members, complete with props and basic sets.
• Ask Your Pet to Lend an Ear: Encourage your children to read aloud to the family dog or a favorite stuffed animal. Your youngsters will get to practice their reading, and pets make great listeners!
• Create an Intimate Space: Make reading exciting with indoor “campouts.” Use sheets and chairs to help your kids make tents, pile blankets and pillows inside, and bring snacks and a stack of books. Reading with a flashlight will add novelty to the activity.
• Reward Reading Comprehension: Set aside one night each week for a “quiz night,” when you can read to your kids and give them rewards, such as money to set aside for more books, for answering comprehension questions correctly.
• Throw a Book Party: Make reading a social activity. Invite a few of your child’s friends to your house and ask them to bring a favorite book. Provide snacks and games that incorporate reading.
• Get Involved Locally: Check area libraries, bookstores and even bank branches. They will often host story hours or summer reading programs for kids, offering incentives for reading a certain number of books.
• Think Outside the Box – or Book: You don’t need to use books alone to encourage kids to read. Ask your child to read things like street signs and menus when you are out and about, or put closed captioning on the TV so he can see as well as hear the words of his favorite shows.
• Give Them a Choice: Set aside an hour or two of quiet time during the day, and tell your kids they can either read or take a nap during that period. Letting them choose to read will remind them that they can choose reading at other times, too.
• Write Stories Together: Reading and writing go hand in hand. Write stories with your kids one word at a time – you write one word, they read it and write one word of their own – until you have a story you created together.
• Play to Their Interests: Let your kids read about subjects they already enjoy. From Pokemon to ponies, if they are fascinated by a topic, they will love reading about it.

This list will be on the V.Tech website and one lucky contributor will be winning a VTech V.Reader and three animated storybook cartridges (worth over $110!). They will love it - it quickly became one of our favorite toys! And, finally, I wanted to share with you the amazing Summer Reading Packet that my daughter Ellie came home with this summer. It has been tremendously helpful and wanted to show it to you:

Disclosure: I was provided with a V.Reader for review purposes by VTech and TheMotherhood and was compensated for my time in writing this post. As always all opinions are mine.

The Color Bar by Kendra Scott Design

Designing your own jewelry has never been easier: The Color Bar by Kendra Scott Jewelry has expanded! In addition to 12 different styles of earrings, Color Bar now includes five necklaces and the ever-popular Kendra Scott Otylia cocktail ring. Choose from 20 colorful stones and two metal finishes to create jewelry that is uniquely your own, or if you need advice just click on the color wheel for Kendra’s color suggestions. You can also save your creations online and share your designs with friends. Click here to get started!

I have a pair of these Jeanine Earrings from the Kendra Scott Color Bar Collection and they are so gorgeous. When ever I wear then, I get compliments! These would be so perfect for a wedding party or for finding something to make that little black dress really pop! (Personally, I'm eying that Otylia Cocktail Ring!)

You can see all of Kendra Scott’s designs at www.kendrascott.com.

disclosure: i received a pair of earrings from kendra scott at a blogging event. i was not compensated financially for this post.

Save While Shopping for School and Office Supplies

Its that time of year! The stores are full of pencils, notebooks, lunch boxes and backpacks! Its a little overwhelming. And get get super expensive - especially if you're like me and have a weakness for office supplies! But Shop Smart magazine has some fabulous tips in the September issue on how to save money on School Supplies!

1.     Take inventory: Chances are, you already have some of the things you need in your home office.   

2.     Stick to your list: It makes sense to get a jump on the stuff you know you need (think filler paper and pencils), but wait for the school’s list to do the bulk of your shopping.  

3.     Consider swapping: If the search of your desk drawer turns up things you no longer have use for, swap them for things you do need. Call other moms, or go to Swapmamas.com. Click on School & Office to see listings from people who have stuff and people who need stuff.

4.     Skip taxes: Many states offer tax-free shopping days in August to encourage spending on clothes. You might find information about your state by searching the Internet with your state and “tax holiday 2010.” Some states extend the discount to supplies and computers.

5.     Buy in bulk: Warehouse clubs are great places to load up, but so are online stores like RaymondGeddes.com and DiscountSchoolSupply.com – just remember that shipping costs can add up if you don’t order in bulk.

6.       Consider refurbs: Whether you need a laptop or your kid needs a fancy graphing calculator, refurbished or opened but unused products can save you hundreds of dollars. Check Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com/outlet, and SonyStyle.com/outlet.

7.       Automate savings: Sign up at ShopItToMe.com to get an alert sent to you when there’s a sale on those expensive sneakers your son just has to have or those shoes you need for work.

8.       Be strategic: Shopping the sales at a lot of stores could save you big bucks, but it’s a huge waste of time. Instead, search circulars online at YahooCircularCentral.shoplocal.com and SundaySaver.com. Then shop at stores with price-matching policies, such as Staples, Target, and Walmart.

9.       Go to school: Ask whether your child’s school has a supply program where you buy one box with everything your kid needs for the year. Staples claims its SchoolKidz program offers savings of 20 to 50 percent.

Catch the full article here!