Families of Deployed US Military Soldiers: Free Portrait

PMDA has been in the photo imaging business since they were founded in 1939.  They're a network of photographers who have agreed to donate time during the month of September to provide a free portrait for loved ones serving overseas this holiday season.

The photos will be uploaded to a website so families can send to their soldier for free. 

This is all you have to do:

Photographers will begin taking photographs on September 2nd.


Here's all you have to do to have your 5"x7" portrait sent:

1.Click below to find a listing of participating photographers in your area.

2.Call or e-mail the photographer (or military base) to set up an appointment. (You will need to present a valid military ID in order to participate in this program - please follow the specific instructions for military base sign-ups)

3.Have your portrait taken (starting September 2nd) - the photographer will then upload this portrait to their SeeHere.com web album.

4.The photographer will give you a card that will provide instructions on how to locate and order the image you want to send to your soldier.

5.You will also get a coupon to receive a duplicate print for yourself for free (compliments of Fujifilm).

Find a participating studio here.

Cash for Clunkers *Tricycle Version

What a cute promotion! DiscountSchoolSupply.com is offering $25 Cash for Clunkers Tricycle Version sale.

Use Code CASH25 to get your discount which ends 9/21/09.

Two Years of Cookie Magazine Plus Free Bag for Price of One Year

Sign up for Cookie magazine and get two years for the price of one and a free, very cute bag!

20 issues for $15!

Cookie is the magazine that celebrates the joys of parenthood — full of fun and inspiration for you and your children!

Every month COOKIE brings you:


• Healthy, delicious, easy-to-prepare meals
• Affordable vacation destinations within100 miles
• Unique storage solutions
• Go-to outfits for all occasions

I'm the Early Bird: I Bought My Kid's Halloween Costumes

I admit, I'm an early shopper and can't contain my excitement for Halloween because I know how much my six year old loves it! I also learned last year that you don't wait until the last minute to go to your local costume shop as I had no idea how many people actually do dress up. My husband decided we should dress up and we got our costumes but again, I learned you don't wait to the last minute to shop.


My girl, who loves boy's toys, first wanted to be Boba Fett. She was Darth Vader one year and a Clone Trooper another year but when I found the Transformer's Bumblebee costume, she HAD to have it!


This morning, I did a search on all the popular costume shops and found the best deal at Costume Express.

Then I had to get the gloves and the new type of trick or treat bags that helps the kids get treats without having to try to open the bag.

Once I had her set, it was time to find the perfect costume for the two year old.  I searched and searched and couldn't find anything that I really loved so I went with the ladybug costume:

At least that's one task out of the way! 

Now, time to shop for candy to give away.  How do other parents deal with handing out the candy when both want to participate in the trick or treating experience?

I'm just glad Halloween is on a Saturday so we have time to rest in between.  Last year, my little one came down with a cold that landed her two hours away in a children's hospital for two weeks.

Scholastic Labor Day Book Sale

Scholastic Books is having an up to 75% summer clearance sale. 100's of items are on sale.

They have the following on sale:

1. 10 items for ages birth - 2
2. 50 items for ages 3-5
3. 72 items for ages 6-8
4. 69 items for ages 9 and over
   

Get 15% off and free shipping on orders of $39 or more with code: BTS2009

Offer ends 09/14/09

Experiencing New Blog Make Over Moments

Please be patient as the blog undergoes it's great transformation by Lara!

Thanks!

Calling Entrepreneur Mom's for Advice

My sister makes the best cole slaw EVER! Her cole slaw is a hit everywhere we go and to be honest, I'd take it every year as my birthday present from her. Not joking!

Can anyone give me advice on how one starts selling and marketing something from home to sell at restaurants and other businesses?

Thanks!

Planning for Halloween 2009

Check out my other posts for other great ideas!

How to Make Your Own Halloween Decorations

This year's costume pick: TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE & LADYBUG

As I stated in my other blogs, everything I do relative to gifts is spent with a lot of thought and care.  This goes the same for parties and special holidays.  Granted Halloween isn't really a "special" holiday for me but it is for my kids and I have great memories and more to come!

In preparation this year, I started looking for everything to have in order to hold an incredible, fun kid's party.

I will have the kids make some creepy creature sucker molds. They are inexpensive at $1.99 for two of the same molds. My daughters loved making these in the past and they are so easy to do.

Cupcakes are another fool proof way of making your party a hit with the kids if you have the patience for cleaning up the mess.  You can choose from spooky rings or monster hand picks and then choose sprinkles that look like bones.

Either use traditional cupcake liners or try something new like a laser cut or wrap around paper to add a little more character to the cupcakes.

All of the above supplies can be found at ShopBakersNook.com.

Halloween Express has so many wonderfully spooky decorations that you have to at least take a look!

Special Halloween Express offer to my readers:

Coupon Code 1: TAKE5 (All capital letters with the number 5 at the end). Take $5 off purchases of $50 or more exclusive of shipping and handling.


Coupon Code 2: TAKE10 (All capital letters with the number 10 at the end). Take $10 off purchases of $100 or more exclusive of shipping and handling.

Note that all coupon codes exclude the Tom Arma costume line, gift cards, special orders, closeouts, contact lenses and personalized items. One use per customer. Not valid on prior purchases. Coupons subject to our coupon policy which can be found here: http://www.halloweenexpress.com/coupon-policy.php




If you have big money to spend, they have a new giant spider that would probably make me cry if I saw it and didn't know it wasn't real.  It's 3' long with adjustable legs and light up eyes.

They have tons of costumes and many new one's for 2009.  I think I just found my little girl's costume.  Yes, little girl who has boy tendencies about her.  She will love to be the Transformers Bumblebee.

Who could ever resist this one?

I used to make my oldest costume's from her very first costume until she became old enough to know that I was embarrassing her with what I made.  I'll have to post some of those photos!

Don't forget to check out what adorablebabyclothing.com has for costumes!  They are running a special right now of $20 off of $100 purchase until 09/20/09.

This is the start of planning for Halloween so watch for more to come!


I admit, I'm an early shopper and can't contain my excitement for Halloween because I know how much my six year old loves it! I also learned last year that you don't wait until the last minute to go to your local costume shop as I had no idea how many people actually do dress up. My husband decided we should dress up and we got our costumes but again, I learned you don't wait to the last minute to shop.

My girl, who loves boy's toys, first wanted to be Boba Fett. She was Darth Vader one year and a Clone Trooper another year but when I found the Transformer's Bumblebee costume, she HAD to have it!

This morning, I did a search on all the popular costume shops and found the best deal at Costume Express.

Then I had to get the gloves and the new type of trick or treat bags that helps the kids get treats without having to try to open the bag.

Once I had her set, it was time to find the perfect costume for the two year old.  I searched and searched and couldn't find anything that I really loved so I went with the ladybug costume:

At least that's one task out of the way! 

Now, time to shop for candy to give away.  How do other parents deal with handing out the candy when both want to participate in the trick or treating experience?

The free shipping coupon is:

Free Shipping on Orders of $75 or More!

Coupon Code: REK-993

Expires: 12/31/09

Invitation ideas are here.

Botox Special for Charlotte, North Carolina & California and Info on Botox Competitor Dysport

Ageless Remedies Medical Skincare and Apothocary out of Charlotte, NC is having a September Botox special.

Botox will be 10.99 per unit (minumum of 20 units must be bought) for the entire month of September. Average costs of treatment is around $300-$400.

Botox works but leaves me doubtful of long term effects. I've had it done twice and after it wore off the second time, my eye had a permanent droop. It eventually subsided but I still feel that the upper areas were a little more saggy than they should have been.

The treatment is quick and relatively painfree, at least it is if you ever had a baby or a root canal! They will usually apply a cold press to the area and then the injections begin. It does take a week or more to see visible results and can last anywhere from three to six months. I was always ripped off as it barely lasted three months for me.

If you live in Orange County, California, there are more specials at the Dermatology and Laser Center.

Gold River, California has specials at the Accent Esthetics.

Don't forget to sign up at Allergan for their frequent wrinkle club discounts and specials! 

There is a new alternative available called Dysport from loveleyskin.com.  Dysport was initially known as Reloxin during it's run of years of clinical trials. 

Dysport was found to affect an entire area with only a few injections, requires only three days to show improvement and lasts at a month longer (i.e. four months versus three minimally).  It's also suppose to be cheaper than Botox.

I would love to hear from anyone who has tried Dysport.

Lysol, Scrubbing Bubbles, Borders, Dell, Ugg & Country Bob's Coupons/Free

Lysol has $10 worth of coupons by clicking here.

Register for a Scrubbing Bubbles Fall Pack here.

Free Country Bob's Sauce here.

Borders 30% off of any one item using code BRT6505Y.  Excludes electronics, periodicals and gift cards.

Wii remote for $27.00 at Dell - perfect for my Wii fit game giveaway!

Ugg Australia Ultimate Tas Short Boot for $112.90 at Nordstrom.

Dairy Queen has $1 off Blizzards for the month of September once you join the Blizzard Fan Club.

Military Families: Operation Purple

Military families can apply now for one of four Operation Purple® Family Retreats held this fall! Families come together in a national park setting at an Operation Purple Family Retreat, a free, four day getaway created to help families reconnect after deployment. With an emphasis on environmental education, military families will participate in fun, family-focused activities that will allow them to strengthen and renew relationships while exploring their natural surroundings. This fall’s Family Retreats are being held at national parks in Washington, Pennsylvania, New York, and Hawaii.

Tell a military family about this opportunity today, or visit www.militaryfamily.org/retreats for eligibility and to apply.

Dates and Locations:

October 9-11, 2009 Olympic Park Institute, Port Angeles, Washington (Deployment return dates: July 2008 - July 2009)

October 23-26, 2009 Poconos Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry, PA (Deployment return dates: July 2008 - July 2009)

November 6-9, 2009 Silver Bay YMCA of the Adirondacks, Silver Bay, NY (Deployment return dates: August 2008 - August 2009)

December 18-21, 2009 YMCA of Honolulu Camp H. R. Erdman, Honolulu, HI (Deployment return dates: September 2008 - September 2009)

Hmmm.....my husband just returned from Iraq but I'm not sure New York is fair comparred to Hawaii!

How Do You Get Your Child to Open Eyes for Photos?

I think my two year old has learned that it's fun to annoy mom already by not cooperating with pictures. It never fails, she closes her eyes and/or looks up high so you can see up her CPAP altered nose (compliments of respiratory problems at birth). I try everything to get her to open them and the more I try, the more she thinks it's a game. The middle picture is an almost win on my side as you can see she started to open them but she had to stay in control!

I was trying to duplicate a picture pose and outfit that I have of my now six year old when she was two.

I love to take pictures and I had to buy an extra hard drive to keep the over 10,000 digital one's I have. I'm sure it's more than that but I lost track. My house is also full of them and it's a good thing that I have a lot of wall space.

Anyone have any special tricks to get them to smile AND keep their eyes open?

Freeze 24*7 Sale & Cosmedicine

(Cosmedicine at the bottom of post)
If you have ever tried Freeze 24*7 products, you will most likely agree that you like them.  Their products, specifically Freeze 24*7 Instant Wrinkle, provides instant effects on crows feet and other wrinkles. 

I've tried both the lip plumper and the Instant Wrinkle Treatment and loved them.  They go on light and what I found with the Instant Wrinkle Treatment is you have to close the lid tight and not leave it around or it will dry up.

The first time I ordered from a company that sold it, they didn't include the right product and they provided the correct one right away.

They are on the costly side but Rue La La has a great special running for the next 23 hours:

http://www.ruelala.com/invite/youthfultips

Here are some of the manufacturers features of their products:

•Experience a 50-90% reduction in the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within minutes of application; results for 100% of respondents for an independent clinical study


•10-gram Freeze 24-7® Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment

•Freeze 24-7® Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment is not a moisturizer; it is a targeted wrinkle treatment that is used directly on fine lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, furrows, laugh lines, enlarged pores and lip lines

•Freeze 24-7® Age-Less Technology™ works to diminish the appearance of forehead creases, droopy brows, crow's feet, furrows, laugh lines, feathered lips, and more

•Reduces the appearance of acne scars, stretch marks, rosacea, and enlarged pores

•A safe alternative to Botox® and other synthetic products which produce results, not side effects

•Gives skin a plumper, more youthful appearance

•Usage details: Cleanse and dry your face thoroughly; apply a small amount (pea size) of Freeze 24-7® Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment on the target area to be treated (line or wrinkle) before applying a moisturizer or foundation

•Pat and smooth Freeze 24-7® Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment into the line, wrinkle or other target area; wait 1-2 minutes until Freeze 24-7® Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment is fully absorbed into the skin

•Repeat the application a second or third time for deep lines or as needed; once absorbed, follow with IceCream Double Scoop™ Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer and continue with your normal skincare routine

•Not tested on animals and contains no animal by-products, dermatologist tested, allergy tested, clinically tested, hypoallergenic, non-sensitizing, and non-irritating

•Free Plumplips™ Lip Plumper

•Revolutionary lip plumper and gloss that delivers full, pouty, buttery lips in minutes with new technology to increase circulation on the lip surface, and eliminate the drying, burning and irritation associated with most lip plumpers

•Mature lips appear more youthful with Age-Less Technology, and thin lips appear fuller and more sensual, even enhancing the natural color of your lips, appearing to look like you are wearing lip color, but it's clear

•Hydrates, smoothes and soothes

•Usage details: Apply PlumpLips™ to clean, dry lip surface and massage in with wand applicator until fully absorbed; may be reapplied as often as required or desired

•Not tested on animals and contains no animal by-products

•All products in this package are for external use only

•Please note: Purchaser will receive one Plumplips™ Lip Plumper per order.

Hautelook has Cosmedicine on sale at GREAT prices!

It ends in 38 hours and has a variety of great products from cleansers to exfoliates to oil control treatments and many more.  Prices are 50% off.

Anyone try Cosmedicine products?

Congratulations to:

Juau4 for winning the Perricone Hand Treatment

Lynnt for winning the Bath and Body Works

Shirley60US for winning the Hydroderm

Be on the lookout for an e-mail as you have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new name via random.org.

Thanks to all for entering!