Carolina Pad Back to School Great Pack Review & Giveaway 8/7 - CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...


PAMELA!


An e-mail was sent to her and she has 48 hours to respond!  Winner chosen by random.org after entries were confirmed to be valid.  Thank you!

School is Almost Back!


School is almost back and the fun part for kids and school are shopping for the school supplies.  Although our wallets take a hit, it is fun helping them choose what is cool and what will fit their personalities.  So many things are marketed towards kids (and adults) that are part of the media hype of who is in or what is popular.  I was provide an opportunity to receive complimentary samples from the collection of Studio C by Carolina Pad.  


Carolina Pad Designs:


Carolina Pad's brand is everyday products. extraordinary design.  I completely agree with that after having a chance to review what I received as well as checking out their site.  I went to Walmart the other night and saw the very same products I was lucky enough to review which is the first time I have ever seen them at stores.  No matter what your preference is, there is a set for you.  I reviewed products from the Rock On, Peace Out, Mo'Rockin, Free Spirit, Graffiti, Rising Sun and Eye Candy sets:

1. 1-subject notebook - MSRP $2.50
2. 18 month planner - MSRP $4.00
3. 2-pkt folder (3 pack) - MSRP $2.50
4. 1" binder - MSRP $2.50
5. Composition book - MSRP $2.50
6. Ideal book - MSRP $2.50
7. Pens - MSRP $2.50
8. Pencils - MSRP $2.50

 

 

Each product was of high quality and had nice features.  The spiraled notebooks allowed pages to be torn out with the perforated edge to ensure the pages are nice and neat.  The Ideal Book contained three sections with two tab dividers.  It even had a little envelope in the front to store something small.  The pages also allowed for a perforated edge to keep each page nice and neat.  The 18 month planner is one of my favorites as I'm going to use it to keep track of not only birthdays and special occasions but also my blogging items.  It couldn't have arrived at a better time.


The notebook, folders, binders, pens and pencils will go directly to my middle child for school.  It's trendy yet great for kids.  The nice thing about the styles, they are appealing for both adults and children.  The pens and pencils write as you would expect and are smooth.  I'm picky about my pens but these are nice and I will definitely use one for myself!  


All in all, I would recommend Carolina Pad for both kids and adults for work, play or school.  They provide a variety of products to suit many styles.  


About Carolina Pad:


In a Nutshell, We Make Great Products.


At Carolina Pad, our mission and tagline reflect the dedication and care we put in every product we design. We are passionate in our mission to deliver the best product at the best price to consumers and retailers. 


Our core value system defines who we are and guides what we do every day: 

  

• Build brands that meet the needs and wants of today's consumer.  
• Anticipate and exceed consumer expectations. 
• Strive for design excellence in every product. 
• Deliver products with superior functionality and value.  
• Foster and encourage innovation, creativity, and teamwork in our company.   
  
• Promote a healthier and safer workplace, community, and environment.  

Carolina Pad also has bags, clutches, totes, computer accessories and products for arts and crafts.  They are your one stop shop for creativity!

   

More great features from Carolina Pad:

• Are you a blogger?  You can sign up here to get the latest information.
• Win prize packs here by taking Carolina Pad surveyes here.
• Sign up for the eCard Club here.
• Download wallpapers for your computer here.
• Organization tips here.

The Giveaway:


One US or Canadian winner will receive the same products I reviewed (listed above)!


To Enter:


Follow my blog and tell me which style you like the most from Carolina Pad.


Extra Entries (one entry unless noted otherwise):

• Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter
• Follow me on Twitter 
• Subscribe to my blog
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (can be done daily - two entries)
• Enter any of my other giveaways (five entries)

Stay up to date also with Carolina Pad's Facebook page and here Facebook page.

Open to US and Canada only - winners of Carolina Pad's other giveaways within the last 90 days are not eligible.

Winner will be selected by random.org and entries will close at midnight (EST) on 8/7/10.

Thanks to all those who enter and good luck!


*Disclaimer:  This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Carolina Pad.

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Creating Summer Memories

I'm all about creating memories and based on my own up bringing and watching my oldest and how she dealt with having divorced parents and living another life with her dad and then step-mom, I embrace every memory I can get.  I love to take pictures and use all my efforts to create these ever lasting memories in hopes of not only providing a healthy environment for my children but also to hopefully teach them to be even better mothers.  I find the power in laughter is within anyone's reach whether rich or poor.  

They say a good laugh burns calories but it sure can bring a family closer.  My dad always commented about the power of a smile or a laugh and how critical it is to always find humor.  Even during his dual radiation and chemotherapy four year's ago, he still managed to joke and find humor in everything.  He's one of the bravest men I have ever met and one of the last breed in my books. I remember growing up with him working all the time whether it was away from us or at home, the man always worked.  He is a self-proclaimed bad father for many of his own reasons but to me, he was and is still the best!  Men like him who can fix anything, do anything and be the man you see in old movies are rare to find.  I don't think I'll ever forget his primary advice of life and that is to always smile!

So this summer, I embarked on our journey for memories first by taking my girls to Disney after their dad deployed to Kuwait for the year and we had so much fun and made many memories!

  

After that, we bought a picnic basket at Target and took inexpensive trips to my daughter's school and enjoyed the free use of picnic tables and playground.   We also went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC and we had a big Minnie Mouse party while I brought my three nieces down for a visit.  


Our other memories included buying a small cotton candy machine and making cotton candy, making movie style popcorn from a counter popcorn maker, trips to Dairy Queen, redecorating their rooms and many other activities that I hope will carry them through a lifetime.

Second Post: Teaching Your Little One to Ride a Bike

I'm excited to have an opportunity to teach my girls how to ride a bike.  The irony is that my three year old might learn before my seven year old thanks to Strider Sports International.  The concepts behind riding a bike were so amazingly clear after corresponding with Strider Sports that I never connected the two.  I'm very impressed with Strider's customer service as they not only sell a product, they back it up with exceptional support.  Granted, I was provided with a complimentary bike for my daughter but I can tell based on their site and the other customer's reviews that they are a company committed to helping parents.  I really like that personal touch where the business goes out of their way to provide support versus just selling a product.

Basically, to ride a bike, a child needs to learn how to peddle and how to balance.  Training wheels help to teach how to peddle but they don't teach balance.  The best way that I have found to teach my girls about balance is with the concept that Strider teaches which are no peddles.  The line of bikes are small and perfect for the little ones.  As you can see from the video, my little one has the concept down for learning to use her feet to move the bike along.  Her next step is to use her feet to make the bike go but to pick up her feet and learn to balance as she moves along.  The concept is so amazingly simple and logical that it's like one of those  "ah ha" moments.  

Although my video quality is off, I didn't want to lose the time moment of where she is with learning so I am posting anyway.  She's getting there and many thanks to Strider!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Tassimo Introduces Happy Summer Iced Coffee

I received a complimentary Tassimo Supremo Hot Beverage System with T DISKS back in December and love it!  It makes the best coffee and Milka hot chocolate EVER!  I love the portability of making a single serving cup based on individual preferences and likes and with Tassimo, the choices are growing constantly.  You can read my past post here that provides more detailed information around my experience with the Tassimo Supremo Hot Beverage System.

Tassimo is introducing a new product line called Tassimo Gevalia Black Iced Coffee Blend T-discs for TassimoTM Hot Beverage System Pack of 32 T discs and Sweet & Creamy Iced Coffee.  Gevalia Black Iced Coffee lives up to the name of being a smooth, robust flavor which we have grown to expect nothing less from Gevalia premium coffee.  The Sweet & Cream Iced Coffee is perfect for summer with a balance of sweetened coffee and milk creamer delivering a smooth, creamy, summer sensation.

I found making these new flavors were easy as all I had to do was brew over ice with one touch of my Tassimo machine and we enjoyed iced coffee in seconds.


If you haven't had a chance to try out a Tassimo, you should if you are a coffee lover!  It's sleek, priced right and delivers such a great convenience catered to each drinker's preference.


*Disclaimer: I did receive complimentary products for this review by the PR agency or company in exchange for sharing with my readers.

Custom History Charts for Your Family Idea

I think I've blogged before that I'm in the middle of writing a historical novel and if I didn't, I am!  It's based on my family's history in Louisiana back in the 1700's.  Family history was something my dad started years and years ago that I became interested in.  It's a neat hobby to have upon learning more about your roots.  My dad's side of the family came over from France and it began a lively beginning to a very large extended family with roots climbing all over the place with so many names that one of those free genealogy sites can't provide my entire family tree.  


My father-in-law also is interested in his family tree and has done a lot of research all the way back to Italy.  I'm sure most of us either are interested or have a family member interested in their family's history which is the purpose of this post.  I also like to showcase different Etsy shops every now and then and with my partnership with Blogmania, I was paired up with Evelyn White Fine Fabric Fancier who makes these gorgeous handcrafted napkins, placemats, table runners, customized java wraps, organic jelly and more.  Her sister makes family history charts on Etsy as well.

 

What a great gift for a new parent to have!  The Custom New Baby Family History Chart with Custom Photo Background displays in an 11 x 14 bond print in your choice of a sepia tone, blue tone or soft blue tone.   CMGDesigns will work with you on ensuring you receive exactly what you need.

Another great option are the family history charts.  The charts can consists of third, fourth, fifth or sixth generations to produce a beautiful 11 x 14 bond print in either gray tone or sepia tone perfect for framing and with Christmas approaching, yes, it really is, it's a perfect gift!

 

CMGDesigns also has quilts.  The handmade lap quilts look beautiful and based on the description, quality is definitely first in her designs and work.


She has a 100% rating and works with you on what you want.  Using her architectural design background, she picks out colors, textures and patterns that work coupled with her 20 years of experience with creating clothes and quilts out of fabric.   Stay tuned to her shop for more!

Reader Opinion on Next Giveaway: $150 GC or Other

I'm planning my next giveaway mostly due to the fact my daughter's project, Angels4Epilepsy, is going to be up for a Pepsi grant starting August and it ends at the end of August.  We only requested $5,000 to get incorporated and non-profit status to carry on her mission to help other children with epilepsy.  She was diagnosed two year's ago at age five and fully understands how scary the procedures are, the seizures and the daily medications.


Since I've seen other people utilize giveaways to prompt votings, I decided to do the same as the Pepsi grants are awarded based on popularity of the idea via voting.  I saw quite a few projects in recent months awarded the money by mass efforts to add to the voting via friends, family, etc.  


My question is:   What type of giveaway would you like to see?

1. $150 gift card and to where?
2. Multiple items such as gift cards, Zhu Zhu Pets, Shrek merchandise, etc?

New Breast Lift Procedure

Pregnancy and gravity all takes its toll on our bodies but the breast take a pretty big hit and being that we are a breast society (forced on us), it really can take a toll on self-esteem.  I just read about a new procedure that is more natural and uses your own breast tissue to give a lift over foreign substances.   The procedure is called the NaturaBra Breast Lift and it uses your own tissue to prop up the breast with an internal sling created by your skin.  Sounds gross doesn't it?  You can read more about it here.


Aside from society forcing so much perfection on us, I definitely can understand why a woman would want a lift and would not fault anyone for having a procedure.  I think it's great they are thinking of new ways to perform the procedures with more natural means over silicone and saline.  Granted this is not an implant but many women do get implants to provide the lift.


Speaking of plastic surgery, another story stated that the plastic surgery business took a recession hit last year of 3% down to a mere 10 billion!  What's sad about this story, it states that 210,000 teens from ages 13 to 19 had cosmetic surgery.

Military Families: P&G Coupons at Commissary Helps USO

I had no idea that P&G sponsored a program at the Commissary that provides a 25 cent donation to the USO.  For every P&G coupon used, they donate 25 cents which is a great way for the USO to keep functioning.  In case you aren't aware, the USO provides programs that help improve the lives of our Military Service members and their families.


I think it's still new but you can register and find out more here.

10 of My Favorite Actors

I just watched an E show on Will Smith as I just love him.  He's so well rounded, down to earth and he leaves his personal political thoughts out of what he's loved for which is his music and acting.  He seems like such a wonderful father and husband that I don't see how anyone couldn't love him.  I first watched him The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and loved his zany humor and grew up with him through all his movies and other successes.  One thing I didn't know is his wife, Jada, ensures Will's first wife and child are part of their lives which shows you the level of maturity and elegance she has!   

   

This started me thinking of who are my favorite male actors and in no particular order, here they are:

1. Will Smith (of course)
2. Robert Redford
3. Denzil Washington
4. Mel Gibson (yeah, I know ... )
5. Harrison Ford (another cheater but still love his acting)
6. Brad Pitt (hmmm..another cheater but still love him and Angelina)
7. Richard Gere
8. Johnny Depp
9. Morgan Freeman
10. Mathew McConnnaugh

I'm sure I have more but that's who I can recall at the moment.

Our Favorite Time to Enjoy S'mores

Summer time or anytime, my oldest is a S'mores fan!  My other one's are BIG Hershey fans along with their grandfather.

When is the perfect time to enjoy S'mores?

S'mores are the perfect fun time snacks anytime just because!   What better way to enjoy some family time then creating something yummy together?

 

Did you know you can make S'mores not only by campfire and microwave but also by toaster oven and grill?  Kraft has all the different ways you can make them along with great family fun ideas and trivia if you want to join in the fun!

Check it out here: http://kraft.promotions.com/smoressmiles/page.do?page=home.html


*Disclaimer:  I'm trying to win a S'mores prize pack as a member of Mom Bloggers Club.

InvitationBox Review & Details on Giveaway Ending 7/22

I love parties and planning events so this hobby started quite a few years ago with my oldest and continued with all my children, family, friends and even co-workers.  I find special occasions to be just that...special.  Birthdays are the very most special in my heart as they not only celebrate life but it's a celebration of who we are and those who love us. The same goes for every other event that is a celebration of something.  I not only got through most of the summer celebrating my children's birthdays but I still have my husband and mother-in-laws to go along with a dear friend in Australia.  My next endeavor is a baby shower for my oldest and I couldn't be more excited!

 

The baby shower has to be perfect as I'm a perfectionist and it is her first child and my first grandchild.  I've been buying things ever since we learned she was expecting but planning the shower has been mostly searching for anything that is beyond perfect.  I've already found the perfect cookie favors for her and next are the invitations.  I jumped ahead and wanted to see the quality of products from InvitationBox.com before I purchased anything else.  What I chose for this review were a complimentary set of return address labels (shown above) for the baby shower invitations.   I chose the design as I thought it was simple yet elegant and I completed the text to be used as a Save the Date sticker reminder for the guests.

The process of creating them were very easy and self-explanatory so I had no issues with it.  InvitationBox even has a clickable to find out how soon the order will be received.   You can choose the quantity you need and completely customize the text.  There is even an area to assist in grammar advice, wording help, etiquette & advice, calendar and a help center to make the ordering and creation process easier.

The next step is to choose whether to have professionals typeset the card/sticker or typeset as close to the layout as possible.  I chose the latter and wished I had chosen to have the professional choose as they might have caught that my white lettering was too light for the size of the stickers and the background.  I noticed another person left the same comment on the company site and that the company was gracious in fixing the problem which I have not done yet but will.

Top five reasons why I like InvitationBox.com:

1. Selections are amazing as they have so many products in so many themes that they are a one stop shop for party planning and more.
2. Creating the products is easy and effortless.
3. Tools provided really assist in ensuring you have a great product.
4. Fast shipping!  I order from other companies and the shipping was super fast and I didn't even pay for shipping.  
5. Seeing how they responded to the other customer with correcting the issue without making her jump through hoops shows me they are a customer service oriented company.

If you have a college fan, there are many collegiate gifts available along with many others gift options for birthdays, babies, weddings, holidays and more.  

Check out InvitationBox.com and don't forget to enter my giveaway that ends on 7/22 here:  http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/2010/07/invitationbox-25-gift-card-giveaway-722.html.

*Disclosure:  I received a complimentary product for the purpose of this honest review.  However, I did use my own personal funds to purchase the product I wanted. 

Still Time to Get the Kids Moving with the USDA Forest Service

Summer is departing at least it feels that way to me since my daughter returns to school on August 9th.  I think I like it better when I was a kid and we started after Labor Day.  I didn't get nearly enough summer time to enjoy my kids and get them outside.  One thing we did differently this summer was to buy a picnic basket from Target which was under $20 and what a great investment for summertime fun!

If you are like me, you are always looking for new ideas to engage some family fun time while getting them outside.  Outdoor activities are not only fun but they are educational and healthy alternatives to staying inside.  The USDA Forest Service has released a newly-designed nature and forest site, DiscoverTheForest.org.  The site inspires kids (and their parents) to spend time in nearby national forests or parks, and it provides plenty of destinations and ideas for activities while you’re there.

At http://www.DiscoverTheForest.org you can find:

• An excellent, easy-to-use “nature finder” tool where you can type in your zip code and find the nearest forest, park or nature sanctuary
• Lots of fun online games that will teach parents and kids interesting things about nature, such as how to identify wildlife tracks or use a compass
• Tips for parents on how to help get their kids outside and enjoying nature, including an activity book of stuff to do when outside
• You can fan us at facebook.com/DiscoverTheForest for access to fun photos, tips, nature information and much more

Miss America has joined forces with Discover the Forest too.  In an exclusive video, she recounts her memories of having fun spending time outdoors as a child, and talks about why you should make sure to help your kids experience nature as well. You can view and embed the video here.

Follow the USDA Forest Service on Facebook or Twitter.

Ever Heard of Vincennes, Indiana?

I'm a history buff and in fact, I'm in the middle of writing my very first historical novel based on real family events in the late 1700's in Louisiana.  I took one of my nieces home this past weekend to where my parents live.  My dad left year's ago once he joined the Air Force and met my mom in England.  They eventually made it to northern Indiana near Chicago but after spending my entire childhood there, they moved to Vincennes in 1986.  I eventually followed, got married and had my first child in 1990 at the ripe old age of 20.  Now, my baby just turned 22 and is having her own baby. 


While I was visiting, I took my other niece and my middle child to visit the sites in Vincennes because they are not only neat but are very historical.  Here are some facts on the town:


http://www.vincennes.org/content.asp?page=1&code=history

 

The city of Vincennes is rich in history. As the oldest city in Indiana, previously a French fur trading post, Vincennes has been at the forefront of the development of Indiana and the Midwest. Founded in 1732, it was George Rogers Clark and his small army who took the largest land conquest in the revolutionary war away from the British in 1779. Greatly disadvantaged in number of troops compared to those inside Fort Sackville, Clark relied on the marksmanship of his troops and the ability to convince the British of a larger army to win the fort. Today, the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Vincennes is the site of the largest Memorial Monument west of Washington, D.C. which honors the heroic accomplishments of Colonel Clark and his men. The City of Vincennes is one of only 3 communities in the entire state of Indiana with a National Park within our city limits. In 1800, the Indiana Territory was formed and Vincennes, nestled along the Wabash River, became its capitol. William Henry Harrison became its first governor and then went on to become the United States ninth president. Grouseland, the home he built and the first brick home in the territory, still stands today and is open for tours daily

Vincennes was at the heart of many of Indiana`s firsts including site of the first Catholic church in Indiana, first county, first newspaper, first Presbyterian church, first Masonic Lodge, first bank and first medical society. In 1801, the Jefferson Academy was founded. Eventually becoming known as Vincennes University, this is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Vincennes history is also rich in architecture. Many French influenced homes and buildings dot the city. Many of the buildings are built not only around pre-1900s but also closer to the beginning of the 1800s. For instance the Indiana Territorial Capitol Building, considered the oldest major government building in the Midwest, was built in 1805 as a tailor shop. It's really a nice, quaint town but could do so much more if they invested and built up the historical aspect of it.  The George Rogers Clark Memorial is a national memorial and it's huge!  It's old too but it's magnificent in every aspect.  Inside are huge detailed murals of the events to include Clark. The entire region is history in the making right down to the beautiful community college they have on the banks of the Wabash River.  The Old Gimbel store is still present and my dad always tells me the story of his mom who worked there when he was a child. I always said if I were mayor, I'd bring back the old historical flavor of downtown and market it for the value of education coupled with great family fun.

Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year

Back to school and many parents are getting ready to party but I am mixed about school.  I like the fact that she's learning, socializing and getting exposure to so much goodness yet I miss her terribly.  I also worry about her eating properly as she has epilepsy and needs to have a stable environment relative to sleeping, eating and not getting too exhausted.  Some of the things I do to help protect her are pretty basic and are the same that I do for myself and other family members.

1. Proper rest is imperative for anyone.  Without it, she will have difficulty concentrating, focusing on the subjects and staying awake.
2. Eating healthy is essential again for anyone.  A proper diet is vital to a healthy education.  Without proper nutrition, we cannot function, focus nor feel good.
3. Balancing school, home and social functions can be overwhelming for kids so I ensure there is a balance of activities so she's not burning the candle at both ends to include myself.
4. I'm a stickler for hand washing!  I have a younger one with a compromised immune system so the issue of hand washing is a big deal.
5. Manners is another area in which I feel generates into a happy, adjusted child.  Children need to learn and understand manners and good citzenship.  Manners is the key to socializing which in turns produces happy children and a successful school year as what teacher doesn't love a polite child?
6. Routine check ups with the eyecare professional, dentist and pediatrician are paramount to ensuring my child is on track and not suffering from something such as poor eyesight which creates more problems.
7. Proper clothing as nothing is more distracting to a child than clothes and shoes that don't fit.  Kids are very aware of each other and ensuring kids are comfortable, wearing appropriate, clean clothing will also aid in ensuring they have a healthy, safe and successful school year.
8. Good hygiene habits such as regular baths also eliminates children teasing one another while safe guarding them from other things lurking behind the scenes that can increase sicknesses.
9. Setting aside time to do school work together.  Children sometimes need to be motivated to do school work and for a child to be successful, the parents need to take their part in the education at home.
10. Love and hugs is last but not least! A child needs positive reinforcement with all the love and emotional support you can give.  A well nurtured child will be more confident, feel better about themselves and be more loving to one another.

The purpose of this post is not only to enter the TwitterMoms and Airwear's contest in winning possible prizes (you can find out more here) but also to raise awareness about a topic that is personal to me.  I wore glasses as a child and wear them to read now.  I know how important early, accurate testing is to ensure a child is not missing out because he/she cannot see properly.  My parents had me tested at a young age via the school's testing.  I had my seven year old tested at the local Army facility and realized quite quickly that the test was inadequate as they let her pass at that time because she was unable to communicate easily with the technician.

With back to school awareness, you can also enter the Airwear essay contest at www.LighterSaferGreener.com.  One winner will receive $1000!  10 first prize winners will receive voucherss for Airwear lenses valued up to $400!

Need facts on choosing eyewear?  Click here.  You can also follow Airwear on Twitter or Facebook.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about.