Ficklets: Eyewear Charm Huggers & Back to School

With back to school time it means the essentials like eye exams which is something that I'm behind in doing.  When my middle one had her eyes tested two year's ago, she didn't know how to communicate very well so the tech passed her at the local military hospital.  I thought this was okay at the time but wished I had pushed for a proper exam.  Little did I know that day that she was prepping for her first day of school with eye and hearing exams and inoculations, she would develop an unexpected diagnosis of epilepsy.   That is an entire different set of posts!

 

 

Back to the eye exam as it's so important to screen your children regularly as it can hinder their education.  I had eyeglasses as a child and hated them as back in the day of the dinosaurs, they were ugly, big and bulky.  They had no personality and usually just equated to a big blinking "geek" sign overhead.  Not anymore!

A wonderful woman named Ros created these ingenious little eyewear charm huggers that fit on a kid's pair of glasses with ease.  They are inexpensive and interchangeable.  The idea was developed by the love she had for her own daughter's dislike in her glasses.  This sudden idea transformed to a business that caters in to helping children enjoy and maybe even love their glasses.   There are many designs to choose from and the variety allows so much of the child's personality to shine.


If you haven't checked out Ficklets, you should!  Visit www.ficklets.com for yourself!

Blogmania 2011 Dream Team Members

Tommee Tippee Review

I've been trying to wean one of my children off of her bottle for some time with little luck.  I have tried cup after cup and no matter what I use, she's too stubborn to budge.  I jumped on the chance to review the Tommee Tippee collection from a Mom Bloggers Club opportunity since I have young children and a grand baby on the way.  

If you aren't familiar with Tommee Tippee, as I wasn't, they are bright colored infant and toddler feeding products from the number one brand in the UK.  Mayborn Group Limited has a reputation built around the Tommee Tippee products since 1965.  What is unique about this collection of products is they are designed to promote natural development at every stage, age and feeding need.


The Tommee Tippee Cup features a rounded, weighted base that avoids accidental tip overs.  The Explora Cups have an advance-flo valve that was designed by a physicist and requires no force drinking with no leaks and spills.  I know with my children, until they can grasp that sipping concept, this is a great way for weaning.  I have never had a sippy cup that didn't either require a forced sipping or a cup that leaks.  I love this concept and it works as there were no messes when she tipped the cup.

  

The Explora product line includes sippy cups, straw cups, water bottles, drinking cups, meal sets, weaning bowls, food pots and utensils for ages six months and up.  The bright colors are perfect for little ones as well since they are visually stimulating and what kid won't want to have something that is bright and different?


The mat is a nice feature that works with the weaning bowls and affixes to most flat surfaces.  No spills = happy me!  It rolls up for easy traveling, BPA free and easy to clean.  This is a great example of how their products are created for children and parents as well!

Some of the qualities that I like the most are they are BPA free, ergonomically shaped for little hands and fingers, microwavable, dishwasher and microwave safe, stackable for better storage and available in more than one color.  I also love the fact that their products are made to not spill, tip over and make extra messes.  This is a big bonus for me as they do well enough on their own in creating messes.  They are durable and my kids love them and so do I!


I haven't been able to wean her yet but she does like being a big girl!


Ready to take that jump over and try the Tommee Tippee product line?  You can find them at Toys R Us and Babies R Us!


You can also stay up to date on Tommee Tippee's Facebook page and Twitter.

Fogless Shower Mirror Review and Giveaway 8/25 - WINNER CLOSED

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...
lovelyritaann


An e-mail has been sent and Rita has 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen by random.org.


Thanks!

I've never owned a mirror that goes in the shower and often I think that my husband would definitely love to have one so he can see on those days when he showers.  I think the idea is wonderful and although not new, the technology is improving.  I received the Toilettree Products Fogless Shower Mirror for review and one for a giveaway.

This patent pending design easily affixes to your wall and is simple yet it works.  After following the easy to follow directions of applying it to your wall, simply remove the mirror from the base and fill the reservoir with hot water from your shower head and it's done!  The other nice features of this mirror is it's adjustable, it has a built-in shelf to store a razor, a squeegee is provided to wipe away water drops and it's shatter proof which I can vouch for as it's already been dropped twice and no cracks or damage.

  

Here is a tip I did not know about, according to the website, dermatologist recommends performing daily skin tasks while in the shower as the combination of heat and moisture provides the ideal environment for shaving, tweezing and cleansing.


All in all, I like the mirror and can't wait for my husband to return from Kuwait to try it out for himself.  If you would like to have one, this is a great choice given it's fog-free, adjustable and rust free.  It fits in to the current decor given it's sleek silver and black appearance.


You also get a money back guarantee and you can purchase the Fogless Shower Mirror with Squeegee by ToiletTree Products. Guaranteed Not to Fog, Designed Not to Fall straight from Amazon for only $29.95.

The Giveaway:


One reader will win their very own Fogless Shower Mirror!


To Enter:


Follow my blog and tell me what feature you like the most about the mirror.


Extra Entries:

• Follow ToiletTree on Twitter (two entries)
• Fan ToiletTree on Facebook (two entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway (two entries)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (two entries)
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Subscribe to my blog (one entry)
• Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
• Fan me on Facebook (two entries)
• Enter any of my on-going giveaways (five entries)
• Vote for my daughter's Angels4Epilepsy Pepsi Refresh project (five entries)

Giveaway ends 8/25 at midnight - winner will be chosen via random.org.

US only please.

$30 Kroger or You-Name-It GC Giveaway 8/16: CLOSED WINNER

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...Mami2jcn!

I'm getting ready to send an e-mail and she has 48 hours to respond!  

Stay tuned, getting ready to start a new giveaway to get more votes for her!

Thanks to all who supported Jamie!

Here is an easy giveaway for you because I really want to see my daughter win a Pepsi Grant for her project Angels4Epilepsy.  In addition to my other giveaway of a $100 GC, Zhu Zhu Pets and more, you have a chance to also win a $30 Kroger GC or wherever you want!


To enter:


Just vote for my daughter by clicking the link below that reads "Vote for this Idea."   Once you click on the button, you have to either sign in via Pepsi or Facebook and then click on "Vote" once again.  You will receive a "thank you" upon a successful vote.


After you successfully voted, leave a comment on this post to be entered.


Extra Entries:

• Vote every day and leave the day you voted for three extra entries.
• Tweet "Please vote to give this idea 5K: 7 year old's Angels4Epilepsy project for children with epilepsy  #pepsirefresh http://pep.si/dCLJiA" and leave your Tweet url - worth two entries - can be done daily
• Blog about this giveaway (worth five entries) - post url
• Post on your Facebook page either by url from the Pepsi page or via the upload application on the Pepsi page after you vote for her - three entries - can be done daily
• Follow my blog (two entries)

Giveaway ends 8/16 at midnight and winner will be chosen via random.org.  Open to both US and Canada.

Boboli Pizza on the Grill: Excellent!

I finally had the chance to grill out a pizza and not only was it a fun activity for my kids and I to participate in, it was one of the best pizzas I've ever had.  We picked up our two complimentary Boboli Pizza Crusts this past weekend and today, grilled them.  We used one recipe on the wrapper and made a plain cheese one with the other.  We also decided to try the Boboli Pizza Sauce which is now my favorite sauce.

The directions are very easy:

1. Turn the grill on high for about 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Turn off one burner:  I turned off the middle one and kept the two sides on high.
3. The girls brush one side of the crust with Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil before I placed it on the grill and then I brushed the other side after I placed it on the grill. 
4. Remove from grill after allowing each side to cook for 2-4 minutes.
5. Place your desired toppings onto the pizza.
6. Grill for another 7 to 9 minutes and it's done.

It was so crispy and the taste was amazing.  It was partially the sauce as I'm very picky about my sauce having a particular taste.  I preferred the pizza we made with chicken, cilantro, Mexican cheese and onions over the plain cheese pizza.

All my children loved it!  I'm sure having them help make it encouraged them to eat their creations!

Thanks to Boboli for a chance to finally try grilling out with pizza.  For more information on Boboli, click here.

Follow Me Monday

Join me in the Follow Me on Monday!  It's a day early but you can still post now!


Have a great day and please vote for my 7 year old's project, Angels4Epilepsy, to help other children with epilepsy (click link or use the widget on the right hand side) - Thank you!

Link Up Your Giveaways Sunday

Love Is ...

Having your three year old singing to Taylor Swift's video of You Belong to Me to have her turn to you and say "I love you, mom"


Isn't it funny how such little things in life mean so much than any money or gift you can get?


Being a parent is such a gift of life that it's sad when others let it go without realizing that little inkling of time we are granted with them as children passes as quickly as a blink of an eye.  I am guilty of it myself in my younger days as I was working to get ahead in the pharmaceutical industry.  I don't have a ton of regrets as I was able to get my then only child many things she wanted while I was a single parent.  If I could turn back the clock, I would spend a little more time with her.  We had good memories of going to the mall after school and spending money, going out to dinner, going on vacation and spending time with her cousin who lived next door.


All those memories are priceless and I have tons of photos to prove it.  I think the older I get, I realize to savor all my time I can have with them.  When my job was running out, I was hit with many questions rushing me back into employment and I couldn't understand the rush.  Why not spend time with my children?  We aren't exactly in poverty as my husband feels we are so I would rather pass over the money to be with my kids.  

Life is about giving back not what you can get.  I am grateful my father taught me so much about giving, smiling, caring, nurturing and loving.  All qualities that I am passing on to my children.  It was four years ago this month that my father learned he had colon cancer and it's the third summer he's learned he's remission free. At 73, I'll take every extra year I can have with him.  Here is to you Dad!

Modnique is having some great sales if you are a Murano Glass, Oniss Paris, Spy Zone, Level 99 or Elvis Presley/Marilyn Monroe fans!

Modnique is having some great sales if you are a Murano Glass, Oniss Paris, Spy Zone, Level 99  or Elvis Presley/Marilyn Monroe fans!  Level 99 jeans normally $99 at just $28!  Great prices!

 

Zulily Medical Alert Bracelet for Kids Sale $19.99

This is a big one for me being that I have two smaller children with chronic medical conditions.  I have bought a couple before but these come with the USB which makes them perfect for sharing medical information to the doctors if something unexpected arises and they have to go to the ER.   I love the concept and will be purchasing two for my children and wanted to share this one!


They are water resistant, comes in many colors and sizes and are available at Zulily.

Zuvo Water Purator Review and Giveaway 8/26 - Winner Closed

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Valancia!

An e-mail has been sent and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen by random.org.

Thanks to all those who entered and voted!

Clean water is so necessary for healthy lives and as a parent, I want only the best for my family to include myself.  When we moved to Georgia, the water tasted and smelled so bad that I couldn't drink it so I ventured down the road of bottled water.  Granted I understand that bottled water mostly comes from the same tap water but some places do osmosis and other processes to make it smell and taste better.  I worry about what's truly in the water since I don't know the origin of the source.  Given those concerns, when I first read about the Zuvo Water Purator, I contacted them about providing a review which they generously agreed to do with each of my mom panel of reviewers.

 

My Review:


I found the Zuvo Water Purator extremely easy to hook up.  I even made a video demonstration below and don't fault me as I did it in one shot and this is my very first video review!  Nevermind the camel statue (from one of my husband's deployment to Afghanistan) in the background and the mess in my office that you can see as I've never been a clean freak!   


Pro's:

• Easy to set up - remove from box, unpack, hook to faucet, plug in and turn on.  Very easy!
• Clean tasting water with no smell - I really liked the taste of it over the plain tap water.
• Fits easy on the counter or it can be assembled under the sink directly to the plumbing with the sink.
• Lights up to ensure it's working - this is very nice and the kids like the pretty blue light with swirling water that fills up the tank.  The blue light is actually the UV at work (see below for more information on the UV lighting).
• Versatile in that the pull or push of the knob, enables tap or filtered water - this will save you money on filters by having a choice.
• Saves you money as there is no longer a need to purchase water.
• Better for the planet with no more plastic garbage and packaging to dispose of.
• Two of my children have chronic medical conditions and although I'm not making any medical claims, I feel better giving them something I feel is better for them based on how the Zuvo works (see below).

Con's:

• It's a little noisy but nothing you can't live with as the benefits of clean water far exceed noise.  
• Costs of filter replacements but again, there is a monetary savings with no more water bottle purchases so it should equate to a pro with the long term savings.

This is a definite must for anyone who is worried about the water ingested and your own health.  I like this system better than my existing PUR water pitchers as it's at my disposal all the time and there is no more filling up pitchers.  

April's Review:


The system was easy to set up and use.  The cost savings is worth the cost of the Zuvo since there are no more purchases of store bought water needed.  The water tasted better than the bottle water we usually purchase and the idea of helping to eliminate trash is a bonus.

The part I liked about the Zuvo system is being able to install it under the counter to be out of sight.  It's light and compact while delivering such high quality tasting water.   It is costly and for someone on a fixed income, it would be a stretch to be able to afford it.   I recommend the Zuvo Water Purator if you are concerned about your drinking water as it's easy to install, easy to use and is a healthier alternative to tap water.  Being pregnant, I feel better about consuming water that has had the contaminates removed.  

Mary's Review:


Overall, I found the Zuvo filter system easy to use, convenient and helps to assure me that my grandkids have a healthy alternative to our tap water.  They loved the blue lighted cylinder and I think that helps to promote and encourage them to drink more water which is far better than soda.  


I was surprised at how easy it was to set up and install.  My husband, who is elderly, had no issues installing it and it went on in a breeze.  We don't have a lot of counter room but the cylinder is small enough that it doesn't really take up a lot of room.   If you don't have a lot of room, you might consider putting it under the counter.   The benefits of the system over the little amount of counter space it takes, exceeds that.  


Note:  I have one more review pending but due to a death in the family, it will be added at a later date.


How Zuvo Works:


The Zuvo has a five step patented process:

• Step 1:  Ozonation - the Zuvo mixes ozone with the incoming tap water to treat the taste and odor contaminants and improves taste.  Ozone leaves no chemical residue.
• Step 2: Ultraviolet Light - High intensity UV light floods the saturated ozone water that helps to clean.
• Step 3: Photo-Oxidation - The Zuvo combines UV and ozone in their patented process which releases powerful oxidizers.
• Step 4: Filtration with Lead Removal - Water is passed through a Class 1 Particulate Reduction Filter that reduces the chlorine taste, odor, lead and tiny particulates.
• Step 5: Post Filtration UV - The filtered water is exposed again to the UV light as it leaves the Zuvo Water Purator.

There are different models available depending on where you purchase it from.  Amazon has one model listed at $205 while they have another model at $289.99. 

Overall, we all recommend the Zuvo Water Purator and feel you will enjoy it too!  The cost of the system will pay off in the long term with the elimination of purchased bottled water, less garbage and a healthier feeling knowing the water has a process to filter out contaminants.

The Zuvo is available at many retailers and to find one, just click here.

The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive their very own Zuvo Water Purator! 

To Enter:

Follow my blog and tell me one thing you like about the Zuvo.

Extra Entries (optional):

• Fan Zuvo on Facebook (two entries) and leave a comment on their wall you entered from Health, Beauty, Children & Family.
• Tell me something you learned about Zuvo (two entries).
• Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
• Fan me on Facebook (two entries)
• Subscribe to my blog (two entries)
• Tweet about this giveaway & leave your URL link (two entries - can be done daily)
• Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
• Enter any of my other giveaways (five entries)
• Vote for Angels4Epilepsy for a Pepsi Grant - (can be done daily - five entries)

Giveaway ends 8/26 at midnight - winner chosen by random.org

Thanks for entering and good luck!

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Shaping our children is a task we learned from our own upbringing and those around us.  It's not an easy task but it can be a fun, rewarding and heartfelt one.  I remember telling my childless friends who were single how the love of a child is indescribable and can only be experienced by having one.  It's one where you fall in love but not the love you have for the opposite sex.  It's an intense love full of the most protective traits and innate feelings that aren't learned.  As I try to decide if the internet is good or bad due to the bombardment of what seems to be never ending bad news, I can't help but ponder it's weight.  I don't want to be an ostrich living in fear or of the unknown as I feel it's why our country, our world is where it is today.  Too many people shrug off the bad and keep surrounded by their own little world.  


I took this picture of one of my little ones today as my middle one tried to make her laugh.  It's these every day joys that I'm blessed with in realizing our time with our children is precious and must be embraced.  We shape their future and our actions are paramount to their lives.

When I look at my children, it breaks my heart to read the stories of other children abused, murdered and mistreated.  It's beside me how any person, especially a parent could act so viciously on someone so innocent, defenseless and pure.  My daughter told me of a case that it's in the news right now in Arizona where a mother fell asleep and woke up to discover her two year old son was gone.  They found his body and are investigating.  Nancy Grace and a slew of others are slamming this mother for falling asleep.  I don't know if she should be or not but it seems she's mourning and paying the price for that one moment she will question forever of "if only."  


I am over protective but I always say it just pads those moments where I hopefully won't ever say "if only."  


The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is always looking for donations.  It's a great resource for protecting our children.  For more information, click here.

More Opportunities to Get $25 from Gilt: Flat Out Beautiful

Shop Guilt Free Every Week in August by purchasing select sales like Dress Up: Day and Night, Bohemian Chic Jewelry and Flat Out Beautiful.  Spend $125 and get $25!


Click here to find out more!

Wordless Wednesday: Corny

Only you can prevent cave fires....my future son-in-law at Ruby Falls.

Hurry Over to Gilt for a $25 Credit for Children

 

Hurry over to Gilt for a special $25 credit but you have to buy today!  They have a cute selection of items right now.

Shop Gilt Children, Get $25

Big news for your little ones, we're introducing a greater selection of apparel, toys, gear, furniture and so much more. More styles. More toys. More fun.

Offer only valid for Gilt Children sales on August 3, 2010 and August 4, 2010. $25 will be credited to your account on August 6 at 11:59 PM ET. Credit expires on August 20, 2010 at 11:59 PM ET. One credit per member while supplies last.

 

12 Choking Hazards to Avoid for Children

This was just posted on HealthCommunities.com and I had no idea that some of the items on the list were choking culprits like peanut butter!

August 3, 2010

Most choking incidents involve tots younger than age 3. But the danger still exists for children older than four, suggests a study published in the Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. Here's what you need to know to protect your youngster from choking.

Pirate's Booty: My Kids LOVE Them

This is my second post on Pirate's Booty snacks out of brand loyalty.  My kids absolutely love them and when the new auto shipment arrived as I order them from Amazon, they went crazy!   Pirate's Booty, Aged White Cheddar, 4-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) is the one we received this time but we have tried the others and so far, there isn't one they don't like.   I am writing about them because it's a healthy alternative to other snacks.  If you don't know about Pirate's Booty, they are baked, all natural and are gluten and trans fat free!

  

They also come in a variety of sizes for your convenience but they have to be hidden by me because I can eat a whole bag without blinking!  They are delicious!  I purchased the school pack sizes and each one contains 65 calories and are made of corn meal and rice.  They don't have all those preservatives and additives so I feel much better about them eating them.


They are light, crunchy and have an addicting taste to them so be warned!  I think I'll send some over to my husband in Kuwait.  


The first time we tried them, Earth Fare had a display out to try and then we were hooked. I found that I can get them cheaper through Amazon via the auto ship program.   Here is a link to my other post when I was first introduced to them.


Here is their page and you can fan them on Facebook.