Storkie Express, Inc Invitations & Announcements with Style Review & Giveaway 9/24 - Winner Closed

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...

Super Frugalette

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

Thanks to all those who enter and don't forget to check out Storkie for all your party needs!

I am really big into parties and making a big deal out of them.  Anyone who knows me knows that I go that extra length in ensuring every details is as perfect as I can get them and I spend hours looking for the perfect products to compliment my parties or special events.  I usually plan months ahead of time for Christmas and I'm currently planning my daughter's baby shower at the same time.  I had the opportunity to review complimentary Christmas cards and I liked them so much that I ordered baby shower invitations and photo stamps to match from Storkie. 

The product I chose to review was hard to decide as the styles were plentiful and all were appealing.  I chose the Christmas Cards Inventations due to the style and assortment that appealed to my wish for elegance this year with a twist of personalization and a huge "wow" factor.  Out of the 46 styles in this category alone, I chose the Rudolph Holiday Wrap and Photo.   The photos slip into the side pocket and can be fastened with an accompanying Glue Dot.  


The creation process is very easy and effortless.  When you create them, you have a sense of accomplishment as you truly did personalize and create something that reflects your personality.  Once you select the style of card you want, you click on "Click to Customize."  The next steps are equally as easy:

1. Choose the pocket color (14 choices)
2. Choose the inner pocket color (20 choices - some at additional costs)
3. Choose the pocket seal color (10 choices)
4. Choose custom printing or no printing
5. Enter Family Name and Family Members
6. Upload photo
7. After entering the iDesign area, you choose the layout of the font, font, color, size and any other editing needed for the wording and the photo.
8. You can choose to undo an action or start over with ease
9. You have the choice to review the final product or entrust Storkie with the view and provide any special instructions.

There are also recommended items shown to help compliment your purchase.  The process was very easy and seeing the results in real time helps to make the decision easier.


The cards were just as seen and are beautiful.  They are made of high quality, durable card stock with elegant lettering on another piece of card stock that is inserted.  For additional costs, you can have the cards assembled or you can assemble them yourself and you can also choose matching custom printed envelopes.  The choices are plentiful and I like how Storkie provides a cheaper choice for those on a budget and the works for those that don't have to be as concerned with the money factor.  I was very pleased with the photo quality as well.  Every step of the process is quality driven and the customer service is just as good.


The other items that I purchased myself because I really liked the products and customer service were baby shower invitations.  White Shimmer Foldover with Satin Ribbon are both beautiful and elegant.  Priced at $2.29 but are well worth it again due to the quality and beauty of each card.  Just like the Christmas cards, you can have them assembled for a small fee or assemble them yourself.  For these, I did pay the extra cost to have the envelopes addressed to add to the pretty factor.  I also purchased matching photo stamps to add to the joy of our first grandchild.  When you create your cards at Storkie, they provide wording ideas to help the process be even easier.  It's so easy and the results are worth the minimal effort to create.  Storkie even has customer service available to contact before you order if you have any questions at 1-800-771-7867 from 8 am until 7 pm (EST).


Storkie also provided detailed assembly instructions for each set of cards and assembly was just as easy.  My daughter's fiancé was reluctant when he saw the invitations online but when he saw them in person, he loved them.  He thought they were beautiful and elegant and caught the essence of their first born.

 

  

If you aren't familiar with Storkie, they offer products for a variety of occasions:

• Baby
• Religious
• Wedding
• Party
• Graduation
• Holiday

Their website is easy to navigate and even includes a step-by-step guide on how to Facebook your wedding.  There are favors to choose from to include these cute mints, cookies and more.

 

Storkie can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and their blog.  I would recommend Storkie when planning your next party or special occasion for the quality, customer service and selection.


This product review and giveaway was made possible by Mom Spark Media.  


Giveaway:


Storkie is graciously offering one of my readers one sheet of 20 custom holiday postage stamps.  If you haven't tried custom postage stamps, you should as every time I use them on envelopes, my recipients marvel at them and tell me how neat they are.  They are always the big deal for my invitations and cards.


To Enter:


Follow my blog and tell me what product from Storkie you like the most.


Extra Entries (worth one unless specified otherwise):

1. Follow Storkie on Twitter.
2. "Like" Storkie on Facebook.
3. Subscribe to Storkie's blog.
4. Subscribe to my blog.
5. Follow me on Twitter.
6. Tweet about this giveaway - can be done daily
7. Blog about this giveaway - worth five extra entries
8. Always check home page for more opportunities for bonus entries.

Giveaway ends 9/24 at midnight (EST).

Thanks to all those who enter - US only please

Crystal® Deodorant Review & Deals

I'm on a mission to get healthier and with that mission, is a path forward identifying products that will be better for myself and my family.  I have many concerns about products currently out there and one product that has a pretty high concern for me is deodorant.  I don't like the chemicals that are present in nearly all deodorants on the market.  My seven year has epilepsy and I try to steer clear of bad over the counter products that contain questionable ingredients.  She started needing deodorant and I was so hesitant in buying her some until my other daughter found a natural product.  It was a stick type deodorant that you have to get wet to use.  She didn't care much for it so when One2One Network offered an opportunity to receive complimentary Crystal® Deodorant, I had to try it.


Facts about Crystal® | Respect the body™:

• Crystal® is the original mineral salt deodorant brand (established in 1984)
• Crystal® is a natural deodorant that actually works
• Simple ingredients, simple promise:  All day natural odor prevention
• Mineral salts create an invisible barrier that make it impossible for odor causing bacteria to grow
• Crystal® deodorants are available in 28,000 stores worldwide (including Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid)

  

Crystal® Deodorant is the world's first original and first mineral salt deodorant brand that prevents odor, goes on like any other deodorant and one stick can last up to a year!  That's a deal in itself!  My complimentary samples included three full sized roll-on samples.  


Available Crystal® Products:

• Both unscented (Crystal Body Deodorant®) and lightly scented (Crystal® essence)
• Crystal® Body Deodorant is available in 4.5 ounce Stick, 2.25 Oz. Roll-On and 4 Oz Body Spray
• Crystal® essence (Pomegranate, Lavender & White Tea and Chamomile & Green Tea) is available in 2.25 Oz Roll-On and 4 Oz Body Spray 

My seven year old tried the The Un-Deodorant.  She preferred the roll-on feel and it worked.  Crystal® Deodorant works by neutralizing bacteria versus masking the odors.  All of Crystal® Deodorants are hypoallergenic, contains no aluminum chlorohydrate, praben free, alcohol free, non-sticky and does not stain clothing.  Just her wanting to wear it was a big improvement over the other brands I tried and since it works, this will also help her in school with odor prevention.

Both my older daughter and I tried the other two. I tried the Essence Lavender and White Tea and she tried the Essence Pomegranate.  They rolled on with ease just as the other Crystal® Deodorants, dried quickly and did not stain.   The initial fragrance is strong from the roll on applicator but it does not stay strong on the body and leaves a nice, light fragrance.  I'm a heavy sweater and had to only use Secret but after application and spending part of a day in the hot Georgia sun, it's proven it is just as strong and effective but safer (as least in my opinion).  I did not like applying aluminum based products to my underarms and really have been wanting to make the switch over.


Interesting Facts on Crystal®:

• Mineral salts work as a buffer between your skin and odor causing bacteria.
• Goes on lightly, won’t leave a white residue.
• Won’t stain clothes.
• Crystal Body Deodorant Stick lasts up to a full year of daily use!  NO JOKE!
• Crystal deodorants do NOT need to be reapplied during the day.  A single application under each arm lasts the entire day. ( Can endure even the toughest, longest workouts.)
• Endorsed by Cancer Treatment Centers.
• Rated safest in the Skin Deep database / Environmental Working (www.ewg.org <http://www.ewg.org> )
• Compact Signer of the Campaign for Safer Cosmetics
• Never tested on animals (member of Leaping Bunny)

SEPTEMBER Crystal® SALE PRICE PROMOTION: (Not coupons but rather limited time discount)

• CVS & CVS.com - sale price September 1 – 30 
• $1 off the Crystal® Body Deodorant Stick 
• $0.50 off the the Crystal® Body Deodorant Roll-On (2009 Winner – All-Time Top 10 Classic Best of Beauty Award by Better Nutrition)  (http://bit.ly/crystalrollCVS)
• $0.50 off the Crystal® essence Pomegranate Roll-On (2010 Winner – Best Natural Deodorant by Better Nutrition Magazine)  (http://bit.ly/crystalpomCVS)

Halloween Costume Discount Codes & Special Galore

Free Shipping September Coupon! Get FREE Ground Shipping on Order $55 or more. Use Coupon Code: SEPT-SHIP

September Coupon! Get 10% Off Orders $85 or more. Use Coupon Code: SEPT10



















Buy One Costume, Get One Costume 25% Off From SpiritHalloween! Use Promotional Code: SPB1G1. Valid 9/1/10 - 9/30/10

New Round of Pepsi Refresh Grants: Please Vote Every Day Until 10/31

10 Ways of Making Your Favorite Foods Healthier

Who is not wanting to get in shape and be healthier?  It's definitely something I've struggled with and increasingly, have been focusing on ways to change a lifetime of bad habits.  I'm a yo-yo dieter inflicted with being a stress eater and although I haven't resolved it yet, I am finding little ways to make changes that will lead to new changes.  Since I have children and see how my bad habits are affecting them, I had a renewed interest in eating better to be a good role model.  I was amazed at how easy it is to actually make these changes without losing the quality in the foods we consume.  TwitterMoms and WeightWatcher's Smart Ones has a new challenge for us moms to share their 10 ways to make food healthier.
   

1. Some of the easiest ways to make foods healthier are just changing how you prepare them.  Eliminating or cutting down on the use of oil is a big change to make.  Grilling, broiling and baking are some of the most effortless ways of improving the healthy  aspect of your dishes while not sacrificing on taste.  We enjoy our pizza and have found grilling whole wheat crust and adding fresh vegetables is a fun way of eating better while having fun.
2. Adding more fruits and vegetables to a meal also increases the health impact of a meal while reducing other foods that aren't as healthy such as large portions of meat and other items like bread.  Fruits and vegetables are great ways to enjoy meals as they can compliment your main dish.  I usually choose fresh or frozen to get the most impact from the nutrients and vitamins and add it to our meat dishes to cut down on the amount of meat we eat.
3. Sneak food into other dishes if you have a picky child.  We love hamburgers and I have found recipes that include adding a mixture of spinach and blueberries to ground beef makes an amazing tasting hamburger and the kids have no idea that they have a little bit of power behind them!  Grilling is the final touch in making some pretty amazing burgers.  This type of sneaky chef tactics can be applied to many meals.
4. Substitute some items for something else.  I use items like applesauce or sour cream to replace butter.  One of our favorites is cupcakes and by replacing the butter with applesauce, it helps to make a change in the quality of the cupcake.  Small steps can go a long way in the long run and in many cases, I am hoping these changes will lead to bigger changes in the long run.
5. Hot dogs is another favorite in our house and although the nutritional content is not really there, we have found using whole wheat buns and adding chopped peppers and onions can add a little more nutritional value to the hot dogs.
6. You can't forget the ice cream!  Vanilla ice cream is a staple in our house but having a banana split bar adds to the fun when you can add bananas and pineapple to the delectable deserts!
7. I love sugar cookies and I cannot resist eating them when I make them.  I try to kid myself with this one so I can indulge a little more.  By taking the sugar cookie dough, I can add a cream cheese mixture and strawberries, bananas, kiwi, blueberries and more to create a beautiful, tasty fruit pizza.  The only problem is I can't stop eating it.
8. Chocolate is another vice in our house.  I have found a great way to jazz up chocolate is a fondue set using fruit and nuts to dip in the chocolate.  Creating fun with healthiness is the best way to go with children.  I have the pickiest eaters so implementing a fun way to eat healthy is the only way I go.  We typically have events like this on our family fun nights so it seems like a treat yet I know they are getting something a little healthy.
9. Summer time is always a great time for pop-cycles but they don't have to be bad for you.  Using fresh fruit is a great alternative with juice to make some tasty summertime treats that will have them begging for more.  Mine love the variation we can create and again, the "help" factor always brings them back because they love to be little chefs.  Besides, pop-cycles aren't just for the little ones as they can be great for us moms too! 
10. One of my final must have bad boys is French toast.  I love it and know it's not that great for you after the bread and syrup.  One of the ways I feel better about this sinful breakfast treat is to use 40 calorie bread, dip in egg with a sprinkling of cinnamon, sliced fresh strawberries and a sprinkling of Splenda.  This method eliminates so many calories while allowing me to eat a little healthier.  It's a beautiful dish with the colorful strawberries on top.

As I continue making changes with the ultimate goal of eating healthier for a longer future, I'm learning more and more on where to take these baby steps.  I have increasingly been aware of the little things that count like reducing sodium, reducing processed and refined foods, purchasing some organic fruits and vegetables as well as making logical changes.  Almost any food can be tweaked to make it a tad bit healthier and any change made now, makes it easier at the end.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and WeightWatchers SmartOnes blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Blogmania 2010 is Coming! 9/15 & 9/16 Over $700 in Prizes for One Winner

Calling out to my readers and sponsors:  I'm participating for the first time in Blogmania!

BLOGMANIA is a twice-yearly blogging event to offer awesome giveaways by a host of sites with quick entries, rapid prize distribution and a great time over a two day period.  If you would like to sponsor an item to add to my theme Home for the Holidays, send me a message at staying_younger@yahoo.com.


Here are some of my prizes:

 
Adorable Monkey Hat





Soft, Snuggly Alpaca Slippers


 


Scrabble Ornament

Warm, Comfortable Slipper Pattern





Adorable Little Girls Outfit





Beautiful Ornament





8 Glamorous Handmade Napkins





  


Boy and Girl Infant Holiday Outfits





Crafty and Cute Notecards





Adorable Pumpkin Infant Hat


 


Adoring Reversible Bib





Beautiful Addition from SONflower





Cute Imprinted Gift Bag





Gift Certificate!





Gorgeous Necklace



Frownies: Defy Wrinkles!

Trendy & Fashionable Bottlecap Necklaces

SoundBeginnings: Pregnancy Innovation!



Cute & Trendy Eyewear Charm Huggers



Gift Certificate




Necklace Necessities Ensemble


 
Cutely Tots - Cutest Kids Slip On Shoes





Untangled Living - Stainless Steel Dishware $40 Gift Certificate



CuddleBee - Choice of Bib and Burpies





Saint Francis Couture





Celebrate Recovery Volunteer Angel Charm & $10 Donation to Charity

Here is a list of my sponsors with pictures (above) depicting the giveaways.  Please visit each of my sponsors listed below as their store name is linked to their store site.


$700+ in prizes so far!


Would you like to have access to hundreds of prizes?
Would you like to discover new and exciting blogs?
Would you like to experience the Thrill of the hunt and the Ecstasy of winning?
Would you like to do all of this in just TWO DAYS?

SAVE THE DATES: September 15th and 16th.

Thanks and look forward to seeing you at Blogmania!

If you like the prizes, please visit each of my sponsors to thank them!

Find me on Facebook       Find me on Twitter

Sing-A-Lingo: Buenas Noches, Amigos Review

It would be nice for every child to learn another language and with the increase of the Spanish population, Spanish wold be a good one to learn.  We are going to be moving to El Paso at some point due to the military and I would like for my children to learn.  When the opportunity came up to review Sing-A-Lingo as part of my participation as a Mama Buzz reviewer, I jumped on it.  If you don't know much about Sing-A-Lingo, they are a company who tries to incorporate the lessons of learning Spanish through songs and stories.

As part of my review, I was able to try out the Buenas Noches, Amigos storybook and songs that are for bath and bed time.   The book has very colorful illustrations that are appealing to the little ones and my kids enjoyed them.  The story is in both English and Spanish and they have the option to sing along which my kids LOVE singing!   I think the singing concept of the book is ideal for children as they love to sing and after awhile, they will be able to pick it up.  This is a fun way to introduce a new language with it being very practical since they can relate to the every day tasks they are used to.

Another aspect of the book is at the back are the notes to allow you to play on a keyboard.  I think that's just another great aspect about this book in allowing a fun environment for learning.  

Sing-A-Lingo does include two songs in the book: Burbujas- Bubbles and Buenas Noches- Good Night.   Buenas Noches, Amigos is very reasonably priced at $9.99 from Sing-A-Lingo and right now, you can receive a 10% discount when you use this code: 1mama2buzz3.  

Stay up to date on the latest by Sing-A-Lingo by following both Facebook and @singalingo on Twitter.

(Disclosure: I received the book and 2 song downloads, free of charge, from Sing-A-Lingo, for the purposes of this review.)

Flavorful Low-Sodium Family Meals

My family's health is very important to me and with all the news of what is good and isn't good, it's hard to tell.  I do know one things and there is too much sodium in everything we eat so I look for ways to cut out the sodium.  With the proper seasoning, any meal can be jazzed up without having to add salt. One staple in my cabinet is Mrs. Dash seasonings.  There are so many to choose from but my favorite is the Mrs. Dash Original Blend as it has a blend of 14 herbs and spice and can be used on fish, chicken and more.  What is better is that there is no sodium in it.


When a recipe calls for sodium, try one of Mrs. Dash's seasoning choices instead.  I usually skip the sodium and replace it with other seasonings and no one has complained yet.  We also try to buy fresh or frozen foods that haven't been processed.  The processing process adds so much sodium and when you can buy fresh, you don't have the same worry.


I have learned to watch food labels and try to avoid the ones that have a crazy amount of sodium.  Looking for low sodium products on the label is the easiest way to avoid it.  I don't ever place the salt shaker on the table since it only encourages the extra use of salt.


Also, by incorporating more fruits and vegetables at the dinner table, the amount of sodium will be reduced.   We try to find ways to cook meals that don't require so much sodium such as fruit or salads.  There are many ways to eliminate sodium but I think the biggest way is changing how you shop for food.   Those are our worse enemies and once you try to eliminate the processed foods, you can start working on reducing the amount of salt you use in recipes as well as on the table.  It's an easy to adopt habit that is good for you and worth it!


Look for recipes that specifically target low sodium objectives such as this bruschetta bread recipe here.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120mL) roasted red peppers, from a jar
• 1 Tbsp.(15mL) Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend
• 1 tsp (5mL) lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (60mL) black olives
• 4 Oz (115g) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 whole French baguette
• olive oil spray

Directions:

1. Preheat barbecue grill to medium high.
2. Drain and chop red peppers.
3. Chop black olives.
4. Mix together red peppers, Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb, lemon juice, black olives and feta cheese in a medium bowl.
5. Slice French baguette into 1/2 inch (1.25cm) pieces and spray pieces lightly with olive oil.
6. Grill on barbecue until toasted on both sides.
7. Place toasted bread on a large tray.
8. Top each piece of bread with approximately 1 Tbsp. of red pepper mixture.

Share your special tips on how you reduce sodium usage in your house or better yet, join in with the other TwitterMoms here.


I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mrs. Dash and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.