Sweet Pennies from Heaven

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VTech Switch & Go Dinos

VTech Switch & Go Dinos ROAR Contest + Giveaway Ends 9/2

August 25, 2013 by Jenni 973 Comments

eli playing with dino


We have always been big fans of VTech products at our house. Our little guy loves their toys and he is currently fascinated with dinosaurs so he loves the new Switch & Go Dinos! These dudes transform from dinosaurs into vehicles with just a few simple moves. I love to watch him play with them. Not only is he fascinated with dinos, but he loves anything electronic. These Switch & Go Dinos feature high quality electronics! They’re super collectible too and have a unique transformation feature to provide a 2-in-1 imaginative play experience!

When the Switch & Go Dinos are in dinosaur mode, the sound effects sound like real dinosaurs and also gives fun facts about that particular dinosaur. Our guy knows all of his dinosaurs, but he is still learning a little more about each one of them! There are more than 15 Switch & Go Dinos now!

 

jagger

Jagger the T-Rex™

Jagger is the big kid on the block! He transforms from a construction crane to a Tyrannosaurus Rex in just a few simple steps. Combined with voice recognition technology, Jagger is one of the coolest Switch & Go Dinos yet! Jagger even recognizes and responds to specific voice commands. Say “Roar with me,” and hear him roar with his voice-activated motorized jaw.

 

switch & go dinos

Then there are some of the smaller Switch & Go Dinos, including:

·         Blister the Velociraptor™

o   Blister the Velociraptor transforms from a helicopter to a Velociraptor!

·         SkySlicer the Allosaurus™

o   SkySlicer the Allosaurus transforms from a jet plane into an Allosaurus!

·         MC Roar the Giganotosaurus™

o   MC Roar the Giganotosaurus transforms from a vehicle to a Giganotosaurus!

·         Stompsalot the Amargasaurus™

o   Sir Stompsalot transforms from a classic hot rod to an Amargasaurus!

·         Quiver the Stygimoloch™

o   Blink and you just might miss him! Quiver transforms from a super speedy race car to a Stygimoloch!

·         Torr the Therizinosaurus™

o   Transform from a rugged, off-road vehicle into a Therizinosaurus™!

·         Akuna the Velociraptor

o   Akuna the Velociraptor™ transforms from a super-fast motorcycle to a Velociraptor!

 

We have a few of these and he loves each and every one of them. He plays with them separately sometimes and other times he plays with them together. We have lots of boys in the family and these make great gifts too! I know what I’ll be buying for my nephews this Christmas!! These can be found at most any retail store like Walmart, Target, etc. You can also find them here on Amazon!

VTech Switch & Go Dinos

Make sure to like VTech on Facebook for updates and promotions. Right now they have a “Dino Roar” contest going on! The grand prize winner will win the complete line (15) of Switch & Go Dinos. Apprx. retail value of $348. Then one winner per week will win Jagger, the T-Rex from the Switch & Go Dinos line. He retails for $70!! Also, be sure to follow VTech on Twitter! They’re always sharing great things.

VTech has been kind enough to offer one of my lucky readers a gift pack which will include 3 assorted smaller Switch & Go Dinos! Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter! US residents only, giveaway ends Monday, September 2nd at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The VTech product, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech.

manwich

Make Dinner Easy with #Manwich – Mom Approved

August 25, 2013 by Jenni 78 Comments

This post brought to you by Manwich. All opinions are 100% mine.

Manwich

Things seem to be back into full swing with school schedules, sports, and early weeknight dinners! By the end of the day, mom is usually pretty worn out and we’re always looking for healthy, yet quick dinner ideas! Sloppy Joes are one of our family favorites…and we stick to Manwich! I love that sweet and tangy sauce!

Manwich is known for their “kid-stopping” power and they make meals  a messy-licious treat to be enjoyed with both hands! Just check out the video above if you don’t believe me! Or check out these other Manwich TV Ads.

Did you know that each can of Manwich offers a full serving of vegetables??!! They’re also free of artificial flavors and preservatives! They recently sent us 3 different varieties to try! We tried the Original, Bold, and the Thick & Chunky. All 3 were delicious…I actually think the bold one was my favorite, although the hubs liked the Thick & Chunky best. The little guy is a picky eater. He doesn’t care for big chunks of veggies so he stuck to the original.

Manwich

(Manwich Bold on the left and Manwich Thick & Chunky on the right)

Manwich

(Thick & Chunky on the left, Bold on the right)

manwich

(Manwich Original, with some french fries!)

I love how quick and easy Manwich is to make. Just fry your turkey or beef, drain the grease, add the sauce and you’re good to go! Add a side like fries or even sweet potato fries, green beans, corn, or another veggie (preferably one that the kids like) and dinner is ready! I also love that it’s one of our “leftovers” foods that tends to get eaten the next day. That way I can knock 2 days off my menu plan!!  You can get a little more creative with Manwich by checking out these fun Manwich Recipes!

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Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition

Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition + a Giveaway (Ends 8/20)

August 12, 2013 by Jenni 225 Comments

Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition


I remember reading Chicken Soup for the Soul books when I was young! I was always intrigued by how they came out with different books for different topics. I recently received a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition!! How cool is that?! It includes all the favorite original stories plus a bonus of 20 for the NEXT 20 years!

“Here, 20 years later, Chicken Soup for the Soul continues to open the heart and rekindle the spirit. You can celebrate the twentieth anniversary with the classic book that inspired millions – reinvigorated with bonus stories of inspiration! You’ll find hope and inspiration in these 101 heartwarming stories about counting your blessings, thinking positive, and overcoming challenges.”

Late in the evenings, after dinner and baths, I like to sit down with my Chicken Soup for the Soul book and just read a few stories. Reading helps me wind down a bit and I love the short stories! They really hit the heart and make you thankful for the human race!

Chicken Soup for the Soul is always coming out with new books, and they have something for everyone. They make incredible gifts for those you love. You can find Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition and other titles of Chicken Soup for the Soul on Amazon! Prices are great, and you can find them for your Kindle or the actual paperback versions!!

They were kind enough to offer (3) three lucky Sweet Pennies from Heaven readers a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition of their own! Just use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. US residents only. Giveaway ends 8/20 at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul 20th Anniversary Edition in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.

swimmers ear

Steer Clear of Swimmers Ear with Aqua Ears this Season + Giveaway Ends 8/8

August 1, 2013 by Jenni 545 Comments

swimmers ear


No More Swimmers Ear!

Steer Clear of Swimmers Ear with Aqua Ears!! Wow…I’m a poet and didn’t even know it! Okay, in all seriousness. Swimmers ear is NO fun!! Back when I was a kid and swam in the local pools and lakes, I’d end up with swimmers ear EVERY year. It’s so annoying and painful. My son was born with hearing issues, so we try our best to keep his ears nice and dry just to avoid infections and irritation.

Aqua Ears are silicone earplugs that basically mold to the shape of the inside of your ear. It basically seals out water which in turn makes for safer, happier ears! Did you know that the CDC says that germs along with water loving bacteria such as Pseudomonas found in pools and other water venues are one of the most common causes of swimmers ear (aka otitis externa). If you’ve never had it, what happens is that water gets trapped in the ear canal for long periods of time and causes pain, itching, redness and even infection. It’s misery!

swimmers ear

That’s why we like to use some sort of earplugs when swimming, just because it makes ME feel better knowing that I’m at least trying to keep my little guy from getting any unnecessary ear germs! I was excited to find out that Aqua Ears has a new line of fun and colorful licensed character earplugs! These include:

  • Finding Nemo
  • Hello Kitty
  • Spongebob Squarepants
  • Dora the Explorer
  • …and other Disney characters!

We were sent a variety of characters and little guy always had a difficult time choosing which one to use when we’d go swimming. I think his favorite was the Finding Nemo though 😉 They fit his ears great and were nice and comfortable for him to wear. We didn’t have any issues with them falling out. If your child’s ears are smaller, you can also tear some of the silicone off so that they fit better.

AquaEars are available at your local retailer for an average retail price of $4.00, and include a convenient carrying case. You can also find Aqua Ears here on Amazon if you like to shop online! For more information, visit http://www.cirrushealthcare.com/AquaEars-C6.aspx.

Okay…now who’s in the mood for a fun giveaway??!! Aqua Ears is giving ONE lucky reader a set of Aqua Ears. Winner can choose which character they’d like! US residents only, age 18+. Giveaway ends Aug. 8th at 11:59pm EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received Aqua Ears for free in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was received. Aqua Ears will fulfill one prize to a winner.

Cascade Platinum

Cascade Platinum Pacs Meet My Antique Dishwasher #MyPlatinum

June 26, 2013 by Jenni 492 Comments

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Cascade Platinum


So, my dishwasher is really old! It’s, ohh…I’d say 25-30 years old! We live in my parent’s old farmhouse – the home where I grew up at and when they moved, they left their original old dishwasher here. Now, I’m not going to say anything bad about my dishwasher because it gets the job done but I will say that I usually have to pre-clean or at least rinse my dishes really well before I load them into the washer. Otherwise, I’ll have some stuck on food.

Yes, I probably should just buy a new dishwasher but I’m a sentimental soul! I remember helping mom load this very dishwasher when I was young. Plus, it still works…so I won’t retire it just yet. 😉

Cascade Platinum

I usually have about a load full to wash every other day so my dishwasher gets it’s workout! The detergent I normally use does a decent job but it tends to sometimes leave streaks or that yucky white powdery film. I was sent a package of the Cascade Platinum Pacs to try. These Cascade Platinum Pacs have a triple action formula that is designed to leave your dishes virtually spot free plus keeps hard water build up off your dishwasher walls.

 

Cascade Platinum

Cascade Platinum

I’ve used these Cascade Platinum Pacs a few times over the past week or so and I made sure to NOT pre-rinse my dishes before loading them into the washer. I really wanted to see how tough this detergent was. I was very happy to see that it did a more than fantastic job at getting my dishes clean and shiny! EVEN without pre-rinsing! Hands down…better than my other brand!

Cascade Platinum Action Pacs:

  • Powers away tough, 24 hour stuck on food
  • Eliminates the need to pre-wash dishes
  • Helps maintain the look of new machines and helps prevent additional hard water film build up
  • Delivers exceptional dishware shine

 

Cascade’s Partnership with Gail Simmons

It’s so true that people eat with their eyes! Evidence of that is all over Facebook and Instagram. The Top Chef judge and editor of Food+Wine Magazine, Gail Simmons, is partnering with Cascade to show how presentation is just as important as food preparation! I enjoy taking photos of my dessert and dinner recipes that I share on my blog! Having pretty dishes and dishes that sparkle really do make a huge difference!!!

From prep to plating: It’s more than just a great tasting recipe, but also perfect presentation. Sparkling dishes, shining flatware and spot free glasses truly let you put your best food forward with culinary creations that pop!

Gail recommends impressing with a Platinum presentation: “The easiest recipes pop with unexpected, gourmet presentations. Drizzle bright sauces on sparkling white plates or layer desserts in crystal-clean glassware. Keep your presentation sparkling with Cascade Platinum, which keeps dishes perfect for anytime entertaining and impromtu guests.”

You can learn more about Cascade’s partnership with Gail Simmons by viewing videos available here on the Cascade Facebook page or the Cascade Youtube page.

The Cascade “My Platinum” Contest

This is a 4 week Instagram contest where fans can upload photos related to the weekly contest theme. Show off how sparkly Cascade makes all your pots, pans, and plates! Visit the Cascade “My Platinum” Contest page for more information on how to enter and submit your photos! You’ll be prompted to sign up for Instagram if you don’t already have an account.

Each week, two contestants will be selected to receive a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher. Also, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen makeover. To win, users have to both register and upload a photo with the #MyPlatinum hashtag and tag @MyCascade.

Each week will have a 6 day entry period where Instagram users can enter the contest with their #MyPlatinum photo. Cascade will choose 2 weekly winners and one final grand prize winner after the entry period has ended. Please make sure that you use the hashtag #MyPlatinum AND tag @MyCascade in your entries! The contest is almost over and there are just a few more days left in the contest…so hurry to enter!!!

Week 4: My Platinum Table (Entry Period: 6/24-6/30)
Show us your sparkling tablescape for your most special celebrations!

Hopefully an awesome Sweet Pennies from Heaven reader wins!!! That would be awesome! Good LUCK!!

Almondina

Almondina – Delicious Cookie without All the Guilt + a Giveaway Ends 7/2

June 25, 2013 by Jenni 745 Comments

Almondina


I love cookies…cookies of all kinds! Soft cookies, chewy cookies, even crunchy cookies. I recently was sent a big sample pack of Almondina. I had never heard of them before but who am I to deny cookies, right?! The box arrived and I opened up the package to see several varieties. First – I have to say that these little almond biscuits/cookies are sooooo good! They’re super crunchy with nice chunks of almonds in every bite. Love the taste and the texture!

 

Almondina

Here’s a little backstory about the company:

After reading more about the company, I found out that Almondina which is based in Ohio, is an inspiring success story about a man named Yuval Zaliouk, whose passions included music and wonderful food. For generations, his family enjoyed his grandmother Dina’s most secret cookie, which she called Petit Gateau Sec. Long after his grandmother’s death, he started making and selling this delicious cookie and renamed it Almondina, after his grandmother.

 

Almondina

Almondina

These yummy cookies are now available in all 50 states. Almondina is all natural and the best part (besides the crunch and flavor) is that they do not contain cholesterol, added fat, trans-fats, salt, or preservatives. Love!! We’ve tried all the flavors that they sent us. I have to say that my 2 favorites were the Choconut and the Cinnaroma. Both of those, I could have ate my weight in, especially with a nice hot cup of coffee. I was even shocked that my SUPER picky 7 year old enjoyed all of them and that’s saying a lot!

You can find Almondina is these stores: Fairway, Publix, Hy Vee, Giant Eagle, Brookshire, Mollie Stone’s, Hannaford, Jewel, Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Cost Plus World Market, TJ Maxx, Marshalls and many others. You can also check the store finder here to find a store near you! http://www.almondina.com/

Almondina

I was sent the following flavors and the really awesome thing is that one lucky reader will win the same sample pack that I received which is valued at $41.00.

Original – America ‘s all natural favorite with almonds and raisins

Chocolate Cherry – We combined the world’s finest dark chocolate with plump cherries to produce an irresistible, decadent treat without guilt.

Choconut – Rich tasting crunchy chocolate, but low in calories
Cinnaroma® – The original biscuit for cinnamon lovers
Gingerspice – Trend setting, with chunks of Australian ginger
Sesame – Irresistible, exotic, flavorful

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a sample pack of Almondina in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Keurig Review

Keurig, My Knight in Shining Armor (My Keurig Review)

May 23, 2013 by Jenni 1,149 Comments

Keurig Review

The perfect cup of coffee.


Ahhh – coffee. Is there anything better?! I am telling you, it was years before I was ever able to drink coffee. I loved the smell of it brewing but I didn’t like the taste of it. I always jokingly say that I didn’t reach adulthood until the age of 35 and that’s when I found my love for the sweet substance. I like mine with sweet cream, no sugar! How do you like yours?

Staples and Keurig offered to let me do a Keurig Review of the Keurig OfficePro B145 machine. I have heard about Keurig machines forever and was always jealous of my friends who had them. I liked the coffee maker that we already had but what I didn’t like about it was that in order to keep my coffee hot, I’d have to turn on the warmer. Then, once it got down to about a half a pot or less, the warmer would scorch the coffee. Down the drain it would go, such a waste! I didn’t really like microwaving my coffee either, because then it doesn’t taste as fresh.

Keurig Office Pro Version Keurig Review

 

It’s here! Yay!

Keurig Review

Keurig Review

So, when I was offered to do the Keurig review, I was beyond ecstatic! It was like 3 Christmas’s all wrapped up into one when the box arrived. I was happy to find my package included several different KCups to sample too! I tore open my box and plugged that baby in – and could NOT wait for my first cup of coffee. Now, a month later, I can still say that I cannot wait for my 1st cup each and every morning.

KCups Sample Pack - Keurig Review

It’s so easy to use and every single cup is a FRESH cup! YUM! It holds quite a bit of water so you don’t have to fill the machine with water for every cup. The water reservoir holds about 48 oz. of water so that’s several cups of coffee in one fill. The heater keeps the water nice and hot so every cup is nice and steaming! Each cup of coffee brews in under 1 minute so it’s super fast too!

Keurig making coffee

 

My knight in shining armor! 😉

I loved most of the KCups they sent for me to sample. My favorite one overall was the Green Mountain Nantucket Blend! Some of the stronger or bold varieties, I let my husband use because he likes really strong coffee. I love that there are so many different varieties of KCups and even sample packs if you like a variety. They also make tea, cocoa and cider KCups…yum! Keep in mind that there are also refillable coffee filters for Keurig machines if you find that you like one certain brand of coffee or if the price of KCups don’t work with your grocery budget.

I am SO in love with my Keurig machine and I really wish I had bought one a long time ago. It is my knight in shining armor! 🙂 This one that I have, the Keurig OfficePro B145 is really made for small offices but it’s no bigger than the personal machines. Plus, it gets better reviews online than some of the other Keurig models. This one retails for $129 on the Staples site.

Full disclosure: Staples provided me with these items for the Keurig review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own. Feel free to shop their entire line of Keurig Coffee Makers and Office Supplies online.

Mombo Nursing Pillow

Why Moms and Babies Love mombo™ Nursing Pillow

May 20, 2013 by Jenni 537 Comments

This post brought to you by Comfort and Harmony. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Mombo Nursing Pillow


Back when I had Eli, I used a nursing pillow but it was nothing in comparison to the mombo nursing pillow that is on the market today! This nursing pillow has a unique shape that is more comfortable and the 2 sides are different. The design is called Firm2Soft. One side is firm which gives support for mommy and baby when nursing and the other side is soft and perfect for tummy time!

The other really cool feature that I love with this pillow that I didn’t have with my old one is that it has vibration! All mommies know how much babies love that. It’s just really soothing to them, or at least it was for my little guy when he was an infant. Mombo by Comfort & Harmony has a nice assortment of pillow styles and slipcover fashions. They have Standard, Deluxe or Nude and all sorts of pretty slipcovers!

Conner with Mombo Pillow

We were sent the Mombo nursing pillow by Comfort & Harmony to use to provide a review. Since my son is older, I gave it to my great-nephew Conner. He loves tummy time and I know his mommy will get a lot of use out of it. She also has another baby on the way so I’m glad she’ll be able to use it with him/her. The image of Conner above is with the slipcover off.

Conner loves the soft side of the slipcover on his new pillow…he loves the feel of it on his face! He’s also intrigued by the vibration – as I figured he would be. His mommy loves the pillow because the cover is easy to remove and wash. She’s already been looking online at all the different slipcovers…cause you know baby’s gotta be stylin’! The product packaging was impressive too. It included a swatch tag so you could feel both sides of the pillow, the firm side and the soft side.

If you’re needing a nursing pillow or would love to give one as a gift, we HIGHLY recommend that you check out Mombo products! You can find them at Babies R Us. Make sure to “Like” Comfort & Harmony on Facebook (makers of Mombo) to stay up to date with news, information and promotions! You can also follow Comfort & Harmony on Twitter @ComfortHarmony!

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Things To Do in New York – Plan & Book Your Activities the Easy Way with Vimbly!

May 9, 2013 by Jenni 32 Comments

Things to do in New York


 

Looking for Things to do in New York?

Are you looking for things to do in New York and having a hard time trying to plan your visit? I visited New York last year for a conference and the city is booming with people and things to do. There are so many opportunities to try new things while there. The hard part is figuring out what you want to do, planning it, making sure the times for your activities fall in line with each other, etc. If you’re planning on doing several things, trying to schedule all of that can be a daunting task…I know, I did that last year!!

I just found out about this awesome website called Vimbly. This site lets you find and actually book recreational activities and things to do in New York all at the same time. No more having to search the web for all the information at the different sites and then figure out if “this activity” time slot will work with the next one that you want to plan. You’ll be able to eliminate all those hours of research and instead spend those hours imagining all the fun you’ll have!

Things to Do in New York

You can schedule fun things to do in New York like photography classes, tango lessons, cooking sessions, wine tasting, and more with Vimbly! All the information is in ONE place that shows you nearby locations, checks prices, and your schedule can all be compared right there! From what I see on Vimbly right now – they have:

  • Sailing
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Gelato Making Class
  • Trapeze
  • Graffiti
  • Stand Up Comedy (A-list)
  • Around Manhattan Brunch Cruise
  • Wine 101
  • Sushi Making Class
  • …and so much more!

The BEST part is that Vimbly doesn’t charge ANYTHING to book and schedule your activities through! You’re only paying for the activity itself. Plus, they offer the Vimbly Handshake! If you’re not completely satisfied or had a bad experience with your activity, they will refund your money!

On my next trip to New York I’ll be booking some activities through them! I personally want to take a dance class! Something like Tango or ballroom would be too much fun…ohh, and I’d love to take a pizza making class or something off the charts like a graffiti class! You can’t visit New York and not do something so out of the ordinary! That’s part of the Big Apple experience! What would you like to do when visiting New York? We’d love to hear, leave us a comment!

Seche Vite Top Coat

Seche Vite Top Coat Is the BEST I’ve Ever Used – Deal on Amazon

April 17, 2013 by Jenni 1,330 Comments

Seche Vite Top Coat


 

My personal favorite Top Coat…Seche Vite

 

Ladies…don’t you just hate when you polish your nails then have it start to peel the next day?! I know I do. You spend time making sure they look perfect and then within a day or 2, the polish or top coat starts peeling right at the tip. The only time I’ve ever had any luck getting my polish to stay on is when I’ve had acrylic nails. The biggest reason that nail polish comes off of our real nails is because of natural oil.

Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different brands of clear top coat. I tried one called Seche Vite and I’ve fallen in love with it! I found this brand back years and years ago when my sister Mikki and I took a course at the local cosmetology and manicurist school. Seche Vite Top Coat dries SUPER DUPER fast…like fully dry within just a few minutes. It makes your manicure look really slick and shiny too!!

Seche Vite Top Coat

If you have trouble getting your nail polish to stay on, there isn’t too much that you can do to keep it from doing that. Some people have more trouble than others. Just a couple of suggestions…try slightly buffing your nails with a buffer before polishing. This will take the “shine” off, removing the oil on your nails which will help the polish stay on longer. Also, wear gloves when doing dishes by hand or when using a cleaner around the house. That can help too.

As far as the Seche Vite Top Coat is concerned, it is again, the best one I’ve ever used. That’s just a personal opinion but if you have trouble with other brands then I suggest giving it a try. My local CVS used to sell it. The last time I went in to grab some, they didn’t have it on the shelf so I found it on Amazon! Yay!!! Plus, it’s cheaper on Amazon than it was at CVS, around $5 a bottle…double Yay!! When my bottle arrives, I’ll snap a picture of my nails and update this post with the pic.

Topic: Seche Vite Top Coat

Return on Relationship, #RonR

Order Your Copy of Return on Relationship | Pure Social Media Genius

February 7, 2013 by Jenni 1,373 Comments

Return on Relationship, #RonR

Return on Relationship #RonR

 

Last year while I was in New York at the BlogHer conference, I had the opportunity to meet a gentleman by the name of Ted Rubin. Mind you, it was a small conversation in the middle of the doorway of the hotel. He was on his way out and I was on my way in. We exchanged business cards and I have to say that this short and sweet 2 minute conversation was the beginning of my social media relationship makeover.

In the past year, I have followed Ted closely on my social media outlets. I follow closely because he gives GENIUS advice on social marketing. Not the willy nilly stuff that you might find on hundreds of other blogs or sites. He gives true, real deal, and inspiring advice on how to get the best return on your relationships through social media. I’ve not had the opportunity to hear him speak at a conference but I had been anticipating the release of his book on Amazon, Return on Relationship™ which is now available to order!!

Even though I’ve not heard him speak at an event, he’s given me a lot of great advice and wonderful words of wisdom. He wished me a Happy Birthday with this kind message, “Hey Jenni…Birthdays bring along a truly wonderful chance to leave aside every care and simply enjoy. Have an extra special Birthday!”. Another little gem of advice from Ted that is one of my favorites:

Put more energy and attention in your “give” column than in your “take” column. #RonR

 

The social marketing book, Return on Relationship™ is co-written by Ted Rubin and Kathryn Rose. Here is a little more information about the authors.

 

Return on Relationship, #RonR

Ted Rubin is the Chief Social Marketing Officer of CollectiveBias, a Social Shopper Media Company. He is a leading social marketing strategist and in March of 2009 he started using and evangelizing the term ROR, Return on Relationship™. Ted is the most followed CMO on Twitter according to Social Media Marketing Magazine. ROR is the basis of his philosophy…It’s All About Relationships! You can connect with Ted…TedRubin.com or on Twitter @TedRubin.

 

Return on Relationship, #RonR

Kathryn Rose is an award-winning, best-selling author, speaker and social media strategist and trainer with clients ranging from multi-million dollar corporations, to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Kathryn has a 20+ year career in sales and marketing that includes successful track record of using a collaborative mindset to increase sales.

Nominated for the 2012 Small Business Influencer Award, Kathryn is also the CEO and co-founder of the Social Buzz Club the world’s first online marketing collaboration network for bloggers, social media professionals and small business owners.

Kathryn is the author of 9 books on social media marketing The Step by Step Guides to: Twitter, Facebook, SEO/Video Marketing and Linkedin for Business, The Parent’s and Grandparent’s Guides to Facebook, the Teen Safety Guide , the best-selling Solving the Social Media Puzzle and Return on Relationship. She is a sought after keynote speaker and trainer on using social media for maximum online visibility and using online marketing and social media tools to create referral networks and to increase sales.

Buy your copy of Return on Relationship and use the advice from it. See if it doesn’t give you a great “return on your relationships”!

Topic: Return on Relationship, Social Media Marketing

Find It Supply Caddy

Find It Supply Caddy Review + Giveaway (Giveaway Ends 12/18)

December 11, 2012 by Jenni 232 Comments

Find It Supply Caddy

How many of you have a craft drawer, a junk drawer, or even just an odd and end drawer that drives you crazy?! I have a hutch in my kitchen that is home to my tape, velcro stuff, markers, ink pens, envelopes, coin rolls, and other things that don’t have their own “home”. If I can’t find a place for it – I toss it in that drawer which is getting so full, I can barely open and close it!

I could use that drawer for other necessary things so I decided to add all the others to this nifty Find It Supply Caddy! With this caddy, I can “eyeball” everything quickly and I just keep the caddy inside my hutch cabinet section now which I can quickly pull out when I need something from it. Now, I can keep all my telephone books, print paper, mail, and other stuff in this drawer rather than leaving it just laying around.

I’m one of those OVER organizers…the bad thing is, being an over organizer doesn’t work and everything winds up being UN-organized. It’s a never ending cycle. This little caddy is just perfect for my “hotspots” and frees up space (which I love). What would you use your Find It Supply Caddy for? I want another one to keep craft stuff in AND another one to keep gift wrapping stuff in. They’re just $10.99 and you can get it in black, teal, or purple. I love mine…it’s very sturdy and will last me a lifetime!

They are giving one to 1 lucky reader. Just use the Rafflecopter Form below to enter!!

Update: This giveaway is now over. The winner will be drawn and announced on the Winner’s List!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a Find It Supply Caddy to review and they are supplying one for a giveaway. All opinions are 100% my own, and honest as always.

yo gabba gabba plex halloween costume

Yo Gabba Gabba Plex 2012 Halloween Costume Review

October 19, 2012 by Jenni 267 Comments

yo gabba gabba plex halloween costume

My little guy is obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba.  There’s just something about the characters, the music, and dancing.  Personally, I can’t sit through an entire episode of it without cringing but he just LOVES it.  What we endure for our children! 😉

We were recently given the opportunity to review a costume from CostumeDiscounters and when I saw the Yo Gabba Gabba Plex costume (the robot) I knew Eli would flip his lid when it arrived!  Sure enough…he did!  Right now you can get this Halloween Costume for 25% off when you use code:  SAVENOW.  It’s normally priced at $47.99, but with this discount, it’s $35.99!

The quality of the costume is awesome…the top is made with a foam material and has velcro all down the back for easy closure.  The pants are nicely made with a soft slick metallic fabric (they kind of remind me of something Michael Jackson would have worn in the 80’s).

The costume came with a hat and shoe covers.  Truly, the one and only thing that I would change about the costume is that I’d add a stretchy strap to the hat that goes under the chin so it would stay on better….but that’s something I can easily add myself.  Eli looks so cute in it and as you can tell, he was SUPER happy to wear it!  Once he puts it on, it takes hours before he’ll take it back off.

I’m glad that he’s not the only one that likes them!  Check out this funny article about college kids going crazy for Yo Gabba Gabba!  Too funny!

Have You Had the 2nd Talk Yet?? Celebrate Being a Woman with #PoiseFab5

September 28, 2012 by Jenni 1,529 Comments

 

Celebrate Being a Woman #PoiseFab5 in my cart

Okay, do you even know what the “2nd Talk” is?  Well, you remember having the “1st talk” where we were told about having a period and blossoming into a young lady, right?  The 2nd Talk is the conversation that you have with your mom, grandma, friend, or sister about…here it goes…Menopause!

Hey, let’s face it.  We’re women!  At least if you’re reading this post AFTER you saw the title mentioned Celebrate Being a Woman, I assume you’re a woman.  If not…you might want to hit the red X button in the top right-hand corner of the screen ;)!  I’ll give you a minute.

Okay…back to the topic at hand.  The 2nd Talk.  Yep, we’re about to have it!!  You and me, slim!

Menopause.  Menopause doesn’t necessarily mean gray hair, grandchildren, and Bingo on Friday nights. The statistics – yeah, I’m bringing in the big guns – the statistics show that menopause on average begins at age 51 but can start as early as 35 or younger in some instances.  Ummm…I’ll be 35 next month.  I think that’s enough to make me dive headfirst into the topic, plus the fact that September is Menopause Awareness Month!

Some typical symptoms of Menopause:

  • Irregular menstrual periods, less periods
  • Hot flashes/Night Sweats
  • Insomnia
  • Lack of interest in intimacy
  • Forgetfulness
  • Mood swings or depression
  • Vaginal dryness

I asked some of my readers what their biggest symptoms were and here were their responses:

Tara says:  “Hot flashes were HORRIBLE…”

Andrea says:  “I am continuously having hot flashes and night sweats. What bugs me is it will go away and then come back…”

Jeannette says:  “The hot flashes are KILLING me, not to mention the erratic periods that come anywhere between 18 days and 36 days…”

It’s apparent that hot flashes seem to be the biggest complaint among most women.  Poise has always been a leader in feminine products but they have turned the corner with a new line of products for women who are going through menopause or early menopause.  Better known as the Poise Fab 5!

The 5 new Poise products that you can find exclusively at Walmart include:

  • Poise Roll-On Cooling Gel
  • Poise Body Cooling Towelettes
  • Poise Feminine Wash
  • Poise Panty Freshener
  • Poise Personal Lubricant

 

Celebrate Being a Woman #PoiseFab5

 

As you can see, this line takes care of the issues that women (of all ages) deal with as they go through this part of their life.  From staying fresh to staying cool!  When I went to pick up these products at my local Walmart, they had 3 out of the 5 products.  Apparently my store doesn’t carry the other 2.  I was able to grab everything except the Panty Freshener and the Cooling Gel.  You can check out my entire shopping trip in my Google+ #PoiseFab5 album!

You might keep in mind that these products were found in the pharmacy area of my Walmart, over around the family planning items and other feminine care products.  Not where the menstrual care products were.  All of the products were very decently priced, but before I forget, you can do as I did and grab a $1 Poise coupon when you watch each girl’s story here at the Poise Fab 5 section of the Walmart website!  Also, if you have the September All You Magazine, there’s a $1 coupon in there too along with information on menopause!

Now, if you’re as intrigued as I am or now thinking about if the symptoms that you’ve been having could possibly be signs of menopause or even early menopause OR if you’re just wanting to learn more you should check out The 2nd Talk on the Poise website.  You can connect with other women, discuss symptoms and treatments, and how Poise can help make your transition or journey easier.   You can also join in the conversation with Poise on Facebook and Twitter or check out the Poise Fab 5 board on Pinterest.

What do you think of when you hear the word – Menopause?  I think of all the weird and crazy things too like mega hot flashes and mood swings but most of all I think of aging gracefully.  I had a perfect example of a woman who aged gracefully…my mom.  Look at the photos below.

Mom and Dad in the 60's

42 years later…

Mom and Dad Christmas '04

My mom is no longer on this earth, well – yes she is.  I see her in everything I do, I see her in my son, I see her in the things she crafted with her own hands (she was so talented), and I see her in myself.  I hope that I can age as gracefully as she did.

Have you had The 2nd Talk with your mom, relative, or friend yet?

Disclosure:  I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Poise #Cbias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are 100% my own and honest as always.

Into Green Cleaning? Try the New Heinz Cleaning Vinegar! #HeinzVinegar #Cbias

September 24, 2012 by Jenni 1,415 Comments

You know, I never really considered the importance of natural cleaning or “green cleaning” in my home until after I had my son, Eli.  I always thought, the stronger the chemical...the better.  A few years ago, I had come to the realization that my mother, grandmother, and her mother knew back then what I would eventually realize as an adult running a household.  They used natural, chemical-free cleaning products, like vinegar for a reason!

 

I remember my mom and grandma filling the kitchen and bathroom sinks with warm water and vinegar.  I never understood the reason, actually, I never even gave it much thought at all…until I was a mom!  Vinegar is a miraculous liquid.  Really, if you think about it, it is.  You can drink it, you can make salad dressing with it, you can pickle and can foods with it.  You can mop the floors with it, you can sanitize with it, it deodorizes stinky places, and eat through hard water deposits, ohh – and it cuts through grease and grime like nobody’s business!  It’s the most versatile thing ever and makes for healthy cleaning!

Because it’s all natural and because it does such a fantastic job at cleaning…it’s the perfect all purpose cleaner to have especially if you have children and pets because it won’t harm them – at all!  I actually put vinegar in my dogs food daily to help protect her from fleas!  It works…promise!

 

Heinz has recently launched a NEW product called Heinz Cleaning Vinegar!  Don’t let the word “cleaning” scare you from using it.  It has no soap or chemicals in it at all!  It’s just vinegar, only less diluted than regular vinegar so that it does a better job at all things related to cleaning.  As a matter of fact, right on the bottle it says, “Safe for cooking, perfect for cleaning”. You can find it at Walmart in the grocery department.

*Look for it in the grocery section, right beside the other vinegar products…in the same aisle as the pickles and salad dressing.

I had never tried it until now and I bought some to give it a whirl.  It does work harder and quicker than regular vinegar and it was only $2.98 for a big ole’ jug!

Some things I personally like to clean with vinegar, and other uses:

  • Mopping wood floors, especially if you have older hardwood floors that need TLC.
  • Stove, countertops, cabinets, fridge, microwave, other appliances (makes the fridge smell fresh and clean)
  • Bathroom; toilets, showers, tubs, sinks (cuts through hard water deposits)
  • Toys and Eli’s Thomas the Tank table where he sits to eat
  • Mirrors (leaves no streaks!!)
  • Sticky stuff – removes anything sticky (stickers, glue, gum)
  • Coffee Pot – We get hard water buildup inside the coffee pot and I run a couple pots of vinegar through to clean it out
  • Give the dog a squirt or 2 from a spray bottle mixed with a little water before going outside to keep fleas from jumping on him/her
  • Vinegar makes a great weed-killer in flower beds/gardens

I tested a few of the tough spots in the kitchen with the new Heinz Cleaning Vinegar.  Here are some before/after photos.

 

I don’t know about you, but I could clean the refrigerator door handle 10 times a day.  That’s what happens I guess when you have a 6 year old who won’t stay outta the fridge!  There’s peanut butter on there to prove it! The Heinz Cleaning Vinegar cleaned it up in a snap, and even some of the stuck on stuff…plus it made it nice and shiny!

 

 

Then I opened the inside of the fridge.  I had noticed a “blob” of stuff in there earlier before.  With it being higher up in the fridge, I think this was something that my older 43 year old man-child did!  He’s good for that kind of stuff!  Whatever it was, was sticky and kinda stuck on.  Without the vinegar, I probably would have taken a butter knife to scrape it off.  Yes, I’m one of “those” who uses butter knives for things other than spreading butter!  With the vinegar though, it came off easily!

 

 

Remember the 43 year old man-child I just spoke of?  That would be my husband.  Said husband is also the cook of our humble abode.  When he cooks, he doesn’t care who or what is in his path!  He’s like a tornado in the kitchen.  The stove photo above, is the after effects of his night of “chili makin”.  Grease splatters from frying ground beef and then tomato sauce splatters from letting the chili boil too hard.  Utter chaos!  We made a pact years ago when we got married, he cooks and I clean!  So, within just 4 minutes of using the Heinz Cleaning Vinegar, the stove was sparkling clean!  It cut through the grease and splatters as if they were just drops of water!

You can see my complete trip to Walmart to pick it up, plus everything else I cleaned using the vinegar in my Google+ Going Green #HeinzVinegar Cleaning album.

Vinegar has always been a major cleaning supply of mine, well, at least since I’ve been a mom.  I’m happy with this new Heinz Cleaning Vinegar and it will remain the main cleaning supply in our household.  Make sure you give it a try and let us know what you think!  What other natural cleaning solutions do you use?  We’d love to hear those too!

I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and HEINZ #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are 100% my own, and honest as always.

Product Review – The NEW Vtech Switch and Go Dinos

July 14, 2012 by Jenni 1,527 Comments

What little guy doesn’t love dinosaurs and cars?!  Combine them together into one singular toy and you’ve made it “little boy bliss”!  I was recently contacted with an opportunity for Eli to be given 2 of the NEW Vtech Switch and Go Dinos for review.  Well, about 2 months prior to this, he had shown a HUGE interest in dinosaurs thanks to the little TV show Dino Dan!  So when I was contacted to do this review, I was beyond happy!  We’ve always been giant Vtech toy fans anyway!

Finally, the package came and we were introduced to the Switch and Go Dinos, T-Don the Pteranodon and Tonn the Stegosaurus.  Naturally, I couldn’t get the packaging open so I had to keep them hidden from Eli until daddy got home to open them for us!  Most others wouldn’t have a problem with opening these up, but I’m a weakling and dread that kind of stuff.  (Imagine Christmas morning, ughh!)

After getting them opened up and ready to go, well…let’s just say Eli was in HOG heaven!  He loves cars and he loves dinosaurs so he was uber happy!  At first, he had a little difficulty “transforming” them but then he figured it out!  The animation on these dinos are so fun!  They have the cutest voices and say some of the cutest things!


Like I said, they’re easy for the kids to figure out and play with.  They’re VERY “kid” friendly in that they’ve each been dropped a gazillion times and they’re still in one piece.  We really can’t wait to get some of the others in the collection! If your kids love dinosaurs and cars, then these are a must have toy…plus they start out at only $15.96 at Walmart.  They make a nice gifting option for kids even when you want to spend less than $20!

Disclosure:  I have received VTech Switch & Go Dinos to facilitate my review.  No compensation was given.  All opinions are 100% my own, as always!

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the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

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