Category Archives: Mommy Ramblings

Save On Suave Split End Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner At Walmart Now!!!

Do you struggle with split ends?  I sure have and have ended up cutting several inches off my hair to make it look healthier.  Split ends make hair look so unhealthy and really are an eyesore.  It may seem drastic to cut several inches off but that seems to be the only way to get back to healthy looking hair.  However, it will just happen again in most cases and so the scissor may become your best friend.  There is something else you may want to try and that’s Suave Split End Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner.  Right now they are on Rollback at Walmart for only $2.50 each!

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Pre-Order Train’s “Bulletproof Picasso” Album Now & Watch Them Live Today!!!

Train is back on the music scene with a new album Bulletproof Picasso!  If you’ve missed the band that had you cranking up the volume and singing along to Drops of Jupiter and Hey Soul Sister, you won’t need to wait much longer.  Grammy Winning San Francisco Band, Train will release their 7th studio album on September 16th!!!  I had the opportunity to review the album recently my favorite song was Don’t Grow Up So Fast because as a mom I totally relate to the message of the song.  Angel In Blue Jeans the first single released can be heard now on the radio and you can view the official video below.  You can pre-order the album on iTunes and Amazon for $7.99.  Be sure to watch Train’s hour-long live performance on the QVC channel on Friday, September 5th at 5pm ET.

 

Train, Bulletproof Picasso

1. Cadillac, Cadillac
2. Bulletproof Picasso
3. Angel In Blue Jeans
4. Give It All
5. Wonder What You’re Doing For The Rest Of Your Life
6. Son Of A Prison Guard
7. Just A Memory
8. I’m Drinkin’ Tonight
9. I Will Remember
10. The Bridge
11. Baby, Happy Birthday
12. Don’t Grow Up So Fast

Official Angel In Blue Jeans Video is below:

 

I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.


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“NEST” By Esther Ehrlich–Book Giveaway!!!

                                                                             Pen ran

NEST by Esther Ehrlich

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Debut author Esther Ehrlich delivers a poignant and genuine middle-grade novel NEST (Wendy Lamb Books / On sale September 9, 2014 / $16.99 US / Ages 8–12), a memorable story about a girl, a tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship.

 

It is 1972. Home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein; her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes. Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.

 

Esther Ehrlich’s lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish NEST, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you.  READ The first 59 pages of the book HERE by clicking Look Inside.image003

 

«A stunning debut, with lyrical prose and superbly developed characters, this novel is an emotional roller coaster that effectively conveys a family’s visceral tragedy.” —School Library Journal, Starred

 

«Ehrlich’s novel beautifully captures the fragile bond shared by Chirp and Joey and their growing trust for each other in a world filled with disappointments and misunderstandings.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred

 

«A poignant, insightful story of family crisis and the healing power of friendship.”Kirkus Reviews, Starred

 

Ehrlich writes beautifully, constructing scenes with grace and layers of telling detail and insight.”The Horn Book

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a copy of NEST!  Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

NEST by Esther Ehrlich Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

 

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FlorastorKids Probiotic Supplement Review & Giveaway!!! #FlorastorKids

Almost every parent of a young child has heard the infamous “my tummy hurts” comment.   The problem with kids and “tummy aches” is that it’s hard for them and parents to know if it’s due to something they ate or to illness.  I have found that with my kids the use of a probiotic is beneficial in keeping their digestive track healthy and results in less tummy problems or issues.  As an adult I take a probiotic daily and feel it is especially beneficial when taking antibiotics.

I am very blessed that my kids have not had to take antibiotics often.  In fact I think my seven-year old has only taken them once at 3 years of age and my younger child once as well. If they do have to take them, using a probiotic is something I would do because I believe it helps derail the side effects of antibiotics.

Finding a probiotic for kids that’s gentle and tastes great can be a challenge.  I recently was introduced to FlorastorKids, a yeast-based probiotic supplement that is gentle enough to use on children as young as 2 months old.  The handy powder packets make it easy to take anywhere and mix into almost any drink or soft food.

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Each powder packet contains 250 mg of active Saccharomyces boulardii lyo.  Florastor and FlorastorKids are vegetarian and gluten-free and unlike yogurt and other bacterial probiotics do not require refrigeration nor are they compromised by antibiotic use.

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The tutti-frutti flavored powder makes it ideal to mix with juice or in foods like applesauce or other pureed fruits or soft foods.  My kids did not even notice anything different when I mixed it in their juice.  We see a benefit already and they are having less “tummy aches” and seem to be more regular.  I like how convenient the packets are and just how easy they are to mix into drinks and soft food.

Florastor Kids pic

Would you like to win a Florastor and FlorastorKids Prize Pack valued at over $60?  You can by just entering the giveaway below using the Givaway Tool widget.  The winner of the giveaway will receive:

One (1) Florastor 50-Capsule Bottle

One (1) FlorastorKids 20-Packets

“Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Florastor and I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group.  The opinions on this blog are my own.”


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2014 “Spa For Ma” Blog Hop!!! Giveaway For A Mohawk Valley Trading Prize Pack-Enter Here!!!

Welcome to the 4th annual Spa for Ma Giveaway Hop hosted by Measuring Flower and Homemaking Hacks! I have teamed up with some incredible bloggers to bring you prizes that help mom to get some much awaited R&R after the kids head back to school!

If you’re unfamiliar with what a giveaway hop is, here’s how it works. After you enter my giveaway below, you can “hop” on to the next participating blog to enter their giveaway as well. You can find links to all the blogs towards the bottom of this post.

Also, don’t forget to enter to win the grand prize! It is for an incredible $300 gift card to Kohl’s! Enter HERE!

Mommy Ramblings is having a great giveaway prize sponsored by Mohawk Valley Trading worth $125.00

Spa For Ma Collage

This special Spa For Ma Prize Pack will include:

  • Three bars of Handmade Soap ($13.50) consisting of one bar each of:

The total retail price of this prize pack with s/h is $125!!!   Would you like to win it?  If so enter the giveaway below and then hop on over to all the other blogs and enter to win their great giveaways for more chances to win great prizes!!!

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Enter To Win a $15 Fandango Gift Card Giveaway!!! #LifeOfCrime

Life of Crime, the new caper comedy from legendary author Elmore Leonard starring Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, Will Forte and Isla Fisher is coming to theaters, on demand and iTunes August 29th! To celebrate the release of Life Of Crime we are having a giveaway for a $15 Fandango gift card!!!

 

 

When a pair of low-level criminals kidnap the wife of a corrupt real-estate developer, they get both more and less than they bargained for in Life of Crime, a dark caper comedy based on legendary author Elmore Leonard’s novel The Switch. Starring Jennifer Aniston, John Hawkes, yasiin bey, Mark Boone Junior, Isla Fisher, Will Forte and Tim Robbins, Life of Crime is packed with the outrageously eccentric characters, black comedy and unexpected twists that earned Leonard a reputation as one of America’s sharpest and funniest crime writers.Mickey Dawson (Jennifer Aniston), the wife of crooked real-estate developer Frank Dawson (Tim Robbins), is kidnapped by two common criminals (yasiin bey and Jon Hawkes), who intend to hold her for a $1 million ransom and extort her husband with inside information about his illegal business dealings. But Frank, who is holed up in the Bahamas with his mistress, decides he’d rather not get his wife back, setting off a sequence of double-crosses and plot twists that could only come from the mind of master storyteller Elmore Leonard.
To enter for a chance to win a $15 Fandango Gift Card, just enter the giveaway below using the Rafflecopter widget. Open to US residents.  Good Luck!!!

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Free Healthy Habits Booklets From The Girl Scouts & Together Counts!!! #HealthyHabits

This post is sponsored by the Together Counts/Girl Scouts of USA as always my words and views are 100% my own.
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 #HealthyHabits

I was a girl scout starting as a Brownie  when I was a girl, my daughter was too and I was her Girl Scout Troop Leader. I have such fond memories of my time as a Girl Scout and my daughter does as well.  Earning badges was such a fun time and we had a blast while mastering life long skills that would serve us well no matter where life led us.  I was blessed to see it from both sides, as a scout and as a scout leader.  The relationships built during that time are still with me today and have enriched my life.  The Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization that goes above and beyond for Girls.

Did you know that  Together Counts and Girl Scouts of the USA Healthy Habits Journey  are partnering in the Together Counts Program.  The Together Counts Program is active  nationwide and provided by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation to inspire active and healthy living via physical activity and nutrition, a fundamental underpinning of efforts to reduce obesity. The principle behind the program is called Energy Balance, which just means balancing the calories we consume with the calories we expend.

o   Energy In: the calories you get from eating and drinking.

o   Energy Out: the calories you burn from physical activities

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Healthy Habits Journey Program & Booklets

The Girl Scouts created three “healthy habits” booklets in conjunction with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, These booklets can be a great resource  for volunteers to use in conjunction with their Journey Adult Guides. The free booklets help guide girls on their Journey as they learn to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Through the use of these free resources for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors, Girl Scout volunteers and families can guide girls in fun, easy ways to achieve “energy balance.”

The three Healthy Habits Journey booklets available for download include:

o    Between Earth and Sky with Healthy Habits 

o    WOW! Wonders of Water with Healthy Habits

o    Get Moving! with Healthy Habits

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I really think it’s wonderful that the Girl Scouts involvement with The Healthy Habits Journey Program & Booklets will go far in helping girls learn early on the importance of staying healthy, fit, exercising and eating well.  With the technology we have today it’s all too common to see kids and their families plugged in and leading a couch potato lifestyle.  I think these booklets will have a big impact in getting the girls and their families to take a closer look at their energy balance and doing active and fun activities together.  You can download all three booklets HERE.

Come To The Twitter Party To Learn More About

If you want to learn more about the Girl Scouts Journeys Healthy Habits booklets and how you can encourage healthy, active lifestyles, plus have a chance to win a $50 VISA Gift Card, attend the Healthy Habits Twitter Party on September 9th from 9-10 pm est.  Log onto your Twitter account and follow the hashtags #HealthyHabits and #GNO. Hope to see you there!

For the latest information and to connect on social media with the Girl Scouts and Together Counts you can connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and their website and blog links below:

  • Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Facebook Page
  • Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital on Twitter
  • Together Counts Website
  • Together Counts on Twitter
  • Together Counts Blog
  • Together Counts Pinterest


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Save UpTo 70% On Back To School Shopping At The All New Nordstrom Rack!!! #NordstromRack

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom Rack but my word and opinions are as always 100% my own.

Closer and closer to school starting for us and it’s so bittersweet for me.  I don’t want the summer to be over.  I don’t want the days to grow shorter and colder and I definitely don’t want to head into the winter that everyone is predicting will be one of the worst!  As much as I try though, I can’t stop time.   With the kids heading back to school it’s important to make sure they start the year off right.  Did you know that the all-new nordstromrack.com has the top brands and latest styles for up to 70% off!  They really do, and they make it easy to dress to impress with designer brands at clearance prices.

Some of my favorite picks for my boys for back to school on the site were:

The Tucker + Tate “Townsend” Straight Leg Jeans in Toddler and Little Boy Sizes.  The jeans were only $12.97, that is 64% off the regular price

Tucker + Tate

 The Tucker + Tate Conrad Plaid Shirt is only $12.97 and 65% off the regular price!

Tucker Tate Conrad Plaid Shirt

The ASICS Performance Tees were only $9.97 which is 38% off the regular price.  This one so aptly describes either one of my little guys!

Ascics Performance Tee Full Speed Ahead

 

Volcom ‘Stripeedo’ Hoodie was 14.97 a whopping 70% off the regular price!

Volcom Stripeedo Hoodie

The Stride Rite Racer Light-Up Sneakers were only $16.97!  That’s 67% off the regular retail price.

 

Stride Rite Light Up Sneaker

 

And for mom, I saw so many great options to wear and accessorize for Meet the Teacher night at school.

My top picks for me were:

The Sienna Rose Fringe Sleeve Tunic Blouse for $35 is great for pairing with nice pants or jeans and is 37% off the regular price.

Fringe Trim Tunic Blouse

MOTHER ‘Daydreamer’ Skinny Flare Leg Jeans were 75% off the regular price of $196.00 which means they were only $49.00!  Score!!!

Mother Daydreamer Jean

 

The Sweet Trotters ‘Suki’ Flats were 63% off the regular price and were a steal at $36.97!

Suki Trotters Flat

The Indio Leather Demi Handbag in ocean is a must have for me and at 50% off the regular price, why not?  A gorgeous leather bag for $64.97!

Indio Leather Demi Handbag

 

 

 

 


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After School Snacks Made Quick & Easy With Bagel Bites and Delimex!!! #AfterSchoolSnacks

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.  All opinions are 100% my own.  #CollectiveBias

My little boys make me laugh, they love to dress in costumes.  Their costumes get a lot of mileage around this house and I think their stash would out weigh any girl with a trunk full of princess garb.  My boys have every superhero costume, police costumes, army costumes, fireman costumes and so many more.  My boys play hard and they have superhero size appetites that seem to strike all at once.  My five-year old usually says, “I’m so hungry, I’m starving, I have to eat right now!”  When he gets to that point, he needs to eat fast but I also want to make sure it is nutritious.

Bagel Bites and Delimex fit both those criteria, they are fast, nutritious and easy to make snacks.  Parents can feel good knowing Bagel Bites are  made with real cheese, homemade sauce and 0g trans fat.   With school back in session soon, Bagel Bites and Delimex make the grade for quick, tasty after school snacks!

Bagel-Bites-Delimex-#Shop-#CollectiveBias-#AfterSchoolSnacks

I keep our freezer filled with them and just recently went to my local Walmart to stock up.  I bought Three Cheese and Cheese & pepperoni  Bagel Bites along with Delimex white meat Chicken  & Cheese Taquitos and Beef & Cheese Taquitos.  There are more varieties to choose from and they are conveniently located in the frozen food section.  Click HERE to save $1 on Delimex!  Click HERE to save $1.50 on Bagel Bites and Browse Some Recipes!

Bagel-Bites-Walmart-#CollectiveBias, #AfterSchoolSnacks-#Shop

Bagel-Bites-Walmart-#CollectiveBias, #AfterSchoolSnacks-#Shop

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Delimex-Walmart-#CollectiveBias, #AfterSchoolSnacks-#Shop

Delimex-Walmart-#CollectiveBias, #AfterSchoolSnacks-#Shop

When you are ready to make them, you can choose to cook them in a conventional oven or the microwave.  The microwave option is great for older kids who are able to use the microwave to prepare a tasty after school snack by themselves.

So far today my kids have been Captain America, The Hulk, Army Men and changed back into The Hulk before going to bed.  They had super hero capers to solve, wars to win and bad guys to capture.  Being the mom of these super busy boys, I am so glad I don’t have to be a superhero to make  them a satisfying snack served fast. I like to have the boys take part in adding some colorful veggies to their bagel bites.  I cut up yellow and red heirloom tomatoes, multi color sweet peppers and put out sliced mushrooms and olives for them to add.

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I serve the Bagel Bites and Taquitos with raw baby carrots and grapes and in no time my refueled superheroes are off to save the world!

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MAGFORMERS Magnetic Construction Set Review & Giveaway!!!

magformers LOGO new LUX

My kids are fascinated by magnets and love creating things.  MAGFORMERS gives them both in colorful construction sets that foster brain development through fun and educational exploration. With high quality, durable construction and intelligent magnetic design, the possibilities are endless!  When we received this set, I’m not sure who was more excited to open it.  My boys and both my husband and I were having a blast creating different structures and showing them off to each other.  This is a toy my kids have come back to over and over and would also be wonderful in a classroom setting as well.  Everything is quality and it’s a toy that can be handed down and still be going strong when the next generation arrives!

Magformers

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MagFormers
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MAGFORMERS is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog winner will win a MAGFORMERS Building Set!  Thank you MAGFORMERS for the review set and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.
MAGFORMERS, Magnetic Construction Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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