Category Archives: Mommy Ramblings

Show Dasani What Makes You Sparkle & You Could Win A Vacation!!! #SparkleWithDASANI #ad


This post was sponsored byDasani but all opinions as always are my own.Dasani-Sparkling-

What makes you sparkle?  For me, it’s just relaxing and soaking in the day with my family. I love taking some me time while relaxing in a comfy chair watching the birds and my kids play or sharing some morning coffee on the porch with my husband.  I love summer so that is my favorite time of year to get my Sparkle on!  We live on a lake so swimming and sailing definitely add to my sparkle and of course bliss would be ending the perfect day in my tub with relaxing music.

What makes you SPARKLE?

Dasani wants to know what makes you sparkle and they have an AMAZING contest for sharing your answer!  All you need to do is upload a photo of what makes you sparkle to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #SparkleWithDASANI.  Make sure you like @dasaniwater so they can contact you if you win.  The Grand Prize is a Sparkling Getaway to the Westin Diplomat in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida!  This great prize package includes airfare, hotel and spa treatments for 4!  Winner will be selected in early August!

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LG Hosts “JUNIOR CHEF ACADEMY” To Launch NEW DOOR-IN-DOOR REFRIGERATOR!!! #MomConfessions

Last night, Food Network host Sandra Lee and celebrity parents Giuliana Rancic, Brooke Burke-Charvet and Mark-Paul Gosselaar attended the “LG Junior Chef Academy,” an evening of family-friendly culinary activities recognizing the No Kid Hungry campaign and celebrating LG’s new 4-Door French-Door Refrigerator with Door-in-Door and CustomChill in Los Angeles.

LG and Sandra Lee Host LG Junior Chef Acadeny Celebrating the Launch of the Door-In-Door Refridgerator Benefitting No Kid Hungry

Sandra Lee leads celebrity families including Giuliana Rancic in cooking demonstrations at the LG Junior Chef Academy event to celebrate the launch of the new LG Door-in-Door Refrigerator with CustomChill drawer.

 

VIP attendees were able to experience firsthand the convenience of LG’s newest Door-in-Door refrigerator, including easy access to family favorites and customizable organization, as well as participate in hands-on cooking demonstrations featuring family-friendly recipes. Sandra also shared tips on how to empower junior chefs and encourage family fun in the kitchen. Some of these great tips are:

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Sandra Lee and Giuliana Rancic celebrate the launch of the new LG Door-in-Door Refrigerator with CustomChill drawer at the LG Junior Chef Academy event in Los Angeles benefiting No Kid Hungry.

 

  • Make it a family affair. Before going to the grocery store, brainstorm appetizing recipes with the family so everyone can take part in the planning process. This is a great way to get creative while teaching kids about various ingredients and meal preparation.
  • Mix it up: Don’t let meal preparation be a daunting task. Get the kids involved in helping to prepare various ingredients. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up and spend quality time with your children as you fix up delicious treats.
  • Taste test, anyone? During the cooking process, taste the food and talk with your kids about any necessary adjustments. This will encourage them to engage their palate and analyze the flavors they taste. It is also a great way to educate children on different flavors and the health benefits of cooking and you’ll learn a lot about their individual preferences.

 

“Many of today’s families live an ‘on the go’ lifestyle, so it’s important for them to find ways to come together,” said David VanderWaal, head of marketing for LG Electronics USA. “LG always looks for ways to facilitate that in the heart of the home, and our kitchen technologies like Door-in-Door and CustomChill help make it easier.”

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LG continues to give back to the community and throughout the event, provided the opportunity for celebrities to participate in a food drive to benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, a local No Kid Hungry partner organization. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals, and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger with more than 107 million additional meals.

After the event, LG also donated its new Door-in-Door refrigerator to one of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s partnering organizations, which will help serve fresh, nutritious meals to children who, during the summer, don’t have access to the school meals they rely on to grow and thrive. By ensuring these kids continue to receive healthy meals during the summer, No Kid Hungry is making sure they return to school healthy and ready to learn.

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“I am so appreciative to LG for their generous support of No Kid Hungry,” said Lee.  “This was a fantastic event to illustrate the importance of spending quality time with family in the kitchen and how kitchen advances like LG’s new refrigerator are great additions to today’s busy households.”

Rancic added, “We had a blast at the LG Junior Chef Academy.  What a great way to spend quality time with Duke – and he learned to cook while supporting No Kid Hungry!”

The new LG Door-in-Door refrigerator with CustomChill provides multiple storage options, making it easier than ever to organize.  For family favorites like juices, yogurt or milk, the Door-in-Door compartment, easily accessible with the push of a button, keeps them front and center without having to open the entire refrigerator.  Accessing this feature also reduces cold air loss by up to 47 percent* to help keep food fresher for longer and conserve energy.  This model is the LG’s first to introduce its versatile CustomChill drawer that can be used as either extra refrigerator or soft freezer space using four different temperature settings. It offers the flexibility and convenience families love to store a wide variety of food items.

In addition to the company’s latest refrigerator with CustomChill technology, LG showcased four models from its broader Door-in-Door refrigerator suite, all of which are designed to meet varying consumer needs.  Each has its own differentiated benefit including offering mega-capacity storage space to side-by-side design, offering a versatile line-up from which consumers can select the Door-in-Door model best suited for their lifestyle.

The ENERGY STAR® certified 30-cubic-foot CustomChill French-Door refrigerator (LG Model LMXS30776S) is available now at stores nationwide, at a manufacturer’s suggested price of $3,999.  For more information on LG’s refrigerators featuring Door-in-Door technology, please visit http://www.lgusa.com/doorindoor.

*Percent reduction in exchange rate of air between opening the Door-in-Door® compared to one French door for 10 seconds. Results based on testing of comparable LG model with same door-in-door design.

 


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Chicken Soup For The Soul, “The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide” Review & Giveaway!!! 3 Winners!!!

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Do you ever feel like you have so much on your plate you can never catch up?  I feel like that most days.  I always look around and feel that I just have so much going on.  With a house in chaos because no less than 5 major home improvement projects are happening, a very busy career as a marketing director, busy blogger and writer, brand ambassador, and handling a few businesses that my husband and I have, added to the fact that we have 5 kids and a big house (ever see the movie The Money Pit?), where there is always something to be done, I can feel like things are swirling out of control.  I am blessed to be able to work from home but I still work and work a lot!  I make time to play but probably not as much as I should.

When I was picking out books to review from Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, I chose The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide.  Do you wonder how I made that decision?  I didn’t think so.  I love this book because it’s filled with stories with moms like me, some who juggle and wonder how to keep all those balls in the air just like I do.  I have found that it’s okay to give yourself permission to say, “I am done for the day” and leave whatever for tomorrow and if it doesn’t get done then so be it.

 

I know that I need to prioritize what really needs to be done, my family needs, my needs, jobs that have deadlines are all first.  Then the things we want to get done can come next, but if I don’t get something done, I’m going to stop beating myself up for it.  The opposite is true to that too.  I read in one story in the book, we are told over and over the importance of playing with our kids, that messy houses are signs of great moms, but our kids need to see that we do have to work. Whether it’s for a job or doing the laundry, we teach them important things by showing them we have responsibilities that need attention too.  That really allows moms to release some of that mommy guilt  we all carry in one or two large suitcases with us.  Let’s unpack some of that today!

Stories that show the importance of a mom taking me time strike a very strong chord with me.  Often times I want to put my needs last but really, when I do the things for me I need to do or just spend some down time doing something I enjoy, it really helps my mood, spirit and productivity.  It’s just recognizing that if we don’t take care of our needs we can’t do a good job taking care of anything else and risk becoming resentful.

Stories about slowing down, learning from our kids, juggling a career and laughing after the fact among others will show you how other moms are surviving their multitasking years.  Read some great tips, funny disaster stories, and fill your mind with great ideas for your own life.  Best of all, you will know you are in good company and not alone.  You can purchase the book on Amazon.com.

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Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! 3 lucky blog readers will win their own copy of The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide!  Thank you to CSFTS Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul; The Multitasking Mom’s Survival Guide Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Costume Discounters, Kids Junior Police Costume Review!!!

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My kids are obsessed with costumes.  Costumes are not something that are thought about around Halloween, but occur daily with my little guys. Most of the time you will find superheros of all kinds, firemen, army men, tigers and more around our house.  They absolutely adore dressing up in costumes, so when we had an opportunity recently to review a policeman costume from Costume Discounters, they were in their glory.

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We picked the Kids Junior Police Costume and it’s a very impressive costume, runs true to size and is constructed of high quality clothing material that holds up to the day-to-day dress up fun it gets in this house!  The costume comes complete with hat, handcuffs, badge, radio, billy club, belt and whistle.  All kids need is their imagination and they are off to solve capers, crimes and enforce the law in your very own yard.

Police costume

 

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Kids Junior Police Suit Costume

Every boy has a dream of becoming a policeman and keeping the bad guys off the street. The Jr. Police Costume includes: A one piece suit (shirt/pants) with official-looking patches and a cap with an attached badge. What’s a member of the force without all his accessories? A duty belt, with a radio, baton, handcuffs, gives you the tools for the job. A whistle, ID wallet, and a shirt badge really authenticate this design. Ever let your kid run loose in the house with laws? He’ll be giving you a ticket each time you pick your nose or forget to flush the toilet…and what better way to teach him to respect the law than allow him to set the laws in the house! Or reinforce them at least! Enforce the law and keep the public safe as an honorable police officer. Stop in the name of the law! Just like the real thing! The beat on the streets is that there’s a new sheriff in town! Walking the beat for a sweet candy treat!

Save Now!!!

Costume Discounters is having a sale now and you can save 20% on orders of $29 or more by using the discount code 29Save when you checkout. Oh and if you really like Police News you can click on that link for lots of police info, products and more.


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Keep Momming™

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Shire. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”

Raising a child at any age is challenging, and when it comes to mothers and daughters, the dynamic can be even more complex. What some may dismiss as “typical tween girl behavior” can sometimes be symptoms of something more serious. Research suggests that girls are more likely than boys to report having mostly inattentive Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Since inattentive symptoms can be less noticeable than hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, it is important that moms know what to look for.

That’s why I’m pleased to be joining Shire, CHADD and Holly Robinson Peete to announce the launch of keep momming, a new public service initiative geared towards the moms of tween girls to raise awareness of ADHD.

The campaign is anchored within a new digital hub, KeepMomming.com, where you’ll find tips, tools and other go-to resources for moms, including a checklist to help recognize the symptoms of ADHD – inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity – and then encourages moms to talk to their daughter’s doctor. The keep momming initiative can help moms learn about ADHD and provide ideas on how to spark a conversation and stay connected with their tween.

Check out Holly’s message about how she keeps momming http://goo.gl/MR8HL2, and don’t forget to visit KeepMomming.com.


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Ritz Bits The Snack for Your Champion Pear Soccer Sponsorship Program!!! #RitzBitsTeams

Pear LOGO

AYSO Soccer is how all my kids started playing soccer and it’s a great way to introduce them to the sport. Getting together in the community and playing soccer is fun for the parents and the kids, they had great coaches and made lifelong memories playing a game that showed them early on how to work as a team.

Have you heard about the Ritz Bits Snack For Your Champion Program and PearUp.com and how the site works to use social network actions to help teams raise funds?  Below is a video that will show you how PearUp.com works to help you raise money for your soccer team.  Need team jerseys? Pear can help, watch to see how!

See how Pear and Ritz Bits helped a girl’s soccer team the sponsorship they needed to let them focus on the girls and training for games instead of on fundraising.

 

Support the Pear of the team by clicking HERE and learn more about this great program and all it is doing to support great soccer talent.

Are you wanting to use Pear for your child’s soccer team?  Do you need funds for uniforms or league fees?  If you need apparel funds just click HERE and if you need funds for your child’s league or team click HERE!  Then share your Pear in the comments  to get support of our other readers.

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Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Global Influence but as always my views, opinions and words are 100% my own.

 


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PlaSmart, Drop Shot; Challenging, Race Game Review & Giveaway!!!

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My little ones love action, it’s rare they play board games, but recently we found a game they love.  PlaSmart’s Drop Shot is a fast moving, challenging race game that has 1-4 players competing to see who can reach the top and avoid the last chance drop.

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After playing with them once they quickly grasped what they needed to do and now they play on their own very well and it’s a game that keeps them engaged and thinking of strategy.  Watch the video below to learn more and of course enter our giveaway for your chance to win a game of your own.  You can purchase Drop Shot on Amazon.

 

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PlaSmart is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own Drop Shot Game! Thank you to PlaSmart for the review game and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.
PlaSmart, Drop Shot Challenging Race Game Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Trunki, PaddlePak; Water-Resistant Backpack Review & Giveaway!!! #TrunkiUS

trunki logo Swim lessons, boat trips, water parks and other outings where kids need to bring along some extras is the perfect time to use a PaddlePak.  A PaddlePak is a water-resistant backpack designed to stop wet stuff from getting in, or leaking out! Made from lightweight and durable material it’s big enough to fit everything your little one needs for fun-filled days out and about, at school camp, parks, family vacation, sleepovers as well as trips to the beach or pool.  trunki Pinch trunki clown fish paddlepak   paddlepak1   paddlepak 2   paddle pak 2 We received a Pinch-Lobster PaddlePak to review and my son thought it was super cute and so did I. It is roomy enough to hold a swim suit, towel and more.  There is a spacial zippered pouch for small things and it has padded comfy straps that let little ones carry the pak securely and comfortably. Lots of cute friends to choose from to accompany little ones on all kinds of trips.

Trunki

PaddlePak is recommended for ages 2 and up! Trunki is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own PaddlePak!  Thank you to Trunki for sponsoring this adorable giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents. trunki pic Trunki, PaddlePak, Water-Resistant Backpack Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules: Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Natural Handmade Soap 20% Discount From The Mohawk Valley Trading Company!!!

The Mohawk Valley Trading Company is offering a 20% discount off all of their Handmade Soap from 07/5/14 through 07/19/14 with the Discount Code “Mommy Ramblings Handmade Soap 20% Discount”.

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Handmade Soap and Natural Skin Care Products from the Mohawk Valley Trading Company are made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, petrochemicals, synthetic or artificial fragrances, dyes, detergents, preservatives or any other toxic or harmful surfactants, degreasers, plasticizers, reproductive toxins, pesticides, carcinogens, industrial chemicals or hormone disruptors.

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Instead, they are made with:

Goat’s milk, shea butter, natural plant oils including; olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, palm oil, castor bean oil, wheat germ oil, sunflower oil and other botanical sources such as fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs and nuts.

• 100% natural plant-based essential oils distilled or pressed from fresh citrus peels, flower petals, spices, tea tree leaves, herbs and other naturally fragrant botanical materials.

• Beeswax, propolis and raw honey.

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In addition, using the same coupon code, you can also receive a 15% discount on all Mohawk Valley Trading Company 100% Pure Beeswax Candles, Maple Syrup and Honey .

For more information please visit: http://www.tenonanatche.com/handmade-soaps-natural-organic.htm


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Organic Cotton Women’s Lab Coats: 20% Discount At Crooked Brook!!!

One of our featured sponsors Crooked Brook is offering a 20% discount off all of their Certified 100% Organic Cotton Twill, Women’s Lab Coats  from 07/3/14 through 07/17/14 with the Discount Code “Organic Cotton Woman’s Lab Coat Discount”.

Crooked Brook lab coats are made to order according to the customer’s style, fit, and fabric specifications. By combining the different options; (fabric, buttons, pocket, collar, cuffs, sleeves and piping) customers can design their own lab coat, or they may order a lab coat the way it appears on their website.

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Women’s lab coats are available in numerical sizes 2-26. For women whose size is considered petite or plus size (extra large or over size 20), they recommend that customers call them to discuss their body measurements to ensure a proper fit.

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In addition Crooked Brook offer women’s lab coats in what they call combination sizes. For example, if a woman’s body measurements were 39-31-41 according to their size chart she would be their size 14. However, if her measurements were 39-33-43, she could order a 14 top, 16 bottom women’s lab coat.

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By using combination sizes, maternity lab coats can be made in any of their women’s lab coat styles.

Custom embroidery is also available.  For more information please visit: http://www.crookedbrook.com/lab-coats-custom-embroidered.htm

 


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