Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 34th edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Please feel free to follow through and link up to facebook and twitter accounts as well
once you get on someone's page, but please only link your blog up, here. As always, we continue to invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful
blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

You can still be rewarded for participating! Each week we will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups! Want your blog featured? Then you have to link up! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog using our inlinkz link list, below.
• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

This is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace. FYI, however, if you follow me and leave a comment, guaranteed, I will follow you back!

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

This weeks featured blog is #74 from last week!

Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 33rd edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Charter Communications - Teaming up with MOMS to bring better TV to you and your kids!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

Charter Communications is reaching out to moms across the nation to find out ways to make television programming better. Better for our children. Better for ourselves.

My family and I certainly have our favorite TV shows but other than that we're not real big into tv or movies. I would rather my son be entertained in other ways. We usually watch our evening favorites after work and dinner but don't spend too much time watching tv during the day. Before bed little j will watch the childrens shows on sprout and my husband and I will catch an episode of Mike and Molly or Criminal Minds before bed. I would like to see more educational shows on tv rather than mindless programming. Both for Little J and for us adults.

Charter is doing their best to make that happen. Charter Communications is asking MOMS all over the US to help make television programming better. To give you opinion on current programming, future programming and any ideas/suggestions you may have. If you would like to participate in this program simply join Charter Moms facebook fan page to learn how you can help build better programming. It will also keep you updated and you'll be the first to know about new shows, services and programming. 

Not familiar with Charter Communications? Charter Communications, Inc is a fortune 500 company with the fourth largest cable operator in the United States. They provide advanced video, telephone services and high speed internet to somewhere around FIVE and a half million customers in 27 states.

So help our kids and families watch better programs and services. Become a Charter Moms today.

Chicco Liteway Stroller - Advice Needed

We currently have a large full size jogging stroller that we purchased as a travel system and while we absolutely adore our stroller... it takes up 3/4 of our trunk space and it's a complete pain to pull in and out. Especially when we're just running in the library for a 25 minute story time or running in to a coffee shop for a date with friends. It's just too much.


Having said that... we're looking to add to our collection of baby items and purchase a stroller that breaks down pretty small so we can throw it in the trunk with ease and whip it out at a moments notice without battling with the stroller, the trunk then our son to get him and all our stuff inside. I'd like to just be able to pull it out, open it up, set him in and off we go. Now, it's not the case. We attend story-time every week and we park 2 blocks away from the library where they have free parking.. so in turn, we have to walk the 2 city blocks to the library for story-time. Lugging around a 13 month old who is interested in anyone and everyone and wanting to look in 50 different directions at once isn't an easy task. I would LOVE to have a stroller like this that I can do just that.


Does anyone have one or know of anyone who has used one that can tell me if they like it or not? If there are any quirks with it or what the deal is? I like to get as many opinions as humanly possible before I put money into a certain item.


Any and all opinions are welcome! :)

Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 33rd edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Please feel free to follow through and link up to facebook and twitter accounts as well
once you get on someone's page, but please only link your blog up, here. As always, we continue to invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful
blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

You can still be rewarded for participating! Each week we will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups! Want your blog featured? Then you have to link up! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog using our inlinkz link list, below.
• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

This is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace. FYI, however, if you follow me and leave a comment, guaranteed, I will follow you back!

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

This weeks featured blog is #132 from last week!

Tom's of Maine

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Toms of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

With all the goodies being consumed this holiday season, what's a better time to introduce you to a company who's goal is to products natural and healthy oral care products and have for over 40 years. They're committed to helping people, communities and the planet.

Tom's Of Maine has a couple of products that I want to talk to you about. The first one is Tom's Of Maine Wicked  Fresh! Toothpaste and the second is Tom's Of Main Wicked Fresh! Mouthwash. Both products are made with all natural ingredients to not only support a healthier smile but also support a healthier world.

"Tom's Of Maine Wicked Fresh! Toothpaste uses powerful natural flavor oils and a patent-pending botanical extract to provide long-lasting fresh breath."

I love that Tom's Of Maine isn't afraid of telling you each ingredient, why it's used and where they got it from. They are honest and want you to know exactly what you're putting in your mouth and in your body.

 

"Tom's Of Maine Wicked Fresh! Mouthwash helps stop bad breath without the burn. Our refreshing mint flavors leave your whole mouth feeling clean from a brand you trust and never tested on animals."

And once again, here is all they put into the mouthwash, so you can see and get to know what you're putting into your body.

As a mom to a new little life, it's my job to give things to my son that will keep him healthy and will not harm his body. It's also my responsibility to teach him how to be responsible for the planet we live on and to useeco-friendly products that are harvested and used in a way that will keep them eco-friendly. While many products these days are used with 'natural' ingredients, they're harvested or used in ways that are no longereco-friendly. They're either over harvesting or harvesting them with machines that are not eco-friendly.

Teaching my son to be responsible for the earth around him is a big priority for me. While every single thing that we do can't be 100% green, it's important to go green when there is an opportunity to do so.

Having natural products that are healthy for us means more than I could ever write in words. It's the natural thing to do and it's what makes us happy. Tom's Of Maine is just that. They're not hiding the ingredients in their products and they're all about being eco-friendly and green. Regardless of how they have to go about doing it.

I have not been fortunate enough to try Tom's Of Maine products, yet, but you can believe that I will be looking for them. They will be added to our oral hygiene products.

Make sure you check out That's Wicked Fresh contest page to share your Wicked Fresh! moments and a chance to win Wicked Fresh! prizes!!!

Also make sure you check out Tom's Of Main facebook page and/or follow Tom's Of Main on twitter!

Pier 1 - Gifts for everyone!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

With Christmas just a few days away, last minute shopping has begun. This year, don't worry about running from store to store to get all those last minute deals on must have items. Pier 1 is here to help you find the perfect holiday gifts for everyone in your family.

My favorites are pretty much anything in their kitchen/baking section. But here are a few of my ultimate favorites. These would be complete must-haves for any dinner party this season, or... ever!

Elephant Measuring Cups - $7.48 CLEARANCE

 

Talavera Square Ramekin - $5.98 CLEARANCE

 

Yellow Terracota Square Baker - $19.95

I have a ton of kitchen tools and gadgets and when friends come over and see all the things I have.. they often comment on how much they don't have or how much they need to add to their collection. They talk about their measuring spoons being warn down or cheap with the measurements warn off. I would LOVE to pick up a few kitchen tools for my friends and at the clearance prices that Pier 1 has.. you simply can't beat these deals. 

4 piece stainless steel measuring spoons $6
4 piece stainless steel measuring cups $16
4 piece silicone spatulas $8
8x11 Cranberry colored baking dish $18.98
Small handled baking dish $2

They have so many amazing deals that you just can't pass it up. They have something for everyone, I'm telling you. Not only do they have some amazing kitchen pieces, but they also have much much more. They have furniture, home decor, candles and fragrances, seasonal pieces and gifts for those you love. I honestly don't think I've found something that I don't like or wouldn't like in my house. When people ask to describe my style.. I can literally say Pier 1.

So if any of your feeling the overwhelming urge to purchase me a gift for Christmas or my birthday which happens to be 18 days after Christmas... you can go to Pier 1. It's like a personal wish list. :)

Remember, during the month of December you can support Toys for Tots by dropping off an unwrapped toy and/or making a cash donation at any Pier 1 register. Don't have a Pier 1 near you? You can still help Toys for Tots! Simply like Pier 1 on facebook and for every new fan they receive, they will donate $1 to Toys for Tots.

icaughtsanta.com

Do you remember the good ol' days when your kids were excited to see if Santa came every morning, and now they're old enough to know that santa may or may not be real? Well here's a way to prove to them that santa does exist and that it's not foolish to believe. You can create those memorable keepsakes to show your kids, without having to do the work.


icaughtsanta.com is a website that provides step by step instructions to help create those memorable photos. Simply snap a picture of YOUR tree. Preferably the one in your house, then upload it to icaughtsanta.com. Choose your favorite santa pose and voila. They do the work and intigrate it into your picture. Easy as pie! Okay, easier than pie!


This was my upload. My camera has a hard time in the house, at night, with the lights on, so it wasn't the best photo to start with, but you certainly get the idea. I've seen photos done by icaughtsanta.com where I haven't been able to tell, at all, that they've been altered. If I can't tell, I know your kids won't be able to.


Would you like to try icaughtsanta.com for yourself? Simply head on over to icaughtsanta.com and tell me your favorite santa pose and I'll enter you into 1 of 6 free icaughtsanta.com pictures that I will be giving away. *I will be sending you the coupon code that you can upload, edit and retrieve yourself*.


Not feeling lucky or don't want to wait? Then enter our exclusive discount code "MY-NEW-LIFE-AS-MOM" for 25% off your order!


The winners will be chosen on CHRISTMAS EVE!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Ring in the new year! - Hilton Promenade - Branson Missouri

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hilton Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Planning a trip but aren't sure where to visit or what to do to ring in the New Year? How about you check out Branson, Missouri? I know, I know. It doesn't sound that appetizing but believe me.. it will after I'm done. Branson is the home of the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. At the Hilton, you can relax comfortably while enjoying the New Years celebration. They have many amenities that are sure to accommodate each and every lifestyle. Well, maybe not Amish people, but whatever. Those of us who aren't Amish, which would mean YOU, would be relaxing in luxury and comfortably while the Hilton goes above and beyond to make your stay enjoyable. They have useful business centers if you just can't stay away from the 'office' for too long, pools, fitness centers, cribs and high chairs for the young ones as well a great steakhouse and bar.

Level 2 Steakhouse is located at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and they serve dry aged steaks, fresh seafood and succulent chops that would make your mouth water. To make the deal even better, guests won't be limited to special selections on New Year's Eve. They will be able to enjoy all their menu favorites, all night long. Level 2 Steakhouse's Executive chef, Nathan Read, will also prepare a celebratory entree and dessert to fit the occasion. Guests will also receive party favors and a glass of champagne to bring in the new year. Level 2 Steakhouse will also be extending their hours until 12 midnight, on New Years Eve.

Clear Lounge is located at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, as well and they will be celebrating New Years Eve in style. Not only will they be watching the world celebrate New Years on their large HD TV, but they will be celebrating right along with them with cocktails that have been inspired by the various regions and time zones they visit. Complementary hors d'oeuvres and a glass of champagne will be served at midnight to help bring in the new year. Clear Lounge will have a cover charge of $15 on New Years Eve.

Still not sure what else Branson, Missouri has to offer you? Well look no further. You can enjoy shopping, live shows, family entertainment centers, theme parks, museums, wineries and many outdoor activities such as; lake cruises, cave explorations, biking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing and much much more.

So next time you're thinking about planning a vacation to a new and exciting place? Try Branson, Missouri. The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, as well as Level 2 Steakhouse

Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 31st edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Please feel free to follow through and link up to facebook and twitter accounts as well
once you get on someone's page, but please only link your blog up, here. As always, we continue to invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful
blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

You can still be rewarded for participating! Each week we will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups! Want your blog featured? Then you have to link up! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog using our inlinkz link list, below.
• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

This is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace. FYI, however, if you follow me and leave a comment, guaranteed, I will follow you back!

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

This weeks featured blog is #77 from last week!

Whooga Ugg Boots - ENTER TO WIN!

With all the cold weather chilling you to your bones, there's no better time to win a pair of Whooga Ugg Boots! Whooga are gaining in popularity for their alternative brand of sheepskin boots that are lined with Thermofleece. To enter to win a super amazing pair of Whooga Ugg Boots, simply follow them on Twitter or sign up to receive their newsletter.


Not patient enough to wait? Vist Whooga Boots and enter this exclusive coupon code: 1236MYLIFE for 10% off your order! This offer is valid for this week, only!

Pediped for a YEAR?! I'm in!

{CLICK HERE TO ENTER}

Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 30th edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Please feel free to follow through and link up to facebook and twitter accounts as well
once you get on someone's page, but please only link your blog up, here. As always, we continue to invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful
blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

You can still be rewarded for participating! Each week we will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups! Want your blog featured? Then you have to link up! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog using our inlinkz link list, below.
• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

This is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace. FYI, however, if you follow me and leave a comment, guaranteed, I will follow you back!

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

This weeks featured blog is #60 from last week!

NAVTEQ - Making holiday shopping easy!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.

You've seen the ads, you've created your lists and now it's time to shop. But wait! Have you mapped out your route with the best ways to get to every store? With NAVTEQ you don't have to.

NAVTEQ is the technology that drives most in-car navigation systems and chances are yours is one of them. With all the trust you put in your navigation system, have you thought about updating your map, yet? A map update is the best way to keep your navigation system updated with the current locations, roads to take and ways to get there. With amazing doorbuster deals, you can't afford to be taken on the wrong route. An updated map can and will save you time, fuel and money! It's a must have this holiday season, as well as any other time of year. Think of it as Rudolph guiding you around town, just without the big red nose.

NAVTEQ map updates are a necessity and we're sure to do ours at least once a year. A few years back my husband was out of town and was having horrible pains in his belly. Bad enough where he wanted to go to the ER which NEVER happens. Ever. He searched the nearest hospital in our in-dash navigation and was on his way. That's when we learned our lesson. The navigation had not been updated and he arrived at an open field to which the navigation had marked as the hospital. He didn't know what to do. Thankfully he wasn't dying. He stopped to look around and actually seen the hospital on the other side of the high way, in the other direction. It's definitely something that needs to be done regularly to make sure it's accurate.

If you would like to update your in-dash navigation system, you can do so at NAVTEQ.

Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 29th edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Please feel free to follow through and link up to facebook and twitter accounts as well

once you get on someone's page, but please only link your blog up, here. As always, we continue to invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful
blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

You can still be rewarded for participating! Each week we will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups! Want your blog featured? Then you have to link up! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog using our inlinkz link list, below.
• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

This is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace. FYI, however, if you follow me and leave a comment, guaranteed, I will follow you back!

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

This weeks featured blog is #144 from last week!

Boudreaux's Butt Paste

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

When you have a baby in your house, one of the things parents often worry about is battling diaper rash. It has many different causes and anything can affect it. It can be something as simple as not letting their bum dry before putting on the next diaper or something a little more technical like the food they ate, teething or a virus in their system. Regardless of the cause, you need something to not only protect their bottoms but heal it as well. Boudreaux's Butt Paste does that.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste has saved a little bum in our house from some horrific diaper rash. There were times where my poor little boys bum would be bleeding due to diaper rash and the only thing that would help relieve it without nasty odors or creams that you can't clean off was Boudreaux's.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste was created by a pharmacist, with the help of a well respected pediatrician, to effectively heal diaper rash and sooth irritated bottoms. It goes on smoothly and cleans off easily. No more scrubbing after the diaper rash is gone, unlike some other creams. Boudreaux's also comes in 5 convenient size options; 1oz, 2oz, 3oz, 4oz tubes and a 16oz jar, so you can take it where you want and don't have to worry about taking up a lot of space in a diaper bag or having to use tube after tiny tube of cream at home when you have a case of dreaded diaper rash. Just keep a small tube in the diaper bag for on the go protection and a big huge tub at home where you need it most. Boudreaux's is made of 16% Zinc Oxide and Peruvian Balsam so it's ready to get the job done and take care of those nasty rashes and help heal sensitive bottoms.

Would you like to try some of Boudreaux's Butt Paste? Check out their site to find out how to receive a free sample to test for yourself.

Neatnik Saucer - Table Topper & High Chair - All In One!

Remember the days of not being able to go out to restaurants because your spend all your time picking up toys off the floor to occupy your little one and trying to keep unwanted things out of their mouth? Well those days are over! With the Neatnik Saucer you don't have to worry about dirty table germs getting on your baby's food, nor will you have to worry about picking up toy after toy while your food sits cold on the table. Neatnik is not only a high chair cover, but it covers the table, as well, and lets your little one be independent and keep their toys AND food on their try and lets you eat your food without interruption.

Neatnik fits all standard restaurant high chairs and collapses into it's own 12x12 inch carrying bag. Neatnik also comes in 4 different colors!

We love the Neatnik because we don't have to worry about dirty restaurant high chairs coming in contact with our son or his food nor do we have to worry about him trying to eat off of a dirty table. It keeps all his food and toys in tact and we love it. He loves that he can get all his toys when he wants them and doesn't have to worry about them falling on the floor where he can't reach them. I love the fact that I can actually spend my time eating my food instead of constantly fishing his toys from across the room where he thinks it's funny to chuck them. It makes dinning much more exciting!

Would you like a Neatnik saucer for yourself or someone you love? Here's how you can.

Visit Neatnik and purchase a Neatnik Saucer for $32.95! OR....

Visit Neatnik and tell me what Neatnik Saucer you'd like and you'll be entered to win one!

Terms & Conditions: This contest is open until December 31th, 2010 and is open to US Residents, only. The winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will be notified of their winnings. The winner will have 24 hours from the time of notification to claim their prize. If they fail to claim their prize within 24 hours an alternate winner will be chosen. By participating in this contest, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. I would like to send a special thank you to Neatnik for providing the free review item, as well as for providing us with the giveaway item.

Progresso - Lemon Pepper Panko

Progresso Lemon Pepper Panko is something that you must look into. These breadcrumbs add a flavorful crunch to any meal. Whether your Italian, Hispanic or any other nationality, these breadcrumbs will help bring your dishes to life.


Panko breadcrumbs are used by Emmy-Award winning TV Chef Michael Chiarello and have become his go-to bread crumb to give his dishes that amazing crunch. Chef Chiarello has partnered up to help cooks everywhere learn how to use Progresso's Panko in everyday dishes, including; Crispy Seafood Salad, Mama Chiarello's Stuffed Eggplant and Turkey Scallopini and Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Brown Butter.


You can also visit Progresso's website for even more great dish ideas and recipes using panko, tips for cooking with panko, videos and a coupon for $1 off any panko flavor.

“Panko has been a major part of some of my best crunchy dishes for years,” says Chef Chiarello. “It’s exciting to bring those dishes home, where some of the best dining memories are made. To me that’s what cooking is all about – sharing meals with your friends and family, and the memories you get to keep for a lifetime.”

Also, be sure to check out Progresso's Wine & Dine with Chef Michael Chiarello Sweepstakes. Now through December 31st, participants can enter for the chance to win a trip for two to Napa Valley to attend the Spring Bud Break Party, an annual dinner and wine tasting event taking place on May 7, 2011. In addition to two tickets to the party, the grand prize also includes round trip airfare and hotel accommodations. Visit Progresso for the sweepstakes rules and entry form.


In exchange for my post, I was given a Panko Giftpack which included a box of Progresso Lemon Pepper Panko and a cookbook (see above image) from Chef Michael Chiarello. Would you like to have a Panko Giftpack? Here's how you can!


Tell me what recipe you'd like to use Progresso's Lemon Pepper Panko with?


Terms & Conditions: This contest is open until December 31th, 2010 and is open to US Residents, only. The winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will be notified of their winnings. The winner will have 24 hours from the time of notification to claim their prize. If they fail to claim their prize within 24 hours an alternate winner will be chosen. By participating in this contest, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. I would like to send a special thank you to General Mills for providing us with a free Progresso Panko Gift Pack through MyBlogSpark, as well as for providing us with the giveaway item.

Silikids - Bringing Color To Black Friday

(click image to enlarge)

Click here to visit Silikids!

PowerCapes - Make everyone a superhero!

Sponsored by Tomoson.comPowerCapes are customized capes for kids of all ages. PowerCapes come in 3 different sizes and are completely customizable for the little superheros in your life.

Sidekick - 22 inches - for kids 2 to 7


Hero - 30 inches - for kids 6 to 10+


Superhero - 48 inches - for adults


With PowerCapes you can customize your cape size, cape color, the style of emblem, emblem color, the letter you want on it and the letter color, so the possibilities are endless! The capes are made of satin and are so very stylish, yet so soft.


PowerCapes Superhero Capes were generous enough to send us the following cape for our little superhero:

Blue Sidekick Satin Cape
Shield Emblem in Sparkly Aqua
J Cape Letter in Teal


We're thrilled with our cape! While our little man isn't quite old enough to know what it's used for.. we know that he'll love it when the time comes. It's completely durable and has held up to a rugged one year old, so far. I know it will last him years and it will be treasured. He already plays with it on the floor and uses it to play peek-a-boo. Then when he's ready to cuddle and read some book, he'll use it as a blanket to lay over his legs. It's so adorable. We're thrilled with it and know that you will be, too!


Would you like to have a PowerCapes Sidekick Superhero Cape for the little hero or heroin in your life? Here's how you can!


Sign up for PowerCapes newsletter and like their facebook page and come back here and let me know which child you'd get a cape for and you'll be entered to win!


Ready to buy? Enter code "GIVEME10" for 10% off your order!


Terms & Conditions: This contest is open until December 31th, 2010 and is open to US Residents, only. The winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will be notified of their winnings. The winner will have 24 hours from the time of notification to claim their prize. If they fail to claim their prize within 24 hours an alternate winner will be chosen. By participating in this contest, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. I would like to send a special thank you to PowerCapes for providing us with a free Sidekick Power Cape that was personalized for our son, as well as for providing us with the giveaway item.


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Apologies

First I wanted to apologize for not being around much, lately. Things get crazy the minute your son turns one, I tell ya! The little man's birthday was amazing and we were so blessed that so many of our friends were able to attend. It was a blast!

Second, I wanted to apologize for being horribly late on a couple giveaways/reviews, lately. I've been bombarded with review/giveaway requests as well as started a new part time job at a local shop here in town so you can say I've been over my head with things to do. So if you have a review/giveaway waiting to be posted, please be patient.. I only have 3 days per week where I only have an hour or two per day to get things posted on my blog and I do try to get everyone's posts out on time but I have been falling behind, horribly. I do apologize greatly for that. I am trying my best.

Thirdly, I do have to postpone the next couple days worth of posts. I just recently had my 4 wisdom teeth removed and I'm quite sore. I do promise, however, to get back on the bandwagon as soon as humanly possible to get more great giveaways up and posted.

Thank you all so much, you guys are great!

BookSwim - Online Book Rental

Have you ever heard of BookSwim? If not, you're missing out! BookSwim is the first online book rental service! It's just like Netflix, but with books! BookSwim lends paperbacks, hardcovers and college textbooks to your front door! There's no need to go out and purchase books at full retail prices just to enjoy them a time or two. Simply rent them with BookSwim and return them when you're done! Easy as that!

BookSwim stocks all the latest bestsellers, all the classics and of course all the new releases! Read them for as long as you want and return them when you're done without worrying about late fees! You can even choose to purchase the books you love straight through BookSwim and you'll never have to worry about returning it.

BookSwim gift cards are perfect holiday gifts for those avid readers in your family! You can check them out through the links in this post or feel free to check them out through the ad on my left hand side bar.

*Affiliate links were used in this post. Do you have to click on them, nope. It's not mandatory, it's just an amazing site that I'd like to share with you. If you feel inclined to purchase a gift card or a membership for yourself, then I would love for you to use my link. If not, that's fine, too. I'll still appreciate you reading. :)

Hop Along Friday

Welcome to the 28th edition of Hop Along Friday, hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, Take A Mom's Word For It, This Adventure Our Life and Belly Charms!

Please feel free to follow through and link up to facebook and twitter accounts as well
once you get on someone's page, but please only link your blog up, here. As always, we continue to invite you and your friends to link up every Friday and join us for a wonderful
blog hopping adventure! We're all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

You can still be rewarded for participating! Each week we will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups! Want your blog featured? Then you have to link up! Here's how you can join in on the fun;

• Link up to your blog using our inlinkz link list, below.
• Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
• Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
• If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

This is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace. FYI, however, if you follow me and leave a comment, guaranteed, I will follow you back!

The link list is only open to add new blogs on Fridays but will be visible all week long.

This weeks featured blog is #82 from last week!

Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill

Do you remember yours and your spouses first date? I do. Well, I remember mine and my husbands first date. It was a little over 5.5 years ago and my husband and myself went to a nice romantic dinner to a local Italian restaurant. We talked about our lives, past and future. We enjoyed delicious food and spent a few hours enjoying our meal. Now that we've become much busier, it's so hard to find the time to have 'date nights' with each other. To keep things fresh. To keep things new. Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill are teaming up to make that happen. They're making it possible to have delicious date night meals, at home. No more trying to find time to wrangle all the kids, pile them all in the car, get them to the restaurant where you have to spend 99% of your time keeping them occupied as to not disturb others around you. It can be stressful and time consuming. Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill are making it possible for you to save your sanity and create the date night that you and your husband deserve. No more stressing. No more frustrations.

As I said before, Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill have teamed up to give us an amazing date night in our home. Not only have they provided the meal, they've provided us with an amazing night we'll never forget. Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill have sent us a Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken - Complete Meal for Two, a Macaroni Grill Creamy Basil Parmesan Chicken & Pasta, and a $30 visa gift card to make our night perfect.


Having a one year old isn't easy. Especially when it comes to finding someone to watch him in order to have a date night with each other. Not only that but when you try to conceive for over 4 years, it makes it hard to convince yourself that leaving him for a few hours is worth it to your marriage. We don't get out (without him) very much and when we do, I often find myself wishing I hadn't. So you can imagine my excitement when I found an amazingly easy way to recreate our date night at home. We can spend the time that we need on each other without worrying about sitters, being home at a certain time or whether or not our son is okay without us. Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill make it easy! What more can you ask for?!


What do I think? My husband and I are not very big on boxed dinners but I will be honest with you, these two are very delicious. I do have to say that I'm a little more partial to Wanchai Ferry's Orange Chicken as it's all pretty much semi-homemade. There's something about fresh made rice & fresh made chicken rather than boxed pasta. However, both were delicious. I would make both of them again. They were easy to make and very quick, as well. Perfect for date nights at home. I do have to say, however, that the Orange Chicken includes red chili's and I found adding all 5 were WAY too spicy. Next time I think I'll add 1-2 or possibly keep them out all together. Definitely keep that in mind when making this for your family. Otherwise, it's delicious!


Would you like to try Wanchai Ferry or Macaroni Grill for yourself? Here's how you can!


Click here to receive a coupon for a Wanchai Ferry or Macaroni Grill dinner kit.


OR


Tell me the story of your & your spouses first date and it will enter you to win a Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Prize pack for yourself!


Terms & Conditions: This contest is open until December 15th, 2010 and is open to US Residents, only. The winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will be notified of their winnings. The winner will have 24 hours from the time of notification to claim their prize. If they fail to claim their prize within 24 hours an alternate winner will be chosen. By participating in this contest, you agree to the Terms & Conditions. I would like to send a special thank you to Wanchai Ferry & Macaroni Grill for providing us with a free Date Night Prize Pack which included a free box of Wanchai Ferry, a free box of Macaroni Grill and a $30 gift card!

Halo SleepSack

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

When my son was first born, I don't know about you but I panicked when I thought of having to sleep while he slept. I was fearful that he would suffocate in the middle of the night and I wouldn't know it until morning. I was terrified that I would wake up to find the blankets over his face and I would have to live with the pain of knowing that my child died because he couldn't breathe and I didn't know until it was too late. This is still something that I deal with today and even though he's over a year old.. it is something that I fully appreciate HALO for working to help prevent.


HALO was created by founder Bill Schmid when he lost his daughter to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) in 1991. Since then, he has been working on developing products that bring peace and mind to parents while bringing safe sleeping to children. I couldn't ask of a better idea.

The HALO SleepSack is a wearable blanket that is designed to replace loose blankets (in the crib) that can cover your baby and interfere or prevent breathing. It's the #1 trusted choice  in hospitals and by parents. Not only does it provide a safer alternative to blankets, it provides a convenient alternative to blankets. You don't have to worry about whether baby kicks it off and gets too cold. It stays on where you need it and keeps your baby warm and comfortable.


When you purchase products from HALP, a percentage of their profits are donated to charities that help fight against SIDS. HALO also works with hundreds of hospitals to help educate parents on safe sleeping practices and also provide HALO SleepSack wearable blankets to NICU and hospital nurseries to help model safe sleeping habits.


The best part about HALO is that you don't have to order them online. HALO products are available in a target store near you for easy purchase.

HALO recommends the following Safe Sleeping Practices:

• Always place baby to sleep on his/her back at naptime and at night time.
• Use a crib that meets current safety standards with a firm mattress that fits snuggly and is covered with only a tight fitting crib sheet.
• Remove all soft bedding and toys from your baby's sleep area, including;
• loose blankets (The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a wearable blanket instead of loose blankets to keep your baby warm.)
• bumpers
• positioners
• Offer a pacifier when putting baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, introduce a pacifier after one month or after breastfeeding has been established.
• Breastfeed, if possible, but when finished, put your baby back to sleep in his or her separate safe sleep area alongside your bed.
• Never put your baby to sleep on any soft surface, such as;
• adult beds
• sofas
• chairs
• water beds
• quilts
• sheep skins
• etc.
• Never dress your baby too warmly for sleep; keep room temperatures between 68*F and 72*F.
• Never allow anyone to smoke around your baby or take your baby into a room or car where someone has recently smoked.

My thoughts: I truly and honestly believe that these little wearable blankets are a godsend. I was raised with the idea in mind that you can do things because they're convenient and nothing will usually happen. Yes, bad things happen to good people. But I was raised that sometimes you can get away with things just because it's easier. I was raised in a time where car seats and seat belts weren't required and am so thankful that they are now. I love our HALO Sleepsack and will use one for our future children. I'm sad that my son is too big and too old for one but am excited to be able to use it with potential siblings. I recommend that everyone with small babies goes out and gets one.\

Would you like to have a HALO SleepSack for yourself or someone you love? Here's how you can!

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Visit HALO and then come back here and tell me which HALO SleepSack wearable blanket you like best and the size you would like it in.

Terms & Conditions: This contest is open until December 15th, 2010 and is open to US Residents, only. The winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will be notified of their winnings. The winner will have 24 hours from the time of notification to claim their prize. If they fail to claim their prize within 24 hours an alternate winner will be chosen. By participating in this contest, you agree to the Terms & Conditions.

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]