27 February 2013

History Channel Presents The Bible Series March 3rd - Plus a Giveaway!



The Bible Series is a new 10 part miniseries premiering on the History channel starting on Sunday March 3, 2013 at 8pm EST that brings to life stories from the scripture for a new generation and is brought to you by executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.  This new miniseries will take you through breathtaking visual adventures from Genesis through Revelations and everything in between.  This is one new show you will want to get the whole family together to watch!
It is definitely more fun than reading a book about it.


You can get some great sneak peaks ahead of time for The Bible Series by using the above blog app where a new clip is unlocked everyday.  You can also use the app to help spread the word about the upcoming series to all your friends and family so they don't miss the premiere.  Make sure to get social by tweeting with the hashtag #BibleSeries to join in on the fun!  Are you a trivia fanatic?  Why not try your luck with the blog app above and see if you can identify your favorite bible characters before the premiere?





In celebration of The Bible Series you can enter the following giveaway to win a $15 gift card to WalMart!

Details:  Open to U.S. residents, 18 years of age and older.  No P.O. boxes. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Entry is via Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

Giveaway Ends:  March 11, 2013 at Midnight EST


a Rafflecopter giveaway



*Disclosure:  I was not provided any form of compensation in exchange for this post.  All opinions provided are 100% my own.

Choosing the Best Window Treatment for Your Bathroom


The best window treatments for your bathroom are those that appear luxurious without sacrificing the maintenance and functionality of windows, while they should also be water-resistant. A broad variety of window treatments are available in several color schemes and themes based on the bathroom interior. There are several materials to choose from to suit the environment accordingly.

Popular Choices
The popular water-proof window treatment materials are vinyl, plastics, and faux wood. These are not only priced in the affordable range, but are also strong and durable. The maintenance part is also easy with these as they can just be wiped with a cloth or sponge.

Modifying the Form Factor
Other ideas for window treatments include revamping the window fully by modifying its basic form, which can be accomplished by adding different window styles like stained glass, awnings, bay windows, fancy grilles, woven bamboo windows, casement windows, partially or fully glazed work, and much more.

Other Options
If your bathroom is large, you can add more luxury by combining the window treatments with mini clerestory windows.Another good option to beautify your bathroom is acrylic glass block windows.

Try Draperies and Curtains
If you don’t prefer revamping the windows, you can just use draperies and curtains. Valances and curtains are available in several patterns, colors, and materials (vinyl, plastic, cotton, nylon). Fabrics like muslin, net, and lace offer a light and warm look or you can select dark-colored swags to get the heavy appearance. When you are using such delicate and thin materials, ensure that these curtains are backed by shades so as to ensure adequate privacy when using the washroom at night.

Blinds can be a Great Choice Too
If you don’t want to opt for draperies, window blinds are a great choice for bathroom window treatments. There are also other options like Roman shades, and elegant shutters.
Those looking for window treatments for kids' bathrooms should design them to be different and innovative from the ordinary bathroom windows. One can design the curtain rods in innovative shapes like a Christmas candy shape or a tree branch shape.

Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are yet another fantastic choice. In the earlier times, they were quite dull and boring, but in recent times, they also come in great shapes, and vibrant designs.Although they are considered as the simplest form of window blinds, they can actually add a contemporary feel to any room of your home as well as office buildings. Usually, these are manufactured out of plastic and can look extremely beautiful when paired with warm colors, and subtle patterns.

Keep All the Factors in Mind before Selecting
Before selecting a window treatment, keep in mind that bathroom window treatments should be decided based upon all the factors. If it is near a bath or wash basin, a roller shade or Roman shade is a better choice. Keep the humidity factors in mind when selecting such items.
It is recommended to adopt some fun and easy techniques for the window treatments. Based on the specific requirements of the family, it is essential to use different bathroom window treatment variants from the furnishing stores. 


This article is written by Ashley Hawkins. She is a professional interior design blogger. She writes product reviews and upcoming news for top designer brands and other luxurious home decor items. You can follow her on twitter: @itsmeashley2013.

26 February 2013

5 Unique Ideas for Shelving



Adding a unique touch to your home decor can be not only fun and creative, but a great way to design on a budget while not compromising on style.  I just love decor that incorporates the ideas of re-purposing and basically thinking outside out the box.  The following are five unique ideas for shelving I have come across that are worth checking out!


1) Upcycled shelf made from an old guitar.  I found a great tutorial here!

2) Old chair turned shelf. Looks simple enough- just remove the legs!

3) Now here's one I love - an old piano made into a shelf.  

4) Rain gutter book shelves. Genius idea courtesy of CisforCockerham. Tutorial found here!

5) Salvaged picket fence shelving by My Repurposed Life.



Do you have some fab ideas for unique shelving?  Comment below and share!  :)

23 February 2013

Join Charity Miles and the UN Foundation and Team Up to Raise $10K


Something exciting has been going on this month!  The UN Foundation and a popular app that is dedicated to social good called Charity Miles has teamed up together to help you donate money through healthy exercise to your favorite charity!  The campaign is called the #VDay10k and you can donate to wonderful charities such as Shot@Life to help bring vaccines to children in need, to bring education to girls in developing countries worldwide through Girl Up, and through so many more worthwhile causes to find draw inspiration from.  

The way this works is simple!  For every mile you log walking or running on the Charity Miles app {which can be easily downloaded to your smart phone device} 25 cents will be donated to charity.  For every mile you log biking, 10 cents will be donated.  Doing something healthy for yourself never paid off so big!  Spread the word and download the Charity Miles app and start logging those miles!  It's all for social good  :)




* Disclosure:  This post was written on behalf of my partnership with Mom Bloggers for Social Good and Global Team of 200.  I received no form of compensation for this post.  It's all for social good!  :)

20 February 2013

Help Feed a Child with Give Jewelry - Plus a Giveaway!

Give Jewelry is a sustainable movement created with a simple vision in mind - to provide nutritious food to orphanages throughout Indonesia through purchases of their bracelets.  The message and it's benefits are truly remarkable.  It's one bracelet - one child - one week of food.  That means that for every bracelet sold through Give Jewelery, one child will benefit with a week of provided nutritious meals.  That's something to get excited about!




The beautifully crafted Bali artisan bracelets by Give Jewelry include friendship, charm, leather, beaded, cuff, wrap, team color, cancer awareness, and rainbow bracelets.  There are so many unique bracelets to choose from you are sure to find one you will love and they are perfect for gift giving as well!  You can watch the video below to learn more about Give Jewelry and the great work they are doing in Indonesia.





Thanks to Give Jewelry I had the pleasure of getting to review some of their wonderfully crafted bracelets for myself.  I chose to review their Charm Bracelet in Baby Blue, their Cuff Bracelet in Orange, and their Cancer Awareness Bracelet in Pink  The quality put into these bracelets is amazing and they look gorgeous on!  Another thing I love is how affordable these bracelets are.  It's amazing how such a budget friendly purchase can do so much for a child in need.  I was very moved to find out that for each bracelet I chose to review, Give Jewelry is donating one week of food in my name.  That's 3 weeks of food for a hungry child!  A very special thank you to Give Jewelry for their generosity.  Below are some photos of my bracelets.




As a bonus gift of generosity, Give Jewelry has decided to give away $50 worth of their beautiful bracelets in the form of a gift code to their website to one reader of Textbook Mommy!

Details:  Open to U.S. residents only, ages 18 years and older.  Winner will have 48 hours to confirm by email or an alternate winner will be selected.  Entry is via Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

Giveaway Ends:  March 6, 2013 at Midnight EST




* Disclosure:  I was provided products from the above mentioned company in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and are not a result of any outside influence.

19 February 2013

Advertise With Bloggers $100.00 PayPal Giveaway

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AdvertiseWithBloggers.com is a network of elite bloggers that works to advertise products and websites for companies. These bloggers have numerous dedicated readers who value the blog owner’s opinions and recommendations so it is the perfect way to get products and websites noticed. Advertise With Bloggers is looking for the perfect blogger slogan that would make any blogger proud to wear across their shirt and has asked bloggers to help. Textbook Mommy is proud to be affiliated with Advertise With Bloggers and is very excited about this slogan contest!  Here is a short video explaining the process - 
Here are the slogans that were entered into the contest - 

  1. Bloggers Sharing What We Love
  2. Blogging For Sanity
  3. Just Blog It
  4. Life's too short, start a blog!
  5. Gotta Love It!
  6. Social Media Driven Success
  7. Ride the Fast Lane with AdvertiseWithBloggers
  8. Bloggers are the voice of the people.
  9. Bloggers Do It Right
  10. B.ringing L.ots O.f G.iveaways
  11. Just Blog About It!
  12. AdvertiseWithBloggers, you'll love it!
  13. Blogging for Dollars
  14. Because Bloggers Do It Better
  15. AdvertiseWithBloggers: The New Mad WoMen of Social Media!
  16. The Secret Weapon to Boost Your Brand
  17. Bloggers Bringing You Business
  18. B. ecause I L. ove O. ffering G. reat Insites
  19. Peace. Love. Bloggers
  20. Bloggers get the word around
  21. Want to know? Ask a blogger!
  22. Need to know? Ask a Mom Blogger!
  23. I am so blogging about you!
  24. Awesomesause
  25. Bloggers WILL argue with a post!
  26. "Will Blog For Coffee"
  27. Advise to optimize
  28. Will blog for food, fashion and anything else.
  29. Blog till you drop
  30. Spying deals for you

GIVEAWAY -

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Now for the fun part - one of our wonderful readers will WIN $100.00 via PayPal!
This giveaway:
- will run from 2/19 - 3/05 - is opened worldwide
Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be notified via email.
Entering is super-easy, just choose your FAVORITE SLOGAN above - one that BEST represents blogging and put that slogan NUMBER in the entry form below.
Disclosure - This giveaway was brought to you by AdvertiseWithBloggers.com. Textbook Mommy is not responsible for delivering the prize, we are just helping to promote this amazing giveaway.

17 February 2013

5 Ways to Ensure Your Getting the Most From Online Shopping

Photo Credit: alles-schlumpf via Compfight cc


Online shopping is great because there are so many tools and resources at your disposal. At the same time, many people don’t know how to get the most out of online shopping. There are many ways to stay safe and save a lot of money if you know what you are doing. Here are the five ways to ensure that you are getting the most out of online shopping.



Comparison Shopping Engines
There are many search engines that are made specifically for comparison shopping. These are very useful because there are thousands of online stores selling whatever you are looking for, but it would be impossible to visit all of them to see if you are getting the best price.

Comparison shopping engines will search all of these websites for you so that you will get the best deal on the Internet. You may also find a new website that has all of the products that you would ever want.


Auction Websites
Most ecommerce stores sell you items at a static rate, but you might be able to save a lot of money by visiting an auction website. An item that usually sells for $20 might sell for just $12. Most auction websites also sell used items. If you are shopping for an item that can be used without destroying it, like video games or clothes, then getting a used version of the product might save you a lot of money.

This is because you are buying from people and not businesses. The people are also dropping the price because they understand that using the product takes away from its value, but many used items are in good condition.


Sites Near You
If you want the fastest shipping, then you should try to find websites that are located near your residence. This can reduce shipping charges, and it should also improve the shipping time because they carrier won’t need to do much work to deliver the item.

At the same time, you shouldn’t shop at websites that are located in your state. You will need to pay additional taxes for this.


Look for Discounts
The vast majority of online stores offer coupon codes that can be very useful, but you won’t find them without a little bit of searching. You should always use Google or your favorite search engine to find coupon codes. You can do this by typing in the name of the store alongside “coupon codes."

There are many websites dedicated to finding coupon codes, and there are also many people that list these codes on forums and blogs. You can save 50 percent or more by just searching Google for a few seconds.


Safe Payment
Most people deny it, but using a debit or credit card at a physical store is dangerous. Someone might see your credit card number, but this isn’t the real danger. Hacking most credit card terminals is very easy. This will allow a hacker to use your credit card online to buy expensive items.

Online shopping is usually much safer. Most ecommerce stores have secure encryption methods that will keep your credit card information safe. These encryption codes are the same that are used by banks and other top institutions. This ensures that hackers won’t be able to steal your information.



Mark K is a professional businessman based in Brisbane, Australia. He runs multiple e-commerce sites and has decided to inform people that there are many benefits to shopping in an online environment. 
  

15 February 2013

Health Benefits of Hypnotherapy

Photo Credit: Bemep via Compfight cc


Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for various physical and psychological issues.  Hypnosis comes from the Greek word hypnos, which means sleep.  In hypnotherapy treatments patients are guided into a deep level of relaxation through guided exercises by hypnotherapists. Hypnotherapy is actually a technique that has been around since the 1700's, but begun to gain mainstream popularity in the mid 1900's.  Average hypnotherapy sessions last an hour and the list of ailments hypnotherapy can bring relief or resolve for is growing!



What Health Issues Can Hypnotherapy Benefit?
Hypnotherapy has a variety of different health issues it can help provide relief for including the following:

* Phobias
* Weight Loss
* Eating Disorders
* Fibromyalgia
* Chronic Pain
* Insomnia
* Addictions
* Bedwetting
* Stress
* Skin Disorders
* Labor & Delivery
* Depression
* Anxiety



What Does Research Show About Health Benefits?
A natural health benefit due to hypnotherapy is a more overall relaxed demeanor and improved sleep patterns.  As a result of this improved rest, your body is able to heal itself faster which is just another added bonus!  Allowing yourself to be put into a deep relaxation will also help you to let go of the day to day stress in your life and will leave you better equipped to manage stress in between sessions.  Studies show that our body heals faster when we are able to keep our stress levels down.  One more added benefit to hypnotherapy I think worth mentioning is the ability to gain relaxation techniques you can use outside of the sessions in your daily life.  For example, studies where those who had knowledge gained from hypnotherapy about relaxation techniques that then had to undergo invasive medical procedures where they applied these techniques had a more positive outlook and a faster recovery time as a result.  The benefits of hypnotherapy are truly amazing! 

14 February 2013

Give Back to Your Community With Volunteer Work


If you can squeeze out a little extra time this year, doing some volunteer work can be an extremely rewarding experience. There are all kinds of opportunities to give back to your community through volunteer work and you can learn valuable skills that you can use for other things in your life like trying to find a new job. You can help people who need it the most, and also walk away with some great personal benefits like new friendships and useful connections, not to mention the simple pride of doing something good. If you are considering donating your time to volunteering, you may want to check out some of these options.



 

Animal Shelters
 

Animal shelters are almost always in desperate need of volunteer worker. These organizations generally help hundreds or thousands of homeless animals on a minimal budget. They only pay for the bare minimum of labor to keep the shelter running and depend on volunteer employees for everything else that needs to get done. There are few more rewarding things than giving your time over to help animals that have no way of helping themselves. The time you devote to an animal shelter may actually save lives. This is not a good fit for anyone who is squeamish or afraid of getting their hands dirty, but it is a highly rewarding experience that can make a big difference in a lot of lives.



Army Cadet Force 
 

Volunteering at the Army Cadet Force is one of the best ways you can give back to your community. This organization trains teenagers in how to be contributing active members of their community by allowing them to engage in a variety of activities. At the
Wiltshire ACF some of the activities that the teenagers participate in have a military theme and help teach them structure and responsibility while others have a community or outdoor skills focus to teach them other great life lessons. The Army Cadet Force is always looking for adult volunteers to work as instructors for the youth the program serves. The youth in your community is its future, and if you want to play a part in bettering that future, then volunteering as an instructor at the Army Cadet Force is a great choice.



Food Pantries 
 

Food pantries serve people from many walks of life and are usually in need of volunteers. They play a key role in making sure that every family in your community is able to put food on their plates, and helping with that goal is a noble choice. If you have good people skills and are able to make the pantry's user feel welcome, then you could be a valuable asset to your local food pantry. Help someone in need, and maybe meet some great people that you wouldn't have otherwise come across in your day to day life. 

  

11 February 2013

ProFlowers Product Review



Flowers seem to have a special way of brightening up anyone's day!  ProFlowers knows this and takes pride in their flowers and gifts by ensuring the highest quality of products and takes special care to ensure your order arrives safely and fresh.  You can find a bouquet for any occasion on ProFlowers.  Not just for beautiful flower bouquets, ProFlowers also offers various gourmet gifts and gift baskets including wine, chocolate, fruit, and even spa gift baskets!  You can find great discounts and coupon codes for your order through ProFlowers at the following link here.  ProFlowers is even able to accommodate same day delivery!






I recently had the opportunity to review one of the many beautiful floral bouquets ProFlowers has to offer.  I chose to review the above pictured 100 Blooms of Love bouquet that features a gorgeous selection of Lilies.  ProFlowers features a wonderful array of Lilly bouquets.  This floral arrangement, as with most of their arrangements, comes with a choice of vase.  I chose to go with the Elegant Ruby Vase and I think it completed this particular bouquet nicely. 



The Flowers Have Arrived!



Day 1



When I first opened up my delivery from ProFlowers I have to admit I was worried that the flowers had not fared well on their journey.  I quickly transitioned them into their vase and added some fresh water and a packet of the flower food that came with them.  I was very surprised and excited to find that within 24 hours the flowers had perked right up and looked like they had just been freshly picked!  This was my first time getting flowers delivered by mail so I was new to this whole experience.  I have been enjoying having this beautiful bouquet on display to enjoy in my home and there's something about having fresh flowers around that just gives your home that cozy feeling and puts you in good spirits.  



Almost 1 Week Later!



It's been almost a week now since my ProFlowers bouquet arrived and I am still enjoying my flowers!  They are still going strong and they still look nice and fresh, something that is definitely nice when considering getting your money's worth when buying flowers.  You can be assured that whoever you buy flowers for through ProFlowers will have a beautiful arrangement that they will get to enjoy for a nice period of time!  After my experience with ProFlowers I would definitely have to say that I would recommend them to anyone looking to find the perfect floral arrangement gift for that special someone in their life.  ProFlowers truly seems to take great pride in their products and I have truly enjoyed getting to review their 100 Blooms of Love bouquet.  With so many beautiful arrangements to choose from, you simply have to head over to their website and take a look around for yourself!



Make sure to head on over and like ProFlowers on Facebook here!





*Disclosure:  I was given the opportunity to review a floral arrangement from ProFlowers in exchange for my honest opinion.  All opinions in this review are 100% my own and are not a result of any outside influence.


06 February 2013

Celebrate Playgrounds With Kaboom!



It all starts with a playground!  One of the simplest joys in a child's life is playing and Kaboom is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing playgrounds to children everywhere so they can have a safe and enjoyable place to play.  Through volunteers and donations, Kaboom is able to make the dream of playgrounds in communities everywhere possible.  Kaboom also connects communities with current grant opportunities and help with the steps to make the dream of a playground a reality.  Those interested in making a donation to Kaboom can do so here.




Right now Kaboom wants to get everyone excited about play with their current giveaway going on right now!  All you have to do is share a photo of a playground you love and you will be entered to win some fantastic prizes.  Three grand prize winners will each receive a set of 2 Buddy Bounce Balls and five runners up will receive a copy of the book "Go Out And Play!: Favorite Outdoor Games From Kaboom!  You can submit your entry for a chance to win here.



Connect With Kaboom:
Pinterest 




* Disclosure:  This post was written on behalf of my partnership with Mom Bloggers for Social Good and Global Team of 200.  I received no form of compensation for this post.  It's all for social good!  :)

03 February 2013

Warm Winter Wishes Media Mantel Giveaway

WarmWinterWishesCannesBanner

Welcome to the Warm Winter Wishes Giveaway Event hosted by Life With Two Boys and co-hosted by Cheap Is The *New* Classy!

* Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun event! *


Cold weather is upon us and what better way to spend a snowy winter day than curled up in front of the fireplace watching a good movie with the family. Well, thanks to Twin-Star International, one lucky reader is going to win a ClassicFlame Cannes Media Mantel in premium cherry finish (ARV $799) to keep them warm this winter!


About the Cannes Media Mantel:
Quality heating with a functional twist is what you get with this electric fireplace media console. This Cannes electric fireplace requires no venting or gas lines to distribute 4,600 BTUs of fan-forced heat evenly throughout an area of up to 400 square feet. Plug this fireplace into any standard 3-prong 120V outlet for an attractive centerpiece that operates with or without heat. The temperature is automatically controlled by the thermostat for maintaining consistent comfort. The digital temperature display fades out if untouched, keeping the solid glass front uninterrupted while showing off the realistic glowing ember bed and resin log set. The glass remains cool whether the heater is on or off, and the heater vent includes a child safety screen. Incandescent light enhances the flickering flame, and the 5 flame brightness settings can easily be adjusted with the control knob. The premium cherry media console includes integrated wire management to keep your cords organized, and a center shelf for additional storage space. The cabinet doors feature a frame and panel design that adds to the classic look of this Cannes fireplace and the traditional fluted edges compliment the sturdy box base with Scotia molding. Energy efficient, all LED technology offers low cost operation. Complete with a multi-function, 4 button remote, the 23MM378 fireplace is easily assembled to deliver fast, efficient heat where you need it. *Description from Amazon.com **Television and accessories are not included.

ClassicFlameCannesRoom

Features:
  • Realistic resin logs and glowing ember bed create an authentic look
  • Energy saving all LED technology
  • Cool to the touch glass is safe for kids and pets
  • Requires no venting or gas lines to start delivering heat instantly
  • Fireplace System Includes: Media Console, 23 Inch Fireplace Insert, Remote
  • Dimensions: 47.25"w x 16.5''d x 34"h

Now on to the giveaway!

This giveaway is open to US residents, ages 18+. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on February 20th.

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!


  Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. Textbook Mommy is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

02 February 2013

Earn An Online Master Of Public Administration Degree



If you're someone who likes to take charge and you envision yourself in a solid career in upper management, exploring a degree in public administration may be for you!  There are plenty of high quality degree programs available for an online master of public administration.  By studying for a degree online it allows students the flexibility to be able to work their regular job, while also allowing studying on their own time to complete their degree.  


What can you do with a degree in public administration?

Those holding a masters degree in public administration can work in a variety of positions within local, state, and federal government, as well as through various nonprofits.  Some career options to explore include health care administration, city managers, and urban/regional planners.  The average median income for someone in the field of health care administration is $84,270.  City  managers can expect an average median salary of $78,772.  Urban and regional planners earn an average median salary of $63,040.


What kinds of courses are covered in a masters degree in public administration?

Courses for a masters degree in public administration will include economics, law, anthropology, political science, public finance, managerial accounting, and more.  Some online degree programs will offer students the option to follow a specific concentration for their degree, such as human resources management or public affairs administration.


What skills can I expect to gain from a masters degree in public administration?

A masters degree in public administration will leave you with a wide variety of valuable skills as you move towards the career of your dreams.  Skills learned will include interpersonal communication, organizational leadership, strategic thinking, and quantitative analysis to name just a few.  With so many quality online degree programs out there for potential students, you are sure to find one that will start you down your path to success!

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