30 August 2013

Help End7 Take Action To End 7 Diseases By 2020 #GlobalTeamof200

Photo Credit: GlobalNetwork.org

Imagine being a child trying to concentrate in school but you are unable to because you suffer from a NTD (neglected tropical disease).  NTDs are transmitted by way of worms and insect bites and can cause a variety of horrific complications including loss of eyesight and swollen limbs that become unable to use.  Children and adults alike worldwide are suffering from NTDs daily.  In fact, "one in six in the world, including half a billion children, suffer from neglected tropical diseases" (GlobalNetwork.org).  Contracting one of these NTDs can be as simple as performing a daily task such as swimming or even doing laundry.  

The good news is that by working together we can see a solution to ending NTDs in the future.  The organization End7 has a goal - to end 7 of these diseases by 2020!  The medicine that will control and eventually eliminate these diseases is already on the market and pharmaceutical companies are already helping to pitch in to get these medications in the hands of those that need them most.  Here's where End7 is looking to gain some help.  It costs approximately 50 cents a day to treat and protect one person for one year.  End7 is hoping to get more medication to those in need and for a small donation you can make a huge difference in someone's life.  For more information or to donate to the cause, click here.




27 August 2013

The Ultimate Life in Theaters September 6th - Plus a Giveaway!




Coming to theaters September 6th is The Ultimate Life, the sequel to The Ultimate Gift!  The Ultimate Life follows Jason Stevens and the pressures surrounding running the foundation started by his late grandfather, all while being sued by his greedy extended family.  If that doesn't sound like a juicy enough of a plot, it gets deeper.  Jason is also trying to deal with all of this on top of having the love of life leave on a mission trip to Haiti.  Things start to change for Jason though once he discovers a journal written by his late grandfather that soon transports him on a rags to riches ride.  With everything he loves hanging in the balance, Jason hopes he can soon discover "The Ultimate Life".

Use the blog app above to take the quiz to find out if you are living life to the fullest!  You can also use the blog app to find out six ways you can start living the ultimate life now, as written by James Stovall, the author of the book The Ultimate Life.  Be sure to also use the blog app to preview the movie trailer!


Be Sure To Check Out The Ultimate Life In Theaters September 6th!




Giveaway Time!


Prize: (1) Lucky reader of Textbook Mommy will win an Ultimate Life Prize Pack that will include:
* DVD of The Ultimate Gift
* The Ultimate Gift book by James Stovall
* The Ultimate Gift charm bracelet
* The Ultimate Life leather-bound journal

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.

Giveaway Ends:  September 6, 2013 at Midnight EST



*Disclosure:  I was not provided any form of compensation for this post.  All opinions provided in this post are 100% my own and are not a result of any outside influence.  Textbook Mommy is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

10 Natural Appetite Suppressants



Whether you are trying to lose unwanted weight or just simply trying to eat healthier, ignoring those hunger cravings is sometimes challenging but nevertheless necessary in order to maintain a healthy physique. Here are a few appetite suppressants that can help you curb your cravings:

  • Spicy Foods: Eating spicy foods can help to suppress your appetite. For example, if you want to have sushi, add some wasabi to your plate. Spicy foods also help to protect against cancers and has wonderful anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Soup: Starting off any meal with soup is a great idea. In general, most hot liquids tend to take away your hunger effectively, so why not try a bowl of soup to keep cravings at bay. A good idea is chicken and vegetable soup, as it contains protein and veggies together, and this will instantly fill you up.
  • Caffeine: This is one stimulant that is part of almost anyone’s daily diet, yet we don’t realize just how effective it is as an appetite suppressant. Caffeine has an energizing effect, and when taken in moderate doses, can be a very effective part of your daily diet.
  • Apples: One large apple can give you about 5 grams of fiber, which is a wonderful way of filling up your stomach for longer. As an added bonus, the sugars found in apples do not influence your body’s blood sugar levels, so it will help you to keep your hunger at bay.
  • Almonds: This is a wonderful source of healthy fats and you can easily incorporate this into your daily diet routine as you can eat a handful between meals. Just make sure you don’t eat too much, as these calories can quickly add up. You will also get your healthy fats in by eating almonds during the day.
  • Salmon: Not many people know that salmon is great at reducing hunger pangs. Since protein will keep you full and fat will help you to retain that feeling for longer, this is one of the best combinations you can try in order to reduce your hunger cravings.
  • Oatmeal: Eating a bowl of unsweetened oatmeal is a great way to start off your day. You will ingest dietary fiber that is essential in your diet; an you won’t have an energy crash later during the day. You can sweeten it a bit by using cinnamon.
  • Hoodia: Many people are familiar with Hoodia; it is a supplement that is known to effectively control hunger. It is found in many fat burners and health supplements, but keep in mind that it might take a few days to start being effective.
  • Flaxseeds: Similar to almonds, these seeds help you to reduce your hunger while simultaneously providing you with essential fats. You can add flaxseeds to your breakfast, or in salads; it is a very versatile product that you can take on a daily basis.
  • Water: Finally, we have water. It is essential to stay hydrated during the day and it not uncommon to mistake hunger for thirst. Staying hydrated is necessary for your health, and also to keep you feeling full. When you do feel hungry during the day, try a few glasses of water first.


HealthLine.com is a popular resource that offers expert health advice from qualified professionals and experienced contributors. 

24 August 2013

"Standing Up" Spreads a Great Message About Standing Up To Bullying - Enter to Win the DVD!





Standing Up is a movie based on one of the most popular Young Adult novels of all time and is directed by D.J. Caruso.  The movie follows the journey of two kids who get bullied as part of a vicious summer camp prank.  Their adventure together really starts to take off when they decide to band together and no longer be victims, but instead they decide to stand up!

This is a great family friendly movie that has a positive anti-bullying message that your whole family can enjoy sitting together to watch and join in on conversation about.  Standing Up hit store shelves on August 20th so check your local Walmart to get your hands on a copy, or enter right here for your chance to win your very own!

Did you know that more than 160,000 U.S. students stay home from school each day from fear of being bullied? (Pacer.org)

Be sure to also check out the blog app above which features the Do You Stand Up To Bullies? quiz.  Not only can you see where you stand in bullying situations, but you will also get some handy tips and tricks to help deal with bullies.  You can also use the blog app to take the Anti-Bullying Pledge.  Print off the pledge and even get your family in on it as well!  Sign it and pin it where you can see it and have it as a reminder.







Giveaway Time!

Prize:  (1) Lucky reader of Textbook Mommy is going to win the Standing Up DVD signed by director D.J. Caruso.

Details:  Open to U.S. Residents ages 18 years 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.

Giveaway Ends:  August 30, 2013 at Midnight EST

Disclosure:  I did not receive any form of compensation in exchange for this post.  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own and are not a result of any outside influence.  Textbook Mommy is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

20 August 2013

Collage.com Giveaway

 
Welcome to Simply Southern Couponers Collage.com 
 Giveaway!

 Collage
Co hosted By: NYSaving Specials 
Sponsored By: Collage.com

Collage.com was founded by Kevin Borders and his friend Joe Golden who wanted to create a collage of over 1000 photos for a gift. Collage.com allows you to create a collage of up to 500 photos in over 100 different shapes without over lapping or gapping using only high quality printed photos. Your collage can be shared online for free and you can arrange photos anywhere you would like. Select from a poster, collage, blanket, shower curtain, mouse pad, card and more. 

To see more about Collage.com read our review here.

Collage

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

Event Details:
August 21st - September 4th
Open to US residents only. Must be 18+ to participate. 

Prize: One lucky viewer will win their very own 20x30 Collage Print from Collage.com (Value of $29.99).

To enter complete the form below. Good Luck and thanks for entering. 
A special thanks to our Sponsor, Co host and a great group of blogger friends for helping us with this event. Be sure to stop by and visit each of them.

 
Giveaway Disclosure

  

Gift Wrapping Ideas


Whether it’s Christmas, a birthday or some other ‘just because’ present, half the joy of giving a present is the presentation. You might not be particularly good with your hands or simply may not have the time to create some beautifully-crafted wrapping, so we’ve come up with some beautiful solutions to suit your wrapping needs.

If you’re sending a parcel internationally, you will be placing your gift inside a sturdy cardboard box, so you will need to decide whether or not you will wrap the gift in the first place. If you decide not to, you could always decorate the cardboard box. Rather than using wrapping paper, which may be torn during the journey, use a stencil to spray on some attractive designs, or spray string gold or silver and then tie it around the box for a slightly more interesting way to reinforce the packaging.

For presents you will be giving in person, you can be a little more flexible. For those people who are truly terrible at arts and crafts, all is not lost! You can buy plain gift bags from any craft or card shop, and you can jazz this up using ribbon, glitter, sequins or even stickers. A single dried flower stuck on one side can also create a really elegant look without too much effort. Just scrunch up some tissue paper and place it on top of the present to make it more of a surprise.

If you’re opting for the more traditional wrapping paper, there are ways to put your own stamp on it. If they have a favorite magazine, you could take pages from it and use them as wrapping paper for a really unique looking gift. Or, for something really luxurious, a piece of beautiful fabric can be used to wrap a gift. Just remember to use a good fabric glue or strong tape to keep it together.

Sometimes it’s all about the finishing touches. A glamorous flourish can make all the difference and can transform your gift into something really special. A velvet ribbon tied into an elaborate bow, for example, can elevate your present to the next level, and shows that you’ve put some real thought into it. If you’ll be handing the gift over on the same day, a single cut flower tucked under the ribbon can also make for a pretty finishing touch.

Just remember that it’s the thought that counts! Even if you hand over an unwrapped present topped with a bow recycled from an old Christmas present, the recipient will appreciate the gesture, so don’t worry if you can’t get it spot on!




Cassie Carlson is a full time mother and expert gift wrapper!

19 August 2013

Dream Essentials Giveaway

Welcome to Simply Southern Couponers Dream Essentials Giveaway!

Dream Esentials
Co hosted By: Sue's Reviews
Sponsored By: Dream Essentials 

Dream Essentials is a company that is the leading retailer in health and rejuvenation that  embraces all sleep products that help to promote a good night's sleep creating high quality and luxurious sleeping masks. 

Do you or someone you know struggle with sleeping at night? 
To see what Simply Southern Couponers thought about Dream Essentials read our full review here.
zeeop 
Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

Event Details:
August 20th - September 3rd
Open to US residents who are 18 years of age or older.

Prize: One lucky viewer will receive their very own Zeepo Strapless Sleep Mask from Dream Essentials.

To enter complete the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck and thanks for entering.
A special thanks to our Sponsor, Co host and a great group of blogger friends for helping us with this event. Be sure to stop by and visit each of them. 

 
Giveaway Disclosure

18 August 2013

W2Beauty Nail Polish Giveaway

Looking to give your nails a sparkling and flashy touch? Then get to win these glamorous "MISSHA - Crystal Style Nail Polish" brought to us by Giveaway Monkey and W2Beauty.

Nail Polish International Giveaway

W2Beauty is an online Korean Beauty Shop offering a huge selection of different Korean brands and products for both men and women at a super reasonable price. Surely, they got all your needs covered from head to toe at a bargain! Plus, they have this cool loyalty program where you can get rewards every time you buy an item. The reward is money - not points - that you can then convert into a gift voucher! Where else can you experience such a thing - earning while shopping? And to top that, they ship FREE worldwide! Visit their online shop to know more about their affordable products, awesome loyalty program, and great service!


Alice from W2Beauty, is so nice to set aside not one but three (3) Missha Crystal Style Nail Polishes (Orange Stone, Lavender, and Blue Stone) to give away for FREE to one of our lucky readers. That could be you! Join now to win these nail polish set by earning your entries via the rafflecopter form below. The more tasks you complete, the better your chances are. This giveaway is open international and will run until September 13, 2013. That is a lot of time to earn more entries through the daily tasks. The prize will be shipped by the sponsor straight to the winner, for FREE anywhere in the world. Have Fun!

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!
Disclaimer: Textbook Mommy did not accept compensation for this event, nor we are responsible for the delivery of the prize. The prize will be shipped by the sponsor, W2Beauty straight to the winner. This giveaway is in no way administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook Twitter, Google, and/or Pinterest. Read full terms and condition in the rafflecopter form above.

15 August 2013

Emerson Creek Pottery Giveaway

Emerson Creek Pottery
  
Co Hosted by: Bargain Bandit 
Sponsored By: Emerson Creek Pottery

Emerson Creek Pottery is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and was founded in 1977. Each carefully hand made with ceramic pieces that are formed out of clay made on site, hand painted and fired in a gas kiln. They offer a wide variety of products like Kitchenware, Vases, Home decor, personalized pottery, tea sets, gift sets and so much more. 


emerson 
(Photo Credit: Emerson Creek)

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway! Best of luck to all the entrants!

Giveaway Details:
 August 16, 2013 - August 30, 2013

Open to US residents. Must be 18+ to enter.

Prize: One lucky reader will receive a Cracker Basket in their choice of design from Emerson Creek Pottery (RV $19.50)

To enter use the Rafflecopter form below. All winning entries will be verified. Good Luck and thanks for entering.

Thanks to our Sponsor, co-host and a great group of blogger friends for helping us with this event. 

 
Giveaway Disclosure

Getting Your Body Autumn Ready


It’s difficult to admit this, but we’re in the last few weeks of summer now. The rainclouds are creeping in front of the sun and the hours of daylight are starting to decline day by day. It’s getting to that time of year where it’s time to ditch the sandals, scrub away the remnants of the spray tan and start looking after our skin in preparation for the cooler months. So, what can you do now to get ahead of the game?

In Autumn, the main focus should be on protecting our skin against the volatile weather. The easiest way to do this is to book yourself in for a spa day, where you can pamper your sun-ravaged skin with a host of body wraps and treatments to restore the skin’s moisture and get it feeling soft and supple. Opt for something using oil to keep the skin soft for longer and to keep it protected against the elements.

The summer sun can also take its toll on our hands and feet. Summer days spent barefoot on the beach can lead to a build up of hard, dead skin on the heels, which obviously doesn’t look great and can crack painfully in cold weather. If you’ve been swimming lots, chlorine can damage the nails and leave them weak, so a manicure and pedicure could be just what you need to get your nails strong and in good health. The nail colour trends for autumn are aubergines, deep reds and perky apricot, so choose one of these for bang on trend talons.

The sun can leave you with a hair nightmare, so if you’ve neglected yours on your holidays, take yourself off for a professional cut to get rid of split ends. Sea water and swimming pools can leave hair frizzy and dry, so use a nourishing hair mask to help prevent the hair from snapping and to get its shine back. Autumn colours are darker than summer shades, so ditch the highlights and the ombre ends and go for a luscious, rich chocolate brown, chestnut or warm auburn.

Autumn skin really doesn’t need any fake tan, and it’s fine to go bare and natural. Your natural skin color will look great in the subtle autumn daylight. If you feel self conscious about going au naturel, apply a tinted moisturiser to the face with a sweep of shimmery bronzer across the cheekbones and nose to hold onto the final hints of your summer glow.


Anna Nelson writes for a number of online publications about beauty treatments and therapies to keep you looking your best

14 August 2013

Chicco Cortina Travel System Giveaway

Welcome to the Chicco Cortina Travel System Giveaway! chicco 

Chicco-logo

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

A great group of bloggers has come together to offer you this great giveaway for baby! The Chicco (pronounced Kee-ko) Cortina Stroller is a full-size stroller with simple features for convenience, comfort, and safety.
ChiccoCollage

The Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat fits infants from 4-30 lbs, rear facing. The Chicco Keyfit 30 is the number one ranked Infant Car Seat. It is also easy to install and moves very easily between the base in your car to the stroller.

Check out this in depth Chicco Cortina Travel System Review for more information.
Chicco is offering our fans the chance to win a Chicco Cortina Travel System, valued at $349!!! US Residents, 18 and up only. All winning entries will be verified. Winner will be randomly chosen and emailed, they will have 48 hours to claim their prize before a new winner is chosen. Giveaway begins 8/15/2013 at 12am EST and ends 9/5/2013 at 11:59pm EST.


Disclosure: This blog, Fun With Four, and Everything Mommyhood are not responsible for prize shipment, as this is a sponsored prize from Chicco. We were not compensated in any way for promotion of this giveaway. Everything Mommyhood/Fun With Four received the above mentioned item, in exchange for an honest review. Our opinions are not influenced in any way. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and any other social media are not affiliated with this giveaway. If you have any questions please contact the host of this giveaway at EverythingMommyhood@gmail.com.

13 August 2013

Dish Dish Giveaway

Dishdish.us
 Hosted By: Simply Southern Couponers & Co hosted by: Tunica Mama
Sponsored By: Dish Dish 

Dish Dish is an online cookbook that for a small fee you can keep all of your recipes in one place and can choose for them to be Public or Private and you can share with your family. 

To see more about Dish Dish read Simply Southern Couponers full review here

dish3dish5

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun event! Best of luck to all the entrants!

Event Details
August 14th - August 28th

Open to US residents, Must be 18+ to enter. 

Prize: One lucky viewer will receive a Dish Dish Pro Membership for 1 year + a Bamboo Cutting Board!!

To enter use the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck and thanks for entering. 

A special thanks to our Sponsor, co host and a great group of blogger friends for helping us with this event. Please stop by and visit them. 

 
Giveaway Disclosure

Pretty Mommies Giveaway

Pretty Mommies is the #1 physician recommended maternity skin care line on the market.
Pretty Mommies Mom and Baby

Although it's aimed at those who are pregnant or nursing - it's natural, safe, skin care that's great for ANYONE - men included!. 

It's a simple three step system - Cleanser, Skin Brightener, and Sunscreen - it'll cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, brighten, soothe, provide high levels of antioxidants and anti-aging properties, as well as, physical broad spectrum sun protection. If you're curious about how these products work, be sure to check out the review on According to Jenny

Pretty Mommies Products

There are lots of new things happening at Pretty Mommies. If you're a Zulily fan then you might have noticed them pop up there this past week! Not only are they now reaching their target audience online, you might also see Pretty Mommies in your OBGYN's or Midwifes office. And if you're in China - you can now get Pretty Mommies there, too! 

Pretty Mommies Girl

Pretty Mommies feels so deeply about educating women on the importance of safe maternity skin care that they've created a campaign on www.causes.com to raise awareness of this important issue. You'll also soon find them offering up educational resources on http://safematernityskincare.com/ and they support an open forum for Q&A for anyone who has questions about skin care during pregnancy, nursing - or just in general. 

To celebrate all these new and exciting events (and their newly redesigned website) Pretty Mommies has partnered with the Blogging Mamas Network to answer your questions about safe skin care and giveaway LOTS of Pretty Mommies products!
 
Pretty Mommies Giveaway August2013

Giveaway is open to US/CAN, 18+, and ends on 8/25/13
**Ready to purchase Pretty Mommies for yourself?? Use code pretty20 at checkout for 20% off through 8/31/13!**

 Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun giveaway event!  Best of luck to all the entrants!


The Blogging Mamas Network and participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Participating bloggers did not receive compensation for this post, although they may be eligible for a reward upon completion.

The Ultimate Green Store Giveaway

Welcome to The Ultimate Green Store Giveaway!
the ultimate green store
  
Hosted By: Simply Southern Couponers & Co-hosted by: Textbook Mommy

  
The Ultimate Green Store is a web-based destination for eco-conscious shoppers. It provides a collection of the finest environmentally friendly products for you, your home, office, kids and even pets. Along with the carrying products from companies that are among the most socially responsible eco-friendy around, they also carry products that are made by companies that did not start out as eco-friendly but now realize the importance of it. 

To see more about The Ultimate Green Store read our full review here. 
The Ultimate Green Store GC
Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun event!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

Event Details:
August 14th - August 28th 

Open to US residents only. Must be 18+ to enter.

Prize: One lucky viewer will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to The Ultimate Green Store. 
To enter complete the Rafflecopter below. All winning entries will be verified. 


A special thanks to our Sponsor, co host and a great group of blogger friends for helping 
us with this event. Be sure to stop by and visit each of them.

BlogGiveaway Disclosure

If you are a Sponsor and would like to see some of your products featured on Simply Southern Couponers site contact Jennifer at simplysoutherncouponers@gmail.com for more information. 

Five Ways to Make Your Tummy Look Smaller in a Bathing Suit



The beach is a lovely place to spend the afternoon. There's nothing more beautiful than the sight of azure waves, smelling the ocean breeze, feeling the sand between your toes and relaxing with family and friends or by yourself. But if you don't feel confident in your bathing suit, a trip to the shore can make you feel tense and as if all eyes are on you and your problem areas.

Many women dread shopping for bathing suits because they don't have rock hard abs and they feel that the material or pattern of their swimwear will only enhance a big belly. Even if you don't have a six-pack, you can still look fabulous in a swimsuit. The following tips can make your tummy look slender and give you a sense of confidence as you head to the beach or the pool this summer.

Start with stripes. A bathing suit with stripes can have a slenderizing effect, but make sure the suit you choose has stripes going in the right direction. Horizontal stripes will make you appear wider across the middle and accentuate your flaws while vertical stripes have a more slimming effect.

Ruching can work wonders. Ruching can be a girl's best friend. Ruching is a stylistic effect in which material is gathered in a way to form ruffles, which can mask a big tummy. For a beautiful bathing suit with tummy control, the Goddess Boyleg One Piece from Canyon Beachwear suits most body types with thicker ties around the neck for added support and a ruched tummy panel to flatter the stomach.

A one-piece can be figure flattering. The right one-piece bathing suit will not only turn heads on the beach, but it can tone down those less-than-perfect areas. Choose a one-piece suit in dark colors to hide your tummy. Geometric designs and patterns can also disguise a big belly.

Play up your best features. Nothing says confidence and sexiness than a woman who is comfortable in her own skin. If you have a beautiful pair of legs or nicely toned arms, don't be afraid to show them off. Wearing swimwear that plays up your best assets puts the focus on these body parts rather than on a flabby stomach.

Opt for bathing suits with built-in tummy control. If you're tired of sucking in your gut while you lounge at the pool or mingle at the resort, opt for a bathing suit with tummy control. Many contemporary swimsuits now feature a tummy-control panel that is built into the material. These slenderizing suits hold in your stomach and make your belly appear flatter.


Canyon Beachwear sells designer swimwear online and in retail stores around the country.  For more information, or to buy their products click here

12 August 2013

Back to School In Style Giveaway

Back to School is just around the corner for many families following the traditional school schedule.  So that means time to stock up on school supplies and more!  Wouldn’t it be fantastic if you could win some of those supplies and goodies instead of having to buy them all?  That is where this Back to School in Style giveaway comes into play!  Our fabulous hostesses, Savory Savings and Pea of Sweetness have partnered to bring you two fantastic prize packages meant to lighten your load and put a smile on your kiddo’s face!

backtoschool_button

We would also like to say thank you to our awesome cohosts: Rainy Day Pennies and Serenity You!
Let’s get down to business, so you know what is at stake here, there will be two amazing prize packages: The School Bus Package and The Playground Package.  Check out what you can expect below and be sure to read up on the reviews to get more details!
The School Bus Package ($140 value!)
  • Reading Kingdom 4-month Subscription.  Reading Kingdom is an interactive reading program for preschool to third grade levels.  Click the link to find out what Emilee from Pea of Sweetness thought about the Reading Kingdom program!
  • Roaring Spring Paper Products.  Products that are sustainably made using green products and are 97% landfill-free! Check out to see Krista from Savory Savings’ thoughts on how these products held up!
  • Frecklebox, $30 Gift Card.  Personalized products for kids that are usable, too!  From fun folders to laugh-inducing lunchboxes, Frecklebox has something for everyone!  Check out what Krista thought about the folders, clipboards and coloring books!
The Playground Package ($140 value!!)
  • Reading Kingdom 4-month Subscription.  Reading Kingdom is an interactive reading program for preschool to third grade levels.  Check out what Krista from Savory Savings thought of this cute program with her girls!
  • Kidorable Umbrella.  Whimsical products that kids and parents both love!  Ladybugs and pirates, frogs and fairies – Kidorable brings your kids accessories that hold up and deliver on the cute factor, too!
  • Flattenme Personalized Book.  Turn your child into a book star with one of these flattenme personalized book’s!  See how Krista turned her daughter into a superhero, bat and more!
  • Lil Creepers Coloring Book.  Canadian mom and artist, Shawna Carter has created a line of terrifyingly fun books about her daughter, Bree, if she were a zombie.  Join Bree and her other creeptacular friends in adventures in these fun, custom-made coloring books!
BacktoSchool_sponsors

Would you like to win one of these two fantastic packages?  Enter with the Giveaway Tool below!  This giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 and older.  It will run from August 13, 2013 through August 27, 2013 at 11 PM CST.  Any questions about this giveaway should be directed to Krista (at) savory savings (dot) com.

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this great giveaway!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

 
Savory Savings did not receive any compensation for this post.  Disclosure: Savory Savings and Pea of Sweetness did receive some products for free and are sharing their opinions with you.  Opinions may differ from yours.  Savory Savings and Textbook Mommy are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.  This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any social media outlet.  We hereby release Facebook of any liability.  The post may contain affiliate links. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours after the giveaway ends to respond before another winner is selected.  All entries will be verified. 

Happy Family Introduces "Stories From The Bright Side" #HFbrightside

This is a sponsored post created for Happy Family on behalf of my partnership with Social Moms.



When it comes to feeding time I'm sure you can ask any Mom and they will have plenty of funny stories to share centered around their kids.  I'm talking food being thrown, food being worn more than being eaten, and of course who as a parent hasn't experienced a child who has refused to eat a thing or two?  As a Mom of four girls I have a few humorous tales myself of meal times that I'm glad I can look back at now and laugh at!

A more recent funny moment surrounding food, well okay in this case a holiday display that is edible, was this past holiday season when my children and I were making gingerbread houses.  The kids were so excited because instead of making one giant gingerbread house I was letting them each make their own.  We gathered all of the supplies including the gingerbread pieces, the different varieties of candy, and the piping bags of different colored frosting, etc.  

The kids wanted to try and do as much of the constructing of the walls of the gingerbread houses themselves as they could and I liked their independent approach to the task so I agreed to let them have at it!  Unfortunately there were some technical difficulties as the gingerbread was not wanting to adhere with the frosting so well and the kids' walls on their gingerbread houses kept caving in as they went along.  I kept frantically jumping from one child's gingerbread house to the next trying to save their walls from collapsing, but in the end we had some very unusually shaped houses to say the least.  Bless their hearts though because the kids were troopers and they still decorated them fantastically and of course gobbled them up within days!  I think this year they will let good old Mom help them out quite a bit more, buy hey, it's a funny story to look back at and have a good laugh!

 This year's goal!

In addition to this story I of course have had my share of feeding moments over the years with my children I can relate to other parents about, especially when they were younger including the throwing of food (did someone say spaghetti?) and of course who hasn't had a child refuse to eat their vegetables?  Been there, done that!  What's great is that we can look back at these moments with laughter, and thanks to Happy Family you can even win $20k towards your child's education just by sharing your own funny feeding story!


Happy Family is an organic brand of nutrient rich food for babies, toddlers, and growing kids that was founded and is operated by moms.  Happy Family is consistently recognized for their continued growth and innovation, including being named by Forbes as one of America's most promising companies.  To find out which stores in your area carry Happy Family products, click here for their store locator.

How does $20,000 towards your child's education sound?  All you need to do to be entered to win is head on over to the Happy Family Facebook page and join in on their "Stories from the Bright Side" by sharing your own funny feeding story.  While you're there be sure to like Happy Family on Facebook and check out some other hilarious entries!

Click here to save $0.50 off Happy Family products





*Disclosure: This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Happy Family blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.

11 August 2013

End of Summer Celebration Giveaway

I am not hosting or sponsoring this giveaway. I am sharing it here in exchange for my link(s) on the giveaway form. Please read the full disclosure at the bottom of this post.
 
Welcome to the End of Summer Celebration Giveaway sponsored by the lovely ladies of Stitches & Sparkle! They are giving away a Girl's Hobo Purse ($30.00 Value).

boho purse

This purse is made with 100% cotton fabric. The outside of the purse has a colorful star design with glitter embellishments. Inside there are 2 pockets (1 is a zipper pocket and the other is a slip pocket). This purse would make a wonderful gift for any little girl! To enter the giveaway please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to US residents. It ends Friday, August 23, 2013. Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun event!  Best of luck to all the entrants!

 
I was NOT financially compensated for this post. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to accept their prize (or a different winner will be selected). The winner's information will be provided to the sponsor who will then mail the prize to the winner. This blog is not responsible for the prize delivery. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You Are Cordially Invited Giveaway

wedding rings 2e

Love is in the Air.. And weddings are all around. The MI Savings Mama family is Getting Married!!!! And Guess What....! You Are Cordially Invited... Hosted by MI Savings Mama Co-Hosted by This Mama Loves, Children Teaching Mama, A Safe Haven,Woven By Words and Joy Of Momma Joyner.

This giveaway wouldn't be possible with out these AMAZING Sponsors:

brillant Earth 4


Brian Brundage Pendant 


napkins  

 book 

 Natures Notebook
  


*One Lucky Reader will receive the items shown above ( $700.00 Value) 
*Giveaway starts August 11, 2013 at Noon est. 
*Giveaway will end at 11:59pm est on September 1, 2013 
*Giveaway is open to US only 
* You must be 18 or over to enter 
* Winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter 
* Winners will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. 
* The lucky winner will be notified by email at the end of the Giveaway. 
* MI Savings Mama and the other participating blogs are not responsible for prize shipment or fulfillment

Textbook Mommy is excited to be a part of this fun event!  Best of luck to all the entrants!


Disclosure: Textbook Mommy did not receive compensation for this giveaway. Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest are in no way associated with this giveaway. Prize fulfillment and shipping will be handled by the Sponsors.

09 August 2013

A Generational Approach to College Student Debt

So you were accepted to a college of your choice? Congratulations! Now that you’ve gotten past the hurdle of how to get into a college, it’s time to address how you’re going to pay for the expense of college. Besides tuition, there’s lodging, food, books, and other costs to consider when figuring out how much you’ll need. While applying for scholarships and grants is a great idea, these are pretty hard to get given the competitive field out there. Unless you or your family is able to pay for it all, chances are, you’ll end up applying for one (or more) of the many student loans available.

With so many options to choose from, it’s important that you pick wisely as student loan debt can be a heavy weight on your financial future. The average student borrows $25,000 over four years, and can take ten years or more to completely pay off—during which time, you pay nearly double the original loan amount due to interest. Learn more about the actual cost of a student loan with this infographic from ConsolidatedCredit. Educate yourself prior to taking out loans without consideration of the future. You want to start out your post-graduation life without the heavy burden of a debt you can’t pay.


Influenster #SunVoxBox Review

This summer I have had the wonderful opportunity to once again review some fabulous products thanks to Influenster!  This time around was the Influenster Sun Vox Box, and it was packed with some great products to enjoy summer to the fullest!  What I love about being a member of Influenster is that I get to hear about and review products that I may not otherwise hear about right away.  I have found some great products over the past year through Influenster and the Sun Vox Box has also opened my eyes to some new favorites as well!  If you are not a member of Influester I highly encourage you to hop on over to their website and sign up.  You won't be disappointed!

Now on to the fun part - the products I reviewed!
















If you love rich, shiny polish, then you will absolutely love SinfulShine with Gel Tech! I received this nail polish in the color Blue Suede Shoes and I have been rocking this color all summer long - with many compliments I might add!  You can find all 32 shades for a limited time exclusively at Walgreens.  If you don't happen to have a Walgreens in your area I have seen some of the colors in the SinfulShine line at my local Walmart (though it was not the whole line of 32 shades).



Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream - Retails for $12.99

The Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream is a tinted moisturizer featuring an SPF 15 offering UV protection and a hint of color to brighten your complexion.  Add to that 24 hour hydration and you get an easy one step application for a flawless finish that protects your skin while you stay looking fresh faced all day long!  

Before using the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream I had heard of BB Creams but had never actually made the jump to try one out.  I had always been a foundation and powder girl myself.  With the summer heat a lot of face makeup gets hard to manage and I liked the idea of a one step face application that also offered great sun protection.  After one application I was hooked!  While I do still like my old makeup routine, the Olay Effects BB Cream has been much easier to manage, and has looked just as good for a summer makeup routine that is fast and user friendly!  I think this will be a new summer must have for me!



Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics - Retails for $3.99-$4.99

Summer also means up-dos.  Ponytails, braids, and for those with long hair like myself, any way to manage getting your hair up out of your face in the heat.  I was excited to try out the Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics.  I of course also recruited my daughters to test them out this summer with me as well!  All of us girls have a range of different hair types from thick to thin,  and very curly to stick straight.  The Goody Ouchless Elastics worked on all of our different hair types and we all were able to keep our ponytails tight and manageable no matter what the occassion (swimming, hiking, etc.).  We love Goody!



















If you love high heels but hate achy feet after wearing them all day then Dr. Scholl's has the answer for you with their Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles.  The unique design helps to prevent high heel pain by shifting the pressure off of the ball of the foot and they are practically invisible - even in strappy heels!  A unique adhesive keeps the insoles in place and you can easily remove the insoles without causing any damage to your heels.

While I'm more of a flip flops and sandals girl in the summer, there have been a few occassions where I have needed to get dressed up and wear my heels these past few months so I took the opportunity to try out the Dr. Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles.  My first impression was that they were very comfortable!  The gel inside the insoles makes walking in your heels much more manageable for sure!  At the end of the day I did notice my feet did not hurt as bad as they usually do and overall I would say that these insoles are definitely worth a try!


*Disclosure:  I was provided sample products on behalf of my membership with Influenster.  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own and are not a result of any outside influence.

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