This is the week of our big Disneyland Resort vacation, so naturally I've got all things Disney on my mind. To that end, I've decided to feature everything Disney on my blog this week -- Disney apps, food, toys, clothes, and of course the new rides and attractions at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure!
Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Thanks to General Mills (via MyBlogSpark) for providing the coupon link and information.. The views and opinions expressed here are my own. Tweet this!
As parents, we are constantly looking for products to make our lives easier, more productive and more fun. Sometimes we run across a product that is so simple in its concept, yet so brilliantly useful, that you kick yourself for not thinking of it yourself. You know, like sliced bread. Or Facebook.
Here's another one: the Toydozer. How many times have I yelled at my kids to clean up their toys, then ended up doing it myself because they took too long, or weren't doing it properly? How many times have a missed a piece or two, only to step on it an hour or two later? The Toydozer bulldozes away all those problems . Read the product description and see if you don't wholeheartedly agree:
What if toy clean up could be a fun activity instead of a dreaded chore? Enter the Toydozer. This innovative new product makes clean up time fun, fast, and efficient for both parents and kids. With a few simple scoops, you can clean up huge amounts of toys at one time and easily dump them back into their storage bins. No more crawling all over the floor in search of every stray small piece. With a few swipes of the Toydozer, clean up time is over in no time.
The Toydozer is available exclusively on the Toydozer.com website and comes in three vibrant colors: purple, yellow and blue. The product retails for $18.99 and ships for free anywhere in Canada or the U.S.
The Toydozer acts like a brush and dustpan, but instead of a brush that catches dirt and hair and dust bunnies, you use a sturdy plastic scoop. You don't have to pick anything up, just swipe the scoop and guide all those little toys into the pan. It's such a simple idea, but it's brilliant.
The website says it can be used on "Lego®, Duplo®, Polly Pocket®, Squinkies®, Matchbox® Cars, blocks, trains, safari animals, puzzle pieces-whatever’s all over the floor" -- and it's true. So far, we've used it to clean Lego, Knex and markers. Why not just pick the markers up? Because using the Toydozer is more fun! In fact, 3Po and Jammy have actually turned cleaning up with the Toydozer into part of their play. They like to pretend all their Lego pieces are part of a junkyard, and they use the scoop like a bulldozer and shovel everything into the pan:
They even thought of providing velcro tabs, so you can attach the scoop to the pan and keep them together! One thing that would make the Toydozer even better would be a hanging hole or hook, so you can hang it on a wall for storage (there is a hole on the back "wall" of the pan so kids can grip it properly, but you can't really use it to hang the Toydozer).
Get 20% off a Toydozer Use the code BLOGGER20 to get 20% off your purchase at Toydozer.com!
Win a ToyDozer One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Toydozer playroom cleanup tool! Required entry Leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd like to win a Toydozer.
Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).
6) Follow @toydozer on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet): RT @bonggafinds: Cleaning up toys is easy and fun with the @toydozer! Enter to win one at http://bit.ly/HRCfQ8 #toydozer #giveaways
The Rules This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on April 16, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on April 17 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!
Disclosure: This post is part of a Toydozer blogger outreach campaign. Participating bloggers have been provided with a complimentary Toydozer to review and have been compensated for their time. Product information is provided by Toydozer and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
There's no better way to start the spring season than with great savings! This April, Procter & Gamble and KMART are offering a $10 gift card when you buy $30 of P&G products at Kmart, so you can save big on products you buy and use every day. Here's how it's going to work:
* If you purchase $30 worth of P&G products during the week of April 1 through April 7, the $10 off coupon is redeemable April 8th through April 15.
* If you purchase $30 worth of P&G products during the week of April 15 through April 21, the $10 off coupon is redeemable April 22 through April 28.
*Purchases must be made in a single transaction. Includes regular, sale, and clearance priced grocery, beauty, and healthcare items. Excludes any number of items on “Buy One, Get One” events. Purchase requirement calculated before taxes and after other discounts have been applied. Excludes Downy Wrinkle Releaser.®
This deal will be offered to Kmart customers via the Shop Your Way Rewards program, Kmart's loyalty program that lets customers earn and redeem points at Sears, Kmart, Lands' End, Sears Home Services, Sears Auto, the great indoors and mygofer.
Happy saving!
Win a P&G/Kmart Prize Pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a Procter & Gamble / KMart prize pack that includes:
* $30 worth of KMART gift cards (which means you'll be able to take advantage of the Buy $30, get $10 offer!)
* Olay Facial Hair Removal Duo.
Required Entry Leave a comment on this post telling me what you would buy at Kmart if you won. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.
Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).
1) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)
2) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway in your blog post (1 entry).
3) Leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite P&G product (1 entry).
4) Like Bonggamom Finds on FB and write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry): I entered the P&G/Kmart giveaway! http://bit.ly/GS1YLj
5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day): RT @bonggafinds Win a $30 Kmart gift card + Olay Facial Hair Remover Duo! http://bit.ly/GS1YLj
6) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Get a $10 Kmart gift card when you buy $30 worth of P&G products at Kmart April 1-21! Details at www.shopyourwayrewards.com
The Rules This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on April 8, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on April 9 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!
Disclosure: Procter & Gamble is providing me with giveaway prize pack, as well as a second prize pack to me as a thank-you for posting this information and hosting the giveaway. Promotion details were provided by Procter & Gamble via Blue Chip Communications and are indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Look what we got as an early Easter present! Dale and Thomas sent us their gigantic, spectacular twelve-bag sampler, perfectly presented in an Easter-themed box:
Inside are twelve bags of yummy Dale & Thomas popcorn! We were all salivating while opening the box, because each bag is a different mouth-watering variety:
- Peanut Butter & White Chocolate DrizzleCorn - Twice-As-Nice Chocolate DrizzleCorn - Chocolate Chunk N'Caramel - Black & White Biscotti - Double Chocolate DrizzleCorn - Dark Fudge with Praline Almonds - Dale's Caramel - Cinnamon Creme DrizzleCorn - White Cheddar & Black Peppercorn - Hall of Fame Kettle Corn - Southwest Cheddar Chipotle - North Country Cheddar
So far, we've only tried the Chocolate Chunk N'Caramel, but if that flavor is any indication of the others, we are in for a real treat. The package arrived literally just 30 minutes ago, and I couldn't wait any longer to share my delight with everyone. Why have I not known about Dale & Thomas popcorn before today? It is delicious! Watch out for a review of the other Dale & Thomas flavors -- as well as a giveaway for a Twelve-Bag Sample!
In the meantime, enjoy this discount for 20% off an order from Dale & Thomas: just use promo code BMA12 at checkout (offer expires April 30, 2012).
Disclosure: I received a product sample from Dale & Thomas. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Don't you just love photos of crying kids? The one above is one of my favorites, but I'm sure 3Po doesn't feel the same way. He's probably crying because his big sister pinched him or something, but with all that eczema on his cheeks, he had a lot to cry about during his first year!
3Po has suffered from eczema since he was 6 months old, and he hasn't outgrown it yet. Even now, at 8 years old, he continues to have outbreaks on his arms and legs, especially during the dry winter months. We keep it under control with regular moisturizing, and 3Po has gotten "used" to it -- but you can never get "used" to the incessant itchiness. We remind him to try not to scratch, because he could break the skin and get an infection, but it's difficult to stop him -- and it breaks my heart to see him so uncomfortable.
Neosporin knows there are many, many families with eczema problems, so they have come out with a line of products that help bring skin relief to kids (and a bit of mental relief to their worried parents!) Neosporin Eczema Essentials (available in your drugstore's first-aid aisle, or online at Walmart.com) is a 3-part system which includes a daily cream, daily body wash and anti-itch cream. It sounds great because it combats dryness and irritation (which, as any eczema parent knows, is eczema's BFF) not only with a cream, but with a body wash. It's also great to have that itch relief when you need it! I'm definitely going to check out Neosporin Eczema Essentials line.
More about Neosporin Eczema Essentials: Get the full eczema care line from the experts in skin care health for over 50 years. Get visibly healthier skin in 3 days! Here’s how it works:
#1 Daily Body Wash • Proven gentle and non-irritating, even on eczema-prone skin • Fragrance-free, soap-free • Gentle enough for everyday use
#2 Daily Moisturizing Cream • Deeply moisturizes • Relieves itch on contact and irritation due to eczema • Helps strengthen and restore the skin’s natural barrier function • Fragrance and steroid-free
#3 Anti-Itch Cream • Clinically shown to improve dryness, flaking and appearance of redness • Maximum strength of itch relief • For occasional use
Save $5.00 at Walmart.com! Visit http://see.walmart.com/neosporin to get a coupon for $5.00 off Neosporin Eczema Essentials at Walmart.com.
Disclosure: This is a compensated post. Product information is provided by Resourceful Mommy Media and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Now that The Pea has a new American Girl doll (McKenna, GOTY 2012), she wants new doll clothes. She especially wants nighttime wear so her dolls can have a sleepover. I'm loving the nighttime wear from online 18" doll clothes retailer Ana's Doll Clothes, and not just because of the name :) There are some really cute doll clothes here! Check out these Brown Cupcake PJs:
and these Pink Scotty Dog PJs:
So adorable! I also like the beautiful beds, furniture and accessories on Ana's website; they are an affordable option to American Girl furniture and accessories. Check out her website at anasdollclothes.com and use the code bonggamom to get 15% off your order of $25 or more! This code expires January 20, 2012 so use it quickly.
Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The coupon code was provided to me by Ana's Doll Clothes and I am not responsible for the validity of the coupon or associated discount. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Hurrah! October, my favorite month, is finally here. I can't wait to decorate our house with spooky Halloween stuff, make Halloween treats, plan all those Halloween parties... and see Disney on Ice again. As a Feld Family Ambassador, we'll be watching their latest show, Disney on Ice presents Treasure Trove, at the HP Pavilion when it opens on October 19.
About the show: Discover endless riches when Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove comes to your hometown! Disney On Ice sets the gold standard with its newest skating spectacular. Get tangled up in Disney’s 50th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses –Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White. Ahoy, Mateys! Set sail with Peter Pan,the always sassy Tinker Bell and the cantankerous Captain Hook & his pirate pals on an adventure beyond Neverland! Trek the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa and Timon as they discover the true meaning of the‘Circle of Life.’ Tick-Tock! Tick-Tock! Don’t be late to a very important date with Alice & the Mad hatter as theymarch with the Queen of Hearts’ Army Of Cards. Be sure to see this show full of memories guaranteed to last a lifetime. Playing Oracle Arena October 12-16 and HP Pavilion October 19-2.
We've been to several Disney on Ice shows, but they manage to make every production unique and special, and we're looking forward to seeing what's new this time around. We've never seen Rapunzel or Alice in Wonderland on ice, so it'll be interesting to see how they deal with Rapunzel's hair, and what kinds of costumes they'll put the playing cards in!
If you still haven't purchased your tickets to Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove, here are some discount codes you can use:
WEEKDAY SHOWS – Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (Not valid for FR/ VIP seating. Only valid on shows Wednesday thru Friday morning) Redemption Code: MOM
WEEKEND SHOWS – $5 off tickets to all performances (Not valid for FR/ VIP seating) Redemption Code: MOM5
Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Event and discount information is provided by Feld Entertainment and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
My sons have become the model of good behavior. Every morning they get up, dress up, have breakfast, brush their teeth and make their beds. After school, they put away their things, do their homework, read for 15 minutes, practice piano, and water their plants. I can't really claim all the credit -- they do it because they want to earn the right to some computer time. And computer time has become a hotter commodity than usual, thanks to their new Mechatar Wrexx remote-control robot. CleverGirls selected us to review a Mechatars robot, and it seems like it's all they want to do! Keep reading to see what this new phenomenon is all about (and enter to win one of your own).....
About Mechatars Mechatars is an interactive toy robot and a free virtual online game. With a Mechatar robot, kids are able to drive their toy around with the included remote control, complete offline missions and also challenge their friends to online and offline Mechatar battles. Kids who have a Mechatar robot can connect it to the online game. Those without a Mechatar robot can still play the virtual online game for free. The objective of the game is for kids and Mechatars to work together and defeat the evil Swarm.
The Bongga
My boys are loving this robot! The love how it rolls around at the touch of a button, and they love the cool dino sound effects. Here's a video of them figuring out how it works:
But the remote control aspect is only half of the fun. You can also connect your Mechatar to your computer with the included USB cable, and download missions from Mechatar.com (you have to create an account). You can play games online at Mechatar.com, and playing games earns you credits that you can use to download missions to your Mechatar. We only have one Mechatar (at the moment!) but I imagine that if you have 2 Mechatars in the room, they'll want to do battle with each other!
Here are some of the things I love best about our Mechatar:
* You don't need a second Mechatar to have fun. Mechatars can go on solo missions involving "spy hunts", like the Swarm Hunter Mission. In the Swam Hunter mission, your Mechatar picks out an object that you have to find by driving your Mechatar around, and you are given feedback on how close you are to the object via a series of beeps, as well as audio tips (i.e. "Not Close Enough").
* You don't need to spend actual cash to download missions to your Mechatar; kids earn credits by playing the online Mechatar game.
* I really love the "hint" button -- when you press it, you'll hear audio instructions to help you figure out what to do next (for example, "Press Go and Turn buttons to drive").
* The remote control unit does not have one of those retractable metal antennas, so there are less parts to break!
The Blah Here are some thing that I think could be improved:
* The Mechatar desktop application runs on my laptop, even when the Mechatar is not plugged in. It runs in the background, but it does take up some memory, and I find it extremely annoying. Why not run the app only when the Mechatar gets plugged in?
* It's extremely difficult to connect the USB cable to the USB port on the back of the Mechatar. You really have to push firmly and make sure it goes in deep, otherwise the computer will not recognize the device and you won't be able to sync your Mechatar.
* There is no auto-power-off feature, so our Mechatar often gets left with the power on for hours at a time, draining the battery.
* Right now, all you can do out of the box is make the Mechatar go and stop. I wish the Mechatar came pre-loaded with a few missions, so that parents who really don't want their kids to play games online can still buy Mechatars for their kids to enjoy.
The Bottom Line None of the limitations I mentioned really bother my kids, only me. As far as they are concerned, their Mechatar is the coolest remote-control toy ever -- and I'm betting a lot of boys, little and not-so-little, would agree.
Save 10% on your purchase of a Mechatar Robot Use the coupon code MECHMOM to receive 10% off your purchase at iloverobots.com. This code is good until November 30, 2011.
Win a Mechatar One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Mechatar robot!
Required Entry Visit www.Mechatars.com and check out the Mechatar robot line up (click on "Play Now", then "Register" to see the full product line -- don't worry, you won't have to submit any information). Then leave a comment on this post and tell me which Mechatar you'd most like to win. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.
Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).
1) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway in your blog post (1 entry).
4) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger/Google Friend Connect (1 entry).
5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day): Enter to win a Mechatars remote-control robot on @bonggafinds http://ow.ly/6zOXF #CleverRobot #spon
6) Join any of the open giveaways on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you've joined)
The Rules This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on October 3, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on October 4 and post the winner's name after he/she confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!
Disclosure: I was selected to participate in this sponsored post series by Clever Girls Collective. Mechatars (via Clever Girls) has provided me with a product sample to facilitate my review as well as a similar product to give away and compensation for my time. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Fall is a great time of the year, with so many distinct sights, smells, tastes and textures. I love the tastes of fall, with all the fragrant spices and hearty textures. Butternut squash soup, pumpkin bread, apple pie, beans with molasses and gingerbread make my mouth water!
Gingerbread and other spice cookies are super-yummy, but I never make them, because honestly, I find it so tedious to measure out all those spices -- plus I have to buy so many spices and store them in my cupboard, where they'll probably sit unused until I have to throw them out. Enter Bettey Crocker Molasses Cookie mix, which is a wonderful way to enjoy the home baked aroma and taste of Molasses cookies without all the hassle.
About Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie mixLove molasses cookies, but could do without the preparation and mess? Betty Crocker to the rescue! This fall, Betty Crocker is introducing a molasses cookie mix, making this year-round favorite easy to bake in less than 20 minutes. With a delectably soft and chewy texture, and great spice cookie taste, new Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie mix combines real molasses flavor with hints of cinnamon and spice for a homemade taste that you’ll love.Look for Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie mix in the baking aisle of grocery stores this fall.
What do I think? These cookies are sooooo good. They are so soft and chewy, with just the right blend of spiciness and sweetness. They're perfect on their own, with a glass of milk -- or best of all, in an ice-cream sandwich! That's how we've been enjoying the batch we made, using the Betty Crocker Molasses cookie mix that MyBlogSpark sent us to try. It was so easy to make, and the whole thing took about 20 minutes.
To make things even easier, I have a couple of tried-and-tested tips for you:
* The recipe calls for a stick of softened butter. If you're like me and you forgot to take the butter out of the fridge, you can soften the butter in the microwave, on high, for 10 or 15 seconds.
* Use an ice-cream scoop to portion out the cookie dough. It's quick and easy, and all your cookies turn out round and even in size! A mini ice-cream scoop is just right for making 2-inch molasses cookies.
* Line your pans with parchment paper. The cookies will brown evenly at the bottom, they won't stick to your baking sheet, and clean-up is a breeze.
Finally, the cookies will come out of the oven super-soft, so leave them on the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring them to cooling racks. Resist the temptation to eat them right away, because the center will be slightly raw.
Save $0.75 off a pouch of Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie mix In addition, you and your readers can visit http://bit.ly/cookiescoupon to download a printable coupon for $0.75 off the purchase of one (1) Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie mix pouch today!
Win a Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie prize pack One lucky Bonggamom Finds winner will receive a prize pack, courtesy of Betty Crocker®, which consists of:
Molasses Cookie mix prize pack which includes a Betty Crocker apron, non-stick baking pan, and mixing spoon.
Required Entry Leave a comment on this post and share how you plan to use the time you've saved by using Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie mix. This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.
Extra Entries For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).
1) Blog about this giveaway, making sure you include a link to the giveaway in your blog post (1 entry).
5) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger/Google Friend Connect (1 entry).
6) Follow @bonggafinds AND @BettyCrocker on Twitter and tweet this, up to once per day (1 entry per day): RT @bonggafinds Enter to win a @BettyCrocker Molasses Cookie prize pack! Enter by 10/7 at http://ow.ly/6zGld#giveaways
The Rules This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on October 7, 2011; I will draw a winner at random on October 8 and post the winner's name after he/she confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!
Disclosure: Product, information (in italics) and prize pack have been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Fall is here, which means apples, pumpkins... and ice? Disney on Ice, that is! Everyone's favorite ice show is coming back to the Bay Area: Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove will be playing Oracle Arena in Oakland from October 12-16 and HP Pavilion at San Jose from October 19-23, and tickets go on sale starting today. And as a Feld Family Activator, I've got discount codes for everyone!
Dates and Tickets Oracle Arena in Oakland – October 12-16 HP Pavilion at San Jose – October 19-23
Regular Ticket prices:
$16, $25, $45 (VIP), $75(Front Row) All kids’ tickets only $10!
*Opening Night Ticket Price: $15.00 all seats excluding VIP/Front Row Tickets available at all Ticketmaster locations, at the Box Office, online, or charge by phone 1-800-745-3000
Save on Tickets to Disney on Ice presents Treasure Trove
SPECIAL OFFERS-BEGINNING September 12, 2011
WEEKDAY SHOWS – Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (Not valid for FR/ VIP seating. Only valid on shows Wednesday thru Friday morning) Redemption Code: MOM
WEEKEND SHOWS – $5 off tickets to all performances (Not valid for FR/ VIP seating) Redemption Code: MOM5
Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Event and discount information is provided by Feld Entertainment and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
When I was in elementary school, we actually had a subject called Social Graces, where we learned things like how to arrange place settings and how to write thank you cards. It seems archaic now, but good manners is as important as ever, and I'm very keen on instilling good manners in my children.
For example, after every birthday party I ask them to write thank-you notes. Even in this age of text messaging and emails I think it's important to keep the tradition of the hand-written thank you note because it tells the gift-giver that you, the recipient are taking a little bit of time and effort to acknowledge their thoughtfulness.
As you can imagine with kids, getting them to write these notes can be a tiresome task -- but it's a non-negotiable. I've found that providing them with cute thank-you cards can motivate them to write the cards, because they want to use the cute notecards. If the cards are personalized with their names, even better! The trick is finding a card they like.
Fortunately, there are sites like InvitationBox.com, which provides cute, trendy thank you cards, invitations and other personalized stationery online. They have lots of cute designs for both kids and adults. In fact, InvitationBox.com has so many cute designs, it's impossible to feature them all. Here are some of my favorites for kids' thank you notes:
I love this madras print!
It also comes in pink.
They have lots of kid-friendly animal designs that reflect your child's favorite things, like animals, pirates, cupcakes, soccer balls, construction vehicles and more. Your child will enjoy choosing his own design!
InvitationBox.com sent me some personalized notecards so I could see their designs and quality up close. Here is one of the designs they sent me:
I love the warm colors and cheerful flowers on this Tropical design! You can personalize the cards with your name, and do it all online so it's really convenient. The cardstock used does seem a bit thin, and I'm not a big fan of the glossy finish -- but the great news is, prices start at about 50 cents per card, and the minimum order is just 10 notecards, so you can get beautiful personalized notecards for your kids (and yourself) without putting a big dent in your budget. They're definitely a cut above your regular drugstore or cardstore box of generic thank-you notes, and I can't wait to use them!
InvitationBox.com summer sale InvitationBox.com has a great clearance section with lots of items on sale. They are also offering great Summer discounts with the following codes:
Use coupon code Hot75 to get 5% off any order. Use coupon code Hot85 to get 10% off orders of $100 or more. Use coupon code Hot95 to get 15% off orders of $250 or more.
These coupons expire on 6/30/2011 so make sure you use them soon. And even if you do miss the Summer Sale, you can still save with free shipping on order of $100 or more.
Disclosure: I received an assortment of personalized notecards to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Every time my kids go to a birthday party, I think of my grandmother. Lola (that's grandmother in Filipino) Tining (that's a Filipino nickname for Cristina) taught me how to wrap presents when I was about nine years old. In those days there were no ready-made gift boxes or gift bags; you couldn't just stick a present in a box and stuff some colored tissue paper around it because colored tissue paper was too expensive. All we used were sheets of wrapping paper and sticky tape that didn't lift off beautifully the way invisible tape does today.
Lola Tining did a lot of gift wrapping. She has seven kids, and each of them have 2-5 children. She has a lot of cousins and friends. That's a lot of birthday and holiday presents. Every holiday season she'd buy a whole load of fruitcakes to give out, and when we were old enough she set my sister and I, her oldest female grandchildren, to helping her wrap them all.
My grandmother was a perfectionist when it came to wrapping. She taught us how to measure exactly how much wrapping paper we'd need, so we wouldn't waste any paper. She taught us how to cut the paper neatly and efficiently with a ruler or envelope opener (scissors took too much time, and they left a ripped edges). She taught us to fold the ends of the paper inward so the recipient would only see a smooth edge. She taught us how to fold the sides down perfectly so that all the fold lines matched up. She never let us tape the wrapping paper to the object we were wrapping because she didn't want the tape to mar the present. She taught us to put little pleats on the front side so the wrapping would look prettier.
Once we had mastered wrapping a simple square object, she graduated us to wrapping more complicated objects like cylinders and irregularly shaped things. My sister was (and still is) much better at wrapping; her presents were almost as neat as my grandmothers. My grandmother had to be much more patient with my sloppy, impatient style, but eventually I learned (I'll never be able to tie a bow like she does, though).
To Lola Tining, giving someone a nicely wrapped present was a way of showing the recipient that the effort she made didn't stop at buying the present. She wanted the outside to be as pretty and special as what she was giving on the inside. Three decades and thousands of fruitcakes later, I know that she taught me so much more than how to wrap a present; she taught me how to make an extra effort and go the extra mile to make someone special and loved.
Save 15% on Heart of Haiti for Mother's Day Here's a discount code good for 15% off Heart of Haiti and Rwanda Path to Peace products! Just use the code CLEVERGIRLS between May 3 and May 8.
About Heart of Haiti The Heart of Haiti project is helping to rebuild Haiti through "Trade, Not Aid." by creating opportunities for Haitian artisans to earn income with dignity by creating jobs and income for the people of Haiti. Through the sale of Heart of Haiti products, artisans are able to earn life-changing income for themselves, their families, and their communities. The initiative is enabling artisans to repair homes, pay school fees, and feed and clothe their families. The income also allows them to have access to better nutrition, improved education and healthcare.
The Heart of Haiti collection is an array of handmade products for the home -- quilts, metalwork, ceramics, and paintings -- created by Haitian artisans. Each item is designed by a Haitian master artisan and produced by hand in Haiti from recycled materials. The collection includes 40 different home decor items and accessories such as vases, candleholders, serving trays, picture frames, mirrors, coasters, necklaces, clutch purses and more. Most items fall in the $25-$60 range and you can find theHeart of Haiti Collection at Macys.com. Check it out!
Disclosure: I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. As a thank-you for posting I will be receiving a Heart of Haiti pendant. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm the kind of person who stays in bed as late as possible, then rush to get ready, so every second counts on a school morning. When the kids were smaller, they knew that even asking me for oatmeal on a school morning was enough to send me into a bad mood. We all adore oatmeal, but the stress and rush wasn't worth the extra 10 minutes (2 minutes per bowl, 5 bowls)! Now that they're older, the kids can microwave their own oatmeal, but more often than not I have to deal with cleaning up the boiled-over oatmeal and milk from the inside of the microwave. Ugh.
Given my rushed lazy busy morning style, I was delighted to be invited to sample Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit, ready-to-eat oatmeal cups with real oatmeal and fruit. I tried their Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla Peach varieties, and I'm raring for more!
The Basics Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit ready-to-eat oatmeal comes in packs of 4 6-oz. microwaveable cups. No water, milk, or other liquids are needed -- simply heat in the microwave for 45 minutes. Oatmeal & Fruit comes in 2 flavors, Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla Peach, with 2 more (Cranberry Apple and Maple & Brown Sugar) to be introduced in the future (click here for places you can purchase this product).
Here's more information about the product: Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit - launching on April 4 - is the perfect choice for anyone who has trouble finding time for breakfast in the morning. In less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee, heat the six-ounce microwaveable cup - no milk or water necessary - in the microwave for 45 seconds. Seneca's Oatmeal & Fruit has no trans fats or cholesterol, and is a great source of Vitamin C. Two initial flavors are being introduced - Apple Cinnamon and Vanilla Peach. More flavors and retailers will be added in the coming months.
The Bongga Oh. My. Gosh. I have to get to Wal-Mart, stat! This stuff is Great with a Capital Gee. Here are the main reasons why:
* They are soooo quick and easy to prepare; 45 seconds is just enough time to warm everything through (by the way, they taste wonderful cold as well, the only kind of oatmeal I've ever said that about!). My kids could easily prepare this by themselves in the morning (assuming I haven't eaten it all myself) in the same amount of time it takes for them to get their cereal and milk!
* Unlike other instant or ready-to-eat oatmeal products out there, this product has real fruit: gooey stewed apples and sweet golden peach bits. You can see and taste the chunks of fruit, and it really makes the whole thing a treat.
* It tastes amazing. Great (with a Capital G, remember?). So Great, in fact, that after trying the first one I decided not to share any with the kids. Yup, I hid all 4 cups from them and ate them all by myself.
The Blah Some people might find this a bit too sweet, but not for me! My only real problem with this product was the packaging: I was nervous about putting the little cups of oatmeal into my microwave because it looked like each plastic bowl was rimmed by a strip of metal. Alfie convinced me that it was fine, and indeed it was; the microwave didn't arc or spark so I guess it wasn't metal after all. But I'm willing to bet that other people might think the same thing -- and more importantly, kids might look at it and think that it's okay to put any shiny silvery object into the microwave since this one was fine.
The Bottom Line Seneca Farms Oatmeal & Fruit is a delicious, easy way to get a hearty, healthy breakfast or snack.
Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by the featured company/product and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
I love shopping with coupons. After all, you're getting exactly the same product, so why not use a coupon and pay a little bit less for it? Coupons are a no-brainer, and thanks to online coupon sites, they're easier to find and use than ever before. One great is Coupon Chief, a free online service that offers daily discount coupon codes to a variety of popular online retailers.
Here's how CouponChief describe themselves: Coupon clipping has gone digital! Armed with coupon codes right here from Coupon Chief, you’ll be able to save a bundle the next time you’re buying anything online, for both products and services. Whether you are a lady looking for skincare products to rejuvenate your skin or a student heading back to school, CouponChief.com allows you to save some money shopping online by scanning through stores like Sephora, the SkinStore, Elizabetharden.com for skin care products or back to school items like shoes, clothing, and backpacks without having the need to drag children in out and out of car seats in sweltering hot weather.
So with all the coupon sites on the internet today, why Coupon Chief? They must be doing something right, because they're one of the fastest growing coupon sites, with over 250k visitors per month and over 50k coupons for over 15000 stores. Personally, I think there are two features that really set Coupon Chief apart:
* Their Coupons 4 Causes feature lets you support your favorite cause every time you shop using Coupon Chief's online coupons. They will donate up to 20% of the purchase to your favorite charity, school, or church! Now that's an easy way to help others (while helping you pocketbook at the same time).
* They also have a cool Pays-2-Share program that pays you for submitting your own coupon codes. Just sign up to be part of Coupon Chief’s Pays-2-Share Program, upload coupons, and track your progress on your “My Account” page. Every time someone uses a coupon you’ve uploaded, Coupon Chief will give you 2% of the sales via check or PayPal. Cool, huh? Yeah, yeah, sharing makes you feel good and all that, but it's great to see a site that actually rewards people who take the time to track down these discount coupons!
Those are definitely features that would keep me coming back to Coupon Chief time and time again to save, shop, earn and do some good. Check out Coupon Chief and start saving today!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
I was given some Valentine's Day coupon codes from Currentcodes.com, and I thought I'd share them with you because I know how expensive Feb. 14 can be. After all, V-Day is just one night, and you still need cash for the rest of the year!
· 1-800-FLOWERS- Save $10 on Flowers and Gifts of $58.99 & up with code VDAYTEN expires 2/14/2011
· JustFlowers.com- Save $6 off $49.99 or more with Code cupid
· Cardstore.com- Save 15% off Valentine’s Day cards with code LOVE15, expires 2/18/2011
· Swarovski Crystals- Save 10% off $160 or more with code VALENTINE2011, expires 2/14/2011
· California Tea House- Save %15 off Apricot Chai with code VDAY15, expires 2/14/2011
· PrintCandies.com- Save %15 off $50 or more with code VDAY15 expires 2/14/2011
· JellyBelly.com- Save 10% off with code MYJBLOVE expires 2/08/2011
· HersheysStore.com- Save 10% off with code VALENTINE10, expires 2/06/2011
· Personalized Jewelry- Save 10% off Valentine’s jewelry with code Hearts2011, expires 2/28/2011
· CoutureCandy.com- Save 15% off with code LOVE
Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
When it comes to packing school lunches, I try to make sure that what goes inside my kids' lunchbox is as good for the earth as it is for my kids' bodies. That means no disposable plastic bags for sandwiches, fruit, popcorn and the like. Even if I wanted to use plastic bags (and sometimes, when I'm running late, I really, really want to), my kids keep me honest; they constantly remind me, "No plastic bags, mama!". Their school has an ongoing waste reduction program where they count each and every plastic bag that gets thrown away, so the kids are very aware of the impact that a daily plastic sandwich bag can make.
Over the years I've amassed a collection of reusable containers for the kids' lunches -- cloth sandwich bags, plastic sandwich boxes, plastic containers of various sizes, etc.. -- and I'm always on the lookout for other products. I've found that containers with multiple compartments seem to work best, so I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to review a bento-style lunchbox from Bright Bin.
The Basics The New Generation Lunchbox from Bright Bin is an environmentally responsible lunch container that's easy and convenient for the people preparing the lunch. Here is a list of features of the Bright Bin.....
* 100% waste-free. * No plastic bags and no lids or small storage containers to get lost. * Can be used on its own as a lunch box or can be inserted inside any insulated lunch bag to replace plastic bags, reusable bags, and small food storage containers. * Non-toxic: made of food safe polypropylene free of BPA, phthalates, lead, and PVC. * Save time! Making lunch has never been easier or faster since food goes directly into the built-in food compartments. * Save money! Save over $60 each year by not buying plastic bags, disposable pre-packaged snack bags, or food storage containers. * Dishwasher and microwave oven safe. * Option to come with a VELCRO® brand Fastener to fasten the lunch box into the lunch bag. * Conforms to or exceeds U.S. and European safety standards
The Bongga This has got to be the perfect lunch container! Check it out:
The top section is the perfect size and shape for a sandwich (or in this case, a spinach and turkey wrap). You can also put pasta or hummus in it because this section has rubber around the rim to help prevent leaks.
The middle section has 3 compartments, bento-box style, so you can pack a multi-course meal without fiddling with lots of tiny (read: easy to lose) containers or wasteful plastic bags. I love being able to pack chips and not worry about them becoming soggy. It's perfect for picky kids who don't like different foods touching each other.
The whole thing snaps shut without any separate lids (so they don't get lost or accidentally thrown out with the lunch table trash). The instructions recommend practicing with your child a couple of times to get the hang of opening and closing the latch, but neither I nor my kids had any problem working it. It's really easy, and it keeps everything shut nice and tight!
The cutest thing of all is the little handle that flips up, so it can be a stand-alone lunchbox -- I don't think I've ever seen that in a bento box! You can also keep the handle down and pack the whole thing into a bigger lunch container.
The Bright Bin is microwave and dishwasher safe, so it's convenient and time-saving. It's free from all those nasty chemicals, and it's reusable, so you're saving money and saving the earth. I love it!
The Blah There's really only one enhancement I'd love to see for the Bright Bin: I wish there was some way I could dismantle it so I can put it in my dishwasher! The Bright Bin is dishwasher-safe, but it takes up way too much space in the dishwasher because you have to open it all up to make sure all compartments get cleaned.
The Bottom Line With multi-level compartments, leak-resistant rubber gaskets, and stand-alone handle, the New Generation Lunchbox from Bright Bin is unique from the other bento-style lunch containers I've tried. It's an easy way to reduce waste, save money and save the earth!
Save 20% off The New Generation Lunch Box Get 20% off The New Generation Lunch Boxes through December 31 when you purchase from BrightBin.com and use the code bonggamom11
Disclosure:I received a product sample, but was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by Bright Bin, and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but the deals are still flying like snow in Wisconsin. Case in point: Mixbook, an online scrapbooking site that lets you collaborate with your friends to create photo books, photo cards and photo calendars, has extended their Cyber Monday Sale all the way until Wednesday. I've been invited to create a custom photo calendar on Mixbook and I'm having lots of fun choosing layouts, adding custom events to the calendar and inserting photos everywhere, even on individual dates in the calendar! Watch out for a review of Mixbook calendars, coming soon -- along with a Mixbook calendar giveaway! And in the meantime, use the code CYBERSALE to get up to 50% off a Mixbook product until December 1.
Disclosure: I have been given a Mixbook photo calendar (and will be writing a review post sometime soon), but I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Sale information is provided by the featured company and is clearly indicated as such. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Did you miss the Black Friday sales? I don't blame you. I braved the crowds last year and ended up with nothing -- I couldn't find what I wanted, the lines were too long and I didn't succumb to the old bait-and-switch (well, the big sale item is all sold out but since I'm here, I might as well buy this.....). But I also get why people do it: they've got a long holiday list and it makes sense to try and save money.
In case you were thinking of getting your child a Leapster Explorer as a present (and if you weren't, you should -- we own an Explorer and it's a wonderful device!) but missed out on the Black Friday discounts, you're in luck:
Get $10 off a Leapster Explorer I have 2 coupons for $10 off a Leapster Explorer when you buy it in a store (not valid online)! The coupons expire on 12/13/2011 so you have plenty of time to use them. It's currently selling for $69.99 on Leapfrog.com, Amazon.com and ToysRUs.com, and it's selling for $59.99 on Walmart.com and Target.com, so I'm assuming it will sell for the same price in stores. I don't know if you can use this coupon on sale prices but it's worth a try. I will mail the coupons to the first 2 people who leave a comment on this post.
Get a Free Learning App I also have a code for a Free Explorer Learning App! You will need to have purchased a Leapster Explorer handheld to use it. All you have to do is:
1) Set up your Leapster Explorer using the Quick Start Guide. 2) Turn it on and connect it to your computer with the USB cable. 3) Launch the "LeapFrog Connect" application and choose a player name. 4) Click on the "Leaplet Store" tab. 5) Enter this bonus code in the "Have a Bonus Code?" area at the bottom of the page:
5813-0790-4610-4973
6) Unplug your handheld after the app downloads. 7) Enjoy!
Disclosure: I have reviewed products for Leapfrog in the past, but I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
It's that time of the year again! No, not the holidays, something even better (or something that's going to make the holidays even better). It's the time of year when you can find Free Shipping codes for American Girl! If you stalk the American Girl website like I do, you'll know these codes are few and far between. In fact, this one isn't even on their website; I found it on Classy Mommy's blog. If you're thinking of getting your little girl anything from American Girl for the holidays, this coupon is a great way to save some money -- and given the prices on American Girl, you'll welcome any little savings you get!
Get free shipping on all orders of $100 by entering coupon code
SHIP112310
in the box marked “key code” in your shopping bag or at checkout. Free shipping will appear at checkout. Your purchase total must equal or exceed the minimum order requirement to qualify. The code is valid until November 23rd, 2010.
Seeing this free shipping code reminded me that it has been a while since I've posted any American Girl activity pages on this blog. I have a few great activity sheets that I downloaded from the McDonald's Happy Meal website last year when they ran their American Girl Happy Meal promo, so I'll be posting them on Bonggamom Finds just in time for the holidays.
Here's a preview of one of the sheets: a cut-out Rebecca paper doll, complete with her red herringbone dress outfit and her striped Hannukah dress outfit.
You can click on the image above to access the JPEG file and download it if you want -- or you can wait for my next post and download the whole Rebecca Paper Doll packet (in PDF format, complete with instructions and printable backgrounds) from my Scribd page.
Disclosure and Disclaimer: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. I am not responsible for the accuracy of information regarding free shipping, and I encourage anyone who plans to use it to verify for themselves that the code actually does remove shipping charges from their order. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Great news, Northern California shoppers : Safeway is rolling out a new savings program called Just For U, and it's going to lower your grocery bills like never before. At first I was skeptical because I already love Safeway's Club Card program and I didn't want them to scrap it -- but I've since learned that the Just For U program doesn't replace the Club Card program, it enhances it.
Safeway invited me and a group of other bloggers (like Citymama and Safewaygirl and The Frugal Find and The Mom Jen) to their headquarters in Pleasanton, CA to tell us all about it. The Just For U program gives you 3 ways to save using your Safeway Club Card:
1) Coupons Now you can "download" manufacturer's coupons to your Safeway card! Instead of stealing the Sunday paper from your local coffeeshop, clipping out the coupons and having to remember to take them to the store, just go to the Safeway Coupon Center. They have hundreds of coupons every week (the largest online coupon center in North America!), and all you have to do to get them is log on to your Safeway.com account, go to the Safeway Coupon Center and click on the coupons you want. They'll be registered on your Safeway Club Card, so when you buy the item at Safeway and use your Club Card, the coupon will be redeemed automatically.
2) Personalized Deals Based on your shopping history, the Just For U program creates a list of items you buy frequently (or items you might want to buy) and gives you a special price for them. These Personalized Deals are just that -- the Club Card shopper in front of you at the checkout stand will have a completely different set of Personalized Deals. To take advantage of these Personalized Deals, log on to your Safeway.com account, go to the Personalized Deals section and click on the products you want. Heck, click on all of them -- they're valid for 90 days and there's no item limit, and you don't need to do anything other than give them your Safeway card at the checkout line.
3) Club Card Specials Yup, you still get the Club Card Specials that you know and love. What's more, you can see all your current local Club Card Specials online, and even create and print a shopping list from that list of Club Card Specials so you don't have to wander the aisles searching for a Club Card Special you might need. You can also include Coupon Items and Personalized Deals in your Just For U shopping list so you don't miss any opportunity to save.
After our Just For U 101 session, we headed to a local Safeway store, where we were given a $50 Safeway gift card and told to shop for some items on our Just For U shopping list so we could see the savings rack up. I admit, I had visions of racing around Safeway, piling as many items into my shopping cart as I could get my hands on in 1 minute -- but sadly, there were no sweepstakes shopping races that day. Still, $50 is $50 and I wanted to see how far that money could go with the Just For U program.
I love Oroweat's Country Buttermilk bread, but I don't buy it too often because it's expensive ($4.79) compared to Safeway bread. Even on sale, it's usually about $2.50. So I'm overjoyed that it's on my Personalized Deals list for only $1.95! So I get to buy Oroweat whenever I want for the next 3 months without having to wait until it goes on sale, or having to hoard it and freeze it when it does.
I think this is the first time I've ever used a manufacturer's coupon -- it was for $1 off a $4 bottle of Newman's Own dressing. Thanks to the Just For U program, I didn't have to clip any coupons or remember to bring them to the store. My purse is messy enough as it is without it being clogged with a bunch of paper coupons!
Bertolli pasta sauce is regularly $3 per bottle, $2.49 with Club Card savings -- but this happened to be one of my Personalized Deals items, so I only paid $2.02 for it!
See that 10-pound bag of potatoes? It was on sale for 97 cents, and with the 50-cent coupon I got from the Coupon Center, I only paid 50 cents! Fifty cents for ten pounds of potatoes.... what is this, 1945? At that price, we'll be having potatoes for dinner for the next 3 days!
In total, I bought $57.38 worth of groceries and paid $36.89, for a total savings of 36%. I like to take note of the "Total Savings Value" that gets printed on my Safeway receipt, and usually it's in the 20%-25% range, so 36% was phenomenal for me -- and it was all thanks to the new Just For U savings program. Of course, I did have to do some pretty careful planning -- I stuck to my Just For U shopping list which only contained items that had coupon savings, Club Card Savings or Personalized Deals (or a combination), and I was pretty meticulous about making sure I was getting the correct item and size to qualify for the discounts. Truthfully, I don't really like having to print out a shopping list -- but once Safeway rolls out a Just For U mobile app for the Android platform (they said it's in the works), I'll be able to whip it out to remind myself of the discounts that are currently on my Club Card -- then I'll be unstoppable.
Disclosure: I was invited to a blogger event that included breakfast and lunch. At the event, I was given a $50 Safeway giftcard so I could shop and see how the Just For U program works; I was also given an assortment of Safeway groceries and a second $50 Safeway giftcard to take home. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
