Ragú Old World Style Traditional Sauce helps us feed our kids well!

According to a recent "Feed our Kids Well" survey conducted by Ragú, half of moms say that during the back-to-school season they have less time to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals for their kids. I know our family has been way more busy now, since school started, and new activities going on. Making a nutritious meal takes time, and so often supper time is a rush. However, I want my kids and our family to eat healthy~ even when we are busy!

To help make sure your kids get the veggies they need (and the meals they love) Ragú Old World Style Traditional Sauce now has 2 servings of veggies in every half cup! Available soon in major retailers nationwide, the healthy, great tasting Ragú Old World Style Traditional pasta sauce that is already a kitchen staple has a new, naturally thicker recipe. I think it is fantastic that Ragú has made pasta sauce with 2 servings of veggies. It can be a challenge to get some children to eat their veggies, and kids won't even know they are getting veggies in the sauce.

Healthy, delicious and now with a naturally thicker taste the whole family will love, Ragú Old World Style Traditional Sauce is a perfect component to pulling together quick and tasty meals during this busy time. And Ragú wants you to be among the first to try out their great new recipe! To be one of the first to taste Ragú with 2 servings of veggies in every half-cup visit them on Facebook for more details.

I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.

"Rumpled to Runway" Fashion Show GIVEAWAY!!

Life can get so crazy sometimes with caring for our children and our families. Making meals, cleaning, doing laundry...getting kids ready in the morning and on the bus (on time)~ all a busy day for us moms. Thinking of our own clothing and wardrobe is usually one of the last things we think of taking care of. Our clothing is many times wrinkled and dirty from our daily lifestyles.

Luckily, our favorite Mom/Brand team is getting together to show women everywhere how to go from rumpled to runway.

Electrolux and brand ambassador Kelly Ripa are partnering with some fashion-savvy bloggers to host a special fashion show to help raise awareness and funds to support ovarian cancer research.

Since September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, this fashion-focused event couldn't have come at a better time! This fun and innovative fashion show will demonstrate how Perfect Steam™, and a little fashion ingenuity, can take any garments from "Rumpled to Runway".

You can follow along at Facebook/KellyConfidential and on http://twitter.com/kcbyelectrolux.

Find out how you can help support the cause at Kelly Confidential and enter for a chance to win a daily shopping spree and the grand prize: a Perfect Steam™ washer and dryer from Electrolux.

Go and enter, and help raise money for Ovarian Cancer Awareness!

This information was provided to me from MomSelect and Electrolux. I was not paid for my time or written review.

Apple Bottoms are adorable clothes! (Review and GIVEAWAY!!)

I was very excited to have the opportunity to review an outfit for one of my children for the Parigi Group. It was not revealed to me what the outfit would look like, all I knew was that the outfit they picked out for me to review was for my daughter, Madelyn. I think the outfit they sent was absolutely adorable!! The outfit is designed from Apple Bottoms, and it way too cute!
Madelyn was thrilled to put on the outfit, and could hardly wait for me to take it out and take the tags off. Look how cute it is! Stonewashed Jean skort (jean skirt with attached shorts underneath) with a red lace trim, stripped short-sleeve top with stitched design around the neck line, and a short sleeve hoodie to match.
The hoodie is a zip-up (with an apple on the zipper), and it has a stitched apple design across the back side. So Cute!!
This outfit can be worn with the hoodie, or without, and Madelyn loves it!
The quality in this outfit is super! I love the feel of the top, which is like a stretchy spandex feel.
The skirt is top quality and has a fun AB on the back side, for the Apple Bottoms logo. I like that the skirt is made into a skort, because toddlers are very busy, and modesty isn't very easy. Madelyn has a new favorite outfit, and it is from Apple Bottoms. We highly recommend this outfit, and company to you!
Apple Bottoms is inspired from well known rapper, Nelly. Apple Bottoms has embellished denim jackets and jeans, and other great outfits, or separates to choose from.
Parigi focus group:
For nearly a quarter of a century, Parigi Group's stable of brands has played a major role and are some of the main contributors in helping to shape and define the children's fashion apparel market. They represent brands such as PUMA, Apple Bottoms, DKNY, Phat, Baby Phat, Akademiks, and LRG.

**Enter to Win!!**
Parigi Focus is sponsoring a giveaway for an Apple Bottoms outfit, like the one I reviewed, to giveaway to my readers! Lucky You! I know that whomever wins this contest will be thrilled with the outfit and the quality of the design!
This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States. Contest is open until July 25th, 2010. To enter, go check out the Parigi website, and comment here about something you found out about them.
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about memories from a favorite teacher. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

I was sent an outfit from the Parigi Group and Mom Select. I am also sponsored to offer an additional outfit to host a giveaway for my readers to enter to win. I was sent this outfit and information in exchange for an honest review. I am not compensated for my time or written review. The opinions in this post are of my own and do not reflect on the company.

Zippity Doo's (Review & Giveaway)

It is that time of year....summer camps! Kids are gearing up to head off to camp for a weekend, week or two and they are going to be busy! Summer camp is full of kids, activities, and events. One other thing that can be at camp is head lice. Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp. They can be spread by close contact with other people, and summer camp is a place full of kids with constant contact with each other. These lice only live in hair and occasionally eyebrows and eyelashes. It is definitely something I would prefer to not have my children get. I have heard horror stories about children getting lice, and bringing it home. It is a tough thing to get rid of, and you have to clean/sanitize your whole home from it. Talk about a lot of work and stress.

I was recently introduced to a product line, Zippity Doo's, which are children's hair care products designed to prevent head lice. Zippity Doo's products are safe, pediatrician approved and made with natural ingredients. Zippity Doo's products are not harsh, nor made with chemicals that will harm your children, even when used daily.

Zippity Doo's products are designed to repell lice and other insects, and to help promote healthy hair and scalps.

**Leaves hair clean, shiny and healthy
**Protects against head lice infestation
**Pleasant, and fresh scents
Ingredients

Zippity Doo’s Shampoo ingredients including Vitamin D, Carrot Seed Oil, Alpha Hydroxy, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Tea Tree, Anise & Lavender.

Zippity Doo’s Conditioner ingredients including Aloe Vera, Wild Cherry Bark, Avocado Oil, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Anise & Geranium.

Zippity Doo’s Leave-In Detangler Spray ingredients including Silk Protein, Grape Seed Oil, Wild Cherry Bark, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Anise & Sage.

Zippity Doo’s Styling Gel blends natural, organic ingredients of Lemongrass, Avocado Oil, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Cinnamon, Anise & Sage.

Zippity Doo's Shield Spray is made with a special combination of natural, organic ingredients, including Lemon Oil, Rosemary, Citronella Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Sage Oil and Anise to provide added protection from lice & other insect infestation on surfaces, including hair.

I think it is great that Zippity Doo's products are made with natural ingredients to help prevent head lice and other insects from intruding in your children's hair. Zippity Doo's products are made for adults, too.

***ENTER TO WIN***

Zippity Doo's has offered to sponsor a giveaway for my readers! The winner will receive a set of 4 products- shampoo, conditioner, shield spray and gel. This contest is open to bloggers and non bloggers of the United States, and will end on June 14th, 2010.

To enter, please go to the Zippity Doo's website and find something you found interesting and comment here about it.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you found over at Zippity Doo's website. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Zippity Doo and Mom Select. They have provided me with children's hair care products to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

100% Colombian Coffee Giveaway & Sweepstakes! ~ What's behind the best!

MMmm...Nothing starts the day off like a good cup of 100% Colombian coffee! I am an a big-

time coffee drinker, and I have been since I was a toddler. Seriously, I used to have a small cup of Joe with my dad when I was younger than 2 in my own little cup. I love coffee, and I seriously think it is the BEST drink! Coffee is great for socialization, for time with friends, for serving to guests, for after meals, and just well...for anytime.

100% Colombian Coffee is found in numerous brands of coffee because demanding consumers the world over are aware of the importance of its origin. So next time you are shopping for coffee, look for the 100% Colombian Coffee logo - your guarantee to the "richest coffee in the world." Coffee drinker or not, you definitely don't want to miss out on the 100% Colombian Coffee "See What's Behind the Best" sweepstakes. By visiting What'sbehindthebest.com, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the philosophy behind 100% Colombian Coffee and enter to win great prizes!! There are weekly prizes awarded (of coffee) and the grand prize is $10,000! I could think of a few amazing things to do with that kind of cash!

I know I am going to sign up! Hey, if it involves winning some great coffee...you can count me in!

You can also become a fan on facebook and follow Juan on Twitter for the latest news and chances to win! Don't wait too long...

There's even more great news for coffee lovers! You might have the chance to meet Juan Valdez and his mule, Conchita and taste 100% Colombian Coffee - the richest coffee in the world. They will be embarking on a tour across the United States starting March 2nd in New York City. Click here to see when he is coming to your city!

I was given this information from being a member with Mom Select. I was not compensated for my written review.

Wisk "Pimp My Laundry Room" Video Contest

What is a household chore that many mom's face, one that can't be left alone...and many dread? That's right, laundry. Most of us, myself included, do not enjoy laundry. For one thing, my laundry room is unorganized, lacks shelving and counter space...and it is small. With our laundry room as one of the most frequented areas of the house for us....unfortunately, they tend to also be some of the most uninspired rooms in the home when it comes to design. Luckily, Wisk Laundry Detergent understands and wants to help! If your laundry room is plain and boring or a downright dungeon, you just might be in desperate need of a laundry room makeover. Wisk Laundry Detergent is teaming up with TV's Designing Spaces to pimp-out one laundry room in dire need of a face-lift as part of the Wisk Pimp My Laundry Room video contest. Just enter a short video from March 1 to March 29, 2010 at laundryHE.com explaining why you deserve a laundry room makeover and Wisk could be on your doorstep with their partners-in-design, Whirlpool's Dream Laundry Solutions team led by Bill Thomas and Emily Johnston, owner of the interior design firm EJ Interiors and founder of Materials Girls Blog!! Together, they'll take your laundry room from drab to fab in no time thanks to a laundry room makeover complete with a new Whirlpool High Efficiency (HE) washer/dryer set and a year's worth of Wisk HE Laundry Detergent!! Can you believe it?? Even better, the winner will get to star in her very own episode of Designing Spaces! The top Finalists will be featured on LaundryHE.com from April 12 - 19 and the Grand Prize Winner will be chosen by popular ballot so be sure to get your friends and family online and voting! Even better, a vote is an automatic entry to a sweepstakes for a year's supply of Wisk HE Laundry Detergent. Check out a video from Wisk:




Make your video now and submit it for your chance to win!! Go to to LaundryHE.com or Wisk Facebook Fan Page to enter and to check out the full rules!

I am partnering with BSM Media for a Wisk contest with product giveaway. I have been given information to share with my readers and I am not compensated for this information.

Rainbow Brite is back (review and giveaway)

I am a gal from the 70-80's era, and I love that the toys that I grew up with an loved are making a come back into our children's lives. I never owned a Rainbow Brite doll, but my sister did. I loved Rainbow Brite, and I really loved her little sprite, Twinkle.
Rainbow Brite and her friends, Tickled Pink and Moonglow brought good cheer, fun personality and color into a world of imagination. Now, 2010, Rainbow Brite and her friends are coming back!
Coming back with a makeover, Rainbow will delight children with her imaginative adventures, with spreading positive messages of courage, kindness and hope.

Rainbow Brite has a fun FREE interactive website displaying the theme song, coloring pages, games, wallpapers, puzzles and more! I love that the website is free and very kid-friendly. All the clicking is directed by a glittery wand, and my daughter loves that!

I received a Rainbow Brite Adventure Pack CD to review from Mom Select. The CD was a great introduction to Rainbowland! The CD is packed with six puzzles, coloring pages, pictures to design and print, Rainbow's Theme Song, Rainbow Rescue game, and more! You will be introduced to Rainbow, Tickled Pink and Moonglow...along with their horses and sprites. You can read about each character in their Bio's. We enjoyed the CD, and I will be giving away a few CD's at the end of this post.

Another exciting thing coming soon, the newest Rainbow Brite fashion doll collection will be available in February 2010 at Toys R' Us and Target (please check website for availability http://www.rainbowbrite.com/). Watch out for Rainbow Brite, her two loyal friends Moonglow and Tickled Pink, and their companion horse friends: Starlite, Shimmer and Sunriser. Go check out the website with your children and meet Rainbow Brite and the entire gang, while exploring the Rainbow Brite website and doll collection.

Enter to win:
Mom Select sent me extra cd's that I can giveaway, and I am hosting a giveaway for you to win! There will be FOUR winners in this giveaway! This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States, and the contest is open until midnight March 12th, 2010. To enter, leave a comment about a favorite toy you had~ Did you own a Rainbow Brite, or one of the other characters? Tell us about it!
**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you may have wanted when you were younger (for toys). Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Mom Select. They have provided me with a free cd pack to review and information to share with my readers. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Zhu Zhu Pets are coming to play on your DS!

Zhu Zhu Pets are being brought to life through an adorable Zhu Zhu Pets™ video game for Nintendo DS™COMING SOON!!
Those collecting the furry little animals won’t want to miss this! Baxter, an exclusive Zhu Zhu Pets™ hamster baby, will come packaged as a Collector’s Edition with the initial release of the Zhu Zhu Pets™ video game for Nintendo DS™. This Collector's Edition will be produced in limited quantities and will be available only until they sell out. Available for the regular price of $29.99, Zhu Zhu Pets fans get more than they could ever imagine - an amazing, adorable game and a rare Zhu Zhu Pets baby hamster that fits perfectly into the collection. Zhu Zhu Pets for Nintendo DS allows players to care for and play with their favorite toys virtually. Players will race their hamsters through different mazes to collect carrots, coins and new hamster friends and babies. It's an endlessly enjoyable game that lets you have fun with Zhu Zhu Pets anywhere!

Perfect Nursery Product Pack from Q-Tip (Plus a gtiveaway)

One of the baby necessities that I have found to be essential is Q-tips. Q-Tips are great for so many things, not just for cleaning out the ears. I love the "Perfect Nursery" Product pack that I got to review. I think that this set makes a great shower gift for babies.
“Perfect Nursery” Product Pack is two baby pack Q-Tip filled boxes: one farm themed and one safari themed. I think these boxes are a great addition to a nursery with the fun designs and adorable looking storage for the much needed Q-Tips. I really like that the Q-Tips are easy to take out with the way the box slides out of the container. There are so many uses for the Q-Tips, and here is a list of ways to use them to care for your baby:
• Q-tips cotton swabs are great for cleaning and applying ointments to a baby’s delicate skin. Made with 100% cotton, Q-tips cotton swabs have the most soft cotton at the tip*, making
them gentle enough to use for baby care. Plus, Q-tips cotton swabs are disposable and biodegradable when composted, making them friendly on the environment, too.
• Dip a Q-tips cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to clean around your newborn’s umbilical cord. Q-tips cotton swabs are a must-have tool for baby care, especially around hard to reach
areas like the belly button, around the nose and outer ear.
• Moisten a Q-tips cotton swab with warm water to clean your baby’s outer ear, folds of the neck or between the toes.
• Always remember that Q-tips cotton swabs are not to be used for cleaning inside the baby’s ear canal (or yours!).
*From the end of the stick to the top of the swab

Wendy Bellissimo, celebrity nursery designer, has 10 great ideas for creating the perfect nursery:
1. Be Your Own Designer: Go through
magazines, catalogs and visit baby & furniture stores to see the looks available. Choose a style that feels most natural to you so the nursery can become an extension of your home. Then create your own book or board of clippings, fabric samples and photos for inspiration. Start the design process well before your due date so that you have time to relax before the baby’s arrival. 2. Save the Paint for Last: Select your nursery furniture and fabric before you paint. It is easy to find a paint shade to match your furniture/fabrics and not always the other way around. Keep in mind, furniture and fabrics do not all need to match – a great mix of textures that complement each other can add a truly custom, "designer" feel.
3. Don’t Sacrifice Style for Functionality: It is easy to create a beautiful, organized space in the nursery to care for your baby (without the piles of diapers and a mess of toiletries). Place a basket or fabric covered box (from an arts & crafts or paper store) on the changing table or shelf above and fill with diapers, Vaseline® petroleum jelly, diaper cream and rubbing alcohol. One nursery essential you won’t have to hide is the new Q-tips® Baby Pack! They are available in two adorable nursery animal designs and are functional (with a new sliding drawer that keeps Q-tips® cotton swabs protected for baby) so they can always be within arm’s reach.
4. Add a Personal Touch: Give your nursery a personal touch by adding framed covers of your favorite childhood books or classic black & white or sepia photos of you and your significant other when you were babies.
5. Create A Sleepy Time Sanctuary: We all need our beauty rest, so it is important to create an environment that’s peaceful for your baby to sleep. Create a calming atmosphere with soothing colors and softer tones rather than bright or harsh colors. Then, use accents to add pops of color without being too overwhelming. Be careful not to make the room too dark or too quiet at nap time. This way your child will be able to fall asleep in any environment, which is great when you are traveling or when new siblings arrive! You can also play soft, soothing music or lullabies to help the baby fall asleep.
6. Room to Grow: Choose design options that can grow with your child – consider color palette, furniture style, storage options and a play/reading area. Look for a dresser with drawers and cabinets, rather than a standard changing table and simply secure a changing pad on top. Once your child outgrows diapers, you will have a beautiful piece of furniture with drawers for clothing and cabinets for toys that are within reach for your child.
7. X vs. Y: Not finding out the sex of your baby? No worries! Design a gender-neutral nursery with yellow, green, white or crème and simply add touches of blue or pink accessories when the baby arrives – these simple changes can be made to anything from the receiving blanket to the changing pad. These color options also give you the flexibility to use the bedding over again for a new sibling.
8. To Theme or Not to Theme: Nursery themes such as safari, princess or transportation are a great way to create a fun, lighthearted statement. A themed nursery can still be done tastefully if the items are selected in moderation. For example, if you are doing a safari-style mural, keep bedding and fabrics neutral so the room doesn’t look overdone.
9. Accessorize: A few must-have accessories for any nursery are books, books and more books! You can also add a silver piggy bank and a few irresistibly soft stuffed animals that will quickly become your child’s best friends! Even my celebrity clients still go for the traditional accessories – they bring us all back to that magical time of childhood.
10. The Essentials: When designing your nursery (large or small), you should always keep these essentials in mind – a crib, rocker, changing table/dresser, light dimmer switch and books within the little one’s reach. If you do not have enough space for a bookcase, a basket for the floor will do the trick perfectly. Your little one will be crawling around before you know it and handing you their favorite book at bedtime.

ENTER TO WIN!!
Mom Select and Q-tips has offered to sponsor a giveaway to my readers! What you have the opportunity to win is the NEW Q-tips Baby Packs in two designs (safari & farm animals) and an adorable silver elephant bank to display in baby's room - another nursery design essential!

This contest is open to bloggers and non-bloggers of the United States, and the contest is open until midnight March 4th, 2010. To enter, comment about what you consider nursery essentials or "must haves" for the perfect nursery.

**For extra chances you can: blog this contest, add my button to your site, subscribe to my blog, twitter and/or become a fan on facebook, and/or visit everyday and add another friendly comment about something you think is a baby necessity. Lots of chances to win! Don't forget to put the extra comments for the "extra" work. Good luck!**

This review was provided from Mom Select and Q-tips. They have provided me with the perfect nursery pack and elephant bank to review and information to share with my readers. I am sponsored to offer a giveaway for my readers through this review. I was given the product for my personal opinion and option to share with my readers. I was not compensated for my time or written review.

Crazy4Love Photo Contest~ insure your love!

Moms everywhere will tell you that she does what she does because of LOVE. Mothers do much for their families, spouses, kids, etc., and what gets us through and gives us the strength is LOVE! Love is a powerful emotion and it really boosts up our abilities.
Playing dress up everyday, making meals everyday, driving our kids to school, or making homemade playdoh are some of the things we do out of love for our kids. We can say we will do just about anything out of love. Well, Valentine's day is nearing around the corner and what better time to talk about love. This is about more than the chocolates and heart shaped candies, this is a different way to express your love...with the purchase of a life insurance policy. You might be asking yourself what love and life insurance in common. More than you might realize! Simply put, life insurance is a product you purchase because you love someone and want to make sure they'll always be protected financially, even after you're gone.To learn more and add some laughter into your day, check out the video below, from a very special "spokesperson" who knows a thing or two about love. ~CUPID!
As we know from the Valentine's Day celebrations taking place in classrooms and romantic restaurants everywhere, love and fun go hand-in-hand! To get Americans thinking about life insurance as an expression of enduring love, the nonprofit LIFE Foundation is sponsoring the Crazy4Love Photo Contest. From now until February 19, you'll be able to visit the popular microblogging website tumblr.com and share a photo that captures how you've expressed your love to someone dear to you. One Grand Prize winner will receive a $1,000 gift certificate toward a romantic getaway weekend. Go to www.insureyourlove.org to learn more about the contest and to enter. I am sure you can find a photo or capture the love you share with someone through a photo! Go enter! You could have fun with this one, and it is totally worth the effort! I know my husband and I could use a $1,000 gift certificate! Check it out!