Archives for 2012

Dec 22

Purex Baby Liquid Detergent Review and Giveaway #PurexBaby

Dec 22

When Toodie was a baby it felt like every other day I was doing a new load of laundry. From messy throw up moments to leaky diapers, there was always a hamper full of dirty linens that needed a thorough cleaning. At the time, Toodie had a very mild case of eczema and very sensitive skin to go along with it. I had to be careful what kind of laundry detergent I used to wash her bedding and clothing. This meant purchasing a mild soap that would not irritate her skin. Even though I used a leading brand sold in most stores, I always found that it never did a very good job of getting the stains out completely. I also thought it was my only option. But today, there is a better alternative on the market.

Purex Baby laundry detergent is dermatologist tested and guarantees the removal of stubborn stains without hurting your delicate clothing. It also specially formulated to be gentle on your little one’s sensitive skin. Like all Purex detergents, it is suitable for all washing machines from high efficiency to your traditional top loaders. Something that stood out to me about this detergent is that it will not affect any flame resistant clothing that you may have for your child. It is made to keep them smelling fresh, clean, and comfortable on your child’s skin. I have been using Purex Baby for a week now and am pleased with the results. Using it mostly for my toddler’s clothing, each time I remove them from the dryer a cloud of freshness greets me. The scent alone is incredible and I have even begun washing my own sheets with this! Stains that I thought would never come out, disappeared within one wash. Every parent could benefit from using Purex Baby whether you have a child with sensitive skin, allergies, or are just looking for a wonderful smelling detergent for the family.

Purex has just launched their Oh Baby! Sweepstakes where three lucky winners will receive the grand prize of $500! An additional 250 winners will also win a bottle of Free Purex Baby detergent. This contest will end January 23, 2013 and is open to entrants 18 years of age and over.

As a Purex Insider, I was provided with three FREE products coupons for my loyal readers. If you would like the chance to win a bottle of Purex Baby detergent you can enter through the rafflecopter form below. Three will win!

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Disclosure: Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Baby detergent in exchange for a product review. As always, all opinions are my own!

Dec 19

Knock Knock Stuff : Clump-O-Lump Toys Review

Dec 19

Do you ever find that you child plays with their most simple toys more than those with a million parts or pieces? I know I do on a daily basis. While Toodie has a treasure trove of puzzles and blocks in her room, she always goes for that one strange toy that gives her hours of enjoyment. It may not make much sense to me as a mom but it goes to show that the silliest toys can be the most entertaining! If you find yourself in the same position as I am then you may appreciate the wacky hybrid creatures known as Clump-O-Lumps. What the heck is a Clump-O-Lump? It is a large stuffed toy that is available in six different animals including a tiger, squid, frog, shark, bumble bee, and chirpin birdie. But don’t be fooled, these aren’t your traditional snuggly stuffed animals.
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Dec 17

Starlooks: December Starbox Review

Dec 17

We’re wrapping up the end of the year and Starlooks has provided me one of their top notch boxes to review again. The anticipated December Starbox included a 15 shade eyeshadow pallete that is valued at $99! This was a nice surprise considering I only expect a few new makeup products to try each month. The 15 full size colors are exclusive to this pallette ONLY and are not available individually. While I was provided this box to facilitate this review, I feel that it is totally worth the $15 each month. Based on December alone, you cannot beat getting a complete eyeshadow pallete with a variety of colors for the price. The pans are good size and the eyeshadow is dense. If used correctly it will last you a long time and there are endless looks you can achieve with such fun colors.

Dec 14

Warner Bros. Happy Holidays Blog App + Blu-ray GIVEAWAY! #WBHoliday

Dec 14

Ho Ho Ho, it’s the holiday season and that can only mean one thing… Shopping! But finding presents for your loved ones can be no easy task! That’s why Warner Bros. has come up with their awesome Happy Holidays Blog App featuring some classic and new movies out on Blu-ray sure to please everyone from your teeny nephew to grandma wrinkles!

WHY you will love the Warner Bros. Happy Holidays Blog App:

Holiday Movie Challenge! Are you a true cinephile? Then take the WB Holiday Movie Challenge! Keep your movie skills sharp with this awesome quiz! Ready. Set. Go!
Decode-A-Scene Game! Time is running out! Can you figure out what movie scene is slowly being decoded in front of your eyes? The sooner you figure it out the more points you earn!
Holiday Survival Guide! Throw an epic holiday party this season! We have some awesome tips to make you look like a total holiday master!

Do you enjoy watching movies to get into the holiday spirit with your family? Enter below and you could be the lucky winner of one of the following Warner Bro’s Blu-ray movies: Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection, Classic Christmas Favorites or Dr. Seuss’s Deluxe Holiday Collection. This giveaway requires a quick turn around. Winner must submit shipping information by December 20th!

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Disclosure: I am working with Warner Bros and they are providing me with the materials for this post and giveaway. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this post. As always, opinion are my own!

Dec 14

Frosty Peppermint Mocha Milkshake Featuring Torani Syrup #SheSpeaks #Torani

Dec 14

The holidays call for all things that bring us comfort. Family, friends, decadent sweets, hot chocolate, and seasonal drinks are a few that I most enjoy. When holiday shopping is finished and I am home wrapping gifts, I always like to treat myself to a festive drink to get into the spirit. By using Torani syrups I can create my own delicious recipes at home without having to make a trip to my nearby coffee shop. Torani syrups are made with the highest quality ingredients including pure cane sugar and coffee house inspired flavors. They offer a variety of over 100 different flavors that can be used to make sodas, cocktails, coffee drinks, desserts, and much more. There is no limit to what these syrups can be used in. They can be mixed together or enjoyed on their own to create a unique recipe. All of their syrups have been made in the good ol’ US of A and are popular in many coffee houses, restaurants, and dining facilities across 40 countries.

Dec 12

Tackling Toy Shopping At Walmart + GIVEAWAY! #WalmartGifts

Dec 12

When Christmas shopping begins, the first thing most parents aim to tackle is TOYS! I think we can all agree that crossing off our children’s list before others takes a huge weight off our shoulders. For me it is very hard to focus on other family members and friends when all I am thinking about is, “I need to get that Doc Mcstuffin doll before it’s gone!” This season kids are definitely the top priority and going on the hunt for the perfect toy is even more important. Every child has at least one toy they are dying to have and it’s up to us to make sure we get our hands on them! According to the “Jolly Toys Survey” given to multi cultural families, 91% of Hispanic parents agree that it is more important to buy toys for kids versus gifts for the adults in the family. While it is important to give everyone in my family a wonderful Christmas, I do admit to focusing more on my little girl before anyone else.

The survey also showed that most Hispanic parents’ shopping lists are likely to include educational toys, electronic toys, dolls, actions figures, and arts & crafts. I feel like all I have bought this year are Disney Princess dolls and play sets. This is the price I pay for having my own little princess who demands all things girly! I really do enjoy doing my shopping at Walmart because they have exclusive bundles and many toys that are hard to find elsewhere. When Black Friday arrived, I was able to cross off over half of Toodie’s list because of the bargains and sales.

With Walmart continuously offering a wide variety of toys for all ages and genders, shopping has become much easier for moms like me. This time of year allows me to get not only my Christmas shopping done but also my daughter‘s upcoming birthday in the beginning of February. Each year I take advantage of the low prices and get everything I need at once. Before rationing out the holiday and birthday presents, I make sure to choose one special gift that Toodie is allowed to open on Christmas Eve. Half of parents normally wait until Christmas Day to open gifts, but in our family we stick to tradition. Since I was a little girl each person in our family is given one small gift to open the night before. We all sit around the tree, enjoy holiday treats, and spend time together. This is just our way of pumping up the excitement of Christmas morning and a huge delicious brunch made by grandma! Does your family have any fun traditions you have kept through the years or maybe started on your own? I would LOVE to read them!

Enter below if you would like to win a $25 Walmart GC to shop their everyday low prices and HUGE toy selection!

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Walmart via GolinHarris. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Walmart. Now you can fulfill your child’s entire wish list through low prices and additional savings. Visit http://www.walmart.com for more information on holiday shopping this season.

Dec 12

Holiday Crafting With BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers + GIVEAWAY #BICMarkIt

Dec 12

I am still in awe that the month of November has come and gone. It seems like only yesterday I was taking my little girl to pick out her Halloween costume and now we are weeks away from Christmas! On top of all the fun decorations and yummy baked treats, this season wouldn’t be the same without a craft to get into the holiday spirit. Toodie and I have always enjoyed doing crafts together and this year we had a little help from BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers. As a Smiley 360 blogger I was sent a package containing everything needed to make a Lightbulb Snowman. Of course, the supplies featured the Bic Mark-It Permanent Marker pack containing an assortment of 36 vivid colors! These are also non toxic so there is no worrying about any smelly fumes that most permanent markers tend to have.

In addition to the huge pack of colorful markers there were other materials inside that helped to bring our snowman friend to life. These included a single white light bulb, several pieces of colored felt, and three glitter glue pens. The BIC Mark-It Markers were the perfect tool for this type of craft and I imagine many others in the future. With the tips being fine and precise, Toodie had more control over the designs she was drawing. I worried that her determination to use every single color within 5 minutes would cause a mess, smearing all over the lightbulb and her hands. But to my surprise and relief, there was no smudging. These markers dry immediately when applied which makes them even more appealing. This holiday craft was a no mess success!

The BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers sure do make crafting and projects much easier. Did I mention cleaner? No messy hands, table, or clothing. I can see these being a “permanent” part of our craft bin. These markers are also great for writing cards, lunchbox notes, scrap booking, and just plain DOODLING! With their soft grip and smooth packaging they can be comfortably used by little hands. These would make a nice gift for any teacher during the holiday season. I know my daughter’s classroom would have a blast with these. I can’t wait to see what we can do next with them!

For more information on BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers and other fun holiday themed projects, you can visit their website an become a fan on Facebook.

You can enter to win your own 36 pack of BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers by entering through the rafflecopter form below.

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Disclosure: As a Smiley 360 blogger, I received the products above for my consideration and to share my honest opinion of my experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this post. As always, opinion are my own!

Dec 12

Holiday Shopping At The Children’s Place + $25 GC GIVEAWAY! #PLACEHoliday

Dec 12

This week I was given the opportunity to visit one of my favorite clothing stores with the hottest trends for kids! With affordable prices and an adorable selection, The Children’s Place has everything you need to create the perfect outfit for your kiddo. This season they offer fashions for the holidays as well as Spring which is not too far ahead. As a mom to a little girl, it’s so much fun shopping for new additions to her wardrobe. The hardest part for me is restraining myself from purchasing just about everything in their store. The pink denim jacket below was too cute in person, especially with a touch of lime green underneath! I couldn’t get over how “trendy” the clothes were. But then again I swear I say that every time I go to one of these shopping events.

This shopping trip I found myself gravitating towards the bright colors, sparkle graphics, and layered tops within the Spring collection. The holiday line was also full of glitz and glam. I noticed a lot of chic pieces including sequined skirts, jeweled headbands, and fluffy tutus. There was no question that this year the designers were focused on sparkle, sparkle, and more sparkle! In addition to glitter and shine, animal print is also very hot this season. Whether paired with black leggings or denim, it is sure to make a fashion statement.

New graphic t’s, fleece, hoodies, and plaid shirts with a touch of sparkle were also showcased in the little girl’s section. I am always overwhelmed with the choices in the toddler area but when Toodie can fit a few sizes up I may be in trouble. I don’t ever remember having such such fun styles when I was her age.

In the section for the little guys, graphic t‘s and hoodies were layered together for a more casual outfit. There were also dressy novelty sweaters paired with coordinated long sleeve woven plaid shirts. Everything can be mixed and matched to create different looks for a variety of occasions. That’s another great things about The Children’s Place- you can create a bunch of different outfits with just a few essentials.

“For boys, we have great Sherpa hoodies, microfleece and denim. We offer these amazing, versatile outerwear pieces, like our 3–in–1 jacket — you can wear the inner and outer parts together or individually.”
– The Children’s Place Lead Designer, Michael Giannelli

Below are a few of my favorite outfits that I purchased for Toodie. Given an $100 budget I was able to take home six shirts, a cute buttoned cardigan, jeggings, leggings, a patterned skirt, two pairs of socks, AND three headbands! On top of all that loot, I was given a cute plush penguin because I spent over $60. As always, I was amazed how far $100 stretched. Surprised? Not at all! The Children’s Place has low prices, continuous sales, and coupons that stack on top of each other to make shopping on a budget easy. I couldn’t imagine doing my holiday shopping anywhere else. To be honest, I wish they had some of these fashions in mommy’s size!

Do you love The Children’s Place as much as I do? Hopefully the answer is YES! By entering below you could win a $25 GC to do some shopping of your own. All entries will be verified. Good luck!

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Disclosure: I received a gift card from The Children’s Place to shop their seasonal collection and provide a giveaway for my readers. I will not be compensated for this review or sharing my experience. As always, opinion are my own!

Dec 09

Keep Your Hands Pampered During The Holidays With Julep

Dec 09

It’s officially a week into December and this time of year always tends to be a little stressful for me. By the time it gets here I am on the verge of pulling out my hair, throwing in the towel, and wrapping my presents with newspaper! Sound like a crazy person? Really, it’s not that as bad as it sounds. I love Christmas, but the days leading up to it are fast paced and hectic. The holidays can make anyone a little coo-coo. That is why it is important to not only worry about others this season but also ourselves. We are never too busy for a little pampering and honestly, we deserve it! Our hands are the two greatest tools that are used and sometimes abused during the holidays. After endless wrapping, baking, cleaning, cooking, packing, folding, scrubbing, and decorating- my hands are screaming for a little lovin’. Lucky for me, I was given the opportunity to try two “handy” products from Julep to bring them back to life.

Dec 07

Turn Your Instagram Photos Into Magnets With StickyGram!

Dec 07

Unless you are a martian or living under a rock, you have probably heard of the ever so popular Instagram application. If you are the owner of an Apple or Android device then you may use the app frequently, observed a friend using it, or can’t live without it. I admit, I fall into the last category. The category that includes those that can’t go a day without uploading a photo or five! The day I found out that Apple decided to offer it in the Android marketplace, I eagerly waited until it was available for download. It was the one application that made me regret getting rid of my iPhone and purchasing an alternative. Now Instagram has spread its wings allowing non-Apple users to jump into the world of quick photo filtering and sharing. Instagram has become my primary social outlet to capture memories and moments. Even though it’s quick and easy, there is one thing I always find myself saying- “I WISH I could print these photos!” Well now it’s possible with a little assistance from a company known as StickyGram. Even better than photos, they allow you to turn your favorite Instagram snapshots into mini magnets.

Using the StickyGram website to create your personalized magnets only takes a few short steps. All you need to begin is an active Instagram account full of fun photos, or at least 9 that you really love. Once your profile is connected you will have the option to select nine of them to be turned into magnents. You can create as many sheets with as many different shots as you would like. An individual sheet costs $14.99 with free shipping worldwide. Each StickyGram is 50mm x 50mm which is approximately the same size as they appear on your iPhone or Android mobile device. The photo quality will also be identical to the original photo taken. Since each sheet is inspected by a StickyGram member, you don’t have to worry about receiving any duds or poorly processed images.

My pack of StickyGram magnets only took a few days to arrive. When we returned from our Disney vacation they were on the table waiting for me! The sheet came in a durable white envelope with each photo side by side in the shape of a giant square. They were easy to separate but also connected well enough that you could keep them together if you desired a larger sized magnet. When pulled apart, each magnet was flexible but still sturdy. There was no peeling at the edges, cracks in the photo paper, or tearing. The images were crisp and clear just like I imagined them to be. They looked exactly how they did on my phone! I am very pleased with my order and excited to have a new way to preserve my favorite digital images.

Counting down the days until Christmas, I am sure all of us are on the hunt for unique stocking stuffers this year. Stickygrams are adorable, miniature, and sure to put a smile on anyone’s face! Feeling creative? You can even use the magnets as gift tags on holiday presents. By printing out a sheet with photos of friends and family, you can give them a little something special to go with their gift.

To learn more about StickyGram magnets check out their website. For news and special offers you can also follow along on Twitter and like them on Facebook.

Disclosure: I received the product above for my consideration and to share my honest opinion and experience. I am under no obligation to post a positive review on them. I will not be compensated for this post. As always, opinion are my own!