Archives for October 2012

Oct 29

Nurturing Self Esteem & Boosting Confidence #DoveInspired

Oct 29

In today’s hectic society beauty is widely portrayed by edited photos in magazines, airbrushed models, and unrealistic images of picture perfect celebrities. The media can be harsh and sometimes it sets a bar of very unrealistic standards the younger generation should be striving to be like. Instead of embracing imperfections, young girls can sometimes be discouraged and ashamed of the qualities that make them unique. Growing up isn’t easy and no one said it was. On top of the typical growing pains you have to deal with acne, parents, friends, fitting in, and finding who you are. There’s a heck of a lot going on at this point of time. I remember those days myself! I was always fortunate enough to have a supportive loving family and close group of friends to get me through the bumps in the road. Not every moment was perfect, but now that I look back at those days I have come to realize that they weren’t as bad as I thought. As a teen every downfall is dramatic and the end of the world. Today I am well in my 20’s and nothing has stopped me yet!

Surprising Self-Esteem Statistics

Dove® research shows that it is still important for us to address girls’ anxiety about looks, as there is a universal increase in beauty pressure and a decrease in girls’ confidence as they grow older. Key findings from our latest research include:

• Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful (up from 2% in 2004)
• Only 11% of girls globally are comfortable using the word beautiful to describe themselves
• 72% of girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful
• 80% of women agree that every woman has something about her that is beautiful but do not see their own beauty
• More than half (54%) of women globally agree that when it comes to how they look, they are their own worst beauty critic

Source– Dove Research: The Real Truth About Beauty, Revisited

I feel it is never too soon to begin talking about self esteem, confidence, and self worth with our daughters. Toodie is approaching four and even at such a young age she loves being encouraged and praised. She thrives off of it and it brings me joy seeing her face light up with a huge smile. Whether she is showing me an artistic painting or tracing her alphabet, it amazes me how intelligent she is. Each day I make the conscious effort to tell her how special and smart she is. I hope that all of my positive words mold her into a strong independent woman one day.

Many of us are familiar with the popular Dove® brand and their continuous support for young woman. They are focused on creating top of the line beauty and hair products but also on their commitment to inspire. The Dove® Movement for Self-Esteem encourages girls of all colors, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds to embrace their beauty. Every time you are at the store stocking up on your favorite Dove products, you are contributing to the movement by making a donation. These proceeds go towards inspiring self-esteem programs for young girls everywhere. Dove has already reached more than 9 million girls so far and with all of our help they are determined to reach 15 million by 2015.

If you have a little girl, tween, or teen in your life then you may want to consider sparking a conversation sooner than later. Not sure where to begin? Start by downloading The Let’s Talk Toolkit which is a wonderful resource that provides advice from the creator Jess Weiner, Dove Global Self-Esteem Ambassador. Remember to Ask, Share, Listen and Act. This kit will provide you with unintimidating ways to create a natural chat about these topics, making it more comfortable for you and your child. Also, stop by the Dove Facebook page where you will find the Self-Esteem Wall in which you can share your story and commitment to girls’ self-esteem with your friends or family. This is such an important campaign and it is up to us to keep this momentum going.

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Dove. The information within the post have been provided by the Let’s Talk Campaign. As always, all opinions are my own!

Oct 29

Crafted Candles + $100 GC Giveaway

Oct 29

When Fall arrives there are several things I look forward to. On top of the slight weather change and homemade pumpkin pie, Fall Candles are a must have. I don’t think a day goes by that I forget to burn a candle in at least one of the rooms in my home. I love the designs and sweet spicy scents that you often find in Fall themed candles this time of year. They make my home feel more cozy and welcoming for guests in addition to my own family. As a die hard candle fanatic, I am always interested in exploring what a company has to offer. This is why it is my pleasure to introduce Crafted Candles, an online retailer of high quality candles.

Crafted Candles offers a wide variety including tapered, pillar, floating, and decorative candles. Some are scented while others are not. Whichever you may prefer, they have a full selection of different sizes and colors to choose from. There are many choices accommodating holidays and celebrations from Easter all the way to Christmas. The Fall section caught my interest immediately because of the bright colors and fun shapes. Thanksgiving is next month and that means a huge family dinner is in the works. These candles are ideal for holiday meals and get togethers. They are all made of food grade wax making them safe to use around food and on the table. You can decorate individual place settings with the Pumpkin Patch Floating Candles or dress a seasonal centerpiece to pull your table together. There are endless options and with so many to choose from, creativity is key!

They also have quite the selection of Christmas Candles available. When the end of the year rolls around, there is one thing that is always on my mind and that is Christmas gifts. Each year there are several people I have to purchase for and I have found that each of them have one thing in common. They all love candles, just like me! Not only do they make wonderful gifts but they can also be used as festive decoration. The Marshmallow Snowman Candle is one of my favorite choices because they’re individually packaged and hand painted. These would be adorable sitting next to Santa’s milk and cookies. In their Holiday & Seasonal section you will find Winter Candles, toppers, and accessories. They have everything you need to get into the spirit while giving your home that warm and comfy feel.

Would you like the chance to shop Crafted Candle’s huge assortment of candles? Enter through the rafflecopter form below and you could win an $100 gift certificate to expand your own collection!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Crafted Candles and powered by Couponista Queen. I am being financially compensated for this post but as always, all opinions are my own.

Oct 26

Starlooks: October Starbox Review

Oct 26

It is nearing the end of the month and this is the time I often end up with a special delivery at my door. This week I received my October Starbox from Starlooks. If you are stopping by and jumping right in, you may want to take a look at my September review to see what the service is all about. As a quick reminder, Starbox is a beauty subscription service that includes full sized samples for around $15 each month.

Oct 23

Share On: Breast Cancer Awareness By The Numbers

Oct 23

As many of your know, the month of October is a time for major breast cancer charities to increase the awareness of the disease and raise money for research. There are many ways you can participate including sponsored walks, purchasing merchandise, and sporting your PINK any way possible.

Julep has created the “Pinky Promise” duo to support Breast Cancer Awareness for the month of October. Pinky Promise includes two beautiful pink crèmes and one of Julep’s best-selling products. Drew is described as being a fabulous fuchsia creme while Carrie is a classic cotton candy pink color. On top of these two shades, you will be getting the popular Essential Cuticle Oil to pamper your manicure. If you are a Julep Maven you can purchase this set for $23.99 and 20% of the proceeds will go to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). This wonderful organization builds awareness for breast cancer and provides free mammograms for those in need.

Whether it is on your clothing, accessories, or nails remember to wear PINK in the month of October to show support for the fight against beast cancer! Also, take a look at the infographic below for interesting facts and information provided by Julep.

Powered By Girlfriends

From the beginning, Julep has been powered by girlfriends. To celebrate these unique roots and to continue to pay it forward, we are proud to donate to organizations that empower women. At Julep, our mission is to ignite the spirit of engagement in women everywhere, and our Powered by Girlfriends initiative is an important part of bringing this mission to life.

To honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we at Julep have teamed up with The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation. This October, not only are we happily contributing a donation to support their incredible foundation as a part of Powered By Girlfriends, but we also collaborated on this amazing infographic!

Be sure to share with your girlfriends, because together we can make a difference in breast cancer prevention.

Disclosure: I received the information above in participation with the Julep VIP Blogger Program 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 review. As always, opinion are my own!

Oct 23

Scare Away Stains With Purex Plus Oxi + GIVEAWAY

Oct 23

Just when I thought that I had to accept the everyday stubborn stains from having a toddler, I was introduced to a powerful new laundry detergent. Purex Plus Oxi is the most efficient Purex detergent available and has the capability of removing over 101 different stains. That’s A LOT of stains if you ask me! I’m sure I have encountered at least half of those in my time. This special detergant has been formulated to work in both high efficiency and traditional washing machines. The hypoallergenic formula has a fresh light scent that is perfect for everyday laundry on top of heavily soiled loads. It is different from the rest because it combines the performance of Purex with the stain fighting capabilities of Oxi.

Every parent needs a detergent to get out grass, crayon, milk, juice, ketchup, and the endless list of stains our kids come home with. As a Purex Insider I was fortunate to try this laundry detergent first hand. Not only was I able to get out the most difficult stains, I also got the utmost results by pre-treating them. Pouring a small amount of liquid on to the stain and allowing it to sit for a few minutes made a huge difference. This maximized the results and left the laundry smelling fresh, feeling soft, and free of stains. I really like this detergent so far and I never turn down a product that has two in one capabilities!

Purex Plus Oxi has launched a new sweepstakes to scare away those stains. There are a ton of cash and prizes to give away! One Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000 and 200 other lucky 2nd place winners will receive $25. This contest is running through the end of November so don’t miss your chance to enter here!

Purex has generously provided me with (3) FREE product coupons for the new Purex Plus Oxi. Enter below to be one of three winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received the product above from Purex Insiders 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 review. As always, opinion are my own!

Oct 22

Pooch Friendly Treat Bags For Halloween!

Oct 22

The weeks have flown by and Halloween is quickly approaching. By now you probably have a stock pile of candy and delicious goodies to give away to trick-or-treaters. Children aren’t the only ones seeking a special treat this time of year. If you have a dog that is anything like mine, you know that they somehow find a way to get into the candy stash. Last year I caught my pug hiding under the kitchen table with a peanut butter cup between her teeth! She was one happy pup but didn’t enjoy me chasing her around the house attempting to get it from her death grip. This Halloween I decided to minimize the temptation and have pet friendly treat bags on hand.I can‘t guarantee that this will keep those wet noses out of your little one’s treat bag BUT it sure will keep them occupied.

Oct 16

Real Fruit From Real People: Tree Top Review

Oct 16

With an active toddler by my side most of the day there is always a little hand tugging on my shirt asking for something to drink. We rarely have soda in our house and most of the time we are drinking tea, water, or fruit juice. I prefer to keep my daughter away from sugary drinks full of empty calories. This is why I buy all natural fruit juice like Tree Top. They make an assortment of products including fruit juice, snacks, applesauce, and even cider. All of their products are made with care and dedication. This is exactly how they developed their tagline, “Real Fruit From Real People.” Tree Top is the leading producer and supplier of dried apple products in the United States making them well known in thousands of households, including my own.

The Tree Top apple juice not only contains 100% juice, but also %100 USA apples in each and every container. Each 8 oz glass of juice contains 2 servings of fruit! While I have no problem getting my daughter to eat fruit, it is good to know that their apple juice is packed with Vitamin C. You can tell by the taste alone that it is made with real apples and no added sugar. Their 3 Apple Blend is my personal favorite because it’s a combination of Granny Smith, Red, & Golden Delicious apples. It’s sweet, tart, and will quench your thirst. It is also shelf–stable which means you do not have to refrigerate it. You can find Tree Top Apple Juice sold in various sized bottles and also juice boxes. Since you do not have to worry about keeping them cold, it is great for taking on the go.

The classic Tree Top Applesauce is just as tasty as their juice selection. There is no added sugar or fructose corn syrup, just fresh yummy apples. It contains 1 Fruit Serving for every 1/ 2 cup of applesauce for only 50 calories! It is available in a few different flavors including Strawberry, Cinnamon, and Natural Apple. On top of being delicious on their own, I love using Tree Top Applesauce to bake with. Replacing butter with applesauce makes cakes and cookies moist and flavorful. The small containers also make them the perfect sized portions for lunch boxes or a snack in between meals.

We go through plenty of fruit snacks each week and it can be difficult finding those made without a ton of sugar. The Tree Top All Natural Fruit Snacks are made from natural ingredients, including real fruit juice and Vitamin C. Packaged in individual pouches they make a great snack for the whole entire family. I have found that the quality of these fruit snacks are much better than what I normally purchase from other brands. After finding these at Costco they have become the fruit snack that my daughter prefers as a treat and in her lunchbox. As an adult I still find myself indulging in a bag here and there. They remind me of my childhood and the flavors are distinctly fruity.

Is your family a fan of Tree Top and their products also?

For more information on Tree Top you can visit their site or connect on Facebook. Here you will find promotions, coupons, and information on existing fruit-based products.

Disclosure: I received the products 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!

Oct 15

Fun Fall Fashions At Cookie’s Kids Online #CookiesKids #CBias

Oct 15

We may not have the typical Fall weather here in Florida, but I always like to clean out Toodie’s wardrobe this time of year and make way for new styles. It is hard for us to tell when the season actually arrives given there are no bright colored leaves or squirrels running around with acorns. The one thing that assures us it is here, is beloved Football! Within the next few months it will begin to cool down calling for long sleeve shirts, jeans, jackets, and light sweaters. I’m anxiously awaiting the morning I will wake up and it’s breezy outside. Since my toddler is effortlessly growing like a weed, the clothing we buy usually only lasts one season. When the next year rolls around, most of the pieces in her closet are too small for further use. After rummaging through the pieces that still fit, it was time to get shopping for new Fall fashions on the #CookiesKids website!

The Cookieskids.com website was very new to me but I have heard wonderful things about their sales on name brand clothing as well as school uniforms. Before shopping I wanted to get a little background information on the company and how they were started. On top of their thriving online shop, Cookie’s Kids currently has 7 stores within the NYC area in Bronx, Brooklyn, & Jamaica.

About Cookie’s Kids

In 1972, a young man named Cookie and his brother Marvin went into business together. They rented a 1600 square foot store in Jamaica, Queens, fixed it up, bought inventory and Summer and Fall, and opened a day after Thanksgiving with a full stock of holiday toys. The toys were a success and they put the extra money toward buying children’s clothing for the next season. When that did well, they bought more clothing.

The business was on its way.

As the brothers Cookie, Marvin and Sonny, who had come in as a third partner in the business, began to open new stores in new locations, inventory expanded. Besides the latest fashions, our customers wanted shoes, toys, backpacks and accessories and we were prepared to deliver. By the late 1990′s there were six superstores throughout the NYC area, and though they previously had different names, by that time they were all named Cookie’s Kids. Also in the late ’90s came an important addition to Cookie’s Kids’ inventory: school uniforms. It was the steady success in uniform sales that paved the way for founding CookiesKids.com in 2007, which originally sold uniforms and soon after the entire Cookie’s Kids Inventory.

Cookie’s Kids has a broad variety of clothing for girls and boys on top of accessories, toys, shoes, and uniforms. With their well organized departments I could easily browse through each section to find what I was looking for. I really did enjoy looking through each department to see what they had to offer. While it is now Fall, they had clothing for every season available. This appealed to me because while it may be cold in some states, it is still hot and humid here in Florida. I mainly focused on the little girl’s clothing in hopes of adding to my daughter’s fall wardrobe. I found many recognizable name brands that were discounted and affordable.

After coming across a few cute outfits that I thought would be appropriate, I found the Alva Kids application icon nearby. This assisted me in choosing the right size based on the measurements I provided. This application is unique because it stores your child’s sizing information and as they grow, their profile will as well. Each time you come back to purchase you will have updated recommendations.

I was overwhelmed by all of the choices in the little girl’s department. I spent a long time going back and forth between the sets and the sweatsuits. Ultimately, I decided to stick to the sets which included a top and pants. My daughter has more clothes than anyone I know but whenever I need to find the matching bottoms to her shirts, they can’t be found! Buying sets helps me keep the outfit together and makes getting her dressed in the morning that much easier. The long sleeve shirts will be good to have on hand when we get a surprise cold front. Some of them even came with three pieces for a great price.

The checkout process was a breeze and I even scored an extra 5% off with a coupon code I found online. My Cookie’s Kids order was processed and on the way. I couldn’t wait to get my daughter into her new Fall clothing.

Both of these trendy sets were only $12.99 a piece, including the top and bottom for each. From the pictures on their site I expected them to be cute but I was in love when I saw them on! The Alva Kids sizing application was completely accurate in choosing the best size for my daughter’s tall lean stature. I was worried about the leggings being too big but the waste fit perfectly and they were both down to her ankles.

We both loved her new outfits and Toodie had no problem putting on a little fashion show outside for mommy. I wasn’t the only one satisfied with my Cookie’s Kid choices. The Dotted Bows Set was loose, flowing, and had a touch of sparkle. The top was sheer and covered in big white bows while black sequins accented the neckline. I noticed that the black leggings were thicker and softer than what I am used to buying. It’s so hard to find leggings that are not thin, see through, and rip after a busy day running around on the playground. These felt much more durable while still remaining soft. There was plenty of room for her to grow into the whole outfit which will get a lot of use within Fall and Winter.

Toodie was ecstatic when she saw that the second set had a huge gold sequined heart on the front. The Heart Of Gold outfit is also sold in silver with a huge sparkly bow on the front along with the lining on the bottom. After seeing this one I couldn’t even decide which was cuter! I was impressed with these outfits and noticed they were both made by a brand called Royal Buzz. I was not familiar with this brand prior to this shopping experience but will be checking back often to see what they have. Now that I am aware of the high quality and low prices, I can’t wait to place my second order. Cookie’s Kids made shopping online an enjoyable experience. I was able to expand Toodie’s Fall wardrobe without standing in long lines or leaving the comfort of my home. I can only hope they will consider bringing a retail location down South!

Cookie’s Kids has also created a new program known as the credit refund policy. This means if you buy something one day for $8.99 and the next day it gets discounted to $7.99, your account will be credited the difference for future use!

If you would like to keep up with the current Cookie’s Kids promotions you can follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

You can take a look at my full shopping experience at CookiesKids.com in my Google+ album here.

I also have a coupon code for all of my wonderful readers.
By entering youngatheartmommy at checkout you will receive 10% off sitewide! This offer expires 12/14/12.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and CookiesKids.com #CBias #SocialFabric

Oct 12

A Beautiful Day At The Pumpkin Patch!

Oct 12

I woke up this morning and couldn’t believe it- not that I woke up today- BUT that it was finally in the 80’s outside! Summer took longer than usual to depart and each day it almost seemed like it was getting hotter outside. There was no way I was letting this beautiful breezy day go to waste! With the weather being cooler we decided to make a trip the the local farmer’s market down the street. Each year for the month of October they turn a section of their nursery into a pumpkin patch. The land is covered with hundreds of pumpkins different shapes, sizes, and colors. The weekend before Halloween the nursery even offers hayrides and face painting which attracts a huge crowd. Last year we were number 150 in the face painting line. I was happy we missed the crowds by heading there early this month. With the patch to herself Toodie got to pick out her very own pumpkin and paint the outside to bring home. Our pumpkin patch visit has become a tradition each year and it is something we always look forward to.

Oct 11

First Aid Kit Makeover Featuring BAND-AID Brand Quiltvent Bandages #HealthyValue #CBias

Oct 11

A first aid kit is something every parent and household should have at least one of. Being the parent of a toddler there is always a scrape, scratch, or bruise that needs a little extra TLC. With that being said, I noticed that ours has been on the skimpy side lately and could use a makeover. Heading to Sam’s Club for the day, I knew that I could find several items needed to spruce it up a bit. Sam’s not only has an endless variety of products to shop from, but they offer them at unbeatable prices for families on a budget. I love buying in bulk because it means I won’t run out of the things I need and I am also saving money in the process.

Upon entering the store, there were huge boxes packed with bright orange pumpkins. Sams always has an impressive seasonal section and it was refreshing to be greeted by a little taste of Fall. After picking pumpkins to bring home for carving, we headed towards the pharmacy section in search of the Band-Aid Quiltvent Bandages.

There they are! After briefly browsing the aisles, I came across the fully stocked display for the Band-Aid Quiltvent Bandages. Surrounding the bandages were packages of rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, probiotics, rubber gloves, and an endless row of vitamins. I even spotted a bucket of Epson Salt on the very end. Everything you may need for an accident or injury seemed to be in the general area.

The aisle was also full of first aid related products. Several items that you would find in a normal kit were sold individually in bulk packages. The first thing this made me think of was Girl Scouts. I was a Girl Scout for 13 years and I remember purchasing similar items for donations and camping trips. Sam’s Club delivers value and savings by selling their bulk merchandise for less, allowing you to get more for your money. It truly is a place to stock up on all those must have items, especially band-aids.

Taking a closer look into the value pack purchased, there was a full assortment of band-aids that were different sizes and styles. This included 100 Flexible Fabric strips, 20 Tough Waterproof Strips, 20 Tough Strips, and 20 Flexible Fabric Strips with Quiltvent. Not to mention the Winnie the Pooh bandages that will probably end up being “stickers” when Toodie gets a hold of them. Regardless, this means for about $10 I walked away with five boxes of bandages which is beyond a steal. Normally bad-aids can range from $3-$5 a box where I live.

Band-Aids are dependable and very well known in our household. They offer many benefits and protect even the smallest injury from becoming infected. By creating air channels for superior breathability, cuts are kept clean and bacteria free which helps them to heal quickly. The Band-Aid Quiltvent Bandages are made with a unique Memory Weave fabric that moves with you for extra flexibility, better fit, and greater comfort. The white fabric resembles a honey comb pattern and is much softer than the usual material you would find within a band-aid. Since a covered wound heals faster than an uncovered one, a durable band-aid is very important to have. I feel a lot more confident knowing these will be in our first aid kit for the whole family to use.

Using a medium sized storage box with handles, we decorated the outside to make it more personalized. Toodie picked out bright flowered stickers at the store and added them to the outside of the box.

We made sure to include all of the essentials minus anything dangerous. I wanted Toodie to be able to access the kit without having to worry about her safety. On top of the Band-Aid Quiltvent Bandages, we also added several other things that you would find in a first aid kit. The box contained Neosporin, cotton swabs, tissues, anti-bacterial, alcohol wipes, and several other items. There was everything needed for proper wound care from home or on the go. This is so important considering I have an accident prone toddler who manages to get a bump, bruise, and scratch weekly!

My daughter was very excited to have a first aid kit to call her own. We found a spot in one of our bathroom drawers and placed it in nice and snug. This is going to be excellent to bring along in the car when we take our trip to Disney in December. Near or far, you always have to be prepared for the unexpected boo-boo!

For more information on the BAND-AID® Adhesive Bandages with QUILTVENT® Technology you can visit their Facebook page. You can also take a look at my full shopping experience at Sam’s Club in my Google+ album here!

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. I have been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and BAND-AID^® Brand #CBias #SocialFabric. Regardless, all opinions are my own!