Aug 26

Coca Cola + Walmart Offer #EffortlessMeals For Back To School Time

Aug 26

Disclosure: This in a sponsored post facilitated by The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions expressed are my own.

We made it through the first week of Kindergarten and to my surprise it was rather painless. Sure, I shed a few tears and held my daughter’s hand every single day that I was able to escort her to class. My mommy emotions were in full force but now that we are on week two things have settled down here. It feels really good to be back on schedule, have a good night’s sleep at a normal hour, and a little free time to myself before Toodie arrives home each day. Even though things are slowly getting back on track dinner can be hectic on school nights. Toodie gets home mid-day and by the time we walk through the door she is already asking what is for dinner. Rather than have her overload on snacks I turn to the quick and easy Effortless Meals with Coca-Cola at Walmart. This way I get to take a break from our usual dinner routine and spend more time with my family.
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Aug 23

Salon Gorgeous Hair With TRESemmé

Aug 23

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Global Influence.

Tomorrow night the anticipated 2014 MTV Video Music Awards are being held in Inglewood, California. It’s hard to believe that this will be their 31st annual show. I have been watching the VMA’s since I was in middle school and always look forward to the performances. This year artists like Beyoncé, Eminem, Katy Perry, and Miley Cyrus will be facing off for a “moonman” to call their own. I really enjoy watching the pre-show. This is the first time you get to see all of the stars walk the red carpet with their beautiful dresses, flawless makeup, and rockin’ hair. I’m no celebrity but TRESemmé has all of the products needed to amp up my hair and make me feel like a star!
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May 16

Spark Summer Time Creativity With Juicy Juice + Crayola #UltimatePlaydate #CollectiveBias

May 16

DIY Juice Box Art Caddy #UltimatePlaydate #CollectiveBias

As a parent I have always encouraged my daughter to explore activities she enjoys and those that help her grow. This includes playtime. In our home playtime is just another outlet for learning. It isn’t limited but rather nurtured. Whether it’s through a puppet show, crafting, dress up with our pug Chloe, or collecting stones outside for her nature collage- we are learning together. Playtime promotes creativity, imagination, and allows children to gain an understanding of the world around them. Not to mention, it’s just plain old FUN. Even as an adult I find myself taking advantage of playtime. I almost forgot how entertaining it is to get a box of crayons and some white paper, drawing whatever comes to mind.
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Nov 20

Discover Your Favorite Holiday Scents This Season! #SuaveScents

Nov 20

The holidays bring upon so many wonderful traditions, memories, and festive scents. During this time of year you will find a several fragrant candles and diffusers scattered within my house. I love anything Frosted Cranberry and how it fills each room with a soft touch of sweetness. It’s crisp and welcoming. As soon as guests arrive they walk into a delicious wave of sugared fruity-ness. When I close my eyes I picture a room full of family and endless smiles. This scent will always remind me of Thanksgiving dinner and setting up the Christmas tree afterwards. There is something special about holiday scents. It isn’t because of the cute packaging but more of how it allows us to reminisce and remember the important moments. Isn’t it amazing that a single scent can ignite a spark of vivid memories and happy thoughts? Our nose is one powerful tool!
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Mar 02

History Channel’s Bible App + Walmart GC GIVEAWAY!

Mar 02

As I have gotten older the television shows that I choose to watch have changed drastically. I used to be a “reality” tv junkie, watching people’s crazy antics for sheer entertainment. These days I find myself more interested in watching historical programs that are educational and actually have meaning. One of my favorite channels to watch is of course, the History Channel. In addition to their regular programing they are getting ready to premier the new series, The Bible. Beginning this Sunday on March 3rd 2013, you can tune in at 8 PM EST. just as the 10 part mini series launches. Brought to you by executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, these stories and scriptures will be interpreted and delivered to a new generation. It features powerful performances, exotic locales, and dazzling visual effects that bring about faith and courage from Genesis to Revelation. This historical television event is sure to entertain and inspire. Will you be watching this Sunday?

In celebration of the new series launching in just a few days, The Bible has released an interactive blog app to amp up the excitement for the premier. Within this app you can do several things.

• Bible-Scene Quiz! The Bible Series brings stories from scripture to life for a whole new generation! The Questions is…will you recognize your favorite characters when you see them for the first time in the series?

• Clip Countdown! Countdown to 3.3.13 with a new clip from from The Bible unlocked everyday until the premiere!

• Tell 10 Challenge! Where will YOU be 3.3.13? The Bible proves that when talent and passion collide, the outcome is spectacular! Connect with Mark & Roma by sharing their message! And help spread the word about the premiere of The Bible on The History Channel 3.3.13 to 10 of your friends!

To also celebrate the season premier I am giving away a $15 Walmart gift card to one of my lucky readers! Enter below through the rafflecopter form and don’t forget to tune in this Sunday on the History Channel.

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Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Partner Hub. All opinions are my own.

Jan 21

Creating Valentine’s Day Memories With Kleenex #ShareTheSoft #cBias

Jan 21

Through the years the Kleenex® brand has become a dependable part of my family. It is always there to wipe away tears, clean messy faces, and soothe runny noses. It also doesn’t ask any questions! I grew up having a box in every single room of our home, and today not much has changed. I have very fond memories of Kleenex®. Although no one enjoys being sick, this is when I would spend the most time with my trusty box of boogie wipers. Whenever I was feeling under the weather my mom would come home with soup, a tub of ice cream, and a nice big box of tissues to call my very own. I was set and for some reason I felt better plopped on the couch with my Kleenex® right next to me. Today I am passing on the admiration to my daughter, who seems to be sick a lot more often than I would like. With a stock pile in each bedroom and bathroom, there are never any unattended sniffles in this house.

As a result of Toodie going to school regularly I notice that she comes down with a bad cold at least a few times a month. In the past year we have gone through our Kleenex® supply quicker than expected. With it running low we decided to take a trip to Walmart and replenish. When we arrived there was an organized display with different sizes and types of packages to choose from. I picked up a few boxes of the popular Ultra Soft and a convenient To-Go Pack to keep in the car. Now it was time to get home and get crafting. Since Valentine’s Day is a few weeks away I thought it would be fun to make a homemade treat box to hold cards and goodies.

Here is a list of the supplies you will need:

Empty box of Kleenex® tissues
Valentine’s Day themed wrapping paper
Large googly eyes
Foam shaped heart cut outs
Rectangle foam sheets
Elmer’s glue
Red sparkle felt
Glue gun
Shape stencil

To begin take your rectangle box of Kleenex® tissues, preferably Ultra Soft. Remove the tissues and put them in a safe place. After all, you don’t want to let them go to waste! I placed ours in the bathroom where they are used on a daily basis. Once the box is empty, re-seal the pull away tag by taping it back into place. Using scissors you will cut a generous sized slit on the upper end of the box. Make sure the hole is wide enough to fit Valentine cards and treats. If it is too small you may have a hard time getting them back out. Wrap the box in your festive paper and leave the open end for last. This part may seem tricky. Trim the excess paper around the edges of the opening and tuck any remaining pieces into the box. Use tape to secure the paper inside.

In the center of the owl glue a medium sized foam heart. For the eyes I traced two circles on white card stock. To add depth and texture I used the glittery felt to make a smaller circle for the center. Once these are glued together place the googly eye on top. Now your little friend should be coming to life. The remaining parts of the owl were made from a single sheet of light pink foam. I used the smaller heart pieces to trace the feet and free handed the wings, nose, and ears. If you are working on this craft with a child I suggest stepping in to attatch the parts. Using a glue gun will keep them secure and sturdy. Since they are thicker than paper the Elmer’s glue may not hold the weight.

Your Owl Valentine Box can be used to hold cards, candy, or loves notes. You can even place the original tissues back into the top of the box and use it as a tissue holder for the month of February. Until Valentine’s Day gets closer we are using ours as a decoration! Empty Kleenex® tissue boxes are great for crafting and creating.

Attached to the 4 pack bundle of Ultra Soft Kleenex® was a peel away coupon which would allow us to redeem a FREE streaming movie on Vudu.com. Once the coupon was removed, a unique 16 digit code was revealed. By visiting www.walmart.com/kleenex I was able to create a Vudu account and browse through the movie selection. Compared to other video streaming websites, there were many choices and new releases to choose from. It was very easy to navigate through and there were movies that everyone in the family could enjoy. In addition to the $4 credit, I also received 10 free movie rentals by signing up for the first time. The complimentary Vudu codes can be found on specially marked Ultra Soft and Lotion 4 packs.

After looking through the many categories and genres, Toodie was stuck between Coraline and Frankenweenie. I can tell that I passed on my love of Tim Burton movies to her! She ended up going with Coraline and I proceeded to the rent the movie within seconds. As a 24 hour rental, you can continuously go back and check your Vudu account to see the remaining time left. If you have a child that is anything like mine, they may want to watch the movie two or three times! Having this reminder available is very helpful. Vudu is really starting to grow on me.

As if it wasn’t already convenient enough, Vudu movies can be streamed directly to many different devices. These include your HDTV, Blu-ray, PS3, Xbox 360, Roku, PC, and even select tablets. I love watching movies on my IPad. It makes things so much easier! After creating out Valentine’s Day #ShareTheSoft craft, there was no better way to relax than to watch a fun movie together. With all of her stuffed puppies tucked in and a full bed of comfy pillows, we snuggled up and enjoyed Coraline together. It’s the moments like this that make me appreciate being a mom and thankful that Kleenex® helps to make them possible everyday! This Valentine’s Day be sure to #ShareTheSoft and the love with your family too.

To get a closer look at my Walmart shopping trip and Vudu.com experience, stop by my Google+ album.

You can get more information on Kleenex® products by visiting the Walmart website. You can also interact with the brand and other fans by following along on Facebook and Twitter.

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 Kleenex® Brand Tissues #CBias #SocialFabric

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.

Nov 02

Holiday Shopping At Walmart + GIVEAWAY #WalmartGifts

Nov 02

Halloween is over and for me this means it is time to get down to serious holiday shopping business! From this point on I am focused on the best deals for everyone on my Christmas list this year. With my daughter being on the top of that list, toys are my main focus. Luckily, with Walmart’s prices and selection I can start now and save a ton of money.

Walmart has recently released their Toyland Wish List Book for 2012. It’s filled with 48 pages of the coolest games, toys, and electronics for children. Beginning on November 4th, you can take advantage of the savings within until November 22nd. You will find many well known brands like Monster High, Bratz, Disney, and My Little Pony. While you are browsing, there is also the option to vote for this year’s hottest Christmas toy.

A new feature that is now offered on the Walmart website is “Toyland Tuesday.” If you have a little person to shop for this year, you NEED to check it out! Every Tuesday through Christmas, Walmart and Walmart.com are actively rolling back prices on select popular toys. Many of these are must-have toys and are sure to be on most wish lists this year. Below are an assortment of toys that were displayed on this week’s Toyland Tuesday homepage. There are so many things that I know Toodie would love to see under the tree. The Vtech MobiGo 2 Touch Learning System is just one toy that we have both had our eye on. With low prices and huge savings, shopping at Walmart always justifies me starting my shopping early. Don’t forget to browse the new deals and savings every Tuesday!

This year Walmart has brought back their layaway program with a few slight changes to benefit holiday shoppers. The layaway process is easy and begins with a down payment of $10 or 10% of your purchase depending on which is greater. The total must be at least $50 with each item priced at $15 or more. Compared to 2011, Walmart has made a significant positive change to their policy. This year you have 90 days to pay for your items and there is absolutely NO cancellation fee. To open your layaway you have to pay $15 and once it is fully paid for and completed, you will receive the money back on a Walmart gift card.

There have also been new categories added to eligible layaway purchases. These include small home appliances and sporting goods on top of jewelry, toys, and electronics. Whether you are shopping for a new Apple Ipad or Hasbro® Furby, there are several popular items to choose from. Walmart’s layaway program is a helpful way to ensure your family has a wonderful Christmas without any stress. It will allow you to comfortably scratch off the must have items on everyone’s list one by one. With 30 extra days this year you have plenty of time to organize your path to shopping.

To help get your layaway started and ease the cost of holiday shopping, I will be giving away a $25 Walmart GC to one reader. Enter below through the rafflecopter form and good luck! All entries will be verified.

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Aug 27

Walmart’s Good to Great Lunchbox Twitter Party #greatlunchbox

Aug 27

Craving kid-friendly meals that are healthier, affordable and easy to make? Join me and Walmart for the #greatlunchbox Twitter party this week! With school back in session, one of the many tasks of being a mom includes packing our kiddos a healthy filling lunch to keep them focused through the school day. Walmart challenged me to turn my daughter’s lunchbox from “good” to “GREAT” and I came up with a few alternatives to the typical packed lunch. Check out my version of the Turkey Sandwhich and a couple of other fun healthy ideas to pack your children.

Sixty-one percent of moms resolve to get their families eating healthier this new school year. The Walmart Class of 2012 Back-to-School survey of 1,000 moms revealed that saving money and eating healthier topped moms’ “new school year” resolutions. Moms’ biggest challenge with getting their families to eat healthier during the school year is the cost of healthier foods. Many think that eating healthy tends to cost more BUT shopping at Walmart makes changing your eating habits affordable. This school year, Walmart is helping moms turn good lunch boxes into great lunch boxes by offering everyday low prices on a wide assortment of healthier items perfect for back-to-school lunches and snacks. Walmart’s Great for You seal is a simple way to help Americans make healthier, nutritious and affordable food choices. Customers will see the Great for You seal on produce in stores now and on select healthier and affordable Great Value and Marketside food products starting this fall. Keep an eye out and be aware of what choices you are making when you pack your child’s lunch this year!

At a loss for what to put in your kids lunchbox? Join me and @Walmart for a #greatlunchbox Twitter chat at 8 PM EST this Wednesday, August 29th for tips, healthy recipes, and the chance to win Walmart GC’s!

Make sure to follow @Walmart and your co-hosts @ToodiesMomma, @OnlyLaila, & @MommyMandy along with the#greatlunchbox hashtag to participate.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for this post and for participating as a co-host at the Walmart Twitter Party but as always, all opinions are my own.