Read. Write. Mom!

Modern Children’s Furniture

Posted on October 9, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

My son is in that “in-between” stage when it comes to children’s furniture and décor. He’s not quite a “big boy”, but he’s certainly not a baby. I’ve been seriously thinking about the bedding in his room and am almost certain that it’s looking a little too young for his age. I love modern and fun looking furniture and bedding for kids, and I’ve really been enjoying looking at all of the beautiful furniture, clothing, and gifts for children at the Kidsen website.

If you are looking for children’s furniture, Kidsen has some of the most adorable toy storage boxes I have ever seen. I’m personally fond of the storage seat pew, which is a cute little bench that stores toys underneath the seat. I know we could definitely store quite a few Legos out of sight with that! Shelf space is definitely becoming a bit of an issue for us in our son’s bedroom. He is simply running out of shelf space for books. I love Kidsen’s modern shelving. I think it could definitely turn a boring, blank wall into a functional and fun space for storing books.

Right now, my son does his homework at the kitchen table, but I would love for him to have his own space in his room to do his work in the future. I love the “old school meets modern” design of the children’s desks from Kidsen and the fun colors offered.

If you are looking for children’s furniture with a unique design, be sure to check out Kidsen.

This post brought to you by Kidsen.

Put A Pumpkin On It

Posted on October 8, 2012October 7, 2012 by Mandy

Last weekend E.B. and I were doing our weekly shopping at a local grocery store and I saw what I thought was an “ok” wreath for our door for Fall. My very favorite wreath is still in storage and I have been lazy about going out to get our Fall décor, so I thought I would just buy a new one instead.

One thing about wreaths? I looove a wreath with berries on it. I do not know what my obsession with those little berries is about, but I just loved how this wreath had seasonal berries.

I was excited about my purchase until I got it home, was unpacking our bags, and saw it sitting on the table.

Do you SEE the tacky amount of GLUE on this wreath? I cannot believe I came home with this wreath and never noticed this in the store! It was all around the wreath and very noticeable when hanging on the door.

So, I really thought about taking it back and getting my money back, but then I had a moment of inspiration. A few days earlier I had retrieved a piece of our fall décor from my parent’s storage room (yes, I store things all over the place, it would seem) and noticed the wreath would fit perfectly around it!

So, I “put a pumpkin on it”, and the ugly glue is no longer visible.

And I’m pretty happy with the results.

World Almanac For Kids 2013

Posted on October 7, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

My students love reference books. They especially love almanacs and world record books. I have a set of reference books in my library that the kids love to read and I was so excited to get a chance to review the World Almanac For Kids 2013 and add it to our library.

The minute I showed my students this new book, there were immediate squeals of excitement and requests to “look at it first”! The cover is very visually appealing for kids, and includes faces they’ll recognize, like Justin Bieber, Peyton Manning, and a scene from The Hunger Games.

So, what’s inside this wonderful book? Facts on everything, from notable people, places, and events, including:

· Faces and Places: Full pages of vivid photographs showcase the year’s most talked-about events in movies, music, sports, news, and much more.

· Animals: This section includes brand-new features on zoos, animals at work, and preventing species extinction. Readers can also explore animals on a scientific level—from endangered species to the biggest, smallest, fastest, and even grossest creatures in the world.

· Energy and Environment: Learn more about the energy used every day, from diesel engines and hybrid cars, to nuclear energy and the definition of “fracking.” Key issues are illuminated by features on oceans, biomes, and climate change, while the “Living Green” section shows how small, practical changes can make a big difference.

· Fashion: Side-by-side with today’s biggest trends, a brand-new feature on fashion,“Blasts from the Past,” makes even the biggest fashionistas grateful for today’s simple jeans and T-shirts. The section also reveals what it’s really like to work in the fashion industry day-to-day and includes profiles of renowned fashion designers.

· Games: Check out the best-selling video games of all time as well as today’s top sellers, and get a sneak preview of the latest installments of some old favorites.

· Homework Help: From easy Internet research guides to quick tips for test preparation, The World Almanac^® for Kids is a go-to source that helps students get to the head of the class.

· Money: Take a look at what’s new inU.S.and world currency, including how currency designers are outsmarting today’s counterfeiters. Also find out information about the world’s youngest billionaires and how they made their fortunes.

· Movies and TV: A brand-new“Viral Video Stars” feature covers today’s most popular online shows and personalities. The section also features fun facts about this year’s most popular movies and TV shows, plus a close-up look at what’s coming up next.

· Music and Dance: Get the inside scoop on Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, and more of 2012’s hottest acts including the latest winners of American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. Then, find out about the origins of popular dances, from ballet to tango to step-dancing.

· Nations: The World Almanac^® for Kids 2013 boasts up-to-date details about the world’s newest nation,South Sudan. Meanwhile, interesting trivia about every country makes the world feel a little smaller, alongside maps and flags of more than 190 nations!

· Population: Learn about the changing face of theUnited States with brand-new information on where Americans come from, including new features on Asian and Hispanic Americans. Also, take a global look at population growth and the world’s mega-cities.

· Sports: From Super Bowl Sunday and the Final Four to the NBA Finals and the Indy 500, get information on kids’ favorite teams, pro athletes, and sports. This edition also includes expanded auto racing and soccer coverage, as well as fun facts about the Olympic Games.

· Technology and Computers: The World Almanac^®for Kids gives great advice on the best ways to avoid cyberbullying and stay safe online. Kids can also pick up quick tips for taking advantage of cloud computing.

· United States: New features on subjects from presidential trivia to the 2012 election complement the latest information about the 50 states, while brand-new timelines demonstrate key events in American history.

This books really does cover everything kids are interested in and is a fantastic choice for the reluctant reader. I can honestly say that our review copy is very worn looking now, but that’s a great thing because I know it’s being read. Looks like I will have to order a few more copies for the library!

BUY IT:

The World Almanac For Kids 2013 is available from www.worldalmanac.com

I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes. No other compensation was received. all opinions are my own.

Send Your Child A Letter From Santa

Posted on October 3, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

Last year I used Portable North Pole to create a video letter from Santa for my son. He absolutely loved it and still talks about it! I wish I had a video recording of his facial expressions while Santa was checking to see if he was on the “naughty” or “nice” list. It is a funny memory I will always treasure. This year, the site also offers personalized birthday video messages from Santa! I just created one of these for my son and, although I will have to wait a few more months to show him, I know he will be excited to see this one as well.

What makes these videos so unique is that Santa calls your child by name, assuring that he has their attention! You can even upload a photo of your child to be included in the video. Here’s a sample video below:

With the holidays approaching, now is a great time to check out Portable North Pole for a personalized greeting from Santa that your children will treasure.

This is a sponsored post from Portable North Pole. All opinions are my own.

Crossing The Finish Line-Adaptu Financial Shape-Up Contest

Posted on October 1, 2012March 13, 2019 by Mandy

We’ve reached the finish line in the Adaptu Financial Shape-Up Contest and I can’t rave enough about all of the great information and services Adaptu has provided me with on our financial journey. I’ve learned so many great budgeting tips and how to plan for those unexpected bumps in the road when it comes to money and I feel more confident than ever about how our family will go forward in planning for our financial future while living within our monthly budget and paying down debt.

Our goal was to start saving for another great family vacation next year, much like the one we took this summer. I’m happy to report that we have managed to save up a little money even though we’ve had car repair expenses, a change in pay schedule, and expenses that go along with getting our son ready for back to school. It’s not a fortune, but it’s a start. Adaptu has played a major role in helping us get this start.

Along with the posts I have done about Adaptu (which can be found here), I also ran two contests for $50, sponsored by Adaptu. And the winners are…

Kim H. (Comment #14)

Aurie Lae (Comment #3)

Congratulations! I hope you will continue to use Adaptu to help you with all of your financial needs.

If you’re still not convinced you could benefit from using Adaptu, sign up (it’s FREE!) and check out some of the fabulous financial-planning articles on the site. I mentioned in previous posts that budgeting was always difficult for our family because of varying paychecks and the fact that I just couldn’t ever get it right. I’m no longer afraid to sit down and run the numbers because of the great tools Adaptu offers.

I’ve learned more than ever about our finances and I’m so excited I had this opportunity to share my experience here on my blog with Adaptu.

I am participating in a compensated blogger campaign for Adaptu. All opinions are my own.

Straight Talk One Minute-One Million For Make-A-Wish

Posted on October 1, 2012January 10, 2016 by Mandy

What if I told you that you could get an affordable cell phone with no contracts AND donate your time to a great cause all at once? Is your child begging for a cell phone but you’re just not sure where to start? Perhaps you might be looking for an affordable alternative to high cell phone costs yourself. I know my family is.

From September 22 to October 13, Straight Talk Wireless will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish for every demo of a Straight Talk Wireless Android Smart Phone completed at over 3,000 Walmart locations under the “One Minute, One Million” banner. Do you have literally one minute? Stop by a participating Walmart and see how Straight Talk can help you save money on wireless service and help out a great cause.

WHAT IS STRAIGHT-TALK WIRELESS?

Straight Talk Wireless is the cell phone company that provides unlimited everything you need in a cell phone for only $45/month.

I’ve always been pretty skeptical about pre-paid phones. We are under contract with a major carrier right now and I use a very nice Samsung. Right out of the box, this Straight Talk Wireless ZTE Merit impressed me because it is an Android phone. It really isn’t too different from the phone I regularly use.

ZTE Merit Key Features:

· 3.5″ touchscreen

· Android 2.3 OS

· 5MP camera/video recorder

· Bluetooth wireless technology

· Instant messaging

· Advanced GPS capabilities

· 3G/WiFi connectivity

· 600MHz processor

· Access to over 450,000 apps on Google Play

· MP3 player

· Gravity sensor

· Tilt and shake

I certainly wasn’t expecting a phone that had the capability to send texts, read email, download apps, etc. I suppose I thought these would be your basic, no frill phones.

How Does Straight Talk work?

First, you must purchase a Straight Talk phone. Straight Talk phones can be purchased exclusively at participating Walmart stores or online. To purchase online, you simply go to this link and enter your zip code in which you will be using your phone. Then, a list of phones for you to choose from will appear. (These are a few offered in my area)

After purchasing your phone, you will also need to purchase a plan which will come on a card that looks like this:

Some phones will only work with specific plans. The particular plan I have with this phone is the $45, 30-day plan and includes unlimited talk, unlimited texting, unlimited data, and unlimited calls to 411.

Next, you will be required to call a toll-free number or go to StraightTalk.com to activate your phone. The activation card is included in the box the phone comes in, so be sure and save that. It was super easy to activate online. There are options to enroll in Auto-Refill or Refill On Demand for when your plan expires, but since I am trying this out, I chose to keep using the plan cards that I can buy in the store to “refill” the phone. You can also have your existing cell phone number transferred to your Straight Talk phone if you don’t want to change phone numbers. Bonus!

One thing to remember is that minutes do not “roll over” on these phones, so you use them or lose them each month.

DO STRAIGHT TALK PHONES WORK?

So far, I have no complaints. I’m having so much fun using apps that I can’t get on my regular cell phone. I can make and receive calls with no reception problems and send and receive texts with zero issues. Basically, I’m doing everything I already do on my regular phone, minus a service contract.

I will continue to use this phone over the next couple of months to see if it can convince us to drop our regular carrier and stay with Straight Talk. If my husband and I both used a Straight Talk phone, we would save $110 a month on our cell phone service. That’s too tempting to not give it a try!

These phones would be a great option for your teen’s first phone. It has everything they want in a phone at an affordable price. I can’t think of anyone, actually, who wouldn’t love a Straight Talk phone. With the holidays fast approaching, this is one gift that would be appreciated for sure.

Fore more information on Straight Talk Wireless and the One Minute One Million campaign, visit these links:

Main Web site: OneMinuteOneMillion.com
Straight Talk Facebook: facebook.com/StraightTalkWireless
Straight Talk Twitter: twitter.com/MyStraightTalk– Use #StraightTalkWish
Make-A-Wish Facebook: facebook.com/makeawish
Make-A-Wish Twitter: twitter.com/MakeAWish

I was provided with a phone and service plan to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Dollar General/Gillette Prize Pack Giveaway

Posted on September 30, 2012January 20, 2024 by Mandy

Dollar General and Gillette have teamed up with celebrity stylist Marcus Geeter to provide you with some great tips on how men can get a a great shave.

The October P&G brandSAVER® will feature some great deals on Gillette products, all available at your local Dollar General store so be sure and get those savings this month!

GIVEAWAY:

I have 2 prize packs to giveaway which include the following:

·Gillette MACH3 Razor

·Simply Venus Disposable Razors (4 pack)

·$20 Dollar General Gift Card

2 winners will be chosen, each receiving one prize pack. Deadline to enter is October 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM EST. Must be 18 or older, void where prohibited. US ONLY.

Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Date Fell Asleep On Me!

Posted on September 28, 2012September 27, 2012 by Mandy

Every Friday night, my parents, my son, and I have a ritual of going out to eat. We’ve been doing this for a few years now and it’s great to not to have to worry about what’s for supper and having to actually prepare a meal. E.B. is very vocal about where he likes to eat and thinks it’s “lame” that we go to the same restaurant just about every Friday night. We do this simply because we love the place and it’s got something for everyone.

Well, E.B. whined all the way there because he wanted to go somewhere else. When he starts whining, I know he is tired. And this?

Further proof that he had a full day of first grade and was all tuckered out.

He raised up long enough to look at his food and promptly tilted his head back for another snooze.

My date. Always making me pay or just plain old falling asleep on me.