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Eco Gift Idea, Give the Gift of Experience

December 3, 2010 By 2 Comments

Eco Tip number three from our friend Summer is to find gifts for your friends and family that give them an experience:

GroundSpeak headquarters

Need a green gift that just keeps giving? Try experience gifts! Memberships to the zoo, tickets to the local performing arts theatre, season tickets to your local sports team, or joining a club such as geocaching.com to name a few. These gifts continue for an extended period of time beyond the receiving day. Most don’t require more than an envelope to wrap or you can get a reusable gift card ornament or Santa can slip it into their stocking.

I think this is a great gift idea, it gets people out of the house and active and is quite creative. You can think really far outside the box with this one. The world is at your fingertips.

If you haven’t noticed yet, we’re doing an eco tip every day. One Green tip during the holiday season of red and green for the whole month of December and all of the tips are coming from a friend of mine. Day one was Eco Advent Calendar ideas, and day two was Eco Christmas Tree tips.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, green Tagged With: , , , ,

Martha Stewart Living & Premium Plus Carpet Collections at Home Depot

December 3, 2010 By 4 Comments

Zoe and I decided to have a project testing out carpet samples today. Thanks to Home Depot we had all the supplies we needed. Home Depot sent us a sample of Martha Stewart Living Carpet and a sample of Premium Plus Carpet both can be purchased at Home Depot from 1.55 to 4.25 per square foot. They also sent us a bottle of V8 tomato juice, Juicy Juice Grape juice and some Hershey’s chocolate milk.

I made a video of the process that Zoe and I went through testing out the carpet samples. Yes, it’s a little bit long but we had fun and you might have a laugh watching it and me freaking out as she spills chocolate milk on the table cloth.

 

These projects are fun, but very difficult for me because I’m not in complete control. Zoe has fun helping me though! The results, I liked how the Martha Stewart Living made all of the liquids bubble up. Nothing seemed to seep into it, all we had to do was wipe it off. The Platinum Plus Collection did soak up the liquids so we had to use the paper towel to soak up the liquids. Then we used a damp cloth to wipe out the stain but that was all. Having a dog it’s really nice when the carpet is stain resistant. Stains just pull out!!

The Martha Stewart Living™ and Platinum Plus collections are the latest in The Home Depot’s home carpet innovation. These stain-resistant lines are perfect for high-traffic family rooms as both carpets contain revolutionary stain protection technology. The Platinum Plus carpets are steambonded with Scotchgard™ to create an invisible shield against liquid and dirt. When you pour juice on the carpet, watch how it sits on top of the fibers and rolls off as though it spilled on a plastic mat. For tougher stains, all you need is a wet cloth to dab and remove.

With Martha Stewart Living you can match up your carpet with your paint. She has codes that correspond on the carpet to the paint. Check out these Martha Stewart Living Samples:

Martha Stewart Living Carpet Sequoia

Martha Stewart Living Collection Carpet & Paint Sequoia

Martha Stewart Living Carpet Fawn

Martha Stewart Living Carpet & Paint Fawn

Martha Stewart Living Carpet Molasses

Martha Stewart Living Carpet Collection and Paint Molasses

 

Martha Stewart Living is proud to introduce this new line of affordable special-order carpets, now available exclusively at The Home Depot in 36 luxurious designs and four handpicked, stain-resistant constructions. Visit Home Depot Martha Stewart for more details.

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Savvy Parents Use the Evenflo ExerSaucer

December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Now that my kids are mobile and into everything they see, I either have to get up at 5:30 in the morning to take a shower, take one at night which is my blogging time, or use naptime to get the shower in. Oh what a mom will do for some personal time right?

Evenflo ExersaucerEvenflo sent me some statistics a few weeks ago on moms and taking a shower.

According to a recent Savvy Parents Survey from Evenflo, 43% of parents of young parents say they have to wait until their spouse or other caregiver is around to shower and 6% of moms report never seeming to be able to find time to shower!

My readers left a few comments about how they take a shower during the day…

Melissa O’Brien says:

I have two boys ages 5 and 3 in January. What I do is put in a movie and serve them a snack while I get in the shower. They are usually good and know where to find me if they need anything. I’m usually quick tho

Holly says:

I utilize naptime, or will bring my 2-year-old into the shower with me while the big boys are at school. Or I’ll let the boys watch some tv while I shower… but I never do that when just the 2-year-old is home. Or I’ll wait until my husband comes home and shower after dinner. Between these strategies, I usually manage to take care of myself about 5 days a week. :)

Kathleen says:

There are times that I definitely have not known what the shower is and had to settle for some freshening up when I could. Now, I either exersaucerwake up early or take it at night when the kids are in bed, otherwise there really aren’t any other options.

Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says:

I usually take my shower once my husband gets home from work, unless my youngest is napping.

Christina says:

my daughter decided she likes showers and not bathes, so I just mutlitask it, her me and the baby bump get cleaned togather

When my kids were young, I used my ExerSaucer. I would shove this thing through the door, stuff my child in it and take my bath or shower while she played and explored. I always added some toys just to make sure she had enough to entertain herself, but it would make me laugh to see her spin around in it while she was playing. So when I saw this video on on Evenflo’s Savvy Parents website, I laughed out loud.

The latest installment in the Savvy Parent video series, “New Mom Smell,” to show how Savvy Parents find the time to get rid of that stank!  Check out the video at http://www.evenflo.com/exersaucer.aspx (or you can watch it above) for a whimsical look at how Savvy Parents use the Evenflo ExerSaucer to help their babies learn while also knowing that they are safe and secure if mom or dad need to accomplish a quick task. In fact, 30% of parents put their child in an activity center like the ExerSaucer while showering!

Evenflo sent me the ExerSaucer Jump & Learn Active Learning Center in exchange for this post (and a few more) but I really don’t have age appropriate children to review it, so I’m calling in for some help.

Filed Under: 2010 Gift Guide, parenting Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Giveaway Jingle List Your Giveaway Here!

December 2, 2010 By 22 Comments

You’ve got a giveaway, I want to know about it! Oh, and if you list your giveaway on Mom Start facebook page it will tweet on my twitter account. How cool is that?

boy with ballons

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Red and Green Tips on Finding an Eco Christmas Tree and Living Christmas Trees

December 2, 2010 By 3 Comments

Today is day too in Summer’s Red and “Green” event here on Mom Start. We’re bringing you tips on turning your house into an eco friendly green house. Yesterday’s Tip from Summer was all about Eco Advent Calendars. Today Summer brings us some tips on Christmas Trees:

Get your tree! It surprises some people that environmentalist actually endorse using real trees in decorating. Fake trees last forever — in your house and in a landfill. Fake trees also cause MORE allergens as they collect dust year after year. Real Christmas trees are grown for the holidays on tree farms. These farms cut down a select number of trees each year and cycle their land so they can offer trees each year. These farms also replant what they harvest. Not only can you get your tree at the store or from a parking lot vendor BUT many of these tree farms allow people to u-cut their own tree (saws and such materials are typically provided). Another fresh option is getting a permit from your local national forest or park to u-cut (no supplies provided, bring your own). See December 31 for a green way to get rid of your real tree.

christmas treeFor my family, we have to use a fake tree because my sister in law is allergic to real trees. I do love the smell of a real tree, but that’s exactly what she is allergic to. So this is one step we can’t join any of you on. Being the savvy blogger that I am though, I found out that in California you can have a live, living tree.

There is a way to reduce some of the stress while preparing for the holidays – and reduce your environmental impact while you’re at it?  The Living Christmas Company allows customers to order a tree, have it delivered and picked up from the comfort of their couch.  This way, you can get back to what’s important: running everything.

The Living Christmas Company rents to its customers (currently Greater LA area) a live potted tree, which is kept alive all year long, so households can enjoy the experience of a live tree every year.  The Living Christmas Company is a unique way to celebrate the holidays while helping the environment.  With prices starting as low as $25 (plus delivery), prices are competitive with buying a tree from a cut tree lot. 

In addition to helping the environment, renting a tree from The Living Christmas Company will improve the safety of your home.  It is proven that a live tree is more fire resistant than its plastic or cut counterparts.  Also families are able to rent the exact tree from the previous year, adding another “branch” to your family tree for the holidays.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Filed Under: green Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Commit a Minute To Holiday Safety

December 2, 2010 By 294 Comments

Christmas Lights OutsideOh the Holiday Crazies are among us. Family everywhere, frantic shopping, constant traffic, perfectly wrapping, decorating the house, cooking food, cooking desserts, cooking cooking cooking, party planning and need I go on? What aren’t we doing this time of year, oh I know, we’re not getting sleep. As a mom, you know life can get extremely busy while preparing for the holidays. However, sometimes the focus on celebrating can turn fun festivities into injuries and accidents if safety is not a priority for families. Studies show that nearly 230 people will visit the emergency room each day in November and December to be treated for holiday-related injuries.

 

imageUnderwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety organization, is calling all parents, specifically moms, to set aside time in their schedule to commit at least one minute to safety each day this holiday season. You know who UL is right, they have their label on almost every single cable you can find that goes into an electrical socket, but they do more than that, they are on appliances, always thinking about safety in everything we do.

We’re committing to Holiday Safety as a family and I invite you to as well.

imageMy husband decorated the house last weekend, he let the kids help in ways that were age appropriate.

He checked all of the cords, extension cords, and made sure they were safe to use and the indoor cords were used indoors and the outdoor cords were all outdoors. He carefully checked voltage, and organized the cords where they are not tangled in any way. And we placed one of the cables at our front door under our welcome mat so no one will trip on the cord on their way into our house. (we have smart neighbors, Thanks Robin!)

Here are a few more tips from UL:

Focus on the Fireplace
Move stockings and holiday decorations off the mantle before starting a fire in your fireplace and always use the fireplace screen. Recycle wrapping paper instead of burning it in your fireplace. Burning wrapping paper could produce dangerous sparks or flares of intense heat.
Read more

Stay Warm Safely
Look for the UL Mark on your space heater and read the instructions before using it. Move space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn (e.g., curtains, blankets) and never leave a space heater on when you leave the room or go to sleep. Be sure to teach children (and practice it yourself) to never place anything on top of a space heater to dry.
Read more

Keep Watch in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a busy place from Thanksgiving through the holiday season. Never leave anything cooking unattended, not even for a minute. Turn pot handles inward so that little hands can’t grab them. And keep your kitchen and your cooking area free of clutter to avoid unnecessary accidents.
Read more

Use Candles with Care
Walk around your home and move candles away from anything that can burn. Store matches and lighters away from children and be sure to blow out candles before you leave the room or go to sleep. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Easy Electrical Safety
Check electrical outlets and make sure they are not overloaded. Look for the UL Mark on all your electrical cords and holiday lights. When decorating, inspect cords for damage and fraying and always keep extension cords away from where children play. Never run an extension cord under a rug or tack it up to a wall with a nail or staple.
Read more

I have to say one other thing that happened today, make sure you watch your children when they are playing. I wasn’t paying attention to my son this morning and he pulled one of our stocking right off the mantle today and I’m lucky that the letter P, the stocking holder, didn’t hit him in the head and knock him off of the fire place. It would have left a nasty bruise. Kids and Christmas do go together but keep it safe!!

Enter to Win:

100.00 Visa Gift Card

To Enter:

Just leave a comment on this post telling me how you plan to commit to safety this Holiday Season!

 

The Gift Card provided for the giveaway is my compensation for this post and I wanted to share it with my readers. By posting this and all of you leaving comments, I will be entered into a contest to win a 250.00 Gift Card from UL. The blogger with the most comments wins! Thank you for your participation!

This giveaway ends December 31st.

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3 Purse Styles in 1 Reverse a Purse

December 2, 2010 By 115 Comments

Purse fanatic, I am not, when I find a purse I like I stick with it forever. I think I have four purses total and my husband says that one of them need to go because the zipper won’t work on it for closure anymore. So, I was actually excited by Reverse a Purse and their review opportunity. They allowed me to pick out a purse, and the options were all really great options. There were so many purse styles that I liked and thought I would be happy with. Here are just a few of the basic purse options to start off with.

Club Purse

Contemporary black purse

 

Microfiber Tote Bag

 

How to assemble the 3 in one fashion of the Reverse A Purse.

You select your purse style, choose your favorite reversible covers, flip the cover and change the look…all without having to move the contents of the purse to another bag.  This versatility makes these purses the perfect choice for the busy mom.  They end up becoming your day and night purse, work and club purse!

In today’s economy, it’s hard to replace your wardrobe each season, but adding a new purse can make any outfit look fabulous. That’s why I wanted to share information with you about Reverse-A-Purse www.reverse-a-purse.com, an economical way to carry a purse that matches any outfit in your wardrobe. As I mentioned above I hate to go out and by purses and the biggest reason is because I hate spending money on myself. So Reverse A Purse is the perfect solution for someone like me.

Be sure to save and use the discount code MMS14 for 20 percent off at Reverse a Purse.

To Enter:

Please tell me which type of Purse you like most at Reverse A Purse.

Extra Entries:

Tweet: RT @MomStart: 3 Purse Styles in 1 Reverse a Purse http://bit.ly/g3NQP9

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List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble or use any of the share methods below facebook included (just leave a link to this post)
Blog About this Giveaway (linking to the giveaway (3 extra entries))

This giveaway ends December 20th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

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Great Cyber Week Savings still Available at Walmart

December 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

This year, Walmart kicked off Cyber Week on more than 150 holiday items in which almost all ship free to home or to a local Walmart store with Site to Store. The following sample items are available today through Dec. 3 while supplies last:

Electronics

· Jensen JiMS-198i Docking Digital Music System – $39 ($30 savings) + Free shipping to home

· Zune HD 32GB Exclusive Color bundle with Bonus Premium Car Pack – $208 ($140 savings) + Free shipping to home

· Samsung 32" LED-LCD HDTV – $498 ($200 savings) + Free shipping to home

Toys and Video games

· Leapfrog Learn & Groove Musical Table – $30 ($5 savings) + Free shipping Site to Store

· Fable III (Xbox 360) – $49.96 ($10 savings) + Free shipping Site to Store

· Airzone 15′ Trampoline and Enclosure Combo – $250 (nearly $100 savings) + Free shipping Site to Store

Home

· Three Christmas Light Sets Value Bundle – $15 ($5 savings) + Free shipping Site to Store

· Soho Lounge Square 16-Piece Dinnerware Set – $28 ($7 savings) + Free shipping Site to Store

Cameras and Personalized Gifts

· Your Choice $10 Photo Gifts – $10 + Free shipping to home

· FujiFilm Digital Camera Bundle (includes camera case, 4GB SDHC card, camera case and 100 bonus prints from Walmart One Hour Photo) – $89 ($10 savings) + Free shipping to home

· Kodak Zi8 Black Pocket Video Camera – $119 ($20 savings) + Free shipping to home

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Red and Green Advent Calendar Ideas

December 1, 2010 By 3 Comments

Happy Holidays, it’s December first and yes, I really am inspired to be more green. I have always been afraid that I just can’t be green but one of the things that I learned at the Great Wolf Lodge Ecomoms event was that it all starts with baby steps. I recruited my friend Summer to help us with some of those baby steps and she has put together, MomStart’s Red and Green Event.

IMG_6975So for December 1st, Summer has some ideas on Advent Calendars and what to put in your advent calendar:

Day one of going green for the holidays with Mom Start. Take your advent calendar and in each day place a piece of paper with holiday activities you and your family can do together. This will cut down on all those useless trinkets plus if you invest in a reusable calendar then you also have less waste that way too. Include things like: make bird/squirrel feeders from popcorn, nuts and dried fruit; making a spare plate of goodies for a in family need; get your real tree (check back with Mom Start tomorrow for more on selecting a Christmas tree); make a tie-knot fleece blanket as a family and donate it.

My favorite advent calendar is one that I bought from Starbucks about five years ago give or take a year. Wow, that makes me realize that my daughter is about to turn four. Oh, sad. Anyways, it’s been great using the same one every year, we can refill it and now thanks to Summer, I realize I’ve been green all along and never even realized it.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are.

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