How Miles and I Celebrated Valentine’s Day The Krispy Kreme Way

Go now to Krispy Kreme and you can enjoy one of the best doughnuts that I have ever tasted. I was lucky enough to spend a morning with my son at the well known doughnut shop Krispy Kreme. We had a blast trying out the Dark Chocolate filled doughnuts and their hot chocolate. child after doughnut

The Hot chocolate was so yummy, of course it is filled with calories but it’s ok to indulge every once in a while. I found it to be worth the calories and even though it’s been two weeks since we tested this rich goodness of hot chocolate and dark decadence of a doughnut I can remember the taste and how much I enjoyed it. I know that if I ever have a doughnut craving again, we’re heading down the street to Krispy Kreme. In fact, I almost wish they weren’t so close. Krispy Kreme is dangerously close to my house.

 

IMG_0408The best part of all of this was spending a morning with my son. We talked we laughed and he had a great time. He talks about how much fun it was to go to the doughnut shop with mommy all the time now. He loves to tell his dad, I went with mommy to the doughnut store and it was fun. He doesn’t beg to go back, he just talks about his memories with mommy. I just loved having this mommy moment with my son and it inspires me to go exploring Washington more.

Now through February 14, Krispy Kreme is offering three delectable goodies:

∙The delightful Sprinkled Heart doughnut is covered with white clip_image001icing and Valentine’s sprinkles.

∙A Chocolate Iced doughnut with Valentine’s Sprinkles featuring an Original Glazed® doughnut dipped in delicious chocolate icing, then covered with festive sprinkles.

∙The Chocolate Iced Heart with Red Drizzle is a heart-shaped doughnut covered in yummy chocolate icing and red drizzle decoration.  

To spread the love to family and friends, customers will receive 12 Valentine’s Cards, each with a coupon for one free doughnut, one free small hot chocolate or small hot coffee, for each Valentine’s Day dozen purchased.

Keeping Green and Health in Schools this Valentine’s Day Green Gift Ideas

By Summer my in house green expert.

There is too much commercialism surrounded by sugar coated goodies, over scented flower s, expensive cards and lavishly crazy gifts. I’m going to help you keep your Valentine’s Day smart and simple with some red, pink, and green:

- Make some cards at home with simple 3×5 cards … I even cut mine in half to help save a tree. Another card idea to spread the eco-love is to use green construction paper cut into hearts. Let your kids decorate them as they wish. (Thi$ can al$o $ave $ome of that other green.)

Bowl of Oranges- Have your child hand out clementine “oranges”. If they’re Cuties brand leave the sticker on and write a cute play on words on the card: You’re such a CUTIE; Happy Valentine’s Day!

If your clementines are another brand or you buy full size oranges then try: ORANGE ya goin’ to be my Valentine?

- Instead of oranges you could also do apples. Find the small ones that kids can actually hold in their hands; these are the proper serving size any way. Have the note read: You’re the APPLE of my eye!

- Maybe you still need something a little softer on the wallet … bananas: I’m BANANAs over you!

- Grapes? “I like you a whole BUNCH?” or “I heard it through the GRAPE vine that you’ll be my Valentine.”

- Baby carrots: “Hey BABY, ORANGE ya goin’ to be my Valentine?

- For the teacher make a fruit basket and make a little story or poem out of the fruit names or colors.

- Want to purchase something for the whole classroom? Buy a rooted plant. I’ve read articles that say having live plants in the classroom have improved student learning. Isn’t that the gift that keeps on giving?

image

Sure your dentist and nutritionists might think these are great ideas, but environmentalists will too.

- Fruit comes in its own biodegradable “wrapper”.

- You can find some type of local seasonal fruit to make a pun off of in your market. Search and think!

- Rooted plants are great for our air quality. (In my opinion our attitude too.)

- The cards will be easily recyclable if you keep decorations to eco-friendly products (nix the glitter, plus your kid’s classmates would look like pixies for a week).

If you have a group of parent advocates in your child’s class or school consider making a greener Valentine’s Day theme using these tips as a base.

I’d LOVE to hear what you have to say! Do you have some green ideas to spread the LOVE this Valentine’s Day?

 

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.

Dannon Yogurt Small Steps to a Better You Sweepstakes

I had a New Years Resolution to start eating healthier and we’ve been succeeding. Life long changes take more time to completely fulfill than resolutions that most people quit in the first week, and seeing as how it’s February, most of you have probably given up on your resolutions. Deep Breath! It’s ok.

plasma car funSome of my Tips on changing your lifestyle practices:

Use smaller plates when eating

Fill your plate 3/4 of the way with fruits, veggies, and lots of greens

Take the stairs as often as possible and carry your kids while you’re at it

Walk the Dog

Or even better Run with the dog

Playing active games with the kids, dancing, riding the plasma car, and a healthy game of chase

Park farther away when shopping

Stop the coffee runs (difficult but coffee at home gets the same results and is way cheaper and lower in calories)

 

So, to get to the point of this post……..

Dannon Yogurt feels the same way about resolutions as I do. It’s better to take small steps towards your goal of living a healthier lifestyle. That’s why they have a fun Dannon Small Steps promotional giveaway going on. Take Small Steps to a Better You from January 23 – February 28th.

What you could win:

  • Three (3) Grand Prizes: free groceries for a year, valued at $7,800.
  • Fifty (50) First Prizes: free groceries for a month, valued at $550.
  • One hundred (100) Second Prizes: will win free groceries for a week, valued at $150.

To Enter:

Visit Dannon Small Steps and enter your email address and UPC from any Dannon product.

 

 

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Dannon and received a coupon and gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate

Cozy Nautica Night In With The Family

Child wearing Nautica clothingThe Bishop family, that’s us, loves to play games together. We have quite a collection of games, video games, board games, kids games and adult games. No, not the dirty kind, I just mean games that our 2 and 4 year old can’t quite play yet. Like Monopoly, and you should see my wall of Monopoly games. I think I have about 80 different versions of Monopoly. So I was quite excited to buy the new Monopoly Revolution when it was on sale at Target. It’s Monopoly for an ADD generation like we all are. Just in case you’re about to fall asleep the game beeps at you and someone has to take a chance. I’ll family folding clothestell you more about that later. My kids favorite games right now are Cootie, Don’t break the ice and Chutes and Ladders. For a parent it can be a LONG evening playing these games over and over again, and just finishing one game of Cootie can drive an adult nuts. I could write a post just on trying to get a two year old and a four year old to sit still and make their Cootie following the instructions and taking turns. AHHHHH!!!

 

Slinky TimeSo, to take a night off from the insanity of having more fun than an adult can handle, yes that is completely literal, we had a fun cozy night of folding clothes listening to music and dancing in the clothing hamper. Yes this was a fun night in at the Bishop house. Boy in Nautica Active Wear Sports ClothingI had five loads of laundry to get through and wasn’t about to do it all by myself you know!

We had dress up time, and lots of laughter as Zoe tried on Daddy’s button up shirts. We also had fun playing with slinky. The kids love Slinky right now. Slinky can be tied around the dog, used to capture mommy and force her to be ticked by two little munchkins, and used to just drive dad up the wall.

 

 

Family photo

The Nautica Clothing pictured in these photos gave us a cozy night in and is extremely comfortable to wear. The clothing has been holding up in the washing machine to my picky standards (excellent rating, no shrinking or fading) and is cute. I received compliments on my long sweatshirt, and love how cozy I feel outside in the cold temperatures. Zoe has been very excited to wear her Nautica Active Wear to school and Miles wanted to wear it to bed, which is a statement at just how comfortable the clothing was. All of the clothing featured can be found in the Nautica Activewear collection for each sex and age group.

Apparel and activity as discussed in this post was provided by Nautica, but Nautica is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this post. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of Nautica. All apparel as seen in this post can be purchased on Nautica.com except for the green button up shirt Zoe was wearing.

Wordless Wednesday Princess on a Mining Expedition

Zoe Miner

Valentine’s Day at The Children’s Place Giveaway

One of my favorite stores to shop at for my children is The Children’s Place. I’m a perk’s place member and earn points throughout the year. I LOVE the Children’s Place. We are lucky enough to have two Children’s Place outlets and they are truly places to find huge savings on clothing. I shop there about three or four times a year and my husband said it’s time to go back as Zoe has outgrown her skirts and dresses. That’s why I love The Children’s Place so much, because when I spend money there, I come home with bags full of clothing for a small price.

Zoe wearing children's placeThe Children’s Place is all about big fashion at little prices and is a one-stop-shop offering moms everywhere head-to-toe dressing—and that includes Hollywood moms. Celebrity parents like Kelly Rutherford, Elisabeth Rohm, Tori Spelling, Bethenny Frankel (whom I recently interviewed), Kelly Ripa, Mary Louise Parker, LaLa Anthony and even R&B sensation Usher pick up clothes for their little ones from The Children’s Place. And of course you have my daughter almost always sporting an outfit from The Children’s Place.

This Valentine’s Day you can find adorable clothing for your little ones. Check out these Valentine’s Day items:

Hair Accessories

clip_image001 clip_image002

Zoe just loves hair accessories now. She often can be found sporting two or three headbands from The Children’s Place at one time. These Valentine’s Day inspired hair accessories keep your little one looking sweet from the classroom to the playground.

PRICE: 2 for $5, $3.50 each

 

Beauty-ful Jewelry

clip_image003

Every little girl that I have met recently loves lip gloss. “Put a ring on it”! This Valentine’s Day lip gloss ring will keep her smiling.

PRICE: $2.00

Love Rubber Bracelet

clip_image004

Kids can wear LOVE on their wrist with this cute Love bracelet!

PRICE: $2.00

Graphic Tees

clip_image005 clip_image006

These heart embellished tees are cute for girls of all ages. I can see Zoe in both styles as she loves hearts, but she does prefer the color purple.

PRICE: $3-$7

Sweetheart Notebooks and Pens

clip_image007 clip_image008clip_image009

The fun accessories sold at The Children’s Place are great for sending Valentine’s with notebooks and pens from the Childrens Place.

PRICE: $4.95

Valentine’s Day Wedge Flip Flops

clip_image010

If only it were warm enough in Washington to step into valentines day style with these red flip flops, they are sure to steal your little one’s heart.

PRICE: $9.50 each

 

Enter to Win:

25.00 Gift Card to The Children’s Place

To Enter:

Visit www.thechildrensplace.com and tell me what your favorite outfit is.

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Valentine’s Day at The Children’s Place #Giveaway @MomStart @thechildrensplc http://bit.ly/hVuPuk

Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble (or any of the share options listed below)
Blog About this Giveaway (10 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar (3 extra).
Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends February 21st. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

LilLUXE Little People, Chic Deals Save 50% or More Shopping!

Lil_Luxe_Logo_Black

Shopping On-line Sale sites are becoming more an more popular and easier to find. I recently found about about a site called LilLuxe. LillLUXE hosts sales events for Moms and children for premium products and top brands, for affordable prices. Sales Events are on a daily basis and the brands change, the program is for members only but there are benefits to joining.

The discounts are often 50% or greater and the merchandise is beautiful. The sales events only last for a few days and items are sold on a first come first serve basis. Most of the time membership is by invitation only, but for this short period of time anyone can join.

The Monday February 7th  events were quite cute, I’m in love with the Limeapple clothing. Check all of the sale brands out the Monday events are still going on for 2 more days. You will have to Become a member to see all of the discounts all you have to do is give them  your e-mail address. Sign up was easy and painless, I did it myself and received an e-mail immediately saying I had an active account.

Monday’s Events:

JB Vintage- JB Original Vintage is a new and exciting boy’s clothing line committed to quality, style and impeccable detail. JB Original Vintage clothing is made from premium cotton that has been stone washed and enzyme dyed for a plush hand feel, the result of which is a collection that is both original, authentic, and fun to wear.

JBVintage

Mommy’s Bliss- Mommy’s Bliss is a family-run company dedicated to providing healthy, natural products to bring comfort to mothers and babies. All products in this sale are safe, effective, sustainable and affordable, too.

Bliss

 

Limeapple- Limeapple makes top quality, functional and attractive activewear for upbeat girls who are focused on active, healthy living. Limeapple creates clothing that transitions easily from day care to dance class and encourages a lifestyle that’s fitness-filled and fashion-forward.

Clothing Sale

Now for Tuesday (today February 8th)  they have sales events starting for Little Capers and Evergreen Animal Hats.

 

This is a sponsored post.

1-800-Flowers Celebrating Love Share Remember Cherish And Flowers

Last year I received Celebrating Mom from 1-800-Flowers, it was a treat to read with beautiful color and illustrations. When the kids see the book they know it’s for mom, and sometimes they want to read it to me. This year, 1-800-Flowers collaborated with Jim McCann again with Celebrating Love.

celebrating love

Celebrating Love is a collection of loving stories that reminds us to share, remember, and cherish each and every touching memory in our life. Celebrating Love is filled with full-color drawings. These drawings illustrate the book throughout and are interspersed with meaningful quotes and little-known facts about love and affection. Divided into four sections based on the distinct seasons of love, Celebrating Love features 150 entries, including:

* Spring: "Love that is not madness is not love." –Pedro Calderon de la Barca

* Summer: Meeting you was fate. Becoming your friend was a choice. Falling in love with you was beyond my control. Becoming your wife was my fairy tale come true.

* Fall: The Geography of Love

* The oldest love song in existence, whose origin is from somewhere between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was written 4,000 years ago.

* Nevada issues 120,000 marriage licenses a year.

* Winter: I love you, my forgetful wife. Who knew that love not only lasts longer than memory, but that it continues to grow?

As a special treat to Mom Start readers, 1-800-Flowers is thrilled to offer us a special giveaway of Celebrating Love: Share, Remember!

In addition to this great giveaway that I will share with you in a moment, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM is hosting a special Valentines Day "Love Note" contest! This four-week contest encourages 1-800-FLOWERS.COM fans to post their own love notes, and cast their vote for the most touching love note on the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Facebook page. The love note voted the most touching will win a bouquet, courtesy of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM!

 

About Jim McCann:

Jim McCann is a highly successful entrepreneur whose vision and energy have helped grow 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, the company he founded in 1976, into the world’s leading florist and gift company. He is also the founder of Celebrations.com and appears frequently on many national TV networks, including CNBC, CNN, Fox News Channel, and Bloomberg TV.

Enter to Win:

Celebrating Love

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me which flower arrangement you like most.

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

1-800-Flowers Celebrating Love Share Remember Cherish And Flowers #Giveaway http://bit.ly/fWUF08

Subscribe to my blog
Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble (or any of the share options listed below)
Blog About this Giveaway (10 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
Add my blog button to your sidebar (3 extra).
Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Follow me on Google Friend Connect

This giveaway ends February 21st.  I received samples in exchange this post. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Warner Brothers Valentine’s Day Live Giveaway

clip_image001

Warner Brothers is one of the most iconic companies out there. I grew up going to Six Flags and everything there is Bugs Bunny, Taz, or some other fun Looney Tunes character. Now, I have no idea what the place is like now, but I grew a very large fondness for these characters, Taz mostly, Saturday morning cartoons probably helped a lot too. Of course, there are many other characters to reminisce about as well, like Scooby Do, Tweety Bird, Super Man the list goes on and on. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner Warner Brothers is offering a quick giveaway to on Mom Start reader.

Check out WBshop.com and look around. You’ll find photo frames, and mugs with some of your favorite characters on them. And that’s what we are giving away!

warner brothers prize

 

 

Enter to Win:

A Personalized Warner Brothers product for Valentine’s Day from the Warner Brothers Shop!

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me which item you would like!

Extra Entries:

Leave as many comments you want to as this is a live giveaway.

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Tweet:

Warner Brothers Personalized Valentine’s Day Gift http://bit.ly/efT7gK #Giveaway @momstart Ends 2/8 PL RT

 

This giveaway ends February 8th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

BabyBjorn 50th Anniversary Twitter Giveaway

 

BabyBjorn is celebrating 50 years of wonderful products and they want share their joy with you my readers and followers. To celebrate they are offering a fun little giveaway. BabyBjorn is offering 10 readers one cup each. These cute cups come in pink and blue and will be available in retails stores beginning in April. This is just the beginning of what is going to mark a very big and fun year for BabyBjorn. I’m happy to host this giveaway for BabyBjorn because when my kids were littler I used tons of BabyBjorn products and trust in their quality.

To Keep up with all of these fun announcements from BabyBjorn become a BabyBjorn fan on Facebook and follow BabyBjorn on twitter.

Enter to win:BjornCups with Logo

A Pink or Blue Baby Bjorn cup. I have 5 blue cups and 5 pink cups. 10 total winners.

To Enter:

Tweet:

Follow @babybjorn & @Momstart and RT BabyBjorn 50th Anniversary Twitter #Giveaway #BabyBjornCups http://bit.ly/e0QYG1 ends 2/10

 

This giveaway will run from now until Thursday February 10th midnight pacific. It’s really quick!