Aloha Friday – Time Away

August 6, 2009 By MomStart 24 Comments

alohafriday5 Kailani says “In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that they take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response”. You should go to Kailani’s site and link up with Mr. Linky/Mk Linky, but be sure and answer her question.

So my question for today is

What is the longest amount of time you have been away from your family/Spouse/Significant Other?

This is the longest amount of time I have been away from my husband. We left to go visit my parents so that I could selfishly get some time away. I wanted to go on a few blogging trips. It’s been three weeks and we have two and a half more and I miss my husband so much. My kids are loving getting spoiled by the grandparents, but at night or when they are tired they miss daddy. So I was just wondering how long have you been away?

Filed Under: aloha Friday Tagged With: aloha Friday

Do you or your children struggle with Eczema? Relief #giveaway

August 6, 2009 By MomStart 184 Comments

I received this letter:

Firstly, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your site. As a mom of two young boys, it’s so nice to find a great website full of great information to help make my life a bit easier—so thank you!
I wanted to introduce you to a wonderful product that I personally have used to treat my 2-year old son’s eczema. I’m sure you may know someone who has a child with eczema or sensitive skin. 20% of American children will suffer from eczema or dermatitis at some point and many more with sensitive skin will have adverse reactions to unnecessary chemicals or allergens found in well known skin care brands.
The new Exederm children’s line was launched in April and was just honored by The National Eczema Association with 5 individual "Seal of Acceptance" awards in acknowledgement of our ultra sensitive formulations-receiving a 5 out of 5 rating, the highest rating available.
To celebrate our recent awards, we’d love to share Exederm products with you and your moms – perhaps via an online "Giveaway." First, we’d like to offer you a Free Set for you to review or for you to share with someone you know who has a child with eczema.
We’d like you or a friend to try the products and if you have a positive review, we would like to offer you another set as a free giveaway on your blog. Our childcare product line is worth over $60.
Our children’s line contains:
No Fragrance
No Color or dyes
No Parabens
No Lanolin
No Sodium Laureth Sulfate
No Phthalates
No Nut Oils
We use the mildest ingredients available. You can learn more about the products by visiting www.Exederm.com and the recent “Seal of Acceptance” by the National Eczema Association by visiting http://www.easeeczema.org/product_directory/personal_care_products.htm
Thank you for your time.

Now, Eczema seems to be a very normal occurrence in young children. Both of my children had it mildly as children, sometimes it shows up as an allergy to a food, sometimes it’s just children have it more than other children. Weather can make it change. Before I continue with what I have to say, you need to realize that my knowledge is just the experience of a mother of two that have already outgrown their eczema problems.

Now, I agreed to review this because one of my MOMS Club friends has a child that in the winter time seems to suffer quite a bit from Eczema. That’s why I said the weather can make it change. One of the moms said it must be because the heater is on more, but he doesn’t seem to have it in the summer when it’s hot outside. Anyways, this is another product that I can’t review because I’m not there to pass it on to the mom that can review it for me. However; the company has agreed to go ahead with the giveaway worth 60.00. YEAH!!

To Enter:

Visit Exederm and tell me which of their product line you think would be most beneficial.

Extra Entries:

None Bloggers get and extra entry for every e-mail they send out linking to this giveaway cc louise@looksblue.com (be sure to leave a comment for every person you e-mail, for example if you e-mail 10 different people leave 10 different comments)

Subscribe to my blog
Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
Blog about the giveaway include a link to me for five extra entries
Tweet the giveaway (every time you tweet you get an entry) Link to the giveaway please!!!
Add my button to your blog/blog roll
Dig, Stumble, or fav me on Technorati (two entries for each one)
Leave a comment for every entry

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: eczema skin treatment, exederm

Sid the Science Kid Double Feature #giveaway

August 6, 2009 By MomStart 88 Comments

Good Grief!

I made a big mistake when I left my house before wrapping up all my reviews. Here is another DVD that was on my porch after I left. My husband told me about it as soon as it appeared but since I didn’t get to see then and watch them with my daughter, who loves Sid the Science Kid by the way; I forgot to host the giveaway. So before all of the giveaway copies are gone, I wanted to go ahead and invite you to enter to win two DVD’s.

“Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens” and “Sid the Science Kid: The Bug Club”

Featuring the delightfully inquisitive Sid the Science Kid and his precocious pals, both DVDs celebrate and explore the great outdoors, tackling such questions as why bees live in hives and ants live in anthills, and observing such phenomena as how the heat from the sun can change matter. Episodes include:

“Change Happens” DVD “The Bug Club” DVD

Change Happens The Bug Club

My Mushy Banana Hello Doggie

My Shrinking Shoes Home Tweet Home

My Ice Pops The Dirt on Dirt

The Perfect Pancake Don’t Forget the Leaves

I joined ncircle Entertainment and have items that I get to review every month. This month, I was away from the house because I’m in Texas. So my husband has told me what we received and this is one of them. Since I can’t watch it and tell you what it’s about I want to do a giveaway. The giveaway copy will be provided by nCircle.

You tell me what it’s about.

Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens

DVD List Price ~~$12.99~~
Now $11.99

Release Date: 8/4/2009
UPC: 843501003756

Run Time: 115
Distributor/Studio: Sid Science Kid

Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens

Sid the Science Kid: The Bug Club

DVD List Price ~~$12.99~~
Now $11.99

Release Date: 8/4/2009
UPC: 843501003770

Run Time: 115
Distributor/Studio: Sid Science Kid

Sid the Science Kid: The Bug Club

To Enter:

Tell me about Sid the Science kid, or who you know that enjoys Sid the Science Kid. Anything you can tell me about Sid The Science Kid or the Jim Henson Company will count as an entry. Be sure to leave each detail in a separate comment.

Other Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Children's DVD, DVD Review, PBS Kids, Sid the Science Kid

Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog Robots Attack Ncircle #giveaway

August 6, 2009 By MomStart 70 Comments

You tell me what it’s about.

To Enter:

For everything you can tell me about the Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog you get an entry into the giveaway.

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: Robots Attack!

DVD List Price ~~$6.99~~
Now $5.99

Release Date: 7/21/2009
UPC: 843501001240

Run Time: 88
Distributor/Studio: Dic Entertainment

Or at find information at Adventures Of Sonic The Hedgehog: Robots Attack!

Other Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: Robots Attack, Children's DVD, DVD Review

Simple Green Non-Toxic Pet Cleaner #giveaway

August 6, 2009 By MomStart 193 Comments

I found out that Simple Green has a review program where they work with bloggers. I said to myself I have to get me a piece of that.

They agreed to a review and a giveaway so I asked for some product for either animal because I’m currently staying at my dad’s house where there are two cats and two dogs. I was waiting for an accident to clean up a mess. It’s meant for urine, or other pet accidents. It works on cat accidents as well as dog accidents. Well, surprisingly the first accident was a red juice stain from my kids sippy cup leaking. I thought let’s put Simple Green to the test. It came right up and the scent of the cleaner is great. It’s not overpowering and it’s almost refreshing.

Yes I’ve used it on dog and cat issues since then, I’ve been cleaning up after my sister’s pets just so I can have opportunities to use the cleaner. My parents are in shock. Well, I’d rather use a non-toxic product that my children can be around than a strong cleaner that doesn’t even get the cat urine smell out of the carpet.

Pricing is as follows – both the CAT and the DOG products retail for $8.99 for a 32 oz. durable, reusable spray bottle, and $19.99 for a 1 gallon refill for the spray bottle. Both are available nationwide at PETSMART Stores. Petco is only carrying the DOG Stain & Odor Remover product, but they are doing so nationwide as well.

From the Simple Green Website:

Simple Green Pet Stain and Odor Remover is non-toxic and biodegradable – it is People, Pet and Surface safe! Its supreme formulation outperforms other leading brands and Fresh Bond Technology eliminates odors permanently – no resoiling or remarking. It’s perfect for use on those places where stinky pet odors build up and on the “accidents” they have. It can be used as a spot treatment (spray directly on soiled/stained spot) and then used in extraction machines (pour directly into reservoir) for cleaning larger carpeted areas. Simple Green Pet Stain & Odor Remover has a wonderful scent that will leave your home smelling clean and fresh, and best of all… it will help you love your cat again, while your home maintains its fresh, clean appearance!

Enter to win one bottle of

Simple Green CAT Pet Stain and Odor Remover

OR

Simple Green DOG Pet Stain and Odor Remover

full-sized 32 oz. spray bottle (they’ll have to tell you whether they want CAT or DOG)! Also, they ship via FedEx, so it will have to be sent to a real street address, no P.O. boxes PLEASE!.

To Enter:

Visit Simple Green website and tell me what you like about the product.

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Non-Toxic, Simple Green review

Mrs Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning up Chicken on the grill

August 6, 2009 By MomStart 1 Comment

Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime seasoning blend combines all-natural spices like sweet chili pepper, allspice, cayenne pepper, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg and ginger but then adds some orange zest and lime juice to create an all-in one Mexican seasoning. I like to use this on my chicken over the grill. The recommended usage is:

Mix 2 tsp. Mrs. Dash® Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend with a large diced tomato, medium mango and small red onion for Mango Salsa. Add to ground beef or chicken to make taco or burrito meat.

What I like to do is place my chicken on the grill and shake the shaker over the chicken and pour it over until I have a desired orange color. I’m not a measurer and I didn’t try the Mango Salsa that they recommended but I might in the future. The seasoning goes a long way. This new no-salt or MSG seasoning is great to use. I use a lot of Mrs. Dash seasonings. I also greatly enjoy her liquid seasonings, the marinades.

By using Mrs. Dash you can get a punch of flavor for little to no calories. We eat a ton of chicken and chicken is hard to flavor in my opinion. Rather than using garlic and salt all the time I recommend trying out many of the different flavors from Mrs. Dash seasonings. You can choose from 15 different flavors in their spice rack and from six different marinades. My sister taught me to take leftover chicken that we are going to throw in the freezer and place the marinade on the chicken before putting it in the freezer then as it defrosts it absorbs the flavor and it’s ready to cook.

This post was written as part of a blog tour for Mom Central and Mrs. Dash. I was sent a shaker of this seasoning by them to test out and share my thoughts with you.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Review

Back to School Get Cool For School

August 5, 2009 By MomStart 5 Comments

(College) DiVoga Home Office Products & HipFusion GC – Ends 8/24

First Place

Sponsor One

Sponsor’s Name: Office Max
Sponsor’s URL; http://officemax.com/

officemax_ball Sponsor Description: Office Max is your go to store, not only for office items for the workplace, but for home office equipment, school supplies, computers and accessories, digital imaging products, custom printing services, and more. In changing with the times, the selection has come to include collections for the home office such as Peter Walsh’s [In] Place System and the designer DiVoga home office products. Office Max offers Free Shipping on orders $50 or more within their delivery area.
Prize Name:

DiVoga Mod Nature Collection

Prize description:
-        Portable File Tote
-        Seven Pocket Expanding File
-        Faux Leather Document Envelope
-        1 inch Binder
-        2 sets of 5 Tab Dividers
-        One rubberband ball from OfficeMax
-        This is valued at approx. $44.00

(Please note that NOT ALL items pictured are included in the prize package.)

Sponsor Two

HipFusion Designs offers unique handcrafted precious metal clay and dichroic glass jewelry for both women and men. Every piece offered by the artist reflects her eye for style. You can find HipFusion Designs jewelry online at www.hipfusiondesigns.com or locally at select jewelry boutiques on the East coast. Check out the artist’s nationally recognized personalized precious metal clay jewelry to treat yourself to something special or find a perfect gift for the approaching holiday season.

Prize Name: $100 HipFusion GC
Prize description: Winner can apply $100 to any HipFusion order.

To Enter

Mandatory entry: Sign up for the HipFusion Newsletter. Then leave a comment telling us what email you used to sign up.

Mandatory entry: Take a look at some of the other DiVoga products offered at Office Max. Then tell us what one item you would like to own.

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 24th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org from entries in the FORM

Also Enter on These Blogs

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Blessings Abound Mommy

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

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Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Back To School Giveaway

Back To School Get Cool for School Parents Style

August 5, 2009 By MomStart 10 Comments

(Parents) POM, Arnold, Bella Viva Trail Mix (plus 3 consolations prizes) – Ends 8/19

First Place

Sponsor One

POM Wonderful
About POM Wonderful Full of natural anti-oxidants, POM Wonderful offers consumers 100% Pomegranate Juice. This all-natural juice contains no added sugars, preservatives or colors, is gluten-free, and is a good source of Potassium. POM now also offers iced tea, iced coffee, and several juice blends, such as POM Mango and POM Cherry.

Prize Name: POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
Prize description: One case of eight 8 fl. oz bottles of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. (Winner may receive either juice bottles or vouchers to redeem at their local retailer for juice bottles)

Reviews:

Karen: http://3garnetsn2sapphires.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-pom-wonderful-pomegranate-juice.html
Victoria: http://www.lifestarringellieandeve.com/pom-wonderful-real-juice-for-real-life/
Louise: http://momstart.com/2009/07/pom-juice-review/
Sam: http://www.astheygrowup.com/2009/07/pom-wonderful-review.html
Kate: http://www.theshoppingmama.com/2009/07/have-you-tried-pomegranate-juice.html

Renee: http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/2009/07/review-pom-wonderful-juice.html

Sponsor Two

Arnold Breads
Sponsor Description: Since the 1940s, Arnold has been a name is synonymous with high quality baked goods. Today the Arnold line has expanded to include 14 different varieties of sliced bread, sandwich and dinner rolls, croutons, and stuffing.
Prize Name: Arnold Soft Natural Honey Wheat Sliced Bread

Prize description: 2 loaves of the new Arnold Soft Natural Honey Wheat bread, which contains no high fructose corn syrup, 0g trans fat, and is cholesterol-free. (3 more people will win 2 loaves each as well as other items for their consolation prizes)
Mandatory entry: Visit the Arnold Bakeries website and tell us about one item you already love or on item you would like to try.

My Opinion: With all the controversy over High Fructose Corn Syrup and the nutrition of Whole Grains that I learned about at the Sara Lee Nutritional Summit, I can say this bread is good for you. It contains whole grain and does not contain HFCS. It was fresh and tasted great. I actually thought it tasted a bit like sourdough and I love sourdough. I think everyone in the family had a taste and were left wanting more bread. Does anyone notice the resemblance to Orowheat?

Sponsor Three

Bella Viva Orchards

Bella Viva Orchards is nestled in California’s Central Valley. The Bella Viva Orchards has been run by the Martino family for many years. They sell an amazing variety of dried fruits, fresh fruits, nuts and even chocolate. They are certified organic. A few of the dried fruits they offer are dried blueberries, apples, lemons, peaches, etc. Their dried fruits are plump and packed full of flavor.

Discount Code

From now until the end of the year, Bella Viva is offering 15% off by entering the code back2school

Prize Name Prize Human Fuel Trail Mix (6) 12oz bags
Kick your day into high gear with our High Performance Human Fuel 6-pack trail mix. Our delicious California-grown fruit trail mix contains a delectable mix of peaches, apricots, nectarines, pears, almonds, cherries, plums, dried from 6 lbs of fresh fruit grown in sunny California. Take a healthy trail mix snack with you hiking, to work, or throw one in your kids backpack on their way out the door.

Win Six bags of it.

Second Through Fourth Place

Each get 2 packages of Arnold Bread

To Enter

Mandatory entry: Visit the POM Wonderful website and tell us what other item you would be curious to try.

Mandatory entry: Visit Arnold Breads and tell us what other bread you would like to try.

Mandatory entry: Visit Bella Viva Orchard and take a look around. Let me know which product you would like to try.

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 19th 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org from entries in the FORM

Also Enter on These Blogs

Life Starring the Kids and Me

Blessings Abound Mommy

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

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Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Back To School Giveaway

Nintendo DS Game The Clique: Diss and Make Up #giveaway

August 5, 2009 By MomStart 125 Comments

The Clique: Diss and Make Up is a game based on the adult book series The Clique.

The Clique Books

The Clique: Diss and Make Up

I don’t have a DS so I wasn’t able to do a review. I was offered a giveaway and that’s what I’m doing. 5 people will win a copy of the Nintendo DS Game The Clique: Diss and Make Up.

RELEASE DATE: Fall 2009
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: Gorilla Systems
ESRB RATING: E-10+
GENRE: Adventure/Mini-game
PLATFORMS: Nintendo DS™

PRODUCT OVERVIEW:

In The Clique: Diss and Make Up, based on the best-selling young adult book series by author Lisi Harrison, players assume the role of the new girl at school, taking on the challenges of climbing the social ladder to join the ultimate clique, the Pretty Committee.

The Clique: Diss and Make Up is an empowering game of social maneuvering where the player attempts to survive in one of the most harsh and unforgiving environments on Earth – Octavian Country Day School (OCD).

Player will use gossip, fashion and wit to make friends, join cliques, attend classes, and even work after school “jobbies” with a variety of exciting mini-games. Play a variety of exciting mini-games to earn cash or increase your cool.

Along the way a variety of challenges and tricky situations make the climb up the social ladder tough including getting invited to one of the hottest parties of the year. The Clique: Diss and Make Up highlights the sassiness of the “The Clique” books and a few lessons in popularity exclusively to the Nintendo DS™. Like the fans of the book know, the only thing harder than getting in, will be staying in!

PRODUCT FEATURES:

Ÿ Customizable Characters: Players will name and personalize their character’s complete look: clothing, hair, shoes and more!

Ÿ Countless Adorable Fashions: Players can make money at their after school “jobby’’ in order to purchase new styles.

Ÿ Alpha Girl Social Ladder: In order to rise from the new kid to queen-bee, players will navigate the halls of OCD by building relationships and gossiping about what is hot and what is not! Play through a collection of entertaining mini-games that can provide the required social tools to become the alpha girl

Ÿ Juicy Gossip: The top of the social ladder always has to be in on the latest 411. To be in-the-know, players must share and collect gossip from both their friends and enemies

Ÿ Popularity On-The-Go: Wireless multiplayer allows players to share their character with friends from their real-life clique, allowing them to unlock special gossip

Ÿ Join the “The Clique” World: Interact with characters popularized in The Clique novels and explore the school of OCD in the first videogame based on “The Clique”

To Enter:

Visit The Clique Virtual world and tell me what it’s like.

Extra Entries:

The contest will run until Wednesday August 31st 11:59 pm Pacific. The winner will be selected by www.random.org

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Nintendo DS Diss and Make up The Clique Game giveaway

Mom Start Moment

August 5, 2009 By MomStart 2 Comments

Birth of my first child

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Mom Start Moment

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

To Enter:

Other Entries:

To Enter:

Other Entries:

From the Simple Green Website:

Enter to win one bottle of

OR

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

This post was written as part of a blog tour for Mom Central and Mrs. Dash. I was sent a shaker of this seasoning by them to test out and share my thoughts with you.

First Place

Sponsor One

Sponsor Two

To Enter

Extra Entries:

Also Enter on These Blogs

First Place

Sponsor One

Reviews:

Sponsor Two

Sponsor Three

Discount Code

Second Through Fourth Place

To Enter

Extra Entries:

Also Enter on These Blogs

RELEASE DATE: Fall 2009 PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment DEVELOPER: Gorilla Systems ESRB RATING: E-10+ GENRE: Adventure/Mini-game PLATFORMS: Nintendo DS™

In The Clique: Diss and Make Up, based on the best-selling young adult book series by author Lisi Harrison, players assume the role of the new girl at school, taking on the challenges of climbing the social ladder to join the ultimate clique, the Pretty Committee.

The Clique: Diss and Make Up is an empowering game of social maneuvering where the player attempts to survive in one of the most harsh and unforgiving environments on Earth – Octavian Country Day School (OCD).

Player will use gossip, fashion and wit to make friends, join cliques, attend classes, and even work after school “jobbies” with a variety of exciting mini-games. Play a variety of exciting mini-games to earn cash or increase your cool.

Ÿ Customizable Characters: Players will name and personalize their character’s complete look: clothing, hair, shoes and more!

Ÿ Countless Adorable Fashions: Players can make money at their after school “jobby’’ in order to purchase new styles.

Ÿ Juicy Gossip: The top of the social ladder always has to be in on the latest 411. To be in-the-know, players must share and collect gossip from both their friends and enemies

Ÿ Popularity On-The-Go: Wireless multiplayer allows players to share their character with friends from their real-life clique, allowing them to unlock special gossip

Ÿ Join the “The Clique” World: Interact with characters popularized in The Clique novels and explore the school of OCD in the first videogame based on “The Clique”

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

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RELEASE DATE: Fall 2009
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: Gorilla Systems
ESRB RATING: E-10+
GENRE: Adventure/Mini-game
PLATFORMS: Nintendo DS™