sweepstakes — MomStart

Recyclebank’s Green Your School Year Challenge: Step One Back-to-school Shopping

August 17, 2011 By Momstart 11 Comments

Have you done your back to school shopping yet, are your kids back in school yet? Mine won’t be going back until after Labor Day. That’s just how we swing on the West Coast, or at least in the Pacific Northwest. So we haven’t even thought about getting back to school supplies, but I do suppose that it is time to get into that frame of mind. Both of my children will be in preschool next year, so I’m going to need to be ready for lunches and afternoon snacks. If you know me, I work really hard to feed my children healthy and what better way than to use organic food.

I’ve been asked to participate in Recyclebank’s Green Your School Year Challenge and it starts today. Recyclebank, the company that rewards consumers for every day green actions. Green Your School Year was designed to educate and motivate families like us to make more eco-friendly school year decisions. You’re invited to join me and participate too. There are prizes for everyone to win like a $2500 Macy’s Gift Card for a Back-to-School shopping spree, a NOOK Color eReader and much more.

The first part of the competition is about Back To School Shopping.

First you have to take the pledge. Pledge to buy organic recycled or recyclable products and tweet #greenschools http://ow.ly/61D3z via @recyclebank or share on Facebook. You can do both directly from Recyclebank.’s Green Your School Year site. Then collect your points. You can decide what to pledge, you could even pledge to carpool. Pledge anything that will benefit the environment.

Then from there you can also download some valuable tips on how to find out if products you are buying are environmentally sustainable. Check company websites to read their environmental sustainability policies prior to shopping, and make sure that the places you shop support the same environmental initiatives that you do. Get the checklist in order to learn what to look for. Then continue on throughout the day and keep earning points. take a few quizzes. Consider your electronics, do you recycle them? Dispose of Batteries Properly, Sell Used Electronics and Find ways to properly dispose of electronics. These are just a few ideas we’ve written about before. Then you can take more polls and quizzes, while learning all about everything you need for back to school.

Recyclebank is full of great information and tips on becoming more green. Share your tips with me, how would you become more green this school year.

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Recyclebank.

Filed Under: green, personal Tagged With: Back to School, environmental, green tips, green your school, recyclebank, sweepstakes

Back To School Shoes Crocs Sneak Summer Into School Sweepstakes

August 16, 2011 By Momstart 23 Comments

Back to school with Crocs makes kids run faster, just ask my daughter about her new pink sparkly crocs.

Since you can’t ask her you can watch her run away:

Crocs are stinking awesome. I love shoes that you can bend in half because they are more comfortable. They are easier to walk in and they are more natural for developing feet that children have. Experts say that letting you children go barefoot is best, but I’m sorry, I won’t allow my kids to go outside without shoes on. Call me crazy, cause I know I am. So I love FLEXIBLE Shoes and these CROCS are amazing.

Remember when you were a kid and you got a new pair of shoes? At least for me it was so much fun to get new shoes. I always thought they made me run faster and jump higher. And here, Zoe is showing me the same excitement with her new Back To School Crocs.

As far as the CROCS back to school line goes both boys and girls have some fun options.

Boys Shoes:

Girls Shoes:

Let’s have some back to school fun together. This video is interactive. You can click on different things in the video for Easter Eggs. Below is a big clue to unlocking a fun Easter Egg right here on MomStart (well inside the video that is)

And for the Sneak Summer into School Sweepstakes with Crocs:

You could win a trip for four to San Diego: oceanside, family-friendly hotel, San Diego or Sea World tickets, $200 play money, and a rental car. And since I was just there, I can say it’s a wonderful location and I would love to go back with my family. Good Luck in the contest.

This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media and Crocs. I received a pair of Crocs shoes for the purpose of this review. I was also compensated for my time investment and work on their Back To School campaign. Thoughts are my own.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Back to School, children's shoes, crocs, fashion, shoe review, sparkly crocs, sweepstakes

Enjoy Speed! Try Verizon 4G LTE Community and Win

August 10, 2011 By Momstart 29 Comments

I received a new phone at Blogher this year, no it wasn’t from Verizon, it was from HTC, and I gave it to my husband. That was before I realized what I had in my hands. The phone I gave him is a 4G LTE phone and when I took my turn at playing with it, I was blown away with how fast it was. And wishing I kept it for myself.

On his 4G LTE phone, My husband can stream MP3’s from his Amazon Cloud player and we spent some time going through the MomStart Youtube channel looking at older videos of the kids. I’m quite impressed with the speed everything loads at. Do you even understand what 4G LTE is?

4G LTE is the fourth generation step in wireless technology. 4G is a faster data network that will initially be available to users on two USB modems and offer speeds much faster than the current 3G network that Verizon customers use with USB modems, MiFi units and smartphones. Do you have more questions?

To further answer questions and support customers, Verizon created a new community fueled by consumers called Livin’ in 4G LTE. The initiative is centered on a dynamic, real-time microsite with everything you ever wanted to know about 4G LTE. It’s all here: tweets, reviews, news, and even videos from people like us, showing what happens when you live your life in Verizon 4G LTE.

I went to check it out for myself and you’ll find honest opinions about products, services, and needs from Verizon consumers. Maybe you just want to find a product review, or become educated before you buy. You’ll find the information you need in the Livin’ in 4G LTE Community.

In addition to engaging in existing content pulled from all over the web, you can submit your own stories, videos and photos showing how you would live life in 4G LTE. Even YouTube celebs have created videos showing how they would live their lives in 4G LTE.

Checkout Destorm and the Network Throwdown.

Of Course there’s a giveaway.

By submitting a video you could win a new phone, $500 in Verizon credits and more!!!!

Grand prize includes: Droid Charge by Samsung, Motorola Xoom, Motorola Xoom Otterbox, Defender Series Case, Samsung 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot, Jawbone Headset, Jawbone Jambox, and $500 in Verizon Wireless Gift Cards.

If you don’t want to submit videos or photos, you can still be entered into weekly prizes just by sharing and commenting on the existing content. The Grand prize will go to the entrant with the greatest number of votes.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: 4G Community, 4G LTE, sweepstakes, Verizon, Verizon Community

S’mores Create the Happiest Campers Giveaway

August 10, 2011 By Momstart 256 Comments

We went camping, and it rained and rained and rained. But the kids were still quite happy. Pitching the tent in the rain, riding our bikes in the rain, and sleeping in the rain, we got quite wet. The only thing that wasn’t dampened was the kids’ moods.

Although we were unable to light a fire we stayed warm in our tent and we promised the kids that we would have s’mores when we got home. Seemed like enough to make the happiest campers in the world if you ask me.

This summer, the Hershey Company is encouraging families to create their own S’mores memories with the Say S’mores campaign. We already shared this photo of Zoe with them.

You are invited to capture and share your favorite S’mores moments on the Hershey’s brand Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/hersheys for a chance to win S’mores-themed prizes. The prizes are awesome, the grand prize especially.

The grand-prize is a Canon Rebel Camera, slate marble outdoor firebowl, $250 SnapFish gift card, roasting skewers set and all of the ingredients needed to make S’mores, including Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars. Families who visit the Hershey’s brand Facebook page on or after June 15 can download the Say S’mores application to participate in monthly photo contests and receive a $1 coupon good toward the purchase of any two Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar 6-packs.

What’s not to love? You know that around here at MomStart we’re big fans of S’mores. We already have a few different s’mores recipes to share with you.

You have to try the S’more Pound Cake Squares and the S’more On-The-Go Recipe.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Ashley H.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

This post is part of my participation in the Hershey’s “Say S’mores” Promotion. All opinions expressed are mine

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Hershey, Hershey's chocolate, S'mores, sweepstakes

Hellmann’s Build Your Perfect Sandwich Sweepstakes & $50 Giveaway

August 8, 2011 By Momstart 932 Comments

About six months ago, I was asked to come up with two different sandwich recipes for a recipe contest. Then I went and competed with quite a few other moms and my favorite part of the experience was seeing all of the different sandwiches and how they were made. We were even given a class on how to build your sandwich to make it photo ready. WOW, I learned so much about sandwiches that day. So when I was asked to be apart of Hellmann’s Build Your Perfect Sandwich Campaign, I had to say yes.

According to the new “Hellmann’s^® State of the Sandwich” Survey*, a majority (84 percent) of American sandwich eaters say that how a sandwich is made is just as important as the ingredients used to make it. Makes me wonder which way is more popular. I honestly grew up thinking making a sandwich was as simple as applying the condiments, then adding the meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles in whatever order they were on the counter. Apparently, it depends on how you want your sandwich to look, and there are ways to put your sandwich together so that things don’t fall out of it as you take your first bite.

To help celebrate America’s passionate preferences for building the perfect sandwich, Hellmann’s^® andBest Foods^® are partnering with Chef Bobby Flay (who doesn’t love Bobby Flay) to show families how to make real, simple, delicious sandwiches and to uncover unique and personal sandwich-making techniques.

You think you know the best way to put a sandwich together? You think you know exactly which condiments go together? If you do then you need to head on over to Facebook.com/hellmanns to share your sandwich-making tips, tricks, techniques and secrets. By doing so you will have the opportunity to build your perfect sandwich and enter the Hellmann’s^® Build Your Perfect Sandwich Sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes including a kitchen essentials bundle, grocery gift cards and Hellmann’s^® and Best Foods^® products.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Geoff K.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received free samples.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Bobby Flay, giveaway, Hellmann's, Mayo, sandwich contest, sweepstakes

Grill of Your Dreams Sweepstakes $2000 Gift Card Giveaway

July 7, 2011 By Momstart 2 Comments

Holland House is announcing their summer sweepstakes called "Grill of Your Dreams". One lucky winner will take home a gift card valued at $2000.00. Which could be used to purchase a brand new grill, the grill that will be the answer to all your grilling needs this summer. We could use a grill, we don’t have one right now. So all of our cooking is done inside and I just use my pots, pans and ovens. I can just imagine what fun I would have grilling outside. Once, in college, we purchased one of those really small charcoal grills. My roommate grilled tomatoes on it and then used those grilled tomatoes to make the best salsa I’ve ever eaten.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever made on the grill?

To enter the "Grill of Your Dreams" giveaway go over to the Holland House Facebook page and click on Sweepstakes tab or just click on Grill of Your Dreams and let Holland House help you add a dash of excitement to your summer grilling. You’ll have to fill out a simple form (Limit one (1) Sweepstakes entry and one (1) Instant Win Game play per person/email address.) And the winner will be chosen at random.

Drawing will be conducted on or about August 15, 2011, by an independent judging organization, whose decisions shall be final and binding on all matters relating to the Promotion. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

One (1) Grand Prize: a $2,000 Visa® Gift Card, which may be used to purchase a new grill.

Gift card is subject to the terms and conditions set by the issuer. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa. Visa is not affiliated, associated or otherwise connected with the Sponsor or with this Promotion. For full set of rules.

This is a sponsored post as part of the Holland House/Mizkan blogger program.

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: giveaway, grill of your dreams, holland house, mizkan, sweepstakes

Rent Video Games At RedBox

June 18, 2011 By Momstart 289 Comments

My husband is such a video game player. He LOVES to play video games and has inoculated our children into the same doctrine. Ok, so I’ve been known to play the occasionally video game as well. But boy are video games expensive. Redbox understand the desire to play video games and is jumping in on the action. Redbox game rentals went nationwide in 21,000 locations Friday, June 17. Top video games will join new release movies for only $2 a day complementing $1 DVD and $1.50 Blu-ray™ daily rental prices In conjunction with Father’s Day this Sunday they are generously offering up some promotional video game codes.

Upon launch, redbox will feature games across the three major console platforms: PLAYSTATION® 3, Nintendo Wii™ and Xbox 360®. Video game titles will range from top releases to popular family and kids titles. “Redbox will make discovering the latest games as easy as a trip to the local grocery, convenience or drug store,” said Joel Resnik, vice president, games, redbox. “Redbox will increase consumers’ access to video game rentals by leveraging our incredible technology and business model to keep rental prices low for consumers,” said Mitch Lowe, president, redbox. “With more than 21,000 redbox locations slated to feature video game rentals alongside movies this June, redbox will be the one-stop shop for entertainment.”

It’s a great way to try out a game before you buy it.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Michelle.

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: giveaway, redbox, rental, sweepstakes, video game

Gorton’s Seafood 100 days of Sizzle

June 11, 2011 By Momstart 441 Comments

Gorton’s Seafood has been around since 1849 making seafood people love for years in Gloucester Massachusetts. This historic brand touts their iconic fisherman in the yellow raincoat as their familiar logo. Those bright yellow boxes of frozen seafood actually line the door of my own freezer. My husband and I have been eating their frozen fish for years before I started blogging and working with the brand personally.

In the spirit of grilling try one of the Gorton’s All natural grilled fillets. Our family recommends the Lemon Pepper flavor. Oh and be sure to enter the Gorton’s GRILLED Seafood 100 Days of Sizzle Giveaway now through September 7th 2011. The Gorton’s Grilled Seafood 100 Days of Sizzle Giveaway has a grand prize winner every month that will receive a sizzlin’-hot Beach Bag Prize Pack: a custom GORTON’S Second Wind Sails tote – made by the Gloucester company that stiches beautiful totes using recycled sails – packed with an Amazon Kindle 3G, an Amazon Gift Card, and a Gorton’s Fisherman Beach Towel ($400 value)! And if a monthly grand prize winner wasn’t enough, cause you know it isn’t, 10 daily winners will receive free product coupons. AND you can win free product coupons here at MomStart too!

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Angie, LAMusing, and Vickie.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: 100 days of Sizzle, giveaway, Gorton's Sea Food, Seafood, sweepstakes

World Harbors Capture Your Adventures Fantasy Vacation Sweepstakes

June 1, 2011 By Momstart Leave a Comment

Many of our neighbors are going on vacation this summer, some leave tomorrow, a few already went and others are making plans to leave later this summer. Us, we’re stuck here for the entire summer because vacations are expensive and we’re saving money. Of course, I’m always open to the option of winning a free family vacation aren’t you?

Our last exotic vacation was a visit to my mother’s house. She lives really close to Destin and I love how pretty it is there and so do the kids. To me, a beach, sand, sun and ocean = exotic vacation!!!

World Harbors is hosting a Fantasy Vacation Sweepstakes, Capture your Adventures. Want to win a Fantasy vacation? Then just Like World Harbors on Facebook for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to somewhere really exotic. World Harbors will be the one to select the exotic vacation but all the expenses are paid. If that wasn’t enough, they are also sending a video camera along with you so you can capture all of your family fun memories.

Where would you like to go as an exotic vacation?

World Harbors provided compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Announcement Tagged With: capture your adventures, Nakano, sweepstakes, vacation, world harbors

Brighten Up Your Ball Game OxiClean Giveaway

May 21, 2011 By Momstart 265 Comments

The nice weather finally hit Washington and it feels like Spring has Sprung. One of our family favorite past times in Spring and Summer is Baseball. I personally love going to watch a live baseball game at the stadium. With Miles getting older though, it won’t be long before he starts playing baseball himself, and with the constant rain in between the sunny days baseball means mud and grass stains.

For years, OxiClean has been the go-to stain remover to help parents get their kids’ dirty uniforms their whitest and brightest all season long. The brand is now helping to brighten up the season by asking parents to submit their own story and photo on the new OxiClean Facebook page on why their child’s softball or baseball organization needs help from OxiClean to clean up their game. From new uniforms, lights, equipment, or turf, to handicap accessibility or transportation – whatever the little ballplayers need, OxiClean will donate $10,000 to one organization in need.

This campaign OxiClean just launched nationally is called “Brighten Up Your Ball Game” and it’s a contest on Facebook. With sports funding and athletic programs being cut all over the country, the brand will donate $10,000 to one lucky youth baseball or softball organization in need of a little brightening up! OxiClean is also teaming up with Laura Posada, sports mom and wife of famed baseball player Jorge Posada, to help judge the contest. As an “OxiClean Umpire,” Laura is encouraging parents nationwide to enter the contest and she will help judge and pick the grand prize winner. For more details about the "Brighten Up Your Ball Game” contest including official rules and regulations, visit www.facebook.com/OxiClean.

Enter to Win:

3.5 lb tub of OxiClean VSR with a Max Force Gel Stick (3 winners)

To Enter:

Give me your best stain fighting tip in the comments section

Extra Entries:

Like OxiClean Facebook page

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

Brighten Up Your Ball Game OxiClean #Giveaway (3 Winners) @MomStart http://bit.ly/lGjzOZ

Subscribe to MomStart
Comment on any non-giveaway post
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)
Blog About this Giveaway (10 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
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This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.