I'm a Boys & Girls Club (BGCA) Back-to-School Ambassador!

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 31, 2013



*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

It's hard to believe, but back-to-school season is upon us. In preparation for the new school year, parents are busy organizing outfits, purchasing school supplies, and getting back into the school year routine. As hard as we try to send our kids to school as prepared as possible, many children fall behind in their education before the school year even begins.


For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has supported the academic success of our nation's youth. Each year, they help prepare nearly 2 million kids to succeed in school! Wow!! From providing quality afterschool programs, a caring mentor, or simply contributing notebooks and pencils, BGCA strives to enable all kids to achieve great futures! 
 
I love the idea behind Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the way they enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. I have always been an advocate of this organization and was excited to learn more about their newest campaign and how we can help every child begin the new school year on the right foot.
BGCA has partnered with JCPenney for the 'JCPenney cares round up campaign'. In the month of July, if you round-up your purchase to the nearest whole dollar while shopping at JCPenney, you can help make a difference in supporting afterschool programs at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. 100% of donations raised will go toward Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. 

In shopping at JCPenney this month I have 'rounded up' and I hope you will as well. For more information on the BGCA and JCPenney 'Round Up Campaign' you can visit, here

Also, be sure to stay tuned as I'll be sharing another great BGCA initiative in a couple of weeks! In the mean time, you can connect with Boys & girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.






The arrival of any new baby is an occasion greeted with joy and excitement - but perhaps no baby was as eagerly anticipated as the future ruler of the British Empire. The arrival of the future monarch, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, the offspring of Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine (more commonly known as Kate Middleton) is being greeted with what can only be characterized as frenzy; everyone from souvenir manufacturers to London hotels is trying to get in on the action.

Since Buckingham Palace confirmed William and Kate were indeed expecting a bundle of joy, London buzzed with anticipation the baby's arrival - a level of excitement that reached a fever pitch upon the arrival of the little prince. While most of us can only catch a glimpse of baby George in photographs, we can still capture some of that excitement by enjoying the special events and celebrations taking place in London over the next few months.

Shop Like Royalty

For all of the tradition adn ceremony of the royal family, chances are the royal baby won't be wearing hand-me-down onesies and bibs. As expected, the Duchess was seen out and about in London during her pregnancy, shopping for the basics that every new parent needs.

And while you may not have the same budget, you can still check out some of the spots where Kate has picked up items for baby. She's been spotted shopping in the children's clothing store Trotters, where many London parents pick up stylish and affordable clothing for their children - and where many fashionable Brits have their first haircuts. Kate has also purchased clothing at the department store Peter Jones, where she also chose some furniture for the nursery, including a beige rocker.

Perhaps the most notable piece of furniture that this mom-to-be has been seen with was a wicker cradle she purchased at the high-end furniture shop Blue Almonds. And, being careful not to give away the baby's gender (although there is speculation that she knew she was having a boy), Kate chose neutral beige-and-brown fabrics to decorate the nursery in Kensington Palace from the exclusive Bernard Thorp decor store.

Of course, if you're not in the market for children's clothing or accessories, you can still shop for commemorative items. Souvenir shops around London will be cashing in on the royal baby, selling everything from commemorative plates and holiday ornaments to clothing, baby items and more. While commemorative items do not increase in value over time as they once did, some of the more original and rare items may become collector's pieces, especially when the baby finally does ascend to the throne.

Beyond the Shops

Of course, the royal baby's arrival isn't only about the shopping. Many London establishments have developed their own celebrations of the event, offering special packages for visitors to capture some of the excitement. For instance, at legendary London restaurant The Balcon, you can enjoy a high tea complete with pink-and-blue frosted crown cakes. Both The Lanesborough and The Bingham Hotels are offering special "Royal Baby" packages for mothers and mothers-to-be through the end of the year that including everything from relaxing spa treatments to breakfast in bed; you can find out more about these hotels in London on Venere.com.

If high teas and foot rubs aren't what you're looking for, then check out the photographic exhibit at the Athenaeum Hotel, near Buckingham Palace. The exhibit, "The Royal Child" features more than 40 rare photos of royalty as children, dating back to the Vicotrian era. It runs through the end of August.

You can also pay a visit to the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital, the hospital where the royal heir made his arrival. It's also the place where the baby's father, Prince William, and uncle, Prince Harry, made their debuts. From the street you can see the unassuming doorway where Prince George made his debut - although the media has long since moved on to other stories.

The duke and Duchess of Cambridge are the most popular members of the royal family since William's late mother, Diana. There's no doubt that the arrival of their first child is a momentous occasion for all of the United Kingdom. With all of the celebrations, commemorations and unprecedented attention, Prince George's birth will certainly be an important even in history of the British Empire.

Photo credit: KLIM_ANDREEV/Foter/CC BY-NC-ND

About the Author: Louise Vinciguerra is a fantastic joke teller, has a million and one hobbies, and enjoys matching her fonts with her moods. This Brooklyn native dirties her hands in content on weekdays and as a devout nature lover, dirties them in soil on the weekends. When she's not on Facebook, Wordpress or Twitter, she's traveling in search of fun food, dabbling in urban farming or planning nature trips from her resident city of Rome. When she's not doing any of the above, she sleeps.




InStyleSwimwear.com iPanema Flip Flops ~ Review

Posted by Jenna | Monday, July 29, 2013



Warm weather does not last long here in the Midwest, so our family tries to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We are in the pool, out for walks and simply playing and relaxing outside with the kids almost every chance we get. It's wonderful! 

One of my favorite things about warmer weather, is the clothes! I enjoy not having to dress in layers or worry about winter jackets (and snow pants and boots for the kids!). Warmer weather means shorts, tees, swimwear, etc. 

That's why I was happy to learn that online retailer, InStyleSwimwear.com, specializes in fashion-forward designer swimwear, cover-ups and accessories! As I browsed their website for the first time, I was drawn to the the great selection of swimwear and footwear...especially their flip flops for women!


Through the spring, summer and even into the fall...you can almost always find me in a pair of flip flops. Whether we're at the pool, home or even on a walk, they are definitely my footwear of choice. That's why I was thrilled when asked to review a pair from iPANEMA InStyleSwimwear.com!

Soybeans, iron ore, sugar, coffee--Brazil undoubtedly has a ton of exports.  And now they're slowly taking over the global footwear industry as well!  Introducing iPANEMA Flip-Flops from Brazil--the comfiest new sandal line that has everyone talking.

Although the brand has been around since 2001 and has already been established in countries around the world, it's OK if you haven't heard of them until now, as they're just starting to make it big in the US market.  As its name suggests, the iPANEMA Flip-Flops brand is inspired by the world-famous Ipanema Beach of Rio de Janeiro, and each collection pays homage to the beautiful beach town with its playful prints, patterns, styles and designs.  Furthremore, each pair of flip-flops features a signature textured footbed and/or textured straps inspired by the town's renowned boardwalk.

Although they may appear to be ordinary rubber flip-flops, they're actually anything but.  All iPANEMA Flip-Flops are made from a patented Flexpand material, which gives them their amazing comfort and flexibility. And an important thing to note is that all styles are hypo-allergenic and 100% recyclable!  Whether you're into classic neutral solids, bold prints or a style with some girly accents, iPANEMA Flip-Flops has a perfect style for you.  Find yours today!
 As I browsed the fun, vibrant collection online, I couldn't wait to review a pair and decided to go with the Neo Heidi Beige Ipanema Flip Flop.


Features/Benefits:
  • - Sea foam green straps with twisted braid detail
  • - Metallic logo detail on straps
  • - Cushioned tile embossed footbed
  • - Made of patented flexpand recycled material
  • - COLOR; Beige/Green
  • - Made in Brazil
Upon opening the box, I was immediately impressed with the fun look and color of these flip flops. I love wearing this color green and think it's fun to mix and match outfits with these sandals. It's the finishing touch and they look fun and stylish too!

After checking out the great sea foam green straps, I also noticed the twisted braid detail. It sets them apart from the look of ordinary flip flops and makes me feel like I can easily dress them up or down depending on the outfit I'm wearing. 

Of course, I couldn't wait to try them on. As I slipped them on, I found that the size was perfect. They seem to be accurate in size which makes shopping online for them super easy. Now I know what size I wear when I'm ready to order more iPANEMA sandals! 

I was also impressed with the comfort!! The cushioned tile embossed footbed makes these flip flops my new favorite! They are extremely comfortable. I have worn them shopping, on walks, etc and have found that they don't rub and the bottoms of my feet don't cramp or get sore. They are the perfect summer sandal and addition to my summer wardrobe! I've received several compliments and make sure to share just how comfortable they really are.
Having tried iPANEMA flip-flops, I am now a big fan. I would love to buy others in the future, including the cute and stylish Maya Gold and Lacy!


InStyleSwimwear.com has a great selection of footwear, as well as swimwear for both men and women. I would highly recommend checking it out! 


Also be sure to connect with InStyleSwimwear.com on Twitter and Facebook

Buy It: You can purchase the Neo Heidi Ipanema Flip Flop for $23.





*I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting sponsored by Publishers Clearing House. I received a product sample and promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Special thanks to Publisher's Clearing House for Sponsoring today's discussion. 

When we became parents, my husband and I began discussing the futures of our children. Along with wanting to leave behind legacies and family traditions for our children, we also hope to leave them with financial security to help make life a little less stressful. 

Publisher's Clearing House wants to help give someone financial security too! The distinguishable name in sweepstakes has created a legacy of their own! They guarantee in this year's sweepstakes to pick one person to win their "Forever" prize in their Win $5,000 a Week Forever online sweepstakes this August. The winner of the "Forever" prize will even have the opportunity to choose an inheritor of the prize once they pass for that person's lifetime! 
 
They have already awarded one $5,000 a Week Forever prize last year, and it's guaranteed to be awarded again, this August. How exciting! As a parent, I thought this sweepstakes from Publisher's Clearing House sounds great! It's exciting to think that someone will win, and then bless a family member or friend for their lifetime as well once they pass! 
 
Growing up I remember hearing about Publisher's Clearing House from family members, as well as seeing their contests on television. I have not seen their advertisements recently, but remember the ones I saw as a child very well. Although I've had family members who have participated in past sweepstakes, I've never participated in any Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes up to this point. I am however, thinking the Win $5,000 a Week Forever Sweepstakes sounds like a good one for me to check out!

How neat it would be to win the "Forever" Prize. It's fun to think about how I would use the money if I were the winner of the contest. I would be sure to give to my church first, and then would want to share with my family as well! Much of it would also be used to pay off debt and of course, be put away for my children and their futures as well. 

You can learn more about the Win $5,000 A Week Forever Sweepstakes by visiting the sweepstakes home page.






As I've mentioned before, all three of my kids enjoy playing with our iPhones and iPads. Whether it's to watch a cartoon, or play one of their games, it is a favorite "toy" in our family. Wanting my kids to learn while having fun and using technology, I like to keep an eye out for educational apps that Kaden and Kaelyn will both enjoy and learn from. That's why I was excited when introduced to an educational app called Play and Learn with Wallace!

Play and Learn with Wallace comes from Priddy Books, the best-selling publisher of over 100 million children's books worldwide. It is an exciting new series of preschool apps guided by the best practices of early learning experts and teachers. It combines educational games and stimulating interactive play in one dynamic environment to engage preschoolers through first graders in a multitude of ways.

Features/Benefits: 
  • Free full-featured trial -- try every app before deciding to buy 
  • All apps are hosted by Wallace, the lovable dog 
  • Reward charts and certificates satisfy a child’s desire for accomplishment and recognition 
  • “How is My Child Doing?” shows parents how their child is progressing 
  • Super Shuffle creates an integrated learning experience by automatically combining games from the different apps 
  • Your child’s profile is customizable by name, photo and theme, and keeps track of their achievements 
  • Continuous play mode keeps young minds engaged 
  • Choose between American or British English voice and spelling
When given the chance to test out the app for ourselves, I jumped at the opportunity. Kaelyn and Kaden were both really excited too. After I got it installed on my iPad, I found that it was very user-friendly. We created a profile for both Kaelyn and Kaden so they can find their picture when each one is playing with the app. This way it keeps track of their progress and how they've been doing, so that I can see all that they have each been learning as well. How neat is that?!

One thing that has really impressed me about this app, is how much is offered all in one place! There's games that cover a variety of skills, including reading skills, counting skills, problem solving, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, etc. This makes it easy for both my 3 year old and 5 year old to find things that interest them, all while teaching them and challenging them at the same time! It's so fun they don't even realize they're learning!

The apps can be played by subject, or 'super shuffled' to create endless combinations of play. Kaelyn enjoys the super shuffle as well as the First Spelling games most. 
 



Kaden likes anything and everything to do with counting and colors. It's fun to see them get so proud of themselves as they answer questions correctly. 

What's neat is that they earn rewards as they go which really makes them feel great as well! 


I've been really happy with the Play and Learn with Wallace app. It's easy and fun for my kids to use, great for a variety of ages and best of all...educational! It's been a terrific app to further expand their early learning experiences and I know is one that we will continue to use often! New games are regularly added for an additional price, and I'm excited to see what comes next. 

I would definitely recommend checking out the Play and Learn with Wallace app. It can be downloaded from the App store. You can always watch the trailer for the App below. 


Win It: Priddy Books wants to introduce your children to the wonderful world of Wallace too!

Two (2) winners will receive: 
$15 iTunes gift card to upgrade the app 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This giveaway is open to US Only and will end August 7th.



Summer Fun with Bomb Pop Ice Pops #BombPop

Posted by Jenna | Wednesday, July 24, 2013



**I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Bomb Pop. I received  product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating 

You don't have to spend much time on my blog to know that my family and I LOVE summertime! Here in the midwest we get a few short months of warm weather, so we try to soak it up as much as we can by swimming in the pool, jumping on the trampoline, going for walks, picnics, etc. I've been that way since I was little. I remember loving the sunshine and getting to play outdoors. Of course, the sound of the little ice cream truck coming down the street made it even better!



My kids don't have an ice cream truck to chase like I did, but they sure like their cold treat on a hot summer day. And one of our faves is Bomb Pop ice pops! For more than 50 years, kids and adults alike have enjoyed this frozen wave of fruit flavor. You know the one....the iconic red, white and blue Bomb Pop! It continues to cool down kids (and adults) summer after summer!

We're big fans of the Bomp Pop brand, which is why I was excited to learn that they have introduced two new flavors, Hawaiian Punch and Sour Wower (in addition to the beloved Original and Original Sugar Free Bomb Pop). I also learned of their new sponsorship with Little League Baseball and Softball - continuing the Bomb Pop tradition at baseball and softball parks around the country!
I was really excited to learn we were going to have the opportunity to host a Bomb Pop Party and couldn't wait to get my friends and family together to have some fun!

At the beginning of the month, we were sent a variety of Bomp Pop Ice Pops to enjoy at our party, as well as fun Bomb Pop keychains, Bomb Pop baseball, coupons and a Bomb Pop beanbag toss game to add to the party fun as well!

Not long after the 4th of July, we invited our family over for a fun summer backyard party and thought it would be a great time to incorporate Bomb Pop ice pops too! There were a total of 8 adults and 7 children...we had a blast!


As I said, we love to celebrate summer and the family members we invited are no different! We had so much fun enjoying the pool, a picnic, the trampoline and so much more! 

With fourth of July having ended not long before, we had a spread of delicious food/goodies available, along with a wonderful Bomb Pop selection as well to enjoy as dessert! 
  


I let the kids choose which they'd like to try, and many of them (including the adults) were drawn to the name Sour Wower, as well as the colors. To my surprise they were a huge hit (I wasn't sure how they'd like them, but they really did!). 
  

Even the little ones enjoyed them... 

My favorite is definitely the Hawaiian Punch...so yummy! While my hubby prefers the Original Bomb Pop best.

In my opinion you really can't go wrong, all three are delicious and such a refreshing treat to cool down after being outdoors on a hot summer day. The colors are always a lot of fun too! We enjoyed them that whole weekend with our family here!

We had so much fun enjoying the summer weather and delicious Bomb Pop treats. 
  
And what better way to wash up after we were done eating them than the sprinkler?! :)

There was even a little friendly competition going on with the Bomb Pop beanbag toss - with prizes being the baseballs and keychains we were sent. So fun! 
  


I am so thankful we had the opportunity to get our friends and family together to enjoy Bomb Pop and celebrate the summer. It couldn't have been more perfect!
  


For more information on the different Bomb Pop varieties, be sure to visit the Bomb Pop website.You can also connect with Bomb Pop on Twitter and Facebook.

Buy It: Bomb Pop flavors are available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.99/box of 12 pops







Summertime is here and that means more opportunities to get out 'n about with your little ones!  One thing that can make those outings much more convenient and enjoyable is having a good stroller to hold the kiddos and all the stuff that goes everywhere along with them.   

However, choosing a stroller to best fit the needs of your family and child can be very confusing.  There are SO many choices and because strollers are an investment, you don't want to buy one only to wish that you had gotten a different one later on.  

That's why Safety 1st exists.  Safety 1st is driven by a single-minded focus of making the world a safer and happier place for our little ones to grow up in.  They are committed to child-safety, innovation, quality and value.  Safety 1st offers many great products for families including car seats, bouncers, strollers and bassinets just to name a few.  

I had the opportunity to try out the AeroLite LX Stroller by Safety 1st, so I wanted to share with you how it went.  But before I begin my review, I wanted to share some of the tips that Julie Vallese, Consumer Safety Expert for Safety 1st has put together to help readers find the stroller that best fits their lifestyle.


Here are Julie's tips:
Consider Your Lifestyle
  1. I like to think of stroller categories like cars.  For example, if you have a newborn, a travel system with an infant carrier is the SUV of strollers.  This is the stroller that you can use from infant until the child is a few years old. 
  2. If you travel often or are always on the go you will want the compact version.  An umbrella stroller is great for these parents.  Umbrella strollers are generally less expensive, lightweight and fold up easily.
  3. The luxury models are sleek, stylish and easy to maneuver with plusher padding on the seat.
  • Shop Smart

  1. After you have found the stroller for your lifestyle, shop smart.  Test it out and make sure you feel comfortable pushing it.  If one parent is much taller than the other consider a model with an adjustable handle height.
  • Size Matters

  1. Another important tip: make sure you measure the trunk of your car. There’s no point in purchasing a stroller only to find out later it won’t fit. 
So now that you've considered the key issues in buying a stroller, I'd like to tell you about my experience with the AeroLite LX Stroller by Safety 1st.



As the name suggests, the AeroLite Stroller is very light in weight, making it easy to lift in and out of a vehicle.  I don't have a ton of muscle to work with myself, but even I could easily lift the stroller with one hand.  It felt just a smidge heavier than an umbrella stroller, which makes it much lighter than most full-size strollers on the market.  

I instantly noticed that the AeroLite LX came equipped with some nice features.  The large canopy sunshade with a velcro window for visibility of the child.







Across the handlebars is a plastic two-drink tray and a convenient pouch with a velcro top for storing items like a cell phone, keys, snacks, etc.  I especially liked the velcro top idea.  This feature kept my keys and phone from bouncing around while the stroller was moving and it also worked as a safe place to store items I preferred to be out of sight, yet easily accessible as we played at the park.  





The basket beneath the seat is HUGE!  It is also dropped down low enough from the seat that it is very easy to get things in and out of.  Since I live within walking distance of a few grocery stores it was very helpful to have such a large basket to fit my groceries in.  



The seat reclines by using an adjustable strap in the back of the stroller.  It's an easy way to adjust the seat.   





I have mixed feelings about the snack tray.  On one hand I love how there's drink holder right in front of my child.  The snack tray was easy for him to reach and if it wasn't time for snacks, the tray made a great toy holder.  However, the cup holder makes for a tight squeeze into the seat.  Since my child wears cloth diapers which are more bulky than disposable diapers, the drink holder would press right up against his diaper. (This did not happen when he wore disposables.)  However, the snack tray did keep him from sliding down in the seat, which was a plus.  So if your child wears cloth diapers you will want to make sure your child has enough room in the seat.  






My other complaint about the snack tray is that since it doesn't come off of the stroller, but instead hinges at one side, if I wanted to take my child out of the stroller with the snack tray still in tact (for example if the tray was covered in snacks), I had to anchor the stroller with one foot and then awkwardly pull him up and out of the stroller.  Otherwise I'd have to clear off the snack tray or send the snacks sailing.



The five-point harness worked great for keeping my child safely strapped in and it was easy to use. 





The stroller was very easy to open and fold back up using the "Slide & Squeeze" lever and a hook to lock the stroller into the folded up position.



Sometimes the AeroLite LX Stroller would pull one way or another with the front wheels when the ground was not exactly even, making it a challenge to steer with one hand at times.  Since I'm often multitasking, steering with one hand is a must for me.   

Overall, I think this stroller is a great value.  The AeroLite LX Stroller is a full-size stroller with lots of great features.  It is lightweight, sleek and comes with some great bells and whistles that make it fun and convenient to use.  It's sturdier than an umbrella stroller, but lighter and easier to push than many other full-size strollers.  A great bang for your buck!  



Key Features 


The AeroLite LX Stroller by Safety 1st features a multi-position canopy with airflow mesh panels. With multiple convenience features for parent and child alike and a full 50 pound weight limit, this stroller will keep the whole family happy for years to come. The stroller is also fully compatible with the onBoard™35 air infant car seat making it simple to create your own travel system.
  • Multi-position canopy with airflow mesh panels
  • Ultra-compact, 1-hand fold and stand
  • Child snack tray with SlideGuard® protection
  • 5-point harness
  • Multi-position recline
  • Easy-access basket
  • Parent tray with 2 cup holders and fabric covered storage compartment
  • Accommodates child up to 50 pounds
  • Folded Flat Dimensions:
    • Length: 31.5 inches
    • Width: 25.8 inches
    • Height: 17.3 inches

Buy It: You can purchase the AeroLite LX Stroller at BabiesRUs for $149.99






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