#DialMiracleOil Product Giveaway from #PurexInsiders

Disclosure: I received a sample product to help facilitate the review. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

Move over Frilly-Froo-Froo, there's a new body wash in town. 

I must confess, it's the light, clean, peppy fragrances that make me happy. Linen, cotton, sunshine... oh, and citrus. I love citrus. And grapefruit anything just makes me giddy.  My husband on the other hand, likes a more robust scent, and tends to call my things 'flowery,' even if there is not a drop of petal anything in there. ;)

So...when I put the Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash on his side of the shower, I knew I was going to hear a 'woohoo' this morning when it was time for him to lather up. And woohoo, he did.

Infused with Marula oil for beautifully soft skin, this new body wash from Dial is formulated with Micro Oil technology that gives you a luxurious, clean-rinsing lather and leaves your skin feeling supple and smooth. My husband gave me a positive report on the Dial. And he gave me a little Dial dance when it was all said and done. Because he's silly that way (and I love him for it). :)

3 lucky winners get a coupon to try the new Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash!

Want to try the new Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash for yourself? Three lucky winners are going to get a free product coupon to call their own. US entrants only.

Be sure to follow Dial on Facebook and Twitter.
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Keeping Kids Safe: Ourpact App Review

ParentsWare: Intent on keeping kids safe

No matter how hard we try to protect the children in our lives, they will never be safe enough from online predators unless we are proactive! Ourpact is a new app that is available for download on iOS devices, and it is the perfect way to keep our kids safe and monitor what they are doing on their tablet or phone.

Ourpact is simple to use and only takes a few minutes to download and set up. All you need to do is download it on to your device and create an account. After you have submitted your username, password and email address (for confirmation and communication purposes), you will see a screen with a new URL on it. Grab your child’s device (either phone or tablet) and type that URL into the browser of their internet and download the app! Once it is downloaded, you can go back to your device and pair the two devices and apps so you have full parental control.

With Ourpact, you can block certain apps, certain websites and schedule usage time for your child’s device. If you want to block an app indefinitely, you can use the “manual block” feature. Once you block an app manually, it immediately takes effect. If you would like to schedule a block time so they can only use the app during a particular time of the day, you can use the “schedule block” feature. This ensures that you are able to monitor them while they use that app. This is useful for those of you who hang out on the couch with your kids while you are both on devices.

You can block internet sites with this app. One of the biggest categories of blocked sites is usually social media, depending on the age of your child. Social media opens up doors that should probably remain closed until your child is old enough to distinguish between inappropriate and appropriate, under your judgment.

You can also schedule usage time so that your child will not be on their device after bedtime or in the middle of the night. Whatever schedule you choose for them, you can set up on their device using the main app on yours!

If you are interested in downloading this app for yourself and your family, you can find it here in the iTunes app store. You should also visit ParentsWare’s website for more information on this app if you have any additional questions! I highly recommend this app to all of my readers looking for added security!

This was brought to you by AdvertiseWithBloggers.com and ParentsWare.

It's #WRAD Day! #ReadAndReflect @Staples (with #Giveaway)

Disclosure: I was offered sample products to help facilitate the review. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

Happy World Read Aloud Day!

March 4, 2015 is Happy World Read Aloud Day!

Happy World Read Aloud Day to you! Thanks to Staples, we're having a WRAD day, and I sincerely hope that you are too. If not...there's still time plenty of time to join in! Every first Wednesday of March, WRAD encourages members of their year-round programs to invite more people into their literacy community and help spread the message of WRAD to the world. So far, it seems to be working! 

Celebrated in over 80 countries and encompassing over one million people, WRADvocates everywhere, including Staples and Mail4Rosey, are encouraging children, teens, and adults worldwide to gather together to help celebrate the power of reading out loud. By raising our voices together, we help show the children of the world that we support them, their books, their reading, and their right to literacy.

The initiative has already reached 31 million people online alone, and with everyone doing their small part to share, let's hope that number increases exponentially!

To celebrate in our house today, we took out some of my son's favorite books, 

and some art supplies, all of the above generously supplied by Staples (where you will find a huge inventory of books and all things artsy), and we worked together to bring a story to life.

The first thing we did is pick out one of the books and sit around while we listened to my son read it aloud. He selected Laura Numeroff's, "If You Give a Moose a Muffin." Long a favorite author in our family of four children, Numeroff brings to life the silly and fun antics of a moose who likes muffins, and all the things that must go with them, like sweaters... Sweaters? Yeah, sweaters. ;) Read the book to see the funny connection...you'll find no spoiler alerts here!! ;) :)

Then we set to work on bringing the moose to life (on paper, of course). My son drew, cut, colored, and taped (he's got a love of all things office supply, including tape). The project was so engrossing that it required moving from the kid table, to the floor (an artist has to have room to work you know).

The end result was nothing short of spectacular (come on tell me, you've never seen such a cute construction paper replica of a moose, right?). :)

It was fun to #ReadAndReflect, and a big thank you to Staples for helping us do so. You can take part in the WRAD Day initiative too! Pick up a book and read aloud to your child, or better yet, have your child read aloud to you! Share the message on social media. Ask around to see if there are any local events in your area affiliated with WRAD today. Visit the WRAD initiative on their website. Or create a way to celebrate that's all your own! The important thing is to help get the word out that you support children reading. I know I do, and I know Staples does too!

To extend the celebration, Staples is offering a surprise assortment of art supplies and/or books to help your child(ren) learn to read and reflect too (book choice will be age-appropriate).

US entrants only.

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The Digital Media Academy Ranked One of Ten Best Summer Camps in the World!

Have you heard of the Digital Media Academy?

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals.

The DMA Experience from Digital Media Academy on Vimeo.

Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.

Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning.

25 locations at top universities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Camps are filling fast, register early to save $$$ and stay off the wait list. #CreateTheNext

Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHFUN15 at DigitalMediaAcademy.org register by March 31 

Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email at info@digitalmediaacademy.org Don't forget to mention the US Family Guide Special Offer (Code: TECHFUN15).

Nerd Block, Jr. Subscription Box Review and #Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a sample box from Nerd Block, Jr. to help facilitate the review. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

So many people are all-in on the monthly subscription boxes that I would be remiss if I didn't bring up Nerd Block, Jr. on the blog!

Nerd Block, Jr. is a monthly subscription box that you have delivered. Inside of it are items carefully selected by the staff for your boy or girl (you get to choose your gender). It is designed to bring a little touch of monthly fun to your kiddo(s). We knew when we opened our box and saw the 'Aww Yeah!' printed on the side that we were going to have a good time.

We were right too... inside of the box was a cool assortment of items for my son to sample.

The Cliccors were a big hit because you can bend and twist them into different shapes. They're made of interlocking plastic and they go right back into shape without any problem at all. These kinds of things are a hit with the boys and girls when they're in the 1st-grade. Little ones like to wear something around for a bit that's new. If it's got a play factor like these do, well then, that's even better.

Little figures, likewise, are a big deal. The Transformer above came with a little display stand too (that's what is next to the figure in the picture). A check list was included so the kids could see which figure they had, and which ones are still available for purchase.

Usually you get one figure in a surprise foil pack, and that in itself is exciting to my 7-yr.-old. When he opened his Hobbit foil pkg., there were THREE mini-figures inside, and yep, that was a big deal. :)

Imps and Monsters was included in the box. This was a softcover book full of activities for the kids to do, and it was perfect for the lengthy car ride we took to meet grandpa (for his birthday) last week. It kept the kids busy by giving them something constructive to do.

Kirby, a popular video game character, was included in the box. I thought my son was going to dismiss him because he doesn't know the game, and the toy is pink. Boy, was I wrong. My son's favorite two stuffed animals in the world are pink Minecraft pigs, and Kirby is now their little pink friend. He holds conversations with the pigs and gets tucked in with my son and his stuffed animals at night. I'm so not kidding. In fact, I think Kirby was the most loved thing in the box.

Ya' think ya' know a kid... ;)

These boxes run $13.99 - $19.99 a month, plus shipping, and are always loaded full with surprises like you see here in the review. You can order for a girl or boy, and delivery goes to a good number of countries (check the website to determine if you can get it where you live). The subscription can be started or ended at any time, and there is never an obligation to buy.

You can learn more about Nerd Block, Jr. by visiting their website. You can also follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter.

If you like what you see, and you'd like to try a box out for yourself, Nerd Block, Jr. has generously offered to give one to a lucky reader (boy or a girl, winner's choice). This is going to be a short giveaway, so hurry to get your entry in before it expires.
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Take the Baby Weight Off! Try FitTea #PostNatalFatBurner (with #giveaway)

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post brought to you by FitTea and Markerly. All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

When we had the last of our four children, both my husband and I were getting up there in age. Having him was a deliberate decision (to answer a question I am sometimes asked, since his siblings are so much older), and something we both very much wanted to do. We just knew in our hearts that it was the perfect decision for us.

Little man is a couple of weeks old here.
See that button straining on my shirt?
It took a good long while for me to get that weight off!

That being said, with the first three children it was much much easier for me to take off the after-baby weight! Much easier. In the picture above, little man is only a couple of weeks old, and you can see the buttons on my shirt were really straining. ;) It took me a good long while to get that weight off! I wish I'd have known about FitTea then!

Just a side note...if we look like we were very tired in that picture, it's definitely because we were. Sleep when you have a newborn is not always a given. ;)

FitTea Post-Natal Fat Burner

Now we have a new baby in the family, and her mom is already thinking about how quickly she can get back into her pre-baby wardrobe. I have been drinking another version of FitTea and I really like it, so I have recommended the FitTea Post-Natal Fat Burner to help her with her weight loss journey. I think that this product, combined with her good diet and regular exercise regime, should help her get back into her pre-baby clothing in no time flat!

FitTea is 100% natural (my favorite thing about it). It is also designed with new moms in mind, and will not only aid in lactation production and increased energy levels, but this Thermogenic fat burner also contains no caffeine or stimulants. It is a safe way to help support healthy weight loss.

The FitTea #PostNatalFatBurner is safe to take while breastfeeding, but always be sure to check with your doctor just the same, for any dietary supplement you are taking while nursing.

You can learn more about FitTea by visiting their website. 

You can also follow them on Facebook and/or Twitter.

If you know someone looking to take off the baby weight too, be sure to enter to win (or tell them about the giveaway so they can enter). 30 winners! US entrants only.

Protect Your Carpet! CarPET Scratch Stopper (with #giveaway)

Disclosure: This sponsored post is brought to you by AdvertiseWithBloggers.com and CarPET Scratch Stopper.  All opinions stated are genuine and my own.

My mother-in-law had this awesome very lazy, happy cat. When that cat was a kitten though, he was adorable, funny, and rambunctious! Her Schnauzer would walk by and it was not at all uncommon for the kitten to be hiding (I saw this with my own two eyes) until the dog walked by and then he would pounce on his back just as he passed. He was wanting to play! That was funny stuff!

Prevent your carpet from looking like the top two pictures
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CarPET Scratch Stopper!

That same cat, however cute, was also very good at tearing things up with his claws. The trouble with that was it left things looking shabby, most especially the carpet outside of any door my in-laws felt inclined to close. CarPET Scratch Stopper has created a product that works instantaneously to stop such behavior with their product that is affordable, effective and not at all unattractive or intrusive.

Made of a durable plastic, this little beauty can save you a ton of money by keeping your carpets protected from your cat's claws. And it's easy to install and use. Simply place the CarPET Scratch Stopper in front of a doorway, and voila', your cat will no longer be able to tear up the carpet because quite simply, their claws will be unable to grip the mat. There have been many who have reviewed the product, and all have touted it as highly effective, giving it two thumbs up. Two examples can be found here and here.

The CarPET Scratch Stopper comes in five different sizes (see above), and it comes with a limited money back guarantee.

You can learn more about the company and the product by visiting their website. You can also follow them on Facebook and/or Pinterest.

One lucky winner is going to get a CarPET scratch stopper to call their own (winner selects size). US entrants only.

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