Sunshine and Sippy Cups — Page 111 — Smart Solutions for Busy Moms!

Party at Walmart with Dora the Explorer!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of DoraGymnastics for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My favorite thing about Dora the Explorer is the little dance at the end, "I did it, I did it, I did it – Yay!" I love it because when Abby accomplishes something new – stacking all the blocks into one tower, helping mommy do the laundry, or finding a toy she's been searching for – she puts both little arms in the air and says, "I did it! YAY!" and it's one of the most adorable things. I think as moms, most of us would agree that one of the best parts of motherhood is watching your little one discover the world and learn new things, and seeing that glow when they're feeling proud of themselves. Always so priceless, right? So – I'm pretty excited about an event coming up at Walmart featuring the new line of Dora products, and think some of you moms might want to check it out too….

It's a party with Dora!

From September 20th through the 23rd, participating Walmart stores around the country will be hosting a fun event to kick of this new line of Dora products – Dora Gymnastics! {Click the link, and scroll down to type in your zipcode to see if there's a party happening near you.} Each party will be from 11AM-4PM, and on 9/23 there will be one from 1PM-6PM – The party will be held in front of the new Dora display in the toy aisle {watch for ribbons and fun signs!} – and there will be demos of the new Dora dolls, a chance to make your own gymnastics winner ribbon, and more. Love it, right? I know Abby is going to have a blast with all of the other kids.

Check it out – September 20-23. Click to learn more: Dora Gymnastics! Party at Walmart.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 19, 2012 Filed Under: Uncategorized | No Comments

Spooky Halloween Decorating Giveaway! {US & Canada}

Halloween is quickly approaching – Are you ready? Decorating yards can be a tedious task, but not with a lawn inflatable. Simply plug it in and let it inflate for an instantly spooky yard! The Three Witches & Cauldron Lawn Inflatable measures approximately 6′ high x 50″ wide. Made of weather-resistant vinyl that can be used indoors or outside, perfect for parties or spooking trick-or-treaters. The power cord is 52″ long, so you have plenty of room to reach an outside outlet. How fun is this, right?About this super fun prize

The Witchy Lawn Inflatable inflates when plugged in and deflates when unplugged. Made of Nylon, Plastic and Metal. You also get 8 stakes, 4 tethers, 1 Spare Bulb and 1 Spare Fuse to keep your Witchy Lawn Inflatable looking awesome for the years to come! Mom Powered Media wants to help one lucky reader decorate their yard this year! Please make sure you read the Giveaway Rules before you enter! Giveaway is open to US and Canada!

[Read more…]

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 19, 2012 Filed Under: Giveaways | 6 Comments

Bloggertunities: How to Find the Best Blogging Opportunities for Women Bloggers

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

Most of you mommas out there are probably familiar with this Dr. Seuss quote – it’s one of my favorites. While it applies to pretty much everything in life – I think it really applies to the blogging world very well. Lately, I’ve seen quite a few instances of people flying off the handle over someone else’s actions, opinions, or parenting ideas. There will always be someone who disagrees with you, in life, and especially on the web. I do my VERY best, always, to be respectful of people I disagree with, but on the internet, that seems to be getting more rare by the day. The trolls love to attack over any little thing, right? So – Be as authentically YOU as possible on your site. Make the choices that are best for you and your readers. Share what you think, listen to other opinions, but don’t ever censor yourself just because of the haters out there. They’re gonna hate over something anyway, might as well be something that you’re really passionate about :)

Making Money with Your Blog

Integrate: This is a really interesting network, very different than a lot of others that I’ve worked with. For some tips on how it works, read my Getting Started with Integrate.com post. Or visit their site to read more, and join today.
Link Vehicle: This is a pretty easy way to earn a little extra cash for your writing – but there are a few drawbacks to be aware of. While it’s super simple to sign up and get started, not all of the offers you’ll get are always for projects that will be a good fit for you – so be sure to be choosy, and only accept those offers that your readers will be interested in learning about. And, be aware that the price quoted to you for a post {mine is usually around $30} – you will only get half of that price, they keep the other half. But, I do a few of these a month, and they pay on time every month, so I’m happy with them. Learn more about Link Vehicle.
Mom Spark Media: If you’re following the Mom Spark blog, then you already know how awesome Amy is, who runs the site. She also has a network to connect bloggers and brands, called Mom Spark Media. It’s a paid membership – either $5 a month, or $40 a year – And after paying for my second year recently, I can tell you that it’s definitely worth it! You not only get connected with cool opportunities like sponsored posts, twitter party hosting, and sweet product reviews, you’ll also be able to access all of the great support forums too. Love it.
SheHeard: Making Blogger to Brand Connections – that’s what they do! There are a couple of totally rockin’ ladies behind this network, and you’ll love working with them. Learn more about the site, and sign up to be a member of their great community today to get access to new opps.
Stella & Dot: This is a really great option for those of you who are fashion bloggers – Become a Stylish wtih them, work from home, promote your great gear on your site, and earn some serious income. I know quite a few people doing this, and am considering it myself – www.stelladot.com/stylist
Business2Blogger: You’ll find everything from paid posts to product reviews on this site. I was able to get connected to a brand who flew me to Texas to cover a really cool event earlier this year, by applying for the opp on the Business 2 Blogger site. Lots of new opportunities going up each week, so check back often. Sign up for their Blogger Outreach.
Social Spark: For those of you already using Social Spark to get connected to sponsored posts, are you noticing a lot of new campaigns coming through too? I’m definitely loving that! For those of you not working with them yet – you can sign up for Social Spark now, and be ready for the extra bunch of paid posts for the holiday season!
Paper Coterie: Are you a member of this super easy to use new affiliate company yet? You get sweet offers like this to promote – $40 in FREE credit for new members – shop now! – and you’ll get bonus freebie codes to use to get yourself complimentary products to try out each month too. Very cool.

Good reads, resources & tools

Profnet: I was super excited to find this post – I’ve been pretty confused about how to use Profnet, but I’m always hearing really great things about it. If that describes you too, check out How to Submit Queries on Profnet and Profnet Connect.
Moo.com: Have you been eyeballing these awesome branded paper products like stickers, business cards, and more – but waiting for a sweet deal? Well this is as good as it gets! {Well, I mean, besides the random free offer you’ll find from time to time, lol.} From Tuesday September 18 to midnight on Friday September 21 (PST), you’ll get 25% off absolutely any printed product on MOO.COM – including Luxe and our brand new Gloss Business Cards and MiniCards.
Security: Some of you might remember when my blog was hacked awhile back. It was a HUGE set back, and made me really understand how important it is once your blog is your business to have some back up. And 10 Steps to a Secure WordPress Website is full of perfect tips for this.

Product & Brand Opps and Reviews

Annie’s: Your fave organic products brand is taking their show on the road, and want you to join them! If you’re in one of the areas where they’ll be having events {listed in the doc} – you can get paid to hang out with them and share what you learn – plus get some fun free Annie’s pizza swag. Learn more about the Annie’s Slice of Happiness tour for bloggers, through Branfluential.
Tried and Truth: This is a fun network for people who love to share reviews – Review your favorite family-friendly products, post videos of great gear, and earn reward points you can redeem for cool freebies. Learn more here – Join Tried and Truth.
Mom Select: This is a great network that I’ve gotten some really cool partnerships from – Like the opportunity to have our homemade recipes in the Baby Brezza cookbook, which was amazing. They run campaigns on everything from earn a gift card for filling out a quick survey, to chances to host super fun product house parties. Love them. Join the Mom Select team.
Simply Sassy Media: This is a great network to join – lots of opps from cool products to paid posts. You can request to join the Facebook group, and then check out their website to sign up to get their Blogger Outreach emails with new campaigns to apply for.

Giveaways and events

Twitter & Facebook Blasts: These are a great way to get in front of some new fans – Jennifer at Makobi Scribe runs these BIG giveaway events, and they’re always a success. Sign up for the upcoming blasts today.
Lila Rose: This is a cool new idea – A Facebook party, instead of a Twitter party! There are hundreds of dollars in Lila Rose products, and it sounds like a ton of fun! Learn more about how it works, and sign up to join the fun tomorrow!

Share your resources too!

Do you have a cool new giveaway taking sign-ups? A Twitter party you want to invite us too? A cool new tips post to share? Whatever you’ve got going on – share it in the comments below so we can all learn something new! You’re even welcome to share your favorite affiliate sign up links if it’s something not already listed here – I love finding new things to check out. And until next week – Keep your bloggin’ rockin’! Thanks for reading….

If you love it you should put a tweet on it….

Hey rockstar blogging ladies – Find new campaigns, networks, events, and more – to #RockYourBlog this week! sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/09/blogge…

— SunandSipCups (@SunandSipCups) September 20, 2012

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 19, 2012 Filed Under: Blogging Resources, Weekly Opp's | 3 Comments

Tips to Help You Bloom – #CurbsideChaos

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

"The earth laughs in flowers." – Ralph Waldo Emerson… Flowers in the garden make me happy. From my rainbow of tulips that are the first to bloom in the springtime, to the giant dalias and bushes of lilacs in the summer, all the way through my towering sunflowers that close out the fall – It just seriously makes me happy to work on my laptop out on the patio, and be able to look up to see color popping up all around. I'm always looking for new ideas to upgrade our space – We've only lived on this property for two years now, and there are still a LOT of areas that need some major work! So I loved watching the CurbsideChaos Makeover with Taniya Nayak – One lucky family won a $5,000 backyard makeover. Amazing, right? Check it out for a little inspiration…

What would you do with $5,000 for a backyard makeover?

We don't have much shade in our yard yet, since we've only just begun planting trees. I'm planning to build a pergola type cover near the pool next year, and another out by the swingset play area. And both of those spots definitely need to be filled with some new flowers too. If you're planning a backyard project or two {or ten, like me, lol} – you'll find some awesome tips online to help you start putting together next years projects now.

First, check out Curbside Chaos. You'll find a super helpful tool there on the lower left – First, choose whether you live in the US or Canada. Then find your city on the map, and click the little colored box that best matches your location. Next, it'll ask you a few questions, and then give you recommendations of what to plant, when to plant it, and even tips on planting it successfully. VERY cool. It gave me a couple of ideas I hadn't even thought about for our yard, because I didn't realize they were such a good match for the climate here in the valley.
And also make sure to visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more about creative outdoor projects. I LOVE that they put together some fun color combinations to plan for spring of 2013, mixing and matching different bulbs. And there are a ton of fun projects there too – things like simple painted planters you could use as gifts, holiday projects, and kids coloring sheets. You'll also find answers to any question that you might have about working with bulbs!

There are a couple of other cool things you'll find on Dig Drop Done – One is the three "faces" of the site, each one with a different style and tips to follow. I, of course, relate most to Marcy, the so-called Supermom, who's always looking for ways to simplify life with kids. {I love the video where her little girl keeps trying to cuddle with the fish. I've so been there…. Lol.} And – you'll find other smart ways to use bulbs in your life – outside of the garden. You can plant them indoors, they make great gifts along with a decorated pot and some soil, and the kids will love watching them grow roots if you plant them in a clear container with rocks – kind of like a mini-science project.

Love it? Share it to Give Back!

For every tweet with the hashtag #CurbsideChaos, Dig Drop Done will donate a dollar to Rebuilding Together, one of the nation's leading non-profits, who are working to revitalize communities across the US! Share this post, tweet your support, or share something cool you find on one of the sites above – as long as you've got the hashtag, you're helping to support the work of Rebuilding Together!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 19, 2012 Filed Under: Uncategorized | No Comments

Are YOU the Sports Parent of the Year?

Ok – So I admit fully that I am NOT athletic. Or coordinated. Or even all that active {but hey, chasing a toddler half of the day in between writing on my laptop counts for something, right?} But I do come from a pretty athletic family – My brother James was kind of a rockstar at basketball, for most of his life – until high school when he hurt his knee. And his son, my nephew Cade, is the amazing little sportsman that was invited to attend the Young Athletes Innovation Summit with me, at the Nike World HQ earlier this year. Awesome stuff. And that kid – oh man. Throw him into any sport, even something {if you can find it!} that he hasn’t played – and he’ll still blow everyone out of the water. It’s so amazing to me to watch, since I’ve never been blessed with any type of physical skill. {I always say that I have 3 left feet… Yep, it’s THAT bad, lol.} So – since we love to celebrate athletics and the people who help kids succeed, I’m excited to share something new and very cool from Sports Illustrated with you guys….

For the first time ever, Sports Illustrated Kids is naming a “SportsParent of the Year”

This campaign is modeled after the famed Sportsman and SportsKid of the Year awards, which you’re probably familiar with. So this new SportsParent of the Year title will honor a parent who embodies the essence of sportsmanship. After all, we wouldn’t have a Sportsman or SportsKid without the role model who initially set the example, right? A true SportsParent is dedicated to using sports to support family and community, not scores and trophies. The SportsParent will exemplify qualities that SI Kids aims to impart to children through a shared passion for sports, including fun, dedication, healthy living, and the value of community and team.

The “2012 SportsParent of the Year” Grand Prize Winner will receive a $1,000 VISA gift card to support his/her child’s or community team’s sports needs! The winner may also be featured in an upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated Kids magazine and/or on SIKids.com. How cool is THAT, right?

How to Enter:

Decide who to submit for the award, whether it is yourself, your spouse or another parent.
Simply go to www.sikids.com/sportsparent and follow instructions to submit your nomination.
Remember there is (1) nomination per person or email account.
“Like” the Sports Illustrated Kids Facebook page.
Share your entry with all of your friends and followers via social media (Twitter Hashtag: #SPOTY2012).

Get a FREE SI Kids September tablet issue COMPLETELY FREE!

The tablet edition has everything that the print magazine has, but also includes bonus photos and interactive features like games and sports cards that kids will love! Simply download the SI Kids app on iPad or Kindle Fire, and use these credentials to access this latest issue: Login: freeissue@sikids.com & Password: september2012.

Or, if you ready to get an entire year of SI Kids in print and on tablet for only $19.95, you can subscribe right now by heading HERE!

{Disclosure: I received this great information from Sports Illustrated Kids in conjunction with this post, so that I could share it with you ladies. I also received a complimentary year subscription & limited promotional merchandise as compensation. Regardless, all opinions, as always, are my own – and 100% honest.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 18, 2012 Filed Under: Contests | No Comments

Top 10 Toddler Mealtime Rules for Healthy Eating

This list of top 10 toddler mealtime rules come to you from the amazing founder behind Mom Made Meals – an absolute must-have at my home since I was introduced to them! Abby loves to eat {have you seen the size of her chunky baby legs lately? Oh my…. Lol} – and I struggle sometimes with having enough time to make really good, healthy meals & snacks for her. When she was really little, we LOVED using the Baby Brezza {have you seen us in the new Baby Brezza Cookbook: 47 Mom-Tested Recipes and Tips?} But now that she’s out of that stage, and into eating “big girl foods”, it gets a bit tougher. I still use the Baby Brezza to make rice or steamed veggies quickly, and I’m lucky to have a big garden filled with fresh fruits and vegetables too. But there are nights where I’m tempted to throw in a frozen pizza because I’m short on time. Instead – I now turn to Mom Made meals for a quick, super healthy, and totally yummy dinner in just a couple of minutes!

Convenience Foods that are still super nutritious

How great is this? A freezer filled with simple meals to make in minutes, packed with good stuff for my fast-growing toddler – just as easy as a frozen pizza, but a heck of a lot better for you. A little more about where Mom Made started: “I created Mom Made Foods because I believe in convenient meals that do not sacrifice quality or nutrition, and that kids should be able to eat delicious foods without added junk. Inspired by kids and the familiar recipes they love, we use only the freshest quality ingredients, such as organic products and meats raised without antibiotics, all sourced in the USA.” Other than growing it fresh yourself, this is as good as it gets, right?

Top Ten “Rules” for Successful and Positive Mealtimes with Your Kids

Keep meals and snack times consistent and regular.
Eat as a family. Model good food habits and table manners. They will follow.
Sit down to eat and drink – don’t take meals on the run!
Keep a distraction-free eating area – no T.V., toys, or other distractions such as cell phones, laptops, or newspapers.
Provide a balance and variety of foods to keep kids interested satisfied.
Empower your child to make healthy choices about what to eat and how much. They will feel empowered, for example, if you offer them the option of healthy choice #1 or healthy choice #2, such as peas or carrots.
Don’t pressure your child to eat – this will backfire!
Respect your child’s choices and trust their natural ability to self regulate their food intake.
Set limits on age appropriate behavior at the table and stick to your boundaries.
Have fun! The less you stress at mealtimes, the more fun all of you will have!

The healthiest Mac n’ Cheese you’ll ever find

When I first made this Cheesy Mac for Abby, I was just impressed with the idea of adding peas – What a smart & simple way to add some veggies, right? But read more about what all is packed in there: Mom Made organic Cheesy Mac is packed with organic butternut squash, organic sweet potato, and fresh organic green peas. Honestly – I had tasted it, and didn’t even realize it wasn’t just a basic mac n’ cheese. This is one of our absolute favorites – but you’ll also find choices like Turkey Meatballs, Cheese Pizza Munchies, Fiesta Rice – and even a super yummy Apple Pie dessert Munchie!

Learn more and find them today

You can search on their site to find out where these great toddler meal options are available locally – But if you’re in an area like mine that doesn’t have any local stores to buy them at, no worries. You can also order Mom Made Foods on Amazon. And be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter – to stay updated on the newest products and promotions!

Mom Made takes the foods kid love, and makes it healthier!

{Disclaimer: I was provided with samples of this product from Mom Made Foods and RMD Advertising, so that I could evaluate and share with you – But only the best products for busy moms and their families make it onto this site! All photos and opinions are my own, as always.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 18, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 9 Comments

Family Movie Night: Win the Complete 8 Film Harry Potter Collection on Bluray!

Mommy Bear Media is all about good, clean movies for kids and families!

They carefully examine all movies and TV shows and only sell the best family-friendly movies. They also specialize in Christian movies and the best new movies on DVD and Blu-ray. Mommy Bear Media has partnered with Mom Powered Media to bring one super lucky reader the complete 8 Film Harry Potter Collection on Bluray!

This amazing 8 disk set includes:

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secret
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part I
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Don’t want to wait?

You can purchase the Complete Harry Potter Set on Bluray from Mommy Bear Media for 99.99. And you can win one right here! Mommy Bear Media has offered one super lucky reader their own set! Please make sure you read the Giveaway Rules before you enter! This giveaway is brought to you by Mommy Bear Media and Mom Powered Media. Sunshine and Sippy Cups is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.