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What Does Your Lawn Say About You?

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

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Your lawn is one of the first things that people notice about your home – and part of the first impression when people come to visit. Ever wonder what kind of message your lawn is sending about the people who live there?  See which one of these categories you fall into, and discover if you’re sending out accurate signals about your family…

  1. Perfectionist. This is the home with the greenest grass, and it’s always perfectly trimmed. It’s probably lined with very square-shaped hedges, and few flowers – since flowers are harder to force into growing in a symmetrical way. There might be a couple of those stone lions guarding the entryway too. This might look impressive to some – but to most of us, it screams, “I’m a control freak!” Lol. Loosen up just a bit, and let things grow a little more naturally, and people will have a much easier time relaxing at your outdoor BBQ’s.
  2. Wild & Free. You tell everyone that you’re just really eco-friendly, and are keeping your lawn in it’s “natural state.” But your neighbors don’t consider it organic – they see it as a jungle! They get the impression that you’d rather spend the weekend on your Xbox than mowing the lawn. Letting your plants grow freely can contribute to a really pretty garden – in moderation. Make sure you keep the grass trimmed, and the branches from falling over onto neighboring yards.
  3. Whimsical. You fill your lawn with ornaments, trinkets, and bobbles. You’ve got an army of gnomes, a flock of flamingos, and enough decor for three flea markets. You call it fun – you’re neighbors call it crazy :) Yes, adding a few silly garden accents can contribute to a really laid-back environment – but please, take down that wooden cut-out of a lady bent over, ok? {I admit it, I used to have one too….. }

Now that you know what type of lawn you have, and what it’s saying about you – here is a great solution you can use to upgrade!

Smart Summer Lawn Care Solution – Scott’s Snap Spreader System!

How cool is this, right? I’m a busy mom, so everything in my life needs to be as simplified as possible – and I LOVE clever problem-solving products like this. I need yard and garden tools that are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and simple to use and store. This system totally hits all of these requirements – awesome, right?  Here are a few more reasons why I’m pretty excited to add this to my Frugal Gardening must-haves list for spring:

  1. The Scotts® Snap® Spreader System is totally no-mess. If you’re like me, and have to grab a bit of time to work in the garden in between other tasks during my crazy-busy days – so it’s great to not have to wrestle with big messy packaging, or a process that’ll be a pain. The Snap Pac connects right to the spreader – no cutting, no opening, and no pouring from heavy bags – mean no spilling, no waste, and no sweating in your clean shirt. {Yes, some days I do manage to be wearing a clean shirt…}
  2. I love that edge guard feature. This has been a problem for me when using my little hand-held spreader gadget. It’s super old, but I hadn’t seen any affordable options that I liked to replace it, so I kept using it. But I hated that it was hard to keep it where I wanted it around the edges of the flower beds. This system is going to be a really helpful upgrade for me – finally!
  3. There are perks! Check out the awesome Snap perks on Facebook! You could win a trip for 2 to the 2012 All Start Game and World Series, an Outdoor Patio Set, or even an instant win prize of a $25 Walmart gift card. Super cool, right?

A totally unique product that is easy to use, and ensures that your yard gives off a great first impression – telling people how awesome you are, before you even open the door! Love it.

Share YOUR tips too!

Do you have any great gardening tips to share? Leave me some comments – I’m always looking for clever new ideas to try. And if you’ve already used the new Scotts Snap Spreader System – let me know what you thought of it! I’ll be getting one soon, and will share some video of it in use, but I’d love some feedback if you’ve used it yourself.

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{Photo Credit: Greg’s Landscaping, Flickr, Creative Commons.}

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Posted by on April 3, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Easy Iced Coffee Swap Saves Big Bucks! #IcedCoffee #Cbias

iced coffee on a budget

“A morning without coffee is like sleep.” – Author Unknown

You guys know by now that I’m a total coffee junkie. I don’t just drink it – I chug bucket loads of it. All day. Every day. Without it, I’m like a tired mommy jellyfish, slithering along the kitchen floor. But with it, I can almost function normally, and act like a responsible adult. {Notice I said “almost”…. Lol.}

cool online financial tools for women

“I believe humans get a lot done, not because we’re smart, but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee.” – Flash Rosenberg

I drink all types of coffee – I’ll drink a full pot of regular brewed coffee by myself in the morning, I like a hot mocha drink when it’s cold out – But I definitely prefer an iced coffee drink. The problem is, I’ve never been able to make a good iced coffee at home. And I don’t have the extra budget to invest in a fancy espresso maker. So I end up buying a lot of coffee house drinks – but since I’ve been using some of the awesome free financial tools available on LearnVest.com to help me track my spending, I realized that those $4+ drinks each day are taking a HUGE bit out of my monthly budget! We have some big expenses coming up this summer, and really need to save every penny we can, and cut out the extras. But I just can’t give up my beloved Iced Coffee drinks!!  So, you know me – where there’s a mom-life challenge, I’ll find a Smart Solution, right?

budget iced coffee drinks at home

“Coffee is the best thing to douse the sunrise with.” – Terri Guillemets

My Smart Solution?? Switching from coffee house drinks that cost around $4 EACH, to the totally amazing new Iced Coffee drinks from International Delight, that are around $4 bucks per CARTON!! Can you say, “Big ol’ Savings!!??” Oh yeah. Plus, since I’m on the Nutrisystem diet right now, and am super excited to be losing some pounds, drinking one of these iced coffee drinks saves me a boat load of calories versus one bought at the coffee shop. More dollars in my wallet + more inches lost on my waist = Happy Momma. For reals.

morning routine with iced coffee at home

“Decaf? No, it’s dangerous to dilute my caffeine stream.” – Author Unknown

I’m super excited to see my savings add up – check out the awesome little gadget over in my sidebar… That little baby will be adding up my savings all month long, to show how much money YOU can save by simple swapping out ONE coffee house drink a day, and enjoying an International Delight Iced Coffee drink at home. {What? You’re a momma on the go? Get a sweet travel mug or cup like I have, and bring your iced coffee with you. Easy peasy.}

Follow International Delight on Twitter and Facebook – to stay updated on new products and promotions. You can also see everyone else who’s doing this coffee-swap savings challenge too, by following the hashtag #IcedCoffee!

Share Your Thoughts –

Have you tried the awesome new iced coffees from International Delight – I’m so lovin’ all 3, but I think that the Original flavor is my fave. Do you love ’em? How much do you think you spend every month on coffee house drinks – and are you ready to try this savings solution too? Share some comments – I love hearing from you guys!

{This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias. All photos, opinions, and savings results are 100% my own.}

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Posted by on April 3, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 8 Comments

Simple Tool Shows Where Your Time is Really Going

my life as a blogger

“If you want work well done, select a busy man – the other kind has no time.” – Elbert Hubbard

I absolutely adore this quote. How many times have you complained – “I just don’t have enough time in a day to get it all done!” We all have a different “it”, but as super-busy Super Moms, it’s usually a combination of housework, childcare, and work we do for an income. I always feel like I just have too much to do, and it’s impossible to keep up…  Between taking care of the kiddos, keeping up with a very busy house and all of it’s messes, and trying to work from home – with an adorable but very busy toddler as my assistant all day – I never, ever, accomplish everything that I have on my to-do list.

But the thing is – we all have the same 24 hours worth of time each day. Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

So, why are some people able to accomplish so much more in the same amount of hours each day? It’s all about time management – And you can’t be in control of managing your time if you don’t even really know how it’s being spent each day. Just like making a budget for your household spending – You have to take a hard look at where you’re spending your time, and see if it matches your priorities. If not – grab a hold of your life, and make some changes!

“Time is neither friend nor enemy it’s just a measurement.” – Mike Dolan

To learn where YOUR time is going each day – take a minute to check out this amazingly simple time-management tool to get a visual snapshot of your day. You just fill in the blanks with what you do during a typical day, and how much time you spend on it. Then it pops it all together and creates a cool chart like the visual above – Yes, this is a typical day in the life of me, Bloggy McBlogster. As you can see, I spend most of my time working online, managing my social media accounts, playing/caring for/chasing down Abby, and cleaning or picking up after these messy savages that I call a family. {If you guys are reading – Love you! Mwah!} The small amount of other time is spent cooking/eating, watching TV twice a week {Fringe, and Once Upon A Time – only shows I ever watch} – and yes, 2% of our time really is spent dancing. We love an impromptu dance party in the kitchen in the evenings – that’s good livin’.

What Makes You Tick – Create your own customized time management graphic today and learn where you spend your time!

When you’re done, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of this… Were you surprised by where your time was going? Or was it pretty much what you expected? Where do you think you need to make changes? You guys know that I struggle at times with time management – {here’s a super-funny cartoon that perfectly describes my time-management struggle, lol} – So I’m working on a series, filled with great tips, tools, apps, and resources to help this area of my life, since I think it’s something we’re all looking for tips with. I’d love to hear what YOU guys think about this topic too….

Love it? Share it!

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Posted by on March 31, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 11 Comments

Kissaboos Make Boo Boos All Better

Kissaboo

“You know you’re a mother when the smallest wimper from your child can wake you from a dead sleep.” – Linda Poindexter

One of the most important jobs a momma has is to save the day when little ones get hurt. And if you have a toddler – you know that are constantly getting hurt. In my house, the enthusiasm for climbing, running, jumping, and discovering isn’t matched by the skill for all those fun activities, lol. So we get lots of bumps and boo boos, which can lead to lots of tears and pouting. Most moms learn really quickly that putting a fun band-aid on any type of ouch makes it better fast – whether that band-aid is actually needed or not. And that’s the same type of idea behind the Kissaboo – it’s a reusable, washable, adorable solution for boo boos, bug bites, bruises and more. Read on – you’ll love this product!

boo boos on toddlers

“A mom’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” – Author Unknown

A kiss from mom also makes things all better for most little ones injuries too – and there have even been studies that show that kissing your child’s boo boos may lead to better health. So when you combine the comfort of a band-aid and the love of some kisses into one product, you get the Kissaboo. It works great in SO many situations:

  1. To cover a band-aid, so little fingers don’t keep peeling it off.
  2. For bug-bites or other itchy spots, to keep kids from scratching too much.
  3. For all of those “invisable” owies that kids always want band-aids for.
  4. To keep trouble spots covered up – Like a bandaged up knee from a fall on a bike.
  5. To cover scary looking bumps or bruises.
  6. To keep an IV in safely, if kids are getting medical procedures. {Be sure to get the doctor’s ok on this.}
  7. To prevent thumb sucking.

And there are tons more ideas that you’ll think of once you start using these in your home. From my little girl, who is 19 months old – to my nephews, who are 5 and 8, these work perfectly in every situation.

fixing boo boos for kids

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.” – Mildred B. Vermont

See? A Kissaboo cover makes any boo boo all better! The covers come in a package of three, so you get several options to fit any type of ouch that comes up. They’re washable, so that they can be used over and over – and that will save you loads of money, since you won’t have to waste so many band-aids on “invisible” owies. And – they’re totally adorable! See those little kisses on the cover? Love it. Want to check out more on the Kissaboo? Check out the adorable little guy over at Mallery’s Deals showing how a baby rocks the Kissaboo, then check out some great close-up product shots of the different covers included in the kit on Cinnamon Hollow.

buy the Kissaboo

Learn More and Enter to WIN!

You can learn more about the Kissaboo cover, and other great products that are – Solutions for Everyday Living –  from Vive Vita on their site. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on new products and promotions. Love learning about the best new products for babies and kids? Then check out my boards on Pinterest too – and feel free to pin any images here to your own boards.

Enter to WIN a Kissaboo set – as well as all the other mom-invented health and safety products too – in this weeks Mompact Bundle Package Giveaway!

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Posted by on March 27, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 13 Comments

Finding Balance in the Mom Life #InspireGaiamTV

 

“Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself.” – Jessye Norman

This quote describes motherhood perfectly. When we become moms, suddenly there is out own heart out there, walking around in the world. Infants are so tiny and need so much care, there really isn’t much choice whether we put off our own needs for awhile, to give them the 24 hour care that they need. It seems like we have a hard time realizing that we can let go a little bit as they get bigger. You seldom hear men talk about not getting enough “me” time, right? So why do we have such a tough time realizing that while ensuring that our kids are safe, healthy, and happy is indeed our goals as moms – we still need to remember that we’re a person too! You’re not just a mom, your a chick who needs a life too.

Motivational quotes

“Balance your thoughts with action. If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee

You’re tired. You’re grumpy. You’re just totally lacking motivation. You feel like you’re always running a little behind – but don’t know how to catch up. You’re not enjoying yourself each day – but you’re too busy to slow down and figure out how to enjoy things. Any of that sound familiar? If so – You, my friend, are unbalanced. But as always, I’ve found another “Busy Mom Solution” to help! Let me introduce Gaiam TV!

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” – Thomas Merton

Gaiam is a company that totally understand this challenge – and is focused on helping you become balanced again. From their amazing work out videos {their maternity yoga videos were my very favorite, even after Abby was born} – to their inspirational documentaries, they are all about motivating you to think positively, finding easy solutions for healthy living, and sharing ways to renew your spirit. Pretty much, they’re like that one totally amazing girlfriend who always knows the right thing to say to keep you moving on a positive path in life.

What Inspires Me: No matter what they say, you can’t ever really do it all. But you can do it better. So my motivational motto is “Do your best, and forget the rest!”

They’ve always offered amazing videos and tools for wellness – and now they’ve put together a whole online television channel, devoted to YOU!

Gaiam TV, online television

What Will You Find on Gaiam TV?

You’ll find so many things to get you rockin’ a balanced life again  – from Inspirational Movies to booty-shakin’ workout videos, there’s something for every mom, every lifestyle, and every need.

Try Gaiam TV for FREE! Sign up for a 10-day, totally free trial today!

Gaiam TV streams to you anywhere – on your laptop, iPad, or smartphone. No more buying new workout videos all the time – just try a new one whenever your in the mood, at the touch of a button. There are no commercials, you can watch as much as you want with no limits, and there is no way you won’t see a difference in your life after bringing Gaiam TV into it!

Want to WIN your own awesome subscription? I’m giving one of you lucky readers a full 3-month free subsciption – Enter here today! {Until 3/9/2012}

{Disclosure: This promotional sponsored post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. All prizing for MSM giveaways is handled by a third party unless otherwise noted. For this reason, prize fulfillment can take up to 90 days after the winners information is received.}

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Posted by on March 2, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 15 Comments

Greased Lightning – Making Cleaning Awesome

What’s more fun than Greased Lightning?

Ok – I’m not really here to talk to you about this awesome musical scene from one of my all-time favorite movies. But the Greased Lightning that I want to tell you about is almost as cool – Just like John Travolta dances around in total exhilaration to be sprucing up his sweet ride, you can be grooving through your home knowing that this new Multipurpose Cleaner & Degreaser is going to spruce things up from kitchen to bath! Just like the musical scene above, this cleaning spray rocks! {What, don’t tell me I’m the only one who sings and dances and embarrasses the kids when they clean the house?} Greased Lightning gets my approval as a Busy Mom Solution product – read more….

Greased Lightening

“I hate housework! You make the beds, you do the dishes- and six months later you have to start all over again.” – Joan Rivers

Do you feel like you’re always cleaning up the house, one spill after another? It can be such a battle to keep up after a house of kiddo’s, animals, and guests. That’s why you need a few “secret weapons” – products that can quickly degrease the stove and counters in the kitchen, fixtures and shower walls in the bathroom, carpet stains in the hallway, and even baby stains! This one product can do it all – making for a happier and less stressed momma!

Great for surfaces in every part of your house and even for stain removal, Greased Lightning is a multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser that removes grease and grime, laundry and carpet stains, soap scum, and much more.

Greased Lightning is the BEST cleaner I’ve ever found for carpet stains – even on the old ones that have set in for quite some time. I’m a huge fan of the Bissell Stomp Pads I told you about a couple months ago, and they work wonders on new carpet stains. But we still have some old stubborn spots that I’ve tried everything on. This is the first product that actually lightened them all – and even totally got rid of many of them! Love it.

Cleaning Tips & Coupons

  • Get some great cleaning tips and learn how Greased Lightening can work on almost any mess in your house – Visit their website at www.Greased-Lightening.com.
  • You can also check them out on Facebook to grab some coupons for sweet savings. If you’ve used Greased Lightening and love it like I do – be sure to leave a comment to let them know. They’ll love it.

    • {Disclaimer: This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own – I really do love this stuff, and think you will too!}

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    Posted by on January 15, 2012 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 1 Comment
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