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Photo Gifts that Combine Retro & Modern Design – at HUGE Discounts for Mother’s Day!

I Heart Paper Coterie!

I am so incredibly in love with the photo products at Paper Coterie – seriously. I ordered a few months ago when they had the free $40 in credit for new customers, and was BLOWN AWAY by the totally gorgeous selection. Everything is so pretty – like a really cool combination of retro/vintage style, but still totally modern and fresh. How can that be? Well, you’ll have to check them out and see it yourself –

Shop Paper Coterie Today – Mother’s Day Sales and Birthday Bash!

I love the products, and the quality is as good as it gets. Like, perfection. But – the other thing I totally love about them is that they LOVE you back! My order came with a pendant necklace, as a thank you for my first order. They are always running really amazing specials where you get free gifts, totally free credits, or super sweet discounts. Right now you can get –

  • Free Mother’s Day printables, that are totally pretty.
  • $20 Memory Keepers {this is a beautiful box that you personalize with photos, and fill with great memories.} – plus a free gift.
  • Mother’s Day specials – express shipping, and gifts at 60% off!

Check them out, and stock up on gifts for the special women in your life – and for yourself. This is now my #1 go-to shop for any type of photo or paper products. If you want to stay updated on their promotions and unique new photo products, check them out on Facebook!

What are YOU getting your Momma this year?

Do you ever purchase photo gifts? {If so – seriously, you MUST check these out. You’ll probably never shop anywhere else again!} Do you do the traditional flowers and a card? Jewelry? Or are you a DIY type?

You’ll find more Mother’s Day Celebration and Gift Ideas on my Pinterest board – and I”d love to hear your creative tips too!

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Why this is the perfect snack

Convenient doesn’t have to mean unhealthy. And healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste. So – If you’re looking for a super simple snack, that’s healthy enough that you feel like a great mom when you feed it to the kids, while being tasty enough that YOU enjoy eating it too – You’re totally in luck. I have another great Busy Mom Solution product for you – PROBAR Fruitrition snack bars. Sooooo good.

PROBAR Fruitrition

“The greatest wealth is health.” – Virgil

I used to rely on granola bars for the kids snacks – But then I realized that honestly, they’re just not much better than a candy bar. They’re so packed full of sugar and corn syrup and chocolate chips – They are not a real great choice. But they’re yummy, and they’re simple to grab and go. Then I went looking for some good Gluten Free snacks to have in the house, since during the summer we have a TON of kids here all the time using the pool – and I wanted to make sure we have snacks to fit all of their different dietary needs, you know? When I tried these great Fruitrition bars, I knew we’d found a winner! Seriously – this chocolate orange flavor tastes like a gourmet chocolate from my favorite candy shop. Uh-MAY-zing. Best part? They have a full serving of fruit in each bar, and are only 160 calories – meaning they can fit into my Nutrisystem diet too!

Gluten Free Snack Bars

“If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” – Leon Eldred

If you want to upgrade your snack foods too – You totally have to check out these bars. You should be able to find them at some of your favorite local stores – but if not, you can order online too, AND I’ve got a sweet savings discount code you can use too:

Visit theprobar.com,  and enter code “BLOGGER” at checkout to save 40% off your order! Awesome, right?

My favorite is by FAR the Chocolate Orange – but there’s also a ton of other goodies to choose from – strawberry bar, but you can’t go wrong with peach, cherry, lemon, blueberry, strawberry and cran-raspberry. So whether you’re buying these as a healthier alternative for the kiddos, or for a way better snack choice for yourself, you’ll find a perfect flavor. And hey – It’s not just me saying that they rock, they just won an award from Prevention Magazine too – check it out, and have another reason why these are a total must-have in any snack cupboard this spring!

Wanna try ’em for FREE?

Of course you do! So use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below to enter to WIN a case filled with ALL of the new PROBAR Fruitrition bars – this is an almost $40 value, which is a LOT of snacks. So cool. Then when you’re done, check out the list of other sweet prizes that I’m giving away this month too, over in the sidebar. The more you enter, the more chances you have to win!

Have Fun & Good Luck!

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Sometimes the Past is a Present…

People Like Us

People Like Us

I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about this movie – but hadn’t stopped to take a minute to see what it was all about until tonight. Why made me take a break to watch the trailer – finally? Well, I got an email that tomorrow is Brothers & Sisters Day, and Sprinkles Cupcakes has partnered with People Like Us to celebrate – by giving away FREE cupcakes at all of their locations. Awesome, right? But then maybe you’re like me, and thinking – what does this movie have to do with Brothers & Sisters Day? Which is why I was finally intrigued enough to Stop the Blog for a minute {lol}, and check out some clips from the movie. And since I know YOU are interested now too – here ya go, ladies:

Rethinking the meaning of family

Here’s the official info: “In a story inspired by true events, Sam, a twenty-something, fast-talking salesman, is tasked with fulfilling his estranged father’s last wishes—delivering an inheritance to a sister he never knew he had. Starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde and Michelle Pfeiffer, PEOPLE LIKE US opens in theaters June 29.” The unofficial info: I predict needing a tissue or two for this film! I’m such a sap – it’s not too touch to get me cryin’ during a movie. But this one seems like the kind of thing to really get me – a mom who is struggling to provide for her kiddo as best as she can, an older brother who wants to help her out, and protect her…. Yep, totally gets me. {Love you brother!}

Brotherly {and Sisterly!} Love

If you want to do a little celebrating for Brother’s & Sisters Day tomorrow {which is May 2nd} – Check out the link for a fun quiz to learn how much you really know your own bro or sis. And make sure to find the Sprinkles Cupcakes location nearest to you for your FREE cupcake tomorrow! {Details in that link.} I don’t have one near me – but if YOU get one, share a pic on my Facebook wall tomorrow so I can be totally jealous. Happy Celebrating!

birthdayFB.com

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How to Build a Better Smile – #CrestSponsored

Kids smiling

Keeping Kids Smiles Bright!

About a month ago, I told you guys about a new challenge we were doing – We started following the  Crest and Oral-B Pro-Health Clinical Plaque Control regimen, where we’d try out some of the new products, and build some better brushing habits in our house. Well, I can tell ya – the kids and I loved every single product we tried out. And we are definitely switching to this floss – we were all really impressed with how easy the Glide floss is to use.

How to Build a Better Smile

I love seeing those great big grins on the kiddo’s faces – so it’s totally important to me to protect them from yucky stuff like cavities and stains. The video above shares some great info – and here are a few tips we use at my house:

  • Make sure that everyone has a good routine – brushing, flossing, and rinsing both morning and night. {A fun way to make sure kids brush long enough is to get the Twooth Timer, a cute little gadget that has made my life SO much easier!}
  • Use the best products. The Pro-Health line from Crest and Oral-B is awesome because most of the products do double duty – cleaning, whitening, and even protecting!
  • Brush smart: You should brush for about 2 minutes, twice a day. Harder is NOT better – that can lead to over-sensitive teeth. Use a rinse with fluoride – swish about 2 teaspoons full in your mouth for 1 minute, twice a day. And remember to change to a new toothbrush every 3 months. {We write the date on the handle when we purchase new ones!}

There are also some great books to get little ones excited about brushing time, like Brush Your Teeth Please Pop-Up Book. Abby loved that one, and she thinks that brushing her teeth is so cool that she steals the other toothbrushes out of the cabinet and walks around the house brushing with them. {That means I’ve been buying everyone a lot of new toothbrushes lately, lol.} So – get your family motivated to do a Pro-Health Challenge too! Pick up the products at your local drugstore or Walmart, and see how well they all work together – it’s an awesome little system. And build brighter smiles for your family this year too!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Crest and Oral-B and received product samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central Consulting sent me a promotional gift to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

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Six Movies. One Epic Day. $40 Ticket: #TheAvengers Movie Marathon Event & Giveaway!

The Ultimate Marvel Marathon - The Avengers

Six Movies. One Epic Day. $40 Ticket.

How cool is THAT, right?? If you’re an action movie fan, or have kiddo’s who love Marvel movies – then you cannot miss this event. Starting at 11:30 a.m. on May 3, AMC Theatres will show the Ultimate Marvel® Movie Marathon: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger —followed by the midnight premiere of Marvel’s The Avengers!

Marvel’s The Avengers Official Movie Trailer

I am super excited to see this when it comes out, and the boys in our house are going crazy for it already. I’m sure there are a ton of you moms out there who know what I’m talking about, lol. So, if you’re big Marvel fans, here’s some info for ya:

Super cool stuff, right? This movie event is going to be pretty darn epic! We don’t have ANY theaters in Washington where I can go and see this – but I had to share with you guys when I heard about it this morning, because I know some of you will be able to go. If you buy tickets, let me know how it was!!

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What’s lurking under Your Kitchen Sink? The #GetClean Makeover!

As moms, our biggest job in life is keeping our kids safe. Yes – we want them to be so many things: funny as heck, star athletes, amazingly talented performers, creators of beautiful artwork, compassionate and kind individuals, and much more. But – the #1 job is keeping them safe, so that they can grow into those amazing people we imagine that they’ll become. And one of the ways that we keep our little ones safe is by keeping our home clean, and free from dangerous germs, right? Well – these facts may surprise the heck out of you:

Is your home dirtier after you clean it?

You totally get this great feeling when you’ve cleaned, scrubbed, and disinfected your whole house, right? But – you would NEVER let your little ones play with toxic chemicals, so why would you use them to clean up a spill on the floor that they play on??

  1. The EPA says that only a portion of the 81,00o registered chemicals in household cleaners, only a fraction have been tested for health concerns.
  2. More than 9 out of 10 accidental poisonings happen at home – many from household cleaners.
  3. Due to the use of air fresheners and cleaners, the levels of organic pollutants is 2 to 5 times higher INSIDE your home, then outside.

So what do you do? Well, you can learn about a new Smart Mom Solution I’m really excited about, that will help you clean your home with cleaners that don’t leave more toxins than the toxins their supposed to clean.

Safe household cleaners

A Healthier Life for Everyone and a Better Life for Anyone

I’m always looking for new household cleaning helpers that are cleaner, greener, safer – but still really WORK. I’m also all about living a frugal lifestyle, so I hate spending a ridiculous amount of money on cleaners with fancy package, that call themselves “Green”, with no real facts to back that up. But these have all been reviewed and endorsed for their safety by Healthy Child Healthy World, who I totally trust for good information. I am incredibly glad that I was introduced to Shaklee – this is now my new go-to brand, and can easily just about everything else I was using in my home!

Household cleaner makeover!

The #GetClean Under Sink Makeover!

This is my under-sink kitchen makeover – Notice how many LESS products I have under there by switching to the Shaklee products? I counted 17 different cleaners, sprays, wipes, and powders in my cupboard in the “Before” pic – but with the Shaklee Starter Kit, I only have 6 – plus some great reusable cleaning cloths which allow me to get rid of all those rolls of paper towels. I totally encourage you to take a look under your sink, and then check out the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources website, Household Products Database – and learn about the crazy-harmful chemicals that you are wiping onto your counters, scrubbing onto your dishes, and spraying into your air. It is insane – seriously.

Shaklee Corporation

Makeover YOUR Kitchen Sink!

I used the Shaklee Starter Kit to replace all of that super yucky toxic junk under my sink. It’s a bit of an upfront investment – Around $100 bucks for the set. BUT – when you make your cleaners, you fill each bottle with water, and less than a teaspoon of concentrate from a big full-size bottle. Can you even imagine how long that is going to last?? Here are a few great benefits:

  1. It’s Frugal: Frugal isn’t about spending less, it’s about spending smart. And you would spend $3400 for ready to use cleaners to get the same amount of clean found in the Get Clean Starter Kit! Can you say value?
  2. It’s Safe: No harmful fumes or hazardous chemicals. If you have kids with asthma, eczema, or any other sensitivities – imagine what a difference that could make for them?
  3. It Works: They say that it rivals or outperforms 20 national leading brands – I can tell you that every product that I have works just as well or better than any of the major brand products that I replaced. And I’m a clean freak, with pretty high standards on that stuff.
  4. Eco Friendly: Not only are they better on the earth due to the lack of gross chemicals that will end up polluting the air and water – But with their refillable packaging and concentrated products, you keep 108 pounds of packaging waste from landfills!

Awesome Fact: My favorite product, the Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate – just 1/4 tsp. makes 16oz. of all-purpose cleaner for only 3 cents!!! Whaaaaat? Yep, it’s true.

You can learn more about the Shaklee line, including their healthy weight and nutrition products, other home items, and even a healthy beauty line – on their website. And be sure to follow Shaklee on Facebook and Twitter too, to stay updated on new products and promotions.

{Disclaimer: I received a complimentary product kit from Mom Spark Media to facilitate this review. All photos and opinions are 100% my own – I love this stuff, and know you will too!}

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Nike Young Athletes Innovation Summit – Coming Soon! #NikeKids

After just returning from an amazing conference in Texas earlier this month – we’re off on another adventure again this week! I’ve been invited to attend the first ever Nike Young Athletes Innovation Summit, at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. Since this event is all about young athletes, I’m bringing my nephew with me too. This is such an amazing opportunity for him, and I can’t wait to meet the Nike crew and see what they have in store for us.

Young Athletes Innovation Summit with Nike

“The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t’ is you. And you don’t have to listen.” – Nike Running Ad

Nike is such an amazingly powerful brand. Not only are they known worldwide as the best in athletic gear, they’re also such a motivating and inspiring company. From the great products, to the ads that encourage you to strive for success – when you think Nike, you think awesome. To be hand-selected by Nike to attend this event is a pretty big honor.

Nike Worldwide Headquarters

“Just Do It.” – Nike

This is a preview of what we will be seeing soon – We head to this amazing Nike HQ on Thursday morning. It’s my nephew’s first time flying, and he’s excited about it… But not even close to the level of excitement he has about checking out the Nike campus! A few of the things he has to look forward to – and Innovation session with the Nike design team, a meet and greet with an Olympic athlete, some sports sessions, and a dip in the Lance Armstrong Center Pool with the other kids. Um, can you say “Dream come true??” He is going to have a total blast.

Super high kick on soccer field

“My better is better than your better.” – My Favorite Nike Ad Quote

My two nephews live with me part time – this is the older little guy. He’s 8, and a total sports super star. Me? I was NEVER good at sports. Ever. I don’t just have two left feet – I might even have three! Lol. I was always in awe of people who had the ability to jump into a sport and rock it – and I’ve been so proud to see the drive, determination, and excitement that my nephew shows as part of his many competitive teams. He’s awesome.

kids kick on the soccer field

“There is no finish line.” – Nike Ad Quote

I love that Nike has planned this event to focus on innovation in kids sports. There is so much focus on adults in sports – developing the perfect gear to optimize performance – but not always as much attention paid to what kids need. And a kids body is not just a smaller version of an adult – they can have very different needs, and those needs change quickly as they grow. {Ever tried keeping a growing boy in pants that fit? Yep. They change overnight sometimes!} I’m really excited to learn what Nike is doing, and what cool products they have on the horizon!

Kids Nike FREE Run: If your feet flex, shouldn’t your shoes flex too? Must-have flexibility for young feet.

We head out on our trip this Thursday, April 26th – and spend a fun day relaxing and meeting the other families at The Nines, in Downtown Portland. Then we spend the whole day Friday at the Nike HQ! And while you can’t come with me – I’m still going to include you in all of the fun! I’ll be tweeting from @sunandsipcups about the event – you can follow everyone’s tweets with #NikeKids. And I’ll be posting TONS of photos and updates to Facebook and Instagram too!! {Find me on Instagram at @sunandsipcups.}

{Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Nike via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nike.}

 

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