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Plantsmart: The Garden Gadget That Gives Anyone A Green Thumb

Smart Garden Helper

Plants. They’ve been around since the Paleozoic period, so why is it so hard to keep them alive for one stinkin’ summer? Weeds grow without an ounce of effort, but when it comes to having flowers and plants that will make the neighbors green with envy you may need a little help from our newest find–The PlantSmart Digital Plant Care Sensor from Black & Decker. It takes the guess work out of gardening by giving you tons of invaluable gardening tips.

The Plantsmart – From Black & Decker – Saves the Day!

Stick the sensor into your soil for 24 hours and this cute little device will evaluate your soil, sunlight and temperature. Then just plug it into your computer for a detailed analysis of what’s at the root of it all your gardening woes. Even better, it will give you access to a database of thousands of recommendations for exactly which flowers and plants will thrive in your backyard. It also gives you great ideas for container gardening and wisdom when it comes to window boxes.

Watch this week’s Twirl as our resident gardening expert goes head to head with this remarkable garden gadget. You might be as surprised as she was at the results.

What do you think?

I do not have a green thumb. I have more like, the black thumb of impending disaster or something. My mother is a Master Gardener, so I was a hopeless disappointment to her. I love plants, I used to try so hard to grow my own garden, and keep my pretty flowering houseplants alive… Yet I never really succeed.

My secret weapon!

But now – I have a totally amazing vegetable garden. My mother helped me get it started, and helps me keep it up. The carrots and peppers breath a sigh of relief when they see her accompany me, since they know now that they are in good hands. A big reason I had such trouble getting started is that I really had no knowledge about things like soil types, how much sunlight was needed, when to water, etc. You know, the basic things you do to keep your plants alive. So this little gadget was like having my own little gardening wizard – helping figure out exactly what I needed to do! I could finally impress my mother by picking the right plants for the right place, AND keeping them alive. But shhhh…. Don’t tell her my secret!

More gardening help from technology!

  • Pocket Garden: This fun app will help you plan, organize, and track your veggie garden! With suggestions for proper plants, you’ll save a ton of money by finding the perfect plantings for any plot!
  • Get Growing: Another great app – This one helps you really see the value of growing your own food. You will be amazed by how just a few fruits and veggies can take a real bite out of your grocery bill! {Yep, pun totally intended!}

Carley's Byline Pic

Digitwirl.com Rocks my Socks!

Digitwirl is the weekly web show that offers simple solutions to modern day problems. In 3-minutes, Digitwirl brings busy women the very best time, money, and sanity-saving technology, and then teaches them how to use it, step-by-step. Digitwirl was created by technology lifestyle expert Carley Knobloch, who uses lots of technology to manage her busy life as mom of two and entrepreneur. Become a subscriber to get weekly show alerts and exclusive deals at Digitwirl.com, or follow Digitwirl on Twitter at @digitwirl.

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Fun Printable Luau Party Games!


This eBook: Fun Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas is yours FREE when you join our eZine!

Who loves printables?

I sure as heck do! I found a {SUPER FUN} new site for the rest of you printable-lovers to check out… Python Printable Games has TONS of great party games for tons of occasions!

Luau Party Games

I was lucky enough to get a chance to check out the Luau Party Games Pack, and I’m LOVIN’ it! Many of you know that I am planning a H-U-G-E First Birthday Party Luau for my little girl next month, so this will be a PERFECT addition to my party goodies!

This set includes super cute games like Pin the Parrot on the Pirate {which I’ll use at our Pirate Party Birthday too!}, Printable Luau Paper Dolls {I’ll even use some of these in the decorations!}, a bunch of fun trivia games {I’ll give out prizes for each winner!}, a cool gift exchange game, Luau-themed Mad-Libs, and more!

Why use Python Printable Party Games?

  • Value: When you buy a party pack, you get to print unlimited copies of all of the games, invites, and materials. That means whether you’re entertaining for 4 or 40, you’ll have enough!
  • Simple: Their instant download system means there’s NO shipping cost or wait time, you get your games right away!
  • It’s the “green” way to party: No shipping or packaging required, no fuel used, you print as much as you need and no more.

Get the FREE ebook and more!

Sign up today for their newsletter and get the “Say Aloha to Great Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas” ebook for free!

Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll get thier ezine update once a month, with new party packs and ideas, FREE games, and coupons!!

 

Printable Games For All Occasions! | Python-Printable-Games.com

{Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.}

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Free Book: Recyling Crafts!

Get it FREE!

Get this FREE eBook with really fun and creative ways to re-use the stuff around the house that you would normally throw away. I’m such a big fan of “up-cycling” and am planning to do a weeklong Thrifty Trash Crafts series of posts on it soon!

Until then, check out this fun book:

Free Green Crafts eBook: 42 Ways to Recycle with craft projects for paper, plastic, metal, glass and more. Save money, enjoy a favorite hobby and reduce your household waste with these green craft projects.

Recycle old clothing and even light fixtures into functional and decorative items for the home. Turn 1-liter plastic bottles into Halloween Luminaries (pg. 46), junk mail into pretty Rolled Paper Beads (pg. 7) and old jeans into functional Potholders (pg. 80).

Click Here to get it free today! This can give you some great ideas for almost free activities for the kids… Summer break is almost here!!



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Easy Way to Help Tornado Victims…

Sometimes you hear about the devastation somewhere, and you wish you could help. Perhaps you’re far away, or don’t feel like you have much to give.

Read about an easy way that you can make a difference in the lives of the people suffering through some pretty terrible conditions right now, by partering with one of my favorite companies I’ve used for a long time:

Hello Meagan,

Donate your pick to Joplin, MO In an effort to send aid to communities in the Midwest affected by the past weeks’ devastating tornados, thredUP will donate $10 every time a member contributes a pick when building a box. Your picks will be converted to cash, which is what will truly help families in the Midwest impacted by these storms.

Clean out your closets, list a box, and check the ‘donate pick’ option to support this cause. For the next 5 days, you will not be able to donate your swaps to military thredUP families – we military ladies will join you in building for Joplin and other Midwest communities.

Our hearts go out to those affected by this disaster and we hope that you’ll join us in doing what we can to help.

– Sara Gibb, Chief Military Mom & the entire thredUP team

If you’ve ever thought about joining this great company, now is an excellent time to start. You simply make a quick account, and you’re ready to pick a couple of boxes, and list some of your own. 

Members package up their gently worn kids clothes, and you get to search by size/style/season, to find a box of things that you can use for your own child. It’s such an amazing way to save money, and now you’re using that purchasing power to help others in need.

If you’re already a member, make sure to be a part of this, and go on over to the Thredup facebook page and give a big ol’ THANK YOU for doing such a great thing.

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Kids Clothing Swap: How ThreadUp Works

Have you heard of ThreadUp?

I have used ThreadUp a few times now, and I can tell you… It is SUCH a great way to get kids clothes really cheap. Plus, it helps you find a new home for the stuff that your own kids have outgrown. I love trading in stuff that Abby has hardly worn for things that she really needs right now!

Here is how it works:

You get your first box free, to try it out. You browse the “Boxes” that other members have posted. Some include pictures, some link to pics on their Facebook, but all include a detailed description of all of the items included in the box. There are usually about 10-15 items in each box.

You get the box free, but you do pay shipping, about $10. Then the box is sent to you, and you have a bunch of gently worn, but new to you, clothes and accessories!

To continue swapping, you have to participate too! You just click the “request boxes” button, and they’ll send you out a bunch of shipping boxes. You put together a few boxes, and post the details on the site. When someone wants to buy your box (always only $5 a box) THEY pay the shipping, and you simply print out a shipping label, attach it, and have it picked up! Easy peasy. Every box you swap out gives you a credit to pick another new box!

Sounds cool, right?

I love this. My little girl had so many really cute baby outfits that she never even got to wear, so this was a great way to trade them in for stuff that she needs now! Check it out, sign up for a FREE account, and go check out the selection. I think you’ll be a fan too.

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How to get FREE Starbucks today!

Today only, you can get a FREE drink at your local Starbucks!

In honor of Earth Day, bring in a reusable mug or tumbler to Starbucks and get a free brewed coffee or tea, today only.

Sweet deal :) And you can go in more than once, and get a re-fill too! Hopefully you also pick up a new habit today when you bring your own travel mug, and continue to bring it every day…. Then you can drink your morning coffee in a much more stylish container, and save a little bit of junk from cluttering up the earth at the same time.

Happy Earth Day!

Inbox Dollars

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Win the ConservingNow Great Green Giveaway! {$50 Value}

Enter to win in the ConservingNow Great Green Giveaway! {$50 Value}

Check out the super amazing Ultra-Sturdy Oversized Cotton Tote bag from ConservingNow that one lucky Sunshine and Sippy Cups fan is going to win…

AND, this awesome bag will be filled to up with a ton of great “Green” goodies…

Here are all of the awesome products that the winner will get to try out:

  • The simply amazing Ultra-Sturdy Oversized Cotton Tote from ConservingNow, plus a fun window cling to remind you to “Bring Your Own Bag”!
  • Baby products and coupon from Earth’s Best including a cute baby bib, whole grain rice cereal, feeding guide, diaper and wipe coupons, and 2 FREE baby cereal coupons!
  • The adorable Baby Banana Brush Combo Pack with Spry Training Tooth Gel. {Not pictured, click the link to see it!}
  • Natural cleaning products from Ecover including two trial packages of dishwashing tabs, and a mini Grapefruit and Green Tea Dishwashing Liquid, plus coupons!
  • Freebies from Nasoya! Coupons for one FREE Nasoya Super Hummus, and one FREE product of your choice.
  • A sample of Sprout Baby Food in my little girls very favorite flavor, Roasted Bananas!
  • Samples of the natural snack, Chocolate Covered Strawberry thinkThin bars from Think Products!

One lucky fan will win it all, a package of green goodies worth over $50!! What a great way to try out a ton of new natural product companies, right? These are all brands that I use and love, and I’m excited to share them with you.

Now…. How do you enter??

Remember, to be eligible to win any of my giveaways, you MUST be a blog follower. You can subscribe by email, or follow with GFC.

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment letting me know how you follow Sunshine and Sippy Cups. Make sure to include your email, so I can contact you if you’re the lucky winner!

Bonus Entries:

  1. 1. “Like” ConservingNow on Facebook and leave me a comment letting you know that you are a fan! And if you’re feeling friendly, stop and say hello and show some love from the Sunshine and Sippy Cups fans!
  2. 2. Follow ConservingNow on Twitter, and leave me another new comment letting me know that you did this, and what your Twitter name is.
  3. 3. Visit ConservingNow and let me know which bag is your favorite! {So many good ones, I don’t know how you’ll choose!}
  4. 4. “Like” Sunshine and Sippy Cups on Facebook, and leave a comment letting me know that you’re a fan!
  5. 5. Follow Sunshine and Sippy Cups on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know!
  6. 6. One bonus entry EVERY DAY for sharing this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter! {You can share very easily by using the share buttons under each post!} Leave me a comment here EACH DAY that you share the giveaway, to get your daily bonus entry!

Rules:

Contest ends on Sunday, April 30th, 2011 at midnight PST. Winner will be chosen on May 1st, 2011. Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only, 18 and over. Winner will be contacted at the email they provide here, and will have 48 hours to respond before an alternate winner will be drawn.

Woooooo!!!! Let the fun begin!! Check out the ConservingNow site, learn lots of new info, and browse their great products. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter, and share the giveaway. And leave a NEW comment for EVERY action you complete, for lots of entries!

Also, make sure you join the fun during the Natural Parenting Blog Party, and read more about ConservingNow in my review here!

BabytoBee

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