New 2012 Costumes at Wholesale Costume Club: Review & Giveaway

  I am heading back to work tomorrow after a great summer off with the kids and my daughter is returning back to school as well. Summer is officially over in my mind and my sights are set on enjoying fall. Fall is by far my favorite season. I love when the weather is just slightly chilly. I love baking tasty “fall recipes” with apples or pumpkin. And yes, my kids love preparing for Halloween. My kids each both have their costumes planned.

I typically feel a little stressed when All Hallow’s Eve is approaching because I have to find an appropriate adult costume that can be worn at work (an elementary school). This is not always an easy task. All of our local costume stores have extremely short, sexy costumes, which obviously would be a huge no-no for me. I am so happy to show you my costume for this Halloween, thanks to Wholesale Costume Club!

Wholesale Costume Club has costumes for the entire family (even pets) for such affordable prices! There are so many to choose from – it may take a while to figure out what you want to be! The costumes that are available are the same costumes found in local stores but are sold at lower prices. Accessories, masks, hats, and wigs are also available for purchase. There are both Non-Member and Member prices. In order to become a member, you simply need to pay an annual $5 membership fee. It’s nice to be able to visit one website and find costumes for everyone and not have to shop around in various stores or numerous websites. I simply don’t have that kind of time!

The Wholesale Costume Club was generous to provide me with the opportunity to review a costume. I chose to review the Flintstones Pebbles Adult Costume. I chose this costume for two reasons. The first reason is that I was a huge fan of the Flintstones when I was a child. The second reason is because this costume is totally appropriate for work! The Flintstones Pebbles Adult Costume includes every item seen in the picture, with the exception of the shoes. No additional purchases are necessary. I requested a size Small, which fit perfectly. I really like this costume because the material is a soft felt; therefore, it can be worn for a while without feeling uncomfortable and itchy. I was really impressed with the quality of the wig. In the past, I have spent a lot of money on wigs for costumes and they have been extremely cheap. Either the hair falls out when you brush it even lightly or when you part it slightly, there are huge sections where there is no hair at all. This wig is great! I was able to brush it and there are no hairless sections!

 

Wholesale Costume Club has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for a $25 Promo Code to one Tidbits From A Mom reader!  Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

 

Pull-Ups Potty Break Kit Review & Giveaway

  My son began showing interest in using the potty about a month after he turned two years old. We bought him a potty and showed him how to use it. We also began using a couple storybooks with him help in the process. We are hoping (with a bit of praying) that he will be potty trained earlier than my daughter was trained. I know the word is that boys take longer than girls, but I can still try, right?

Many parents, including myself, turn to Pull-Ups to assist in the training process. They are so much easier to use than diapers due to frequent bathroom visits. Pull-Ups was very kind to send me a Potty Break Kit to help me with my son’s potty training. Included in the Potty Break Kit were two packs of new limited edition Disney Learning Design Pull-Ups featuring Disney Character Lightening McQueen, a Cars watch to remind my son that he needed to use the potty, a Cars themed success chart to mark progress, Cars stickers to use with the chart, and a $25 American Express Gift Card to use towards more potty training supplies.

My son was ecstatic to receive his new Potty Break Kit because Lightening McQueen is his absolute favorite character. He was happy to repeat over and over again, “McQueen diaper! McQueen diaper!” We hung up the potty success chart in the bathroom right next to his Lightening McQueen potty. I explained the chart and where we put the stickers. I had to hide the stickers because he wanted to use them immediately!

We began using the Pull-Ups immediately. I had requested a 2T because that is the size he wears; however, I found that they were too tight for him. We really needed the 3T. He had trouble with trying to pull them down, which isn’t unusual because he doesn’t pull his shorts up and down independently either. Since they were too small, I used these Pull-Ups with him only during the day and placed a diaper on him at night. They were completely absorbent and didn’t disappoint, which is why I’ve been a Huggies fan for a long time!


I programmed the Cars wristwatch to remind my son every half hour that he needed to use the potty. This is a quality plastic watch and adorable with McQueen on it. Unfortunately, he loved the idea of the wristwatch but wouldn’t wear it for more than five minutes. Therefore, I simply placed it on the table. When it went off, I reminded him, “Ok, time to use the potty”. I wish I could say that my excitement was returned in kind…but, I can’t. He fought me each and every time, which was discouraging. But, I did not push and make it a battle. He is very young and I didn’t want him to view this as a fight and control issue. I’m happy to say that this hasn’t been a total failure though! My son uses the potty every single night before he gets into the bath tub. It has become part of his routine and he is so proud of himself when he is successful. Therefore, this proves that he will be successful once we are able to build more potty breaks into his normal daily routine.

In addition to the products mentioned above, Pull-Ups has additional tools to help you with your child’s training. When parents visit Pull-ups.com, they can schedule a potty break reminder phone call from Cinderella or Mater. I scheduled a phone call from Mater for my son and he was so excited!  He went running for the potty afterwards!  Parents can also use the online potty break timer that features either Minnie Mouse or Lightening McQueen. Pull-Ups also polled Moms like us throughout the country and asked them questions regarding the potty training process. Check it out!

Learn about business intelligence tools.

The generous folks at Huggies have offered to sponsor a giveaway! One Tidbits From A Mom reader will receive one of the Potty Break Kits featured above! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

GlobalEyeglasses.com Review & Giveaway

I’ve been wearing glasses for the majority of my life now. Unlike some people, I don’t mind wearing them. Hey – they make me look smart and they’re fashionable :) However, what I do not care for is the cost. I do not even want to know the total amount of money that I have spent on glasses over all these years. I could go on a vacation with that amount of money! I love to shop for new glasses, but I need to be aware of how it affects my wallet. 

GlobalEyeglasses.com provides quality glasses at a much lower cost. You can purchase a pair of glasses as low as $14 right now!  GlobalEyeglasses.com has Full Rim, Half Rim, and Rimless in numerous shapes and materials for men, women, and children. I found it interesting to read on their website that their glasses are 51% cheaper than Walmart and 64% cheaper than Costco. 

GlobalEyeglasses.com kindly offered me the opportunity to review a pair of glasses. It was very hard to choose! I was a little anxious that I would choose the wrong pair for my face, so I chose to review a pair that is a similar style to the pair I already wear. I chose to review the Basics “Sprocket – Brown”. This pair costs $19.00! As the website describes, “Sprocket is a simple solution for customers looking for a short, rectangular frame. With its lenses only 25mm high and 50mm wide, Sprocket fills the need for a minimal wire frame”. 

I was impressed with the glasses. I can’t believe the price! They are exactly the right frame style for my face.  The frames are so much sturdier than I thought they would be.  See how pretty I look? ;)


GlobalEyeglasses.com has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for a $50 Gift Certificate! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

RoosterFin Games Review: PongCano

As I’m sure you do, I love playing games with my kids. We have such a great time together. I also have the luxury of playing many games with my students during the day as a way to form bonds and assist them with learning positive social skills. We have many favorites, most are the classic board games. 

I was recently introduced to RoosterFin Games and invited to review a game of my choice. I chose to review PongCano. This is a game that includes a volcano, ball, and 12 chips. The purpose of the game is to be the last player holding all of the chips.
 
Here is how you play:
The chips are distributed evenly amongst players. Any chips that are left over should be placed in the volcano. You place the volcano in the center of the table or playing area. Each player takes a turn and bounces the ball, ultimately hoping to get it into the volcano. If you miss your shot, you need to place once of your chips inside the volcano. If the ball lands in the volcano, you can take out the chips that are inside the volcano and hold on to them. The game ends when someone has obtained all the chips.



I had such a great time playing PongCano with both my daughter and my students. I am a lousy shot, so I lost both times I played  I like this game because it’s different than the board games we always play. It’s more active. This game does not take up a lot of space, which is nice. My only wish is that the game came in a box so that it can be stored. At this point, once the game is taken out of the package, the box can’t be used. I placed the game in a plastic bag so that I don’t lose the ball and the chips. However, to me, this is a minor issue. The game is a blast and I look forward to practicing my aim!

RoosterFin has a brand new game out called “Masheroo!” The point of this game is to match your shape and face chips to your pattern card. However, the Masher Bolt can mash your shapes, leaving you no choice but to rebuild. “It's the fast paced game of Mash or Be Mashed!” Check out "Masheroo!" at
www.playmasheroo.com.

Follow RoosterFin Games on Twitter and Facebook!

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I received a free sample of this game for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I SEE ME! Review & Giveaway: My Very Happy Birthday Book

My son turned two years old last Friday! He is very excited to have his cake and presents! Since he is only two, he has only recently learned how much fun birthday parties can be. Cake? Presents? Decorations? What’s not to love?! 

In preparing for his birthday, I was very excited to be able to have the opportunity to review the new board book by I See Me!, which is entitled, “My Very Happy Birthday”. In the story, Duck, Mouse, Bluebird, and Turtle, as well as their other friends, have joined together for a party in honor of your child. This book is available to be personalized for either a boy or a girl. The cover can also be personalized with your child’s name and their age and a dedication can be written on the inside. Once we personalized the book, our book read, “J’s Very Happy 2nd Birthday!”


This book is adorable! It is a quality board book, with a glossy, thick hardcover. This rhyming story, written by Jennifer Dewing, excites children about all the preparation for the party, including invitations, the cake, party hats, and music. My son’s favorite part of the story is the end when the animals sing out, “Happy 2nd Birthday, J, they sang out in joy, and they drummed and they danced for the sweet birthday boy”. My son thinks it’s hysterical that the animals are saying “Happy Birthday” to him! 

The personalization is so wonderful in this book for a number of reasons, including:
The child’s name is used throughout the book.
The child’s birthdate is included in the story.
There are the correct number of candles on the cake.
The child’s name is on the cake.



A huge “Thank You” to I See Me! for allowing me the opportunity to review this book. I love personalized products and I See Me! is the perfect place to shop when you are looking for a gift!

Also, I would like to share with you that I See Me! also has a referral program now.  For every friend that you refer to I See Me!, you will receive $5!  Your friend will also receive $5 off their first order!  Click here if you would like to learn more.

Follow I See Me! on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest!

I am SO excited to have the opportunity to host a giveaway for I See Me! I See Me! very generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for a copy of My Very Happy Birthday! The winner can choose to receive either the girl’s or boy’s book. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

Clorox Green Works Cleaning Products Review

When people ask me to share a fact about myself that most people don’t know, I admit that I really enjoy cleaning. For me, cleaning is a stress reliever. I’m not totally weird, there is one room that I don’t enjoy cleaning and that is definitely the bathroom! I can’t stand the smell of the products and I detest all the scrubbing. 

I have been using Clorox products for cleaning for years. I have to admit that I haven’t been as “green” as others over the years. However, over the past year, I have been really trying to make a concerted effort to live a “greener” life. I was recently given the opportunity to review Clorox’s Green Works cleaning products, including the All-Purpose Cleaner, Cleaning Wipes, Laundry Detergent, and Bathroom Cleaner. 

Some facts about Clorox Green Works cleaning products:

Green Works All-Purpose Cleaner - Safe to use on all surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. It’s 97% naturally derived and doesn’t leave behind residue or harsh chemicals.




Green Works Bathroom Cleaner - Comprised of plant and mineral based ingredients that can cut through soap scum and stains without leaving residue and fumes behind.



Green Works Cleaning Wipes – 99% naturally derived and safe to use on all non-wood surfaces. These cleaning wipes are 100% biodegradable. Once used, these wipes can be placed in a compost pile!



Green Works Laundry Detergent – Dermatologist tested! This laundry detergent does not contain phosphates, optical brighteners, or harsh chemical residue. It is also formulated for standard and high efficiency washers.



My thoughts about Clorox Green Works cleaning products:

I was really impressed with all four of these products. I have been using them for the past couple weeks and I haven’t been disappointed in the slightest. They have each held up to Clorox’s statements of efficacy. I LOVE that there isn’t a harsh smell that is evident with most of the cleansers I’ve used in the past. The scent is light and refreshing!

The Laundry Detergent left my clothes clean and smelling fresh and the All-Purpose Cleaner and Cleaning Wipes cut through the grime my children leave behind.  The product that impressed me the most was the Bathroom Cleaner. My daughter’s sinks becomes quite nasty with old toothpaste buildup. I often have to scrub at it to remove all the signs; however, Green Works Bathroom Cleaner cut through it so easily.

There are so many pros to using these products – they’re made from natural derivatives, that they haven’t been tested on animals, there are no harsh chemicals and/or residues, etc. The only con is that these products cost slightly more. However, this doesn’t bother me. If it means that I am achieving a “greener” status, my house is clean, and I am not gagging due to harsh fumes while I’m cleaning, then I’m willing to spend a little bit more to get the job done.  I'm actually quite eager to try some of the other Green Works products, particularly the Toilet Bowl Cleaner!

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received free samples of the products for the purpose of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own. 

Book Review: The 17 Day Diet Cookbook

I have been trying so hard to stick to a healthy diet. I believe that my family and I do pretty well. However, we have been eating the same healthy recipes over and over again and it’s becoming a bit redundant. I admit that I’m beginning to eye recipes that are not as healthy not only because I’m craving comfort food, but also just for the simple fact that I want to mix up our weekly menu.

Dr. Mike Moreno has created a nutrition program that revolves around four 17 day cycles. This diet plan and the recipes for the diet plan are included in the cookbook entitled, “The 17 Day Diet Cookbook”. This cookbook includes 80 new healthy recipes! As I mentioned, there are four 17 day cycles. These four cycles are Accelerate, Activate, Achieve, and Arrive (a combination of the first three cycles). With each cycle, you have a designated calorie intake total and the menu choices change. This enables you to have variety and not feel stuck in a monotonous diet.

My thoughts on the book:
This is a really nice hardcover cookbook. I feel that the majority of the recipes are appetizing recipes that I would love to try cooking. There are many recipes that include various types of fish. I love fish – it’s packed with protein and perfect to eat when you are trying to lose weight. My husband and I are eager to eat more fish; however, our daughter is allergic. Once we discovered her allergy, we stopped cooking fish at home. This has been disappointing. With our chaotic work weeks, I don’t have a ton of time to prepare dinners. Therefore, I attempt to cook recipes that the entire family can eat. This keeps me from preparing multiple dishes for our family as well as helps keep my grocery bill down. However, if you don’t have a family member who is allergic to fish, this cookbook has many choices for you! There are many recipes that I am looking forward to trying, such as the Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork and the Jerk Chicken.

I really like the fact that the cookbook has beautiful colorful photos of the recipes. I like seeing what I am trying to make. I also like that the cookbook provides additional tips for readers, such as ways in which you can change the recipe, save time in preparing the recipe, ideas for substitutions, and more. It is extremely helpful (in my opinion) that the cookbook provides menu plans for each cycle. Your entire menu is laid out in front of you! No debates about what to buy at the grocery store – you simply need to create your grocery list based upon your menu. The only thing that I found disappointing about the cookbook is that nutritional information was not included with the recipes. I try to pay attention to this as much as possible.

Want to read more about The 17 Day Diet Cookbook? Visit www.The17DayDiet.com

About the author: Dr. Michael Rafael Moreno is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine and Hahnemann Medical School (now Drexel University). Following his residency at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana, California, Dr. Moreno moved to San Diego, where he now practices family medicine and sits on the board of the San Diego Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 2008, Dr. Moreno launched, “Walk with Your Doc”, which he participates in every Tuesday and Thursday morning before his workday begins. The program began when Dr. Moreno offered to walk with a patient to motivate her to exercise and has since grown into a thriving community.

You can purchase The 17 Day Diet Cookbook on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I received a free copy of the book for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Novica Review

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I have been reading other bloggers’ reviews of Novica for years. I have perused their website and seen so many amazing products and unique gifts from artists around the world. As a shopper, I could go nuts with the home décor products! I was recently provided the opportunity to do a review on a Novica product. It took a bit for me to make my choice – there are simply so many products that I had my eye on. 

There is beautiful jewelry on Novica. As is well documented on Tidbits From A Mom, I love my jewelry :) You can find breathtaking pieces, such as Jade Necklaces, Amethyst Dangle Earrings, Wrap Bracelets, Garnet Dangle Earrings, and Silver Pendant Necklaces.   I chose to review two different pairs of earrings. Both pairs of earrings came in beautifully padded gift boxes and came with descriptions and quotes from the artisits. 

I loved the look of the Amber Earrings and ultimately chose to review the Amber Dangle Earrings called "Summer Warmth".  These were created by Shanker.  I love the color of amber.  It compliments my wardrobe so well!  They're gorgeous and the perfect size - not too big, not too small. 

I also chose a pair of Pearl Flower Earrings called "Pink Frangipani", created by Buana.  I wear various shades of pink often and these earrings are definitely my style.  The description card states, "Fashioned of silver, frangipai blossoms in a Balinese garden.  Set beneath the lovely flowers, pink pearl glows like moonlight".  These earrings were larger than I expected, but gorgeous just the same.  They are stunning!

In viewing the other pieces made by these artists, I was so impressive with the sheer talent.  I wish I could have one ounce of their talent!  "Wow" is a word that simply doesn't give them justice, but is the word that keeps coming to mind over and over again. 

In addition to the jewelry and home decor products that caught my eye, Novica also sells clothing.  I live in New Hampshire and we have some pretty cold winters (this year excluded of course).  I am always on the hunt for new sweaters and wraps.  Novica sells Wool Shawls, Alpaca Wool Sweaters, Women's Cardigan Sweaters, and Alpaca Sweaters.

Follow Novica on Twitter and Facebook!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Earn Money to Shop at MaggiesDirect.com & Soft Synthetic Pillow Review

Have you heard about MaggiesDirect.com yet? MaggiesDirect.com sells fabulous products for you and your home at reasonable prices. What is different about MaggiesDirect.com is that you can shop through social networking shopping! I had never heard of social networking shopping, so this really intrigued me. Essentially, you earn Social Bucks (1 Social Buck = $1.00 on Maggies) for completing various tasks. For example, you earn Social Bucks for inviting your friends to sign up, for following Maggies on Facebook, receiving their newsletter, reviewing a product, and more! Another perk is that standard shipping is always free to the lower 48 states for those with an account!

It is super easy to sign up! Sign up with MaggiesDirect.com today and begin earning money to shop!

Maggies is having an exclusive shopping event right now with their Maggies Hotel Collection. Included in this collection are Down Comforters, Synthetic Comforters, Duvet Covers, Shams, and Pillows. As a purchaser, you will earn 50% back in Social Bucks! There is no minimum order and as I mentioned previously, shipping is free to the lower 48 states ($15 to AK/HI and $20 to Canada).


Maggies kindly offered me the opportunity to review one of their Synthetic Pillows. I had the choice of soft, medium, or firm. I chose to review the Soft. This pillow’s MSRP is $78.00 - $92.00. On Maggies, you can purchase it for $37.00 - $42.00. This pillow has a 230 thread count and is hypoallergenic.


When I first removed the pillow from the box, I was instantly pleased with the fact that I had chosen the soft version (I tend to squish up my pillows at night). During my first “test run” using this pillow, I fluffed and squished this new pillow and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I felt like my head was being cradled. At the end of my long, extremely stressful day, I need a good night’s sleep. Lately, I haven’t been sleeping so well because my old pillow would mat down over time; thus, not provided support for my head. I would get up in the morning and my neck would hurt. I haven’t had this problem with my Synthetic Pillow from Maggies. The fibers inside haven’t clumped or matted down at all!

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.  I received a free product for the purpose of this review.  The opinions expressed here are my own. 

Smiley Cookie Easter Bunny Cookies Review

In preparing for Easter, I have bought so much chocolate it’s disgusting. However, this chocolate doesn’t help me in preparing desserts for our Easter supper. I would rather provide yummy desserts, rather than a bowl of Easter candy. I love to provide desserts that relate to that holiday theme, so obviously I would like an Easter themed dessert for this Sunday.

Each holiday, we typically purchase a dessert from a local bakery or bake a pie. However, my daughter tends to either not like the choice in pie or can’t eat the dessert due to her tree nut allergy. My son is also a very picky eater and doesn’t care for many desserts. However, both of my kids LOVE Smiley Cookies! We reviewed Valentine’s Day cookies a couple of months ago and they were simply ecstatic when we were given the opportunity to review Smiley Cookie’s Easter Bunny Cookies.






These Bunny Cookies are adorable! Twelve cookies are included in the package and come in a variety of pastel colors. Not only are the super cute, but they’re delicious. We received the cookies on a Thursday afternoon and they were gone by Saturday morning (my husband scarfed several down in his late night snacking!) I think that a plate of Easter cookies would look great on our dessert table on Sunday. I’m sure our guests will be “oohing” and “aahing” until the plate is empty!

If you would like to purchase an incredible cookie gift from Smiley Cookie, you can receive 10% off your purchase by using "BLOG10" at checkout.

*Disclaimer: I did not receive monetary compensation for this post. I received a free product for the purpose of this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Scarves Dot Net Review & Giveaway

Scarves are one of my favorite fashion accessories right now. I go through phases, like many women do, where I just don’t like the clothes I’m wearing anymore. They get monotonous. Sure, I can try to mix the look up by wearing different jewelry, but sometimes, I just feel blah…I love how adding a scarf to an outfit can change the look. It adds so much color to the outfit and to be honest, it makes me feel different. Scarves Dot Net is a website that has an unbelievable number of scarves available! They are available in every color, shape, length, material, etc. Scarves Dot Net sells their scarves for fabulously low prices.

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to review another scarf from Scarves Dot Net. I chose to review the Demi Crinkle Scarf. I love pink and this scarf has been a great addition to my wardrobe. This scarf is 100% Polyester, which was softer than I thought it would be. It is 76" L x 35" W in length and has an inch of fringe at the bottom. This particular scarf comes in blue and tan as well.






I had always considered scarves as a fall or winter fashion accessory; however, Scarves Dot Net has summer scarves in beautiful colors. For summer, I would probably choose one of their skinny scarves. I wouldn’t want to wear a thick scarf in the summer, so the skinny scarf variety makes sense. Regardless of the scarf, I tend to wear the scarf in the same manner. However, Scarves Dot Net has a fabulous “Ways To Tie A Scarf” page that teaches you 37 different ways to tie a scarf. Did you know there are 37 ways to tie a scarf? What I love about this page is the fact that they have a video to teach you how to tie instead of simply using a diagram.


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Scarves Dot Net has generously offered to sponsor a giveaway for a $20 Gift Certificate to Scarves Dot Net! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Book Review & Giveaway: Bright Side Up - 100 Ways to be Happier Right Now

I have been under a significant amount of stress lately. Much more than my typical stress. I have been attempting to “take one day at a time”, but at the end of the day, I am still overwhelmed. Work has been outrageous and I have been working my tail off trying to prepare our house to be put on the market. It has been very easy for me to find myself in a spiral of negative thinking.

It seems as though it was divine intervention when I was given the opportunity to review a book entitled “Bright Side Up: 100 Ways to be Happier Right Now”, written by Amy Spencer. I have to admit – part of me was intrigued and hopeful that this book could provide me with some solid tools for changing my thinking. The other part of me was hesitant to get my hopes up. I have read so many self-help books that did not live up to the hype. I am so pleased to share with you that this book was well worth the read.

Bright Side Up is a book that teaches you how to think about life differently. Amy Spencer explains to readers how you can change your life simply by the manner in which you think. There are certainly some events that occur in our lives that we have no control over; however, we can control our thoughts. Spencer discusses how readers can alter their thinking from negative to positive in regards to the following:

• Yourself
• Life’s Little Annoyances
• Careers
• Relationships
• Social Life
• Family & Friends
• Technology
• Travel  

Spencer uses fantastic examples from her own life to explain to readers how they can take a particular situation/thought and reframe it to an entirely different way of thinking. It often involves finding the good in the situation or, in other words, the “silver lining to the grey cloud”. I learned so much from this book, including how research has shown that the brain can display “neuroplasticity”. This essentially means that by actively thinking about thinking positively, you can actually change the neural pathways in your brain. This is amazing to me.

I received great advice from this book. Spencer touched upon numerous situations in which I personally use negative thinking. One of Spencer’s suggestions is to say, “At least I’m not…” when something bad happens. When I’m experiencing stress at work, I have been trying to actively use this strategy and I have to say it does help take the edge off my stress. Another strategy that I am going to really try to commit to involves asking myself, “WWMRMD?” This stands for What Would My Role Model Do? Spencer encourages readers to think about what their role model would do in a particular situation when faced with adversity. My grandfather, although deceased, has been an essential role model in my life. In the past, when I have thought about certain problems, I have said to myself, “Gramps would say to…” I can easily think about what his advice would be, I just need to follow that advice!

Bright Side Up is a book that you can read cover to cover or pick up and read those sections that refer to certain issues for you. Regardless of the issue, I think this is a wonderful resource to help people change the manner in which they think. I will be keeping this book close to me for a long time.

About the Author:

Amy Spencer is a Los Angeles-based relationship expert and journalist, and the author of Meeting Your Half-Orange: An Utterly Upbeat Guide to Using Dating Optimism to Find Your Perfect Match.

Bright Side Up is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

For more information about Amy and her book, visit www.amyspencer.com and www.brightsideup.com.

I am thrilled to be able to offer my readers the opportunity to enter a giveaway where one Tidbits From A Mom reader will win a copy of Bright Side Up!  Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

“Get Famous” Mom Bloggers Resource Review & Giveaway

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

When I began blogging a year and a half ago, I knew nothing…zilch…nada. It’s been an amazing process over the past year and a half - I have learned a great deal from the wonderful people I have met online, from social networking sites, and from experiencing it for myself. However, it hasn’t been an easy process necessarily and I know that I am not done growing. As so many other mom bloggers do, I want to do so much more with my blog. Regardless of what I have learned so far, there is much left to learn. Lisa Cash Hanson from Mompreneur Mogul shares her blogging tips with us in the Get Famous Mom Bloggers Resource. The full title of the book is Get Famous: The Greatest Resource for Mom Bloggers on the Planet. This is a fantastic e-book for bloggers, both new and seasoned.

The content of this e-book crosses the continuum from the blogging basics to how to make serious money with your blog. It answers ALL the major questions to help people get started on the right path. In addition, it provides a wealth of information on how to take your blog to the next level. Lisa Cash Hanson’s style of writing makes this e-book an easy read and I love her sense of humor. I SO wish I had had this a year ago. It would have made life a lot easier and I could have made that much more progress in less time. Regardless of what I have already learned, this book taught me so much more. For example, there are chapters on “How To Get Media Exposure” and “How To Write A Press Release”, which are totally new topics for me. I also really appreciated the “Mega Resource Page”, which provides an extensive list of resources for people looking for products to review, sites that will pay for you to blog, and more.

Lisa Cash Hanson is a great resource for bloggers and I appreciate her time in creating this e-book to help other bloggers. I loved hearing her input and tips. As a mom, she knows what it is like to balance caring for a family and home with creating a business with blogging. Lisa was recently nominated for the Top 25 Mom Tech Blog. If you would like to vote for Lisa, you can click HERE. You may vote once per day.

About The Author

"Lisa Cash Hanson was recently Featured on Yahoo! Shine with over 31 million viewers. Her Blog Mompreneur Mogul has been nominated for Circle of Moms Top 25 Tech Moms-2012. Lisa teaches women how to make money blogging and encourages them to be the most amazing bloggers on the planet. She's an influential mom blogger who shares blogging tips that will rock your bloggy world. "

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to host a giveaway for a free e-book copy of Get Famous. Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

SafSlim Review & Giveaway

Maintaining my figure is on my mind on a daily basis. I am a stress-eater and with my line of work, I feel as though I am always hungry. I have recently started exercising on a more regular basis in order to help cope with stress, but I am open to receiving a little extra help in order to keep my figure ;)

When I was offered the opportunity to review SafSlim, I jumped at the chance. SafSlim is an all-natural daily supplement that helps people lose their stubborn belly fat that isn’t being lost through diet and exercise. This is done through the use of safflower oil. Safflower oil has been clinically proven to help people lose weight, specifically the omentum fat in the belly area. As women, we obviously gain a great deal of omentum fat with our pregnancies and it is extremely difficult to lose. Sometimes it seems as though we can do all the sit-ups in the world, but that area still remains a problem.

I was excited, yet a little skeptical at the same time, to try SafSlim. Since it is all-natural, I wondered if it was going to taste gross. I also wondered if SafSlim was going to live up to all the hype. I had listened to Montel Williams, the spokesperson for SafSlim, and was intrigued. Dr. Oz has also discussed the benefits of SafSlim, but I wanted to see for myself.

I received samples of both the Tangerine Cream Fusion and the Berry Cream Fusion. I was pleasantly surprised when I took my first dose! I tried the Tangerine Cream Fusion and it was yummy! It tastes like a creamsicle! I took 1 tablespoon in the morning before breakfast and 1 tablespoon before dinner. Although I haven’t taken SafSlim for very long, I have not felt that bloated feeling I despise. Because it’s all natural, I don’t feel anxiety about taking it, such as whether it’s going to affect my liver or if I’m suddenly going to have chest pain. SafSlim has simply become part of my diet.

In addition to the samples, I also received a book entitled, “Belly Fat Breakthrough!: Smart Science for Transforming Your Body” by Karlene Karst, Ph.D. Although a fairly small book, it is jam packed with information regarding hunger, fat, carbohydrates, and tips for losing weight.  I have read many diet books and articles, but I still learned a great deal from this little book!  I was particularly interested in reading about the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids.  I have had supplements sitting in my cabinet and I haven't taken care of them, but that's certainly going to change!

If you are interested in hearing more, check out Dr. Oz and Montel Williams discussing SafSlim:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/safflower-oil-bust-your-belly-pt-1.

The great news is that I have been offered the opportunity to host a giveaway for SafSlim! One Tidbits From A Mom reader will win TWO bottles of SafSlim! Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Couple Night In Gift Set Review & $50 Gift Certificate to Uncommon Goods Giveaway!

As so many couples do, my husband and I are exhausted at the end of the day. However, we know it’s important to spend quality time together, just the two of us. We need to make a conscious effort to turn of the television and just focus on each other.

We rarely have the opportunity to get a babysitter and go out on the weekend, so we need to be creative at home. For this reason, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review the Couples Night In Gift Set, which is available at Uncommon Goods. Included in this gift set are Wine Cork Candles (Set of 12), a 12 Ways To Say I Love You Journal, and Love Tokens (Set of 10). This gift set helps you create atmosphere and encourages communication, appreciation, and affection!

My husband travels often overseas, so I needed to wait to do the review when he was in town (obviously..:)) On our “Night In”, we popped open our bottle of wine and when it was finished, I placed one of the Wine Cork Candles in. These are really cute! I dimmed the lights and the wine bottle with the candle looked beautiful!

While my husband was away on his business trip, I spent quite a bit of time writing in my 12 Ways To Say I Love You Journal in order to give it to my husband on our “Night In”. This journal is so sweet – it provides you with particular prompts, such as “My favorite way to spend a day with you is…” and “I don’t tell you this enough but…” It also provides a page with a small little enveloped attached to it in which you can place a love letter. Those who know my husband know that he is not as sentimental as I am, but I have to tell you, he certainly appreciated this journal. He smiled from ear to ear to hear what I had to say.

The Love Tokens are nice because you don’t have to just use them on a “night in” with the one you love. You could use a love token anytime! These love tokens include 2 tokens each hugs, kisses, breakfast in bed, massages, and rolls in the hay. Just choose your token and cash in!

Any married couple knows that marriage takes work. You need to make time for each other, but you also need to make it quality time. Turn of the T.V. and turn off the computer. Try a “Couples Night In” Gift Set!

Uncommon Goods has truly unique gifts for husband and cool gift ideas for wife.  They also have beautiful heart gifts that are great for family and friends!  Uncommon Goods has gifts that aren't found in your local store.  I encourage you to to visit their website and take a look!

I am so pleased to have the opportunity to host a giveaway for a $50.00 Gift Certificate to Uncommon Goods! This is an awesome prize, so enter today! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter.