I am most definitely very ‘in to’ scarves right now. I loved them throughout the winter, and I am so happy to see that this trend is continuing into spring and summer. I recently was given the opportunity to do a review of an infinity Scarf from Beejeweled by Jesel.

About Beejeweled by Jesel:

Beejeweled by Jesel is a page on Facebook that has Jewelry and Accessory Fixed Price Auctions every Wednesday night at 8pm CST.

On Wednesday nights, you simply need to get onto your Facebook and watch for the great items to be posted. If you see an item that you want to purchase during the auction, you just common on the picture of the item with your e-mail address and Zip Code. You then will receive an e-mail with an invoice that must be paid within 24 hours.

Another extremely exciting option is that she also offers giveaways occasionally when people share and like her page.

Beejeweled is owned by a busy, hard working, stay at home mom.

My Thoughts:

The scarf that I received was completely unbelievable. I don’t think that I could have been more impressed It is made of the t-shirt material, which is perfect for the spring and summer scarves.

I have been following Beejeweled by Jesel on Facebook for awhile now, and I must admit that I am constantly impressed with all of the great items that they have available. I always am wanting something that is on there each week. I also must admit that I am constantly impressed with how affordable each item is.

With my personal experience I can vouch to you that while the items are most definitely affordable, they also are of an outstanding quality.

I can most definitely say that weather you are wanting to add to your own items, or are looking for the perfect gift for a friend, Beejeweled By Jesel is most definitely the way for you to go.

Auction Wednesday:

Try to tune in on each Wednesday at 8pm CST so you can have your own chance and finding some new great items to add to your closet.

Giveaway:

1 Lucky winner will receive the same scarf that I received in pink and yellow and 1 additional winner will receive a cross bracelet. This giveaway is only open to U.S. Residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Danielle received the Infinity Scarf in Gray and White, in order to facilitate her review. All opinions are her own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

With two small children bibs are definintely a must have item. My oldest still uses them for the occasional meal, but my youngest always has one on. However, my youngest is not always a huge fan of having to wear them. That was until I introduced her to the Banda Bib.

About Banda Bib:

The BandaBib is an Award-Winning bandana style baby bib. It is extremely stylish and functional. It is made of 100% cotton designer print hi-dry cotton backing. It also has a velcro closure.

The Bib comes in a variety of prints and solids so that you can use it with any child.

My Thoughts:

I was extremely impressed with the BandaBib. Both my daughters were huge fans of the BandaBib. They absolutely loved them. Both my youngest and oldest were in love with the prints that they had.

I was also happy to see the my oldest was such a fan of the new bib that she was wanting to wear it when she had to .

I not only have been impressed with the wonderful style but I am also completely impressed with how absorbent the bib truly is.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing a bib, please go to their website and pick out exactly which one you are interested in.

Giveaway:

One Lucky winner will receive the Banda Bib of their choice. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Danielle received A Banda Bibs, in order to facilitate her review. All opinions are her own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

We took a recent trip to Duane Reade to pick up some fun finds from the new issue of Happy and Healthy magazine.

The Happy and Healthy magazine, distributed by and sponsored by Duane Reade, is a magazine full of helpful hints and tips to helping improve and beautify your life with the help of Duane Reade of course. The most recent issue features Fergie and her new Wet n Wild cosmetics line. With magazine in hand, finding the deals of the week is easy. This magazine is actually half magazine/half flyer, combination meant to help you choose the items you want and need at the best prices. The magazine is also a way to learn about popular health topics like probiotics, allergy relief and weight loss. These topics of course also have featured products associated with them to add to it’s use.

The articles are easy to digest and it also helps to narrow down your shopping trip, though at times you may deviate from your trip onto topics which are more interesting, lol. What better place to check out Fergie’s new cosmetics or the newest summer skin care products then in a Duane Reade, where you can also grab some milk?

He really loved pulling that little cart around

We roamed the store looking at various products, after checking out the website and of course the magazine to see if there was anything interesting to look at. Of course there was. The magazine was a big help finding the best deals and grabbing those needed items. Featured in the magazine were some great prices on cotton swabs, Allergy Relief medicine, and saline nasal spray. All of which were very much needed this time of year by this mom, especially the allergy medicine and nasal spray.

Please feel free to check out my Google Plus album for the rest of the shopping trip and more photos.

For updates from Duane Reade, make sure you check out their Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure- I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias #cbias #SocialFabric.

Most of my favorite childhood memories involve my bicycle. I know that I cycled through a few different ones when I was young, but I always had a favorite bike. I am really hoping to pass on the love that I have of bicycles to my daughters. When I was given the opportunity to try out Strider ST-4, I was thoroughly excited.

About Strider:

Mission Statement: “At Strider, we love riding bikes, and we love inspiring kids to ride. Our mission is to build lightweight, efficient, all-terrain bikes that develop two-wheeled balance, coordination, and confidence in children.”

Strider Sports International designs efficient, no-pedal balance bikes that encourage Toddlers to ride, learn, and explore the world on two wheels.

Strider was founded in Rapid City, South Dakota in January 2007. Their goal is to simplify a bike to its essence.

About Strider ST-4 No Pedal Balance Bike:

“The Strider ST-4 is the culmination of many years of design improvements. We take the rider experience seriously at Strider Sports and think the latest iteration of our flagship product is the best performing and safest balance bike to ride on the market.”–Ryan McFarland, CEO of Strider Sports International.

The wonderful think about STRIDER bikes is the fact that if your toddler can walk, they can cruise over dirt, grass, and pavement easily. They are thoroughly designed to be steady, stable, and safe.

Stats:

• 6.7 pounds
• Toddler Sized Mini-grips
• Seat height from 11-16″
• Quick clamps on handlebar and saddle
• 12″ molded wheel

Updates to the ST-4 Model:

• Sealed Cartridge Bearings to help roll smoothly and are maintenance-free for years of STRIDER riding.
• A new tire tread pattern-it provides multiple knobs for all terrain grip. This improves the bike handling and stability.
• New Powder Coat Finish-that lasts longer
• Black electrodeposited paint on the seat post to add a scratch resistance
• New graphics on the footrest and the handlebar pad.
• Softer durometer grips.

Components:

• Motocross style handlebar with Pad
• EVA polymer tire
• Mini-Saddle
• LaunchPad Footrest
• Available in: Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue, Orange, and Red.

My Thoughts:

As you can see I am a huge fan of our new bike. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my daughter learn to ride it. She enjoys it and is always ready to head outside so she can practice riding it some more.

After a couple weeks of practice, she has started to really get it. She is getting much better at being able to lift her feet for longer and longer spurts. I must say that when she was able to do it for the first time the look on her face was completely unforgettable. My husband was a little skeptical about the Balance bikes before we gave this one a try, and he too has been completely impressed. I don’t think we could have been any happier with the bike.

I love the color of the bike. We also were impressed at how quick and easy it was for us to be able to put the bike together. There has not been a single thing about this bike that we were disappointed or upset with.

I will recommend this bike to all of my friends with children.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing the Strider ST-4 bike, you can on their website for only $109.

Danielle received the Strider ST-4 No Pedal Balance Bike , in order to facilitate her review. All opinions are her own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Most people know how to treat a sunburn. You can soothe the affected area with cool compresses and slather on aloe vera to hydrate, alleviate pain, and help the healing process. Some ibuprofen couldn’t hurt, either, if you have a particularly painful sunburn. However, the effects of this UV damage aren’t over when your sunburn goes away. Severe sunburns and even frequent tanning can lead to sun damage that causes your skin to wrinkle and sag prematurely. This process is called photoaging and it can make you look a lot older than you actually are (just look at “Tanning Mom” Patricia Krentcil, who at 45 looks closer to 65 thanks to years of treatments at tanning salons). Luckily, there are a slew of products on the market aimed at reversing the signs of aging, and sun damage in particular. Here are just a few treatment tips that should help you get your skin looking young and fresh in short order, even if you’ve flirted with the sun for years.

1. Wear sunblock. The best defense is a good offense, and further sun damage will only exacerbate your problem. So it’s important to start wearing a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunblock with a high SPF now to ensure that no further harm is done to your skin. Since it’s practically impossible to stay covered all the time (and who would want to?) this is a good way to keep the sun’s harmful rays from further aging your skin. You put it on your kids, so why wouldn’t you use it yourself? These days it’s not hard to find multi-use products that offer an SPF along with cosmetic coverage, acne treatment, moisturizer, or any number of other benefits, making this a great way to protect and treat your skin at the same time.
2. Retin-A. With years of testing, clinical trials, and consumer reports to recommend it, Retin-A is one product that has been proven effective when it comes to fighting the signs of aging. While you can certainly use OTC creams containing retinol, these products don’t tend to have the heavy-hitting power of their more potent, prescription counterpart. Although it was originally intended as a means of treating acne, it also provides the bonus of fading dark spots, evening skin tone, and fighting wrinkles, all of which may be related to sun damage.
3. Skin resurfacing. Both dermabrasions and chemical peels are intensive treatments that have the power to restore your skin to a more youthful state. Unfortunately, they can be rather pricy procedures, and you’ll have some down time for recovery that could last several days, during which your skin will peel as though it has been burned. This is a byproduct of removing the top layers of skin. The result, however, is skin that looks fresh and rejuvenated (following healing). You’ll see a noticeable reduction in scars, pigmentation, and other damage.
4. Fillers. Wrinkles are among the most common type of sun damage, and neither topical nor skin-removal treatments can totally reverse them. Fillers like Juvaderm and Restylane that contain hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, can volumize the skin in order to fill in even deep wrinkles. If this type of sun damage has occurred, this is just one option that could deliver spectacular results.
5. ILP therapy. You might not be keen on lasers, which is why you’ve turned to reviews on Epilator Central rather than using laser hair removal to get rid of the peach fuzz on your upper lip. But Intensive Light Pulse therapy is a little different from the laser resurfacing treatments commonly used to combat sun damage. For one thing, this method does not remove your top layers of skin, unlike other methods, making it less invasive. And although redness and swelling can occur, and it can take several days to heal, you won’t have to deal with the massive peeling that other laser treatments cause.

As I am sure you remember, I was lucky enough to be able to be a part of SwimWays Swim Team ambasssador program. I am very excited to bring you information about the ‘National Learn to Swim Day‘.

National Learn To Swim Day is Saturday, May 18, 2013. This is the second annual ‘National Learn to Swim Day’. This day is all about educating parents and children about water safety. National Learn to Swim day is an opportunity for families to learn about the importance and benefits of learning to swim before Memorial Day Weekend and the start of the summer season.

Swimways encourages all families to participate in this day your own way. That could mean a variety of things: enrolling your child in local swimming instruction, hosting a group swimming lesson, or discovering the tools that Swimways provides families.

Swimways Tools:

• Swim Steps learn-to-swim program
• Online water safety resources

Mario Vittone, whom is a former Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer and water safety expert, will be working closely with Swimways to provide free swimming safety resources to families. He will be giving expert advice on topics and challenges related to teaching children to swim. Families will also be able to download an event guide, poster, coloring sheets, and accomplishment certificates all on the site.

About Swimways’ Swim Steps Program:

It is a 3 step program that has colorful swim-training aids specially designed to help parents teach kids to swim at home.

1. The first step is designed to introduce and comfortably support babies in the water.
2. The second step products give children the ability and freedom to explore as they develop confidence and learn to balance and paddle (Very important pre-swimming skills).
3. The third step products provide graduate support, helping kids to feel empowered and confident as they strengthen and perfect their swimming skills.

Do Your Part

Please take the time on May 18th to participate in ‘National Learn to Swim Day’. It is very important to the future of your child, as well as for their safety! I have already enrolled my oldest in swimming lessons, as well as having gotten my youngest into the water plenty to help get her comfortable in it! Stay posted as I tell you more about how we celebrated our day.

The Jungle Book The Movie: Rumble in the Jungle:

There’s trouble in the jungle, and as usual Mowgli and Mani are at the center of it all. Shere Khan plots to put an end to the noise of Mowgli and Mani. At the same time Tabaqui is stuck in a well, Appu gets lost, and there’s something fishy going on at the Cold Lair. This movie definitely promises to bring you the best of The Jungle Book.

Runtime: 62 Minutes

Genre: Family, Animated

Special Features: Downloadable activity kit, slide show, and exclusive collectible Mowgli and Baloo toys.

Availability: Exclusively at Warlmart stores for $14.86; nationwide in May 2013.

My Thoughts: We absolutely loved this movie. My husband and I enjoyed it just as much as my girls did!

The Berenstain Bears: Golden Brother Edition

Brother Bear loves sports of all kinds, especially soccer. He often acts as protector and stands up for the smaller cubs at school. This is set in the Rolling hills of Bear Country, this animated comedy stars a fun loving family of honey bears whose love, loyalty and humor allow them to overcome any obstacle that finds its way down to their sunny dirt road.

Runtime: 120 minutes

Genre: Family, Animated

Availability: Exclusively at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores for $19.99 on May 21, 2013.

My Thoughts: My daughters absolutely loved the Berenstain Bears, which makes me so happy because this was a favorite of me as a child as well. I know that your child will love it as well!

Horrid Henry: The Movie

When Henry fails yet again to hand in his homework for the umpteenth time, he inadvertently sets off an unexpected and curious chan of events. He forms an unlikely alliance with Moody Margaret, the infuriating girl next door, outwits corrupt School Inspectors, topples an evil Headmaster, wins a talent contest, and stands up to his ultimate nemesis. With each antic crazier than the last. Henry finds himself inexplicably trying to save the very school which he has always professed to hate.

Runtime: 93 Minutes

Genre: Family, Live Action

Special DVD features: Downloadable activity kit, official trailer and limited-edition slime pack.

Availability: Exclusively at Walmart stores for $14.86.

My Thoughts: My daughters were a little young for this DVD, but my 3rd grade students were huge fans.

About the DVD’s:

Each of the DVD’s come to you from Kaboom! Entertainment. and Phase4Films

Danielle received the above mentioned DVD’s, in order to facilitate her review. All opinions are her own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

Children entering adolescence undergo all manner of changes; physically, mentally, and emotionally speaking. And watching kids go through this transformation can be difficult for many parents, especially considering that teens begin to turn to their peers for advice and support during this time, breaking away from their parents in an effort to establish an independent identity. But aside from the changes inherent to adolescence, parents will also have to cope with the fact that their young teens are entering high school, an environment that is not only demanding academically, but that also embodies hazards associated with peer pressure and the desire to fit in. So what can you expect when your teens enter high school? Here are a few things to prepare for.

For one thing you can expect the demands of the curriculum to increase. Whereas kids in elementary and middle school are often subjected to rote learning, those at the high school level must begin honing comprehension and reasoning skills. In short, they’ll be required to think. So whereas essays in younger years may have consisted of book reports or a letter detailing their summer vacation, they’ll now have to learn the five-paragraph essay structure and deliver work that shows more than the ability to regurgitate information. They’ll have to exhibit intuition, innovation, and independent thought. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll also notice that the amount of homework each night increases, as does the pressure to get good grades in order to have the best opportunities where college applications are concerned. In short, the academic load is about to get a lot heavier, which could cause extra stress for you and your teens.

Of course, the social aspect of high school cannot be ignored. If you though middle school was cliquey, just wait until your teens enter high school, a world where you can sink or swim based on the social groups you are a part of. The one nice thing about this time of life is that everyone is trying hard to discover who they are and what they like. The result is that people can change rapidly during this time, making for shifting groups of friends. In addition, there are all kinds of groups to choose from. So if your teens don’t fit in with the jock and cheerleader crowd, they may find fast friends in the drama or music departments. Thanks to a wide variety of extracurricular activities, your teens should find at least one group that they fit into.

Now, there are other things to consider, as well. For one thing, many high schools now require an array of shots before students may attend, so it could be time to find a local family nurse practitioner online that can deliver MMR, Tdap, or whatever other vaccines your teens need. In addition, you’ll have to deal with getting a driver’s license, preparing for SATs (and other standardized tests), and generally keeping your teens on the straight and narrow. This can be a hard road for parents. On the one hand, you want your teens to come into their own, to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence they’ll need to head out into the world on their own. But you also need to make sure that you rein them in enough that they actually reach graduation in one piece. Nobody said parenting was easy, and that’s never truer than when you’ve got teens in the house. But when you know what’s on the horizon you can make a plan to deal with potential problems and hopefully help your kids to get the most out of their time in high school.

If you are looking for Travel deals, which I am sure many of you are with summer right around the corner head on over here and sign up for Deal Chicken!

You will be able to score deals for dining, hotels, vacation locations and more!

Head on over here to get started saving money on your travel needs

I personally am a shoe lover, and so I definitely love finding adorable shoes for my girls. Look at the Jody White Mary Janes pictured above, I am sure that you think that they are just as adorable as I do. These shoes are from the Little Green Trike Shoe Company, which has a lot of great shoes for girls and boys alike.

About Little Green Trike Shoe Company:

The Little Green Trike Shoe Company is the creation of Andi Jensen and Julie Larsen with a passion for fine children’s wear. They carry as well as create the original, high-quality Squeaky-Feet shoes, Sophisticates, Stompers, School Squeaks, and a new line of bigger kiddo shoes, Sprouting Up.

The shoes are made of the finest qualities of materials. Each of the shoes has a soft “Squeak” that helps kids learn to walk with proper heal-to-toe movement. Not to mention the fact that kids love the sounds that they make, and parents can easily keep track of where their child is.

The shoes are available in toddler sizes 3-10. This Spring they just came out with the new ‘Sproutin’ Up’ line for bigger kids with sizes 11-1 and no squeak.

The shoes have been recognized in some medical circles as promotin proper heel-to-toe toddlin’. They have also chosen to give back both locally and worldwide.

About Jody White Mary Janes:

Every girl loves a little sparkle, right? She most definitely will feel like a princess in these adorable Mary Janes in white. These adorable shoes are also available in Fuchsia and Petal Pink.

These shoes are a Category A shoe, so when you order you need to make sure to check out the sizing guide to be sure that you get the right size.

My Thoughts:

As I’m sure you can already tell from the picture, my daughter is a huge fan of these adorable shoes. She loves to walk and squeak. I also must mention that she loves to stop walking and jump up and down to make as much noise as possible.

Not only are these shoes some of the most adorable kids shoes that I have ever seen, they also have a wonderful fit, and they are very comfortable to my child. She has never had these shoes rub her wrong or leave any uncomfortable markings on her.

I must say that the squeak is very convenient when your child is at that ‘runner’ stage, you definitely always know where they are.

I also love to watch my dog want to play with her as well as he hears the squeak.

Purchase:

If you are interested in purchasing the Jody White Mary Janes, or any other shoes that Little Green Trike Shoe Company has to offer, please go to their website and order directly from them.

Giveaway:

One Lucky Winner will receive one pair of shoes from Little Green Trike Shoe Company in the size and style of their choice. This Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Danielle received the Jody White Mary Janes from Little Green Trike Shoe Company, in order to facilitate her review. All opinions are her own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.