Archive for the ‘Promotions’ Category

Organizing My Life with Orange Circle Studio {Giveaway}

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

I’m in a constant battle with myself to become an all around organized person. As life and details change though, I need to be able to re-organize with ease. Which, as it turns out is not always that easy. This applies anywhere from my home to my budget and everything in between, school, career, extra curricular activities, etc. I’m that person who has notes everywhere. I’m always afraid of forgetting something and if I don’t write it down I won’t be able to sleep at night because that is all I will think about. There is nothing more important than my wall calendar because I need to be able, at a glance, see what is on the schedule for the day.

I have never been more happy with a calendar than I have been with my new Orange Circle Studio Calendars. I love each of the following for different reasons:

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This little beauty, the Bold Blossoms Do-It-All Planner, is like my own personal handbook. I refer to this for many many important aspects in my daily life. I have my budget all written out for the next several months in here right down to the day and amount I need to pay what. You look at a week at a time in here and each week is almost like a chart. I have the columns going down which represent the days of the week and the rows going across are for each family member so each person has there own little rectangle and I can keep track of appointments, sports events, everything and know exactly where I need to be and when. Last but not least there are tear out To Do and Shopping lists in the back of the book. I sincerely cannot say enough good about this precious little book.

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Now I’ve received 3 others which are all wall calendars, but again are useful in their own ways. For example, I actually prefer to have a wall calendar in my kitchen and in the office for the specific reason that if I have something to jot down quick I’m usually in one of those areas while on the phone. I know this creates more spots I need to check at the beginning of the day and might have the potential to cause conflict. However I’ve gotten used to coordinating all calendars at some point each day to make sure there isn’t something I’ve jotted in one and not the other.

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I keep Mom’s 24/7 Calendar in my kitchen. This is magnetized so I have it hanging right on the side of my refrigerator. There is a spot to keep a pen at the top  and the bottom portion are columns for each family member. You can view the calendar portion and column portion at the same time and there is also a weekly shopping/to do list attached to bottom portion! Absolutely perfect for a busy lifestyle.

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I keep the Bold Blossoms Do It All calendar in my office area. At the risk of repeating myself a little here I will go ahead and say this is similar to the first I introduced to you, except that it is in wall form and I like to post my budget in the book as that is able to close and become more private. I love the pockets at the bottom of this, I keep coupons and a few other paper documents that need attention in there. I would also like to point out that the previous 3 are 17 Month calendars and they start in August. How perfect is that for the Back to School routine?

Last but not least is the Butterfly wall calendar. This is because I appreciate beautiful photography. There is just something truly peaceful about a butterfly. They’re just so quiet and yet so colorful. I have this hanging in my daughters room. I realize she’s only 2 and has no idea what it’s about, but she definitely enjoys the images and they tie in with her decor.

These are only a few of what you will find at Orange Circle Studio. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that there is something for everyone. Something from Orange Circle would make a perfect gift for someone or for yourself.

The Giveaway:

Tell me in the comments which Orange Circle Studio calendar is your favorite from their website and you will be entered to win a prize pack including each of the calendars I mentioned.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign and received products necessary to facilitate my review.

Go Allergen Free With John Morrell

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

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As a mom, and I’ve said this before in a few other posts, I do whatever I can to make sure my family consumes foods that are good for their bodies. I like to do this without breaking the budget, so I am known for scouring the grocery ads every Sunday and planning our meals around what’s on sale and good for us. Fortunately for all of us, John Morrell & Co have come out with an Allergen Free line and it is quite affordable if I do say so myself. I know it can be difficult at times to find appropriate foods when dealing with certain food allergies, and now John Morrell & Co can offer:

  • No Milk
  • No Fish
  • No Soy
  • No Egg
  • No Nuts
  • No Wheat

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We’ve tried several varieties of their meats, in the past and more recently. The whole family has always enjoyed what they’ve tasted. They offer quite a large variety and what I love that is that most everything they offer is super easy to prepare and to plan a meal around. Of their allergen free meats you have Hot Dogs, Bologna and Smoked Sausages to choose from.

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John Morrell & Co have a very active Facebook page where you will find coupons, recipes and much much more. If you are a fan of their page or “Like” it, you are automatically entered to win their drawings for free coupons. You can find additional recipes and information on their website.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of John Morrell and received a free coupon for John Morrell products to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Introducing the NEW VTech MobiGo

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

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I’m not necessarily the mom that just lets my kids play video games whenever, in fact, Olivia doesn’t play at all and Ryan’s time is quite limited. I’m very strict with what games are aloud and the amount of time spent playing. With that said, there are times when specifically the hand held games come quite in handy. Such as in waiting rooms, long car rides, etc.

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VTech just came out with the hottest new hand held gaming console out there ideal for little ones between the ages of 3-8. The VTech MobiGo is fully equipped with touch screen technology. Perfect for that little guy or gal who likes to play with their parents’ iPhone (what kid doesn’t really?). MobiGo is web-enabled so aside from purchasing games at the toy store, they will have the capabilities to download games directly from the computer.

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My honest opinion? I love it. I love that Ryan loves it. He has enjoyed showing my husband and I how to play each game. The MobiGo came with a game called Touch & Learn Game Pack. Within the one game, there are actually 6 games to choose from. The games are all geared towards being educational, they teach how to spell, count and in general just use your thinking cap.

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My Favorite Features:

  • It’s portable, doesn’t get any better than that being a family on the go.
  • The games are educational and there is a huge assortment to choose from.
  • It will grow with my son, and then become something that can be passed on to his little sister.
  • It’s touch screen, it just makes that much more fun.
  • The device comes with a game and the cord needed for the computer. There is nothing worse than buying something then having to buy more to actually be able to use it.

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I’ve tried to think of something I would change if I could. Honestly though, I give it 5 Stars. I played the games, hooked it up to the computer. It’s a smooth operating system. It’s the perfect size for little hands, you can read the screen and keyboard clearly and the battery life seems to stand the test of time.

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You can learn more about the VTech MobiGo on the VTech website, or on the VTech Facebook page. To purchase your own VTech MobiGo head to Toys “R” Us, where you will also find the games available. Personally, I want the Shrek 4 and Toy Story 3 games.

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“I was given a MobiGo by VTech for my review. I was allowed to keep the product, but the opinion I am sharing remains my own.”