Make Mother's Day Last with #Yourkidvid (Win an iPad Mini)

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Yourkidvid.

It's no secret that moms like to be acknowledged for their hard work, especially on Mother's Day. However, as my hubs can attest, appreciation doesn't need to come in the form of big expensive gift to be meaningful (although I am still grateful for those diamond earrings that year). This is where "the thought is what counts" can really be put to work. Unfortunately, creativity, time and presentation are difficult for most people to put into action to create a picture-perfect gift for Mother's Day that brings the tears, hugs and major brownie points.

While framing that adorable shot of the kids at Christmas or Easter and presenting to mom is nice, it just doesn't give the whole story...

Screenshot of "Madeline Loves Mommy" video from Yourkidvideo

But there is something truly magical when you hear the sound of a laugh, giggle or the words "I love you" that only a video can capture!

So with a little help from Yourkidvid, you can give mom an unforgettable, unique personalized gift that she'll cherish for years. The concept is genius: using all those cute videos of the kids on your smartphone and computer, Yourkidvid's award-winning team edits them into an original cinematic experience with hand-picked music, color-corrected images, graphics and that special touch for a video that she'll be proud to share with everyone including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and email, starting at only $29. (And for those of us with family that we don't get to see often, this is the ideal gift for grandma to get on Mother's Day too!)

SPECIAL OFFER: 

Get 20% off any Yourkidvid order with promo code: 1in85million until May 12, 2014.. It can be used towards all products (including gift cards).

Don't think you'll be able to get the videos off mom's phone without her noticing? Then get her a Yourkidvid gift card and she can make her own video to cherish for years to come. 

There are 85 million moms in the U.S., but is there a mom in your life who is truly #1?

Yourkidvid, the professional video editing service for you and the little ones you love, is holding a contest to find America’s #1 mom.

To enter, like Yourkidvid on Facebook AND publish a description of why your mom is #1 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram using the hashtag, #1in85million.

Your entry can be as simple as sharing a moment, a story, a quick note or even a video about a lifetime of motherly love. Just include the hashtag #1in85million and like us at www.facebook.com/yourkidvid by May 11, 2014. A winner will be selected by the video editing geniuses at Yourkidvid, to receive an iPad mini plus a Gift Card for a free Yourkidvid Premium Video! The winner can give the prizes to their #1 mom or keep them . . . we won’t tell! Go to www.yourkidvid.com/1in85million for details and rules.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Yourkidvid.

Thinking Outside of the Box: 11 Monthly Subscription Boxes For Everyone {As Seen on TV}

I'm getting to go a little out of my own box this week on Good Morning Texas with a look at the coolest trend to hit your inbox and mailbox: subscription boxes! 

I've scoured the Internet to find some of the coolest, my unique, and downright just too much fun to pass up subscription box concepts for the ladies, the gents and even Fido, too!

Here's my rundown! 

For the Ladies:

Fabletics, www.fabletics.com

Women’s Active Wear

Kate Hudson’s new line of stylish active performance clothing at half the price. Take an assessment and either stylist sends you full outfits or you can online shop as normal.

Starts at $49.95 for full outfit

Sent Her Way, www.sentherway.com

Feminine Products

Sent Her Way takes the chore to the store out of every woman’s routine by shipping all her customized supplies each month! 

            

$9/month

                 

Stitch Fix, www.stitchfix.com

Styling/Clothes               

               

Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. Complete your style, size, and budget preferences, and they will send you a package of stylish goodies to try on at home, choose what you like and return what you don’t! And there’s even suggestions to how to wear it!

$20 styling fee goes towards your fix if you buy clothes. Each fix is priced in separate pieces or as discount when all are purchased.

For the Men:

Carnivore Club, www.carnivoreclub.co

Cured meats

Straight from Canada, each month members receive a faux-wood box filled with 4-6 handcrafted cured meats themed around French charcuterie, Italian Salumi, Spanish Chorizo, South African Biltong and Artisnal Jerky, etc.

$50-$55               

Dollar Shave of the Month, www.dollarshaveclub.com

Personal Shave Care

“Shave Time, Shave Money.” Get your personal grooming products sent monthly starting with you choosing the blade!

$1, $6, $9            

Mystery Tackle Box, www.mysterytacklebox.com

Sporting goods/fishing

“Discover Baits to Build Your Confidence.” Perfect for your fisherman for special tackle and bait options.

Starts as low as $13.75/12-month subscription    

For Everyone on Your List: 

Birchbox, www.birchbox.com

Makeup              

Each month subscriber received a box of carefully selected deluxe samples for women/men to try. Then they can purchase the full size versions on the Birchbox Shop.

Women’s $10/month for 4-5 deluxe samples. Men’s $20/month for 3-4 deluxe samples.

               

Escape Travel Box, www.escapemonthly.com

Travel-themed food/fun items

               

Can’t go vacation, then get one sent to you. A destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew and escape!

$49.95/month

Barkbox, www.barkbox.com

Pet Snacks         

Tell us how big your dog's bark is. Toys, gifts & gadgets for every dog size.

$18-29/month, plans available at every length. 

Stunner of the Month, www.stunnerofthemonth.com

Sunglasses                         

Fun sunglasses of every shape, size and look.

$9

Naturebox, www.naturebox.com

Natural Snacks 

Full size healthy snacks sent straight to your door. Three box sizes that fit your diet like No-GMOs, no-gluten, no-dairy.

Pick size/price. Starts around $20/month              

How GameStop Changed My "No Gaming Zone" Rule

Note: I was invited to an event at GameStop to learn about gaming and products. I was given a gift card, but all thoughts here are my own. 

Until about 60 days ago our home was a "No Gaming Zone."

We didn't own a DS, PS, Wii, or any of those things. I really didn't see them as useful or positive for kids or adults alike. 

That was before I stepped into a GameStop at Christmas time to learn a little about gaming. Upon entering, I felt like I was in a whole new world of lingo, battery needs, cords and more. Thankfully I had help with "translation" from a friendly GameStop team member who spent almost an hour helping me learn the basics on personal gaming systems and consoles. Needless to say after my trip, my son was a proud recipient of his own Nintendo 3DS XL - Mario & Luigi Dream Team Bundle.

What was the change of heart? Why did I decide that gaming could be ok?

Let's start with the stats. From the UK Millennium Cohort Study of 11,000 kids tracked over 10 years: 

• Kids who watched 3+ hours of TV, specifically between ages 5-7, had increased behavioral problems
• When video games were introduced to kids as young as 5, there was no effect on the child's attention, behavior, or emotional health
• Many studies suggest that video games help improve hand-eye coordination, memory formation, and can even help dyslexic children to read better
• Basically, games aren't bad for kids!

And another study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that games are social: 

• 16% play with parents
• 40% play with friends
• 17% play with their spouse or significant other
• 34% play with other family members
• Video games are a family activity
• 40% of parents play video games with their children at least weekly
• Most video games being sold are not inappropriate for kids
• 73% of the 245.6 million video games sold in 2011 were rated Everyone (E), Teen (T) or Everyone 10+ (E10+)
• 91% of games rated by ESRB in 2012 are E, T or E10+

And after an afternoon with GameStop (and a very patient and friendly team member), I learned that it's even possible to afford games with the PowerUp Program. With both a free and paid version, you can reap real benefits. With a Pro membership at $14.99 annually, you score even more points for purchases and get access to exclusive offers, news and events.  You also get special bonus privileges including a welcome coupon that can score you a free game upon completion of online activation. Plus, 10% discounts on all pre-owned game and accessories purchases and 1 year of Game Informer magazine.

And until Feb. 28, there's one more benefit you'll want to ensure you take up on. 

Inspired by the amazing journey portrayed of the new Lightning Returns™: FINAL FANTASY ® XIII (not one of my kid's games) this month’s Epic Reward Giveaway by GameStop will send one lucky winner and a guest on a trip of a lifetime.

The lucky winner and a friend will take a paid trip (food, travel, lodging and spending money
included) to Las Vegas for a dinner and a show. Then they will head to Paris, France to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower with a pocket full of spending money to splurge and experience some of the world’s best shopping. It doesn’t stop there. Next stop is Cairo, Egypt to visit the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx Egyptian Museum and the Khan el-Khalil Bazaar. Lastly, they will finish up in Costa Rica by riding ATVs and taking a zip line through the jungles and completing the day by relaxing at a luxurious spa.

PowerUp Rewards members that make transactions at a GameStop store or at www.GameStop.com throughout the month of February will be automatically entered for a chance to win this amazing prize. Eligible transactions include pre-ordering, buying games and accessories or making a trade.

PowerUp Rewards ProTM members automatically receive two entries with each purchase or
trade*. Members can also use their PowerUp Rewards points to get additional entries.

Now that's a "game" worth playing! But remember you've got only until the end of February to enter. 

For more information on becoming a GameStop PowerUp Rewards member, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com and for more information about the GameStop® Epic Reward GiveawayTM, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com/EpicReward.

And remember if you win and you need a plus one, I can make arrangements. 

Organize and Digitize Handwritten Recipes to Your Own Online Cookbook

Note: I was provided complimentary services for purposes of this review. 

Over the hustle and bustle of holiday cooking I became nostalgic for smells and tastes for Grandma's banana bread and other recipes that made up my childhood. While I had written down many of them over the years, calling her at the last minute for her recipe for meatloaf or the special ingredient she put in her macaroni and cheese, I realized that most of her recipes as well as other handed-down family recipes, were all still captured in a small red metal box. 

When I had the chance to look in the box, I loved looking at the handwriting, the fragile personalized recipes cards women used before the days of home printers or even typewriters, and the other little notes on the recipes that reminded her of how grandpa liked it or that special touch that had made it her own. For a family engrained in food as much as ours, this little box was more like a piece of history over Christmases and family long gone than utility. 

As wonderful as the box was, I wanted to use recipes, too. But if I used these recipes while I cooked they would be covered in grease and flour in no time, so I needed to record them for my own use and protect their original source. And even more so, I wanted to be able to share them with the rest of my family. However, the time it would take to transcribe, input and format the recipes wasn't something I had a lot of time for, much less where I would upload them and be searchable.

With Dish Dish, members can digitize their recipes in an online cookbook – easily accessible from any computer or mobile device (using their iPad/iPhone App – and Android app to follow soon). This allows you to store recipes, search, add photos, add notes, keep private when preferred or search other Dish Dish members' recipes, make shopping lists, plan menus, print, share over social media or email, and access all of this while at home or on the go.

Dish Dish offers a free account that includes many great features. However, the Pro account for only $19/year includes access to the menu planner, special printing options, decorative printing templates, embedding videos with recipes (you can be your own Food Network star), adding multiple photos with recipes, and the opportunity to have 20 recipes transcribed/uploaded for the member by scanning, mailing, faxing or emailing. And Dish Dish is also including a free trial to the Dish Dish recipe importer tool so take the time out of uploading your own recipes! 

Take a look at my family cookbook here. I can't wait to try the Greek Chicken with Pine Nut Dressing and the Bohemian Coffee Cake! I'm planning to make each of these dishes this year and upload a photo to accompany the recipe! 

What a great way to organize those recipes and then have the opportunity to share them with your family members as an online cookbook throughout the year! And even better, you could download your online cookbook as a PDF so you could print out the recipes once they've been uploaded for useful and thought cookbook gift for Mother's Day, Thanksgiving or next Christmas. 

Check out http://dishdish.us to begin organizing and creating your online cookbook today! 

Gifts that Give Back: Reinventing Blocks, One Honduran at a Time with Tegu

Disclaimer: I received product for purposes of this review. 

I always love the idea of giving a gift that not only gives your giftee something, but also can make a little impact in the world. Last year 's gifts that give featured some amazing ideas from World Vision Gift Catalog, Impact Foods, Fresh Cup of Hope and Cardraising. This holiday I found some amazing items that anyone would help you score big this season, but even more because you made are helping to make a big change in the world like Tegu Blocks. 

Do your kids love LEGOs? Well honestly what kid doesn't? They allow kids to create whatever their imagination can dream up.  Much like that idea, Chris Haughey returned from Honduras with a vision to create a for-profit business that would have a transforming effect on the lives of Hondurans from start to finish (the full story of how Tegu is making changes can be found here.) So he created Tegu, the magnetic wooden block system that has no limitations for building. 

Nominated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) for the prestigious 2014 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award, Tegu’s magnetic wooden blocks come together with their iconic “click-clack” sound, introducing a new spin on a classic toy that offers unmatched building possibilities in durable, safe, and natural materials.  Tegu encourages the types of unscripted, imaginative play that is now considered to be one of the best forms of learning by many childhood development experts.

But this season Tegu doesn't end there on giving back, but they have introduced The Tegu Elf!

Since Black Friday, whether you are in need of a quick dinner fix during the holiday madness (he'll send you a gift card to a local restaurant!), a little afternoon mocha to keep their motor running (Starbucks gift card is on the way!) or they are feeling inspired by a local charity (he makes soup kitchen donations as well), #TeguElf may just come to the rescue. Now until Dec. 23, The Tegu Elf will be granting wishes for a plethora of lucky folks in need of a holiday S.O.S. including just throwing in extra products into your order like a carrying case or the magnetic wheel set. 

Reach The Tegu Elf with your  holiday "S.O.S." moment using #TeguElf on FB, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest; he will respond to requests randomly to help make the season brighter. 

And you can still order your Tegu sets now with a 20% discount with code LAST CHANCE20 (and possibly with even a few extra sets courtesy The Tegu Elf) at http://www.tegu.com!

Building a Better Tomorrow One Block at a Time,

Give Gifts They'll Love with Help from Walgreens Holiday Gift Guide

Disclaimer: I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

With a Walgreens just around the corner from my house, I'm there all the time. If not to pick up the usual prescriptions or photos, I'm there to pick up any number of things including gifts! It's like my own little secret to find last-minute Christmas gifts that are perfect for everyone including teacher gifts, neighbor gifts and co-workers. And best of all, Walgreens has all your unique wrapping needs to make your gift stand out and look like you spent hours making it look perfect!

So when work caused me to spend Thanksgiving away from my family, a long-time coworker/friend was kind enough to invite me to her home to join her family for Turkey Day. While I wasn't able to be with my kiddos, the hospitality of her family not only made it bearable, but memorable, so I wanted to give a little token of my appreciation for allowing me to spend the day with them. 

And of course, I found all kinds of other gift ideas for other people, too! 

The stocking stuffers galore including a great display of Christmas socks and Christmas toiletries that anyone would love.

And I'm pretty sure I began shopping for gift wrap before I even found a gift. Aren't these options ideal for the small things to the big items that are never easy to wrap. 

And who couldn't miss these guys - the holiday "chorus." I just couldn't resist myself from hearing them all sing in unison. Check out the Walgreens "Chorus!"



One of the coolest things I found was an end cap display - when you buy two bottles of wine and a package of Ghirardelli chocolate, you'll also receive a free festive red cardboard basket that's perfect for gift giving, and all for a reasonable price! 

Trying to narrow down the options, I remembered while I was visiting with the family they mentioned that they were having a cooking decorating competition and it would be the last one before her son went to college. So when I saw this Ninja Gingerbread Cookie Kit in the holiday aisle, I just had to have it. Since I'm an apron fanatic, I thought adding a Santa apron would be a way to give signature gift from me. And to wrap it up just right, I found this adorable ceramic Santa cookie tray to use as part of the gift wrap AND as part of the gift. 

Using the red ribbon and these sparkly mitten nametags that almost could be double as pot holders for my culinary-themed gift, I put together a sophisticated gift that I'm so excited to give. 

Walgreens always has the right thing you are looking for and the unique gift wrapping options from quick-and-easy to beautiful and personalized. Make Walgreens part of your holiday shopping this year and don't forget to sign up as a FREE Walgreens Balance Rewards member! Not only do you get discounts on thousands of items, but you also get money back! It only takes a minute to sign up and you can save even more money just for shopping! 

Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping at Walgreens! 

It's the Gift We all Knead: Massage Envy' Holiday Special - 3 For Them + 1 for You

Want-it Wednesdays:

Disclaimer: I received a gift card to help promote this amazing deal for the holidays from Massage Envy DFW. 

While I love receiving a gift card for just about anything, I admit I normally end up spending them on necessary things like groceries and clothes and not on the fun stuff that Christmas is meant for. (Isn't being an adult fun!?!) 

That's why we get you something that you are forced to enjoy like manicures, clothes and massages, you can't feel guilty about just appreciating a gift, right? It would rude to waste it. 

Now take a look at that Christmas list and see who could benefit from one hour of stress-free attention to work out those knots...I know everyone on my list would (and it's a BIG list!) Then get the best reward by scoring a massage for yourself by just giving to others!

The Dallas-Fort Worth Massage Envy Spas have a special holiday offer starting today: buy three gift cards (or any combination that equals $225) and receive a free, one-hour massage session. This offer is only valid for purchase at the 33 DFW Massage Envy Spas, but can be redeemed nationwide at 900 locations. Massage Envy Spa gift cards may be used for any combination of products and services offered in any Massage Envy Spa nation-wide. Fourteen DFW Massage Envy Spas offer Murad® healthy skin facials. You've until December 24 to get your list checked off with this offer! 

Massage Envy DFW
Log on to http://www.massageenvy.com/regions/TX/Dallas.aspx to find the nearest Massage Envy Spa 
http://www.MassageEnvy.com
Massage Envy Spa DFW on Facebook
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Say Hola, Ni Hao & Bonjourno to Little Pim Kid Language Program

Research showsthat a child’s brain is wired for picking up new languages easily up until around six years of age. Additionally, the exposure to additional languages helps children to be more successful in school. That’s why having my children enrolled in a bilingual school called Spanish Schoolhouse has been important to me before my children were even born.

Photo courtesy of Little Pim

But learning doesn’t stop at home; especially when mama doesn’t have a command of the language, either.

Little Pim, the award-winning foreign language-learning program for young children, has introduced a special-edition product line now available exclusively at select Toys“R”Us^® stores nationwide. The new Spanish, Chinese, and English “Discovery Sets” include three DVDs and a LittlePim plush panda toy, which make learning a new language fun and easy for kids everywhere.

Between birth and the age of six, the human brain is pre-wired for language learning, and Little Pim helps families take advantage of this brief window, by making language learning easy, fun and effective. Their Entertainment Immersion Method^® provides total immersion in the language. The method engages a child’s love of play watching real kids and animation. Little Pim’s proven repetition technique helps children retain new vocabulary.  

There's nothing like hearing your kids actually want to watch an educational show instead of just cartoons! While I wondered if the videos would keep them both interested, they request watching them and enjoy watching them together! 

Inspired by Julia Pimsleur Levine, the daughter of Dr. Paul Pimsleur, creator of the Pimsleur Method, the popular language-learning program for adults, Little Pim was created by her own bilingual childhood.  The Little Pim program is available in 11 languages including Spanish, French, Chinese and Italian. 

And throwing in a stuffed animal never hurt to incentivize kids to do something either. To see how Little Pim works, check out a free 15-minute episode.

Little Pim Special Edition Discovery Sets

$39.95 exclusively at select Toys“R”Us^®nationwide

toysrus.com

Ages 6 months-6 years

$39.95

A great gift idea for birthdays and of course, Christmas!

Your Quick Guide to Father's Day

Father's Day Friday: 

Rather than the normal Food Friday, we're celebrating a little something special just for Father's Day with a few posts to help you out!

What to buy for dad:
Drink Up for Dad’s Day – Father’s Day Gift Guide

What dad will do with the family (and not hate you for it): 
Fly Over to LEGOLAND Discovery Center DFW for New Star Wars Exhibit

What can help him relax and enjoy:
Make Dad's Day Rock With Top 26 List of Songs From Dad Musicians Who Rock

What to make for dad:
Enjoy the Sweet Life with Quick Almond Joy Brownies #WhatsYourID

And because it's Father's Day, I just want to give a little shout out to my hubs and my dad!

Happy Father's Day

Easter Basket Idea: Hatch & Grow Your Own Easter Bunny, Chick or Duck!

DISCLAIMER: I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

I'm all about creating a memorable holiday for my kids, but with a two kiddos under 4, the thought of creating an Easter basket, full of candy, just doesn't seem like a good idea! However, neither are stuffed animals or just more of the junk they already have. But when these Hide 'Em & Hatch 'Ems landed in my mailbox, I knew that I had to hide them from my kids because there was no one way they would be able to wait if they saw them! 

These pastel-colored eggs are great for hiding or filling the Easter basket...but here's the twist: simply soak them in water overnight and out will “hatch” some new friends...a duck, chick or bunny!

Kids will be amazed and parents will delight in the fact that there's no candy involved.

Hatch 'ems were the #1 Easter product on Amazon.com, but you can still score yours now - just in time for Easter!

During our first hatch, it took several days for the chick to hatch, so I want to share tips to ensure your egg hatches within just one day!

Instructions for the Best Experience with the Hide 'em & Hatch 'em Eggs!

1.  Place the eggs in ROOM TEMPERATURE water (this is critical to the grow process!)  Make sure the eggs are completely submerged.

2.  In 6 - 12 hours you will see small cracks in the shell.  At this point you can help your little friend out by cracking the shell (just like a mamma might need to do for her hatchling) or you can change the water and let it continue to grow.

3.  You will notice the water (and the baby) will be slippery.  This is the material that allows it to grow - it is necessary to change the water so your new friend can grow completely.

4.  Continue to change the water daily until your animal hatches on its own or until the animal is done growing.

5.  Enjoy your new friend - Once removed from the water shrinkage will probably occur but the animal will harden and is fun to play with! (Our little friend went on a train ride once he hatched!)

We hatched a chick our first-round, but we can't wait to see what we hatch next! 

I'd love to see your photos of your little friends! Please share! 

Valentine's Day Downloadable {Freebie}

Love Week Continues! 

In addition to my normal tasks this week, I'm playing party planner for both kiddos Valentine's Day parties. For the boy, we went with downloadable stickers that said "You Rock" on Pop Rocks and for my daughter, I had to create something a little bit more special. She's changing schools, so I wanted to do something to say goodbye - even if she's not even two yet. 

I already had some Play-doh in reserves (from last Valentine's Day clearance) and then had to come up with something to pair with it: 

While the artwork isn't amazing, if you'd like to use it, I thought I'd share - just in time for Valentine's Day. 

Get this Valentine's Day downloable PDF here.

For more Valentine's Day fun, check out these posts:

Heart-Shaped Food Fun for V-Day

Healthy Valentine's Day Treat with Easy S'Mores Flaxseed Cupcakes {Recipe}

The Cake Mamas Would Rather Wear Than Eat

Virgins Saints & Angels New Line Brings Out the Princess (or Witch) In You