Triathlon, Here I Come!

by Kate on May 31st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Life

When I wrote a few weeks ago about my new running club and fitness team I had joined through Moms In Motion, I was vaguely aware that the women may be training for a mini sprint triathlon. I really was just looking forward to getting out of the house one night a week, exercising without my babies, and meeting some other great moms.

My First Triathlon!

I didn’t have much interest in training for a triathlon. Once I started running with these women, and saw their enthusiasm for training, I knew I couldn’t just show up on Wednesdays and not join in on their goal.  Not to mention the fact, that all of the sudden I was a part of a team again.  For most of us it’s been 10 years plus since belonging to some sort of organized athletic team, and I have forgotten what a great feeling that was.  So, I said, “What the heck?” and have now committed myself to finishing this triathlon put on by Ultra Fit USA on June 12.  It is a short distance, women’s only race, which makes it a great first time race for us to try.  None of the other moms have done one either, so we are all charting new territory together. The race consists of a 400 meter swim, a 10 mile bike ride, and a 2 mile run. Independently, I can do all of these things easily, it’s putting them together and learning how the transitions from one event to the next are going to feel that are new to me.

Our group was lucky enough to hear a great presentation from our local Trek bike store today on triathlon training, gear, and race procedures. It was so very helpful! I needed a lot of little lesson on my bike, how to properly take the tire off, adjust my seat, etc., and the people at Trek were so very helpful in teaching me about my bike that I bought right before getting pregnant with baby number 1, and never had a chance to ride!

Finding “Me Time” to Train

The other big issue has been finding the time to train for this event. I have a great support system of my parents, and my husband (when he isn’t traveling for work) who have been able to help out. I am also very lucky to have a great community rec center in our area with childcare, so I can practice the swimming. The biking has actually been the toughest so far to squeeze in. I don’t have a bike trailer, so taking the kids is out of the question. So I have relied on getting out in the evenings with some of the other moms, after the kids are in bed for an hour or so ride. But, exercising after the day is done has always been hard for me, I like to get it done early in my day.

Not to mention the guilt. Why do us moms feel guilty leaving the house, even when the kids are all tucked in bed, I always feel this rush to get back? Like the house is going to crumble in my absence. I know that isn’t really the case, but I just get this feeling in my stomach that I belong at home “just in case”.

More to come as the race gets closer, but in the meantime…. wish me luck training!

The next challenge: gear. There are a lot of options out there, and I need to figure out the right combination for me. Any suggestions for what to wear while I swim bike and run?

Sand Gone – A Must for Beachgoers

by Kate on May 31st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews

This weekend we’ve enjoyed a family “Staycation.” We’re pretty spoiled by where we live so we’ve been able to hit the beach and the pool without the pain of travel. Even though we live fewer than 10 miles from the beach, we really don’t go as often as you would think. The main reason we don’t go? The sand. My husband hates it. He hates the fact that no matter how hard you try to rinse and wipe, you still track sand in the car and the house. Well, this year we have a new weapon in our battle against the sand – Sand Gone.

About Sand Gone

SAND GONE is not only non-toxic and non-talc, and easy to apply and use, but also smells good, feels good, is inexpensive and does a thorough, wonderful job each and every time. “It makes the ride home from the beach as clean and comfortable as the ride there.” [Inventor Tiffany Smith] adds, “I want my invention to become one of those must-haves at the beach or at any sandlot in the park. You will know to bring your sunblock and shades…but also your SAND GONE.

Sand Gone vs. Sand

Sand Gone comes in an 8 ounce tub and the texture is similar to baby powder. It has a very nice smell, it’s beachy and fresh without being overwhelming. It goes on with a soft puff similar to a face powder make up. It is incredibly soft and smooth when applied, though. It’s really feels like you’re applying some sort of fancy body powder and not a product designed to get rid of sand. But, somehow it actually does help get rid of the sand.

We’ve been using Sand Gone for a month or two. Our first coupls uses were on our cruise in March. Our entire family used it and liked the way it felt and smelled. Sand Gone has been a big part of our Memorial Day weekend, too, on our Staycation at the beach. The only problem with the Sand Gone is that it doesn’t work on wet skin and sand. After some trial and error, I think we’ve discovered the best way to use it. Here’s our Sand Gone approach: rinse off using the beach shower and then dry while walking to the car. Dry off with clean dry towels in the car and then apply Sand Gone. With that method, it’s works like a charm! It’d be perfect for a beach house, too, because by the time you walk back to the house you’re dry and can apply the Sand Gone.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Even if Sand Gone didn’t remove sand, it would be lovely, but it does. It has a pleasant scent and feels soft and smooth on. Even the kids like it. I definitely think it’s worth a try for a beach vacation. Or, if you live near the beach, it’s worth keeping it in your car like we do.

Or Not to Buy… The only real problem with Sand Gone is that it doesn’t worth on wet skin, and if you’re at the beach chances are you have wet skin. You need to figure a system where you dry off adequately to use the product or it doesn’t work.

Shop! Purchase Sand Gone online – it’s $12 for an 8 ounce tub (which is plenty big – we’ve used it a lot and the container still looks full).

Disclosure: Thank you to Sand Gone for providing a sample for the purpose of this review. Opinions are my own and others may have a different experience.

Happy Memorial Day

by Kate on May 31st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Life

I hope you are having a wonderful long weekend. Hopefully you’re able to spend some time with family and friends. As a military spouse, Memorial Day has a lot more meaning to me now than it did before I met my husband. Knowing and loving someone who serves in the military certainly puts a face to the sacrifices involved in military service.

Today I don’t want to write about my husband’s job or the airmen who have died from our air base in the last year or even our friends who are currently deployed. Instead, I want to tell you about our neighbor, Mr. Jack.

Jack is a World War II veteran. A former Prisoner of War. A man who survived a plane crash only to be captured by the enemy. Mr. Jack’s story is incredible to hear him tell it. (I’m not even going to attempt to retell it fully because I wouldn’t do it justice.) We’ll never fully understand what he endured, but he did.

What I find most admirable about Mr. Jack is that, to this day, he continues to give. He volunteers weekly at the local VA hospital. He cares for his wife (who has been by his side since before he went to war). He looks after my kids and me while my husband is out of town. He is seriously the best neighbor any one could wish for.

And, if it weren’t for my inquisitive husband asking lots of questions, we’d never know Mr. Jack’s story. And we’re better people because we do. Chances are you know a veteran, too. I hope you take some time to ask questions and show your thanks. Not every soldier gets to return to tell their story.

On this memorial day and every day: Remember the fallen, honor the living.

(Photo credit: linder6580)

Do You DIY? Semi-Homemade Crafts from Etsy

by Amy on May 30th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Whether you’re one of those crafty types or not, we can’t make everything from scratch all the time. There are lots of great Etsy shops who take a lot of the work out of DIY, whether they provide all the materials and instructions needed or taken a step further, they make it so easy that all you need to do is finish what they’ve started. I’ve put together three shops which offer a smidge of DIY for the non-DIYer, and three shops who offer the full-on DIY experience.

Ideas for the Non-DIYer

Why not make your kids’ own tees using blank shirts and some adorable iron-ons, like these from lillebarntoo pictured below. Or, decorate your next birthday party with festive poms from Partypoms…just open and hang them! Lastly, create your own party decorations, invites, and more with cute print-them-yourself packs from Paper Glitter. DIY can be super easy with a little help from shops like these!

DIY Experienced Crafts

For those who want more of a DIY experience, check out Sweetpeapatterns for PDF instructions on how to make these precious reversible mary janes pictured below. Next, Little Fish Big Pond offers oodles of DIY kits which provide everything you need to make clothes for your little girl: fabric, pattern, instructions, and advice! Third, Precious Pattern has the most adorable bib ePatterns at an afforable price AND the finished product would make such a sweet shower gift for any mom.

Tune in this August for an inside look at how I fare at making a pair of SweetPeaPattern’s mary janes. I have never sewn a thing in my life…well, except for that one time I stitched Alice in Wonderland’s shoe because it was torn.

Inside scoop:
*Paper Glitter offers FREE printables at www.cuteprintables.com
*Little Fish Big Pond has lots of $10 kits that include everything from the fabric to the instructions. TSM will also be hosting a giveaway from this shop in just a few weeks!
*10 piece pom sets are on sale right now at Party Poms
*Buy 2 patterns, get one free at Precious Pattern

How about you, do you DIY?

O'Brien & Schridde Designs Frame Review + Giveaway

by Kate on May 30th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Giveaways, Reviews

I take a million photos, but sadly I don’t print or frame nearly as many as I should. I have found that nothing motivates me faster than the desire to decorate. A beautiful frame is perfect encouragement to select and print a meaningful picture. O’Brien & Schridde Designs frames are the absolute perfect way to showcase important pictures.

About O’Brien & Schridde

O’Brien and Schridde Designs was founded in 2003. We began designing and hand-making picture frames. All of our beautiful frames are designed to look weathered and worn. Our pieces reflect our appreciation for time gone by. Over the years we have often photographed our two children and rose garden. You see these images in our frames. We continue to explore new ideas that might compliment our line.

Vintage Frame

I received a Vintage Frame (style E-VIN) for review and was immediately struck by the beautiful details and exquisite finish of the frame. Not to mention the striking size – at 18 by 20 inches (with a picture size of 8 x 10), the frame is a bold addition to any area and can stand alone or serve as the centerpiece of a collage of photos. I knew just the photo I wanted for the frame – one of the kids taken in their cruise finest from our trip a few months ago. We hung the frame in our dining room, which has a lot of dark furniture with clean lines and a modern feel. Like many O’Brien & Schridde frames, the Vintage frame has a shabby chic feel to it, but it also fits perfectly in our home that is really not.

The details and distressed finish of the O’Brien & Schridde frame are really beautiful. The floral vine detail around the frame is delicate and from far away it looks like a border. Up close you can see the small leaves and flowers. It’s more impressive knowing that each and every frame is handmade in California.

O’Brien & Schridde Design Tip

When thinking of designing a wall display be creative. Don’t just think about frames. Look around your home for other odds and ends that have meaning such as keys, spoons, dried flowers or other memorabilia. Also think about mixing and matching different frame styles, sizes and colors to make your display look like it was built over time. This has a more romantic feel to it. It is nice if the majority of frames are one color and then you throw in an accent of another color in one or two other frames. What seems to work nicely is if you place a larger frame somewhere close to the middle of the display as a focal point.

Exclusive Discount!

O’Brien & Schridde is offering readers an exclusive discount on two of their most popular frames. The Vintage E-VIN style featured in this review and the Medium Ivy Frame. Here are the details:

  • E-VIN, 8 x 10 picture opening, 18 x 20 overall size of frame. Regular Price: $95. Discounted Price: $47.50
  • Medium Ivy, 11 x 11 picture opening, 13.5 x 13.5 overall size of frame. Regular Price: $64. Discounted Price: $32.

Shop! Browse the entire collection of beautiful handmade frames by O’Brien & Schridde Designs online. Order via PDF order form, email (info@ObrienSchridde.com) or phone 818-848-7723.

Win! O’Brien & Schridde Vintage Frame! (E-VIN worth $95!)

Giveaway Bonus! If you place an order before the giveaway ends (June 13) and win the giveaway, your order will be free! (Up to $500 value.)

How to Enter: Visit O’Brien & Schridde and take a look at the beautiful collection of frames. Leave a comment with your favorite style.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

  • Join the O’Brien & Schiddle mailing list
  • Share this post on your Facebook. Just click the blue Share button below.
  • Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave the link when you do. Win a beautiful handmade O’Brien & Schridde Vintage Frame worth $95 @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/cLlRx1
  • Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
  • Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
  • Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS
  • Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post and www.obrienschridde.com – leave 5 comments with your link
Disclosure: Giveaway ends June 13. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to O’Brien & Schridde for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prize. Opinions here are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product.

NUK Orthodontic Starter Set Review + Giveaway

by Kate on May 29th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Giveaways, Reviews

When Kate approached me to review the NUK Orthodontic Starter Set of bottles and pacifiers I was a little hesitant. My little 3 month old is a great nurser, and gets very few bottles, and always the same brand that came with my pump. For the most part, she takes them well, just not from me. Anyone who was present at her baptism can attest to this! She screamed the entire time as I tried to feed her a bottle, as my dress wasn’t making her primary feeding source accessible!  Anyway, she does get a bottle every Wednesday night when I go to my Moms in Motion running club (read about my Mom Me Time). But I was interested to see how she did so this week, she tried the NUK bottle.

About the NUK Orthodontic Starter Set

The NUK Starter Orthodontic Set features a unique orthodontic wide neck nipple system that reduces colic and promotes healthy teeth formation. The nipples and pacifiers are shaped more like the mother’s breast during feeding and support switching between the breast and the bottle.

NUK Bottle Starter Set

The NUK starter set arrived and I was instantly impressed by what is included in this set. Especially if you are a nursing mom who won’t be giving multiple bottles everyday, this could very easily be the only bottle purchase you ever make during the duration of baby’s first year. Here’s what’s included in the set:

  • two 5 ounce bottles with slow flow nipples,
  • one 10 ounce bottle with medium flow nipple,
  • 2 slow flow nipples,
  • 2 medium flow nipples, and
  • 2 size 1 pacifiers.

All the bottles are BPA free. The bottles even have a cute design of dragonflies on them.  But most importantly, they don’t contain a million little parts to put together like some bottles, nor do they leak.

Great for Breastfeeding Babies

The orthodontic nipple was a very different shape from any other I have seen. If you are a nursing mother, you know that your nipple looks a little different after baby comes off the breast-which is really similar to the shape of these nipples. Amazing!

I would love to show you a  cute picture of my baby sucking down the bottle happily, but she won’t take bottles if I am anywhere in the vicinity. So on Wednesday night my dad was babysitting, and he gave her the bottle. According to him, she took it happily and without missing a beat! We are definitely fans of the NUK orthodontic bottles.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I really like this set for a new baby. It is a great assortment of the different size bottles, and nipples. Like I said, if your baby really only gets a few bottles a week, you probably would never need anything more than this set.

Or Not to Buy… The only thing I didn’t like is that it was really hard to see the different sizes printed on the nipples, it is very small on the edge.

NUK Mommy Shower Sweepstakes

NUK is looking out for mamas with an online baby shower meant to pamper and moms and moms-to-be. Weekly until June 23, NUK is giving away $50 gift cards to various places that are perfect for moms (think wine.com, Yankee Candle, Massage Envy & Godiva!). There’s also an amazing grand prize- a $5,000 SpaFinder Gift Card (!!), which is perfect for a mom-themed SpaWeekend getaway for three. To enter, visit www.nuk-usa.com.

Shop! The NUK Orthodontic Bottle Starter Set is $39.95 and includes 3 bottles, 4 additional nipples and 2 pacifiers. You can browse NUK products at www.nuk-usa.com by Milestone and Cateogory.

Win! A NUK Orthodontic Bottles & Pacifier Starter Set!

How to Enter: Visit NUK and check out the great baby products by milestone. Leave a comment with another product that you’d like for your baby.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
* Fan NUK on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet. You may do this once a day:
Win a NUK Orthodontic Bottle & Pacifier Starter Set @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/dbwuPr
* Share this post on your Facebook – just click the blue “Share” button below
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

The Fine Print & Disclosure: Giveaway ends June 12. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to NUK USA for providing a sample for review and the giveaway prize. The opinions expressed are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Sales, Coupons, Discounts & News: Memorial Day Edition

by Kate on May 28th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Deal & News Roundup, Weekly Features
Happy Birthday to The Shopping Mama Contributor, Amy! We hope you have an amazing day and a lovely weekend with your family. Thanks for all your hard work and awesome posts full of fun, indie finds.

And now onto the sales… There are lots of great deals around this long holiday weekend.

Don’t Fry Day!

Today is “National Don’t Fry Day” – created by the National Skin Cancer Foundation to remind people of the dangers and risks of skin cancer. Scary Fact: One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime.

Rite Aid has partnered with the National Skin Cancer Foundation and will release a 12-page full color skin care guide on Sunday. Visit your local store to pick one up for FREE! In addition, Rite Aid is hosting the Road to Healthy Skin Tour, which offers full body skin cancer screenings.

Customers who use their Rite Aid wellness+ card with qualifying skin care purchases will receive store gift cards (up to $25!) with the purchase. (See your store for details.) Enrollment in wellness+ is free at all Rite Aid stores, online at www.riteaid.com or at 1-800-RITEAID.

Sales & Discount Codes

CurlyQ Cuties: Save a monsterous 20%! Enter code  MEMORIAL into the Promotional Claim Code field at check out. Expires May 31.

BabyLegs: Sale items marked down to $5. $10 off orders of $40 or more with code TEN. $25 off orders of $75 or more with code 20FIVE. $40 off orders of $100 or more with code FORTY.

Hartstrings: Save up to 50% off and FREE SHIPPING (no minimum purchase). Use code MDAY. Valid through June 1.

Hayneedle: Save 14% of The Backyard with code TODAY.

giggle.com: FREE shipping on orders of $75 or more at giggle! Enter code SHOP SMART at checkout. Offer ends June 3.

Gymboree: Extra 20% off discounted prices. PLUS, if you are a Gymboree Rewards member, check your email for an additional 20% off coupon code.

The Land of Nod: IN STORE – get 15% off one item this weekend. Ends May 31.

Cash Back!

Memorial Day Deals – Extra Cash Back event at ShopAtHome.com. Includes cash back from Photoworks (18%), Avon (12%), HomeDepot.com (6%), Hotels.com (7%).

Private Sale Sites

The growing number of awesome flash sale sites is really fun. They offer heavily discounted goodies for a limited time – when they’re gone, they’re gone so if you see something you like you should grab it while you can.

* The Mini Social: Mia Bossi diaper bags, bellybar, egg by susan lazar (maternity clothes), hip to be me (mom jewelry).

* Totsy: Ed Hardy, Baby Sara, Kathe Kruse, Jacardi.

* Zulily: GREAT kids clothes (Little Mass, Tiny Ducky, Soft Clothing), Ah Goo Baby (plush changing pad), Bella Materna.

Amazon Baby Deals

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Shopping affiliates is a great way to support your favorite blogger.

*New Top Secret* LeapFrog Device Giveaway

by Kate on May 28th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

My son is a little techno gadget geek and I’m pretty sure my daughter is well on her way, as well. It’s pretty amazing the things kids can learn with the right tools. For example, my son mastered the LeapFrog Tag Jr. in about 0.2 seconds and even my daughter picked it up. But, what’s more important is that in learning to navigate a little learning tool, the kids are learning.

LeapFrog has announced a brand new mobile learning device that is so top secret they won’t tell me what it is! The new product will be unveiled June 7. No doubt it will be a great way to entertain, engage and educate kids.

Win! The Brand New Top Secret LeapFrog Learning Experience Device!

How to Enter: Click to watch the short video about the new LeapFrog learning device. Leave a comment saying what you think the product is or what it does. (It’s a fun guessing game!)

You can also enter to win directly from LeapFrog after you watch the video.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.
* Fan LeapFrog on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter and Tweet. You may do this once a day:
Win the *new* top secret LeapFrog Mobile Learning Device @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/9komGf
* Share this post on Facebook – just click the blue “Share” button below
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or a reader

The Fine Print & Disclosure: Giveaway ends June 6. Open to US mailing addresses only. Thanks to LeapFrog for providing the giveaway prize. The opinions expressed are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

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