Swimsuit Confidence with Lands’ End

by Kate on May 23rd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging

A week or two ago, when I got the opportunity to participate in the Lands’ End Swimsuit Confidence movement, I was all for it. I love the idea that women – MOMS -  of all shapes and sizes feel confident in a bathing suit. After all, us moms have enough to worry about at the pool or beach. We really don’t need to worry about how we look!

Of course, the idea of swimsuit confidence is great until its time to take a picture of myself in a bathing suit to and actually publish it on the blog. Then I wondered, “Why in the world did I agree to do this?!” But, I’m doing it. So I am sporting the awesome Seaside Halter One-Piece Swimsuit from Lands’ End.

Join the Swimsuit Confidence Movement

Lands’ End wants YOU to show your swimsuit confidence this week, so join the movement. There are lots of ways to get involved and you even have the chance to win a Lands’ End gift card so you can score a fashionable and comfortable bathing suit for the summer.

  • Get the Twibbon – Go to http://twibbon.com/join/I-Have-Swimsuit-Confidence-2 and display the “I have swimsuit confidence!” Twibbon on your Twitter profile photo.  Send a tweet to @LandsEndPR proclaiming “I have swimsuit confidence!” #landsend for a chance to be entered to win a $500 Lands’ End gift card – winner announced May 27.
  • Participate in a Week of Tweets – Mark your calendar each day May 23 – 27, 2011 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CDST so you can join in the series of National Swimsuit Confidence Week events on Twitter. Follow @LandsEndPR and tweet at #landsend.  We will be announcing exclusive swimwear promotions, giving away great prizes and inspiring women to embrace their swimsuit beauty.
  • Bloggers Join the Movement – On May 23, 2011, 21 women from Curvy Girl Guide will show off their swimsuit confidence by posting a photo in a 2011 Lands’ End Swimsuit.  You can join in by posting your swimsuit photo on May 23, 2011 to inspire your followers – send a link to libby.schmeisser@landsend.com for a chance to win one of five $100 Lands’ End gift cards.
Thanks to Lands’ End for providing a bathing suit to help me feel more confident this summer.

Easy & Cute Surprise Party Invitation

by Shannon on May 23rd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Crafts with Kids

I put things off until the last minute. I’m not alone, but it definitely bites me in the tush sometimes. Like when I need to print invitations to a surprise baby shower and have no printer. What to do?

The shower was for my daughter’s preschool teacher and I had the idea to take a picture of her and each of her classmates making the “Shhhhh!” sound with their pointing finger. (Huge kudos to Ms. Janie’s assistant for sneaking all the photos for me!)

I printed the photos at the local “print your own” kiosk and attached them to card stock with matching envelopes. After gluing the picture onto a card, I embellished the invitation with a “Shhh!” tag attached with DMC floss.

Finally, I hand wrote party details on the back.

Each parent received a personalized invitation to the shower and I heard from many of them how much a picture of their own child caught their attention and they knew immediately it was a surprise. The best part? No one slipped and Ms. Janie was truly surprised!

Keep Learning this Summer with Frecklebox Personalized Gifts (Review + Giveaway)

by Kate on May 23rd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews, Toddler

I’ll admit it: the end of the school year frightens me. While I used to count down to summer break with excitement, I know count down with a bit of dread. My kids and I do much better in the routine and structure of the school year. While I am clearly no substitute for the education and stimulation he gets at school, I have been looking for ways to bring more structure and learning opportunities into our home throughout the summer. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Frecklebox has a lot of personalized gifts for kids that are perfect for bringing a little school to our house this summer.

About Frecklebox

In case you haven’t shopped Frecklebox yet (what are you waiting for?), here’s a little introduction to the company.

Frecklebox is on a mission to educate and entertain. So we conceived this here web-based business to offer truly unique, personalized gifts for children at affordable prices. The site makes it quick and easy to customize each item so it prominently features the name of the child who will receive the gift. Our entertaining selection of personalized books, posters, growth charts, journal books, coloring books, stickers, placemats, puzzles, and other personalized items, are designed to delight your children and friends.

Personalized Products for Summer Learning

The idea behind studying sight words is that your child will learn to recognize and read the words that are found most often in the English language. The Personalized Sight Words Set from Frecklebox ($24.95) focuses on 20 words and is available in three different levels. Each set includes 20 personalized activity pages and personalized flash cards. Each activity page includes your child’s name, dotted letters to trace and repeat and fun coloring projects.

My son loves this set. He obviously notices his name front and center on the top, but also loves checking out the different activities on each page. He doesn’t really like the tracing and practicing his letters, but I love that he does it as part of completing the page. Each sight word is worked into a sentence for context and that is repeated on the coordinating flash cards.

A couple months ago, my son and I started reading chapter books together. Well, I do the reading and he does the listening, but it’s something for just the two of us. We read while his sister is napping or stay up after she goes to sleep at night. He really thinks it’s a treat so I knew he’d love the Personalized Bookmarks. I chose Dinosaurs, of course, and they are bright and colorful and fun. Not to mention extremely affordable – five double sided personalized bookmarks for $5!

The Personalized Chore Chart ($19.95) is another great learning and teaching tool. My son doesn’t have strict “chores” so we use the Chore Chart as an incentive chart of sorts. He earns a smiley face every day for cleaning the play room, waking with a dry pull-up, dressing himself and other tasks like that. The Chore Chart is on the refrigerator and he loves watching the smiley faces pile up. I thought I’d have to offer a reward of sorts (10 smiley faces and he gets something), but it hasn’t been necessary. He just likes the process and positive reinforcement.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… As usual, Frecklebox exceeded my expectations. These products are not only perfect for summer learning, but plain cute. The Frecklebox designs are colorful, unique and super fun. There’s something for everyone – dino dudes, pretty princesses, etc.

Or Not to Buy… The only reason not to purchase these products is if you don’t think you’ll use them.

Shop! Frecklebox products can be personalized and ship quickly – in 2-3 days. Get Free Shipping on orders over $45.

Win! A $40 Frecklebox Gift Certificate!

How to Enter: Visit Frecklebox and leave a comment with something you’d love for your little one.

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

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Giveaway ends June 6.

Thanks to Frecklebox for providing samples and the giveaway prize.

Finding The Silver Lining

by Kate on May 22nd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

In times of great sadness it can be hard to find anything positive. But, in this – probably the most difficult time of my life – I am clinging to the goodness. The silver lining in the horrible cloud that is this year.

Here’s how I see it: If my husband had not received a one year deployment, the kids and I would not have moved to Ohio.

If we had not moved to Ohio, we would not have enjoyed the benefits of living a mile from grandparents and extended family. My kids would not have gotten to really know their grandfather with the luxury of weekly dinners and unplanned visits. I would not have been able to comfort and cry with my family when we learned my father had leukemia. I would not have been able to tell my father “I love you” moments before he passed away last Wednesday.

I am going to cling to the silver lining – that I was and am here. It’s all that is comforting at the moment.

Well, the silver lining and the rainbow.

The day my father left the cancer hospital for hospice care my sister and I were driving home, depressed, and we saw a rainbow. There wasn’t a rain drop in sight but we saw a big, beautiful rainbow. Tonight, five and  a half weeks after turning to hospice care, four days after he passed away, this was in the sky:

Dressing My Toddlers on a Budget #CleverStyle

by Kate on May 20th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping


Thank you Old Navy for sponsoring my post today about baby and toddler styles. Old Navy is giving you 30% off everything in their baby and toddler summer collection, plus get an additional 15% off in-store.

If someone paid attention to my kids and I as we leave the house every morning of the week one thing would be clear: they have much better wardrobe than I do. By a mile. No matter where we’re headed whether exploring at the park, on the way to soccer practice or watching the ducks out back, I think the kids look pretty darn cute.

I admit that each of my kids probably has more clothes that necessary, but I am very proud of the smart way I shop for them. I’m no extreme couponer but I do make sure I’m spending money wisely when I’m shopping for children’s clothes.

I RARELY (as in I do not remember the last time I did), pay full price for anything my kids wear. With the exception of “special” dress up clothes, I always buy things that coordinate to get multiple outfits out of everything. For example, I love getting leggings that match a dress my daughter has so that when she outgrows the dress she can wear it as a top with leggings underneath. And, about the only thing I do have in common with extreme couponers is a stash. I buy most of my kids’ clothes at the end of the season, when they’re deeply discounted, to wear the following year. This is a bit tricky when shopping for babies and definitely gets easier and more predictable when you reach toddlerhood and kids’ growth steadies.

Every couple months I hit Old Navy to buy affordable staple pieces for their wardrobes. Solid tees, great denim, and perfectly playful pieces for every day wear. But, I do admit that I do stray from the basics every season because some trends are just too adorable to avoid. Like rompers. Oh my rompers. While I do not support this look on adults like me, I can think of nothing cuter than my 2 year old in this Ruffle Romper?

What are your tips and tricks for shopping for for kids on a budget?

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Inch Blue: Awesome Handmade Soft Leather Shoes

by Kate on May 20th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Baby, Reviews

Details, details…

My little guy has DEFINITE opinions. Recently I tried to move him from soft-soled shoes to stiffer ones. He’s 20-months-old and his sister had a pair of stiffer-soled ballet shoes at that age. He wanted no part of it. He sat down with a “Hummmppppfffff….” and started tugging at the shoes. He refused to wear them.

Enter Inch Blue and their handmade soft leather shoes. While soft leather shoes are not new to our household, I was surprised by Inch Blue. First, I was impressed… no overwhelmed… by the variety of shoe designs available at their online store. I truly wish my daughter were young enough to wear the leopard Mary Janes! Just look at some of the cute things for boys and girls.

Inch Blue also makes gift sets, featuring an infant body suit and shoes to match.

Second, I was very impressed that these shoes are handmade to order. This small, family run company makes each pair with a level of detail that made me smile. I know, weird. Quality makes me smile. Each shoe features:

  • non-slip suede soles
  • soft breathable leather that allows feet to grow naturally
  • elasticized ankles for fit and ensuring the shoe will stay on


Toddler boy’s reflective robots made it easy to keep track of him on the playground. And how cute are they?

When my toddler boy’s Little Robots arrived, of course I thought they were cute. Little kids’ shoes are cute. But these robots had actual metallic silver leather forming their body. When I ordered, I expected gray. These are reflective silver! I actually loved this because I couldn’t lose him on the playground here in sunny Florida. He sent me signals from wherever he wandered.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Inch Blue makes a quality shoe that will allow your infant, toddler and older child to walk with the next best thing to bare feet. The selection features wonderfully unique designs not available in most commercial outlets. Their shoes are handmade to order and the company is dedicated to using good materials. The company is also dedicated to taking care of their employees, customers and the environment. Free shipping is offered to residents in the UK.

Or Not to Buy… Compared to other shoes of this nature, Inch Blue is, on average, more expensive. Retailing at $34 US dollars, Inch Blue is a quality soft-soled option. Because it is a leather shoe, Inch Blues should be spot cleaned or cleaned with leather cleaner.

Shop! Shop Inch Blue and their more than 20 categories of shoe designs to browse. Shipping charges to the United States are approximately $5.00 and will vary with exchange rates. The Inch Blue site is currently undergoing changes to make shopping for North American residents easier.

I received a sample product. Opinions are my own.

LOFT: Get Summer Ready with the Ultimate Getaway Sweepstakes

by Monica on May 19th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Are you about as ready for summer as I am? The current weather situation across most of the U.S. simply is getting me down! The few brief moments of sunshine we have had in the past few weeks have reminded me that my summer wardrobe is in desperate need of of an overhaul. One of my absolute favorite stores, LOFT, is where I plan to start for some summer retail therapy.  I love LOFT because no matter what stage of life I have been in over the last twelve years or so, I have been able to shop at LOFT and find what I need. I remember going with my mom to LOFT to buy my summer internship wardrobe in college, and feel like now as a SAHM, I am able to find reasonably priced, stylish clothes that are also functional-exactly what I need these days. Let summer begin!

My Perfect Summer Getaway Sweepstakes

Lucky for you, you can embrace the feeling of sunshine with all of LOFT‘s new arrivals and enter their “My Perfect Summer Getaway” Sweepstakes for the chance to win an unforgettable summer vacation for two – inspired by LOFT’s design team’s favorite destinations – plus 8 other prizes, including a $1,000 LOFT gift card! Entering is about as easy as putting on those wedge sandals – just ‘LIKE’ LOFT’s Facebook page for a chance to win!

Enter today and don’t forget to find your summer vacation style at LOFT. Your ultimate summer getaway awaits…

About the Sweepstakes

‘LIKE’ LOFT on Facebook to enter for your chance to win an unforgettable summer vacation for two OR eight other prizes including a $1,000 LOFT gift card! This contest runs from May 9th to May 30th, 2011.

Creativity for Kids My First Scissors Kit (Review + Giveaway)

by Shannon on May 19th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Crafts with Kids, Giveaways, Reviews, Spring Into Spring

Who Says Creativity Can’t Come in a Box?

Someone recently asked me, “So what is your daughter into?” You know that question. It means, with what fictional character is your child infatuated at the moment. In the past, I’ve been able to say Little Einsteins, Curious George or Fancy Nancy. However, this time the question stumped me because, at the moment, she has no fascination with anything… other than markers, paper, scissors, glue and tape. Oh, the tape. You know the phrase, “Don’t lend money to family, you have to give it and never expect it back”? That’s the philosophy I use when I give my daughter a roll of tape. I don’t get it back with any tape left on the roll.

So, I think it is fair to say that preschool girl is “in to” paper crafts. Even if your child is not currently involved in paper crafts, the award-winning Creativity for Kids My First Scissors Kit might change that.

My First Scissors Kit

This kit comes with a unique pair of left or right-handed scissors that are ergonomically designed for small hands that are still developing fine motor skills. Though, the recommended age range for the scissors is 4-94, I know my preschool girl could have used them earlier with adult supervision. The fact that they look like a toucan on the box is a bonus! My preschool girl has been working with scissors for a while, so when I asked if she liked the “bird scissors” (the Creativity for Kids) or the “safety scissors” (her small scissors) better, she responded with, “the bird scissors are much easier to use!”

As a parent who struggles to come up with creative ideas for crafts, I love the other parts of this kit just as much as the scissors. The kit contains:

  • ergonomically-designed scissors
  • preprinted paper in animal designs
  • glue stick
  • googly eyes
  • card stock for mounting your child’s masterpiece
  • chenille thread for hanging your child’s masterpiece
  • instructions for assembling a variety of jungle animals (instructions so simple, a child can use them!)

The genius behind the paper provided is that there are pre-printed cutting instructions on the back that correspond with the animal print on the front.

Your child can simply cut along the dotted line and, when done has the pieces to assemble their jungle animal with the glue stick and mounting board provided in the kit.

With the addition of googly eyes, the animal comes to life!

Over the course of several days, I found preschool girl returning to her animal crafts and working independently.  So far, she has created a bear, lion, tiger, giraffe and hippopotamus.  I expect her to keep returning to this project until all the animals are ready for display.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Faber-Castell My First Scissors kit provides all the materials necessary for your child to bring paper animals to life. For older preschool children, they can work independently and build self-confidence. For younger children, this is an excellent opportunity for parent/child interaction and studying jungle animals. Because the kit comes with enough paper materials for 10 animals, it is the perfect craft for a jungle or animal-themed birthday party.

Or Not To Buy.. I must admit, a large part of the attraction to this kit is that it comes with all the materials necessary to complete the project in one convenient spot. Do I have colored paper? Yes. Do I have googly eyes? Yes. Do I have glue sticks? Yes. Could I look up patterns for animal cutouts and prepare paper for my child? Yes. If you have all of those items as well, you may choose to embark on a similar project without the kit.

Shop! To shop Faber-Castell’s large selection of children’s art supplies and craft kits, including the My First Scissors kit which retails for $15.99, visit their Creativity for Kids site. You should also visit the art gallery, comprised of children’s art submissions to get some good ideas for summer craft projects.

Win! Creativity for Kids My First Scissors Kit!

How to Enter: Visit Creativity for Kids and leave a comment here with another product you’d like to try with your kids.

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

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Giveaway ends June 1. Open to US mailing addresses only.

Thanks to Faber-Castell for providing a sample product and the giveaway prize.
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