Throw a Spring Fling with Party City (Review + Giveaway)

by Kate on May 9th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways, Reviews, Spring Into Spring

Party City’s motto is “Nobody has more party for less!” We put this motto to the ultimate test by trying to plan a spring themed picnic in April in Ohio. The rain (and rain and rain) dampened my plans a bit, but we did have family over for a fun, indoor Spring dinner.

Party City has an impressive assortment of spring party supplies – suitable for everything from a baby shower to barbeque to birthday party or just because play date. The Party City spring tablewear themes include everything from spring table decorations to serving dishes, paper goods and pretty wall decor.

Here are some of my favorite spring party themes. Just looking at them makes the day seem brighter!

Floral Chic

Pink Sunny Stripe

Pretty Paisley

Spring Fling

Our Spring Fling

Like I mentioned, the weather did not cooperate with my initial plans as it was raining. The bright and beautiful spring colors and flowers made the room seem lighter and definitely more fun. We used the the Spring Fling Dinner Plates, Lunch Napkins and Cups on the Paper Table Cover.

We also served up a very spring-y meal (er, not so much) of Enchiladas, Rice and Chips & Salsa. We used the Paper Fans and Garden Party Lights to decorate the dining room and the kitchen for the kids. My daughter is ready to bring on the food.

I think my favorite accessory is the Garden Party Lights. They’re so fun and festive and can be used indoors or outside. They’d even be adorable in a girl’s bedroom. I do wish they could be plugged into one another to create a longer strand.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Honestly, the value for the money at Party City can’t be beat. The selection is amazing, the designs are colorful and fun and the prices are very affordable.

Or Not to Buy… Paper products aren’t the most eco-friendly, but Party City does offer many products that you can reuse like decor accessories, serving dishes and plate mats.

Shop! Party City products are incredibly affordable – and Spring Party Supplies are currently 50% off MSRP. A set of 8 dinner plates is only $2.75, serving bowls start at less than $1 and the awesome Garden Party Lights are only $12.99.


Win! Your Choice of $50 Worth of Party Supplies from Party City!

How to Enter: Visit Party City and comment here with another party theme you like.

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 May 23. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Party City for providing samples and the giveaway prize. As always, opinions are my own.

Mother’s Day Must See TV

by Kate on May 7th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

Make the time for Martha, Julia, The First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, Hillary Clinton, and the list goes on and on…

Let’s face it, as moms there are many impediments to watching television:

  • it’s usually off because we don’t want the kids to see too much
  • hubby always has the remote
  • who has time?

This Mother’s Day weekend, please make the time to view some of the wonderful programming aimed at celebrating moms. (Okay, set the DVR and come back to it later.)

The Shopping Mama has featured the “Joining Forces” initiative recently on Facebook. In case you missed those, Joining Forces is a new campaign whose figure heads are First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife to Vice-President Joe Biden. They’ve been actively campaigning on many media outlets for all Americans to support military families who are sacrificing so much for our country’s continued freedom. One of their recent endeavors was a baby shower for 40, that’s right 40, moms-to-be whose spouses are deployed. The event was held at Camp Lejeune, NC last month and gifts focused on the group and individual needs of the moms in attendance.

Not only were our country’s two leading mom’s in attendance, but Martha Stewart was also invited and will feature the event in an hour-long prime time event this Sunday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET on the Hallmark Channel. Martha Stewart Presents America’s Moms: A Celebration of Military Families with Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will feature “Operation Shower: Red, White & Coo” at Camp Lejeune, interviews with military moms and a scrapbooking demonstration by Martha herself.

To see a preview of the show or find the Hallmark Channel in your area, visit Martha Stewart.com.

Also, in a new small-screen venture, Julia Roberts will be hosting Extraordinary Moms on OWN (The Oprah Winfrey Network) tonight, Saturday, May 7 at 8 p.m. ET. For this special, Roberts will act as host and unleash her inner journalist as she interviews famous moms, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rosie O’Donnell and, true journalist, Christiane Amanpour, as well as not-so-famous moms. Though she might seem like an unlikely host, Roberts is a dedicated mother of three and shares the same cares and concerns of her guests (as well as you and me) and formulated her own questions for the hour-long special.

If you saw Friday’s Oprah with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, you saw a clip from the special in which Julia narrated during her interview with the Secretary of State, “the future of women was the future of her daughter,” referring to the personal nature of Clinton’s work on behalf of women after Chelsea was born in 1980. In fact, true to the mom experience, Roberts discusses how moms want to make the world a better place with each of the marvelous women she interviews.

I must admit that, as a student and teacher of journalism, I’ve been impressed with Roberts performance in her new role far more so than many of today’s network journalists. Not only does she not dress like a diva, she dresses appropriately, her questions are thoughtful and evoke passionate answers from her guests. I look forward to seeing the entire special. And it seems that if we all like it well enough, Roberts is willing to make this special a series on OWN, as was suggested today on Oprah. Stay tuned…

To see a preview of the show or find the channel number featuring OWN in your area, please visit Oprah.com. If you missed tonight’s show, check the schedule for repeat airing.

Also premiering on OWN this weekend is No Woman, No Cry directed by Christy Turlington Burns. The documentary tells the personal stories of pregnant women and their caregivers in four countries as they try to avoid becoming maternal mortality statistics.

MyJobChart.com: Free Online Chore Chart

by Kate on May 7th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Parenting

My children are far more technologically savvy than our generation ever was. Both kids can navigate their way around an iPad, they love watching things on YouTube and suggest I search for things “dot com” so it makes sense to transition some family organization online. MyJobChart.com is a free online chore chart that allows parents and children to track chores, earn and understand the value of rewards. Indeed, the mission of MyJobChart is “To provide parents a website to help teach children the value of a dollar, how to work and be responsible, in a fun and positive way.”

About MyJobChart.com

My Job Chart is a free, online, customizable chore chart system that is revolutionizing the way parents run their homes. By combining cutting-edge technology and opportunities for positive reinforcement, children are motivated by the unique, interactive program to do their chores and better grasp the value of the dollar. The system is one of the most effective tools in teaching children how to save, share with worthwhile charities and spend on things they need and want.

How It Works

How MyJobChart.com Works! on Vimeo.
Kids log in . . . do chores . . . and earn points to save, spend, or share!

Key Features

  • It’s FREE!
  • It’s ONLINE!  Technology engages kids these days far more than a chart on the wall.
  • Easy set up for parents.
  • Incredibly simple for kids to use.
  • Parents set up each child’s account with chores that are specific to their age and abilities.
  • Everything is customizable for your family: specific chores, prizes that will appeal to your children and even the amount of points that they will receive for each chore they complete.
  • Teaches kids how to save, share and spend.
  • Parents can receive an email or text when their child’s chores are completed or rewards are earned.

Teach Kids Responsibility

My son is only four, but he’s certainly old enough to have some simple chores. Things like picking up toys in the play room at the end of the day and putting away his clothes are little things that not only help me, but also teach him responsibility. Setting up an account for my family, including my son, was very easy. You can select from a list of pre-existing chores (like dishes, pick up toys, take out trash, etc) and assign them to children. The tasks can be assigned daily or weekly or one time and you can give each task a point value. When your child completes the assigned chore they earn the points.

While my son is old enough to have chores, he’s still too young to take advantage of the full MyJobChart.com system. I imagine in a year or two when he can log on by himself and fully comprehend it, this will be an amazing resource for my family. If you have children in grade school I think you’ll really be able to enjoy all that MyJobChart.com has to offer.

Sign Up! MyJobChart.com is FREE. It will only cost you when your kids cash in on their completed chores. And, hey, kids actually doing their chores? That’s priceless.

This is a sponsored post facilitated by Mom Spark Media. As always, opinions are my own.

Spring in Small Spaces: Front Porch Makeover

by Kate on May 7th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging

When I got the Apartment Guide Blogger Challenge to update a small space for spring, I immediately knew I wanted to focus on my front porch. It’s the first impression of our home and it was so very blah. I was eager to spring it up on a budget.

As a reminder, here’s what the front porch looked like before:

With a $150 budget courtesy of Apartment Guide, I make some strategic purchases and am so pleased with the outcome. Here’s the front porch after:

My favorite part is the cushions that take advantage of the bench seat. If it ever stops raining every day, I imagine sitting here while the kids ride bikes back and forth on the sidewalk.

To spring-ify my porch I purchased: cushions to create a bench seat, a pretty hanging plant, front door wreath, large pot and flowering plants.

Okay, now that my porch is ready for spring I think it’s time the weather improves so we can enjoy it!

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “Spring in Small Spaces” Blogger Challenge. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used for the “Spring in Small Spaces” Blogger Challenge. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

Ellen Mother’s Day Show

by Kate on May 6th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

Once again, Ellen celebrated Mother’s Day in style. Today the show’s audience was filled with first-time expectant mothers and they were spoiled with some of the latest and greatest in baby gear.

Here’s a list of everything the lucky moms received in this year’s Ellen Mother’s Day Giveaway:

Shop! From Saturday 9 AM through Sunday 9 AM (EST), many companies are offering 40% off! Head to Ellen’s BIG Mother’s Day Extravaganza to get the discount codes.

Giveaway! Ellen TV is giving away everything featured on the Mother’s Day show. Head here to enter.

Last Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

by Kate on May 6th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

I swear no matter how hard I try to get organized and have everything set for holidays, I am always missing something. Case in point? This year I bought Mother’s Day cards in plenty of time. I was so proud of myself. Only problem? I forgot to mail them. Sigh…

So, if you’re like me and you find yourself with no Mother’s Day present for your mama, significant other, grandma, sister, friend or yourself, no worries. Target has some great gift ideas in a variety of price ranges available IN STORES. So you can hit the red bullseye tomorrow and look like you were completely prepared come Sunday.

My grandmother loves to garden, and I’ve purchased Smith & Hawken products for her a few times. They’re always a hit. This year, look for the Floppy Straw Garden Hat ($9.99), Tall Gardening Boots ($24.99) or Gardening Gloves (in stores only, $9.99).

One of the things that sets Target apart is its partnerships with high-end designers. This year, the collaboration with CALYPSO St. Barth is timed perfectly for Mother’s Day gifts. We like the Multistrand Wood Bead Necklace ( $19.99), Print Dress in Turquoise ($36.99) and Espadrille Wedge Sandals ($29.99).

Whether or not  you’re shopping for the most talented cook in the kitchen, these picks will be much appreciated for their beauty and function. The Keurig Special Edition Home Brewing System ($149.99), Giada De Laurentiis for Target 6-pc. Ceramic Bakeware Set ($39.99) and Calypso St. Barth for Target Elephant Tea Pot ($14.99) are each perfect for entertaining.


And, of course, a no-fail present for any mom is a framed photo of her little one(s). Fill the Wall Cluster Collage Frame ($19.99) with four pics and you have a hit on your hands.

Shop! If a stop at Target isn’t already on your weekend to do list, add it now. You’re sure to find something for yourself and all the other moms on your shopping list – for a reasonable price.

I received product samples from Target. As always, opinions are my own.

Shake Hands with a Hero

by Kate on May 6th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Life

Thank you to Procter & Gamble, Kroger and the USO for sponsoring this blog post and the Shake Hands With A Hero initiative. Please click here to learn more about this program. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

***

When we said “Good bye” to my husband last fall at the airport, he wasn’t wearing a uniform.

When the kids ran into his arms to welcome him home for a few weeks, he wasn’t wearing a uniform.

Because he was not deploying with a unit (rather to fill a job) and he was leaving and arriving on a commercial airline he wore “civilian” clothes. And, frankly, it really bothered me.

In October, as we walked teary eyed through the terminal, I wanted everyone to turn to my husband and express their gratitude, tell him to return safely. I wanted strangers to turn to my kids and me and say, “Hang in there.”

When we celebrated his brief homecoming, I wanted folks to pat my husband on the back and say, “Welcome home.” But they didn’t. Without a uniform there was no way for strangers to know with certainty who in the world my husband is or what he does. And, certainly no way for anyone to know that my kids and I are supporting him at home.

The point is that there are SO MANY heroes (military spouses, children, etc) that don’t wear a uniform and don’t stand out that when you have the chance to say “Thanks” and show gratitude to heroes, take advantage of it. If you see someone wearing a uniform in the airport, say “Thanks.” If you see a woman wearing a blue star family pin, say “We support you.” And, if you’re given the opportunity to Shake Hands with a Hero, do it.

Read on to see how you can virtually Shake Hands with a Hero and support the USO – an organization that has provided support to me and my family throughout the years.

Shake Hands with a Hero

Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Kroger and its family of stores have partnered together to support the USO – an organization that provides an extensive range of programs at more than 150 centers in 27 countries and at hundreds of entertainment events each year to support the morale, welfare, social and entertainment needs of troops and their families, free of charge – in its mission to help American troops and their families. Through the partnership Kroger will donate $250,000 to the USO.

As part of the partnership Kroger and P&G have created an opportunity to let consumers virtually “shake hands with a hero” – the proper custom to show your gratitude to US soldiers in uniform to thank them for their service to our country. The first 50,000 people who utilize the application at www.honoringourheroes.com to shake a soldier’s hand will receive a coupon (loaded to their Kroger Plus Card) for $1 off P&G products.

Grocery Shop for Feeding America #ChildHungerEndsHere {Video}

by Kate on May 6th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging

After our visit to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, I’m even more inspired to do everything I can to make sure that ConAgra meets their goal of donating 2.5 million meals to Feeding America. YOU can help, too, by doing something you’re already doing: grocery shopping.

Watch this quick video to see how you can join the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.


I am a compensated blogger correspondent for the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.


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